Tag Archives: spring 2011

Richie Rich Spring 2011

Photos by Nari Kim

You can take a club kid out of the party, but you can never take the party out of a club kid. Richie Rich, half of the former designer duo Heatherette, kicked off his first on-site show of Mercedes Benz Fashion Week with what? Classical music? Ballet dancers? Where was the debauchery? And the outlandish over-the-top madness? Let’s pace ourselves now.

Although the majority of the audience came to see celebrities and have a great time, Richie Rich’s Spring/Summer 2011 line “Popluxe” was delightfully and surprisingly wearable. The dresses were bright and eye-catching with ruffles and sparkling flare, but I could see myself wearing any of them to a tea party, a night out, or even a wedding. Plus it’s always fun to see the likes of Tinsley Mortimer, Paris Hilton, and Jujubee strut their stuff on the runway.

And then came the twosomes and the threesomes – modeling lingerie? Swimwear? Not important. The wigs, face paint, and temporary tattoos in strategic places brought us back to the reality of Richie Rich. Fun, fearless, enthusiastic, and a bit raunchy, this is a world we all adore.

As the show ended, we all waited in anticipation to see who would be Richie Rich’s escort down the runway. Last season was Pamela Anderson, and we were thrilled to see Ellen DeGeneres stroll down the runway in a glittering silver suit. Dare I use the word fierce?

– Nari Kim


Trias Spring 2011


The concept behind the Trias Spring 2011 collection was an engaging one — one that had us wondering in what manner the designer Joaquin Trias would execute. The presentation, called “Seized Movement” was “the study of the impact of air against the body and its dynamic effect on fabric.” We immediately thought of voluminous skirts and billowy air inside the minimal designs he is known for. What we saw, however, were carefully cut and crafted designs in mainly monochrome colors of Naranja, Pomelo, Rojo, Fresòn, Oxido, Tierra and Cafè (translations: warm orange, cool whites, reds, brown) . There was structure and restraint in his designs and whatever volume he hoped to express was subtle, almost invisible. It could be seen in the upward pleat of a one shoulder taffeta dress — a visible, earlike fold, or the gathered pucker of a satiny cigarette pant. His strength is in the streamlined, but with that there is a caveat– with so light of a touch there is the danger of it being erased altogether. We can sense the designer’s expression, but we would like for his lovely statement to be a bit louder, a bit bolder for us to appreciate.
—Jeanie Kwak
Photos and video by Stevyn Llewellyn

View images of the complete collection below.


Manuel De La Cruz Spring 2011


Manuel De La Cruz Spring 2011 collection. De La Cruz, hailing from Guatemala, presented his Andalusian-inspired apparel, titled “Santa Samana”. A dark palette dominated the collection with rich purples, blacks, and sophisticated cocktail dresses. Manuel effectively utilized fabrics such as chiffon, silk and satin to unify his elegant line.
See images from the presentation below.
Photos by Nina Zambrano


Click here to see exclusive backstage photos.

Monique Lhuillier Spring 2011


Monique Lhuillier‘s Spring 2011 concept of a dreamy Garden of Eden euphoria was rather an overdone and humdrum approach. “A beautiful girl running through a lush garden”… I think every fashion student has used some form of such an inspiration for a project, (mine was a scandalous 1920s garden party). Nonetheless, the clothes were alluring and very feminine. Girly yet refined cocktail dresses that were corseted and pleated, draped gowns, and a few lightweight daytime separates. The dominant colors were tones of blushy pinks, smooth creams and golden caramels, cultivated with minty green and apple red to create a very appetizing palette.

— Maria Giannakakis
Photos and video by Stevyn Llewellyn

See the entire collection below:


Rebecca Minkoff Backstage Photos


Backstage at Rebecca Minkoff during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York.
Photos by Stevyn Llewellyn