The cold weather is awful. But it is such a great excuse to try out the (future) trends below. These looks feature plenty of layers, long fabrics and a strong doses of character. Take a look:
source: stylebob.com
Category Archives: Collections
Fall RTW 2010
I firmly believe that Fall/Winter runways are always much more intense and interesting than the Summer/Spring runways. The opportunities that designers have to incorporate layers, heavy colors, dramatic make-up, etc. always allows for a more interesting show. I have chosen the top five Fall RTW 2010 runways. Take a look:
I had never heard of Iceberg until today. What fantastic designs! Alfred Hitchcock is the brilliant mind behind these designs. A mix of menswear and voluptuous furs allowed for a youthful, fun runway. I did not see one ensemble that did not look ready-to-wear. At Iceberg it was all about the length. The checkered blouses were worn with calf-length pencil skirts, long ribbed cardigans were paired with ankle-cropped pants. Men’s shirts were worn suspended from the shoulders and a black ribbon which added such a feminine, beautiful touch. Absolutely fantastic.
There are so many brands included in this post that I have never heard of! Pollini is yet another powerhouse that I knew nothing of until today. Pollini was rugged, chic and simple. Jonathan Saunders created such a grunge vibe in his designs, yet everything felt feminine as well. A complete winner!
Emilio Pucci’s RTW collection is more of a dream than ready-to-wear. He stayed true to his exotic patterns and colors, sleek furs and a fantastic mix of colors. The collection was sexy, dark and a perfect fit for the red carpet.
Les Copains is one of my favorite collections of all times. The mix of colors, patterns and fabrics let me speechless. I absolutely loved everything from their knitwear to the model’s sleek, straight hair and dark make-up.
Gareth Pugh was my favorite surprise from the bunch! Pugh is usually completely extreme – almost to the extent that it looks like no real person could pull off his designs. However, this time around the collection was wearable and almost plain. Absolutely Ready-to-Wear.
Source: NYMag.com
Forrest and Bob Pt. II
There are certain types of media that can’t really be described. Media that makes you speechless, blush and quite frankly raise your heartbeat just a little bit. This type of media was found in my inbox, just a few days ago. Sent from designers Forrest & Bob, I got a sneak peak at their new lingerie collection as well as their S/S 2010 collection. The campaign was shot in Los Angeles and features three models and Carlos Leon. For the first time, Forrest & Bob are creating menswear. The Danish designers are well known for their basic tank designs and after having posed the question, “what do I wear underneath these tank tops?” Forrest and Bob offered me the perfect answer. The lingerie featured in their new campaign is almost as basic as their tank tops; feminine, sexy and simple. You just can not go wrong with these designs! Take a look:
For more, click here.
Source: forrestandbob.com
10 Questions for Audrey Cantwell
I learned of Canadian fashion designer Audrey Cantwell completely by mistake. I was simply surfing the very popular website, Etsy.com when I stumbled upon her Etsy store “blackmarketbaby” and as many designers before her, I absolutely had to contact Ms. Cantwell regarding her designs. Below I have featured my favorite Audrey Cantwell designs as well as ten questions regarding them and her process of designing fashion. Take a look:
1. Your collections seem to have a dark themes. For example, your Howl collection includes a great amount of leather and studs and your most recent collection Salem features a lot of black colors and drapes. Why is that and how did you come up with the names for your collections?
I`ve always had a bit of a dark sensibility and it comes out in the garments I make, I can’t really explain why, it just appeals to me. The titles come from a mood or inspiration I have for the collection,when making my HOWL collection I was reading a lot of Ginsberg, X was the title I gave to a collection inspired by pirates and the sea, Salem was inspired by witches and the northern wilderness.
2. Can you tell me about your design process? How do you design and what components are key to your successfully doing so. Do you find inspiration in music, nature or anything particular?
I have ideas for specific garments and I have a general idea of the mood or feel. I never draw anything and just drape most first samples. I’m inspired by fabrics and textures very much. I also am very inspired by music, and sometimes by nature, fantasy, mysticism, people I know, people I don’t know…
3. You are from Canada. Do you find that there is any difference in Canadian designs versus American and European designs?
I don’t really know if there is and wouldn’t know how to describe it, but there is so much creative energy in Canada that’s just starting to be discovered and acknowledged by people all over the world.
4. Your website states that, “I cut and I sew and I save the more fortunate results.” is it really that simple for you to design?
Down to the core, I think it is. I like to experiment when I design. I explore every idea I have. Some turn out the way I envisioned, some don’t. I go forward with the ones that I believe in most.
5. Who do you design your collection for? Who is the ideal woman that would wear your clothes?
There is no ideal woman, really. I have no one in mind when I design. I know this aesthetic doesn’t appeal to everyone, but I think the ones who do like it, really love it and breathe it.
6. What do you hope to accomplish with your designs?
As long as I can continue to do what I love everyday and people continue to want to wear my designs, I couldn’t ask for more.
7. What is your favorite part of the design process?
Getting inspired by colours, fabrics, materials, textures.
8. I would describe you as a designer. However, how would you describe yourself?
I design, cut, drape, sew,.. I think I am a designer.
9. Are you currently working on another collection. If so, when will it be available?
I’m wrapping up my spring collection entitled Mysterium, it should be online and for sale in 2 to 3 weeks. It’s quite different than anything I’ve done before it.
10. What is your advice to individuals who want to become designers? What worked for you?
I’m not sure if I have much advice as I’ve only been doing this a few months and still figuring everything out for myself, but I would say, very simply; explore.
Special thanks to Audrey Cantwell.
To purchase or view more of her designs, visit her Etsy store by clicking the photo below:
Sources: Audrey Cantwell, AudreyCantwell.com
The Fall/Winter of 2010
As I was researching what trends to pick as the Top Five Trends for the Fall and Winter of 2010, I found that most of the trends could be predicted via. photos. I have therefore decided to use simple photos instead of words to explain my predictions of the trends that (hopefully) lie ahead of us in the year of 2010. Most of the trends that I found were from the designers pre-fall collections. Enjoy.
sSources: google images, style.com, harpersbazaar.com, marieclaire.com
All tee’d out
The designs featured above were created by the company A QUESTION OF. A QUESTION OF is a company selling organic fair trade T-shirts that are produced in Tanzania, Africa. A QUESTION OF was founded in 2008. The company focuses on fair trade as well as the production of organic, environmentally friendly products. The factory in Tanzania which produces these products operates under fair and ethical conditions which is awesome! I love their designs. Take a look:
5 Preview is another really awesome company. Unfortunately, I could find little information about them. However, do take a look at their website by clicking here.
Source: 5preview.bigcartel.com, aquestionof.dk
complexgeometries spring/summer 2010:
Source: complexgeometries.com
FORREST & BOB
I have not featured a Designer of The Week in a long time. There is good reason for that; I simply have not found many designers whom I found interesting enough. Forrest and Bob changed all that. As I was reviewing their website, I was shocked to learn that Forrest & Bob is only a year old brand. The company has created one of those brands where I truly just want to wear everything – that is so rare! Forrest and Bob’s collections are simple and sexy. It is so incredibly European too. Take a look at my favorite pieces from F&B’s collections:
Forrest & Bob offers an affordable clothing line for women (a men’s collection is set to launch in 2010) as well a shoe collection and an accessory line. The company was co-created by former model, Vibe Sørensen and she works with three other designers on the F&B collections. Despite Forrest and Bob being such a young company, I truly feel as though they will become extremely successful in the near future. The company has already ventured in to an international market offering an online shop and shipping across the globe. I wish them the best of luck because their designs are truly incredible and promotes a sense of encouragement regarding personal style.
You can shop these looks and more here.
Pakistan Fashion Week
If Pakistan Fashion Week seems less glamorous than New York Fashion Week, Paris Fashion Week and Milan Fashion Week that is because it is. Pakistan is attempting to become part of the international fashion market and despite continues delays due to threats of bombings and the fear of terrorism, the organizers and models still wanted fashion week to continue.
According to Time Magazine, Pakistan has tried to enter the fashion market since 2007. However, terrorist attacks and the assasination of Benazir Bhottu contributed to their not doing so until now. The 2009 show was actually delayed when militants attacked a military base just a few days before the shows were scheduled to begin. Numerous models, 700+ attendees and 32 designers participated in fashion week despite fears of a possible attack. I find that to be very brave and I think that takes a lot of courage for people to do. This should be recognized and Model, Nadia Hussain, agreed but also voiced her opinion, “Unfortunately, it is the bad side of Pakistan that gets everybody’s attention….” she said. Ayesha Tammy Haq, the events organizer added that the event should be read as a “gesture of defiance to the Taliban.”
This gesture is well received on my part. I am excited for Pakistan and I hope that they participate in many fashion weeks to come as it is so thrilling to see fashion that is not considered truly western because that’s what fashion is all about; change, culture and expression.
Sources: NYMag.com, Time.com
Rodarte for Target Pt. II
Marie Claire just featured a better preview of the Rodarte for Target collection. The collection will be available in Target stores nationwide next month according to New York Magazine. Take a look:
I absolutely love the skull tunic to the left! What do you think?
So, I went to the thrift store the other day and found the denim jacket below for $3.99. Yes, $3.99. It’s very 90′s maybe even 80′s and I was teased to death for wearing it. However, it was so comfortable and I love it! I paired it with black skinny jeans and black platform shoes as well as a dark lip, several rings and my Marc Jacobs bag (not shown here). Take a look:
Source: www.nitrolicious.com
Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen for JCPenney
I was reluctant to write about Mary-Kate’s and Ashley’s collection for JCPenney. I agree with my friend Clare‘s opinion regarding the new collection and the designers behind it. Clare stated the following, “Mary Kate and Ashley are forever making these lines of crap clothes. If I remember correctly they used to (or still do) have a clothing line at Wal Mart (or K Mart) or the something. However, these girls just commission cheap designers to make cheap clothes, slap their name on the tag, and then sell them to masses and make millions off of them. These girls have like 16 “clothing lines” but I doubt either one of them can sew on a button.” and I just couldn’t agree more. I can’t imagine trying to become a designer today. Or anything in a field that requires originality because celebrities have submerged themselves in every single industry. They’ve submerged themselves in to the music industry, acting industry, design industry and the modeling industry just to name a few. It’s getting so old.
Anways, the twins announced that they were designing a junior’s collection for JCPenney. The collection will be titled “Olsenboye” (that’s such a weird name!? but according to NYMag it’s their Norwegian ancestral name) and should hit stores nationwide in the upcoming months. Below are some photos of the twins at Union Square yesterday:
I’m sorry if I lack enthusiasm regarding this announcement.
Watch the teaser for the collection here:
Object Collector’s Items
I recently started writing for Object Fashion Blog along with three other young women. The blog is directly related to Object Collector Items which designed the Autum and Winter styles featured in this post. Below are my favorite picks from their Autumn/Winter collection which I have separated by color schemes. I find these looks to be absolutely incredible. The leather, the glitter, the knits and the denim all come together to create unique and fantastic ensembles. To locate a store in which you can purchase these items please click here. 
For more information about Object Collector Items click here.
Sources: www.objectci.com, Object Collector Items Official Facebook Page.
JIMMY CHOO FOR H&M CON’T.
The collection becomes available November 14, 2009. Check H&M.com on October 29th for more pictures and previews of the much anticipated collection!
Sources: www.hm.com, www.knighttcat.com
Pretty Personal Question x Adidas
This is PPQ’s first collection for Adidas and I love it! The collection is currently available at Adidas stores around the globe. The lace-up boots are my favorite. Take a look:
What do you think?
On March 7th, 2010 Jean Paul Gaultier’s collection for Target will become available throughout 250 Target stores nationwide. Mr. Gaultier’s muse for the collection will be all American women – how cool. This is the third designer collaboration for Target, Alexander McQueen and Anna Sui both designed collections before Mr. Gaultier. There is no information on price ranges yet but I will be looking forward to this!
Source: nylonmag.com, grazia.com, jeanpaulgaultier.com, target.com, nymag.com
Bleached Brows
This look was very prevalent on the Spring 2010 Runways. The brows remain very natural (they’re not tweezed, waxed, etc). The only artificial thing about these brows is the bleach blonde color of them.
I’m so excited for Rodarte’s collection for Target! The Go International Rodarte collection will be available on December 22nd and will feature the looks below that retail at prices from $9.99 to $79.99. Take a look:
Sources: Elle.com, style.com, nymag.com, rodarte.com, target.com
