NYFW Fall 2013: CALLA

Call me a bit of an 90s nerd but whenever a collection is inspired by Tetris or other video games it fascinates me. Calla Haynes the Canadian Paris-based designer behind CALLA was inspired by Tetris, Legend of Zelda and director Michel Gondry's The Science of sleep. The unique prints that resembled blurry pixel florals, while another has a cosmic blustery petal feel and let's not forget the Tetris tweed used. The designer partnered up with Austrian knitwear designer Michaela Buerger to create chunky hand-knit wool sweaters.  Fortunately the collection did not look anything like a 90s nerd.

NYFW Fall 2013: Erin Barr

I made it just in the nick of time for the Erin Barr show after running crosstown and trying to hail a cab for almost half an hour and almost getting hit by a car in the process. I made it downtown to Chelsea Piers and my feet hurt, my heart was pounding and I ran in just as the lights dimmed to begin the show. I was so glad to have made it to see the Wisconsin native make-up artist turned designer in her fourth season.


This collection was all about the modern sexy strong woman with body con dresses, strategic cut outs and slits, zip off components and sexy slits. The cut outs were placed in interesting places at the midriff, in the back - the slightest peeks of skin creating a sexy and subtle newness.

PromGirl Fashion Show

A few weeks ago I had the chance to go to prom! Again. Or not really but as close as a grown woman can get.  PromGirl hosted a fashion show to showcase upcoming trends for 2013 prom.

I had the chance to snack at Handsome Dan's famous candy bar - from rock candy to organic flavored cotton candy! I wished for a minute that I could eat dairy because they had some frozen hot chocolate that looked amazing. Instead I loaded up a mason jar full of pink confections.

The scene at the Helen Mills theater was Legally Blonde perfection with pink feathers, pink foil animals (including an elephant!) and pink lights to sparkle up the night.

At long last I had the chance to get a custom portrait by the lovely and talented illustrator Lacee Swan. After my portrait I ran over to have my hair curled by the folks at Jose Eber and be bejeweled with some American made expandable bracelets by Alex and Ani. Some folks were having their prom picture taken, but since I came stag to prom I was just happy to be dolled up and well sugared.

The party stayed jumping with the tunes spun by the DJ duo The Jane Doze and a live performance by the adorable teen country music sensation Payton Rae.

As for the fashion show feathers, ruffles, bright colors and plenty of sparkle. The color pink was never far behind and there were plenty of high-low skirts and cascading soft layered chiffon skirts. The energy was upbeat and the models had fun on the runway and it really showed. My favorite PromGirl moment came when a model came out carrying a little pomeranian!

Thank you to Small Girls PR for a special night where I got to keep calm and think prom.

Fashion Show pictures courtesy of PromGirl

NYFW Runway Review: The Blonds

The final show I attended of NYFW was the loudest as Milk Studios was overtaken by the downtown cool kids strutting their most outrageous outfits.  Before the show even began I saw Spike Hair, furry monster get-up, angel wings and one topless bathing suit paired with tassle  pasties.  Celebs like Stacy London, Nigel Barker, Miss J Alexander, Jay Manuel, Robert Verdi were enjoying themselves and posing for photos as everyone strutted their best stuff. The energy and over the top exuberance had me not knowing where to look and I scarcely noticed the electric motorcycle on the runway that was deeply connected to the theme of the show.  Right before the show began there was a sudden flurry of activity as Lil Kim made her way into the room.

NYFW Presentation: Norisol Ferrari Fall 2012

The Norisol Ferrari presentation was one that took me back in time in what the designer describes as Jean Harlow meets Tina Turner in Mad Max.  There were dramatic silhouettes that made me think a little bit of Charles Worth-esque (late 1900s) glamor while other items that made me think of something a very put together Goth might enjoy.

NYFW Runway Review: Farah Angsana Fall 2012

The Farah Angsana Fall 2012 collection exuded exactly the type of luxury that the young jet set socialite might demand. Opulence, sparkle and drama dominated the runway - this is not clothing for the faint of heart or for those who like to hide in a corner at an event.  If fashion should be about empowering a woman to feel beautiful and glamorous - Farah Angsana has found strength in what she knows best.  Afterall the designer caters to women who like herself travel the world and you could see hints of the global influence in the kaftans to flamenco flounces.
 

NYFW Presentation: Lorena Sarbu Fall 2012

Waking up on a Sunday morning is always a challenge and hauling myself to Lincoln Center for 10:30am from Brooklyn took a bit of convincing but once I arrived I was pleasantly surprised by Lorena Sarbu's collection of glamorous special occasion frocks that would look perfectly at ease on any Hollywood red carpet.

Runway Review: Cynthia Rowley Fall 2012

The runway show started and before I even see the clothes in person, huge screens are projecting the models as they walk from multiple angles providing an artful backdrop to the show. It's no wonder seating was arranged entirely on one side of an extra long runway.

The collection is inspired by mechanics and the idea of a overall that is so easy, effortless but also simultaneously tough and sexy.  Design details like zip fronts, buckle straps, button ups reference the garb that mechanics wear but the fabrications in silk, leather, denim, plaid and jersey and clusters of sequin patches suggest luxury instead of a garage.  It's not to say this collection was without any layering - turtlenecks looked great with sparkling DanniJo jewels that come so high up the neck that it makes me think of women pictured in National Geographic. 

Burgundy, Fire Orange, Chocolate, Olive, Denim, Indigo Blue and White comprised the sophisticated color palette for the collection.

The prints were most interesting.  Some reminded me of that swirly pattern you see in a puddle of oil while others looked tie-dyed in a way that a bright rag might look if a mechanic wiped their hands on it at the end of the day.  Others prints almost machine-like giving a robotic feel and others still look a bit like a burning flame.

The collection contrasted boxy easy tops or leather tee shirts with slip skirts and slim cut trousers with a slightly dropped crotch for a slouchy effortless look.

I loved how this collection stuck very closely to the theme but in a very non-literal and unexpected delivery while keeping true to Rowley's aesthetic of creating non-girly feminine clothes that are both comfortable and effortlessly stylish.