Thursday, February 18, 2010

Alexander Wang F/W 2010

Wall Street sex appeal at Alexander Wang. American designer Alexander Wang presented a collection that was completely innovative and inspired from the uniforms of businessmen of Wall Street. Every piece in the collection was completely tailored but sustained that special Wang twist. An injection of his signature sex appeal touch permeated with the bare midriff cut-outs and experimentation with infusing various fabrics. An assortment of velvets was predominant and came in colors of black, gold, ruby and dark green. The velvets added a gypsy sensation into the collection. Layering was a significant factor for each look and was done precisely. A pin striped jacket was layered over a delicate lace dress and matched with thigh high knit chenille leggings. The color palette was mostly dark and with all the bare midriff and cut-outs implicating a sexual connotation with an S&M commotion. The trousers also had cutaways on the back waist revealing skin under the skinny patent leather belts. The Alexander Wang look is strong with great influence from menswear but maintains a sexy feminine touch.

The show was held in Midtown Manhattan at the Pier 94 exhibition space located right next to the Hudson River. The space had a completely dark ambiance with a concrete runway floors that were slicked with water. Russian supermodel Natalia Vodianova opened the show in a pin-striped cross cut mini dress paired with a black thigh high knit chenille leggings and a black crisscrossed backpack. The traditional banker’s suit was reconstructed with a sexy touch and apparently visible in the mini-skirts, cut-out jackets and sexy trousers. Velvets were seen everywhere in the collection and were ruched, draped and stretched. Lace and silk lingerie were added to a variety of pieces adding a feminine familiarity to the collection.

There were plenty of desired pieces that were offered this season. Desired pieces were the pin-striped mini dress, lingerie and lace tops and dresses and the cut-out wool camel colored coats. The thigh high knit chenille leggings were also incredibly appealing and could be the next trend this next fall season.

Alexander Wang was once considered the best new designer but after presenting this innovative collection he can now be referred to as the fashion leader. Wang has brought us his own take on a sexy woman that meets Wall Street. The Alexander Wang women is strong but still remains sexy and is not afraid of showing a little skin this next fall season. –Brent Billiman, New York City, USA.


Stan Honda Photo: Model Karlie Kloss for Alexander Wang F/W 10


Stan Honda Photo: Model Abbey Lee Kershaw for Alexander Wang F/W 10


Stan Honda Photo: Model Natalia Vodianova for Alexander Wang F/W 10


Stan Honda Photo: Model Sigrid Agren for Alexander Wang F/W 10


Stan Honda Photo: Model Regina Feoktistova for Alexander Wang F/W 10


Stan Honda Photo: Model Jessica Miller for Alexander Wang F/W 10


Stan Honda Photo: Model Sara Blomqvist for Alexander Wang F/W 10


Stan Honda Photo: Model Yasminka Muratovich for Alexander Wang F/W 10


Stan Honda Photo: Model Aline Weber for Alexander Wang F/W 10


Stan Honda Photo: Model Jenny Sinkaberg for Alexander Wang F/W 10

Monday, February 15, 2010

Jason Wu F/W 2010

Legendary fashion photographer inspires Jason Wu. American designer Jason Wu was motivated this season from the late legendary fashion photographer, Irving Penn. The simplicity of Penn’s personal style is what set the disposition for the entire collection. An exquisite plaid jacket paired with a tailored crisp white shirt was the essential component for his chic style. This simplicity of Penn’s style was evident in the day wear with the relaxed trousers, the comfortable mohair sweaters and the menswear coats that draped over the feminine blouses, skirts and dresses. Wu also presented his trademark gorgeous cocktail dresses and evening gowns but this time he infused an edgy aspect with paint splatters. Layering of knit pieces and fabrics with hard textures were added to various day wear pieces permeated the suggestion from the menswear inspiration. The strong masculine component of Penn instilled a distinctive edge in numerous pieces. Several ball gowns and dresses were wonderful and something Penn would have taken pleasure in photographing.

The show was held in West Chelsea with a long narrow hot pink runway with model Anja Rubik opening the show in a paint splattered masculine double breasted cashmere coat. The opening look was quite a surprise, Wu has been known for presenting ladylike fantasy feminine dresses and this season each look was distinctive with an edge. The masculine reference was visible in the oversized coats, textures and excess fabrics applied to various pieces. The tailored crisp coats, blouses and trousers gave a nod to Penn’s signature style. The cocktail dresses and ball gowns that were hand draped and ruche appeared exceedingly heavy but definitely looked dramatic and stunning.

An admired piece in the collection was the ivory finale gown that was hand draped. Other pieces that appealing were the Penn inspired jackets and the relaxed trousers. Feathered cocktail dresses were extremely gorgeous and were mostly favored by stylist and buyers.

Jason Wu has showed everyone with this collection that not only can he make a lovely feminine dresses but he can also inject some edge with some masculinity and structure. He gave homage to the notable late fashion photographer Irving Penn with reflecting on his personal style and creating pieces that he would have enjoyed photographing. The Jason Wu women will always remain a sophisticated but this season she is strong and not afraid to have a stylish edge. –Brent Billiman, New York City, USA.


Luca Bruno Photo: Model Karlie Kloss for Jason Wu


Luca Bruno Photo: Model Dorothea Barth Jorgensen for Jason Wu


Luca Bruno Photo: Model Abbey Lee Kershaw for Jason Wu


Luca Bruno Photo: Model Tati Cotliar for Jason Wu


Luca Bruno Photo: Model Anja Rubik for Jason Wu


Luca Bruno Photo: Model Lindsey Wixson for Jason Wu


Luca Bruno Photo: Model Iris Strubegger for Jason Wu


Luca Bruno Photo: Model Daiane Conterato for Jason Wu


Luca Bruno Photo: Model Liu Wen for Jason Wu


Luca Bruno Photo: Model Yulia Kharlaponova for Jason Wu

Saturday, February 13, 2010

BCBG Max Azria F/W 2010

An abundance of layers at BCBG Max Azria. Tunisian designing couple Max and Lubov Azria took a step in a different course from last season’s youthful and vibrant collection. This time around they took inspiration from the 1960’s and the James Cameron science fiction film, Avatar. The entire collection was completely clean cut with nice layers of silk that came in chic geometric color blocked silhouettes paired with relaxed knit tops. The dresses had a carefree sensation comparable to a nicely fitted t-shirt. Every piece in the collection was exceptionally comfortable and entirely wearable in summer as well. The 1960’s inspired the clean and modern impression. The sci-fi element was perceptible in the intense colors of yellow and blues that stood out amongst the black, grey and white. Various pieces would have been a perfect wardrobe for a modern day women working on the “Star Trek’ voyager.

The event was held at the Bryant Park tents and the first show of the season kicking of New York Fashion Week. Model Anastasia Kuznetsova opened the show in a white silk dress paired with a relaxed kit top cinched with a wide elastic belt. The fabrics were incredibly light weight and thin but remained extremely warm and disparate from the ordinary winter bulky layering of heavy winter pieces. Asymmetrical color-blocked dresses layered with knit tops were paired with loose black trousers giving a nod to the 1960’s clean cut sentiment. There was also a great attention to details with sequins that were sewn into tulle and there was accordion pleats placed in the paneling on various pieces.

Admired pieces in the collection were the silk dresses that felt tremendously light and would also work well at the end of summer. The knit tops that came in various intense colors of blue and yellow were also very appealing and distinct. Every piece in the collection was extremely carefree and could be all interchangeable.

Tremendous comfort and style is what Max and Lubov Azria have given their customer. This collection is entirely carefree and no matter piece is selected everything is interchangeable. The BCBG Max Azria woman is comfortable and stylish and ready to conquer the future even if she is going to be taking a journey into space. –Brent Billiman, New York City, USA.


Luca Bruno Photo: Model Frida Gustavsson for BCBG Max Azria


Luca Bruno Photo: Model Patricia van der Vliet for BCBG Max Azria


Luca Bruno Photo: Model Abbey Lee Kershaw for BCBG Max Azria


Luca Bruno Photo: Model Ann Kenny for BCBG Max Azria


Luca Bruno Photo: Model Sigrid Agren for BCBG Max Azria


Luca Bruno Photo: Model Anastasia Kuznetsova for BCBG Max Azria


Luca Bruno Photo: Model Sigrid Agren for BCBG Max Azria


Luca Bruno Photo: Model Anastasia Kuznetsova for BCBG Max Azria


Luca Bruno Photo: Model Lisanne De Jong for BCBG Max Azria


Luca Bruno Photo: Model Jac for BCBG Max Azria

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Models to Watch F/W 2010 Season

There will be a variety of great faces this season in New York with the world's most beautiful women walking the runways. The top girls to watch will be an array of superstars, rising stars and the new emerging talent. The following models are expected to rule the catwalks in New York, Milan and Paris. -Brent Billiman, New York City, USA.


Karlie Kloss/ Next


Abbey Lee/ Next


Aggyness Deyn/ Women


Natasha Poly/ Women


Eniko Mihalik/ Marilyn


Tanya Dziahileva/ Marilyn


Chanel Iman/ Ford


Jacquelyn Jablonski/ Ford


Coco Rocha/ Elite


Dree Hemingway/ Elite


Freja Beha Erichson/ IMG


Lara Stone/ IMG


Lindsay Ellingson/ DNA


Anna Derijk/ DNA


Edita Vilkeviciute/ DNA