Carolina Herrera S/S 2011

Traditional clothes from Asia inspires Carolina Herrera. American designer Carolina Herrera was inspired this season from the traditional attire from Korea. This idea gave inspirations for the cuts and the details in the collection. The sophisticated Herrera tailoring was combined with Asian inspired folds to create a chic daytime look. Double Korean bows replaced the typical grosgrain ribbon on a number of pieces. The idea also motivated her to add straw hats, on a various looks, similar to what the traditional farmers would wear while working in the rice patty fields.. Another inspiration was the bold flower prints that came from the 18th century botanical plates. Various cocktail pieces, skirts, blouses and evening gowns had the unique botanical prints. The color palette had a botanical twist with floral pink, white, beige, stem green and lotus. Herrera's signature uptown style had a unique Asian influence but maintained a chic elegant attitude. The Carolina Herrera look is elegant with Park Avenue sophistication.

The show was held at theater in the Lincoln center show space with a simple runway setting. Polish model Magdalena Frackowiak opened the event in a white wrap shirt with acetate belt paired with a black wide brim straw hat. There was plenty of daytime sophisticated pieces like the signature Herrera crisp white blouse, over the knee pencil skirts and relaxed trousers. It was all about pure elegance in the cocktail and evening pieces with full ballgowns and ladylike dresses. There was other practical pieces fit for everyday wear for the typical Park Avenue princess.

The admired piece in the collection was the finale ball gown in ivory floral print with touches of a black Korean sash. The cocktail dresses hem lines that ended just below the knee had exceptional elegance.

Carolina Herrera displayed her master craftsmanship with this collection inspired by traditional Korean clothes. After being in the business for 25 years there are no signs that this celebrated designer is going anywhere. The next spring the Carolina Herrera women will have exceptional elegance with a sophisticated Asian flare. -Brent Billiman, New York City. USA.


Luca Bruno Photo: Model Karlie Kloss for Carolina Herrera S/S 11


Luca Bruno Photo: Model Magdalena Frackowiak for Carolina Herrera S/S 11


Luca Bruno Photo: Model Arlenis Sosa for Carolina Herrera S/S 11


Luca Bruno Photo: Model Marcelia Freesz for Carolina Herrera S/S 11


Luca Bruno Photo: Model Edita Vilkeviciute for Carolina Herrera S/S 11


Luca Bruno Photo: Model Olga Sherer for Carolina Herrera S/S 11


Luca Bruno Photo: Model Hanne Gaby Odiele for Carolina Herrera S/S 11


Luca Bruno Photo: Model Toni Garrn for Carolina Herrera S/S 11


Luca Bruno Photo: Model Lisanne De Jong for Carolina Herrera S/S 11


Luca Bruno Photo: Model Siri Tollerod for Carolina Herrera S/S 11


Luca Bruno Photo: Model Irina Kulikova for Carolina Herrera S/S 11


Luca Bruno Photo: Model Frida Gustavsson for Carolina Herrera S/S 11


Luca Bruno Photo: Model Lily Donaldson for Carolina Herrera S/S 11

Derek Lam S/S 2011

California dreaming at Derek Lam. American designer Derek Lam was inspired from his home state of California this season. With that idea he created a collection that had a soft color palette filled with numerous silhouettes. The color palette consisted of chrome, seaweed green, yellow, black, white and denim blue. A nice array of abstract and snake skin prints were visible on a few pieces. The look was extremely relaxed and perfect for the California women in her natural habitat of work, party and play. There was great number of long flowing dresses that had a dreamy sensation with a hint of retro 1970's. He offered a great variation of pieces such as trousers, shorts, skirts, tunics, dresses and evening pieces. Denim made its mark on a few jackets, trousers, a suit and a dress giving a nod to the a relaxed California attitude. The Derek Lam look is modern with a carefree attitude and style.

The show was held at the Lincoln Center in a simple runway venue. Dutch model Mirte Maas opened the event in a denim double breasted jacket that was paired with a matching denim v-neck dress and a navy shirt. Denim was seen in the first part of the show that was available in a casual simplistic way in trousers, jackets and a suit. There was also short and long flowing dresses in ivory linen that added a romantic sensation recalling the 1970's. A lot of the pieces had very clean crisp lines and also had a relaxed free flowing sensation.

Admired pieces in the collection were the free flowing evening pieces that came in unique abstract prints available in abstract colors and snake print. The relaxed a-line dresses and skirts were also appealing and came in soft colors.

A relaxed California attitude inspired Derek Lam to create a minimalist and simple collection that works for perfect for a day in the office, lunch dates and parties. The Derek Lam women is modern with a relaxed attitude. -Brent Billiman, New York City, USA.


Stan Honda Photo: Model Karlie Kloss for Derek Lam S/S 11


Stan Honda Photo: Model Mirte Maas for Derek Lam S/S 11


Stan Honda Photo: Model Karmen Pedaru for Derek Lam S/S 11


Stan Honda Photo: Model Kori Richardson for Derek Lam S/S 11


Stan Honda Photo: Model Maryna Linchuk for Derek Lam S/S 11


Stan Honda Photo: Model Abbey Lee Kershaw for Derek Lam S/S 11


Stan Honda Photo: Model Behati Prinsloo for Derek Lam S/S 11


Stan Honda Photo: Model Magdalena Frackowiak for Derek Lam S/S 11


Stan Honda Photo: Model Edita Vilkeviciute for Derek Lam S/S 11


Stan Honda Photo: Model Simone for Derek Lam S/S 11


Stan Honda Photo: Model Hanne Gaby Odiele for Derek Lam S/S 11


Stan Honda Photo: Model Sigrid Agren for Derek Lam S/S 11


Stan Honda Photo: Model Jac for Derek Lam S/S 11

Alexander Wang S/S 2011

White is the new black at Alexander Wang. American designer Alexander Wang presented a collection without his downtown chic trademark color, black. This time around his goal was to create a look that was upbeat with a puristic quality while maintaining a edgy cool attitude. The predominate color in the collection was white and lighter pastel colors with splashes of turquoise, copper, silver and terracotta.This collection has great sportswear influences that is revamped to look edgy and entirely innovative. The silhouette of the maxi dresses were long and loose with a relaxed causal attitude. The trademark Wang deconstructing was clearly visible. On the mesh bra, jackets, leggings, shirts and dresses they were manipulated to look edgy. They were folded, stretched, rouched and cut to look highly contemporary with a futuristic sensation. It was all about layering in the styling of every look that was presented. V-neck silk dresses with open seams exposed a vest and sporty undergarments. A t-style dress was layered with a shorter dress and paired with cuffed track pants. The look was very carefree and casual with a downtown chic attitude. The Alexander Wang look was soft and romantic while maintaining an edgy impression.

The show was held at the Pier 94 simple white show space on the west side highway overlooking the Hudson River. The staging was impressive with a 50 foot backdrop of a inflatable fixture hovering above the white backdrop. Paris runway DJ Frederic Sanchez provided the soundtrack for the show. American model Britt opened the show in a long white silk maxi dress with cutouts layered with a style dress paired with gray opened toed platform wedges. There was a great number of long and loose silhouette dresses that fell to the ankles and were available in different variations of dungaree and t-style strap. A nice casual attitude was perceptible in the loose knitted tops and the long cardigans. Wang also presented a graffiti print style of lighter hues of splatters and scribbles added to a few pieces in the finale section of the show. Hints of metallic fabrics added a futuristic touch to various pieces.

Admired pieces in the collection were the beautiful white silk trenches and the jackets that came in white, silver and metallic mint. The graffiti style print in the maxi dresses and prints were also very appealing.

Alexander Wang has proved that he is a true innovator with this collection. Having optimism and injecting purity to his collection was the key to his success. The Alexander Wang women has romantic quality but still maintains a street style edge. -Brent Billiman, New York City, USA.


Stan Honda Photo: Model Aggyness Deyn for Alexander Wang S/S 11



Stan Honda Photo: Model Hanne Gaby Odiele for Alexander Wang S/S 11



Stan Honda Photo: Model Britt for Alexander Wang S/S 11



Stan Honda Photo: Model Jac for Alexander Wang S/S 11

 

Stan Honda Photo: Model Kamila Filipcikova for Alexander Wang S/S 11



Stan Honda Photo: Model Anna Jagodzinska for Alexander Wang S/S 11

 

Stan Honda Photo: Model Kasia Struss for Alexander Wang S/S 11



Stan Honda Photo: Model Julija Steponaviciutefor Alexander Wang S/S 11
 


Stan Honda Photo: Model Karmen Pedaru for Alexander Wang S/S 11



 Stan Honda Photo: Model Valerija Kelava for Alexander Wang S/S 11



Stan Honda Photo: Model Lily Donaldson for Alexander Wang S/S 11



Stan Honda Photo: Model Magdalena Frackowiak for Alexander Wang S/S 11



Stan Honda Photo: Model Karen Elson for Alexander Wang S/S 11



Stan Honda Photo: Model Freja Beha Erichsen for Alexander Wang S/S 11

Jason Wu S/S 2011

Contemporary art motives Jason Wu. American designer Jason Wu was inspired this season by Brazilian artist Beatriz Mihazes and French fashion illustrator Rene Gruau. The bright palettes from the from their paintings and illustrations influenced the colors and the movement of the fabrics into the collection. It was almost like a Europe meets Brazil sensation with bright Brazilian colors and a Parisian style. The daywear pieces had a 1970's style with impeccable tailoring recalling the late Yves Saint Laurent. Spring was in the air with a floral sensation in the floral pencil skirts and strapless party dresses with handmade floral appliques. Skirts and blouses came in the Beatriz print offered in colors of violet and bright pink Long wide-legged trousers and long blazers added a strong confident attitude to the collection. The Jason Wu look is sexy and portrays confidence.

The show was held in Soho on Mercer Street in a show space with a metallic blue tile runway and a faux building backdrop. American model Joan Smalls opened the show in a white transparent organza blouse with a wide bow at the neck paired with beige flared trousers. The look was all about confidence with long tailored blazers offered in black, white and light gray tweed. The daywear pieces were incredible with cocktail party numbers, tailored suits paired with organza blouses and simple elegant dresses. The showstopping pieces were the silk chiffon gowns that came in black, bright pink and blue.

The admired piece in the collection was the finale dress that came in hot pink that was bias-cut with a nice dose of ruffles. Other appealing pieces was the lean cut trousers offered in various colors and the blazers that were long enough to work as a dress .

Jason Wu added a nice dose of sex appeal to this collection inspired by the Brazilian fantasy of art and the illustrations of French fashion. He showed great versatility with this collection and has clearly established himself as a great American fashion designer. The Jason Wu women is sexy with a Brazilian attitude and a Parisian flare. -Brent Billiman, New York City, USA


Stan Honda Photo: Model Toni Garrn for Jason Wu S/S 11


Stan Honda Photo: Model Nimue Smit for Jason Wu S/S 11


Stan Honda Photo: Model Joan Smalls for Jason Wu S/S 11
 

Stan Honda Photo: Model Ruby Aldridge for Jason Wu S/S 11


Stan Honda Photo: Model Anja Rubik for Jason Wu S/S 11


Stan Honda Photo: Model Caroline Brasch Nielsen for Jason Wu S/S 11


Stan Honda Photo: Model Fei Fei Sun for Jason Wu S/S 11


Stan Honda Photo: Model Patricia van der Vliet for Jason Wu S/S 11


Stan Honda Photo: Model Rose Cordero for Jason Wu S/S 11


Stan Honda Photo: Model Abbey Lee Kershaw for Jason Wu S/S 11


Stan Honda Photo: Model Liu Wen for Jason Wu S/S 11


Stan Honda Photo: Model Alana Zimmer for Jason Wu S/S 11


Stan Honda Photo: Model Ginta Lapina for Jason Wu S/S 11


Stan Honda Photo: Model Karlie Kloss for Jason Wu S/S 11