Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Favorite Designers and brands from F/W 13!!!!!

Rodarte

New York Fashion Week

F/W 2013

The Rodarte sisters, Kate and Laura Mulleavy, have brought us to their roots from Santa Cruz, California. This F/W 13 line screamed the skater girl from next door. I loved these four pieces the most for these particular reasons. They are all layered and each have different textiles, from Metallic studs, tattoo prints, acid wash, and tie-dye. The reference of the 90's grunge was enhanced by using heavy drape below the waist, super over sized coats and jackets. Simple hues like rosy pink, tuxedo black, Moon gray, and dark sky blue, made these pieces stand out.

Peter Pilotto

London Fashion Week

F/W 2013



Peter Pilotto instantly caught my attention with the  mix of prints and geometric shapes. Even though the silhouettes are basic, there are a few twicks like a slit, peek a boo, and layered draped panels. The fourth image is the one that made me think twice. The bodice shape are seen through out the collection, but as a skirt. This arrangement made this look very sweet and killer cool with a diagonal wrapped sheer embroidered bottom.

Etro

Milan Fashion Week

F/W 2013


From the background changing color to elaborate prints,  its message was clearly seen throughout the line. Etro with lead designer and co-designers have been pushing their brand to a whole new level by keeping up with the latest technology. Mixing both tech and tradition is what makes this F/W 13 very interesting in both design and creativity. The silhouettes are basic but strong, for example, fitted trousers, diagonal open jacket, and ankle length notch collar coats. The one that most people enjoyed watching down the runway, was the yellow Jacquard dress. I agree too, this one took my breath away. It was simple with a flare of fleshy cutouts, and well place prints.

Givenchy

Paris Fashion Week

 

F/W 2013


Riccardo Tisci, well know for his graphic art, has done it again and never fails to please his audience.  From floral, faces, flags, sharks, sparks, plaids, stripes, Bambi, and polka dots. The well put together art were seen on sweaters, skirts, trims, motorcycle jackets, shoes, and etc. The second photo is my ultimate favorite from the entire collection. The knitted sweater with glittered polka dots is paired with a sheer polka dot embellishment with floral placed print. The olive green  stars out from the different shades of pink, which are seen on the floral print.

Haider Ackerman

Fashion Week

F/W 2013


Haider Ackermann made it to my list to study his style over summer vacation. The way he drapes the fabric is outstanding, unique, and beautiful. I believe the whole collection is cohesive in color, silhouette, and material. There is something about the first photo, the tweed cowl-like drape top and tailored trouser, makes me want to stare at it all day. Maybe because I want to understand how to make that gorgeous drape.

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Fast Fashion (H&M and Uniqlo)


H&M and Uniqlo

Field Trip with Current Designer Class

#Fashion Slow down


Outside of store


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H&M Collection Collaboration with Beyonce
      


 
 
We explored H&M and Uniqlo and both had major differences in quality, shape, display, and origin of manufacturing.  Our first stop was H&M and our main mission was to look at the collection that was inspired by Beyonce.  The garments showed  the aesthetic of the inspired with short skirts, shorts, maxi dresses, cropped tops, button up shirts, two- piece bikini's, and a variety of accessories. I felt the material and within a second I knew that these pieces would not last long. The material is super light weight and can easily be torn or shrunk. The prices match perfectly to the garments and each piece were  made offshore either from Bangladesh, Turkey, Indonesia, etc.

Across the street Uniqlo stands tall with  fun welcoming displays. I was able to take more photos inside without anyone watching my every move. Bright colors and high tech displays make you want to explore every part of the store, making you hungry for more. I took my time feeling the material. Its quality was better than H&M. Their products are made from cotton, polyester, and blended fibers from silk. I discovered in my search that the store mainly manufactures their clothes from China.


Outside of Uniqlo


Women's Clothing


Men's Clothing


Women's Clothing




Offshore Manufacturing


China Blue Film


Bangladesh Fire in 2012


Bangladesh Factory Collapse 2013

I watched two films a few months ago called The Triangle Fire and China Blue. Both were about sweatshops and the danger that people live through to complete deadlines and put clothes on our backs. I had to answer some questions that were given to me; one that lingured in my mind was, "How has sweatshops changed from 100 years ago?" This question burned in my mind as I watched both of the films carefuly and wrote down as much information as I could.

Sweatshops from 100 years ago were compacted and there wasn't enough room for the women or children to work. They were forced to work 12 hours without breaks and were only paid less than two dollars a day. Within those hours if a mistake was made, a days pay was not given. At the end of the day, the employee's had to line up in front of the only exit out and they were checked to see if they did not steal any goods. With only one exit out many people did not survive when the factory when up in flames.

These disaters still happen today and no lesson has been learned because the owners of the factories want to earn more.  Laws regaurding minimium wage, safety, breaks, health environment, and child labor are not taken seriously. The proof is shown in China Blue . What would it take for one's eyes to see the truth? We are entering a whole new century and yet sweatshops have not changed. What would it take to protect these people?

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Retail Realness from Neiman Marcus and Barney's!!! (San Francisco)

Neiman Marcus

Window Displays

Field Trip (May 1, 2013)



Alexander McQueen


Alexander McQueen









Neiman Marcus from outside


Alexander McQueen



        Last week my class took a field trip to Neiman Marcus and Barney's to see the actual collection of designers that we had been studying . Our first stop was Neiman Marcus. Right away we took pictures of the outside and studied the beautiful details of the garments. I took as many photos as I could with my not so high-tech phone, as you can see, but they still capture what had been outside the glorious walls of Neiman Marcus.
        When we walked into the store, an immense breeze of high designer perfumes hit us and, just letting you know,  you  have to have money in order to fit in. The employees don't give you any welcome and they watch you  like a hawk. They have an expression that screams "what are you doing here?" That didn't bother me because once we left the first floor and headed towards the second, I was in fashion heaven. Looking at the richness of the prints, fabrics, etc made my heart beat faster and it reminded me of why I wanted to become a designer.  
         Feeling the garments made me wonder what  the designers were thinking when they made their clothes. I hoped that I would feel their fashion magic transfer to me, but it was in vain. The designer's mind will always remain a mystery, never revealing their true inspiration. 
         Collections that were seen were from spring/summer 2013. Two designers that captured my eye were Marni and Etro. These two happen to be the brands that I have recently studied from my Current Designers class.

Etro

Designer: Veronica Etro






Marni

Designer: Consuelo Catiglioni







Barneys

Inside Display

Filed Trip (May 1, 2013)



Outside of Barneys


Proenza Schouler


Rodarte Textile


Bottega Veneta Rack


   From Neiman Marcus to Barneys, my classmates and I saw the difference between the stores. Neiman showered with pure elegance and richness and Barneys view itself as a studio. Barneys windows displays were smaller and not as dynamic. However, I felt very relax and not as tense when I was at Neiman's. I felt free to take as many photos and I was able to look closer to detail without a person looking over my shoulder. I watched my classmates expressions and I believe they too felt open to do whatever they want. Looking at the the clothing racks I recongnized many designers but in the end I loved Rodarte and Proenza Schouler.

Rodarte

Designer: Kate and Laura Mulleavy


Proenza Schouler

Designer: Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez





(Image Via: Neimanmarcus.com, Barneys.com)

 

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

British Designers

Burberry Prorsum

London Fashion week

Fall/ Winter 2013



Camel trench coat with sheer rubber sleeves and gold trims on side pockets 
 
Sheer rubber fitted top with snake skin basic skirt


Cheetah print coat


Heart print blouse with sheer rubber (PVC) on shoulder and collar and fitted skirt

 
Bustier Black dress that hits below the knee with silver metal plate


Christopher Bailey, the chief creative officer for Burberry Prorsum, has changed the trench coat to a whole new level by using different materials. This trend of using PVC sheer rubber has been seen in other collections as well, for instance, Felder Fedler. He uses the material as sleeves, collars, shoulder pieces, hemming of coats, and skirts. He then used dissimilar prints, textiles, and color to make his statement "Trench Kiss." Prints that are seen throughout the collections are hearts, cheetah, cow, and stripe. Hues were red, black, camel, silver, gold, magenta, and crocodile brown. With all these different colors, shapes, materials, and prints the overall package worked well together to create a cohesive fall/winter 2013 collection.



Meadham Kirchoff

London Fashion Week

Fall/ Winter 2013















Roksanda Ilincic

London Fashion Week

Fall/ Winter 2013








 



Mary Katrantzou

London Fashion Week

Fall/Winter 2013










Peter Pilotto

London Fashion Week

Fall/Winter 2013






(image via fashionista.com, the cut.com, showstudio.com, style.com )