Runway Rave: Graphing at Christopher Kane

Photo source: Style.com

Christopher Kane is one of my most anticipated shows. His previous seasons showed remarkable use of geometry, which included mostly circles, juxtaposed with animal prints. Having explored circles, he has moved on to lines and curves, and has brought the futuristic trend to a higher level by playing with layers to achieve various metallic sheens and shades. He proved that the futuristic look can be feminine too, as seen in the pleated dresses with ruffle-edge outlines in contrast with the rigid strokes on the sleeves and bustiers. Kane has shown once again that there will never be an exhaustion of ideas inspired by lines and shapes!

Runway Rave: Erin Fetherston

New York is always home to the most wearable yet fashionable designerwear, and the one designer I really love is Erin Fetherston. Her show allows girls to step into a fairyland, with all things girly and frilly.

This fall tailoring took stage alongside the signature cocktail dresses and gowns. At one glance, it can already be guessed that her inspiration came from toys - tin soldiers in particular, with models walking down the runway in black platform pumps. There were peplum jackets and military-inspired coats in a red and black jewelled tones, paired with poufy skirts in full swing, that made the collection fit for the fairies' military band. The tall berets, origami-like headpieces and various striped and shiny tights were a stunner, beautifully piecing together the tin soldier look.

The dreamy asymmetrical tulle frocks also stole the show. I am absolutely in love with the empire-waisted cocktail dresses and the closing white gown that were a great combination of metallic fabrics and tulle. This entire collection is spellbounding, and it gave the wooden toy fairytale a new breath of life.

source: style.com

t.r.e.n.d: Tribal tights

New York fashion week has kicked off to a good start and it is time to go trendspotting. After browsing the newest collections online, I realised this fall is starting to be heavy on prints, taking roots from the savannah in Africa, with many looks camouflaged with the leopard tights.

Image source: style.com

Betsey Johnson fall 09/Diane von Fosternburg fall 09/ Miss Sixty fall 09

The Betsey Johnson girl has added animal-print tights to her hoodie and prom frock ensemble. DvF has hopped on the full-fledged safari trend with an army green parka, animal-print top and cheetah spotted legwear. The models look like they catwalked straight out of the safari. Miss Sixty stayed true to her rockability vibe, with muted blue tights paired with knee-length boots. This outfit is sure to look chic on the streets this fall.

I am looking forward to see more animal-printed tights...it is amazing how such a simple legwear can come in a myriad of creative patterns.

Runway Rave: Barbie Show

The iconic doll celebrated 50 years with a runway show featuring looks created by 50 American designers, including Michael Kors, Calvin Klein, Anna Sui and Diane von Furstenberg. The world's top 51 models brought the doll to life in three themed wardrobe sets. The first looks were a tribute to the retro dolls of the '50s and '60s, some models were sent down the runway with cool wayfarer shades and clad shiny monochromatic prints and flowing ethereal pouf gowns.
This was followed by a Malibu Barbie-inspired crop with big teased hair and sweet pink makeup, and the finale featured edgier looks with clear plastic toppers that gave the audience a peek into Barbie's bright future. It was intriguing to view the various interpretations of the iconic barbie doll, all with the aim of honouring the 50-year-old doll, this time in a life-size version.

The show was not short of poofy dresses like Marchesa's fairytale-like creation and Monique L'huillier's girlish floral gown.

Therefore, what stood out for me were more cutting-edge designs that added vibe to the classic feminine and girly barbie image, such as this beauty pageant Reem Acra strapless red gown, and Catherine Malandrino's stars and stripes.

While Barbie went on a vacation at DVF, designers like Koi Suwannagate and Threeasfour chose to send cocktail dresses embellished with pop-up petals that are pretty in pink down the runway!

Source: Shine yahoo/ Coutorture

I must say this is an eye-opening show..the combination of teased hair and barbie makeup and pink bejewel-rimmed sunglasses sure transformed many of my favourite models into life-sized barbies! And it's really interesting to see how different designers interpret this iconic barbie doll...long live Barbie!

Marchesa/ Monique Lhuillier/ Reem Acra/ Catherine Malandrino/ DVF/ Koi Suwannagate/ Threeasfour

Let the Ad out of the bag: Sasha the Beauty

Beauty ad campaigns do reflect the essence of cosmetics brands. And I believe it is indeed important to choosee an ideal model to front the campaign. No stranger to beauty campaigns, these ads by Sasha are simply gorgeous. Her face is like a primed canvas awaiting an artist to add his magical touches.

In the Giorgio Armani fall 08/09 ad, her stoics emotions shine through and effectively brought out the classic and sophisticated feel of this line of cosmetics. The first picture is exceptionally breathtaking. It is a wonder how a simple minimalist look can be so impactful.

Unlike the previous campaign, Sasha starred in Biotherm spring 09's aquasource range that truly reflected her cheery disposition. She looks ever-so-youthful in this campaign with her dolly face and smile. Radiating youth and joy, Sasha is definitely an outstanding face of Biotherm with her dewy skin and healthy look.

source: thefashionspot

Fresh Spreads: Headpieces

Exaggerating headpieces are the new head turners.

Vogue Russia Jan 09

At the Head

Ph: Tom Munro
Styling: Simon Robins
Model: Toni Garrn

Full ed: The Fashion Spot

The pastel colour scheme and make-up colours enables this spread to be so whimsical and pretty. This would not be so attractive without the matching berets and fedoras.

Tush #1/ 2009:

Chapeux - À - Porter

Ph: Armin Morbach

Styling: Katrin Gerhardy

Model: Kinee Diouf

Full ed: The Fashion Spot

It is indeed clever to classify each photo with quirky captions. Unlike the previous ed, this one really pays tribute to fashion's mad hatters and the most daring headpieces. I love it that they chose Kinee Douf as her dark skin is the ideal contrast for the milinery she adorned.

Teen Vogue March 09

Head Case

Ph: Daniel Jackson

Fashion editor: Marie Chaix

Models: Liu Wen and Yulia

Full ed: The Fashion Spot

This editorial is by far one of the best from Teen Vogue. The accessories and clothes are colourful and wild, and the headpieces are so youthful on both Liu Wen and Yulia.

t.r.e.n.d: roses in couture

chanel hc spring 09, valentino hc spring 09

roses are red

violets are blue

roses near disappear in couture

The haute couture shows in paris were not new, but it was nothing short of extravagant and beautiful. I loved the way designers such as Elie Saab and Valentino created cascading gowns in pastel shades, and how they played with layers of sheer chiffon and organza. But it was the rose that took the stage this spring, defining what new romanticism is.

At Chanel, the headpieces adorned with roses added colour to the largely monochromatic collection, whereas Valentino's little red shift dress appeared more romantic than futuristic with rose details. The last Valentino gown was a head turner with pretty ruffles folding into a rose at the back.

source: model couture, the fashion spot

Runway Rave: Couture S/S 09

*We're really sorry for the lack of updates, as we just started our first year in junior college and are really busy with orientation :)

Another season of couture shows just rocked the fashion world. For me, the most outstanding was JEAN PAUL GAULTIER, followed by ARMANI PRIVE.
I really adore the concepts, inspirations and influences in both collections. While Jean Paul Gaultier's sheer dresses were imprinted with western calligraphic strokes that seemed to come alive while models floated down the runway, Armani Prive went heavy with structure and adorned the sharply tailored creations with motifs present in Chinese culture, such as dragons and lucky clouds.

What I appreciated most was that these collections, though loaded with lots of details and treats for the eye, were overall coherent, and not mere bombardment to the senses. Both sent strong first looks down the runway, and as the shows proceeded, a drama seemed to unfold in front of my eyes. The creations seemed to grow bigger and bolder, ending off with spectacular gowns that blew me away!

Show-stopping and jaw-dropping dresses graced the runway throughout the show:

This semi-circular shaped dress is one of a kind, and seems to display dome-shaped architectural influence, while the sheer gown on the right looks like an abstract piece of calligraphic work -- I love how Gaultier applies the calligraphic swirls to the edges of the gown, leading the viewer's eye down a smooth seam or fold on the gown.

The headpieces and accessories were as usual, impressive and exaggerated. Those fake hair pieces served as line art, fitting the calligraphic-inspired collection. So were the earrings, hair and makeup. Eyes and eyebrows were lined with bold, yet smooth strokes, as if the face were a piece of script for calligraphy. The models' hair was also combed neatly in curves at the sides of the faces, to correspond to the calligraphic and sinuous lines present in the collection.

On the other hand, Armani Prive showcased a striking collection with strong Chinese cultural influences, ranging from dragon motifs to red tassels found on lanterns. My favourite looks included:

Red and glossy black were dominant colours in the collection, while the lucky cloud motif repeated itself on the runway occasionally

While the structure of the red dress is rather reminescent of Alexander Mcqueen's architectural and sculpted dresses, the white dress reminds me of a porcelain vase with immaculate motifs of lotuses and waves painted on it -- Drop-dead gorgeous.

Image source: style.com/ the fashion spot

Model Moment: Kiki Kang

Placed at NY models in New York and Elite Barcelona, Kiki Kang is one of the freshest face from Asia. Unlike her fair-skin counterparts, her skin is of a healthy tan and her look is indeed very unique. The 18-year-old Sichuan model registered in modelling school in Dalian at the age of 15 with the dream of becoming a professional model one day.



She was a finalist at the Elite Model Look contest in 2007, and appeared in the Singapore Fashion Festival last year at Chinese designer Qiu Hao's (right) show. Her career has been blossoming, following catwalks in the major fashion capitals this spring, including Tsumori Chisato (left), Jean Paul Gaultier (centre) and Hermes.




She reminds me of Chanel Iman in this particular photo - the same pouty lips and nose. Nonetheless, she is one who breaks the traditional stereotype of asian models, proving that not all pretty asians are those with fair complexion, petite cherry lips and an "ethnic" look.

source: thefashionspot

t.r.e.n.d: Take a BOW

Click to enlarge and read:



Clockwise from left: Chloe SS09/ Sonia Rykiel SS09/ Chloe Pre-fall 09/ Giambattista Valli Pre-fall 09/ Moschino bow dress/ Christian Dior Pre-fall 09/ Christian Lacroix Couture SS09/ Givenchy Couture SS09/ Zac Posen oversized bow dress/ Michael Kors bow clutch/ Chloe SS09 close-up/ W magazine Jan 09: Another Woman/ Moschino Velvet sandal/ Vogue brazil

Photo courtesy of: Style.com/ The Fashion Spot/ Net-a-porter.com

I hope you like the collage :) This is a really girlish and pretty trend, isn't it?