Showing posts with label AW14. Show all posts
Showing posts with label AW14. Show all posts

Saturday, October 18, 2014

Boston Fashion Week 2014: Dress for Success & Denise Hajjar


           Denis Hajjar teamed up with Dress for Success once again, for a fun night of fashion, empowering women and donating to charity. Her event celebrated the 20 year anniversary of Boston Fashion Week while highlighting powerful women like Yolanda Cellucci and Janet Wu. Hajjar has always been an advocate of "real women" in fashion, so just about every body type walked her runway. The entire show never lost an ounce of excitement. Not only were her models engaging and enthusiastic, but a duo of professional dancers tangoed and waltzed around the stage between sets of the collection.

           Hajjar broadened the spectrum of her target consumer. In the past, most of her clothing has been geared to the 35-65 age range. But her AW15 collection gained youth and vibrancy with sequins, slinky dresses, and higher hemlines to include women in their 20s and 30s. Her designs still lack modernism, as many of her patterns and silhouettes follow trends from the early 2000s. However, her success and following prove that she makes women in Boston happy. She understands the lifestyle of Boston women who need professional suits and separates during the day and elegant cocktail dresses and gowns at night, without sacrificing comfort or glamor.



































* As a journalist, it is my priority to deliver accurate and unbiased information. When I do express my own opinions, it is my obligation to explain my exact observations and be true to my stylistic taste and views. I will not give a designer a good review to be in their favor, nor will I abstain from giving a designer a bad review to avoid their disapproval.

Monday, February 24, 2014

New York Fashion Week - Autumn/Winter 2014 Overview


          I'm finally writing about my second New York Fashion Week experience! Needless to say, a week full of fashion shows and events was followed by a week full of deadlines and catching up on sleep.

            I had so much fun in the city and have really begun to feel more at home there. Surprisingly, my affinity for NYC has taken a little time to unfold. Of course, it wouldn't be as enjoyable without the hospitality of my cousin and best friend, Maddie. She's shown me some great places and we've already made a lot of unforgettable memories, such as the time we tried meeting at a ferryboat party and ended up on opposite shores of Manhattan! But more on that later. Here's a little overview of the fashion week events I attended, people I met, clothes I wore and food I ate. I'll be posting about specific shows and designers soon.

Monday



What I wore: A gold, vintage blazer and green sweater layered over a blue button down, dark blue tuxedo pants, authentic Greek fisherman's hat, Badgley Mischka Julia Nappa satchel, and Superga sneakers (later had to change into winter boots due to the high snow banks and heaps of slush).

By Misha
Where I went: I attended the By Misha presentation at the Lali Lali Gallery in SoHo and met some very wonderful people. I interviewed the three designers featured and I met some fabulous fashionistas and bloggers. More details to come! 
That night: I was in pure euphoria. It was my first night in the city, I'd already met inspiring people, and seen beautiful clothes.
Beverage of the evening: Owl's Brew Tea with rum


Tuesday
William Okpo
What I wore: A new satin, floral dress I just ordered from Victoria's Secret. I was so eager to wear it that I didn't consider how light it would be on the coldest night of the week! It was insufficient even with leather accented leggings, Cole Hann ankle boots, a Cynthia Rowley cowl scarf, a beanie and a leather jacket.

Leather Japan
Where I went: I got lost in SoHo and missed my first show by ten minutes. Who knew exiting from the subway in the wrong direction could veer you so far off course? That evening I went to the William Okpo show. Just as I was gaining more confidence in my sense of direction, I forgot half of the address to the Leather Japan gallery opening and took two cabs to get to there.


Maddie and Daniel
 That night: Complimentary shuttles took everyone from the gallery to the after party that was to be on a ferryboat. I invited Maddie to meet me there and gave her the address we both thought was at the Chelsea Piers. Half an hour later, my shuttle stopped on Wall Street. Maddie was almost "there" but I wasn't leaving on the boat without her. I called her and we soon realized she was on the coast facing New Jersey and I was on the opposite facing Brooklyn. It was time to scratch plans and figure out new ones. I ran into the nearest Duane Reade to keep warm and charge my phone, got a cab, and finally met up with Maddie. At that point, all we wanted was warm pizza and a relaxing drink. So we ended the night at a cozy bar with her boyfriend and some delicious BBQ chicken pizza.
Beverage of the evening: Blue Moon

Wednesday




What I wore: A vintage, angora sweater dress on top of a printed skirt with fur winter boots, leather jacket, and a floppy, felt hat. Of course, I also carried my Badgley Mischka bag. 

Mega Mega Projects' AW14 Preview
Where I went: I stopped by the AW14 Preview by Mega Mega Projects and interviewed a couple budding jewelry designers. It was a very intimate event that focused on small collections of high quality craftsmanship. 


Zink Magazine fashion event
That night: I met Maddie at B & Co. in midtown for Zink Magazine's fashion event party. We had fun taking pictures of our outfits and catching up on our day.
Beverage of the evening: Cranberry and vodka.

Thursday



What I wore: A red cable-knit sweater on top of a white button down with leather pants, fur boots, ruffled scarf, beanie and a wool, vintage coat. 

Doughnut Plant
Where I went: Late that morning, Maddie brought me to the Doughnut Plant to try what she told me were the best doughnuts ever. She was right! We had hazelnut, chocolate, chocolate chip and their Valentine's special, rose. Since we were fairly close to the next fashion week event I had on my agenda, she accompanied me to KOTUR's AW14 preview at the Standard hotel. It was quite the journey! There were puddles and slush at every intersection and it was impossible to get to the next block without stepping into eight inches of water. On our very wet way back to her apartment, we grabbed Mexican at a nearby food cart. My tacos were so delicious they made me forget all about those treacherous puddles. 


Maddie was invincible in her solid rain boots!
That night: While I'd been wearing my "waterproof" winter boots, they were no match for NYC puddles. I learned that a good pair of rain boots is an absolute necessity in this city. Maddie lent me hers for my last event of the week, Samantha Pleet's AW14 collection film premiere at the Wolverine store. I was really excited for this one because I'd covered her last collection in the fall. There was no way the weather would stop me from covering my first NYFW followup! More details to come!
Beverage of the evening: Red wine. 


Samantha Pleet

----------------

               My boyfriend came into the city for the weekend and I stayed until the following Tuesday. We had a really nice time together and between my internship work, we visited the dinosaurs at the American Museum of Natural History, had giant slices of pizza with Maddie and Daniel, took a slippery walk through Central Park, and ate lots of yummy bagels!


Saturday, February 8, 2014

BCBG Max Azria AW14



          BCBG is one of the shows that's had the biggest impression on me in these first few days of fashion week. Maybe it's just the cold weather getting to me, but I would love to wrap myself in one of their luxurious, fur capes or coats. While their outerwear was definitely the high point of their collection, I'm also digging the color palette. Everyone's been talking about pastels for winter and BCBG incorporated them in a very understated, approachable way. Soft pinks instead of bubblegum, stripes of aqua blue, and accents of orange all lent themselves to the greys, whites, and blacks. I usually gravitate toward the latter in winter, but I'd be willing to wear these more colorful pieces without a second thought. Additionally, their acid wash print was a pleasant reminder of burning wood -- the patterns made in logs as they become charcoal. Overall, this collection felt cozy and warm, making it one I'd be dying to get my hands on come fall.












photo credit: Style.com