Boston Fashion Week 2014: Carla Fernandez

           Art and fashion met at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum for a special presentation by Carla Fernandez. Perhaps the most visionary collection of Boston Fashion Week this year, each design was an embodiment of technique and originality. The Mexican designer was inspired by painted tiles in the museum's courtyard for her colorful SS15 collection. She created unique floral and botanical prints on lightweight fabric and incorporated texture with large knits. Instead of shaping her silhouettes with typical curved patterns, Fernandez uses a Mexican method called "the Square Root." This requires thoughtful draping to transform rectangular and square pieces of fabric.

Carla Fernandez answers questions from the audience.

* 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.

Boston Fashion Week 2014: Daniel Hernandez

          Daniel Hernandez followed last year's format for his Boston Fashion Week event this year: located at Venu downtown, the show started about an hour later than scheduled, and the clothing was worth the wait. The designer paid tribute to the late Marilyn Riseman with a personal anecdote and moment of silence. After an accessories show by guest brands Keep Your Pants On and Susu Accessories, Hernandez presented his dramatic ready-to-wear collection complimented by Marie Galvin's theatrical headpieces, edgy jewelry by T*Racy and custom handbags by Helena Grant.

            DH Studios focused on texture to set this year's collection apart, using leather, wool, sequins, beading and an original print design that mimicked psychedelic waves. Most of the collection was black with a few pops of stark white. While suits and separates catered to the typical business-minded consumer of Boston, Hernandez kept his creative mark in showstopping gowns and fun tees. One men's tank featured a Moulin Rouge inspired screen-printed scene of Paris.

Designers Marie Galvin, Daniel Hernandez, Tracy Belben and Helena Grant pose after the finale.

* 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.

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.