Boston Fashion Week 2012: Candice Wu

     The last collection to show at Boston Fashion Week, Candice Wu's couture was my personal favorite this season. It was not only an inspiring visual experience, but the level of quality and exquisite design trumped all the shows before it. The looks were strong, structural, and edgy, using lots of black, faux leather, studs, and military elements.

     Hair and makeup heightened the drama of these already showstopping looks, but the jewelry and headpieces took the show to another level. Designed by House of Cache, jewelry loaded with spikes and chains were piled on every model.

Boston Fashion Week 2012: mariavictoria

      The mariavictoria show was very much a resort collection, inspired by everything a tropical vacation brings to mind. On the handout given at the show, designer Victoria Dominguez-Bagu said she used quintessential summer images of, "...mostly the sea and the beach; sailing, a sunset on the beach and the golden glimmering light it sheds on the ocean."

       She used orange, gold, and neutrals to create these images and also featured textiles in a tropical, spiral print. Many of the dresses were fitted and floor length, with just enough movement to walk in. A deep cowl neck dress took center stage, one viewer leaving theTent called it "the open heart surgery dress," indeed referring to it's wear-ability by only the most daring woman.

      Jewelry was made by Magdalena Stokalska, featuring turquoise, beaded necklaces and dangling earrings. Makeup was kept simple and hair was up in elegantly twisted buns.

Boston Fashion Week 2012: Luke Aaron

 

     The Luke Aaron show was all about feminine shapes inspired by 50s silhouettes accompanied by pleats and draping influenced by Japanese origami. The construction of every piece was exquisite, using organza, chiffon, and satin in the most romantic dresses, bustiers, and skirts. Each sculpted top had as many intricate folds as a paper crane and every bow was crisp and perfect. The most stunning gown was towards the end of the show, however not the final look. A fitted, trumpet wedding gown with lace overlay and a delicate satin belt at the waist earned swooning from the audience. Aaron also introduced the Fleet Street Bag, in fake crocodile and basket-weave embossed leather, handmade in Massachusetts. The beauty look was simple and elegant with minimal makeup and sleek, low ponytails that were right on trend.

 



Boston Fashion Week 2012: Avni

 

 

     Last year's Avni show was stellar. It had a consistent vision and theme, beautiful dresses, and unique fabrics. However, this year's collection wasn't quite as impressive. Some pieces were well made and pretty, but they didn't have the same "wow" factor that I had anticipated. Given the title, "Mahari - The Priestess," the show was more conservative and focused on embellished basics like silk tanks and light tunics. The flutter sleeves reminded me of when I wore bell sleeves in fourth grade and the frumpy, silver, wedge sandals just didn't belong with any of the looks. I did enjoy the cotton ombre trousers and most of the dresses. Avni Trivedi's signature prints were used more sparingly than I had hoped, but I loved them just the same. The models wore gorgeous braids topped off with jeweled headpieces.

 

 

Boston Fashion Week 2012: g.Kim

 

 

     The first show I went to at BFW was g.Kim by Grace Kim. Her line focused on mod and classic separates that could be mixed and matched. There were feminine dresses, unique and structured jackets, and billowy pants that came off as relaxed and casual but still had polished details. An airy, open-back dress in pale pink was my favorite, while a lack-luster LBD oddly belted with rope was at the bottom of my list. I wasn't quite sure how I felt about the Marilyn Monroe inspired wigs. They sort of took away from the general theme of the collection and distracted from some of the simpler pieces. Overall, the designs were well-made basics that could find a place in almost any woman's wardrobe.