Q&A with Yukiko Kawata

Yukiko Kawata describes her work as wearable sculpture, blurring the line between fashion and art. With FIT and the National Academy of Fine Arts on her educational resume and a grant from Tiffany’s, it is clear others agree with her definition. We caught up with Yukiko outside her studio in the Diamond District to talk with her about her work.

via Q&A with Yukiko Kawata | Emerging Designers.

Item of the Week: Chain Embellished Ash Sneakers

Chic, sporty sneakers with a little bit of edge can do the work of both ballet flats and booties.  These leather creations by Ash are the right color, style, and price.  Muted, go-with-everything neutrals are perfect for running out the door mornings, and the chains elevate your look, even if you are walking the dog (or your baby) in sweatpants.  Paired with skinny jeans, a cropped tee and blazer with rolled up sleeves, these kicks clean up nicely and still allow you to be comfy on crazy, run-around-town days. How much will such versatility cost you?  At $195, they are an easy purchase to rationalize.  The bootie is available at Bergdorf’s and the high-top style is available at Neiman Marcus.  Happy shopping!

via Item of the Week: Chain Embellished Ash Sneakers | Street Style.

Paris Fashion Week: Lanvin spring/summer 2011

So, you thought it was all over for the undulating “body”, as sinuous as a serpent? Not in the world of Lanvin’s Alber Elbaz.

The designer re-interpreted the writhing coils of a snake in a series of body-moulded sheaths, in pleated stretch silk in pulsating colours, in his spring/summer 2011 collection, shown at the Paris prêt-à-porter season tonight (Friday).

Watched by Janet Jackson and Lenny Kravitz, among the celebrity front row, and powered by a pounding Motown beat, Elbaz’s models strutted their stuff in Day-Glo lime, orange, violet and hot pink, stretched taut from silver-chokered neck to just above the knee.

“It’s all from dreams, from the soul,” said Elbaz backstage, as he was immersed in a torrent of congratulations.

Elbaz’s body-conscious silhouette was not all hourglass. Taut tops, which accentuated the bust, and were haltered in tan leather, were paired with swirling skirts in grey and tobacco silk. And tailored combination offered a new three-piece solution to the working wardrobe: jacket, tight skirt and leggings, in navy, black or sand, accessorized with leopard-spot wedges.

But even the single-sleeved dresses, and kaftan-inspired gowns, in tobacco or terracotta, blouson-ed as they may have been, hinted at the curvaceous silhouette beneath; certainly when they were sheer and slipped over body-con underpinnings, beneath. And cut-out details on shoulders removed all suggestion of modesty from long, midnight-blue dresses, with exotic, built-in crystal and bead neck-pieces.

Mini-shifts, glittering with crystals in geometric patterns, added to the glitzy glamour. Then came the finale parade of silken sirens in desert-hue and animal-print chiffons: robes, kaftans and all-in-ones, one-shoulder gowns, and halter-necks with trousers caught at the ankle, and all glistening with jewelled belts and chokers.

via Paris Fashion Week: Lanvin spring/summer 2011 – Telegraph.

Trend: Baroque Style

It’s common knowledge that fashion is inspired by art. But there was one style of art that seemed to prevail at the Fall/Winter 2010 shows: Baroque.

Baroque art was prevalent from the late 17th century to the early 18th century in Europe.

You may have seen a Baroque styled painting at a famous museum before. Baroque art is defined by its colorful, exaggerated, and detailed portrayal of movement and emotion – much like the way an actor brings to life a character on stage with a facial expression, or a single movement of his finger.

Translate this into fashion, and you’ve got an aesthetic that looks like it belongs in the palace of a European monarch rather than on the downtown city streets.

Baroque art was dressed up in every shape and form on the runways, from opulent brocade jackets to cascading velvet dresses and jewel-encrusted bodices.

So the question remains: how does one adapt Baroque’s regal pieces without looking too theatrical? Incorporating bits of baroque-inspired fabric and shape is enough to capture an entire century’s worth of artistic merit in one outfit. A shrunken brocade blazer threaded in gold and silver, like the ones featured in the Balmain show, will look down-to-earth with a pair of dark washed skinny jeans and combat boots.

When wearing a baroque styled dress, not unlike those designed by the late Alexander McQueen, remember to keep everything else simple. Leave your hair down and your make-up natural to complement an extravagantly pleated satin dress, and complete the ensemble with some basic black flats.

via Trend: Baroque Style | The Fashion Spot.

Fashgasm 1.10.2010

via Fashgasm 1.10.2010 > Industry news & changes > Blog.

New UK women’s magazine bans skinny models and diet tips

Major fashion magazines tend to cater to a very specific demographic: white, thin, rich women. In recent years they have been making strides to diversify by featuring models of different colors and ethnic backgrounds and even by lowering their price point to include more affordable items during the recession. Which is a wonderful thing. But plus-size models wearing more realistic sizes remain few and far between. While reaching a fair balance in popular fashion mags may not happen just yet, a new UK publication called Just as Beautiful is looking to cover this ground.

Just as Beautiful is the first fashion magazine dedicated to curvy women and will feature models who range from size 14 and 20. Other publication rules: no airbrushing, no diet tips, and no thin models in the advertisements.

via New UK women’s magazine bans skinny models and diet tips – Fashion + Beauty on Shine.

The Cutest Fall Coats . . . For Any Occasion

So often, the coat is an afterthought: You’ll spend hours putting together the perfect look and then toss on any old topper as you dash out the door. But a cute coat can be key to creating a chic ensemble. Click through the gallery to discover the best ways to wear our favorite fall styles.

via The Toggle Coat – The Cutest Fall Coats . . . For Any Occasion on Shine.

Disney debuts movie princess-inspired wedding gowns

If you’re looking for a fairy tale ending, you’ll need a proposal from your very own Prince Charming and a dress fit for a princess. But how would you feel dressing like a Disney princess? Wedding outfitter Alfred Angelo has teamed up Disney on a collection of gowns inspired by those worn by princesses Ariel, Aurora (Sleeping Beauty), Belle, Cinderella, Jasmine, Snow White and Tiana.

No, we’re not joking. You can actually dress like the Little Mermaid on your wedding day. Granted there is no aqua mermaid tail, but sea-inspired dress does have a mermaid-style cut, pearl beading, and sequin sparkles. Each of the other gowns takes on a similar liberal interpretation on the style of the princesses. The Sleeping Beauty gown is romantic with a willowy skirt. Belle’s dress has a draped waistline and is inspired by the ballroom dance scene from the movie. The Cinderella-inspired dress is heavy on sparkle as a reference to her glass slipper. Snow White’s dress is traditional and inspired by nature with a floral bodice. For those looking for a more modern approach, Jasmine’s dress is draped satin with a bejeweled neckline, and the Tiana gown features an asymmetrical top and ruched skirt. Thankfully none of these interpretations were so literally that wedding guests would immediately identify the designs as inspired by a Disney character.

via The Givenchy dress Audrey Hepburn wore in “Sabrina” spawned many imitations over the years. – Disney debuts movie princess-inspired wedding gowns on Shine.