Sep 11, 2009 | Fashion
So I’m a little late posting this…please forgive me as it was Little Tot’s first day of School and I’ve been running around all day like a chicken with its head cut off…or a hot guy in a see-thru plastic suit who forgot his briefs.
Roaming the streets of New York today and tomorrow (Sept 10 & 11), two hunky male models are wearing environmentally-friendly tailored suits by Bagir, made from recycled plastic bottles. One suit is the “EcoGir” version [a non-see thru, regular-looking suitlike suit made with fabric derived from plastic bottles]- which is already available at Sears stores nationwide, under the Covington brand, for $149. The other model is wearing a completely clear, see-through plastic suit in order to send a clear message about the benefits of eco-friendly fabric made from plastic bottles. Both are distributing literature about this fantastic, affordable product with a conscience.
If you happen to be in New York City tomorrow, Sept. 11 from 10 AM -2 PM check out the models and their suits (or just stop by to drool) on 6th Ave between 40th and 42nd streets! (And if you happen to snap a photo….pleez send me one, just for me to keep strictly for journalistic purposes mmkay??;-)
No better way to kick of Fashion Week, IMHO!
xoxox
Carly
Update: Here’s a little more information I got my hands on regarding the suits and the company:
The ECOGIR™ suit technology greatly benefits the Earth’s ecosystem by finding a productive use for the nearly 60 million plastic bottles that Americans throw out every day.
The fabric in ECOGIR™ suits is the creation of the Japanese textiles conglomerate Teijin Fibers Ltd. Each suit is comprised of approximately 13 recycled plastic bottles. This manufacturing process reduces carbon footprint by consuming less energy than suits made from petroleum-based materials. ECOGIR™ suits further benefit the ecosystem by being machine-washable and tumble-dryable, eliminating the need for dry-cleaning, which exposes the environment to airborne toxins and harsh chemicals.
The ECOGIR™ collection also features Bagir’s signature performance attributes. All the pieces in the collection feature Bagir’s innovative AeriFlex® technology, featuring a component that helps improve the suits’ comfort factor. The styles have been designed with daily activities in mind. Stretch has been added to the fabric, providing all-over flexibility with concentrated attention to elbows and underarms, along with a unique EZ Hook expandable waistband in pants for more give in the waist. The ECOGIR™ technology will have an introductory price of $250 at Sears under the Covington Perfect Wardrobe label. Currently the suit is offered at a 50 percent savings, $87.50 for the jacket and $37.50 for the pants, providing additional value to consumers nationwide.
ABOUT BAGIR
Headquartered in Israel, Bagir Group Ltd. is over 45 years old and is best known for its innovation in men’s and women’s fashion apparel. During the past two years, the company has successfully launched highly innovative tailored suits and garments such as the comfortable AeriFlex® suit, which allows for unprecedented arm movement without stretching the jacket. The collection was launched under a number of private labels with retail chains in the United States, UK, Germany, Spain and Israel. Bagir has three international sales offices located in the UK, US and Turkey.
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Sep 8, 2009 | Fashion
Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week is coming up and I better get this posted before we start thinking about Spring 2010, mmmkay??
Vena Cava’s Fall 2009 Collection was shown off-site on Valentine’s Day during New York Fashion Week. Paired with eye-catching hard silver accessories by acclaimed jewelry designer Robert Lee Morris, the floaty-but-with-an-edge dresses appeared shimmery and overall, dark, showcased in the small gallery space as a standing installation. Via Spiga, who collaborated with Vena Cava to provide the footwear, added studded-toe ankle booties, flat oxfords, and suede knee-boots to complete the gritty look – which were in addition displayed separately in a glass container that served as the bar. The Vena Cava design duo also collaborated with
Marisa Tesauro, who created a glittery backdrop for the shoes with fragmented piles of shredded CD’s from a CD recycling company in Seattle.
According to designer Lisa Mayock, the collection was inspired by the Hall of Gems and Minerals at the Natural History Museum, creating a lot of faceted, angular shapes in the pieces. Using a number of different layered materials such as velvet, metallic fringe, tie-dyed wool, rainbow sequins, holographic leather, chains, mohair, chiffon, and two new prints (including a photographic print of rainbow obsidian and a hand-drawn stalactite print), the designers also drew inspiration from New Age music and reinterpreted everything in “a harder, more goth-y” way. They began to experiment with this look emerging from their Spring Collection by adding leathers and skins and pushing the boundaries towards harder and tougher. Overall the focus remained true to the Vena Cava trademark: creating pieces that are comfortable, wearable, and flattering, but are also imbued with a strong sexiness. Of special note were the neutral-toned metallic-fringed dress; a revolutionary faux feather/fur hybrid jacket; tie-dyed tights in a slate/cream pattern; and a floor-length rainbow obsidian-print halter dress.
The look for hair and makeup was also stand-out and unique. Fabulous lead hair artist Ted Gibson worked with the design duo on a look that they termed “rockabilly chic;” creating a downtown girl style with hair slicked back on the sides with a small pompadour at the top. Taking that classic 80’s influence but toning down the severity, he used his signature Tame It shine lotion ($31) in order to create the necessary texture in the hair, and then Fix It Gel ($28) on the sides of the head to create the shape. He finished the look off with a little bit of Beautiful Hold Hair Spray ($28) which added texture but remained pliable. To recreate the slick Vena Cava look at home, he recommended just using the texturizing Tame It shine lotion for the requisite texture to their downtown chic look – no curling iron required!
Celebrated makeup artist Vincent Longo wanted to create a bright eye that popped in order to contrast the dark and muted colors in the collection. “To create excitement and this burst of freshness,” he said, he drew a thick orange line (Silky Orange Liquid Shadow, $24) overlaid with a black liner (Nerino Vibrant EyeLiner, $18) in on top to provide depth and definition for the lashes. The rest of the face was kept matte, nude, and very porcelain-like using Liquid Canvas Healthy Fluid Sheer Matte Foundation ($48.50), framed by a strong brow, and finished with a nude lip (Velvet Riche Lipstick in Hush Delight, $23). For Fall ’09 the artist says eyeliners are playing into the makeup far more than they have been previously; orange is a must-have on the eyes; and any product that will contour the eyebrows is a necessity in your makeup arsenal. (Recommended – as seen at the show: Everbrow Micro Pencil with Sharpener, $20.)
Nonie Crème, Creative Director of butter LONDON custom-mixed the color she dubbed “British Racing Green” for the show. She took a dark green from the butter LONDON collection and then painted a solution on top of it to flatten out the color, toning down the shine to it but creating a resonant depth. Like a tonal silk, the color showed up on the models’ nails a deep sage that shimmered with murky greens and forest emeralds depending on the angle. For those of us who aren’t as talented with mixing our nail colors, British Racing Green is now available for purchase exclusively on Beauty.com here.
Visit
http://vivavenacava.blogspot.com/ to learn more about the runway show, or
www.venacavanyc.com for more information about the brand and past collections.
Some more looks from the show:
(Photos: Don Ashby, Style.com.)
What do you all of you think of the collection? Would you buy any pieces from it? Are you waiting to see more from this brand?
-Carly J. Cais
Aug 19, 2009 | Fashion
[note: This was an article I wrote that was intended to post on FashionTribes.com sometime after New York Fashion Week. For unknown reasons, it never did. I felt really bad about that, and so wanted to post it on my blog to at least showcase the designer and his work, and publish the article, since I did spend some time on it. However, the information regarding the Ebay sale is now old news – so sorry to bore you guys!]
A name soon to be (if not already) on the lips of every fashionista in the know, Yigal Azrouël, chosen as Mercedes-Benz USA’s “Mercedes-Benz Presents” designer for Fall 2009, has a lot on his plate these days. Each Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, a designer who demonstrates unparalleled talent, pace-setting style and the highest quality craftsmanship is chosen to receive this honor (past recipients include Badgley Mischka, Peter Som, and Chado Ralph Rucci). Mercedes-Benz supports and celebrates the chosen designer throughout the week through the sponsorship of their runway space, access to the VIP Star Lounge for hosting media receptions, and a charitable donation to a design educational program/school on behalf of the designer and the Mercedes-Benz Presents Designer program. Yigal Azrouel was selected this year for his fresh, modern designs, meticulous attention to detail, and appreciation of exquisite fabrics.
Besides the commitments of being sponsored this season, the designer also had not one but two shows to put on: the Menswear and the Women’s RTW Fall 2009 Collections shown at the tents.
He used a darkly romantic inspiration for the Womens’ collection, interspersing his trademark drapey dresses with leather pieces such as skinny pants and a studded jacket. Azrouel, best-known as a self-taught draping expert, said “Sometimes I don’t really know what I’m doing, but it comes out when I start draping. I’m a draping designer.” His designs have been worn by celebrities including Natalie Portman, Anne Hathaway and Jessica Alba. In addition to the shows, he also has two New York City brick-and-mortar boutiques: one in the Meatpacking District, and a second store that opened in Watermill in 2008.
If that weren’t enough on his dance card, the young designer also has entered into a partnership with eBay, where he plans to offer pieces from his Spring/Summer 2009 Collection for sale on the site this summer. Proceeds will be donated to the Natural Resources Defense Council, an organization that works to protect both wildlife and their habitats, ensuring a healthy environment for all life on earth. The charity sale (not standard eBay auction!), launching June 4 on eBay.com will offer all items at fixed, below-retail-prices. The drapey, feminine designs of his eponymous line will finally be available to women around the world who may not have had access to them previously.
Ultimately, both the pieces in the upcoming sale and those in the designer’s current collection display a fluidity and femininity, combined with an ease of wear and a chicness that elevates them beyond that same-old, same-old we tend to see so much nowadays. If you are in the New York area don’t hesitate to stop by one of the boutiques and try something on…you’re guaranteed to find something flattering and stylish…and if you don’t happen to live in New York there’s always the eBay sale starting June 4.
Designer Yigal Azrouel and some random girl hogging the photo op. The bag I made for Fashion Week also made the shot, apparently. Isn’t the Y.A. adorable??
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Aug 15, 2009 | Fashion
(all runway images: Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week)
Designer Lela Rose drew inspiration for the Fall/Winter ’09 Collection of her eponymous line from the rich, jewel-like colors of the rainforest. A self-proclaimed “big fan of color,” the designer swathed her models in deep emerald greens, brilliant purples and turquoises, shimmering golds, and vibrant crimsons. Wanting to evoke the enchanted forest and all its magical charms, she felt that “this season has both evolved [from last season ]but is new: new shapes, new colors…but the big feature is its really amazing color. “This season is about the jewel- tones that come from the rainforest; we’ve cocoon-wrapped shapes…it’s got a little bit of an enchanted quality but at the same time we know who our customer is and we want to offer her that.” The ombre sequined dresses and tops in shades of turquoise and mustard; the pleated satin cocktail dress in a fascinating crimson; the cobalt redux tweed puff-sleeve jacket; the vertically-dyed splashes of apple green and moss on dresses and skirts; the folded open-collared dress and Grecian-draped evening gowns in gold and white; even the chunky gemstone and bronze bell jewelry evoked a dreamy opulence that was undeniably wearable.
(Clockwise, from far left: Exeter [round-toe pump with black suede straps, in salt-and-pepper Tweed with black suede trim; also avail. in Olive and Smokey Purple]; Mallory [round-toe, stacked-heel bootie with short cuff detail and cut-out tassel vamp in Cobalt Suede; also avail. in Olive Suede, Mallard Green Boucle, and Charcoal Suede]; Everett [round-toe pump with stacked heel in Multi-Color Tweed; also avail. in a black-and-white Geometric Pattern and a Mallard Green Boucle]; and Gilsan [suede strappy cut-out detail pump with tassel-tie in Black; also avail. in Charcoal, Olive, Berry, and Cobalt].
The nine styles of shoes appearing on the runway consisted of Lela Rose’s 9th exclusive line for Payless. Featuring Rose’s signature use of rich fabrics like multi-color tweeds as well as “knot-less” bow accents designed to look like insect wings, the architectural heels appeared in a kaleidoscope of colors that included a punchy magenta and bold chartreuse (reminiscent of a butterfly’s wings or the petals of a wildflower). The designer’s signature use of layering and mixing various textures was employed as a play on the idea of an insect’s exoskeleton. “Working with the team at Payless is always a joy,” Rose said. “They understand what I offer aesthetically as a designer and do a great job of turning my vision into reality. The Lela Rose customer is feminine, but always looking for something special and a bit unexpected – thanks to Payless’ great prices, I am able to reach a much broader audience.” Arriving at Payless stores in September of this year, the average pricepoint for a pair is below $45. For more information visit www.paylessontherunway.com.
Celebrity makeup artist Tina Turnbow for Beauty.com used Stila Cosmetics to create an update on the smoky eye; instead of using blacks or grays, she perfected a smudgy jade color. Using the ChaCha and Mystic (a shimmering teal blue) Stila Eye Shadow Pan colors, Kajal Eyeliners in Emerald and Pearl ($18), and Stila Smudge Pot Liner in Jade Shimmer ($20), she created a multi-dimensional emerald-ringed eye, perfect for Fall 2009. The face was smoothed with Sheer Color Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15 ($34), Perfecting Concealer B ($23), and then dusted over with Sheer Pressed Powder ($28). Convertible Color cream to powder blush in New Camellia ($25) grazed the cheeks, Praline Lip Glaze ($22) glossed the lips, and as a final touch, pink and beige shimmer shadows was brushed over the brows and high cheekbones.
Nonie Crème from butter LONDON created a catwalk wet look for the nails by starting with a coat of butter LONDON’s Swinger 3 Free Nail Polish ($14) (a pale, sheer, ‘antique’ gold), and then adding a coat of white pearl over the top to create a light, shimmery nail in an opalescent hue.
Celebrity hair artist Ted Gibson utilized the rainforest inspiration to create a “a sophisticated, insect-like shape” for the hair. He took the chic-ness of the classic ponytail, and made it current by backcombing the entire front part of the head, putting in a center part, and pulling it all back into a ponytail. The focus on the runway became the bump at the top of the head – creating a beetle-like silhouette when viewed from the front. The artist used Build It blow-drying spray ($28) to first create the texture and the voluminous shape. He finished off with
href=”http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=158753&catid=13004&trx=PLST-0-CAT&trxp1=13004&trxp2=158753&trxp3=1&trxp4=0&btrx=BUY-PLST-0-CAT&cmbProdBrandFilter=46300″ target=”_blank”> Beautiful Hold Hair Spray ($28), and Tame It shine lotion ($31) to calm frizzies and to give further texture.
Overall, the synchronism of the hair, makeup, nails, and clothing evoked an enchanted femininity despite its insectoid references; the shimmering, brilliant colors, rich fabrics, and classic styling will likely fare well in the season to come.
-Carly J. Cais
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Aug 7, 2009 | Fashion
Tia Cibani’s Ports 1961 Fall 2009 presentation took guests on an exotic journey to India, set during Mughal Dynasty. The Red Baratt Festival! Dhol ‘n’ brass band performed music derived from traditional Punjabi Bhangra, to which the models strutted, swathed in rich gold, saffron orange, henna red, ruby, begonia pink, sandy beige, moonstone gray, and jasmine white. Long and layered, short and lame – the collection represented the vibrancy of India’s past enhanced by the regal textures of tapestry tweeds, jacquards, brocades, filmy silks, and intricate lace. Offering both her version of the traditional Indian sari and more Western-inspired structured coats, the designer produced some fabulous pieces in her attention to detail: the jeweled collar of a ruffle-hem cropped jacket, for example; the ruby piping between the fingers on the above-elbow tan leather gloves; the gilt buttons down the front of an asymmetrical-closure stewardess dress; soft ballerina-style slippers in muted shades; a black on black seamed Nigella damask dress. Though many garments seemed to be loose-fitting at the waist, merely hinting at the feminine form, they embodied the modesty and grace of the traditional Indian woman by revealing just enough skin to be sexy. However, some of the designer’s interpretation of the Indian influence seemed to be slightly exploitative and what one would imagine “stereotypical;” the hot pink sari, the overly-gilded heavy Achkan coat; and the Angarkha jackets could have been pulled from the costume racks of any Hollywood Indian film. It was when the colors were most muted and tailoring most detailed that the pieces stood out, and even garnered some discussion and nods of approval from front row faces Olivia Palermo, Anna Wintour, Grace Coddington, and a whole bevy of Vogue-ettes. The softly loose romantic curls in the hair, the shimmery nude makeup, and the accessories styling of the models was top-notch, though, and helped smooth over the discordant notes to create a collection that, though a bit uneven from start to finish, still felt unified in elegance.
Some photos from
Style.com‘s Marcio Medeira below:
And below, my photo:
Sorry for the Japanese – I sent this crappy photo I took to my MIL to prove Anna Wintour was really there, so I subtitled it for her. Well, we all know who it is!
What do you guys think of the collection?
xoxxo
Carly
