Anna Wintour Attends Christian Cota Fall/Winter 2010 Presentation

If you haven’t heard of Christ ian Cota, you are about too, his design aesthetic is unique while still very feminine and WEARABLE   And, it’s not just us that’s a fan of his stuff, Vogue Editor-in-Chief Anna Wintour made an impromptu appearance to check out his Fall/Winter 2010 presentation at Metropolitan Pavilion that got the crowd buzzing and instantly changed the dynamic of the presentation. Cota, was clearly overjoyed with Ms. Anna’s presence (what designer wouldn’t be?) and was spotted giving her a one-on-one tour of his fabulous collection.

The collection was inspired “…from the Cubist way of seeing. Perspectives multiplied, and collapsed. Organic forms disassembled, and puzzled back together angle by angle, “  the presentation notes stated.  And, Cota expertly executed his vision in his wide array of Haute dresses of varying silhouettes and shapes.   His party dresses, in addition to being gorgeous displayed meticulous draping, funky geometric patterns and perfect tailoring that seriously wowed me.  And, his choice of fabrics and colors perfectly matched his vision.  He selected fun copper tones, with bright of blue and purple highlights. In addition he included some metallic inspired pieces on trend with what we saw this season.

The standout pieces for me were his “Cooper Lurex Wool Folded Bodice strapless Dress,” along with the “Charcoal Seamed Cashmere Wool Three Quarter Coat.“  Gorgeous, and I am already coveting in my dreams.

Continue reading for additional images

… Continue Reading

Swarovski Launches Limited Edition Atelier Collection

Who doesn’t like bling, shiny, glitter objects? I know, I do and Swarovski does bling and shiny like no one else.  Really, they do.  So, they are taking their experience at tricking out everything from cell phone to dresses to computers– to a new level with their Atelier collection.   The sixth Atelier Swarovski, is a limited edition collection that will hit Swarovski stores as well as other luxury department stores worldwide when it launches on the February 22nd. The exclusive collection features jewelry and accessories collaborations from designers Matthew Williamson, Zaha Hadid, Jason Wu, and Nicholas Kirkwood.

Lorick Fall/Winter 2010 Collection

Lorick presented its Fall/Winter 2010 collection titled “Agnes et Cocoons” or “Angels and Cocoons” at the Union Square Ballroom. Of the concept a post release stated, “In theory, the cocoon symbolizes an escape from reality or shelter, and forthcoming of change. Embracing light and nature that inspires: we can see gold doupions that shimmer and beading that glistens, both pulled in with natural fabrics always bringing the Lady back to earth.”

Surprisingly, the inspiration translated well in the collection and I immediately saw the strong use of earthy tone fabric along with gold accents.   All very well done and by far the most lively presentations I attended this season.  As it was super packed, they were drinks for the taken, and everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves as they previewed the collection.

A line of 15 beautiful woman obviously dressed in Lorick were front and center for the presentation and party. The models were playful so it added to the spirit of the collection; and, they rotated among the few stools in the small showing area as we took pictures and mingled with other guests including the designer herself who is just about one of the nicest person one can ever met.  Her former experience designing the ENTIRE T.S. Dixon collection is apparent in this collection — as this collection is cohesive, full of live, practical, whimsical, wearable and just plain pretty.

The collection is designed by Abigail Lorick, a former model who worked with Mossimo and Alberta Ferretti but eventually decided to try her luck at designing and became a student at FIT while also working at T. S. Dixon.

We have images of the collection…just click more to see it for yourself

… Continue Reading

Mary J. Blige, Sherri Shepherd, Attend Red Dress Awards

Did you know there’s other stuff going on besides Fashion Week? We seem to have to forgotten. One event we recently attended is the Red Dress Awards and fundraiser hosted by Woman’s Day Magazine to benefit the Larry King Cardiac Foundation.  And, despite the massive snow storm that had blanketed the New York City area people showed in the red dresses.

A sea of red of fabulously red dressed women greeted me at the Allen Room at Frederick P. Rose Hall, home of Jazz at Lincoln Center this past Wednesday, February 9th as the supported the foundation and honor four women who have made significant contributions to the fight against heart disease. Did you know heart disease is the NUMBER 1 killer of women?

So, this year the event sponsor Campbell Soup Company is teaming up with my favorite person ever Project Runway’s Tim Gunn to help people design red dresses. The dresses designed are for the American Heart Association’s Go Red For Women movement campaign to help raise awareness for this silent killer and raise funds.  The campaign asked contestant to design a red dress inspired by their inspired by their heart-health hero. Entries were judge by the public and each vote triggered a $1 donation from Campbell to the cause (up to $625,000) and the winner was announced at the party. Voting began in January.

The awards which Sherri Shepherd hosted with a special segment from Beth Ostrosky Stern brought up the big guns for the fundraiser. They were with amazing performances from Anthony Hamilton,  a dance performances from Dancing with the Stars’ Anna Trebunskaya and Jonathan Roberts and a tear filled performance from Mary J. Blige.

Images from www.danielperrystudios.com

… Continue Reading

Tony Cohen Fall/Winter 2010

Not that it ever left, but black is back in a big way as evidenced by Tony Cohen’s Fall/Winter 2010 collection.  It is easy to become jaded by black as a New Yorker, since it’s not only a staple but a uniform for most New York fashionistas.  So I must admit, I was less than enthused when look after look was featured in black, despite the intricate draping.  But after paying close attention to the details, which is really what makes any look interesting, I realized that there were definitely some notable gems.  Besides the fact that fabric choice included wool bouclé, seemingly the recurring theme in many shows this season, it was his clever use of leather, lambskin and silk that really got my attention.

Many of the tops were paired with either ¾ leather gloves or jeweled embroidered gloves, which added to the mystique of this collection.  However, the pieces that stood out among the rest were the leggings which were displayed in variations that made everyone sit up in their seats.  The leggings came in leather and stretched embroidered silk most of which were intricately encrusted.  But the most impressive of all, were the silk jewel embroidered MESH leggings! I swear I heard gasps in the crowd, when those leggings graced the runway.

Never would I have expected such show stopping leggings. Yes, they were sheer, but strategically covered with this embroidery so skillfully done and unbelievably sexy; that anyone who ever wore them would instantly feel like a rock star.  So let me clarify, before there is any misunderstanding, that the evocation of sex from this masterpiece did not detract from taste. The entire look, complimented by a silk jeweled embroidered blouse and buttoned leather gloves, exuded such a controversial quality, yet possessed an unmistakable aura of class and luxury.  Cohen raised the bar after this item was presented, and managed to keep the momentum for the rest of the show.  Thereafter, I became a believer of this line and especially of this collection, as it is one I will covet for years to come.

By Lisan J. Simpson

More images below…

… Continue Reading