Ann Yee's "Regeneration" Collection - Spring 2013

As I was rushing towards the venue fresh out of the subway, I could barely believe my eyes. The models for Ann Yee's latest collection were standing like statuesque sentinels far above the rooftops of lower Manhattan on the wrap-around terrace of the building's penthouse. I couldn't wait to get upstairs and see the collection up close.

Upon arrival, I was gobsmacked by the combination of the stunning city views, the sparkling weather, and the sight of the models wearing colorful garments spaced around the airy glass deck. They appeared as goddesses of the sea flaunting fuchsia geisha-like eyes and lips with wet looking hair pulled back into slickly coiled coifs- mirroring the beautifully simple jewelry twisted into nautical sailor knots. In the background, the panorama of New York's landmarks rose like miniature stalagmites edging into view.

With over twenty pieces, the "Regeneration" collection is inspired partly by the ever-changing sea and the weather as its ever-present counterpart. Drawing her palette from a discovered pile of colorful fishing nets in the Seattle area, Ann takes a leap with an array of bright hues perfect for the warmer months. Featuring her signature knitwear along with draped and layered separates, this collection also displays bright flirty dresses, and slinky tank dresses. In a mix with all of the undisguised femininity, pointed shirt collar elements and pocket details hinted at the masculine. 

Highlighted by a seafoam green with mint and bright coral pink combined with an uncharacteristically bold textured print these garments are foretelling a colorful and hopeful spring. In a metaphor for a brighter future and rebirth, the models arise from a tangle of colorful fishing nets. Similarly, the designer emerges with this collection as she recovers from a fire that tore through her studio and archive, turning tragedy into triumph.

The photo that inspired the collection reproduced as the signature print for this season. 

"Sea Ropes" (Courtesy Ann Yee)

Fashion Week Favorites - Barneys Fish Windows

The windows at Barneys have been a somewhat staid lately, but their sense of humor has been restored just in time for New York Fashion Week. Sky high reproductions of the famous red-bottomed pumps by Louboutin were submerged in a tank full of live colorful fish of the same orange hue. The black light added a touch of neon drama to the eye-popping monochromatic street scene. 

The haunting music of Camille Saint-Saens replaces the customary din of Madison Avenue.

New York Fashion Week - Spelunking with Ann Yee, Fall 2012

I've been a lucky girl these last few years, able to attend numerous events connected to New York's Fashion Week; many in the famous tents of Bryant Park and (now) Lincoln Center. As someone who is heavily influenced by this world of art and fashion, the week's glamour overload feeds my needy muse. This season, a longtime desire has come true. For fashion designer Ann Yee's latest collection, my artwork has now become part of the show!

Tam Tam Printed Cocoon Dress

Shirley Printed Reflection Dress

This exciting project started back in the fall with an introduction by good friend, Layla, fashion maven and food blogger of Glass of Rosé. I later met with Ann who described her vision and inspiration for this collection - caves with minimal and natural pattern, abstraction, and muted colors. Ann is known for her chunky knits contrasted with diaphanous layered solid chiffon ensembles. For our print collaboration, she knew exactly what she wanted. After I busily went to work preparing some artwork, the fabric was then manufactured in no time. 

Robyn Printed Dolman Inset Maxi Dress

Gwen Printed Wrap Short

Statement jewelry by Linhardt

A few of the pieces were constructed entirely with the print, and in other places it was used as a detail highlighting willowy necks and delicate wrists. The models had either short cropped hair or a singular braid yielding a big brushy bang to match thickly-defined brows. For fall, the colors were spot on- lilac greys dominated with pops of mustard and cinnamon. Uniform combat boots kept the style grounded in a way that can only belong to Brooklyn or the Girl With The Dragon Tattoo. She's bewitching, but watch your step. Fitting the theme, the girls and guests enjoyed sticks of good 'ol fashioned rock candy.

Thank you, Ann. This fashion-lover's dream has finally been realized!
For more of Ann's beautiful creations, go to: www.annyeecollection.com

New York Fashion Week - The Blonds (Fall 2011)

Ever hear of Lady Gaga? Sure you have. Ever wonder where some of her outrageous outfits come from? Their clothes may not be everyone's cup of tea, but the Blonds put on one heck of a lively show - a real treat for anyone who's become bored with de rigeur fashion.

The show started with a short video, then a salute to Chinese New Year with two dragons performing a dance for good luck. Even before the show, many audience members proved to be just as interesting. It's easy to feel somewhat plain next to the likes of Sex and the City stylist, Patricia Field, Eve, Amanda Lepore, and various folks from America's Next Top Model. I lived out a small dream imagining this is what New York must have been like in the 1980s with all the crazy nightlife contained in a single room.

The Blonds' over-the-top style of tinsel, sparkle, fringe, and super-saturated color immediately had me in glitter heaven. The clothes are about having fun simultaneously proving that shiny can be any girl's favorite color. (Thanks, Mimi!)

New York Fashion Week - Anna Sui (Fall 2011)

Baby doll dresses, long chunky necklaces, velveteen vests, eye-catching prints, school girl innocence, the rock n' roll/bohemian look of the 1970s - this is the formulaic combination that we've come to know as Anna Sui. It's deja vu all over again. We've seen this all before, but always with various twists on a theme to keep the collection somewhat fresh. Or maybe, we actually have seen this before - with a couple of re-issued pieces pulled from the "archives" especially for Anthropologie this year, and a retrospective book there's not a whole lot really new here. Speaking of my favorite store, I was certain there would have been an influence loaded with colorful ethnic prints from the televised excursion to Syria with Anthropologie's Keith Johnson (on Sundance). Instead, Anna was blatantly self-referencing. Even the backdrop was classic Sui evoking the downtown New York SoHo store.

To mix things up a bit, a couple of accessories were neon, with large, Mad Hatter-esque slouchy fur hats and jackets, and strangely-placed animal hats that added some adorable refreshment but were more like a speed bump non-sequitor in a sea of sexy librarians. In an effort to do something different (like the Cynthia Rowley show), three girls rather than one were sent down the runway to open and close the show.

Yes, we've seen it all before, but we must absolutely love it. Otherwise, the Sui show wouldn't be one of the most packed shows during Fashion Week. And we wouldn't keep coming back for more, now would we?

New York Fashion Week - Cynthia Rowley

Last night, I went to the Cynthia Rowley show at Lincoln Center. This was one of the most unusual runway shows I've seen yet. Underwear models (pictured left) walked back and forth from stage left to stage right throughout while the clothed models each took their turn out on the length of the perpendicular catwalk. The hair was simple, making way for the eyes to take in the clothes- also quite different. Several models strutted color blocked 3-dimensional cube Op Art pencil skirts with a deep peek-a-boo slit up the side. Others showed the simple long dresses with plunging necklines that you can see above. My favorites were the gaucho-legged pants and blousy tops sewn together as billowy uni-suits resembling something commedia dell'arte's Pulcinella character. (Thanks for the invite, Mimzy!)

Brace Yourselves

New York's Fashion Week is coming again soon - February 10 - 17, 2011.

From the presentation for Project Runway winner (Season 6), Irina Shabayeva's INC Concepts collection for Macy's.

(Thanks, PlaztikMag for the invite.)

New York Fashion Week Re-cap - Sally Wu

The summer solstice is now officially behind us and the humidity this past week has really been unbearable, but once in a while we get a refreshing burst of air from the north and a breeze with a slight chill rolls through. Occasionally, a discolored leaf from the tree outside also falls to the ground and my thoughts immediately turn to Fall - my favorite season. It makes me think of chunky sweaters, back to school shopping, moody skies, and cups of hot tea. Even though we happen to be at the height of summer and soaring temperatures, New York's storefronts are already showing us the promise of cool weather with even cooler clothes to match. Speaking of cool clothes, at the tail end of Fashion Week, I attended the Sally Wu Fall presentation in Chelsea's art gallery district with my friends from Plaztik Mag.

The show featured light, finely-crafted sweaters and cleverly-constructed dresses and separates. The pieces embodied unusual forms, sculpted with an artistic, architectural quality. Simple yet detailed pieces were paired with sexy schoolgirl over-the-knee socks. The collection is composed primarily of black and white with neutral tones, allowing the Sally Wu woman to go  from day into night with ease and elegance. 

The fashion presentation was held at the Chambers Fine Art Gallery, a fitting venue for the triple-threat designer who is also trained in calligraphy, contemporary painting, and documentary film. The space was an intimate setting and the girls walked through the attentive, meandering crowd at eye level.

Who is the woman Sally Wu is dressing? She is part socialite, part bad-girl. She holds a high position in a creative industry or is the lead player in a philanthropy meeting; she then rushes off to afternoon tea with grandma. But after the pearls come off, she goes to meet her boyfriend who may be someone of whom grandma doesn't exactly approve.

Who is this Sally Wu girl? She's modern and fashionable. She's smart, balanced, and versatile. She's feminine, natural, adored. She is confident and effortlessly modern. She can wear something all day and look refined for a posh evening event without looking over-dressed. She can also be dressed-down and comfortable without looking sloppy. She appreciates modern, understated luxury without breaking the bank. She's someone I can see myself being friends with.

These are the clothes she is wearing when he takes notice of her and crosses the room to get to make her acquaintance. These are the clothes she is wearing to skip a day at work and spend a relaxing day with girlfriends. These are the clothes she is wearing to spend a polished night at the museum. These are the clothes she is wearing when life's most beloved moments happen.