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| Off to a good start: Jeanne Yang and Katie Holmes enjoying their first presentation at New York Fashion Week. (Photo: Grazia Daily) |
Though the vibe at New York Fashion Week was mellower than usual (even fashion maven Suzy Menkes described it as "long [and] drawn out" in today's New York Times), there was no shortage of fairy-tale dreaming and inspired thinking. I especially took notice of the many Asian and Asian American designers. From veterans Anna Sui and Vera Wang to rising stars like Bibhu Mohapatra and Brandon Sun, there was plenty for the eyes to feast on.
Gorgeous tapestry-like prints, dainty dresses, billowy fabrics, glamorous sportswear, even crazy Willy Wonka-like technicolor have been on display since Fashion Week opened on September 5.
Some of my fave (and not fave) looks from the runway:
ANNA SUI
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| Mesh + lace = prep school steampunk. |
Embroidered brocade tapestries, ripped fishnet, indigo denim, mesh, lace. What else does a girl need?
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| A little bit of thrift shop charm. |
Anna Sui's first runway show premiered more than 20 years ago. She's always had an amazing ability to breathe new life into her ideas. For that, Ms. Sui, we thank you.
BIBHU MOHAPATRA
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| Gorgeous, diaphanous, dreamy. |
This was my absolute favorite dress in Mohapatra's Spring 2013 collection. I love the color, the delicate floral accents and the contrast the black straps provide. Order one for me, please!
BRANDON SUN
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| Make no mistake: Brandon likes his fur! |
Rising star Brandon Sun is one to watch. Last year, he made his mark by launching a signature collection of luxury fur accessories with retailers like Bergdorf Goodman and Saks Fifth Avenue. Sun's quickly carving out a world for himself.
CONCEPT KOREA
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| Surprisingly, there's order despite the chaos. |
Concept Korea is a promising South Korean collaboration featuring the work of Son Jung Wan, Choi Bo Ko, Kim Hongbum, Kye Hanhee and Lie Sang Bong. Debuting their collection at NYFW, the quintet hopes to introduce Korean culture through fashion.
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| Orange sherbet deliciousness. |
My favorite dress in Concept Korea's Spring 2013 collection. So feminine! I hope to see this number at next year's Academy Awards red carpet.
FARAH ANGSANA
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| Thinking outside the color box. |
Lots and lots of color in Farah Angsana's Spring 2013 collection. The Indonesian-born designer isn't afraid to play with her palette. Love it!
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| Electric lemon yellow. |
Angsana loves to bring glamour to women all over the globe. We can tell.
HOLMES & YANG
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| Pretty. Subtle. Feminine. |
I would totally wear any of Katie Holmes and Jeanne Yang's creations to the office. I especially love their attention to tailoring, a Holmes & Yang trademark.
MONIKA CHIANG
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| Ladylike with a touch of tomboy. |
Elegant nonchalance. This sums up Monika Chiang's fashion fingerprint. I love her eclectic sensibilities and can't wait to see more next season!
NAEEM KHAN
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| Elegant and refined. Simply magnificent! |
Naeem Khan dresses some of the most stylish women in the world (think Beyonce, Penelope Cruz and First Lady Michelle Obama). After looking at his Spring 2013 collection, it's no wonder why. My faves were the intricate beading and sequin work. Stunning!
PARKCHOONMOO
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| South Korean-born Park Choonmoo's architectural style and monotone palette have become a PARKCHOONMOO aesthetic. |
While I appreciate Park Choonmoo's edgy yet wearable designs, I wasn't a total fan of her collection this season.
VLOV - QINGQING WU
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| I'd love to see my husband rock this suit-- minus the sandals. |
Middle-class Chinese men love them some VLOV. Maybe because designer Qingqing Wu knows how to offer up chic, professional looks while still maintaining personality. I enjoyed the collection this season.
SON JUNG WAN
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| Oversized organza flower bursting from her soul. |
Son Jung Wan's Spring 2013 collection was one of my favorites. As a self-professed girly girl, my eyes were drawn in to the mix of eyelet, oversized organza flowers, the fantastic beadwork and gorgeous sheer overlays. The look on the right was my fave!
RICHARD CHAI
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| Chai's collection was sport-chic, minimalist and modern. |
Richard Chai's body conscious Spring 2013 collection didn't leave much room for Spanx. You gotta be in pretty good shape to rock these looks (especially the cutout dresses). My favorite is the cocktail dress in the middle. Love the digital print with metallic details.
TADASHI SHOJI
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| Lace. Lots and lots of it. |
Japanese designer Tadashi Shoji wanted to take his fashion travelers along a modern Silk Road. I personally think Shoji got a bit heavy handed with the lace.
VERA WANG
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| The LBD is now the LLD (Little Lace Dress). |
What's not to love about Vera Wang? She knows what makes a woman feel pretty. Her Spring 2013 collection featured a lot of skin-tight lace cocktail dresses. Wang's use of lace was executed better than Shoji, in my humble opinion.
VIVIENNE TAM
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| Geometry lesson #101: Bold shapes are cool! |
I wish high school geometry was as fun as Vivienne Tam's Spring 2013 collection!
ZANG TOI
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| No shortage of elegance in Zang Toi's Spring 2013 collection. |
Inspired by the romance of the French Riviera, Malaysian-born Zang Toi offered up plenty of beautiful Red Carpet-ready looks on the runway.
ALEXANDER WANG
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| Wang's RTW Spring 2013 collection gave new meaning to the word, "Dissection." |
Slash, dissect, slice, suspend. Repeat. A rock star in the fashion world, Alexander Wang's Spring 2013 collection stayed true to his edgy, masculine womenswear aesthetic. Futuristic fabrics, laser-cut, rubber and mesh details. I love how Wang always thinks outside the fashion box.
