Glam Damn It New York

Playful Sophistication at Kaelen Fall 2012

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 18:20:00 -0500

Kaelen Fall/Winter 2012 was a showcase of a brand’s natural evolution, not to mention its Lincoln Center debut. In the fashion industry, change and development is unavoidable as styles wax and wane with current influences by art, media, and technology. The challenge has always been to stay true to respective design aesthetics and incorporate new and interesting elements of design. Known for her simple, silk ready-to-wear, this season showed additions of new textiles and prints, without departure from the Kaelen aesthetic. Laser-cut leather and sherling added texture to the collection’s tonal shades of grey, white, and black. Inspired by deco and the 1920's era of playful sophistication, Kaelen aimed to achieve modern, rich, and graphic prints. The prints: lattice, floral, and lavender, originated from designs by Kaelen’s personal friends, creating an even deeper connection to the designer and her collection.

We were struck by the laser-cut leather pieces—especially in gold metallic. In an asymmetrical wrap skirt and cowl-back dress, the material draped more like a jersey and looked like it was equally soft to the touch. Simple silhouettes became deeply interesting with unique design details and mixing of prints and textures. Geometric fabric paneling and asymmetrical hemlines further expressed a modern, graphic influence. The introduction of thicker, season appropriate textiles like shearling and wool, combined with Kaelen’s simple silhouettes resulted in a mixture of boxy, structured looks and flowing silk chiffon. A heavier mood for the season was apparent. Dense black lace appeared in a tunic, seamed top, and button down shirt, infusing a sensual sophistication to the collection. Models wore dangerous blackberry-stained lips, Union Jack Black (by butter LONDON) nail lacquer, and sleek hair. Styled with black pumps, even the lightest silk dress felt appropriately weighted in the collection.

Duckie Brown Fall 2012 Goes Big

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 18:17:18 -0500

A big new collaboration with Perry Ellis for next spring; big patterns; big pants; really, really big hair—Hometown heroes Daniel Silver and Steven Cox have clearly decided 2012 is the time to embrace their personal aesthetic and use it forge their own way into the big leagues. Duckie’s 2012 line has an air of mad scientist to it—almost like the design duo snuck into J. Crew’s shop and went to work with a pair of pliers and a blowtorch. They took a classic herringbone coat and spliced it together with a hoodie—why? Because it’s awesome and you just didn’t know it yet. They took a classic plaid pattern and “exploded” it onto an overcoat—wherefore? Because your life has been sorely lacking in exploded plaid and you had no idea.

But Duckie Brown saw what you were missing. All of the materials and patterns are ostensibly old favorites—tweeds, Donegal, herringbone, knits, shearling, suede—but the cuts, the architecture, and the presentation are so fresh and fashion-forward that they force the eye to reconsider the textures and patterns in men’s fashion that are otherwise too expected to be unappreciated. We would have never expected it, or imagined it, but my god we love the final product.

We’re equally excited about what Duckie Brown can bring to Perry Ellis; the youthful, edgy style that Silver and Cox bring to the table should synthesize with Perry Ellis’ more conservative look beautifully to create something elegantly between the two—Perry with a new pop, a more dapper Duckie, the kind of menswear that perfectly complements the courageously classic modern gentleman every Joonbug woman dreams of!

Danilo Gabrielli's Old Hollywood Glamour F/W '12

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 17:40:00 -0500

Last night, Italian fashion designer Danilo Gabrielli, took our breaths away with his Autumn / Winter 2012 collection at Nolcha Fashion Week last night.

The lights dimmed as a violinist grabbed our attention from the runway, setting the tone for a crisp, clean, and classic collection. Gabrielli makes it known that his true inspiration derives from classic Hollywood and his newest line shows just that. With a 1940’s flair written all over it, there is no question what the Italian designer seized to accomplish. An ode to an era when women joined the workforce, Gabrielli reminds us of how far we’ve come in the world of women and fashion. Silk blouses, skirt suits, and trench-like-jackets in warm neutral tones of grey made up a majority of the runway. Models with soft pin curls, deep side parts and bright red lips stole the show as they strutted down the runway looking as classy as ever.

Gabrielli is pure genius, presenting us with timeless pieces that women of all ages could wear and feel confident in. Each cut was surprisingly flattering to many shapes and sizes, with cinched waists, and bouncy blouses, these clothes were made for curves. Gabrielli has done something many designers often fall short of, and that is bringing style back into the work force. By combining a perfect balance of masculinity and femininity, Gabrielli has created a practical collection that all women could enjoy.

Artful Elegance: Tadashi Shoji Fall 2012

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 17:26:34 -0500

Tadashi Shoji had a phenomenal showing at Lincoln Center this year, drawing inspiration from Shanghai’s early-1900's period of growth and modernization and infusing it with a touch of WWI British charm to create a series of uniquely timeless gowns. Each piece combined carefully employed velvet, Chantilly lace, chiffon, and silk to create a sense of elegance and glamour that whispered “sexy” with golden-era sophistication. Floral prints added detail and modernity to classic shapes, while dropped waists and floor-sweeping hemlines expertly balanced lace bodices and beaded embroidery. The final tone of the collection is pitch-perfect; Shoji’s blend of bold details combined with grounding colors and materials creates a look that is both distinctly classic and unmistakably his own.

No dress embodied this philosophy more perfectly than the final look of the collection—a luxurious black velvet full-length gown with dainty cap sleeves became its own backdrop when finished with an artful deep-plunge bodice of lace and embroidery. The dress itself was simple, the bodice complex; the velvet was weighty, the lace light and airy. The final effect was one of effortless balance, neither retro nor modern, but feminine and lovely. As we search desperately for our own sense of balance in the midst of the insanity that is NYFW, we find ourselves longing to be the girl in that dress—the embodiment of British poise and Chinese tranquility, ready to conquer high society with effortless aplomb. No wonder his dresses have been taking over the red carpet this year, and will undoubtedly continue to do so.

Good Girls Gone Bad: Veda Fall 2012

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:28:00 -0500

The Fall/Winter 2012 presentation by VEDA was a full-on downtown party. The collection, along with its audience, possessed an undeniable indie rock, village vibe. The gathering crowd anxiously awaited the show’s opening, anticipating the celebration ahead. As guests filed in to the basement of contemporary NoHo gallery, The Hole, they were greeted with live music from Bad Girlfriend. The narrow but deep rectangular space was divided as the attendees gathered along the right to view the arrangement of models lining the opposing side. Elevated platforms were decorated with Persian rugs and plush velvet upholstered furniture. The models casually took advantage of the unique props, posing in groups, lounging on vintage loveseats, and dancing enthusiastically to the band. The relaxed vibe of the presentation was fun and unique, allowing the models to interact with each other and the audience freely. Disposable, VEDA branded cameras circulated throughout the party. Even the models joined the fun, taking pictures on stage and crowd shots from a “model’s eye view.”

A bit of rockabilly style is infused in VEDA design, undoubtedly due to the designer’s history of travel between Texas and the family’s Argentinean ranch. The VEDA collection ultimately expressed a “good girl gone bad” vibe, styled with knee-high socks, messy updos, and bold lips. Models wore edgy Pamela Love quartz crystal and oversized geometric accessories. Leather was a constant throughout the collection, including jackets, vests, and—our favorite—leather collared sweaters. The collection morphed from heavy rock and roll chic, to sweeter, mauve colored tartan, to lavish Persian tapestry-inspired prints. In response to the quest for the perfect leather jacket, various styles and colors, including black, deep ruby, and mauve, were shown in the collection. There were tailored blazers with leather trimming and lapels, bombers with fur-lined collars, and a floor-length, statement coat with leather sleeves. Among a few simple dresses, other separates in the collection were short, flirty skirts and tailored, cropped pants. The collection's bold, yet cohesive color scheme met black on black and ruby based prints. A few bright sapphire separates complemented the color scheme—the perfect unexpected accent.

Fashion + Tech: The Fashion 2.0 Awards

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:01:00 -0500

Can you believe there was once a time without the internet, Twitter, and Facebook? One has to wonder, how in the world did we manage to communicate effectively before the internet and cell phones? What advances we've made, and last night was a stark reminder of how far we've come. The 3rd Annual Fashion 2.0 Awards honored the technological leaps and bounds throughout the fashion industry. From great blogs, to great Facebook pages, to great websites; fashion lovers, techies, designers, and more came out to celebrate fashion online.

The evening, held at SVA Theatre, was hosted by the eccentric, Robert Verdi. Robert and I have crossed paths a few times before. Without fail, he always has something interesting and hilarious to say. I'll never forget the time I was interviewing him and a server walked by with a tray of appetizers to which he professed his love for hors d'oeuvres with, "I'm a tray chaser. That's a tray chaser, NOT a tranny chaser!" These are the sorts of things you can expect to hear from Robert Verdi, which is why I always love running into him.

As expected, Robert started the evening with a myriad of jokes while throwing sunglasses from his new HSN line into the crowd. (Robert always wears a pair of signature sunglasses on his head. Usually ones from Alexander McQueen, as an ode to the late designer.) The audience was then treated to a rehash of Lanvin's commercial featuring model's dancing endearingly awkward to Pit Bull, along with campaign videos from Norma Kamali and Bergdorf Goodman. I don't know about you guys, but I love when luxury brands put humor and fun into their campaigns. Seeing sullen-faced models all the time gets a bit grating.

The highlight of the evening was Norma Kamali's keynote speech. First off, there's no way she's in her 60's! That woman looks better than most women in their 40's. Pretty incredible. It was truly inspiring to hear about how she got her start some 40 years ago. She discussed her love of '60s fashion, her lifelong aptitude for technology, and how she worked her way from a receptionist at Pan-Am to a world renowned designer. Her final thought: The best is yet to come. The best time to be alive in fashion is NOW!

And, we certainly agree.

Congratulations to all the (well-deserved) winners!

Best Twitter – @DKNY

Best Facebook – Bergdorf Goodman

Best Blog by a Fashion Brand – DKNY PR Girl

Best Website – Marc Jacobs

Best Mobile App –  Tiffany & Co Engagement Ring Finder

Best Online Video –  Prada spring/summer 2011

Next Big Thing in Tech – Instagram

Top Innovator  - Kate Spade

Fashion 2.0 Visionary Award – Alexis Maybank and Alexandra Wilkis Wilson, co-founders of Gilt Groupe

Stomp the Runway in Electric Platform Pumps

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 15:59:59 -0500

As everyone clamours to the hottest shows and soirees during New York Fashion Week, one thing will be certain - many of your favorite fashion devotees will be found rocking one of the hottest trends right now: brightly colored pumps. Give a grey dress some life with a vibrant burst of fuschia, a sleek black sheath becomes infused with a flash of cobalt blue seen on your feet and a delicate lace dress now becomes edgy with a flash of bright yellow patent! Perhaps with Valentine's Day 2012 approaching -- vixen red is your thing!? Sure, you could easily drop over $700 on a designer shoe from the likes of Christian Louboutin that would certainly be uber amazing, but what about us ladies on a budget? Below, I will show you the drool-worthy Louboutin patent shoe and another fabulous find from Charlotte Russe!

I personally own many pairs of shoes from Charlotte Russe and can say they offer some wonderful styles, that are comfortable, and allow women to follow trends without breaking your fashionista bank account (which at the end of the day, is important to many of us). The great thing about brands such as Charlotte Russe is they have celebrity guest stylists such as Eric Daman costume designer and stylist for "Gossip Girl" who actually has created many of their designs. So you get high-end designer looks on a budget!

See you around Lincoln Center! I'll be the one in the brightly color pumps walking up the steps to catch the fashion shows in style! Which option best fits your budget? Decisions, decisions...

NOLCHA Fashion Week 2012 Recap

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 15:20:00 -0500

Mercedes Benz Fashion Week can get a little chaotic at times: so many designers to see, so much to get done in such a small amount of time! For those who still want to be able to soak in the scene without the high level of intensity, Nolcha Fashion Week is the way to go!

We stopped in yesterday to give the independent designers a go and we have to say, the experience was quite extraordinary! Each designer’s collection was not only extremely unique, but also very different from one another with not one moment of boredom on the runway and the crowed! All of the shows took place at the super artsy Ailey Studios. The first show began in the afternoon with designers Farasha, Megla M, Carlos Luna, Teresa Rosati, and Vassilis Zoulias. Farasha started us out with a Russian-like theme, lots of fur trims, hats and coats, and the usage of tweed mixed with blues and turquoise was a great touch. Teresa Rosati’s pieces could be characterized as black swan-meets-Madonna by her use of dramatic makeup, bright embellishments and sequin dresses as well as sharp shoulders and black lace. The last show of the morning by Vassillis Zoulias was definitely the most memorable. He used such interesting headpieces that is was hard to focus on the clothes! You’ve seen hats with the little feather decoration I would assume? Now, instead of having just one little feather, picture an entire bird carcass on the side of the hat, and you can only imagine the beginnings to the insanely avant garde millinery he was showing. Let’s just say, definitely not a PETA activist's favorite.

Coming under the spotlight after the impressive first show could have been daunting, but all of the designers in the second show were just as memorable --if not more so. Baruni, Rebeca Tiago, Antonia, Riza Manalo, and Castro-Rojas showed designs. And while the beginning of the day started us out with more of an abstract tone, this show was a classic-modern combo. Antonia started with some great color blocking two-piece suits, with stand collars and waist ties. She mixed bright pink, orange, and black. Castro-Rojas was a perfect second act as their designs were the exact opposite. Instead of using the stiff structure Antonia had used, their line was laidback with silk harem pants, and lots of plaid button downs and capes. Rebecca Tiago’s pieces were definitely the favorite of the crowd. They were modern, very feminine with a great use of color. She started out romantically with lace and silk gowns, and plunging necklines, and ended with the cutesy polka dot, red/white/blue, fitted tops and full-bodied skirts. Baruni’s pieces on the other hand, were simplistic with a little bit of an ethnic-modern flare by using turbans and headpieces to go along with her pencil skirts and blousy tops. Red was definitely the perfect punch of color needed in the neutral blacks, whites, and silvers that she used.

All in all, NOLCHA put on a great show. We can't wait to see what these bright, young, emerging designers do in the future!

Sweet Simplicity: Honor F/W 2012

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 14:23:00 -0500

Giovanna Randall's line, Honor, has been one of our favorites this season so far. With clean lines, flowing, light fabrics, and plenty of color, the collection was wearable and beautifully crafted. Even the blouson looks were flattering and perfectly tailored. We loved the use of bright colors and layered patterned fabrics paired with simple loafers. There was no frill or flash, just clean, classic looks, all the way down to the hair and makeup. Every single piece in the collection is wearable and practical, which is something we love.

Even the wide-legged, pleated one-piece suits were chic and realistic. We especially enjoyed the pieces that were layered with contrasting floral patterns or a simple solid tailored blouse. Also, the color! So much gorgeous, eye-popping color that we often miss for F/W collections. There was certainly an element of color-blocking in the collection --a trend that is clearly going strong all the way through 2012.

Guests at the show included Shailene Woodley, Alexa Chung, Kristin Chenoweth, and Jennifer Aspen.

Our verdict: A+ for Honor's F/W 2012 collection!

Interview with Kasia Bosne, Stylist & Owner of Boutique on 57

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 13:39:12 -0500

With Fashion Week here it’s likely that you’ve been thinking a little more about fashion and your own personal style. A great way to put a spring back into your step is to update your look with a few key wardrobe pieces such as a great statement blazer, a crisp white shirt, a fabulous black pencil skirt, a show-stopper dress or a flirty top that has special detailing!

I wanted to share with the 'Glam Damn It' readers a boutique that offers amazing style from the runways for reasonable prices! Such fashions can be found at the uber stylish and chic Boutique on 57 in Manhattan located conveniently at 12 West 57th street Suite 807, New York, NY. Kasia is a well-known wardrobe stylist who flies to places such as Paris and Italy to bring back designer wardrobe treasures at budget friendly prices. You can score that investment piece or item you've seen on a runway that your wardrobe is lacking and now is the perfect time to do it! Mothers and daughters agree that Boutique on 57 is the premiere shopping destination in Manhattan for upscale designer finds that Kasia personally chooses for the store in order to create a one-of-a-kind shopping experience. With gorgeous designer treasures from Gucci, Valentino, Dolce & Gabbana and other top fashion notables, Kasia has her pulse on what women want!

So much more is an interview with this true "worldy fashionista!"

Dana: What is your inspiration for the Boutique on 57 Boutique?

Kasia: In an industry where everything changes every day it's my job to stay inspired creating enthusiasm, and excitement. It comes from initiating an authentic dialogue that triggers an emotion because Fashion is not a monologue. These days we have amazing stylists, artists, muses who often make history. I'm driven and inspired to dress intelligent, real, confident women from around the world. That kind of woman - I really enjoy dressing. My aim is to make the modern woman feel and look great precisely in that order. I love historical youth cultures and their rebellious nature. Recently, while traveling to the Middle East I observed that in so many of their countries women still don't have a freedom of embracing fashion trends nor they are allowed to express themselves freely. We often in this modern world take our freedom for granted. In fashion I always stand by the mantra that "Less is more". Fashion after all, lets us experiment and have fun with it. So I live by this philosophy and it's like a prom every day at Boutique on 57. We offer everything you need for every day, business, date, or special occasion.

Dana: How many years has the shop been open and I hear you also are a wardrobe stylist - tell me more.

Kasia: The Boutique has been open to the public and private clients for the past 4 years. I have been dressing, styling, and glorifying for over 10 years. I was one of the first creators who catered to those who wanted to dress and undress all with "champagne taste and a beer budget". It all started in my own closet where I dreamed and envisioned a designer wardrobe just like each "shopoholic fashionista" without breaking the bank. With a precise vision, I committed myself to embark on this new demanding adventure with special focus of indispensable and an accessible way to create affordable styling and a luxurious wardrobe while sharing its' essence with others.

Dana: You carry some of the most sought after designers. What are some of the interesting places you visit to gather your merchandise.

Kasia: My work takes me around the world. I travel mostly to Italy and France- the ideal place for anyone who wants to work in the fashion industry. I visit luxury brand showrooms, and watch runway catwalks while selecting samples and past seasons collections. My favorite was the Fall 2012 Hermes show in Paris where I was able to admire the worlds best high-precision creativity from the first row seating next to the most iconic names in fashion as well as sneaking a photo from backstage while meeting the designing and styling Maestros. Florence is another magical destination and very dear to me. It's a crossroad of fantasies and projections, of dreams and experiences. Creative forces in the arts and fashion that captures the soul of the city to heighten the beauty of its' masters . There I find incredible designer collection choices like Dolce & Gabbana, Gucci, Balenciaga, Brunello Cucinelli, Emilio Pucci, Ermano Scervinno, and many others which I hand pick. In keeping with the theme-- I leave the best for last where places to see and be seen are Italian art-chic ambiance restaurants, and cafes. The culinary genre that make you feel like at home are murmurs of delight and my delicious highlight of each shopping day.

Dana: What are some of your favorite fashion items in your own wardrobe?

Kasia: I follow my mantra where "less is more." I like a mix of feminine with practical & easy going. If something doesn't fit, or is uncomfortable no matter how stylish or amazing it looks I would not suffer wearing it in the name of fashion. Since I have a dream job where I shop every day, I often buy myself classic styles like Chanel handbags, Brunello Cucinelli sweaters, and dresses. Christian Louboutin classic pumps. Those are not only great fashion investments, but timeless pieces. I love simplicity and neutral color earth tone palettes. I add touches of bold colors and red is my favorite. My wardrobe mostly consists of dresses sweaters, and jackets. Gucci makes fantastic simple every day dresses that I'm crazy about. I'm very lucky to have plenty of them in my closet!

Dana: What advice do you have to the women out there looking to make it in the fashion industry or open a successful boutique of their own someday?

Kasia: Believe in yourself, because if you don't no one else will! If you want something done right, it's best to do it yourself. Follow your passion, and dreams and prepare yourself to work very long intense hours. Keep in mind that it's always about someone you dress not you. Make them feel and look great and you will win them forever. A cocktail of fantasy and elegance propelling fashion labels requires a certain presence of spirit and commitment. Hard work, patience, and persistence over the years always proved for me to makes a difference.

Dana: Tell me more about your special shopping events?

Kasia: I love to organize special shopping events where I can get to know my clients better, socialize, and interact with them in a non-business way. Our most successful was the 'Holiday Give-Away Extravaganza.' The experience of this shopping enchantment is where all day free pampering dominates along with an engaging concept of participating in winning raffles, & designer prizes while sipping champagne, and devouring delicious chocolates. Those events are popular and a lot of fun. They set Boutique on 57 apart from other retailers. It's an opportunity to enjoy luxury shopping at all budgets, scoring some great deals, playing, interacting and winning great prizes. It's definitely a favorite highlight of the modern shopping society woman embracing their spare time.