See through the Sheer..

Spring is fast approaching, and even the thought of it accelerates my excitement more this year. Don’t be afraid to bare your skin, and some!  This should be the motto for your wardrobe welcoming this year’s spring and summer. Multitudinous and zestful trends are here to stay for the warm seasons, but one of the biggest trends is definitely the transparency. It won’t be hard to spot sheer fabrics galore on the street, and fabrics like chiffon, tulle, mesh and extremely airy silk. The other huge trend is the floral print and chic black and white hues. These trends have actually been widespread in the market for some time, but even more massive this year.

I was shopping at Bergdorf Goodman the other day, and came across this ever so sophisticated dress set by Jason Wu. It is a floral print sheath dress in black and white, coordinated with sheer floral print silk trench coat. This pair presented such timeless and feminine aesthetic, just like the styles of Jason Wu that we come to love. 

This formfitting sheath silhouette is not only pleasant to the eyes, but also surprisingly comfortable to the body and of course, exudes the ladylike charm. In addition, the deep V neckline with crossover detail adds sort of a composed sexiness to the dress.  It’s simply a gorgeous pair which possesses all the vital components of the must-have dress for the season; old classic ladylike details along with eye-catching prints and chic black and white hues.

To ease the pain on our wallet part, here are some of the alternative dresses  with similar details that I could recommend.  Just to give you some different ideas. J

http://www.nyandcompany.com/nyco/prod/Sale/Clearance/Black-White-Sheath-Print-Dress

http://www.forever21.com/product/product.aspx?br=F21&category=dress&productid=2025101201&variantid=

http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/main/ProductDetail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524446522978&CAWELAID=1568644048&cagpspn=pla&site_refer=GGLPRADS001

http://www.neimanmarcus.com/p/DKNY-Sheer-Sleeve-Lace-Dress/prod147860336/?ecid=NMCIGoogleProductAds&ci_sku=prod147860336skuBLACKNUDE&ci_gpa=pla

Happy Spring Shopping!

Michael Kors F13; Undying love for the brave city

Although Hurricane Sandy hit New York pretty hard last October, Michael Kors was thankful for small blessings. Michael Kors stated himself in previous interviews that the Hurricane Sandy actually was a root of his inspiration for his Fall 2013 collection.

New York, a city like no other, holding its face so indomitably regardless of the hurricane, inspires how endurance could become the motive to our modern day clothes for women. Michael Kors blends this very concept with his effortlessly refined and sophisticated details for his F13 collection.  

The primal colors that strut the runway were royal blue, taxicab yellow and neon orange. All three colors that are fun to play around with, but also bring the vigilant side of his concept, for they are the eye-catching hues that stand out even in most dangerous situation. These colors shine up, represent hope and bring vitality. Protective gears like goggle and heavy duty outer wears with leather trims, and toggle closures lead to yet other strong details to the collection.

One of the hottest and alluring trends that could not be missed from the Fall 13 runways is the leather. The infatuation was everywhere! Many different varieties of cuts, forms and textures of leather were evident in every runway show, and bold trims and unique applications excited many leather fans like myself. It seemed apparent that the leather was an important component of Michael Kors collection this time around as well. Leather in various forms, shapes, cuts, and different finishes such as quilted and perforated pretty much struck a cord. 

Camouflage coats, faux furs and print-on-print suits are another riveting features and put us into the other side of the conceptual platform as if we are living our every day life in a jungle. Sometimes your brain dealing with stress and emotion effected by living among the crowds in a busy city yearns for that placid moment. A moment when you just want to hide, stay put and go on unnoticed. 

As the show comes to an end, casual and simple two-tone dresses ornate the runway. They bring on effectual and confident energy to the stage. A beautiful city full of bright lights and unending actions, is the city so strong and brave that would not be shaken even by the unexpected natural disaster. I got to hand it to Michael Kors for his undying love for the city, and delivering such tenacious energy to his Fall 2013 RTW collection.

Photo Credit: DestinationKors.com

City Gal meets tomboy

One of my favorite designers, Rebecca Minkoff, shows off her collections with city gal aesthetics with a bit of tomboy flairs during NYFW F13 show. She proves to do what she does best by incorporating the menswear look with feminine, and sexy details to her collections. Everything was prepared and presented in perfect composure, and went far beyond my expectation.

As she brought a concept of Aerospace outfits to the table, noticed a lot of utilitarian details, wide zippers, modern closures, padding and quilting finishes. Leather was predominantly used from shorts to blazers, to pants and even some, as unique trims to some of the pieces. I must say her outerwear collections were the killer of all! Absolutely loved all of them, and the emerging trend depicted was definitely the toggle closures. So cute, girly and tomboyish all at the same time. I kept on craving for more!

 Her new bags for F13 also caught my eyes, all so polished and unquestionably adorable. As models carried these bags out, and strut their way to the runway, I simply fell in love. Popped colors, feminine details, great leathers, and intriguing prints and patterns. Can't wait to get my hands on them when they are available in public. Kudos to Rebecca Minkoff! She was, and is more than just a handbag designer. 

(These two pics of the bags are courtesy of Rebecca Minkoff Blog)

All other images by me. 

Da Man

@ Lincoln Center, NYC

Feb 13 NY Fashion week F13

What a statement he's making.
From the cowboy hat to the neckerchief,

wildly printed top with the fur jacket,

leather belts and camouflage print pants.

Simply bold and daring. 

U r Da Man!

Modern day lady

@ Lincoln Center, NY

Feb '13, NY Fashion Week F13

Photo by Me

Meet Meagan!

I love anyone who knows how to manipulate the colors when dressing up, 

especially bright and bold colors.

In spite of the freezing snow and sleet outside of the Lincoln Center, 

Meagan appeared like a breath of fresh air. 

It was those colors that first captured my attention, but the elegant and feminine details

of her outfits made her look like someone who just popped out of the 1950's movie scene. 

Gotta love the irresistible deep orange scarf, bright hues of emerald coat 

and the pink leather gloves she was wearing

(sorry, not captured in this photo :( and let's not forget..that hat! 

She lifted my mood for sure! 

Her eyes fear nothing.

@ Lincoln Center, NY

Feb '13, NY Fashion Week F13

Photo Credit: Susie Kim

Meet Stiletto!

Wow, who could resist that sultry and powerful stare of this beautiful model/DJ girl?

With the busy prints, and the grand faux fur coat, 

she balanced out this "could-be perplexed" outfit by wearing a soft ivory short 

and matching wedges. How clever!

She looks like she is on top of the world! 

Concept Korea, NYFW FW '13

Just last Thursday on 2/7, Lincoln center at NYC was fully immersed in immaculate beat and rhythm of Korea. Concept Korea, a collaborative movement of renowned and uprising designers from Korea have took over the stage. The rhythm of Korea had prepped us all anticipating in excitement. After seeing their Spr/Sum 2013 collections last September, my expectations for all five Korean designers had gone sky high.

The show opened up with the fusion sound of traditional Korean music, composing mysterious ambiance surrounding the stage. 

First in line was Choiboko, a designer who's also known as a color artist back in his hometown. His collections showcased various abstract images of nature and dance. Most of his collections remained within the range of red, black and white but diversity of those bold, vibrant abstract-like prints made them far from being mundane.

Next it was Hong Bum Kim, a head designer of Cres E, Dim. His dark, strong and even somewhat gothic-like collections showed intriguing cuts and silhouettes within the collections, many with the usage of different shapes and sizes of leather trims and pleats. Black, deep burgundy and beige were the signature colors that made up the collections.

Came Son Jung Wan, a designer who never fails to please us with her effortlessly romantic Goddess-like collections. FW13 collections also consisted of many romantic pieces that included warm brown/beige separates, dresses mixed with mink and fur trim sleeves.  Again, the color choices of deep purple, blue and beige were evident that made her collections rich and undoubtedly feminine.

Then it was Lie Sang Bong, Korea's Avant-Garde designer who is known for often applying Korea's own traditional images and ideals to his master pieces. His collections showcased amazing grid-oriented designs that reminded me of the traditional doors of the old Korean houses, which were made with fine rice papers, and wooden trims that formed the grids. Neoprene jackets with mixture of green and brown bamboo like prints, also very unique. 

Finally, it was Kye, the uprising young designer of our next generations. Youth, freedom, and Edgy are the key words that describe Kye. Inspired by the streets of Seoul, Graffiti prints were the prime elements, along with balloon sleeve tops, striking blue fur jackets and print-on-print top and bottoms. Her vigorous and youthful tones left quite impressions for FW13 once again. Kye collections are now available at Opening Ceremony in NYC.

Can't wait to see how Concept Korea will turn ideas into spectacular reality for next season :) 


Photos credit to Susie Kim