Gap Fall 2009 Ready-to-Wear Collection on Style.com: Runway Review

LONDON, March 23, 2009 – By Sarah Mower

High fashion has had its say, but what of the democratic point of view for Fall? According to Gap’s Patrick Robinson, it’s going to be “about people walking into the store and eyeing things they think might be three times the price of what they’d expect to see, but then finding out they’re a fourth of what they thought.” To wit: black, curly shearling jackets and vests; a cute knit-sleeved toggle-fastened peacoat; a dark indigo denim trench; and a super-desirable pair of high, chunky-heeled sheepskin Pierre Hardy boots, among much else. All these were lined up on a podium—a casual style of presenting Robinson has made a Gap signature over three seasons—only this time, the location was the old flower market Covent Garden in London, not New York.

Why? Gap has deep American roots, but the brand is now designed by internationally minded U.S., European, and Japanese teams that Robinson directs out of New York, and this is the first stage of a new Gap road-show strategy demonstrating their joined-up thinking. (Next stop, for Spring 2010, will be Tokyo.) Mostly, Robinson says, they’re thinking about layered sportswear with a smarter edge and exacting proportions. The classic pocket tee has been rethought in drapey washed silk; a new chino comes cut with a skinny stovepipe leg, “so it can also be rolled up and worn with a high sandal”; and the ombré-dyed twinset knits have been elongated to look right over leggings. And where denim appeared, it had obviously been more influenced by the European collaboration between Lanvin and Acne (all tailored, deep-indigo dyed pieces) than traditional western workwear. Not to say there weren’t familiar Gap moments—comfortable brown-toned Navajo knits for holiday, for starters.

via Gap Fall 2009 Ready-to-Wear Collection on Style.com: Runway Review.

Wunderkind Fall 2009 Ready-to-Wear Collection on Style.com: Runway Review

PARIS, March 11, 2009 – By Nicole Phelps

Wolfgang Joop’s Fall Wunderkind collection was inspired by Suprematism, the early-twentieth-century Russian abstract art movement founded by Kazimir Malevich, as well as by the work of contemporary German artist Gregor Törzs. The results are a strong argument that art is often better left on walls. Malevich’s rectangle and square paintings became the basis for a colorful geometric print that appeared on chiffon dresses. Worn with matching tights or sequined leggings stitched in the same graphic pattern, the frocks were quite an eyeful. Törzs’ depictions of cheetahs and deer, meanwhile, were printed onto wool coats, which detracted from the garments rather than elevating them. In fact, the strongest looks in the collection were the first ones to hit the runway. These showed Joop’s prowess as a tailor, and, with their padded hips and on-trend forties power shoulders, suggested he does possess the ability to design relevant clothes.

via Wunderkind Fall 2009 Ready-to-Wear Collection on Style.com: Runway Review.

Mirza Mperial at NOVA Fashion Week – February 2009

MIRZA MPERIAL is a brand dedicated to the glamour of dressing women in unquestionably extraordinary clothing. Heavily influenced by art, architecture, and world cultures, MIRZA MPERIAL strives to redefine classic elements of style in a unique perspective. Its luxe and international appeal is brought to life by CEO & Creative Director, Taimur Baig. With admiration for effortless elegance, Taimur Baig strives to redefine the world of fashion and art; mixing the two together to create a symbiosis of creative expression, and appreciation for the artistic vision.

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Isolda Couture at NOVA Fashion Week – February 2009

Isolda Couture is a collection of designs by Isolda Marie Meade. Isolda’s designs consist of vintage, bohemian, and lingerie styled looks for daytime and evening wear. Her inspiration comes from various sources, such as nature, music, art, her travels abroad and the fabric itself. She states, “I have loved fashion design ever since I was a little girl, sewing with my mom and making Barbie doll outfits. I’m very passionate about designing and take great pride in my work. I hope you like what you see!”

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Stella Bonds at NOVA Fashion Week – February 2009

Stella Bonds is a talented new designer who specializes in creative and colorful men’s shirts as well as incredible shoes for ladies. Her styles are funky, fun and different, with a touch of class and elegance. Stella is also the wardrobe designer for Photohispana Group, a large and fast growing group of professional photographers in the metro area. She creates fantasy dresses just for shooting and dressing models accordingly to the subject selected.

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Nyamal Both at NOVA Fashion Week – February 2009

Nyamal Both has been doing fashion shows for two years now. In 2007, she showcased in events like Afrifest and Patis07 Africa Day at the Mall of America. She has also done shows at pageants like Miss Africa-Minnesota, Miss Junior Africa, and more. This year, she has showcased at universities and colleges, and the Africa International Modeling Competition in DC.

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NoVA Fashion Week – February 2009

Northern Virginia Fashion Week was created to awaken the sleeping giant that is Virginia. This event was created with the fashion eccentric person being at the top of the list for reasons to showcase in this area.  A fashion week’s main objective is to produce exquisite designer shows in order to present the latest fashion trends in the industry. Designers that present during fashion week aren’t your day to day “this is my hobby” designer. Each designer and stylist presents collections that will make your heart skip beats as garments cruise down the runway. What we recommend and present on the runway are simply tools to allow you to look, feel and act better in our current economy. If you have even an ounce of fashion sense, attending Northern Virginia Fashion Week will surely catapult you to star status.

Events like ours allow participants from all around to learn and progress in their particular field. Makeup artists, models, designers, stylist alike have all learned valuable lessons and it’s our job to ensure that each season propels them into a more elite career. Attending fashion week for many people isn’t simply to see fashion as an event. It’s a critical time in the year that allows many companies to make imperative decisions on how they will continue as a business.

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Limi Feu Fall 2009 Ready-to-Wear Collection on Style.com: Runway Review

PARIS, March 11, 2009 – By Tim Blanks

Edwardian England shaped modern Japan’s notions of menswear, so the waistcoat has always been a building block for designers like Issey, Yohji, and Rei. You can add Limi to the list. The designer worked it every which way in her new collection, making for one of the male/female interplays that has become as much her signature as that of her father, Yamamoto père.

In Limi’s hands, the vest came full and double-breasted over sailor pants tucked into kneesocks. It was shrunken to nothing over a bright white shirt, or shown with little cap sleeves, or elongated into asymmetrical points (over a white cotton shirtdress), or even combined in a waistcoat/jacket hybrid. The reworking of one idea through the course of a show is something of a Japanese design tic, but Limi had fun with it, turning her chosen item into a fur gilet tied at the back, a big cross-belted knit, and a cardigan scarf.

via Limi Feu Fall 2009 Ready-to-Wear Collection on Style.com: Runway Review.

Hermès Fall 2009 Ready-to-Wear Collection on Style.com: Runway Review

PARIS, March 11, 2009 – By Sarah Mower

A full squadron of female flying aces took off at Hermès. There were multiple propellers turning in the background, accompanied by soundtracks from Casablanca, etc., etc.—just in case some dullard in the house (or rather, the inhospitable concrete warehouse) didn’t immediately get the meaning of the Amelia Earhart/Amy Johnson headgear and bomber jackets.

Jean Paul Gaultier’s old-school pun mania can be trying at times, but on this occasion he, well, winged it with aplomb. It’s a season of leather, after all, and since Hermès is the ultimate seat of luxurious skins and superb tooling, the conceit gave full vent to the house expertise. There were fur-collared crocodile bombers, leather jumpsuits, and mink-lined gilets. These were mixed with flannel pants, gray tunic knits (some patched with astrakhan), super-slim leg-hugging suede boots, and matte gray Kelly bags.

via Hermès Fall 2009 Ready-to-Wear Collection on Style.com: Runway Review.

Miu Miu Fall 2009 Ready-to-Wear Collection on Style.com: Runway Review

PARIS, March 12, 2009 -By Nicole Phelps

Miuccia Prada wrapped up fashion month with a compelling Miu Miu collection that, like more than a few others this season, felt quintessentially Parisian. With bits and pieces from Histoire d’O, Visconti’s Conversation Piece, and Fassbinder and Antonioni films on the soundtrack, it tried to answer the question, “What’s the bourgeoisie now?” Or so the designer explained backstage, adding, “they were different kinds of femmes fatales.”

The opening coat-dresses, most of them sleeveless, were worn half unbuttoned, exposing flesh-toned brassieres. Either that, or the dresses were draped in back, revealing bare expanses of skin a-shimmer from light dustings of iridescent glitter. A strategically draped long scarf edged in fur, meanwhile, might stand in for a missing shirt. Prada sent out coats and dresses made from what could’ve been upholstery fabric salvaged from the tony Avenue Foch manse where the show was held, then moved on to looks that paired filmy silk blouses with long, narrow skirts (the most striking combination came in turquoise and ruby). Toward the end, she put aside the underwear fetish that was a through line with her signature collection (in Milan it was red briefs) to show sleeveless shells and skirts in silk crepe embroidered with large, colorful gems.

via Miu Miu Fall 2009 Ready-to-Wear Collection on Style.com: Runway Review.

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