BAYFashion at NYC Fashion Week S/S 2013
by Jenna Ghosheh and Sarah Silva
Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week is getting off to a great start in NYC. BAYFashion team attended five shows on day two, September 7th, of the festivities: Czar by Cesar Galindo, the Project Runway finale, Noon by Noor, W118 by Walter Baker, and our own Academy of Art University.
Czar by Cesar Galindo: Recently known for his appearance on the reality competition, The Fashion Show Ultimate Collection, Galindo presented a full collection of tailored suits, billowing dresses, and laid-back rompers. His palette included bright springtime hues of green, blue, and yellow against gray and black neutrals. The collection was undeniably trendy and modern, yet had immense wearability for the casual modern woman–think maxi dresses and pantsuits with an edge. This collection is definitely ready to work.
Project Runway: This time around, the fashion-set doubled as audience once Michael Kors, Nina Garcia, Heidi Klum, and guest judge, Jennifer Hudson strutted down the runway. All eight remaining designers this season showed off their best design know-how to wow the crowd. Notable collections included Dmitry Sholokov, Ven Budhu, and our personal favorite, Elena Slivnyak. Elena presented a futuristic collection full of electric lemonade pencil skirts and bandage-print dresses that completely reminded us of a chic and less revealing version of Jean Paul Gaultier’s 5th Element costume for Milla Jovovich. The shades gravitated towards a complimentary set of gray, white, lemon, and fuschia.
Bright colors are in season for Spring/Summer 2013. Noon by Noor highlighted different shades of salmon, copper metallics, yellow and teal prints, and a touch of olive green. Their stone detailing and feather accent work was most compelling against their ultra-feminine, breezy silks. Front row guests of honor also taking in the glamor included New York it-girls, Nicky Hilton and Olivia Palermo.
W118 by Walter Baker: Walter Baker managed to hit the sweet spot between being completely now, but also completely new. His presentation paid an homage to the girls of today with a V-formation line-up of models all rocking out to music on their headphones and sipping cups of coffee. W118 envisions next spring and summer in ultra-modern geometric prints, playing with the juxtaposition of warm navel and meringue and a cool grass green. Fun and unexpected, yet also serious enough for work and everyday wear, this collection is one that could carry its’ wearer into any occassion.
Our very own Academy of Art University closed the Lincoln Center Theater with looks from several featured graduating designers. This year, the students were asked to use the fabrics donated by several prestigious French textile mills.
First up was Iglika Vasileva Matthews. Originally from Bulgaria, this graduate recently earned a M.F.A. degree in Fashion Design. Her inspiration was the unique architecture of Zaha Hadid who is known for his seemingly moving, yet static structures. Matthews presented a collection of sand, slate, and chalk.
Jisun Lee, a native of Seoul, South Korea, earned an M.F.A. in Fashion and Textile Design.
Liza Quinones hails from Valley Stream, New York and recently obtained a B.F.A. in Textile Design from Academy of Art University. Quinones’ collection focused on silk shirts, pants, and vests in emerald and turquoise.
Yanfei Fan grew up in Shijianhuang in Hebei, China. Fan collected her M.F.A. degree in Fashion Design at Academy of Art University. Fan’s inspiration came from the angular windows seen on the faces of modern skyscrapers. Her collection included dresses and pants in black, white, and feathers.
Jie Jessie Liu of Penglai, Shandong, China recently earned her M.F.A. in Fashion Design. Her collection was a collaboration with the textile designer, Tanja Milutinovic. Liu was inspired by the sharp, geometric sculptures of artist, Anish Kapoor.
Tanya Milutinovic of Belgrade, Serbia recently received a M.F.A. in Textile Design. Her collection included silk dresses and pants in taupe, platinum, and pale gold.
Ginie C. Y. Huang, who was born and raised in Taiwan, graduated with an M.F.A. degree in Fashion Design. Her inspiration comes from the work of Ninagawa Mika, one of Japan’s most colorful photographers. Her collection oozed with a bright tropical limes, fuschias, pinks, mandarins, and yellows atop wool and feather dresses and jackets.
Stephina Touch, a Bakersfield native, is leaving the Academy of Art University with a M.F.A. in Fashion Design. Touch found inspiration in traditional Asian architecture for her graduating collection. All double-face dresses and vests were of white silk and cotton and took a cue from feudal Japan’s traditional belted collars.
Jarida Karnjanasirirat of Bangkok, Thailand, is leaving with a M.F.A. in Fashion Design. Karnjanasirirat looked to the raised structure of relief sculptures. Her collection featured an interesting mix of silver and champagne three-dimensional lapels, collars, and pleats.
Tomorrow is day three of New York Fashion Week. Be sure to check for updates on the latest spring and summer fashions.