Spring 2014 Mercedes Benz New York Fashion Week - Part 2

This week, there were thousands of people from near and far like designers, celebrities, publicist, and spectators arriving at Lincoln Center for the Spring 2014 Mercedes Benz New York Fashion Week.  So before getting into all the fabulous and eclectic fashions that walked the runway, I thought it would be great to kick start our conversation off with diversity within the Fashion Industry:

The issue of diversity on the runway or the lack there of was recently a hot topic on Good Morning America which featured supermodel Naomi Campbell, Iman and Bethann Hardison, an activist and former model who formed the Diversity of Coalition.  The ladies were letting out their frustration concerning the lack of models of color seen on the runway from high profile designers. Iman felt the issue is worse than when she first hit the runway in the 1970's.
She believes that there were a greater representation of black models on the runway then than they are now.  It is our hope that the efforts of the Diversity Coalition will invoke some real change in this industry. 
 

The Mellissa Harris-Perry show last weekend also had the topic of discussion that centered around the Fashion Industry's lack of Women of Color on the runway.  Guest included Toccarra Jones, a Plus Size Model from America's Next Top Model, Emme, leading model in the Plus Size Model Industry, Mr. J Alexander, a Runway Coach from American Next Top Model, and Vanessa Bush, Editor-in-Chief  of Essence Magazine.

Guest discussed things such as: the struggles of being a Plus Size Model and a Woman of Color,
how designers are inspired by a theme for their fashion line so you may not necessarily translate into the audience they are looking to sell their line too, and although Essence Magazine has been in existence for 43 years, they still find that incorporating diversity into the industry is a challenge. 

 













Just to give you something to think about, New York grosses over $532 Million from
New York Fashion Week and woman of color spend millions of dollars a year in fashion. 
So as the issue of diversity amongst Fashion models looms over our head, the
ongoing discussion will hopefully illuminate and invoke positive change on the runway. 
On that note, I thought it would be cool to show pics of some of todays Black models that
are rocking the runway. 

Top Black Models Currently on the Runway

 

Upcoming Colors for Spring 2014 

 

Colors, Colors, Colors, that was the one common denominators that strolled the runway this week.  Pastel Colors and softer hues are on the horizon for Spring 2014.     

Here are the colors....

 

Placid Blue - Tranquil and reassuring sky 

Violet Tulip - Romantic, Vintage purple

Hemlock -  foliage, ornamental green

Sand -  a lightly toasted and amiable neutral, conjures images of the beach 
Paloma - serves as a quintessential neutral
Cayenne - a high-pitched red, adds a dash of spicy heat to neutrals
Freesia - a blazing yellow that is sure to illuminate wardrobes this season
Celosia Orange - an optimistic, spontaneous hue
Radiant Orchid - a bold counterpart to Violet Tulip
Dazzling Blue - a scintillating, polar opposite to Placid

 

Let's Hit the Runway

Now lets talk about the excitement that exuberated from the runway this week .  Sashaying 

down the runway were flowing gowns, candy colored cocktail dresses, geometric block jackets,

peplum details, lace, flowers, leather, colorful fur, the black/white mod look, you name it, you saw it walking the runway.  Some designers drew their inspiration for their collection from exotic trips, movies, various era's, and even the arts.

 

Below are snapshots of a few of the many shows that took place this week.



Designer - Desigual - Colorful Sixty's inspired collection



Designer - Carolina Herrera - Inspired by Kinetic Art

Designer-Donna Karen - Her Spring line was inspired by a scarf while on her trip to India

Designers-Herve Leger - Silver is the color that 's being used the most to enhance and illuminate bright shades of Blues.

Designer - Reem Acra - Her Spring line is discovered by Disco Era

Designer - Todd Snyder - He was inspired by the movie Purple Rain



Designer- Zac Posen- Romantic, cotton candy style line inspired by impressionist



 

All can say is that I really can't wait for Spring!!!  Ladies, next week we will be discussing what you can wear this fall that would truly flatter your figure.  Until then, take a moment to click on the link

below and enjoy the show.  http://youtu.be/bU3jyiDq7Q8

 

 

"In order to be irreplaceable one must always be different" - Coco Chanel

 

 

Simply,

 

Flo

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spring 2014 Mercedes Benz New York Fashion Week - Part 1

Can you believe it? New York Fashion Week is finally here!!  Yes, Mercedes Benz Fashion Week will be held in New York from September 5th - 12th.  Models will be strutting down the runway this year in Designer's Fall wear like Rebecca Minkoff, Zac Posen, Carmen Marc Valvo, Vera Wang, Herve Leger by Max Azria, Tracy Reese, Diane Von Furstenberg, Tory Burch, Badgley Mischka, and Betsy Johnson to name a few. 

Well, if you never had a chance to experience Fashion Week, I thought I would share with you a
little glimpse of one, so sit back, relax and let's take a sneak peak into Designer Bibhu Mohapatra Fall/Winter 2013-14 Fashion Show during New York Fashion Week.  If you can't view the above video, feel free to click on the url link:  http://youtu.be/ijwNIaT5LOY

I must tell you that I was so thrilled because I got a chance to hang out for a few yesterday, on the first day of  Mercedes Benz Fashion Week, at Lincoln Center right before heading over to see the screening of the new Independent film, Minnie Mandela, produced by Bishop TD Jakes being held at AMC Lincoln Square. What a gorgeous day it was with photographers on the Lincoln Center walk way, interviews going on here and there, and folks just trying to head to the next Fashion Show.  I was totally captivated by the excitement in the air. 

Absence of Color
While there are a lot of topics to focus on for New York Fashion Week, I thought this was an area of importance to hone in on.  Although there has been talk about the absence of models of color on the runway at Fashion Week, New York Fashion Week will showcase 13 brands ranging from avant-garde and edgy to classic and couture-inspired designs by African American designers.  It's truly exciting to see the work of these designers who defy the odds that many face as black designers in New York.  Here are a few that I chose to spotlight along with some of their cutting edge designs.

 

 

Designer Martin Cooper took over the reigns of Belstaff  almost two years ago. 
He worked for Burberry for over 16 years and his collection includes more Luxury
utilitarian pieces.

Designers Kera Anderson and Nicole Styler just launched their line this year.  Their inspiration stems from 16th century crown molding as well as costume wear. Their Fall/Winter 2013 collection includes 16th century inspired jackets all created with the finest velvets, paisley and baroque textiles.

 

 

 

The designer B. Michael previously worked for Oscar de la Renta but now has his line B. Michael America which is a modern approach to glamour.  His designs have been seen on the likes of Beyoncé, Lynn Whitfield, and Angela Bassett to name a few.  He also developed Whitney Houston’s  costumes for the film Sparkle.   

 

 

The designer Kithe Brewster got his start working as an editor and celebrity stylist for top Fashion magazines such as Elle, Flaunt and Vanity Fair.  His personal clients have included: Halle Berry, Julianne Moore, Iman, Eva Mendes, Usher, and Heidi Klum.

I thought I would take the time to focus on a subject that is less talked about during Fashion Week in Part 1 of my blog and on next week, we can discuss some of the other Designers and their Fabulous and Couture Fashions that ripped the runway. 

Hope you enjoyed....

Simply,

Flo

"Don’t be into trends. Don’t make fashion own you, but you decide what you are, what you want to express by the way you dress and the way you live."

— Gianni Versace