At the end of a week when some Fashion Week attendees have complained that the shows have been too safe, Anne Klein's second collection with Isabel Toledo at design helm couldn't have been more of a breath of fresh air. Toledo's clothes have their own standout esthetic; these are confident looks for women who don't need magazines or trendsetters who tell them what to wear. And just as those customers tend to be trailblazing professionals, this collection used modernized fabrics (like lacquered cotton and glazed silk) and flattering, fluid cuts to be focused, forward-thinking, and always feminine. Plus, although it wasn't an upbeat show per se, there's something about Toledo's sense of self in the midst of so many retail-driven collections which makes you want her to succeed. It just puts everyone in the good mood the way a great art exhibit does.
That mood was contagious and was felt backstage before the show as well as in the audience. "Isabel's an original," James Kaliardos, who created the makeup for the show using foundations and eye products from MAC, said. "She really is one of the few designers on earth that really do very original designs that aren't based on some nostalgia trip. She doesn't look through old Vogues and copy things. It's true design: she really creates from the pattern to the finished clothing. She channeling the spirit of Anne Klein but in her own way, which is the best way to come into a house like that."
Renowned hairstylist Orlando Pita, who worked on the show and has known Toledo since high school, agreed. "Isabel is extremely talented," he said. "It's always such a pleasure to work with people that no matter how commercial a side of fashion there is, there also needs to that element of good design and creativity. We're kind of losing that in fashion with people becoming designers more and more that aren't trained as designers-we must not lose the fashion and creativity side of what we do and Isabel is really strong at that."
Pita said the hair for the show was directly inspired by Toledo's designs. "It's very architectural and feminine minimalist," he said of the look. "It's very neat and then it gets into a drier texture in the back and we're putting extensions to make a blunt cut and the bottom. It looks very simple but it's a lot of work!"
It may sound contradictory, but the Tommy Hilfiger show which was held later yesterday didn't show much which looked new, but also made its audience feel good. With its crisp and wearable pieces in navy, white, and beige, these were clothes for average men and women instead of just the fashion crowd. It's worth noting that the show was held at Hammerstein Ballroom, where just a week earlier (although it certainly feels like ages ago after seeing a gazillion shows since) Van Cleef and Arpels held its massive fine jewelry event, which felt European and luxe. A week later in the light of day, Hilfiger's collection was packed with truly American looks for everyday, which after a week in Fashionistaville was a nice transition back to reality....
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That mood was contagious and was felt backstage before the show as well as in the audience. "Isabel's an original," James Kaliardos, who created the makeup for the show using foundations and eye products from MAC, said. "She really is one of the few designers on earth that really do very original designs that aren't based on some nostalgia trip. She doesn't look through old Vogues and copy things. It's true design: she really creates from the pattern to the finished clothing. She channeling the spirit of Anne Klein but in her own way, which is the best way to come into a house like that."
Renowned hairstylist Orlando Pita, who worked on the show and has known Toledo since high school, agreed. "Isabel is extremely talented," he said. "It's always such a pleasure to work with people that no matter how commercial a side of fashion there is, there also needs to that element of good design and creativity. We're kind of losing that in fashion with people becoming designers more and more that aren't trained as designers-we must not lose the fashion and creativity side of what we do and Isabel is really strong at that."
Pita said the hair for the show was directly inspired by Toledo's designs. "It's very architectural and feminine minimalist," he said of the look. "It's very neat and then it gets into a drier texture in the back and we're putting extensions to make a blunt cut and the bottom. It looks very simple but it's a lot of work!"
It may sound contradictory, but the Tommy Hilfiger show which was held later yesterday didn't show much which looked new, but also made its audience feel good. With its crisp and wearable pieces in navy, white, and beige, these were clothes for average men and women instead of just the fashion crowd. It's worth noting that the show was held at Hammerstein Ballroom, where just a week earlier (although it certainly feels like ages ago after seeing a gazillion shows since) Van Cleef and Arpels held its massive fine jewelry event, which felt European and luxe. A week later in the light of day, Hilfiger's collection was packed with truly American looks for everyday, which after a week in Fashionistaville was a nice transition back to reality....
Continue reading....
