Sometimes a motif or theme for a collection could not be more obvious. That was certainly the case with the Candela Spring/Summer 2014 collection. But, this wasn’t a bad thing. The theme was definitely of a nautical inspiration and being at or around the sea. This is a great take for either spring or summer. I enjoyed this inspiration because even with the obvious implications of the spring/summer season and a nautical inspiration, nothing was literal. It wasn’t spring just because of a floral print. It wasn’t a nautical inspiration because the garments incorporated an anchor print or dresses that look like sailor outfits. Candela offers this Van Morrison quote as inspirational words for their theme-“Hark, now hear the sailors cry, smell the sea, and feel the sky let your soul & spirit fly, into the mystic…”

I enjoyed the use of a falling leaflet embroidery with some of the garments. It’s a nice twist versus just a floral print or flower petal. Outside of classic white pieces there were some great uses of color with that of navy blue and denim pieces, which work well with both spring/summer and the nautical theme. There are still some trends for spring/summer 2014 that continue to show such longevity such as lace, lace and more lace! There was also a good amount of sheer cutout effects, but all in all it was nice to see these continued trends, but still with innovation and not redundancy. I really enjoyed the attention to detail with some amazing touches such as mirror-embroidered heels and gorgeous open backs with embroidery.

Here is the rest of the collection:

  off-white mesh gown with pewter leaf embroidery

  silk ruffled black gown with crochet fringe and pom pom trim

  double layered, off-white short mesh dress with metallic pewter leaf embroidery

  bow shorts romper with off the shoulder sleeves in black silk organza

  off white short sleeved silk organza cocktail dress

  Off-wite long sheer cutout eyelet dress featuring Peter Pan Collar and puffed sleeves

  Grey cropped sweatshirt with white eyelet sleeves worn with off white sheer cutout eyelet knee length skirt and multi-colored willow print bow flats

  Denim vest with back ruffles in a mesh lace, paired w/ matching off-white ruffled mesh lace mini skirt and navy kilim embroidery flats

Left-navy silk chiffon & lace cardigan with grey cashmere and side lace detail track pants; Right-grey cashmere sweater with sheer navy lace stripes paired w/ navy silk charmeuse dress with lace godets

  Right only-color blocked lace button down shirt worn with matching lace pencil skirt in navy, blush and off-white paired w/ blush blow flats

  Color blocked lace button down shirt worn with matching pencil skirt in red, blush and off white

  Lace crop top with multi-colored fringe tassel skirt

  Left-long blush razor back eyelet dress with scalloped hem; Right-natural knit mesh sweater w/ mirror embroidery trim at neckline, tucked into olive silk linen high-waisted trousers w/ rope tassel belt & metallic rose gold & green pointed flats

  Silk gown in navy

  Left-Off-white long sleeved silk tunic with multi-colored embroidery and beading detail, paired w/ navy silk linen high-waisted shorts, coral cord belt and mirror embroidery heels

  Left-Kilim embroidered knit top in blush with matching embroidered mini skirt worn w/ navy mirror embroidery flats; Right-navy soft jersey razor back tank top with raffia trim paired with navy kilim embroidery pants and natural rope sandals

Special Credits

• Set Design: Aux Armes Etc
• Hair-Amy Farid for Bumble & Bumble
• Makeup-Bobbie Brown Cosmetics
• Nails-OPI
• Jewelry-Melissa Joy Manning

Related articles

• Candela Spring 2014 designed by Gabriella Perrezutti (55secretstreet.typepad.com)
• The Next Big Thing: Candela, Spring ’14 (style.com)
• Candela Spring 2014 NYFW (snapette.com)
• Candela Lounge (eatyyc.co)
• A little bit nautical… (saltandsandu.wordpress.com)
• Have You Checked Out Nautical Wallpaper Lately? (interiorplace.com)
• Candela 0.1 (pypi.python.org)
• Covet // Vintage Nautical (lostandfawned.com)
• New York Fashion Week spring – summer 2014, day 1: keeping it soft (lucire.com)

Since I’ve moved to NYC, I have probably attended about 25 runway presentations. Desigual, from here on out, will certainly be one of the most memorable. It’s unimaginable that anybody that was in the tent was not smiling, bobbing their head, or heck, even dancing because even the models were dancing down the runway! Most of the time, models give attitude, walk fierce, or as some simply say, just look mad, as they strut down the runway. On occasion, the designer might instruct the models to have a bit of fun or put a little spirit into the walk, perhaps someone like Anna Sui or Betsey Johnson. What you may get with this are models who smile or who might put a little bounce in their step. But I say, if your garments are full of life and spirit, just tell the models to go with the flow and really embody the spirit of the garments as you walk down the runway. This is exactly what Desigual did. The garments already had the magical spark and eye-catching elements so it really just came down to the show and Desigual certainly put on a show!

As excited as I was about the show, the collection was certainly just as fabulous. The collection was so lively with the selection of colors and prints of florals, tie-dye and stripes. A lot of collections focus on certain garments to make their show, but almost forget about the aspect of being wearable or commercial. Desigual found a way to create showstopping pieces by making them fabulous, chic, glamorous, but most importantly wearable. Pretty much every look I could picture myself in it, but also picture where I could actually wear it. Generally, I am not a fan of a floral print for spring, as it’s so literal. However, when a designer can somehow step out of the box and make it their own, then I can be on board. This is exactly what Desigual has done. I like how the floral print was sometimes in black and white, or designed in an abstract and modern, almost digital-printed format. The trend I enjoyed the most was finding ways to make a classic trend, such as a floral print or other prints, more modern and chic. Bold colors and modern prints to coincide with classic silhouettes truly made this collection a standout.

The inspiration behind this collection is centered around the motto, La Vida es Chula or Life is Cool. I certainly thought that as I saw these looks come down the runway. Even if the models didn’t look as if they were having the best time ever, I still would have thought the looks were cool and so was the woman wearing it. The various colors and prints, such as florals, were set to capture that essence of the good life. Another part of the inspirational back story was the Mediterranean. The prints and colors were also in play to transport one’s spirit to the warm waters and lush terrain of the cities and islands of the Mediterranean.

Here are some of my favorite looks, but click here to see the rest!

     Black & white floral printed dress

  Multi-colored floral print romper with mint green belt

  Black and white accordion-striped dress with balconette neck line; This model is Tali Lennox, daughter of Annie Lennox

   Loose abstract printed dress with matching tote

   Mao duffle coat with colored buttons and galactic circles; this model is Amber Le Bon, daughter of Simon Le Bon of Duran Duran

   Black and white sketched dress with red galactic print and oversized white clutch

   Barcelona city sketch print raincoat with colorful striped tote bag

   Black and white tank top with sketched miniskirt and black shopping tote bag

Special Credits

• Nails-Keri Blair with MAC
• Makeup-Gregory Arlt and the MAC pro team
• Hair-Danilo for Pantene
• Hair tools by The Science of Fabulous

Related articles

• Does Desigual belong on NY Fashion Week runway? (news.yahoo.com)
• Desigual offers colorful start to NY fashion week (news.yahoo.com)
• Desigual Spring 2014: NYFW Day 1 (runningwithheels.com)
• Desigual Spring/Summer 2014 Collection – New York Fashion Week (fashionisers.com)
• Detailed photos of Desigual Spring / Summer 2014 (fashionising.com)
• Sam Webb Graces Desigual Fall 2013 Look Book (thefashionisto.com)
• Desigual Spring 2014 (MBNYFW) (tallglassofstyle.com)
• Fashion Week: Tadashi Shoji Exposes Sweeter Side, Desigual Flaunts Bold Debut (ny1.com)
• Desigual’s colorful show focuses on bold prints (nypost.com)
• Get your kicks for fall 2013 with new Desigual boots and shoes (angelvancouver.com)

[twitter-follow screen_name='fashion_nexus' show_count='yes']

It was such a surprise that on my 1st NYFW outing to not only attend my planned show, but also see a 2nd show. I was pleasing to view the Spring/Summer 2014 collection for Bespoken. There was certainly a mixture in this collection. There were looks that could transition with ease from day to night, looks that were very dressy to cool and casual. It was also nice to see the mixing of both dressy and casual together in one look. What is Bespoken calling for with trends in Spring/summer 2014.

The color trend of muted or warmer shades were certainly in abundance. Bespoken men will perhaps be allowing the women to be bold with pops of color. It was intriguing in that even though the colors were muted, they still hold the ability to work in the spring and summer months. I think it was the combination of the colors that elicited this thought. There was olive and grey colored pieces. Also, there were shades of blue from sky blue to navy blue. All of this was intermixed with each other and then also the more classic or staple colors for men with blacks, whites or tans.

The colors spoke to some major trends. But, there was also combinations of really any shirt, an oxford or short sleeved, to go with a sweater. Men can also accessorize it up in the spring-pleated caps, attache cases or skinny ties. The trend or statement to be made is mix your dressy pieces such as blazers with that of your more casual pieces, such as sweatpants.

These were some of my favorite pieces:

Grey Short sleeved patch pocket shirt; grey Jullian shirt; grey chapling chino short; Grey-striped pleat panel cap; Grey suede aberdeen boot

Olive Warren sweater; Grey Saint James oxford shirt; grey selvedge pocket chino short; brown leather attache case; grey suede Aberdeen boot

Blue fleck short sleeved shirt; Blue Oxford/Saint James; Blue paisley skinny tie; navy formal trousers; blue paisley pleat panel cap; brown attche case; navy suede summer derby shoe

Credits

• Styling: Anthony Unwin
• Hair: Prive
• Make-up team: Hair Room Service
• Make-up: EVOLUTIONMAN
• Tailoring: STITCHED UP

Another great aspect, some free beverages as provided by Ketel One, Owl’s Brew & Peroni.

Related articles

• Esquire x Trunk Club: The Bespoken Dress Shirt (esquire.com)
• Tote This: The Reversible Surplus Bag by Bespoken (theaspiringfashionisto.com)
• Fashion Culture. | @LuxVieDeLuxe (Summer ’13 collection) (championsince.com)
• Pantone’s Top Color For Spring 2014 Is Facebook Blue (huffingtonpost.com)

The American-made menswear brand, Ernest Alexander, was part of my official 1st day of shows to start off New York Fashion Week. And I think it started with a bang! This collection was full of variety. There were so many separates to mix and match, really something for every man. The collection contained a lot of tailored pieces, ranging from double-breasted blazers to suiting to outerwear. I thought all of the guys looked modern, but still with a nod to nostalgia. It was a fresh take. Floral prints can be a literal spring trend, but when its done in a more muted tone, as seen here, it allows for other great spring trends to shine through such as the warmth and richness in the tones used. This collection demonstrated pieces that can be mixed and matched to also aide a young man in the transition to day/work attire to nightwear. So what exactly is Ernest Alexander’s collection saying for the Spring of 2014?

Olive twill trench; white oxford collared-shirt; grey linen vest & shorts; olive liberty print tie

1st look-Blue liberty print floral blazer; white oxford shirt; anchor print tie; olive twill shorts; leather zip folio;

  light blue twill suit; green liberty print floral shirt; green liberty print floral tie

The collection calls for men to take muted tones, such as olive or navy blue and combine with bright pops of color, such as pink or orange, or even a party floral. Floral prints for men, hey, why not. If you can make it work then I say go ahead! I certainly was not distracted by any of the male models who were rocking the floral prints! There were other prints, however, if floral prints are not for every man, which included anchors and stripes. As the brand specifically says, “It’s all about mixing up tailored pieces to create a light and effortless style for spring.” So spring 2014 plays with colors, prints and fabrics, all said to be reminiscent of a party setting.

  Mustard twill blazer; red liberty floral print shorts & shirt

The party setting is just a part of the back story to the inspiration which drives this collection. The inspiration or theme is “an American gone abroad.” Ernest Sabine is a founder and designer for Ernest Alexander. As a youth he grew up in Venice where he experienced joy and fun during the midsummer nights in the beautiful gardens. This collection evokes the essence of those nights, the flickering lanterns, close friends and all the charm and beauty for which Venice sets upon its inhabitants. The collection doesn’t just highlight menswear, but also accessories.

Gray & Blue striped bomber; light blue oxford; olive chinos; spice wax canvas overnight bag

Spring 2014 calls for new bag silhouettes including the Alex Briel, the modern men’s briefcase and the Ludlow Carryall. Ernest knows when men travel they too need a bag that can carry just about anything.

Anchor print popover shirt; mustard twill short; charcoal wax varick carryall;

The history of Ernest Alexander is that the brand launched in 2009. It is known for their accessories and men’s tailored clothing. The brand is NYC-based and is sold through their NYC flagship in SoHo and online.

1st look-Navy Cotton suit; green liberty floral print shirt; camouflage watson briefcase; 2nd look-Navy nylon bomber; navy liberty print short sleeve shirt; navy twill chino; charcoal wax canvas weekender bag

Overall, this was a great collection and a great start to my NYFW experience. Everything was reminiscent of those garden parties, even to the scattered green leaflets scattered around the models. Great nostalgic moments and really, an amazing job!

Blue nylon windbreaker; pink oxford shirt; anchor print shorts

Special Credits

• Styling & Casting: Micah Johnson
• Stylist Assistant: Christian Salazar
• Hair: Prive
• Make-up Team: Hair Room Service
• Make-up: EVOLUTIONMAN
• Shoes: Florsheim Limited
• Watches: Daniel Wellington
• Glasses/Sunglasses: DOM VETRO
• Jewelry: Giles & Brother

There was also some amazing drinks being served with Ketel One vodka. Service was by bartenders who were also wearing Ernest Alexander white collared shirts.

Related articles

• Focus | Spring/Summer 13: Suits (paulsmith.co.uk)
• Focus | Spring/Summer 13: Floral Print (paulsmith.co.uk)
• Focus | PS by Paul Smith Spring/Summer 13: Shirts (paulsmith.co.uk)
• Ernest Alexander (tweedsshop.wordpress.com)
• Swarovski Crystal-embellished Twill Jacket by Alexander McQueen (extravaganzi.com)