Desigual is in Bloom for S/S 2015 & Wants You to Say Something Nice!

Posted on September 10, 2014 by SMM

And as the brand would say — What better way to say something nice than with flowers?!?

Looks, left to right — (1) Collarless tulle shell jacket with metallic zipper, luxe jogger pant with sailor-style closure & smocking gathered cuff in colorful floral prints; (2) Tank dress with horizontal pleating details at empire waistband in Mexicana floral print; (3) Loose-fit tank jumpsuit in kaleidoscopic peacock feather print with drawstring waistband, wide leg pant in ethnic print. A collection all about some florals — flowers freshly cut from an imaginary garden — daisies, tropical hibiscus, & Mexican dahlias. The kaleidoscopic effect is representative of blossoming, to help in inspiring happiness, one blossom at a time!

For this recent MBFW/NYFW, Desigual & designer Monsieur Christian Lacroix presented a S/S 2015 collection to a very hyped & energetic crowd in The Theatre at Lincoln Center. The show is definitely one you won’t forget! Not only are the pieces refreshing, but the crowd’s energy is at an all-time high, and the models are doing more than working the runway — they are exuding radiance and positivity with each strut! And to kick off this phenomenal runway, Desigual brought on board Brazilian supermodel Adriana Lima!

And she looked great in every look!

Loose-fit floral Hawaiian print top & shorts in die-cut floral print

Florals were a huge part of this collection. And were so in order to celebrate the season’s warm weather such as the desert roses seen above.

Sleeveless trapeze dress with beaded applique design on decolletage in crinkly chiffon, colorful shoulder bag with iconic Desigual galactic prints

Draped bodice minidress with asymmetrical hem, dropped shoulder & organic mandala motifs on a black background, shoulder bag in black & colorful galactic print

Maxi with princess seamed fitted bodice, pleated at the waist for a full skirt in a colorful floral print

She was right on trend when it came to showcasing the brand’s inspirations for this presentation — nature’s flora & fauna, a true multi-cultural bouquet.

I also gotta give a shout-out to another familiar face for myself, top model & winner from ANTM cycle 6 — Dani!!

Fit & flare tank dress in romantic prints with tulle yoke and hem. Embellished shoulder bag with contrasting top-stitching

Deep v-neck sleeveless dress, fitted bodice to lowered waist & bubble skirt in galactic motif prints. Patchwork fold-over clutch

Jade, white, & onyx tones serve as the backdrop to this collection.

Varsity style jacket in Jacquard weave w/ double layer raw edge open front, top in embroidered tulle & flowy mini shorts, with hand embroidered design.

Each piece is lush with poppy red, saffron, or teal. All in all creating looks that are reminiscent of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon

Tropical floral print, lightweight crepe dress with beading at the neckline. Semi-structured leather shoulder bag in sunset ombre tones.

or, the underwater vegetation of Atlantis.

Lightweight crepe tank jumpsuit in colorful Mexicana flower & Mediterranean stripe print

Additional amazing aspects for this collection — a cool Mediterranean spirit combined with South American motifs

Maxi tribal print tank dress with beading on a v-neckband with gathered waist. Patchwork fold-over clutch.

classic English garden blooms meeting the Iberian Peninsula’s landscape

Sheer Indian inspired dress in organic hues with floral motifs, crew neckline, and satin trim above dropped shoulder. Leather crossbody bag with floral & galactic motifs.

& a western countryside influenced by sweeping European geometry.

Sleeveless playsuit in blue transparencies and galactic printed satin w/ gathered waist, French pockets, and straight-leg cropped pants.

There were plenty of high profile guests for the front row —

Sin City 2 star Rosario Dawson
French model Camille Rowe
Supermodel Poppy Delevingne
Socialite Olivia Palermo

OITNB star Laura Gomez
Breaking Bad star RJ Mitte

Miss USA 2012 Nana Meriwether
Vanderpump Rules’ Pandora Vanderpump

Additional show details —

Stylist — Jess Monterde
Hair — Marco Santini for Amika, pictures below — I will take that sign!
Make-up: Gordon Espinet and the MAC Pro team

Casting — Maurilio for MTC Casting
Lighting — IMCD
Staging — Bernhard-Link Theatrical
Music — Javier Peral

Producer — Jay Arcos for Moda Tech, Inc.
Front of House/PR — Deborah Hughes
Nails — Keri Blair for MAC

Nail discussion creates the perfect segway into looking at some of the stunning accessories for the Desigual runway presentation — handbags, totes, clutches, headpieces, jewelry, & more!

This was a mind-blowingly amazing show. I can’t wait for next season’s presentation!!

ENK Part 3 — Still Just a Bit More to See!!

Posted on August 13, 2014 by SMM

This is my last piece coming off of my 1^st ever visit at ENK! It’s clear how amazing the experience was right? I mean, there was so much to discuss that it took 3 separate pieces. So I discussed some chic accessories, the elegant jewelry, and now, I want to get to the basics, women’s apparel! (In addition, there is one more accessories brand I wanted to mention, one that for sure TOPS this piece off, no pun intended!)

DESIGUAL — Desigual runway shows are always red hot & super fun. And I was just as excited with their set-up for ENK! I’m always enthralled by the many bold pieces I see from Desigual. Check out my pieces on the brand — Fall 2014, S/S 2014, Summer Essentials, & July 4th piece!

MINNIE ROSE — I just went to the Minnie Rose sample sale a few weeks back, so it was great to see some familiar faces and amazing RTW pieces at ENK! The colors and prints for Minnie Rose are just always so breathtakingly fabulous! Check out my featured 2014 Summer Essential item from this RTW brand!

DVF —So even though I made it to the 3^rd round of casting for the new DVF show and wasn’t cast, no ill will! DVF is still one of my quintessential fave fashion brands with classic pieces I will always love – Great seeing the brand while visiting ENK! You can check out my DVF accessory feature as a part of my Best Dressed list from the 2014 Guys’ Choice Awards — Jessica Alba.

BAILEY 44 — Candace Cameron Bure got me hooked on this brand and I’m forever grateful! The brand is able to do sexy, but does so with sophistication. The cuts, silhouettes, details – all very impressive! Two features on the brand for Fashion Nexus — Bridal feature, options for appropriate attire & Candace Cameron Bure, Best Dressed of the Week!

NANETTE LEPORE —Nanette Lepore is RTW at its best. It’s impossible to go wrong with this brand. It truly does have it all – stunning dresses, practical, yet fashionable tops, great fit with pants/shorts/skirts, and immaculately crafted outerwear.

FREE PEOPLE —Free People is a brand I want to get to know more. I love everything I ever see that comes out of this label and everything is always amazing. The pieces are so versatile, unique, and memorable. Check out my Free People feature for one of my Best Dressed lists — Selena Gomez/2014 Coachella.

RACHEL ZOE — Despite what I am sure is an ever-busy schedule, Rachel Zoe continues to produce high-fashion pieces for the high-fashion woman. Check out my Fashion Nexus features on the brand — Rachel emcee’g at the 2013 Supima Design Competition and 2013 AMA Best Dressed List/Brandi Cyrus.

HELEN KAMINSKI — Hats! Hats! But wait, not just hats, rather high-fashion hats for all fashionistas! If you are looking to spice up your streetwear style, keep the sun away on vacays, or just grab the attention of every passerby because you now have a fashionable HEAD-to-toe look, then Helen Kaminski is the brand for you!

Desigual Cordially Invites You to Embrace the Love!

Posted on February 22, 2014 by SMM

When Le Vida Es Chula (When life is beautiful), love is always in the air. This is a great motto to stand behind and to also be an inspirational story for this great Fall 2014 collection that is Desigual. Going along with the same note as “love”, this collection was inspired by the love of the hometown for the brand, Barcelona. Desigual decided to get back to the basics with a “personal collection that reflects the enduring optimism found there.” Further, “the collection reflects the metropolis’ overlooked curiosities & magic — & tempts them to fall in love again with the places & things they think they know, but have no more to offer than what lives in their minds.”

Circular print shift dress with transparent tulle yoke & trapezoidal bowler-style bag

Satin dress showing iconic organic rosette with two-toned carryall tote

Long-sleeved raglan shift dress in black crepe printed w/ over-sized lady face illustration

With inspirations such as a big city, a major metropolis, one might think architecture & structural elements. But for Desigual, with love comes levity & for this fall/winter season “it feels brighter & less baroque.” The brand took note of ports, the Gaudi buildings, but remember, the goal was to point out the city’s magic, its overlooked curiosities. This would mean for a building, you focus on the kaleidoscope feel and look at the faces of the city-dwellers.

Over-sized face on minimalistic neoprene silhouette with over-sized illustration in two-toned embossed anthracite

Mini-dress with sequined skirt & double-layered blouson top printed with 50s fashion figures

Boat-necked A-line dress in iridescent satin plaid Jacquard w/ gold appliques @ the pockets

Iconic kaleidoscope mandala cotton dress with sequin embellishments & a velvet bow at the waist

Desigual - Runway - Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Fall 2014

With every collection and underlying inspirations there also comes a color palette/story. Desigual colors are always bright and fun and this season is no different. The looks are filled with popping violets, subtle navies, warm hunter greens, and bold burgundies. Of course there are also pops of some basics in black, white, gold, and red.

Geometric printed fit dress w/ mid-length sleeves, french pockets, high-waisted, & a slightly flared skirt

A-line Jacquard dress with contrasting colors and pockets @ the hip

Geometric African print in metals & earth tones on a long-sleeved, mid-calf, body-con dress

Silk asymmetrical maxi wrapdress with a layered left lapel & illustration of faces on a polka dot background, also with additional flowing silk strips of burgundy & fire-red @ hip

Colors and patterns are always a key focus, but one can’t overlook the textures and silhouettes within this collection. The pieces are draped & tailored into minimalist simplicity, which radiates positivity in sumptuous jacquard, tulle, & wool. Dresses are essential to the collection, in both form-fitting jersey mini-dresses and flowing maxi-dresses, which embody a 70’s style inspiration. I am such a sucker & fan for maxi dresses and the ones in this collection are to die for!!

Two-toned Jacquard A-line dress with silk turquoise shoulder details

Jacquard sporty bomber jacket w/ contrasting raglan sleeves & a geometric Jacquard patchwork dress

Dropped shoulder maxi dress in printed silk w/ artisan embroidery

Take a look also at the metallic festive-wear. The common trends & aesthetics are seen, but we are introduced to separates for the collection & some shimmering trousers! Very fun and of course festive!

Lightweight blouse w/ asymmetrical pop-art print of a lady’s face & polka dots, & trousers w/ galactic printed lame finish w/ a mandala printed sling bag

Hints of Mexican modernism, silk-blend top w/ a straight trouser in lame flora & fauna design

Long-sleeved, boat neck, short black jacket w/ hand-embroidered gold sequins, back of jacket & sleeves in gold lame, long black wide trousers in Jacquard w/ gold lame finish

Silk black maxi-dress with artisan embroidered gold sequins in baroque motifs

Then, don’t overlook the chic graphic coats. The coats & jackets are another aspect in the collection that is just spectacular, sophistication, but overlying the elements of fun in the collection.

Textured patchwork swing coat w/ a rabbit fur collar & one-of-a-kind jewel buttons

Hounds-tooth jacket with velvet flocking & black Punto-Roma shift dress w/ hounds-tooth circular appliques

Op-art over-sized polka dot Jacquard swing coat with full-length zipper

Generally a show is packed with major celebs, but it’s a step above when the runway models are also celebs in their own rights. And who could be any better than Candice Swanepoel, famous Victoria’s Secret model, who opened & closed the show.

Mini A-line dress in matte stretch satin w/ pop-art floral print on top of large polka dots

Kaleidoscope grey/black/white toned wrap coat with over-sized collar & leather details

Minidress in brown & copper-tones w/ stretch tulle yoke, crystal details & golden embroidery

Short-sleeved golden lame structured dress with a lowered waist & pleated above-the-knee skirt

There were some high profile names in attendance for the show as well! Those in attendance included Karolina Kurkova (wearing a Desigual jacket), Siva Kaneswaran of “The Wanted”, Jill Zarin, Adrienne Bailon of a new talk show “The Real” (wearing a Desigual dress), Jackie Cruz & Vicky Jeudy (each wearing Desigual, dress & jacket) of “Orange is the New Black”, and Stassi Schroeder (wearing a Desigual dress) of “Vanderpump Rules.”

A few other special shout-outs are for the gorgeous beauty looks with hair & make-up. The sometimes subtle, although other times dramatic make-up looks were created by M.A.C. Cosmetics team. The looks certainly were compatible with the overall vibe of the Desigual collection in that of a fun & fresh girl. The hair was styled by Danilo, the Pantene celebrity stylist & global ambassador. Great job for all of the flowing waves and curls!