Nolcha Fashion Week F/W 2016

Nolcha Shows During New York Fashion Week Women's Fall/Winter 2016 Presented By Neogrid - Cute Like Mad

(Cute Like Mad)

Indie Designers showcased their Fall/Winter 2016 collections at the Nolcha Shows during NYFW, at Artbeam, featuring 11 runway shows.

Nolcha Shows During New York Fashion Week Women's Fall/Winter 2016 Presented By Neogrid - Cute Like Mad  Cute Like Mad

The day kicked off with the “Ones To Watch” show at 11am spotlighting emerging brands including Vitruvius, Cute Like Mad, Planet Zero Motorsports, Fine Art of Fashion, and Minan Wong.

Nolcha Shows During New York Fashion Week Women's Fall/Winter 2016 Presented By Neogrid - Cute Like Mad

(Cute Like Mad)

Both Cute Like Mad and Minan Wong are sustainable brands that are manufactured in NYC and the U.S. respectively. Cute Like Mad’s vision is all about creating unique styles that empower the wearer with confidence. The brand’s signature style is relaxed luxury with an injection of rock ‘n’ roll — tough as nails and yet refined.

Nolcha Shows During New York Fashion Week Women's Fall/Winter 2016 Presented By Neogrid - Cute Like Mad

With Minan Wong, here is what she has to say about her Vision — “When I decided to make my own collection, I brought my personal journey into the details. When I design, I get a surge of energy. I love clothing that exudes a vibrant, youthful aura and can support the strength of a woman. The crisp touch of a brand new dress. The exhilarating breath you take before meeting your dream client. The strut that begins when you catch a reflection of yourself in the window, rocking that jacket. This is MINAN WONG.”

Nolcha Shows During New York Fashion Week Women's Fall/Winter 2016 Presented By Neogrid - Minan Wong Nolcha Shows During New York Fashion Week Women's Fall/Winter 2016 Presented By Neogrid - Minan Wong

Nolcha Shows During New York Fashion Week Women's Fall/Winter 2016 Presented By Neogrid - Minan Wong  Nolcha Shows During New York Fashion Week Women's Fall/Winter 2016 Presented By Neogrid - Minan Wong

Vitruvius and Fine Art of Fashion showcased various works by fashion design students from Vancouver and Stevenson University in Maryland—giving them a platform to jump-start their careers. Vitruvius’ collection collection is named ‘I am Astronaut’, inspired by the news of the discovery of an earth-like planet. The students have used their imaginations to create garments inspired by aliens, planets, moons, and gravity.

Nolcha Shows During New York Fashion Week Women's Fall/Winter 2016 Presented By Neogrid - Virtruvius   Nolcha Shows During New York Fashion Week Women's Fall/Winter 2016 Presented By Neogrid - Virtruvius

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Nolcha Shows During New York Fashion Week Women's Fall/Winter 2016 Presented By Neogrid - Virtruvius   Nolcha Shows During New York Fashion Week Women's Fall/Winter 2016 Presented By Neogrid - Virtruvius

With Fine Art of Fashion, the students designed their looks based on a variety of inspirations. The juniors were assigned a theme, Fine Art of Fashion, and each student chose an artist or art movement as a rich source of inspiration for their collection. Student, Benish Masih was inspired by the Qajar Art Movement, Erin Boggs used Street Art as inspiration, Venus Khosravani drew her inspiration from Michaelangelo, Sarantos Papavasilakis was inspired by Roy Lichtenstein, Tatsiana Toustik by Andy Warhol, and Tearsa Thomas’ inspiration came from Magical Realism.

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The seniors each designed a five-piece collection based on their inspiration of choice. Amber Lloyd was inspired by the contorted shapes of the deciduous forest in the winter,Sherese Mclean designed a Japanese inspired collection, Janic’e Sethman was inspired by the emotion of growth and development, and Jasmine Ward’s inspiration came from spring time in Paris.

Nolcha Shows During New York Fashion Week Women's Fall/Winter 2016 Presented By Neogrid - Fine Art Of Fashion  Nolcha Shows During New York Fashion Week Women's Fall/Winter 2016 Presented By Neogrid - Fine Art Of Fashion

PlanetZero Motorsports, whom I recall from last Nolcha fashion season, was back this go-round, showcasing their vision, which is to blend high fashion with motorcycle apparel and to bend the line between safety and Haute Couture.  The mission of PZM is to assure that everyone who participates in motorsports, consistently wear the apparel needed to for maximum protection.

Nolcha Shows During New York Fashion Week Women's Fall/Winter 2016 Presented By Neogrid - Planet Zero Motorsports  Nolcha Shows During New York Fashion Week Women's Fall/Winter 2016 Presented By Neogrid - Planet Zero Motorsports

Nolcha Shows During New York Fashion Week Women's Fall/Winter 2016 Presented By Neogrid - Planet Zero Motorsports  Nolcha Shows During New York Fashion Week Women's Fall/Winter 2016 Presented By Neogrid - Planet Zero Motorsports

The 1pm solo show featured Chinese brand Soufflesong, designed by Fan Shumin and inspired by traditional Chinese Lolita fashion, mixing victorian styles with medieval times. Made up of three collections named Neverland, Girls’ Dream of Hana and Roses Valley, the brands vision is to create high-end fashion which represents vintage and Regal styles of Lolita Fashion.

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The Neverland Collection stands for Gothic Lolita and traditional Chinese Lolita style. Made up of a dark nature and melancholy style with totems of crossbones, roses, thorns, angels, demons and more the Neverland collection contains a rock and roll influence. The Neverland collection is a fierce new style that is completely different from other Lolita collections. The Neverland collection successfully combines the foundational outfits of traditional Chinese Lolita style with Cheongsams.

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The Girls’ dream of Hana collection is inspired by Sweet Lolita and Country Lolita. The Girls’ dream of Hana designs are pink, pastel blue, with light and soft color to augmented effect of aesthetics. The printings on bustles are fresh flowers and horticulture sceneries. Girls’ dream of Hana vision is to create Victorian styled fashion, Baroco style, and Rococo style. Girl’s Dream of Hana also presents more mature design concepts that use flowers as a main theme in heavy but soft colors combined with slender patterns.

Nolcha Shows During New York Fashion Week Women's Fall/Winter 2016 Presented By Neogrid - Soufflesong   Nolcha Shows During New York Fashion Week Women's Fall/Winter 2016 Presented By Neogrid - Soufflesong

Roses Valley vision is to create a high-end collection that represents vintage and royal styles of Lolita Fashion. This collection is affordable luxury derived from the dresses of French palaces, with inspiration derived from the Medieval Century of Europe, showing brilliant colors, mysterious, and religious belief in stories created on bustles. By stamping palace stories on the bustles and changing the leg-of mutton sleeves into puff sleeves, Roses Valley retrenches the intricacy of palace dresses into compendious Lolita dresses.

Nolcha Shows During New York Fashion Week Women's Fall/Winter 2016 Presented By Neogrid - Soufflesong

The 3pm solo show featured newcomer Rohitava Banerjee, a 19 year old New Yorker making his NYFW debut.  His work reflects his eternal love for history, drawing parallels between the past and today’s contemporary world.  The first collection wa sinspired by Greece: both it’s mythical past and the tumultuous economic times of the present.

Nolcha Shows During New York Fashion Week Women's Fall/Winter 2016 Presented By Neogrid - Rohitava Banerjee  Nolcha Shows During New York Fashion Week Women's Fall/Winter 2016 Presented By Neogrid - Rohitava Banerjee

Nolcha Shows During New York Fashion Week Women's Fall/Winter 2016 Presented By Neogrid - Rohitava Banerjee

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The main runway show at 6pm, spotlighting three ready-to-wear brands: Intrepid byAO’C, Acid NYC, and All Comes From Nothing.  Intrepid by AO’C, designed by Aerin O’Connell, presented a hybrid of minimalism and luxury womenswear.

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Acid NYC, made by husband & wife superhero design team Evelyn Luna and Scott Chester, introduced pieces using Thermaltech—a steel mesh inserted into their garments that absorbs heat to warm the body.

Nolcha Shows During New York Fashion Week Women's Fall/Winter 2016 Presented By Neogrid - ACID NYC   Nolcha Shows During New York Fashion Week Women's Fall/Winter 2016 Presented By Neogrid - ACID NYC

Nolcha Shows During New York Fashion Week Women's Fall/Winter 2016 Presented By Neogrid - ACID NYC   Nolcha Shows During New York Fashion Week Women's Fall/Winter 2016 Presented By Neogrid - ACID NYC

Nolcha Shows During New York Fashion Week Women's Fall/Winter 2016 Presented By Neogrid - ACID NYC   Nolcha Shows During New York Fashion Week Women's Fall/Winter 2016 Presented By Neogrid - ACID NYC

All Comes From Nothing, founded in 2014 by Eva Yiwei Xu, debuted an art-inspired contemporary collection.

Nolcha Shows During New York Fashion Week Women's Fall/Winter 2016 Presented By Neogrid - All Comes From Nothing

Nolcha Shows During New York Fashion Week Women's Fall/Winter 2016 Presented By Neogrid - All Comes From Nothing

Nolcha Shows During New York Fashion Week Women's Fall/Winter 2016 Presented By Neogrid - All Comes From Nothing

The evening closed with a solo show by Di Yusupoff, a collection by Eastern European born Sabina Yusupova, who is now based in Brooklyn and designs contemporary ready-to-wear and formal gowns.

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Official Sponsors of the Nolcha Shows included presenting sponsor Neogrid, along with Citi Bank, Ecru New York, DXV by American Standard, Thermaltech, Don Q Rum and Regulus.

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Nolcha Fashion Week — The Collective Show

Showcasing at Pier 59, with Nolcha Fashion Week in a 2nd series of shows during NYFW, presented during the evening a vibrant mix of elegant eveningwear, classic RTW, and bold, dynamic looks.

Danny Nguyen

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Danny does couture like no other. Every season I’ve seen him present I’m left in awe, mind blown. To see his vision come to life in these exquisite wearable works of art, you just can’t help but know you are in the presence of a great talent.

a model walks the runway during Nolcha Shows During New York Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2016 Collections NYFW - Danny Nguyen Couture at Pier 59 on September 13, 2015 in New York City.

These were some of my fave pieces from his collection, but really hard to pick a few. Each piece was unique in it’s own right, telling it’s own story. Each gown was so delicate, yet filled with a strong passionate vibe.

a model walks the runway during Nolcha Shows During New York Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2016 Collections NYFW - Danny Nguyen Couture at Pier 59 on September 13, 2015 in New York City.

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a model walks the runway during Nolcha Shows During New York Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2016 Collections NYFW - Danny Nguyen Couture at Pier 59 on September 13, 2015 in New York City.

Acid NYC

A model walks the runway during Nolcha Shows During New York Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2016 Collections NYFW - Acid NYC at Pier 59 on September 13, 2015 in New York City.

Nolcha Shows During New York Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2016 Collections NYFW - Acid NYC   Nolcha Shows During New York Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2016 Collections NYFW - Acid NYC

ACID NYC is a brand comprised of Evelyn Luna and Scott Chester’s fashion talents. Together they have created clothing that is both unique and versatile. The sharp lines and sultry silhouettes allow their designs to be easily worn to almost any occasion.

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With prints made of microchips, wires, and more, the fabrics would make any tech-savvy girl excited to wear the garments in their Spring 2016 line. The prints use vibrant colors like green to really make their designs stand out. The clothing line is also full of both structured and loose fitted garments which make the clothing a great choice for every woman no matter what her preference or style is.

These dynamic, alluring, captivating prints really stood out for me. I was very much impressed and pleased with the S/S 2016 presentation.

Intrepid by Ao’C

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Intrepid is all about the style of classic, feminine RTW with a twist. The brand’s philosophy is classic innovation and chic. I have featured Intrepid on Fashion Nexus before and it’s great to see more amazing work from this amazing brand.

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In presenting for Nolcha, Designer Aerin O’Connell had to say “This is such an absolute honor and I am beyond thrilled and humbled. I know this will be a very memorable experience, and want to thank everyone who has made this possible. This is the beginning of everything, an amazing journey; I can’t wait to see where it ends up.  I am a blessed and very lucky designer, this really is a dream come true.”

Nolcha Fashion Lounge

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During NYFW, Nolcha hosted their semi-annual fashion lounge at the Bo Concept store in Chelsea to spotlight the season’s hottest trends in apparel, accessories, and beauty.   The lounge showcased a range of independent brands including jewerly and accessories by Syd and Pia, Raje, and Zayver Designs, handbags by Adora and Charles & Ron, and apparel by Haute House.

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The lounge also featured beauty and wellness products and tips from LumaRX (the skin beauty system) and Dr. Gary Levine (women’s health expert).   On site, guests were treated to complimentary beverages courtesy of Coco Libre and Sparkling Ice, and celebrity stylist Derek Warburton was on hand signing copies of his Fall cover story in LAPALME Magazine.

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Official sponsors — Citibank, Don Q Rums, Luma Rx, Sparkling Ice, Dr. Gary Levine, Bo Concept, & Lyft

Nolcha Fashion Week — Ones to Watch

Nolcha is a season fave of mine! The “Ones to Watch” series always showcases amazing, indie designers. Back at Pier 59, Nolcha certainly didn’t disappoint this fashion week season. Here are the 5 designers encompassing “Ones to Watch”.

Anya Liesnik

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Anya Liesnik is a Ukrainian-born fashion designer based in Germany. Her collections have been shown in United Kingdom, USA, Germany, Ukraine and the Netherlands with great success. She has been featured in the British Vogue, and Italian Collezioni Donna, British ELLE, Regard Magazine and many others.

I was super impressed by Anya’s work here. Each look had such an eye-catching detail, and of course, superior shimmer and shine!

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Anya is fascinated by the magic of how a dress can create a new personality for a woman. Her signature style is feminine and iconic looks, using only high quality materials. The brand is influenced by silver screen divas and all strong women with their own signature style. Anya Liesnik is about contemporary fashion combined with the fascination for the charismatic style of iconic women, whose beauty was perfectly underlined through the dresses they wear.

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Charles & Ron

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The Maltese design duo for Spring/Summer 2016 had a “Mediterranean Love Affair.” I’m such a fan of their work, always such stunning RTW apparel for ladies. This collection is a vibrant and colorful, one of graphic prints inspired by the traditional Maltese fishing boat called “Luzzu“.

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The show featured Sky Blue and Buttercup Yellow in color block patterns and stripes, silk satin and viscose crepe dresses in super feminine cuts, all paired with Charles & Ron hand-crafted leather bags as accessories.

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As always, I’m in love with these pieces, such bold prints, bright pops of color, love it!

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Planet Zero Motorsports

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Founded in 2009, Planet Zero Motorsports, LLC (PZM) is a New York City based company that focuses on innovative motorsports equipment and apparel. And this was their major debut at Nolcha Fashion Week, coming in a true, kick-ass style. The company was born from the love for riding racing motorcycles. Leather work, jackets, pants, gloves, and racing full body suits are the signature styles of Planet Zero Motorsports.

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Designer Kenya Smith shares; “Planet Zero Motorsports is very excited about being in the Nolcha Shows as it represents the next level in high fashion exposure for our brand and we are honored to be selected for this curated runway show.”

Planet Zero Motorsports’ vision is to blend high fashion with motorcycle apparel and to bend the line between safety and Haute Couture.  The mission of the brand is to assure that everyone who participates in motorsports consistently wears the apparel needed for maximum protection whilst being stylish.

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Global Citizen

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GC is a movement to end world poverty, which empowers everyday people to take action and see real impact. At Nolcha, Global Citizen unveiled its 2015 festival line, that will be available online and at the annual festival in Central Park on September 26th featuring headliners Beyoncé, Pearl Jam, Ed Sheeran, and Coldplay. The show also premiered a limited edition Global Citizen x Aviator Nation collection and the “Beyoncé” shirt (one of four limited-edition single artist tees), all also available as of September 26th. All items benefit The Global Poverty Project, a nonprofit that is building a worldwide movement to end extreme poverty by 2030. Four campaign managers from the GPP walked in the show (in lieu of traditional models).

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It was a great moment to keep in line with fashion and fashion week, but also to present fashion for a good cause.

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JUNGWON featuring CAT Footwear

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Huge fan of JUNGWON NY. I had the pleasure of doing a feature on the brand earlier this year. I was able to meet with the designer and visit their shop in Tribeca. What I enjoyed most from this fashion week presentation was seeing, new, intriguing looks from the dynamic outwear brand. It was great to see the menswear aspect on the runway as well.

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Official sponsors — Citibank, Don Q Rums, Luma Rx, Sparkling Ice, Dr. Gary Levine, Bo Concept, & Lyft

Nolcha Fashion Week — Last of the Shows

So for the last few shows with Nolcha Fashion Week, there was Prieston, Ann Himsel, and Danny Nguyen Couture. These were some truly captivating and mesmerizing pieces. Check it out! First up, Danny Nguyen Couture.

Danny Nguyen Couture

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There are not enough good things I could say about this collection. Each and every piece was stunningly breathtaking. I was mesmerized and enchanted as look after look graced the runway!

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As seen above, the colors used in this collection are bold and entrancing, whether whimsical in a mix of blue and purple, or dramatic with fiery red.

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This nude floral embellished number above is one of my faves. It captures the essence of this collection — how unique any given look is, stunning floral embellishments, and the like.

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You can see in each piece, every detail, all of the time, love, and handiwork that went into each look.

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Danny’s vision is that fashion and style are based on the culture and heritage of people in action with each other. And his signature work is with that of couture eveningwear.

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Lurid fluorescent light spills over a shadowy figure working deep into the night. Exacting needles, spools of fine thread, and luxuriant fabrics find their way in and around the dexterous hands of this diligent artist. Reckless passion is cast aside and replaced by the brutal will of a true fashion designer. To describe Danny Nguyen’s talents with words would be as futile as identifying infinity with a number.

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Prieston

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What drama and flare were a part of this Prieston F/W 2015 presentation. The shapes, the structure, this collection was very much wearable works of art. And speaking of hart, several of the pieces made use of a very unique hand-painted bird print — quite captivating!   

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Prieston-12The Prieston woman is confident, strong, and she likes to show her personality through fashion. Prieston is a brand for urban women in their early 30s, with developing carrier, but they still like to show their feminine side. The brand’s signature is all about experimental and conceptual designs that surprise the audience each season with new styles and unexpected color choices.

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Prieston-14The fall-winter 2015 collection was inspired by the strong blondes of Alfred Hitchock. The Birds played an essential role in the design process of the visual elements. Prieston offers high quality clothing for modern women who consciously live in the present.

Ann Himsel

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Ann Himsel works with menswear that is made for women, in fact, high end tailored menswear clothing, but it is made to fit women. The show featured men’s boots by Cat Footwear.    

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These looks embody simplistic minimalism, the focus being on high quality and craftsmanship. The mixed media work is very intriguing, especially the pieces incorporating leather.

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Hair for all of the shows was courtesy of Indie Hair, while the bold makeup looks were provided by AOFMPro.

Celebs & special guests in attendance — J.W. Cortes of Gotham; singer Jena Rose; Crezdon Butler of the Detroit Lions; Evette Holyfield; Karreuche Tran.

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Show sponsors — Indie Hair, Fogo de Chao, J.R. Ewing Private Reserve, LightSpeed, Don Q rum, Vegan Therapy, & SOLO (one step gel nails).

  • Show location — Pier 59 Studios, Chelsea Piers
  • PR — Amp3PR

Nolcha Designers — Ones to Watch

Nolcha Fashion Week kicked off with a huge bang, 4 designers presenting collections, all designated as “Ones to Watch!” For this showing, we had Yvette Hass, Charles & Ron, Mitsou Ly, & Haute Athletics. I’m always impressed by all of the Nolcha designers, especially in the Ones to Watch category. So let’s take a look at what each presented for this spectacular showcase!

CHARLES & RON

Designers — Charles Borg and Ron van Maarschalkerweerd

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Last season at Nolcha, I adored every single piece from Charles & Ron. And the Maltese duo design team certainly didn’t let me down this season! The collection not only included some fashionably chic womenswear, but also amazingly stylish handbags.

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For their inspirations & design visions, this is what the dynamic duo has to say — “We have made Maltese culture an integral part of our design ethic and our vision is to inspire our clients to be part of the Charles & Ron Mediterranean lifestyle”.

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The signature aesthetic for this brand is modern, feminine silhouettes, adorned with graphic prints. Further, the brand strives to to design high-end wearable clothing and bags with a distinct Mediterranean flair and a dedication to superior quality.

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YVETTE HASS

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So with “Ones to Watch”, the designers are all about being trend-setters. And that is exactly what the Swedish designer, Yvette Hass, embodies. As a designer, Yvette believes in creating mini collections with a high degree of fashion that creates a demand, covet, and a curiosity about what’s next to come.

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Her signatures are all about feminine modern silhouettes, leather, silk, beads and feathers. A major inspiration for her given pieces are cultural based, Scandinavian characteristics. There was a lot of shape and texture to these pieces. I appreciated the use of mixed medias — great looks for a bold, confident women.

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YVETTE HASS wants to create strong individual pieces rather than a choral collection. The pieces are made for everyday wear, day to night looks. With her designs, they encapsulate essential pieces to build a wardrobe around, easy to combine in color, and long-lasting in both style and extension of upcoming collections.

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MITSOU LY

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As a designer, Mitsou Ly brings out the unique quality and personality in each piece. Her fashion philosophy is to realize the garment’s distinctive perspective and independent expression. In her quest for style fusion, she captures the subtle variations of vintage and contemporary design. She strives to create effortless, elegant and confident designs that transcend seasons and inspire dress code creativity for all lifestyles.

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With her design, you get looks that are modern, elegant, and unconventional, with a touch of romance and subtle drama. Her designs have an element of contrast, blending different colors and materials into a perfect harmony. She gets inspired by the dualities between city and nature, everyday life and sounds of both cityscapes and landscapes – the collaborative contrasts between movement and stillness. Her brand philosophy is all about reinventing cuts and proportions for the modern woman who carries an effortless sense of style with an appreciation for high end designs. MITSOU LY collections are created to accentuate and bring out each person’s individual style and personality.

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HAUTE ATHLETICS

Designers — Margarita Ventura & Brian Kolodny

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For all of NYFW, in a sea of RTW and gowns, athletic or sportswear is quite refreshing. And with Haute Athletics, it was encouraging to see real athletes as models, including two-time Olympic hockey goalie Brianne McLaughlin. The brand’s mission is to create an active lifestyle boutique that offers unparalleled selection of fashions from around the globe, a superior interactive, multi-media shopping experience, and helps people through our network of partners to live a healthier life.

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The various looks are where fashion and performance meet from your workout to the street. Athletic fashion is the uniform today as people from all walks of life and levels of fitness style up or down their looks to transition and adjust to their fast paced, active lifestyles. And I would mantra up just what Haute says & stands by — “Love Hard. Train Hard. Work Hard. Play Hard. Sleep hard. HauteAthletics.com – Sweat. Strut. Shop.”

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Celebs & special guests in attendance — Phoenix Mercury WNBA Player Tiffany Bias; Jessica Pimentel of OITNB; Mimi Faust of Love & Hip Hop; Chanel Haynes of Nellyville; Sharna Burgess of DWTS; Hana Nitsche winner of Germany’s Next Top Model.

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Hair for all of the shows was courtesy of Indie Hair, while the unique makeup looks were provided by AOFMPro. The hair was pulled back in a low chignon, except for Haute Athletics, where we got to see the luscious waves flowing. And for beauty, the makeup for each show was as follows —

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Yvette Hass went theatrical and dramatic with black out eyes;

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For Charles & Ron, it was all about a dreamy, romantic look, light nude lip and lightly golden bronzed eyes;

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For Mitsou Ly, there a very fresh face, smoky cat eye, lightly blushed cheek;

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And finally with Haute, very understate look, natural feel.

Show sponsors — Indie Hair, Fogo de Chao, J.R. Ewing Private Reserve, LightSpeed, Don Q rum, Vegan Therapy, & SOLO (one step gel nails).

  • Show location — Pier 59 Studios, Chelsea Piers
  • PR — Amp3PR

Nolcha Recaps — Sophisticated, Sultry, & Sexy Looks for the Ladies!

Nolcha Fashion Week has a little something for everyone! When it comes to great looks for women, you can choose from chic, full-on fashionista pieces to sensual & alluring numbers to bold, confident frocks. Let’s begin with a few looks that are so polished, very sophisticated in nature with Charles & Ron.

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These pieces are quite exquisite. The collection encompasses a lot of styles & silhouettes. Taking for example this look above, very formal in nature with a full ball gown skirt — it’s divine! The prints for this collection are superbly eye-catching and stunning.

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This print seen above is featured on many looks in this collection. I love seeing it on a basic dress silhouette and then on a maxi as seen below. It all works! These pieces look to be so well made, high quality, creating a very polished overall look. Charles & Ron is sticking by their signature here, feminine silhouettes adorned with modern graphic prints.

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Keeping in line with a well put together ensemble, head to toe, there are some great accessories to catch one’s eye as well. There are many handbags, totes, and clutches paired with the looks — perfectly coordinated!

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Another highlighted feature is this white netting, as seen above over a fitted floor-length dress and then below over a LBD. It’s intricate, very detailed, and very in tune with this overall collection, the other looks, the underlying theme.

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Prints alone are great, but there is also a great use of color mixed in. Lots of black and white, but the varied pastels in rose pink, lavender, tangerine, and light teal are truly mesmerizing.

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This collection is phenomenal. It’s graphic and chic fashionista style. There is an infusion of many great elements here and they all combine so well, so fabulously! LOVE!

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Next up, let’s spice things up a bit, show off a little sexiness with Rinat Brodach.

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The collection is called “How to expose the Heart”.  It was inspired by the dilemma of exposing and protecting the heart. Rinat wears her heart on her sleeve. The inspiration was taken from everyday life where the heart is exposed, passionate, happy, sad, scared and vulnerable. This exposure leads to pieces that exhibit such confidence, also high quality design technique!

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The draping around the areas of the heart show us different situations and feelings from exposing the heart to protecting the heart. Sometimes art doesn’t make sense, ’cause it comes from the heart. But Rinat’s draping is very much her signature, and she does it so beautifully. Her pieces tell a story, and everything from the draping to the simplistically minimal style draws you in. You want to know more.

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The materials used for this collection also add into this story. Everything is of such high quality, captivating in nature. You wonder what is used right! It is different kinds of jerseys with some amazing textures on them, Cotton Satin, and Cupero. So not leather, but it’s great that the varied fabrics leave the eye & mind to wonder!

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I think it is great that Rinat echoed her signature, doing what she does so well with high-fashion construction and drape, and using this signature to further tell this collection’s story. The draping and construction conveys a mode of expression, inspiring women to lead from the heart and to bring out the inner sensuality, with the feeling of confidence and security.

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What makes this collection so intriguing to me is how understated the pieces are, yet still they are so captivating. It’s because of great technique in draping, high quality, great fit, and a clear story that grabs one’s attention.

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PBN_5433To complement these looks, Brodach collaborated with jewelry designer, Orly Ruaimi, to deconstruct Rinat’s concept of “How to Expose the Heart” (SS/2015) to its literal foundation, the arteries and veins of the human body. Copper pipes, with their stunning visual presence and metaphorical connection to the body’s blood flow, became the building blocks for the collection. Additional sterling silver finger shields were incorporated by jewelry designer, Schentell Dominique Nunn.

Moving on, let’s take a last look at a designer who infuses feminine sex appeal and culture into her pieces, Sofia Arana.

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Sofia Arana is another designer who is not afraid to showcase a little bit of sexiness with her pieces, but at the same time, they are super girly, fun, and flirty! You can see her Puerto Rican heritage & culture infused into each piece, from the prints to the colors to the silhouettes.

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This yellow & grey floral print is a featured print for this collection. I love the flirty feminine vibe it gives off and the cutout is just a great touch! This piece perfectly encapsulates Arana’s vision of a basic, classic shape, or silhouette, but adding her own signature, modern touches to keep up with today’s trends.

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Her lace detailed pieces are some of my personal faves, also keeping with today’s trends, especially with the use of sheer overlay. Sofia also loves to keep with a vintage appeal and I think she has really stuck by her true aesthetic with this collection, but just taking it to the next level.

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The pieces have just such a great flare, a lovely vibe. You would be able to wear these pieces at so many different places, dressed up, dressed down, on the streets, to a cocktail affair!

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Sofia’s signatures are being whimsical, yet a classy style for the young woman who appreciates casual elegance and a romantic vibe. All of these pieces take a new spin on this signature, a new twist that continues to stand with modern times and today’s trends.

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I love this print, have to feature it again! This look is probably one of my faves and would be great to dress up for a summer night out, or even pair with some flats for an on the go busy NYC day.

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All in all, the pieces are for women who like to have a little fun when getting ready, are infused with a great confidence, and are not afraid to be a little flirty, a little sexy in the styling.

I also have to highlight ANTM cycle 10 model, Stacy Anne Fequiere, workin’ it for NYFW 2014, always great seeing her strut her stuff and do her thing!

 

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Special guest celebs were Jessica Pimentel & Madeline Brewer of OITNB!

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Nolcha Fashion Week Recaps — Varied RTW Styles for Women

Continuing on with more Nolcha Fashion Week posts, lets check out a few of the designers presenting from the “Ones to Watch” collective show. This group is a talented bunch, emerging designers who are certainly going places.

First up, Gregory Apparel for S/S 2015, presented by Rachel Gregory.

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This collection encompasses some very feminine & flirty RTW options for women in 2015. There is an ease about the looks due in part to the minimal silhouettes and soft pastels such as rose pink and sky blue. This sky blue deep V-neck dress below is probably one of my most fave pieces. It’s chic, easygoing, and for a woman who wants to be confident and carefree — that’s me!

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The delicate, easier going vibe of this collection is not just about the lighter hues, but also the lighter weight fabrics, such as crepe. The fits of the fabric create a more relaxed fit, but all in all, still a very chic and well put together, polished look.

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The bold pops of red, as seen above, was a great choice to add for these Spring pieces. It pairs very well with the stone and cream tones.

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This is another fave of mine with this collection, very delicate, not over the top, a look that really encapsulates the underlying theme of this presentation. The looks are all so graceful, delicate, and understated, one of my most fave styles, simplistic minimalism at its best!

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Love a great, fun dress with some pockets — it’s a detail that comes in handy!

Next up, J.Burgos NY with business glam for S/S 2015!

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I love this look below, it’s a great look to showcase the elegance amplified this collection encompasses, thanks in part to the structure and shimmering satin fabric. The emerald jewel tone coloring is also a wise choice in demonstrating how luxe and glamorous many of these looks are.

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Mixing in quite well with the emerald jewel tone are bright pops of tangerine orange. It definitely livens up the presentation, showcasing a more bold, daring side to the collection.

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Some of the pieces definitely present a bit on the sexier side, a very sensual, alluring quality, such as with this black and white look above.

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Separates aide to the business or professional vibe this collection has to offer. As seen above, there is a modern pencil skirt in a pretty blush pink and ruffled skirt. Or as seen below with a look, if paired with a basic black blazer, it could work great for being on the job. And then sans jacket, it transitions great to a date night or happy hour look!

The emerald leopard print is featured on a couple of looks, a print that dresses up quite well a basic look or classic silhouette.

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And finally, there is B’venaj, presenting for S/S 15 a modern, urban RTW ensemble of looks for women.

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A great aspect of this collection is the ability of taking the brand’s woman on all walks of her life. There are upscale, more glamorous looks, and then ones you could wear to work, a modern professional vibe. The collection runs the gamut for sure!

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B’venaj utilizes color so well, also prints. Whether its the bright tangerine orange, the light blue, or red, all are used quite stunningly and are very eye-catching. What’s even more brilliant is the combo of solids with bold, dynamic prints.

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A few of the looks feature a modern trend in silhouette — crop top & skirt. The crop tops work with both fitted skirts and of a more fit and flare style.

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The looks are very chic, so sophisticated. But even with such polished looks, there is still a sexy, confident vibe to the pieces. This is all done very tastefully, quite appropriate to add more versatility to the collection.

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B’venaj presents some truly amazing pieces for women, but luckily, there is a little something to offer for the men as well!

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Nolcha Fashion Week’s official sponsors include: Dasani, Franciacorta, DON Q Rums, Adrian London Skincare, OtterBox, SUBWAY, Defiant Whisky, Bella Forma Wines, and Neulook. 

 

 

 

 

 

Nolcha Fashion Week Recaps — Eveningwear & Project Subway Fun!

One of my most fave parts of NYFW is attending the Nolcha Fashion Week shows. I always see such bright, emerging talented designers. So many of the looks are always super captivating. I have a great time mingling with other fashion industry insiders. And also, a lot of great sponsors and partners take part in the series of events. This is why I wrote so many intro posts on Nolcha. And I am of course now very excited to start showcasing some images and look details for the many designers who presented their S/S 2015 collections at Nolcha during fall fashion week 2014!

So for my first piece, I have to start with the breathtaking and alluring eveningwear and more formal looks I saw. Also, Project Subway was back, and those looks are super creative and fun, thus, a CAN’T MISS! Up first, Mariana Valentina and her Spring 2015 entitled collection Le Jardin Persan.

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Mariana Valentina’s “Le Jardin Persan” is a collection inspired by two films. The first portrays a mystical garden where there are fantasy-like women who live there, and then blossom into beautiful vines and exotic florals.

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The other film focuses on a Persian warrior empress, from the times when the gods and goddesses ruled the world.

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 Persian warrior empress and vines may seem to be a mismatch, but it’s so NOT! It’s a classic play on hard & soft, which Mariana does beautifully. The looks incorporating vines and/or exotic florals really help to demonstrate Mariana’s signature of being elegant, yet sensual. She uses a lot of sheer effects in these looks, all done very tastefully and beautifully, but still present a woman who is full of confidence and not afraid to be sexy and daring.

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What creates the wonderful intersection between Valentina’s differing worlds for this collection are the use of sheer effects. The soft and strong pair magically to create some truly luxe and gorgeous looks. The black asymmetrical look below is my most fave look and I believe very much encapsulates the underlying meaning of this collection. I would be proud to don this look and I’m sure the it would garner me much attention!

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Mariana really has done a great job with this collection. I’m IMPRESSED!! She has stuck to her true aesthetic of sexy simplistic minimalism. The beauty in many of these pieces were the details, whether it was how the sheer effect was making your eye wonder or your eye being caught with the placement of embellishments. Get to know more about Mariana with a few other features on her already up on Fashion Nexus!

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PBN_7430  Next up, MIMI TRAN!

Let’s check out her collection for S/S 2015, red carpet & eveningwear looks to the extreme! Definitely not a bad thing!

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Mimi Tran knows luxury, Hollywood glamour, and high fashion. This is what she is known for and she does it all so well. If you are looking for a formal gown for an event or red carpet, or even a look for a pageant or prom, there is no doubt you could find something to instantly fall in love with from Mimi! There are a lot of unique and distinguishing aspects to Tran’s work. This is what will set you apart and stand out at whatever formal event you are at!

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Red carpet or evening looks work great in black and white. It’s hard to go wrong with those colors and with any collection surrounding formal pieces, you must be able to create some stunning looks in either color. Mimi has done just that, whether it was with a white floral tethered gown as seen above, or a circular beaded number as seen below, which also incorporates another great trend for any major red carpet event — Sheer effects!

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Black and white aside, there was a great pop of color use as seen below with royal blue, personally my fave color!

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Another great aspect to this collection is all things SHEER! Sheer effects are a trendy staple I’m sure we are going to see for a long time to come and not just on the red carpet. But you have to still be clever with how you are incorporating sheer overlay into your looks. You have to make the trend your own. And that is what Mimi has done here. She was really strategic in how she played with sheer and the use of it with her looks. It created for some great intricacies, especially when paired with luxe gorgeous beaded embellishments.

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Formal looks are not always floor-length, so it was great to see Tran’s signature work utilized with a shorter, sexier look. The shorter looks are still full of Mimi Tran glamour and feminine appeal, still showcasing a boldly sensual and sexy vibe!

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Mimi Tran did a great job with remaining contemporary and creating some truly beautiful creations for red carpets and formal events around the world. Check out my intro feature on her brand as well, up also on Fashion Nexus!

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Finally, let’s take a look at the 2nd annual Project Subway creations for Nolcha! This go round, Project Subway challenged the up and coming designers, F.I.T. students, to construct one-of-a-kind pieces inspired by vegetables found in a SUBWAY restaurant — spinach, onions, tomatoes and all!

The winning look, onion inspired dress & coordinating hat by Veritee Hill!

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The judges chose the winning design based on creativity, originality, beauty and best representation of the vegetables. As a reward, Veritee will receive a $1,000 cash prize and have his/her original design displayed at a New York City SUBWAY® restaurant.

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Eveningwear bright red delicious tomatoes anyone!

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Spicy, bold, and sexy structured green pepper mini!

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Yes! Incorporate the subway logo, great idea!!

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Is this garment using an actual product??

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Voluminous asymmetrical banana peppers for all!

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Lots of green, but carrots anyone!

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Greens — could be lettuce, maybe a slice of draped cucumber!

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How about a little lace with your lettuce!?!

A celebrity panel critiqued the designs, including: Johnny Wujek (celebrity stylist), Bella Thorne (actress), Nastia Liukin (Olympic champion), and Russell Westbrook (pro basketball’s MVP of fashion and SUBWAY Famous Fan).

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Check out some other celeb images from Nolcha Fashion Week!

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Russell Westbrook & Rocsi Diaz, ET Correspondent

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Nastia Liukin

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Even More on Nolcha Fashion Week & The Designers!

Nolcha Fashion Week is fast approaching, Sept. 8-10! I’ve had such fun writing about and getting to know the many designers taking part with NFW. Here are some of my other pieces —

Even with all of this, there are still more to designers to get to know, from the runway to taking part with the Fashion Lounge!

fotoile   ILE MIRANDA

Ile Miranda is a designer brand rich with historical relevance and is a timeless expression of individuality.

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BAXTER DESIGNS   baxter-designs-designer-profile

Simply clean totes & handbag styles, with bold colors & patterns, that’s Baxter Designs.

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Daya-Amber-1R_1024x1024         DHARMA EYEWEAR

Get to know the vintage & cultural hybrid aesthetic of Dharma Eyewear — practical fashion!

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JESS RIZZUTI     jess-rizzuti

Jess Rizzuti is a luxury accessories brand, handbags that convey quality & style, also craftsmanship and affordability!

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EVA SHAW DESIGNS

Eva Shaw Designs is a jewelry brand that is 100% Made in NYC and globally conscious.

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PLOOSH                       gallery_5_photos3_90478_large

Ploosh is all about playful luxury — a whimsical handbag that brings you back to your childhood days!

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lylajarn      LYLA JARN

Lyla Jarn signatures — luxury, feminine, self-expression, playful prints, unique quality, energizing textures, glamor, & innovative design.

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More on Nolcha Fashion Week — Oh This is Ladies’ Night!

Nolcha Fashion Week will for sure offer some amazing menswear fashion to view, as I wrote about last week, but just know, the ladies in the crowd will not be forgotten! There are definitely a few womens’ apparel designers we should take a closer look at and get to know! Women are very dynamic and can be even more dynamic when it comes to “What to Wear”! So whether you are in the mood to be bold with pops of color, go the sexy chic sophisticated route, or be super fun, flirty, & playful, these 3 dynamite womenswear brands are ones I recommend to check out — Sofía Arana, Rinat Brodach, & Katty Xiomara!

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Sofía Arana

 

 

Brand founder and designer Sofía hails from Puerto Rico, which explains so much about her design aesthetic and resulting looks — full of bold color and pizzazz. I can fully understand her excitement to debut in NYC for this fall fashion week thru Nolcha!

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Sofía Arana uses color very well with each of her looks, but what’s also eye-catching is her take on classic cuts & silhouettes — playing with the classic lines, taking a modern twist, and giving each look some true flare! In fact, Arana puts her own vision into the perfect words — developing “unique picturesque designs that respond to actual trends, while keeping the integrity and simplicity of the different silhouettes.” It’s so important for a designer to be true to themselves, but to also make clothes that are on trend so that women will buy them. I can’t imagine women not lining up to purchase Sofía Arana,

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There is definitely a true signature style presence with this brand, again, put best in Arana’s own words — “Whimsical yet classy style for the young woman who appreciates casual elegance and a romantic vibe.” I see all of this throughout the various looks, and what woman wouldn’t want whimsy classy style, complete with elegance! Arana describes her inspirations as being from nature, art, and vintage. Again, all being completely present and seen within each look.

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I am very excited to see what Arana presents at fashion week in a couple of weeks! I’m sure we are in for more amazing uses of color, intricate takes & twists on classic cuts/silhouettes, & more!

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   RINAT BRODACH

Rinat is another talented designer who is making a 1st appearance at fashion week for Nolcha! She has had a lifelong passion for fashion and being a designer so launching her brand in 2012 & now debuting at fashion week are I’m sure both dreams come true for this young talent! Rinat Brodach pieces are all about allowing a woman to feel both confident and sexy, it’s chic sophistication, but making sure sensuality is not bottled up on the inside!

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Rinat is for sure a fan of draping and wants each piece to tell a story thru this technique. Draping also allows any woman wearing one of the brand’s pieces to stand out, look very stunning and be very eye-catching. The pieces are definitely high fashion and very much true to the original inspirations of art, people, and as Rinat states, “everything that moves.”

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Make sure to check out more pieces from Rinat Brodach, but also some stunning and intricate accessories!

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Katty-Xiomara    KATTY XIOMARA

And to round out this up close featurette for Nolcha, we have a repeat contender making another Nolcha presentation, Katty Xiomara. I was very happy to have covered Katty’s prior Nolcha presentation and am super excited to see what she has to present this go round! I know it will be more of the brand’s signature style — playfulness, fun, flirty, girly, and pieces that just make you smile!

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The brand is certainly growing, and of course I am always intrigued to see more from Katty Xiomara. There is a lot that this brand represents, but oddly enough, I still see 1 clear vision and style — an “elegant, voluptuous, poetic, idyllic and romantic woman.” Artsy contours and small details bring out the playful side of the pieces. Sweetly ironic and sarcastic qualities bring out the flirty & fun aspect seen throughout the looks. It’s sensual and feminine, defined primarily by mixing patterns, textures, and colors.

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While the Katty Xiomara woman certainly displays a fun side, this woman is still all about confidence, truly being able to show off an artsy hip vibe.

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