Comme des Garçons Fall 2012

Rei Kawakubo celebrated two-dimensional flatness. It was all about shape at Comme des Garçons for Fall 2012. However, the celebration may have been more of a statement about the trivialization of fashion through on line media services that reduce the garments to a flat shape.

The models were featured as paper doll cut outs and Rei Kawakubo highlighted overused fashion patterns like polka dots and camouflage. Sequins for evening wear. Performance art or runway collection? You decide. Either way, no one can argue that fashion is simply shallow and mindless.

Photos: Yannis Vlamos

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ALEXANDER MCQUEEN Fall 2012

Sarah Burton

, you make us so proud. Thank you for consistently delivering "McQueen" worthy collections! Out of the darkness, beauty has been redefined and this stunning collection proves it. Burton has come into her own at the helm of the

Alexander McQueen

label while not compromising the brand's foundation or integrity. Through her use of ostrich feathers, goat hair and textile, her theatrical aesthetic and her intellectual property, there is a rebirth within the label. A new direction where light and "positivity" reign the future rather than pain. Burton presented a collection of blooming flowers to metaphorically state her case and did so, exquisitely. View Collection:

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In Style @ InStyle

Two Fridays ago I was walking into the Time & Life Building in NY for an appointment at InStyle Magazine. The purpose of my visit with the fashion features editor was mostly casual. [She's fabulous, BTW!]

This was my first time inside the offices of a major publication so I was happy to get a grand tour BUT thrilled to walk in the "closet." [Never thought I'd be excited to be in the closet again!]

The fashion closet was everything I expected and more. Okay, for real, its nothing like "the closet" in that movie. That only exists in Hollywood blockbusters. Nonetheless, it was a large space filled with clothing, shoes and accessories, stacked ceiling to floor. Movable walls revealed shelves stocked full of the season's latest sunglass, scarves and handbags. A number of platforms shoes on the floor had been pulled for an accessories feature [had to walk around those] and three rolling racks of lingerie had just been returned from a shoot. The unglamorous task of cataloguing every single piece upon arrival is a tedious job that must be done as all items are returned to designers. Yep, they don't get to keep anything!

Either way, I can now say [boast] that I have walked through the fashion closet of a major magazine.

How did it feel?

Like a kid in a designer candy store!

Thanks InStyle!

fashionado

It's Bacon Couture at Project Runway All Stars with Miss Piggy

With her unique blend of sass, style and charm,

Miss Piggy

hammed it up for the

Project Runway All Stars

.

Their challenge:

to design a flamboyant cocktail dress for the glamorous muppet. Hey and check out the heels on those hooves! Loubs?

I'm happy to say that the workroom was uneventful in this episode as the drama was at a minimum. The designers played well together and I enjoyed watching the social scenes at the penthouse.

April

redeemed herself a little bit, in my eyes, with this frock, but again, has resorted to using all black. Though she wasn't alone in her color choice as

Anthony

and

Mila

also created black dresses. Maybe they were thinking blackened Piggy?? They weren't in the top or bottom, just safe.

Rami

gave us a festive, ruffled, polka-dotted, Isla Bonita'

ish

frock.

Austin Scarlett

was a #fail with this over-sized, over-bowed dress. If

Heidi Klum

were judging, I know she would have pointed out that she's seen this (style) dress every season.

Yawn!

On a personal note, I have to ponder what Austin was thinking in his get up? Was he channeling

Zorro: The Gay Blade

? Ridiculous.

Kenley stood a good chance of winning with this pinky-piggylicious giraffe printed dress.

Joanna Coles warned Gordana that her dress was reading like a "nightgown." Coles' concerns were spot on and Gordana was sent home.

And this little piggy took the prize. It's

Michael Costello's

cocktail creation for Miss Piggy that won the judges over...

Victory!

Tune Thursday at 9pm for episode 4 on Lifetime TV.

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Rachel Zoe Resort Collection Launch

a message from Sandpiper Boutique's The Pipettes:

Fact:

I’m not such a fan of reality TV.  I have not watched Bravo since they cancelled  “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy.” And, I was sort of “meh” when peeps raved about the Rachel Zoe Project. So, in August when I was invited to her NYC showroom to view her Resort Collection, I was a little, you know – meh.

I die.

The collection immediately drew me in.  Impeccably edited, each silhouette seemed vibrant, refreshing, modern, and alive!!!  Nothing seemed redundant, nor fleeting, nor forgettably drab.  

I was in LOVE.

And, I wanted every single piece for my very own!

Join the Pipettes for the Launch of the Rachel Zoe 2012 Resort Collection

It is, in fact, “maj, bananas, insta-chic, and kind of gorg”.

Swear.

Come see us!!!

Love, the Pipettes xoxoxo

fashionado

Gaultier's Punk Couture

If punk fashion was born in London to

Vivienne Westwood

and

Malcolm McLaren

, then it grew up on the runways of Paris with designers like 

Jean Paul Gaultier

.

Not a stranger to punk influenced garb, fashion's [original] bad boy presented his Spring 2011 Haute Couture collection, coined as "punk couture," to rave reviews from the critics.

Some felt that perhaps Gaultier's departure from Hermes may have re-energized him, kick-starting the creative flow which hadn't been, well, flowing.

The dresses ranged in a variety of looks. Gaultier gave us Parisian couture, can can and a twist of bondage, everything with punk rock overtones. There were cropped leather jackets and fishnets for hardness, yet soften with silk chiffon and tulle. Plenty of mohawks graced the catwalk, finalizing the punk theme. Gaultier sported one too.

The looks were edgy but polished at the same time. As always, Gaultier finds humor in his work. This time, lightening the mood with the show-stopping can can dress while staying true to his Parisian roots.

*Photos: Yannis Vlamos

fashionado

Fine Art + FASHION

NBAF Fashion + Fine Art

Atlanta came out for the

Fine Art + FASHION

benefit presented by the

National Black Arts Festival

. Guests turned it out in style for the upscale event which started with a VIP opening reception, followed by a spectacular fashion show and ended with an after party with the get up and dance mixes of the sensational

Frank Ski

.

I had a personal stake in the event as two of my star designers were being honored with the

Emerging Talent Award

.  The talented fashion design students displayed their garments during the opening reception and later were called on stage by 

Victoria Rowell

, the evening's emcee, to accept their awards.

After a few words from some of the NBAF co-chairs,

Tamara Bowens Kimble

,

Holli Hines Easton

,

Sandra Anderson Baccus

,

Evern Cooper Epps

and

Neil Barclay

, the fashion show began. 

Breathtaking looks from Chanel, Prada, Oscar de la Renta, Michael Kors,  Fendi, Moschino, Dolce & Gabbana and Armani rocked the runway, courtesy of Saks 5th Avenue.

fashionado