Ato Fall 2015 Tokyo Fashion Week

/

Designer Ato Matsumoto took inspiration from cowboys and motorbikes for Fall 2015 and presented a collection that is well tailored and impeccably styled. The collection also has a very appealing urban edge to it with the hoodies and the sneakers which keeps things modern and wearable. The asymmetrical coats offer a futuristic feel but what I find most interesting is that even with all the layering, Ato still manages to maintain a level of minimalism. 

fashionado

How Roy Schwalbach Turned a Decrepit Chelsea Building Into a Fashion Industry Mecca

/

In 1995, the owner of 5-star studio rentals, Jack Studios, opened in an abandoned Chelsea building and brought in Marc Jacobs, Tommy Hilfiger, Martha Stewart, Victoria's Secret and more.

"Chelsea in Manhattan wasn't glamorous in 1995. The streets were flooded with hookers, drug dealers, people selling firearms, etc. but when I toured the Starrett-Lehigh building in 1995 and saw the gigantic windows, 360 degree views of the Hudson river, downtown, midtown and uptown Manhattan, and the influx of daylight sweeping through the space I knew we had the makings of one of the top photography and video studio spaces in the country," explains Roy Schwalbach.

Roy’s expansive career ranged from actor to photography agent, before opening his own studio, which he named after his beloved chocolate Labrador Retriever, Jack. Roy's client list reads like a who's who in fashion ranging from Victoria's Secret (who has been shooting at Jack's for 15 years) to Vogue to Saks Fifth Avenue to Dooney and Bourke and Michael Kors.

"As we brought clients into the space here and they saw the incredible light, the pristine white rooms, gorgeous windows and views of the city, they started flocking to this building and setting up shop in their own right" explains Roy. 

Now the building is full of fashion tenants from Tommy Hilfiger's Corporate Campus to Marchesa's central office to Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia. 

Roy’s passion for his work is evident in every detail of Jack Studios, which reflects his sleek, clean, and minimalistic taste. The studios are filled with pristine white pieces designed by Roy himself, such as makeup stations, conference tables, and Corian® couches, adding a unique modern touch to the atmosphere. A deep blue sea fish tank lights up the café with sparkling silver Lookdown fish, creating a beautiful and relaxing space.

fashionado

VIKTOR LUNA FALL 2015

/

Viktor Luna called it Guerrilla Warfare. These rough and tough badass chicks who were all so chic in their armor-like garments commanded attention. In a collaboration with Dmitry Byalik, Viktor Luna went literal with the "guerrilla" and presented a leather-embossed gorilla on the back of some of the jackets. They're intense and ready for war. Viktor Luna presented his women as warriors in fantastical and heavily embellished apocalyptic attire. As you begin to break down the pieces, what you have is a very modern collection for today's strong woman. The hardness of leather and metal work is soften by goat hair on jacket sleeves and reinforces Viktor Luna's allegiance to glamour and femininity. This season we also got a little bit of color in fabulous bleached legwear. Possibly one of the most versatile elements in this collection is the motorcycle jacket which is quickly becoming a signature piece for Viktor Luna. His jackets, which makes a bold statement, have so much presence and can be worn with any dress, skirt or pant. Guerrilla Warfare Chic.

fashionado

The Hand-woven style of KorBáta Ties & Bowties

/

For Guatemalan tie making company KorBáta, a tie is not merely an accent piece or an afterthought.  Their hand-woven ties tell a story. When the thread is woven, the rich history and heritage of the Mayan people are woven along with it. That is because each thread has been put in place by the hands of a Mayan woman whose efforts preserve Guatemala’s textile traditions. KorBáta’s newest collection, Lagos and Lagunas, gives ode to Guatemala’s glistening lakes. Like all of their collections, Lagos and Lagunas is a limited edition. Crafted from 100% cotton, each hand woven pattern is unique, never to be duplicated. KorBáta ties and bow ties are for the man who knows quality when he sees it, loves old world tradition but isn’t afraid to dress for the 21st century.  

KorBáta’s story begins by the serendipitous meeting of two entrepreneurs, Jennifer Menegazzo and Diego Arias. Both of Guatemalan descent, they found a shared love for their country, the beauty of its land, the Mayan culture and Guatemalan art. Combining their talents and efforts, they started a small artisan project and named the company KorBáta. Their work has been most gratifying because they have not only brought their dream to fruition but are helping to sustain Guatemala’s rich weaving history and providing work for those in rural areas of Guatemala.

Every man should own a KorBáta. Make a style statement!

fashionado

Karl Lagerfeld's KARLYWOOD Movie Posters

/

What happens when an iconic fashion designer embraces iconic Hollywood blockbusters? You get  KARLYWOOD! It's interesting to witness this comical side of Karl Lagerfeld who is always seemingly serious. I know I'm not alone in my obsession with Uncle Karl, so I kind of love it! 

French cartoonist Tiffany Cooper created ten posters where Karl Lagerfeld stars as the protagonist in major films like Kill Bill and King Kong. The limited edition Karlywood posters are on display (and on sale) at the Karl Lagerfeld store on 194 bvd St Germain through the end of April.

Remember last year's Karl Lagerfeld's mini-me which was all the rage at the Fendi runway show? Now with the movie posters under his designer belt, this proves that while Uncle Karl may not smile a lot, he sure has a sense of humor.

fashionado

11th Annual Toilet Paper Wedding Dress Contest Presented by Cheap Chic Weddings and Charmin Rolls Out

/

If you can use toilet paper to make a beautiful wedding dress you just might win $10,000 and have your entry made into a real gown!

Everyone likes to save money here and there. And for some, saving money on weddings is more than a hobby, and a little less than an obsession. Laura Gawne and Susan Bain operate the popular website www.Cheap-Chic-Weddings.com. 

For the first time ever, Kleinfeld Bridal will create a wearable gown inspired by the Grand Prize Winner’s Entry! Contestants have until May 12, 2015 to submit their paper masterpieces. Top ten entries will be chosen then online voting will be open to the public. 

The top ten dresses and their designers will be flown to New York City to participate in a live fashion show finale event at Kleinfeld Bridal in New York City on June 17, 2015 where the top three winners will be chosen. 

At the Finale Event, the dress entries will be judged by members of Cheap Chic Weddings, Charmin, Co-Owner of Kleinfeld, Mara Urshel and Celebrity Judge Mikie Russo, event planner and host of “Mikie Saves the Date” on FYI Network. “The contest has grown immensely over the last ten years and we are always in awe of the beautiful gowns created by the contestants,” says Susan Bain, Co-Founder of Cheap Chic Weddings. “We specialize in making weddings chic on a budget but these designs often surpass even our imaginations,” added Laura Gawne, Co-Founder of Cheap Chic Weddings. The Grand Prize winner will see their design created into a beautiful gown and receive $10,000, the second place winner will receive $5000 and the third place winner will receive $2500. 

Here’s How to Enter:

First: Plan your design.

Second: Grab some Charmin Toilet Paper (Ultra Strong, Ultra Soft or Basic), tape and/or glue and/or needle and thread (that’s all you can use)! To help offset the cost of designing these memorable creations; Charmin is providing coupons by request at TPDresscontest@gmail.com

Third: Make the dress and headpiece on your model or mannequin and take some clear, unaltered digital photos (front, back and side). The dress must be able to be worn by a human!

All photos and an Official Entry form are to be submitted to Cheap Chic Weddings at TPDresscontest@gmail.com by May 12, 2015 at 11:00 PM EST. There is no entry fee. The Judging Panel at Cheap Chic Weddings will judge the digital photo entries. 

View top and winning entries: http://www.cheap-chic-weddings.com/wedding-contest-2015.html  Official contest rules along with lots of other wedding cost saving tips and information can be found at www.Cheap-Chic-Weddings.com.

Good Luck!

fashionado