Author Archive for Chloe Wozniak
Designer Discovery: Hannah Marshall
Hannah Marshall’s third collection, aptly named Code Black, is a call to the strong woman. Inspired by female icons such as Siouxsie Sioux, Grace Jones and Alison Mosshart, as well as panels of steel armor, it is meant to protectively conceal and reshape the female form, focusing on the shoulders, evoking power and emotion. Her signature black dresses have taken on sharp silhouettes and a fabric contrast between hard leathers and soft chiffons. My favorite pieces are a leather cardigan dress with sheer sleeves, a deep v-neck panel dress, a tailored mini with seam detailing and rouched sleeves, and a loose velvet t-shirt dress. An interesting detail, each piece is braille coded with the collections name inside.
Interview With Alnea Miskiv of Farahbella
Rick and Alnea Miskiv make up the design team of Farahbella, fashion line based out of Japan. Their simple and forward designs have gotten them glowing reviews and recognition in numerous places around the world. I interviewed Alnea via email to get the dirty on how they got started, and what they’re doing now.
1. How did you decide to begin designing?
I’ve always been in love with clothes as long as I can remember. My
first fashion inspiration was my grandmother Lola Eufrocina . She
made her own clothes, and always looked amazing. I admired her
strength and independence. Through her creations, she could express
both her character and beauty. This image has stayed with me
until this day and continues to both motivate and inspire me to design.
2. What’s it like working and designing as partners? Do you ever feel
limited by it?
It’s the best part of being independent designers. To be able to work
together, and have full control of our vision. Rick and I have
different backgrounds and skills that complement each other. I
studied Fashion Design and he has a background in the Visual Arts.
The clothing designs are my creations, and he does the photography,
graphic design and web based work. My designs are often in dialogue
with his painting and installation work. I don’t think its limiting
at all, in fact the two of us have been able to push each other to go
further, and it’s been so much fun working together and collaborating.
3. You say each collection is based around a theme, what was the theme
for your Fall/Winter 2008 collection?
This collection is called Imploding Volumes.The concept of imploding
volumes is a reflection on unforgettable moments, challenges and
profound experiences in life. It is about the force and power that
allow us to continue and overcome our obstacles even when we feel
life is crashing in around us. For me, the Imploding volumes
collection is a presentation of fierceness, dynamism, and refinement.
4. Where do you draw your inspiration from?
In particular, the strong women I have met in my life, my personal
role models. I also often find myself attracted to the stylings of
older women. The ones that remind me of my Lola, the woman who are
sassy and stylish. I will always take notice of these women in the
city streets with a unique look or outfit. They often disregard
trends and combine looks from different eras without fear or any
sense of self-consciousness. I love their confidence to wear whatever
feels right to them.
Read more after the jump.
Designer Discovery: Teriteja
Finnish shoe designer Terhi Polkki, recent graduate from Cordwainers at London College of Fashion, has turned her final project into a viable collection of ultra feminine heels. The collection, called, “The Heritage of The Empty Land” was inspired by her roots in Northern Finland. The fresh simple shapes, rounded toes, pleats and straps, together with the natural materials used to produce the shoes (reindeer leather, reindeer hoof and curly birch) and the soft pallet of white, dusty blue and cork, make for shoes that are inherently different from anything else out there.
Project Runway’s Fierce Outcome
21 year old Christian Siriano was made the youngest winner of Project Runway last night, after his dramatic showing at Fashion Week won over the judges, including guest judge, Victoria “Posh Spice” Beckham. His looks included large old European inspired coats, plenty of skinny black pants, oversized ruffles, and lots of feathers. His two most memorable pieces were cream and brown dresses, one a short, belted, puffy version, the other a floor-sweeping, long sleeved, feathered masterpiece, Michael Kors described as “spectacular”. Other memorable looks were his fitted black coat with a very large, cream, ruffled collar, over black, zipper detailed pants, and his first look to come out, a skin tight mock turtle neck shirt paired with an exaggerated ruffle skirt. Details such as patterned coats, gold buttons, rouched blouses and large brimmed hats, completed the collection.
Though the collections of Christians competitors, Ralph Lauren missy Jillian Lewis and draping master Rami Kashou, were beautiful and each had their own fabulous pieces, the judges were clearly taken with Christian. Nina and Michael had only minor critiques for him, and Hiedi said he was good at making a statement and pronounced him uber-fierce. The love was really coming from Ms. Posh though, she said she would be honored to wear any of his pieces, that they were very much her taste and style and that he actually made her smile, which is not easy to do. She even came up with her own catch phrase to replace his own of fierce, major. Though Christian seemed to have lost some of his cocky attitude during the last episode (he admitted to being very nervous, especially after seeing Rami and Jillians collections), and he cried after Hiedi announced his victory, he said afterwards “It’s crazy, but, hello, did you have a doubt?!”
So whats next for Mr. Siriano? He has already won the $100,000 prize, a brand new Saturn Astra, the $10,000 Fan Favorite Award, and a six page spread in Elle Magazine. “I’m like really excited but, let me tell you, I am taking, like, a vay-cay. I need a breaky-break.” said the winner, he also had some words for Victoria, “Victoria, It was amazing to meet you. We’ll be in touch…”. Though the show might be over, this certainly isn’t the last of Christian, I’m sure we’ll be seeing a lot more of his fierceness some time soon.
Designers Divulge Their Dream Dresses For Hollywoods Leading Ladies
We all know the Academy Awards are the perfect time for actresses to get their glam on and wear their dream dress down the red carpet. Most spend countless hours trying to find the perfect one, but what about the designers? Style.com interviewed ten designers to find out which of Hollywood’s main ladies (those nominated for Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress) they would like to dress, and what they’d put them in
Cate Blanchett, nominated for both awards for her roles in Elizabeth: The Golden Age, and I’m Not There, had two designers vying for her. Peter Som envisioned a peacock green and blue chiffon and tulle number, with a ruched bodice and train emerging from the hemline. “Peacocks are regal, and Cate Blanchett embodies a regal elegance” he said.
Jason Wu had a different take on things, his vision for the star was an electric purple, micro pleated, goddess gown, that would focus on an elegant bare shoulder line. When asked if Blanchett’s pregnancy posed a challenge, he replied, “The opportunity just presented me with an even bigger, more beautiful canvas to work with”. Cate didnt wear either of the looks, she opted instead for a Dries Van Noten in deep purple, but she still looked gorgeous.
Marion Cottilard, French screen siren, who won Best Actress for her role in La Vie En Rose, served as inspiration for designer Barbara Tfank. Tfank created a black and silver crepe dress, with vantage diamante shoulder buttons, and a waterfall train. Tfank said, “She can carry it off. She understands glamour and knows how to move”. Marion showed up to receive her Oscar in mermaid inspired Gaultier Paris Couture that turned heads the whole night.
One actress who’s outfit caused quite a stir was Tilda Swinton. Her severe, black velvet, one shouldered Lanvin gown was not loved by most, though the outfit was in step with the actresses previous odd fashion picks. Richard Chai however said he “envisioned her in something softer, a dress that would reveal a sense of who she is”. Chai, a long time fan of Swinton’s, drew up a pale crinkle-chiffon column, he felt would enhance her subtle beauty.
Costello Tagliapietra also had some ideas, this time for Amy Ryan, nominated for Best Supporting Actress in Gone Baby Gone. He envisioned the stunner in draped, gold panne velvet, with a bluson bodice, and slits in back to reveal the shoulder blades. “We are minimalists… But thats our way, our job is to enhance Amy Ryan’s beauty”. In reality, Amy chose to wear a simple, one shoulder gown from Calvin Klein Collection in navy.