And Now It’s Time to Catwalk…for Your Life: Casting for New York Fashion Week with Andrew Weir and ACW Worldwide

Edited by Lester Brathwaite

“Now watch the flames shoot out of her feet,” gushes casting director Andrew Weir after instructing veteran catwalker Tanya Dziahileva to take a stroll. Adding, “And she is giving us a loooook,” in reference to the model’s fingerless lace gloves and a rather jaunty chapeau. The fashion was a major point of conversation during Andrew Weir’s ACW Worldwide Casting event this Saturday. So much so that Mr. Weir mentioned that he’ll have trend-forecasters on-site next time around. Having noticed girl after girl march by wearing variations on a singular theme, Mr. Weir proclaimed, “The trend this season is all about  black, skinny jeans with this sort of waxy finish. It’s a sea of black.” The one exception was a model who dared to wear a beautiful white dress by The Row – “I hope you keep it clean,” he warns. 

#NYFW Beauty Trend: Orange Lips

Edited by Amanda Gabriele

To my absolute delight, the bright lipstick trend is still going strong for Spring 2012. What’s more, orange lips are looking bolder than ever for the coming season. Whether worn with a light dusting of bright eyeshadow or bare, doe-eyed peepers, don’t think twice about keeping those sunny tangerine hues in your makeup bag. Click through to see photos from all the labels on board from New York Fashion Week.

Andrew Weir Has “Never Seen This Many Great New Faces in a Season. Ever.”

Edited by Lester Brathwaite

This Sunday, in the middle of a parade of some 400 girls from every New York modeling agency, I sat down with casting superdirector Andrew Weir at the Hudson Hotel’s library. Weir was casting catwalkers for four shows this Fashion Week: Thakoon, Rachel Zoe, Rebecca Taylor and Jen Kao. The selection of beautiful young things was  impressive to say the least and I took the opportunity to pick Weir’s brain on the state of the modeling industry today.

TRENDSPARK: Chain Mail

Edited by Missa Stumpf, TrendSpotter/ Designer

A big trend for this spring that was seen on the runway is chain mail. From bags, shoes, jackets, to entire dresses, this medieval embellishment is definitely a different way to wear metallics.

I love the way Versace used it in this pink dress and I also like the multicolored tank dress by Jen Kao.

Will you be wearing this hardware anytime soon?

COPYFIGHT: Lindsay Lohan Stealing Spree Continues

Edited by Saynt

We all know that this Mean Girl has sticky fingers when it comes to fur jackets and Elle photoshoots, but it seems like her spree of crimes against fashion continues with her 6126 line. The “designer” has stolen looks from Black Milk and Jen Kao.

The designer behind Black Milk is outraged and speaking out against the failed actress on his personal blog. [Click Here To View]

Of course, the thievery doesn’t end there. Lindsay was recently spotted wearing a Jen Kao dress which surprise, surprise was stolen for her 6126 collection. The designer responded to WWD on the drama, saying, “While we are all well aware that being ‘mimicked’ or ‘copied’ has always existed in this industry, I think the evolution of it all has grown to an alarming level. It’s a shame to support the concept of taking advantage of designers who are still trying to develop a name and solidify the image of their design aesthetic.”

Lohan hasn’t made a statement yet, but Kristi Kaylor, president of 6126 is on the defensive stating, “The alleged ‘copying’ claims made by these companies are false and have absolutely no merit or validity whatsoever. … This is merely an accusation based upon a pencil sketch with no concrete viable evidence to back up the allegations.”

Weigh in indies, is Lindsay up to her old habits again or is this just a case of design deja vu?

F*CK-UPS: Taylor Momsen

Edited by Andy Wass

Taylor Momsen attended a New York screening of He’s Just Not That Into You in Jen Kao “sky rider” leggings. I love the boots, but the shiny colored leggings and the shapeless top make Taylor look like a poor man’s blonde Pat Benetar.

More photos at Just Jared.

From Our Archives: Jen Kao

Edited by Rebecca Alexander

Taiwanese designer Jen Kao is brand new on the scene but already featured on several lists as a top new designer and someone to keep an eye on. Her breakthrough sequin jackets and intricate dresses are favorites of young stars already and the campaign for her Spring 2008 Collection was shot by the credited Ryan McGinley.

Read about her inspiration here.