INTERVIEW: Colette Malouf, Inspired by Family, History & NYC

Edited by Amanda Gabriele

Colette Malouf is a lifetime New Yorker. Born, raised and currently creating in SoHo, she has been surrounded by the energy of emerging artists, both in her neighborhood and family, her entire life. There was never a shortage of elegance or grace in Colette’s home, and we are lucky to have that sophistication translated into her gorgeous hair accessories and costume jewelry. I met Colette in her beloved neighborhood for lunch, and she painted beautiful narratives of shopping with her father, Sundays at her grandmother’s and what she would wear to a cabaret in 1920.

Fusion Fashion Show FIT vs. Parsons: Interview with Wonki the Winner

Edited by Jessica Lapidos

Selena Gomez Wins Dressed in Winner Irina Shabayeva

Edited by Jessica Lapidos

Selena Gomez wins Favorite Breakout Artist Award at the People’s Choice Awards. Good for her. I’m sure making out with the Biebs didn’t hurt her odds. But the breakout artist also happened to be the best dressed of the evening. She flutters in this bouncing chiffon and organza number by Irina Shabayeva, a young designer who also rose to success through TV like Selena, however, with Heidi Klum and Tim Gunn’s blessings.

Random Facts About Fashion Designers Path’s Before They Were Major

Edited by Nicole Vardo

Most of fashion’s biggest names weren’t born to design royalty: they weren’t raised in fashion capitals like New York or Paris (Todd Oldham and Tom Ford hail from Texas) and some didn’t even start out in fashion (Christian Dior was an art dealer) or go to school for it (Miuccia Prada has a PhD in Political Science).

Don’t miss these tidbits about some of the world’s top fashion designers:

DISCOVERY: LADY & RUIN

Edited by Amanda Gabriele

Sugar and spikes that make you look twice…that’s what the LADY & RUIN girl is made of. Parsons-trained and Brooklyn-based designer Melissa Limoncelli today announced the launch of jewelry line LADY & RUIN, now available for purchase at Ladyandruin.com. Read more…

Photographer: Samantha West

Parsons Photographer a Ruh-tard Or Great Social Commentator?

Edited by Jason Chan, Señor

Julia Chesky, a photographer who graduated from Parsons, recently shot a series of photos using a homeless man named Chris as her model.  Looks at the photos, Chesky’s commentary, and thoughts after the jump.

INTERVIEWS OF FASHION: David Alexander

Edited by Hillary Frazier

A friend referred me to David Alexander’s site, and on viewing his collections I fell in love with the fur, leather, mesh, studs, jewels, and all of my favorite things compiled into one fashion show. Once I began to speak with David, I found his quirky, enthusiastic and overly creative personality absolutely thrilling, and had to share it with you.

Here’s a little anecdote that got me hooked on David straight away:

So my friend Susan calls me and says ” your gonna be so mad at me.” and as I put down my Playstation controller and jogged over to my computer I see this email and I’m like…..who is that, and she goes “Well I dunno, but she is prolly never gonna buy another skirt from you or Curve again..” and Im like omg omg did i fudge up and the skirt zipper was broke because I do pride myself on an 100% usa made quality product…”She goes well I saw her in the skirt and I freaked out and ran over and I was lil drunk and I sort of shook her cause I was in the gold one and was like OMG OMG my friend made these arent they great”….So basically if you buy my clothes in NY and a crazy beautiful woman runs over to you its my friend Susan haha I cant be mad she is just all about my designs and gives me so much support.

I was also lucky enough to hear from David on a few questions that I asked:

INTERVIEW: Flora Gill and Alexa Adams, Designers Ohne Titel

Edited by Rebecca Alexander

Flora Gill and Alexa Adams of Ohne Titel, German for ‘no title,’ met at Parsons and are greatly inspired by German artist Anselm Keifer. Beyond that, there is nothing Teutonic about them.

WTF!?! This Look At The Parsons Fashion Benefit #fashionfail

Edited by Kirby Marzec

Some student designer at The Parsons Fashion Benefit took Leona Lewis’ “Bleeding Love” a bit too seriously. Ok, I’ll admit, that was a bit graphic, but this has got to be the ugliest and most disturbing runway look I’ve seen in quite some time. Let’s just hope that this isn’t one being sold at Debut in June…I mean, hey, give me a month and I could produce the same look, all natural. I’m sorry, that was disgusting. 

Thanks Trend de la Creme!

Pomp and Circumstance: Parsons’ Gradate Designs To Sell

Edited by Kirby Marzec

Tis the season of graduation presentations. While I found myself in the audience of Pratt Institute’s animation screening last night, others were dressed to the nines at the Parsons Fashion Benefit, a celebratory event for senior designers to show off their work via runway show. Hats off, the 8am classes are over, but the hard work is only beginning. 

You have to admit, now is probably the scariest time to graduate. Designers are bellyflopping. Retailers are downsizing. Buyers ain’t buying. But thanks to Lisa Weiss and Debut, her downtown boutique, students might actually have a prayer at making some bank. Many pieces from the Parsons senior collection will be on sale during the week of June 16th. If you’re not in the market to buy, at least stop on by the Mulberry street store to check out the designs and show your support. These young designers need as much consumer feedback as possible! 

Debut: 298 Mulberry Street   (On sale starting June 16th for one week)

Thanks The New York Times!