What has been your favorite stone as of late? 

Bismuth crystal.  We don’t technically get to work with it because it’s too brittle, but we take natural pieces of it, slice it up and refine it, cast it in brass and then plate it with PVD titanium that is hit with a laser to create the same multicolored, psychedelic feel that the natural stone has.  I’m officially obsessed.

Where’s the most fascinating place you’ve found your raw materials?

Arusha, Tanzania.  Rajasthan in India is a close second.

If you could accessorize 3 runway shows this coming Fashion Week, whose would they be?

Peter Som, rag & bone, Chris Benz. All totally different but would be so fun.

Photos: Out Magazine

Amanda‘s Bag, Rebecca Minkoff Morning After Bag

1. Tilly & William Armer

2. House keys/coke spoons

3. Wallet

4. Makeup bag with assorted contents: MAKE UP FOR EVER Duo Mat Powder Foundation, Clinique Line Smoothing Concealer, Benefit Cosmetics The POREfessional, Benefit Cosmetics Play Stick, Lancôme Le Crayon Khol Eyeliner, Dolce & Gabbana Lip Gloss, Benefit Cosmetics Big Beautiful Eyes, Smith’s Rosebud Salve, Shiseido Shimmering Rouge

5. Rebecca Minkoff Morning After Bag

6. Business card for Time Will Tell Watches

7. Other assorted business cards

8. M.Patmos cheat sheet

9. Norma Kamali 3D glasses and lookbook

10. Front row seat card for Anne Bowen

11. Sunglasses

12. KAUFMANFRANCO lookbook

13. Broken POS Apple Earphones

14. Hugo Naturals French Lavender Hand Sanitizer

15. Sephora makeup brushes

16. FashionIndie Mixtape Vol. 4

17. Hand creme from some gift bag

18. FashionIndie stickers

19. iPhone 4

20. Piazza Sempione tote

21. Macbook

22. Go green wireless phone charger

23. Concept Korea lookbook

24. Lemon-Lime Emergen-C

Hairstylist Odile Gilbert used emulsified, colored clay powder from Paris to get coifs blue, green, terra-cotta, and lilac at Thakoon.

Photo: Style.com

Color Palette: Tangerine dreams, khaki, cobalt, shocking fucshia, floral and kaleidoscopic patterns

Mood: Sporty1960s Mod stewardess à la Pan Am on vacation in the Riviera

Statement Pieces: Shocking fuschia feather dress, kaleidoscope floral coton tweed jacket and pants

Front Row Name Drops: The always showstopping Anna Dello Russo, Bryan Boy, Paper‘s Mickey Boardman and The Sartorialist Scott Schuman who continues to ignore me despite my best efforts

Gossip: Nothing much to hear amidst the cacophony of air kisses and half-hearted pleasantries

Runway Music: “Heart Is a Beating Drum” – The Kills;  ”Face in the Crowd” – Cat’s Eyes

Milk is now represented by Creative Artists Agency and has brought on Lexus and American Express as sponsors in addition to original partner MAC Cosmetics.  This partnership has also gone through some changes and beginning this Fashion Week MAC & Milk shows will be under the name of Made.

Lincoln Center on the other hand has IMG, Mercedes-Benz and Maybelline, as well as AmEx with MAC also providing make-up for many a MBFW show.

While Made focuses on emerging designers and does not charge to rent their space — MAC is the exclusive make-up provider leaving models and music on the bill — Lincoln Center caters to more high-profile designers, who in addition to paying for the venue also have to dig deep for models, hair, music and makeup. And these are just a few of the differences:

Number of Shows:

Made – 35

MBFW – 98 (81 on-site, 17 off)

Sponsors:

Made – MAC, American Express and Lexus

MBFW - DHL, Maybelline New York, American Express, TRESemmé, W Hotels Worldwide, Fiber One Bars, ideeli, Fiji Water, AriZona Beverages

Designers:

Made - Sophie Theallet, Cushnie Et Ochs, Peter Som, Erin by Erin Fetherston, Billy Reid, Simon Spurr, Ohne Titel, Jeremy Scott, Nahm

MBFW - BCBG Max Azria, Tommy Hilfiger, Nicole Miller, Cynthia Rowley, Derek Lam, Tracy Reese, L.A.M.B., Diane von Furstenberg, Betsey Johnson, Tory Burch, Badgley Mischka, Vera Wang, Diesel, Michael Kors, Nanette Lepore, J.Mendel, Milly by Michelle Smith, Anna Sui, Elie Tahari

With Fashion Week just around the corner and all those sponsorship dollars, designer reputations and AmEx black cards floating around, the stage is set for a good ole-fashioned walk-off between Milk Studios and Lincoln Center. [WWD]

Billy Reid may have taken top honors, but the real stars of the night were the leggy young starlets who came out in force and in minis to celebrate them.

My magnificent obsession, Leighton Meester, was perfection in a cocktail number from runner-up Prabal Gurung.

Her co-star and cover girl from Vogue‘s Best Dressed special edition issue, Blake Lively showed she earned the title in a lacy Chanel.

Christina Ricci accessorized her Peter Som with a pair of black tights and a serious bang.

Chanel Iman chose Altuzarra,and a sequined clutch she apparently rode in to the ceremony, for her red carpet stroll.

Despite fierce competition, It girl Carey Mulligan might have taken the top prize in this stunning Chanel Haute Couture dress.

There’s nothing to turn the grey skies to a slightly less morose color than pretty girls in pretty dresses.

LINK LOVE: Oh No They Didn’t!, Style.com

If you’re one of the lucky few who were invited to Love Brigade’s annual New Year’s Eve masquerade you’re in luck. Not only cause you get to welcome the New Year with Brooklyn’s finest, but because Gilt Groupe is having a sale on Art of Elysium Designer Masks.

Yes, there is no way you’d get it by tomorrow, but with a little craft store visit and knockoff intuition, I’m sure you can craft your own.

Be sure to join Gilt Group and check out these amazing masks from designers like Rodarte, Erin Fetherston, Brian Reyes, and Peter Som. Click here to join.

Peter Som is launching jewelry for spring 2010. Initially, just three pieces will be offered, all chunky floral necklaces inspired by Japan.

LINK LOVE: NY Mag via WWD

Word is that Peter Som might be hired on to consult for Tommy Hilfiger, which would be so great since no one really cares about Hilfiger, might actually put him on our radar again…

LINK: WWD

It’s always interesting to see how certain runway pieces translate into event outfits, especially when they are worn by real life women instead of models. I also love that some pieces are altered to be more ‘ready to wear’ which gives them more life, although I must admit that it’s not fair that celebs get to wear collections not yet available for me to purchase. 

LINKAGE: red carpet-fashion

As a representative for the Ecco Domani Fashion Foundation, Robert Verdi will bring his fashion expertise to this year’s Ecco Domani Fashion Foundation shows and events.

Now in its eighth year, the Ecco Domani Fashion Foundation is proud to recognize the seven recipients of the 2009 awards: Cushnie et Ochs, Lyn Devon, Matthew Ames, and OHNE TITEL in the women’s design category; CORPUS in the men’s design category; and Monique Péan in the accessories category. EDFF also introduces its inaugural Sustainable Design category winner, Bodkin Brooklyn.

These future stars of fashion each received a $25,000 grant to help showcase their collection at New York Fashion Week this February. Past winners include Zac Posen, Proenza Schouler, Peter Som, Derek Lam, Thakoon, Rodarte, Erin Fetherston and Alexander Wang.

On the flip side, the idea of a runway show can be viewed as 2009′s It-bag, only the rich and glamorous can afford it and bystanders look on in amazement. Who knows, maybe this recession is simply the fashion industry’s version of spring cleaning, making runway shows only for the invested, focused, and prepared designers. Oscar de la Renta’s double runway delight is a prime example of this notion. 

Either the runways become “so last year,” sending hundreds of bean-pole models home packing or they get put on a pedestal, an honor to have your collection even grace one. Oh runways, you are a scary toss up.

Financially strapped Peter Som told NYMag that he’s leaving his options open and is down for a line with Target or H&M. Join the club buddy.

LINKAGE: Peter Som Open to Designing a Target or H&M Line

My utmost respect goes out towards Peacock…it’s nice to see some optimism and hope during such difficult times. But let it be known, they certainly have their work cut out for them! Not only did NexCen shut down Bill Blass’ ready-to-wear line in mid December, laying off nearly 60 reputable employees, with the MIA Peter Som, the label didn’t have the money to finance a 2009 spring runway show! For now, i’ll have a bit of faith that Peacock can revive such a magnificent label, but that grave is ready for Bill Blass if they get themselves in too deep. 

Thanks NY Mag and Style!

Thanks NY Mag!

“Sweet”

Alexander Wang

“Gnarly”

Derek Lam

“Rigorousruffulous”

Phillip Lim

“Work-in-Progress”

Proenza Schouler

“Earthworks”

Rodare

“Relax”

Peter Som

For the entire list click here

“I see my clothes on the street and they look different than I recall, but different isn’t bad, It’s exciting to me to see what they do, how they wear it, what they wear it with.”

Indeed, Som is a little infatuated with “his girl”.

“The Peter Som look is romantic, it’s a little dreamy. My girl is a little bit of a ‘head-in-the-clouds’ kind of girl. There’s a beauty, a lightness about her.”

And, while he’s confident he can provide what the Som woman wants, the designer admits that one thing he can’t do is predict trends.

“I wish I could – then I’d be living on a beach in the Bahamas,” he laughs. “We do our homework, but success is definitely not a science.”

Thanks Vogue UK

Peter Som’s resort 09 collection has made a splash. The line features radiant colors along with interesting materials to create a distinct texture. The clothing makes a statement; anyone can walk into a room with one of the dresses and demand attention simply because they display Peter’s flair. The colors used throughout the line vary from dress to dress; however, something about the line makes it all fit. Not only does Peter chose color wisely, he paints a perfectly crafted design. The design detail on the dresses is essential to their high appeal.

Click here to view more of Peter Som’s collection

New York Magazine recently spoke with Peter Som on what really goes on at CFDA meetings.  They asked him what everyone talks about at meetings. Check it here.

What’s everyone talking about in there?
We’ve been deciding what the color is for next season.

What is it?
I can’t tell you! I can’t tell you! It’s in the rainbow. Wink, wink.

How does the color get decided?
It’s kind of the vibe in the air. But I can’t tell you. I’d be disbarred from the CFDA.

Isn’t the CFDA really some secret designers’ cabal?
It’s sort of like Hogwarts. There’s some floating candles and we all spin the magic fashion dreidel and then talk to the talking hat, the talking Philip Tracy hat.

It’s kind of weird that all these designers sit down and talk about things like the next color of the season.

Takes away a little bit of the individuality that used to flourish through the industry.

I guess that’s why we love indies so much. No rules, just full artistic influence.

Fuck trends and seasonal colors!!!

It’s no surprise that countless designer frocks abound in Sex and the City, and Peter Som was no exception. The designer was among many recognizable CFDA members at the big event.

What kind of an impact has SATC had on you as a designer?
Well, when I first started out, Sex and the City was the show to get your clothes on. It was a major coup that I actually did as a young designer. So it was really a place you could look at for great, crazy style.

Do you remember your first credit?
My first credit was actually from my second collection and it was on Kristin Davis. It was a black organza blouse with velvet trim. It was the simplest thing, but it was exciting!

How did you know your top made the cut?
I saw it on the show; I didn’t know ahead of time. It was pre-TiVo and all…so long ago! It was the episode where she was throwing the party where all the women had to bring their guy friends that they didn’t want, so I related to that episode on many levels!

Source: Fashion Week Daily

Doo-Ri Chung

Zac Posen

Peter Som

WWD has reported that fur is no longer “relegated to designers of a certain age, the fur industry is relying on a cast of fresh faces, including Peter Som, Chris Benz, Doo-Ri Chung and Zac Posen, to help woo new customers.” I never realized that there was an age requirement for the use of fur but I guess I understand that fur requires a ‘mature’ taste.

The question remains; are fur sales down? Are young designers being asked to revamp the fur industry in order to sell more animal skins? According to an old article on Fabsugar, “despite a dip in fur sales last year, customers are currently more interested in smaller fur pieces like stoles and hats.” I guess we’ll see what happens next season.

I’m running out of outfits for events, and sick of seeing the same non-celebrity celebrities (Cory Kennedy, cute girl but far from stardom). On the bright side, fashion week is almost over and the good stuff is only yet to come. Tomorrow night is Peter Som (9pm at the tents) and then the Gucci/Madonna/UN cocktail party. Yes, Indies, we are cool enough to get an invite, personally messaged over this morning. Very excited, especially since feeling jealousy toward Susie Bubble for getting an invite, who we met Sunday night at The Box. What a sweet girl! Thursday is the NY Couture show. Everyone needs to be there! After all, she is the new Heatherette.

Then Friday, off to the Gen Art Fall 2008 Fashion Show. And this year, they are mixing things up. The nations leading art and fashion organization is showcasing one chosen designer, instead of their normal three. Camilla Staerk will be presenting her label, STAERK. The collection titled “Bride of the Black Moon,” will return her beloved noir palette and luxurious textures of leather and lace. Looking forward to seeing that, and meeting the designer. Below: piece from Camilla’s previous collection.

Many shows have come and gone this past week, but one still stands out in my mind. Maybe because of the celebrities, maybe because of the floor length gowns that I would never have a place to wear to, but mainly because of the abundance of FUR. I know, I know! Fur is bad, PETA will not be happy with me, but what can I say, it’s the Russian in me. Venexiana was a show unlike any other. With looks that included full length fur coats, sequence cocktail dresses, and floor length silk gowns. I was speechless…Imagine that!

All photos courtesy of a very good friend, Rick Louis. Entire collection available on Flickr.