Sachin + Babi Are An Independent Match

Sachin and Babi Ahluwalia are a remarkable creative team. Designing clothes, designing brands, designing businesses. The first thing that strikes you about them is their mix passion and a sense of defiance for the brands that they build and the clothes that they design.

story written by Seth Friedermann
feature and runway photography by Adrianna Favero
feature styling by Pauline Toruan
feature makeup by Clara Isabella
feature model is Liisa Õunmaa of Muse Model Management

runway garments SS2013 by Sachin + Babi
feature garments FW2012 by Sachin + Babi
feature accessories by Gemma Redux

Sachin and Babi Ahluwalia are a remarkable creative team. Designing clothes, designing brands, designing businesses. The first thing that strikes you about them is their mix passion and a sense of defiance for the brands that they build and the clothes that they design. Continue reading “Sachin + Babi Are An Independent Match”

Emerson – Fall 2012 – To Alter and Invent

Steeped in the spirit and history of New England, Emerson’s designer Jackie Fraser Swan is, if there is such a thing, a conservative risk taker. She loves to alter and invent, but is by no means a wild child.With her collections there is always a sense of the classic torn asunder. She combines the shapes and styles that the fabrics she is drawn to suggest to her with a unique take on staple fashion shapes and styles.

story by Seth Friedermann
photos by Adrianna Favero and Stephen F. Bodi

Steeped in the spirit and history of New England, Emerson‘s designer Jackie Fraser Swan is, if there is such a thing, a conservative risk taker. She loves to alter and invent, but is by no means a wild child. With her collections there is always a sense of the classic torn asunder. She combines the shapes and styles that the fabrics she is drawn to suggest to her with a unique take on staple fashion shapes and styles. Continue reading “Emerson – Fall 2012 – To Alter and Invent”

Carolina Hererra – Fall 2012 – Complimentary Consistency

Carolina Herrera’s fall 2012 collection was in general another strong example of the artistic tightrope act that has become her calling card. Mrs. Herrera provides a full lifestyle wardrobe for her client, which is a very normal choice for a designer with many seasons under her belt.

view the full collection in our Photo Gallery

story by Seth Friedermann
photos by Stephen F. Bodi
web editor Rachel Reneé

Carolina Herrera‘s fall 2012 collection was in general another strong example of the artistic tightrope act that has become her calling card. Mrs. Herrera provides a full lifestyle wardrobe for her client, which is a very normal choice for a designer with many seasons under her belt. Continue reading “Carolina Hererra – Fall 2012 – Complimentary Consistency”

Narciso Rodriguez – Fall 2012 – Getting To Work

Narciso Rodriguez has a great American success story. Born to working class Cuban parents in Newark, New Jersey, he worked his way up through the maze of New York fashion to be one of the preeminent American designers working today. His shows are some of the most anticipated of each New York Fashion Week and this season was no different. Clean lines, crisp clothes and subtle structures have always been Mr. Rodriguez’s calling card, and this season was no different.

view the full collection in our Photo Gallery

story by Seth Friedermann
photos by Adrianna Favero
web editor Rachel Reneé

Narciso Rodriguez has a great American success story. Born to working class Cuban parents in Newark, New Jersey, he worked his way up through the maze of New York fashion to be one of the preeminent American designers working today. His shows are some of the most anticipated of each New York Fashion Week and this season was no different. Clean lines, crisp clothes and subtle structures have always been Mr. Rodriguez’s calling card, and this season was no different. Continue reading “Narciso Rodriguez – Fall 2012 – Getting To Work”

Negarin – Fall 2012 – A Touch Elevated

London-based designer Negarin Sadr’s aims in the fashion world are fairly clear. The text on her website speaks of “the busy woman on the go” and “reasonable prices.” Negarin is a market-driven and focused label, and the clothes are designed to hit that spot towards the upper end of what is known as “contemporary.” As such there was a strong focus on some trend-driven elements such as color blocking, shorter lengths, and comfortable cuts. However… there was more going on with this collection than immediately met the eye.

view the full collection in our Photo Gallery

story by Seth Friedermann
photos by Stephen Bodi
web editor Rachel Reneé

London-based designer Negarin Sadr’s aims in the fashion world are fairly clear. The text on her website speaks of “the busy woman on the go” and “reasonable prices.” Negarin is a market-driven and focused label, and the clothes are designed to hit that spot towards the upper end of what is known as “contemporary.” As such there was a strong focus on some trend-driven elements such as color blocking, shorter lengths, and comfortable cuts. However… there was more going on with this collection than immediately met the eye. Continue reading “Negarin – Fall 2012 – A Touch Elevated”

Naeem Khan – Fall 2012 – Dots and Beads

There is a charge that is occasionally leveled against fashion designers by both those who do not know much about fashion, and more surprisingly sometimes by those who do. In essence it boils down to, “oh they just do the same thing over and over.” The accusation is most often simply because the critic doesn’t really look closely enough at the clothes. Every great designer grows and changes each season but they do so without losing their signature. It is the signature, the outward expression of that designers unique point of view on clothing that makes their work seem unchanging, but, it’s also what makes their work sell. Selling clothes for a reason other than price is a great achievement. It means that you have connected with someone, your work helps them express themselves and it’s a marvelous thing.

view the full collection in our Photo Gallery

story by Seth Friedermann
photos by Stephen F. Bodi
web editor Rachel Reneé

There is a charge that is occasionally leveled against fashion designers by both those who do not know much about fashion, and more surprisingly sometimes by those who do. In essence it boils down to, “oh they just do the same thing over and over.” The accusation is most often simply because the critic doesn’t really look closely enough at the clothes. Every great designer grows and changes each season but they do so without losing their signature. It is the signature, the outward expression of that designers unique point of view on clothing that makes their work seem unchanging, but, it’s also what makes their work sell. Selling clothes for a reason other than price is a great achievement. It means that you have connected with someone, your work helps them express themselves and it’s a marvelous thing. Continue reading “Naeem Khan – Fall 2012 – Dots and Beads”

The Blonds – Fall 2012 – Crotch Rock It

For The Blonds, Fall 2012 is the season of the donor cycle. David Blond’s father is a motorcycle enthusiast, so the designers took that inspiration to create their first collection that includes designs specifically for men. The Blonds bring their signature va-va-vroom to menswear with leather jackets encrusted with jewels and trimmed in fur. The Blonds listened to their clients and created a line that gives the same rush as riding a bike on the open road. The menswear features “the richness of the layering of different cultures” with pieces in gold and silver graphic prints with a tribal re-imagining of chains and spikes.

view the full collection in our Photo Gallery

story by Sia-Alika Battle
photos by Ned and Aya Rosen
web editor Rachel Reneé

For The Blonds, Fall 2012 is the season of the donor cycle. David Blond’s father is a motorcycle enthusiast, so the designers took that inspiration to create their first collection that includes designs specifically for men. The Blonds bring their signature va-va-vroom to menswear with leather jackets encrusted with jewels and trimmed in fur. The Blonds listened to their clients and created a line that gives the same rush as riding a bike on the open road. The menswear features “the richness of the layering of different cultures” with pieces in gold and silver graphic prints with a tribal re-imagining of chains and spikes. Continue reading “The Blonds – Fall 2012 – Crotch Rock It”

Corey Lynn Calter – Fall 2012 – Old Expressions Find Color

Remember that Mad Men scene when Peggy Olson takes a trip downtown to a party where all the artists of the 1960s New York art scene are hanging out? That, with a rush of additional color, is what the Corey Lynn Calter’s Fall 2012 presentation looked like.

view the full collection in our Photo Gallery

story by Ashley Roberts
photos by Ned & Aya Rosen
web editor Rachel Reneé

Remember that Mad Men scene when Peggy Olson takes a trip downtown to a party where all the artists of the 1960s New York art scene are hanging out? That, with a rush of additional color, is what the Corey Lynn Calter‘s Fall 2012 presentation looked like.

Continue reading “Corey Lynn Calter – Fall 2012 – Old Expressions Find Color”

Dawn Han – Fall 2012 – Sleek Gothic

For once, black was in great debate this season, due to all of the color Fall has brought with it. But Dawn Han’s Fall 2012 collection retouches New York’s timeless idea of all black for all occasions, and adds to it a new sense of pride. “This collection is 1930s meets military meets menswear. When I get behind a vision, it’s always a mixed basket of ideas,” Han explained. With multiple drawings on the table, Han tamed each one into a strong collection that visibly flowed. And when asked why the choice to remain loyal to black, Han simply stated, “It’s just easier for me to work with. And I love it.” In the past, critics have slammed the lack of color in collections, calling it a safe zone and tired, but Han presented a collection was not only liberating and innovative, but far from boring.

view the full collection in our Photo Gallery

story by Landon Peoples
photos by Michael Cinquino
web editor Rachel Reneé

For once, black was in great debate this season, due to all of the color Fall has brought with it. But Dawn Han’s Fall 2012 collection retouches New York’s timeless idea of all black for all occasions, and adds to it a new sense of pride. “This collection is 1930s meets military meets menswear. When I get behind a vision, it’s always a mixed basket of ideas,” Han explained. With multiple drawings on the table, Han tamed each one into a strong collection that visibly flowed. And when asked why the choice to remain loyal to black, Han simply stated, “It’s just easier for me to work with. And I love it.” In the past, critics have slammed the lack of color in collections, calling it a safe zone and tired, but Han presented a collection was not only liberating and innovative, but far from boring. Continue reading “Dawn Han – Fall 2012 – Sleek Gothic”

Tadashi Shoji – Fall 2012 – Old Shanghai Opulence

The act of romanticizing a bygone time and place is in and of itself a lovely thing to do. Floating and free of the frightening knowledge that if you had been alive then you could have, say, never used the Internet or had access to trusty penicillin. In creating his Fall 2012 collection, Tadashi Shoji was entranced by the golden age of Shanghai, of the late 1920s and 30s. Shanghai is one of Mr. Shoji’s favorite places and with this collection he paid homage to the city’s legendary past. Incredibly romantic, soft, and supple pieces glided down the runway one after another, creating a hypnotic effect. The entire Lincoln Center crowd was wrapped in Mr Shoji’s warm nostalgic reverence.

story by Seth Friedermann
photos by Stephen Bodi
web editor Rachel Reneé

The act of romanticizing a bygone time and place is in and of itself a lovely thing to do. Floating and free of the frightening knowledge that if you had been alive then you could have, say, never used the Internet or had access to trusty penicillin. In creating his Fall 2012 collection, Tadashi Shoji was entranced by the golden age of Shanghai, of the late 1920s and 30s. Shanghai is one of Mr. Shoji’s favorite places and with this collection he paid homage to the city’s legendary past. Incredibly romantic, soft, and supple pieces glided down the runway one after another, creating a hypnotic effect. The entire Lincoln Center crowd was wrapped in Mr Shoji’s warm nostalgic reverence. Continue reading “Tadashi Shoji – Fall 2012 – Old Shanghai Opulence”