Tadashi Shoji Dresses Strong Women

To a group of us after his frothy Spring 2014 show, Tadashi Shoji said in lieu of his theme: “It doesn’t take big shoulder pads and dark pant suits for a woman to be strong.” Known for his feminine party clothes, Mr. Shoji’s current regard for power dressing was not necessarily indicated by either his track record, or what had just gently glided by on the runway. On closer inspection of the impeccably crafted dresses and gowns, I started to see just what sort of strength Mr. Shoji championed and how it was achieved.

story by Lisa-Maria Radano
photos by udor

To a group of us after his frothy Spring 2014 show, Tadashi Shoji said in lieu of his theme: “It doesn’t take big shoulder pads and dark pant suits for a woman to be strong.” Known for his feminine party clothes, Mr. Shoji’s current regard for power dressing was not necessarily indicated by either his track record, or what had just gently glided by on the runway. On closer inspection of the impeccably crafted dresses and gowns, I started to see just what sort of strength Mr. Shoji championed and how it was achieved. Continue reading “Tadashi Shoji Dresses Strong Women”

Tadashi Shoji – From The Lace of Venice to The Ikat of Kazakhstan

Mr. Shoji politely explained to the enthusiastic crowd around him after his show, the meaning of The Silk Road in this collection. He spoke quietly and demurely about the significance of this ancient trade route – how it linked the east to the west, not just in the sharing of goods, but also of culture and ideas. Our Internet-soaked times cause us to take connections for granted. The Silk Road was the cultural exchange equivalent of our Internet for its time, and Mr. Shoji’s collection attempts to remind us of the ancient journeys that made global connections for thousands of years.

story by Lisa Radano
photos by UdoR

Mr. Shoji politely explained to the enthusiastic crowd around him after his show, the meaning of The Silk Road in this collection. He spoke quietly and demurely about the significance of this ancient trade route – how it linked the east to the west, not just in the sharing of goods, but also of culture and ideas. Our Internet-soaked times cause us to take connections for granted. The Silk Road was the cultural exchange equivalent of our Internet for its time, and Mr. Shoji’s collection attempts to remind us of the ancient journeys that made global connections for thousands of years. Continue reading “Tadashi Shoji – From The Lace of Venice to The Ikat of Kazakhstan”

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”

Pop Color Pop

I was showing someone my photography portfolio recently, when I realized that it really lacks color. I often shoot in color, but very seldom are my subjects colorful. I usually pay more attention to lighting the shape of the subject than creating a mood in any other way. This editorial is an attempt to break into strange territory and intentionally play with color in ways that are new, at least for me. Also, Ashley was able to pull together looks from some really talented designers like modaCYCLE favorites Mandy Coon, Tadashi Shoji, Stacey Clark, and some we’ve never featured before like L’Autre Chose, Sretsis, and Salvor.

photos and text by Charles Beckwith
styling by Ashley Roberts
makeup and hair by Alana Guy
models Catherine and Jillian from Fenton Moon, with Davis and Gabriela from Red

I was showing someone my photography portfolio recently, when I realized that it really lacks color. I often shoot in color, but very seldom are my subjects colorful. I usually pay more attention to lighting the shape of the subject than creating a mood in any other way. This editorial is an attempt to break into strange territory and intentionally play with color in ways that are new, at least for me. Also, Ashley was able to pull together looks from some really talented designers like modaCYCLE favorites Mandy Coon, Tadashi Shoji, Stacey Clark, and some we’ve never featured before like L’Autre Chose, Sretsis, and Salvor. Continue reading “Pop Color Pop”

Tadashi Shoji – Spring 2012 Bridal Review

Tadashi Shoji’s Spring 2012 bridal collection once again confirms that the veteran designer’s calling card is his balanced touch with embroidery and other potentially garish or voluminous design elements. In short, the man knows when to stop and precisely what to do to create a compelling gown.

story by Seth Friedermann
photos by Adrianna Favero

Tadashi Shoji’s Spring 2012 bridal collection once again confirms that the veteran designer’s calling card is his balanced touch with embroidery and other potentially garish or voluminous design elements. In short, the man knows when to stop and precisely what to do to create a compelling gown.

Continue reading “Tadashi Shoji – Spring 2012 Bridal Review”

Downtown, Night – A Photo Editorial

It’s easy to get lost in the cold canyons of deep downtown New York. At night it can be an eerie place, dark and claustrophobic. Yet even then there are places of light and moments of beauty.

photos by Aeric Meredith-Goujon
art direction and styling by Seth Friedermann
makeup by Becca Bouchard
hair by Sonia Castleberry
model is Harrington from Fenton Moon
photo assistant Emmanuel Fleurinord
styling assistants Ashley Roberts and Zimir Hernandez

It’s easy to get lost in the cold canyons of deep downtown New York. At night it can be an eerie place, dark and claustrophobic. Yet even then there are places of light and moments of beauty. Continue reading “Downtown, Night – A Photo Editorial”

Tadashi Shoji – Spring 2012 – A Japanese Master Paints Dutch Flowers

As an homage to the enchanting beauty and splendor of the tulip, Tadashi Shoji’s Spring 2012 conveyed their myriad variety and vibrancy perfectly as the show transitioned from the first to the final looks. It was like watching the life of a tulip from beginning to end. Starting with fitted pieces resembling newly blossomed tulips petals, transitioning into flowing pieces that get brighter and more lively as the collection progressed.

View the full collection in our Photo Gallery.

story by Ashley Roberts
photos by Pete Cameron Dominkovits
editing assistant Sierra Baskind

As an homage to the enchanting beauty and splendor of the tulip, Tadashi Shoji‘s Spring 2012 conveyed their myriad variety and vibrancy perfectly as the show transitioned from the first to the final looks. It was like watching the life of a tulip from beginning to end. Starting with fitted pieces resembling newly blossomed tulips petals, transitioning into flowing pieces that get brighter and more lively as the collection progressed. Continue reading “Tadashi Shoji – Spring 2012 – A Japanese Master Paints Dutch Flowers”

Tadashi Shoji – Fall 2011

Tadashi Shoji’s Fall 2011 collection was inspired by the gardens of his native Japan, and his artist’s eye fell mainly on the harmonies that a skilled gardener can create. His dresses on this runway were filled with paths crossing and winding their way around a woman’s frame.

story by Seth Friedermann
photos by Freda Henry

Every garden has it’s own character, as does every plant and every flower. No two alike, always, as nature creates things. As it is in the natural world, so it is in the collections of a great designer. Even when the impetus is the same, the collections of two designers will often be dramatically different. Fashion designers often dip their brushes in the palettes of petals and blooms. But, just like flowers, no designer’s floral inspirations arrive on the runway in quite the same way. Tadashi Shoji’s Fall 2011 collection was inspired by the gardens of his native Japan, and his artist’s eye fell mainly on the harmonies that a skilled gardener can create. His dresses on this runway were filled with paths crossing and winding their way around a woman’s frame. Continue reading “Tadashi Shoji – Fall 2011”