Author: archive

Arthur Mendonca – Toronto’s Interesting Import

Arthur Mendonca designed his first collection in 2002 and has been a prized contributor to the Toronto fashion scene ever since. He has also shown his collections in New York, Sao Paolo, Montreal, Los Angeles and London, garnering fulsome reviews. His boldly feminine clothes have adorned the covers of Marie Claire, Cosmopolitan, and Elle magazines, and have been found within the covers of In Style, Wallpaper and Forbes. His special occasion pieces have attracted attention on red carpets around the world and are favored by many actresses who appreciate the way his rich colors, classic lines and fine quality stand up to the hot light of the world’s attention.

story written by Lisa Radano
photography and art direction by Charles Beckwith
styling by Theo Hackney
styling assistant Sharone Reid
makeup by LaTasha Quianna
hair styling by Jeb Stuart Johnston
models Kendall and Amy of Red Model Management

garments by Arthur Mendonca
shoes and belts by Schumacher
jewelry by Sharone Reid for Traci Lynn

Arthur Mendonca designed his first collection in 2002 and has been a prized contributor to the Toronto fashion scene ever since. He has also shown his collections in New York, Sao Paolo, Montreal, Los Angeles and London, garnering fulsome reviews. His boldly feminine clothes have adorned the covers of Marie Claire, Cosmopolitan, and Elle magazines, and have been found within the covers of In Style, Wallpaper and Forbes. His special occasion pieces have attracted attention on red carpets around the world and are favored by many actresses who appreciate the way his rich colors, classic lines and fine quality stand up to the hot light of the world’s attention. Continue reading “Arthur Mendonca – Toronto’s Interesting Import”

Badgley Mischka In The Forest

“What angel wakes me from my flowery bed?” asked Titiana in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. For Spring 2013, Mssrs. Badgley and Mishka gave us forty angels, faeries, and princesses in this show inspired by the pastoral frivolity of Shakespeare’s play. The fabulous English model Erin O’Connor commenced the enchantment, strutting languidly down the runway in a blush crepe jumpsuit, one of the few pants looks, and surely one of the least embellished. What followed was a charming range of pretty knee length dresses and skirts in brocade, chiffon, lace and organza, shot with gold and silver, several with the duos’ signature sweetheart neckline.

story by Lisa Radano
photos by udor

“What angel wakes me from my flowery bed?” asked Titiana in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. For Spring 2013, Mssrs. Badgley and Mishka gave us forty angels, faeries, and princesses in this show inspired by the pastoral frivolity of Shakespeare’s play. The fabulous English model Erin O’Connor commenced the enchantment, strutting languidly down the runway in a blush crepe jumpsuit, one of the few pants looks, and surely one of the least embellished. What followed was a charming range of pretty knee length dresses and skirts in brocade, chiffon, lace and organza, shot with gold and silver, several with the duos’ signature sweetheart neckline. Continue reading “Badgley Mischka In The Forest”

Emerson – The Outsider’s View

In full disclosure, I have to mention that I am very fond of Jackie Fraser Swan, the designer of Emerson. We speak fairly often and I think she’s one of the bright young lights in fashion that I am really pulling for. That is why I was briefly concerned with a small section of her Spring 2013 collection as it came down the runway at Lincoln Center. Mrs. Fraser-Swan drew upon the 1970s as her inspiration, and a few of the looks were too literal. Inspiration is often tricky for a young designer; out of affection for a person, place, or time, they copy instead of create. Fortunately, this was only the case with a very few of her creations, and the majority of the collection was fun, flirty, creative, and very aggressive.

story by Seth Friedermann
photos by Rachel Renee

In full disclosure, I have to mention that I am very fond of Jackie Fraser Swan, the designer of Emerson. We speak fairly often and I think she’s one of the bright young lights in fashion that I am really pulling for. That is why I was briefly concerned with a small section of her Spring 2013 collection as it came down the runway at Lincoln Center. Mrs. Fraser-Swan drew upon the 1970s as her inspiration, and a few of the looks were too literal. Inspiration is often tricky for a young designer; out of affection for a person, place, or time, they copy instead of create. Fortunately, this was only the case with a very few of her creations, and the majority of the collection was fun, flirty, creative, and very aggressive. Continue reading “Emerson – The Outsider’s View”

Diego Binetti Serves The Deep

Diego Binetti never met a flowing fabric he didn’t love. Romantic, free, and deeply beautiful gowns are what he does best. As he has told me many times, his women are goddesses, and that spirit shows through in this Spring 2013 collection. Awash in bright colors and luxurious silks, the models well represented the designer’s ocean deity theme.

story by Seth Friedermann
photos by Morgan Miller (house)

Diego Binetti never met a flowing fabric he didn’t love. Romantic, free, and deeply beautiful gowns are what he does best. As he has told me many times, his women are goddesses, and that spirit shows through in this Spring 2013 collection. Awash in bright colors and luxurious silks, the models well represented the designer’s ocean deity theme. Continue reading “Diego Binetti Serves The Deep”

Yeohlee – More From Less, It Ain’t Easy

Yeohlee Teng was born in Malaysia and has been an independent designer for over thirty years. She doesn’t supplement sales by designing underwear or making perfume. She uses quality materials and her brand doesn’t outsource work, it’s all made in New York. How she has survived for so long, remained sought after, won awards (Smithsonian Cooper-Hewitt National Design 2004), and kept relevant is a testament to her talent, intelligence, beliefs, and most of all her guts.

story by Lisa Radano
photos by Adrianna Favero

Yeohlee Teng was born in Malaysia and has been an independent designer for over thirty years. She doesn’t supplement sales by designing underwear or making perfume. She uses quality materials and her brand doesn’t outsource work, it’s all made in New York. How she has survived for so long, remained sought after, won awards (Smithsonian Cooper-Hewitt National Design 2004), and kept relevant is a testament to her talent, intelligence, beliefs, and most of all her guts. Continue reading “Yeohlee – More From Less, It Ain’t Easy”

Marchesa In Matrimony

It was nearly sunset in a loft suspended above the Hudson, which sparkled like the flutes of Dom Perignon offered as a gesture of matrimonial indulgence to all of us lucky enough to attend Marchesa’s Fall 2013 Bridal show. Ms. Chapman and Ms. Craig are well known for amply providing the red carpet with their opulent balance of draping and design. Their white carpet is just as glamorous, yet slightly more vulnerable – fragile yet bold at the core.

story by Lisa Radano
photos by Charles Beckwith

It was nearly sunset in a loft suspended above the Hudson, which sparkled like the flutes of Dom Perignon offered as a gesture of matrimonial indulgence to all of us lucky enough to attend Marchesa’s Fall 2013 Bridal show. Ms. Chapman and Ms. Craig are well known for amply providing the red carpet with their opulent balance of draping and design. Their white carpet is just as glamorous, yet slightly more vulnerable – fragile yet bold at the core. Continue reading “Marchesa In Matrimony”

Badgley Mischka’s Heavenly Brides

The first gown out at Badgely Mischka’s fall 2013 Bridal show was named “Heavenly,” and celestial inspiration was abundant throughout the ethereal collection. The Mark Badgley and James Mischka design duo’s gift for enhancing classic silhouettes with intricate embellishment was tendered with a light and charming touch. Crystals and gold bouillon sparkled their way around waists, across bodices, and along panels, as if washed ashore by a glittering sea, or like stars revealed by passing clouds.

story by Lisa Radano
photos by Charles Beckwith

The first gown out at Badgely Mischka’s fall 2013 Bridal show was named “Heavenly,” and celestial inspiration was abundant throughout the ethereal collection. The Mark Badgley and James Mischka design duo’s gift for enhancing classic silhouettes with intricate embellishment was tendered with a light and charming touch. Crystals and gold bouillon sparkled their way around waists, across bodices, and along panels, as if washed ashore by a glittering sea, or like stars revealed by passing clouds. Continue reading “Badgley Mischka’s Heavenly Brides”

A Détacher – Forget Me Knot

A Détacher designer Mona Kowalska has a reputation for pushing to the edges of fashion. Before coming to the United States and starting her own line, Kowalska designed for many small Italian labels, followed by a brief stint at Sonia Rykiel. Her work could be considered avant garde by commercial standards. The spring 2013 collection for A Détacher is both architecturally de-constructed and well-engineered.

story by Sia-Alika Battle
photos by Adrianna Favero

A Détacher designer Mona Kowalska has a reputation for pushing to the edges of fashion. Before coming to the United States and starting her own line, Kowalska designed for many small Italian labels, followed by a brief stint at Sonia Rykiel. Her work could be considered avant garde by commercial standards. The spring 2013 collection for A Détacher is both architecturally de-constructed and well-engineered. Continue reading “A Détacher – Forget Me Knot”

Reem Acra, Bridal Elevated

Weddings are a ceremony of immortality. They represent moments of transition in which responsibility for the continuity of life is passed from one generation to the next. Almost certainly second only to burial rites in the chain of human social imperatives, they are sacred and primal. The difficulty for any garment designer in rendering clothing appropriate for such a timeless ritual in our culture is to present fertility without vulgarity. In this, Reem Acra is a master beyond reproach.

story and photos by Charles Beckwith

Weddings are a ceremony of immortality. They represent moments of transition in which responsibility for the continuity of life is passed from one generation to the next. Almost certainly second only to burial rites in the chain of human social imperatives, they are sacred and primal. The difficulty for any garment designer in rendering clothing appropriate for such a timeless ritual in our culture is to present fertility without vulgarity. In this, Reem Acra is a master beyond reproach. Continue reading “Reem Acra, Bridal Elevated”