TACTILE – A Fashion Film

This is a fashion film about the tactile experience of clothing, featuring garments and accessories by Laruicci, Odilon by Stacey Clark, Sretsis, L’Autre Chose, Mandy Coon, Blank Silk, Dominic Loius, Circa Sixty Three, Plutocracy, Suzanna Dai, Irina Marinescu, and Rynshu.

directed and edited by Charles Beckwith
fashion styling by Ashley Roberts
hair and makeup by Alana Guy
music by Jacob Miller
models are Melody from Ford, Vera from RED, and Jillian and Catherine from Fenton Moon

This is a fashion film about the tactile experience of clothing, featuring garments and accessories by Laruicci, Odilon by Stacey Clark, Sretsis, L’Autre Chose, Mandy Coon, Blank Silk, Dominic Loius, Circa Sixty Three, Plutocracy, Suzanna Dai, Irina Marinescu, and Rynshu.

Morgan Carper – Finding Herself In Translations

A flash of insight, an inspiration, a map, a plane ticket for two, and a whole lot of frequent flier miles. This jet-setting describes a big part of Morgan Carper’s artistic process. Whether it’s to the desert Southwest of the U.S or the hills of Laos, other cultures and their artisanal means and traditions are a big part of her seasonal collections. However all is not first as it might appear. While many designers begin by being entranced by ethnic fabrics and the ancient technologies that create them, for Mrs. Carper its about finding the answer to the desire that’s already stirring within her.

story written by Seth Friedermann
photography by Ned & Aya Rosen
makeup by Isabel Ruiz
styling by Michael Tucker
model is Paris from Muse Model Management
all garments by Morgan Carper

A flash of insight, an inspiration, a map, a plane ticket for two, and a whole lot of frequent flier miles. This jet-setting describes a big part of Morgan Carper’s artistic process. Whether it’s to the desert Southwest of the U.S or the hills of Laos, other cultures and their artisanal means and traditions are a big part of her seasonal collections. However all is not first as it might appear. While many designers begin by being entranced by ethnic fabrics and the ancient technologies that create them, for Mrs. Carper its about finding the answer to the desire that’s already stirring within her. Continue reading “Morgan Carper – Finding Herself In Translations”

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”

Bibhu Mohapatra, The Transparent Man

New York-based designer Bibhu Mohapatra’s creations are complete visual sentences. They clearly communicate an idea which always feels fully realized. His designs possess the rare quality of transparency in process. It is as if the individual history of each piece is on display within the garment. You can see the idea behind the piece that fascinated Mr. Mohapatra in the first place, whether it was a technique an iconic image or a fabric treatment his work is bravely exposed. This clarity of vision may be a by product of necessity as his road to becoming a fashion designer was neither direct nor easy.

story written by Seth Friedermann
photos by Adrianna Favero
stylist Aminah Haddad
styling assistance by Ashley Roberts
hair and makeup by Angel Yu
model is Arianne from RED Model Management

This feature includes dresses by Bibhu Mohapatra and shoes and accessories from Katherine Lincoln, Avant Garde, Milk & Honey, Laruicci, TAKREEM, Walter Steiger, Jean Michel Cazabat, Tous, AZ by Azature, Circa Sixty Three, and Gemma Redux.

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New York-based designer Bibhu Mohapatra’s creations are complete visual sentences. They clearly communicate an idea which always feels fully realized. His designs possess the rare quality of transparency in process. It is as if the individual history of each piece is on display within the garment. You can see the idea behind the piece that fascinated Mr. Mohapatra in the first place, whether it was a technique an iconic image or a fabric treatment his work is bravely exposed. This clarity of vision may be a by product of necessity as his road to becoming a fashion designer was neither direct nor easy.

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“Where I came from in Orissa (now called Odisha, India), there were no fashion schools. We had a great tradition of textiles of fabrics but not design.”

He made it to the United States via a scholarship in economics from Utah State University, but while he was there his experience in a few art classes led the faculty to tell him to apply at FIT. Following school, Bibhu Mohapatra built his reputation at J. Mendel, where he transformed and reinvigorated the label by using previously unseen combinations of materials and textures. Since launching his own line there has been rapid and profound growth in his collections. His designs have become increasingly refined and subtle, yet they have not lost the power to captivate. Mr. Mohapatra has remained a fierce explorer of his own deep imagination.

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Much like his individual pieces, his seasonal collections also bare the stamp of thoroughness. The most illuminating thing I learned during my time visiting with him at the C.F.D.A Incubator was his concept of the life cycle of clothes.

“I can make a great dress. It can be praised and photographed and everyone can love it, but it is not complete until a woman buys it and wears it.”

The intensity and articulate way in which he stated those words reveals the passion and drive behind Bibhu Mohapatra. His designs, his collections, his brand, all matter a great deal to him. He is a smiling, warm, and likable man, but he has the spine of steel and the fire in his eyes that all great artists possess. His most recent collection had more length and less visible complexity than his past efforts but when you looked closer the technique, the imagination, and the degree of difficulty were clearly visible. To see the clothes is to see the artist, and to know the artist is to understand the clothes.

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The Red Queen – A Photo Editorial

Ned and Aya Rosen recently had the opportunity to work with stylist Vava Marevicheff-Ignatenko. Here is their editorial, featuring garments and accessories by… Ashley Lloyd Millinery, Avant Garde Jewelry, Blank Silk, The Blonds, Circa Sixty Three, CHRISHABANA, Danika, Erik Bergrin, Free Lance, Jac Langheim, Laruicci, L’Autre Chose, Leonid Gurevich, Norman Ambrose, Rynshu, Tarvydas, Triviàl New York, and Victoria’s Secret

photography by Ned and Aya Rosen
styling by Vava Marevicheff-Ignatenko
makeup by Agata Helena using MAC
hair styling by Seiji Uehara @ Ennis
stylist assistant Ashley Roberts
hair assistant Sofiya Pylo
model is Laticia Lamb from One Model Management

Ned and Aya Rosen recently had the opportunity to work with stylist Vava Marevicheff-Ignatenko. Here is their editorial, featuring garments and accessories by… Ashley Lloyd MillineryAvant Garde JewelryBlank SilkThe BlondsCirca Sixty ThreeCHRISHABANADanikaErik BergrinFree LanceJac LangheimLaruicciL’Autre ChoseLeonid GurevichNorman AmbroseRynshuTarvydasTriviàl New York, and Victoria’s Secret  Continue reading “The Red Queen – A Photo Editorial”

Nima Taherzadeh Resorts To The Strap

Nima Taherzadeh likes playing peek-a-boo with the loveliness that is a woman’s body. In his past collections he’s enjoyed using cutouts and other evident techniques to flash a little skin and accent the sexuality of his clients. His Fall 2011 collection was a very aggressive and still glamorous take on this vision, however his more recent resort collection represented a more decisive and delightful expression of what this intriguing designer has to say. This is a very well-aimed sexy selection, it’s for confident women who want to be compelling and intriguing at any time of day. Consisting primarily of sporty separates and day dresses, the clothes were sophisticated and very playfully sexy. Tailored and structured yes, but in a way that accents the body rather than represses it and creates an impression of control and strength. Mr. Taherzadeh is definitely a fan of his client and wants to use his work to provide strength and confidence.

story by Seth Friedermann
photos by Ned and Aya Rosen
fashion styling by Michael Tucker
styling assistant Ashley Roberts
hair styling by Hitomi Mura
make-up by Isabel Ruiz
models Sofia Monaco and Dace from Ford

Nima Taherzadeh likes playing peek-a-boo with the loveliness that is a woman’s body. In his past collections he’s enjoyed using cutouts and other evident techniques to flash a little skin and accent the sexuality of his clients. His Fall 2011 collection was a very aggressive and still glamorous take on this vision, however his more recent resort collection represented a more decisive and delightful expression of what this intriguing designer has to say. This is a very well-aimed sexy selection, it’s for confident women who want to be compelling and intriguing at any time of day. Consisting primarily of sporty separates and day dresses, the clothes were sophisticated and very playfully sexy. Tailored and structured yes, but in a way that accents the body rather than represses it and creates an impression of control and strength. Mr. Taherzadeh is definitely a fan of his client and wants to use his work to provide strength and confidence. Continue reading “Nima Taherzadeh Resorts To The Strap”

Sally LaPointe – No Wonder Lady Gaga Is Wearing It

Sally LaPointe is one of the higher crests on the new wave of New York City fashion. This is not because her work has been being worn by Lady Gaga. That is a nice moment, but it is an effect not a cause. It is her intriguing creations that place her near the top of this new flood of talent that has been flowing down the catwalks of New York Fashion Week for the past few years. Her personal discipline and artistic self awareness are much greater than you would expect from a 27 year-old.

story by Seth Friedermann
photos by Ned and Aya Rosen
fashion styling by Michael Tucker
hair styling by Hitomi Mura
makeup by Isabel Ruiz
models Andrea I. and Sofia Monaco from Ford

Sally LaPointe is one of the higher crests on the new wave of New York City fashion. This is not because her work has been worn by Lady Gaga. That is a nice moment, but it is an effect and not a cause. It is her intriguing creations that place her near the top of this new flood of talent that has been flowing down the catwalks of New York Fashion Week for the past few years. Her personal discipline and artistic self awareness are much greater than you would expect from a 27 year-old. It’s possible to ascribe that to her being a native of Marblehead Massachusetts and coming from sturdy, “New England stock,” but closer to the mark is that Ms. LaPointe has an impressive history of decisiveness and drive. This has been on display since she was accepted into the outstanding Rhode Island School of Design for painting in 2007 and realized she wanted to be a fashion designer instead. From that fateful day she’s been a committed creator and has had a laser-like focus on improving her artistic expression. It is an inner journey but it is in no way a leisurely wander. Continue reading “Sally LaPointe – No Wonder Lady Gaga Is Wearing It”

Laruicci – Photo Feature

This is a photo feature on designer Lauren Ruicci. Laruicci jewelry pieces are presented here with garments from Veda and footwear from Ash and Jean Michel Cazabat.

story and styling by Seth Friedermann
photos by Ned and Aya Rosen
hair styling by Hitomi Mura
model is Liliana Camba from RE:QUEST

Lauren Ruicci’s jewelery is designed to help its wearer. It is not meant to be simply adornment, but more an enhancement. The suburbia and golf courses of her native Farmington Hills, Michigan, outside of Detroit, certainly seems a poor fit for the bold and brash artist that Ms. Ruicci has become. However, the more time you spend with her, the more you realize that there is a gentleness and an almost reluctance about her, that seems more in line with her roots. She seems almost embarrassed by all the attention and celebrity that her designs have brought her. This is really the key to understanding Lauren as a designer; she believes in the power of jewelry to be a positive transformational force. Continue reading “Laruicci – Photo Feature”