Has Fashion Become a Sport?
@ 9:53 pm August 26, 2008Filed under: Op-Ed
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DALLAS, Aug 26, 2008 / FW/ — First, it was at the red carpet where the burning question is ‘who are you wearing?’ With the advent of streaming video, the internet played a big role. Between television and digital media, everyone can sit at the ‘front row’ in the comfort of their homes.
And then of course, one of the ‘Mad Men’ thought of the Skybox. A special place inside the tents at Bryant Park, American Express members who were lucky enough to buy the fashion week package when it went on sale, can see the show in person.
Finally, ‘celebrity watching,’ a sport by itself has also become a part of watching the front row and part of the report for fashion week. True, veteran fashion journalists like Suzy Menkes and Cathy Horyn do not mention celebrities unless he or she has reached the level of Nicole Kidman.
Still, when these journalists who sit on the highest place in the fashion totem pole are forced to report if Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt are sitting front row shows that the status of the hemline is not enough to keep the fashionistas sated.
Times are changing and the fashion world is not immune to it. There has to be ‘more’ in the report than just how high or low the hemline is, how big the sleeves are, or how many buttons there are. Fashion trends are not just about colors anymore; it’s also about celebrities wearing them.
So perhaps, it is not surprising that celebrities like Jennifer Lopez and Lauren Conrad put their name in clothes that they ‘supposedly’ designed. Lauren Conrad’s supporters are even happy to report that their favorite celebrity go and visit the studio at least ONE HOUR a day to check all the designs.
Everyone knows in the fashion business that designing is a full time job and that ONE HOUR a day is nowhere near enough when creating a collection. Yet, it is these celebrities who take a bow at the end of the runway show!
To their fans, it is the epitome of creativity. To fashion journos and of course serious designers, celebrity labels had made a travesty of the creative process.
Unfortunately, though we might disagree, there is no turning back to the time when only real talents like Yves Saint Laurent, Gianni Versace and Ralph Lauren rule the catwalk. Fashion has become a sport and even fashion’s inner circle has to live with fashion labels based on a popular name and not on design talent.
But, there is hope because as we know, Mother Nature always fights back. One day, a celebrity will arrive at the scene and he or she truly has the gift of fashion design.
[MARI DAVIS]
Artistic Reese’s Pieces
@ 8:53 pm August 25, 2008Filed under: News
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DALLAS, Aug 25, 2008 / FW/ — Was it only five years ago when as a fledgling fashion journo I came across some Tracy Reese’s pieces and I just fell in love with them. Ten seasons had passed then and Tracy Reese continues to enthrall without fail.
Perhaps its because Tracy Reese herself never stops. Through the years, her collections has taken the natural path of progression, thanks to the designer’s quest for that perfect look.
For Spring 2009, Tracy Reese is continues on that path with a proposal of delicate yet sophisticated pieces that emanate modern romance.
Pastel prints inspired by Japanese art feature chrysanthemums and hazy blue skies while structured leather is softened with touches of leaf appliqué. Relaxed and draped silhouettes feature hues of a sumptuous green garden that are intensified with Van Gogh inspired prints of the same palette.
Summer comes full circle with architectural shapes and defined prints of sleek stripes and laser cut lace.
TRACY REESE Catwalk show
Sunday, Sep 7, 2008 12:00 NN
The Promenade
Bryant Park
New York, NY
Jakarta Fashion Week: Evening Wear
@ 9:31 pm August 23, 2008Filed under: Runway Shows
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JAKARTA, Aug 23, 2008 / FW/ — In the U.S., including Europe, red carpet dressing has become a sport. Eveningwear designers have to make a statement of sensuality and sexiness in one dress or gown.
But in Indonesia, or at least in Jakarta, where eveningwear is demure even sweet and quite frankly, more for the Miss Universe beauty pageant than the Oscars or Cannes.
Harry Ibrahim, Defrico Audy, Jeanne Ang and Hengky Kailwarang made sure that their ladies are the epitome of grace.
And though chances are these gowns and dresses are too tame for Hollywood’s red carpet, there’s a lot to be said for just being sweet and sassy.
Don’t be surprised though to see any of these creations during a beauty pageant.
Photo by Lisa Maree Williams/image.net
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- Jeanne Ang
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- Jeanne Ang
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- Jeanne Ang
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- Hengky Kailwarang
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- Hengky Kailwarang
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- Jeanne Ang
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- Defrico Audy
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- Hengky Kailwarang
Jakarta Fashion Week: Day 2 – Contemporary
@ 8:28 am August 22, 2008Filed under: Runway Shows
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JAKARTA, Aug 22, 2008 / FW/ — After the Moslem and Ethnic segments on the catwalk, it was time to see contemporary clothing. IPMI (Indonesian Fashion Designer Council) member, Priyo Oktaviano presented his vision of the modern Indonesian woman.
Fluid silhouettes intermixed with architectural shapes, Priyo Oktaviano’s vision can easily still be seen as ‘ethnic’ on the catwalks of New York, London, Milan and Paris. Whether this is good or bad depends on the eye of the beholder, the way beauty is.
Ethnicity is good, but with one of the objectives of Jakarta Fashion Week is to make Indonesia a source for high fashion, a wide range of silhouettes need to be offered.
Jakarta Fashion Week is being held from Aug 20 – 24 at the Fashion Tent, Pacific Place Jakarta. With an expected attendance of 5000 guests viewing more than 600 new designs from 47 designers comprising of 24 APPMI (Indonesian Fashion Designers Association) designers, 18 IPMI (Indonesian Fashion Designer Council) designers, one independent and four Australian designers, it is expected to be the fashion event of the year in the country.
Photos by Lisa Maree Williams/image.net
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- Priyo Oktaviano
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Jakarta Fashion Week: Day 2 – Ethnic Catwalk
@ 8:21 am August 22, 2008Filed under: News
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JARKARTA, Aug 22, 2008 / FW/ — Indonesian’s motto, ‘Unity in diversity’ fully explains why JFW reserved a catwalk specifically for ethnic inspired creations. Ghea Panggabean, Tuty Cholid and Carmanita created silhouettes based on Indonesian costumes.
Comprised of 17, 508 islands, Indonesia is the world’s largest archipelago and one of the most ethnically diverse. To see these costumes on the catwalk, re-imagined and re-interpreted for the modern times stresses the positive effect of ‘infinite diversity means infinite combinations.’
Being held at the Pacific Palace, the most opulent and modern shopping centre in Jakarta, Festival Mode Indonesia - Jakarta Fashion Week 2008 (FMI - JFW 2008) is housed at the massive open-air tent spanning 500 m2.
Officially opened last Aug 20 by Fauzi Bowo, the Governor of the DKI Jakarta Province. FMI – JFW 2008 is expected to be a milestone in the history of the Indonesian fashion industry because it not only answers the challenge of the local market but also serves as an introduction for Indonesian fashion into the region.
Photo by Lisa Maree Williams/image.net
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