Archive for the ‘Runway Report’ Category
Wednesday, August 18th, 2010
If you are in awe of the gorgeous red carpet gowns worn by celebrities, then chances are at one point or another you have fawned over a gown by fashion designer Elie Saab.
Starting out in his native country of Lebanon, Elie was designing by the age of 9. By 18 his first Atelier opened to praise in the local press. He moved to Europe in the 90’s and was invited to show at Paris Fashion Week. It wasn’t until 2002 when Halle Berry wore the famous burgundy gown to accept her Oscar at the 74th Academy awards that Elie Saab really burst on the world stage. Since then he has outfitted everyone from Fergie to Marion Cottilard to Rihanna, just to name a few.
Elie Saab is known for his feminine and romantic fashion vision. The fall/winter 2010 fashion line uses feminine fabrics such as lace and airy chiffon to create cocktail dresses and gowns. The line is made up of mainly dark shades of black, navy and grey, but has a splash of colour in lighter chiffon gowns and sequin dresses. His line this season was more wearable than usual with sheath dresses and suits that would be appropriate for the Real Style woman. Here are some of our favourite looks from the Elie Saab fall collection:
You can shop for Elie Saab at Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus and Holt Renfrew or at his boutiques in France, The UK and Lebanon.
Halle Berry 2002 Oscar Gown
[photos via Elie Saab]
Tags: designer profile, elie saab, Elie Saab dress, Elie Saab gown, fall fashion, fall fashion trends, fashion designer, halle berry, Halle Berry Oscar gown, haute couture fashion
Posted in Designer Profiles, Fashion Designer, Fashion Shows, Runway Report
Wednesday, August 11th, 2010
As The Queen Of Seventh Avenue, fashion designer Donna Karan dedicated her life to creating clothes that she herself would be comfortable wearing each day. Her eponymous Donna Karan fashion line remains a staple of the New York fashion scene with its wardrobe staples that can be combined to create stylish professional looks for the modern woman.
Donna Karan started her fashion design career at Anne Klein where she worked her way up the ladder to eventually become head designer of the brand in the 70’s. She created her own line in 1984 and quickly became known for her essential separates that work into the modern woman’s wardrobe.
After the success of her own line, Donna Karan created one of (if not the first) diffusion line for younger fashion mavens, DKNY. The success of DKNY was followed up with DKNY Jeans and DKNY for Men. Donna Karan has been honoured with awards from the Council of Fashion Designers of America on seven different occasions including winning designer of the year more than once and a lifetime achievement award.
You can find DKNY at her New York and London flagship boutiques or at Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdales, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Holt Renfrew. Here are some of our favorite looks from the DKNY fall/winter 2010 line and we also absolutely LOVED the Mondrian inspired prints. You can see more photos here:
For the Donna Karan 2011 resort collection, the fashion designer showed many long flowing draped dresses that we loved. She also showed professional looks that would work perfectly to brighten up the style at the office. Her staples of black and white have been jazzed up with sequins and silver to give the office wardrobe some pizzazz. These day-to-night looks can be added to your existing wardrobe to keep you on the cutting edge of new fashion trends.
Tags: donna karan, Donna Karan fashion, fall fashion, fashion trends
Posted in Designer Profiles, Fashion Designer, Runway Report
Saturday, August 7th, 2010
Yesterday Real Style Network told you about the wild and influential designs of fashion designer Vivienne Westwood from her Red Label collection. If you are looking for something even bigger and bolder for your fashion trends, Vivienne Westwood’s Gold Label is here to fulfill your fashion needs.
In the Gold Label, Vivienne Westwood took many of the ideas we saw in the Red Label to new heights. With a three musketeers inspiration, the Gold Label fashions are even more voluptuous with more colour. Everything in the Gold Label line is over the top with whimsical makeup that even goes as far as to paint mustaches and goatees on the models. Since Vivienne Westwood often takes her inspiration from the historical fashions from England and France, it should be no surprise that in the Gold Label line you will see everything from 17th century damsels in distress in over exaggerated skirts to the Esmeralda gypsy queen.
While a lot of Vivienne Westwood’s runway shows are pure theatre, there are fashion trends in all of the drama that translate to real life style. Layering, mixing textures and patterns, baggy, draped, loose and voluminous clothing are all fashion trends we are seeing from the fashion designer.
Here are some of the looks from fashion designer Vivienne Westwood’s Gold Label:
Tags: fall fashion, fall fashion show, fashion designer, fashion trends, vivienne westwood, Vivienne Westwood fashion, vivienne westwood Gold Label
Posted in Designer Profiles, Fashion Designer, Fashion Shows, Runway Report
Friday, August 6th, 2010
From Punk Rock Princess to fashion legend, fashion designer Vivienne Westwood has become one of the most iconic, and well known fashion designers of our time. Her usually over the top and dramatic fashions on the runway often signal a new change in clothing shapes, lengths, colour and even texture.
It all started when Vivienne Westwood opened her first store, Let It Rock, with Malcolm McClaren in 1970. Throughout the 70’s Vivienne Westwood would work with legendary rock and roll bands including The Sex Pistols (who are actually named after Westwood’s store). Together Vivienne Westwood and Malcolm McClaren brought edgy punk and new wave fashions to the mainstream.
Vivienne Westwood designs have never been simple ready to wear events. Her first runway fashion show in 1981 featured the Pirate collection, which started off a decade long love affair for pirate fashion in all the designer collections.
From Punk Rock princess to purveyor of high fashion, Vivienne Westwood has become one of the most iconic designers of our day and her fashion can be seen in every aspect of society. From the youths of the day with ripped clothing to the big screen in Sex & The City where Carrie Bradshaw wears a Vivienne Westwood wedding gown. She has been named British Designer of The Year three times and has been awarded the Order of the British Empire, and is actually Dame Vivienne Westwood.
For fall 2010, Vivienne Westwood’s Red Label fashion line consisted of colourful, layered multi-textural looks for the outgoing fashionista. The fashion designer piled on skirts, jackets, pullovers, knee high socks and colourful leggings into voluminous looks. Vivienne combined unusual patterns and colour combinations that at first glance you would never think of. Given a second look though, she pulls the fashion together through the details.
Vivienne Westwood’s Red Label fashion is available at her showrooms in London, Paris, Los Angeles and Milan as well as online at luxury fashion sites such as Yoox. Pieces in the Vivienne Westwood Red Label are quite affordable for designer fashion and their worth checking out
Here are our favourite looks from the Vivienne Westwood Red Label:
Tags: designer profile, fall fashion, fashion designer, Malcolm McClaren, punk fashion, The Sex Pistols, vivienne westwood, Vivienne Westwood fashion, Vivienne Westwood Red Label
Posted in Designer Profiles, Fashion Designer, Fashion Shows, Runway Report
Tuesday, August 3rd, 2010
After bowling over the competition on Project Runway with his “fierce” fashion, designer Christian Siriano dived right into the fashion industry making sure to keep his name in the forefront of fashion.
Whereas some reality show winners fade into the background, at just 24 years old Christian Siriano is expanding his fashion reach every year. He learned from the best working with fashion designers Vivienne Westwood and Alexander McQueen to hone his craft. He already has an affordable line with Payless Shoes, a Victoria’s Secret makeup line and a collaboration with Puma alongside his regular fashion line. He has made celebrity fans out of everyone from Rihanna to Victoria Beckham, Lady Gaga and even dressed Whoopi Goldbreg when she hosted the 2008 Tony Awards.
For the fall season, Christian Siriano showed a very wearable line of city street style clothing for the professional young woman. He presented ladylike outerwear, suits and sheath dresses that are cut close to the body in dark colours. Military leather looks returned to runway continuing this fall fashion trend for another season. The hem lines are above the knee, but not too short which is a nice change from the super short fashion trends we have been seeing. Draped and strapless dresses with accents like big bows made up the more colourful evening wear gowns.
Christian Siriano designs are available at Saks Fifth Avenue, Intermix and in his online store.
Tags: Christian Siriano, Christian Siriano designs, Christian Siriano dress, Christian Siriano fashion, designer profile, fall fashion, fashion designer, payless shoes, project runway, Runway Report, victoria's secret
Posted in Designer Profiles, Fashion Designer, Fashion Shows, Runway Report
Friday, July 30th, 2010
Everyone’s favourite quintessential American sportswear fashion designer Michael Kors returned to the runway this fall with a line of mix and match fashion for the everyday woman.
Michael Kors’ fall line included neutral tones of camel, grey, black and white with luxurious fur accents. He has reintroduced the cowl neck into his line with oversized sweaters. His long skirts are slimming and body hugging. Michael Kors presented classic evening wear with a timeless appeal.
The brilliant part behind this fashion designer’s line is that you can mix and match most of the pieces in the line to create new looks that suit you. Instead of being tied down to buy the whole look, you can add a few new exciting Michael Kors’ garments to your existing fall fashion wardrobe to update your look.
Our picks for your Michael Kors’ fall fashion essentials would be the camel skirt, grey pants, grey sweater, long grey skirt, camel coat, camel sweater and leather belt. Add some affordable tanks, turtlenecks and black pants and you will have endless fall fashion possibilities.
You can buy Michael Kors fall fashion on his website now or in one of the many stores that sell his clothing around the world. Prices for his fall fashion run from $295.00 for the Cashmere Hip Band Belt to $4,995.00 for the Fur Canvas Parka.
Tags: fall fashion, fall fashion trends, fashion designer, fashion trends, michael kors, Michael Kors Fall Fashion, Michael Kors fashion
Posted in Fashion Designer, Fashion Shows, Runway Report
Monday, April 5th, 2010
Real Style Network was at the hottest fashion shows at Toronto Fashion Week getting a first look at the new fall/winter collections from Canada’s favourite designers. We wanted to bring you Canadian fashionistas more Canada Style from Toronto Fashion Week.
Rudsak
Known for their quality leather products, Canada’s Rudsak showed a variation of a number of coat styles on the runway for fall/winter 2010. This mainly black collection included not only leather jackets, but also some wool coats that gave the line some variety. The collection had an aviator theme, so the looks extended the military trend we have been seeing. Coat styles included peat coats, puffers, trenches, and bomber jackets. A number of the coats had fur trim and fur toques accompanied. The snood, which Real Style told you about last winter, was very popular on the Rudsak runway. The bags were almost all leather and included bigger style bags like duffels, cross body bags, hobos and messenger bags. Knee high leather boots were the shoe of choice for the Rudsak runway.
Barbie By David Dixon
Canadian fashion designer David Dixon showed two lines back to back at Toronto Fashion Week. The house was packed for his show. Even the aisles were filled with people sitting wherever they could. First up was the Barbie By David Dixon collection.
As expected, the Barbie fashion line was a sweet, light and feminine collection. It was also very wearable though. There were a multitude of shift and sheath dresses, many with nipped in waists. Pencil skirts with jackets were also popular in the Barbie line. With a little adjustment, this line would be perfect office attire. The colours were bright and feminine with pink, purple, and red being offset by black. Houndstooth and floral prints looked stunning in bright colour. The Bay by David Dixon line is available at The Bay for anyone looking at add some femininity and whimsy to their wardrobe.
David Dixon
After a short break, David Dixon showed his signature line to much excitement (although the hoots may have had more to do with the free beer than the gorgeous clothes). While the Barbie line was wearable on a daily basis, David Dixon’s signature line was made for the red carpet. This collection was dark and elegant. In mostly black, David Dixon showed us a collection of beautiful gowns and cocktail dresses with beautiful detail and texture. The woven leather pieces had an interesting effect that could even be seen from far off. His beaver and coyote fur shrugs and wraps were gorgeous. David Dixon really wowed us at the end of his show. A trio of outfits with smashed mirror applied to the front and sheer backs were stunning. The finale of hand cut organza and silk wool gowns had a beautiful feathered effect.
[photos courtesy of photographer George Pimentel]
Tags: Barbie by David Dixon, Canada Style, Canadian designers, david dixon, Fall/Winter 2010, fashion show, lg fashion week, rudsak, toronto fashion week
Posted in Canada Style, Fashion Shows, Fashion Week, Runway Report
Saturday, April 3rd, 2010
Real Style Network is following LG Fashion Week here in Toronto. Here is a review of some of the recent shows for Preloved and Lovas.
Monday night Preloved showed their flirty Fall/Winter 2010 collection on the runways of LG Fashion Week. Preloved take old clothes and recycle them to make new, fashionable clothing. Their fall collection had a librarian chic look to it. There were a multitude of patterns and plaids mixed and matched in their garments. The models were accessorized with funky cat’s eye shape glasses. Sheath and tunic style dresses and high-waisted pants, shorts and skirts dominated the show. The colour palette stuck to darker shades like black, brown and navy. Hot pink and white accent colours brightened things up. A black leather jacket and matching leather skirt wowed the crowd. The majority of the looks were knit and tweed giving the garments a cozy look. Thigh high knit leg warmers were worn with almost all of the shorts, skirts and capris. Watch full show here.
Lovas Wesley Badanjak showed a sophisticated fashion line on Tuesday night at Toronto Fashion Week. The Lovas fall/winter collection was made up of modern day looks that would be suitable for the office, flirty weekend wear and sparkling eveningwear. This was a clothing line that was suitable for the average woman’s daily life. Separates of well tailored pants, pencils skirts and pea coats would make a fine addition to any closet. Bright jewel tones of purple and pink were offset by grey and black jackets and pants. Beautiful watercolour prints on light chiffon dresses and shirts were cute and girly. As we have seen in a number of other collections fur was prevalent. Fur jackets and stoles in red and black looked warm on the runway. Other looks were accessorized with fur arm bands. Evening wear was mainly black and sequined with exposed zippers running down the back of dresses.
[Preloved images courtesy of Preloved and photographer George Pimentel]
Tags: Canadian designer, Fall/Winter 2010, fashion show, fashion show video, lg fashion week, Lovas, Lovas Wesley Badanjak, preloved, recycled clothing, recycled material, runway, toronto fashion week, vintage clothing, vintage fabric
Posted in Canada Style, Fashion Shows, Fashion Week, Runway Report
Thursday, April 1st, 2010
By Editor:
Two of the most anticipated shows of LG Toronto Fashion Week: Pink Tartan and Joe Fresh did not disappoint. The designers, Pink’s Kim Newport Mimran and Joe’s Joe Mimran are not only married, they also form the powerhouse of fashion and retail savvy in Canada behind these two uber-successful lines.
Pink Tartan is an upscale line aimed at the sophisticated woman. As Kim Newport told Real Style Network previously, she is a woman designer who designs the clothes that she would wear herself. The mostly black, gray, taupe and cream Fall 2010 collection featured Kim’s unmistakable tailoring and in keeping with the fur trend we have seen on all the European runways, lots of fur trimmed garments. Pink Tartan’s skirt lengths remained on the short side with A lines shapes and shorter bubble silhouette. The shoulders were exaggerated and often accented with fur, feathers or sequins. There were also some outstanding dresses and skirts with fur trims (big trend) and her signature sequin tops and skirts.
Joe Fresh Style delivered a collection that was not only lots of fun, youthful and” Fresh,” the designer also managed to blur the lines between upscale and affordable of ‘ fast’ fashion. The hip, urban line featured lots of right on trend looks with military styles, tweeds, pea coats, matching plaid jackets and scarfs. Joe Mimran also offered an alternative to fur in his many choices of cute faux fur toppers, gloves,purses, stand alone collars, vests and even a bow tie. Plus size model Crystal Renn opened Joe’s show to audience delight.
Affordable, stylish clothes? Who knows, with Joe Fresh Style and Joe Mimran at the helm, we just might have our own homegrown Canadian H&M or Target in the making.
Lots of media types and celebs in the audience of the Pink Tartan and Joe Fresh Style fashion shows. We caught up backstage with the super sweet actress,Kelly Carlson formerly of Nip/Tuck. Now a brunette, the lady is very much still a stunner. She spends her time between Toronto (where she is dating former hockey heavyweight Tie Domi) and Los Angeles.
[images courtesy of Joe Fresh and photographer George Pimentel]
Tags: designer fashion collection, fashion show video, Fashion Shows, joe fresh, joe mimran, kim newport mimran, lg fashion week, toronto fashion week
Posted in Canada Style, Fashion Shows, Fashion Week, Runway Report
Wednesday, March 31st, 2010
This week at Toronto Fashion Week or as it also known LG Fashion Week, Evan Biddell did what many young designers aspire for. He wowed us. Lisa Tant, editor in chief of Flare Canada, was tweeting from the show. She said “All I can say is thank God for Evan Biddell tonight. Nice to see something fearless, provocative and really exciting – with a good p-o-v.”
Evan Biddell is of course the winner of Project Runway Canada and at this show he showed once again how he won! Real Style Network spoke to Evan right after the show. When asked about how he felt the show went he said “It was a challenge. I was thinking how was I going to make this work? Fashion can be really boring and mundane and I’m not really into that. I’d rather do something that is a little bit weird and out there.”
The show was definitely “out there”! This promising young fashion designer showed a line of unexpected and interesting shapes and patterns that had the crowd saying ooh-ing and ahh-ing each time a new piece hit the runway.
Evan Biddell’s fall/winter 2010 collection was inspired by battle armor and animal shells. The inspiration was obvious from the shell shapes forms in skirts, dresses and pants on the runway. Evan says he mimicked these shapes to mix things up.
The structured looks were made out of different fabrics such as cork and neoprene. Long pleather fringe draped down the front of the garments. Whereas many fashion designers this season chose simple neutral shades, Evan’s line ranged from tan animal prints (reptile and tiger) to bright graffiti prints. These are new fabrics for Evan Biddell to work with and not the easiest. The designer admitted this was a tough show for him.
Don’t worry though, Evan Biddell doesn’t expect Canada’s style to shift suddenly to the wild designs he put out on the runway. He just recently opened OZ Studio in Toronto and will be using his line as installation pieces in the store. Although a truly bold fashionista could pick one up from his store if you were brave enough to try one on.
“I have a gallery that I opened. There pieces are meant to be in a gallery. That’s kind of more this season. It’s a little less blazers and shirts. I don’t think it’s too costumey. At times I thought it was too costumey, but then I thought wait a minute, this could totally work.”
His bold move did work as fashion media were taking notice of this growing fashion designer.
Tags: Canadian designer, Canadian fashion designer, designer interview, evan biddell, Fall/Winter 2010, fashion show, features, lg fashion week, project runway, toronto fashion week
Posted in Canada Style, Fashion Shows, Fashion Week, Runway Report
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