Parasuco Spring 2008 Preview

Located in the Soho area in New York City is Parasuco. With an Italian sounding name the company is based in Canada and has around 13 stores located world wide.

The Fall 2008 preview we where shown is denim heavy but also has some great seperates for both men and women. The detail that Parasuco has invested into it’s jeans line is like nothing we have ever seen. Stitching on the back pockets are elaborate and have a standout effect unlike other companies who have tried to get by on name or celebrity PR placement.

The thing we always like and falls in line for a “good investment” is Parasuco’s price point which ranges between $150.00 to $350.00 for most of their clothing. You can expect to pay around $150.00 and up depending on the type of jeans that catch your eye.

Malan Breton Spring 2008

When we saw the first Malan Breton fashion show about a year or so ago he had just come off the “Project Runway” experience and his collection was over the top for a first timer showing in New York. Now the fanfare is over and it’s time to get down to business and for his Spring 2008 collection it made a bold statement of ”I want to sell clothes”! It’s a major step forward for this young designer where as his counterparts from the show have fallen off to the wayside.

Standout pieces from the collection where his Sandstone Reverse Silk Duchess Satin Trapeze Jacket and his Wide leg Trousers. As well he showed a very nice black Tuxedo Dress. The only look that was not needed from such a strong run on the runway was his Wedding dress. For young new designers trying to make their mark in New York he’s running with the pack and might move forward in coming seasons.

Photos: Randy Brooke

Naoki Takizawa Spring 2008

According to Naoki Takizawa’s mission statement for his first show “my collection will be simple and rational with playful details”. The former Issey Miyake artistic director and designer seems to be saying one thing but showing another for his first collection which looked like a third collection. Nothing looked very simple which would be a good way to enter his first fashion collection under his own name into the world of fashion. Copper colored grommets and industrial zippers were incorporated into quite a few of his pieces, which at times looked a little over used for a first collection. We did like his silk little black dress, but his hard to grasp collection, for a first try might be a little to much for buyers to wrap their budgets around.

Photos: Mercedes Benz Fashion week

Erin Fetherston Spring 2003

Erin Fetherston had been showing in Paris for the past few seasons where the tone of the city has always been about creativity, money’s not that important. But when a designer comes from across the pond to New York to show a collection in the “Kentucky Derby” of fashion weeks, ya have to be on your game.

Well for this young designer that’s what she brought to the runway. The looks are delicate and her choice of fabrics worked well with what she presented. Erin is fully aware of her customer who is a lady and enjoys wearing nice clothing. Her color palette of grey is right on target for the season.

Photos: Mercedes Benz Fashion Week

Gottex Spring 2008

The Spring 2008 Gottex show was a definate highlite with fashion week just two day’s into the week. Gideon Oberson seems to be a man on a mission. Not only has he shown his 2008 collection in New York but it has also made an apperance down in South Beach Florida, showing at the Miami Convention Center in July.

Mr Oberson showed a collection which was seperated into groups with names like highlight, Margarita, black tuip. The color spectrum ranges from suits in black & yellow to Purple and deep sea blues very reflective of the ocean. His inspiration for the collecion was a fusion of Bond Girls from the movie series and the colors and shapes of Carnival in Brasil.

Suits are in all shapes and cuts so there is a enourmous selecion to choose from and range from straighforward one pieces and bikini’s to intricate cut suits which makes for sexy entrances into that resort pool area.

One thing is for certin about Gottex is that they always produce some of the most exquisit suits ever seen. They don’t come cheap but they are worth the money to set yourself apart from that plain jane look. there were 72 looks that came down the runway but we are sure that there’s more back in the showroom.

Photos by: Mercedes-Benz fashion week.

Perry Ellis spring 2008

The Perry Ellis Spring 2008 semmed to take a turn to the sea with a collection that had a hamptons/nautical theme. There were great cut pants and tops done in white and light tan. Incorporated into the show were some great duffle bags for that weekend getaway.

It was mentioned on CNBC’s business show that Perry Ellis is by far the biggest seller in the mens wear industry. It seem no surprise since there price point is competetive with other like minded brands and are selling in all major department stores world wide. What Perry Elis has done for years is make buying clothes for men easy and hassle free. The line is straight forward with basic pieces to complete a man’s wardrobe, and unlike in europe men’s concerns for clothing do no run that important.

Photos by: Mercedes-Benz fashion week

Nicholai by Nikki Hilton Spring 2008

Nikki Hilton is no stranger to fashion, she’s been going to shows, modeled in shows and has produced a handbag line which has been a big hit. Her Spring 2008 collection can be summed up with it’s pretty much perfect. Like a 2 yr old racehorse in training with bloodlines of royalty and trained by the best, then entered into a million dollar stakes race, she ran a collection from gate to wire!

She knows who her customer is and has delived a “full house” for her style consious ladies with functional stylish pieces. There nothing fru-fru here and her color selection has a good range. It’s clear the time she spent at design school has paid off. For a first time on the runway with her new collection Nikolai, it’s a sucuess!

Photos by: Mercedes-Benz fashion week

Lacoste Spring 2008

Lacoste celebrated it’s 75th year as a company with a tennis inspired collection for Spring 2008. A good majority of the looks has a tennis theme of course but also showcased the other aspects of the brand such as bags, totes and shoes. The men’s cotton shirts this season have wider stripes and are multicoloured which is a departure from the more traditional stripes we have seen for years.

As for the women's there are allot of cute pieces for relaxing and the courts. But by now it’s much more of a lifestyle brand then years back it was associated with sports. For the finale which we thought would be the “last look” from the show they decided to run the entire swim line down the catwalk. Think the rainbow and they have your color. It’s all very prep and all very clean and was a great show to start the day.

photos by: Mercedes-Benz fashion week

Alexandre Herchcovitch Spring 2008

The spring 2008 collection from Alexandre Herchcovitch has taken a turn for the better. For many seasons he has shown his Brazilian spirit with wild cuts and multi color combinations. But times change as well as balance sheets back in the office. We found his past collections hard to translate to the American market. Hands down this is the most straight forward consumer collection we have seen by him. It’s a straight shooter collection with clothes that will have women taking notice and hopefully taking it out of the store for their wardrobe.

Photos by: Mercedes-Benz fashion week