Marissa Webb Fall 2015

From the show notes the collection is a mix between hard and soft and Bianca Jagger. In regards to the hard and soft it's there; but with such a separation between hard and soft; are the pieces competing for attention? Textures are one thing and colors are quite another which Webb used to her advantage utilizing black, red, grey and white. This shined through with her jackets and coats which are the strongest pieces, the black&white long coat is a must have!

Photos: R.Spiegel

Sally Lapointe Fall 2014

Mmmmm it's just so slick and modern and a total New York collection, this is what Ms. LaPointe delivered for fall 2014. Predominately a solids collection in just black and white but oh; the way this woman cuts clothes! Sleek current design is what your INVESTING in with this designer. In short it was a gate-to-wire win for Sally LaPointe. Other designers who are working in the same vain, look out this designer is hitting her stride.

Photos: Sally LaPointe

VOZ S/S 2014

Voz a relative new comer to fashion week showed a small focused collection for Spring, their first as a matter of fact. The inspiration draws upon a earth and a sand colored color palette which creative director Jasmine Aarons found via Mapuche.

Showing roughly 20+ pieces Ms. Aarons did not overwhelm the crowd and kept things focused, a benefit is the restrictive color choice and willfully deciding to show only a few prints. One that stood out was a dark brown organic style print, as well their sweater dress.

Voz might not be out to set the world on fire; but we all have to wear clothing and want to look nice, this line fills that need.

Mara Hoffman S/S 2014

She wore scarlet begonias tucked into her curls, I knew right away she was not like other girls, other girls.

Mara Hoffman hands down is the mother of colorful psychedelic dressing. Granted you might need to be from another space and time to understand this, nobody can do this better than her.

For S/S 2014 she is staying true to her game and delivering what her customer wants which are easy colorful attention grabbing prints. What might be a new approach to her design is utilizing a black base and laying acid bright color on top! Nothing punches a color more than a black background. As well a nice twist was the tie dye pieces. May it be Miami where she shows her swim line or New York for the ready-to-wear, Mara Hoffman could show anywhere and come across the finish line a clear cut winner.

Photos: Laforce+Stevens

Yuming Weng~Academy of Art University

My second pick from Academy of Art University is Yuming Weng who hails from China. She does not have any background in working with any named designers so it seems the natural talent is just there within her.

The inspiration for her collection by Henrietta Harris' soft distorted portraits, now I don't know of her inspiration but her choice of color and the use of "ripple-cut" and boiled wool impressed me greatly. Yuming knows how to structure garments which creates lines and proportions seen by other more established designers. As well the limited color choice of silver, stone and pewter shows a color direction which worked well for her.

Photos: Randy Brooke

Academy of Art University~Heather McDonald

Thank goodness for the internet and friends in some what high places that I got a chance to view this young lady's wonderful 9 piece collection which she showed at Mercedes~Benz Fashion Week. Heather McDonald who hails from Alberta Canada earned a Bachelor degree in Biology and Anthropology from University of Toronto but then continued her education at Academy of Art with a degree in Fashion and Knitwear. While getting her degree she did internships at VPL in New York City.

Her collection is inspired from the 1927 movie Metropolis which explores the relationship between humans and technology. Granted I have seen this inspiration before but Heather seems to understand it better and it shows with her debut collection.

Photos: Randy Brooke

Mathieu Mirano Fall 2013~On The Radar

Sometimes fashion is like horse racing (my favorite sport) and you get a hot tip on a designer. This happened to me last season when a fellow editor told me about Mathieu Mirano, I was sure to catch his presentation this season. Well true to form; the tip was correct and Mr. Mirano showed a small concise collection which demonstrated focus, color restriction and a balance so to say in his designs.

There were only 23 look in his presentation but when you factor in the "less is more" concept it works well in his favor! Being a relative new designer he seems to be playing the current design/retail market smartly and showing just enough.

Aside from his laser like focus on design he's not afraid to "shake the reigns" and offer some red carpet contenders for upcoming award seasons.

Looks that caught my eye the most were his Long multicolor sequin gown (red carpet) as well Stingray embroidered strapless gown. As for a day look the Black merino and metallic grid sweater with Black stretch leather leggings seemed so New York City.

Photos: Richard Spiegel

Nautica Returns To The Runway~Fall 2013

It's been quite some time since the house of Nautica has done a runway show, granted they have taken care of us editors and photographers for quite some time with lavish presentations, which I fully appreciate. As for what they sent down the runway is a much needed commodity in menswear which is great looking outerwear.

If your looking for heavy looking style cable knit style sweaters and smartly cut overcoats, Nautica delivered a full house of these styles! All the colors are regular guy friendly and keep with the bold color Nautica theme we have seen for many a season.

A few looks that caught my eye were the blue/black ski parka and the salt & pepper overcoat as well the semi indoor dark grey jacket paired with white pants.

Photos: Richard Spiegel

Ivy Kirzhner S/S 2013

For her debut collection Ivy Kirzhner picked a spacious two room suite at the Empire Hotel to show editors her line. Her inspiration Egyptian scarabs and crystal star points,which made for a very eye catching collection! Walk into a room with these and you will get noticed.

Photos: Richard Spiegel

Mimi Plange S/S 2012

Designer Mimi Plange does not ring bells with me since keeping up with every fashion designer is next to impossible but if there ever was a designer who was smart in her approach to showing her collection Ms.Plange triumphs! Showing roughly 15 pieces with a few accessories at the Asia Society was a low key elegant affair but her clothing speaks volumes. Color and nature are wonderful combination and she has worked these elements flawlessly into spring. Bright colorful dresses with fitted architectural elements make for statement dressing. If Spring is this good speed up the calendar I can't wait for fall!