Bryanboy for Adrienne Landau

Scarfs, wraps, caps and even camera straps dot this small and very colorful capsule collection from International style blogger Bryanboy for Adrienne Landau. With a straightforward color approach the options are wide open. When I asked Bryan about the camera straps he decided to cover them because he does not like the advertising and letting other people know what he's using. Personally, I feel it's he's  signature style which has Landau dotting his wardrobe from season to season.

Good things come in small packages, and this seems to be it!

Photos: R.Spiegel

Mimi Plange S/S 2013....Mimi's tea time

For spring 2013 Mimi Plange went back to a simpler time with the concept of tea time with her mother. The collection is a color palette of dusty pinks and soft greens with tea cup style floral prints. By far this is the most embellished collection to date with a full length gown and wrap around beading as her center piece of the presentation. Other look have dresses with pleat details, the standout piece was a simple pleated pink dress with flowers.

From following this designer for four years, she seems to be a designer of extremes with past collections being more current of todays style. Anna Wintour may have said it best "Fashion's about looking forward, not looking back".

Douglas Hannant S/S 2012

 To date, my history with the house of Douglas Hannant spans well over ten years and not to consider myself an expert I have seen quite a bit of clothing come out of this designer. For Spring 2012 the inspiration was Shanghai 1930's, last season roaring 1920's and before that a Jean Michael Basquit 1980's reference. These trips from the past might be cute but with today's technology regardless of age; his customer is a woman of today who does not live in the past.

For spring this season its a better collection from what he has shown in the past; but the amount of clothing and the "accessories" that the house of Hannant has delivered in this economy is out of touch with today's times but still does not seem to phase this house. From fragrance to jewelry to bridal and now handbags which are not bad at all, I noticed one shopper style on the runway, it seems like a house that is out of touch with today's times. While most designers are showing twenty to twenty-five piece collection, a forty plus collection is delivered.

As for the clothing this season its the simpler pieces that show Mr. Hannant's true design talents and what built his house from the start. A great pair of fitted white pants, coat or jacket in any color for that matter is what his customer is truly looking for and thankfully can still deliver. But as the years go by there are newer designers who are gunning for the same customer, offering up fresher designs at better prices and let us not forget that granted his customer is a lady of leisure, sometimes they do need the approval from their husbands to buy! We are still in a recession.

Photos: Richard Spiegel

Erro Fall 2011

 Photos: Richard Spiegel

Victorinox Fall 2011

 Photos: Richard Spiegel

Dannijo Fall 2011

 Photos: Richard Spiegel

Window Shopping Lanvin Fall 2010

Rachel Zoe-Taylor Jacobson & Bravo TV What a Tangled Web They Weave

Last night I had the opportunity of catching the first episode from Season 3 "The Rachel Zoe Project". Within five minutes of the shows start it was made clear that Taylor Jacobson had be let go from the company but no concrete reason was given. From past seasons of the shows the tension and animosity displayed by Taylor Jacobson was quite evident, lip service from Zoe and unfulfilled promises. It seemed from season two she was on her way out the door.

Due to the lack of information provided by the show I let my finger do the surfing and found that Jacobson had be accused of not returning samples back to the showrooms, things were missing? If you think I believe this I don't, not for a New York minute! I have been working in the fashion industry for over thirteen years and and we all get free perks along the road. From fashion shows to showroom appointments and product reviews, it's part of the job.

If Taylor Jacobson left the employment of Rachel Zoe I'm sure they parted on friendly terms, as quoted by Zoe herself on season two "everybody moves on", but this departure might not have sat well with the producers of Bravo TV. For those of us in the industry it has been long known that the winner of "Project Runway" is not chosen by the judges but by Bravo TV. Simply put the monkey wrenches Bravo tosses in their shows make for good television and some of the most watched shows on cable. So if you really think your watching "reality TV" think again.

It's safe to say that Taylor Jacobson was making at least $40k a year working for Rachel Zoe and probably was showered with more than enough free stuff to fill a closet. So with this prediction in place why would she even think of stealing clothing, accessories? In my opinion it does not add up and does not make sense. The only thing that does make sense is the producers of Bravo making this into a big drama situation, remember it makes for good TV! I'll continue to watch The Rachel Zoe Project but as well will be sceptical on what's fed to me over the airwaves.

Photo Rachel Zoe-Whiterose
Photo Taylor Jacobson-Smashbox

Window Shopping Prada Fall 2011

Window Shopping Judith Leiber

Frank Daddy Swim 2011

Undergear 2011 swim

Inca Swim collection 2011

Mara Hoffman Swim 2011

Some designers try new things and others go with what works. Such is the case with the Mara Hoffman 2011 swim collection she showed in Miami. Hoffman is a master of color and infuses it with most of her pieces along with her geometric prints. For this season the inspiration in "jungle mystic" and incorporating a psychedelic color scheme to add major pop to the collection. The advantage Mara Hoffman possess is she knows who her customer is and delivers like a royal flush at a poker table! The tote bags she sent on the runway make for the perfect accessory for the beach or bopping around the town. As for the suits they scream attention and will make any woman the focal point of any event she may attend.
Photos: Edward James

True Religion Swim 2011 Collection

The True Religion 2011 Swim Show holds true to its design direction as it has in the past. All the standard pieces such as denim shorts and bikinis are firmly planted for the 2011 season. It seems the CEO & head designer Jeffrey Lewbell is branching out in a new direction with some of his looks aiming for a different customer. This is one of the few if only designers who is taking a chance and going in a new design direction. Some might question his move for a more high end customer but lets not forget that True Religion is a publicly traded company and must answer to its shareholders. Overall its a situation of what will work and what won’t and they fully know this at True Religion but branching out in a new direction must be applauded while most other designers are playing it safe.
Photos: Edward James