GOLDEN GLOBES MURDERS HAUTE COUTURE!

Janelle Monae "collaborates" with Armani for a custom Golden Globes gown?! 

2014-2015 Armani Privé Collection

Like knives to my heart, master designer of fashion art, has be transformed into a master seamstress.

As a long time lover of Armani Privé, one can immediately spot the use of identical textiles from his 2014-2015 Fall Collection, minus the haute couture.

Beyond the use of the innovative textiles, nothing else remains of "Armani ". 

Clearly this dress is more accurately a Janelle Monae.

Jessica Biel in Elie Saab minus the accessories. 

The plunging neckline minus the ornate choker  and matching cuffs, left me feeling a large chunk of Elie Saab's vision was deleted. 

The dress simply does not make sense without the accessories that mimics and flirts with embroidered flowers on the dress. 

The problem with the merger of "Hollywood" and "fashion" is the need to be relatable.

 Renowned stylists will edit or dumb-ify fashion masterpieces, in order to be like-able. 

The end result, is a display of glorified mediocrity, and rather ordinary fashion. 

xo,

Maya

TFTV: HOW TO DRESS AT #NYFW

TALKFASHION TV

#NYFW: J-LOREN 2016 "HER"

NEW YORK FASHION WEEK REVIEW:

J-LOREN is a brand created by Harriette Thomas and Jason Scott. Their line is geared toward dressing the woman of the night. Between the hours of 6pm to 6 am they have declared their motto as, "We run the night". 

Their style aesthetic is undeniably bold, sexy, raw, and animalistic. The tailoring and cut is formed to celebrate the woman's form and embrace the animal within. 

"HER"

"HER", is the newest collection of J-LOREN 2016. Unlike, the traditional route of presenting SS 2017, many designers this year have adopted a new trend of showcasing current collections that can be purchased immediately. 

"HER" is is an amazonian goddess, in search for her own power, and control. She hunts and kills the crocodile who is the king of the land, by seducing and then conquering. To show her world her victory she wears his skin as a triumphant trophy, and ominous warning. Her message, "Be from their inner source. Be and become". A cryptic slogan of inner power, domination, and  the personal struggle for survival. 

Me and my bestie at J-LOREN NYFW 2016

xo,

Maya

Fashion vs. Style

Perhaps, one of the most confusing things about fashion, is the relationship it has with "style". Are they together, or did they break up? From what I am hearing from the fashion world,  they are living separate lives and no longer have anything to do with each other.

OK, but seriously now, the debate between fashion and style is all rather ridiculous to me. According to modern day fashion analysts, "fashion" is partnered with popular trends, and what is currently hot. It is often debated that you do not need to be inspired, nor creative to do fashion, but rather it is a term that can be bought.  "Style" on the other hand is all about your personal touches and how you put "fashion" together. These include such personal touches as mixing high and lo, or old vs. new. 

The reasons I cannot accept this explanation of fashion and style as some how separate, is because it simply does not work. Fashion and style are like lovers who may move apart but always remain entwined. You cannot separate the two and it makes no sense to do so. Fashion without style is a trend. If you want to separate anything from fashion they should be TRENDS! (more on trends in tomorrows post)

Lets make it simple. Fashion should be led by fashion designers. Not the editors, magazines, consumers, nor, stuffy boring business men with charts on demographics and sales charts. Fashion designers have their own visions and inspirations, and their clothes are an expression on those creative impulses.

In many ways we approach fashion collections, and shows completely wrong. Instead of vigorously looking for common trends, and the color of the moment why do we not try to dig deeper into the messages of the designers? Any worthy fashion designer, is almost always extremely intelligent, and philosophical. There is always an existing root of inspiration that blossoms in an artistic form of expression. Whether inspired by the grecian gods, nature, or war, there always lies an idea inspired by life.

Fashion designers and the shows they create are theatrical, inspiring and filled with style, color and textures. Do we call a fashion designer a fashion/style designer? NO, that would be redundant. Style is and should be implied in the word of Fashion.  We should look to these designers as mentors, or teachers on how to do Fashion. Study their collections, and observe how they are inspired to create and where they find those inspirations. Designers do not descriminate their style based on a trend or what is current. Fashion can only breathe if you let go and open your mind to create from the most unexpected place. The models of their collection represent a character, and it should make you "THINK".  Who is that girl? What is she like? Why does she wear what she wears? Does she relate to me? How can I fit that look into my look? It's time to erase the shallow stereo type of  the ditzy fashion girl, and replace it with a fashion girl who thinks. 

We may not all be able to sew ourselves a couture gown but we are all capable of thinking. Learn to view fashion from a third eye, and start to analyze what your own look is about. It is through this thought process that you find your own Fashion Style.

Fashion Design Competition: 'Project Runway' for Teens?

If you live in the US and love fashion design, chances are you have heard about the Emmy winning show, "Project Runway" on Lifetime. The show has been hugely popular among the US and has catapulted the careers of many fashion designers.

With the recent purchase of 8 episodes of "Threads", on Lifetime, we can look forward to a "Project Runway" for teens. "Threads" is basically a competition series showcasing America’s most talented young fashion designers.

 Each week, three new contestants pull out their scissors, sketchbooks and skills to see who can out-design the competition and set the new standard for the future of fashion. Challenges will be fast-paced, unpredictable and far from child’s play.

Why is the show great? 

It really is an amazing opportunity to promote amazing talent. The prize package is worth $25,000, including $10,000 to be used at any Jo-Ann’s Fabrics & Crafts store or Joann.com. A scholarship to the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (FIDM) in Los Angeles and a top of the line sewing and embroidery studio courtesy of Brother International Corporation. 

What to expect?

Special guests this season include television personality and host Kelly Osbourne, actress, singer and dancer Zendaya and actress and model Jaime King.

                                    "THREADS" CAST

                              JUDGE: Christian Siriano

Christian Siriano is a former winner of "Project Runway" Season 4, and perhaps the most successful designer to emerge from the show. Receiving International claim you can see his designs on celebrities from Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift, to Sarah Jessica Parker.

                                HOST:Vanessa Simmons

Former reality star of "Run's House", and fashion designer of "Pastry" and a Swimwear Collection. 

                      SEVENTEEN MAGAZINE EDITORS 

         JUDGE: Jasmine Snow (Accessories Editor of Seventeen)

              JUDGE: GIna Kelly (Fashion Director of Seventeen)

                JUDGE: Ingrid Nilsen (Youtube Beauty Guru)

I met Ingrid this year at a beauty conference, and she is extremely charismatic. With over 2.5 million  subscribers, she truly is a celebrity among the "youtubers".  However, my only concern is, she really  has very little  experience in the fashion industry. It makes me interested to see what she will bring to the table.