Charlotte Ronson S/S 2013

By: Inna Bosenko

Charlotte Ronson shows are all about youth and playfulness, this year being no different. The very first look stepping onto the runway was a cream colored belted dress with sheer sleeves and a strip of a light fabric cropped slightly above the knee. More looks with sheer fabric and lace cutouts, as well as completely see-through jackets followed suggesting very subdued sexiness.


I also picked up on the effortlessness trend: models’ hair was down and simple, makeup was light accentuating cheekbones and nothing drew attention away from playful elements of clothing. My favorite pieces included an asymmetrical while/navy/azure flowy dress and a pleated mint dress cinched at the waist. There was an oversized thin belt that stole the show and became my favorite accessory on the runway. It accentuated the waist and lightly flowing in the wind as the models worked the runway.

As a whole, the collection conveyed innocence and purity: fabric was flowing and colors were restrained. Pieces were done in lighter shades of almost every color imaginable: pinks, blues, greens, yellows, creams, floral patterns and blurred stripes. There was also a presence of combinations of sporty masculine elements in cross body messenger bags and femininity in wide pleated knee-length skirts.

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Concept Korea S/S 2013

By: Devin Cole
Images by: Rebekah Schott

Concept Korea is a collaborative project organized by the Ministry of Culture Sports and Tourism of the Republic of Korea. The aim of the project is to introduce other countries to the culture of Korea. The theme for Spring 2013 was Five Korean Traditional colors and their meanings: red (fire), black (water), blue (tree), white (iron), and yellow (ground). The show began with a performance by five dancers from the Martha Graham Center of Contemporary Dance. Then the designs of CHOIBOKO, CRES. E DIM., KYE, Lie sang bong, and SON JUNG WAN walked onto the runway and the models posed on platforms beneath the names of the designers.

After the show I spoke to Phillip Bloch, celebrity stylist and host of TV show Cause Celeb on ABC News. Bloch was also one of the people tasked with choosing the designers for Concept Korea.

Choiboko

When asked what makes Korean designers different from those of other countries, he replied: “I think Korean Fashion is bold, it’s unique, it has a great attention to detail, I think the textiles are very rich. They’re not concerned with selling, they’re more concerned with the creativity and artistry of fashion which I think is always really fun.”

CRES. E DIM.

On the impact that the project is making on the fashion industry: “I think Concept Korea really brings Korean designers to the forefront because we are very familiar with Japanese designers like Rei Kawakubo and Yohji Yamamoto and this is a way for America to understand that there is a fashion community in Korea as well. One more fashion stop on the global trek!

Lie sang bong
 

What did he keep in mind while selecting designers for Concept Korea? “We wanted each designer to have their own unique spin on it and their own unique brand and I think we’ve really done a very good job. From the bright, bold patterns to the antique romance, to the very 40s feel-kind if a Gibson girl, to the more modern and architectural; I think each one has their own style.”

Son Jung Wan

Why is it so important to bring Korean fashion to America? “I think that anytime we get a chance to see something new and something different it’s exciting and that’s what fashion is about. It’s about a fusion and bringing different concepts and ideas together and breaking a little bit of the rules and I think that the Concept Korea designers have really broken rules. I think American fashion sometimes is a little too safe so it’s good for us to see other designers in other countries and have a crosspollination. You know if you think back to 1973 with Versailles where they brought Steven Burrows, and Anne Klein, and Halston; and they competed, so to speak, against Yves Saint Lauren and the designers of Dior, this is a modern day version. There’s no competition but it’s interesting to get that fusion.”

KYE

Well if this is what Korea has to offer I agree with Bloch. The Concept Korea show definitely infused New York Fashion Week with a fresh air of excitement. I think that Korean designers are poised to become heavy-hitters in the fashion world!

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Erin Barr S/S 2013

By: Bronson Johnson

Erin Barr has definitely had her hands in the fashion industry for some time. This Wisconsin native began her career as a hair and make-up artist but decided that her true passion was fashion. A graduate of Parson’s and former intern of Alexander Wang, Erin definitely made a name for herself in the fashion world. When asked how she describes herself, she states that she is a strong, confident, independent and somewhat of a tomboy.

Erin Barr’s Spring/Summer 2013 collection, held at Drive-In Studios in New York City, is a mix of vintage with a twist of modern fashion, or as she describes it “Frank Stella meets Marilyn Monroe”. The show was not a regular runway show, When you walk in the room, a mock living room is set up with Art Deco furniture that you find in the homes back in the 50’s and 60’s. There was even an old vinyl album player that the girls used occasionally as a prop during the show. It was clear her approach this line was the minimalist feel of Frank and the sexy demeanor that Marilyn Monroe embraced. I was amazed by some of the striking prints, geometrical and asymmetrical shapes on some of the pieces. My favorite pieces were the “Dinara’ which was a Red Marilyn cutout dress with slits. Very form fitting to the body as Ms. Monroe would wear it back in her time. The “Grace” a horizon embroidered top and skirt. As well as the “Kamila” a Broadway Red Block-front/open back dress.

Erin Barr really has a genuine vision and really knows her targeted audience. She uses the skills she learned from her past and combined them with an artistic, historical knowledge of the arts and pop culture. When you stepped into the room to view the line, the vision was instantly clear. Erin Barr is definitely here to stay.

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