Mine Favorite Designer 3: Vivienne Tam Fall/Winter 2010 Presentation at the Mercer Street Flagship, New York – the Pride of Hong Kong

Undoubtedly Vivienne Tam's well-known to the world for her East-meets-West fashion sense especially to New Yorkers, as Tam moved to New York in 1982 where she thrived on the excitement and energy of the fashion world after attendin' college to study fashion design in Hong Kong. Despite the fact dat New York's become a home for her, Tam's a native daughter of Hong Kong where she had lived with her parents who fled China for Hong Kong til she graduated frm Hong Kong Polytechnic University. Growin' up in the unique atmosphere of the then British colony of Hong Kong with its combination of Chinese and Western influences' inspired Tam’s East-meets-West style. Season after season, Vivienne Tam draws inspiration frm her Chinese heritage to create distinctive clothin' dat blends the best of both Eastern and Western cultures. In 1995, Tam spark'd controversy with her “Mao” collection. The designs depicted the former Chinese Communist Party leader in unusual and humorous ways, such as with his hair in pigtails or with a bee on his nose. While alienatin' and offendin' her Chinese customers, Tam made waves in the US, as Americans lauded the provocative collection. In 1997, her “Buddha” collection excited similar interest and controversy.



Vivienne Tam the designer in her Buddha print dress


We hav seen over all these years Tam's designs with extensive Far East references in almost every runway show and tis year's no different. In 2007, she rework'd the concept of the Chinese qi pao. In 2009, she got inspired by the Chinese character for nothingness for her Fall/Winter collection. Her inspiration tis season's the 12 animals of the Chinese Zodiac.

Tam develop'd a qi pao/twenties hybrid and overadorn'd it with ruffled bibs and geometric shapes for her 2007 Fall/Winter collection.


2009 Fall/Winter collection inspired by the Chinese character for nothingness ― a piece of art in its own right ― which Tam's drawn to for its graphic appeal, as well as its message of cleanliness and startin' afresh






Vivienne Tam Fall/Winter 2010 presentation's held at the Mercer Street flapship the nite b4 Valentine's Day. The 18 models were perched on podiums in the middle of the boutique, which allow'd us to get a closer look at each garment treated with the intricate details. Tis collection, themed the Year of the Tiger, features plenty of texture, amazin' fabrics, and designs based on the Chinese Zodiac: “snake” prints, “rooster feather” sequins, and even a “rat” appliqué on a color palette of blood red, winter white, black, gold, grey, and green. The looks are a bit edgier than the previous seasons in which the designer strikes the perfect balance between masculine – the jacket pair'd with of-the-moment pleated cropp'd trousers, the multi-pocketed tweed vest and feminine pieces, such as the ombre frock with artful origami folds and party dresses bustin' with sequins and feathers. Also, her black tiger print lace tights wil surely be a must-hav for fall.

Vivienne Tam Fall/Winter 2010 Presentation at the Mercer Street flapship, New York


Pilar Solchaga in the safari jacket pair'd with of-the-moment pleated cropp'd trousers


Danni Li in the fabulous lacquer red dress




Aileen Loquet in the multi-pocketed tweed vest which creates a military look


The model in the gold sequin top and belted ruffle cardigan coordinated with the silver sequin-embellish'd skirt




Anastasiia Nikitchyna in the jacket with a ‘rat’ appliqué on it


Bara Holotova in the scallop'd, layer'd trench coat in winter white


Sona Matufkova in the party dress bustin' with sequins and feathers accessoriz'd with the black animal print tights


The model in the black swing coat with feather'd hem worn over wild zebra print tights


Signature look of the season: Lucia Jonova in the ombre frock with artful origami folds


The black animal print lace tights are definitely gonna be a must-hav item for Fall.