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.

Mine Favorite Designer 2: Matthew Williamson at London Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2010 – frm Bohemian Look to High-end Style

Let's shift our focus to London Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2010 which kick'd off last Friday on the 19th after New York. I hav fallen for our British fashion darlin' Matthew Williamson, known as "the king of boho" for his brilliant color palette and use of prints to hav brought the modern bohemian style, which encapsulates the simple, flowy style of hippies and gypsies to his collections since 2001 Spring/Summer when he launch'd his collection titl'd "Wonderland" in which a paillette-encrusted skirt rich in rainbow sequins simply fascinated mi. Ibiza inspir'd hippy bohemian clothes are Williamson's specialty. Over the past seasons he's been doin' Ibiza-chic floodin' his designs with bright colors and embellishments, exotic prints, bohemian beadin' and flowin' caftans. His 1970s Ibiza hippy bohemian collection for 2005 Spring/Summer's a case in point in which a stunnin' silver floor-length skirt did highlight the theme.

Aurélie Claudel for 2001 Spring/Summer collection “Wonderland”


The model in a silver floor-length skirt for 2005 Spring/Summer collection


Iekeliene Stange for 2007 Spring/Summer collection


The hippy boho look's been Williamson's trademark whose collections are mostly psychedelic in colors, prints are loud and mirrored sequins glint.


Nevertheless, Williamson chooses to move away frm the bohemian look dat first shot him to fame and push toward an eva-higher high end style in tis Fall/Winter 2010 collection, which's the 2nd season since his return to London frm New York. "Luxury"s probably the word dat best describes his works. In tis post yerr gonna find luxury everywhere, in the fabrics, in the designs as well as there're vibrant colors such as sunset yellows, oranges and reds dipping into inky blacks and dazzlin' prints and embellishments like any Williamson collections along with a variety of coats and dresses, controversial fur, slim-cut leather pants and low-rise harem pants.

"Luxury"s everywhere in the collection such as in the fabrics – the fur. The designer flooded the runway with bright colors like cerulean blues contrasted with ash and charcoal grays.




"Luxury"s also found in the designs such as Karolin Wolter in tis beautifully constructed coat dat plays with shape and volume.


"Luxury"s everywhere in the collection such as in the fabrics – the leather. Anastasia Kuznetsova in the slim-cut leather pants


Lisanne De Jong in a ruffles shirt and the low rise harem pants






A huge variety of dresses' included in the collection such as tis sexy off-the-shoulder dress made of silk dat the dress drap'd with it.


Anja Rubik in tis brightly color'd sleeveless dress in royal blue


"Luxury" can also be found in a variety of Williamson's strik'n signature graphic prints.


Lisanne De Jong in a metallic drap'd front gold mini dress






"Luxury"s in the designs such as Anja Rubik in tis long evenin' gown dat wil no doubt be comin' to a red carpet near yuu.




Ditchin' the boho for a high-end urban edge's part of retailers’ war on recession worldwide: offerin' the clients more luxury and more unique items in the hope of wooin' 'em to shop. And with a market dat’s beginnin' to show signs of recovery, it seems like a prescient move.

Mine Favorite Designer 1: Anna Sui at New York Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2010 – Aestheticism in Typical Sui Fashion

Anna Sui's always been one of mine top favorite designers over all these years. Tho I miss'd her show last Thursday dat's the 7th day of New York Fashion Wk cuz 'm currently in EU, mine passion for Sui's design's urged mi to write 'bout the collection. Only by seein' the pics can remind mi of a typical Anna Sui collection dat couldn't hav possibly come frm anyone else. I saw many similarities between tis F/W 2010 and other seasons such as F/W 08 and 09 collections. Art nouveau esque aestheticism's exercis'd an enormous influence in shapin' a typical Sui look, which's full of art deco motifs with tons of patterns and handmade touches and American Indian ethnic feel. We luv seein' ow Anna Sui keeps her stylistic integrity and never stops marchin' to the beat of her own drum, but always remains relevant and gorgeous. In tis post yerr gonna see lots of prints and decoration as well as a summary of sum distinctive designs mostly found in her collections. After all, like wat makeup master Pat Mcgrath said, “Anna's talk'n 'bout arts, crafts and colors, and lots of decoration.”

Feature 1: Lots of prints and colors to accent the look with the handcraft'd chunky necklaces and fur trimm'd boots addin' a touch of American Indian/Bohemian ethnic style as a whole

New York Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2010:
There's a plethora of prints. Colors and patterns swirl in the air like the hem of a dress. The look's accessoris'd with a handcraft'd chunky necklace inspir'd by the American Arts and Crafts Movement.


New York Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2009:


Feature 2: Glamorize the look with fur stoles

New York Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2010:
Iselin Steiro in georgette and velvet dress with antique rose embroidery worn with a blush fox fur stole




New York Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2008:


Feature 3: Typical Sui fashion inspir'd by the Aesthetic Movement favors strong and simple colors: bright blues, greens and yellows.

New York Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2010:


New York Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2009:


New York Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2008:


Feature 4: Accessorise the look with textur'd tights

New York Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2010:
Anna Selezneva accessoris'd with the textur'd tights frm Anna Sui's new leg wear line


New York Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2008:


Feature 5: Over-sized beaded flower worn as a necklace or brooch to create a vintage feel

New York Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2010:
Agyness Deyn wore an over-sized beaded flower necklace with a 1920s vintage feel.


Karen Elson as Anna Sui's bride sported another beaded flower, tis time as a brooch as well as a delicate floral hat.


New York Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2008:


Feature 6: Use of metallic materials

New York Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2010:
Viktoriya Sasonkina in pomegranate print metallic silk jacquard blouse accessoris'd with a knit hat


New York Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2009:


New York Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2008:


Feature 7: Chiffon dress
New York Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2010:
Vlada Roslyakova in Murano glass print and lurex dot chiffon dress worn with a mix'd print shirt


New York Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2009:


Feature 8: Adoptin' art deco motifs

New York Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2010:
Red and purple's definitely a bold color combo especially pair'd with the gold ochre in the print. The bold tribal necklace, pair'd with a knitted hat and top featurin' art deco patterns' gonna be one of the signature looks of the collection.


New York Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2009: