André Bryson - Guerrilla - Emerging Fashion Designers at NYFW

André Bryson - Guerrilla - Emerging Fashion Designers at NYFW

For those of you who may not be familiar with the term, Guerrilla is the name given to irregular military combatants, like a 'Resistance' army; not an official army... In my correspondence with the designer André Bryson he tells me that these 60's 70's silhouettes are a reference inspired by the tensions of the day, both in the USA; and tensions in the UK epitomised by the Mods and Rockers. Clearly André sides with the Mods on the style front. And quoting Bryson directly "Only the five primary colors (black, white, red, yellow and blue) I wanted to express that every color known to man is derived from these five colors in hope to bring unity to this collection as a complete story." I suspect the colours chosen also represent a message of unity in more than just the designs. My photos are of some of the highlights from the Guerrilla range, shown with Bracé Designers Emergent De la Mode NYFW at The Stewart Hotel, NYC September 2017.

I love the blocked colours and bold stripes, patch pockets and windowpane broken-checks, black with white or white with black, playing with positive/negative combinations. The innovative Nehru jacket as an open-front blouse with a scarf or pussy bow tied at the collar, a personal favourite of mine. Curiously, weeks later I saw similar concepts being sent down the runway in my news feeds from the Paris shows.. Weeks later.. Bryson seems to have the zeitgeist a fashion designer needs on his side. Love his designs? You can contact him directly via his instagram below. For more shots, just scroll down!

https://www.instagram.com/andre.bryson/
SFS New York Edition is Sponsored by White Caviar Life, Destination Travel.

Telling Stories in Pictures all over..

Kent Johnson, Sydney, Australia.

0433 796 863

kent@artcommunication.com.au

www.kentjohnsonphotography.com.au

www.fashionphotographysydney.blogspot.com/

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Women Fashion Power exhibition at the Design Museum

Women Fashion Power exhibition at the Design Museum

Zaha Hadid's Prada cape

Fashion has finally come out of the closet in a fantastic new exhibition at the Design Museum. 
Women Fashion Power includes interviews and outfits donated by 26 high-flying business women arrived at via a 'corridor of power' containing paintings of historical figures, such as, Joan of Arc and Boudicca, as well as photographs and quotes from those who didn't take part, like Hillary Clinton and Angela Merkel. Contributors include Natalie Massanet, architect Zaha Hadid (who designed the exhibition), Human Rights lawyer and director of Liberty Shami Chakrabati and broadcaster Kirsty Wark.

Camilla Batmanghelidjh the founder of the children's charity Kids Company loaned the multi-coloured dress created by Magbule Mulla (above). Next to it, is one of my favourite outfits (the Georges Rech black blazer and pants and stripy silk scarf), belonging to Anne Hidalgo the current Mayor of Paris and first woman to hold office in the French capital, who also opened the exhibition. C'est chic, non?

Photo: Elle

From the Suffragettes to Katharine Hamnett's Protest and Survive, the exhibition offers highlights from 150 years of the women's movement, alongside key fashion moments. And yes, a lot of this stuff we've seen before, but Women Fashion Power is presented in a way that feels quite fresh and celebratory. I had chance to have a quick chat with co-curator Donna Loveday about the exhibition,
'For a long time, dress in the workplace was thought of as frivolous but now we have more choice over what we wear to work and we feel freer to express ourselves through our clothes. Women USE fashion in their professional working lives. I think this is incredibly empowering and sends out a really positive message.'

Archive Yves Saint Laurent Le Smoking

Archive Vivienne Westwood bondage suit

Influential business women discuss how they feel about fashion and how fashion makes them feel. The 31-year-old chartered mechanical engineer Morwenna Wilson chose a Carven map print jacket and explained, 'Jackets are very important to me because I am petite and a woman, yet one with responsibility and authority working in a male dominated industry, often with a team of people older than me.'

Morwenna Wilson

Archive Roger Vivier slingback

Kirtsy Wark's red Katharine Hamnett jacket and skirt, from 1988

Broadcaster Kirsty Wark photo: Sunday Times

Women Fashion Power is proof (not that we needed any) that clothes matter and it's OK to talk about them seriously. This is an exhibition for fans of fashion and feminism - because we know now that the two can exist together.

Women Fashion Power is on at the Design Museum, Shad Thames, London SE1 until 26 April 2015. And I know what I'll be wearing to the beach next summer...

1930s beach pyjamas

How Kate Bosworth’s White Dress Continued the Time’s Up Movement at the Critics’ Choice Awards

How Kate Bosworth’s White Dress Continued the Time’s Up Movement at the Critics’ Choice Awards

Kate Bosworth gave us a very glamorous behind-the-scenes look at how she got ready for Thursday’s Critics’ Choice Awards, where she arrived with husband Michael Polish by her side.

The awards show highlighted Kate at her capital F fashion best, but there was way more to her look than you'd think at first glance. On the red carpet, Bosworth told InStyle why, specifically, she wore her white lace Brock Collection dress as a way of responding to the Time’s Up movement and all of the stars who wore black at the 2018 Golden Globes.

“What I think is so powerful that came out of that was the idea of hope, and light, and optimism, and positivity, and we discussed that as being expressed in the dress,” she told us. “I just wanted to feel the light of what was captured last weekend. Then they say after the dark comes the light.”

The flower on her dress, which rests at her hip, also had an important message. “This dress reminded me of a very modern suffragette dress; if you had a pin here it could very well express that in a modern way. I love that though it’s covered in classical, you can see the boning and so the expression of feminism to me was interesting in this dress,” she said.

MUSEUM MINUTE.....Viva Oscar! My Top 20 Looks from the Oscar de la Renta Exhibition at the de Young Museum San Francisco

MUSEUM MINUTE.....Viva Oscar! My Top 20 Looks from the Oscar de la Renta Exhibition at the de Young Museum San Francisco

 Oscar Fabuloso! Nick Verreos visits the Oscar de la Renta Exhibition at the de Young Museum San Francisco

This past week, I flew to San Francisco--along with my partner David--to enjoy a quick overnight trip at the invitation of David's mom Conchita. We enjoyed a fabulous dinner at the Embarcadero with Conchita's friend of 58 years, Susan Burns...

(L to R) Susan Burns, Conchita Encinas-Hansen, Nick Verreos and David Paul--The Waterfront Restaurant Embarcadero San Francisco 

View of the San Francisco Bay Bridge from The Waterfront Restaurant

Susan happens to be a docent at the de Young and procured tickets for us to attend the fabulous Oscar de la Renta Exhibition/Retrospective at the de Young Museum. The retrospective lasts until the end of May so we HAD to see it!!!

Nick poses a la Oscar--Oscar de la Renta Retrospective de Young Museum San Francisco

 (L to R) David Paul, Conchita Encinas Hansen and Nick Verreos--Oscar den la Renta Retrospective de Young Museum San Francisco

As a young aspiring fashion designer--when I lived in the S.F. Bay Area--I loved fashion and I was especially obsessed with Oscar de la Renta. My mom even took me to see him when he was making an appearance at the San Francisco I. Magnin many, many years ago. I was thrilled that there was a Latino fashion designer--and a very elegant looking one--that was representin', as it were! Needless to say, I was more than excited to attend this fabulous retrospective giving an homage to one of my design influencers.

There were so many fabulous looks in the exhibition, it made it hard to choose which ones I liked best, but here are my Top 20 Favorite pieces from the Oscar de la Renta Retrospective at the de Young Museum San Francisco--in no particular order...

#1: Battle of Versailles--Oscar de Renta silk georgette and jersey looks from the iconic "Battle of Versailles" in 1973--I am obsessed with these pre-Disco era designs for their fluid asymmetric silhouettes and how un-Oscar de la Renta they seemed. Where's all the pouf? I kinda loved pre-pouf de la Renta!--Oscar de la Renta Exhibition, de Young Museum San Francisco

#2 and #3: Flamenco Oscar--These Spain-centric designs were some of my favorites from the retrospective. I was a big admirer of Oscar de la Renta's designs as a young fashion-loving adolescent and especially his overt references to España--Oscar de la Renta Exhibition, de Young Museum San Francisco

 #4 Watteau Couture: As part of the "Marie Antoinette/Flower Garden-inspired gallery, this was one of my top favorite looks--Oscar de la Renta Exhibition, de Young Museum San Francisco

#5 Black and White Flower Train--This black and white flower printed silk satin gown was truly one of my top looks from the exhibition: Gown fabulous!--Oscar de la Renta Exhibition, de Young Museum San Francisco

#6 Sequined and Embroidered Mink Trimmed Coat--This decadent UBER luxe coat is the definition of Haute Couture; the unbelievable sequin and embroidery craftsmanship, the mink trim and notice how you barely see where there is a in-seam side pocket...it all blends because of the handwork of the sequin applique...Stunning!--Oscar de la Renta Exhibition, de Young Museum San Francisco 

#7 Blue Duchesse Satin Coat--I love this gorgeous duchesse satin coat worn by Annette de la Renta. It is dramatic and so architecturally beautiful--Oscar de la Renta Exhibition, de Young Museum San Francisco

#8 Flemenco Tiered Ruffles--More Flamenco-inspired fabulousness! Si!!!--Oscar de la Renta Exhibition, de Young Museum San Francisco

#9 and #10 Caftan Fab--I have never met an Oscar de la Renta caftan I did not like! I can just see the ghost of Elizabeth Taylor blushing over these designs--Oscar de la Renta Exhibition, de Young Museum San Francisco

#11 Pantaloon Ensemble--Orientalism Couture at its best! Lord knows I wish I was one of those Ladies-Who-Lunch who could wear this on their next Orient Express First Class Trip!Oh and yes, Miss Barbara Walters wore that stunning red and black sequined jacket to an event as well!(in 1989)--Oscar de La Renta Exhibition, de Young Museum San Francisco

#12 and #13: Gown Gorgeous--These two gowns are more recent examples of the late fashion designers' work; in fact this collection was more attributed to being designed by the genius (and very controversial) John Galliano--Oscar de la Renta Exhibition, de Young Museum San Francisco

#14 Sequined and Embroidered Coat--Very over-the-top, very Louis XIV and very fabulous! Oh and yes, Art Doyenne Ann Getty wore it...that's enough for me!--Oscar de la Renta Exhibition, de Young Museum San Francisco

#15 Fur-trimmed gowns--This tableaux consisting of three fur trimmed flower-printed gowns was Couture beautiful; just three simple gals sitting on a bench waiting for their Champagne!--Oscar de la Renta Exhibition, de Young Museum San Francisco

#16 Gown Fab--A Museum tableaux recreation of a U.S. Vogue Magazine photo by Steven Meisel---Oscar de La Renta Exhibition, de Young Museum San Francisco

#17 Pouf Sleeves and Turban. Those two things amount to a definite inclusion in my Top 20 List!--Oscar de La Renta Exhibition, de Young Museum San Francisco

#18 Asiana Luxe--Asiana-inspired Tunic and Sable-trimmed pants worn by Couture Doyenne Nan Kempner. Can you just see her greeting her guests for aperitifs and dinner at her Manhattan pied-de-terre...in this?---Oscar de La Renta Exhibition, de Young Museum San Francisco

#19 Custom Oscar de la Renta gown worn by Sarah Jessica Parker at 2014 Charles James Met Ball Gala--To be honest, I was not  a big fan of this gown that SJP wore to the 2014 Met Ball; it was a little tacky to see the designer's signature on the dress and almost verged on provincial and common; it reminded me of those 1970's Gloria Vanderbilt jeans. But for good or bad, it has become iconic and people do remember it--Oscar de La Renta Exhibition, de Young Museum San Francisco

#20 Gown worn by Taylor Swift at 2014 Charles James Met Ball/Gala--Now this was a gown that I did like from that 2014 Met Ball; the simple silhouette was contrasted with such a dramatic back bow and train detail. It reminded me of a John Singer Sargent painting come to life!--Oscar de La Renta Exhibition, de Young Museum San Francisco

 (L to R) David Paul and Nick Verreos--de Young Museum San Francisco

 Outstanding views from the Hamon Observation Tower at the de Young Museum

Curvy Girl Fashion Outfits - Tips For Ladies

Curvy Girl Fashion Outfits - Tips For Ladies

With the rise of full-figured models, there has been a sudden surge of appreciation for the curvier aspects of feminine beauty. Curves are to be embraced, celebrated, and accessorized—not hidden!

From mini dresses to chic tunics, Pink Lily has cute outfits for curvy women that follow the most up-to-date runway fashion trends. The outfits we offer show you how this season’s trends, colors, and styles can flatter your body and express your personality.

Dress for Your Body

 While many styles for curvy girls were once shapeless, clothing designers are now working to create cuts that flatter the variety of curvy shapes. Learn about which cuts and embellishments are the best styles for a curvy figure with Pink Lily!

Pear Shape

If you have a pear or triangle shaped body, try to find a way to visually extend your neck and shoulders with a scoop, v-neck, or sweetheart line. Since your bust is smaller, highlight it with extra details like pleats or ruffles. Accentuate your waist with belts and empire silhouettes, and choose pencil skirts, A-line dresses, and wrap around styles.

Hourglass

An hourglass body generally has shoulders and hips that are the same size. The best styles for this curvy figure are ruffles and soft drapes, as well as open collars and asymmetrical cuts. Fit and flare shapes will fit the hourglass body well and fitted tops ensure that the upper body is accentuated.

Oval Shape

When you have an oval shape, you need to elongate your body with a low neckline. Choose cowl, scoop, or v-neck cuts to flatter your upper body. Do the same for your waist with ‘peak' empire waistlines, princess seams, and faux wrap dresses. Balance your lower body with dropped waist pants or skirts with high slits.

Rectangle

Rectangle bodies require you to create a waist and accentuate your chest. Use the sweetheart, asymmetric, jewel, and cowl necklines to highlight your femininity. You can also embellish your top with curve defining bodices and ruched and frilled tops. Wear belts to fabricate a waist and add slightly flared leg pants to create the illusion of a curved shape.

Bold Patterns and Colors Stripes and floral designs were all heavily represented on the runways this year, so embracing this year’s celebration of bold colors and fun patterns is essential for every fashion-obsessed woman. 

When adding to your collection of cute outfits for curvy women, find pieces that create contrast between dark colors and bright patterns to create an eye-drawing outfit that will earn compliments every time.

Stay cool with Pink Lily’s What I Live For Damask Mini, where contemporary styling meets classic beauty, with a nod to the sophisticated tea parties of yesteryear. The neon pink damask pattern paired on a black background evokes a sophisticated outfit that looks amazing on the curvy woman. Since this mini dress accentuates the waist and minimizes the chest with a patterned bottom and a plain top, this dress is one of the best styles for a curvy figure.

Accessorize the scoop neck with a statement necklace to draw attention to your face and add a couple of bracelets to complete the look. Slip into your favorite wedges and you’ll be ready for a night out with the girls, or opt for flats to fabricate a look that’s perfect for a casual lunch date.

Cut and Shape

 Cut and shape are important parts of a piece that ensure your clothing hugs you in all the right places. The mini dress is cut in a way that accentuates your legs, balancing your body and making you look taller. This is definitely one of the best styles for the curvy figure! This style of dress lends itself to more casual events, like summer barbecues and strolls on the beach.

In addition to its flattering cut, the Count on Me Mini plays with this season’s love of bright pastels. The shallow pockets add an adorable detail to this dress and embellishes a simple cut without adding bulk. Both the top and bottom pieces are unlined to keep you cool throughout the day.

Add a fashionable floppy hat in coral or straw for sunny summer days and delicate gold jewelry to subtly highlight the outfit. Pair this dress with all of your favorite summer shoes—from gladiator sandals to height-enhancing wedges. As the weather cools, add a pair of leggings and booties for additional warmth and keep rocking your mini.

For more formal events, a longer skirt or dress—like the maxi dress—is also one of the best styles for a curvy figure. A dress with an A-line waist that skims your figure, instead of hugging it, lengthens your torso and balances the upper and lower body.

Our Holdin On to Something Maxi is appropriate for both dressy and casual events—it fulfills all of the requirements for the perfect curvy piece! Flowy and fabulous, the soft drape flows over your curves without squeezing, ensuring your comfort and elegance. Wearing your maxi with wedges or heels will keep the hemline pristine and lengthen your legs. A few bangles and subtle earrings embellish your look while keeping your silhouette clean and curvy.

Warm and Cozy Maxis

 At Pink Lily, we firmly believe that the maxi dress can be worn even after the summer solstice. To let all maxi lovers wear their favorite dress well into the autumn season, we offer a maxi with a three-quarter length sleeve for cooler days and evenings.

The Over My Head Maxi has a classic chevron pattern and soft colors that complement any shape. It can also be worn to any event, making it one of the best styles for a curvy figure. For an extra sizzle, wear a wide belt to highlight your waist and separate your upper and lower body. Adding a thin cardigan or wrap around sweater will supply the extra warmth you need without adding bulk to your outfit. Wearing fleece-lined ankle leggings under this dress is another way to stay warm without compromising style or elegance.

Autumn Tops

 As we move into fall and winter weather, shirts and pants are essential to stay warm. Instead of boring basic tops, add interest to your wardrobe with a stylish tunic. Tunics are somewhere between a dress and a shirt, meaning they have the same versatility as dresses and look great on any curvy shape.

A charcoal side button tunic from Pink Lily has a modern asymmetrical cut to emphasize the waist and balance the hips and shoulders. Pair this tunic with leggings and heeled boots for an elegant ensemble or wear it with skinny jeans and booties for a casual look. Grab a black quilted clutch and some delicate, colorful jewelry to accessorize.