Divine Designs: Resort 2013 Accessory Preview & Gifting Lounge

http://www.fashionqanda.com/the-buzz/divine-marketing-group-resort-13-gifting-lounge.html

Fashion Q+A 
The Buzz 
Posted June 24, 2012 

Real Housewives of New York star Jill Zarin earned the most curiosity at Divine Marketing’s ‘Divine Summer Gifting Lounge’. Zarin launched herself titled jewelry line in May, with a selection 
of 14-carat gold plated items, as well as trendy yet refined pieces, all at affordable prices.

We loved the sparkle of Glittterrings, whose designs incorporated Swarovski elements as well as colorful crystal cuts on statement rings that cast a futuristic,and high impact look.

Another unique statement brand was Bonnie Katz, whose handbags give buyers the opportunity to choose every element of their carryall, from finish to color, as well as choice of an antique 
broach from Bonnie’s private collection.

We found charming details in Carolina Amato’s collection entitled ‘Alchemist’ that used brass, Maltese crosses and Byzantine influenced shapes with marquis red stones, blue agate, and 
topaz. In Ron Donovan footwear, you will find ideal winter boots, made of quality leather and exotic skins, and supremely sleek silhouettes.

The Votes Are In: AGTA Spectrum ‘Editor’s Choice Award’ 2012

http://tinyurl.com/c2kbwtp

Fashion Q + A UK
The Buzz
Posted October 23, 2012

Q+A UK ranks our favorite 2013 AGTA Spectrum Award winning gem for the prestigious 'Editor’s Choice Award'.

 

Ramscale Studio penthouse loft hosted the AGTA Spectrum Awards Media Day in NY, where consumer press, stylists and bloggers enjoyed a stellar skyline view and jewels that sparkled with brilliance from the sunset. The sky’s vivid hues were out shined however, by the array of gleaming AGTA Spectrum Award winning pieces that were displayed on white tables to be judged and voted on for the Editor’s Choice Award. Slipping on Best of Show winner, a platinum “lava” ring made of ruby cabochon encrusted with marquis-cut diamonds, we knew that to narrow our votes, we had a lot of enjoyable work at hand.

As it turns out, a diamond is not a girl’s best friend, rather, it is just one of many, especially when that girl is surrounded by exquisite rubies, emeralds, sapphires and more! Every piece was outstanding in its own unique right, but one trend that earned our vote was the presence of vintage inspired pieces, such as a Gregory Crawford art deco pendent necklace in citrine, sapphire, and tourmaline. If you’re seek something less trendy and more classic, we suggest opals as a gorgeous alternative. Our vote went to a statement John W. Ford ring accented with sleek and simple diamonds which created a stunning contrast. What really stole our heart was pair of quirky, Anil Maloo earrings that made pearls seem edgy. We didn’t think pearls had so much gusto! It was clear though that the AGTA Media Day was full of gleaming possibilities.

Donna Karan & BET’s Sheila Johnson Team Up For A Night of Philanthrophy

http://tinyurl.com/cvocdv8

Fashion Q + A UK
The Buzz
Posted December 2, 2012

BET's Sheila Johnson and friend Donna Karan gather fashions finest for a evening of fundraising, with proceeds going to the US Homeless Women’s Soccer team, the Lady Salamanders.

Dressed in black and accented with a bright, beautiful scarf, Sheila Johnson, a celebrated philanthropist and co-founder of Black Entertainment Television (BET) spoke in front of an intimate group at Donna Karan’s Madison Avenue Store. The occasion brought fashion and philanthropy together to raise awareness for Johnson’s women’s homeless soccer team, the Lady Salamanders. “Why salamanders?” asked Johnson to attendees. “The salamander is the only animal that can walk through fire and come out alive.” Not only is the salamander the crest of her women’s homeless soccer team, it is the symbol of Johnson’s empire, including her Shelia Johnson Collection, a visually enticing, ultra-luxurious scarf enterprise.
With great pride, she sported one of her vivid scarfs from her holiday 2012/resort 2013 collection, which recently launched on her website, SheilaJohnsonCollection.com. The scarfs are all crafted from natural yarn, made in Prato, Italy and incorporate digital imprints of photographs Johnson has taken throughout her world travels and philanthropy work. “I’ve been shooting some very incredible pictures that really moved and inspired me, and, I asked myself, should I put them in a book? No, everybody puts them in a book. I wanted to touch others through wearing them and sharing their stories,” said Johnson. The scarfs also gain meaning as a portion of proceeds go the life changing Lady Salamanders, the first ever all women’s team to represent the US at 56 nation Homeless World Cup in Brazil. Every purchase made in the store that night received a 10% discount, and a 10% donation was made to the Lady Salamanders.

Omen PR’s Spring/Summer 2013 Press Preview

http://tinyurl.com/d5pyrsw
Fashion Q + A UK
The Buzz
Posted November 16, 2012

Omen PR’s spring/summer 2013 collection previews shined with chic skinny pants that you should get excited for!

In an intimate ambiance with dim lighting, rustic wood flooring, and a worn in couch, previewing Omen PR’s spring 2013 collections, at their Lower Manhattan office, felt more like we were window shopping at a cozy boutique. What we wished could be wrapped up and taken home were their chic offering of skinny pants that looked both fierce and functional. On our radar were Daniella Kallmeyer’s beautifully tailored renditions (thanks to her work under Alexander McQueen). We loved her sharp cropped offering that fell just above the ankle and came in playful hues, such as baby powder blue and sun kissed orange. Kallmeyer kept the looks monotone with matching, equally cool tailored tops. Mandarin & General kept to a strikingly similar pair up, with a short sleeve and slim cut, both in an exuberant print that were actually inspired by Japan’s nuclear meltdown in the aftermath of the 2011 tsunami. It was a marble stone print from Nomia that made our ultimate pick for stem slimming. A nod to cool street style, the print’s mingling of neutrals lent to a stellar palette for endless coordination, although once again, Nomia’s Yara Flinn paired the pants with a top in the same stone finish.
Scanning through Omen PR’s lookbooks, we discovered another trend, pants paired with an ankle strap stiletto that created the ideal opportunity to showcase sexy footwear and your skinnies at the same time.

Sarar Celebrates Grand Opening in NYC’s Financial District

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Fashion Q + A UK
The Buzz
Posted November 14, 2012

International brand Sarar, known for their stylish professional wear, celebrated the grand opening of their second NYC shop, which was hosted by Miss New York Mallory Hagan.

Sarar could not have opened shop in a better location than the heart of New York’s Financial District, considering their specialty is menswear. Tunc Hepguler, Sarar Executive Vice President, said he wanted his second store in NYC to be the complete go-to destination for luxe and affordable suits, with convenient services that include measuring, tailoring, and even shipping. “We offer high quality suits for around $300, where designer suits can be up to $800,” said Hepguler. Sarar takes pride in their on-trend men’s fashion, with slim cuts, shorter jackets, and low rise pants as their popular silhouettes.

The event not surprisingly drew a crowd of men in sleek suits, including Sarar’s current worldwide model, Sean O’Pry. If he wasn’t enough for the eyes, Miss New York 2012, Mallory Hagan, who looked stunning in a red Sarar evening gown, hosted the night’s event. Although, Sarar only offers men’s clothing in the US, their international markets, which extends to stores in 49 countries, are buzzing with Sarar’s elegant womenswear. Hagan, who partnered with Sarar for her year as Miss New York, raved that their clothing is a beautiful mix of business and femininity that provides a great fit. “I couldn’t ask for more. I need to be professional but also fashion forward,” Hagan said. “Sarar is the best of all of the worlds combined.”

Georg Jensen: Destination for Craftsmanship and Innovation

http://tinyurl.com/cno7zfq

Fashion Q+A
The Buzz
Posted November 13, 2012

Avril Graham, Harper's Bazaar Executive Fashion & Beauty Editor, and James Crespo, President of Georg Jensen, give Q+A an exclusive preview of the Fusion Showpiece Cuff Collection

 

 

It was a blizzard outside, but that did not stop a host of New York City’s bravest and chicest from enjoying hors d’oevres and champagne at the Georg Jensen flagship store in the Upper East Side. There, all attendees gave toast with Avril Graham, Harper’s Bazaar Executive Fashion & Beauty Editor, and James Crespo, Georg Jensen President, for the release of the jeweler’s new Fusion Showpiece Cuff Collection, a stunning, limited edition assortment of gold and diamond arm cuffs that are so intricate, they each took 500 hours to handcraft. The brand is greatly known for their Fusion Ring collection, which consists of stackable rings in precious metals and stunning diamonds that can create up to 4,000 interlinking pair up options. At the event, the Georg Jensen team demonstrated to attendees their new, innovative tool, The Augmented Reality Fusion Ring Designer, which allows you to design your own Fusion Ring by selecting the stackable variations with the wave of a hand. If attendees were not standing in front of the flat screen TV, using the hi-tech, signature ring designer, they were admiring Georg Jensen’s elegant jewelry collection, which gave no surprise that the night’s releases were so forward and sleek. 

 

Milan Runways Shine & Shimmer, Inspiring Perfect Winter Style

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Fashion Q+A
Style + Trends
Posted

The fall/winter 2011-12 catwalks in Milan were full of shine and shimmer, inspiring prefect winter party style. Check out the looks we love inspired by our favourite masters of Italian style.

Milan sheds light on the perfect winter party dresses. During the gloomy and frosty months, sparkle is the quintessential embellishment. Balance the flash with a conservative cut and opt for a monochromatic colour scheme.
The glittering dresses, seen at the fall/winter 2011-12 runway shows of Salvatore Ferragamo, Brioni, Gucci, and Dolce and Gabbana take the form of knee grazing long-sleeve simple shift dresses. Showing just hint of skin in the winter is alluring, yet practical. Check out the looks we love inspired by our favourite masters of Italian style.

Wearable Winter Runway Trends 2012: Bright Coats

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Fashion Q+A UK
Style + Trends
Posted January 24, 2012

Variety is the runway-strutting theme for fall/winter 2011-12 trends, so no matter your personal style, body type or daily routine, we have you covered.

 Wear Now: Glow in the snow with a bright colour coat. Trench coats and cover-ups with large black fasteners carried the radiating hues at Burberry Prorsum. Michael Kors offered a fire-engine red, boxy fur coat, and Prada went collarless with large silver buttons and a matching wide belt. All that’s left for you to do is pick your favourite shining hue.
Wear With: Opaque black tights, black and white add-ons, pleated peek-out skirts, or blocks of other bright colours with an open coat.
Wear When: Whenever you are cold! The bright coat keeps you stylish for a wide range of winter outings, dressed up or down, with options to keep on indoors.
Wear Especially If: You yearn for brilliance in the gray of winter, and want to stand out in the crowd.

Footwear News and Saks Indulge Your Feet With 25 Sexy Shoes Event

Fashion Q + A
The Buzz
Posted October 3, 2011


Saks Fifth Avenue’s shoe department is a heel lover’s candy story, and now Fashion News (FN) has assembled the most delectable collection of the year’s top 25 knock-em-dead pairs.
Enjoy the view and then vote for your favorite for a chance to win a stellar Saks Fifth Avenue gift card, perfect for making these foot fantasies the shoes on your feet.

Footwear News (FN) magazine selected the top 25 Saks Fifth Avenue heels of the year for their annual Sexy Shoes/The Hottest Heels of the Year event. Check out their stylish picks at Footwearnews.com/sexyshoes and vote for your favorite pair for a chance to win a first place prize of $10,000 shopping spree, or a second place prize gift card of $1,500 to Saks Fifth Avenue.The Footwear News team showed impeccable taste with their winning heels, while still accomplishing a well rounded, multifarious selection of styles. Surely every woman will find at least one pair she longs to sink into. The 25 selected pairs range from austere, like the beautifully shaped Prada knee high boot, to adorned, such as the dramatic, black glittered Miu Miu peep-toe with crystal-encrusted heels. You will find heels for evening, day, for work and for play. With 25 diverse offerings - fur adornments, metallics, crystals, strappy renditions, and artistic influences with color, will likely be the trends you’re bound to crumble for.

We're betting on Diego Dolcini’s leather, satin and suede sandal with a metal stiletto and feather cuff. You will certainly want fly away in these heels. Voting runs from September 26 to October 21, 2011, and you can vote up to once a day.

Yara Flynn Conjures Visions of O’Keefe and the Southwest

http://www.fashionqanda.com/runway/nomia-mbfw-new-york-spring-summer-2012.html

Fashion Q + A
Runway
September 14, 2011


Yara Flynn Conjures Visions of O’Keefe and the Southwest, but Does Not Translate Their Beauty into Her CollectionSimple aesthetics call for impeccable fit and detail. Yara Flynn’s Nomia SS/12 simple schemed collection neglects cuts for the female form, and focuses on unsightly extras.

Swoops and folds looked like strokes of Georgia O’Keeffe’s paintbrush on a silk, canyon-dust wrap skirt. O’Keeffe and the Southwest dueled as inspiration for Yara Flynn’s Nomia spring 2012 collection, which manifested itself in rouges, earthy browns, vermillion and powder sky blue. Although the inspirations offer a great wellspring of beauty, consideration to the female
form proved to be the true indicator of designing beautiful clothes. Aside from a pleasing use of color, in Flynn’s case this season, creative enthusiasm translated into off putting constructions that were at best puzzling, and at worst unbecoming.

The fabric had an uneasy quality, hanging off strange diagonal necklines, or creating wrinkles in stiff, unflattering dresses. The female form was neither enhanced nor embraced on most looks, and bizarre add ons took shape, such as a gnarly piece of sheer fabric, peaking out of a slanted-cut tee shirt, or an orange dress that looked like it was breaking out in lesions with haphazard, besetting dips and peaks.

Nomia exhibited a lovely print of purple, orange, pink and red, reminiscent of western canyons, but she added the pattern as strange accents in odd shapes to red and white dresses and tops. It was successfully executed, however, on a short leather dress as a pattern block among segments of red, beige and white, all sectioned off with a thick white strap that made its way diagonally across the shoulder. It would have been nice to see this design used more often and more effectively. Pants came in refreshing colors, in maroon and a gorgeous aqua, but were too loose and heavy with fabric. As color was Flynn’s strength, a simple black tee and white sports jacket created a pleasing, yet simple, color palette with the maroon pants.

The entire collection had a simple quality to it, but for an austere approach, fit is crucial. The clean aesthetics only magnified the strange details Flynn added. The colors worked, but just like the inspirations, they are lost on clothes women themselves cannot feel beautiful wearing.

Get Ready to Diet Supermodel Style! - 'I Can Make You Hot'

http://www.fashionqanda.com/the-buzz/kelly-bensimon-talks-about-her-book-I-can-make-you-hot-the-supermodel-diet.html


Fashion Q + A
The Buzz
Posted May 3, 2012



Fashionista, model, reality star, and now four-time author, Kelly Bensimon, talks to Q+A about her new book, I Can Make You Hot, at New York's San Carlos Hotel Penthouse Suite.
Sunlight filled the penthouse suite of the San Carlos Hotel, where Kelly Bensimon greeted press to chat about her new book, I Can Make You Hot. The Real Housewives of New York star certainly looked the part of 'hot' donning Balenciaga pants, Chloe top and of course her trademark beach-blown long tresses.

In the pages of I Can Make You Hot, Bensimon shares her best kept secrets on how-to promote your inner and outer hottie with a simple diet/exercise plan that she developed for herself as a professional model, mother, and reality star.

The book is stocked with her favorite easy to-do recipes (Sushi Burritos) as well as go-to life statements, (“Don’t gorge; be gorgeous!”) and simple rules (20 minutes of exercise a day, no excuses). It’s clear, the Self magazine cover girl has eating and exercise down to a science, but the author is greatly known for how she dresses her pretty package. The Illinois native said she balances her love for Prada with a love for Zara, by buying one or two expensive pieces each season and then supplementing the rest.

When picking out what to wear, Bensimon swears by KISS i.e. 'Keep It Simple Stupid', and credits her early 20s, as a model in Europe for“less is more, European sensibility.” The good news, for all the fans of Bensimon’s style is that she has opened an online shop,
taking pieces from her very own closet, and selling them at OpenSky.com for discounted rates.
When discussing her coveted closet, Bensimon said she opted for a simple t-shirt and tattered jeans for the cover of I Can Make You Hot, because she wanted to be her “very-down-to-earth” self. Despite emerging as a style icon, she admitted, “I don’t really care what I’m wearing, I am still the same person.”

Blue Plate Fall/Winter 2012: Never Say Goodbye to Summer

http://tinyurl.com/6rg9xln

Fashion Q + A
The Buzz-Press Preview
Posted April 25, 2012

Never say good bye to summer fun with Blue Plate’s colorful and breezy fall/winter 2012 collection. All you need is the right dose of winter add-ons and a free spirit!With colorful prints, airy fabrics, and bohemian cuts, Blue Plate (BP) Fall/Winter 2012 collection is ideal for a summer music festival. Head designer, Shveta Kumra insists, however, with a
little layering and winter add-ons that BP is perfect for colder weather wardrobes.

“It’s so easy to winterize Blue Plate’s dresses this fall season with black tights,” Leemor Rhodes, Senior Account Executive of Think PR, said in a striking BP red, white and green cutesy
frock with black opaque leg wear.

Think PR, the agency representing BP, decorated the event space for the press presentation with vibrant hues hanging off the walls and ceilings, which complemented the colorful clothes
hanging on green and magenta hangers. The room almost seemed to engulf you, like a patchwork magic-carpet, ready to take you on a ride.

The collection is quintessential for a fantastical winter whirlwind of delight, with tie-dye peasant skirts, inkjet tanks, cartoon graphics on beachy throw overs, and breezy chiffon add-ons.
Although BP is known for their easygoing cuts, Kumra said the label made the biggest shift this season with their extensive use of chiffon, seen greatly in patterned, loose tops. According to
Kumra, the key trend for fall/winter wear is layering, and in the process, mixing and matching. “A little transparency makes a look interesting,” said Kumar.

Emily Cho: A Design Duo Partners

http://www.fashionqanda.com/designer-qanda/emily-cho-handbags-get-to-know-the-duo-behind-the-line-sj-cho-and-emily-gellis.html

Fashion Q + A

The refreshing collaboration behind Emily Cho springs unique-to-the market handbags that are a go-to
option when seeking high quality and sleek designs, without spending thousands of dollars on a designer bag.
For spring/summer 2012, the duo’s anticipated follow up to their smash first season collection takes their beloved
signature clutches and spins them into new forms, colors and prints, while still remaining loyal to the leather
craftsmanship that defined their early success.


Multi-colored, leather bags, in beautiful tones and prints, piled on top of a coffee table, where two young women in black blazers and pants nestled into a love seat. The long haired blonde, who paired the business attire with chunky turquoise jewelry and a low cut camisole, asked the girl with the jet black bob, who kept it austere with a conservative creme knit sweater, what in the world was the word she could not think of.


Meet the unlikely pair who designed the stacked bags, all for their anticipated Emily Cho spring/summer collection. SJ Cho (left), 28, is a quiet, refined Korean immigrant and Emily Gellis (right), 25, is an extroverted, sharp-tongued native New Yorker.


The two found one another while on the designing team for a contemporary clothing line, Torn by Ronny Kobo in 2009, where
good chemistry, along with a void in the contemporary handbag market, sparked a design pursuit all their own.


The result was a high quality, timeless and accessible clutch collection, released exclusively by Saks this past August. In the
New York City store, and in only seven weeks, 90% of Emily Cho’s have sold out. All of their genuine leather, Italian-crafted
creations retail under $700, a price point that highlights the designers’ true motivation, which is creating bags that women love
and they can attain. Even the high profile starlets are already reaching for their clutches, such as Kim and Kourtney
Kardashian, Vanessa Hudgens and Eva Longoria. 


The buzz around their current FW/11 collection revolves around their roomy, neutral, exotic skin-textured leather clutches that will carry you from day to night. Rather than being true skin, such as python, which can cost thousands of dollars, or opting for fake skin, which diminishes quality, Gellis and Cho recreate the look and feel of skin with fine leather and cutting. The results are more affordable bags, but still high in quality, and impeccable in appearance. This is what makes Emily Cho completely unique in the market.


The release of their SS/12 collection expands the line to more than just clutches (with totes and shoulder bags), statement colors (as opposed to first season’s neutrals) floral prints, and straw. Their sought after skin finishes come in brights and python is accented with hue. Roomy leather totes in pretty prints are supremely ideal for a student, as well as their Lady Triangle Frame Tote in orange, purple or turquoise, which is a very sleek option for a 13” laptop.


It all seems so impressive for Gellis, who is only 25. She started her fashion career early however, as a buyer for the retail chain Intermix at the ripe age of 19. Even with her time consuming, enthusiastic pursuits for designing and producing Emily Cho, she is a passionate stylist, who designs all the brand’s look books and photo shoots. Cho tells an admirable personal history, as she moved from Korea, without support, ten years ago to pursue fashion. She struggled and fought her way through the industry, which resulted in an indisputable command for construction, detail, and aesthetic, not to mention a tried and tested loyalty to her craft.

Perhaps the extreme care and craftsmanship, along with every bag- from its cut, its leather, to its print-are just the natural manifestations of what a respecting, trusting, close partnership can bring forth when it involves two very creative minds. Even in a Q&A with the two young women, their interactions reflected a dynamic interplay for success. To  SJ’s satisfaction, Emily did almost all of the talking, and when SJ did comment, Emily met it with a well-intentioned joke to make her laugh. When it was time to get pictures of the two, in fun, they turned towards each other, Gellis playfully motioned for Cho to whisper in her ear, and they cracked each other up. Looking
at the photos said a lot about this line on the rise and the women surging it, and that is, at the end of the day, it’s about doing what you
love, with a goal that others will enjoy it, and smiling the whole way, preferably with someone right by your side. 

FASHION Q+A: How did you decide on your new statement color bags and floral prints for SS/12?
EMILY: We spent a really long time researching what was missing in the market, to find what we could do to be recognized as different, important and special. The floral print, which was inspired by water colors, has never been done the way that we did it, to our knowledge. It takes three processes to  imprint this color to our bags, which are made completely of leather and then hand painted.


Q+A: Along with accessibility comes Emily Cho’s signature luxury. Any new quality details to look forward to with your new line?
EMILY: All of our competitors, except Alexander Wang, are manufacturing in  China and selling their bags for around $300. We respect that, but we are going to sell an Italian made bag for $500, and hopefully it will become a staple that will never go out of style that you can always go back to. The leather is cut by hand, and with its texture, from afar, everyone thinks it is real snakeskin, it even feels like skin. People always ask me, ‘how much?’ (holding up a $575 bag), and real python is an easy $4,000. There are 8 1/2 square feet of leather for this bag, which means we needed to use 10 square feet. It is expensive to make these bags, we are not rolling around in
money by any means, but it doesn’t matter because our bags are at Saks and we went to Vogue yesterday, which is SJ’s dream come true.
 
Q+A: You two are friends as well as partners, but with your opposite backgrounds, how do they promote a well-rounded end product?
EMILY: I am a shark in business. SJ says the reason she works with me is because she knows I protect our business, I protect our product, I protect our name and I take these things very seriously. We put a lot of work into this and we are proud of it. So, not everyone has to like it, but they have to respect that  we work hard. SJ is very detail oriented. For quality control, I inspected the
Saks collection myself when it landed from Italy and she would call me and say, “This is so bad!” Then I get to the office and I’m looking at the bag and am like, “What?” and she is like, “Look! No, this is a really big deal!”

Q+A: What is your ultimate goal with Emily Cho? Any thoughts of branching out from bag wear?
EMILY: I think we need one more season of handbags to be established as a handbag designer. I want to see Blair Waldor from "Gossip Girl" with the lady triangle bag, it is so her. I would love to have a window display at some crazy store, or even our own store. Or an ultimate goal is when SJ is in Vogue, I’m going to let her do the full interview and I will just sit on the side.


For more Q+A, please click on link above.

Behind the Lens: Meet Emerging Fashion Photographer Alice Luker

http://www.fashionqanda.com/the-buzz/behind-the-lens-meet-emerging-fashion-photographer-alice-luker.html

Fashion Q + A
The Buzz
Posted October 5, 2011

Photographs from Alice Luker’s portfolio scan like fine art paintings, evidently sprung from Luker’s deep infatuation with Renaissance and Baroque era works. They all capture a beautiful moment of fashion, intertwined with narrative and emotion that embodies Luker’s finesse and insistence for translating creative visionsinto dynamic shots, as well as her meaningful respect for fashion as an art form all its own.

At a fashion shoot, Luker’s effective fusion of tenacity and artistry shed light on her distinctive and distinguished collection of work. For her, it’s not just snapping shots of a set with a model in clothes - it’s really about developing a concept; something she takes on herself to foster on location even before she picks up her camera. Fashion weaves stories in Luker’s mind, which manifest into rich internal images. What drives this artist is her deep-felt determination to translate these inner visions into something the world can see.

Her natural delight in the fine arts, which tend to influence her even more than other works of photography, and a compelling affection for fashion, which she conjures with a unique and refreshing perspective, are sources of passion and enjoyment that serve as an immense wellspring of inspiration and energy. Especially influenced by designers John Galliano, Valentino, and the 1930s Vionnet, Luker is smitten and uncommonly aware of the many facets of fashion - the history, the strife, the allure, which manifest into multifarious layers in her own work.

Based out of London, Luker has built a reputation for consistently producing profound fashion flashes in time, with esteemed works in publications such as Fashion Insider, Professional Photographer, Fault Magazine and of course Q+A. She was a finalist for the Young Fashion Photographer of the Year 2010 at the Clothes Show Live, which is considered the UK’s
premier fashion event. This October, Luker will compete for the prestigious AOP Open Award, sponsored by the Association of Photographers, taking place in London. Enthused to meet the artist behind the lens, Q+A talks with Luker on more secrets to exquisite shots, and why fashion is her focus of choice.

FASHION Q+A: Your work is featured on the
September issue of Q+A. When our readers look at
the cover, what do you hope is revealed or captured
about you as a photographer?ALICE LUKER: I would like the cover to both entice
and inspire Q+A readers. For me an image is not
simply about the clothes, model or the location but
about the interaction between each and its relevance
to the concept.

For full Q+A, please click on link above....

Legends of the Fall

http://www.fashionqanda.com/style-trends/what-to-wear-and-how-to-wear-it-for-fall-2011-runway-trend-report.html

Fashion Q + A
Style + Trends

Improvd Soars High with Quintessential Street-Wear

http://www.fashionqanda.com/runway/improvd-mbfw-new-york-spring-summer-2012.html

Fashion Q + A
Runway
September 13, 2011

Improvd looked to the parrot’s multicolored feathers for inspiration this season with dark prints and modern cuts sure to keep customers looking tough, but with an essential feminine touch. Comfortable but polished, this collection is for day trekking on through night skies.

Valentino Vettori and Sam Ben-Avraham played a lights guessing game with Improvd’s spring/summer 2012 collection presentation at the tents this Mercedes Benz Fashion Week. In complete darkness, a bleak colored parrot slowly flew over a city, across three screens, flapping its wings with visual and auditory hyperbole. The lights would dimly flicker on for three actsof clothing, all inspired by the parrot, both in color and construction. In between the acts, it was pure darkness.

The parrot-inspired multicolored fabrics glided from turquoise green, sky blue, and blood red into less exotic bird colors of gray, beige and porcelain. These prints came in the form of many wrap tanks that swooped like a bird’s path off the neckline, harem pants, maxi skirts and dresses. One floor grazing hemline was interpreted with a chic throw-over that opened up to harem pants.

Textured pieces looked like native artisanal woven baskets that made unique pants and a red shrug. The most eye-catching textured piece was a deep green dress lined in black that unfolded like feathers to create a skirt. Leather added hard contrast with the soft, in the form of form fitting tops, thick belts, and stem like strands, wrapped around several times, fastening n the airy fabrics. All of the looks were soft with an edge in fact, with severe prints on delicate fabrics, forward cuts on traditional silhouettes, and bold colors mixed with subdued tones. Vibrant red, gray and white may be the winning scheme of the collection.

Improvd took the tropical parrot and transformed it into a regular urbanite by way of smoky grays, smog browns, and paved blacks on sleek styles that still maintained comfort for freedom of flight. Like the parrot, this collection will wear like beautiful feathers for a surefire street standout look.

Bravo’s Two New Dynamic Shows Keeps Fashion Lovers’ Hooked On TV

http://www.fashionqanda.com/the-buzz/the-premiere-party-for-bravo-tv-show-mad-fashion-with-chris-march.html

Fashion Q + A
The Buzz
Posted October 3, 2011

Bravo celebrated its upcoming seasons of “Mad Fashion” and “Fashion Hunters” with an intimate red carpet premier party in New York City at Hell’s Kitchen’s Yotel. “Project Runway” alum Chris March is making a return to TV with his own show, the eagerlyanticipated “Mad Fashion”, which finds March and his offbeat entourage of designer buddies, crafting outrageous, statement screaming looks for high-end clientele such as Jennifer Coolidge, Ruthie Davis and John Legend, who showed up to the party with supermodel girlfriend Chrissy Teigen to socialize with the cast.

In an exclusive interview, March said he is talented at pushing high-profile clients into crazy ensembles outside their comfort zone, such as Tracy Stern, founder of Tracy Stern & Salon Teas. “If you can walk in Central Park in the freezing cold in a Marie Antoinette outfit with a giant pink ostrich fan and rock it you’re okay,” says Stern.

March's team includes a wig connoisseur and a builder (yes, some of their creations required an actual team of wig impresarios), as well as the designer’s resident “seamstress/bedazzler” - Christine Brown. Brown showed up to the party in a bright pink Ballerina Barbie dress she sewed and spray-painted the day before. Brown says, “Mad Fashion is especially pointed for fashion lovers because it gives insight to the entire creative process, from listening to clients, to developing ideas to constructing the garments."

Bravo’s other new show, “Fashion Hunters”, will follow the pursuits of four stylish New Yorkers on the hunt for perfect pieces to sell in their consignment shop: Second Time Around.
“Mad Fashion” premiered on Bravo on Tuesday, September 27th at 10pm, and “Fashion Hunters” premieres on Tuesday, October 4 at 10:30pm.

Michael Angel Rebuilds Ancient Egyptian Ruins for SS 12

http://www.fashionqanda.com/runway/michael-angel-mbfw-new-york-spring-summer-2012.html

Fashion Q + A
Runway
September 13, 2011

Michael Angel achieves both an artistic and wearable spring 2012 collection complete with unique prints, dependable
staples and luxurious fabrics for day and night.

Eerie echoes of space filled the dim lit room while purple rings of Saturn floated off the ceiling. It was easy to look at Michael Angel’s mannequins and assume space travel inspired the collection, with supernova stars streaming into the darkness, off a jersey dress. Listening to Angel, however, it extended deeper than that. Yes, there was the theme of modern transcendence, but it was placed firmly on Angel’s preoccupation with Ancient Egypt, specifically its progressivism.With this season’s collection, he aimed to recreate Egypt’s ruins into something even more mystical, while acknowledging the powerful hands of the solar system. The theme was beautifully represented in the form of functional, distinct clothing that offer great wear for the sun’s pull into spring. Appropriately so, Angel divided his collection into two - “Day” & “Night.” On the Day side, predominate shades of yellow, teal and purple formed patterns of epic building constructions on jersey and exuberant hues of orange and red set on silk organza. Neutral linen tweeds combined with brights. The black silk shorts tempered the radiation.

Day offered great statement separates, along with not as loud pieces that quietly assert style on a daily basis. And many pieces were perfected for day in and day out functionality. A sunny yellow linen tweed coat with beige block accents and white trimming on collar and sleeves embodied all of Angel’s qualities of cut and uniqueness.

And then “Night” appeared with an accordion pleated jacquard coat in pale yellow and moon dust as another practical yet stylish spring coat. Night shined most at dusk, where a romantic painting of Queen Cleopatra printed a short-sleeved trench, while a sand wash maxi skirt with silk accents came in rich browns, midnight yellows, deep purples, and sharp accent of warm white. The effect felt soft - yet deep, whimsical yet wearable. Angel’s line carries you through day and night both aesthetically and functionally. He covered full ground with his recreation of progressive Egypt and proved to be both artistic and innovative himself.

Guli Attempts to Shine at MBFW but Only Gets Shunned

http://www.fashionqanda.com/runway/guli-mbfw-new-york-spring-summer-2012.html

Fashion Q + A
Runway
September 15, 2011

Gulnara Karimova, daughter of Uzbekistan President Ismlam Karimov, spins clothes with the cotton millions of Uzbek children are forced into harvesting each year. For humanitarian reasons, IMG disinvited her, and even at a new venue, the Guli brand was met with aggressive protests.
A crowd of protesters formed outside Cipriani's on 42nd Street for Guli’s spring/summer 2012 fashion show, where one child held up a sign reading “Stop Child Labor.” As spectators waited in line, one man handed out International Labor Rights Forum (ILRF) literature, which outlined forced child labor in Uzbekistan, where Guli designer Gulnara Karimova’s father, President Islam Karimov, has reigned as dictator since 1990.

According to the United Nation’s labor agency, the International Labor Organization (ILO), millions of Uzbekistan children are taken out of school every year to slave long hours in cotton
fields. According to the ILRF, they suffer from extremely long hours of physical labor, barely enough means to survive, denial of education, and exposure to harmful pesticides, leading to
respiratory diseases such as meningitis and hepatitis.

After strong protests from human rights activists and an alarming report from The New York Post on September 8, IMG first asked Karimova to cancel her show, and upon her refusal, they formally disinvited her. In a follow-up report from the The Post, a spokesman for Guli said the show was relocated "for security reasons," but at the “safer” venue, Karimova was a no show.  The turnout was small, and as the clothes made their way down the runway, it was a blatant reminder of the exploited children behind the cotton. There is not much to avoid with this line - it was unspectacular.

According to CottonCampaign.org, more than 60 companies and the American Apparel and Footwear Association (AAFA), which represents 800 brands, including Walmart and Target, are pledged to not use Uzbekistan cotton. According to ILRF, Uzbekistan is the world’s sixth largest producer of cotton, and the third largest exporter.

Ruffian Haphazardly Attempts To Create Sporty Elegance

http://www.fashionqanda.com/runway/ruffian-mbfw-new-york-spring-summer-2012.html

Fashion Q + A
Runway
Posted September 10, 2011

Inspired by horse races at Saratoga Springs, Ruffian ineffectively tried to forge elegance with sportswear by way of contradicting visual elements and uninspiring color combinations. They did win, however, with a select few standouts - proof positive that great design can still spring from this duo.

Brian Wolk and Claude Morais were off to the races in jockey jersey stripes, sometimes found stacked up the arm, or simply slashed diagonally across the chest on dress tops and swimwear. The stripe asserted no boundaries as to where it belonged, or concern for how its color may mesh with the garment. A bright, yet delicate magenta evening dress was given long, heavy sleeves of stacked black and white. The structures two strikingly different aesthetics left the viewer wondering, ‘Wear? But to where?’ They did try and create some visual interest
by repeatedly pairing satin sheen with a matte finish, furthering the theme of sportswear and elegance.

The saddle shoes worn by gentlemen to the races inspired a few suit dresses that had a bit more kick, with one piece sporting a black bow-tie like collar and an asymmetrical sleeve off the shoulder. The sheer paneling lined in black, was the kind of treatment more of Ruffian’s clothes needed.

Although the designers’ combo of red and pink in an array of evening dresses won’t wear well with everyone, but they at least offered the color enticement and energy that most of their simple, ordain color schemes failed to accomplish. The winning piece was an exuberant metallic cobalt mini, that almost appeared to be made of horse hair, with textured threading and shine. The designer duo, of course, kept it simple with a plain black top.

This collection teaches that it is great to be inspired, but application for design does not need to be so literal. Just because a jockey’s jersey has heavy white and black striped sleeves does not mean the concept will work by simply adding it to an evening gown. There were a few gems that prove Wolk and Morais have it in them, so maybe for next year’s fashion’s race, they will tap into their talent and inspiration for a strong comeback. 

Concept Korea IV: A Journey Through Earth, Space & Time

http://www.fashionqanda.com/runway/concept-korea-iv-mbfw-new-york-spring-summer-2012.html

Fashion Q + A
Runway
September 10, 2011

Vibrant, intricate and unique, the designers at this season’s Concept Korea showcase win the whimsical hearts of those who love fun and creative fashion.

The sun beamed through the glass-walled windows of Lincoln Center’s Avery Fisher Hall, reflecting light off mirrored, staggered platforms, where statuesque, goddesses stood erect in soft purples, grays, teals and beiges. The aura of reverence and dignity was appropriate for the occasion, as the five designers behind Concept Korea IV left their native home to represent their leading collections for New York’s Fashion Week.

With a close look, the angelic figures added drama to the scene by lifting their pale faces to the heavens, as designer Doho’s clothes floated off their bodies in light airy fabrics and constructions. At the same time, the earth-driven influences grounded the looks. Translucent fog of chiffon swirled around a model’s torso, neck and chest, and dew drops dripped off a model’s waist in the form of a multi-layer chain belt with clear stone, water-like accents.

Doho pulled you down to earth, but designer Lie Sang Bong’s collection welcomed you to a whole other realm of structured traditional Korean architecture taken over by natural forces. In a beige, cropped leather coat, the front was overcome by intertwining root extensions but in perfectly shaped, manmade curves. Florescent electrical veins, pumping purple and blue, embedded a black long-sleeved shrug.

Fantasy lands do really exist however, and designer Son Jung Wan escaped you to her favorite, the Isle of Capri. The Blue Grotto and the La Fontelin inspired the palette of sandy beiges, ocean blues, and stony grays. The contrast of beach sand and sea blue sprung up other desired contrasts for Wan, such as retro and vintage, and minimal and maximal. All of her looks were quintessential for a late dinner at her favorite Isle of Capri restaurant, Da Tonino.

Designers Steve Jung and Yoni Pai, behind the line Steve J & Yoni P, offered an excursion not through space, but rather through time. The year is 1993, with bright box cut denim jackets, acid washed maxis and comfortable cotton mini a-line dresses. The prints on cotton were rosy 90‘s floral, including the very signature-to-the-era sunflower popping up for sunshine. Designer Juyoung Lee’s menswear line Resurrection catapulted you forward in time, to a future when male and female fashion morphs into one another with men in skirts, red leopard, and wide torso belts.
Transporting you over time, the oceans, and reality, these five designers most importantly gave onlookers a glimpse of their home Korea, where clearly, creativity and craftsmanship reside.

bebe Rejuvenates Its Look While Maintaining Its Mass Appeal

http://www.fashionqanda.com/runway/bebe-mbfw-new-york-spring-summer-2012.html

Fashion Q + A
Runway
Posted September 13, 2011

With Bebe’s new design consultant Charles Benton taking reins over the artistic vision of the retail brand’s spring 2012 collection, a new aesthetic unfolded. It serves the same market with signature form embracing tanks, tailored suit separates, staple shorts, and frill, but elevates the label with a refreshing take; this is way after its party-club look had lost its formative appeal.

Charles Benton swayed little from his 1900’s Gibson Girls inspiration, with accurate recreations of the fashions worn by these former models of beauty. With a great deal of the collection, it could be more specifically themed ‘Gibson Girl’s undergarments’, with sexy, slip-like dress, literal or implied corsets, and one-piece underwear with frills. The Gibson Girl gowns were reconstructed as design elements for effective daywear, with puffed sleeves, often cuffed in satin ribbons, lace and ruffle trimmings, elegant fanned out arms, and true-to-the-era button details.

Benton did fuse modern approaches, such as the use of sheer, which he often created with parlor tablecloth-like embroidery work. It was all done with taste while maintaining commercial appeal. The only piece that may be a bit too fashion-forward for this sector was a long sheer maxi skirt with strips of cascading panels. In a sea of white, this piece, however, was the most vibrant.

These looks are ideal for easy, romantic, summer and spring days, made even more comforting with luxurious fabrics - such as lightweight silk and cotton voile, embroidered silk, and stretch linen. The collection boasts of well placed and beautifully crafted detail on garments that possess a functional quality, all made possible through smart creative insight.

The only point of disappointment with this collection is somewhat of a huge oversight. Tackling a Gibson Girl motif and not embrace the hourglass figure they were famous for? This is ironic coming from Bebe who epitomizes clothing built for the sexy female form. Where Bebe missed sexy in the form of a shapely cut, they made up for with clever arrangements and  lady-like touches that left just a little to the imagination.