John Galliano Arrested

Creative Director of Christian Dior arrested and making anti-semitic remarks?

It would be horrific if this were the case. I'm not one to judge immediately based on "facts" from the media. Let's see how this story unfolds. I also want to see how the Christian Dior ready-to-wear show will turn out on March 4th.   See story from vogue.com here

Temperley London

More ready-to-wear during London Fashion Week! Beautiful pieces. Doesn't it remind you of Spain? Watching the flamenco dancers as you drink red wine.  You can view the collection here on Style.com

By the way, I think red lipstick is the item to get for Fall. I saw a lot of red lips during NYFW.

Oscar De La Renta

I love his designs. Although once the designer for the Balmain couture house, Oscar De La Renta feels couture is not necessary for today's world. Practically speaking, he's probably right. Then again, neither is art. As you can see, I'm being facetious. Take a look at this article.

Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images

Marc Jacob's One Million Dollar Show

Anyone see the MJ show? It was definitely a beautiful one. I came across this article that said this show cost $1750.00 / second. That's as much as one couture dress, no?

credit: AP Photo/Kathy Willens

Vivienne Westwood

London Fashion Week Ready to Wear. Huffington Post likes to say Alice in Wonderland meets Outerspace.   I liked the pieces, I wasn't keen on the makeup and hair. It seemed a little like a lot of models on acid. Vivienne Westwood is definitely one of my favorite designers so I shouldn't say things like that. It's true though.

 This photo by Getty doesn't show the hair and makeup I'm talking about. These looks are more subtle. 

Bjarke Ingels

I always believe high end design, whether it be fashion, couture, product or architecture is interesting and fun to follow. After all, it's a lifestyle more or less. I came across this article and found it fascinating - a green design by Bjarke Ingels, in the heart of Manhattan on W 57th Street. To read about it, click here.

This is the rendering, however, all projects have a bottom line so we shall see the final result! 

Milly Simmonds

I came across this interesting video on CNNMoney.com on Milly Simmonds, an up and coming model.
Take a look! 

Waiting for the show at MBFW

Ready to wear shows!

Random photo inside the Narciso Rodriguez show

Her shoes

This is a blogger's station. I heard it costs around $800 to have a spot in this section for the week. I suppose it isn't bad to rent if you're a pretty big blogger. I wonder what they had back in the 80's.

The pit at Narciso Rodriguez

I thought I would see some reviews but they aren't up yet. Tibi had these beautiful big tea length skirts with petticoats underneath. They had bold floral prints. Narciso Rodriguez was definitely more architectural based and minimalistic. Color block was the theme and structure. Mackage was a mix of street and luxe. Coats were beautiful as always, and outfits were sexy. Mackage audience is my crowd of people. All my friends love them. The only drawback I could say about all the shows is that us East Coast girls are going to have to wear tons of layers over these some of these pieces. 

MBFW

I don't really know how buyers do it, and photographers, because after three shows, I'm done! I was done after two but really wanted to see Mackage.

I saw Tibi, Narciso Rodriguez and Mackage.

My camera sucks, so I didn't get the best photos, but you can definitely see nicer photos from Style.com.  What I found fascinating was the lobby! Everytime! And some of the inside look of a fashion show. Fashion shows amaze me every season. I don't know why. And yes, no Haute Couture. I know.

Actual nail salon inside the lobby

yep. Starbucks. It's everywhere 

Mercedez Benz.... well, you could have guessed this one. It's in the lobby

Magazines, WWD newspaper to grab

I experienced the pit. Still had crappy shots - Mackage show.

Linesheet for Narciso Rodriguez

The Sartorialist

Happy post Valentine's Day! I hope you were able to spend it with your friends, family, or someone you love. So New York Fashion Week is here, and I'm getting ready today to head over to Tibi and Mackage.
I was also looking at the different shows via online, but the best photos I saw was from The Sartorialist.
If you don't know this site, take a look here. I love going on there to see what kinds of styles are out there.
I can't post any of his pics here, but you can go to his site. In the meantime, I can post this video about how he finds his inspiration. It's beautiful. Reminds me of how I feel when I see Haute Couture, and watching it being created. And no... I'm not just throwing that in because this is an I Love Haute Couture site. Although I do love it...I'm not obsessed with it. That's two very different feelings.

BHDLN

Wedding gowns used to be such the high end purchase or it was the other way- David's Bridal, but now it's become popular with brands such as J Crew and now, Urban Outfitters, Inc. This photo is from Urban Outfitters, debuting their new line on February 14th.
I can't wait to see their site since I am curious about their demographic. Urban Outfitters is younger, but Anthropologie, owned by the same company, is older.   Pricepoint is around 1000-3000, which is still reasonably priced, especially compared to a high end brand. When I worked in various bridal houses, average price was $5000. Yep. I think Urban Outfitters Inc. is on track. Visit their online boutique 2/14~
p.s. yes, I know this isn't Haute Couture, but hey.. it's still damn cute

Heart Truth Fashion Show

Now we are entering NYFW 2011. Heart Truth Fashion show kicked off the week with celebrities walking down the runways in their red dresses. Here is a photo with Dita Von Teese in a Zac Posen. I pulled this photo from CBS News.com - you can see what the other celebs wore if you click on this link.

Okay, done with my break and back to designing my accessories line!

Armani Prive

I've been obsessed in researching different accessories done by cooperatives in India, South America, etc and found the most beautifully crafted pieces done by these artisans. As mentioned, I'm creating my own jewelry and accessories line, but want to mesh it with their pieces. Let's see what happens!

In the meantime, here is the preshow of Amani Prive by Fatalefashion.



You can see the preview of the show here. Can't wait to see his ready-to-wear.

Dominique Sirop

I was suddenly inspired this week-end, after my visit to the Balenciaga exhibit and hanging out with my friend Kali - I'm going to do a small accessories line so I can't continue my clothing design that I was doing on this site. I am in love with the idea I have in mind so my full concentration is on this.
Meanwhile, I will continue to read about Haute Couture. After all, this was why I even began fashion.
I don't know what year this is by couturier Dominique Sirop. I love it!

Balenciaga at Queen Sofia Spanish Institute

Balenciaga's skills were impeccable. Every piece was without a doubt made with extremely high standards. Although he resisted the guidelines and rules of the Chambre, I consider his pieces works of art, that it doesn't really matter if he weren't a member.

Three rooms were dedicated to this exhibit, which one of the rooms had a video of a 1950's fashion show. I saw one dress on an Asian model that stood out, and with modifications could turn into a sleek wedding gown. It was so elegant and beautiful.

They also had the coat in this photo by Irving Penn on display. When you look at it up close, you can see why people say his pieces defy gravity.

After the exhibit, my friend and I settled into a coffee shop. My friend is an entrepreneur / designer - Kali Simba. You can view her webite here. As we talked about the fashion business, I began thinking about jewelry pieces that I could make to go with pieces that I saw today, and with all the current Sp 2011 couture shows. Gaultier's stood out the most. I also thought the jewelry should mesh with the pieces I'm making for myself. I can't show you these designs just yet, but I will post them once ready. 

Rainy gross day turned out to be an inspiring, thought provoking day- who knew! 

Balenciaga and Sketches

I thought of a design in my head and quickly jotted it down. It's a mixture of fabrics combined like patchwork. One of my lessons from my illustrations teacher from Paris is once I sketch one outfit, take the parts I like and make it evolve by sketching more with the parts that I like. It's simple logic, really. So I'll have more later.

I'm heading to the Balenciaga exhibit at Queen Sofia Spanish Institute. Influenced by yesterday's party, I decided to throw on layers including my Inhabit tank and cardigan, my army boot inspired Converse, and G-Star coat. So not couture but hey.. who's going to walk around in the rain like that? I will report back but meanwhile you can see an article here . Looks amazing!

Happy Birthday G M D

Just want to pay tribute to G, which his birthday party was tonight. I know he has nothing to do with Haute Couture, but shoot, this is my blog and I can post what I want damn it. The fact is, there was an array of creatives in one room -from photographers to DJ's, to fashion and graphic designers. They all contribute to this creative world, which is very important to take note of.

 His website shows the range of his photography, which also includes the photo shoot we did together last summer. Can you guess which fashion shoot was mine? I guess you would just know by going on my website, minnak.com. Good night.

Anne Valerie Hash

I'm currently working on sketches which will take a few days to do. 

In the meantime, let's look at various couture topics. Anne Valerie Hash is an "official" member of Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture. I came across this photo from a blog called "The Excellent People". It's the fitting room of this couture house. I was really in awe by the beauty of this room. Imagine yourself getting fitted into a gown in this room. Beat that Macy's! 

Photo from Jacqueline Hassink from "VIP Fitting Rooms"

Project => Theme Boards

"After the Storm" - This is the theme of this project.  Due to recent experiences that caused a major imbalance in my emotions,  I feel that dark cloud releasing and the rays peeking through. I know it's corny, but hey... makes a more interesting design process. Plus, I believe emotions play a great part in creating - I chose these morbid looking fabrics during a time of sadness. Now that feeling has passed, I'm able to balance it with lighter palettes.

In addition, my mood board is a mix of textures that came from photos of La Sagrada Familia, of which were taken during my brief trip to Barcelona. After reading all the Sp 2011 Couture shows, I found my favorites were Gaultier and Givenchy.

The boards are all done on the computer, so it looks restricted - it's better to cut and paste by hand - I would do this if I were making an entire collection.

So... there you go. My rough sketches will morph into more focused styling. Keep in mind I'm making one article of clothing so not all fabrics and colors will be used. It's more for me to choose from.

Franck Sorbier

I thought I knew the couture houses in Paris... but no, I don't... here is one that has been in fashion for over 20 years, at Haute Couture status for over 5 years and I just now discovered this couturier.
Franck Sorbier. Mixing art with couture. It's not like his usage of dreads is a new idea, because obviously you see people on the street with dreads all the time. It's the fact that he used a creative approach to couture to tell a story. I can't seem to embed the video, but you can watch it here

Valentino

I felt Valentino's Spring 2011 Haute Couture show had substance, and it was a beautiful and cohesive collection. I do have to say that I wasn't really into the minimalist approach to some of the pieces. They looked like Ready-To-Wear, which to me, Haute Couture should always have more intricacy and details. If I'm going to have a handful of workers put in thousands of hours for one piece - it should look just that. Regardless, this white dress stood out in a good way because she looks like she is floating.

Chinese New Year

Next on the line is putting together my mood board and working out more sketches. First, I'd like to talk about Chinese New Year. It's the year of the Rabbit on February 3rd. I'm celebrating it by having dinner with a close friend, New Year's Eve at a Chinese restaurant. As we emailed, she told me her favorite place was "Super Taste" and she also liked "Excellent Pork Chop" and "Tasty Hand Pulled Noodles". What's up with the names?

Speaking of interesting names, ever heard of the movie "Curse of the Golden Flower"? The costumes are stunning, that I wonder how many hours it took to make each dress or headpiece. I won't ever know since I didn't live during an Emporer's reign but I assume it is as intricate as Haute Couture pieces, maybe even more.