Fashion Week is the Christmas for fashionistas, the mecca for those who breathe style. Last year, I was given the oppurtunity to visit the tents first-hand to view the Academy of Art fashion show and I was blown away! For a school that admits anyone and everyone interested in the arts, their graduate designers all possesed the aura of Central Saint Martin's alumni. This same oppurnity arose and I jumped at the chance of going again. For some reason, my second time going was much more memorable than the first. The Academy's show was also better the second time around. Designers Richelle Vanlenzuela, Jie Pan, and Sawanya Jomthepmala were the ones to keep an eye out for in the near future. In the mere four to six pieces, I was able to tell whose name you'd see on the Barney's in a few years. Richelle Valenzuela's gem-inspired collection's featured blue and gray silk organzas and intricate folds and pleats to complement the color story. Jie Pan combined a mess of different types of fabric with silk jersey to create stunning dresses that every girl would want for a night out on the town. Sawanya Jomthepmala used the 40's and 50's to isnpire her silhouettes and mosaics to inpsire her print. The result: a collection that needs to be in my closet and in Blake Lively's closet, as well. Jomthepmala's collection reminded me very much so of Preen's Fall 2009 look. She suceeded in taking Bombastic colors, such as neon pink and neon green and making them effortlessly chic. All in all, I'm left flabbergasted and why on earth does the Academy of the Art not having an online shop?!
'Til Next Seaon,
H.
