The Creative Cookie

Prete & Bruno: Fall 2012

Italian designers Salvatore Prete and Filippo Bruno had the American launch of their womenswear collection, Prete & Bruno, with Mercedes Benz Fashion Week earlier this month.

The fall 2012 collection features ready to wear glamour and elegance with brilliant couture twists. The designing duo took their inspiration from old Hollywood where movie stars personified style and ladylike silhouettes.

This show put me in the mood for the Oscars, celebs, the the red carpet turned runway. The sparkle and drama kept me in anticipation, look after look.

photos: Lesley Ware © 2012

New York Fashion Week Wrap-Up: Fall 2012

This fashion week marked my 7th season covering shows. I'm forever drawn to the energy, effort and creativity that surrounds the eight-day event. It's been such a privilege to watch designers evolve from season-to-season. Here's Fall 2012 freshness from Farah Angsana, Milly, Carlos Miele, & Joy Cioci -- four designers that I always keep up with.

photos: Lesley Ware © 2012

View reated Cookie posts here and here and here.

Essence Style 24/7

Last week I attended Essence Magazine's Style 24/7 breakfast celebrating New York Fashion Week. The event started so early that I practically slept in my clothes to be on time, but I'm glad I went. Held on the Strand Hotel's rooftop the posh affair featured a presentation of designer Mimi Plange's collection for fall, manicures by Ginger + Liz, and an ultra-glitzy Swarovski bracelet bar. In attendance were Essence Magazine's Editor-in-Chief Constance C.R. White, top fashion press, trendsetters, and of course, The Creative Cookie:).

It was a morning full of sunlight, robust coffee, and love. Here's a taste of what I saw:

photos: Lesley Ware © 2012

You can view more Essence related Creative Cookie posts here.

I'm still s l o w l y rolling out the Fashion Week coverage...stay tuned!

 

Barbie's Virtual Dream Closet: Fall 2012

During New York Fashion Week I stepped out of the tents and behind the pink doors into Barbie’s virtual dream closet at Lincoln Center. The experience was inspiring, whimsy, & um very pink:). 

Try on looks from your computer by visiting the Barbie WOW site. There's vintage, haute couture, 9-to-5, and even attire for Ken.

photos: Lesley Ware © 2012

Me in Barbie's architect look; love Barbie's style

Read related Creative Cookie posts: The Barbie Issue, Barbie Exhibit

Out & About (the tents)

Fashion Week is always fun for me because I reconnect with contacts, review trends, try out new products/services, and get spotted by street style photographers like Mikey Kay.

photos © 2012 Mikey Kay Photography New York

Likeable Looks I

I met designer/blogger Niv at Lincoln Center while waiting in line for the Carlos Miele show. Her wire headband design is so creative and chic!

Lesley Ware © 2012

Josie Natori: Fall 2012 (pt. 1)

Filipino designer Josie Natori will show her ready-to-wear collection for Fall this afternoon at the Rubin Museum (one of my favorite NYC places to be:). Below you'll find a short film from her spring collection + check back for show photos later in the week!

Ivana Helsinki: Fall 2012 (pt. 2)

Tapiola-Kauniainen for fall 2012 is warm and full of wonderment.

Ivana Helsinki is an independent art, fashion and cinema brand by Finnish designer Paola Ivana Suhonen. Friday evening marked my 4th season observing her work. With every collection my fascination grows. Always inspired by memories, moments and moods the clothes carefully convey a story on the runway making this one of my favorite lables.

The latest collection, Tapiola-Kauniainen, draws its inspiration from childhood weekends in the 70`s, spent with family and friends in a country home near Helsinki.

Paola's color choices included hues of blue, burnt orange, wine, and blacks & whites. Each season the Designer introduces us to a signature-made print which gives the collection depth and uniqueness.

The collection had plenty of great dresses with silhouettes and a stylish confidence that would suite most women's personalities. However, my favorite look was a sweater covered in oversized pompoms. I'd pair it with black wool or silk trousers, colorful socks, and large glasses (of course!).

I can't wait to visit the concept boutique in Soho (which opened this past weekend). So, I guess this story is to be continued -- keep reading The Creative Cookie for part 3.

photos: Lesley Ware © 2012

Fall 2012 Runway Mood Film

TAPIOLA-KAUNIAINEN from paola suhonen on Vimeo.

Ivana Helsinki: Fall 2012 (pt. 1)

It's time to make a fashion confession: Ivana Helsinki is a label that I love!

Last night marked my 4th season covering the designer's work and again I'm very fond.

Here is a quick clip that I grabbed as the show was ending. Images and writing about the collection soon; stay tuned!

 

New York Fashion Week: Fall 2012

It's New York Fashion Week & I'm excited to see brilliant designer work!

One show that I can't wait for is Prete & Bruno. The Italian design duo has found inspiration in old Hollywood glamour movie stars turning them into international style icons! Love what I see so far especially the skirt lenghts, necklines and poofy shoulders.

Please check back & follow me into the weekend for sweet pictures & savory opinions.

♥*throws up some glitter*♥

Happy Fashion Week!

 

-Lesley

 

 

Ivana Helsinki: S/S 2012

Ivana Helsinki is an independent art, fashion and cinema brand by Finnish designer Paola Ivana Suhonen. This was my 3rd season observing her work. With every collection my fascination grows. For Spring/Summer 2012 the inspiration was "Indian Summer" all about "Love stories, Road trips & Dresses///Northern Oddity, Pure Beauty & Wildwood Vagabonds". The clothes were tribal in nature and the styling of the models was unlike anything that I had even seen. Most wore their hair in bushy ponytails stacked sky high and their hands were completely covered in black paint. This visual took me back to childhood days of making mud pies after the rain. The pallet was sprightly, ranging in hues of blue, green, red with pleasant pops of yellow. It was a nice surprise to see Paola incorporate swimwear, this season, for the 1st time. Overall, the collection was very wearable and featured a "flavorful sophistication along with a shot of contemporary charm."

the hair!

exciting to see a Black model get the coveted closing nod to end the show

photos: Lesley Ware © 2011

The sightlines where I stood were awful, so I only took a few photos. Here's a page from the lookbook to give you a better flavor of the collection [click it to enlarge].

Check out Ivana Helsinki from the past seasons on The Creative Cookie here & here.