Helen Castillo Autumn/Winter 2018 at New York Fashion Week

Designer Helen Castillo, currently on season six of "Project Runway All Stars," presented her Autumn/Winter 2018 collection at 230 Fifth Penthouse during New York Fashion Week, with Smashbox Cosmetics, Yantra Beauty, M4D3 Shoes and Heart of Gold Designs Accessories sponsoring the presentation.

For Autumn/Winter 2018, Helen Castillo was inspired by Hedy Lamarr, one of the founding persons of the GPS system during World War II. Lamarr was a revolutionary in technological advances as well as an empowering figure on and off the big screen. 

Lamarr was often portrayed as a 'glamorous seductress with foreign origin' in her Hollywood debut films. Lamarr's boredom from playing these roles as a sensual typecast character exhausted her, with her curiosity leading her on the path to invention, and to date is one of the most underrated inventors in history.

The concept of women being undermined in history inspired the collection to 'stir the pot,' to throw off the axis, that there is a strength in beauty, in sensuality, and that should never be taken for granted. The power of sex appeal should be admired, and not stereotyped or manipulated. 

With the recent uprising in Women for Women's rights movements, Castillo creates timeless silhouettes that not only provide a sense of belonging with the group but to embrace the female form as a beautiful and strong force to be reckoned with. 

Castillo's collection features evening gowns that play off the curves of the body, with looks including sequins, pinstripes, draping details and a satin bustier with vintage fox fur stoles. 

Photo credit: Melinda DiMauro Photography for Helen Castillo

- Kim Weling

Marcel Ostertag Autumn/Winter 2018 at New York Fashion Week

Marcel Ostertag unveiled the Autumn/Winter 2018 collection titled 'Opium' at Spring Studios Runway (Gallery II) on Wednesday, February 14th, 2018.

Ostertag sends us on a blissful journey where time and fashion unite and consumption and indulgence equate as one. Past and future meld with the here and now making vintage seem futuristic and classics seem edgy.

The Autumn/Winter 2018 collection began as an exploration of Yves Saint Laurent (YSL) in the '70's, as Ostertag came across an editorial in a vintage magazine store. The glamorous parties of the era offered the perfect springboard for 'Opium'.

Made in Germany, precious materials and elaborate details perfectly round off the modern silhouette. Painted poppy flowers, animal prints and striped patterns are perfectly fused by Marcel Ostertag into his classics, giving them a masterful revitalization. Highlighted fabrications include silk, cashmere, faux fur, sequined and pearl beaded chiffons. Silhouettes, while suggesting the past with 60's and 70's inspired wraps, go-go's and mod-dresses of every sort have been updated by his deft approach to detail and styling to rest squarely in the here and now.

It's refreshing to see animal print sequins mixed with stripes and pastel pink, as well as the color combinations of burgundy with pastel pink, and orange with pastel pink.

Key accessories featured are sporty belts with rose gold clasps and a new range of bags all made in partnership with Tamaris with whom Ostertag is now entering his third season of footwear design. All of the shoes are made of leather in burgundy, pastel pink, khaki, and navy with rose gold details and a range of plexi heels.

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Photo Credit: Getty Images for Marcel Ostertag

- Kim Weling