Son Jung Wan Spring 2023 at New York Fashion Week

Son Jung Wan Spring 2023 at New York Fashion Week is inspired by the "Swinging '60s", reinterpreting the unconventional and free spirit of that era, featuring bright colors and graphic patterns in a collection that is both modern and classic with fun, playful vibes. 

The collection features natural draping, voluminous pleating and dramatic collar detailing with sophisticated yet rhythmical colors and textures. 

- Kim Weling

The Society Fashion Week x House of Barretti Gifting Suite at New York Fashion Week 2021

It's always exciting to see the latest trends and exciting new collections on the runway, but I also love showcasing sponsored brands that help support these shows. 

On September 11, 2021, I attended The Society Fashion Week x House of Barretti gifting suite / after party in Manhattan, hosted by designer and teen millionaire Isabella Barrett, who was so inspiring and energetic as she took me through the suite to meet with the brands. Check out some of my favorite brands that I met with - L. Styles, LLC, Kocostar, Patchology and Candies.

TeLeigha Peavy is the designer of L. Styles, LLC, showcasing her handcrafted jewelry with styles ranging from chunky, tribal, artsy and bold using grade AAA semi-precious gemstones, certified precious stones, GIA certified natural untreated diamonds, swarovski crystals, genuine leather, stainless steel chain links and beads. The jewelry on display included necklaces and bracelets that are both unique and luxurious looking statement pieces. 

Kocostar is a brand I am familiar with, notably for their sheet masks. I was excited to see a mask I haven't tried yet, their Rose Flower Mask Sheet as well as the Mask Zone Cream. 

The Rose Flower Mask Sheet has a unique design in that it looks like real rose petals, in which you can remove each petal one by one and stick it onto any part of your face or neck.

With all the mask-wearing going on, the Mask Zone Cream helps to maintain the skin balance and protect skin against constant mask use. This cream helps to condition your lips, cheeks and chin area. 

Patchology is another brand that is known for their eye gels and facial sheet masks. I've used both their eye gels and sheet masks at home or when I'm traveling, even on the plane. Here they were introducing the Breakout Box, a 3-in-1 acne kit including blackhead-eliminating charcoal nose strips, pimple-shrinking salicylic acid dots, and whitehead-absorbing hydrocolloid dots. 

Also great to see in the gifting suite is Candie's Beauty! You may know Candie's for it's clothing or shoes, but I always think of iconic fragrance first, Candie's Legacy Her which unexpected layers of vibrant with Pink Currant, Tart Kiwi, Lemon and Pineapple Pulp, with a veil of Jasmine and Pear Blossom.

- Kim Weling

BENNOV | SUPIN | Videmus Omnia at The Nolcha Shows Fall/Winter 2019

Videmus Omnia

The Nolcha Shows Fall/Winter 2019 showcased designers Shiyuan Li of BENNOV, SUPIN and Yun Qu of Videmus Omnia on February 10th at Union West Events during New York Fashion Week

BENNOV focused on a black and white palette in cashmere with sequin, fringe and feather detailing. SUPIN kept it simple with shiny silver jackets, t-shirts and athleisure pants. 

Videums Omnia stole the show with a haute couture / avant-garde collection that combines art aesthetics of 14th-16th centuries renaissance, 19th century impressionism, and mid-1980s grunge music. My favorite look from this show was the cropped top and asymmetric ruffle skirt. The show also included a two tone jacket with fringe and draped mesh with pearl detailing, impressionist mini silk ruffle dress, oversized ruffle bomber jacket paired with a mini romanticism dress, and a textured silver crop top and mini skirt. There were also a few deconstructed deconstructed looks. 

As sponsors of The Nolcha Shows, luxury and beauty sleep brand, NIGHT, partnered with InstaSleep to promote self-care and restorative sleep tips during New York Fashion Week. Whether you're a designer, model, makeup artist, hair stylist, media or influencer, a good night's sleep is necessary to maintain self-care while traveling between runway shows. NIGHT introduced guests to their youth-boosting memory foam polyurethane NIGHT Pillow, fitted with a hypoallergenic, wrinkle-minimizing silk pillowcase. Guests were encouraged to try products from both brands, with samples of the NIGHT Golden Silk Sheet Mask and InstaSleep Mint Melts. 

BENNOV 

SUPIN

- Kim Weling

Studio 189 Fall/Winter 2019 at New York Fashion Week

Studio 189 Fall/Winter 2019 is a celebration of indigo, exploring the role indigo from Africa has played in the development of denim culture. The collection introduces sustainable pieces made with organic cotton, recycled glass beads and upcycled denim, and techniques from hand batiking and bògòlanfini to natural indigo dyeing in Uganda, Mali, Burkina Faso and Ghana.

This 'Sunday Best" collection marks the first time Studio 189 has presented a fall collection, as well as the first time showing at Spring Studios. Among the colorful patterns and vibrant color are elegant kimonos, fitted jumpsuits, dresses, floor length ruffle skirts and bomber jackets.

Studio 189 launched in February 2013 in honor of Valentine's Day's One Billion Rising campaign dedicated to stopping violence against women and rape with the idea that fashion could be an agent of social change. The sustainable fashion brand was co-founded by Abrima Erwiah and Rosario Dawson.

 - Kim Weling

J. Mendel Fall 2019 at New York Fashion Week

J. Mendel Fall 2019 is inspired by the texture of raw marble, the rich tones of geode crystals, and the layering techniques of painter Sean Scully, presenting a collection of looks for both day and night. This season's looks are also more youthful, with the addition of standout shearling pieces, in timeless camel, dusty rose and vibrant lavender, styled effortlessly with everything from layered tulle gowns to metallic tweed minis. One of the looks includes a short coat made of teddy bear shearling over an intricately beaded and embroidered mini dress.

A modern take on texture and layering continues with an open-weave top and organza gown made of layered ruffles. Daytime tweeds are made even more textural by way of chevron embroideries and gold-threaded inlays, all inspired by the shapes and changing colors of the interior of stunning geodes. 

The evening gowns in J. Mendel collection include hand-pleated skirts, sheer layered ruffles, and elegantly low necklines. When it comes to the light and airy, yet rich and opulent feeling of J. Mendel's finale gowns, the designer looked to photographs from Tim Walker that hold that whimsical deconstruction of what once was only seen in the great halls of centuries past Parisian galas. They are gowns that carry with them stories of generations past, simultaneously infused with a new energy of the younger generation. 

J. Mendel Fall 2019 was stunning to see, although I wish the collection, or at last some of the looks were presented on models, to see how the dresses flow and move. It's just not the same seeing it on mannequins - you also don't see the different angles of the dress or how the beading sparkles and shines. I hope next season J. Mendel goes back to an on-model presentation! 

This dress is one of my favorite pieces, as the beading stands up 

instead of laying flat against the dress!

- Kim Weling