Tenth Anniversary of Supima Design Competition SS18 Runway Show

I'm finally catching up on my New York Fashion Week posts, starting with my first show this season - Supima at Pier 59. You'll notice I was barely backstage this season, not that I was slacking off on shows, I was forced to do less since New York Home Fashions overlapped with New York Fashion Week. The Supima show was a great way to kickoff fashion week, since this season marked the Tenth Anniversary of Supima Design Competition, hosted by June Ambrose. Every year the competition gives young designers the opportunity to showcase their work while highlighting unique qualities of Supima. 

This year's seven finalists in the Supima Design Competition included Lela Thompson, Drexel University, Nancy Hennessey, Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising, Abigail Griswold, Rhode Island School of Design, Margaret Kwon, Parsons School of Design, Alyssa Wardrop, Fashion Institute of Technology, Sarah Johnson, Kent State University, and Alexandra Pijut, Savannah College of Art and Design. 

Lela Thompson's collection was inspired by Persephone, goddess of the underworld, with laser cut appliques, including a gorgeous red dress and full length dress in teal with a high neck and slit, covered in laser cut flounces.

Nancy Hennessey's Collection chronicles the "Timelapse of a Rose in the Darkness" exploring structure and sculpt of the rose, including a cocktail dress in black to pink ombre.

Abigail Griswold's collection includes dresses with neoprene piecing, slouchy jumpsuit and a cobalt parka coat. 

Margaret Kwon's collection is an exploration into art, place, color, form, design and aura including a velveteen corset gown in bright pink with a paillette placket, a bright pink duster coat with Swarovski crystal stripes and red paillettes, and a gorgeous gown in lapis blue with red Swarovski stripes and red paillettes. 

Alyssa Wardrop's collection was inspired by the artistry of the filmmaker, involving dresses with hand painting.

Sarah Johnson pulls her collection inspirations from the far East, featuring a velveteen cartridge-pleated top in aqua with rope halter and pleat-gront aqua culottes.

Alexandra Pijut's collection "Conscious vs. Subconscious," dives into the otherworldly with screen printed dresses in chartreuse/tanzanite glen plaid and tartan, lavender hounds tooth, purple tartan, and a jumpsuit in lilac/raspberry tartan. 

At the end of the runway show, Alyssa Wardrop was announced as the winner of the Supima Design Competition. As the winner, Wardrop receives an award of $10,000. 

 

Designer: Alyssa Wardrop

Above photos: courtesy of supima.com

Designer: Lela Thompson, Drexel University

Designer: Lela Thompson, Drexel University

Designer: Lela Thompson, Drexel University

Designer: Nancy Hennessey, Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising

Designer: Abigail Griswold, Rhode Island School of Design

Designer: Abigail Griswold, Rhode Island School of Design

Designer: Abigail Griswold, Rhode Island School of Design

Designer: Sarah Johnson, Kent State University

Designer: Margaret Kwon, Parsons School of Design

Designer: Margaret Kwon, Parsons School of Design

Designer: Alexander Pijut, Savannah College of Art and Design

Designer: Alexander Pijut, Savannah College of Art and Design

Designer: Alexander Pijut, Savannah College of Art and Design

Designer: Alexander Pijut, Savannah College of Art and Design

Above photos: courtesy of nyfw.com 

- Kim Weling

Chambray + Lace with American Eagle, Who What Wear Collection at Target and Dr. Martens

I was so happy with how this summer photo shoot turned out! You'd never know the mosquitoes and humidity were at play in these photos. As for my outfit, chambray + lace ended up being the perfect fit for the park scenery and flowers.

My American Eagle chambray dress was super comfy, and I’m excited to mention that I saw more chambray dresses at the recent American Eagle holiday preview. I have very minimal white in my wardrobe, but this lace shell ($22.99) by Who What Wear Collection, exclusively at Target is the perfect layering piece. I also got it in black. If you haven’t checked it out yet, definitely go to target.com and check out the new Who What Wear fall collection. I already bought four fall pieces and plan on getting a few more for the upcoming season. Great quality and pricing, but the best part is that the XS is actually true to sizing, with more of a tailored fit. I get so disappointed by these designer collaborations having such a large, loose fit. I’m happy I can actually shop this collection!

The Dr. Martens Jemima Aunt Sally shoes ($120) in White are comfortable to walk in for miles. They run wide and big, so I definitely recommend sizing down or wearing with a shoe insert or socks. What I love about these chukka boots is that you can dress them up or down. I’ve worn my Black pair with jeggings for a previous Dr. Martens photo shoot, but they can also be worn with a skirt, shorts or leggings. I saw that these shoes now come in Silver which I love!

Thank you to Deepti Sheladia for doing a fabulous job on my makeup look – I love the copper/navy eye and bold pink lip. Thank you to Krystal Pratt for thinking of this hidden gem of a location to shoot at and capturing such natural shots and making it look and feel effortless. The photos in the mini flower field are some of my favorite ones that Krystal has ever shot of me!

Lace shell: Who What Wear Collection at Target

Dress: American Eagle Outfitters

Shoes: Dr. Martens

Photos by Krystal Pratt

Krystal Pratt Productions

- Kim Weling

Activewear Featuring Spitfire Petite

Shelf Bra/Tank Top: Jillian Michaels for Kmart

Leggings: Spitfire Petite

Sneakers: Reebok

Sunglasses: Oakley

Water Bottle: Bobble

I recently came across activewear brand Spitfire Petite, which by the name you can guess is proportioned to fit petite women. I was super excited to try their Core Performance Petite Long Leggings in Black Mesh. 

The one issue I always have with long leggings is that they are always too long on me and i wear an XS. When it comes to length, I'd say this is my best fitting pair. It would probably fit perfectly if it was an inch shorter, but it's definitely shorter than my other pairs of leggings. I absolutely love mesh leggings, since they are fashionable and keep you cool at the same time. These are now my favorite pair of mesh leggings since the mesh inserts extend up the leg. The breathable mesh inserts are also thicker than the mesh I'm used to wearing. This makes it less likely to snag while putting them on, wearing them or throwing them in the wash. The heavier-grade high-flex fabrics also make these leggings perfect to stretch in and wear in the fall or early spring.

The toning power mesh reinforced waistband really sculpts to my core, and I can keep running without having to worry about my leggings falling and having to constantly pull them up. There is one detail that is key for me: it has a back zip pocket. It's the perfect spot for me to keep my key in. 

I go jogging at night, so during the summer where it's more breezy and less humid, I can wear these despite the heavier fabric. I usually just wear these leggings with a sports bra and tank top but this would also be perfect to wear with a t-shirt or sweatshirt. Overall, these leggings are fashionable, functionable and comfortable for working out or for on-the-go travel, running errands or walking around the city.

Spitfire Petite also specializes in pieces for tennis and golf. They also sent me the Grand Slam Racerback Tennis/Workout Tank to try out, which I plan on doing a fall tennis shoot with. Spitfire Petite is currently having a summer sale of up to 50% off, so it's a great time to stock up on activewear and try out their pieces!

Thank you to Krystal of Krystal Pratt Productions for another amazing shoot, who made this all happen during my lunch hour! She captured a great workout session on camera!

Photos by Krystal Pratt

Krystal Pratt Productions

- Kim Weling