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

Pony x Harbin Autumn/Winter 2019 at New York Fashion Week

The Pony x Harbin show at Spring Studios at New York Fashion Week on February 9th was a celebration of streetwear and the Chinese New Year, kicking off with a Chinese opera performance fused with rock music. The most noted runway look (and also spotted on guests at the show and in general throughout the runways at New York Fashion Week) are oversized puffer jackets. The 90s influence included layered looks of plaids, hoodies, black/white/grey camo. Vibrant red, yellow, purple and blue was mixed with black, grey, white, and metallic silver. 

While models walked the show, a Chinese calligrapher painted down the middle of the runway. The runway show concluded with a choreographed dance of Kung Fu performers and a traditional Chinese lion dance, showing the fusion between Chinese style and western culture. Afterwards, the celebration considered with a presentation, Harbin beer and hors d'oeuvres for guests. This was the only show I attended on Saturday night and I'm glad I went! It was filled with creative, exciting performances and a young, edgy, fashionably and energetic crowd. 

  

- Kim Weling

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

Leanne Marshall Fall Winter 2018 at New York Fashion Week

Leanne Marshall celebrated her recent engagement with fans and fashion insiders by holding her runway show on Valentine's Day, placing a custom-made Valentine by Lovepop on each runway seat with a Fall/Winter sketch and love note to attendees.

Gorgeous gowns, chunky knitwear pieces, and oversized jackets styled with a trendy wet hair look by Aveda graced the runway at Leanne Marshall's Fall Winter 2018 show.

Her palette consisted of charcoal, midnight navy, dusty rose, metallic bronze, citron, and cyan. The unexpected color combinations flowed gorgeously from one capsule to the next with her signature silk chiffon silhouettes, wool shift dresses, and organic cotton outerwear. My favorite color combinations included navy and citron, charcoal heather and dusty rose, navy and metallic bronze, and cyan and navy.

Waved and scalloped cutouts added a touch of drama and served as a departure from her usual penchant for flowy fabrics. Each piece in the collection was crafted sustainably, whether from leftover, hand-dyed bridal materials or organically sourced cottons. My favorite looks from the collection included a bronze sheer beaded long sleeve top and sheer tiered beaded skirt, and a navy wool crepe gown with illusion bodice and bronze silk chiffon skirt.

The forty models in the show featured a variety of different shapes, sizes and ethnicities, including plus sized and real sized models, reinforcing Marshall's desire to dress all women. 

Leanne Marshall's last look was a stunning, voluminous citron gown with a drop waist, with lace illusion and crinkle silk organza details. 

The show closed with Marshall's fiancé Remy making his first catwalk appearance handing over a lovely bouquet of red roses to his bride to be, with a loving "aw" trickling through the crowd.

 Above photos courtesy of Leanne Marshall

Here are some additional photos I took at the runway show

- Kim Weling