Text, Vivian G. Kelly
TIME & PLACE: April 2009, at the Edite Showroom, 134 West 29th Street, NYC
PART I - DESIGNER APPAREL COLLECTIONS
IT’S ALL IN THE MIX
We got a favorable impression o Rachel and her concept for Edite when we first started visiting the showroom 1 year ago. It was a bit rough around the edges, but we liked the idea she and her Partner had of sussing-out new talent and putting them in front of American editors – in all areas of the media – print and web both.
The list has shifted and morphed from “good” to “better” in just one year. We fully expect Edite’s selections to go from “better” to "best" in the next three.
NADJA VASSILISA- SEXY ELEGANT EVENING OPTIONS FOR THE SIZE 10+ WOMAN
HURRAH! Here’s one designer who is cognizant that girls over size 10 want something fashionable to wear too. There are gold lame dolman sleeves with a gathered front detail and a gold button, in long or knee length designs that are the perfect solution for an evening out or when you’re hosting a dinner party at home.
You Rachel Zoe types out there – this line is also for you. Think about how great Zoe looks in her Missoni caftans, we wouldn’t be surprised if she added a few Vassilisa pieces to her personal wardrobe.
Ms. Vassilisa has already scored the front page of WWD, and it won’t be long before other major publications catch-on. Our hope – that retailers “get it” too, and start carrying her nationwide.
So far, you can find Vassilia at: Satine, 25park.com, Legends in Nantucket, MASS.
HALEH – DOWNTOWN GIRL
Says designer, Haleh Nematzadeh, “It’s the spirit of a girl that first started to play with fashion and loved to explore the mix.”
THE INSPIRATION for the fall 2009 Collection - the leading ladies of the 1981 punk film, Ladies and Gentlemen, We are the Fabulous Stains, Nematzadeh translates the renegade glamour of the film’s three girl punk band into a collection filled with experimental leathers, distressed denim, chain mail, embellished sweatshirt material, and “grunge” plaid. Young girls will love the loose-fitting jumpsuits and tee-shirt dresses are contrasted by robust biker jackets, mini-skirts, and bodysuits. Those of us who actually experienced the eighties will get a kick out of reliving our past! Fittingly, the images of the collection were shot in the Chelsea Hotel, in Downtown NYC, a favorite pied-de-terre for rockers and other creative types while in Town.
ABOUT THE DESIGNER
Haleh Nematzadeh is an EX-FIT-er who's worked with Pat Field designing a capsule collection. She’s the real deal, she lives the life of a Bowery Girl - just like you would imagine her to be – black hair, red lipstick and tiny. She is her own customer and herself look great in the black mesh leather jumpsuit, or the gold chain mail tank top or dress she doubtlessly wears for a serious night out. Our favorite piece is the black nylon dress with a deep armhole with vintage Saturday Night Fever appliqués on it.
The complete collection can be viewed at www.halehnematzadeh.com
SERPICO’s fall/winter 2009 Collection – your source for suits and separates with a Graphic Sensibility
Says designer, Melissa Serpico, “I try to create interesting patterns as well as clothing, such as a dress that is all made from one piece of fabric although it is not readily apparent to the eye.”
THE INSPIRATION: the Baroque garden labyrinths of Northern Italy and France, which she describes as the essence of modern romanticism, SERPICO reinterprets everyday favorites with embellishment and innovative fabric choice.
On tap this season: a limited palette of black and blush separates that can easily be mixed and matched, with some interesting hand cut details. We could easily visualize SERPICO in the pages of sophisticated pubs such as W, V Mag and Paris Vogue.
This Chicago native studied graphic design at Loyola University Chicago before going on to study fashion design at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago. You can see an architectural influence in the clothes she designs, similar to Narcisso Rodgriguez and the late Gianfranco Ferre, who studied architecture during the course of their careers.
The silk organza she favors juxtaposed with sculpted silhouettes and geometric details offers a fresh take on architecture and detailing.
WHERE TO BUY
SERPICO is currently sold at boutiques including Debut, New York and the SERPICO boutique in Chicago.
Melissa’s got an added edge - she makes the owner’s dresses of the ultra-hip DNA boutique in Dubai.
To learn more, visit www.serpico-collection.com
HONORABLE MENTION to designer CLAUDINE KHIET –for her modern take that is perhaps inspired by Hubert de Givenchy’s elegant designs for Audrey Hepburn in the fifties’ classic, Sabrina.
**ENDNOTES: Be on the lookout for PART II of this report, which will cover ACCESSORIES at EDITE.
We were the first to view RAFAEL YOUNG’S collection. Rafael’s collection is all about the DETAILS: a well-balanced high heel, and a metallic finish in cobalt, bronze or gold. The bronze leather looks like hammered bronze instead of mere leather.
OUR PREDICTION: Much as with BIONDA CASTANA, EDITE’S RACHEL PALETSKY has found herself another winner. It won’t be long before we see images of starlets and socials strutting around in a pair of Rafael’s shoes or boots.
PHOTO CREDITS
Images of Vassilisa,Haleh, and Serpico, courtesy of EDITE
Image of the DNA Boutique, from www.designtastic.net
Image of Haleh Nematzadeh, from www.nymag.com
No comments:
Post a Comment