The PREVIEW: Molly Grad's GOTTEX spring 2011 Collection

TEXT, VIVIAN KELLY
Image, courtesy of Atelier Public Relations

A year ago, last July, at Mercedes Benz Miami Fashion Week Swim, I was devastated to learn that GIDEON OBERSON, the maestro of sexy WEARABLE swimwear wouldn't be designing for Gottex anymore. LOU IACOVELLI,co-founder of Atelier PR introduced me to the new Gottex designer, a willowy brunette, MOLLY GRAD, who could easily have been mistaken as a model.
Her first attempt at GOTTEX captured some of the glamour GIDEON infused the brand with, and there were some stunners, such as the mushroom patent leather one-piece. All in all, a promising start.
The preview sketch indicates that the upcoming s/s2011 collection will be glamorous and sexy, yes, but always in a refined way. "Sexy" is NOT in your face [I didn't buy enough fabric] as at BEACH BUNNY SWIM or ED HARDY SWIM.
Ladies who fancy themselves lounging on a beautiful sailboat or yacht, be sure to check-out TheFE's post-show review after GOTTEX's September 15th 2p.m. show at Lincoln Center's Theater.
I'm expecting big things from Molly on this round now that she's had time to grow-into her position and give it her own special twist.

White-Wash and Mother Nature: the Binetti s/s2011 Collection PREVIEW

TEXT, VIVIAN KELLY

Yesterday, as I thought back to my IM conversations earlier in the week with friends PR maven, JONO WAKS, and CASI DENSMORE COON, Editor of www.cupcakemag.com, it hit me.
I LOVE THE PRE-SHOW ASPECT OF FASHION WEEK BECAUSE IT REMINDS ME OF BEING A KID AND GETTING READ TO GO BACK TO SCHOOL. ALL OF A SUDDEN, I WAS 14 AGAIN, AND THE MOST PRESSING THING ON MY LABOUR DAY AGENDA WAS TO ORGANIZE THE OUTFITS [AND ACCESSORIES!] I'LL TAKE WITH ME ON WEDNESDAY A.M. when I check into the Cornell Club and officially start s/s2011 fashion week. THE MOST DIFFICULT PART OF THE VERY ENTERTAINING ASPECT OF BEING A FASHION WRITER/EDITOR, IS THAT I'M WEARING FALL, BUT I'M PREVIEWING SPRING DESIGNS I WANT TO WEAR RIGHT NOW.

AFTER VIEWING THE SUPERLATIVE s/s 2010 PREVIEW ARTICLE in www.nymagazine.comFASHION TRIBES FRIEND, WRITER MARK BEHNKE EMAILED ME AS A "MUST READ" - I'M EXPECTING A FASHION WHITE OUT FOR SPRING. BY WHITE, THOUGH, DESIGNERS ARE EXERCISING A LOT OF CREATIVITY WITH IT, NOT JUST THROWING A BORING WHITE LINEN SUIT YOUR WAY OR WHIPPING UP DRESSES THAT YOU'D HESITATE TO WEAR FOR FEAR OF BEING MISTAKEN FOR A BRIDE.
TAKE BINETTI. Buenos Aires born Diego Binetti tenured at Bulgari and Jill Stuart, and later founded his eponymous line in 2001. The Benetti bohemian chic collection is sold in over 60 storefronts across the United States and 22 countries worldwide.
His upcoming collection will feature an "air" print, white chiffon infused with black china ink, and "the Bodice" mixes textures of metal beaded work and organza cutouts of fish scale shapes, all over delicate white tulle. After flipping through the 100 preview images from NY Mag's "The Cut" [referenced above], it seems that white + nature inspired detailing = a novel and romantic approach to wearing white and banishing black come spring.

MARA HOFFMAN – Preview of the Swim 2011 Collection

TEXT,VIVIAN KELLY

Every season at whichever fashion week I'm attending, there are the obvious stars of the week. This week, at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim, the two highlights are Trina Turk and Mara Hoffman.
New York City based Ready-to-Wear & Swimwear designer Mara Hoffman will be showing her “Mara Hoffman Swim” collection on the runway for the second time during the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim shows on Saturday, July 17, at 7p.m. on the Raleigh's Cabana Grande.

This season, Hoffman’s muse goes on a mystical journey through the jungle. Expect to see variety of new silhouettes and several new eye-catching and ethnic inspired, bold and colorful prints. This year, Hoffman partnered with Alternative Apparel, known for their vintage soft tees and basics, for a special mini-collaboration for the show.

After flipping through the list of shows on the roster, this one's at the top of my go-to list. Watch for the post-show review this weekend!