How I Save the World » glamazons

Nolcha New York Fashion Week 2009

Paul — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 04:16:55 +0000

The beauty of Fashion Week in New York is that the “scene” is no longer limited to a group of famous designers showing in Bryant Park. Indeed, this Fall’s NYC Fashion week saw shows and events catering to independent designers, retailers, and consumers. I was privileged to attend one such fashion offering: Nolcha Fashion Week. The organizers of Nolcha have put together a very handy and inspiring website for up-and-coming designers, as well as opportunities to discover these new designers. Enter Nolcha New York Fashion Week.

Held at the Bohemian National Hall (the Embassy of the Czech Republic in New York), this year’s Nolcha Fashion Week featured 7 designers. The press release can be found here. Here’s a video of designs by MinnaK.

Farah Angsana Couture, Fall 2009 Collection on Vimeo

Paul — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 21:58:04 +0000

Farah Angsana Couture presented its Fall 2009 collection in Bryant Park, New York City on Feb 16, 2009. Entitled “Kiss of a Dragon”, the collection featured stunning evening gowns, gorgeous cocktail dresses, and beautiful cape-dress combinations.

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Farah Angsana Couture, Fall 2009, Bryant Park, New York Fashion Week

Paul — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 22:55:37 +0000

The Kiss of A Dragon

Three seasons ago, Farah Angsana’s couture collections hit New York in a sea of soft ruffles, dazzling rusching, and exquisite embroidery. Fall 2009 saw her showing in Bryant Park for the first time, and all her signature trademarks – draping, rushing, beading, and embroidery - were present in full force.

Cocktail dresses in cream, antique gold and sage silk gave way to silk chiffon evening gowns and a stunning gunmetal silk jersey draped evening gown. Simple silhouettes paired with detailed bead work presented the viewer with rich contrasts. A cocktail dress is transformed with Gazar tiers and Swarovski crystal beading, while the designer re-invents simple capes with jet beading and embroidery to create texture and a feeling of luxury. I particularly liked the Jacquard coats with beautifully beaded hems and cuffs and trimmed collars. They added a new shape to the dresses and gowns which with to play.

And Farah Angsana did indeed play with this collection, the backdrop of which was Shanghai in 1939. She spun a story about the kiss of a dragon that transforms the Farah Angsana Woman into a phoenix. This theme was evident in the use of many accents, including ostrich feathers and mandarin collars and culminated in a dramatic final piece – a black and red silk chiffon draped evening gown with embroidered and beaded black and gold dragon scales. I can’t wait to see which Hollywood starlet has the chutzpah to carry off this absolutely stunning dress!

Farah Angsana Couture Bridal New York

Paul — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 03:45:53 +0000

I had another wonderful opportunity to ogle at Farah Angsana’s exquisite couture workmanship – this time her fabulous couture wedding gowns. These gowns are for the young, gorgeous Upper East Side starlets whose lives are as colorful as the set on Gossip Girl. Thoroughly aspirational, Farah Angsana Couture’s bridal fashions will also be a hit with the style-conscious Los Angelistas.

The classic Farah Angsana Couture trademarks were all there – the lovely rusching, the fabulous embroidery and drapery, the ethereal fabrics used, and that je-ne sais-quoi of her Asian heritage and European sensibility . Silhouettes were very modern, with only a couple of pieces that accented traditional wedding gowns. And even those were subtley executed: with more flattering shapes, and sleeker trains and veils. Another cohesive and beautifull presented collection. Well done, Farah!

Lilly Pulitzer Jubilee @ Parsons

Paul — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 02:44:46 +0000

This was such an eye-opener for a starry-eyed fashion outsider comme moi! I am ashamed to say that I had to google Lilly Pulitzer to find out more about her. But what I discovered was astonishing. The colors – psychadelic pinks, yellows, greens, blues – were just super. I LOVED every piece that I saw. I felt that I was at an outdoor market in Rajasthan and not in an uberchic space in Manhattan. The colors are one thing, but the prints and embroidery are so adorable.The clothes are light, airy and so summery and perfect for the beach. In her clothes I saw hints of Pucci, Missoni and Alpana Bawa.

This was a super retrospective of her work and so well executed. I particularly liked the wall of framed prints, along with framed quotes from desginers like Vera Wang, Carolina Herrera, and Michael Kors about Lilly’s timeless style. I am such a fan now!

Jaslene Gonzalez Walks for Farah Angsana

Paul — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 21:01:54 +0000

How fabulous to see Jaslene walk for Farah Angsana this Spring 2009 Fashion Week. She rocked, she was fierce, and she’s a working model! Wonderful stuff. Here are some great pics, courtesy of Mabel Lim, who attended the show.

Farah Angsana Couture – Spring 2009 – Final Exit

Paul — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 14:43:24 +0000

This was the final exit of the show. I loved the vibrant colors and the excellent cut of the long gowns. The embellishment and embroidery is just exquisite.

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Farah Angsana Couture, Spring 2009, New York Fashion Week

Paul — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 20:39:02 +0000

The video doesn’t do justice to the incredible detailed workmanship on these gorgeous gowns. I was seated in pole position and wanted to reach out and touch the fabric as the girls went by. The emerald green numbers were among my favorites. I also liked the peach gown that had an exquisite bolero-jacket-like top.

Silk, satin, crepe, jersey – the material was so beautifully tailored to fit the body and fell so gracefully across the form. One number – a red/pink short dress with lots of silver studded embroidery – drew gasps, as did an amazing pink long gown with detailed silver work.

There were many red carpet pieces and hopefully it won’t be just Teri Hatcher, Olivia Wilde or Carrie Underwood, who will be wearing her clothes.

Oh, and it was a treat seeing America’s Next Top Model winner from a few seasons ago, Jaslene Gonzalez, walk the ramp! Tyra Banks would be proud!

Miss Italia 2007 – Silvia Battisti

Paul — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 01:54:35 +0000

Alright, it’s about time for me to start my build up to Miss Universe 2008 in Vietnam. Here’s a gorgeous contestant, who I think should definitely be in the semi finals. She’s fresh-faced and an absolute delight judging from her wonderful smile.

Does she have what it takes? Take a look for yourself!

And if you want to email Silvia and drop her a friendly “Buon giorno!”, email her here!

Riyo Mori and Honey Lee

Paul — Wed, 30 May 2007 02:01:11 +0000

And the debates begin about which candidate is more beautiful – Miss Korea Honey Lee or Miss Japan Riyo Mori. The Internet is rife about how the translator messed up Miss Korea’s answer and cost Honey Lee her Miss Universe tiara.

We’ll never know the judges reasoning as to why Miss Korea placed 3rd runner-up, but what we do know is that Honey Lee is one of the most beautiful contestants ever to grace Miss Universe’s stage. Both girls were absolutely breathtaking, but Japan was fun loving and had this sassy energy, while Korea was more reserved. In the end, they both made history as the only Far Eastern beauties to place in the top 5 for a long time (barring Kurara Chibana’s 1st runner-up placement last year). Well done, girls! You both have the Universe at your feet!