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.

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!

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!

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!

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!

Since her first showing in New York last year, Farah Angsana has had a string of celebrities don her glamorous frocks. Terri Hatcher, Carrie Underwood, Olivia Wilde have all picked Farah Angsana Couture dresses for black tie and red carpet events and received great reviews. Her drapery is exquisite and I really hope I get to sit right by the runway so that I can see the details and hear the swish of the material as the models sashay by.

I leave you with some of her pervious creations and will gleefully Twitter her show tomorrow.

The colors started out Spanish red, and that Latin theme carried through the show. Ruffles across bare shoulders, embellishing necklines, trailing from hems – they added accents to body-hugging gowns, tops, and skirts. Reds changed to a whole spectrum of colors; my favorites were the saffron yellow pieces and this black evening gown that screamed RED CARPET!. We will definitely be seeing Carolina Herrera come Oscar season, if not sooner!