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Fall 2011 Fashion Show

For those of you who do not have a Facebook account (the "anti-FB's"), I wanted to share my Fall 2011 Collection with you. After hours and hours of editing and arranging still photos, sound bytes and runway clips with my videographer extraordinaire, the video is finally here! Hope you enjoy...

Incredible Cardin

A couple of months ago, I posted about the legendary designer, Pierre Cardin. I felt that most "non-fashion" people only recognized him for luggage and fragrance (for shame!). Well, that may soon change. Friday evening, I was lucky enough to not only attend Mr. Cardin's showing of his Spring 2011 collection, but I also met the extraordinary designer! If my fifteen year old self could only have imagined that one day, I'd shake his hand and he would compliment my dress...! What? Yes, HE complimented MY dress! Surreal.

in the original, gold "Elizabeth" dress

Photo: Richard Renda

The dress in question? The original "Elizabeth" dress from my Spring line. Yep, it's short, no doubt about it, but I managed. Cardin actually touched the fabric and asked if it had metal in it... the man knows his stuff! "It's beautiful," he said. OK, I can die happy now. I thanked him and told him that he was a very big influence on me growing up and that I was honored to be there to witness his unbelievable show (comprising of 200+ looks!!). Very humbly, the white-haired man asked me, "Do they like it? What are they saying?"
Just like an artist. I guess it doesn't matter how successful or how experienced we become, there will always be that teeny weeny bit of self-doubt and that nagging urge to impress.

Pierre Cardin chats with Marisa Berenson after the show

I covered the show for the online fashion publication, "Lookonline" -- click here to read my article and to view some runway pictures from Cardin's show shot by the incomparable fashion photographer (a.k.a. my house photographer!), Randy Brooke.

NYC

I love my city. I had one of those days when I stopped every so often to look around me and acknowledge that fact.

I had a coffee in Bryant Park and I got there toward the end of a presentation put on by Broadway in the Park. How lucky that I live in a city where I can sit in a beautiful park and drink gourmet coffee while I catch a bit of a Broadway show?

singing and sunshine

From the park I made my way into the garment center to one of my favorite fabric stores. As usual, I got lost in their gorgeous and exotic merchandise from all over the world. I need to stop gravitating toward the $200 per yard qualities! Ouch.

$210? Really? AND it's narrow goods...

When I left the fabric store, I bumped into Elvis. Yes, that's what I said, it's not a typo. How lucky that I happened to have my camera on me today! Enjoy...

Hunka Hunka Burnin' Love

Dress Me

help save Sadie, she is cold!

I keep looking at my poor, naked dress form and I feel the need to clothe her (her name is Sadie -- I don't know why), but I'm not feeling inspired lately. Maybe it's all this rain casting its doom and gloom. Jeans and my oldest, softest sweatshirt have become my best friends as of late, though I'm desperately trying to catch spring fever.

me (left) and WendyB (right) in our matching "gangsta" vests

side view and back view of wendy's vest (on "Sadie")

two-tone kid mohair scarf I knitted

I made a cool "gangsta" vest for jewelry designer WendyB recently and I knitted a scarf for a friend. What now? I do have some very unique kelly green fabric lying around. It's cotton/nylon/metal and it's extremely innovative, but not the easiest fabric to work with as I have already made a suit a couple of years ago in the turquoise color. Still, I might give it another shot. Any ideas/suggestions are welcome!

Sylvia Williams models my cotton/nylon/metal jacket and mini

Vest Friends

I had a great day yesterday despite the annoying phone call I had with a so-called customer service individual which resulted in me thanking them for their tremendous lack of help and abruptly slamming down the phone. Well, it was a cordless so I pressed the END button really hard! At least I made my pal, jewelry designer, Wendy Brandes laugh! I was with Ms. Brandes at the time because I went over to her place to drop off her custom "gangsta vest" that I made for her.

WendyB models in her "gangsta" vest and vintage patchwork clutch

A few months ago, I was wearing this piece out for drinks with the girls and WendyB took a liking to it. So, she and I paid a visit to the amazing B&J Fabrics and selected some beautiful pinstripe in order to make her a duplicate vest. I made a muslin first and we had a fitting, then I adjusted the muslin and we had another fitting. Finally, I drafted the paper pattern and cut into the fabric... no turning back now! I was quite happy with the results and so was Wendy. We decided to go out on the town in our matching ensembles (you know, like those annoying husbands and wives that dress alike, or identical twins that don't have their own identity!).

Stacy Lomman (me) & WendyB in our matching "gangsta vests"

First stop was to visit a very cool and very chic vintage shop on Elizabeth Street in Nolita called FROCK. Amazing! Wendy happens to be friendly with owner Evan Ross who treated us like the celebrities and socialites who frequent this little gem of a shop. But, more on that tomorrow! Later, my talented designer friend, Tatyana joined the party and the four of us had a nibble and some cocktails at "Delicatessen." Note: Order the truffle, parmesan fries!!

Evan Ross & WendyB

UPDATE 3-26: I had to show the inside of WendyB's vest... the lining is fantastic...it's hard to see, but it's a stripe twill pattern. Good choice Wendy!

Having A Fit

I had a jam-packed day yesterday… ran downtown to have lunch with my stylish friend Richard, zipped back uptown to meet the multi-talented WendyB and topped it off with Champagne and snacks with fellow designer Tatyana. Did I get any work done? Not really. However, I did have a rather productive fit session with the gorgeous WendyB. Talk about a busy girl! Wendy’s schedule makes my head spin. A little while ago she asked me if she could purchase my pinstripe vest – how flattered was I? So, we took a trip to B & J and selected some pretty amazing fabric. Yesterday, Wendy managed to squeeze in some time for a fitting before heading to the gym. I’ve never seen Wendy without her signature red lips, but Ms. B. was positively glowing sans any trace of make-up. I want to hate her but I can’t, it’s impossible. I didn’t think it would be fair to snap any pictures of her since she wasn’t exactly prepared for a photo shoot, but I will warn her the next time!

initial muslin for vest

puzzle of flat pattern pieces

Highlights: Berlin Fashion Week

Berlin Fashion Week came to a close on Saturday and if I had to summarize the shows in a few words, I would say: Leather, latex, luster and luxury! I could write a monster post wherein I review each collection, but who has time for that? Besides, Berlin doesn’t compare (yet) to New York, London or Paris Fashion Weeks. But, I personally enjoy discovering new designers with unique style and vision -- it’s so boring to look at the same labels all the time. So, let’s break down Berlin…

Schumacher, .dimitri, Susanne Wiebe

Color: Black was the strongest (non)color across the board. No surprise there. Dark shades of burgundy, midnight and charcoal are dominant tones in the fall palette. Sparkly silver and glimmering gold accent and brighten the deep tones. Brighter hues of blue and orchid add an energetic pop to the spectrum.

"Color" Strenesse Blue, .dimitri, Arrondissement AQ1

Fabric: Buttery satin, rich velvet and flowing silk chiffon mix with soft knits. Cashmere and virgin wool fibers are used in heavier jacket fabrics as well as warm jerseys. Leather is present in almost every collection. Tech qualities such as neoprene offset natural fabrics to create a modern twist.

"Fabric" Allude, Sam Frenzel, Anja Gockel

Surface: Silicon printing creates a glossy finish; sequins add glittery shimmer and leathers are patent and shiny. Plush pile fabrics offer texture as do a variety of fur and tweeds.

"Lacquer Shine" Chaya, Perret Schaad, Susanne Wiebe

"Glitter" Anja Gockel, Stefan Ekert, Joop

"Lush & Plush" Rena Lange, Sam Frenzel, Rena Lange

Key-Looks: Narrow silhouettes including skinny pants prevail. Business attire makes a statement in separates and dresses. The formal tuxedo diffuses into daywear creating sensual silhouettes. Oversized knits are paired with leggings and tights for a sporty-elegant ensemble.