Fashion Week Floral Moments

When flowers show up in fashion collections on the runway, it’s usually in a print.  When designers incorporate them into their lines in 3-D, we salute them!  Now that New York Fashion Week has passed, let’s review the most memorable floral moments and installations from this year…

A colorfully elaborate set designed by Randall Peacock, was constructed at the Park Avenue Armory to premiere Tommy Hilfiger’s line.  Inspired by the rock music scene of the 60s and 70s, it was all about vintage rock and roll baby.  The set exuded the flower power of classic music festivals.  Not only that but it required over 130,000 flower stems and 4 days of labor to pull together.  “We wanted it to be a full circle. The clothes, the set, the soundtrack, the invitations, the ambience, we need to take you somewhere. We’ve taken you to Malibu, we’ve taken you to the mountains; now we’re going to take you to a music festival, with the 1960s and early 1970s as the inspiration.” -Tommy Hilfiger

 usa.tommy.com/shop/en/thb2cus

 In the spirit of “Alice in Wonderland”, was Thom Browne’s Collection this year.  A voiceover by Diane Keaton began the show; “Good evening, everyone, a short story, a simple story, a timeless story.”  The story was actually written by Thom Browne himself.  Known for theatrics, Mr. Browne was inspired by what might dwell on the other side of the looking glass.  Absurdity and whimsy were recurrent themes in each piece.  Theatrical but not entirely costumes, some models carried bouquets down the runway and even wore giant flowers on their heads.  “Every single piece is important to the story, very simple shapes, with amazingly intricate workmanship.” -Thom Browne

www.thombrowne.com

A tightly woven wall of flowers created by Raul Avila included carnations and hydrangea set the backdrop to Oscar de la Renta’s collection.  On his runway, it was pure floral femininity in the form of gingham and broderie anglaise.  Elegant and youthful silhouettes cascaded down the runway in a classic fashion.  Black and white patterns with playful splashes of color alternated from piece to ___ piece.  In partnership with the Clinton Foundation, stuffed elephants were found beneath each seat in the audience to help raise awareness of elephant poaching and ivory trafficking in Africa.  “There is no one on earth who makes a woman feel more beautiful than Oscar de la Renta” -Karlie Kloss.

www.oscardelarenta.com

At the Pavilion, silk and taffeta took over.  Soft colors and clean structures adorned the models of Tome’s Collection.  The line was inspired by a classic Indian dancer named Rukmin Devi, as well as photographer Dayanita Singh.  Modernized versions of traditional Indian saris were featured.  Most importantly, some of the models wore fresh orchids in their hair.  As a gift to attendees, a fresh orchid was placed in every seat for the purpose of wearing it in your hair.  Simple, feminine, and fluid, trench coats and high waisted skirts were featured, as well as petal embroidered pieces.

http://tomenyc.com

If you are feeling as inspired as we are, let us know if you need any fresh orchids to wear in your hair for this weekend!

Ciao darlings.

by Bernadette Lords

Beyond Couture

We are on a dress kick this week!  Inspired by the beauty of fashion and glamorous dress designs of today, we’re reflecting on their history.  Do you ever wonder where it all came from?  For instance, what ever happened to the days when women wore those incredibly glamorous ball gowns to social events?  The kind that simply couldn’t be accompanied without a fancy pair of gloves and maybe a feather or two in your hair.  That was another time, but an amazing one at that in terms of fashion.  If you are interested in the echoes of fashion past, you will love what is going on at the Metropolitan Museum of Art right now!  Debuting this week at the Met. in the Costume Institute, is an exhibit featuring the haute couture, twentieth-century garments by Anglo-American designer Charles James.  A man whose background consisted of raw talent and was mainly void of any formal schooling, he earned his place in the fashion world as one of the most famous couture designers of all time.  His elaborately constructed ball gowns were ahead of their time, and gave women a tremendously extravagent silhouette.  Inspiring many designers today, who followed in his foot steps.  He took glamorous tailoring to a whole new level.  The intricacy of his multi layered skirts, draped dresses, fitted bodices, ribbon capes, and patterns will be on display May 8th through August 10, 2014.  The exhibit titled “Charles James: Beyond Fashion” will present his early work along with his greatest work, as it blossomed and took off.  Taking you through the process and timeline of his career, this gallery will be highlighting the progression of his epic talent.  What’s even more exciting for us here at L’Atelier Rouge, is that greeting you in the main entrance of the Met. stands a gorgeous giant replica of a Charles James dress composed entirely of roses!   We have decided that this is something we simply have to see.  See you there?

“Charles James: Beyond Fashion”

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

May 8th - August 10, 2014

http://www.metmuseum.org/exhibitions/listings/2014/charles-james-beyond-fashion

 

The man of the hour, pictured above

Just imagine what it’s like to put on one of these!

Last but not least, the rose replica gown in the entrance!

 

 

by Bernadette Lords