New York Fashion Week S/S '09: Part 2!

College life. Six classes taken throughout the week. "Eating out" at one of the cafeterias on campus and choosing something off the same menu every day. A mediocre nightlife, that is when I'm not writing papers until 6 AM or watching late-night movies and Law and Order marathons with a cup of Ramen noodles.

So, leaving my quiet campus to walk the yellow brick road into a dark room filled with fashion lovers, a blue lit runway, a mosh pit of press and yes, Nigel Barker, was definitely appropriate for my first visit to the tents of New York Fashion Week. It was as if I stepped into Oz!

At the ever classic Perry Ellis show, thirty male models (one of whom was a dead ringer for creepy thin man from the Charlie's Angels' movies) strutted their stuff in beachy cotton blends and linens.





There were tons of pastels, mostly blues, lilacs and tans. Many of the summer country club looks consisted of sweater vests, Members Only-esque jackets, and cardigans.




One of the standout pieces was definitely this purple leather jacket.

Next stop was Edwing D'Angelo, whose show was studded with plenty of familiar faces from America's Next Top Model , including Lisa, Eugena, and Bianca.

While the music relayed a jungle atmosphere, the beautiful cast of ethnic models wore an assemblage of looks in classic black and white. The designs straddled a fine line between couture and ready to wear and that's always a plus.



My favorite piece was without a doubt this high collared long sleeved white Cinderella mini with black detailing across the cinched waist.

Best part of this show? Definitely one of Elle's past Models of the Moment, Wendell Lissimore. <33

Lastly, I made my way to check out the Jose Duran collection, which was opened by Miss Jaslene from ANTM in a dramatic white grecian gown.

The avant-garde line is very sophisticated and artsy. It has unique silhouettes and plays with interesting geometrics. Duran uses his signature silks to drape many of his looks, but interestingly incorporates sculpted iron and fiberglass into his designs. The highlighted pieces are his metal corsets.

It was a wild, wonderful and colorful trip to New York Fashion Week! And then I woke up...back to the black and white world of college.

-Nastasia

Source/Source

Edwing D'Angelo's "Awakening"

Designer Edwing D'Angelo showed his Fall 2008 collection, "Awakening" to a packed crowd on Friday night, and your girl, Elle, was in the building! It was quite an impressive collection of both women and menswear, with a big nod to Victorian romanticism. There were lavish plaids, high waisted skirts with the look of bustles, high neck scarved collars, embellished sheer fabrics, fur, tweed, lace and brocade. Ooo la la lush! The men looked daringly androgynous with a nod to the vampire Lestat. The entire collection had a really medieval feel but with modern twists, so it will be interesting to see how he translates some of the pieces to the market. Let's take a look, shall we?

Edwing D'Angelo. Isn't he darling?

When I spoke to D'Angelo after the show about his inspiration for the collection, he stated that it was a meditation of the past, with a nod to the future. "With everything going on right now in the world, we're not sure about what the future holds, but there's such huge hope. There's a woman and a black man going for the highest office in the land! So there is this awakening going on." Agreed!

I met Amanda Lepore. I can die now.


Me and my new BBFF (Blogger Best Friend Forever), Chi Chi from Urban-Hoopla



Shut up!

...and then this one time, at band camp...

Cheeeeese!

Thank you Vanessa Vergara

One to Watch: Edwing D'Angelo

Ready for his close up!

Columbian born fashion designer Edwing D'Angelo burst onto the scene in 2002 and in just six years has become a fashion force in the industry. He's dressed such celebs as Patti LaBelle, Vivica A. Fox, Monique, Miri Ben-Ari, Nelly and Sean Paul and has produced three fabulous collections for New York Fashion Week.

A recovering attorney, D'Angelo got his start moonlighting as a stylist on photo and video shoots and producing pageants while working full-time as an immigration lawyer. It wasn’t until he designed a prom dress for his younger sister that his destiny began to take shape. The gown was such a hit amongst his sister’s friends that he ended up making 32 in all!

D'Angelo has since opened up a SOHO boutique and continues to be in high demand for classic design with a Latin flair. Not only has he served as fashion consultant for the BET Awards and Univision but he's also been praised by Women’s Wear Daily, Essence, The New York Post, Bride’s Noir and Latina magazine. One of his creations was even featured in “The Devil Wears Prada” (the yellow, floral dress that Daniel Sunjata’s character shows to Miranda Priestly).

D'Angelo is definitely one to watch...and luckily I have been invited to view his Fall 2008 Collection, "Awakening" during Fashion Week! Look out for my full review February 4th...