Fashion Funhouse Emporium

Over here at Fashion Funhouse Emporium, we are gearing up to cover lesser known and new designer shows at New York Spring 2012 Fashion Week.

Many people ask us, "How do I get invitations to fashion week shows?" The answer is that it's very difficult unless you are part of the industry. This is because fashion shows are not necessarily public events but showcases for fashion editors, stylists, retail buyers and reporters. Inviting everyone that wanted to come would probably fill up Madison Square Garden, making for a huge, expensive production some designers just can't afford unless they sell tickets. Though it may someday come to that, right now theres no room for you.

You (Yes You!) can head over to YouTube's Live from the Runway Channel starting September 1st. In addition the fully-loaded channel will keep fashion fans completely up-to-date with show schedules, backstage beauty looks, interviews, trends and how-to videos. Starting September 8^th, live shows from your favorite designers will broadcast.You will also be invited to join the conversation by logging into the site and commenting with the hashtag #LiveRunway.You can even sit in your local coffee shop and view by mobile devices. Recaps and archived fashion shows will also be available on the mobile channel between live streams.

MBFW is not the first to live stream shows, as many designers have recognized that you too love fashion. M.A.C and Milk Studios has thier own set of shows that have select viewing of real-time runway. ShowStudio, the innovator was the first to bring you overseas with the beloved Alexander McQueen's S/S 2010 collection 'Plato's Atlantis' live online.

The best part of all this? You can wear your pajamas, avoid the crowds and lines and eat popcorn in front of your iPad or laptop while you attend Fashion Week.

Mik Cire bills its self as "alternative men's designer clothing"  Now a days, not much is alternative since there are so many choices and styles in which anything goes. Though, Mik Cire does have a certain look that repeats season after season. Perhaps they should adopt the tag line "Bad ass men's designer clothing."

Colors: Black, gray, one lone red leather jacket

Materials: leather, cotton, shearling, knit

Loved Looks

© Fashion Wire Press, Ed Kavishe

The clothes from this Fall's looked very much like last Fall's Dirty Harry collection. That's my name for it, by the way, not his. But it works. Its sexy. This straight girl thinks so and so did the two gay gentlemen sitting next to me who were cat calling every time a new guy walked out. Kim's clothes are the perfect balance between the guy who still sports a Nirvana tee under a flannel and the guy who piles on Brooks Brothers three-piece suit. Mik Cire is not too stuffy and not too dirty. This guy could kick your ass...only if he wanted to.

© Fashion Wire Press, Ed Kavishe

I loved that he brought back the spats, suspenders and that even though the majority of the pieces were black, subtle details like square buttons made taliored jackets more interesting than simply just a blazer. Because of lack of the use of color, and sticking more to assorted shades of gray, this line could suit rockers well. Whenever we have a photo-shoot dude musicians for magazines or what not, they always bring a bunch of thier own clothes to show us--and guess what? All black. Perhaps Mik Cire would fair well with his own stand alone boutique in the LES or stores that carry lines like John Varvatos.

Unloved Looks

I was hoping to see less repetition of last falls looks. For no other reason except that I really loved the line the first time I saw it. I was really expecting Kim to bring it way over the top of Fall 2010's collection.

People, Scene, Music

It was an interesting assorted crowd for 4pm on a cold Saturday afternoon. Lauren Ezersky looked rocking in her black skull cap and leather jacket. Miss Jay Alexander sassin' it up, Micheal Musto, Eric West (is he related to Kanye? I'm so out of the loop) and Shannon Elizabeth sat front row. Music was a remix by John Brown of Starfield by The New Division.

Video

Karl-head Rating

What the hell is this? View Fashion Funhouse Emporiums Karl-head rating system!

Chris Benz

Chris Benz grew up in Seattle. At age 17 he came to New York to study at Parsons. With an internship at Marc Jacobs under his belt, he went on to work for J Crew. In 2007, he showed his first collection at New York Fashion Week.

Colors: green, yellow, orange, blue, neutrals

Materials: knits, cotton, tulle, leather, chiffon

Loved Looks

Photos: Style.com. Click to see full collection

While many fashion reviews may think this too 60's, his collection translates well to right now. Back to the 60's is a big trend this year (Miu Miu pre-fall, Nina Ricci resort, Marni) and Benz is keeping a good thing going for Spring 2011. With a bursts of bright colors and patterns, his stand out looks were the mini pleated skirts, tie neck blouses--in a couple different colors because when it works, stick with it. The floral shoes with the neutral hued dress were the result of a collaborative effort  with Alejandro Ingelmo, which gave the looks an extra boost.

Unloved Looks

While his ruffled shirt and floral skirt combo was nice, that is my point. In a collection of bold, fun pieces, this one was the snoozer of the bunch.

Music

60's french pop music played to match his them of how we silly Americans see Parisians--if it was the 60's.

People and Scene

Though presentations are usually low-key, this one was full of heavy-hitters. Kelly Osborne, who made the rounds as several shows, Susan Sarandon, Denise Richards and Carmen Electra.

Karen Walker

Karen Walker's street style and high end combination has a devoted following, especially overseas. Since 2002, this New Zealand designer has been cranking out unpretentious designs for the cool girls, who want to wear something a bit different, but without going all out avante garde.

Colors: green, yellow, orange, gray, light blue, nuetrals

Fabrics: cotton voile, crepe de chine, chiffon, cotton

Loved Looks

Photo: Style.com

Photo: Style.com

Photo: Style.com

Karen Walker's prints have to be looked at up close to be fully appreciated. I loved last season's weird deer/fly print. From far away, one wouldn't notice. That's what makes her patterns especially cool since you don't expect it. Bright colors paired with neutrals gives this collection a down played but fun aesthetic. I would wear each one of these looks for as an anytime outfit. Where Karen Walker's strengths may go unnoticed is her accessories. Have you seen the sunglasses? When I was doing market work for a stylist, I made sure to email the showroom and say "Make sure you show her the Karen Walker sunglasses!" Sure enough, the stylist came back with a handful for a shoot. Her collaboration with Pointer on the loafer shoes is classic, yet with that twist of cool that she does best.

Unloved Looks

Photo: Style.com

While mixing prints has been all the rage since last spring, if not done properly, the look tends to look as if the model escaped from the mad house and accidentally strolled onto the runway in a confused stupor. Individually, pieces were great, though I really think we should all get over t-shirts carrying messages, especially when mixed with busy printed sweats.

Music

N/A

People and Scene

Exit Art is a great venue for off-site shows. If it wasn't in West-Bumblef*ck, it would be the best show venue to see collections.  Set up with benches and viewing for all, Karen Walker was not stingy with the gift bags. If you managed to wrangle a seat, you got one. Her eccentricly cool followers attended as well as editors, bloggers and a few social scene girls.

Photo: Zimbio

Jose Duran

Jose Duran, a relatively new face on the scene at New York Fashion Week, hails from the Dominican Republic. This good looking designer has the clothes to match, though not in a typical pretty sense. He's designs are edgy and innovation which is why the industry should take note.

For the Spring 2011 season, Duran showed his collection at The Time Warner Center in New York.

Photo: Berit Group/ Jose Duran

Photo: Berit Group/ Jose Duran

Photo: Berit Group/ Jose Duran

Check out this episode of Designing Minds for look into the creative process of Jose Duran, from Zoom in Design.

Naeem Kahn

Naeem Kahn, was born in Mumbai and launched his own company in 2003. Kahn gained some pretty impressive press during the first official State Dinner, when First Lady Michelle Obama wore one of his stunning gold gowns. But, don't expect Naeem Kahn to stick to glamorous black tie event attire. His talents lie in intricately detailed cocktail dresses and separates as well.

Colors: yellow, light blue, white, black, coral, beige, green, pewter, lavender.

Materials: Sequin, crepe, satin, chiffon, organza, linen, ostrich feathers.

Loved Looks

Photo: WWD/ George Chinsee

Photo: WWD/ George Chinsee

Photo: WWD/ George Chinsee

It's hard to pick just three looks out of a show from such a talented designer. As if I have to repeat it, we've seen plenty of the minimalist trend for Spring 2011. Naeem Kahn didn't follow on that band wagon. With plenty of first lady appropriate garments, and looks for just about any woman who wants to add glamor but not look like a silly fairy tale princess. The lily bodice on the gown above is such an original, out of the box piece that is perfect for red carpet. His silk shirt and long embellished skirt combination is chic, sophisticated and can be mixed with other pieces. The jewelry in his show was designed by his wife, Rajana Kahn, who is coming up on her own with gowns, as featured on Kristen Wiig in Gotham Magazine's May issue.

Unloved Looks

Photo: WWD/ George Chinsee

Yellow and black is usually a color combination that doesn't do it for me. Kahn's first few looks included this pattern and color. It's not a particularly bad thing, but as I mentioned at the beginning of fashion week, Im not big on the color. Its a personal bias.

Music:

Donna D'Cruz handled the groovy vibe for this show.

People and Scene

Though Naeem Kahn is a well received and respected designer, the show didn't have a celebrity driven front row. Stylist Robert Verdi, complete with sunglasses on was spotted in attendance. Since Verdi knows how to get women in the right clothes, perhaps the celebs themselves weren't needed. He will have no problem using this collection for many red carpet moments.

Written by Amber Stolec, as reported by Jamar Graham for Fashion Funhouse Emporim. Jamar attended New York's Parsons School of Design. He's worked for leader in trend and industry analysis, WGSN and as a stylist assistant. Currently runs his own blog called Treated Material. He is also launching his own clothing line to be announced soon.

Zang Toi

Zang Toi was born in Malaysia and is a Parson's School of Design graduate.

Colors: pink, black, white, blue

Materials: silk, crepe, organza, denim, cotton, linen, cashmere, suede

Loved Looks

Photo: WWD/ George Chinsee

Photo: WWD/ George Chinsee

Photo: WWD/ George Chinsee

While this show was a parade of theater wardrobe costumes, there were a few pieces that would fit fine on the racks at department stores for women who like a classic debutante dress. Lets not forget that there is something for everyone's tastes when it comes to clothing. Perhaps a country artist or a lady who attends black tie galas could wear a piece or two. I also very much enjoyed the shirtless male model that kicked off the show as well. So, thank you for that.

Unloved Looks

Photo: WWD/ George Chinsee

Photo: WWD/ George Chinsee

This show had more losers than winners. While I believe Zang Toi was trying to bring excitement into a fashion week of plain garments, the execution was over done. From everything to the theme, the music, and the garments, Lone Star Cowboy & The Texas Rose was a literal display of the American cowboy culture. At times the collection seemed like Ralph Lauren's anniversary collection gone wrong. Where a look couldve been a knock out, a craft store trimming was added to downgrade it. The black peak lapel blazer and classic trouser were flawlessly made, but the pink bow on the lapel seemed like an afterthought. The same goes with black silk ball gown and the black floor length gown. The denim suits and jeans looks should've been edited out.

Music

So you know this theme of Lone Star Cowboy & The Texas Rose that inspired Zang Toi? He had the music to match. The show started out with Save a Horse by Big and Rich. I thought, Brilliant, hes mocking America's country culture. A large portion of the crowd somehow knew the lyrics to the song. A large heavily made up older blond woman was "riding the saddle" in her seat while swinging an invisible lasso. Was I at a New York fashion show? From there, the music switched to Main Theme of The Magnificent Seven. Finally, for the last 15 minutes of the show--I shit you not--this is by no means an exaggeration, since I Shazam App'd this song twice--once at 9:39 and then again at 9:55--and it was still playing as the show ended.  Show goers were driven mad by Giant by Dimitri Tominkin. At one point the security guard saw me using my Shazam app and asked "is this still the same song?" Indeed it was. As I exited he said "We'll all need therapy after this." Click on the link and give it a listen, just for a minute and imagine hearing it for 15 minutes straight at about 90 decibels.

People and Scene

I don't even want to talk about how packed this show was. All week, I have not seen one single tent show in The Studio venue this crowded. People were packed in the way KFC or Taco Bell stuffs every food-like substance on its menu into a one bowl fraken-food concoction.

Costello Tagliapietra

Lovable designers Robert Tagliapietra and Jeffrey Costello can often be seen dressed similarly in plaid shirts and suspenders, a burly pair often not what most picture when seeing such feminine collections. The two met at Parsons and formed Costello Tagliapeitra and sent thier first runway collection down the catwalk in 2005. The CFDA member designers have been slowly gaining acclaim since and even snagged a collaboration with the Japanese based brand Uniqlo.

Colors: nude, gray, brown, blush

Materials: georgette, jersey

Loved Looks

Photo: WWD/John Aquino

Photo: WWD/John Aquino

Photo: WWD/John Aquino

Costello Tagliapietra's collection was inspired by women who want to dress up, but without too much effort. It was the answer to today's casual society: down with velour pants suits! Jeans and tees are okay, but there is a time and place for everything, they say. Most of this collection was beautifully executed with a refined dresses for a woman who wants to get noticed, but doesn't want to be gawked at. Hits include the brown off the shoulder dress with draping, asymmetric sheath dress and printed off the shoulder dress.

Unloved Looks

Photo: WWD/John Aquino

Not unlike other designers this season, Costello Tagliapietra tended to go a bit overboard on draping. I think that the majority of women (and I am a woman) do not want to dress in a sack-like garment. Though the garments weren't completely unlovable. I did find the brown structure shoulder top and the pea green skirt to be a gross color combination.

Music

Costello Taglipietra's creative musical muses while creating the collection were The Mishapes, Washed Out, Memory Tapes and Ariel Pink.

People and Scene

MAC & MILK Studios shows have been giving the tents a run for their Mercedes money. With ample space and a "u" shaped runway, the crowd was able to catch every look that came out. If you weren't invited, the show broadcast live on MilkMade, Milk's site that covers the shows that happened there this week. More and more designer's are turning away from celebrity based arena-rock style shows, and evidenced by the people here, this duo shared the same sentiment. Though, designers know that famous faces will pull in a bit of extra attention, so this show was not without Leigh Lezark and other quasi-celebs, most likely personal friends of the designers.

Read a great article on the Starworks blog about Costello Tagliapietra and thier Spring 2011 inspiration.

Watch the Spring 2011 Costello Tagliapietra Show at MilkMade.

MIK CIRE

Former Monarchy designer Eric Kim makes his second round at the Tents at Lincoln Center for New York Fashion Week. This men's designer is one to watch. He has past successful lines under his leather spats and is his own line is taking off.

Colors: Black, white, gray with hint of red.

Materials: cotton, leather, denim

Loved Looks

© Ed Kavishe, Fashion Wire Press

© Ed Kavishe, Fashion Wire Press

© Ed Kavishe, Fashion Wire Press

Since I attended the show for the Fall season, I knew I could expect some sexy men in hot clothes. With a combination of Lower East Side toughness and California skater vibe, each look was simple, but had that something extra for men who aren't trying too hard. Like last season, Kim had black trenches and fitted black jackets that men need to add to their wardrobe. Now. If I could add one word of advice, my readers went crazy over last season's leather spats and maybe they can be worked into a look or two for spring. I loved the scarves and men's jewelry with the white tees.

Unloved Looks

As a strict proponent against flip flops of any sort on male or female, unless they are wearing them at the beach or in a locker room, even Kim's funky shaped black and white shower shoes made me wince. Though, if guys decide to wear them in either of these scenarios, then they were totally cool.

Music

I missed the chance to Shazam it!

People and Scene

© Ed Kavishe, Fashion Wire Press

It was the no fuss Lincoln Center white runway venue. While there wasn't much of a set design, which is typical of these shows, MIK CIRE doesn't need them. At his shows its all eyes on the clothes. That is, unless you're into down-to-earth hottie Shannon Elizabeth and The Perry Farrell, who sat front row. I was also overjoyed to see rising male model Shawn Sutton walking in the show. I had the pleasure of working with him on a shoot for Japan's WestEast magazine which will be out in October.

For an upclose of the dudes of the MIK CIRE show, check out Fashionisto's backstage coverage.

Read Fashion Funhouse Emporium's Fall 2010 coverage of MIK CIRE. Its fall, in case you forgot.

Photo: Phillipe Bond/ Facebook

The Blonds, designers David and Phillipe Blond will be the last show for my New York Spring Fashion Week 2011 coverage.  Last season, there was a gorilla walking the runway along with plenty of signature studded corsets and lux evening gowns.

If you were wishing you could be there, here is the next best thing:

Watch The Blonds Show LIVE at 7:15PM September 16 (that's tonight!)