Ladies Who Lunch: VIVI ACADEMY Fall 2016!

Graduating from Parsons in 2013, designer Vivi Moya has taken the leap to launching her own label, VIVI ACADEMY, after getting real world experience with designers like Nanette Lepore  and Steven Alan.

With VIVI ACADEMY, 24 year old Vivi Moya has created a collection that is flirty, playful and above all wearable!  For VIVI ACADEMY Fall 2016, Vivi took her inspiration from our obsession with our smartphones and social media.

Vivi Moya’s family hails from Cuba and she learned how to sew from her grandmother who still critiques her technique and keeps her on point.  A self proclaimed tom-boy, Vivi Moya’s collection mixes it up with down-to-earth looks that can be paired with sneakers for a casual look or a cool pair of pumps to dress it up.

As part of the launch of VIVI ACADEMY 2016, Vivi Moya also created a short film which she presented at the debut of her collection, showcasing the collections inspiration. 

VIVI ACADEMY Fall 2016 is a reflection of Vivi Moya’s youth and using that to tap into her generation’s mindset for a collection that will appeal not only to them, but also to generations from many eras!

Video Photography by Josh Bell

Ladies Who Lunch: KYE Fall 2016!

With a focus on funky high-end streetwear, KYE has won awards from the Samsung Fashion Design Fund and was one of the 30 finalists for the LVMH Prize. Designer Kathleen Kye has been named as an “emerging designer to watch’ and a “trailblazer of new fashion trends” by numerous high profile press organizations.

KYE designer Kathleen Hanhee Kye earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in design at Central Saint Martins in London.  She presented her debut collection durning London Fashion Weeks Fall/Winter 2011 Season and has continued to build her label and her presence.

Based in South Korea, KYE began showing at New York Fashion Week as part of Concept Korea for five consecutive seasons and now is presenting the collections solo.  The KYE collections, which offer apparel for both men and women, feature designs with an emphasis on wit, humor and fun.

KYE Fall 2016 is a hip collection that has wide appeal and shows why numerous prestigious stores like Opening Ceremony and Harvey Nichols carry this youthful and innovative streetwear line!

Video Photography by Mariana Leung

Ladies Who Lunch: Marcel Ostertag Fall 2016!

German designer Marcel Ostertag made his debut at New York Fashion Week with his Fall 2016 Collection.  Already well known in Europe, Marcel Ostertag is ready to make his mark on the American market!

With his headquarters in Berlin, Marcel Ostertag runs his company based on ideals of sustainable production, the use of high quality materials and fair production conditions.  Marcel Ostertag developed his skills at Central St. Martin College in London and has continued to hone those skills through his collections and collaborations.

For Fall 2016, Marcel Ostertag was inspired by Rain, which is evident in the collection not only in the silhouettes, but in the use of innovative fabrics as well.  Marcel Ostertag is know for his design sensibility which draws on the tension between traditional influences and modernity.

After seeing Marcel Ostertag’s Fall 2016 collection, it is evident why this young designer has developed a following in Europe.  It is also evident that Marcel Ostertag has what it takes to make it in America as well!

Video Photography by Mariana Leung

Ladies Who Lunch: Cristina Ruales Fall 2016!

Always curious to find new interesting designers, I attended the show of designer Cristina Ruales during New York Fashion Week.  I went to the show with no prior knowledge of Cristina Ruales work and with no expectations found a collection that was as complex as the designer herself.

Cristina Ruales honed her craft by attending Parsons School of Design.  Her passion then pushed her to further that education by earning her masters in Design from Yale’s School of Drama, the first Latina student to do so!

A native of Ecuador, Cristina Ruales collections are influenced by her homeland.  But, she also finds inspiration in mountains.  Cristina Ruales started scaling mountains in the Andes at the age of 5 and continued to mountain climb throughout her youth. Ruales says that climbing “set the stage for her self-expectations and standards”.

Cristina Ruales, shows her combined love of nature and architecture in collections that are innovative, interesting and very wearable.  Collections for today’s modern woman and her modern lifestyle.

Video Photography by Josh Bell

Ladies Who Lunch: Ricardo Seco Fall 2016!

Mexican designer Ricardo Seco presented his Fall 2016 Collection in New York during the Men’s New York Fashion Week.  And while this talented designer consistently produces awesome menswear collections, Ricardo Seco also does womenswear and managed to blend some of those designs into his presentation as well.

Going back to his Mexican roots, Ricardo Seco took his inspiration for his Fall 2016 from the serape, the blanket like shawl or poncho that comes from his homeland.

Ricardo Seco titled his Fall 2016 Collection TIME, mixing the traditional inspiration of the serape with innovative shapes, fabrics and colors, creating a collection that is fun and right on target for this upcoming season.

Video Photography by Cassandra Past

Ladies Who Lunch: Malan Breton Fall 2016!

Showing at Style Fashion Week during New York Fashion Week, Malan Breton showed once again his inimitable style that captures a mix of drama, sophistication and luxury.

Opening the show with a performance by Sylvia Tosun, impeccable dressed in a Malan Breton ballgown, what followed was a runway show full of everything from leather, fur, luxe fabrics and sequins.

Malan Breton took his inspiration from 1970’s Glam Rock and an homage to Studio 54.  The inspiration paid off with a collection that captures the spirit of the era, while at the same time being modern.

Malan Breton Fall 2016 is a perfect collection for the jet set and the jet set wanna-bes and keeps me coming back for more.

Video Photography by Mariana Leung

Ladies Who Lunch: Zang Toi Fall 2016!

When I think of Zang Toi, it conjures up images and feelings of sophistication, beauty and luxury.  And for his shows, Zang Toi knows how to showcase all of those elements with a true eye for theatricality, letting the drama of the garments unfold.

For Fall 2016, Zang Toi took his inspiration from the French ski resort of Courchevel in Les Trois Vallées, the largest linked ski area in the world.  Courchevel, the luxury ski resort, is a perfect inspiration for Zang Toi as it represents all of the jet set glamorous qualities his collections embody.

Focusing on black, white and greys with only a shot of a few select colors like red and purple, and utilizing the finest fabrics, Zang Toi manages to capture the feel of Courchevel in a way that translates to beautiful but wearable designs.

Zang Toi Fall 2016 shows us once again the prolific designer that Zang Toi is and reminds me of all of the reasons I fell in love with fashion in the first place!

Video Photography by Mariana Leung

Ladies Who Lunch: Son Jung Wan Fall 2016!

I never miss Son Jung Wan’s shows during New York Fashion Week.  Each season she utilizes a very strong inspiration which she commits to, leading to collections that are always dramatic and focused.

For Fall 2016, Son Jung Wan took her inspiration from the idea of a puzzle, varied pieces coming together and interlocking to create the whole.  The effect was achieved with new silhouettes and the mixing of textures, fabrics and colors.

Son Jung Wan also collaborated with Kopenhagen Fur to create this collection. The mix of furs combined with fabrics give the collection a lot of texture and depth.

Season to season it is evident why Son Jung Wan is the number 1 designer in Korea.  But I would go a step further and say she is one of the top designers in the world!

Video Photography by Cassandra Past