Anyone who grew up in the nineties knows exactly what Claire’s is. Although maybe some of those ’90 babies may have outgrown the brand, Claire’s is still designing, and their SS17 Destination collection is still just as perfect when us pre-teens dragged our moms there.
This latest launch came at the invite of Vogue, and included three different categories: Preen Queen, Wildflower Festival Dreams, and Pool Party. Each section captured the theme completely, from trinkets, accessories, and even sweet gifts to give your girlfriends.
The Pool Party scene was complete with wide-brimmed hats, fruit-scented pom-pom keychains, patches, watermelon cups, tassle ankle-bracelets, and so much more.
Next was Wildflower Festival Dreams, which was a woodsy whimsical land for all things music festivals: hair accessories, stick-on rhinestones, silk bandannas, flower crowns, and cat-ear headbands.
Lastly, for all the Preen Queens, the selection included bedazzled white headphones, sheen trucker hats, rose-gold and blush bags and sunglasses, and chokers were everything!
Most items photographed are shoppable now, so keep an eye out. You may just need that flamingo water float!
It was roughly 150 years between Frye’s debut in Massachusetts in 1863, and the opening of its first New York store in 2011. So you might say Frye’s full entrance into the NYC fashion scene has been a long time coming.
Fortunately, Frye is a brand with the luxury of time. As the United States’ oldest continually operating shoe company, Frye has been in every aspect of American footwear style for more than — well, pretty much longer than anyone.
Frye has been in American footwear pretty much longer than anyone.
But although Frye has been a ubiquitous staple, it’s only recently begun to put down stronger roots down in the high-fashion market.
It’s no secret that here at FWO, we’re a bit obsessed with handmade footwear (probably one of the reasons we declared Simone Cecchetto “world’s greatest shoemaker” not too long ago).
Likewise, Frye is no stranger to painstaking craftsmanship. They offer a Tuscan-made Artisan Collection, and if you’re curious about how Frye footwear is made, you can find out some about that here.
On a cool night in late-November, Vogue VIP, Frye employees, bloggers, and influencers sipped on (rather strong) “Frye Mules” of whiskey, lime juice, and ginger beer while warm, mini-grilled cheeses were passed around. The DJ had the crowd lively and enjoying themselves while many networked and tried on the new collection.
The mainstay of the collection, not surprisingly, was boots: from hiking, to OTK, to shearling, with cute accessories like furry pom-pom beanies, cross-body bags, and small leather goods.
The boot company has expanded, still touching on their original principles, but also enveloping fashion booties, ballet flats, sneakers, and heels.
Whether you’re ready for dusty trails in riding boots, easy-riding in motos, to tame Tuscan hills — or even rock out in Lou Reed-worthy chelseas — Frye probably has what you’re looking for.
From Lou Reed-worthy chelseas to taming Tuscan hills
Despite shedding the laced-up cages of our ancestors, corsets have made a surprising comeback … and on runways, no less.
An unmistakeable trend this past season, the antiquated fashion piece appeared on runways at Tibi and Wunderkind — not to mention the absolute explosion of corsets in street style.
Ever since Madonna popularized the corset in the ’80s — a stint that lasted into the ’90s — the corset has enjoyed relative fame as sexy outward accessory.
The definition of a corset (according to dictionary.com) is “a close-fitting undergarment, stiffened with whalebone or similar material, and often capable of being tightened by lacing, enclosing the trunk: worn, especially by women, to shape and support the body.”
It’s not quite an attractive-sounding garment, and has a reputation throughout history of distorting the body of its long-term wearers. A brief look at the history of the corset over the span of 16th-20th centuries exposes minute variances in design, but all were a source of consistent concern to physicians of those eras.
It has a reputation of distorting the body of its long-term wearers.
The concern was at first due to the tight-lacing methods popular in the nineteenth century, that were “rectified” in the Edwardian period with an “S-shaped” corset. However, the new version only fiddled with the musculoskeletal region in lieu of squeezing the inner organs of the abdomen.
Have I made you queasy yet? Well, if not, get ready: in the 1700s, children and babies were wrapped in corsets for fashionable reasons.
Clearly the corset’s comeback today is of a lesser degree, but it begs the question of femininity in fashion: when does it go too far? Corsets are prevalent in lingerie and, arguably, the Spanx is a modern form of physique-shaping minus the stitched-in boning.
It’s with the rebirth of waist-shapers, riddled on sponsored Instagram posts — and the increased popularity of curvaceous body shapes — that the concern arises. Are we any freer from shaping and shifting our bodies if we bring a clothing accessory like the corset back into play? And what does it say about us if we’re willing to cause ourselves physical harm (at one extreme) to achieve a “look” or chase a trend? Especially when the “thinning” effects of a corset aren’t even lasting?
What does it say about us, if we’re willing to cause ourselves harm (at one extreme)?
The distinction has to exist in the way in which it is worn. New interpretations on the “corset look” — like at Tibi — or interesting takes on lingerie, or on classic silhouettes: this is the very core of reinventing the past.
So wear your corsets in a dress, as a belt, loosely slung on your hips, as you will, but as physicians throughout the ages have warned: avoid tight-lacing.
Everyone likes tight curves, but it’s far more important to feel comfortable in your own skin, and look great in clothes that flatter.
When Vogue invites, you go. You can also feel relatively certain the event will be either cool and trendy, or classy and glamorous, regardless of the venue. This one hit all notes. And I got to discover a watch to die for.
The event was for luxury jewelry and timepiece brand de GRISOGONO, held in the Upper East Side.
Hosting the event was none other than Genevieve Bahrenburg, artist, writer and filmmaker. A strong woman — who survived 22 days in a coma, and 13 brain surgeries after a drastic accident in 2013 — she welcomed guests in a stunning black dress and matching black diamond jewelry designed by Fawaz Gruosi, the heart and soul of the de GRISOGONO brand.
Black tie, black suits, and elegant cocktail dresses flitted around black diamonds, diamond-like carbon, and some pretty cool “smart accessories.” The Samsung Gear S2 smartwatch by De GRISOGONO grabbed my attention right away.
You can think of it as several luxury watches in one. You switch through different screens to change between multiple “traditional” faces, and several smart functions. (See the video above at around :29, and prepare to be “wowed.”)
Think of it as several luxury watches in one.
The Italian designer transformed the high-tech watch into a glamorous and sparkling accessory. The result? Truly, a luxury watch to die for.
A diamond-set gold bezel turns freely around the dial, partially hidden at 6 and 12 o’clock beneath two black DLC-coated arches set with the emblematic de GRISOGONO black diamonds
According to Younghee Lee, Executive Vice President of Global Marketing at Samsung, “This dynamic partnership builds merges Samsung’s barrier breaking technology with de GRISOGONO’s signature style to create a smartwatch as unique as the wearer.”
Christmas is knocking on the door — thanks to Vogue, Samsung and de GRISOGONO I know my wish for this year.
SAMSUNG GEAR S2, please.
(p.s. Interested in attending some events yourself? Check out Vogue VIP.)
i first came across Fashionista.com when I was in college, researching careers before my “big move” to NYC. Every 12 months, Fashionista puts on one of the most fabulous conferences of the year, called “How To Make It In Fashion.” I was so bummed I missed it last year. So, needless to say, I was thrilled when I found out I would be covering it.
The daylong event was spread across two floors at the Metropolitan Pavilion in Chelsea. The main floor had girls with bright smiles, greeting the guests at check-in, alongside vendors like Essentia water and Sweet’Tauk lemonade. Of course no event is complete without a photo booth, so the Bosco was there, too.
The morning started off with a menswear panel, “Why Menswear is Having a Moment,” from top gentleman like Jacob Gallagher of WSJ to street-style pro and brand director Lawrence Schlossman. The topics drifted from breaking gender barriers in the fashion industry, with lines like Vetements, to youth currently being the pulse of men’s fashion.
The collective of five professionals (which also included Jian DeLeon of WGSN, Todd Snyder, and Tom Kalenderian of Barneys), all agreed that NYFW: Men’s wasn’t quite ready for it’s “primetime” — specifically mentioning that until other designers like Ralph Lauren and Thom Browne show during the week, it still flies almost under the radar.
A lot of attention was focused on the talented up-and-coming young designers filling the void of what we’re experiencing now in menswear. The guys said there is so much potential for any young designer to create a collection and really blow up right now, since so many designers are looking to outlets like Instagram, and the streets, to see what trendy guys are wearing.
After a quick break — when attendees could either sign up for a mentor session or network with fellow goers — the conference resumed.
The next topic was “How to Get Your Fashion Label Off the Ground,” with panelists Molly Howard of La Ligne, Rachel Roy, Scott Studenberg & John Targon of Baja East, and Timo Weiland.
Cathy Horyn of The Cut
Cathy Horyn was the next guest speaker, head critic at The Cut … and was she fierce! She spoke about her time in Norfolk and Detroit, and how she was never a serious fashion lover but stuck with her original plan of journalism. She prides herself on being able to write freely, and noted that although she does have this advantage, her freedom of speech has cost her attendance to shows. That doesn’t stop her however: her badass attitude on life allows her to get back out there and cover the same story in an alternative way.
“Cathy Horyn’s freedom of speech has cost her attendance to shows.
Patricia Field
After a nice leg-stretch and mini-networking break, Patricia Field of Sex and the City fame was the next to guest the stage. Dressed in a cute and cozy cashmere jumpsuit, Field automatically brought the audience to life. Her bubbly and out-there personality created such a humorous interview. She advised the audience to “go with what you are strongest at.”
Following Field, Christian Siriano bounced on to the stage and kept up the liveliness! The most talkative of the bunch, Siriano spoke about his childhood and humble beginnings. Questions from the audience expressed the concern for the lack of other designers keeping in mind body issues on the runway. Siriano’s September collection was noted as including plus models, and models of different ages and races.
Christian Siriano
“Siriano is known for including plus models, and models of different ages and races.
The audience was clearly made up of Danielle Bernstein fans, as they clapped for her as she glided across the stage. This was a really interesting panel, as not only could you get down to the super-nitty gritty of advertising on social media, but also hear how that business works from an agency’s side. Technology also played a big role in their conversation on gaining followers, engaging them, and the future of social.
Danielle Bernstein
The final keynote was Linda Rodin of RODIN olio lusso, who closed down the conference with amazing stories from her time styling on shoots, to creating more than 500 bottles of face oils in her apartment. Her love for her craft, and really creating a perfect and honest product, shone through.
The event was a huge success, not to mention the swag bags at the end! I loved being able to meet girls and guys working in a similar or same field, and all the advice that was given. (Plus, truly, you cannot go wrong with all-day coffee!)
Linda Rodin
For tickets to next year’s FashionistaCON visit fashionistsa.com. And a special thanks to the editors of Fashionista who moderated each segment: Alyssa Vingan, Tyler McCall, Dhani Mau, Maura Brannigan, Chantal Fernandez, and Stephanie Saltzman.
This past September, Samsung and FTL Moda got together with Fashion Week Online to create a singular experience during New York Fashion Week. The event was held at Space 404 in Manhattan and live-streamed at FWO.
It’s all part of Samsung’s commitment to new technologies that make people’s lives better. Read on to learn more about the collaboration with Samsung, and how it aims to introduce a Fashion Future: Powered by Samsung.
Interview with Ron Gazzola,VP, Samsung Display
FWO: The new Samsung mirror technology was designed specifically with fashion in mind. How did the idea come about?
Ron Gazzola, VP, Samsung Display
Ronald Gazzola: The idea of developing digital display science for the fashion industry came about when we looked at the retail space. We knew developing a mirror display for fashion would be all about how to incorporate that experience. So we wanted to create a dynamic, engaging interaction, to create one-on-one interactivity between the consumer and the brand.
FWO: What are some interesting ways the mirrors can be used?
Ronald Gazzola: One of the most basic would be the fitting room. Today you go into the fitting room and you’re trying on different designs and it’s a very static environment. You’re looking in a mirror and you’re seeing how something looks.
Now you can make that into a very interactive experience. I go into the fitting room, I try on a particular item, and now I want to try some different accessories. Now I want to look at some other colors. I can actually engage with that display. If you’re a fashion designer, suddenly you’ve created an endless aisle of opportunities for that customer.
“I can actually engage with that display.”
If you’re a retailer, the fitting room becomes another space where you can essentially engage and sell the consumer. And you really give shoppers another reason to want to come in … you give customers a brand new experience of your brand.
“You give shoppers another reason to want to come in.”
FWO: So the customers can see the garment on themselves, in the mirror?
Ronald Gazzola: Yes, but the digital display can accept almost any type of content that can be developed. So you would work with a content provider to create the experience the particular retailer wants to create. So in one instance you may want to show different sizes or different colors of that garment. You may want to show accessories that fit well with that garment.
“You would work with a content provider to create the experience.”
You can really create an endless amount of engagement opportunities in that display. The beauty of the display is that it’s an endpoint through which the consumer and the retailer can engage with one another.
“The consumer and the retailer can engage with one another.”
FWO: And this sort of brings us to the idea of the “Internet of Things.” Obviously Samsung has a suite of products — like virtual reality for example — which is something that’s coming to market that’s very exciting. How do you foresee multiple Samsung products working together? Smartphones, GPS displays, virtual reality, to deliver a “Fashion Future: Powered by Samsung?”
Ronald Gazzola: One of the exciting things is that we have such a broad portfolio of products, both in the consumer and enterprise space. And one of the commitments we’ve made to our customers is that we are going to lead IoT technology and connectivity. Our goal is to have all our devices connected by 2020.
“Our goal is to have all our devices connected by 2020.”
So when you think about that commitment in an R&D investment, now suddenly you have wearable devices, Samsung Gear VR, digital displays … all of those devices are operating together.
So the ability of those devices to “speak” together really creates a totally different and dynamic experience. And from a digital display perspective, we really look at the digital display as a sort of “window to IoT.”
The ability of the consumer and the business to now visualize and conceptualize all of that information — and that content — really makes it something a lot more tangible for the consumer and the business.
Interview with Ilaria Niccolini, Producer FTL Moda
Ilaria Niccolini, Producer FTL Moda
FWO: Where do you foresee the future for FTL Moda in terms of shopping … and how do you think it will incorporate Samsung technology?
Ilaria: I could foresee incorporating the mirror displays into showrooms in New York, as well as in Tokyo, Paris, or Milan. Showroom space in these fashion capitals tends to be extremely expensive, and it’s really impossible to have an entire collection represented in those spaces. It’s really like having a magic wand.
You can finally think of representing an extended collection in the same environment where until just recently you could represent a very, very limited part of a collection.
Obviously the technology has many uses in and near fashion shows, as well, to drive engagement and real-time shopping.
FWO: This season’s FTL Moda featured Reshma Qureshi, an acid attack survivor from India. How do you think Samsung’s technology and the partnership this season with Samsung has allowed you to bring some of this social consciousness or some of this diversity to a larger audience?
Ilaria: All these months of preparation for participation of Reshma have been extremely touching, very emotional for me. That’s the mission behind FTL Moda. We want to improve the world a little bit, one step at a time. When we partner with a brand like Samsung and a partner like Fashion Week Online — where we have the opportunity to provide service and content to a worldwide audience — it’s really fantastic. Reshma had never even dreamed of walking the runway. Now her message is reaching millions of people.
It could have been a flat activation: technology exists all over. But having Samsung working with us and supporting a shared vision was fantastic. Seeing Reshma was something that made the audience really happy. That’s why all these people left with such big smiles on their faces, because they really experienced something. And having the opportunity to distribute this live streaming via Fashion Week Online was an absolutely great experience.
“Having Samsung working with us and supporting a shared vision was fantastic.”
FWO: It’s exciting because as you mentioned, technology actually has the ability to bring people together.
Ilaria: Yes.
FWO: One of the wonderful things about having Reshma was … when I first heard about the idea of hosting an acid attack survivor, I didn’t want to look. And the exciting thing is, looking is exactly what we need to do! Because the worst thing we can do is look away. One of the most painful parts of something like an acid attack I think is the social isolation that comes to the victim: because people are afraid; they’re afraid of having to see what’s happening in the world.
It was wonderful that so many people were supportive; there was so much press that came out in support of the runway show: not just in FWO, but in People, The Wall Street Journal, ABC News, CBS News, The Today Show, Washington Post, Teen Vogue, USA Today, Oxygen, Glamour, Elle … they all covered the show.
That’s the power of humanizing technology, and what happens when we work together.
And that’s exactly what we need, when somebody is hurting like this. We need to be there for them, and to not look away. So I think it’s a really exciting opportunity — especially with Samsung — to bring this to a large audience, and remind us that we’re all here together, working together. I want to thank you so much for letting us be a part of this journey, and all the things that you do with the diversity-enabling presentations at FTL Moda.
Ilaria: And I thank you, too. When it’s a good synergy, it puts together very good elements — creativity, technology, vision, communication, distribution. I hope to create more in the future.
Now that Pierpaolo Piccioli has had time to settle into his role as solo Creative Director at Valentino, probably it comes as no surprise he’ll be looking to branch out in more ways than one.
Offering one more sign of changes taking hold at the brand, the designer will hold his pre-fall 2017 runway show in New York. Although the date has been set for January 11, the show location is as-yet unconfirmed.
“I am thinking of New York for June, too,” he told WWD. “New York seems to me the ideal location for the pre-collections; it’s international and has such charm.”
New York is international and has such charm.
Pre-fall is one of those nebulous fashion week events, spread across the “Big 4” and organized not so much by design as whimsy: which makes it a breath of fresh air, in the cluster of producers and organizers jockeying for attention during the more “organized” fashion weeks of February and September.
Piccioli told WWD “pre-collections are becoming super important, where style is fundamental. These collections really represent the company.”
Pre-collections are becoming super important, where style is fundamental.
Ever since fashion week has become more of a consumer-facing proposition, we’ve seen some of the traditional boundaries between the “Big 4” dissolve a bit, as witnessed by Givenchy‘s NYFW spectacle just a few seasons ago.
We’ll keep you posted at the Pre-Fall ’17 season develops.
What is “American fashion?” If designers like Anna Sui, Jason Wu, and Marc Jacobs have anything to say about it, those words are synonymous with Ralph Lauren.
The question was posed to attendees of WWD’s first-ever WWD Honors, recognizing leaders in the fashion and retail industry. Their first honoree, of course: Ralph Lauren.
(Photos: Photos: Abel Fermin / WWD/REX/Shutterstock)
And what a night. The room was a “who’s who” of notables, from Anna Sui, Jason Wu, and Marc Jacobs to John Varvatos and Carolina Herrera. But the focus of the evening was the boy from the Bronx who built a necktie line into a $7.5 billion global empire — who, incredibly, will soon be entering his 50th year in business.
Asked by WWD 10 years ago about his achievements, Lauren said:”This is not work. It’s passion, and it’s love.”
This is not work. It’s passion.
Legendary editor John B. Fairchild
Lauren was recipient of WWD’s inaugural John B. Fairchild honor, recognizing a career of influence and distinction. The accolade was named after John B. Fairchild, the brilliant and mischievous editor who transformed WWD — and the fashion industry — by bringing designers to the forefront while focusing on “society” as well.
According to WWD editor-in-chief Ed Nardoza, the new honors “will provide WWD with a platform to acknowledge real achievement and accomplishment, especially at a time when the fashion industry is facing the challenges of digitization, globalization, overheated celebrity, and unpredictable consumer behavior. We’re especially proud to establish a lasting honor in Mr. Fairchild’s name. And there isn’t a more deserving person than Ralph Lauren, whose incredible career Fairchild has chronicled every step of the way, from that first wide necktie.”
“We’re especially proud to establish a lasting honor in Mr. Fairchild’s name,” said WWD’s editor-in-chief Ed Nardoza.
Alongside Ralph Lauren, some true power names within the retail/consumer space were honored as well:
Christian Dior CEO Sidney Toledano took home the CEO/Creative Leadership Award for building Dior into a global powerhouse amid the ever-changing luxury market.
Inditex (owner of Zara) was honored for Corporate Citizenship, an award accepted by Felix Poza Peña, Corporate Social Responsibility Director, and Nacho Mora, Corporate Social Responsibility.
Pandora A/S CEO Anders Colding Friis accepted the award for Best-Performing Company-Large Cap for his company, while Jeffrey Fowler, CEO of Farfetch UK, accepted the award for Best-Performing Company-Small Cap.
This night felt like a true testament to longevity of icons within fashion: a blend of new and old personnel who have brought the fashion and retail industry into a new age: where digital is now a part of the landscape, but the art of clothing still takes center stage.
Ever since the entrance of the “trucker hat” into fashionable circles at least 10 years ago, there’s been a certain place in everyone’s heart for a few unapologetically, traditionally “blue-collar” wardrobe items.
Indeed, “couture” brands like DSquared2 have made an art of it, with perfectly distressed jeans, corduroy caps, and giant, enameled belt buckles.
So with the mix of “high and low” styles enjoying a level of unprecedented success — hopefully a sign of the further deterioration of classisim — it’s no surprise that CAT, most commonly known for construction vehicles, would be looking to conquer the fashion scene.
CAT is looking to conquer the fashion scene.
The result? A line of durable, comfortable, trendy shoes … and a hip New York party to kick it off.
The dimly lit industrial space off Bowery was the launchpad for the current Fall/Winter 2016 collection, with a first look at the upcoming Spring/Summer 2017 line. The collection on view was composed of fashionable boots, sandals, and shoes for men and women alongside the caption, “Make a Scene.”
The shoes are perfect for the city-life — the line offers a lightweight shoe, and some are even waterproof. They’re perfect for changing climates, and even fashionable enough to wear to music festivals.
They’re fashionable enough to wear to music festivals.
The party featured a DIY cocktail bar hosted by master mixologist Pamela Wiznitzer, the Creative Director of Seamstress New York; a pop-up tattoo parlor featuring temporary ink by Tattly; a photo booth courtesy of @DrinkBai; tunes by DJ Jasper Stapleton; and a curation of great eats thanks to @TheBrotherBuoy, including cookies and brownies by @ovenly, charcuterie by @cherrypointnyc and mini pop tarts by @hailmarybk.
If you love fashion, you already know Fashionista.com as one of the top sites for fashion lovers.
Now, Fashionista.com wants to help you find a successful career in fashion, with Fashionistacon.
Fashionistacon is a 1-day event featuring career-focused panels, keynote speakers, mentoring sessions, valuable networking, and an amazing gift bag. The focus of the event will probably prove appealing to anyone who’s ever seen The Devil Wears Prada (assuming you didn’t heed any of its implicit warnings — in which case, welcome to the club) or perhaps — a bit more humanely — The September Issue.
Entitled “How to Make it in Fashion,” the annual event is designed to help you network, while giving you an important “insider’s perspective” on the business.
Fashionistacon is a 1-day event that aims to help you succeed in fashion.
For 2016, Fashionistacon will provide networking with friendly folks (no Miranda Priestlys, we swear), plus insight into the latest trends in menswear (and the move toward combining men’s and women’s shows, as we saw at various designers’ presentations last season, from Tom Ford to Vetements to — well, at lots of presentations ); how to create (and maintain) a fashion label; and all about “influencers,” among other topics.
Patricia Field, costume designer for Sex in the City
You’ll also hear from Sex and the City‘s costume designer Patricia Field; Cathy Horyn of The Cut … and much more.
And now, Fashion Week Online readers can save a generous $80 off, with code FWO.And — we have to mention it again — you’ll also walk away with a swank gift bag.
If you’re ready to create a career for yourself, Fashionistacon is a great way to start … or to continue on your journey.
So wear your corsets in a dress, as a belt, loosely slung on your hips, as you will, but as physicians throughout the ages have warned: avoid tight-lacing. 
Hosting the event was none other than Genevieve Bahrenburg, artist, writer and filmmaker. A strong woman — who survived 22 days in a coma, and 13 brain surgeries after a 
Fashionistacon is a 1-day event featuring career-focused panels, keynote speakers, mentoring sessions, valuable networking, and an amazing gift bag. The focus of the event will probably prove appealing to anyone who’s ever seen The Devil Wears Prada (assuming you didn’t heed any of its implicit warnings — in which case, welcome to the club) or perhaps — a bit more humanely — The September Issue.
