#NYFW: Monique Lhuillier Fall 2014

Beauty, no beasts.  Monique Lhuillier presented a beautiful collection last night at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week with options ranging from darkness to light.  The fall 2014 runway started with slim sheath-like silhouettes for day and night.  The palette began with somber black and cool grey.

The show progressed into vampy beaded, lacy and sexy dresses that fit very close to the body.  To contrast the darker looks, there were flared white and pale gold dresses that were short or long.  It reminded me of an ultra-glamorous Swan Lake being played out on the catwalk.  The sheer number of black dresses in proportion to the rest of the collection is very telling in what people want to buy. Most West Coast designers have a lot of color, especially for a designer very popular for the red carpet.  However, in NYC, we all know how much we love our noir-dominated wardrobes, so Monique knows how to cater to that.

The sleek, fitted looks did not dominate this show completely.  There were two show-stopping ballgowns that took up the width of the runway.  A very pretty pink petal print on black satin ground is sure to end up being worn by a future award winner.  A hot pink scrolled floral embroidered coat on black satin gave an extra level of luxury to a solid colored dress.

Here's to living every night like you're going to walk a red carpet...

Photos by David TW Leung

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DIY: How to Make a Beaded Macrame Bracelet

Did you make jewelry crafts at summer camp?  I was reminiscing about my days of twisting lanyards into wearable art in 5th grade this week.  I thought I would present a quickie macrame bracelet DIY to refresh your memories.  This one is based on a basic square knot technique.  If you don't have the patience to read, you can also watch the tutorial video I made with About.com.

To make this project, you are going to need:

·         Scissors

·         A board and something to pin your project to

·         Some lengths of cord

·         Beads large enough to fit your chords through

·        A button

Anchor Cords to Begin Making Your Bracelet

To start, you are going to have two lengths of 48-inch cords, and you are going to fold the two lengths like the first photo. Then you are going to tie a knot to create a loop. Next, you are going to pin it to your board, and this is how you're going to anchor your project. You are going to stick your loop against the pin and separate your cords. You are going to have two center cords, and you can take this down. 

Start Knotting and Adding Beads

Next, you are going to begin a knotted technique for your macramé bracelet. You start with one under and one over and pull. You alternate your knots going over and then under the two center cords. Then you are going under and over and this is known as a square knot.

When you are ready for your first bead, you are going to take your center two cords and pull them through your first bead. You are going to continue your knotting around the bead. So you're going to grab  your cord again and go under and over right around the bead and keep knotting again.

Finish Your Beaded Macrame Bracelet

When you are ready to end your bracelet, take your cords and put them through the buttonholes. Take your cords and knot off the ends and pull the knot tight. Trim off the excess length. When you're ready to wear your DIY macrame bracelet, you put your button through the loop that you made, and there you have it!

If you want to create an entire arm party, you can add this set of bracelets to complete the look.

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Monique Lhuillier Fall 2013

 Emerald may be the color of the year, but Monique Lhuillier bejeweled her Fall 2013 runway in malachite.  The marbled green stone was both the backdrop and the most prominent print at her runway show.

The designer is making moves to expand her brand, with new boutiques and dominating the red carpet.  There were a lot more day looks with lots of drama with fur and feathers.  Graphic, animal-like prints like tigers and snake type patterns brought a bold, sexy look to the models.  Unfortunately, if I didn't know any better, I might have mistaken them for looks I expected to find on a Roberto Cavalli runway.

The most gorgeous gowns of course, are the ones Monique does best... Flowing, long evening gowns that follow the curves of the body embellished with intricate beading and embroidery.  I'm proud to say that in seasons past, I myself had contributed to the jeweled, rich beading that Monique is known for.  The short, embroidered dresses are my personal favorites.  If I lived the fantasy life I imagine, I would love to consider these my personal daywear.

More photos of the collection: 

Photos by Cassandra Past

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TORONTO FASHION WEEK: Pavoni Fall 2013

The big finale show of Toronto Fashion Week was a grand one.  Pavoni showed the most elaborate red-carpet worthy gowns with yards and yards of fabric, delicate embroidery and beautiful silhouettes.

Creative directors Mike Derderian and Gianni Falcone themed this season as "L’Age D’Or” or The Golden Era of romance and elegance.  Silk chiffons, silk taffetas and lace were in abundance in big trumpet hems and ballgowns of dramatic high-low hems.  I would love to see some of the pale peach, grey and silver/white dresses going down the aisle as alternative bridal fashion.

This label has already been picked up by celebrities like Halle Berry.  Singer Mariah Carey chose this collection to outfit her Australian concert tour.  This is Canada's star luxury label.  Look after look was a stunner on this catwalk, it really made you wish for an encore.  

See the full collection here.
photos by David TW Leung

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