Charlotte Style Magazine

Rubin & Chapelle, Fall 2012

BrittanyStrumf — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 21:09:52 +0000

Rubin & Chapelle continued to explore the modern dress for their Fall/Winter 2012 collection. Their focus seemed to be uncommon evening wear for the 21st century woman while incorporating a 1920′s feeling.

The aesthetic of Sonja Rubin and Kip Chapelle’s collection centered around the alternative to the traditional black and white tie codes with a figurative more feminine gold.

The collection includes lingerie finishes appearing on the hems, necklines, and corset belts. Fabrics include silk crepe, satins, and jerseys. Long 20′s silhouettes and short fitted dress bodies can be found amongst the collection offering a suggestive and sophisticated sexiness.

Candela Fall 2012

JessePellington — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 20:58:27 +0000

Country-folk music begins to flow out of The Box at Candela. As we entered we were greeted with a tin cup of water that looked as if it were from the set of Bonanaza. Instantly the collection felt warm, vintage, frilly and girly with a downtown girl street cool edge. Chunky knits with Native American inspired motifs, lace applique dresses, cable wool-blended cardigans accompanied by the hottest footwear ranging in colorful suede flats, T-bar ankle boots, Victorian style lace-up boots, and silk velvet loafers.

The bohemian, country, free, chic energy made everyone feel instantly like they were home. It felt as if you were looking and admiring old friends, and not a new collection. The jaw-dropper was this amazing baby-doll navy sequin dress with silver and off white beaded sequin trim. Candela really captured the essence of the L.A. girl to me, and took me back to my California roots. A breath of fresh air.

The models hair ranged from soft tousled beach like waves, loosly kempt up-do’s, and a simple braid framing the face into long flowy locks.

The make-up was soft but very much present. A soft creamy textured brown smoky eye started at the lashine and faded into the perfectly groomed brow performing a stellar ombre of colour. Rosey blush contoured and hugged the apple of their cheeks, and their skin glowed with a slightly shimmery highlight on the high planes of the face. Their lip colour looked worn, and faded almost coming from within, but done in a fresh, soft matte brownie based red. I wanted to literally be every girl, on any day of the week.

Honor, Fall 2012 : A Front Row Experience

JessePellington — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 04:50:28 +0000

A woman in all black with a Britney Spears headset on approaches me and asks, “Would you like to fill and sit in the front row?” I stood there, and looked behind me thinking she was talking to someone else. “Absolutely!” I replied, and she escorted me down while people side eyed trying to figure who I am, and what I do. I humbly sat in my seat and anxiously awaited.

Adjacent to me was actress Shailene Woodley adorable and chic equally excited for the show to begin. Lights come up and out comes the first look.

A black silk bustier dress with a vibrant violet rose print organza overlay. This is going to be good. Splashes of color was evident in almost every look. True color, not washes of it. Reds, violets, royal jewel blues, yellows, lime green with continuous prints and patterns. The neon and color blocking trend we’ve been seeing isn’t going anywhere fast. Pleats, leather trims, lace overlays and unconventional layering of the clothes gave the collection a fresh, modern and cool take on some of fashions greatest past times.

Who would of thought, a perfectly tailored short sleeved, floor length silk chiffon formal gown paired with a high collared button-up sheer shirt underneath made it not so formal, and a little more fun. Nude colored linings gave sheer, floral maxi dresses a new vibe, sexy. It made you look twice, in a good way.

Full out wide legged pant jump suits with pleats in place of a side hem were my favorite. A huge trend for make-up and hair for Fall ’12 was exemplified to perfection with each model. James Pecis for Bumble and Bumble nailed it. Their hair was straightened, yet tousled, non brushed, total “model off duty” with a simple middle part gave the show the edge it needed. Utterly cool. Their make-up was led by James Boehmer of NARS Cosmetics and showed off another huge trend us industry insiders will be bringing to a counter near you. The “just left the gym look”. Achievable? Yes. Skin looked barely touched with maybe a touch of concealer here and there and glistened under the lighting. The focus on the eyes was thick black liner that looked like it was on its way to a winged out look, but stopped right at the outside corner of the eye. The lip was a beautiful satin finish rosy, plum shade. Their cheeks looked naturally pinched. Perfection.

Photos: NY Post

Douglas Hannant Fall 2012

KaiLeeParker — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 03:45:49 +0000

I had a blast at Douglas Hannant today. This collection was youthful and fun with a sophisticated flare. The colors were bright and bold. The collection featured tops and bottoms, graphic skirts, an amazing camel wool coat and was styled with a schoolgirl flair with knee high socks. Fabulous sheer-top evening cocktail dresses with rosette details. The DJ was pumping and I found myself bopping along to the beat.

Duckie Brown Fall 2012

KaiLeeParker — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 03:13:17 +0000

Duckie Brown show was fresh! The collection featured over-sized wool trousers that sort of balloned out. There was lots of plaids, blacks and greys and mix matched patterns on top of each other. There were over sized cardigans and sweaters in a variety of patterns. I saw some nicely tailored blazers and knitted sock/leggings that were interesting…The models were very funky with tousled hair and dewy faces.

Tadashi Fall 2012

Renessta — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 02:30:37 +0000

Tadashi Shoji, always one of my season favorites, was ABSOLUTELY gorgeous! The AW12 collection takes its inspiration from the Golden Age of Shanghai. The fabrics of lace, chiffon silk and velvet weaved a rich tapestry in which his collection showcased. With pieces in marina, seagrass, ginseng and hazel fashionista’s all over the world are sure to be channeling the Orient.

Click the image to enlarge

Photos: Style.com

Kaelen Fall 2012 Presentation

JessePellington — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 20:34:09 +0000

Effortlessly cool is what came to mind when walking around Kaelen. The palette was not over the top, made up of crisp creams, navy, metallic golds and modly enough black and white. Cut out shoulders on sheer and silk blouses and dresses, asymmetrical hem lines on skirts-leather shorts and dresses topped off with cupro cut blazers with an 80′s edge.

One of my favorite things about the show was their Harem pant. Kaelen did one in black with a black lace overlay and one in navy silk accompanied with a white monogram string pattern. Comfortable, easy and chic was present in every piece and overall look. Each models hair was side parted to the left, and slicked back into a low bun.

Key Make-up Artist Renato Almeida for Shisedo kept amazing skin and a bold, dark purple almost black lip as the focus. Their skin glowed with gloss textured cheeks and eye lids complete with perfectly angled contoured cheeks in a natural sun-kissed bronzer tone. Brows were full, scuplted and brushed upward to perfection with long, wispy beautiful black lashes providing the perfect balance to the naturally approached skin and the fiercly stated lip.

The only accessory present was that of a classic white bow tie that accompanied a silk chiffon jumpsuit and a white sleeveless sheer blouse. It was a beautiful collection, presentation and left me wanting all of it in my closet as soon as possible!

Lila Horn Fall 2012

KaiLeeParker — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 05:18:33 +0000

Lila Horn’s Fall 2012 presentation had a fun use of color and mixed prints. The line allowed for a few skirts and thops to be interchanged with jeans and a cute t-shirt for a casual evening out on the town right after work. The line is ready to wear without being too simple.

Click image to enlarge

Raleigh Denim Fall 2012

KaiLeeParker — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 05:03:32 +0000

North Carolina-based Husband-and-wife duo Sarah and Victor Lytvinenko Fall 2012 presentation is all American chic. The denim was expertly crafted for a casual or dressy occasion. The duo created a great mixture of plaids, polka dots, denim blouses and cognac colored accessories. The men were dressed in well fitted straight leg pants and the black cut out blazer was TO DIE for!

Click on each image to enlarge

DEGEN Fall 2012

KaiLeeParker — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 04:41:22 +0000

With her first ready-to-wear collection entitled “Ask Tell”, designer Lindsay Degen’s Fall 2012 collection is very young, fun and free. She incorporated knit wear and several pieces included revealing cut-outs in the cleavage and derriere. The collection also included several over-sized sweaters and knee length skirts to go around. There was also a very youthful use of color used in the line. Degen stepped out of the box and crated a line that is true to her style.