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Fashion

Digital Couture,,Few Looks

Paris Haute Couture Week or days have passed. In the New Normal, runway shows are from a past era. Being front row at a Chanel is not immunity from Covid-19. 

What I did I think? Without the runway and excitement it felt a bit of a let down. Brands opted for long videos and short films. I had the feeling of watching a long Calvin Klein Obsession commercial. Fashion Week should center around fashion but for some reason it did not. I am not sure why. Fashion houses spent a lot of money showcasing film techniques. For some reason, the clothes took a backseat, a bit strange for a fashion week. As a film buff, one time aspiring filmmaker, part film critic; I would ask some teams, “What Happened”? Fashion Weeks focus on clothes.

Looking for inspiration, fashion and film have a relationship dating back to the Golden Age of Hollywood. “The Women”, director George Cukor’s 1939 black and white all starer included a 6 minute Technicolor fashion parade. Audrey Hepburn’s “Funny Face” was scene for scene showcase of the actress wearing Givenchy looks. For some reason many designers and their creators decided to take a more expressive artistic sense mixed with the abstract.

Fashion is live spectacle. I prefer fashion week with blank staring models, self important editors, and Borrowed Sunday Best Dressed Wannabes.

Let’s hope for a vaccine soon.

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Fashion Feature Travel

Get There with a Credit Card

Outlet Shopping in Ingolstadt.  All the brands at incredible prices.  

Coming Soon 

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Fashion

Louboutin Speaks

France 24 interviews master of shoe designer Christian Louboutin.  A new exhibition on his designs opened in Paris.  

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Fashion

YOU!

The Major Fashion Weeks are over.  The trend forecasters are writing what we should wear this coming season.  

I have never been a big follower of fashion trends regardless of what the runways says. Style is what you wear. How you wear the looks. Go with what is comfortable for you. Never worry about the latest colors or cuts. Individualism means being different. Buying what everyone has in their closet says “follower”. 

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Fashion

Quick Milan Impressions

When I arrived in Milan at the Malpensa Airport terminal I did not expect a scene from the “X-Files”. Global headlines have caught up to me. From head to toe wearing Hazmats, health officials were testing for the Coronavirus with digital thermometers. Welcome to Fashion Week. The week got even more interesting. My journey on the subway and trams. I suspected something was off when I got a seat on the subway. Sadly, the last two days of the fashion, the feeling became grim. Trade-fare visitors were sparse. Many exhibitors seemed more rejected lonely hearts club guests. 

On the 23rdall Milan Fashion Week events were cancelled due to an outbreak north of Milan.

Fast Highlights 1

On Via Manzoni, Antonio Croce presented a collection based on the Southern California Sunset. What inspiration! I loved the strong sensuality. Sun drenched coats and suits and print coats filled the space.

When a fashion show opens up with the Italian Version of Lou Reed’s 1973 classic song “Walk on the Wild Side”. I should count on 70′ interpretations. I am a fan of Bea Arthur’s sitcom “Maude”. Her Finley character wore floor length vests. Cividini had a look in his collection inspired by this decade staple piece.

I do not associate Kiton with strong women’s looks. It is a brand known for suits and classic wears. The brand’s new bag has a BIG K on the opening clasp. A comment I heard, “Those who buy Kiton may not like such blatant monogramming items designed for social media. The sales will see. But there was one look I really liked for a Red Carpet styling, a two piece white pleated dress with sleeveless top.

A come back kid in the making could be Untied Colors of Benetton. The once household RTW brand has been knocked about over many years. With Jean Charles Castelbajac at the creative helm it looks there are some better more social media smart moves happening.

For sheer impressive theater, Fratelli Rossetti really went out the way to give an extra mile. At the Visconti Palace with models dressed in white on stage and trampolines with an added Piano Concert. PS, I want a pair of the embroided Brea shoes.

Stay Tuned for more coverage on Milan Fashion Week. 

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Fashion

Milan Fashion Week Preview

Milan Fashion Week to say the least was different.  Global headlines have affected the bi-annual event.  But it did not stop the creativity. 

Stay Tuned for our coverage.

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Fashion

Milan Fashion Week 2020

Black and Paper prepares for Milan Fashion February 2020.  While we countdown, enjoy a collection of GREAT FACES from previous MFW’s. 

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Fashion

Red Carpet Inspired

Check out the quick interview from the Milan Fashion Week with Designer Nitin Kartikeya.  I interviewed him at The Hub.   

Design by Nitin Kartikeya

Sponsored by #CanonDeu

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Fashion

Say Strong

How about a collection that says “me now”? I did not know the Paula Cademartori until a fashion colleague asked me to accompany her to the presentation at a Milan antique store. The designer goes for strong fall statement accessories with bags and shoes.  

From Milan Fashion Week 

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Fashion

My Milan Fashion Week View

This season was not the strongest for the Italian Style Capital. A moment collective crisis or a shift to what it does best. Backing away from mixing streetwear to more tailoring and Italian chic style.

Quick Round up 

Armani stayed in his lane. Cool blue and pink pastels, metallics, and fluid materials made up his 78 look collection. The jackets were sleek. The embellishment heavenly. Normally his collection are shown at the Armani Solo, but this time it took place at his the corporate address in the courtyard.

It is hard to write about the Versace show without mentioning J.Lo walking in the iconic Jungle Green Dress. It does not matter what I write about the brand. Donatella knows what her clients want and she gave it to them. The mini dress is my favorite.

Bottega Veneta, not my cup of tea. I love the bags but with this collection I could not transfer the emotion. The leather luxury brand mixed leather, with seaters along with an interpretation of streetwear. I will give Creative Director Daniel Lee another chance.

I talked about Jil Sander at another show. A fashion journalist told me how she admired co-designers Lucie and Luke Meier. The brand has been in the wilderness for a moment. Prints and embellishments in a Sander show are a shocker. This collection had moments, enough for me to look forward to the next.

Normally I am fan of Retro 60’s looks but Alberta Ferretti’s collection of suede, tie dye dashiki’s “let the sunshine in” looks fell flat at times.

Ermanno Scervino’s feminine looks came across as a man who likes women in his clothes. No overdone looks, just get noticed without a spotlight. Leathers with silk, some animal prints, and blues made for a classy collection.

Why so basic? Tod’s showed making looks that felt generic. Not a single look stood out.

Fila is more known for sportswear. As the lines are blurred brands are moving in all areas. Shock! I have to say, I liked its first runway collection. Sexy, wearable, sporty rolled into one.

Fendi post Karl appears to be in good hands. Quilted pieces, suede, leather, and cotton, made for an expressive collection.

I attended the Bally Presentation. The return to the casual luxury looks were welcomed.

A adventure in Fashion Glamour or a woman who is eternally cool. Etro blended both. I liked the collection of prints, colors, suits, and short hemlines.

My first impression of the Salvatore Ferragamo collection. The looks did not wow me but some were better than others. The monochromatic blues, beige, floral, and leather pieces grew on me.

Iceberg decided on the get scene by wearing pastels in a big way. The looks work incling the mini’s, denims, and swimsuits.

A special mention to Fashion Shenzhen for an intersting show of Red Carpet Looks. Many looks were details and intricate.

The German luxury brand Boos debuted in Milan. This collection felt like left over pieces from other designers, a fashion Frankenstein. Patchwork creations pieced together. If there was a brand DNA, I could not see it.