NYFW -- Introducing Callula Lillibelle

This is one presentation during Mercedes Benz Fashion Week that we just can't wait for -- it is definitely on our radar and we can't wait to bring you post show details! 

Real, affordable, stylish! Sounds like a fashion find. And it is, a new decade, a new dressing system: Callula Lillibelle. With the debut of its first collection in February 2010, Callula Lillibelle simplifies a woman’s wardrobe and always indulges in effortless chic. The ultimate ‘desk to dinner’ label, Callula Lillibelle speaks to the contemporary woman who equally values alluring silhouettes, sleek versatility and uncompromised quality. Complementary fabrics meet coordinating construction; all pieces in the line seamlessly integrate to form fail-proof outfits that accommodate the modern lifestyle, eliminate clutter and closet confusion.  

Tailored to real women from sizes 0-14, the line is a sartorial system featuring the essential garments found inside out in every wardrobe: tops, skirts, pants, dresses and jackets. Likewise, the line’s “mix n match” philosophy addresses women’s various body shapes, where tulip and peplum meet sweetheart and peasant, cigarette and wide-leg see both high and drop waists (and all combinations in between!). There’s no shortage of chiffons, taffetas, crepes and wools, all at the greatest quality for such an agreeable price- the line retails between only $90 - $400. Inherent to the label’s integrity is the focus on both the needs and desires of women, where price, style and comfort are paramount.  

Even the name itself contains the essence of the collection; taken from partner Melanie Fraser Hart’s violin virtuoso daughter, the meaning of the Latin Callula “delicate beauty” meets the poetic Irish Lillibelle of “pure beauty”. The fates led free-spirited, multi-talented Hart to design virtuoso William Calvert, whose own eponymous collection has long been lauded for its de rigor couture, and what has resulted is a reflection of both partners’ unique and shared philosophies of fashion, style and life. Callula Lillibelle not just embodies the many inspiring contradictions of the contemporary spirit, it outfits the wardrobe.  

Past Collection

Callula Lillibelle is a “desk to dinner” wardrobe collection for the modern woman with a focus on contemporary, feminine silhouettes at an agreeable price.  Debuted in the winter of 2010, Callula Lillibelle aims to simplify the dressing process while providing a chic complete wardrobe for the modern lifestyle.  Partnered by business-impresario Melanie Fraser Hart and couturier William Calvert the collection reflects the diverse range of women’s needs, including style, comfort and price.  For more information, please visit www.callulalillibelle.com.   

 

MBFWNY --- Whitney Port mixes prints, gives us office-chic & gets us ready for SPRING 2010

Text, Dwayne Knight

The darling fashionista from MTV’s “The City” showed us just how talented and focused she is on her true passion as she made her Mercedes Benz Fashion Week debut in New York on September 10th showing the “Whitney Eve” Spring/Summer 2010 collection.

The Promenade was jammed packed with excited attendees. Among those in the front row were R & B songstress Amerie, singer/song writer Tina Parol, and fellow “The City” cast mates Olivia Palermo and Erin Kaplan. Kelly Cutrone of both “The City” and power house of People’s Revolution was working behind the scenes supporting Port by making sure the show was orchestrated with perfection in true Cutrone form.

From the beginning, we could tell this was going to be a collection of youthful beauty. Port brought us an array of fabrics and textures. The color pallet ranged from metallic’s (the hot trend of the season) to neutrals to vibrant pinks, blues, greens, and yellows. Our mouths dropped as we watched the delectable dresses, suits, shorts, jumpsuits, vests, and blouses. One of our favorite items was the strapless rainbow dress with bow belt, which can be described as Park Avenue meets sunny California and the re-creating of the pant/short suit – making it very office chic. Getting us right in the mood for spring was the sequence ruffle dress which defined flirty and light as it was presented beautifully in a purple, orange, and slate blue pattern. The lace inset of the v-neck was the perfect accent to compliment the look.

The Whitney Eve collection brightened our day and has us seriously looking forward to the spring season. It may have been raining outside the tents at Bryant Park, but it was a blissful warm day inside with Whitney Port.

Photos by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images North America

Koi Suwannagate Hand Sculpted Spring 2010 collection

When: September 16th, 2009

What: Presentation of Spring 2010 Collection

Where: Gana Gallery, New York

TOP FIVE LOOKS

NUDE RECYCLED CASHMERE TOP PAIRED WITH PINK PRINT WRAP

SKIRT MADE OF THAI WEAVE “LOOK KEAW” SILK

ONE-SHOULDERED CASHMERE BLOUSE ACCENTED WITH SATIN

FOLDED LOTUSES. SILK PANTS WITH CUSTOM PAINTED LOTUS

PRINT COMPLETE THE LOOK

SHEER ORGANZA BLAZER WITH “THE LOVE OF KOI

SUWANNAGATE” HAND EMBODERED IN THAI WRITING ACROSS

THE SLEEVES AND BACK. A BLACK CRINKLE CHIFFON BRA WITH

GROSGRAIN ACCENTS IS UNDERNEATH. PAIRED WITH HANDDYED

LINEN TWEED TROUSERS

BLACK CASHMERE TOP WITH LOTUS EMBIDERY AND WHITE TRIM.

WHITE CASHMERE JACKET WITH LOTUS EMBODERY CUT AWAY TO

THE CRINKLED CHIFFON LINING. DETAILS INCLUDE HAND

EMBROIDERY AND HAND CROCHETED BUTTONS. PAIRED WITH A

BEADED SKIRT MADE OF RECYCLED THREAD FABRIC, EMBODERED

AND CUT-AWAY TO THE SILK ORGANZA LINING. GROSGRAIN

COVERS THE SKIRT’S HEM AND SIDE SEAMS

WHITE CASHMERE CARDIGAN WITH EMBROIDERY ON SLEEVES

CUT AWAY EXPOSING SILK CHIFFON LINING. APPLIQUED LOTUSES

ON FRONT, FINISHED WITH GROSGRAIN RIBBION AT HEM AND

OPENING. PAIRED WITH A BLACK AND WHITE CUSTOM PRINT

ORGANZA DRESS WITH BLACK TRIM

ERIN FETHERSTON SHOWS HER SPRING 2010 COLLECTION AT NEW YORK FASHION WEEK AT MILK STUDIOS

Image of Erin, Getty Images, Astrid Stawiarz Runway Photo Credits: Thomas Kletecka

When: Sunday, September 13th
Where: Milk Studios

Erin Fetherston debuted her Spring/Summer 2010 collection during New York City Fashion Week on Sunday, September 13th at 6 p.m. at Milk Studios. Fetherston’s decidedly womanly aesthetic and flair for the dramatic was on full display with plunging v-necks, defined shoulders and attention-grabbing hemlines, softened by delicate accents of ruffles and lace.

Fetherston drew inspiration from memories of a childhood visit to Nara, Japan. The designer recalls the scene as a pink forest snowing cherry blossoms over herds of free roaming deer. The ode to Nara was captured in the piles of white rose petals that flanked the runway and long stem pink carnations which were placed on every seat, courtesy of floral designer Jeff Leatham. This imagery manifested in Fetherston's fabric and color direction as well, with watercolor cherry blossom prints in blush and midnight and an abstract fawn print on sequins. The palette of tans, blush and ivory, paired with black and navy further demonstrated the strong/soft dichotomy present in the design.

Hair and make-up were designed to reflect and compliment the feminine and romantics tones set in the collection. Hairstylist Lyndell Mansfield for Bumble & Bumble took the hair up with a classic chignon but gave twists, rolls and tucks for a younger, cooler feel. Lucia Pica for MAC Cosmetics showed dark eyes with clean skin, flushed cheeks and bare lips.

This season featured two accessories collaborations, a first for Fetherston. The Lulu Frost for Erin Fetherston collection, designed by Lisa Salzer was inspired by the opulence of the late 70’s and early 80’s: bold, heavily embellished rhinestone and chain bracelets drip down the wrist, draping like lavish shackles, while long dangling rhinestone earrings add a touch of sleek sophistication, glamour and high drama. The most prominent pieces of the collection are the rhinestone and crystal hand pieces. Designed to be worn over soft leather gloves or to adorn bare hands, these tough yet delicate garnishes complete a strong, feminine look, the leitmotif of the collection as a whole.

Cole Haan, for their end of the collaboration, provided belts and shoes – or more specifically, chic heels featuring Nike Air technology. Cinched belts adorned with gold-plated heart buckles echoed Fetherston’s blue, blush and black color palette while adding a whimsical, feminine flair.

And we loved the playlist - check it out below!

Where did all the love go? -Kasabian

Breaking Into Cars --The Raveonettes

I Can Thrill and Delight --In Flagranti

Nothing to Worry About --Peter Bjorn and John The Muzik --Ebony Bones Do You Want It All?

Little Secrets -Passion Pit

BIG NIGHT FOR DSQUARED2

DEAN & DAN CATEN CELEBRATE THE NEW COLLECTION FROM

DSQUARED² EYEWEAR, DURING NYC FASHION WEEK

WHEN: Tuesday, September 15, 2009

WHERE: DSQUARED

WHAT: Design duo Dean and Dan Caten of DSQUARED² hosted an exclusive celebration for the launch of their highly anticipated new eyewear collection, in partnership with MARCOLIN. The collection consists of a total of 17 new styles and will be hitting stores globally starting from October 2009. The collection will be available in the finest US department stores such as Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdale’s and Bergdorf Goodman as well as Holt Renfrew locations throughout Canada.

“Everything that we design has to be something that we would ourselves wear,” says Dean and Dan Caten, Creative Directors of DSQUARED². “DSQUARED² continues to evolve into a lifestyle - not just a brand. We’re going to continue adding an offering of categories that the DSQUARED² man or woman need… whether it be a great tuxedo, cocktail dress or casual look. From footwear to women’s bags to men’s leather goods - we’ve recently gone on to develop a line of fragrances, body washes, candles, and cosmetics. Sunglasses were the next natural step in the brand’s evolution and we couldn’t be more proud of this new collection.”

- Dean and Dan Caten, Creative Directors of DSQUARED².

WHO: Dean and Dan Caten, Creative Directors of DSQUARED²

Maserati provided the new Maserati Quattroporte S. for VIP arrivals. Throughout the evening, guests enjoyed signature cocktails courtesy of Belvedere and champagne courtesy of Moët & Chandon as well as catering by Chef Vincent Chirico of Vai restaurant in Manhattan.

ATTENDEES INCLUDED:

Dean and Dan Caten, Creative Directors of DSQUARED² along with guests including
Hilary Duff, Mary J Blige, Estelle, Ciara, Rachel Zoe, Kelly Rowland, Nicky Hilton,
Tyson Beckford, Mena Suvari, Amerie, Perez Hilton, Kristin Cavallari, Fonzworth Bentley, Amanda Lepore, Brad Goreski, Byrdie Bell, Fabiola Beracasa and Carol Alt.

WHAT'S NEW

THE FUTURE IS LOOKING BRIGHT

Break out your Prada sunglasses, its NEON shades this season

THE LIST:

Rag & Bone Romper, $450

Laila Azhar, One Shoulder Cascade Dress, *EDITOR’S PICK*, $495

ADAM, Draped Strapless, $465

Elizabeth and James, Paloma Dress, $345

Marc by Marc Jacobs, Hobo shoulder bag, $430

Michael Kors, Silk georgette kaftan, $310

Milly, Beaded tank dress, $355

Want to save but still work the trend?

MUST HAVE Tory Burch Jelly Reva Flats, $95

Images Coutsey of Shopbop, www.shopbop.com and Net-a-Porter, www.net-a-porter.com