Sarah Nami Ahn is an LA based fashion designer and founder of her own womenswear brand called NAMI after her middle name, her Korean name. Ahn’s brand, NAMI, rapidly gained traction after just one season, her debut collection SS12 that was shown at NYFW, LAFW in September and October 2011, respectively. Ahn only launched her line June of 2011 and within a short year, her line is now sold online and in boutiques around the country. Her design aesthetics is highly influenced by her worldly travels as an Army Brat, her heritage, her unusual educational background, and finally by architecture.
On October 13th, NAMI presented its Spring/Summer 2013 collection in Los Angeles, and we were lucky enough to be at the show. Check out our collection review as well as our interview with the designer, Sarah Ahn, after the cut!
The up and coming fashion designer Michelle Salins has recently debuted her collection for Fall/Winter 2012 in America. What stands out about the Indian-born designer from others is her modern and feminine mix of both Indian and American cultures. Beginning her career in 2009, Salins was formerly an interior designer before establishing her career as a fashion designer. We were fortunate enough to interview the designer who talks about her inspiration, her American release, and her tips for Fall.
I’ll admit, I’m a bit of an addict…to shoes. Perhaps like many other women, my closet is filled with a myriad of different footwear – flats, sandals, sneakers, wedges and the list goes on and on. To be honest, it seems to be an addiction that won’t be ending any time soon.
Recently, the women of MIXXI – Nikki Tran, Ann Shimasaki and Evelyn Nguyen – have come up with a smart solution for this: shoe clips. Fashion-forward, fun and eclectic, MIXXI was even featured in this year’s Emmy gift bags. Check out our interview with the women of MIXXI as well as our own product review!
Courtesy of MyMixxi.com
In August, the 2012 London Olympic Games gave many Asians athletes an international platform to demonstrate their physical prowess. Last month, a different group of Asians were put on the spotlight. A new season of Fashion Week took over New York and I was there to soak it all in all while getting first-hand looks at the creativity of numerous Asian designers inside or outside the tents. Check out four Asian designers or brands that were at this season’s New York Fashion Week.
Gavin Rajah
The South African-born designer debuted his Spring 2013 collection as one of the five designers featured at the Arise African Icons fashion collective, held in Lincoln Center. From sparkly pink shorts to the gold dresses, Gavin Rajah stayed true to his opulent designs as even his headgear were luxurious like the gold visors. [Image Courtesy: Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week]
When it comes to being a fashionista, we all know that maintaining style and fabulousness involves money. We all seek unique pieces, and most of the time we convince ourselves that it’s well worth the money. One would say, “$200 rainboots? Yeah, it’ll rain for sure. I need this.” With the economy the way it is these days, we are all rationalizing our budgets and pinching our pennies. What if there was an alternative to all of this? What if you could buy yourself a high quality, one-of-a-kind piece of clothing piece that’s affordable? You must think I’m bluffing! But look no further, I just found the site. An up and coming business called Sketch Street, this online store is where you can submit fashion sketches and have them come to real life! Based in London and recognized worldwide, Sketch Street is a new kind of style that us fashionista’s would love. With the wonderful opportunity of chatting with the founders of Sketch Street, check out this profile feature on the company and the owners, Widelia Liu and Anthony Chan!
The dimmed open space of The Conga Room at L.A. Live enveloped the bustling mixed crowd of fashionable patrons and photographers as they all waited for the show to start. Past the host and the bar stood an abundantly spacious stage bearing the designer’s name “Sue Wong” and where the source of the alluring red light seemed to be coming from. It definitely set the tone of the Spring ’13 Collection: the anxious onlookers were about to step into a dramatic show of mystery, exoticism, sentience, and the perplexing beauty of nature.
Continue reading for more details & pictures!
On September 13, Amsterdam hosted its first ever Vogue Fashion’s Night Out. Fashionistas from across the Netherlands and beyond gathered at De Bijenkorf and P.C. Hooftstraat for cocktails, goodie bags, and of course, shameless shopping.
Amsterdam is known for a number of things, mainly marijuana and prostitution. Little do people know that the city has a bustling design and fashion industry as well. Vogue Nederland launched earlier this year, becoming the nineteenth and newest addition to the brand’s global empire. Editor-in-Chief Karin Swerink inaugurated FNO Amsterdam at De Bijenkorf, the premiere department store of the Netherlands, with Dutch supermodels Ymre Stiekema and Dewi Driegen at her side. The evening kicked off with a fashion show curated by stylist and fashion editor Saskia van Langevelde. Celebrity Dutch designers Bibi van der Velden, JANTAMINIAU, Iris van Herpen, Erik Frenken and Marga Weimans all made guest appearances at De Bijenkorf as well.
The party continued at P.C. Hooftstraat, the “Fifth Avenue” of Amsterdam. Located outside of the city center, shoppers were transported by the latest models of Mercedes Benz and replicas of the iconic yellow New York City taxi. The highlight of the night was a meet and greet with Amsterdam-based designers Viktor & Rolf who posed for photos in a larger-than-life Vogue Magazine backdrop.
And what would FNO be without some freebies? I couldn’t resist getting my make up done at the Dior counter in De Bijenkorf. With a 40 euro purchase, I received free rhinestone false lashes which I received compliments on all night long. I also snagged free Dior eye cream, Boss by Hugo Boss perfume, and a Jimmy Choo compact mirror, not to mention lots of tasty cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. Amsterdam’s debut Fashion’s Night Out closed on a sweet note with a performance by Belgian singing sensation Selah Sue.
Ever wonder who makes important creative decisions for major department stores, such as Bloomingdale’s; and do you ever wonder what his/her advice and sense on fashion are? Lucky for you, your speculation ends today. We tracked down Bloomingdale’s Senior Vice President of Creative at Bloomingdales.com, Sophia Tang, and had her answer questions that every woman should know the answers to – especially when it comes to your closets.
Get to know Tang’s insight on must haves and the way she would go about dressing for fall for various occasions by continuing to read.
Go behind the camera with us at our Fall 2012 photoshoot with cover girl Jamie Chung! Edited by Courtney Beavers, here’s a nice little video set to Far East Movement’s “Rocketeer (LA Dreamer Version)” (who is also featured in our Fall issue!). Much thanks to the the team that worked on this: photographer (and our Creative Director!) Diana King, Olivia Wu (producer), Ashley Avignone (stylist), Shelly Samia (makeup), Gaelle Secretin (hair), and videographer Khalif Boyd!
Be sure to also catch Jamie this Saturday on September 15th as she co-hosts Audrey’s Night Out 2012 with Justin Chon! More info here.
