Fashion’s wonder boy at the end of his debut at Balenciaga (courtesy of NY Times).
When it was announced in late November that Alexander Wang would take over as the next Creative Director for brand Balenciaga (after Nicolas Ghesquière ended his 15-year run), it left the fashion industry in uproar. Would he be able to follow in the footsteps of Ghesquière and carry on the brand’s legacy? While Wang has already made quite a name for himself at a young age as a fashion designer, many believed that he didn’t carry enough experience.
As summer winds down, it’s time to update your wardrobe with the newest trends for fall. As strange as it may seem, your shoes are one of the first things others notice about you. Make an impression with these must-have shoes.
Loafers
From left to right: Christian Louboutin Sakoette Curly Calf Hair Loafer, courtesy of Neiman Marcus. Elizabeth and James Clark Pointed-Toe Suede Smoking-Slipper Pump, courtesy of Neiman Marcus. Alexander Wang Astrid Suede and Leather Ankle Strap Loafers, courtesy of Saks Fifth Avenue.
Loafers are officially the new flats. However, this doesn’t mean you need to rock Sperry Top-siders to your next dinner party. The new loafer is sleek, elegant, and versatile. Loafers are appropriate for the office and the bar, making them the perfect shoes for a day-to-night outfit. Go for a classic look with this loafer from Christian Louboutin or try a more adventurous variation, like these ones by Elizabeth and James and Alexander Wang.
This Week’s Happenings 2.17-2.24
There’s a lot going on during the next couple of weeks as Audrey gears up for the release of our exciting spring issue! Purchase tickets now to the highly anticipated San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival. Savor a one-night only collaborative dinner at LA’s The Tar Pit restaurant made by guest Chef Roy Choi. Asian American New Yorker artists: apply to be featured in the upcoming Locating the Sacred festival in Brooklyn. Be inspired to execute those brilliant ideas via a hot off the press book by a leading idea maker. For more, read on!
Image via 111minnagallery.com
WHAT: Purchase tickets to the upcoming San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival (SFIAAFF)
The Center for Asian America Media (CAAM) presents the 30th annual largest and most prestigious showcase for new Asian American and Asian films, music, and digital and interactive media in North America.
The festival will kick off with a screening at Castro Theatre of White Frog starring Joan Chen, B.D. Wong, Harry Shum, Jr., and Booboo Stewart, followed by a decadent opening night party at the magnificent Asian Art Museum.
The line-up this year includes: Hawaiian love story, Knots, starring Michael Kang; indie horror film, I Am a Ghost, directed by H.P. Mendoza, starring Anna Ishida and Jeannie Barroga; a live audience participation Filipino musical, and films honoring those affected by the Japan tsunami and earthquake.
WHEN: March 8-18
WHERE: San Francisco, Berkeley, and San Jose, CA
HOW: Purchase tickets to your films and events of choice today!
I bid thee farewell Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week and its more than 100 designers who previewed their fall 2011 collections last week in New York City. Though I did not attend, I will always feel like fashion is a part in me that taps well beyond the ready-to-wear clothes on my back. Okay, I lied because these are thrift finds I’m wearing, but here are eclectic fall and wintry looks from a few Asian and AA designers that will drive any trendmonger mad. Next Fashion Week stop, London (with Ashish, J. JS Lee, and more)!
Courtesy of Getty Images
With the year winding down, Audrey Magazine has narrowed down some greats of 2010.
It’s been a big year in fashion. Not only did the supremacy of Asians and Asian Americans in fashion get the official CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund stamp of approval (Richard Chai, Alexander Wang and Jason Wu all won this year; Prabal Gurung was a runner up for the Fashion Fund), but Wu, Gurung, Thai American designer Thakoon, and Indian designer Naeem Khan were all First Lady picks for important events.
Jason Wu, Richard Chai, and Alexander Wang, winners of the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund 2010. Photo courtesy of The New York Times.
MIchelle Obama in Thakoon at the White House, May 2010.
Relative newcomer Joseph Altuzarra may have been beat by Jason Wu for the Swarovski Award for Womenswear, but the French designer (his mother is Asian American, his father is French) is getting major buzz, especially with his recent appearance in Vogue‘s November issue. (Hello cutie!)
Joseph Altuzarra and model Joan Small in Vogue's November 2010 issue.
As for the women, Anna Sui had a big anniversary (the big 3-0), releasing her first ever retrospective coffee table book. Vera Wang celebrated her 20th anniversary with the release of a special fragrance, Vera Wang Anniversary. Designer milliner Eugenia Kim hit the big time with her hat collection collaboration with Target. And Chinese-Brit Alexa Chung became fashion’s It girl, launching her own collection for Madewell and single-handedly bringing prep back into the fashion lexicon.
Anna Sui, the retrospective book.
Internationally, Jakarta Fashion Week joined the slew of Asian cities showing off their sartorial talent, including Seoul, Beijing, Tokyo, Bangkok, New Delhi, Mumbai and Shanghai. Korean designers are particularly catching the industry’s attention, with Concept Korea showing at New York Fashion Week for Spring 2011, and Korean designer Lee Jean Youn winning international label Mango’s second annual Fashion Awards.
A look from Jakarta Fashion Week, courtesy of Image.net.
Designer Lee Jean Youn and his winning collection for Mango in Barcelona.
And it doesn’t look like the Asian fashion invasion is gonna slow down any time soon. A whole slew of Asian and Asian American designers are being tapped for collaborations and to head major fashion houses, including:
* Filipino American handbag and shoe designer Rafe Totengco, known for his line Rafe New York, has been appointed creative director of handbags at Jones Apparel Group, Inc., a mega-company whose brands include Nine West, Stuart Weitzman, Anne Klein, Jones New York, among others. (He just received the Presidential Award from Philippine President Benigno S. Aquino III last week.)
Rafe Totengco, far right, receiving the Presidential Award from His Excellency, President Benigno S. Aquino III. (PRNewsFoto/The Jones Group Inc.)
Ming Xi models some Peter Som prints in his spring 2011 show.
* Luxury linens company SFERRA is collaborating with Peter Som to create a luxury home collection. Inspired by his signature prints from his runway collections, Som’s collection will encompass everything from bedding to tabletop. The collection will debut in January.
* Richard Chai has been tapped to create an exclusive, limited-edition menswear collection for Original Penguin, to debut in February. The full Richard Chai for Original Penguin line will debut for fall 2011.
* Target’s Go International Designer Collective, which will launch March 13, features designs by Richard Chai and Thakoon, among other past Target collaborators.
The fashion forecast for Asian representation in 2011? So on trend.
Anyone who knows anything about online shopping knows that Tobi.com is the place to go for the hottest names in cool girl wear. Not only do they have the most coveted lines, from T by Alexander Wang to Rick Owens DRKSHDW to the oh-so covetable Opening Ceremony, the site itself is fun to browse, with user friendly categories, editorial-worthy look books, and even sections for beauty, men and eco-friendly items.
They even showcase the coolest collaborations, like Asian American fashion blogger Rumi Neely’s collaboration with jewelry designer Dannijo.
And now the girls behind the e-tailer, Indonesian American Corina Nurimba and Chinese American Catherine Chow, are giving Audrey readers a special deal on their stuff — just in time for the holidays!
Just use promo code AUDREY30 at checkout and you get 30% off your purchase! That’s 30% off Elizabeth and James, Kai-aakman, even MM6 Maison Martin Margiela. They’ve got affordable brands like BB Dakota; plenty of Asian American designers like Michelle Mason, Joy Gryson and Kasil; and the super high end stuff like Tom Ford eyewear and Comme des Garcons. For Tobi, it’s all about the editing — everything they’ve got up is just uber cool.
You have until December 31, 2010, 11:59 pm, PDT to use the code, and the discount applies to regular priced items only and does not include the following brands: A.P.C., Anthony Logistics for Men, Comme des Garcons, Comme des Garcons Play, Converse, Dannijo x Fashiontoast Collection, G-Star, Hudson Jeans, Hunter, J Brand, Nixon, TOMS Shoes and UGG. So get shopping!
And as a little taste of what Tobi has to offer, Corina and Catherine are giving away a pair of Siwy denim of your choice offered at Tobi.com to one lucky Audrey reader! If you don’t know by now, the denim line founded by Vietnamese-Polish American Michelle Siwy is a cult favorite (I mean, Kate Moss is photographed all over the place wearing her pair — ’nuff said). Check out their “Naughty” style from their upcoming holiday collection (right). Hot!
Siwy has chinos, too -- louche, slouchy, drool-worthy!
So don’t miss out on a chance to get your own! Now, pay attention ’cause here’s what you have to do:
1. Become a fan of Tobi’s Facebook page;
2. Comment on three AudreyMagazine.com posts (substance, people, I want to read some substance!);
3. Comment to this post telling us which three posts you commented on; and
4. Finally, tell us why you deserve a free pair of Siwy denim!
You have until Wednesday, November 24, 11:59 pm to comment, and you must have a U.S. mailing address to win. Good luck!
The beauty looks from New York Fashion Week keep rolling in. And with most of the country still swathed in chilly weather, now’s the perfect time to experiment with the looks models wore down the runway last week.
My favorite is M*A*C’s face chart for Peter Som. Super spiky eyelashes, a shimmery golden eye and vampy lips for an “uptown girl meets Woodstock” look, according to makeup artist Tom Pecheaux. It’s so easy to do and a refreshing change from spring’s pastel profusion.
M*A*C for Peter Som face chart.
If I’ve noticed anything about the spring runways, it’s that I have to get me a good pair of socks.
Normally relegated to hiding under boots or as workout gear, socks are going to be seeing a resurgence this spring. Wear them scrunchy and paired with strappy heels, like at Burberry Prorsum, or knee high and nude to update last year’s ankle boot, like at Alexander Wang.
Tao Okamoto in Burberry Prorsum.
“Nude” looks were all over the spring runways. From sporty khaki at Alexander Wang to aggressive minis in barely-there hues at Jen Kao to twisted and knotted nude chiffons at Burberry Prorsum, you’re going to want to run out and get something in this naked hue as soon as the dust settles from the mad rush that is the holidays.
A hard silhouette done in such soft hues at Jen Kao.
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