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.
It’s December and winter is finally here! Though it’s still about 70 degrees here in Los Angeles as I write this, it’s bound to get chilly soon so it’s time to stock up on some winter clothes. This season, wear a coat to keep you warm through the cold days. There’s a ton of coats out there and that makes it difficult to choose which one to buy. Here, I breakdown the things you have to consider when choosing a coat.
Length: If you’re looking for something more mature to go with your formal looks, go for something longer, like one that’s down to your knees. Avoid going any longer if you’re not especially tall; you don’t want your coat to wear you. Coats that are too long for your figure make you look even shorter. For more casual outings, keep your coat at hip-length or above. Being only 5’1″ myself, I went for a coat that goes down to my hips, which is a very versatile length to dress up or down.
Color/Pattern: Normally, people go for black or dark gray because they go with virtually every outfit. This is a wise decision, but make sure you have your lint roller ready! If you’re feeling bold, try a sharper color, like red, teal or purple. Looking for something in between? Camel tone is a popular choice. There is also the option of going for a pattern, like houndstooth, tweed or plaid.
Buttons: Buttons are one of the main features of a coat. Double-breasted peacoats are the most common, but there are also single-breasted coats. There can be buttons down the whole front or just the top half. The types of buttons defer as well, such as plain, military or toggle. Buttons are really just a personal preference, so just choose what you like.
Detailing: The different styles of coats are expanding. If you like ruffles, some coats have ruffled bottoms or collars. This also applies to faux fur. Personally, I don’t prefer either because they make coats seem even chunkier, but do take into account that I am petite in size. But if you like them, I say go for it!
I love designer collaborations. I’m a total sucker for them. I practically went broke buying up Eugenia Kim’s hat line for Target, scooping up H&M’s Garden Collection, and most recently, clearing out the Target near my mom’s house of most of their Zac Posen collection.
It’s a guilty pleasure, I admit.
So I was surprised to see that Spain-based brand Mango launched a new collaboration this month, and it’s with Korean designer Lee Jean Youn.
Lee Jean Youn for Mango.
Lee Jean Youn for Mango "Tatjana" dress.
Lee is a Korea-born, award-winning fashion designer. A graduate of the prestigious Hongik University with a degree in fashion design, Lee has received numerous awards and accolades during his 12-year career. He’s shown his collections around the world, including at China Qingdao Fashion Week, Hong Kong Fashion Week, and most recently the Paris haute couture shows.
Designer Lee Jean Youn, second from left, and other finalists at the El Boton-Mango Fashion Awards.
Last April, Lee’s submitted his collection to Mango’s second edition of the El Botón-Mango Fashion Awards. His line was exhibited, together with those of the other finalists, for one week in Barcelona’s Passeig de Gràcia. The lavish exhibition consisted of 20 Perspex cubicles, each cubicle containing four mannequins dressed in the collections of the 10 finalists.
The designer and his collection at Passeig de Gràcia in Barcelona.
Lee Jean Youn, second from left, and the other finalists in Barcelona.
Needless to say, Lee’s simple forms, exaggerated volume, and traditional motifs won over the judges. And now you can buy Lee Jean Youn’s limited edition collection (ranging from $49.90 to $169.90) at Mango stores and online.
Check out some of his collection here:
"Esmerald" T-shirt.
"Perla" T-shirt.
"Seul" one-piece jumper.
"Camelia" jacket.
"Tore" cardigan.
"Peonia" shirt.
"Onyx" T-shirt.
"Azucena" shorts.
"Lebon" jeans.
"Spiral" sandals.
Photos courtesy of Mango.
