I’m a sucker for fast fashion, especially designer collaboration fast fashion (Lanvin for H&M anyone?). There’s something poetic to me about mixing a ’90s Dries van Noten jacket with Isabel Toledo for Payless platforms and my mother’s chunky gold jewelry from the ’70s. So I’ve got a giant red circle on my desk calendar around March 13, the day Target releases its GO International Designer Collective. It’s a retrospective of sorts, a re-release of 34 of the best dresses from 17 past GO International collaborations, in honor of the five year anniversary of Target’s GO International program. The limited-edition collective features dresses from Asian American designers Thakoon and Richard Chai, as well as Luella Bartley, Behnaz Sarafpour, Proenza Schouler, Alice Temperley, Erin Fetherston, Jonathan Saunders, Rodarte, and Zac Posen, among others.
If you missed out the first time, now’s your chance. The funny thing is these dresses are so on trend for spring — yet another testament to the cyclical nature of fashion. Thakoon’s tie-dye print dress and Rodarte’s lace prints are spot on for spring. I’ll be wearing mine with Jonathan Saunders’ neoprene yellow belt from his collaboration with Target a few years back and my floral fedora Eugenia Kim designed for the retailer.
Thakoon for Target printed tie-waist dress.
More styles after the jump.
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.
Shu Pei Qin in Richard Chai Love.
From “Bohemian Rhapsody” to “Eccentric Ladylike” themes littering the fall runways, the new looks for fall combine classic cuts with a bit of fun. Think a mix of summer with dash of fall and that’s the route that a lot of fall trends seem to be taking.
And it’s easier than ever to achieve — just add a few key fall items that are already staples in most women’s closets with your current summer wardrobe. What’s more is that summer clothes are on sale everywhere right now, from the mall to online boutiques. Essentially, you can buy what’s “in” at sale prices, and then work them into your fall wardrobe.
To start off, let’s review some summer trends that’ll work for fall:
Summer Prints
Stores from J. Crew to Urban Outfitters showed an explosion of floral prints this summer.
Lightweight, Feminine Blouses
Light, sheer blouses with details like ruffles, ruching, embroidery and lace are hot on the racks everywhere, as well as etailers like ShopBop.com.
Utility Shirt and Jackets
Utility shirts and jackets come in different lengths and colors, and they were key ways to get your military vibe on in your spring and summer looks. Stock up at Gap.
To transition these key summer pieces this fall, wear them with those fall essentials that everyone has: long cardigans, blazers, sleek jackets or coats, and leather boots.
A crisply tailored jacket, a printed scarf and boots, like these at Ralph Lauren, are staples in most closets.
A chunky cardigan, a long blazer or even a fur vest worn over a summer blouse or floral print is an easy fall ensemble.
Chanel Iman pairs a long cardigan with a vibrant print in Tommy Hilfiger.
A faux fur vest and knee high boots add heft to a lightweight summer blouse, as worn by Liu Wen in Anna Sui.
Wooly textures and faux fur pairs nicely with a floral print. Eugenia Mandzhieva in Mulberry.
Have a summer dress you love? Instantly update with a faux fur vest and opaque ribbed tights, as modeled by Hyoni Kang at Karen Walker.
Additionally, utility shirts accompanied by scarves or leather boots can be a great fall look as well. Whether you’re going for a casual look or something more chic, a utility shirt or jacket can make any outfit look presentable and pulled together.
Liu Wen in Salvatore Ferragamo.
Shu Pei Qin in Etro.
Tao Okamoto in Jonathan Saunders.
So get a jump start on fall by checking out your favorite stores for summer sales on the best summer trends.
Enjoy!
Loving shorts but can’t figure out how to wear it? Take a cue from the runways.
My favorite way to do shorts this season is embellished with a tomboy topper (military- or rock-inspired — you choose) and a substantial flat boot or sandal. Asian American designer (and one of my favorites) Richard Chai shows you how with his super casual look for his diffusion line Richard Chai Love.
Richard Chai Love.
Liu Wen in Rag & Bone.
Generally, spring’s shorts look best with something long sleeved on top. A crisp white shirt keeps shorts sophisticated, like on Tao Okamoto below.
