NYFW: SKINGRAFT Fall 2014

Skingraft’s Fall 2014 collection is inspired by the idea of drastic climate change and an inevitable return to a dystopian survivalist future.

The collection pulls from Siberian , Mongolian, and artic tribal cultures who have adapted, thrived and built communities in harsh climates and severe conditions for centuries.

This artic inspiration is filtered through Skingraft’s signature nomadic streetwear lens and explores new fabrications including hand-quilted leather and mohair, shaved ponyhair, ribbed nylon-fused fleece and intricate embroideries detailed with leather and metal jewels.

For me, the fall collection is not just about survival in the harsh uncertanties of our world’s future, but rather it is about thriving and building new forms of self-expression and community once the infrustructure as-we-know-it is forced into question by our changing earth and a new opportunity is upn us. -Jonny Cota Skingraft Designer

Nicholas K Fall 2013

The design sibling duo have pulled inspiration for their fall 2013 collection from the époque of the Arctic explorations in the late 19th to early 20th century.  What is so inspirational about that? 
The warmth of the sun on an unforgiving landscape, ice capped oceans, swaying vegetation, the grey barren earth...all of these together have brought together the array of tones, textures, colors and most importantly, the mood of the collection. 
Into the depths of the ice-capped oceans spears of light ignite the deep blue and wild green aura of the swaying vegetation clinging to the grey barren earth. Above the white ice-plateaus reaching to the coasts are the exposed tops of pale mammoth glaciers marbled in hues of blue, grey, and white.

All photos, credit: Randy Brooke

Mara Hoffman Spring 2013

Designer Mara Hoffman showed her Spring/Summer collection to a packed house once again, and gladly, I was there to witness the excitement of the new collection in the Stage at Lincoln Center during Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week.

This season, the inspiration was the word “Aloha” – from the origin of peace in it’s meaning, to the spirit of the Hawaiian islands that it represents. The collection portrays the vibrant colors and spirit of island culture, from surfing to boating to resort and beach lounging. This is reflected in the overall look of the collection, from swimsuits worn on the runway, to Bermuda surf shorts, to the closing look- a long appliqued skirt worn with a cropped bustier top; Hoffman’s chic interpretation of a hula skirt look. 

As she explains, “Each season, my goal is to take the audience on a journey and express the transcendent feeling of love & positivity. This is what we wish to be known for and want to capture in our shows; always celebrating beauty and having a little fun with it.”

The show featured real floral hair pieces and leaf bracelets by Taylor Patterson from Foxfodder Farms, hair by Thomas Duncan forSebastian Professional, make up and nails by Charlotte Willer and Honey for Maybelline, shoes by Aperlai and music by Ben Brunnemer, as well as live Ukelele players (wearing Mara Hoffman Spring 2013 dresses).

Nicholas K Spring 2013

For the first time ever, I was invited to the opening show of  New York Fashion Week for Spring/Summer 2013, Nicholas K.  The brother/sister duo's 'Soylent Green' collection was very natural, neutral, and organic. 

Inspired by the sci-fi 70s film that predicted a dystopian future for New York in 2022, "It had this futuristic, nomad feeling that was interesting for us since we're really organic in our lifestyle," Nicholas Kunz told ELLE. "It talks about how there are all these technological advances, but people are reverting back to pureness and a minimalistic life."

With 61 looks mainly made up of beige, caramel and the occasional burnt orange piece, Nicholas K stayed true to their natural style...and I, completely loved it for the upcoming Spring/Summer 2013 season. 

Ruffian SS 2012

Bran Wolk and Claude Morais made the unthinkable possible yesterday, gearing up sporty with chic for their Spring/Summer 2012 collection!
The designers, inspired by the horse country of upstate New York, Saratoga Springs to be exact, featured jockey jerseys and seriously amazing color blocking!

With colors like neon pink and orange mixed and blues and greens, immediately, I had fallen in love. The collection was prim and trim, and even featured a tank suit with a diagonal spice across the torso!

Personally, this was one of my favorite shows so far for MBNYW SS 2012, the application of colors, color blocking, you can say their Spring lineup was straightforwardly sporty, yet chic.