New Girl On The Block.

Iris Van Herpen Autum/Winter 10-11

   

Synesthesia by Iris Van Herpen Autum/Winter 10-11

The first time I heard of Iris Van Herpen was when I came across Kim Kardashian's blog, and she mentioned she was wearing the mind stricking Iris Van Herpen shoes. At first, I couldn't help but to remember Alexander McQueen, but I don't like to compare. It results the Dutch designer has actually worked on the fashion shows of Alexander McQueen and Victor & Rolf. I don't exactly know if her designs are influenced by that of McQueen's or any other relatively close to the designs of McQueen, but I can definitely see that she and the legendary dead designer shared the same love to create and innovate. They don't have limits when it comes to controlling their imagination-which can either work in your favor or not. Gladly, in this case, it worked like a work of art.

Iris Van Herpen makes her designs her own with her high-tech materials such as boat yarns, children's umbrella pins, metal gauze wire, and different types of high-tech foils. All the leather is hand sewn and she mentioned that she would never work with fur, feathers or sequins-she hates them. Hmmm, interesting. Van Herpen is inspired by electronic music which you can probably see in the vibe of her collections. Every designer has a relationship with the body and the dutch designer is no exception. She has an interest in the expansion of the body, which is reasonable since she use to study dance and has even collaborated with award-winning choreographer, Nanine Linning.  Iris Van Herpen said "It's really amazing to see the way the clothes move on the dancer as it's so different from when the models walk in them." Van Herpen keeps on striking me with her individuality.

I love seeing designers with a world of ideas and even if to the world they may strike as "weird", is good to start having the confidence to break out of that shell and show your "weirdness". Weirdness is good-it's different. I know, what many of you think: "Lady Gaga would probably wear this!" You bet your ass she would. Celebrities have made various creations acceptable, because when the world sees them wearing these things-they automatically respond to it as "ok to see, and ok to wear." I cannot emphasize the word art when speaking about fashion and I like to believe that apart from her technological uses-Iris Van Herpen invokes art in her designs. Whether it is dancers, electronic music, and foil-like materials, her designs are like watching an art exhibit at the Guggenheim Museum. I wonder if celebrities would ever be seen in her designs(besides her amazing shoes)?

*Iris has regularly shown her collections at Amsterdam International Fashion Week, before going on to show her AW10 collection entitled ‘Synesthesia’ as part of the Blow PR presents show, to great critical acclaim.

Left: Kim Kardahian in Iris Van Herpen Shoes-October 2010, New York City

Right: Solonge Knowls in Iris Van Herpen Shoes-September 2010, Fashion Week, New York City

To see more on Iris Van Herpen, check out her website: http://www.irisvanherpen.com/

PS: Make sure to CLICK the introductory image when entering the Iris Van Herpen site, it'll take you to her collections.

Couture Please.

(Elie Saab Fall 2010 Haute Couture)

I don't know if it is "correct" that I begin a fashion & lifestyle blog with couture, but what I do know is that my fashion class has made me not only fall in love with the mind-blowing task of couture, but to respect it and admire it. When we think of couture we think of legendary designers like Christian Dior, Yves Saint Laurent, Valentino, Chanel, Givenchy or the child prodigy Balenciaga. But I must say that through my lounging sessions of Google searches and celebrity stalking (Hahah) I've had the chance to see the name 'Elie Saab' appear in many places. I kept looking at his collections from 2009 up to current ones, both Ready-to-Wear and couture, and I have to say I just fall into some sort of dream fantasy when I look at the craftsmanship Mr. Saab invokes in all his couture gowns. He's a genius when it come to drapery and embroidery. He chooses these soothing colors and silhouettes, and he lets us understand that what he is creating is truly one-of-a-kind, and not able to be duplicated. It is so surreal to me, that this man can make such masterpieces every season and all by hand. Couture today may not be as popular as in maybe the French Revolution, or during the times of Balenciaga glory, it sort of feels like people have focused on the cost of these "works of art" and ignored the visonary efforts and influence these couture collections have. 

We have to consider that when we speak of couture, we speak mainly of "fit". Whenever a person requests a couture gown that was at the runway, they don't just get it off of a rack. It is made for YOU from scratch. From waist, to hips, to arms and neck-couture is made to fit you and only you. And of course give you the advantage of owning a one-of-a-kind piece. The designers look for a challenge in couture, and the skills learned are then applied to their Ready-to-Wear lines, making them better made each season. Couture gives the designer a chance to explode their artistry and imagination. And the few population who can afford couture, pay $30,000 for a gown because they can. I believe couture is the hierarchy of fashion; it influences every other aspect of the fashion industry. We don't have to look at couture as simply expensive any more. I think we should give it a chance and truly believe that couture exists to prove to the fashion lovers of the world that there is an ideal world in clothing and that textiles really do have the power to create a dream or a fantasy. 

I'm glad I came upon Elie Saab, because I truly believe in his artistry and he's such a talented couturier. I am glad I get to see mainstream artist like Rihanna and Beyonce wear Elie Saab's work because they are letting us know that it doesn't matter if we cannot afford them, they are there and they give fashion it's definition of workmanship and imagination. 

Left: Rhianna in Elie Saab Fall 2010 Couture at the American Music Awards 2010

Right: Beyonce Knowles in Elie Saab Haute Couture at the 2009 Golden Globe Awards.

To check out more of Elie Saab and other talented designer's collections go to:  www.style.com

PS: I am officially Elie Saab OBSESSED.