Already considered the epitomy of luxurious sportswear to many, Y-3 kicks things up a notch with their Sport Luxury collection. The men’s line features some new levels of execution for accessories featuring some high-quality materials as the focal point. The collection will be available at select Y-3 flagship stores and retailers.

勝井北斗／パーソンズで学んだ後、セントマーチンズ卒業。八木奈央／同志社大学卒業。セントマーチンズ卒業。
2001年設立。’03 S/S東京コレクション参加。05年モエ・エ・シャンドンデザイナー新人賞受賞。07年渋谷パルコに直営店オープン。21_21 design sight THIS PLAY! 展で作品を発表。08年’09S/Sサンパウロコレクションでオープニングを飾る。大阪成蹊大学芸術学部客員教授。09年 ミラノサローネTOKYO FIBER ‘09展で作品を発表。
Katsui graduated from Central Saint Martins College after studying at Parsons The New School for Design. Yagi graduated from Doshisha University and Central Saint Martins College.
The brand, mintdesigns was launched in 2001. They have been in Tokyo Collection since ‘03 S/S. The awards they won include the Moet et Chandon New Designer’s Award in 2005. In 2007, mintdesigns garage store opened in Shibuya PARCO. They presented their collection in the 21_21 DESIGN SIGHT THIS PLAY! show. In 2008, they presented the opening show at São Paulo Fashion Week for ‘09 S/S. Both designers currently hold positions as guest professors at the Faculty of Art and Design at Osaka Seikei University. In 2009 they presented their collection at the Milano Salone TOKYO FIBER ‘09.Mint Designs turned out a dainty crop of dresses featuring details such as shimmery stripes, textured fabric and quirky graphics. One frock featured a darling print of tiny Charlie Chaplins, while another showcased circular cutouts along the sides.

Chris trägt:

Wollmütze von Uebervart. Selected
Weißes Longsleeve von James Perse
Flanellhose von Y-3
Hi-Top Sneakers in schwarz von Y-3
Gym-Bag von Y-3

…somit ist der “Workout-Look” aus der 46. Woche fertig.

Already considered the epitomy of luxurious sportswear to many, Y-3 kicks things up a notch with their Sport Luxury collection. The men’s line features some new levels of execution for accessories featuring some high-quality materials as the focal point. The collection will be available at select Y-3 flagship stores and retailers.

As many of you know, I am a main contributor for Interview.

Here’s a look at some of my work for them since May 2009 . To see everything I have done online for them (100+ articles since December 2008), click here:

http://www.interviewmagazine.com/blogs/contributors/colleen-nika/

Fashion:

9/25/2009:Illia: Leather at the Fringe

9/21/2009:Matthew Ames Spring 2010 Review

9/15/2009:Rad Hourani Spring 2010 Review

9/14/2009:Y-3 Spring 2010 Review

9/14/2009:Costello Tagliapietra Spring 2010 Review

9/14/2009:Charlotte Ronson Spring 2010 Review

7/6/2009:Spring 2010 Menswear Roundup

6/23/2009:YSL Spring 2010 Video Analysis

6/17/2009:Alexander Wang & Vena Cava for the GAP

6/2/2009:Lorick Lady: Abigail Lorick

5/29/2009:Burberry Day: A Chat with Christopher Bailey

5/20/2009:DSquared2 Debuts At Cannes

Music:

8/13/2009:Pop-Up Riot: Q + A With HeartsRevolution

8/12/2009:Ne-Yo: What Makes A Gentleman?

8/6/2009:Lykke Li:  Upstaging Kanye

8/5/2009:Kasabian: The Church of Kasabian, Witnessed Live

7/30/2009:Elbow: Q+A With Guy Garvey

6/16/2009:TV On The Radio Take The Stage: A Chat With The Band

5/5/2009:Colour Me Black: Q+A With The Horrors

Art & Culture:

7/21/2009: Curtains Pulled: Rufus Wainwright’s “Prima Donna” Review

6/8/2009: In the (Half) Pipe: Q+A With Cinematographer Kenneth Cappello

5/4/2009:  A San Francisco Vibe: Q+A With HAIR Costume Designer & Tony Award Winner Michael McDonald

Daniel trägt:

Slim Fit Karo-Shirt von Paul Smith
V-Neck Lambswool Pullover von Lyle & Scott Vintage
Chino Pant “Wood” von Superdry (sold out)
Hand-Made Sneakers von Creative Recreation made in Italy
Messenger-Bag aus Wolle von Y-3

…so sieht er aus. Der 44.-Woche-Style bei UEBERVART.

XXXX MAGAZINE NEW YORK FASHION WEEK
SPRING/SUMMER 2010 TREND REPORT

Reporting by Indira Cesarine assisted by Cristina Cuyco for XXXX Magazine

New York, September 10-17, 2009
By the time the first shows hit the runways in New York, it was clear summer was over and a new season had begun. XXXX Magazine hit the shows to check out the latest trends coming out of New York fashion week… there was an interesting energy of new and old hitting the city with the new Mac & Milk space set up at Milk Studios creating a modern venue for shows and presentations, as well out with the old… as the last season of fashion week at Bryant Park set the stage for an end to an era in New York. What were the major trends that came out of such a setting? Between the 139 shows and 69 presentation on the calendar, New York forecasted many trends that later hit the international runways of London, Paris and Milan…

X – NEUTRAL X NEUTRAL
In a fight to keep sales up in the credit crunch, designers veered towards classic shades that hold timeless appeal… clothing that can be worn again and again, and can be staple pieces in any wardrobe. Clean, crisp, safe and of course neutral … shades of white, grey and beige or khaki made up almost exclusively the color palette of many shows… simple, clean aesthetics for a conservative wallet…
The collections of Adam, Christian Siriano, Doo-ri, Elise Overland, G-Star, Herve Leger, Jeremy Laing, Luca-Luca, Malandrino, Marc Jacobs, Max Azria, Monarchy, Tadashi Shoji, Tommy Hilfiger and Vassilios who maintained monotone neutral looks…

X – THE ART OF COLLAGING

High craft fashion has invaded the New York runways. Patchworking, Cutouts, peek-a-boo slits, and clashing fabric textures layered and sewn together created a new treatment to fabric that we haven’t seen since the 70’s. This modern translation of traditional patchworking deserves it’s own term, as it is an art onto itself. Fabric pieces and layers are integrated with woven effects and unusual fabric treatments that make the art of “collaging” a new look for 2010.

Designers who presented looks with these kind of elements were 3.1 Phillip Lim, Behnaz Sarafpour, Herve Leger, Jill Stuart, Marc Jacobs, Max Azria, Hervé Léger, Rodarte, Thakoon, Thuy, Y-3 and Zac Posen. Rodarte’s collages of burnt plaid cheesecloth, sandpapered silk, and woven leather braid skirts and vests stood out as some of the strongest designs with this effect.

X –ASYMMETRIC

Following from the fall/winter ‘09 trend of one-shouldered looks, spring collections once again showcased more than ever asymmetrical designs. There were 80’s body-con versions, 90’s architectural takes and 70’s ruffled romantic looks hitting the runways all with asymmetrical cuts shaping the silhouette.
A recurring theme throughout the week, this season it has grown in strength with designers such as Calvin Klein, Mark Jacobs, BCBG Max Azria, Halston, Jason Wu, Jill Stuart, Luca-Luca, Malandrino, Marchesa, Matthew Ames, Milly, Nicolas K, Tadashi Shoji, Thuy, Tommy Hilfiger, Vassilios, Y-3, Yigal Azrouel and Zac Posen cutting their fabrics with asymmetrical lines.

X – ROMANCES AND RUFFLES
It was all about frills and romance as Spring 2010 heralds the return of romantic dressing. Light and fluid fabrics floated down the runways with ruffles and frills reminiscent of 70’s backlit summer days. Long free flowing skirts, ruffles and exposed lingerie presented a softer touch for spring.

Designers who had a love affair this season with ruffles and frills were Adam Lippes, BCBG Max Azria, Christian Siriano, Luca-Luca, Malandrino, Mara Hoffman, Marc Jacobs, Marchesa, Monarchy, Narciso Rodriguez, Tadashi Shoji, Tibi, Vivienne Tam and Zac Posen.

X – DESERT TRIBAL
Ethnic prints, animal motifs, geometric tribal patterns, turbans, harem pants and chunky jewelry with a modern Marrakech feel hit the runways throughout the city. Tight hair pulled back with a high braid or hair wrapped in turbans and even the “genie” headscarf look completed the effect of tribal dressing.

Catherine Malandrino was one of the designers most noted for celebrating this look with her collection based on nomadic tribes from Africa. Others include Diane Von Furstenberg, Custo Barcelona, Rosa Cha, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Rodarte and Proenza Schouler.

X TANGERINE DREAM
One color that was impossible to miss this season with the infiltration of Orange everywhere. Many collections only showed neutrals with slices of orange thrown in for a bit of flavor. Traditionally the color orange stands for courage, so perhaps this is a statement of the times to be courageous. With all the 70’s references floating about it’s hard not to also forget that Orange was The color of the 70’s.
Which New York designers sent Orange tones down the runway? 3.1 Philip Lim, Diane Von Furstenberg, Elise Overland, Marc Jacobs, Milly, Monique Lhuillier, Rosa Cha, Thuy and Anna Sui among many more…

Photography of New York runways by Shawna Simmons for XXXX Magazine (3.1 Philip Lim, Alexander Herchcovitch, Anna Sui, Barbara T Fank, Bespoken, Charlotte Ronson, Christian Siriano, Diane Von Furstenberg, Doo.Ri, Generic Denim, Herve Leger, Jeremy Lang, Mara Hoffman, Marc Jacobs, Matthew Ames, Max Azaria, Milly, Monarchy, Nicholas K, Petrou, Rosa Cha, Temperly London, Thuy, Tommy Hilfiger, Twinkle, Vassilios, Vivienne Tam, Whitney Eve, Yigal Azrouel) additional imagery provided by perspective showrooms or courtesy of Style.com.

adidas Y-3 in US launched a new hook: Just by entering your personal Y-3 wishlist you participate in a raffle worth $500. It will be done for weeks in a row!

Clicke HERE to go to the entry form. Just enter your favourit Design Jackets, Design Sneakers or your all time favourit Y-3 bag and keep fingers crossed.

Y-3 wishlist coupon

Chris trägt:

Loden-Woll Caban in grau von SOPOPULAR
Vintage-washed Jeans, Modell “MOD” von Acne
Hi-Top Sneakers von Y-3

und…voilá…der Look für die 43. Woche.

New shots of a collaborative effort between Y-3 and New York artist MOMO. Only 350 pairs of these worldwide, so you probably won’t get your hands on some… but hey, you can dream.

Images courtesy of Freshnessmag.com.

James

When Rei Kawakubo shows the spring/summer 2010 Comme des Garçons womenswear collection in Paris today it will mark 40 years in the fashion business. Next year, Issey Miyake follows suit and in spring 2011 the V&A in London will unveil a retrospective of Yohji Yamamoto’s work, commemorating 30 years since his first show in Paris. The middle-ageing of the triumvirate of revolutionary Japanese design is as shocking as any of their more confrontational collections; to many of their modernist followers they still seem like box-fresh radical upstarts, while for the high street they have only recently come into existence through diffusion projects with the likes of H&M and Adidas. So, four decades on, have they really revolutionised the world of fashion?

Although they were all active in Japan in the 70s (Yamamoto founded his company in 1972), it wasn’t until they all came to the prêt a porter in Paris in the 80s that they made their mark on international fashion. ‘Western fashion at the time was surprisingly conventional,’ says Claire Wilcox, one of the V&A’s key fashion curators. ‘They had a huge impact, creating a disruption of construction.’ It was the shock of the new: unstructured, deconstructed and skewed garments, the antithesis of an era defined by body hugging Alaïa and the shoulder pad. ‘Their work is about opposition to body shape,’ says Wilcox. ‘A Miyake Pleats Please dress moves in opposition to the natural form, and Kawakubo’s Bumps collection was a total distortion of the human body.’ Similarly confrontational was their absence of colour palette – everything in black.

Their arrival coincided with the formative years of some of today’s most celebrated designers. ‘I was just finishing my studies,’ recalls Ann Demeulemeester, ‘and it was a brave new step in fashion – the beginning of a new freedom for me as a designer and as a woman.’ Demeulemeester’s aesthetic has continued to work in parallel with the promise of the Japanese revolution, shunning trend, embracing the avant garde, and focusing on monochrome; ‘because like an architect, new structures are clearer in black and white.’

John Richmond and Maria Cornejo were Thatcher-era London clubland prodigies with 14 short-lived shops worldwide selling their 3D Richmond Cornejo label. Richmond continued, solo, with immense success and Cornejo recently celebrated 10 years of her New York-based Zero label, renowned for strength and purity of cut. ‘When I was growing up you couldn’t find black clothes,’ says Richmond. ‘It was only with the Japanese that black really started. I love using black because I grew up in Manchester where the light always makes colour look grim.’ For Cornejo, it was about shape and attitude: ‘They were so innovative with their cutting and they also found a way of working within the fashion system that broke new ground.’ Rick Owens, whose artful deconstruction and haute murk shares the Japanese spirit, found their outsider status as much an inspiration as their cuts: ‘For a 19 year old art student goth, it was illuminating to see that the uptight fashion world could accommodate a weirdo. If Halston gave the world the white butterfly orchid, Comme gave us black leggings.’

If they weren’t quite minimalist, their focus on volume, cut and head-to-toe black was reductionist, Zen perhaps. And there was practicality too: shove a boiled wool Comme jacket in an overhead locker for an 11 hour flight and it’ll look the same on arrival as it did on the catwalk. When Joan Burstein of Browns opened the Comme des Garçons shop in London, it attracted a loyal following of tastemakers who wanted to dress as if they were above the vulgar whimsy of fashion, and were willing to pay four figures for it. ‘It was a hard sell,’ Burstein recalls, ‘but it’s a cult.’

The Japanese sense of ‘otherness’ was accentuated by the style of their presentation – bleak catwalk shows akin to performance art. Miyake presented his ‘body sculpture’ as high art; his static Bodyworks show toured the world, and he collaborated with Irving Penn on coffee table photography books. The style world in the 80s was fascinated by the avant garde chic of all things Japanese – this was a time when David Bowie would wax lyrical about his love of sushi as if it were food from outer space – and there were clear identifiably traditional Japanese elements to Kawakubo, Miyake and Yamamoto.

‘The influence of the kimono was definitely apparent,’ says Professor Wendy Dagworthy of the RCA. ‘They took traditional dress and did it in a very modern way.’ Dagworthy believes that there has been as strong a Japanese attraction to the west as there has been a western attraction to the insider-cool of the Japanese: ‘They have a clear love of western fashion and culture. One of my favourite Yamamoto collections was in the 80s and shown as an homage to 60s Cardin; very molded with lots of holes cut out of it – the shapes were very beautiful.’ Conversely, designer Hussein Chalayan believes that the Japanese ‘at times caricature the west’.

While they have all taken cues from western arts (Kawakubo has produced collections in recent years inspired by the Rolling Stones and the Sex Pistols), there’s perhaps a darker dynamic between west and east that gives their work its edge. When I interviewed Yohji Yamamoto in Tokyo for the Financial Times two years ago, he spoke of his hatred for the westernised youth of Japan, the mega-malls in Roppongi (‘they all look like Disneyland’) and the destruction of traditional Japanese culture at the hands of the west: ‘Until the end of the 70s there were strong looking women on the streets of Omotesando, but after the early 80s they became more Americanised. To be frank, I hate it. Sometimes I’m flying to another city and I’m sitting next to a fat American guy in shorts and a T-shirt and I just… I can’t believe it.’

Japanese designers’ often aggressive sense of detachment from the west has fuelled the west’s fascination. ‘Their work has an integrity that western fashion lacks,’ says fashion author and curator Bradley Quinn. ‘Their work is more about nature than artifice.’ Hussein Chalayan agrees: ‘The most important influence on their work is the philosophy of wabi-sabi, a thesis about the beauty of the moment and the actuality of being. It is the magic of being Japanese that could never be understood by anyone but the Japanese themselves.’ Certainly austerity and asymmetry is as integral to wabi-sabi philosophy as Japanese fashion; and there’s also a recurrent sense of the rough and the organic (particularly in Miyake’s work); the glorious imperfections of nature. It’s this ‘look’ that has, perhaps, been mistaken as nihilist.

The various forays into more typically western commercial fashion territory have sometimes been uncomfortable. When Miyake launched a fragrance in 1994, it chimed as uncharacteristic and strange, as if the Miyake customer might be above something as frivolous as a perfume, but it spawned a full line of Duty Free favourites (including the latest, a scent by issey miyake, which launched in August), while Comme’s fragrance range is ever growing. When Yamamoto showed a range of Adidas trainers in 2001, it seemed shocking – two incompatible worlds colliding, like wearing Joseph Beuys’ Felt Suit to an Essex nightclub. Then a year later he launched Y-3, an immense commercial success, and sportswear and the high street didn’t seem like such distant universes anymore. ‘It makes perfect sense,’ says Claire Wilcox. ‘The sports shoe in particular is a perfect match – the very idea of high heels with Japanese fashion is ridiculous.’

The Japanese fashion revolution, from the 80s black-on-black tsunami that rocked Paris to the artful selling out into luggage and bathroom products in recent years has paved the way for a whole new generation of eastern designers, from Jun Takashi of Undercover and Junya Watanabe to Yamamoto’s daughter Limi Feu, who now sells through her father’s London shop. Meanwhile, Kawakubo, Miyake and Yamamoto continue to embrace their ‘otherness’ in Paris, far away from gauche ‘trend’. For this autumn Miyake catwalked bold geometrically patterned and pleated womenswear on four karate players, while Comme des Garcon’s Homme Plus collection riffed on dandy tailoring, bringing together pin stripe and leopard print. Yamamoto, meanwhile, presented his men as Hasidic Jews and 19^th century wild west pioneers… in pyjamas. His women’s collection was classic Yamamoto: all sleek elongated silhouettes and all black. If there’s one thing that 40 years of Japanese design has brought to the west it’s the understanding that when it comes to what shifts and what never ends up on the sale rail at the end of the season, black is always the new black.

Damn, we didnt see this one coming. The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Internationally known Japanese Designer Yohji Yamamoto has filed for Bankruptcy Protection citing to have debts over 6 billion yen ($67.8 milli). Those of you unfamiliar with Yamamoto are definitely familiar with some of the epic collaborations hes had with industry juggernauts such as Adidas (Y-3) and Hermes. Although the company is believed to still keep operating under bankruptcy protection this cant be good news.

A bit of shocking news making the internet rounds today; designer Yohji Yamamoto, famous for his epoynomous line and the Y-3 brand, has filed for bankruptcy protection in a Tokyo court. With annual profits exceeding 100 million, it’s hard to understand how this could have happened… then again, we are in ‘this economy,’ where his avant-guarde pieces (and their high pricepoints) may have simply fallen out of favour with consumers. It seems as if the strongest players in the menswear market right now are the toned-down, workwear oriented lines, as ubiquitous as they may be. Very few people I kn0w want to flaunt ‘fashion’ in this economic climate; people want to look like they’re working, or ready to work. It’s definitely tragic to see someone with Yamamoto’s legacy have to suffer through hard times financially, as his influence on the current generation of designers is undeniable. However, this recession is reshaping the way the clothing market operates, and perhaps Yamamoto is simply an unlucky victim of time, place, and consumer direction.

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Y-3, the collaborative label between adidas and Japanese fashion designer Yohji Yamamoto is quite exclusive, only available at a small selection of boutiques and department stores around the world.  Now come a product even more elusive, the Y-3 Momo Limited Edition, a playful color block mid-top sneakers named after the Japanese word for “peach”.  With only 350 pairs available worldwide, only a number of Y-3 stores will offer product this weekend, including the Y-3 flagship at the trendy Meatpacking District in New York City.  Take this opportunity while supplies last. via freshnessmag

The sleek looking, slim fitting Y-3 Honja Low keeps a low profile with a hidden lacing system, a clean silhouette and a foxing tape finishing.

• Supple, smooth surface cow leather upper
• Rubber outsole
• Embossed Y-3 logo on tongue and heel back
• Natural cow lining; interior insole

Its a classic Y-3 sneaker. Here, on this blog, its the most searched sneaker from the Y-3 collection. Thanks Yohji Yamamoto for that nice piece ) DOMO ARIGATO

adidas y-3 honja low NEW FW2009

New adidas Y-3 Hayworth sneakers have arrived on the Official Y-3 Online Store.

adidas y-3 hayworth

They rank from $182 to $280 and are available in different colours.

C’est un fait: il y a des gens qui monopolisent la parole en public, soit parce qu’ils ont une culture sans limite et que leur talent d’orateur leur permet d’être naturellement au centre de toutes les discussions, soit parce qu’ils ne se taisent jamais et que leur talent de boulet les place au centre de toutes les claques. Et comme on est un peu tous plus proches de la seconde possibilité, après les 5 chaussures impossibles à porter même si on te paie pour ça, voici les 5 chaussures à évoquer en public pour être hype, ou du moins pour donner l’impression qu’on a des goûts originaux et pointus et ainsi briller en société. En espérant pour vous qu’il n’y ait personne pour souligner le fait que lui aussi lit Yellow Kid.

5. Les DC Life Admiral Sport chrome. Parce qu’elles sortent en janvier 2010, que leur design rappelle les très stylées Y-3 montantes, que le chrome donne l’impression que vous rentrez d’un weekend sur la lune ou que vous êtes le troisième membre de Daft Punk, et qu’il y a de fortes chances pour que les gens s’arrachent les cheveux ne sachant pas de quel modèle il s’agit quand ils le verront aux pieds de leur artiste favori dans des pages de magazine d’ici quelques mois.

4. Les Reebok Ex-O-Fit S.G. Strap montantes par Mita. Parce que le modèle essaie de surfer sur la vague des Yeezy et des gros scratchs, qu’on ne parle pas assez de Reebok et surtout, pour pouvoir rigoler des gros ringards qui ont acheté les Air Force imitation Gucci ou Vuitton, et qui vont s’extasier devant cette paire horrible que même les contrefacteurs chinois n’auraient pas osé imaginer.

3. Les escarpins Louboutin x Piper Hiedsieck. Parce qu’il faut bien plaire aux filles et s’intéresser à ce qui les fait fantasmer, que le talon en cristal dessiné par Christian Louboutin est tout simplement ouf, que ça réveille nos instincts fétichistes enfouis au fond de notre subconscient, que le coffret contenant la chaussure et une bouteille millésimée va coûter les yeux du cul mais qu’au final on s’en fout. Parce que de boire du champagne dans une chaussure de femme, ça n’a pas de prix.

2. Les Timberlands personnalisées. Parce que la mode des 90’s revient inexorablement en force, que tout le monde va ressortir les beiges en daim classique, que la génération d’enfants ayant grandi avec le tag que nous sommes fait que l’on adore mettre notre nom partout et que franchement, 190 euros pour une paire de Tim’s unique, on aurait craqué tout de suite ya 10 ans.

1. Les Dekline Wu Tang “Killa Beez”. Parce qu’elle permettent d’évacuer la frustration de ne pas posséder les Dunk Wu Tang (élues meilleure paire de Dunk par Complex et disponibles ici pour 5000 dollars), qu’elles sont éditées à seulement 500 exemplaires dans le monde, que ça permet de parler du Wu Tang et d’enchaîner sur le fameux débat stérile “Le rap, c’était mieux avant” et surtout, parce qu’il faut soutenir l’action charitable faite envers les Killa Beez, petits frères éloignés et affiliés occasionels qui vont vivre leur unique moment de gloire avec cette paire.

Fashion designer Yohji Yamamoto was born in 1943 in Tokyo, Japan. In 1969 he graduated with a degree in fashion design from Bunka Fashion College. Yamamoto became a known as an influential fashion designer after his 1981 debut in Paris. While his own brands Yohji Yamamoto and Ys are popular, especially in Tokyo, he also has collaborated with other companies such as Adidas to form a collection known as Y-3.

For this Spring 2010 Ready to Wear collection, Yamamoto derived his inspiration from football (soccer) fans. The evidence of this theme was apparent when a goal net dropped down from the ceiling at the end of his show. Accompanied by soccer player Zinedine Zidane, he came out at shot at the goal. One of his main inspirations was also the movement of the net after a goal. His “World Cup” themed collection was more inspired by something more “poetic.”

The color palette for this collection is a mix of darks accented with bright nationalistic colors. Such as a black blazer with a bright nationalistic flag. While yellow, green, and blue are present, black, white, and bright warm red oranges were the most prominent colors.

The silhouettes of the collection were interesting. Nice pairings of contrasting shapes and silhouettes created a sporty yet elegant look. Such as pairing a long soft tiered skirt with a tailored blazer. The combination of structured tailored garments with looser garments created a contrasting, yet effective flow. The use of netting for shirts and pants created a sleek, form fitting shape. Often being paired under a blazer or jacket.  Harem pants also helped create the contrasting silhouettes, often seen flowing out from under a tailored jacket.

A trend I’ve been noticing is the use of softer silhouettes for the lower half of the body. Also, ankle length or shortened pants or leggings is also a prominent look. These shortened pants are often met with high boots, high top shoes, or strappy heels.

My overall critique for the collection is a good one. I like the way the garments fit on the models, the contrast of structured silhouettes with loose flowy silhouettes is an interesting look.  I was also pleased with the semi androgynous look many of the female models had, no crazy hair or makeup, very natural. The pairing of androgynous garments such as non form fitting pants or a large jacket paired with a revealing net inspired top keeps many of the models in a sleek “tom boy” sort of look. I also liked the simplicity of the menswear. More neutral, dark tones with accents of color. The menswear stayed true to its sporty inspiration while still coming off as sleek, sophisticated, and not overly accessorized.

Photo: Marcio Madeira

Photo: Marcio Madeira

Photo: Marcio Madeira

Photo: Marcio Madeira

Photo: Marcio Madeira

It finally got cloudy here in L.A. & from what I understand it was the same in NYC. Over the weekend, I decided that if I couldn’t actually travel to Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, I’d just pretend to. I purchased a ticket for The September Issue with Anna Wintour, watched Lagerfeld Confidential & viewed most of the shows in pajamas! Here are just a few of my favorites from spring 2010…but I absolutely loved Zac Posen’s collection!

I was pretty surprised by Yohji Yamamoto’s spring 2010 collection. This year, fishing nets or soccer goaly netting seemed to be the focus of Yamamoto’s designs. While they looked fantastic coming down the runway, I’m not quite convinced that those pieces will look good on someone sitting on the subway reading the morning paper. Yamamoto continued to create his impressive black silhouettes and pant suits ornamented with flags and coats of arms, but the webbed overlays seemed a bit too avant garde. When you go to that much of an extreme, it’s hard to define what is wearable fashion and what is just plain art?

Y-3