Posts Tagged ‘Halston’
Trending: Jumpsuits
Thursday, June 10th, 2010
No longer just for the flower child, the jumpsuit again made its way onto the must-have list. The all-in-one outfit appeared on the fashion scene during the ‘60s and became a staple for women taking on male dominated trades, Studio 54 and Woodstock. With a little help from designers like Halson, the jumpsuit quickly grew into a sartorial symbol of the empowered woman—much like the ‘80s power suit that followed. The jumpsuit adapted over time, but this time around, it’s more fluid, versatile and feminine to allow different style interpretations.
Starting last year, this onsie’s comeback gives younger generations the opportunity to experience the liberating, fashion-forward trend. Options range from utilitarian to ladylike and are found in a multitude of fabrics (jersey, silk, cotton, et al), lengths (shorts vs pants) and cuts (sleeves vs sleeveless vs strapless). Regardless of the style, the playsuit—as they’re appropriately called overseas—is whimsical, confident, ageless and practical. It’s a wearable look that requires little styling and minimal fuss. Whether you wear it to work or on the dance floor (disco ball optional!) you’ll feel as empowered as those before you.
1. Floral jumpsuit ($148; Free People). Completely fitting for the farmers’ market, or a night on the town.
2. Crinkle drawstring romper ($49; Arden B.). Kill two trends with one piece neon pink shorts style.
3. Dolce Vita “Berkley” Romper ($235; Urban Outfitters). An elegant silk jumpsuit is an unexpected choice for a casual summer wedding.
4. Jully Kang ruched tube jumpsuit ($120; Veruca Salt; 521 N Kingsbury Street). The print is incredibly bold, and the style is more current than a maxi dress.
5. Marc by Marc Jacobs “Wythe” sateen jumpsuit ($248; Bloomingdale’s). The classic-shaped top and modern harem bottom makes this style an interesting mix of feminine and masculine.
Images courtesy of Free People, Arden B., Urban Outfitters, Veruca Salt, and Bloomingdale’s
Tags: Arden B., Bloomingdales, Chicago Boutiques, Dolce Vita, Free People, Halston, Jully Kang, Jumpsuits, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Trends, Urban Outfitters, Veruca Salt
Posted in StyleBlog | 1 Comment »
Art and Fashion Collide: SAIC NightWalk
Thursday, May 13th, 2010
Years ago, Karl Lagerfeld and Yves Saint Laurent disagreed about whether fashion is art. Karl said no; Yves said yes. Countless others in the fashion industry have argued this same idea, but a unanimous agreement isn’t a likely outcome. I personally waver between the two notions but tend to side with Yves. When I see work like what was presented at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago’s NightWalk 2010, I can’t help but see a walking art form, an artistic vision.
NightWalk was a show that forced the average fashion lover to expand his or her understanding of fashion design. After all, it can be so much more than what’s worn on the street or to a gala. The designs we saw last Friday night are an exclusive testament to the designer’s imagination and skill, not to the consumer’s taste and pocketbook. By negating conventional clothing norms, the student designers started with a figment of the imagination and brought it to life, as a painter does with a canvas.
Design Rachel Goldberg (BFA 2010). Top image: Designs by Bonnie Alayne (BFA 2011). Both photos by Robert F. Carl
The artistic nature of their work was accentuated by the venue: Griffin Court in the Modern Wing of the Art Institute. Towering projection screens, strategically placed bartenders, and dispersed cocktail tables encased the dramatically long runway, where we saw what felt like hundreds of designs. To start, designer Maria Pinto offered a tribute to the late Eunice W. Johnson, the creator and director of Ebony Fashion Fair, a traveling fashion tour of haute couture and ready-to-wear. We watched a short documentary praising her work, and then a parade of eight designer gowns from the tour whipped down the runway.
The next highlight was Gray Graham, a CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund finalist and SAIC alum. As the evening’s Legend of Fashion honoree, he presented 10 looks from his Fall 2010 collection. Gary’s mishmash of earth tones and patterns kept with his ruggedly chic aesthetic that nods to the past but keeps a keen eye on the contemporary. Leather, fur, chiffon, tulle, jersey and organza were woven through a collection of fitted jackets, tapestry skirts, chunky knits, patterned jacquard leggings, and more.
From left to right: Design by NightWalk Scholarship winner Kylee Alexander (BFA 2012), design by NightWalk Scholarship winner Soh Park (BFA 2012), and design by NightWalk Scholarship winner Michael Walls (BFA 2012). Photography by James Prinz
The final show belonged the students. Sophomores, juniors and seniors crafted elaborate and eccentric ensembles that often conjured double takes and gasps. The runway was a theatrical display that ranged from futuristic to regal, whimsical to gothic, distressed to glamorous. Along with their obvious construction skills, the young designers proved their ability to craft the outrageous – squirrel-faced masks, Candyland-like headwear, and stuffed animal trousers – and the breathtaking, like a tangerine velvet gown and purple chiffon ombré dress. There were hints of Alexander McQueen, Maison Martin Margiela, and Halston (a SAIC alum), but it was the clear-cut originality that kept eyes glued to the runway.
The NightWalk 2010 fashion show was an exhibition of talent and creativity. It’s designs like these that demonstrate how fashion is a way of thinking, a way of communicating, a form of self-expression, and an extension of the body. The students of SAIC proved that through fashion, we can find art.
By Meghan Turner
Tags: a CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund, Alexander McQueen, Art Institute Modern Wing, Bonnie Alayne, Chicago Designers, Chicago Fashion Events, Chicago Runway Shows, Ebony Fashion Fair, Eunice W. Johnson, Grace Lee, Gray Graham, Halston, Karl Lagerfeld, Kylee Alexander, Luis Antonio Rodriguez, Maison Martin Margiela, Michael Walls, NightWalk 2010, Rachel Goldberg, SAIC, School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Seth Meyerink-Griffin, Soh Park, The Art Institute of Chicago, Yves Saint Laurent
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