Last Thursday, I had the pleasure of heading over to the trendy Gershwin Hotel in the Gramercy neighborhood to celebrate the launch of Bellaga.com, which is new website that can be described as “Etsy meets fashion” (i.e. an online marketplace targeting fashionable palettes). Soft lighting, modern art, and relaxed seating greeted the guests as DJs Jacob Hoffman, Ahmed Hashim and Juan Dross spun some hot tracks. Following a set of stairs, which led to another room, was the opportunity to meet the brains behind Bellaga. The boys walked me through the website and discussed with me about their platform. Their eagerness to create a direct level of communication between consumer and seller is admirable, which makes Bellaga the one to watch out for this spring.

DJs Jacob Hoffman, Ahmed Hashim and Juan Dross spin live at The Gershwin Hotel

Meeting with the Bellaga team

Barb :: Mar.11.2010 :: Culture, Fashion :: No Comments »

As fashionistas were flocking to Milan for the next fashion week after NYFW came to a close, many remained in the city, including Anna McCraney, winner of The Fashion Show on Bravo. Her inaugural collection, “Annabelle,” showcased February 20th at the same location as the Siki Im presentation days before. Models carefully walked down the stairs to carnival music and showed off designs comprised of nude sheers and silks. The color palette was predominantly red and black with hints of navy slipped into a well-tailored jumpsuit. Not much else can be said, except that the premiere collection was a good effort, which was proven by the applause that greeted McCraney.

Barb :: Mar.06.2010 :: Fashion :: 1 Comment »

Overlooking SoHo, 82 Mercer’s 2nd floor was filled with excited guests and previews of the hottest Japanese designers in anticipation of next week’s Japan Fashion Week in Tokyo. Featuring three preview designs each from aptform, CHAOLU lab, MIKIO SAKABE, Naoshi Sawayanagi, SHIDA TATSUYA, The Dress & Co. HIDEAKI SAKAGUCHI, tiny dinosaur, and YU, models stood on risers and spotlighted with strong lighting, while waiters meandered through the crowds serving hors d’oeuvres and wine.

When we often think of foreign designers, especially from Asia, there is a perception that the aesthetic is incredibly different. However, this preview seems to disprove such thoughts, as we can see similar taste in trends for this upcoming fall and winter. The bohemian look is ever present, but with more hints of warmer palettes than what we have seen so far from the tents. Furs were present plain and with patterns,as well as blazers and plays on what was once seen as purely office wear.

On the way out of the venue, guests were handed their coats from check-in and a canvas bag, which contained an invitation to the Japan-FPO Exhibition this weekend at La Venue featuring several of the designers seen at the presentation.

Tinydinosaur - adorable name for a company

The white dress with silver neck decoration was gorgeous

The overall concept of how the previews were set up

Shida Tatsuya; lovely preview

The Dress Co.

Live DJ makes all the difference

The crowd marvels at the presentation

Barb :: Feb.19.2010 :: Fashion :: No Comments »