BY: Anna Mathias and Felicity Rankins
A model in Calvin Klein’s Fall/Winter 2014
Sadly, New York Fashion Week is coming to a close. On this final day, Calvin Klein proves that although their show is on the last day, the collection is ranked among the top.
BY: Anna Mathias
Michael Kors – Fall 2014 Collection
Michael Kors proves that he’s capable of much more than the watches and handbags everyone knows him for with his Fall 2014 collection. The American designer’s Ready-to-Wear collection did not disappoint. He created beautiful pieces for both women and men with a cozy, relaxed yet classy vibe. Kors tweeted of the collection “Urban polish with laid-back Northern California ease.”
Furs, knits, sequins and fringe graced the runway in neutral tones throughout the show. Model Carolyn Murphy opened the show in a flowing chiffon skirt and fur scarf. After this, a to-die-for long fur coat paired with a denim skirt and fringed bag added to the bohemian ambiance of the Kors collection. The show continued with stunning gray, black, camel and winter-white tones. This Fall 2014 collection is different from what the public is used to seeing from the designer. There was a sense of easiness to some of the pieces that came off as simple, beautiful and incredibly chic. With this collection, Michael Kors has showed us that his clothing is just as impressive as his accessories. We are looking forward to this California feel in the upcoming season.
By: Felicity Theresa Rankins-Rhode
Devyn in David Tlale’s Fall/Winter 2014
Photo by Eric Marillier – SDR Photo
Complete with muted colors and chic shapes, David Tlale’s Fall 2014 collection provided its viewers an elegant look forward to this autumn’s style palate. Tlale has been a force in the industry since 2003, and his collections have consistently awed critics and consumers alike. Especially notable is the designer’s work with UCOF’s mentoring program for emerging designers. Tlale has been a supporter of UCOF since its inception, and 24 interns from the organization were able to apply what they have gleaned from the free fashion education program while working on his show. With Jan Malan and Karen Lee as show producer and casting director respectively, the show displayed diversity in a way that is not typically indicative of fashion week shows. This year at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, Tlale took on structured, yet feminine pieces while effectively displaying contrast by showing tops with flowing fabric and fitted skirts. The overall tone of the collection seemed to be ruled by neutral colors and unique fits. From distinctive split capes to glittering statement collars, this collection from David Tlale gives fashion enthusiasts everywhere a fresh take on appropriate elegance.
BY: Gabriela Herstik
An ode to polished punk and effortless New York style, Rebecca Minkoff’s Fall 2014 collection consisted of the easy high meets low style we all so desperately crave. By pairing pieces like leather blouses with accessories like knit beanies and new age gladiator sandals, it is clear that Minkoff has a penchant for creating looks that we’d all love to live in. High heel tasseled sneakers made an appearance, and when paired with sleek bomber style jackets, they looked more suited for the runway than the court. Mid-calf skimming dresses in airy fabrics and vibrant patterns were displayed perfectly under sheer long sleeves and dove gray coats. Drop waist pants paired with quilted fanny packs also upped the fashion ante in this collection, providing an interesting take on a 90’s favorite.
It is said that fashion always ends in excess. The era of the micro mini has come and gone, and its older sibling the maxi, has seen its 15 minutes of fame as well. This season it’s all about the love child between the two; the midi skirt. It’s quite refreshing to see the sophistication of the maxi merged with the sexiness of the mini; a fair compromise and easily the best of both worlds. Whether it’s a Dior “New Look” style midi, with a classic cinched waist and a full skirt, or a sleek body-con style, it’s tried and true and easily one of the best trends to hit the runway. The length is flattering on almost any body shape since the mid-calf length paired with the high waist helps to elongate and accentuate the beautiful figure of the woman wearing it.
Starting off with a soft, electric beat and the perfect lilac runway, BCBG kept true to its high fashion and modern aesthetic with a show that did not disappoint. The first looks to hit the runway were soft, flowing kimono style dresses with color blocking in perfect peach and dusty blue hues. This new kind of color blocking was woven throughout the show and is a more subtle approach than seen in seasons past. A fur trend was also strung throughout the show, starting with statement accents at the beginning and later by incorporating fur on statement coats and even dresses. The show held true to BCBG’s style and approach to fashion. It displayed modern and high fashion pieces that are likely to instantly turn into tried and true classics.
There are leaders in the fashion industry who are pioneers in their respective fields as well as innovators in the hybrid field of fashion and philanthropy; Donna Karan is one such authority.
Karan’s colorful upbringing is a large contributor to why she is now one of the most recognizable names in fashion. Born on October 2nd, 1948 in a New York hospital as Donna Ivy Faske, Karan grew up with a model mother and suit designer stepfather and who influenced Karan from a young age. Karan was accepted to the prestigious Parsons School Of Design, and by the time she was at fashion school she had already started selling her own designs at boutiques.
Name: Hoda Katebi
Age: 19
City/Hometown: Iranian, but born and raised in Oklahoma
Occupation: Student
If student, which school and major:
The University of Chicago, Majors: International Relations and Near Eastern Languages and Civilization; Minor: Human Rights
How would you describe your personal style?
A mix of patterns that I think resembles unicorn throw-up. Although I like to play in the realm of minimalism from time to time.
BY: Jamil Khan
JOHANNESBURG – There is no instinct as strong as the inborn need we all have to find purpose. For some it is revealed in divine ways when they’re least expecting it, but for most it is only realized through hard work and experimentation. It is exactly this work and experimentation that led 20 year-old Fatoumata Diaby to her true love, fashion.
Fatoumata
Having been diagnosed with sickle-cell anemia (a disease close to UCOF’s mission) as a child, her mother tried to keep her contained in order to prevent any complications with the condition. Fatoumata, however, had other ideas and was not willing to succumb to the condition. Her love for art saw her exposed to the art of dance, writing, designing, sewing, hairstyling and make-up.
BY: Jamil Khan
Norha Stacey Kavanagh-photo by Luan Luu for UCOF
JOHANNESBURG – It is said that a change is as good as a holiday, but what that change might be is open to interpretation by the vacation seeker. For budding fashion mogul, Norah Kavanagh it was a fateful change of clothes that changed her outlook on the world and the powerful medium of fashion. She is currently a United Colors of Fashion (UCOF) intern and is working hard to be recognized as an Achiever Of The Year.
Coming from a world of uniformity in the form of private school attire, she was opened up to a new world of fashion freedom and self-expression when she started a public school.
“I’ve never been so amazed by the colors that surrounded me. As I walked down the hall, I saw how many students wore what they felt expressed themselves. Most importantly, they had their own identity. Slowly, I started breaking out of my shell. My interest for fashion started growing. I created my own identity through the clothes I wore. My wardrobe evolved and had its own fierce attitude,” she says.
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