The Craze: Electrify Your Look

The Craze is a trend report bringing you the latest (and, duh, the greatest) in beauty and styles.

Want to grab some attention and shine with the sun, FINALLY? Check out the neon runway hit from Jason Wu, Michael Kors, Giambattista Valli, Louis Vuitton, Burberry Prorsum, Christian Dior, Missoni and Versace.

Quite the trend right? Most neon colors are available in tops, skirts and dresses. Match your neon tops with neutrals on the bottom and neutral shoes for dresses so you aren’t TOO electric! If you aren’t comfortable with neon clothing, no worries, plenty of accessories (and nail polish!) are available that offer hints of neon to add the same great look on a smaller scale. Check out these accessories of clothing items below.

Asos.com

Forever 21

Old Navy

-Kate Ahrendtsen

The Craze: Fringe Forever

The Craze is a trend report bringing you the latest (and, duh, the greatest) in beauty and style.

The latest trend as seen on the catwalks proves to be the organic addition of fringe. It’s hard not to notice the bouncy layers added to dresses, bags, and even shoes. Fringe adds the seductive element of movement to garments-especially on the runway. Designers like Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Versace and Ralph Lauren have all embraced this flashy new trend, incorporating fringe into many of their dress designs.

Louis Vuitton RTW Spring 2011

Fringe can bring a bohemian aspect to designs adding a casual element to refined garments. It can also add an element of sophistication that can be seen in some 1920 styled designs that is also reflected in Louis Vuitton’s collection with beaded metal and Swarovski crystal fringe dresses. Overall, this trend is being readily adapted in designer collections and can be seen on the runway, the red carpet and everywhere in between.

Minnetonka

BCBG

-Christina Riggio

Designer Confidential: Wearable Art

Designer Confidential highlights the work of SU's greatest fashion asset: its student designers.

One of the greatest sources of inspiration for fashion designers is the past. Both Louis Vuitton and Prada’s fall 2010 collections heavily referenced the 1950s, while Marc Jacob’s Spring 2011 line paid homage to the ‘70s. However you won’t see anything this recent in Melissa Sack’s collections. “People are always doing the ‘60s or the ‘80s, and I say, ‘Yeah, but that’s come, gone, and come back again’” says the sophomore fashion design major. Instead, Sack draws her inspiration from ancient times: “I love to travel, and last December I went to Italy. I was really inspired by the Renaissance art period, and that’s reflecting in my work this year.”

Sack knows exactly where she wants her career to go: “A lot of people want to work for someone else and do wearable clothes, which is great, but if I could, I don’t want to be stuck working for someone for the rest of my life. I want to do my own thing and create my own designs. I have a lot of passion and I know exactly what I want. Everyone’s always like ‘How do you know what you want?’ and I say ‘I’ve known since high school. That’s not gonna change.”

But Sack has bigger dreams than just owning her own line: “I want to [make] wearable art, not pieces that you see and can be worn [in] everyday [life]. They would be very crazy couture, very Lady Gaga-esque. I would almost rather do gallery exhibits than runway shows.” Plus, she’s very hands-on with her designs: “I still want to be the one sewing. A lot of designers don’t even draw anymore.”

Dream Job: To own a fashion corporation, like Alexander McQueen or Marc Jacobs, working under the title of experimental artist rather than fashion designer.

Why you should look out for her: Her designs aren’t something you’ll see just anywhere. She describes them as “wearable art” and pictures herself designing duds for Lady Gaga or Rihanna.

Designer Confidential: When she's not at school, she spends her time working at her parent’s jewelry shop. Being around so much bijoux has both inspired her garment designs and given her an idea of how she'd like to style her model's jewelry for upcoming shows. Plus “it’s fun to play with the diamonds.”

- Julie Kosin

Rag Report: Let’s hear it for the Boy!

Rag Report dives under the covers of fashion publications to rant or rave about all the glossy goodness.

In this month’s GQ, model Jon Kortajarena heats up in this four-page spread that has him standing out in the sultry streets of Madrid. Photographer Nathaniel Goldberg captures the Spanish model in effortless sophistication and class that have women swooning.

In the first image, Kortajarena is the epitome of a bad boy. He focuses all his attention on his companion. The angles shot of his face makes Kortajarena look sexy and dangerous. Even though he is facing away from the camera, his body posture shows of the clothing perfectly. His Simon Spurr suit with a J.Crew shirt and Louis Vuitton loafers has Kortajarena dripping in style.

Kortajarena really shines in his navy blue Burberry London corduroy suit. Although the background is busy, our eyes go directly to Kortajarena. He is cool, calm and collected in this image. Goldberg manages to capture Kortajarena’s intensity even though he is wearing Randolph Engineering sunglasses.

The last images make me want to take the first red eye to Spain! Kortajarena and his beautiful companion are laid back enjoying a brunch. Even though the image is black and white, the viewer is immediately drawn to Kortajarena and his smile. He confidently dons Ralph Lauren suit and shirt with Tom Ford glasses.

Goldberg captures Kortajarena’s masculinity with an ease that has us eagerly flipping through this spread.

-Ivie Igbeare

Designer Confidential: A Mind for the Business

Designer Confidential highlights the work of SU's greatest fashion asset: its student designers.

Junior fashion design major Alexandra Greiner knows exactly what it is that sets her apart from the rest. In a sea of designers creating fast fashion for the bright, young, (jobless) youth Greiner is creating clothes for women set on upward mobility, as career oriented as the designer herself. “I look at trends and go the opposite way, or if I’m going to follow a trend I try to spin it in a...fresh and new [way]. My style is very tailored, for the power [driven] woman...”

For the Geoffrey Beene inspired collection so talked about in this column, Greiner draws on the designer’s love of sculptural haute couture and merges it with her rich, austere, sensibility. A prim black bustier, for example, is transformed with a ruched plume of material that fades from black to white and back again.

Greiner’s aesthetic permeates even the most straightforward pieces. A simple gray jacket she designed last year became a bold self-statement with the addition of sculptural details on the shoulders and waist.

Greiner draws her inspiration from nature, architecture, and period costumes. Her most recent collection utilizes all three elements in what she describes as a battle of “organic vs. geometric.” Her affection for the paired down silhouettes of the 1920s is also present in the collection. “I like creating interest with shapes and forms rather than [embellishments, like] embroidery or pattern,” she says.

An internship this past summer at BCBG redefined Greiner’s perspective on her future career opportunities in the fashion industry. “I got to see what type of job i’ll [be applying for] right when I get out of college. There are three levels: designer, assistant designer, and design associate. I’ll start out as a design associate, who basically just run errands for the designers.”

Greiner also had the chance to interview two designers currently employed at the fashion house.

“Both of them said that when they were in college they viewed [creating their own line]... as the ideal success, but once they got out in the real world they saw what huge [of an] undertaking [that] was and they didn’t want to risk their own money. They also said they didn’t think they had the business sense for it. I think what makes me unique is that I [understand] both the artistic and business sides of the industry”

Dream Job: To open a fashion house with a small, but devoted audience (similar to the studios of Helmut Lang and Jason Wu) or work as a haute couture designer at an established company like Chanel or Louis Vuitton.

Why you should look out for her: “My work is definitely not for the mass-market. It’s high end. My target market is established urban women in her 20s and 30s. I feel like a lot of style right now is very eclectic and you throw a bunch of shit on and its called style. I like it for our age group, but it’s not good for an older woman.”

Designer Confidential: “I love both the artistic and the business sides of the industry, so that will help me when I want to start my own line.”

-Julie Kosin

Designer Confidential: Not Just Beginner’s Luck

Designer Confidential highlights the work of SU's greatest fashion asset: its student designers.

With the skill and craftsmanship apparent in Junior fashion design major Ron Koraisaca’s creations, you would never guess that this is his first year in the program. “I originally started out as a policy studies major. I wanted to be a lawyer and help people, but I think designing is a different way to help people. I...[have to take] an extra year of coursework, but I love it, so I definitely think it’s worth it.”

Even though he is enrolled in 100 level courses, Koraisca is quickly distinguishing himself in the department, with clever designs like a modular 'K' bag that he's constructing for a project in his accessories class.

Soon, Koraisca will begin work on a top hat inspired by steampunk; a genre of sci-fi that imagines a faux-Victorian future where technology is still powered by steam.

Koraisca has also been busily sewing himself . “[I’m sewing] three [costumes for myself] this year: an angel, ...chef, and...doctor [costume]. My mom designs for Calvin Klein, [and] she gave me this fabric to use, so I’ve been using [them] for my costumes.”

Koraisaca cites the futuristic designs of Balenciaga as inspiration, as well as the modern minimalist aesthetic of Calvin Klein, which has played such a personal part in his life. He hopes to someday take over as head designer for a major label, like Balenciaga. “I find it interesting what Marc Jacobs does. Even though he’s designing for [Louis Vuitton] a very established label, he still makes it his own.” As far as short-term plans go, Koraisca hopes to land an internship working for another classic American design house, Michael Kors. “I actually met him, so when I go back to the city next summer I’m going to start wearing my designs constantly, in hopes that I’ll run into him again, and he’ll see my designs and like them.”

Dream Job: To become head designer at Balenciaga; imbuing the label with his clean aesthetic and love of woven textiles.

Why you should look out for him: Koraisca knows how to deliver edgy with a preppy Dalton-certified twist. His muse is an uptown girl with a downtown attitude. “She sneaks out of her house dressed up well, then when she gets downtown to have fun she ties her shirt and hikes up her skirt.”

Designer Confidential: His earliest fashion memories are of going to work with his mother: “I [would] play in her studio, and sit under her machine when she sewed. She used to get so mad at me when I['d] pull the thread out of the [industrial sergers]. I recently learned how to thread...them, so I understand why she got so annoyed because it’s... hard to do!”

-Julie Kosin

Rag Report: Stone Fever

Rag Report dives under the covers of fashion publications to rant or rave about all the glossy goodness.

In this month’s issue of “Interview” magazine model Lara Stone graces us in a 4-page spread that begins with monochromatic simplicity and ends in excellence. Photographer Craig McDean captured Stone in jaw dropping poses with wardrobe from Donna Karan, Jil Sander and Louis Vuitton.

In the first image of Stone, McDean has her on a chair, legs crossed, face positioned away from the camera – perfection! Since the background is so bare, viewers are more inclined to notice her outfit – and let’s not forget those killer Yves Saint Laurent pumps. Her facial expression is visibly strong which only compliments her exuberant attire and posture. Stone’s slick back hair and barley there eyebrows and makeup also adds to this amazing editorial spread.
Stone never ceases to disappoint us viewers because she looks stunning in this image. From her posture to her expression, Stone has it all. Her arched back allows readers to easily see the clothing and her stretched out legs show Stefano Pilati’s YSL Palace 105 hair pumps from his fall 2010 collection. Again, Stone features only compliment the overall image. Immediately we are in awe not only of her beauty but Stone’s ability to leave us wanting more of her in every image.

The third image is a close-up image of Stone and can we just say how much we admire this photo! McDean captures Stone beautifully as there is a sense of vulnerability and sadness in this image. The light gray background against her all black ensemble forces the viewers to pay attention to her eyes. Although, Stone becomes the main focus she still shows off the clothing well.

The last image needs to be discussed because Stone looks ridiculous in this photo! She does everything right – from the stance to her expression. Even though it is in black and white, McDean has Stone captured in a way where the intensity of her emotions pierces through the photo. We can never get enough of looking at this image.

McDean photographed each spread amazingly. Stone definitely brought her A-game to this photo shoot as it is clearly depicted in every single photo. Stone does it time and time again this model knows what angles look best on her. As a result, the viewers are left with a memorable editorial spread.

-Ivie Igbeare

The Craze: Rediscovering clogs

The Craze is a trend report bringing you the latest (and, duh, the greatest) in beauty and style. 

 

The clog: to love or to hate?

The controversial clog has had a glamorous reinvention on the runways this spring. Harpersbazaar.com reports in its “20 Top Trends for 2010” that clogs are now at the height of fashion, seen at the ready-to-wear shows of respected fashion houses: clogs teetered on lofty heels in luxurious silvery snakeskin at Chanel; Louis Vuitton adorned ornate kitten heeled clogs with supersized fluffy tassles, chunky buckles, and even its monogram.

 

A Louis Vuitton clog

The trendiest of bloggers and fashionistas are even trying clogs on for size. Alexa Chung sported them in January with a sweet white frock and gray tights at the Chanel show. Rumi Neely, author of her personal blog, Fashion Toast, couldn’t resist a pair of Mui Mui clogs that she announced are “the exact combination of way too high and almost ugly that I’m looking for.” Together with a sheer fringed dress, she looked gloriously bohemian.

 

Alexa Chung in, yes, clogs

Pair clogs with a blazer in a bold fabric like tweed to protect yourself against the brutal Syracuse winter. As the sun finally begins to peak out after months of solid gray skies, throw on anything ultra feminine. Chunky and unpretentious, these clogs could be an adventurous student’s new best friend. On the other hand, they may seem too fuddy-duddy to look at for more than a hot second. How do you weigh in? Love ‘em, hate ‘em or have to have ‘em?

- by Lindsey Mather

Rag Report: The joy of neon

Rag Report dives under the covers of fashion publications to rant or rave about all the glossy goodness.

In the Feb. 2010 issue of Teen Vogue, photographer Miles Aldridge captured the excitement of neon in the editorial "Joy Ride."

Each photograph was lively and colorful. Neon has a reputation of looking cheap, but every piece in this photo spread was anything but. The shoot centered on accessories from well-known brands such as Chanel, Louis Vuitton, and Diane Von Furstenburg — labels you wouldn’t expect to have a wild side!

 

Wild accessories in Teen Vogue Feb. 2010

The models eerily resembled Lady Gaga; an appropriate muse seeing as she’s a fashion risk-taker, but we've never seen her dressed-down. Although the pieces were high-end, they were casual, which is not very Gaga.

Teen Vogue Feb. 2010

While the photographs remain true to the theme, the shoot seemed to be created just for fun. The outfits looked like they were randomly thrown on the models and the whole spread appears sloppy.  Our eyes didn't appreciate its intensity.

An intense spread in Teen Vogue

The piles of hot pink, bright yellow, and electric purple made this feel more like a bad trip than a joy ride!

- by Lauren Dulay