Rag Report: Wearing the Rain

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

NYLON’s April 2010 issue features an editorial dedicated to spring showers and pretty colors. Titled “We Can Stand The Rain,” the photos include vinyl, plastic, and patent leather clothes in bright shades to lighten up those gray days. Photographed by Pamela Hanson and styled by Michelle Reneau, the models Anastasia Bonderenko and Cat Edwards sport Marc by Marc Jacobs dresses, Zac Posen trench coats, Lacoste bikini tops, and Moschino Cheap and Chic umbrellas.

Hanson captures scenes that represent the cheerful and sweet-smelling aspect of April showers by objectifying water droplets against a white background for the setting of her shoot. The models seem to be having an amazing time as they splash through puddles of water, making the raincoats, rain boots and plastic dresses nearly irresistible.

Bright colors are a main theme throughout this editorial. Most of the photos emphasize bright pinks, blues, yellows, oranges, and purples; however, this photo is more pastel-based than the rest of the photos and sticks out to me as more beautiful and elegant. The pairing of the frilled polka-dotted umbrella with the patterned Zac Posen dress and Jimmy Choo heels creates a very feminine and mature image that is superior to the more carefree images that are prominent in the rest of the shoot. Putting the heels in the context of a rain-inspired editorial makes them a bizarre but beautiful addition.

The patterns and embellishments on the pieces in this photo are once again combined with mastermind skill. The Prada top, made up of clear beading and jewels, parallels the mystical atmosphere that the raindrops create. The pink details in the umbrella, bow, and bag add to the feminine quality of the photo as well. They contrast well with the yellow bikini and the colorful pants.

All in all, “We Can Stand The Rain” is a successful collection of pages filled with images that inspire fun and cheeriness amongst the most dreary days of spring.

- Danielle Haygood

Rag Report: NYLON joins the ranks

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

Duck and take cover because this spring brings an onslaught of military and combat inspired pieces. In the March 2010 issue of Nylon, model Yulia Leontieva wears this season’s military inspired garb in an urban landscape. Each of the looks adds a dash of femininity to counteract the rugged feel of the military pieces.  

The first look incorporates the military trend with an army green anorak and Palladium combat boots. To offset this masculinity, the stylist added pale pink voluminous shorts and a Burberry belt. This look is the perfect mix of hard and soft.

Camouflage should be left on the battlefield. We find this transparent dress tacky, although it is paired with a perfect green blazer and rebellious, fingerless motorcycle gloves. We also love the single braid in her hair, a big beauty trend for spring.

The spread ends on a good note, though, with a nod to retro battlefield uniform. The destroyed t-shirt adds a dirty, unruly vibe to counteract the uptight uniformed look of the jacket. The combination of a giant bangle and sunglasses makes this one look we’re coveting for spring.

We can’t wait to try out this trend in the coming months.

- by Allison Mariotti

Rag Report: NYLON's tough love in Paris

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

February, the month of dear, romantic Valentine’s Day, is typically when all women’s magazines feature the word “love” on their covers and five-page spreads of red and pink clothing. 

NYLON’s Feb. 2010 issue called “Love Hurts” takes this common theme and gives it a twist. The editorial “Paris, Je T’aime” photographed by Marvin Scott Jarrett features models Barbara Di Creddo and Wanessa Milhomem in Paris, the city of love and lights. However, this editorial highlights European street style, not cutesy little dresses and strappy stilettos to wear on your Valentine’s Day date.  

 

NYLON's words to love by

The opening, messily written, statement on the first page of the spread, “it’s easy to fall in love in the city of light – especially with the clothes,” is the perfect introduction to the following five pages of slouchy and stylish European grunge.

 

NYLON Feb. 2010

The models are dressed in everything from H&M to Chanel amidst the Eiffel Tower and Paris’s street corners. The tough styles illustrate grunge, layering and carelessness, with undertones of sultry feminism. Stylist Santa Bevacqua successfully pairs motorcycle boots, leather, and chains with red lipstick, fishnet and chiffon.

 

Tough love in NYLON

The styling captures the essence of Parisian style: stylishly aware and coherent but concerned with comfort and an appeal of ease. Garrett seizes precisely candid moments that further emphasize the editorial’s idea of the Parisian ambler. The models are layered in garments that are practical and wearable, rather than looks straight off the runway.  

NYLON Feb. 2010

This NYLON editorial captures a romantic aura that plays on the love and lust ideals of the February month. Whether the irresistible ardor is due to the shoot’s location or because of the hidden sensuality amongst all of the layers of clothes on the models, it is highly successful and aesthetically brilliant. We love it!  

- by Danielle Haygood

Designer Confidential: Fabulously `50s

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

Sophomore Emilia Woydylak is a jack of all trades. She's an assistant graphics editor for Zipped magazine, a full-time fashion student and her 1950s final piece will be in the sophomore flat pattern fashion show predicted to be held at jet black in armory square.

"I have too many interests; it’s frustrating sometimes," Emilia said while divulging over ice-cream.  Although she was a graphics major in high school, Emilia's true passion is in magazines, and she hopes to become a creative director.

 Sophomore Emilia Woydylak with her sketches. Photo: Monica Delamater

She's been sketching clothes since she was in 4^th grade and always had a strong interest in art, especially fashion.  After high school she decided to make the transition from graphics to fashion.

"I'm working on a collection inspired by the Victorian era.  I'm trying to combine the delicate intricate patterns of the era with a more modern geometric design," she said.

But that’s not all. Emilia is simultaneously working on her `50s-inspired collection.

"I'm modernizing the classic `50s housewife with color blocking. It's a lot younger and a bit sexier," she said.

Emilia's sketches evoking the `50s with a modern twist. Photo: Monica Delamater 

Although she hasn't begun crafting the pieces yet, Emilia anticipates working on a `50s style dress. It's a bit unconventional with interesting embellishments, such as gathers at the sides to add fullness; but Emilia still feels it's wearable. 

A detail of a sketch. Photo: Monic Delamater

Dream Job:  Creative Director of a magazine 
Favorite Fashion Mag:  Lulu, a British quarterly magazine 
Favorite collections this fall:  Charlotte Ronson and Philip Lim 
Why you should look out for her:  Not only is she an assistant graphics editor for Zipped, she also interned for Danielle Nicole Handbags in NYC, and is hoping to intern for NYLON this summer. 
Designer’s Confidential:  She absolutely hated sewing when she first got to SU. "I was terrible at it," she confided. But with a lot of time and practice, she feels she has improved "and [now] I don’t hate it quite as much," she laughed.

- by Monica Delamater