Highlights from Spring Fashion Week 2012

Spring 2012 has returned with embellishment and exquisite detailing that create new textural patterns and forms of fabrication. And no, studs and neon do not seem to be leaving us any time soon.

Though I left my design job last year, normally this time we would be collecting images from the Spring shows, creating boards, and figuring out which trends were the strongest for our department.

I guess it's out of habit I am still doing this, but I also love saving the images to my sketchbook.

This is my kind of Spring. Is it yours?

Source via Vogue.fr

Alexander McQueen

Balmain

Versace

Valentino

Up Close and Intimate at Jean Paul Gaultier's exhibit

I was a little too 'snap happy' at the Jean Paul Gaultier exhibit at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, so I have decided to divide this into two parts. It was the perfect opportunity to practice my photography skills and capture fashion on still models, so I have over a hundred photos.

Already having seen the Alexander Mcqueen exhibit at the MET, I felt a bit spoiled. I was incredibly impressed with the thoughtful presentation from Mcqueen's exhibit and the high caliber of work, I wondered how JPG's exhibit could push the bar.  

Well, it did and it didn't.

First of all, JPG is not my favorite designer, but I had to see his work because of his influence on fashion and his contribution to many iconic looks (ie. Maddona's cone bra). I thoroughly enjoyed the presentation of the talking mannequins and the rotating models which brought some humor and life to the clothes, but I I also found JGP's interpretation of themes just too literal. His workmanship is no doubt extraordinarily detailed and impressive to see up close, but somehow, it lacks the beauty of refinement.

Overall, I enjoyed the exhibit and it definitely is a must-see if you are in Montreal. I walked away  feeling inspired and amazed. Stay tuned for Part two.

Warning: Post is image heavy

I thought this was a real skin until I looked closer.. it's beads! OMFG..

This was incredibly ugly, but executed extremely well. I was emotionally torn on this one..

Native American princess bride

The entrance to the exhibition with talking JPG on the right.

Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty at the MET

I was in New York City last week with my sister to see the Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty exhibit at the MET. Though you could barely move through the galleries as the museum was packed with so many people, the exhibit is a must see.

The clothing was beautifully displayed along with video installations from some of his best and most experimental seasons, including the chess inspired collection "It's Only A Game," the box within a box "Voss" collection, and his last realized collection "Plato's Atlantis." After years of just imagining what his garments looked like, I could finally examine the embroideries, textures and workmanship up close. It is absolutely pure genius. One dress was made from medical slides dyed red.

The highlight of the exhibition is definitely the ethereal hologram of Kate Moss from the "Widows of Culloden" collection, played to the melody of Schindler's List.

source: AP photo of Atlantis collection, shot of miniature Armadillo shoe

“You’ve got to know the rules to break them. That’s what I’m here for, to demolish the rules but to keep the tradition.”

—Alexander McQueen