STYLE | BEAUTY | DÉCOR
Every September, the “Big Four” — New York, London, Milan and Paris — host Fashion Week.
For style/beauty/decor aficionados like The Fashion Monger, it’s nirvana. Formerly known as Press Week, Fashion Week was founded by Eleanor Lambert when the Council of Fashion Designers of America wanted a place where American designers could showcase their designs. It’s now a semi-annual event, with shows held in February and September.
Fashion Week celebrates four distinct seasons: Spring/Summer (January-June), Fall/Winter (July-December), Resort and Pre-Fall. Designers use Fashion Week as a platform to showcase their seasonal collection. Designers present their collection several months in advance, because it allows the media and buyers worldwide to preview the collections for the upcoming season. Fashion Weeks this month feature Spring/Summer 2019 collections.
New York Fashion Week was held September 6 to 14 in Manhattan. Designer Tom Ford jump-started the festivities with his sophisticated fake crocodile print leather jackets and suits in lavender, black, army green. Supermodels wore headscarves to complement the look. The tone-on-tone collection was in nude, black, white, and soft shade palettes, and texturized in silks, lace, fringe, metallic, and animal print. This collection speaks volumes to the phrase Ready-to-Wear; you can actually wear this collection off the runway!
Several major designers wowed the crowd. American designer Jeremy Scott, the creative director of MOSCHINO, presented a colorful ready-to-wear collection to brighten any mood, using a color palette of orange and ’80s-inspired fluorescent green and yellow. The collection was mixed with Sci-fi elements: futuristic-looking knee-high ski boots and oversized lyric cardigan sweater.
Marc Jacobs showed his Candyland themed collection: oversized “clown inspired” pieces and lots of pastel color, including the runway models’ hair color. That’s probably why his show was scheduled on the last day of NYFW. I’m just saying! Jacobs collaborated with millinery designer Stephen Jones of London: Headwear, which was tied at the top of the head in a oversized rose formation, covered models’ entire face. Jones also showed his signature: a straw hat, topped in a metallic hue.
Celebrity alert! Musical artist Rihanna presented her Savage x Fenty lingerie and intimate accessories line. Rihanna dares to be different; she created a pop-up concept that allowed for immediate “see & buy.” The singer brought diversity to the runway. Models were all shades of melanin, and different sizes and shapes. There were even pregnant models. Closing the show at Brooklyn Navy Yard, Rihanna set the bar by creating a unique and inventive show. She’s a Rock Star.
London Fashion Week was Sept. 14-18. Milan’s show started yesterday and runs through Sept. 25. Then it’s Paris’ turn, Sept 25-Oct 3.
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Did you know Massachusetts celebrates its own Fashion Week? In 1995, Boston Fashion Week was established by Jay Calderin. The 24th annual Boston Fashion Week presents a platform where local and aspiring designers can showcase their talents. Boston Fashion Week 2018 is Sept. 30 through Oct. 6. For more info, visit www.bostonfashionweek.com.
Menervia Akers, The Fashion Monger, is a self-taught artistic designer born and raised in Lynn. She developed a flair for fashion at a young age. She started a fashion club for Lynn Vocational Technical Institute students and served as club adviser. The Fashion Monger, known for her whimsical style, has been creating her distinctive designs underground for years. Now she wants to help you discover your own style. In 2008, the self-taught milliner/designer started her avant garde brand MENERVIA … dare u to be u. Now, 10 years later, she is embarking on a new career as a columnist. Her biweekly column will offer strong opinions, tips, advice and insights from industry professionals.
