The Face Magazine Issue 5 Release and Fashion Show

E. Vincent Martinez, The Face Magazine runway. Photos by: Torey Searcy Photography

Joseph McCrae

Dillards

Elias Gurrola

Hamptons Men's Clothier

Rinat Brodach

From evening wear to menswear to the avant garde, The Face Magazine set Charlotte on fashion fire recently at their Issue 5 Release fashion show. The runway was ablaze with looks from talented emerging artists as well as established brands like Dillards and Hampton's Men's Clothier. Designers Joseph McCrae and Elias Gurrula proved they are NYFW ready with their collections and featured designer Rinat Brodach showed us how it's "done" in New York. 3BlackBird Management models rocked the runway, giving us the modern, chic and edgy woman set forth by the designers. I was thrilled to emcee the show which took place at Le Meridien Charlotte and interact with stylish guests.

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adidas by Stella McCartney previews Fall/Winter 2017 collection at the first Stella’s World presentation in Tokyo

An exclusive debut of the season’s key looks showcased via virtual reality

Experience the collection’s two parallel worlds, city and nature, on a whole new level

Featuring Japanese influencers Yuka Mannami and Chiharu Okunugi

adidas by Stella McCartney today debuts the Fall/Winter 2017 collection via an immersive virtual reality experience set to bring the season’s key looks to life. The journey is designed as part of the presentation of The Stella McCartney collections in Tokyo, which also include her womenswear and menswear mainlines, accessories, eyewear, swimwear and the newly launched fragrance POP Blubell. At the event’s adidas by Stella McCartney showcase, guests will move seamlessly between the collection’s two parallel worlds - city and nature - as the four leading looks are showcased in action.

“City life and the outdoors both provide a boundless source of inspiration for me. The new FW17 collection exemplifies that in the nature-inspired prints, detailing and the different technologies used. Every design has been considered so women can get creative and thrive in different environments, no matter what workout they’re doing or what the weather is like. We wanted this to come across in a fun and innovative way, which is why we’ve created this playful virtual reality experience,” explains Stella McCartney.

Immersing themselves in the collection in an entirely unique and engaging way, guests will be invited to embark on a VR journey that places them at the heart of a 360° experience, which will begin once they are led through a gallery featuring FW17 campaign and lookbook imagery. The viewers will then be ‘transported’ between the two, parallel worlds the collection is inspired by, as the new adidas by Stella McCartney visual identity is weaved throughout the experience. Set in these contrasting environments, guests will be presented with a preview of the Run, Train and Yoga range within four scenarios designed to demonstrate the workout opportunities each look draws on.

As guests ‘jump’ from one look to the other, they will find themselves in the centre of a continuous virtual experience taking place all around them. With synchronised movement expressed by a circle of four female athletes, including Japanese influencers Yuka Mannami and Chiharu Okunugi, all four women will perform the same movements in unison within each scenario. The looks include: the head-to-toe sustainable city Run look, the warp knit HIIT Train look, the off-road winter trail Run look, and the shanti power, seamless separates Yoga look.

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H&M REVEALS NEW DESIGNER COLLABORATION WITH ERDEM; BAZ LUHRMANN TO TELL THE STORY

H&M creative advisor Ann-Sofie Johansson, designer Erdem Moralıoğlu, and filmmaker Baz Luhrmann together on set in England.

H&M revealed its big news: its next exclusive designer collaboration will be with ERDEM, the London-based label loved by celebrities and insiders alike. Designer Erdem Moralioglu is one of fashion's most romantic creators, whose exquisitely crafted pieces celebrate the power of beauty by exploring historical references and personal narratives. His dresses are red carpet favorites, worn by stars such as Emma Stone, Ruth Negga, Keira Knightley and Nicole Kidman. ERDEM x H&M will feature a full wardrobe of his famously feminine womenswear, an accessories line and, for the first time ever, a collection for men. 

H&M is also pleased to announce that visionary film director Baz Luhrmann will bring the collection to life through his unique storytelling. Following the announcement of the collaboration, it’s time to get to know Erdem.

Erdem says his collaboration is a chance for him to look back at his career since he launched his label in 2005. “It was fun to reflect on what I’ve done over the past twelve years,” he says. Erdem was born in Montreal, Canada, to a Turkish father and English mother, a twin with his sister Sara. He moved to London to study fashion at the Royal College of Art in 2000, before launching his own label in 2005. His label has now grown to become one of London’s most successful, with his shows one of the highlights of London Fashion Week. He’s won multiple awards, including Womenswear Designer of the Year at the British Fashion Awards in 2014, and his collections are stocked in the most prestigious stores around the world. 

His instantly recognizable design signatures have been there from the very beginning. “I love narratives,” he says. “Whenever I start a collection, I try to understand who the character is that season, what she thinks, who she is.” His thought processes lead to collections that are like time travel, connecting together different stories and seeing them from a 21st century perspective. He loves to create pieces that feel totally modern, yet as if they have existed forever. “I’m fascinated with things that you can’t tell if they’re 50 years old or 100 years old or completely new,” he says. “It’s so interesting to create pieces that look timeless, even if they’re created digitally and are totally new.”

What about flowers? Floral prints are in every single one of Erdem’s collections. “I’ve always been fascinated by things that explore femininity,” he says, “whether it’s lace or flowers or the aesthetics of beauty.”

The collection is still top secret, but what can he reveal about ERDEM X H&M? “I can tell you about one of my inspirations,” he says. “There’s a video by Bruce Weber for the Pet Shop Boys song Being Boring that I’ve always loved. It’s about a group of young people at a country house mansion. It’s that idea of a country getaway with boys and girls dressing up and playing with their look, with girls in ball gowns and sneakers, and also sharing a wardrobe with guys.

“It’s very personal,” he says. “The collection reinterprets some of the codes that have defined my work over the past decade. It’s also inspired by much of my youth, from the English films, ’90s TV shows and music videos I grew up watching to memories of the style that defined members of my family. Taking from these inspirations, I imagined a group of characters and friends off to the English countryside for the weekend. There’s a real play in the collection between something decidedly dressed-up and equally effortless.”

Erdem is known for his craftsmanship, which he is bringing to his H&M collaboration. “It’s all so beautifully finished,” he says. “It’s the way I approach every collection, turning it inside out and making sure that every detail is perfect.” 

WHAT’S IT LIKE DESIGNING MENSWEAR? 
“I found it a real joy,” says Erdem. “It’s really about looking at a wardrobe of pieces, and focusing on the exact design details. There has to be an easiness to menswear, and a sense of reality. I’m so happy with it, and I think so many women are going to love the men’s collection too.”

With Erdem’s love of narrative, it makes total sense that that ERDEM x H&M be brought to life by Baz Luhrmann. “I am so excited to be working with Baz,” he says. “He truly is one of the greatest storytellers of our time. I’ve loved his films from the very beginning.”

It’s the start of a new chapter, one that will allow people from all around the world to be able to experience their own ERDEM story. “I love the idea that people of different backgrounds, and different generations, will wear the collection.”

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Edison Lu Spring 2018 Menswear

Photos: Albert Urso / Getty Images

On opening day of NYFW Men's New York Fashion Week, celebrity stylist Edison Lu debuted his menswear fashion brand titled "To Be Thrill". The brand featured sophisticated black garments highlighted by the designers signature edge to create unique and red carpet celebrity worthy designs. 

Edison Lu is no stranger to the fashion world, winning many international awards for his work as a hair and make-up stylist. His work has been featured in Marie Claire, GQ, and various international publications. From stylist to designer, there is nothing that can get in the way of this powerhouse artist. For his debut collection, Edison asked his long time friend Taiwanese celebrity Mike Ho to collaborate with him on the inspiration for the collection. Mike Ho not only walked in the finale of the runway show but his hit TV shows "Beside Evil" and "The Contract Of Love" served as inspirations for the collection.

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David Hart Spring 2018 Menswear

David Hart took you to Cuba for Spring 2018 Menswear. Or, his idealized and romanticized interpretation of what the Havana traveler would wear. [Reality check] no one would wear this in the spring because it's too hot and too humid - all day and night. Late Fall through winter is better and you would really only wear this collection in Old Havana, el Vedado and perhaps Veradero (says this Cuban.) Don't get me wrong, I am a David Hart fan and would love many of these looks, especially the tuxes! I just wouldn't wear them to Cuba.

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ZIAD NAKAD Fall 2017-2018 Couture

“THE SNOW CRYSTAL FOREST”

For this couture collection, designer Ziad Nakad proposes his romantic vision of a season in magic colors where white predominates. A white that appears as cold as snow and that gradually heats up when velvet, feathers, tulle and lace are interwoven through learned embroideries.

Numerous cut-outs on the back and shoulders draw the body to reveal a bewitching femininity. Navy, gray and red enriches the colors of this magical forest. And a bride like a queen of an exceptional night, dressed in white and gold that illuminates this universe fit to the legends of a thousand and one nights.

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Francesco Scognamiglio Fall 2017 Couture

“I wanted to concentrate more on couture’s real values: the personal relationship with my clients, who need privacy and attention; the unique creativity that goes into every outfit. Couture must remain the undiluted peak of craftsmanship,” Francesco Scognamiglio

Francesco Scognamiglio Fall 2017 Couture - see collection.

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