Friday, June 4th, 2010 | Designer Diary, Fashion, News

Jane Oh Channels Audrey Hepburn Now

By Samantha

LA based fashion designer, Jane Oh, has just launched her first collection, to rave reviews, being noted as a designer to watch. The Fall 2010 collection is all black, bringing the focal point to the details and structural lines throughout, which is inspired by the polished elegance of the 1950s. The designer has always found herself drawn to abstract art and painting and the emotions that it exudes. This coupled with the silhouettes of the female form created one stellar collection.

The Parsons grad spent years in Paris after graduation studying art. Her living there instilled in her the experience and sophistication that would years later be needed when launching her collection. Prior to her debut line, Oh worked for Marc Jacobs and Michael Kors, where she truly learned the meaning behind a luxury brand.

Oh’s strong sense of style commands attention, and her premiere collection is effortlessly cool and internationally chic, for the woman that appreciates structure in design and preciseness in detail. Black is powerful, mysterious, sexy and easy to wear, which is why the designer chose to debut her line in the monochromatic hue. Jane Oh wants to woman that wears her clothes to feel comfortable yet exude sexiness and grace. The Jane Oh woman knows what she wants, and how to get it, and looks good doing it. She is a product of her own style.

Her travels to NYC and Paris have definitely given her a birds eye view into different cultures, which she credits for her design aesthetic. This collection has the focus of bringing women back to the 1950s, when women dressed up, and looked feminine and beautiful. For an LA based designer, it is the antithesis of California casual style, and rather reflects a more sophisticated, elegant look. Whatever the body type, Oh seeks to make women feel confident in her garments, which are simple yet incredibly made.

The entirely black collection allowed the designer to also play with textures and fabrics, which make the black stand out against the black in an awe-inspiring way. There is balance throughout the line (a tiny skirt coupled with an ornate jacket) and lightweight pieces paired with heavier ones, for a juxtaposition that is fresh and magnetizing. Oh has the belief (which we couldn’t agree more with) that fashion should be fun and say who you are. Fashion is powerful, if you look good, you will feel good, and her garments are sure to make you feel like a million bucks, or maybe more.

And the designer has no plans of stopping. She plans to continue making fabulously chic clothes and eventually adding accessories to her line. Her holiday collection will feature some color including silver, charcoal and off-white, and Spring/Summer will include feminine notes of grays and purples. So black may be the start, but there is no end in the future for this true design talent.

Jane Oh can be found online at Duchess of Hollywood. Seriously, I can’t wait to see what Jane Oh has up her sleeve next. Her Fall creations are already absolutely alluring, and make me want to travel to Europe and walk the streets in timeless sophistication and style.

Thursday, May 27th, 2010 | Accessories, Haute Press, Shop

Enjoy The Summer Sun in Daniblack Sandals

By Samantha

Daniblack is a fabulous contemporary footwear brand based in New York under the direction of Marina Levine and Fabiana Rigamonti, who met while attending school at Parsons. The collection launched in 2000, and since its inception, the ladies have watched over the design process, taking an active role in trend research and design creation. The designers have worked together to create a line of footwear that fuses youthful fashion with timeless wearability.

The designers launched their first line, Due Farina, in the Spring of 2004 which had a very modern aesthetic with bold colors and funky detailing. Both of the women have extensive knowledge in the footwear realm, both from family and from their educations, and both women have a true passion for the industry as well. Their strengths work seamlessly together, creating a line that is truly fabulous.

Daniblack is full of well-made shoes for the confident, sophisticated, savvy woman that doesn’t just follow trends, she creates them. Levine and Rigamonti, with their continued research, continue to put out shoes that are of-the-moment with a classic touch. Their attention to detail is phenomenal, and truly makes each pair of shoes come to life. Plus, they strive to make them comfortable, and versatile for the consumer.

Daniblack styles are all available for under $200 at Zappos. The only thing you need is that perfect pedicure.

Saturday, May 30th, 2009 | Fashion, News

Parsons delivers true talent at AAS Line Debut

By Dee


Kanye West’s ‘Heartless’ should have been playing at the AAS Line Debut as emerging designer and recent graduate of Parsons The New School for Design’s AAS Program CJ Bryant unveiled a few of his pieces.  Wonderfully diverse, the Parson’s program includes students from all walks of life that are looking to further their career in the fashion industry.

The collection produced by Bryant oozes something that’s dark and deep, yet so tempting.  This collection has appeal; even if it’s heartache and betrayal.  Bryant insists on having a personal relationship with everything he creates, a belief coming from a true designer.  Various textures, intricate details, and a few personal touches are what brings his pieces to life.  Glancing at his collection, one will observe waxed canvas, zippers, hand-painted details, and seed beads.  The mixture is a surprise to see and even more striking once felt.

Bryant’s pieces tell a captivating story; such as his transforming clutch that lays flat, allowing it to be a zipped on jacket creating a full piece or his vest dress that includes hand-dyed fabric to create a smoky black and cream ombre-colored detail.  This designer’s inspiration and muse comes in the form of the ever-intriguing Zoe Kravitz and alluring Omahyra Mota.  When clothing can captivate an audience as demonstrated by this collection, success is only a matter of time.