Gainsevoort Hotel-Park Ave. South/ACME Restaurant NYC
words/images Judith Ecochard
This past week---we previewed two collections by relatively new to the fashion scene -designers. Both designed and made in NYC. Bravo.
A hotel suite was crowded with a lot of familiar faces---for the Spring 2013 contemporary women's collection of
RAE FRANCIS --- by
Savannah College of Art and Design pals Ariel Lilly and Christina Coniglio. (Named after the male relatives-fyi)
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| Buffalo plaid L/S shirt with cut-outs are a sell-out. We are surprised that there are no plans to make more---especially since this could be the piece that gives the designers an entreé to a bigger audience....as every editor we met gushed about this item. |
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| soft grays---maxi dress out of silk---drapes beautifully |
For this outing...the bohemian spirit of the
Cochella music festival...and the glam rocker/singer/songwriter Florence Welch---inspired a romantic, flowing assortment of flirty dresses and asymmetrical skirts.
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| back cut-outs-design detail on several pieces |
Also-feminine and cute---linen dressy shorts and floaty tops...
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| loved this pretty skirt-draped diagonal ---flattering |
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| baby cool dress,,, |
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| back cut-outs-can layer over stretchy tank top |
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| signature-uneven hemmed free flowing boho skirt-in multiple fabrics-silk |
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| nice chiffon insets- sheer shoulders |
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| polished shorts |
Rae Francis-is available online ($136-$382) and in a few shops across the country---stocklists on website.
ACME Restaurant---has a downstairs space that probably could not have legally held another human being for an animated showing of tailored tops for women ---by former art lawyer- Jelena Darling---for her collection of meticulously made blouses-Aphra Behn (an English- 17th century
professional female writer, fyi).
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| Jelena Darling |
In an outing titled "Women Playing Games"...and they were---the affair was a fun way to show a few clothing pieces---namely "shirts-traditionally male sartorial game pieces-take on sheer sleeves, polka dot and precise tailoring to become pieces for women to play with for Spring."
The construction of these shirts-rival men's classic labels...and offer a variety of standing collars and collar spreads, slim fitting french cuffs for long sleeves, slim placket widths, french seams and side darts-for a feminine shape-and trims like the buttons of mother of pearls---in a selection of luxury Japanese and Italian woven fabrics.
A BIG PLUS---we thought...as we checked out the sizing charts---Aphra-Behn has added "a" sizes---meaning added chest size inches for ample gals with same waist sizes as traditional women's sizes.
We chatted a bit with the designer---who was inspired to leave her legal career---after lamenting the lack of tailored but feminine style blouses available for women. We thought of Thomas Pink ourselves---but note how that brand's English sizes are hard to fit into...for us anyway.
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| this trio is wearing the 100% silk ivory damask-with bishop sleeves, slightly scooped next, gold button closure on back. |
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| set list |
Currently---several long sleeve shorts are available
online-prices ranged from about $215-$235.
www.aphra-behn.com
