Vivienne Westwood Museum Exhibition

The Vivienne Westwood Exhibition at the Fashion Institute of technology, which is located on W27^th street and 7^th avenue, also free of charge; generated my curiosity for the British designer of whom I have heard of before (of course) but never paid enough attention to. I always had associated her with one of those top designers with clothing that rampantly appeared in various high-fashion magazines that only people with a discretionary income in the tens of thousands can afford. These tidbits are still true but there is more. The exhibition focuses on the less than glamorous beginnings of Westwood and her life as a fashion designer.
To be frank, the exhibition is small, (photo’s of her early collections were encased in frames along a corridor at the start of the tour, with a few “physical” objects like the rocking boots that only led to an open space with about five mannequins, a few flat screens replaying runway clips and one very popular music video of the era). A well-spoken, sweet-sounding woman named Miriam Murphy was the tour guide who seemed to be able to integrate Westwood’s early punk fashions into her own life as she actually lived it. As a teenager during the eighties, Murphy remembered using safety pins to adorn her jackets, shirts and anywhere imaginable. Probably to the ashy blonde, bubbly woman already in her forties, the exhibition was not really history but merely another page in her photo album. Either way, she spoke with enthusiasm, which made me more attentive and able to absorb more of what she had to say.

Westwood was already in her thirties when she started out with her first Pirates collection in 1980. Murphy pointed out the “humble” beginnings of Westwood was made evident in a photo of the designer seated in a rundown-looking factory among scattered clothing working on a garment. The Pirates collection was collaborated with Westwood’s boyfriend at the time, Malcolm Mclaren. The collection emphasized on eighteenth-century men’s undergarments with manipulations. What made this collection so unique is that it was made to be unisex. Male and female models were seen wearing the same outfits in separate photos appearing in early Vogue issues. The minimal success of this collection led to many more collections that were inspired by fashions of historical and traditional times.

Eventually, her later collections were Savage and Buffalo (I particularly love the buffalo collection which largely comprised of oversized clothing, even for women but with cowboy hats, fringes and buckles which all exude the tough, sand-kicking, gun-slinging life of the Wild, Wild West) respectively. Then there’s the Mini Crini collection that had women wearing poofy skirts (unheard of at that time) on city streets. Westwood seemed to design clothing drawn from past history such as the corsets, ensembles of pirates, cowboys, 18^th century structure and style, and strangely enough appearing on the runway in one of the video clips was a white top with a blue, capped collar and big red bows that looked like the school uniform of girls. (Hint, Serena from Sailor Moon or even possibly Walt Disney’s Show White.)

Westwood’s garments were a little over the top and even outrageous. The variance in colors, patterns, structures and the big influence from music such as I want Candy from the band BowWow were clearly demonstrated on her apparel shown in print ads, on the mannequins of the exhibit and even on models in the videos of her fashion shows (In which one particular scene, I was reminded of her peer, Betsey Johnson after she did a cartwheel on the runway). After the tour, I sat down for a long time on a wooden bench in a home theatre-like environment to watch the full video of her 1980s fashion shows. Then, I decided that the dedication and exhibition of Westwood’s historical fashions was actually a really, really good idea. 
xo 
Edo

Fragments Jewelry: 2010 Spring Trends

The sweet gale of birds is heard more often as the blanket of snow melts, revealing lush grass or, in New York City’s case, concrete sidewalks. No doubt, warm weather is gradually making its way back to New York. New Yorkers are more than eager to ditch their coats and thermals even before spring has arrived. Who can blame them? As fashionable people, they not only step out in fabulous clothes but dashing jewelry to compete. Adorning the body with jewelry never goes out of fashion. Just as sure as the sky is blue and flowers and foliage are vibrant in warm weather, piling on jewels should follow suit.

No matter how individualized a style is, there are five distinct jewelry looks that are recognized trends for this spring and summer. Touches of Neon which is probably the newest trend, is perfect for the daring. From just a hint of neon pink on drop earrings like the Miguel Ases’ collection and solid tomato red leather wrap bracelets like from Accessories & Beyond to a burst (and mix) of neon pinks, reds and greens on a cuff like of LK’s collection, there’s enough to tickle everyone’s fancy, even for the most color discerning consumers.

Making a statement can never be so loud yet silent. Statement Jewelry is the craze. Designer Wendy Yue has snakes made of brown diamonds, rubies and white sapphires slithering on rings and designer Phillips Frankel engraved a hidden “love always” message on a rose gold and white diamond cuff that clasps, while designer Anton Heunis placed three large and unique crystal flowers on a vintage inspired gold-toned necklace.

Minimal but feminine is the Ladylike Minimalism trend that includes lots of simple and even plain jewelry. However, a little goes a long way considering the Jordan Schlanger’s sterling silver tendril bracelet that screams out, “Queen of the Nile” chic, according to “Fragments” a jewelry website. The same goes for Dana Kellin’s sterling silver necklace in silver beads pendants and white Labradorite. Seth Coutoure’s diamond hoop earrings are so classic and simple, that they make a wardrobe essential for fashion-forward femmes.

An artsy carefree and excess glamour take on life mix here, creating the Bohemian Luxe trend. The look can be credited to Jordan Alexander’s white turquoise and leather cuffs. Rachel Baritz and Danielle Gadi of “Fragments” a jewelry showroom located in Soho advised, “Bohemian Luxe jewelry can be worn on the beach or to help dress down a fancy outfit.” Whether it’s a day basking under the sun or illuminating underneath the moon, bohemian luxe jewelry’s versatility is a winner.

Layering by mixing metals, fine and fashion jewelry is a practical trend. It gives those who have stacks of jewelry brimming out of boxes or entangled on shelves a chance to wear most, if not all, their trove. Huichol’s cuffs come in various colors and patterns that can be layered and stacked on with other jewelry. In this case, the sky’s the limit so go out and do what Mother Nature does best during the warm seasons, flaunt.