As I started to prep for my big trip to New York next week, I was inspired by this week’s feature, Chanté of Everything Curvy and Chic.
While speaking to a close fashion colleague here in Houston (hey Kim!), this young lady was mentioned and my curiosity was instantly piqued.
Chanté’s blog is built on the platform of empowering women when it comes to self-acceptance and confidence. According to her mission, this fashionista also encourages the idea that ‘weight should not hinder one’s ability to dress well‘. While using the approach of fashion/beauty, Chanté continues to encourage and enlighten her impressive audience (with over Instagram 162,000 followers, to be exact…).
This self-proclaimed “lipstick junkie” simply describes her style as “daring and classy“. Yet, when I scour her flawless ‘fits – I see so much more.
With a knack for using innovative sartorial techniques and an eye for detail, Chanté is the epitome of chic. And, this girl can rock it all! From trendy crop tops to off-the-shoulder wonders, this style maven pushes through on so many levels and her inspirational prowess cannot be denied.
Slay on, hun!
Want to know more about Chanté of Everything Curvy and Chic? Well, head on over to here blog here or visit this chica via IG @everythingcurvyandchic. She’s bomb!
Fashion week has been crazy busy and it’s only day 2 — not to mention the fact that New York Fashion Week for womenswear starts in only a few days. But on Tuesday’s schedule, in addition to popping by the Public School Fall 2016 show (see our review here), we made it a point to see shows by other designers of color like Donrad Duncan’s Engineered for Motion. While there, we got a moment to pull the designer aside and ask him a few questions.
Founded in 2014, the premise behind EFM is pretty straightforward: “I wanted to create a product that’s no nonsense, no color, lightweight, I can put it on and jump on my bike and go to the studio or another creative environment, or go out for the evening and not have to change,” according to Duncan. That mission is echoed by many brands that have been adding technical components to their fashion brands, but few to the precision and appeal that Duncan does. The aesthetic lends itself to pieces like smart, water resistant jackets that are casual enough to wear out for a night in Brooklyn, can be elevated to a night at the opera via its removable fur collar (below).
Other pieces include rain-read slickers, suits that have the comfort of pajamas but the durability and elasticity of track pants as well as a variety of performance knits. Its a robust, but focused collection that the designer just recently presented to buyers at MRket in New York, prior to picking up an award from Fashioin Group International. “It’s been very busy of course because you’re being pulled in so many directions and you have to be present for everything,” Duncan said of the hectic moment. “There’s a lot that’s happening — right now I’m already thinking about Spring 2017.”
But the FGI Rising Star in Menswear award did come with significance for the designer. “You know that was an amazing experience, one with just getting the publicity from that.” Duncan explained. “[Two], it’s not easy winning an award. Also, knowing that it’s an organization started by women — Eleanor Roosevelt was a part of it — and that men are now being included in it is great. I think it’s a very positive thing for me to be acknowledged by them.” The creative took the award as a representative for his entire brand which includes a head designer that he works closely with and about four others in the studio. “We’re small but because everyone is so experienced with what they are doing, the flow is very efficient.”
For the near future, Duncan is looking for more recognition. “I just want to just grow and for the audience to acknowledge this product exists,” the designer said when asked about his plans for 2016. “Specifically I want to get into specialty retailers — retailers that really understand what this is. You know, potentialy doing retail stores, but the focus is really doing specialty retailers.” Currently the brand is in stores like CHCM in New York, Alvedon in Beverly Hills and Martin Patrick in Minneapolis. Their new head of sales for the company said that appointments for fall look good for key launches in the coming months.
As day 2 of New York Fashion Week: Men’s wound down, the industry made their way out to Brett Johnson’s Fall 2016 collection, which saw the designer introduce three pant styles to compliment his current stable of knitwear, outerwear and shirting. Amongst the crowds were Jay Manuel as well as June Ambrose. For the event, Ambrose wore a Dries Van Noten Fall 2015 jacquard and feather sleeveless vest as well as a custom Albertus Swanepoel hat.
In addition to hitting up the show in the look, the stylist also went to the designer’s dinner at The Musket Room that night.
The vest gives quite a bit of real-life drama as half of it is covered in what we suspect are ostrich feathers. June paired it with a long brown, embroidered top and wide legged trousers. To top it all off, the megastylist and personality choose a hat by CFDA nominated hat designer Angelus Swanepoel. Swanepoel is a South African-native that moved to New York in the 80s. He was present at Johnson’s dinner as well (but isn’t related to model Candice Swanepoel).
Her contoured latex pencil dress features a bondage style neck piece and adjustable suspenders. Kylie ditched the neck gear! Check out the solid red version below.
Still unsure about how these celebs squeeze into latex!
Halle Berry took to the second day of the 2016 MAKERS Conference in a $318 Camilla and Marc White Altitude Dress, accessorized by Ashley Pittman bracelets and a Sylva & Cie ring:
Her LWD features a high neck and asymmetrical hem.
The fashion industry is on its way to shedding its elitist vibe for inclusion: helped in large part by social media and the movement away from traditional runway shows. Public School pushed that transition along and really made their name mean something—opening their Fall 2016 Menswear show up to the public and their legion of admirers and customers.
Today, their slew of models exited from the back of their venue into the main space: giving their devotees and onlookers a glimpse at the looks first. Dao-Yi Chow and Maxwell Osborne were inspired by the late David Bowie and the 1976 British science fiction drama film
he starred in, The Man Who Fell From Earth. In it, the icon played an alien who comes to Earth from a faraway planet. His mission? To take water back to his home planet in the midst of a ruinous drought. Not completely unlike the circumstances of the present.
The soul and attitude of the collection was thus steeped in endurance and thriving no matter what the elements. This essence was communicated by way of the brand’s sporty aesthetic: suede anoraks, simple zip-front bomber jackets, camo print, and turtlenecks boasting “Water” in contrast colors with a strike-through for effect.
Utilitarianism was at its peak in a long camel overcoat that would work for year-round wear, a navy sleeveless vest for a seamless addition into any modern man’s wardrobe, clean layers, and a number of uncluttered and functional turtlenecks.
The brand always finds some way to evolve with each season—establishing themselves as leaders in the industry without ever sacrificing their attachment and communication with the street. This assortment was wearable, but not so safe as to be boring or cautious: a great balance and schooling in how to make designs that a wide fashion-loving audience can appreciate.
Beyonce looked simply stunning in Coldplay’s Hymn for the Weekend video–have you seen it (if not, check it out below)?
The video has an Indian theme, and thus Bey was adorned in pieces by Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla.
Her dress shimmers with sequined and gold embellishments.
Her crown took nearly a month to conceptualize and create. It is highlighted with metal flowers, entirely hand-cut, hand-rolled, and hand-painted to create a stunning display of incredibly meticulous metal work.
In another shot, she dons another Abu Jani and Sandeep look with Erickson Beamon jewels and a House of Malakai face mask.
