Fashion Week: Betsey Johnson Spring 2012

One of the most anticipated shows of New York Fashion Week is Betsey Johnson’s show.  For those of you who weren’t there, here is the invite and program book.

It might just be me but I enjoy all these little details – must be the event planner in me.  Here is the inside to the program book which has a cute way of listing out the models, credits and sponsors.

Her press release described how this collection blended “modern elements with her signature vintage style and aesthetic.”  The Betsey team cites Brigit Bardot and 1940s burlesque dancers as the inspirations.  Take a look at this video highlight clip and you’ll see peekaboo lingerie, corseting, flirty and sometimes borderline slutty outfits paired with Bardot hair waves.  What do you think?

Personally, Betsey’s outfits are too over-the-top-girly even for me and these runway styles somewhat reminded me of what Pretty Woman might wear in 2012… not exactly what I want to be emulating.  But you’ve got to love Betsey’s shows even if just for the anticipation of her unique model finales and signature cartwheel.  Plus you can’t beat the energy and fun factor of a Betsey show which is always why it is one of the highlights of my fashion weeks.

What caused the most stir this year at Betsey’s show was the appearance of a blue wigged, Nicki Minaj.  In fact from what I hear, the whole show started late because of Nicki’s late appearance.  Sort of a black Lady Gaga, Nicki garners attention with her outlandish outfits.  I immediately felt sorry for the poor fashionista who would have to sit behind that giant mess of a hairdo because surely that is all she would get to see!

I never thought Nicki would be the type of celebrity that PR agencies would wrangle and secure for a front row fashion show seat – she isn’t exactly what I’d call the most fashionable.  Buzz-worthy yes but mostly for all the wrong reasons.  I gasped when I heard and saw that Nicki sat next to fashion icon, Anna Wintour during the Carolina Herrera show this year – what an odd sight that was!  Sort of fashion sacrilege in my book, if you ask me!

I imagine Anna must’ve been cringing underneath those dark shades.  With all the technicolors that Nicki was wearing beside her, it is no wonder she kept the shades on!  What a contradiction in style those two make!

To win the Betsey Johnson goody bag that I picked up at the fashion show, comment here and (any) 2 other entries (and leave your email so I can notify you if you win) !

And come back for further NY fashion week updates and another goody bag giveaway!

 

NYC Fashion Week

I’ve attended over a decade of fashion weeks in 3 cities and still to this day, I get giddy with my first seasonal fashion show.  This past Friday was no different.  I rushed out of work to attend Concept Korea and with plans to also hit Gen Art that evening.  But somehow, my usual 1hour commute from work into the upper west side turned into a patience-testing 2.5 hour drive.  You’d think that by the time I arrived at Lincoln Center, I’d be exhausted and raging with commuter road rage.  But all it took is the sight of Lincoln Center all lit up with fashionistas flocking the NY streets and almost like I had downed a Red Bull, my heart pounced with excitement and energy shot through my veins.

So happy to meet up with my friend and share in the fashion fun, we greeted each other with hugs and squealed like fashion week virgins as we entered our first fashion event for spring 2012’s season.


Concept Korea is actually a project that I helped bring to life 2 years ago so it was amazing to be there and celebrate its third run.  They showcased 5 Korean designers in hopes of launching them to the U.S. Market.  Here are some pics.

Other than Doo Ri Chung, who was awarded a Vogue/CFDA Fashion award, there really aren’t any Korean designers who have received international recognition.  Really, can you name anyone?  All those other designers that probably come to mind (Prabal Gurung, Phillip Lim, Jason Wu, Anna Sui, Vera Wang, Josie Natori etc.  they are mostly Chinese).  I know, we all look and sound the same but I swear, they are not Korean.   So it was interesting to read the press release for the event which is how I learned that Lie Sang Bong, one of Concept Korea’s featured designers, has apparel already worn by singers Lady Gaga and Beyonce and that Steve J & Yoni P created a capsule collection for trendy retailer Topshop.  As a fellow Korean, I thought that was pretty cool.

And though the post-event press mainly concentrated on the fact that Vanessa Hudgens, was in attendance (surely paid by her publicists and agents through some contractual agreement with concept Korea), I was more enthralled with the fact that Hyoni, (Korean) winner of the Ford supermodel contest was there hanging out with little to no recognition from those around her.
Hello, people?!  We have a supermodel in the house!  Isn’t this 5’9 cutie skinny?  Really sweet too.
More on the fashionistas that I spotted and the rest of my fashion week wardrobe in my upcoming posts!
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