Savage Beauty: Alexander McQueen at the Met

Exciting news! The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York will be exhibiting the work of Alexander McQueen from May 4 to July 31. It will be called "Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty." There will be over 100 pieces, ranging from his 1994 Nihilism collection to his posthumous Angels & Demons.

Autumn/Winter 2010

What I think is great is this is not just a homage to a great designer; it is recognition that he was, above all things, an artist, and deserves to be celebrated as such.

LFW: David Koma's Circular Logic

I am inexpressibly (is that a word?) in love with this show by 25-year-old Georgian, David Koma.

His designs play bright, fluffy bits of color (just a perfect amount, in my opinion) against hard-edged body-con pieces.           

As  Fashion156 puts its, there is an angelic dominatrix vibe coming off the show. The faces on the pieces are  photography done by the designer’s friend, Oleg Dou, and are actually Russian nuns. The mass of circles are inspired by the work of Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama, but there is nothing kitschy in his restatement of that artist.

I also like this show because it provides a counter-statement to the flowy romanticism of the seventies that is popping up everywhere in shows.

Hong Kong Fashion Week, Part 2

More from Hong Kong Fashion Week, as promised! These two designers are from Japan and Korea.

Unlike the Chinese designers I talked about before, Keita Maruyama (Japan) trended more toward the traditional "Asian" side, with cherry blossoms, sun parasols, sweet flirtatiousness, and shoes that were geta-inspired. I really like his touch of the flowers pinned in the hair, it slightly reminds me of Juicy Couture (sold here, but I'm sure a DIY would be easy).

Future Beauty: Japanese Design and Rei Kawakubo

Ending just last week, the Barbican Art Gallery in London put on a revolutionary exhibit titled Future Beauty: 30 Years of Japanese Fashion. Curated by Akiko Fukai, Director of the Kyoto Costume Institute, the exhibition was the first in Europe to dive into the world of avant-garde Japanese design from the 80's to today. With curious sensibility of and fascination with color, folding, lines, and dimension, Japanese design has influenced modern fashion in ways many people don't realize - top designer Rei Kawakubo (of Comme des Garçons) is said to have been a big influence on Alexander McQueen. From the start of their careers 30 years ago, Rei and her peers began redesigning what fashion and modern style is, looks like, and feels like.

© Lyndon Douglas

© Lyndon Douglas

Visions of China: Hong Kong Fashion Week vs Ralph Lauren

Hong Kong Fashion Week(end) was January 17 - 20. At the Hong Kong Fashion Extravaganza, Alex Wang (no, not Alexander Wang) and Barney Cheng strutted their skills with gorgeous craftsmanship and very modern visions. 

But that wasn't the only Far Eastern event in the fashion world. Interestingly enough, many designers were working Chinese elements into their designs this week in New York, especially at Ralph Lauren.

NYFW: Diane Von Furstenburg's Panache

Remember how I was complaining about a lack of allure in Sommerton's supposedly modern woman? Well, Diane von Furstenburg seems to have heard my plea.

Sign at DVF show / Image via Glamour.com

Isn't that sign adorable? In her collection, titled "American Legend," she sought to channel fearlessly iconic women, such as Millicent Rogers, Gloria Vanderbilt, and Diana Vreeland.

NYFW: Alexander Wang's "Lost Beautifulness"

Alexander Wang / Image via The Vine

I'm always drawn to those shows that seem to have a real, thought out theme behind them. Like photographers who can tell you why they took a certain shot, designers with shows like these are able to bring you into the fold of their imagination, and can make mere cloth become a meaningful creation before your eyes.