I'm a big fan of fashion student work, and it's no secret that one of the biggest student events during Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week is the graduate show from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. For F/W '10, six talented graduates showed innovative womenswear collections. Marina Solomatnikova opened the show with biege and grey suede looks inspired by Georgia O'Keefe paintings. Bethany Meuleners showed knit dresses and bodysuits in dark colors, such as navy and maroon, using asymmetrical silhouettes to interesting effect. Pale prairie-inspired dresses by Naomi Sutton using a mix of cotton, organza, wool and jersey had a quirky romantic vibe. My three favorite designers closed the show. Hyo Sun (Nicky) An (whose work is pictured above) was inspired by mathematic shapes, and I couldn't take my eyes off the looped fringes in her pale beige pieces. Steven Oo commanded attention on the runway with his softly cocooned, yet structured pieces. Sabah Mansoor Husain closed the show with felt and knit coats which had a subtle shimmer from jewel-shaped crystals. Bravo, graduates!

Related Links:
Academy Of Art : http://www.academyart.edu/

Risto Rocks Knits
Posted 13 February 2010 | by Deanne Yee  

Designer Risto Bimbiloski was inspired by fashion in the digital age and exploring questions about the place of artisanal craft in that world. Risto F/W '10 was stunning, with pale neons and brights peeking beneath whisper-thin, webbed knits in white and pale grey. While the label is becoming known for terrific digital prints, knits were the real star of this collection. Bimbiloski also works as a knit consultant for Louis Vuitton menswear, and his dedication to the craft really shows.

Related Links:
Risto : http://ristobimbiloski.com/

Those Coats at Preen!
Posted 13 February 2010 | by Deanne Yee  

Sometimes a collection is so perfect from start to finish, that it makes the chaos of Fashion Week worth it. Preen always does it for me. For F/W '10, the London-based design duo, Justin Thornton and Thea Bregazzi sent beautiful cocoon coats down the runway and everyone was raving about them afterwards. I met them at a party last night and totally fan-girled about their collection; I've never met more humble people in my life. Next up for the popular label? Plans for a stand-alone boutique in a major fashion city. New York, Tokyo or Paris? It's anyone's guess... Apparently, their shop in London is only open a few days a week.

Related Links:
Preen : http://preen.eu/

Poland Invades Hollywood
Posted 12 February 2010 | by Tim Eastman  

Can we all agree that the world does not need another Scarface or Reservoir Dogs poster? It's time for something unexpected, something unusual, and that something comes from Poland. Take a peak at polishposter.com for some of the best film poster art this side of the equator. Big scary skull poster for Raiders of the Lost Ark? Check. Crazy psychedelic Godzilla posters? Got em. You can start redecorating now.

Related Links:
Polish Movie Posters : http://www.polishposters.com/

Feeling Sexy at Jen Kao
Posted 11 February 2010 | by Deanne Yee  

At the Jen Kao F/W '10 show, 80s sexy was back in a big way, with body-conscious pieces and nods to the bold shoulder in materials such as jersey, leather and fur. Kao opened the show with some intricate knit minidresses with seductive peeks of skin and closed with lean, long dresses. The color palette might have been dark, but a few sequin pieces, such as the fringe tank pictured above and stunning jewelry by Eddie Borgo kept the goth mood in check.

Related Links:
Jen Kao : http://jenkao.com/