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Sheena Trivedi S/S15

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Sheena Trivedi is a globally inspired fashion designer. With an upbringing spanning three continents, her aesthetic combines American ease, European sophistication and South East Asian exoticism.

I caught up with the designer backstage on the eve of her S/S15 collection, Lovers of Today, which explores the concept of love as it relates to the creative process. Having just celebrated her nuptials in India two months prior, Sheena designed a 32-look collection of womenswear and menswear, a monumental undertaking for any designer, let alone a newlywed. Read below for my interview with Sheena, behind the scenes photography, and my favorite pieces (so hard to choose!) from her S/S15 collection.

Runway photos by Dan Lecca
Backstage photos by Matthew Passiglia
SS15 SHEENA TRIVEDI 9/7/2014 SS15 SHEENA TRIVEDI 9/7/2014 SS15 SHEENA TRIVEDI 9/7/2014 SS15 SHEENA TRIVEDI 9/7/2014 SS15 SHEENA TRIVEDI 9/7/2014 SS15 SHEENA TRIVEDI 9/7/2014 SS15 SHEENA TRIVEDI 9/7/2014 SS15 SHEENA TRIVEDI 9/7/2014 SS15 SHEENA TRIVEDI 9/7/2014 SS15 SHEENA TRIVEDI 9/7/2014 S17 S18 S14 S15 You just debuted your S/S15 collection. How are you feeling?

Good! Just relieved, excited and happy. Leading up to fashion week in New York, it’s always stressful. This was my first runway show so that was even more ahhh, I hope the models don’t fall, I hope they don’t walk too fast, walk too slow, that they don’t step and break their ankle, there are so many things. I didn’t even think about myself and then I realized oh wait, I have to walk too! But everything fell into place. I’m just happy. And everyone is telling me it was amazing and I can’t wait to see the video and the pictures.

This is your second season designing menswear. What was the deciding factor that made you want to move into this area?

I’ve always loved men’s clothing and before I was a designer I used to style, I used to be a personal shopper, and I was a buyer for Saks, so I’ve worked in different subsects of the industry. I had my women’s line for three seasons, and for the fourth season because of friends giving me feedback, I designed things for my guy friends. They all said, “You should just do this. Why aren’t you releasing this?” I got all sorts of mixed reviews – you should focus on women’s, you should focus on this, you should go into that. I just followed my intuition and went for it.
Are there any particular challenges in menswear vs. womenswear that you hadn’t encountered before?
Not necessarily. I knew there was (obviously from the pattern) a different build, different ways of the fabric draping, different body types. But it was challenging. You have to tweak things here and there. As long as you don’t make the same mistake from the first time, you’re good.
You were a buyer at Saks Fifth Avenue. Can you talk about the transition from buyer to designer?
Well, I grew up with a fashion background in the sense that my mother is a designer. Growing up I watched her with her business from the actual sketching to selling and I would help her here and there. I also had an interest in fashion. I moved to New York for a buying position but I felt like there was a little bit of a void and I wanted to be more involved. After I left Saks I was a stylist, and then a personal shopper, and that “a-ha” moment was when I was working with another designer and decided I just wanted to launch on my own. It just happened. It’s like a light bulb going off in your head. And of course it’s very different, the buying end, the designing end, they’re completely different ends of the spectrum, but I love what I do.
I understand you manufacture in New Delhi. Was that difficult to source and research or did you have an idea of where to start?
I had an idea and some contacts. I actually just got married two months ago in India and have been going to India since I was born, essentially. I’m trilingual in Hindi, Punjabi and English so there’s no language barrier. Being Indian I’m used to the lifestyle, although its very different than it is here. There are challenges, the time difference for example, but everything works out.
What’s the most rewarding part about being a designer?
Honestly, when you see people walking down the street wearing something that you’ve created and they’re wearing it loudly and proudly that is the best feeling in the world. It’s something I’ve envisioned in my head and taken it from there to a sketch, to a tech pack, to a pattern, to a test fit, to a final sample and just seeing people wear it, sport it and own it, that’s the best; that’s priceless.
Who is the Sheena Trivedi man/woman?
Collectively, they are very confident, think outside the box, and aren’t afraid to take risks. A lot of the clothes I design can be styled differently so the girl wearing them can transition from daywear to nightwear. We’re all so busy in today’s world one of the easier decisions should be what we wear. It’s the most important thing we do before leaving the house, correct? So she should be comfy, classy, yet chic.
Any final thoughts on the eve of your amazing S/S15 debut?
I’m just really excited and I can’t wait for everybody to see what else I have in store.

A very special thanks to Sheena Trivedi and Eduardo Morales.

Parkchoonmoo S/S15

Park2 Park21 Park4 Park5 Park13 Park14 Park15 Park16 Park17 Park18 Park19 Park20Photos by Matthew Passiglia

Korean designer Choonmoo Park has fashion in her blood.  The daughter of a children’s apparel company owner, she spent her formative years in her father’s factory and showroom.  Her designs have an architectural yet fluid aesthetic which can be attributed to her degrees in both industrial and fashion design.  Known for her monochromatic color palette, I love how her entire S/S15 collection barely deviates from black and white tones, yet still feels completely versatile and fresh.  One of my favorite looks from her collection is the buttery leather tunic she created in both black and caramel. The high neckline and asymmetrical folded seams create an otherworldly effect reminiscent of Jedi Knights.  Her genius decision to use a soft, breathable jersey type fabric in the back make it all the more comfortable for long periods of wear.

Normally I am not a fan of sportswear, but as one of the top trends for the last couple Spring seasons, I’m so glad Parkchoonmoo has made me a fan.  I adored her voluminous jackets with circular silhouettes, below the knee fitted skirts and long hooded coats.  The layering of different fabrics like leather and jersey and nylon mesh and silk gave off a futuristic vibe striking the perfect balance between androgynous and sexy.  Light smoke on the eyes and wet, slight waves in the hair further solidified that not-of-this-world Jedi feeling.  The Force is strong.

August Getty S/S15

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There is a California cool girl vibe emanating from August Getty’s Spring/Summer 2015 collection. Part feminine, part edgy he combined soft, flowing silhouettes in a trend you’ll be seeing a lot of come Spring – pastels – with sexy, crystal encrusted pieces that remind me of Hollywood cocktail parties and red carpets. Everything about the collection’s aura, right down to the minimalist styling with Stuart Weitzman’s staple sandal, the Nudist, 1970’s flat ironed hair parted down the middle, bronzed skin and baby pink lips made me want to be an August Getty girl.

In any collection, whether or not something resonates can be answered by one simple question. Do you want to be the woman you see on the catwalk? Now, just because we want to be the girl in the collection doesn’t mean we always can. The genius in August Getty’s collection is that each piece is so accessible to the modern woman that you can be. There’s a personality, an essence that I can take and interpret as my own. Each piece is totally interchangeable. I concocted three different looks before the last model even made her way down the runway.
I especially love his blazers. I’m jacket obsessed and his long hemlines, low necklines and large lapels completely refresh a classic staple. He gave a strong nod to 70’s glam with his lavender cape and frothy draped dresses. I wouldn’t be surprised if we see a reincarnation of the Angelina Jolie leg dress on the red carpet with his sexy cutout number with the severe slit. And, how could I not love a designer that sends a playful tulip skirt with black lace overlay down the runway? August Getty has me. Hook, line and sinker. Don’t take your eyes off of him. Rest assured, we’re going to be seeing a lot more of August Getty.

Washington Roberts S/S15

WR6 WR5 WR4 WR2 WR7 WR3 WR1 WR8 Taught to sew at the age of five by his grandmother, Nigerian-born designer Washington Roberts originally pursued a career in chemical engineering. It wasn’t until his birthday, for which he had nothing to wear, that he decided to create a blazer for himself. That perfect blazer launched his career in fashion and he quickly moved on to design for brands like Tory Burch, Victoria’s Secret and Vera Wang.

His Spring/Summer 2015 collection combines clean, geometric printed silk with crisp pleating. Among my favorites are his flattering-on-any-body-type, expertly tailored shift dresses with quadrant based seams. I especially love how he extended the hemline and added pockets to the striped blue number shown above. And how incredible is his two-toned blue jumpsuit with dramatic floor length skirt?  The juxtaposition of masculine and feminine in the almost cummerbund-esque shape hits the perfect note.  No doubt the Washington Roberts woman is sophisticated, modern and in charge.

NYFW

NYFWSometimes all it takes is a little spark.  A twinkle in the eye of the beholder, wondering, just wondering, what if… Never mind that it’s a hair brained and crazy little spark.  One that has no idea what to do or where to start.  A little spark with no place to go.
No place but up.
There is so much power in realizing you have nothing to lose.  If you want something, make it happen.  Don’t wait for circumstances to change or for someone to give you permission.  It’s really your call.  And you can do it.  I needed to remind myself of this, and when I did… this happened.
For the next four days, I’ll be checking off a major item from my bucket list – New York Fashion Week!   Join me here on the blog and on Instagram and Twitter as I recap the shows, become crazy inspired and undoubtedly run around like a little Tasmanian devil in heels.
Let the games begin.