By: Elizabeth McLaughlin & Kaleigh Guay
 With Holly Dalton, Executive Make-up Director of StyleWeek  With designer Kara Wickman |   Designer Kent Stetson & his "Grey Gardens" handbag collection |
The Kent Collectors of the Week!
 With Makara, Public Relations Manager of StyleWeek & SEED |  With Yemi owner of Donahue Models & Trade Secrets Magazine |
W H A T . W E . W O R E
What Liz Wore
 | On my birthday weekend I celebrated in New York City and spent around 5 hours in Bergdorf Goodman with my best friend. While browsing through the clothes, my eye caught view of an intriguing garment. I discovered a gorgeous, one shoulder Isabel Toledo top complete with a cascading side panel and intricate pleating. The combination of the gathered pleating, mesh & satin bow accents adds dimension "I Always Like to be |
 |  |
What Kaleigh Wore
| I am the type of fashionista that loves to dig for gold. I spent an afternoon in Past Treasures Consignment and found this gorgeous leopard print dress made of 100% silk by designer Terani. I was looking for the perfect wow-factor piece. I thought it could be a great statement dress for the finale show at StyleWeek. I went for a bold look by mixing different "I was Looking for the Perfect Wow-Factor Piece"animal prints such as leopard and python snakeskin seen accented on this Kent Stetson clutch. I have learned that fashion is all about taking risks and experimenting with yourself to discovering what truly makes your personality shine through. |  |
T H E . F A S H I O N . S H O W
Pini by Nick Pini
I have always admired Nick Pini’s aesthetic for finishing detail. In a previous collection all the hem’s of his garments were reinforced. This collection was filled with fresh and feminine looks. For Spring 2015 he amazed me with the manipulation of fabrics, layering of pleating and structure. Of course it wouldn't be a PINI collection without the accented beadwork, which is always my personal favorite part of his collections. In this collection pleating was used in an unconventional way as seen radiating from the center broach of the sea-shell-peach coverup. One look in particular that caught my eye was a flared black babydoll dress with layered pleats and an accentuated gold waistline. Another dress that caught my attention was the quilted top A-line dress with pleated bell sleeves, reminiscent of 1960s trend. We love how Pini can make any garment look fun, playful and sexy.
Yellow Clover by Sarah Prost & Kent Stetson Handbags
 |   |
 |  |
Mastermind Kent Stetson & cutting-edge Sarah Prost wow the crowd with their collaborative collection inspired by the lifestyle of little Edie of Grey Gardens. Edith Beale, the cousin of Jackie Kennedy came from a well to do American family. The 1975 documentary depicts the life of socialites Little and Big Edie, who loved their summer cottage home in New York. The head scarves and the tied and draped silhouettes of Yellow Clover’s garments are reminiscent of the former debutante and her mother. Kent Stetson was able to carry out the vision of the collection perfectly by only attaining fabric swatches prior to the show, their collections truly coincide cohesively. Kent’s spin on the story of Grey Gardens was different then Sarah’s. There was an American flag handbag and a distressed bag with a removable Condemned sign. This is reminiscent of how the Beale’s went from rich to poor. Other handbags included the animals cat and raccoon and a red and white square picnic blanket with ants across the handbag. This collection gave you the inside look of the Beale’s nature environment around them and the unfortunate downfall of their finances.
Jonathan Joseph Peters
This runway show performance of Jonathan’s Spring 2015 collection was oriental-inspired. The neon colored hair extensions and traditional sandals, along with the garments gave each look a cohesive theme. Jonathan uses a combination of different silhouettes by incorporating draping methods, structured pleats, as well as a-symmetrical shift and sheath dresses. It is interesting to see patterns that incorporate the mixture of cool and warm color values. One of my favorite pieces was the orange top with radiating pleats that compliment the oriental fan paired with orange shorts. Another part of the collection I enjoyed was playing with the idea of outfits. It was not only couture and theatrical but without a marketable collection. I could see myself wearing each piece either day or night.
P H O T O G R A P H Y . B Y : Pa Kou Lee
T H E . T R E N D . R E P O R T
There were five main trends I noticed this season on the runway including collaborations, illusion of matching sets, jumpsuit, oriental inspired and leather details. Many Apparel Designs opted to collaborate with Accessory Designers or other designers. Some of these collaborations were Toni Spazano from Chances R Designs and from Bound by the Crown Couture. Artiss collaborated his swimsuits and clothing line with his personal sunglasses eye wear company Eight Optics and hair accessories by Crystal Palvides with PetalsNPearlsRI. Other collaborations included Julie Kontos and Race Grant, No My Style by Naomi Sauro and David-Max and finally my personal favorite Yellow Clover and Kent Stetson. There were many illusions on the runway this season. I noticed garments on the runway that appeared as though they were just a dress and in fact were a matching shirt and skirt. Toni Spazano and Carissa Lynn Designs along with other designers contributed to this trend. A popular garment choice on the runway was the pant romper. Battle Designs, Ask Fashion by Amanda oker, Caronah Cassel Johnson, and Shayln Webber all carried one panted romper statement piece in their collections. Two designers in particular made the oriental trend the complete theme of their collection. Shalyn Webber and Jonathan J Peters. Shalyn went the route of Japanese Geisha whereas Jonathan went the Japanese Kabuki route. Jonathan made the tradition white face makeup of Kabuki performers relevant in his collection, whereas Shalyn opted to use dramatic makeup excluding the white face. Finally Leather was seen on the runway in many ways. One piece rompers, jackets, bodices, and in small details. Toni Spazano, No My Style and Shalyn Webber. Collaborations, the illusion of matching sets, jumpsuits, oriental-inspired, and leather details were expressed tastefully by each designer.
I N . T H E . C R O W D
  |  In the audience this year I noticed that Yellow was a big color. I also participated in yellow on Wednesday night with a necklace by Apartment 9 and flower hair accessory by Crystal Palvides from the StyleWeek Accessories Showcase PetalsnPearlsRI. I met Deanna Cruz and she was sporting yellow strappy wedges by Michael Antonio. Another woman I met wore a Yellow Dress Amy Rudis. Check out her artwork on istagram @amyelizabeth816 & website. Even Pakou one of our photographer wore a pair of yellow stilettos. |
I N . T H E . E N D
| The after party of closing night was once again at 10 Steak and Sushi. This time there was a surprise in store. Across the street in a parking garage was the hottest party of the night. People who had not attended the Fashion Show of the night were attempting to get in. Lights and music along with killer pulled pork sandwiches and a cash bar. |  |
