Runway | La Mode Dimitri

Barbados International Fashion Festival

by Barrio Dimitri on May 4, 2012 • No Comments

The fashion industry that exists in Barbados has been in need of evolution and growth for quite some time. The resources that designers wanted were never there, and opportunities of exposure for writers like myself, were never accessible. Nonetheless, I’m grateful that so many others are beginning to endorse fashion and style on a much higher level, and we are beginning to see more ‘stylewise’ people among us. Last weekend, I had the opportunity to attend The Barbados International Fashion Festival, which brought together designers, stylists, models, and writers from several parts around the world. From the amazing runway set, to the cool DJ standing in the centre and pumping a spew of great music, the entire event came off well.

Runway

Kanye West | Paris Fashion Week Fall 2012

by Barrio Dimitri on Mar 6, 2012 • 1 Comment

Apart from the slightly hideous Margiela meets Star Trek boots which kept coming repeatedly throughout the show, I must say that Kanye West surely came back to the runways in Paris with a much better collection than his last. After presenting his Spring/Summer 2012 womenswear collection last year in Paris, which was filled with oversized clothes and for a lack of better words, ugly pieces, he returned to Paris bringing this time around, a more tasteful collection. Seemingly taking a page from the book of Riccardo Tisci of Givenchy, West’s collection was filled with tones of black, leather, fur and tailored pieces, delivering the KW woman for fall; a sexy lady with a touch of edge and feminine class. Early in the show, mishaps began when the belt of a model wearing an all black leather ensemble, decided that it didn’t want to stay on. Jackets came with buckles in biker style, while mini skirts came with little mullet-like bottoms. A body fitting dress served up with a crocodile skin panel and sheer sides caught my eye, as well as an oversized leather jumper and an all neutral look with an unusually looking hat. A few dresses carried velvet-like patterns, while a jumper was completely covered in embellishments and a fur bag popped up once again. I don’t know how much of us fashion writers it will take for Kanye West to either get some serious help or pack his bags and leave the fashion industry, but I hope he gets the message soon. The only obvious elements greater about this collection than the last, were its cut and fit. And I can’t agree more with Luke Leitch from Telegraph.co.uk, who thinks that Kanye should, “show in New York, where there are fewer of us professionally hyper-critical Eurotrash lurking.” Overall though, I must reiterate how much I prefer this collection to his last, and how great it is, to see him step up his game. Check out the show photos after the jump.

Runway

Jean Paul Gaultier | Paris Fashion Week Fall 2012

by Barrio Dimitri on Mar 5, 2012 • No Comments

You guys must know by now that I seldom post runway reviews, unless I really enjoyed the show and the collection stands out from the rest for me. I can most certainly say this about Jean Paul Gaultier’s latest collection, which was filled with pop, funk and color.From the moment fashion was introduced to me, Jean Paul Gaultier was always a name that I knew. No one can deny that he’s grown to be an icon in the industry, at the helm of French fashion at it’s best.

The Jean Paul Gaultier woman for Fall/Winter 2012, was outfitted in great deal of color, graffiti splattered pieces, and with pops of fur here and there. The classic trench was present, with a reworked look that including a combination leather sleeve, and a fur collar. His signature suits came with loose-fitting trousers that were turned up at the hem, and jackets that were tailored to perfection. There was a major show of leather, from perfectly detailed biker jackets, to leather dresses, both short and medium in length. The real rush of color came when gorgeous pieces like dresses and jumpsuits, covered in graffiti, came down the runway layered underneath stunning outerwear boasting lovely color. The slip of python also caught my attention, while I the thought in mind that python has been quite huge this season; but this was still not the end.

An array of multicolored fur pieces sauntered down the runway, followed by a spew of shimmering fabrics then sequin embellished dresses and a lace look worn by Iris Strubegger that for me stole the show. The hair caught the attention of most, with its gradient colored look that screamed a high level of youthfulness and of course change for the label. Overall, the show was good of course, but didn’t seem to have great direction. Being here, there and everywhere is definitely not something one would expect from Gaultier; nevertheless, it was fun to see. Make sure you check out the show photos after the jump.

Runway

Why I LOVE Balenciaga S/S 2012

by Barrio Dimitri on Feb 29, 2012 • 1 Comment

Shopping has already begun for the highly anticipated Spring/Summer 2012 season. Trend reports are rolling out, and after a ton of AMAZING collections walked the runway, featuring bold colour and a great deal of prints, fashion lovers around the world are ready to rock the most amazing pieces on the street, for the upcoming season. Balenciaga Spring/Summer 2012 was always a favourite of mine from the moment it was showcased in Paris; furthermore capturing my attention while worn by Anna Dello Russo. Apart from a few benches failing, the collection definitely made up for the lost and was an instant winner, with its rigid, strong silhouettes and edgy yet playful designs. Carrying an overall couture appeal, alike that of a few other season collections, the accessories that clad models hands, to the shoes, the bags and beautifully vast hats all screamed perfection! Nicolas Ghesquière surely knows how to pull together a major collection, even after pulling inspiration from the 1967 Balenciaga bride. Nothing beats greatness, and in my opinion, this collection is definitely one to be called great.

Runway

Todd Lynn | London Fashion Week Fall 2012

by Barrio Dimitri on Feb 20, 2012 • No Comments

Just a day ago, design master-mind and one of my current favorites, Todd Lynn, showcased his Fall 2012 womenswear collection in London. Without one doubt in my mind, I’m ready to knight this collection as my all-time favorite this season, as it boasts an overall simplistic look, and features an amazing array of strong suiting, perfect drapery, a bit of color and my favorite of all for fall… fur! I knew that London Fashion Week would have been as inspiring to me as it always is, since it brings a great variety of innovative designers, who bring nothing but authentic style and fresh ideas to the runway. The suits at Todd Lynn were stunning in cut and look, while the leather cut pieces were done, showing his great attention to detail. A few outfits were gorgeously topped off by the addition of a Jacquard finished fabric, that came in a nice ocher brown. The shoes made every look complete, with their fierce and striking touch of velvet. My favorite look of the show, would have to be the burnt orange top, which was accentuated with a fur shawl and completed by a lovely pair of pants, in the Jacquard fabric that I mentioned before, all creating an effortlessly perfect fall look. The strong yet minimal grey jackets, which easily turned to dresses, also caught my eye. This collection is definitely one to stand out, and although it didn’t move to far away from Lynn’s usual vein, it was definitely a stunning and strong collection. Check out the show photos after the jump.

Runway

Paul Smith | London Fashion Week Fall 2012

by Barrio Dimitri on Feb 20, 2012 • No Comments

Fall seems to be the new spring, I’ve been seeing so much great prints, patterns and color, unlike the conventional blacks and greys. Paul Smith Fall 2012 proved to be another great collection, after it sauntered down the runway yesterday at London Fashion Week. Lots of tailoring and gorgeous silhouettes made the collection complete, and with edgy dying techniques, prints and velvet added to the boom of the collection. Apart from the Todd Lynn show which I’d be posting a little later today, Paul Smith is definitely one of my favourites. Check out the show photos after the jump.

Runway

Falling in Love Again | Marc Jacobs

by Barrio Dimitri on Feb 14, 2012 • No Comments

Excuse me for being such a “bad blogger,” but during the last few days it feels like so much has happened, and the majority of things went wrong. New York Fashion Week, which ends in two days should have been the highlight of my week; however, I have been incredibly uninspired and I really don’t know how much boring this fall can get. I was specially invited to a few great shows, like Katya Leonovich and Mathieu Mirano to name a few, but last night, I was automatically made happy, since the Marc Jacobs Fall 2012 collection was about to saunter down the runway. Now I don’t know about you, but I’ve got this undying love for all things that have Marc’s name attached to it, and in addition, they all just seem to inspire me. The womenswear collection last night was nothing but pure awesomeness, and brought an electrifying hype through a series of unconventional looks. Marc, being inspired by two outrageous icons, Lynn Yaeger and Anna Piaggi, delivered a collection of mad color, filled with bold mink hats, perfect wool coats, patchwork skirts over cropped pants, and big-buckled pilgrim-like shoes. Backed by an off-white broken castle – which decorated the already large runway space – models like Lindsey Wixson and Joan Smalls carried looks which were highlighted by stunning colors, as well as prints and patterns, like paisley.

Now, although I thought life would have been such a drag without my computer, I actually feel at peace, reading and writing more, and periodically checking in on my ‘social life,’ with my iPad or phone. I have a feeling that God is somehow teaching me a lesson, and showing me how much I can be productive without my laptop, rather than being in front of its bright, ~~eye-damaging~~ screen, 24 hours a day. Anyway, lookout for some cool posts this week, and also take a look at the Marc Jacobs show photos after the jump!