Live from New York.. It's New York Fashion Week, The Recap

During Ready-to-Wear Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2013-2014, I am writing recaps of the shows from each city (aside from London) for the Vogue Paris Huffington Post UK blog. Keep a look out for Milan coming next week, read more posts from the Vogue Paris blog on Huffington Post UK Style and see all the shows for Fall/Winter 2013-2014 on Vogue.fr.

Today, I bring you New York Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2013-2014 and a look at some of my favorite shows from the Big Apple...

Marc Jacobs RTW Fall/Winter 2013-2014

After a black and white clear-cut collection for Spring/Summer 2013, Marc Jacobswanted to dive into the greyer areas of life for Fall/Winter 2013-2014. The designer showed a collection that mixed and matched the simple with the elegant and even the wild, as models walked the atypical catwalk in mohair sweaters and silky tops or glimmering sequins and fox furs over high-waisted hot pants.

Tommy Hilfiger RTW Fall/Winter 2013-2014

“Savile Row meets Ivy League” was the theme at Tommy Hilfiger Fall/Winter 2013-2014 as all types of prepster patterns took stage. In menswear suiting materials and English heritage fabrics, London tailored looks had an American feel as the schoolgirl style blended into a structured workingwoman’s ensemble.

Victoria Beckham RTW Fall/Winter 2013-2014

Victoria Beckham presented a standout collection at New York Fashion Week this season. While maintaining Posh Spice’s iconic sex appeal, models in menswear inspirations and longer lengths than usual had vibrant block colours and prints splashed over the dolman-sleeve tops that have been spotted across many runways for Fall/Winter 2013-2014.

Diane von Furstenberg RTW Fall/Winter 2013-2014

Models with fresh, pretty make-up, hair loose at their shoulders and smiling faces walked the catwalk for Diane von Furstenberg Fall/Winter 2013-2014. In suede, leopard print and bright colours Diane von Furstenberg reverted to her roots, paying homage to her famous wrap dress.

Prabal Gurung RTW Fall/Winter 2013-2014

The warrior women of Prabal Gurung’s Fall/Winter 2013-2014 collection were buckled head-to-toe with harnessed chests and legs wrapped in belts. Mixing and matching fabrics the designer presented a hardware heavy, military-inspired collection.

And a bonus collection that I particularly enjoyed...

J. Crew RTW Fall/Winter 2013-2014

Synonymous with American preppy staples, J. Crew designer Tom Mora found a way to add some eclecticism to the classic cuts. Inspired by a recent trip to Morocco, his collection of girly embellishments with boyish cuts for Fall/Winter 2013/2014 appeared in vibrant colours, Moroccan rug prints and sparkling arabesques.

See the entire review on the Huffington Post blog and keep an eye out for the Milan Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2013-2014 recap.

xx, Q.

[source: Vogue Paris, Style.com]

New York in Paris: A Pop-up Dinner

Well readers it's time for another Fashion Week season, kicking off with Men's Fashion Week. Don't be mislead though, I'm not covering the men's shows in this post, but the events surrounding them in Paris this week.

After their first highly successful and fashionista studded pop-up dinner in September during Paris Fashion Week with New York City restaurant The Fat Radish, the lovely Tara Gilson and Jenny Capano of the incredibly creative agency The Sporting Project are at it again. Hosting their second dinner series this week from Wednesday, January 16th to Sunday the 20th, TSP have invited the ultra-cool NYC West Village hideaway restaurant Hudson Clearwater to join the fashion foodie event. Chef Wes Long will serve a four course tasting menu at either the 7:30 pm seating or the 10:00 pm, while bartenders Nick and Jonathan fill our glasses until 2:00 am with their signature cocktails specially created for the event held at vegetarian hipster haven Bob's Kitchen in the Marais. Also on the event's program is live music, shipped in from the Big Apple as well.

Photo via Sporting 101

Bringing the New York dining experience to Paris, The Sporting Project makes sure to add a little bit of Paname into the mix, welcoming Parisian collaborators Terroirs d'Avenir, providing fresh produce for Chef Long's dishes, and La Dernière Goutte, contributing a selection of wine pairings.

I unfortunately missed last season's dinner, but I am booked and ready for the second installment. If you're interested in making a reservation, you should do so as soon as possible as all the seatings are almost full.

Reserve a table: reservations@thesportingproject.com


Hudson Clearwater at Bob's Kitchen
74 rue des Gravilliers, 75003


Follow The Sporting Project on Facebook and Twitter.

See you there.
xx, Q.

Tommy Hilfiger Spring/Summer 2013: Summer in the Hamptons

Tommy Hilfiger brought guests to the Chelsea Market in New York City for the presentation of their Spring/Summer 2013 collection, and seated them on a suspended footbridge with a view of the Hudson River. Lit with miner's lamps lightly blowing in the wind, the show had the perfect New York summer's end ambiance that made us feel like we were still on vacation, taking us back a couple weeks to sitting in the sand and enjoying the sun. The show began on a festive note with the hit song had us dancing all summer, I Follow Rivers by Lykke Li, and for Tommy Hilfiger, stripes will be the hit of next summer. We saw them in variations throughout the collection, appearing as mariner-striped shirts, pajama suits, uniforms and menswear-styled blouses in washed-out vintage colors characteristic of the preppy label. Continuing the nautical-chic effect, stripes were also found on menswear-styled suits, long evening dresses, cardigans, polos and blouses. The retro sportswear-inspired wardrobe will manifest next season in long backless dresses tied with gold braided rope and styled with espadrilles. This whimsical collection provokes a feeling of summer in the Hamptons with your closest friends, watching the August shooting stars while enjoying a beachfront bonfire. Tommy Hilfiger's fresh, summery and relaxed-chic wardrobe is already giving us spring fever.

By Jennifer Neyt, translated by Quinn Connors.

See the collection and details galleries on Vogue.fr in English.

Find more of My Vogue Translations on Pinterest.

xx, Q.

[source: vogue.fr]

Marc Jacobs Spring/Summer 2013: A Circus of Geometrics

While I continue to work on my articles for Paris Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2013 over the next few days, I will post my editorial translations from Vogue.fr of a few New York Fashion Week shows. French text by Jennifer Neyt, English translation by Quinn Connors.

"The main inspiration this season is the t-shirt," explained Marc Jacobs backstage at his Spring/Summer 2013 show. After a last whimsical season exploring dreamy, imaginary lands, the designer has returned to a more concrete idea of fashion, but that's not to say he didn't lose his illusionist's knack of surprising his audience, and injecting shock and awe where it's least expected. Compared to last year, the show's decor was more minimalist in appearance but in actuality, everything was a puzzling trompe-l'oeil. As the looks progressively popped up one by one, they were distorted and split by the distorting mirrors surrounding the runway, in a tricky game of reflections. The first look out was a white t-shirt with a black barcode printed on the front worn simply over black panties. T-shirts magically elongated into dresses with Bridget Riley-esque optical illusion prints sectioned off into stripes, checks and houndstooth, catching the eye and altering perceptions. Skirts were worn below the knee and paired with cropped tops showing off models' navels. A Mickey Mouse black and white sweatshirt passed by, in a nod to the designer who spoke backstage about his favorite childhood Mickey t-shirt. The prim and proper models wore flat, pointed Mary Janes  that curled at the tip ever so slightly, and delicate floral shapes blossomed on cuffs and ruffled around their necks in a very jester-meets-mime spirit. In the Marc Jacobs circus, all of the garment details accentuated the theatrical side of the center ring event, and the optical effects were even more mesmerizing on the evening dresses. Patterns gradually morphed from bodices into skirts in a gradient effect of checks and stripes, and trompe-l'oeils were present even in the cutting, as an awe-inspiring evening dress rippled down the runway with a skirt cut into strips that cleverly blended into the striped motif of the dress. During the finale, the models returned from the mirrors in a geometric formation, plunging the audience deeper into the designer's contemporary retro vision of the season.

See the review with the collection, backstage, details and front row galleries on Vogue.fr in English.

See more of My Vogue Translations on Pinterest.

xx, Q.

[source: vogue.fr]

Let me explain...

My dear readers,

I'm sorry for the major hiatus and that I've fallen off of the face of Quinntessential Style, BUT! I have been working all summer for Condé Nast Digital here in Paris, on the Vogue Paris website in English.

If you'd like to see what I've been translating, and follow my work you can do so on the Vogue.fr in English site of course, or by checking out my 'My Vogue Translations' board on Pinterest.

As Fashion Week has come around once again, I plan to set aside some time to catch you up on some of the amazing shows I saw last season (and show you what you should be wearing this fall!) and to set aside some time to start adding some Fashion Week footage.

Also, I can't wait to share the images from "when I got married" in the Gourmandise et Douceur de Vivre à la Française bridal photo shoot for The Wedding Tea Room blog. Check out Fréd's (the author) post about the shoot on her great wedding blog.
In the meantime, I'll leave you with a sneak-peek shot from the shoot...

Credit: Noel Fouque

My job is fantastic and I'd love to share my work with you, so pretty please check out my translations and Vogue.fr in English - the site only just launched less than six months ago! - especially as we continue to cover the Fashion Weeks from New York to London to Milan to Paris.

Happy Fashion Weeks.

Bisous.
xx, Q.

Fashion, Music, Food, and Fun at Galerie Simone: A Multisensory Event

Galerie Simone every last weekend of the month holds an event blending fashion and contemporary music. New creatives, young designers, musicians, DJs, performers come to present their latest creations and to awaken this unique space, transforming it into a lively place of festive and creative exchanges. This all encompassing event is one of quality as much as one of swarming ideas and gourmandises with its finger food bar allowing attendees to comfortably settle down for a bite.

So, pass by the gallery to try on new and original fashions, discover the latest accessory creations, taste some pâtisserie, listen to a concert. It's a multisensory experience that cannot be missed.

Les Exposants

Andrea Crews - www.andreacrews.com

Lena Klax - www.lenaklax.com

Ysterike - www.ysterike.com

Hirschell - www.hirschell.fr

Noise - http://cargocollective.com/noisecreation

Les queues de sardines - www.les-queues-de-sardines.com

Margounnette - www.margounnette.com

Simeon Farrar - http://simeonfarrar.com/

Kalyss Color - http://kalyss-creations-cosmopolites.blogspot.com/

June Shop - www.juneshop.net

Maiky Bulles - www.facebook.com/pages/maiky-bulles/220386808003444

Matt Tiger Balm - www.facebook.com/tigerbalm.matt

Bottes Georges (Georgy) - www.facebook.com/pages/Georges-Georgy/332085873480121

Celinie Watkin - www.parurehumainecw.com

What Size - www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002329257982

Lord SM - www.lordsm-by-solennemenger.com/

Michel Morellini - www.galerie-simone.com/michel-morellini/

Beijos - www.beijos.fr

Clara DS - www.clarads.com

Manfred Millicent - www.facebook.com/ManfredMillicent?sk=wall&filter=12

Laure Mory Bijoux - www.lauremorybijoux.com/

And my favorite:

Clara Jasmine - www.facebook.com/pages/Clara-Jasmine-Bijoux/103744579717440    http://www.clarajasmine.com

Check back for my interview with Clara coming this week!

Galerie Simone, 77 rue Charlot, 75003 Paris

Friday 27 April 2012 14h - 20h, Saturday 28 April 2012 11h - 20h, Sunday 29 April 2012 11h - 18h

See you there!

xx, Q.

Les Filles de la Revolution: Moon Young Hee Fall 2012

Moon Young Hee - 28 February 2012 - Shangri-La Hotel, Paris

Korean designer, Moon Young Hee, presented a slouchy collection of disheveled filles de la revolution February 28, 2012 at the lavish Shangri-La Hotel in Paris. First out were somber, black coats and full length dresses that later lightened up with more feminine fabrics in violet, champagne, olive, and pumpkin. As the French Revolution menswear-inspired collection morphed on the runway to include a more feminine feel, the designer kept the androgyny in her fall/winter looks with an unchanging march of black berets and combat boots. My favorite pieces appeared toward the end in the layered, oversized robe lapels of silky fabrics and muted colors paired with chiffon wrap blouses and loose-fit pants.

Fabrics: satin, silk, chiffon, cotton, jersey

Colors: monochromatic and muted; black, navy, white, violet, champagne, olive, pumpkin, slate

Inspiration/Themes: French Revolution; oversized menswear; long lengths; slouchy, draped fabric gathered in the center - knotted, belted, scrunched

Highlights: pointed shoulders, long coats and robes, layered array of fabrics, sheer loose-fit pants, berets, gloves, combat boots

View more photos from the show here or watch the final run here.

xx, Q.
[credit: Elle]

Pi Day is My Day

... and by that I mean, my day of birth! Happy Birthday to me. Below is my planned outfit for my birthday dinner out with girlfriends to Au Passage. I've also added some birthday picture cheer as well.

I'd also like to wish a Happy Birthday to my fellow birthday buddy, Albert Einstein!

Teal Sheer Dress Zara, Cream Crochet Snap Sweater Zara, Brown Riding Boots Jonak, Rose Gold Watch Michael Kors, Aquamarine (March birthstone) Rings Soixante-neuf

xx, Q.

[source: tumblr, mario leko, coco+kelley, Otto L. Bettmann, someecards, the light fantastic]

Bienvenue, #PFW

Wake up Paris... It's Fashion Week!

It's the most wonderful time of the year... Paris Fashion Week Ready-to-Wear Fall/Winter 2012! Which means the whirlwind of show hopping, street styling, and looking your utmost fabulous has begun. Be sure to check back for posts on shows, what I wore, and other fashion fun. But if you just can't wait until then, you can always follow me on Twitter or Facebook for live updates while I'm at the shows!

Interested in what shows I'll be attending? Checkout my new 'Agenda' tab at the top for my calendar of Quinntessential events.

Today, my fashion week begins with Moon Young Hee 14h, Corrado de Biase 16h, Aganovich 19h, and Steffie Christiaens 21h.

I'm ready for a full, but fantastic week! See you on the other side...
xx, Q.

Follow @Quinntessences



[credit: picship]

Young, Talented, and Schizophrenic: Podium Jeunes Stylistes

Shuko Inaba's glowing gown

As a goodbye to Haute Couture, and a hello to Prêt-à-Porter, Podium Stylistes hosted its third annual Podium Jeunes Stylistes competition at The Westin in Paris. Chosen from nearly 200 applicants, 15 designers were given 100 days, one theme, and required material to create one ready-to-wear and two couture looks. Podium Stylistes asked the competing designers to “dissect their [minds]” for this year’s theme, schizophrenia, “not in the sense of having a double personality, but rather in losing contact with their current mindset of being ‘young designers’. They have to reach the absolute limit of their reasoning.” These young designers were also given a base fabric of silk crepe, which was to be incorporated into their looks. Not surprisingly, we saw many designs alluding to mental institutions with sterile white garments and straightjacket like belting, but those who dug deeper into the theme, presented collections that were the hallmarks of the show. 

Paul May's intricate cape

For me, three designers ruled the show: Shuko Inaba, Paul May Levanho, and Lou de Testa. Shuko Inaba sent out two quirky couture looks accessorized with multicolored, multi-sized balls that lit up, playing with the phrase “losing one’s marbles” in her designs. The hooded first look suggested a sac of marbles that hung from the model’s head. Inaba closed the show with her second couture look, which lit up with balls that rolled down the back of the gown and gathered in its train.

Paul May, winner of the Jury’s Honorary Prize, not only stood out by risking a menswear collection, but also by creating incredibly ornate coats. Backstage, before the show, Melissa from Prête-Moi-Paris and I had marveled at the beautiful coats with their intricate detailing. After the show, we spoke with May who explained how he had cut the lattice design he used in the sleeves of his final look. With his talent for detail and his ability to take great risks, he is a young designer to keep an eye on.

Lou de Testa's show stopping couture

Lou de Testa won the grand prize as Best Young Designer of the Year. The 24 year old Paris native was rewarded with a full scholarship to attend Paris Factory Mode & Design at ESCP Europe “a brand new Masters in fashion and business sponsored by Podium and the prestigious Paris business school”, and the exhibition of her outfits at the Apparelsourcing Paris trade show, giving her “a real boost… to make [herself] known to the general public and fashion professionals in Paris and beyond”. Lou drew her inspiration from owls and their schizophrenic temperaments– the passive observer and the aggressive predator. “[Developing] duality in every aspect of the clothes”, Lou created constricted yet flowing shapes, used lively yet somber colors, and mélanged sharp and soft materials. Contrasting sharp and soft with the use of feathers in each of her garments, she constructed metallic feathers, fashioned like armor and combined them with soft, blustery ostrich feathers. Melissa and I were able to speak with Lou before the show, and I was highly impressed with her different take on schizophrenia. The designer looked past the obvious and created spectacular, true couture looks that stole the show. My choice for the winning designer was confirmed when the judges announced Lou as the Best Young Designer of the Year. Congratulations to Lou, she has a great vision and fantastic creativity.

UPDATE 28/02/2012: If you're in Paris, you are able to see Lou's designs on display now at The Westin Paris -Vendôme 3, rue de Castiglione, 1er. You have no reason not to!

Check out more photos from behind the scenes here: 

Podium Jeunes Stylistes

For videos on the designers subscribe to Podium Jeunes Stylistes YouTube channelStay updated and follow Podium on Facebook
xx, Q.

Set Fire To The Runway: On Aura Tout Vu S/S 2012

Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week was set aflame as the phoenix of On Aura Tout Vu rose from the ashes and descended upon us at Garage Turenne. On January 25, 2012, the Bulgarian designer duo Livia S. Stoianova and Yassen Samouilov presented their Spring-Summer Couture 2012 collection, 'High Light Fire'. The collection transcended its theme and heated the audience with incredible energy. Models were the quinntessential femmes fatales in garments blazing with blue, orange, and red flames, gleaming with thousands of Swarovski Elements crystals, and sizzling with high-drama silhouettes. We were lit up, watching a model gracefully walk the runway in a dress reminiscent of a billow of smoke, but we were dazzled when the next dress emerged from backstage literally billowing smoke. At this moment, the magnificence and genius of this collection was unmistakable. The model, also fully aware, broke character, and gave a gracious nod and humble smile knowing she was wearing an epic garment. Applause joined the epic soundtrack and then became cheers, giving me chills and highlighting the chaleureux mood of the show. 

Me and Camille at the after party
Credit: Ko Kok

When asked about the theme, 'High Light Fire', Samouilov explained the collection "is a reaction to the idea of the crisis... when all values go up in smoke. The crisis will end up coming... we need to set a fire then, so that things move... and that everyone does so at their own level." The duo told Le Monde, "the old world is a blaze, but we can rise from the ashes".

See pictures from the show and after party after the jump.

So British

The British Invasion is reoccurring. This time invading fashion in France.

Everywhere you look in Paris, English fashions seem to popup. From H&M's fall collection straight from Carnaby Street during the 1960's to Le Bon Marché's new exhibit, So London, the UK is taking center stage.

On Saturday, for probably our last beautiful summer day in Paris, I decided to profiter and spend my day wandering. Sure enough I found myself acquainted with the Union Jack as I passed shop after shop. Inspired, I eventually drifted towards the So London exhibit. From top to bottom, customers were greeted by cutout men in bowler hats and suits sporting umbrellas and newspapers. Each floor exhibited a mixture of british dandy and punk rocker styles featuring UK designers like Burberry, Stella McCartney, and Alexander McQueen; as well as newer to the scene Charlotte Olympia GORGEOUS shoes and singer Lilly Allen's Lucy In Disguise.

My favorite room was the British wonderland setup on the third floor with display after display of luxurious UK goods from clothing to teacups to Royal Wedding hat influenced headbands. Here I found the platformed and catted-out pumps of Charlotte Olympia. The half british, half brazilian designer takes inspiration from the hollywood glamour of the 1940's and incorporates it into her flashy, standout shoes. My favorite design of hers was the Tessa red velvet 6 inch super wedge, not just because I adore incredibly high wedges, but because of the clever black stitched cat's face on the front of the shoe. Of course, I would have bought them in an instant... if I could afford 714€ shoes. Ah, one of these days.

Tessa red velvet super wedge

On display next to the Charlotte Olympia dream shoes were london based Paperself false eyelashes. I was a little excited and felt very en vogue because Christina actually gifted me a set for my birthday this year. These Jianzhi-inspired falsies come in 11 different patterns, each with a symbolic meaning within the Chinese culture. Mine are the Deer & Butterfly pattern - which I intend on wearing at some point to a show during fashion week - and symbolize freedom, beauty, and sensitivity. Thank you, Tina!

Lucy In Disguise

Throughout the third floor exhibit, pieces from Lucy In Disguise by Lilly Allen and her sister, Sarah Owen delicately waited to be noticed - which did not take long at all. Exclusively being sold at Le Bon Marché, the first collection visits the 20's, 30's, and 70's beautifully blending their styles in with those of 2011. Perusing through the pieces felt like turning the pages of a century-old book. Each one I handled with the highest care, not because they were overly delicate, but because the silks and lace deserved the respect. My favorite piece from the collection was a cap sleeved short cream lace dress that I unfortunately did not photograph and now cannot find it online. If you happen to find a photograph of this dress, please send it my way!

If you're in Paris, definitely stop by So London. Besides the third floor wonderland, there is the cultural exhibit featuring Bryan Ferry of Roxy Music and an exposé of Kate Moss photographs within a So London café.

View more photographs from the exhibit. 

Le Bon Marché, 24 Rue de Sèvres - 75007 Paris, until October 15, 2011.

Cheerio.

xx, Q.