Saturday, June 08, 2013

Ulyana Sergeenko Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2013

I'm pretty sure this is my favourite collection of all time. I don't like to use those words lightly, but when a collection send shivers up my spine every time I look at it, there's something there.
I recently discovered Ulyana Sergeenko through a co-worker but the 32-year-old, a Russian couture shopper turned designer quickly captured my heart. The designer first became known in industry circles when her theatrical, Soviet-inspired style—dressed to the nines outside every fashion show, much to the delight of photographers—landed her on every street-style blog.

Sergeenko was part of the new wave of beautiful, superstylish Russians omnipresent on the fashion scene. Born in Kazakhstan when it was still part of the USSR, she moved with her father, who owned a ceramics factory, and her mother, an English teacher, to St. Petersburg after the fall of the Soviet Union. Her fashion training started as a young girl, but more out of necessity than frivolity as children were required to learn to sew their own clothes.

Flash forward, as an adult in Moscow she would often ask designers to make her ensembles, but when they wound up in their collections without due credit, she grew frustrated. She figured, If you can't beat 'em, join 'em. Two years ago, she launched a namesake couture label. She quickly became a sensation in her new hometown of Moscow, which is where her atelier and team of 65 are located. In July 2012, she started presenting during the couture in Paris.


Her Spring & Summer Couture 2013 collection is by far my favourite so far. Now for some eye candy <3







Elegant interpretation of a bustle back dress


Sunglasses with a crochet appliqué to them, I absolutely NEED these in my life.

The raw edges some how work with this, I love bits of purposely introduced 'imperfections' in couture collections

 Can you see the intricate detailing on from what looks like such a simple blouse from afar?

Beautiful take on a 'peasant boy' type look, and I love the use of this sleeve throughout the collection

 Peplums, corsetry & puff sleeves <3

 For some reason whenever I think of this collection this piece is the first that jumps to my mind. It's not my favourite nor do I think its the most extravagant but for some reason its just stuck with me


The playful jumpsuits add a certain innocence and light heartedness to this collection keeping it elegant but fun.

The bags are to die for.

 Loving the Edwardian inspiration of this piece, some of my favourite detailing and a choice of fabric I wouldn't have thought could look so amazing,

Tee hee, j'adore <3


 A use of sheer & nudity that looks so chic and classy it could rival the work of YSL. Yeah, I said it.


 Beautiful millinery, is there anything Sergeenko cannot do?

A woman's back is one of my favourite features to highlight so I appreciate all of the beautiful back detailing this collection has to offer whether flesh is exposed or not.

What I would consider the most wearable look of this collection, and I want it.

There's those glasses again <3

 And of course extravagant use of velvet!

 Beautiful velvet shorts with gold embroidery, I'm relatively certain this designer and I are soul sisters.

 One of my favourite looks

These bags are just so delightful

There's that beautiful button detailing again and the colour pallet of this collection is just perfect


Images and full collection from here. Although I included almost all of it as it was incredibly difficult to edit any thing out, I love it all.

xoxox

Monday, June 03, 2013

Blanche MacDonald Spring Fashion Showcase

Well after one of the most incredible years, both good & bad, I've finally completed my diploma of Fashion Design from Blanche MacDonald Centre. Looking back on it all makes me feel a little sad I wasn't able to regularly maintain this blog. Although part of me can't even put into words all the amazing experiences I've been through and the amount I've learned and grown as a person.

Friday May 24th was our graduation runway show. Held at Blanche MacDonald's Curlique campus was a beautiful showcase of 5 incredibly talented up and coming young designers. The show was a delight and everything I could have asked for, I was even lucky enough to have my garments photographed by the school and displayed on the front side of the show program. Fellow designer & grad Nikita Coles was featured on the reverse side.



Jacket by NYXI Designs

It was a beautiful evening and I'm incredibly thankful to all my friends & family who made it out to see my work up close and personal for the first time. Also the free cupcakes and wine was a delicious bonus!

The five of us pictured with program directors Peggy Morrison & Donna Baldock.
From left to right: Peggy, Myself, Sharon Zhang, Daniela Reiser, Nikita Coles, Sheryl Decterow & Donna

Very quickly after the show I had a request from fellow Blanche alumni, designer & stylist Anna Talbot to pull my gowns for a photoshoot with photographer Johnny Se. Being in a bit of a half daze from the excitement night before (and perhaps a bit hung over) I agreed without question. Little did I expect the gorgeous results the shoot would provide. Huge props goes out to Anna and her team, I couldn't have asked for anything more perfect.

 Iseult Gown - Ivory chiffon layered of nude silk charmeuse with gathered shoulders & hand-linked chainmail over-piece

Morgana Le Fay Gown - Chiffon & silk velvet bodice with lace appliqué & layered tulle skirt

Model: Emily Rose (Numa Models)
Photographer: Johnny Se 
Makeup & Hair: Sara Vande Vyver
Stylist: Anna Talbot

The rest of the photos from the shoot can be seen here or on my Facebook page.

The support post-grad has been almost overwhelming and it begs the question, "what now?" I feel as if I've spent the last two years of my life striving just to reach this point and haven't put nearly as much thought or time into figuring out what to do once it all came to an end. I'm no longer a 'fashion design student' and now need to figure out what my new title and new goals are going to be. There are a few ideas running through my mind right now and I have started another project, which I will post about soon. However, I still ultimately have a long way to go, but its the journey not the destination right?

xoxox


 

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