Rad Hourani

source: dazeddigital

The Jordanian born, 26 year-old, self-taught, Montreal based designer, Rad Hourani saved the reputation of New York Fashion Week in my eyes.

Hourani previously showed his collections in Paris, but his latest collection was presented in NYC already.
After his AW'08 show, he was chosen one of the "Top 10 New Designers" nominees of style.com, and I think he confirmed this position with his AW'09 collection as well.

Rad Hourani's style is not seasonal, his hard-edged, androgynous creations are for any time, for any occasion. He is more like a stylist in some ways. He's inspired by everything around him, and his feelings, his inner world is shown on every single piece of his clothing. He designs for himself first of all, with incredible sense of style.

He says of his designs:

"They are asexual, aseasonal, they come from no place, no time no tradition, yet they could be home anywhere, any time. They exude a sense of discreet chic, the essence of timeless style, drawn on a monochromatic and graphical canvas... sophisticated modern classics for anti-conformist individuals."

source: coutequecoute

His latest AW'09 collection showed us a more shiny face of his, than he did ever before. Lots of sequins on all-black outfits. Lots of leather applications, and subtle detailing.

And first of all spellbinding styling. Hourani's collections constitute a strong unit, which always developes, and is never the same.

Regards, Miska

Eastern Promises

Like the aroma of the purest snow, the taste of the cleanest air, the brightest ray in a gloomy forest. Timeless charm, an unlimited room, antagonism. Extremities fused in a whole. Vital power tinged with melancholy. Every determining trait of our Eastern-European soul.

Photo – Bruna Kazinoti

The time has come to put our region on the map of fashion, and the compass points at a new promising talent, Olah Gyarfas, designer of Rozalb de Mura, the only three year old, Romanian menswear brand.

The theme of his spring '09 collection was "The Drums of War Will Thunder Once Again". Actually I want to feel that rhytm many more times, I want to see fashion rising from its ashes among the Kárpát-mountains.

Olah's creations have a timeless, almost unearthly aura, a unique marriage of minimalistic, razor-sharp shapes and soft fabrics. He uses traditional Transylvanian details, and robot-warrior styles in an effortlessly natural, and very chic way.

His silhouettes remind me of Hedi Slimane's revoultionary Dior Homme creations, but Olah Gyarfas transformed them into his visions, and produced an every-bit individual way of menswear.

I got enslaved by his mysteriously platonic designs, and can't wait to see his winter collection, presented a few hours before in London.

Forward Eastern-Europe!

Regards, Miska

Giuliano Fujiwara AD S/S09

Photographer - Emilio Tini
Model - Josh Beech

I thought Josh Beech is just a fluker, so far. None of his former editorials were special in my eyes. But I have to say, he convinced me with these magnificent Fujiwara campaign pictures, even I couldn't do a better job.

The only word in my mind is, perfection.

Christopher Kane Fall 2009

First time I saw Kane's dresses at "Fashion Rocks 2007", while the wonderful Beth Ditto and The Gossip performed their song "Your Mangled Heart". She wore a sparkling purple dress made by the designer, and looked amazing, even more then some of the models catwalking behind her.

Everything I saw from him so far were precisely created precious gems.

The shapes and cuts are classic, but there's always something revolutionary, which gives a special edge to these trademark short dresses.

This recent collection was all about optical contrast. Heavy tops and breath-light skirts in the beginning. Then the stripes and waves ruled the outfits. Opposite geometrical patterns, and different materials were matched perfectly on his runway. Keep on Christopher!

Regards, Miska

source: style.com

Central Saint Martins Fall 2009

Everything, I missed from the New York shows was there at this marathon-length presentation of the graduate students of Central Saint Martins.
No references, no '80s retrovibe, but full of fresh ideas decent shapes and styling.

Asymmetry, variaton of lengths in menswear, strong shoulder-lines, techno-materials. catchy colour-combinations. Some collections were extravagantly futuristic, some were pure chic, some were playfully new.

Don't understand, why style.com didn't mentoined the designers names. Most of them are to memorize immediately.

I wish good luck for all these young talents! If you are the future, I can't wait!

Regards, Miska

source: style.com

- Affix -

Found some of the designer's names on DazedDigital, tadah!: Laura Mackness, Matteo Bigglardi, Oden Wilson and Chary Westberg.

News: here's the link to the youtube video of the show (can't embed it...):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QalXD2d-L9E&

Vital Statues

Prada Menswear AD SS09

Photos - Hedi Slimane

Models - Louis Simonon and Claude Simonon

Love the shapes, the lights and shadows, the structures, the background, and even the clothes (after last seasons horror, i need time to find my lost trust in Prada).

Hedi Slimane is a genius. I wish it was me in these photos. Maybe my moment will come, once.

Neutral

It's over. Nothing memorable, like it just didn't happen.
I've never been a fan of the New York based fashion designers. Their work is really practical and wearable, but mostly nothing special. But this season was even less, than nothing.

source: models.com

What I felt while watching the shows? Recession, but not in the financial way, it was about the lack of anything new, or remarkable.

There were a few shows, with the same old standards, nothing revolutionary, but at least quality stuff. I liked the all black styling at Calvin Klein. But I disliked all the references to the '80s style. I don't understand Marc Jacob's decisions about the clothes and the styling.

The only collection, that I quite like, was Rodarte's 'Balenciaga-clone' presentation... actually the only reason why I liked it, is because I'm in love with the futuristic style of Balenciaga, so I don't know if it's a compliment or not.

Whatever, everyone says, this is going to be a tough year. Hoping for a better continuation. I have all my belief in London and Paris.

In summary, I expected much more fizzle, after such big changes in the US.

Now all my attention is on Europe. London may go hard!

xx Miska

New York, I Love You, But You're Bringing Me Down

Eighties everywhere...


(more to follow)
Miska

New Beginning

After a great night at 'Instant' (newest hotspot of Budapest), with my very best friend, who just came back from Paris, I decided to start something with this blog.

One week's left of my vacation, until the next semester starts at the university. So I need to use this time for collecting some inspirations (and have some rest after the exams).

I had this idea about blogging for a long time, but I was always too lazy. By now.

I realized, that I'm not going to be younger or skinnier, and really think I could be good at writing.

There are so many great blogs, mostly about fashion I read... why not start my own?! (The only problem is about my grammar, but decided to publish my posts in English... it's my exhibitionism.)

As long as I don't have any audience, I will introduce myself, my style, my visions... it's a new challenge for me, but I'm very enthusiastic about it!

Until then,

xx Miska