Zerotwonine

New York is an eclectic city, a myriad of sights and sounds in constant battle for your attention.

New York Fashion Week only amplifies an already superlative-overloaded metropolis.

Who was there in the middle of it, soaking up the fashionable ambience? Why 029, naturally.

029’s runway-worthy Isabelle and the ever fashion-forward Christian accompanied a group of Manhattan and Fashion Week virgins (yes, they exist) to the Big Apple for a feast of fashion amidst the hustle and bustle of Fashion Week.

While our posse wasn’t rubbing shoulders with Anna Wintour, yet, we enjoyed our fair share of runway shows, shopping excursions and happening nightlife.

Our home base was the swanky and sexy W New York Times Square. 

A fashion statement in itself, the W is the ideal location to be in the middle of it all whilst still being able to retreat into the confines of your state-of-the-art and sophisticated hotel.

On Sunday, the group was chauffeured around Manhattan to some of the best shopping districts the city has to offer. 

SoHo and the Meatpacking District are home to some fashion heavyweight brands with their grandiose flagship stores and up-and-coming designers of tomorrow with their funky, hole-in-the-wall boutiques. Our group indulged in one-of-a-kind pieces, statement making accessories and recession-friendly wardrobe staples. Then it was time to get dolled up. 

A team of makeup artists and hairstylists came to the hotel to improve what nature had already given us. Then we stepped into our limo on our way to the Couture Fashion Week shows at the famed Waldorf-Astoria hotel. There we watched designers such as Sydney-based designer Cristina Nitopi, Peruvian-born designer Luis Machicao and US-designer Edwing d’Angelo sent their unique collections down the runway. 

The next day it was time for us to model the clothes, not on the runway, but in a fully stocked stylist’s showroom where we received styling tips and free clothes! Imagine a group a females letting loose amongst racks and racks of clothes, shoes and accessories - a sight to be seen.

Tuesday was the main event; we were off to Nolcha Fashion Week, the place for independent and emerging fashion designers from around the world to showcase their talents. Since our seats were front row, we had to make sure we were just as camera ready as the models (those front row guests ALWAYS end up in photos). A team of professional stylists once again came to the W Hotel to get us all ready for our close ups.

Nolcha Fashion Week took place downtown on Broadway and our group enjoyed backstage access to meet with the designers and take photos with the models. And it was hectic, shoes and clothes strewn about, models hair being pulled, teased and coerced into the perfect style and make-up galore.

We were treated to the funky contemporary fashions of Dora Abodi, the innovative elegance of Mexican born Stella Simona and the fusion of Euro-Asian fashion from Australian label KabukiU.

Dora Abodi:

Stella Simona:

KabukiU:
  

Following our overdose of fashion opulence, we were treated to a three-course meal at the famed, award-winning Capital Grille Steakhouse, where the dessert was just simply divine. To work off our indulgence, we headed off to our VIP table at Club Green House to dance the night away.

Other highlights to 029’s trip to New York Fashion Week included Robert Geller’s fashion show and an invitation to a private party at the seriously sexy Rose Bar in the Grammercy Park Hotel where we mingled with the likes of Chace Crawford, Jessica Szohr and Ed Westwick of Gossip Girl fame and the adorable Rachel Bilson of former The O.C. fame.

In true New York style, we hardly slept, but the time we had in New York was worth every second of missed slumber. Manhattan never ceases to amaze us and without fail, always shows us a new side every time we step foot in the world’s most dynamic city. Fear not New York, 029 will return for Fashion Week and other attendance-worthy events and we are truly looking forward to taking in all the new wonders you will undoubtedly throw at us. So ciao NYC, it’s been grand!

You read our newsletters, you saw it plastered all over our website, 029 went to New York for Fashion Week and now we are back with the update. Nolcha Fashion Week, which took place from the 14 to 17 September, featured emerging fashion talent from all over the world.

And we were happy to be there to see these up-and-coming designers, many of whom are already famous in their respective countries. And based on the looks they sent down the runway, 029 would like to wager a friendly bet, that some of them won’t be local secrets for long.

So ladies and gentlemen, without further delay - here come the models!

Jorge Afandor

Columbian designer Jorge Afandor merges architecture, art and design into his fashions. FASHION CULTURE MIXTURE was the name of his Spring/Summer 2010 collection.Basics with a special touch of glamour. Prints inspired in Jorge’s own paintings, mixed with the rich and authentic past of Asian and Mid west countries and their ancient and distinctive traditions.

Anaessia Sydney

Sue Vanikiotis’, the designer behind Anaessia Sydney, love of the theatre and fashion from the 20’s and 30’s right through to the 60’s has been her motivation to design and produce highly structured pieces with an element of the theatrical; tasteful pieces that embellish the utmost in style and sophistication.

Dora Abodi

Dora Abodi’s 2010 spring/summer luxury pret-a-porter collection’s theme is the both euphoric and bitter love named aptly M’amour. The keywords and inspirations are: bondage, changing the shape of silhouette, the distorted body-art works of Lucy and Bart, the mixture of soft materials (like muslin) and hard materials (like leather, technical ribbons, industrial materials).

Quiet Riot

Quiet Riot’s Spring Summer 2010, the collection Portobello Princess, is a collage of the many different people who have inspired Buffi Jashanmal, the label’s designer. From the free spirits in Ibiza, to the rock chicks in NY’s East Village, to the boho hippies in London, these are the girls that she mixed together for this collection, that is for a girl with attitude, knows who she is, even if no one else does!

Pizzuto

The Australian-based label Pizzuto is Suzie Rose Vella’s maiden name. The sentimental emotion, which started by creating a label name, has flowed through to the collection. Showcasing a collection of designs manipulated in vibrant hand painted silks, contrasting fabric textures and interpreting drape catour into ready to wear is her signature style, the fun and flirty but smart and sassy designs cater for fashion conscious women.

Kimmystic. Clo

Kimon Baptiste, the former Miss St.Vincent and the Grenadines, is reponsible for the Kimmystic.Clo 2010 collection. It was colorful, intense, energetic, fun, vibrant, and chic. The collection which includes some hand painted pieces was inspired by the colors of nature and features an explosion of colors which represents the flavor and diversity of all the Caribbean islands.

Šišková

Sárka Šišková is the only Czech fashion designer whose pieces have entered into permanent collection of the Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York. “Planets” collection shows unique and original pieces for special occasions and represents typical features of Šišková’s outstanding artistic expression.

Rock Hard Atelier

Rock Hard Atelier is “Day-to-night” dresses for the young professional with a social agenda. This collection is based on the female form, playing with shape and lines to flatter the body in a fresh and unexpected way.  Inspired by her time in corporate luxury, Emily Brickel designed for the girl who is going to work in a beautiful dress, polished and sophisticated; then jets to dinner, a charity event or another adventure on her hectic social calendar with no time for a wardrobe change.

Christina Crawford

Christina Crawford, this British-Brazilian brand believes that no design discipline should be ignored, as there is fascination and inspiration in everything. The evolution of  this Spring / Summer 2010 comes from the personality of Mariyln Monroe, who represents a style of  unique femininity. The collection is called: “I don’t mind living in a man’s world, as long as I can be a woman in it” – Marilyn Monroe. With all this in mind Christina Crawford puts forth timeless pieces a little out of the ordinary that idealizes the female form.

Sado

Carlotta Gherzi for Sado has showcased her work through Milan, Moscow and London Fashion Week since Spring 2008. In 2004, Sado decided to enter a growing prosperous market- the Russian arena, one that Carlotta understood very well, having lived her formative years in Russia. The instincts proved correct and Sado’ sold three consecutive collections in the finest silk, wool, cashmere, suede, to some of the best retail outlets in Russia.

emeDesigns

With Erica Mae Eng as the lead designer and Shelli Eng as the creative partner, emeDesigns has created a true Parisian Couturier right in their studio in Illinois Quad Cities. Combining the passion of a couturier and the skill of a dressmaker atelier each design comes together, not simply as another dress but as a work of art for life. Spring 2010 has emeDesigns committed to their usual glorious fit.  It is about the woman, not the label, but this season they have added in the Romance of Vintage with a Soft Palette of Natural Colors.

KabukiU

Designing and manufacturing comfortable, wearable, beautiful clothing to suit every stage of being a woman, Telina Webb has created KabukiU.  The collection is an infusion of Eastern and Western cultures, resulting in a collection of uniquely modern clothing that emphasizes traditional Japanese attire.  This Spring’s 2010 collection “Maiko Infusion” features the unique 3-piece Kimono Trousseau Set comprising of a kimono, matching pants, and 3-metre Obi.

Sodaliscious

Cindy Renée Mathieu’s  Sodaliscious line is a haute couture line that caters to clients who pride themselves on looking and feeling good. Sodalicious’ Spring / Summer 2010 Haute Couture Collection FLORAL FANTASY draws inspiration and color palette from lilac bushes, peonies, French irises and tea roses with cream and honey petals blooming in a vibrant airy backyard. FLORAL FANTASY invites the discerning woman to envelop themselves in rich sumptuous fabrics including satin, lace, silk and chiffon. With intricate pieces adorned with Swarovski Crystals, the FLORAL FANTASY collection becomes an ethereal experience for its clientele offering a mixed bouquet of the most exquisite gowns.

Nadia Nour

The 2010 Spring Nadia Nour contemporary collection features vibrantly dyed organic silks and cottons crafted into intricate couture-inspired silhouettes.  Introducing richly hued organic fabrics with high thread counts and the sophisticated feel of conventional designer fabrics, she proves that women don’t have to sacrifice style and sophistication to be green!

Jessica Joyce

The Dutch designer, Jessica Joyce,  is renowned for her sophisticated and distinctive designs. This contemporary sculptress of fabric says her mission is to “be a trendsetter in the pursuit of the perfect balance between touch and visual senses”.  Her 2010 collection expresses mystery, femininity, comfort and playfulness. Choosing naturally comfortable fabrics and creating novel shapes by playing with sophisticated details and nature-inspired prints the unveiling will be both energetic and contemporary.

MinnaK.

Minna Kao founded MinnaK company in 2006. The company began as a custom bridal line, and eventually expanded to bridal ready-to-wear and eveningwear. This 2010 collection called “Symphony in C” is a compilation of movement, but the way it is best described is how a dance performance changes in stages. Balanchine Symphony in C is the perfect example, as the movement of this dance begins with explosion, then it morphs into romantic longing, to the finale where it climaxes in joy and excitement.