Runway Report: Balenciaga Resort 2012

Fembot Volume Resort...

Welcome to Air Balenciaga: Balenciaga Resort 2012

Nicolas Ghesquière unveiled his latest Resort 2012 Collection for Balenciaga. The designer showed lots of color--brick reds, aqua greys, as well as hints of lilac/lavender--along with the usual subjects of black and white. There was LOTS of VOLUME---an obvious nod to the Couture Master Cristobal Balenciaga.

Jersey Girls: Balenciaga Resort 2012

Examples of this could be seen in the full Dirndl-style A-line skirts, to the knee and full billowing yet light coats, structured vest jackets and blouson "Bomber" jackets. Known for his skinny fabulously-fitting pants, Ghesquière, also showed "easy-breezy" jersey pieces and some very cute shorts he dubbed "Umbrella shorts". I especially LOVE those visor-hats! I need to get me one of those for my upcoming trip to Europe!! (I wonder if I can get an "early order" in?). Some of the visor-clad looks reminded me of some 60s-inspired yet futuristic Flight Attendants!

Will Some Please Carry My Suitcases: Balenciaga Resort 2012

Most designers design "Resort" as a pre-cursor to what their "Spring/Summer" collections will look like, as well as a suggestion to their clients as to what they should wear on their next "Resort Vacation" to the Seychelles or the Amalfi Coast...The Fembot Balenciaga Girl will be spending her "Resort Vacation" in Berlin...or Prague in these looks instead.

Anna Wintour, Hamish Bowles and San Francisco's Creme de la Creme: Balenciaga de Young Museum Party!

Viva España...in San Francisco!

Toreador Entrance: Vogue Magazine European Editor-at-Large Hamish Bowles at de Young Museum "Balenciaga and Spain" Grand Opening Party

This past weekend, I flew to San Francisco to make a special appearance at FIDM San Francisco's "Open House" (soon, a BLOG post on that!). There was something else that happened over the weekend in San Francisco which I unfortunately didn't get tickets to (or get on the VIP List for--insert sad face):

The Opening Night Bash for the de Young Museum's much-awaited "Balenciaga and Spain" Exhibition. Even though I didn't attend (I had to fly back to LA that night), I still found photos of the FABULOUS event. The Exhibition, curated by Vogue Magazine's European Editor-at-Large Hamish Bowles with assistance from Fine Arts Museum Curator Jill D'Alessandro, just opened and will run through July 4Th. It spans the couturier's life and includes 120 pieces. I am returning to the City by the Bay in late June so...YOU KNOW I will be going so I'll have a complete report of the exhibition--I hope!

And now onto the Party: Well, as expected it was a "Who's Who" of San Francisco Elite who showed up, all decked out in their finest Oscar de la Renta's, Carolina Herrera's and Ralph Rucci's. All the last names that dot the grand homes of the Marina, Nob Hill, Pacific Heights, Presidio Heights, Hillsborough: Getty, Traina, Wilsey, Hale...they were all in attendance for this black tie-and-gown affair. I'm sure the gown departments at Union Square's Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue were abuzz this last week! No borrowing here kids, it's all purchased! Even Anna Wintour made the transcontinental flight from NYC to San Francisco for the opening.

Here are some highlights of the Party Guests and their Couture:

Chatting Divas: Vogue Editor Anna Wintour (in Balenciaga sequined gown by Designer Nicolas Ghesquiere) and Fine Arts Museum/FAM Board President Dede Wilsey (who also has a Museum Court named after her!) wearing Oscar de la Renta lace and polka-dotted ball gown.

SF Doyennes: Exhibition Sponsor, the ever-elegant Denise Fitch, wearing Ralph Rucci silk tunic with feathers, and SF Retail Icon, Wilkes Bashford

All In Black: (Left to Right) Rosetta Getty, her husband, actor Balthazar Getty, Jennifer Siebel Newsom and Lt. Governor Gavin Newsom

De Young Best Dressed: Serena Perkins, wife of Alec Perkins of Perkins Investment Management, wearing salmon pink silk taffeta Carolina Herrera

Blue Blood Class: Emma Fisher (left, in Rodarte) with her grandmother, exhibition co-sponsor (and Gap co-founder) Doris Fisher and mom, Randi Fisher

Mantillas: Alexis Traina, with her husband, Fine Arts Museum/FAM Trustee Trevor Traina and singer Vanessa Carlton

Flamenco Couture: Owner of "Ricky's Exceptional Treasures" Ebay Vintage Couture Store Ricky Serbin and Nob Hill Gazette social columnist Jennifer Raiser, wearing vintage Oscar de la Renta corseted red-and-black printed silk ball-gown

Perfect Couple: Investor and venture capitalist Bandel Carano and his wife, Paula Carano ,in a vintage Balenciaga black gown that looks very similar to...

This Balenciaga flamenco-inspired evening dress from a Vogue editorial in 1951. Photo by Henry Clarke for Vogue.

Juicy Feathers: Juicy Couture founders Gela Nash-Taylor and Pamela Skaist-Levy wearing matching black feathered vests

Black Swan Beauties: Rodarte designers Kate Mulleavy and her sister, Laura Mulleavy

A-List: Actress Gywneth Paltrow with Fine Arts Museum Trustee Juliet de Baubigny

Click Below for Video of Anna Wintour being interviewed as she arrives to the Grand Opening Bash:

Project Runway Season 7 Nick Verreos Recap: Museum Queens

Museum Queens...One Ego is Better Than Two...and a Homeless Statute of Liberty?This week's episode was the dreaded Project Runway "Team Challenge" where two designers are paired up--randomly (or so they say!)--and the producers and fellow Cameramen get some GOOD TV for y'all. For Season 7, the kids headed to the grand Metropolitan Museum of Art where "Couture Curator", Tim Gunn, stood framed by some of the most beautiful Couture garments from the 20th Century from designers like... Balenciaga (1954-55 Cocoon Silk Faille Coat above, a Gift from the Baroness Philippe de Rothschild), as well as... Madame Gres (silk jersey gown above). It would be interesting to have a "Fashion History Test" with the contestants to see how many of them even knew who Madame Gres was. Just sayin'...The Challenge this week was to design a look worthy of a Museum Couture Piece (with $500!) and then (of course there was a twist)-- they later discovered-- they also had to design a "budget H&M-like version (with $50) of another team's design. I know, I was like "Say what?". I'm sure it sounded good in the "pitch meeting" but it lead to a rather confusing episode; too much packed in just an hour episode for the viewer's mental and visual capacity. Of course, there was conflict when it came to the teams, especially with Kooky Ping and Matinee Idol I'm-an-Actor Jesse. He just wanted to do his job and Ping Wu just wanted to be Kooky--and look for her missing shoes! Mila Hermanovski and her partner Jonathan Peters were also an interesting couple. Jonathan--intelligently enough--let her be "The Boss" and boy was she. I would not want to mess with that severe bob either. Not surprisingly, when it finally came to the Runway Show, it was one great garment and one pretty bad outfit.

To begin with, I liked Jesus Estrada and his partner Amy Sarabi's design: You could TOTALLY tell that it was all--or at least mostly-- Amy. That pleated-fan bolero was spectacular and so Amy's style! I also liked Maya Luz' design...
It was edgy, a modern take on Museum-worthy Couture. I concur with Nina Garcia: The open side was very chic. I can see many people saying "I just don't get it...I would never wear that!" But wear-ability was not really the point for this half of the challenge.The winner ended up being Mila's color-blocked kimono coat and skinny pant look which was very 1960s Courreges/Pierre Cardin with a definite nod to Narciso Nodriguez. To be honest, it wasn't my favorite but leave it to Kors and Garcia (Champions of NY-American sportswear and separates) to chose this. But now, onto the messes:This look from Jesse LeNoir, Ping's team "assistant" was so bland, I almost fell asleep as it came down the runway. Cheap "fast fashion" doesn't have to be boring. It was Banana Republic...from 2001! And Jonathan and Mila's design...Based on Anthony Williams' bad ball gown (what was that bustier???).. It was mainly the severe Baby Doll silhouette, and that gathered tulle accent on the halter neckline that bothered me. I just wanted to get my seam-riper and take that black tulle accent off! Jonathan seems to be more talented than this--maybe it was a time restriction. I have been there huney--did you see my crazy design for the Santino-and-Nick Banana Republic Team Challenge? In other words: I understand.

But of course, Ping's "Homage" to a Homeless Statue of Liberty took the Worst Museum Couture Piece this week. As I said previously, I was surprised she wasn't "auf'ed" last week and we were all just counting down the days until her demise. Ping made for great TV but that can only take you so far in a show that is based on talent and craftsmanship--not to mention 10 cameramen and an entire production crew looking over your shoulder. The lace top looked matronly and the side cowl draping was heavy-handed and was neither Museum-worthy or qualified as anything a woman of this Century would want to own. Maybe a character from HBO's "Rome", but even then, she would be the recently-freed Roman Slave--certainly not the Mistress of the house!
Out with Ping...in with the rest...now onto more important matters: When are we going to see Jesse shirtless? Until next time kiddies.

Paris Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2010: Balmain and Balenciaga Runway Videos!!

Bullets, Rocker/Biker Chicks and Copying: Paris Fashion Week continues...Where's My Pool Cabana: A Gold Look from Balmain Spring/Summer 2010

The House of Balmain and its designer, Christophe Decarnin, are having their moment in the fashion spotlight. All the "it" girls are wearing his micro-mini studded dresses. I remember about a month ago, shopping at the Beverly Hills Neiman Marcus and seeing one of his studded creations on a mannequin and thinking to myself how chic and modern it was, and how EVERY girl should own one--if they had the $5000!! Then I turned on my telly, and saw both Pink AND Shakira wearing THE SAME Balmain dress at the MTV VMA's--the one I gawked at in Neiman Marcus.Dominique Deveroux 2010: A look from Balmain Spring/Summer 2010

For Spring/Summer 2010, he continued his studded hard-edged Biker Chic look and expanded on it. Lots of padded shoulders a la Joan Collins (yep, the strong shoulder is still very IN kiddies). Lots of leather minis and the skinniest of leather pants. Metallics, golds and liquid jerseys were also abundant. Bullet Belt: A look from Balmain Spring/Summer 2010

Some dresses had what seemed like studded midriff waistbands but then, upon closer inspection, turned out to be BULLETS! I guess in this crazy economic times, with all the wars going on, even fashionable girls must be armed! Beware of the Balmain Girl!
Click BELOW for the Balmain Spring/Summer 2010 Runway Show:


Balenciaga:
Hooded Chic: A Darker Look form Balenciaga Spring/Summer 2010

Nicolas Ghesquiere is still the wunderkid of Paris. And all those edgy French actresses, singers and trust-fund baby girls just adore him and his designs. If you are looking for pretty cocktail dresses, move along because Ghesquiere is not your guy. For Spring/Summer 2010, he's getting back to his rocker-chic hard edge (on the same tone as Balmain). His first exits were tight leather second-skin pants and a hoody. It didn't seem so Spring/Summer... But again, this is Spring/Summer Balenciaga style: She's got to be prepared for a light Paris Summer sprinkle of rain, perhaps.
Ready For My Brie and Escargot: Leather and multi-colored beading at Balenciaga

There were dresses, minis of course, with a strong 80s vibe. Very Darryl Hannah in Blade Runner, if the film was re-made for 2010. Color and fabric blocking--a key Balenciaga aesthetic--was prevalent, as you can see from the dresses here.
Rodarte-ish: A look from Spring/Summer Balanciaga 2010

Tweed, mixed with leather, mixed with silk, mixed with glittery sequins. A couple of the looks reminded me of Rodarte, and how they like to mix the fabrics in unexplainable ways. On the same note, Cathy Horyn of the New York Times also commented on how one of Nicolas Ghesquiere's designs looked very much like a Raf Simons Menswear look he had done recently. Very interesting to say the least.This has not been the first time Ghesquiere has had to fend off the "copying" critiques.
Click BELOW for the Balenciaga Spring/Summer 2010 Runway Video: