Ashish And His Sequins

Ashish Gupta is a genius. Or a madman. Or likely both. I think to an extent madness and genius are directly proportional. Whatever Ashish is, it's awesome and I love it and he should never stop being that thing. I happened upon his eponymous brand around a year ago and felt like crying and doing a little jig when I saw his Spring/Summer 2012 collection. It was a perfect combination of flowers and cowgirls and braids and sequins. And when one combines those four items gracefully--nay, MAGNIFICENTLY--said person clearly has a great deal of talent and should be showered with rose petals and chocolate chip muffins every morning. 

There isn't a whole lot of info on the designer himself on the Infinite Internet, but I did find a short interview he did with the people at London Fashion Week. He began his line in 2005, interweaving pop culture references and product placement between his messily glamourous clothing right from the get-go. Ashish has been quoted saying that his signature design focal points are, "Sequins, glamour, sportswear, and more sequins."Basically, SEQUINS. He sometimes uses them subtly as small accents, he sometimes dunks the models in bowls of sequins and sends them on the runway, he sometimes loads Nerf guns with sequins and goes on midnight panty raids thus armed. (Disclaimer: nothing I just said is true at all.) 

Ashish gathers inspiration from the cinematic world and pop culture, as well as Tumblr. He thinks Tumblr is fascinating because of how it gathers inspiration and information from millions of people worldwide. He calls it an "ever-evolving giant scrapbook of ideas." That's one way of putting it. 

The thing I love about Ashish is how endlessly funky and fearless it is. Whoever's wearing his clothes obviously does not give a flying fuq about what other people think of them, which I think is highly admirable. Good for them, and good for Ashish for promoting such intense awesomeness. 

You should check out all his collections on his website, I promise promise promise you will not regret it. 

[Photos via Style.com.]

SPRING/SUMMER 2012

SPRING/SUMMER 2012

FALL/WINTER 2012

FALL/WINTER 2012

SPRING/SUMMER 2013

SPRING/SUMMER 2013

FALL/WINTER 2013

FALL/WINTER 2013

Now I want to destroy all my old pairs of jeans and create a patchwork jumpsuit. Actually, I think I'm going to go do that. Like, right now. 

P.S. Alina and I are going to Governor's Ball this Saturday (along with a bunch of other Can I Have Your Closet veterans, like Octavia and Olive) so I'm definitely going to post about that once I've recovered from the psychedelic experience. We're seeing Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros (aka the one band in the entire world that I would follow around the world if I had the funds/means), Animal Collective, and Dirty Projectors, among others. My excitement is ova-flowin'. 

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Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Fall 2012

This season, I have the über-privilege of attending not one, not two, but six shows that are a part of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. I'm beyond hyped, but it hasn't really sunken in yet. I was hoping this would help. Here are some photos I put together from the S/S 2012 collections of all the designers' runways I'm seeing next week. 

Farah Angsana

Geoffrey Mac

Katya Leonovich

Mathieu Mirano

Rochambeau

Tibi

I think it will all hit me when I get to the IFB Con on Wednesday. Just read about what's going on and you'll just freak out at how awesome it's going to be. I was going to go to the Heart Truth Red Dress Fashion Show, but now I'm not--it's a bit of a mondo bummer (oxy moron?) because that would've been awesome, but we can't win 'em all!

If you've been passing the tents every day on your way to school like I have, then maybe the reality of it is starting the sink in. It's Fashion Week, baby. Almost. 

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Welcome to the 21st Century

We all know that it's 2011, right? Good. Because I don't think the designers do. I doubt they ever do, since they're in their own world, designing away. Not that this is an issue, but just sayin'. Throwback to the '90's, anyway? This season, it was all over that decade. It touched a lot on minimalism. And you know me, I'm not a minimalist. But (and this is gonna blow your mind), I'm kind of feeling it for this spring. I know. I might just love it on other people. We'll find out soon enough, shan't we? 

In addition to our good ol' friend minimalism, we've also got a lot of tailored but really loose, flowy suits/blazers/pants going on this season. That's what I'm more excited for. A lot of people went neutral, but there were a few who stayed loyal to their faithful pals neon. And lots of yellows, and o' course orange. 

Since New York Fashion Week officially ended yesterday, I decided that it was a good time to do my Spring/Summer 2012 recap. These are my favorite '90's inspired looks:

ADAM:

I love me some sheer. And some pastel pink silk suits. So do I like this? Yeah.

Band of Outsiders:

I love the tailored and crisp style, and that little collar detail is adorable. The hat gives it a more suit-like feel, while still looking feminine. 

 Charlotte Ronson:

If this doesn't scream "'90's," I don't know what does. This is the kind of 90's you pick up from the thrift store, not so much Calvin Klein.

 Christian Siriano:

I'm used to seeing gorgeous gowns from the love of my life, Christian Siriano, so this minimal-ish (neon yellow skirt, anyone?) look is a nice change, while still staying true to Christian's aesthetic. 

 Derek Lam:

This silhouette is so early 90's. Not that I would know. I wasn't born till the late 90's,  so I'm not pulling this out of my mental archive or something. The fact that it's leather, though, gives it a more modern twist. 

 DKNY:

I was kind of in love with the DKNY S/S 2012 collection. It was so incredibly simple and gorgeous and elegant, and so not me. It was very refreshingly gorgeous. 

 Doo.Ri:

The way this moves is just too much. Oh, but in a good way.  The draping is beautificus. And I'm not  sure if that's leather, 'cause if it is, hit me up.

 Erin Fetherston:

I just discovered Erin Fetherston, and her style is pretty cute. Not completely me, but I liked the mix of the 90's-esque dress with the 60's mod styling. It could be the costume for a movie called, "Twiggy Time Travels." 

 Jason Wu:

I'm not a fan of hot pants/diaper shorts, but the rest of the outfit is so cute, I couldn't resist. Me and a good bow are pals. Good buds. 

Jil Sander Navy: 

I really liked Jil Sander Navy's collection this season.  A lot of it was simple with a twist, which is always something a designer can rely on. This look felt much more me than the others: bright colors/prints and an oversized army trench coat. This reminds me of a much more high-end "Freaks and Geeks" look.

 Jill Stuart:

What'd I tell ya 'bout yellow? I've always been a fan, and some people are like, "Ew it's gross getitawayewwww." I'm a lover of the entire ROYGBIV spectrum. No discrimination here. Point is, yellow's a-comin' for ya. Ya hear?

 Marc by Marc Jacobs:

And what else did I say about colors? Orange, was it? Yeah, I thought so.

 Michael Kors:

Mr. Kors took a different approach this season: tribal/safari. He somehow rocked it. I've never been a die-hard Kors fan, but I did like a few pieces from this collection a lot. It's chill, while still looking chic.

 Peter Som:

Everyone's been talking about the gawgeous prints at Peter Som, but I was more into this two-piece high leg slit (nearly) cobalt blue gown. It's incredible. I want it. GIMMEGIMME!

 3.1 Phillip Lim:

Funny story about Phillip Lim: I met him today, and screened his new collection. And I'm still swooning. At first glance, it's not as much as it is once Phillip explains the concept. On a visual note, the flow of the fabrics is too luscious for words. And pastels are always cute. Always. Sometimes Easter, but always cute.

 Prabal Gurung:

Another designer who didn't go minimal. I must admit, it doesn't fit into the '90's theme, but just thought I'd toss it in, 'cause I like purple. 

 Rag & Bone:

Slouchy pant? Check. Loose top? Check. Knitted cardigan? Check. Goggles...? Check. 

 Rebecca Minkoff:

Again, not so '90's, but I still dig white lace. Not over that summer trend quite yet. Hey, it's not fall until September 23rd, okay?

 Reed Krakoff:

I thoroughly enjoyed Reed Krakoff's collection. It was elegant and chic and chiffon-y and silky and yummy. And sheer. Scrumpdiddlyupmptious in my book!

 Tibi:

I. LOVE. TIBI. Please, check out the whole collection. You will not regret it, not for one second of your life. JUST LOOK, RIGHT UP THERE. Go. 

 Yigal Azrouël:

Can orange leather palazzo pants make a comeback if I've never seen anything so genius before?

 Zac Posen:

Like Christian Siriano, I'm used to seeing sexy stuff from Zac Posen. Nothing changed in that respect this season, except for this cutesy, lacy, pretty maxi dress. 10 points for Zac!

I hope you had as good of a NYFW as I did, 'cause mine was pretty damn good. 

Only 3 more fashion weeks to go...until next season. 

Remember to enter my giveaway! The only person that loses anything is me: my shorts. You have everything to gain, including my shorts. 

ADAM: Live Coverage (And Some Minimal Coverage As Well)

As you all know, this Saturday at 2 pm, I went to the ADAM fashion show at Merecedes-Benz Fashion Week. 

Being my typiqual self, I was of course a few minutes late, and once I got inside the tent and to the runway, I was just standing around like I had no idea what I was doing, which I didn't. I finally asked someone if I had a seat assigned or if I had to stand, and they told me to go back out and get my ticket, and then come back and get a seat assignment. I did so, and after talking to several PR women, I got a seat in the 5th row, on the aisle. 

Once I was situated in said seat (A531-A, I believe? Something like that), I looked across the aisle and saw none other than...

 

Zanna Roberts Rassi herself: Senior Fashion Editor at Marie Claire magazine. I tentatively approached her and asked for a picture, because she was tweeting or texting or something on her iPhone. I was tempted to give her a business card, but I didn't. She looked busy. I continued to walk down the front row, until I spotted...

Hanneli Mustaparta (I'd seen her the other night at Coach, but hadn't known it was her then, or even at this point--I realized afterward) and asked the same. I kept walking and saw who I was sure was...

Derek Blasberg, Editor at Large of Harper's Bazaar, my favorite magazine, but I sure as hell wasn't going to ask, "Excuse me, but are you Derek Blasberg?" I took his picture and give him my card. He really liked the name--SCORE!!! 

Then the show started. On the sheet of paper awaiting me at my seat, it said that Adam Lippes was inspired by the High Line in Chelsea, in New York City. The show started off with a lot of sheers in pastels. I love sheer clothing. I think it's about a million times sexier than body-con dresses and push-up bras. This could turn into a whole "body image" thing, I'm sure you've all heard the spiel a billion times, so I'll just get back to the show. Literally. 

Then he started incorporating some light florals, which turned into dark florals paired with greys to balance out the contrast. From there, he moved into black with black and white polka-dots (Marc Jacobs-esque, some might say), and then wound its way back to the florals and the light colors and sparkling whites (and I mean literally sparkling; there were definitely some sequins involved.). 

The trends covered in this show: sheers, big floral prints, pastels, neutral separates, polka-dots, statement jackets. 

As for hair and make-up: both were minimal, most models had the front pieces of their hair brought to the back, a look that I loved when I had long hair, and still love on other people. The make-up was fairly minimal--that is to say, nothing drastic. 

My camera didn't take the best pictures seeing as I've never shot a runway show before, but here's what I've got: (Keep in mind that this is not the whole collection. View the whole collection HERE.)

All photos that are otherwise stated were taken by me: 

 Papa-paparazzi!

My photo

What it really looks like

My photo

What it really looked like

This week is unbelievably hectic what with it being the first full week of school and fashion week all in one, so don't hate me if I end up being behind on blogging. I'll be back asap, I promise!

Remember to enter my giveaway! Do it! You could win something. For free.