Collette Dinnigan

 

The Incredible Darkness of Being

Autumn/Winter 2013

Once upon a time there was a woman who to the world in general lived what would be considered a reasonably quiet albeit stylish life. Never outwardly flamboyant she secretly got a thrill out of being studied. She liked to sit. She liked being painted. She loved to be depicted in dark oils, as her wardrobe was as brooding as her thoughts: all olive, inky blues, midnight pitchy black and her only concession to colour was with touches of sky blue and early sunrise red. For her new series of portraits for the coming winter she prepared all her colours in her favoured boiled wools but added small effects of leather, French lace woven with thick threads and she also added some oblong sequins for ornament and luminosity. The shapes were rigorous yet still there was an undeniable undertow of deep sexuality to it all, a promise of piety laced with passion. The painter was happy. He captured her modesty, her incredible plainness and rightness religiously.

 

 

JOANNA MASTROIANNI

New York, NY- Fashion Designer, Joanna Mastroianni, is returning to Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at Lincoln Center with an energized creativity to unveil her spectacular Fall/Winter 2013 Collection.  As Mastroianni’s star continues to rise, she has been catching the eye of everyone from NYC to Silicon Valley to D.C. She was chosen as the only fashion house in the latest Microsoft Windows 8 national campaign featuring “influencers”. She has dressed many socialites and celebrities for red carpet events and grand entrances. Her creations have been featured on the silver screen, and now the Joanna Mastroianni Collection has made its debut at Bergdorf Goodman, and selling well.

Mastroianni’s uncompromising creativity takes us from the contemporary colorful garden that inspired her Spring/Summer 2013 collection, to a more edgy, seductive modern Barbarella.

Fall/ winter 2013 is infused with the glow and luster of metallic, rich textures and gemstone colors. This day into evening collection addresses the needs of modern women, empowering them to express their individuality.

Joanna Mastroianni’s individual style, that is independent of trends, turns out a glamorous collection this season of powerful but feminine sleek day ensembles; flirty, seductive cocktail dresses; and spectacular entrance making gowns. Her intricately designed accessories, and evening gloves, are visible throughout, creating a dramatic and adventurous collection that is ultra-feminine, young and sexy.

“My collection this season is a take on a contemporary Barbarella,” says Mastroianni. “I believe in empowering women to have choices and express themselves in the many roles they have in their daily lives. The collection is just as multi-faceted as today’s woman. I am creating for a highly motivated, confident, feminine woman.”

DONNA KARAN NEW YORK

SENSUAL, SOULFUL, SCULPTURAL

You can only be who you are...

"I am a New York woman, embracing the world.

Designing clothes that move day to night,

Monday to Sunday in any city, every culture.

My husband Stephan—his art and soul—is a part of me,

Inspiring and guiding me to sculpt the body with expression.

This collection is the evolution of Seven Easy Pieces,

A system where the body and spirit communicate

The sensuality and power of being a woman,

With multiple passions, constantly on the go.

The foundation is a jersey body—

a mix of matte, shine, sheer and skin— whether a bodysuit,

dress, skirt, jumpsuit, slouch jodphurs or leggings.

Then comes the new architectural elements:

Accessories that create endless possibilities,

to individualize, set the mood. THE CAPE —

liquid or structured—reveals and conceals

as a scarf over dress, jacket, pant or skirt.

THE COWL , CUFFS or VEST—curly or long tipped shearling—

add volume and glamour. Suit up with a bodyjacket

with contrast sculpted sleeves, in stretch corrugated felt,

tweeds, leather and suede; The perfect classic camel

in curvaceous neoprene/cashmere jackets and coats.

Finish with the ultimate topper, graphically pieced together—

a devore haircalf car coat. The curly shearling,

nylon and suede pieces worn separately

or combined into a truly knock–out look.

Everything unites with a textured urban palette—

Essential Black, every shade of Metal, earthy Bark and raw Rust.

Accessories are skin on skin: Sculpted leather body jewelry

sliced with silver or gold in cuffs, collars and belts.

Elbow length suede gloves. Iconic Evolution hosiery.

Pure suede platform shoes or over–the–knee wedge boots.

And a shearling handbag to carry your day.

Evening paints the body with artisan strokes—

From the simplicity of a jersey body that sculpts the form,

To the height of luxury in velvets, satins and sequins,

Each an individual force of artistry and seduction.

These are clothes for women like me—

Who live and work 24/7 with passion and dress with emotion.

I believe the body talks a language all its own.

Depending on your DNA , these clothes say something new

every time And create a statement all your own"

DONNA KARAN