Second City Style Fashion Blog - Style, Luxury, Beauty & Shopping

Latino Fashion Week '09 Student Designer Competition: Ariana Magana Wins

Laura Silva models an Ariana Magana design

Ariana Magana is the winner of the Student Designer Competition held during Latino Fashion Week 2009. Ariana was born in Los Angeles, California but moved to Chicago when she was still young. At an early age she was interested in the arts never missing a chance to take as many art classes as she could. She currently studies fashion design at the International Academy of Design and Technology.

She is a firm believer that less is more. There is an original simplicity. Her fabric choices are luxurious and give her designs a sophisticated feel. She designs for women who are not afraid of standing out. Her work can be described as chic, artistic, and modern.

As a bonus, the winning student designer presents their collection among well seasoned professional designers at the biggest Latino Fashion Week event: El Fin.

Maria Perez models a Daniela Arriaga design

 

Kyara Garza models a Daniela Arriaga design

Erin Pace models a Jeanette Najera design
Jessica Szepaniac models a Juana Trejo design

Photos courtesy of  Steve Starr

Moises for Mango

Could he be following in his father's famous footsteps? WWD reported this morning that Moises de la Renta, son of Oscar de le Renta, is about to finish a deal to design with Mango, the Spanish brand designed by Penelope and Monica Cruz.

Mango's biannual fashion show and after party will be held at the Caja Magica in Madrid on Wednesday. Set in The Magic Box, which was built for the failed Olympic bid, 600 guests are expected to appear, including the face of Mango Scarlett Johansson and Dree Hemingway.

-Taneisha Jordan

Picture: Style.com

Thakoon to Design for Aloha Rag and Tasaki

 
Aloha Rag's new private label is getting ready to include a series of designer collaborations. The first up for the series will be Thakoon Panichgul. This will be his first dive into men's wear.

“I love seeing designers create pieces that are outside of their comfort zone," said designer of Aloha Rag Tatsugo Yoda. "At the end of the day, they are artists and my boutique is their gallery."

Panichgul was asked by the Yoda to create an item "in the vein of a cardigan" since Panichgul has been sporting them as of late. “Every season I get another cardigan, and I had been wearing a lot of plaid shirts also. So I wanted to do something that had the ease of a plaid shirt with the comfort of a cardigan," said Panichgul.

The $850 cardigan will be designed in two color-ways: red and blue, and green and black with it's co-branded label 5+1_Annapurna.

Yoda's Aloha Rag boutiques are launching the private label collection for this upcoming spring. Though the items are available for wholesale, they will be exclusive to Aloha Rag stores in New York and Honolulu. Only the New York unit will carry the Thakoon cardigan, which hits stores in February.

Thakoon has also been named the Creative Director of Tasaki, a Japanese jewelry line known for creating their own pearls. “It is exciting to be working with fine jewelry as it will unquestionably feed into my overall creative process… My goal is to approach jewelry design in the same manner that I approach clothing: always move forward but respect the past.”

Looks like a busy 2010 for Thakoon!

-Taneisha Jordan

Source: WWD
Photos: Thakoon.com; WWD

Christian Siriano Discusses Fall 2010 Line & New Reality Series, As a Mermaid!

In other Project Runway celebrity news, Christian Siriano dished to New York Magazine while dressed in a fantastically fabulous Ariel costume from Disney's The Little Mermaid. In true Siriano form, the designer gushed about his Fall 2010 line without skipping a beat or missing a toss of his luscious red locks. "It’s very dark — that’s the only thing we’re going with right now," he said on the collection of fabrics her just received for fall." "It’s very gothic, kind of like a swamp, but we wanted it to be really feminine." We like the sound of it already.

Siriano also touched on his upcoming reality show for Bravo which, in the popular new  formula from The September Issue, will follow the creation of his spring 2010 and fall 2010 lines from start to finish. “It’s very like The September Issue, very Valentino [The Last Emperor]. We want it to be as cool and as real as possible.” In fact, famed documentarian and director of The September Issue, R.J. Cutler, even reportedly advised Siriano on how to be utterly real for the show. "It’s going to be really serious, like not so campy." Siriano said of the as yet to be named series. "There are a lot of moments that are just silent and like working and like really how serious the business is, because it’s really hard, it really is.” When asked if he worries of people take him seriously as a designer, Siriano's face seemingly shone through his mermaid makeup and his fish tail sparkled as he said,“I think they do to a point, but it’s hard, you know, there are so many designers and you really have to prove yourself, so I think it takes time.” We think he's accomplished a rare fashion feat in proving himself as a fiercely talented designer who obviously still knows how to have a good time.

Article and Photo Source: NY Mag
-Alia Rajput

Designer Dish. Jeffrey Sebelia Heads Up Los Angeles-Based Label.

Jeffrey Sebelia

Project Runway's third season winner, Jeffrey Sebelia, has found himself a home. Sebelia has signed on as the head designer for L.A.-based casualwear label Fluxus. The line operates two stand alone stores in L.A. and is also offered at retailers such as Atrium, Bloomingdale’s, Saks Fifth Avenue and Revolve, with a price point ranging from $66 to $300. Sebelia carved a name for himself on the third season of the hit show with his rocker tough style, and an attitude to match. He will seemingly be infusing some of his trademark edge into the Fluxus line. WWD revealed that the designer has already integrated "special wax treatments, sheer Modal and black stripe burnout" into the spring collection. Though we're not at all surprised, this may have to be one of those see it to understand it type situations. But congrats to Jeffrey on the new role! 

Article Source: WWD
Photo Source: NY Mag
-Alia Rajput

Paul Sisti Wins Nudie Jeans Recycled Denim Maniacs Contest

Paul Sisti and his winning design

Chicago designer Paul Sisti was named the winner of Nudie Jeans Recycle Denim Maniacs contest at the Vert Couture: Springtime in Chicago fashion show on Sunday. The point of the  contest, sponsored by the eco-friendly  jeans design house and a part of Fashion Focus Chicago 2009, was to create a new outfit out of recycled jeans. Out of four finalists, Sisti was the winner of this Rockabilly themed contest! Second City Style Congratulates you!

 

Paul Sisti's Sketches

The winning garment!

-Photos courtesy of Paul Sisti

Giorgio Armani Discusses Future of Armani

 

Giorgio Armani is in Moscow to present his fall women's and men's wear for Emporio Armani, but ended up discussing the future of his company, leading many to wonder whether the fashion giant will step down and name a successor. 

"I understand that eventually I will have to pass things on. I am already organizing an entire team around me who understands what I do and will be, at some point, ready to step in and continue what I do. Of course, I am not eternal. There comes a time when you must hand it over," he said. 

He was quick to add though that, "This is my life. No one can step away from their life." 

Part of his life is promoting his collection in a city that was hit hard by the global economic crisis. Still, he is optimistic. "Few capital cities have made the impression on me that Moscow has. There's a strength here, an energy, a great potential."

And while Emporio Armani will not open any more stores in Russia, which already had two Giorgio Armani stores, six Emporio Armani shops and represents 5% of Armani's wholesale sales, the company will be opening 40-50 stores worldwide in the upcoming year. 

-Nina Krek

Story & Photo Source: WWD

Designer Dish. Christian Lacroix Sale Delayed.

Christian Lacroix

The news broke today that the sale of the Christian Lacroix label to Ajman sheikh Hassan Bin Ali al-Nuaimi has been delayed. Reports came out as late as last week saying that Nuaimi wanted to finalize the plans of the sale by the end of this month. Nuaimi's offer of $100 million promises to keep jobs, pay off bills and even evolve the label into a full scale lifestyles brand including the production of homegoods and yachts. Both Lacroix himself and administrators involved seemed to be on board and in full support of the proposed investment plan. But now, the French tribunal in charge of overseeing the sale has decided to put off their hearings on the matter until November 17, citing procedural delays. Officials of the board are citing the need to finalize an "economic recovery plan" before approving the deal. However, according to the Associated Foreign Press, they are claiming all proceedings should continue as planned following the delay. Keep those fingers crossed that all will turn out well for Lacroix!

Article Source: AFP
Photo Source: NY Mag
-Alia Rajput

Steve Madden to Design Apparel

In the midst of legal troubles due to being sued by Alexander McQueen for dress infringement (for copying the design of his booties), Steve Madden has signed a licencing deal with L'Koral Industries for a women's apparel line for the spring. Luckily, however, he won't actually be doing the designing. L'Koral will be designing and marketing the brand. 

Madden said in a statement, "Jane Sisken [CEO of L'Koral] really understands my design aesthetic and the Steve Madden brand identity, making L'Koral the ideal partner for us."

According to WWD, the line will include "flirty and playful" boyfriend jackets, pixie dresses, and exposed zippers. 

-Nina Krek

Story & Photo Source: WWD

Layoffs to Come at Versace

 

Because of a loss in 2009 and a flat 2010, 350 workers for Gianni Versace SpA will be let go by the middle of next year. According to WWD, the cuts will be made to increase efficiently and profitability. 

Gian Giacomo, Versace's CEO, said in a statement,"Trading conditions in the wake of the global financial crisis have been severe and the company expects to make a loss in 2009. No organization can allow a situation like this to continue, especially considering the flat outlook for 2010".

Let's hope business turns up from here on out.

-Nina Krek

-Story & Photo Source: WWD