Bollywood redux

Learning about the Pakistani culture, I had the honor of creating some of the many outfits for Asma and Saqqaf's marriage process. For her Mehndi, the Henna ceremony, Asma is wearing a custom-made RAZ KEREN anarkali pajama suit in emerald silk schiffon with gold embroidery.

 

For the Shaadi, when the bride's reception formally takes place, yours truly and Asma's brother Affan are both wearing a RAZ KEREN sherwani,

And for the Walima, the final day of the wedding, held by the couple as they host their first dinner as husband and wife, Saqqaf is wearing a RAZ KEREN three-piece suit.

 

Bollywood's calling

Incredible pictures from Kristin and Jaidev's destination wedding at the Imperial Hotel in New Delhi, India. For the traditional Sikh ceremony, the groom is wearing a custom-made RAZ KEREN sherwani (a long coat-like garment worn in South Asia).

 

photos: Ira Lippke Studios

From The Knot.com:

"After meeting as partners in a yoga breathing class (she fell for his expressive eyes -- and the fact that he kissed her at the end!), both Kristin and Jaidev knew they needed to extend their partnership outside of class. After getting engaged on a romantic trip to Croatia, the couple knew they wanted to wed at the Vasant Vihar gurdwara in New Delhi.

The Bride Kristin Vukovic, 30, freelance writer
The Groom Jaidev Shergill, 38, founder and CEO of Bundle.com
The Date December 27

Because many of Jaidev’s relatives live in India, they were instrumental in making the wedding as authentic to Sikh tradition as possible. The couple incorporated a customary mehendi, or henna, party for the bride before the ceremony and covered their reception area with strings of marigolds, a traditional Indian wedding flower".

-- Justine Lorelle Blanchard

Double-O Keren

The RAZ KEREN Fall-Winter 1998 collection was dedicated to the MOD spies of the 60's, like Simon Templar of the TV show The Saint and the iconic 007 - James Bond (the one and only Sean Connery). The subculture, originated in London, England was said to be 'obsessed' with fashion and tailor-made suits. Amen!

South of the Border

Watching the sassy new television show GCB on ABC, about a former mean-girl that moves back to Dallas 18 years after high school, reminded me of the RAZ KEREN Spring-Summer 1998 collection. There is no need for too many words to describe the South-Western concept.

Footnote: Madonna's MUSIC album, with her cowgirl look, was released in September 2000.

Lunar Colony

Going back in time to go back to the future: here are a few images from the RAZ KEREN Fall-Winter 1997: Lunar Colony collection. The idea was that humans are being sent to the moon to find a new place to live, to start a new colony, after planet Earth has seized to contain us. Utilitarian and futuristic designs, in shades that reflect the moonlight and models without a distinctive race - they are of the HUMAN race!

15 years ago and still current, don't you agree?

Thesis Week 2011

It's that time of the year when my students at Parsons, the New School for Design, complete their Senior Thesis collections and present them to a panel of fashion insiders. Started last September, they realize their visions through several model fittings.

As my current students put the finishing touches on their creations, I'm proudly reminded of three designers from my 2011 class:

Matt Conmy

Amy Conte

Alicia Pang

Matt and Alicia both work at Richard Chai and Amy is at Peter Nappi.

I can't wait to share my new crop of menswear designers!

Unbridled lace

I was recently commissioned to design a wedding gown and it's going to be made out of this embroidered lace.

Lace is making a huge comeback into fashion, and here are two of my bridal couture creations.
Kasia is in a silk charmuse dress with beaded lace empire bodice and floating sleeves...

and Julianne's dress is a one-shoulder silk duchess covered entirely with lace, embroidered with clear sequins.

AIE-VEE

One of my most talented students, Joseph Aloysius Williams IV, has launch his menswear brand labeled AIE-VEE in February and I had the pleasure to work with him as the Creative Director/Consultant.

The first collection Fall/Winter 2012: Cuyahoga, that was presented in a Chelsea gallery during NY fashion week, is a beautiful assembly of treasures - each garment holds impossible pattern-making, hand treated materials, impeccable fit and irresistible details.

THIS is what menswear should be!

To order click here!

photos: Carolina Palmgren

Hats: An Anthology by Stephen Jones

Photo: Jo Gordon/Kiss of death

Yesterday I visited this amazing exhibition! It was truly inspiring!

The show is called Hats: An Anthology by Stephen Jones and it features many original hats, modern and old. Some from as early as the 12th century. The ideas, materials and workmanship were so inspiring - not that I wanted to make a hat (though the thought crossed my mind), but it motivated me to be creative AND start this blog.

Walking through the exhibit, I was thinking that, in a world of the constant mouse clicking, we should really MAKE more things. Not only hats, or clothes. It feels like we don't create or produce anything anymore - everything is made in China and sold to us as a finished product.

There are so many talented people who do not tap into their creative side and I know that anyone can contribute to our culture if they just get inspired!

So go! Go and see it!

For more info, click here!