Nolcha Fashion Week | Fall/Winter 2015
New York fashionistas and well dressed gentlemen surrounded me in the Pier 59 audience at the 2015 Nolcha Fashion Week runway shows. A wide range of celebrities, such as musician and actress Christina Milian, Broadway star Constantine Maroulis and news anchor Soledad O'Brien, could be spotted showing their support for the designers' creations by wearing them.
Photo Credit: gettyimages.com
It was thrilling to do a little celebrity sighting, but the true reason for my excitement was the opportunity to see the work of cutting-edge designers in the fashion world come to life.
Nolcha Fashion Week, part of New York Fashion Week and held in Chelsea, is an event for independent designers to showcase designs that may otherwise be overlooked by the fashion press. One such designer was the headliner, Katty Xiomara of Portugal.
As the models wearing Xiomara's RE-Evolution collection walked the runway in their bright red eyeshadow, I was reminded of fierce, exotic creatures one might see hiding in the leafy shadows of the rainforest.
Xiomara's exquisite designs, in muted neutrals and bright, candy-like pastels, combined angular silhouettes with intricate geometric patterns that played tricks on the eye. The designer has a playful, yet sophisticated approach. It was apparent that the target customer for her 2015 collection are strong urban women who dance to the beat of their own drum.
Besides Katty Xiomara's headliner collection, Nolcha put on an exhilarating "Ones To Watch" show, featuring international up-and-comers Yvette Hass, Charles & Ron, Mitsou Ly and Haute Athletics. The collections I found the most inspiring were by Charles & Ron and Haute Athletics.
Photo Credit: gettyimages.com
Swedish designer, Yvette Hass sent down a series of looks in black and white constructed with sensual textures like leather, fur and feathers. One of my favorite pieces was a pair of sheer leggings that were brought to a new level through intricate lace embellishments.
Photo Credit: gettyimages.com
Charles & Ron's collection, which paired feminine silhouettes with bold modern prints, reminded me of Italian Vogue from the 1960's. The stand-out piece was a decadent black gown with a cut-out back that featured an opulent collar necklace made of gold flowers.
Other designers spotlighted at Nolcha were Ann Himsel, Nguyen Couture, and Prieston.
This was my first time at New York Fashion Week, and witnessing the magnificent fruit of these designer's endeavors left filled me with inspiration. Fashion, when done right, can feed the soul. Nolcha Fashion Week was a feast for the senses and inspired me in so many ways.
I had a blast celebrating YouTube's 10th birthday at their studio space in NYC earlier this week!