fashion

New York Fashion Week for fall 2017 has been a wild ride, and the highlights have almost been too many to count. In the last week, craftsmanship and creativity reigned in collections that ranged from minimalist to ornate.

There were the sumptuous designs sent out by the always-wonderful Adam Lippes — a grouping of shearling jackets, pink velvet pantsuits, swingy culottes and leather shift pink prom dresses uk. It was all as fun in execution as it was serious in its design — the kind of clothes you can wear every day, yet never worry for a second that it’s boring.

And at Diane Von Furstenberg, designer Jonathan Saunders has revamped the brand, and this collection kept that reinvention going. He offered up flowing mixed-print midi dresses galore, alongside puffy fur jackets in bright hues and a slew of accessories — from low-slung belts and studded pumps to cross-shoulder leather bags and metallic boots.

On the more minimalist front, Cushnie et Ochs have build their brand over the years with bodycon, cutout dresses and streamlined suits. That expertise continued this season, too, and was well represented with sleek shift and slip dresses that seemed to be almost seamless. One departure for them: sequins, and lots of them. A jewel-toned dress of cascading panels one minute, a sequined jumpsuit the next.

Meanwhile, the luxurious sportswear of Derek Lam got what you might call a “convenience” makeover this season. The designer went in for easy-to-wear, day-to-night pieces that combine athleisure with office-ready and date-night-friendly combinations. Fur collared-trenches, groovy red velvet pantsuits, purple leather skirts and lots of midi green prom dresses revved up with details like embroidery.

And then, back to the minimalism, a la The Row. Ashley and Mary-Kate Olsen’s work this time around got an even neater, cleaner treatment than usual. Monochromatic looks dominated, in muted hues (a lot of neutrals like cream, nude, tan, black and white). Lots of big, full length, tailored coats over pants (both high-waisted and low-riding cuts) and simple-looking but sumptuous cashmere.

And how about Tibi’s Amy Smilovic, whose many takes on the pinstriped suit were funked up with sneakers and feminine, anything-but-neat hair. She put tight trousers and micro-miniskirts with plaid pencil skirts that will inspire us all to be perfect, but imperfect at the same time. What’s not to love about that?

“La La Land” is deceptively innovative. It evokes classic musicals while pushing the genre forward; it’s old-fashioned and modern at the same time.

Damien Chazelle makes his bold intent clear from the outset: Drivers stuck on a jam-packed freeway ramp exit their cars to sing and dance in a dazzling pyrotechnic display. When the music stops, they get into their cars and the movie’s star-crossed lovers-to-be lock eyes for the first time. They don’t swoon; Sebastian (Ryan Gosling) flips the bird at distracted Mia (Emma Stone) before speeding away.

The traffic and her Prius are thoroughly modern; so, too, his reaction. The fact that she’s clearly an actress preparing for an audition suggests we could soon be heading into familiar territory, however.Sure enough, visual allusions to classic musicals soon pop up on-screen. Mia and her actress wannabes sport candy-colored mint green prom dresses similar to the ones Catherine Deneuve wore in “Umbrellas of Cherbourg”; her apartment seems like a Technicolor throwback to an earlier decade. And the story itself, about dreamers trying to make it in Hollywood, harks back to classic musicals such as “Singin’ in the Rain.”

Chazelle deviated from musical norms by filming on actual city streets rather than studio soundstages. He shot at familiar spots throughout the greater Los Angeles area, from Griffith Park to Hermosa Beach. What’s more, he recorded some of the actual singing on location, adding another logistical hurdle to the production.

“Part of the goal was to not only shoot in L.A., but to shoot L.A. for L.A.,” Chazelle says. “So if there’s a dance number on a freeway, it had to be a real freeway. And then we saved the ‘Brigadoon’-style soundstage stuff for the final sequence of the movie.”

Chazelle’s shooting style gave “La La Land” a looser indie feel than glossier big studio predecessors. Gosling and Stone are appealing enough hoofers without seemingly too polished; their song-and-dance routines fit their aspiring characters.

By the movie’s end, both have found their way as artists. Jazz purist Sebastian moved beyond the cover bands and pop music that tormented him, while pragmatic Mia triumphs beyond her dreams. The moviemaking itself has become more elaborate.

Like his characters, Chazelle reveres the past. But he is not slavishly devoted to it.

By fusing retro and modern he has reinvigorated a genre sadly in need of it. Musicals used to be a staple on the big screen, but in recent years have been neglected for trendier fare. Hit musicals have tended to be stage adaptations a la “Chicago” or “Mamma Mia!” with song performance showcases a la “Pitch Perfect” or grind-’em-ups like “Magic Mike” filling the song-and-dance void.

But truly original musicals where characters burst into song and dance out of sheer joie d’vivre have been rare indeed. “La La Land” may inspire more filmmakers to give this genre another spin.

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The New Hanover Regional Medical Center Foundation will host the I Heart Fashion Benefit to support area congestive heart failure patients.

This is the second time the event will be held and will showcase the latest fashions modeled by more than 20 people affiliated with the hospital's Heart Center.

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Proceeds from the event will go towards patient care bags that include items like scales, hear-healthy recipes, pill boxes and patient education.

“Our patients will directly benefit from the awareness this event brings to the needs of those living with heart failure,” said John Rommel, MD, cardiologist with NHRMC Physician Group – Cape Fear Heart Associates and NHRMC Congestive Heart Failure Program director. “We are grateful to the NHRMC Foundation for informing our community about the services our specialists offer and how to live a heart healthy life.”

The fashion show will be held at the Coastline Conference and Event Center in downtown Wilmington Thursday, Feb. 23 at 6:30 p.m. The event is open to the public and tickets are $35 per person. Purchase of an individual ticket includes admission, hors d’oeuvres and two drink tickets.

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Lingerie giant Victoria's Secret, famed for its racy bras and underwear, has pledged to trace the sources of its wood-based fabrics, joining the ranks of fashion companies addressing human rights and deforestation, its parent company said. In a new policy statement, parent company L Brands said it aimed to eliminate sources of wood pulp, used to make rayon, viscose and modal, that contribute to rainforest destruction or violate the rights of local people.

L Brands is the latest in a growing number of U.S. fashion companies to commit to investigate its supply chain for products from destructive regions and stop using those sources by the end of 2017, according to Rainforest Action Network (“RAN”). Ralph Lauren Corp, whose designs are popular on Hollywood's red carpets, adopted a similar policy earlier this month.

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"Our Forest Products Procurement Policy is written to reduce threats to ancient and endangered forests and to avoid products that contribute to deforestation or human rights abuses," said L Brands' policy statement published on its website. "We will report on our progress publicly."

Production of wood pulp can involve clearing forests to build eucalyptus plantations and taking land traditionally used by indigenous communities, campaigners say. The issue is particularly acute in Indonesia, a major producer of wood pulp.

The Victoria's Secret catalog features voluptuous models clad in tiny thongs, push-up bras and "cheekini" panties, and its top models who appear in its popular fashion shows are known as its Angels. It is one of several companies owned by L Brands. Its other well-known brands include Henri Bendel, Pink and Bath & Body Works.

RAN said the new policy was posted on the company website late on Wednesday. RAN, which helped develop the sourcing policies for L Brands and Ralph Lauren, has been waging an "Out of Fashion" campaign to publicize the impact of forest-based fabrics and call on major U.S. brands to adopt stringent sourcing systems.

"It's encouraging to see brands beginning to take responsibility for their supply chains," said Brihannala Morgan, senior forest campaigner with RAN. "L Brands' commitments and actions, following right behind Ralph Lauren and among more than 60 other brands who have developed policies, can have a real positive impact for forests and the people that depend on them."

H&M, Zara, Levi Strauss & Co., and British fashion designer Stella McCartney have adopted similar policies, RAN said. Last year Stella McCartney partnered with environmental non-profit Canopy to encourage clothing companies to stop sourcing fabric from ancient and endangered forests.

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Let’s take a look at some 2017 fashion trends that are primed to hit it big. Some are re-dos of years’ past, and others are ones that have been a little under the radar and are making big splashes in the new year. If you are looking for a few key pieces to keep your wardrobe one that is of-the-moment, here are trends we are forecasting as hits for 2017.

Hello, sleeves!

Sleeves emerged as a fashion darling last year, and they are hitting their stride in 2017. Think big, billowy sleeves. Think ornate sleeves. Think pretty sleeves. Think slashes in sleeves. Sleeves are definitely looking to take center stage this year.

Serious attention is being given to sleeves in 2017, like this Asda top. Ruffles and gingham are also big. Image: Asda

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Sneakers. Lots of pretty sneakers.

Sneakers are still “in”? YAY! Once women realized they could pair sneakers with jeans during the week and look elegant and stylish … let’s just say the cat’s out of the bag and it’s going to be hard to put it back in. But, that doesn’t mean that sneakers won’t change and evolve. Look for pretty ones with leopard prints, fancy laces, glitter and more as designers are finding that sneakers are places to have fun, and women are buying them up!

For workouts, errands and the cool/prom dress look, metallic sneakers are serious contenders for 2017. Now that we have all gotten used to wearing our sneaks with a bit more abandon, we have many more fun options to choose from. Image: lonestarsouthern.com

Mules make a comeback.

The sterile workhorse lends its name to this workhorse of a shoe. Actually, the word mule means “a lounging slipperthat covers the toes and instep or only the instep” or “a woman’s shoe resembling this.” But, there is something particularly .......y about a mule shoe. Have you noticed you walk a little differently because the back is not attached? And, it’s a total throwback to the late ’90s when mules dominated footwear. The mule style is found in flats, mid-heel and high heels. Whatever your preferred shoe height, there will be a mule waiting to seduce you. And yes, mule sneakers do exist!

While we all can’t afford the Gucci loafer mules, they sure are breathtaking. Remember the fur-lined ones that went bazonkers in 2015/2016? Maybe we can trace the heightening interest in mules to that one fashion breakthrough item?! Image: Stylewich.com

Stripes, stripes and more stripes

When are stripes not in? I know, I know. Spring brings florals, stripes and nautical EVERY YEAR. But, stripes do have seasons when they show up on pants and dresses and tops more than in others … and this is THAT season. Striped bags, shoes, coats, dresses … if stripes are your thing, get buying.

This Mara Hoffman Spring 2017 dress is gorgeous, huh?! Image: Mara Hoffman

Related: 8 Key Pieces Every Wardrobe Needs

Men’s shirting fabrics

With stripes being so en vogue, it’s not surprising that shirting fabrics are a huge trend. Yes, we love a shirt dress, but this season’s will look more like an actual shirt than ever before, simply because of the fabric. Think oxford blue, oxford stripes and gingham.

See how this shirt dress is actually made from a material that is commonly identified with men’s shirting fabrics? Look for more of that in 2017. Image: chroniclesofher.com

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Ruffles and bows and all tied up

Those shirt dresses we were just talking about? One way to differentiate them from simply a longer men’s shirt is the ruffles and bows that many will sport. Or, perhaps they’ll be all tied up in an unexpected way. One thing is for sure, whether it’s ruffles on those big sleeves, or tied up blouses and bows on the backs of shoes, that feminine touch is alive and well in 2017.

Not all ruffles will be the ones we are used to seeing. Some have a more modern flair, like this occasion dresses (in gingham!) seen in the Au Jour Le Jour Spring 2017 line.

Show off the shoulders

Shoulders were practically over-exposed in 2016. The shoulder-less top (aka the “cold-shoulder” look) was probably 50% of all fashion bloggers’ Instagram feeds. With that amount of over-exposure, you would expect that perhaps women and fashion designers alike would say “no more.” But, that is not the case. You see, women look good showing off their collarbones, and this is true no matter your size, so it’s friendly to age and size, and all generations bought in. This year, you may see more adaptations to the shoulder-less top — with even bigger sleeves, for example — but get the ones out you wore last summer as you’ll want to wear them again. And, if you didn’t buy any, you just may want to.

With many of the Orleans/Niagara BOCES classrooms, teachers look to outside sources to help students get a better sense of what career paths are available to them or what resources they can tap into once they graduate.

Although many beauty and decorating professionals have been lending their support to the cosmetology program and the fashion and interior design program, recently they were asked to come in for the first-ever Connect to Your Future/Professional Services Day at the Niagara Career and Technical Education Center.

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Principal Anedda Trautman came up with the idea and asked cosmetology teachers Cathy Bonaccorso, Pauline Carney, Lori Smith and fashion and interior design teacher Debra Wilczak if they would like to put something together for their students.

“We have gotten a great reaction from our students,” Smith said. “It gives the students a chance to network with salon and supply professionals and gives the businesses a chance to recruit.”

Bonaccorso said the gathering was an excellent idea.

“I think it is a great opportunity for our students to have everyone here and give them time to interact with them. A lot of the vendors are giving them free samples or kits at a very good price. They are also making themselves available to answer all their questions. We are hoping to make this a yearly event,” Bonaccorso said.

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