MBFW: Day 1 Re-Cap

It’s today, today! The day that marks the push to get Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week rolling! We’ve been checking in to YouTube’s Live From the Runway channel and re-watching the shows all morning over here in LA, feeling excitement all around. Bright and early, the digitally broadcast day began with Burning Man chic from Nicholas K, followed up by a show from BCBG that trickled down the runway like a dark romantic novel. Then we had some sporty spice from mister Richard Chai and lastly (at least for us online), the impeccable elegance of Tadashi Shoji. Below, we’ll walk you through four fabulous Spring 2013 Ready-To-Wear collections, accompanied by pictures courtesy of Women’s Wear Daily and Nordstrom.

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Nicholas K

This brother and sister team started the day out nicely, showing a solid collection true to their functional, yet sophisticated form. The mens and womenswear pieces followed a very neutral and muted colorway, with dessert camels and tans swaying along with periwinkles, celeries, and rusts. The fabric was light, the flow was paramount, and the layering was essential. We are still seeing lots of sheer, lightweight fabrics and color blocked pieces in this line for Spring 2013.

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BCBG Max Azria

The fan and critic favorite of the day seemed to come from the Bon Chic, Bon Genre crew headed by Max Azria. This show was a dream for those who love romance with an edge. Color-speaking, the palette was largely based off of one basic base – black or white…then paired with a blush, peach, periwinkle or lavender. Stealing the show, however, was BCBG’s use of texture. Each outfit was detailed with leather bondage casing and lace paneling that instantly added appeal. Aesthetically speaking, this entire collection was very linear, making the body less curvy, more slinky like they were wearing an updated version of boudoir lingerie. And while the silhouettes and prints remained very feminine, the model’s tousled hair and day old eyeliner with a swipe of rouge really balanced on the brim of rock and roll.

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Richard Chai

Although in his profile picture on the MBFW website, Richard Chai can be seen donning a Nirvana tee…do not be fooled into thinking his collection reflects anything grunge. Quite to the contrary, Chai sent down a parade of sport and prep-school style today in his Spring Ready-To-Wear show. We continued to see that ever present periwinkle, then introducing a refreshing avocado. The colorway dropped off in the latter half of his show, getting into navy, charcoal and taupe areas…using color blocking and paneling to create dimension. For both menswear and womens, the feel was very Pleasantville meets futuristic, using iridescent fabrics and matrix-esque sequins and prints on classic button down shirts and A-line skirts. He kept things fresh and playful with floral bralettes, rib cage cut-outs, and shorts as bottoms in a suit pair.

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Tadashi Shoji

Hold up…were we just watching a red carpet barrage or was that Tadashi Shoji’s Spring RTW collection? We swear any one of Shoji’s beauties (dresses, that is) will be waltzing down to receive awards on the likes of any famed actress or musician very soon. Each gown was a masterpiece, carefully crafted to grant it’s wearer poise and divinity, but with the utmost of confidence. We saw a different color on nearly every dress, from deep coral, watery cobalt, and springtime lilac to rich ivories and basic blacks. Lace stole most of the show’s attention, but in many different shapes and forms. There were collared shifts, off the shoulder sleeves, Grecian strapping, and tulle wrapping to make a whirlwind of ethereal fancy throughout.

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Check back for more coverage of NYFW’s live streamed runway shows…