NEW YORK Fashion Week wrapped up with Rihanna’s outre Brooklyn party unveiling her new Savage X Fenty lingerie line, snatching an honour traditionally the preserve of creme-de-la-creme designer Marc Jacobs.

As the spring/summer 2019 season flits to Europe, with style fests in London, Milan and Paris, here’s a quick round up of the top 10 takeaways from the Big Apple.

Happiness is the truth

Dark times be damned was the vibe this season. Why suffer in unease about the Trump presidency, global warming or threat to Western liberalism when you can put on a yellow frock?

There were bright colours galore. Yellows, mustards and chartreuse were on display at Carolina Herrera and Kate Spade. Michael Kors dubbed his show “Sunny Side Up.” Matthew Adams Dolan sported fluorescent yellow.

“Especially today, when things are heavy and dark and difficult and we don’t know the way through, it’s good to deal with that with a light touch,” said Niall Sloan, the creative director at Escada.

 A model walks the runway during the Michael Kors Collection Spring 2019 Runway Show in New York. /AFP

Happy Birthday

T’was the season of anniversaries. Ralph Lauren marked half a century in the business, by inviting A-list stars such as Oprah Winfrey, Steven Spielberg and Kanye West to a black-tie do in Central Park.

France’s Longchamp turned 70, hosting celebrities at the World Trade Centre, while Germany’s Escada also jetted Stateside to celebrate 40.

Black is beautiful

Models of colour were centre stage like never before. Pyer Moss went for an all-black line-up. Hugo Boss, Kate Spade and Tory Burch had diverse casting. Older women also strutted their stuff at Sies Marjan and Maria Cornejo. Friends and relatives of the designers walked at Vaquera. Women of all shapes and colours frolicked for Rihanna.

Brooklyn

New York’s most populous borough, so big that if it was independent it would be the fourth largest city in the United States, has been the den of hipsters and international cool for years.

This season it hosted Rihanna’s underwear bash. Pyer Moss took the glitterati to a heritage centre to honour a collection that embodied black power and Eckhaus Latta took over an industrial space.

Model Kaia Gerber walks the runway at the Coach Spring 2019 show during New York Fashion Week./AFP

Go vote

New York’s Democratic primaries were slated for Thursday and a few of the more politically minded urged their guests to head to the ballot box.

Red-carpet favourite Christian Siriano endorsed “Sex and the City” actress Cynthia Nixon in her attempt to unseat Governor Andrew Cuomo while Maria Cornejo exhorted guests to “use your voice and vote”.

Working women

Keep it powerful, keep it comfortable and keep it straightforward. Those are the mantras for clothes for women juggling careers, families and everything else life flings at you.

Escada reimagined the 1980s power suit, making it softer and more modern. There were shades of the same at Marc Jacobs. Tom Ford went back to the pencil skirt. Kate Spade opted for comfort with platforms and dresses that go seamlessly from day to night.

Rapper cat fight

Nicki Minaj and Cardi B, two of America’s most prominent rap and hip-hop artists, nearly came to blows but were separated by their security detail as Cardi B cursed her rival and lobbed a shoe at her.

Cardi B was photographed with a large bump just above her left eye, later complaining that Minaj had criticised her qualities as a mother.

Kaia Gerber –

The now 17-year-old daughter of |Cindy Crawford and model husband |Rande has officially arrived. She was |everywhere, walking for Tom Ford, Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren, Longchamp to Proenza Schouler.

Fringes

Tassels and fringes were everywhere from Coach to Michael Kors to Longchamp, adorning sleeves, bags, skirts and shorts.

Up and coming

Critics love to complain that New York isn’t daring enough, that Europe is more creative, but there was a smattering of new talent.

Sies Marjan has been going from strength-to-strength since being founded in New York by Dutch designer Sander Lak in 2016. Independent brand Vaquera has won plaudits for its originality.

Kerby Jean-Raymond is putting Pyer Moss on the map and Wes Gordon injected modernity into his debut collection for Carolina Herrera, a staple with the Park Avenue set.

Guests can feast their eyes on the intricate beauty of the traditional costumes of the royal family and the high court society created and designed by talented period costumes designer, Dr Surat Jongda, considered as one of the key authorities in Thai period costumes. They will also be mesmerised by the glittering silk and gleaming gold and silver threads, the colourful embroidery and the unique patterns on the antique clothes and textiles from the private collection of Paothong Thongchua, a renowned historian who specialises in traditional Thai fabrics.

The precious period gold ornaments from the private collections of Puthipong Piencharoeng are also on show together with a collection of Thai costumes designed by Dr Veeratham Trakulguenthai with ancient royal court patterns as well as Thai costumes designed by Adhit Dhirakittiwat, one of the top Thai designers. Expect to be fascinated with the collections of Peeramon Chomdhavat, artistic director and founder of the Arpon-Ngam Dance Theatre, who designs traditional Thai classical dance costumes.

The hotel’s lobby lounge will be the fashion runway of graceful models showing off these beautiful private collections to be admired by the guests while enjoying a traditional Thai afternoon tea and a demonstration of making Thai desserts. The event starts from 2.30pm onwards.

Tickets costs Bt1,500 net including a Thai afternoon tea buffet and a glass of champagne.

Book your seats by calling (02) 200 9000 extension 2345 or 2999.

The collection features modern folklore-inspired silhouettes, a rich colour palette, and a vivid dialogue between contemporary prints and iconic archive patterns from the 1950s and 1960s.

Festive materials such as velvet and silk are combined in the collection with unexpected details in metallic colours – bringing joy to everyday life and festive moments alike. Some of the looks seen in the presentation include showpieces designed especially for the event.

The new ready-to-wear collection was presented in Paris in an experiential display, staged in an old printing house, which immersed the audience in Marimekko’s art of print making. The presentation highlighted Marimekko’s philosophy of craftsmanship and timeless and functional design. The company’s own textile printing mill in Helsinki serves both as a factory and as an innovative hub for Marimekko’s creative community.

The presentation was organised in partnership with Clinique with which Marimekko has collaborated in selling Clinique’s most-loved everyday beauty essentials with Marimekko’s iconic and colourful patterns.

The fashion show was held at Parc Paragon and brought together some 400 super-luxury, international design, street fashion and Thai brands offering everything from mix-and-match separates to bags, shoes and accessories. For fashionistas, the fun continues this month with exciting events and special promotions running through October 4 at all three stores.

Several A-listers and celebrities joined the event, among them Nopmanee Krirerk, Saengkhae Hemkamolset, Pimlert-Jarujit Baiyoke and Prakarn Raiva. Others acted as honorary models, with Patchrapa “Aum” Chaichua dressed in Dior, , Jirayu “James” Tangsrisuk in Prada and Pachara “Peach” Chirathivat in Gucci.

Fashion guru Aphiwat Yospraphan was enthusiastic about the new looks for the coming season, saying: “We should stock our wardrobes now with scarves, boots, and street fashion with a touch of sporty clothing. The winter trend is full of printed patterns, including graphic, classic prints like ancient Baroque, traditional print and collage weaves.”

Siam Paragon is now holding a range of activities, among them a photo session with Pornpoj Kanjanasit aka Poj Sixtysix, a concert party with rappers Tong-Twopee and Khanngoen Thaitanium plus an exclusive workshop led by Thai fashion gurus previewing the new collections of luxury brands.

Over at Siam Center, many Thai designers are unveiling their latest collections, among them Tube Gallery’s “Ballet Manohra”, SIX PM’s “Quiet Art”, Rotsaniyom White Label’s SUN R White, and House of PB’s “Saiseiki”.

Silverware brand AKE AKE shows off its latest designs too while Aland, the multi-brand fashion shop Korea, has a look to suit everyone, ranging from street outfits to casual sports.

Siam Discovery highlights international brands, with new collections from Essentiel Antwerp, French, Palmer/Harding, and Suncoo for the ladies while for the men, there’s Barbour, Essentiel Antwerp, Oliver Spencer, and Samsoe & Samsoe.

OneSiam has also joined with Genie Records to organise the “OneSiam Genie Dis(Play) Concert”, which continues through September 23 at Discovery Plaza.

Keep updated at Facebook.com/onesiamofficial.

New York Fashion Week opened just before the weekend with a masterclass from Tom Ford, A-list models oozing subdued sophistication in neutral palettes with Tom Hanks and break-out rom-com star Henry Golding in the front row.

The US city kicks off a month-long fashion merry-go-round in which editors, celebrities and influencers descend first on the Big Apple before jetting off to fashion weeks in London, Milan and Paris.

Ford took a chill pill – opening the spring/summer 2019 season by sending down the runway models Kaia Gerber, Gigi Hadid, Joan Smalls in matte make-up, headscarves and smokey eyes.

For men, the trademark Tom Ford suit was fashioned into candy colours and metallics, paired with block shades and a traditional mac.

For women, think feminine pencil skirts, little black dresses and feathered evening gowns worn with snakeskin-style jackets, with only minimal snatches of animal print after last season’s feline riot.

Hemlines fell below the knee with delicate lace detailing, and there was double-breasted black pant suit for evening that wouldn’t look out of place on Meghan Markle, the newly minted Duchess of Sussex.

Kate Spade put the sparkle into the event the following day, paying tribute in a riot of colour to the handbag brand’s founder, three months after her tragic death.

It was the label’s first runway show at the bi-annual style fest, having previously opted for Instagram-able presentations, held this time in the lofty surrounds of the iconic New York Public Library.

The new creative director, Northern Ireland-born Nicola Glass, was already working on her debut collection when 55-year-old Spade, who founded the company with her husband, committed suicide in June.

Silver glitter ran down the centre of the pale pink-carpeted runway, a nod to the woman whose brand has been synonymous with a joyful outlook on life since its founding in 1993.

Kate Spade’s spring/summer 2019 is one of pale lilac, hot pink, dark green, chartreuse, florals and print, with block-heeled sandals and knee-high boots, and liberal use of the spade symbol.

“It feels more modern, less retro, there’s more polished ease to it and prints, they’ve been evolved in a way where they’re a little bit more graphic with unexpected details,” Glass said.

Besides the silk dresses, cropped pants, checked suiting and buttoned mini-skirts, they sported purses, sunglasses and silk headscarves knotted at the nape of the neck.

Spade sold her last shares in her namesake brand in the mid-2000s. The company is now owned by Tapestry, but Glass hailed Spade as a role model woman, entrepreneur and designer.

There were tributes too to Ralph Lauren whose models sashayed through the oriental rug-lined Bethesda Terrace fountain in Central Park, before a frail looking Lauren, dressed in jeans, dress shirt and black tux, came out to a standing ovation, doing a lap of honour and tenderly embraced by his guests, among them Oprah Winfrey, Anne Hathaway, Jessica Chastain, Blake Lively, Pierce Brosnan, Kanye West and Priyanka Chopra, as well as Donna Karan, Michael Kors and Carolina Herrera were in attendance.

Dozens of models ranging from almost babes in arms to grey-haired men, encapsulated 50 years in which the 78-year-old has literally dressed America – his Ralph Lauren and Polo labels a one-stop shop for evening, day, business and sportswear.

The American founder of the global lifestyle brand Tory Burch was upbeat and happy, unveiling a collection, imbued with the memory of her wealthy parents and their Mediterranean cruises.

The clothes were inspired by their steamer-hopping trips from Italy to Greece, and from Spain to Morocco, full of contrast from Cyprus lace to North African djellabas, and from flamenco flounces to safari suits.

Escada celebrated its 40th anniversary by making a New York Fashion Week debut with soft power dressing for the working woman – an upbeat and colourful collection that paid tribute to the 1980s.

Models strode down a serpentine grass runway for the Munich-based luxury brand’s first runway show since 2015 and the second full collection of young Irish designer Niall Sloan, who joined Escada last year and who earlier in his career spent a decade at Burberry.

The show featured power suits with big gold buttons and gold chain belts, yellow jackets, fuschia skirts, oversized silk shirts black dresses covered in bright florals, and contrast in the form of beige and cream, with plenty of stripes and dots – an homage to Julia Roberts in “Pretty Woman” with a reinvention of the brown dress with white polka dots she wore to the races in the movie.

As befits the best of any anniversary, it looked back as well as forward. Sloan said Ley was a constant inspiration and that her collections were “always done with a touch of lightness.”

More celebrations were in store at Longchamp, which made its New York debut to mark 70 years in the business.

Fronted by new brand ambassador Kendall Jenner, guests were invited to the World Trade Centre, where the Manhattan skyline provided a dazzling backdrop to a collection summed up as 1970s glamour, California spirit and Parisian elegance.

The French staple, best known by millions around the world for the iconic Pliage bag, is building on its leather goods heritage by highlighting its ready-to-wear, sunglasses and footwear lines.

Jenner sat front row, sporting the Longchamp Gladiators on her slender pins, next to Kate Moss, who was the face of Longchamp for eight years and in turn sat next to Indian actress Priyanka Chopra.

There were lots of fringed tops, shorts and mini-skirts in suede, gladiator sandals, and Ikat-style prints on long skirts and dresses.

“Twenty-five years ago, fashion and leather goods were separate sectors,” Cassegrain said. “The bag is now a fashion item, and labels also have to be fashion labels.”

Christian Siriano, meanwhile, used his runway show to endorse Cynthia Nixon, the left-leaning former “Sex and the City” actress campaigning to become New York’s first woman governor.

Nixon, whose effort to oust two-term incumbent Andrew Cuomo will do or die in Thursday’s Democratic primary, sat in the front row.

Each guest was given a Vote for Cynthia leaflet, there were special thanks to her in the notes for “all you are doing for New York” and Siriano came out for a bow at the end in a Nixon T-shirt.

Passionate about arts and culture, Kai has a particular interest in Thai fabrics and promotes

them in her designs. The use of these textiles not only makes her outfits unique and instantly

recognisable but has also done much to bring a better quality of life to the villagers who weave them.

It is for this assistance that the designer has been recognised.

The awards themselves are designed by well-known artists in Sweden, among them Rolf

Clovemo and Tomas Lacke.

This follows on from the first collaboration between the two, which introduced the Selena Grace bag and accessories last autumn. The new collection includes the first readytowear pieces and is designed by the star in collaboration with Coach Creative Director Stuart Vevers.

Featuring readytowear, bags, small leather goods and accessories, the collection is imbued with Selena’s powerfully feminine spirit. Pieces styled by Selena feature her unique touches, including an empowering personal motto written in her handwriting—“Not perfect, Always me”—and a bunny motif that speaks to her imagination. The collection is designed to perfectly reflect Selena’s playful sense of style, which contrasts pretty with sporty and elegance with cool.

In addition to readytowear, which includes pretty silk slips finished with lace and ultrasoft sweaters and hoodies in retroinspired pastels, the collection also introduces two new bag silhouettes–the Bond and the Trail Bag – which Selena designed in close collaboration with Vevers. Crafted in smooth leather and finished with antiqueinspired crystals and bows, the bags bring a fresh lens to Coach’s legacy of leathercraft.

“I love working with Selena because she brings her strong pointofview to the design process,” said Vevers. “I wanted all of the pieces to reflect her style and her charm—and to feel effortless.”

“I’m so proud of the collection,” said Gomez. “What I love most about working with the Coach team is that they just know how I dress. Everything felt authentic from the beginning.”

The Coach x Selena Gomez collection is available in Coach stores.

CENTRALWORLD was crackling with excitement late last month as Swarovski officially opened its new Signature of Crystal Forest concept store, Bangkok’s first digitalised Crystal Forest and home to Thailand’s only Crystal Rock TV display, a digital panel outside the store showcasing the seasonal collections.

Swarovski currently has a total of 21 stores in Thailand, excluding those run with King Power. This new iconic crystalline architecture was created by long-time Swarovski collaborator and celebrated designer, Tokujin Yoshioka. Subtle, glamorous and dripping with femininity, the new boutique boasts a 23-metre sweeping facade that uses glass panels to create an impressive open space sparkling with crystalline prisms. The addition of digital elements, including a free-standing display panel, light box visuals and vitrines give the store a cutting-edge feel whilst maintaining its sense of wonder and elegance.

The spectacular store also features a dedicated Home Collection cosy corner, where a sparkling collection of ornaments is displayed.

Aymeric Lacroix, managing director, Swarovski Consumer Goods Business, Southeast Asia and India, says: “The collection for autumn and winter 2018 is all about the tales of the forest. One of my favourites is the March collection, especially the fox. Swarovski is always on top of trends. There are a lot of animal motifs, which are also seen in the fashion runways. The concept store has the answer for digitally minded customers with touch points inside the store. Our aim is to communicate more with customers both in and outside of the store on all social media platforms. We need to engage and to have more direct communication with consumers today.

“Particularly versatile is the Remix collection, which allows you to turn the bracelet into not only a short necklace but also a long necklace depending on how you connect the string. We’ve also added birthstones as well as letters so you can personalise the jewellery,” he adds.

Creative director Nathalie Colin is equally as enthusiastic about the Crystal Tales Collection which, she says, takes jewellery and accessories to a new dreamy level and helps the wearer get away from high density of information and visual pollution in daily life.

“The world of magic, enchantment, and fairy tales offers an escape from everyday life. It’s a place where forest animals have a soul and we become modern-day shamans able to understand their language. This captivating world inspired the Crystal Tales Collection. This season we wanted to offer women a welcoming and sparkling world to retreat to, where they can be inspired by storytelling, re-energised by richly crafted designs, and feel at their most brilliant,” she wrote in the recent press release.

As the key source of inspiration, tales from the forest largely infuse this collection. Sparkling treasures and vintage glamour evoke the captivating curiosities and flora and fauna of a mystical forest. The Magnetic family reimagines insect motifs in brilliant new ways. On-trend silhouettes; asymmetric earrings, brooches, layered necklaces, signet and cocktail rings, shine with Swarovski crystal Pointiage, delicate detailing, and mixed metal tones. Radiating unique charm, the March family is an endearing addition to every woman’s accessory collection. Lovers of woodland animal motifs, such as the fox, owl, and squirrel, will be won over by the mix of golden metallic tones and Swarovski crystal, for a look that’s quirky yet sophisticated at the same time.

A colour palette of rich jewel and golden tones, intense dark blue, sapphire, burgundy, and emerald hues inject an alluring air into any look, for day or night. Swarovski underscores femininity with layers upon layers of long pendants and charms, bold cocktail rings, delicate designs, and ornate earrings.

The Remix collection charms with pave letters and colourful birthstone elements making thoughtful gifts that will stand the test of time.

Swarovski also believes in empowering women and making them feel as beautiful and as brilliant as the sparkling crystal collections it creates each season.

This concept is echoed by the Swarovski Brilliant 8, a diverse group of eight independent and inspiring women from across Southeast Asia, including Thailand’s very own Nittha “Mew” Jirayungyurn.

“For me, ‘The Signature of Crystal Forest’ really captures the spirit of the Swarovski woman. It’s beautiful and open, but intricate with depth and, of course, plenty of sparkle. It’s a really beautiful place to browse the latest collections,” Nittha told The Nation.

THIS SEASON, Thai brand ASV opens a new chapter in the book of fashion for its autumn-winter collection by exploring the concept of soulmate.

Shown at the recent Elle Fashion week, creative director Polpat Asavaprapa’s collection is inspired by Carrie Bradshaw, the protagonist of the groundbreaking series “Sex and the City”. Polpat notes that the show is not just about fashion but deals with female liberation and empowered women, giving visibility to what was considered taboo when the series first aired in 1998.

“This year also marks the 20th anniversary of the phenomenon that the series became in introducing a fashion society. It took us away from the old idea that fashion is something that disempowers women and gave us Bradshaw, a woman who is empowered. Her style is a powerful statement. Bradshaw’s eclectic mix of upper east side elegance and downtown street style push her style to another level,” he says.

Channelling Bradshaw’s self confidence and willingness to give any look a go, ASV’s autumn/winter 2018 collection offers a wide range of silhouettes from those perfect for playful activities such as one-shoulder dresses, tracksuits and trench coats to more classic though modern and feminine silhouettes like flared and midi length skirts, and cape blouses. The signature wrap dress is combined with a masculine shirtdress to create powerful yet alluring pieces for ASV’s woman.

Various sorts of fabric are put together and include the mannish Glen plaid and more ladylike tulle and lace.

Velvet and navy-sequinned materials add sparkle to the collection and complete the adventurous and daring look.

A distinctly metropolitan vibe is created through classic shades like off-white, dark navy and olive green along with Sunkist Coral Pink, Ruby Wine Red and Sunshine Yellow. Apricot orange and nostalgia rose violet add autumnal hues appropriate to the season.

ASV contrasts ruffles, tulle pleats and grosgrain lace trim inlayed at the cuffs with such basic silhouettes as a tulle parka with grosgrain trim. ASV’s signature pieces like tracksuits and trench coats are decorated with piping detail and multicolour grosgrain to bring subtle charm to an everyday wardrobe.

Alice + olivia will be unveiling its spring-summer collection “Passport to Wonderland” on September 11 at Pier59 Studios.

The space will be filled with intricate sets evoking actual Booking.com destinations in Paris, Morocco, the English countryside and Positano in Italy.

Visitors to the show will arrive at the south entrance to Chelsea Piers to embark on an interactive journey to “Wonderland” on the Fashion Yacht outfitted in alice + olivia designs.

On the way upstairs to the Pier59 Studios, models will be wearing the latest spring-summer outfits.

“Travel has always been a big inspiration for me,” says Stacey Bendet, the brand’s creative director. “It’s a huge part of my creative process.

“This season I wanted the collection and experience to reflect the women of the world and the vibrant countries and cultures they represent – the prints, patterns and colours from each destination continue to inspire me.”

Booking.com chief executive Gillian Tans noted that clothes are always a big part of planning and preparing for vacations.

“We are excited to embrace the confidence and joy that fashion brings our customers through our partnership with alice + olivia. We’re celebrating the best way to experience fashion and travel with the ultimate New York fashion experience in a cool and unique place to stay.”

Three guests will have the opportunity to book a sleepover on the yacht, which features two bedrooms and two bathrooms.

Each day at 5pm from September 5 to 7, Booking.com will release a one-night stay for September 11 to 13. On September 11, the overnight stay will include two tickets to attend the fashion show, and on September 12 and 13 a shopping spree at the alice + olivia boutique.

The chance is yours for $59 at http://www.Booking.com/hotel/us/alice-olivia-fashion-yacht.html.