One of the perks of being a fashion intern in New York City is getting invited to exclusive fashion shows during Fashion Week. As part of my job, I was lucky enough to go to two shows the displayed the Fall/Winter 2013 collections of a few rising designers.
The first show I attended was in the heart of the Fashion District. Tia Cibani, a North Africa-born Canadian, presented her second line with great success. Full of visually interesting combinations of neutrals, metallic, and cool greys, this collection was inspired by the avant-garde photograms of modernist artist Man Ray.
The sleek sillohuettes of most of the pieces made them well-suited for the sophisticated—but edgy—business woman. Exuding a vibe of 1920s speakeasy-cool, Cibani’s collection combined the urban, vintage, and professional in a distinct and well-executed way. Almost all of the collection stuck to the deep neutrals of winter but one stand-out piece took many by surprise: an amethyst and magenta asymmetrical dress.
The looks were effortlessly completed statement jewelry and dark sunglasses, adding a fim noir vibe to the otherwise minimalist outfits.
The next day, I headed to Chelsea to attend the Sachin + Babi Fall/Winter show. This collection, inspired by the Northern Lights, stood in stark contrast to the Cibani show. Cosmic patterns, bright colors, and interestingly futuristic sillohettes defined the Sachin + Babi look, a combination that set the collection apart from the more classic, neutral-toned collections of other designers.
Loud patterns in cool blues mingled with more subtle ombre in shockingly bright oranges and reds: the couple did a fabulous job incorporating variety into their line. All of the pieces, although in danger of seeming like “too much”, were chic and well-balanced. Color, form, pattern, and texture worked together in tandem, never overpowering each other.
Side note: I especially enjoyed the sequins!
Both collections were really different, but I expect them to smoothly transition into the wardrobes of women later this year. We’ll definitely be talking about these lines again once we’re back on campus this fall.