Chocheng

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Knit set - Chocheng
Boots - Dr Martens
Faux fur scarf - Zara

I met Chocheng Char back in September at New York Fashion Week.  We sat down over tea in the setting of a lovely loft space where he was presenting his Spring/Summer collection.  Freshly impelled by the close-up viewing of his attention to detail and impeccable tailoring, I had know more about his line and background.  

For starters, he was born in Hong Kong but is of Mongolian descent.  Chocheng has a store in Beijing but his flagship is right here on Madison Avenue, which he is very proud of.  If you are lucky to stop by, be aware that the whole space was built from scratch by him-- even the furniture design.   

We both had something in common: inspiration from our grandmothers.  Betty Char-Nuis Clemos was a renowned fashion designer who started her career as a successful tailor in Shanghai (hence those incomparable skills of his own) and also the first Asian retailer to import licensed Paris Haute Couture to Hong Kong.

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With ownership of coveted sources from within fashion houses such as Chanel, her success was clear, and life's work valuable.  Thankfully for her legacy, her grandson had innate skills that were clearly inherited from her.

I'm wearing Chocheng's knit top & skirt set, which is designed to give the illusion of pleats, much like the pink skirt in the above photo.  The skirt is pleated but the top is not.  Incredibly comfortable and high quality, which are two things you look for in a collection in addition to aesthetics.  You can tell Chocheng truly knows the female body.  

Shop the look below.

What's inspiring you this year? 

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Streetstyle Photos by Dennis Christians

Black and White but Never Boring

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Dress - Sandro (similar here, here, and here)//Shoes - Topshop (also in all black)
Clutch - Ela (similar here, here, here)
 

Black & white with menswear inspiration.  

I'm really feeling the menswear inspired designs this season; I feel my closet is craving some more edgy, smartly tailored pieces.  Additionally I'm loving loafers, and I walked right into this pair at Topshop just before fashion week.  The thing about doing menswear-inspired from head to toe is that you have to be careful to give it a feminine touch to ensure it's still a flattering look on the female body.  Which is why I felt this sleeveless tuxedo-style dress was perfect.  I'm able to wear the masculine tailoring while still showing some leg, and with a deep-V cut so that things wouldn't feel too stuffy and business-like.  

Almost always I will compete a black and white outfit with some pop of color or fun accessory, like this metallic clutch and a red lip.  

NYFW Recap - Day 0 + Day 1 + Giveaway!

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Wenqi Wu

Wenqi Wu

Wenqi showing his work

Wenqi showing his work

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CuteCircuit

CuteCircuit

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Retro-inspired at Honor

Retro-inspired at Honor

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Desigual

Desigual

For me, NYFW started on the preceding Wednesday, where I went to see the Wenqi Wu SS15 collection - and it was an impressive one to start off with.  Wenqi's pieces were creative and unconventional with abstract lines, geometric patterns, and beautiful textures.  The pieces showed off materials like silk organza and lightweight lambskin that played unexpectedly yet harmoniously in structured layers, and asymmetry with some menswear-inspired looks - I loved the one-piece jumpsuit with asymmetric lapel.
Day 1 started off with the CuteCircuit show, which displayed a futuristic, fashion-forward collection of 'wearable.  They demonstrated pieces which were adorned with electric patterns that can be changed with a push of a button, therefore giving many options for each piece worn.  The lights patterns were embroidered onto flexible, wearable clothing.  This reminded me very much of the type of futuristic fashion discussed at the panel at Gizmodo: Home of the Future that I saw earlier this summer, and it was interesting to be seeing theories discussed coming to life right before my eyes. 
Honor showcased pieces that were retro/mod-inspired, yet very modern at the same time.  There were retro-floral prints, swirled patterms, and 60's style dresses, with a pastel color palette.  
As always, Desigual was a fun, upbeat show with Adriana Lima opening and working the crowd, and fun florals with matching attitudes throughout. 
Hair in many of the shows was simple and straight, and a beauty trend that I loved was the thick, can't-miss electric blue liner.  If you saw my previous post, this was what my makeup look was inspired by.  I usually do a colored lower-lid, but I decided to go a bit bolder and thicker with the blues after seeing the shows. 

*Giveaway*

This "Cute Circuit Loves New York" tank is up for grabs.  Printed on a light, elegant, yet breathable fabric called Sensitive Fabrics, it's a little piece of the wearble technology I received at the CuteCircuit show and now I get to share it with you.  All you have to do is enter below.  Good luck!

*I was not paid to write this post.

*I was not paid to write this post.