The FASHIONHOW REPORT- Tom Ford to Direct

Way back in when Tom Ford left fashion to possibly pursue a career as a director, things didn't exactly pan out so he went back to fashion. Now, he's back in the movie making business having secured the rights to Christopher Issherwood's 1964 book A Single Man, about a gay college professor dealing with the recent death of his lover. Already Julianne Moore and Jamie Bell are signed on for the film with Colin Firth in talks to play the lead role. Ford plans to begin filming in November, although no studio is currently attached to the project. More info at http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/marc_malkin/b30404_tom_ford_hooks_up_with_firth_moore_bell.html .

From Clark University to New York Fashion Week

Designer Kenyatta Williams talks to Anastassia Simon
About life after her exciting debut during
New York Fashion Week

New York fashion week is over and done having left visions of stilettos dancing in our heads. While life in the city moves on one Clark Atlanta student reflects on her experiences with me. After making her fashion week debut Kenyatta Williams headed back to class and her normal life as a design student. "It's been crazy, professors have made announcements in class and have been using me as an example" Kenyatta says of her return to classes, "Students have been coming up to me saying they're inspired by my work." It's not only her beautiful work that serves as an inspiration, but also her ability to balance university life with her emerging design career. "My teachers have been really cool about things, letting me miss class and getting assignments in late because they understand that I'm working to achieve my dreams" Kenyatta continues. For now her dreams include not only finishing school with possible plans to study abroad, but to also follow up with the connections she made during fashion week in an attempt to further her career. "I got to talk to a few stylists and someone who is interested in investing. It's just been great" she adds with more enthusiasm than a freshman going on spring break. Kenyatta enjoyed her time in New York so much that she's currently considering moving to the city, as soon as the money starts rolling in. She's also already enjoying her first tastes of fame, " A friend of mine recently told me that she told her friend about me going to fashion week and her friend was like 'Oh KAE Couture?' and she doesn't even live near campus. I couldn't believe she'd heard of me." With some many great opportunities on the horizon, including showing in London next season, Kenyatta had better get used to people being familiar with her and her brand

From the Fashion Upstart® - No, I am not on the list…….

Upstart® - Bless my good friend Christie Dinham for her faith in my abilities to work front-of-house at the spring ’09 International Designers Show on September 6. An Upstart® is never considered for the front of anything during New York fashion week, so I lope in and accept my “standing” card from PR agents at the check-in table who carefully avoid eye-contact, and head for the nose-bleed section of the Tent. With each passing year I feel more like a member of that hardy breed – the New York Event Crasher - whose names and faces any PR agent worth their clipboard can spot and snipe at 40 paces.
So yes I was thrilled to work out front. I put on my best “dressed-to-the-nines-but-look-effortless” outfit and headed out into the steamy day ready for anything, except the notorious G train. Anyone acquainted with this green-eyed monster will know that he takes no prisoners and indeed no passengers either. Today he obviously felt the impending wrath of hurricane Hanna in his arthritic cogs and creaked along oblivious to the urgency and panic he raised in the people trapped in his belly

Did I mention that it was a steamy day? Well I arrived at the Devin Tavern feeling sheepish and wilted in line with the rest of the flock till my friend, still delighted to see me, came and rescued me. She set me to work filling up the seats and making sure that I saved the front row for Terry Crews who was expected to roll through with his crew.

I did my best, sans clipboard (which people seem to view as an official sign that you belong in front) and got bottoms in seats. I even showed Terry Crews to the seat I had diligently defended for him.

After seating Ms. J - most definitely not an upstart – in the front row, I seated myself in the 2nd row - since there were only two my upstart rep. remains intact.

Terry Crews & Juanita Grey

The show began with a collection of sleek dresses, separates and swimwear from New York based designer Roger Gary that would not have been out of place at Bryant Park. The man certainly knows how to dress the female form and one bronze baby doll dress in particular was flawless, ready for any fashion week cocktail event that evening.

Rome by Romero Bryan was a little something for the boys - a seriously sexy collection of separates for grown up girls including a fitted blouse in deceptively soft pink satin teamed with a sharp black corseted pencil skirt, the purr was almost audible.

Kae Couture by Kenyatta Williams offered a collection of swimwear that would have been a perfectly at home at Miami Swim. Unusual and experimental shapes seemed to go back to the best inspiration for women’s’ swimwear – the female body.

Megan Crook presented delightfully playful pieces seemingly inspired by the mum who discovers her little girl’s clothes and accessories and plays dress-up. While Herani Ethiopia brought bright fashion from the dark continent with nary a hint of Kente Cloth in sight.

Megan Crook

Herani

Librarians and “school marms” are often overlooked as the purveyors of grandma fashions, bad up-dos and even worse eyewear, Samantha Mark’s collection proved us all wrong. Model after model came down the runway in beautifully made, sweet pea printed dresses and blooming blouses, a-line skirts (pretty slips showing ofcourse), layered blouses, an innovative quilted duster coat, a Sherlock Homes-type tweed cape and a pair of ruffled tweed hot pants that would have made Ms. Jean Brodie blush.

Larry Moultrie debuted his collection of tight printed T’s on a collection of tight men, much to the delight of the girls at the bar.

The man of the hour was definitely Nana Boateng, a sharp-suiter with a knack for creating tailored suits that hug the male from like no other. As Terry Crews - a long-time fan - looked on models appeared in signature bare feet and not-so-signature tribal make-up. Among the highlights was a manly pink suit – I dare you to challenge any guy who pulls it off, surprising details like tuxedo stripes on the in-seam of pants, and a hot red suit that managed not to look like it belonged to a pimp – who else but Nana could make that work?

With Nana’s collection ringing in our eyes we all applauded till the house lights went up. I scouted out my hubby who excitedly got in line for his picture with Terry and mugged for the camera when he got his chance.

We headed outside where Ms. J was holding court, holding forth, and striking poses akin to those seen on ANTM. Next stop the Tent which stood up well to the wrath of Hanna – unlike old man G.

Till next time - Upstart®

The FashionHow Report- Commes des Garcons to H&M

Rei Kawakubo brings his avant-garde Japanese yet French named label, Commes des Garcons, to H&M this November. The collaboration was announced last April and will be launched at the Tokyo H&M before the world wide roll out a few days later. After getting a first look at the collection in the September issue of W and a few online leaks via various websites, I can say the collection remains true to Rei's style. The collection is composed of both men's and women's apparel and features a very Tim Burton-esque Lolita Goth dress and loads of polka dots. Of the collaboration Rei says, "It is a fascinating challenge to work with H&M, since it is a chance to take the dilemma (of balancing creation and business) to its extreme, and try and solve it." Commes de Garcons' H&M collaboration adds to H&M's list of modern legends who have done capsule collections for them in the past, including Karl Lagerfeld, Stella McCartney, Viktor and Rolf, and most recently Roberto Cavalli.

The FashionHow Report -Lights, Camera, Fashion!

Shouts of "Where are my shoes", "Ladies you have five minutes", and "Can someone help me" are still ringing in my ears from Saturday's International Designers Show. While upstairs a high energy show went off without a hitch, downstairs chaos rained down like the late afternoon showers that luckily held off long enough for guests to arrive dry. Between helping models get dressed and undressed, accounting for a pair of very expensive shoes, and seating people in a somewhat orderly fashion, I couldn't tell you what went down the runway in what order. Honestly, as I look back on everything all I see is a blur of clothes, girls, hair and shouting. It all began with assembling rolling racks and helping designers unpack, while the models sat in hair and make-up. At some point I changed clothes, began seating people and was pulled away to help sort out a mess with a pair of gold shoes and was left feeling like Alice when she fell down the rabbit hole. Eventually things did die down and I was able to rest my aching feet before helping to pack and straighten up before going home to sleep for twelve hours. At the end of it all I'm still amazed I made it through my first fashion week experience with nary a blister. I'm sorry I didn't get to see the full effect of the clothes on the runway, since I hear everything looked awesome, but then again that's what video was invented for. Now that the show is over, I'm waiting to see what other fun surprises fashion week has in store for me. By Anastassia Simon