LBS Runway Report: Arise Magazine Presents Spring 2013

The Arise Magazine Presents show reigns supreme as one of the previews I look forward to year after year at NYFW. Bringing talented African designers from across the continent, Arise Magazine's iconic designers prove every season that talented international designers of color deserve a platform to showcase their work.

This season's presentation featured collections from designers Ozwald Boateng, Gavin Rajah, Tiffany Amber, Tsemaye Binitie, and Maki Oh.

Maki Oh showed an innovative collection of wearable pieces featuring a mix of structured as well as free-flowing silhouettes.

 Ozwald Boateng stuck to his classic aesthetic - well-tailored menswear separates in intriguing fabrics and detailing that bring a fresh twist to the classic suit. 

Tiffany Amber showed a collection of well curated prints in silhouettes that work for all different body types. This proved to be one of my favorite collections considering how much I love color and prints. I also loved that it wasn't one-note. She mixed it up by showing well-crafted dresses and tailored  separates alike.

Tsemaye Binitie showed an eclectic collection - everything from cocktail pieces to ready to wear separates. The play on fabrics and fringe kept my attention.

South African designer Gavin Rajah showed a collection of embellished gowns and black tie looks fit for royalty. Sequins and laser cuts abound at the couture designer's showing.

Ozwald Boateng S/S 2013

Ozwald Boateng S/S 2013

Outside of the tents we ran into Project Runway alumnus Korto Momolu who looked smashing. Remember her?

Thoughts on the Arise Magazine Collective collections?

LBS Runway Report: Max Azria, Custo Barcelona & Korto Momolu

(Left to right: Korto Momolu, Custo Barcelona, Max Azria S/S 2011)

The shows on Day 4 ran the gamut from chic minimalism to eclectic edge. From brunch-ready pant suits at Max Azria to feathered couture pieces at Custo Barcelona, the tents surely had us in for a treat...

Though neutrals and pale pastels set the tone for the Max Azria S/S 2011 collection, there were some unexpected printed pieces I absolutely fell in love with, like the maxi dress above. Overall the collection exuded effortless chic. Pant suits and separates perfect for uptown weekend brunches and "ladies who lunch" were prevalent, as were A-list celebs front row like Solange Knowles and Estelle. See images of the full collection in my Facebook Album HERE.

 Images courtesy Custo Barcelona via WhatsHaute.com

What's not to love about Custo Barcelona? The S/S 2011 collection was fun and fancy-free per usual. Far from the minimalist collections I had gotten so accustomed to seeing, Custo stuck with their traditional aesthetic and showed a funky yet well-rounded mix of pieces embellished with fringe and feathers. I also got a chance to sneak backstage for the Custo show and kick it with Angela Simmons and her stylist Kanayo Ebi.

 Fashion Week Diary video coming soon to the LoveBrownSugarTV channel!

First let me say, I absolutely think Korto was robbed during Season 5 of Project Runway. She was my fave from the beginning and she's a brilliant designer. I can sefely say, I wanted to own every piece that went down the runway at Korto Momolu's Spring 2011 show.From really stunning printed maxi dresses to cocktail-ready separates and chic work attire, Korto Momolu showed a collection fit for a queen.

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