Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at Lincoln Center debuts the Fall 2011 Collections on the runway, and an integral element to these garments are how they are accessorized. One of the most quintessential ways to complete an ensemble is with dazzling jewelry, an eye-catching timepiece, the perfect pair of sunglasses, or the essential handbag.
Returning for the second consecutive season in Lincoln Center, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week is pleased to present an exclusive preview to all the new accessory trends with the Fall 2011 Accessories Exhibit. The participating designers in the Accessories Exhibit will be celebrated at a press reception hosted by IMG Fashion and CIRCA in the CIRCA Lounge on February 17th at Lincoln Center. CIRCA is the leading global buyer of fine jewelry, diamonds and watches from the public.
Featured designers in the exhibit this season include:
ATTILIO GIUSTI LEOMBRUNI
Shoes that fit like gloves… That’s the sensation provided by a pair of Attilio Giusti Leombrunis (AGL). Crafted in Italy since 1958, AGL combines classic styling with luxurious comfort to create simple yet sophisticated footwear. At Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, AGL unveils its Fall Winter 2011/2012 Women’s Collection of fine Italian shoes and boots. Working with a rich neutral palette and sumptuous leathers, suedes and leopard print calf hair, the collection includes AGL’s popular ballerina, alongside vintage- inspired lace-ups and loafers. AGL’s audacious boots range from ankle to knee-heights and promise to turn heads from Milan to Paris, New York to LA. Sold at prestige retailers across Europe and the US, AGL was founded by Italy’s Giusti family. Today, AGL continues to be designed and operated by the family, now including its third generation, the Giusti sisters – Sara, Marianna and Vera. Since the beginning, AGLs have always been more than a shoe, not just an accessory – AGLs always become part of your life, an extension of whomever is lucky enough to slide them on.
BODHI
Established in 2008 by former Calvin Klein VP Joseph Janus, BODHI has found success with the idea of creating artistic and architectural bags that transcend seasonal trends. The brand produces timeless clutches, hobos and satchels for women, and BODHI recently expanded to include men’s, travel and small leather goods. Collections are crafted from the finest Italian leathers, custom hardware and sophisticated details. Keeping BODHI at the cutting edge of luxury and modernity is its Tech Collection of laptop sleeves, iPad easels, SLR camera bags and Kindle handbags and holders. BODHI is the only brand that has a whole tech collection with a bag for each device. Creative and Design Director Joseph Janus says “We treat each bag in our collections as a work of art that represents a fashionable, modern lifestyle.”
CAMBRIA COVE
Cambria Cove, Official VIP Gift Bag Supplier of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, is a carefully curated collection of uniquely beautiful gifts. Whether it’s gorgeously wearable jewelry made by exclusive artisans, functionally chic travel accessories, or exquisitely crafted chocolates, each product transforms the “ordinary” into an extraordinary experience.
LAURA VELA
Twenty-four year old Spanish designer Laura Vela designed her first handbag last winter in Argentina. The eponymous luxury handbag company debuts during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at Lincoln Center. Vela describes herself as a romantic and wants her bags to be an extension of that quality. Her target market is the woman who appreciates sophisticated design and luxurious materials. “Nothing is more personal than a handbag. A woman who chooses to wear one of my designs should feel a connection to the style, the material and how it makes her feel when she walks out the door,” says Vela. Celebrities and trendsetters in the US and Europe already own bags designed by Vela, and the designer is excited to reach a broader audience. The collection is manufactured in Buenos Aires, Argentina using world-renowned tanneries and local craftsmen. Vela is a student at Parsons.
LUSTBKLYN BY CAT GREENLEAF
The red light’s flashing… you have a message… you know you want it. Living in the moment is getting harder and harder because we’re all so distracted by what’s going on in the tiny screens in our hands. The lives we’re living take place on a miniscule monitor, and the life we’re missing out on is: wonder, experience, contemplation, true connection. The mission of LUSTBKLYN is to remind us to live in the actual world instead of in the virtual one. LUST isn’t saying we should NEVER text– just that adding a measure of control can add so much to our experience of being alive. L.U.S.T. (Look Up Stop Texting) was started by Cat Greenleaf, a hardcore BlackBerry addict from Brooklyn. She’s working on her addiction by working on her accessories line. The LUSTBKLYN line includes nameplate necklaces and earrings, message bracelets and rings, graphic t-shirts and tanks for men and women, onesies and toddler T’s, BlackBerry and iPhone cases, and notebooks ranging from $6 – $55. Be a part of the LUST REVOLUTION .
LYRALOVESTAR
Crystal Streets, celebrity stylist, and star of the hit Oxygen Network show “House of Glam” debuts the inspiring and breathtaking LYRALOVESTAR Jewelry collection at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. Crystal Street created the LYRALOVESTAR collection for the fashion forward woman who lives in the moment, looks to the future, and make dreams come true. Stop by the Accessories Exhibit to learn more about LYRALOVESTAR and reach for the star within you!
RADLEY LONDON
Radley is a creative British brand which makes beautiful handbags and accessories. Our love for color and hand-crafted, distinctive design is reflected in our products, as is our slightly eccentric Englishness! We explore the known and not so known cultures and crafts of the world for our inspiration but always delight in the vibrant pulse of our design home London.
SOBRAL
World renowned Brazilian designer Carlos Sobral has been creating statement-making jewelry and home accessories in vibrant resin for 40 years. In the past several years, he has collaborated with several well-known designers including Karl Lagerfeld. This is SOBRAL’s first time participating at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week and he is delighted to be presenting the Kandinsky collection as part of the Accessories Exhibit. With the Kandinsky collection, SOBRAL has translated the Russian master’s use of color and architecture into a stunning collection of necklaces, bangles, earrings and handbags. Bold intermixed colors and fluid shapes coalesce into harmonious eye–catching works of wearable art that have already been added to the permanent collections of several museums. Each piece is lovingly handcrafted from a unique, lightweight resin, and his exquisite finishes reflect years of experimentation and innovation. As a “green” company, SOBRAL creates his designs with natural and recycled materials, and his entire production process is eco-friendly, all the way through to the 100% oxy-biodegradable packaging. Since the company’s recent entry into the US market, SOBRAL has opened his first flagship SOBRAL store in NYC’s SoHo.
The designers presenting this season at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week include: The Heart Truth’s Red Dress Collection, Nicholas K, Porter Grey, BCBGMAXAZRIA, Richard Chai, Duckie Brown, Luca Luca, Mara Hoffman, Tadashi Shoji, Eva Minge, Christian Siriano, W Hotels Global Glam, Irina Shabayeva, Ruffian, Tess Giberson, Perry Ellis, Farah Angsana, Norman Ambrose, Rebecca Taylor, Rebecca Minkoff, Tommy Hilfiger Men’s, Nicole Miller, Joy Cioci, Cynthia Rowley, Academy of Art University, Venexiana, General Idea, Binetti, Jill Stuart, Prabal Gurung, ADAM, MANDY COON, Vivienne Tam, Mik Cire, Charlotte Ronson, Maisonette 1977, G-Star RAW, Toni Francesc, Derek Lam, Timo Weiland, Lela Rose, DKNY, Calvin Klein Collection Men’s, Tory Burch, Yoana Baraschi, Max Azria, Diane von Furstenburg, CYNTHIA STEFFE, Y-3, Carmen Marc Valvo, Custo Barcelona, Behnaz Sarafpour, Tommy Hilfiger, Zang Toi, Jenny Packham, Callula Lillibelle, Carolina Herrera, Carlos Miele, Woolrich John Rich & Bros. Black Label, Tracy Reese, Donna Karan New York, Sachin + Babi, Monique Lhuillier, pamella roland, Betsey Johnson, Chado Ralph Rucci, GUiSHEM, Sergio Davila, Trias, Badgley Mischka, Vera Wang, Jen Kao, Diesel Black Gold, Bibhu Mohapatra, Hervé Léger by Max Azria, Dennis Basso, J. Mendel, Tibi, Frank Tell, Narciso Rodriguez, Mackage, Yigal Azrouël, VACCA, Michael Kors, Nanette Lepore, Ports 1961, Herchcovitch;Alexandre, Adrienne Vittadini, Milly by Michelle Smith, Helen Yarmak, Allegri, CHRISTIAN COTA, Anna Sui, Odd Molly, Elie Tahari, b Michael America, Ralph Lauren, Son Jung Wan, Calvin Klein Collection Women’s, Elene Cassis, Naeem Khan, LUBLU Kira Plastinina, L.A.M.B. and Ivana Helsinki.
Title sponsor Mercedes-Benz is joined by DHL, American Express®, Maybelline New York, TRESemmé, Starbucks Frappuccino® Coffee Drink, W Hotels Worldwide, AOL Inc., Diet Pepsi, Kim Crawford Wines, ideeli, FIJI Water, and The Heart Truth® Campaign as well as the following media outlets: The New York Times, Women’s Wear Daily and Getty Images. Over nine days, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week will host more than 100,000 guests. With the help of these sponsors providing hospitality, services and amenities, we hope to make the hectic week of shows as effortless and pleasurable as possible for all attendees.
Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week is an IMG event. The Fall Collections will be held February 10-17, 2011.
~Courtesy photo (Michael Buckner/Getty Images for Mercedes-Benz)
Founded in 2007, Ladybrille® Magazine is a California based pioneer digital publication demystifying the image of Africans in the west through contemporary African fashion and celebrating the brilliant woman in business and leadership, with an emphasis on the African woman in the diaspora. Our coverage includes stories on capital, access to markets, expertise, hiring and retention, sales, marketing, and promotions.
