Designer Collaborations

There is a volcanic explosion of fabric on too many runways these days; dresses boasting tsunami waves of ruffles, ballooning sleeves, endless trains, obliterated waists, and necklines ending just under the chin line. Gilles Mendel is having none of it. The Paris-born, fourth-generation designer (his great-grandfather was furrier to the royal house of the Romanovs in Russia), prefers to swath women’s frames in sinuous, diaphanous, intricately pleated, draped and gracefully detailed gowns and dresses that make them appear as if they’re being carried by the wind. It is hardly surprising that such diverse stars as Taylor Swift, Scarlett Johansson, Claire Danes, Celine Dion and Heidi Klum look like eager fools for love when wearing J. Mendel’s romantic creations (the “J.” is in honor of his father, Jacques). Mendel has labeled his clothes “modern heirlooms”. When you see these pictures, you may want to start a collection of keepsakes.

Oscar De La Renta is one the most desired and revered brand in American fashion. Even the name has the prefect lilt and rhythm to describe a line of clothing that embraces romance, that creates drama, and that moves as sinuously as if the ever charming Mr. De La Renta was gliding you across the dance floor himself. So imagine how daunting it must have been for Laura Kim and Fernando Garcia to inherit this enviable but daunting branding. Kim and Garcia had already established their own clothing line Monse – which is both fresh and irreverent - but they had to adjust the aesthetic when it came time to taking on the De La Renta brand.