Columns :
Style Drama - Edward Quan
Saving the world never goes out of style - Aug 20, 2015 - 10:37:43 AM
My title is the tag line from the re-booted popular 60’s television series
The Man from U.N.C.L.E. movie, which brings us back to the era of the cool secret agent style that has influenced men’s fashion over several decades.
For those of you who miss it,
The Man from U.N.C.L.E.
television series is about two agents, American CIA Napoleon Solo and
Russian KGB agent Lillya Kuryakin working together at a global
intelligence agency to save the world from an evil organization called
THRUSH...
Columns :
Style Drama - Edward Quan
Swimwear just got a whole lot sexier! - Aug 7, 2015 - 12:44:41 PM
If you have ever strolled along the South Beach Boardwalk
in Miami Florida, the air is filled with high energy Latin pop music from the
historic pastel colored art deco hotels. Some call this America’s Riviera, for
it’s much more than just sun, sand and surf for college students. It’s where
top fashion designers and buyers come together on the beach for the annual
Miami Swim Week.
Hotter than
Florida’s summer heat was the Chromat swimwear show with its sensual graphic
cut out suits for the woman in charge. Not afraid of showing off your
gorgeous tan, these strappy suits will take you from the rooftop pool to
the beach party scene in style...
Columns :
Style Drama - Edward Quan
Dolce & Gabbana Alta Mode: Dreams do come true - Jul 30, 2015 - 2:29:03 PM
The world’s uber rich descended on the picturesque seaside town of
Portofino Italy recently for Dolce & Gabbana’s Alta Moda, the
ultimate surreal couture fantasy of the season.
Inspired by Shakespeare's play
A Midsummer Night’s Dream,
Dolce & Gabbana invited three hundred billionaires and a few
millionaires to four days of fashion parties held at their private cliff
side villas.
Speaking with a colleague in attendance who asked
to remain anonymous, invitations to this exclusive men's and women's
couture event held twice yearly are for their most exclusive clients...
Columns :
Style Drama - Edward Quan
Audrey Hepburn: Life of a fashion icon - Jul 9, 2015 - 2:36:02 PM
Audrey Hepburn: Portraits of an Icon, a major photography exhibition exploring her fascinating life and career has just opened at the
National Portrait Gallery,
London.
This exhibition chronicles the rise from her early years in the
Netherlands, and as a dancer and chorus girl in London’s West End, to
her becoming a stage and screen icon, and culminating with her
philanthropy work in later life...
Columns :
Style Drama - Edward Quan
Gucci takes us back to the Italian vintage era - Jun 25, 2015 - 1:09:42 PM
Gucci’s Cruise 2016 collection takes
us back to a vintage era filled with rich colors and fine
embellishments, reminding me of one of my favorite memories, young
playful Italian
women flirting in front of the Trevi Fountain in Rome.
While only at the helm of Gucci for a few months, this was creative director Alessandro Michele’s second
collection for the label. He was previously their head accessories designer. This cruise collection is very
girlish, filled with librarian-style pleated skirts and tailored suits that run from ladylike to racy...
Columns :
Style Drama - Edward Quan
Summer’s Hottest Look is the Maxi Dress - Jun 5, 2015 - 12:26:57 AM
We don’t have to look too far to see that this summer’s hottest look is
the Maxi dress. We are seeing it everywhere, especially from the
designer runway collections of Diane von Furstenberg, Ralph Lauren to
Versace.
For fashion is never the same the second time around.
This summer’s Maxi dress caresses the body and falls some where between
the lower shin and the ankle, rather than skimming the floor.
Diane
von Furstenberg’s collection is all about having fun this season.
Flirtatious Maxi dresses in bright colors with thigh high leg slits will
make you feel that you are the life of the party...
Columns :
Style Drama - Edward Quan
Louis Vuitton Resort 2016 - Hotter than the dry desert heat - May 21, 2015 - 10:01:18 PM
To inspire
the fashionably chic for their next travel adventure, Louis Vuitton’s artistic
designer Nicolas Ghesquiere unveiled his Resort 2016 collection in Palm Springs
California at the legendary Bob Hope Estate.
Located on a
hilltop overlooking the Coachella Valley desert, Bob Hope’s residence
resembles a giant round spaceship made from glass and concrete that covers
23,000 sq. ft. of luxurious living space. Built in the late 70’s, the outdoor
garden area partially sheltered by a huge overhand with its unique circular
pool was the runway for 500 invited guests...
Columns :
Style Drama - Edward Quan
Sophisticated eco fashion by Murva - Apr 30, 2015 - 11:00:50 PM
Murva fashion
collection introduced at Eco Fashion Week has been a life long process
for Ivana Knezovic, Creative Director / Designer. This was not only
the 29 year old Croatian designer's first collection, but also her first international
performance.
She debuted her eco-friendly collection titled Rust & Flow on the runway at
Eco Fashion Week in Vancouver, Canada. Her pieces are
all made from eco-friendly wool flannel.
Ivana Knezovic
made interesting use of symmetrical lines, and I admired the draping
from the shoulders framing a dress low-cut in back...
Columns :
Style Drama - Edward Quan
Fashion beat of an electronic generation - Nov 12, 2015 - 9:55:22 PM
Inspired by her own generation,
Seven Crash is a fashion line that crosses over classic and edgy, urban and
fresh. An amazing imaginative print collection introduced to me by Taipei
fashion designer Enchi Shen at Vancouver Fashion Week.
On the runway was her Resort 2016 collection,
which encompasses unique patterns and a lively flower design to celebrate the
beginning of a New Year.
“My spring collection is all about
the electronic generation,” says Enchi Shen. Using electric charged colors on a
palate of black and white, she incorporates cultural street style – past and
future - into each collection...
Columns :
Style Drama - Edward Quan
Old world craftsmanship with the exotic of distant lands - Apr 12, 2015 - 2:17:43 AM
Paloma Sanchez’s love of precious gemstones and diamonds has
made her one of the top thirty jewelry designers in the world today. Featured
at Vancouver Fashion Week Fall Winter 2015 collections, she displayed a luxury
collection that truly lives up to her reputation of fine European craftsmanship
within the art of jewelry making.
As a GIA Gemologist and jewelry designer, she scours the
world for rare gems to create her one of a kind necklace, earrings and
bracelets. Exploring underground mines in remote corners of the world from
Vietnam, Myanmar, Morocco, China to Madagascar.
Breathtaking is the only way I can describe her jewelry
collection, as she has the ability to meld gems in their rough form into her
jewelry designs.
Columns :
Style Drama - Edward Quan
Momma Mia! Dolce & Gabbana features mothers and babies on the runway - Mar 13, 2015 - 12:51:57 AM
In a tribute to
mothers everywhere, Dolce & Gabbana presented an astonishingly
romantic and feminine collection for winter 2016.
According to Domenico
Dolce and Stefano Gabbana, the recent Milan Fashion Week show was
titled “Viva la Mama” to the tune of Spice Girls’ “Mama”. It wasn’t your
typical catwalk of gorgeous fashion models; it was loveable and playful
as the models were featured with their own babies and toddlers, many in
matching outfits. There was even a pregnant model.
Red roses were the signature motif of the
Dolce & Gabbana collection, appearing as prints and embroidery on
dresses, from spring pastels of light blue and pink to rich reds and
blacks...
Columns :
Style Drama - Edward Quan
Valentino creates bohemian chic for spring - Feb 26, 2015 - 10:32:50 PM
Valentino takes us back to the
free spirited hippy 70’s era with a more luxurious bohemian look for
spring 2015. Picture fine silk patterns, cutout lace fabrics, and fine
beaded embroidery for the warmer days ahead.
The 70’s were one of the most significant cultural periods in recent
American history. Young people were filled with optimism and idealism;
it was about ending the Vietnam War and marching for social change such
as civil rights and women’s equality. A generation that rebelled against
the establishment, fashion became free flowing and softer, more
romantic and exotic with influences from North Africa and Middle Eastern
cultures.
Columns :
Style Drama - Edward Quan
Gianni Maanaki Haute Couture - Feb 17, 2015 - 7:57:49 PM
How does haute couture, elaborate and traditional hand made fashions
with five-figure prices continue to thrive in a world of disposable fast
fashion?
“It’s all about making women happy,” said Gianni Maanaki who is one of the most talented haute couture designers from the Middle-East.
Just before the holidays, I had the pleasure of attending an
exclusive Gianni Maanaki haute couture fashion show, part of a
star-studded fundraising gala in support of the Chimo Community Services at Birks...
Columns :
Style Drama - Edward Quan
Pantone color of the year 2015: Marsala - Feb 5, 2015 - 8:45:43 AM
The word Marsala originates from a region in Sicily which
produces a naturally robust and earthly red wine. Back in the late 60’s
is when Marsala first appeared as a hue on the European fashion scene,
which brings back fond memories as I grew up with this color palette. I
affectionately remember my mother purchasing me an Austrian made parka
in Marsala to wear while traveling the narrow cobblestone streets of
Paris on the back of a scooter.
The versatility of
Marsala allows it to make an elegant statement on its own or as a
compelling accent when paired with many other colors. This shade works
well with neutrals such as navy and black...
Columns :
Style Drama - Edward Quan
Ugly Christmas Sweater craze inspires the ultimate holiday suit - Dec 17, 2014 - 12:12:58 PM
The ugly Christmas
sweater, a fashion phenomenon that invaded Britain's upper crust in 2001
with Colin Firth wearing his reindeer head sweater in
Bridget Jones Diary has now inspired the ultimate holiday suit.
People
have gone mad with the ugly Christmas sweater craze. Second hand
clothing stores are filled with shoppers looking for that special
sweater. Street stalls are piled high with red and green polyester as I
walk along downtown Vancouver.
You
can now purchase official licensed NHL Ugly Christmas Sweaters for your
favorite hockey team such as Boston, Chicago and Vancouver.
Columns :
Style Drama - Edward Quan
Stella McCartney offers cool chic for spring summer 2015 - Nov 20, 2014 - 5:29:52 PM
For fashion designer Stella McCartney, it’s all about being sexy without trying too hard. A relaxed chic look for spring summer 2015.
Overall, this fashion collection exudes fluid and motion. How her garments flow, as a woman moves, catches one’s eye.
Delightful
are her mixed print organza dresses, embroidered with floral and koi
fish patterns. Tastefully subtle colors sewn together in silk, creating a
very sensual look. Perfect for your next roof top pool party or evening
walk along the beach...
Columns :
Style Drama - Edward Quan
Oscar de la Renta, Master of Romantic Elegance - Nov 8, 2014 - 5:56:52 PM
The recent passing of
legendary designer Oscar de la Renta aged 82 marked the end of a
dramatic fashion era of romantic elegance for some of the most beautiful
women in America.
Many referred to him as the “the sultan of
chic” as he dressed many of the First Ladies including Jacqueline
Kennedy, Nancy Reagan, Hillary Clinton and Laura Bush. More recently, he
created the wedding dress for George Clooney’s bride, Amal Alamuddin
for their Venice wedding.
Born in the Dominica Republic, he began his training with Cristobal Balenciaga in Spain and then worked at Lanvin in France....
Columns :
Style Drama - Edward Quan
Italian girls gone bad: Miu Miu Spring Summer 2015 - Oct 24, 2014 - 12:31:05 PM
As the sister label of
Prada, Miu Miu for the younger woman has always intrigued us with their
chic Italian fashions. For next season, designer Miuccia Prada has put
us on notice that trouble is coming, as she’s all bad.
Miu Miu brings us a single concept for spring
At
Paris Fashion Week Spring Summer 2015 shows held in October, Miu Miu
had a multitude of looks based on a bad girl theme made up from three
pieces, a midriff top, the high waisted pencil skirt and a housecoat.
Columns :
Style Drama - Edward Quan
Green Embassy captivates with eco-couture fashions - Sep 25, 2014 - 3:28:14 PM
Zuhal Kuvan-Mills of
Green Embassy has always called herself “an artist that makes clothes,”
and upon viewing her latest men’s and women’s S/S 15 collection at
Vancouver Fashion Week a few days ago, she is going to have to get
comfortable being referred to as a 'couture fashion designer.'
My
first introduction to the eco-friendly Green Embassy line from
Australia was last March at Vancouver Fashion Week F/W 14 show, where
she featured 16 exquisite women's dresses. She returned last week with a
dramatic runway show of 38 pieces, worthy of any established European
fashion house...
Columns :
Style Drama - Edward Quan
Gray is the new black - Sep 6, 2014 - 12:21:29 PM
I first reported in
fall 2013 my quest for a lambskin gray jacket to bring a modern style to
my wardrobe. Today, gray is the new black as it has gained huge
popularity with men and women fashions and as we approach our twenty-ten
midpoint, gray has become the color of the decade.
Since the
1980’s, black on black has been the preferred look of New York’s fashion
elite. The look back then was black turtlenecks worn underneath black
suits which became a uniform for arty types.
When visiting New
York, I could always tell the locals from the tourist, as locals wore
all black, and tourist wore color. This summer, gray has been
|
