Marissa Webb: DESIGNER WATCH

Marissa Webb is certainly a designer who joins the ranks of designers I personally love.

Born in Korea and raised in the United States, Marissa Webb has always had an intimate and creative relationship with fashion. Marissa Webb dedicated 11 years designing for J.Crew — a span of time during which the mass retailer experienced a fashion renaissance and became a veritable style mecca — and last year she decided she’s going it alone with her own collection, showcasing her very personal aesthetic and approach to business. Unlike other reviews I've done this will probably have abit more focus on the designer. Below is an excerpt of the interview she did with Harper Bazaar just before showcasing her debut collection Spring 2013

Marissa Webb. I love her personal style which has greatly influenced her collections since she parted ways with J. Crew

The Interview:

Harper’s Bazaar: What was on your mind when you began designing the collection?Marissa Webb: I actually went through a very different process this season and I think that was because I was able to just do what I love to do — designing things that I really covet myself and want in my closet. It was a different way of starting because I didn’t have the extravagant mood board at the beginning as much as I was just sketching instinctively. My personal approach is about the play on opposites. I always call it a contradiction because at some level, the soft and the hard, the really edgy urban and the softer more feminine, contradict each other, but at the same time they complement each other.
HB: I know the last time we talked you were doing your final J. Crew collection and you had said that you were drawn to Greece, do you have a similar direct inspiration source for this collection?MW: I was more organic with it. I didn’t have to tell a story. It was actually a reflection of my life at the time because I’ve been going through gut renovations at my house and getting into architecture, furniture and different metals, different woods, while also spending time at the beach and in the suburbs. I just allowed myself to be influenced by what was around me.
HB: What has launching your own line been like in reality versus what you anticipated when you first left J. Crew?MW: That is a really great question. It’s something that I’ve always wanted to do. It’s been a really amazing experience. Thinking back to the day that I opened the door to the studio I was like ‘okay this is going to be my studio,’ and ‘I’m just going to come here every day and sketch!’ [laughs]. It hasn’t happened that way because of all of the unexpected buzz around the launch. It’s been really nice and humbling to have everyone interested in what we’re doing. I kind of like expected to sort-of slip back in gradually and just have a small little business and grow it slowly. The support has been really positive, even before anyone’s seen anything. It’s...heartwarming.
HB: You are launching with shoes, bags and jewelry. What prompted you to introduce these categories right out of the gate?MW: Well I did not anticipate starting with bags, really, or shoes, at all. But it was three months down the road and I was like ‘oh my god! What are they going stand in? What are they going to walk in? Where are they going put their stuff?’ I am a jewelry junkie myself so I asked, 'what can we do that’s brand appropriate, that we feel proud about, and that’s ours?' I think it’s really important for everything to come out being ours. Even if we were running at the last minute, my amazing team will get it done. So we were happy that we were able to actually get shoes here on time, get some jewelry here on time. There were a few handbags made, but it was not in the plans, at all.
Every day there’s a new challenge, every day there’s a new lesson to be learned, and I’m learning a tremendous amount. Don’t even get me started on social media!
HB: What has engaging on the different social media platforms been like for you? It really gives you access to your customer.MW: It’s kind of funny, but the people that tweet at me on a regular basis or people who write to me on our Pinterest boards or now on our Instagram, are almost more like my friends now. I like to respond and I think it’s important. And they’re obviously rooting for you, and supporting you, and I want to give that back.
HB: Were you surprised the personal fan base that you had just starting your own line?MW: I didn’t expect anything at all. In the honest truth, I thought I would start making a couple little items and going to each boutique, knocking on the door and being like 'Hello, [laughs] I have, a couple items I would love to share with you!'
HB: So you would have gone door to door if you had to?MW: That’s what I would’ve done!
HB: What are some of your favorite looks from the collection?MW: I love all the leather pieces. I really, really like the jackets. I think it’s one of those areas that we’ve been able to really explore and push. They start out as a very classic silhouette, each one then has something to it that give it a little extra design element and we can just exaggerate design lines and exaggerate the fits. It’s been really fun making each decision as it comes.

Marissa Webb Spring 2013: Sparkles at the Office . With this collection Marissa showed women how to shine at the office without blinding the boss

The coolness of this outfit would surely break any scale. I'd probably have practiced law if I could go to work like this. Marissa Webb Spring 2013

I usually hate suits but this one rocks! Marissa Webb Spring 2013

Like Marissa Webb, I love contrasts and the leather vest makes the sophisticated dress have an edge. Again if clients weren't too snooty perhaps I would still be a banker! haha

This outfit is not something i would wear but I love it's classic style. The shoes add just the right amount of pop.

Of course I love this outfit. The leather pants are just the right fit. I'm not too crazy about the shoes but the chiffon top with embroidered vest are a good soft contrast to the leather. Again this should be acceptable work wear.  Marissa Webb Spring 2013

I am sure most would picket at the thought of shorts being worn in the office but its just another limit we unnecessarily pout on ourselves. Obviously not everyone can pull this look but I think it looks fab. Marissa Webb 2013

'Nuff said!

NEW YORK FASHION WEEK SPRING 2014: TADASHI SHOJI

I have profound respect for designer who take a niche market and fully commit to it. Tadashi Shoji, Japan born and bred, is one of those designers. Troubled by the fact that women had few options for special occasion dresses in the contemporary market, Tadashi identified a niche and set out on his own.

In 1982, Tadashi launched his own collection, Tadashi Shoji, in Los Angeles, California. Tadashi Shoji has become widely recognized for its original designs and innovative collections. The company has seen steady growth since its inception and is carried in more than 4,000 major department and specialty store doors worldwide, including: Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdale’s, Macy’s, and Lord & Taylor. Internationally, the brand is available at high-end retailers such as: Vakko, Harvey Nichols Dubai, and Rustan’s.

In 2007, Tadashi launched the Tadashi Shoji Runway Collection for Fall 2007 during New York Fashion Week to rave reviews. By featuring the utmost in luxury and elegance, the much-anticipated collection continues to elevate and hone the brand’s image in the marketplace. His designs have won a loyal following with well-dressed women worldwide, including a wide range of celebrities such as: Octavia Spencer, Kate Beckinsale, Dita Von Teese, Florence Welch, Mo’Nique, Katy Perry, to name a few

In the Spring 2014 collection there are a few dresses that I loved more so the ones with almost an ethereal feel to them a theme that was evident in the Spring 2013 collection which had more pieces that I loved. 

Let's look at the Spring 2014 pieces:

This was my favourite piece, you can tell the designer understand's women's bodies.  There is both a dreamy feel and luxury.

I absolutely love the colour and fit of this dress. It's those dressy outfits which leave you feeling all dressed up while allowing you free movement

The fit of this dress is amazing! The colour balances out the texture created by the scale like pattern. I call these dresses grown sexy dresses.

This dress may be controversial due to how see through it is but I love the detail that has gone into it! I think it can be a bridal piece for a very BOLD bride

Let us now go back a year to look at the Spring 2013 pieces:

Tadashi Shoji Spring 2013

Tadashi Shoji Spring 2013

Tadashi Shoji Spring 2013

Tadashi Shoji Spring 2013. This dress would look stunning on a curvy person.

Tadashi Shoji Spring 2013. I want this dress!

Tadashi Shoji Spring 2013. Love the dropped waist, bateau neckline and  deep blue tulle skirt

J.MENDEL SPRING 2013....DRESSES GALORE

 Mendel has built a reputation for evening (on top of the house’s long history with fur) and it’s due as much to his ability to fit and flatter real women as it is that he offers pieces that are interesting without being too complicated. His signature gowns were positively lush; the last three chiffon dresses closing the show were breathtaking, each with different takes on organza floral detailing. Though the the show opened with flowing, vaguely 70s gowns, shorter, more fitted dresses offered a youthful and modern touch. There were some flirty florals, but also a standout leather lace v-neck with drop waist that appeared in two shades of blue. Tailoring was on point. A bright orange floral printed pants suit with matching printed blouse made a bold statement. And, of course, Mendel manages to work in fur, even for spring. A multicolored mink jacket zipped to appear as a top paired with a breezy, pleated skirt in olive was absurdly luxe without feeling too serious.

NYFW SPRING 2013: DVF

So it's been ages since I blogged but I knew that fashion week was around the corner and soon I would be busy as a bee. This time I'm just going to try and cover a few designers.

Diane Von Furstenberg gets first place seeing as she's my favorite designer. I was going through the Palazzo collection and as ever it was amazing. I loved most of the pieces. This collection as expected was filled with a burst of colour from yellow, bright orange, white to aqua. The fabrics included silk and crepe while her models walked the runway in Palazzo pants, mini dresses, shorts, jumpsuits, and gowns.

I had so many favourites but there was a white print jumpsuits with bright orange details on the legs that I absolutely adored...in second place was a blue palazo pant with an orange blouse....I also loved one of the sporty look she did. There was colour blocking, cow print details, metallics contrasted with neon colours and sunglasses.

Diane von Furstenberg says that she made her new collection for a "princess," which makes sense, since the legendary designer is unquestionably the queen of American fashion (also, she is an actual princess, having once been married to Prince Egon of Fürstenberg, so, you know, go figure).

without further ado below are some of my choice pieces from her collection: