AB-FAB Designs

• 🎥 recorded on my iPad & uploaded to my YouTube channel (social links below) or downloaded from YT
• F/W 2021 INTERNATIONAL TRENDS: NO RULES 🚫 EVERTHING is up for grabs from silhouettes & fabrics to patterns & color ☑️ Partying in our “new normal” with opulence & luxury 💎 (WE NEED IT!) ☑️ Winter florals, checks & plaids, MY FAV ☑️ Pile on accessories including in the hair 👑 & don’t forget BELTS and BUCKET HATS ☑️ To mask or not to mask 😷 that will be the question 😋 ☑️ Equestrian 🐎 style continues ☑️ Thigh highs & combat boot vibes 🥾 carry on into fall/winter ☑️ SEQUINS & SUITS still reigns supreme YIPEE 🤩

A.Potts

Aaron Potts is the Detroit native behind the label A.Potts. In his bio on NYFW The Shows it states this Parsons grad creates diverse unisex pieces 🌈

This was his first time showing during NY Fashion Week F/W 2021, which I am attributing to the new Black in Fashion Council (MEMBER!) presence 🙌🏾

I am a fashion stylist that appreciates an artist that produces inclusive unisex pieces. It not only makes it easy to create dynamic looks in photo shoots 📸 but the pieces will ease into your closest seamlessly 😘

Not having a history to base my opinion, I have to say I enjoyed the vibrancy of the collection 🎇 I look forward to see where Aaron takes his line 🕵🏾‍♀️

Alice + Olivia

The Alice + Oliva F/W 2021 is another incredible collection from Stacey Bendet! I am OBSESSED 🤤 with houndstooth print ANYTHING & Stacey delivered plenty. The rich fabrics she used are perfectly cozy for fall/winter ☃️

The 9️⃣0️⃣s continue into F/W 2021 but Stacey modernizes it in a way that makes it MUST HAVES. You will want every piece to mix & match with what you already have in your wardrobe & also to style them head to toe as seen in the presentation 😚

Shiny combat style booties 🥾 mixed with the sexiest fitted suit & who wouldn’t love a pleated LEATHER mini skirt paired with a HOT trench coat 🧥 draped over the shoulders YUM! 🙀

As I stated in my TRENDS (above), we will hopefully be well immersed in our “new normal” & back to partying like we did before the “P” word 😬🤢

Anna Sui

The Anna Sui collection is a short but powerful presentation 💪🏾 Anna always gives us her version of modern 60s & 70s and this collection is no exception.

The patterns are just as psychedelic as the show with whisper soft dresses 👗 under fantastic wool coats.

Being short, I am not a big fan of bell bottom pants but it just reiterates my point (trends above) that ALL silhouettes are open come fall 🍂

I am coveting the wool 🧶 Anna-style bucket hats, they are so cute I’m plotzing! 😄

Badgley Mischka

Badgley Mischka is a luxury brand that specialized in red carpet worthy dressing 👸🏾 Each season Mark & James keep their looks relevant and above all SEXY! 😏

I was thrilled B.M. reinforced that the head to toe sequin look will still be “on trend” come fall 🍁, because I bought so much when the spring 2021 collection were presented 🤭

It’s always hard for me to remember Badgley Mischka is an American New York based brand & not manufactured in my beloved Paris 🤔

This iconic brand defines chic and with only a few gorgeous looks they are able to convey the full collection’s inspiration & mood. The word LIQUID 💦 came to mind when I saw the collection. Each piece is like staring at the finest metal being melted into liquid heaven 💫

Bronx and Banco

The Bronx and Banco collection TOTALLY BLEW MY MIND! 🤯 This was fortunately a full runway show of some of the most beautiful clothes I have ever seen 👅

The cuts scream sex and the embellishments say I’M A FUCKING STAR! 😎

Natalie de Banco gave us so many cutouts & bare skin that you better double up on your body bronzer! My rhinestone radar when into overdrive seeing all of the embellishments & jewelry 💎

Holy shit, maribou tank tops and chain mail! ⛓ What more could you want in a collection? If you can watch this fashion show and not want at least 5 pieces I will be HELLA shocked! 🤬

Believe me I will be killing myself to get my body on point because I have to own a Bronx and Banco look 🏋🏾

Blumera

According to the Blumera website Mehera Blum “…creates with the intent of designing luxuriously exquisite, high-vibratory, uplifting collections while utilizing unexpected natural sustainable materials ♻️ such as recycled brass and up-cycled wood”.

Seeing her first NYFW collection you will wonder 🤔 how Mehera can construct such elaborate beauty in handbags so small & delicate 👛

Watching the short snippets of construction was fantastic. Completely indicative of how master cobblers fabricated shoes 👞 in centuries past. This is the essence of haute couture! 🧨

Filming in the volcanoes 🌋 & jungles of Bali makes the perfect backdrop for the F/W 2021 collection. In the immortal words of the great rock band Queen 👑 “I W ANT IT ALL, I WANT IT ALL, I WANT IT ALL & I WANT IT NOW!” 🤑

Carolina Herrera

I HIGHLY doubt you need a review of Carolina Herrera’s NYFW F/W 2021 collection 🤨 IT’S CAROLINA HERRERA, THE LEGEND 😲

Still want it? OK, here we go 😉

With this collection Carolina wanted us to remember LOVE 💘, courting… or am I just lonely lol! Debuting around Valentine’s Day 💝 & the amount of hearts ❤️ 🧡 💛 💚 💙 💜 🖤 🤍 🤎 in the collection; I could only come to 1 conclusion right? 🤭

Carolina also shows her true passion of the city she currently calls her home: NEW YORK CITY 🗽, even down to the music 🎧 So many classic NYC moments in this presentation that it just makes you feel good! 😊

For F/W 2021 Mrs. Herrera gives us her TIMELESSNESS. I am LIVING for the cardigans, suits & belts.

If I had a daughter and passed my CH pieces down when she reached my age (OVER 30 OK, 🤫), those pieces will still be in fashion I PROMISE!! 💯

Chelsea Grays

This season I vowed to bring in as many African American designers into my fashion reviews as I could 👊🏾

I was blown away 😲 at the amount of choices. Again, I am attributing it to this being the 2nd season where the Black in Fashion Council was not only present by heavily featured 👏🏾

That said, I was over the moon 🌛 to have discovered Chelsea Grays on her first runway presentation at NY Fashion Week.

When you watch the video 🎦 you will see why this beautiful woman was granted access to the shows this season. The level of detail Chelsea gives to each piece makes it obvious she produces from her soul ☯️

She distresses, she patchworks, she adds soft chiffon to knitted scarves 🧣 & even constructs skirts for her beautiful menswear designs 👖

I really appreciated Chelsea’s vision of moving American menswear outside of American ideals 💡 There is a clear International 🗺 undertone to the line; you feel London, Scotland & Africa.

Watching the show I said, “THIS is how men should be dressing” 😘 No gender lines so we can all be free! 🕊

I will be keeping a close eye on this genius queen 🕵🏽‍♀️

Christian Cowan

Christian Cowan’s collections MUST be watched a few times.

• First go round you laugh like mad which squints your eyes 🤣
• Then the second go round you start looking at the collection 🤓
• By the 3rd time you see the never-ending, incredible details 🧐 of each item

This presentation starts & ends in true comedy 🤹 with special guest stars ✡️ you will definitely recognize.

What I love about Christian’s collections is he keeps his glamour inclusive 🌈 He knows a full figured woman (whether born or corrected) can wear form fitted pieces with complete sexy confidence ❤️‍🔥

Christian Cowan’s looks are not for the faint of heart or to be worn to your kids PTA meeting 🏫 These are coveted I’M A SERIOUS BADASS DIVA moments! 👩🏾‍🎤

Christian Siriano

Christian Siriano’s collections are stunning but unfortunately not my vibe 😟 I appreciate the artistic integrity of his collections 👨🏼‍🎨 & truly wish they were more ME.

Coco Rocha 💘 starts & ends the show as she has for the past few seasons. For NY Fashion Week F/W 2021 Christian kept to his brands tried and true silhouettes and extremely luxe patterns & fabrics.

Christian Siriano makes great red carpet original moments & moreover he studied under the late great Alexander McQueen, so I KNOW he constructs garments with a couture hand 🧵

Christian is from my area (I am a native Washingtonian), born in Annapolis, MD; another reason he has a special place in my heart. Not certain of his lineage but his garments always give me Hispanic vibes 💃🏽

Imitation of Christ

The F/W Imitation of Christ is not my favorite collection from Tara 😢 This super short presentation sadly did not give me any looks to crave.

In collections past, I have always appreciated IOCs artistic brand however this collection was a bit of a miss for me.

📣 COMMENT to let me know what you think

Jason Wu

Like last season (S/S 2021) Jason Wu kicked off NY Fashion Week which if you didn’t know is the start of International Fashion Month 👘

THANK GOODNESS for Jason Wu! 🤩 He always delivers the perfect collection that gets you JUICED for fashion month💯

I am extremely grateful Jason gave us a short but full runway presentation 🤗 Even greater is him filming inside of a highly styled NY grocery store 🛒 Such a genius move on Jason’s part because you can see the entire collection fitting seamlessly into your closet & life 🥳

Jason Wu gives you all you need from coats 🧥 & dresses to skirts & pants 👖 Don’t sleep on the jewelry 💍 because it completes each look without overwhelming the clothes, BEAUTIFUL!

Jonathan Simkhai

Jonathan Simkhai’s NY Fashion Week F/W 2021 collection does not blow you off your chair 😳 until you go in on the details of the garments 🔍 which Jonathan does AMAZINGLY

What do I mean? People will gravitate to you to figure out why your simple little dress is so eye catching 👀 Getting close they will note it’s a whisper thin wool knit 🧶 that hugs your body like a dream.

Even the chunky knits have an extra something that makes you pull out your credit card 💳 in spite of the 20 sweaters you already own 🤪 Pay attention to the stitching on the shirts in this presentation 👔 & you will get it!

I am awestruck on the various ways belts were used & gave me so many ideas 💡 of what I need to add to my collection 🤗

Lola Ade

Pamela Adewoyin’s jewelry collection Lola Ade is as BRILLIANTLY BEAUTIFUL as the designer herself 😇

Pamela runs down the inspiration of her collection during her short presentation. Albeit short the video is incredibly powerful 🤸‍♀️

Pamela uses some of the most stunning gems 💎 & metals in her F/W Lola Ade collection. It is clear this West African QUEEN 👸🏾 puts her heritage & soul into every piece 💍

Researching her past collections I was ecstatic at how affordable her pieces are 💰 Jumping to purchase before they get snapped up!

This is my first time covering this amazing designer but definitely not my last 🆒

Lavie by CK

Claude Kameni is the self taught designer from Cameroon behind the label Lavie by CK. During my research I was surprised 😲 at how young Claude is. It makes the silhouettes & cuts of her NY 🗽 Fashion Week F/W 2021 HELLA SEXY designs make much more sense.

Viewed this collection before watching the Coming 2 America premier on Amazon Prime March 5th (Coming 2 America review). Only did a bit of research for my movie review because I don’t like my opinions to be biased on my fashion reviews 👍🏾 👎🏾

Seeing the Lavie by CK show I just knew the movie had to work with Claude. Was I right? Sort of.

While researching I came across an interview on the Hollywood Reporter with costume master, Ruth E. Carter (Black Panter) about working on Coming 2️⃣ America:

Of the film’s 800-plus costumes, standouts include a wedding dress created by Cameroon-born designer Claude Kameni of Los Angeles-based Lavie by CK (who dressed Viola Davis for the 2021 Golden Globes). “We have a moment that celebrated a glorious wedding gown with one of the largest trains I have ever seen,” notes Brewer. “It was so massive that we had to install two rolling dollies under the train just so the actress could pull it up.”

As mentioned in the article Claude is the designer that dressed the incredible Viola Davis for this year’s Golden Globes. Davis looked like the true regal queen she is 👸🏾 

This is my first time covering this mega-talent but I can assure you she will become a permanent fixture in my future reviews ☑️ Now that Claudia is dressing some of Hollywood’s biggest stars it will be IMPOSSSIBLE to get her pieces, but I am going to try! 😬

Libertine

Libertine always gives me “London 🏰 comes to NY 🗽 ” vibes & the NY Fashion Week F/W 2021 collection was no different.

Johnson Hartig enjoys creating presentations that duplicates or overlaps looks making it vibrant & fun 😵(archived fashion reviews)

I love this because it forces you to watch the presentation several times to capture the staggeringly beautiful elements 🧵 & tailoring 🧥

Yes, Libertine has outrages hats 👒 (J’ADORE), messages written on full length coats 🆒 & mixed patterns like no other.

🙏🏾 PLEASE don’t let all of that distract you, look close 🔍 at the cuts on the suits, the trenches & pants. The threading & rhinestone features 💎, hand painting 🎨 I’M DECEASED!!

Libertine will have you asking yourself, “Is it luxe level or streetwear?” 🤔

The great thing is you don’t have to label or define it, you just have to LOVE IT, OWN IT & ROCK THE SHIT OUT OF IT! 👩🏽‍🎤👨🏽‍🎤

Marissa Wilson

Making certain to cover and support as many black designers as I can this season ✊🏾 I bring you Marrisa Wilson 🧙🏾‍♀️

This is a new designer to me so I don’t have past collections to compare ⚖️ What I will say is I enjoy Marrisa’s energy 🎙 It’s not a large collection but it is a gorgeous 1️⃣

With American fashion finally shining a spotlight on diversity as well as giving more financing to designers of color 👏🏾 I look forward to seeing how Marrisa will evolve her art 👩🏾‍🎨

Nicole Miller

Nicole Miller is an incredible woman & fashion idol! Nicole reminds us GIRLS WILL HAVE FUN post pandemic💃🏾

F/W 2021 she is giving us boho vibes that screams FREEDOM! 🤸 TOTALLY LIVING for the easy silhouettes & hippie characteristics ☮️

Yet another short presentation but Nicole shows enough that I’m salivating for more 🤤 Can’t wait to complete this review so I can 👀 📸 of the full Nicole Miller collection. Must decide what pieces 2️⃣ save 4️⃣ 💵

I post short 🎞 on TikTok of the collections when they are shown (link below 🙏🏾 FOLLOW). The day I posted my Nicole Miller vid SHE LIKED IT 🤯😍

Prabal Gurung

Prabal Gurung is a NY Fashion week fixture. This Singapore 🗼 native has completely embraced his American home. His customers are the NYC downtown girls 😎 they ALL LOVE him 💋

He is generation Ys rebellious “punk”, in the vein of some of the greats like Calvin Klein in the 80s & Marc Jacobs in the 90s.

Prabal started his line as the anti-establishment 🚫 designer that evolved into THE “coveted by the rich” BRAND 💯

He got his big boost when famed star stylist, Rachel Zoe, started dressing her 🅰️ list clients in Prabal Gurung for the red carpet. Make no mistake Prabal Gurung is NOT a 🆕 brand, he most certainly has made an indelible mark in the industry.

For his NY Fashion Week F/W 2021 collection, Prabal shares his love ❤️ for New York 🍏 which is evident in the designs. No silhouette was left behind; from bell bottom pants to long ruffled dresses 👗 he covers it all!

As my trends (above) dictate, SUITS will be huge come fall 🍃 Prabal puts his flavor on them by removing the darts but keeping the shoulders tightly tailored 📏 DEEEELISH

Proenza Schouler

The highly anticipated moment finally arrived! 🥳 This season Jack McCollough & Lazaro Hernandez invited Vice President Kamala Harris’ step daughter Ella Emhoff to make her runway debut at the Proenza Schouler F/W 2021 show.

Not going to talk 🗣 to much about it here because this is a fashion review.

What I will say, is I look forward to reviewing this recent Parsons School of Design graduate. When will Ella make her fashion design debut❓❗️ Nothing confirmed, but I, along with the rest of the fashion world, is waiting with bated breath. Good Luck Ella! 🤞🏾

Now back to the reviews 😺

The Proenza Schouler collection is my fall/winter dreams come true! ☃️ I am dying over the high slit wool & leather skirts and every coat 🧥 is DELICIOUS! The Proenza Schouler collection focused on a more fitted cut so everyone will look long & lean.

This collection’s “SEXY” is given in subtle hints 😉 which PS does with an extremely deft hand 👋🏽

Although virtual Jack & Lazaro gave us full runway show/presentation. It was nice seeing a full collection as we would if were live.

Rebecca Minkoff

Rebecca Minkoff’s F/W collection was the only one I reviewed that had face masks featured with every look 😷 For her fall collection, Rebecca produced 2️⃣ presentations (2nd 🎦 is Back of House).

In her usual style Rebecca gives us SEXY HIGH-FASHION ROCKER VIBES 👩🏽‍🎤 Her signature 👁 for patterns is some of the best in the industry.

Hope this doesn’t sound like a cop out, but what DIDN’T Rebecca Minkoff create for us 🥳

Between the sexiest of sexy leather shorts 🩳 to the whisper soft eyelet dress, I am already broke 💸 before prices have been established, lol! 🏧

The collection is RICH 💰 in fabrics, color saturation, detail & CHIC-A-LICOUS-NESS (I totally just made up that word 🤪)

I truly am overwhelmed with how much I love this collection 👅 The accessories (including the masks) & jewelry 💍 pull the looks together so well, that I foresee 🔮 the Rebecca Minkoff brand, selling many looks ripped right from the “runway”.

Tadashi Shojhi

I am a Tadashi Shoji fan 👏🏽 & adore his vision 💋 He taps into how women envision themselves dressing when going to a red carpet lunch or ballet premier 🩰

Mr. Shoji stays true to his core clients but keeps it fresh 🌱 for the next generation discovering 🕵🏾‍♀️ his genius

We fashionistas expect high standards from Tadashi and he more than delivered for Fall/Winter 2021 ⚡️

I was not prepared for the darkness 🌚 of the presentation because the S/S 2021 collection (my review) was so bright & playful 💐 However, on my 3rd viewing of the collection, I blocked out the music 🎻 & stage set. That’s when the true brilliance was revealed to me.

Tadashi gives us his signature print work, luxe fabrics & precise tailoring 🧵 Without the strong accessories & styling, you still feel the strength and warrior-esque 🦸🏾 messaging he’s evoking. Hope he was inspired by the HUGE WOMEN’S MOVEMENT ✊🏾

🎦 presentations instead of runway has allowed the Tadashi Shoji label to highlight the artistry in a way live runway shows can not 💡 This format may be the way they continue to present in the future 😊

Tombogo

Designer Tommy Bogo DID IT! 🎉 Another new designer that brought serous fire 💥 to NY Fashion Week F/W 2021.

For his first Tombogo collection Tommy shows us his love of sustainable fashion ♻️ & pure street sexiness 😜

When I watched the collection the first time, I got sad seeing all these stunning garments were menswear 🕺🏾 AND THEN came a few pieces for women that you are going to scream over 😱

Don’t sleep 😴 on this young artist, he proved he has some serious legs 🦵 in this industry. How will he evolve this line in the future❔ Not sure but will DEFINITLEY be watching 👀

The Blonds

Phillipe & David Blond have over 2️⃣0️⃣ years in the fashion industry, but their looks are so fresh you would think they just got out of design school 🤫

This brother duo’s label The Blonds has dressed some of music & Hollywood’s biggest celebrities 🤩

When you see the short 📽 presentation don’t get caught up in the grandeur & sparkle of it all 💎 Look deep into the collections materials. That’s when you will understand the wearable pieces you will be adding to your closet 💣

Each incredibly crafted design is its own work of art 🖼 If you understand what it takes to construct a garment 😵 YOU GET IT!

This is what STAR LUXURY looks like & will try to get my hands 🤲🏾 on SOMETHING 💳, more research lol

Theophilio

For my final review on NY 🍎 Fashion Week F/W 2021 collections 😥 I am happy it’s for Edvin Thompson of Theophilio 🤗

Another NEW African American 🤜🏾🤛🏾 artist that shows he most definitely earned his spot as a featured designer at NY Fashion Week 💯 Not a very large collection but enough to get Edvin’s talent 👨🏾‍🎨

I am completely LIVING for the leather pieces. It’s obvious to anyone that knows fashion, this young man has the chops to make Theophilio a global 🌍 brand! I’ll be watching 🔎

SEE YOU NEXT SEASON & STAY FASHIONABLE! 🥰

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