There is something so thrilling about the easygoing essence of summer…and fall…and spring…and winter (in Miami). Between the vacations in the city they live in, weekend trips to South Beach, and afternoons spent looking glamorous in the Miami heat, there’s much to love for our Miami locals. And sure, Miamians and Non-Miamians alike, there’s one season unweather-related that entices us all and makes us feel the Miami heat: spring. Hello, Miami Beach International Fashion Week and wardrobe picks galore.
On the opening night of the 13th annual and newly re-branded Miami Beach International Fashion Week, designers turned up the runway temperature to mesmerize on-lookers sweating up a storm as they were unable to handle the sizzle that fizzled by the click andclack of stilettos on the catwalk. As an excuse to show that skin is always in, lingerie, swim and Miami style ready-to-wear showcases ignited the runway, of course, bringing sexy back.
During the past 12 years, Miami Beach International Fashion Week has evolved into one of the world’s greatest premier fashion events spotlighting designers from Europe, USA and Canada, Caribbean, Middle East and Asia as well the largest showcase of Latin American design talent in the United States. The Miami Beach Convention Center Hall created a platform for designers to gain international exposure was a venue of emerging hot fashion. The venue was transformed into a state of the art “Fashion City” built to house all fashion shows, exhibitions and sponsor lounges as the world’s fashion elite flocked to Miami Beach to participate in this world class event.
In honor of his love for fashion and in preparation for impending beach days, one man knew how to show stop and leave a flaming hot impact this fashion week more so than any other designer trying to up that thermostat. Welcome, Latin-Chinese designer: Julian Chang.
Designer Julian Chang showcased for the first time in Miami, his 2011 Contemporary Ready-To-Wear Collection at The Miami Beach Convention Center. Peruvian born Designer, Julian Chang, has been a Miami resident since the age of 17. “Understanding the Miami Fashion Culture is key to designing my collections. Women want to feel like they are wearing couture, without the price tag and feel comfortable wearing it,†Chang continued, “The Miami lifestyle is my inspiration, my collections reflect that sexiness and glamour, combined with couture finishes, making my designs unique, timeless and season less; these pieces will always be relevant to your wardrobe.â€
Chang didn’t disappoint; he rounded up an excellent assortment of pieces that shared his creative niche. Chang sought stretch jersey fabrics in solid and prints. Blue, red, yellow, green, white and orange were all the underlying colors in pieces such as dresses, tops and skirts.
When it came to inviting, the fashion genius stuck to a unique appeal for his male catwalk stunners: black strips of fabric. An iconic strategically shaped Men’s top ensemble, it perfectly illustrated homage to fashion god Yves Saint Laurent’s cage moment in fashion. Julian Chang’s menswear collection proved that skin was always in, giving the audience a spoonful of fashion bliss and a bowl of eye candy- Yummy.
As for vital wardrobe staple, Chang left sunhats to overflow his show. Amassing a collection of Jennifer Lopez-esque style- the hats were nothing less than gossip-worthy greatness. The complementing colors of the hats accentuated each of the Women’s wear pieces.
Presenting sartorial perfection to the entire fashion world and not only sharing his creations with Miamians, Non-Miamians can get a heat flash of fabulosity (affordably) too.
“My collection is not only flirty, but also sophisticated, comfortable and of course, affordable.†Retail price points range from $ 95 for a top to $ 200 for adress. “Fashion is not a sacrifice; it should be synonymous with comfort, versatility and affordability.†Why not look and feel fabulous, without the price tag?â€
After attending Miami International University of Art and Design, Chang created a small evening wear line under his own label. Following this launch, he opened his first showroom in 2003, with other locations in Miami Beach and South Miami following shortly after. Mixing glamour with sexiness and confidence, Chang’s Contemporary Women’s collection, sells to more than 200 boutiques in the USA. To think, in 2011, he entrenches the fashion world in a ring of sensational fire.
In 2012, we might need to breakout our sunhats to combat the ceaseless heat of Julian Chang.
by MONICA BEDI
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