Stargazing with Fashion Designer Kristin Klonoski of Astrophel + Stella

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Astrophel + Stella, a playfully chic and deliciously feminine collection of cocktail dresses and formal jackets by Georgia-native Kristin Klonoski has taken the New York social set by storm and is poised to make a splash with the debs down South. Luxurious fabrics, such as taffeta, silk, and Chantilly lace endow Klonoski’s garments with a distinctly romantic feel, while flouncy short hemlines keep the look contemporary—but you wouldn’t expect anything less from a label named after a 16^th century love sonnet!

Klonoski’s career in fashion began at the young age of thirteen when she interned at the then brand new contemporary women’s label Tibi.  It was so new, in fact, that when she started the company consisted of just Tibi founder and president Amy Smilovic, Smilovic’s mother, and Kolonski.  “I was packing boxes and shipping things. It was an amazing experience and I knew from that point what I wanted to do with my life,” she says. After high school, Klonoski headed to the Fashion Institute of Technology. “I studied advertising and marketing primarily at FIT, but I also took design classes because I knew I wanted to have my own company, and I wanted to know the business and the design sides.”

After graduating from FIT Klonoski headed back to Tibi, now a hugely successful label, as a fulltime employee.  From Tibi she moved onto Emmanuel Ungaro, for what turned out to be a fatefully brief stint as the company closed its doors in the US in February 2010. The stars were aligned for Klonoski who now possessed both the experience and the time she needed to found her own label.  “I was thinking about starting my line for a while, and it just felt like the right time. My production fell into place. I had clients already coming to me, and it just worked out really well,” she explains.  She named her label Astrophel + Stella, meaning star lover and star, inspired by the title of a Sir Philip Sidney sonnet about his passionate (and ultimately heartbreaking) affair with Queen Elizabeth’s lady in waiting Penelope Rich.

The collection’s focus is made-to-measure garments, with Klonoski working on a piece by piece basis, customizing styles to a client’s specifications--“I design silhouettes and from the silhouettes I can customize them so if you want a sleeve or a longer hemline or the dress is red and your really want hot pink, I can do that.” Recently, the line expanded to include ready-to-wear as Klonoski was invited into the Emerging Designers Boutique at The Plaza in New York. Featuring only six designers—including the likes of Christian Cota and Stanley Mellon—Klonoski was thrilled to be offered the last spot and has been very well received by customers. “I had a girl email me who went [to the plaza] and actually bought her wedding dress for a city hall ceremony, and she was like, ‘I was so excited to find your dress!’” Klonoski gushes.

Klonoski’s draws her design inspiration directly from events happening in her life and places she’s traveled to, and her collection reflects a young woman about town, from a glamorous ostrich feather covered mini dress to a dramatic floor-skimming satin gown.  “I’ve always been a dress girl,” she says in a nod to her Southern upbringing, adding that her design aesthetic as “classic and wearable, but still elegant and unique and beautiful.”

Beyond dress designs so charming that Blair Waldorf and Serena Van Der Woodsen would swoon, Astrophel + Stella’s success can be attributed to steadfast commitment to quality. “Having started as a custom dress line, quality is my number one focus as well as fit. I like it to be as beautiful on the inside as it is on the outside…I want people to look at my clothing as something they can wear forever and come back to me as return clientele instead of a one-off type of thing.” Clients appreciate the thoughtful construction, including supermodel Maggie Rizer who recently purchased the Isabelle dress while honeymooning in Africa. “She wore it to an AmFar benefit in San Francisco. That was really exciting!” Klonoski exclaims.

As Astrophel + Stella approaches its inaugural anniversary, Klonoski reflects upon the year, “I love working for myself. It’s a little lonely sometimes because it’s just me and my sewing duo in the garment district, but I love being able to create something that’s my own.” Klonoski is busy finishing up her fall 2011 collection and plans to expand the ready-to-wear offerings in the year ahead.  Astrophel + Stella may be named for the stars, but it seems to be headed straight to the moon. 

Garments start at $650. For more information visit www.astrophelandstella.com or email Kristin at kristin@astrophelandstella.com

Calling all Fashionista Recessionistas!

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From the trendy threads on CofC Coeds to the classic style of the South of Broad set, a walk down King Street can feel more like a trip down the catwalk. We Charlestonians are so well dressed that Travel + Leisure magazine's America's favorite Cities 2010 issue named ours as one of the most stylish cities in America (not to mention the most attractive and friendliest city)! In this town it's nearly impossible not to covet your neighbors designer dress, vintage skirt, or killer bangles!

If, like me, you've ever dreamed of raiding the closets of the Holy City's best dressed, then you don't want to miss Style Swap! Wiliminton "Style Girl" Jess James is coming to town to host her famous eco-chic fashion swap this Thursday, December 2 from 7-9 p.m. at Seeking Indigo boutique at 445 King Street.

Here's how it works: First, buy a ticket online here for $20 (tickets are available fo $25 at the door). Second, gather one gently used designer or vintage garment (on a hanger, si vous plait) and one gently used accessory. When you get to the event get ready to swap your duds for anothers. Not only do you leave with some fabulous new-to-you fashions, but the money raised at the event goes to the Center for Women.


Here are some of the fashion festivities you can expect to enjoy at Style Swap:


• Sweet Treats from Cupcake, Baked, Wildflour Pastry and Sugar Bake Shop
• Wine from Social Wine Bar
• "Beauty Station" - mini makeovers with Cos Bar + Laura Mercier
• Networking with Charleston’s stylemavens including Style Swap emcee Tara Lynn from News 2
• Shop reinvented vintage jewelry from The Scarlet Poppy
• Sponsored "swap" outfits + fabulous prizes from your favorite boutiques and emerging designers
• Arrive in STYLE ready to be photographed by the official STYLE SWAP photographer, the uber-talented Valerie Schooling!
• Music by DJ Jake B
• AFTER PARTY: Vendue Inn Rooftop Bar - 19 Vendue Range


For more info email: styleswapinfo@gmail.com or Katie.circapr@gmail.com

Day to Night Style Made Easy Courtesy of Jonny Cosmetics, Escapada Living & Hyla Dewitt Jewelry

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A few months ago, Jonny Sherwood of Jonny Cosmetics and I came up with an idea to make a video for Style Unzipped that demonstrated how to take one look and transition it from day to night. Jesse Vickers soon came on board, bringing not only her modeling abilities but also the fabulous fashion designs from Escapada Living and jewelry from Hyla Lewitt. This local Charleston style collaboration met at The G.A.T.E. Center, a cutting-edge hair salon and education center, where hair artist April Godwin tended to our tresses. 


Without changing our outfit, Jesse and I model how to use hair, makeup, and accessories to go from office-appropriate to dance floor-ready. 

Please check out the final result below, courtesy of Jonny who proved himself a man of many talents by photographing, filming, and editing footage from the shoot. 

Monique Lhuillier's Euphoric Garden of Eden

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In the program notes to Monique Lhulilier’s Spring 2011 presentation, the designer revealed that she was inspired by a dream she had of “a beautiful girl running through a lush garden,” and the resulting collection, entitled Garden of Eden, was tempting to say the least.

The show opened with a series of upscale day and cocktail looks in which faintly blush-tinted organza was skillfully manipulated into petal pleats, fans, and paillettes, which adorned bodices. An irresistible apple-red nicely counterpointed the whispered pink hue, and complimented caramel and toffee-colored separates, including a particularly lovely red silk bustier with a Carmel laminated raffia pencil skirt and draped vest.

Wide-leg, Katherine-Hepburn-esque trousers were kept feminine by structured sweet-heart tops, and pleated A-line dresses were reminiscent of the fifties’ ladylike silhouettes.  Understated reptile print chiffon was draped into chic gowns, subtly belted at the natural waist.  

As the run of show transitioned into eveningwear, the daytime palette acquired a luster which Lhulilier explained was to create “shimmer from the glistening sun on dewy surfaces.” The formerly matte blush of a fitted, strapless dress was now sequined and subtly ombred.  Browns were metallicized  and beaded in floor-sweeping column gowns.  

The final pass of gowns was dazzling, each more breathtaking than the last. Floral prints were exaggerated in bustled and tufted skirts, and chiffon was knotted to take on the appearance of blossoms enrapturing a skirt or bodice.  A stardust-gold, off-the-shoulder gown disappeared into a nude floor sweeping skirt, imbuing the model with an other-worldy quality. By the time the final look, a shimmering floral brocade trumpet ball gown, took to the runway, the audience was—as intended—worked up to a state of dream-like euphoria. 

Carolina Herrera in a League of Her Own

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Getty Image Via Fashionologie.com

As the saying goes, if it isn’t broken, don’t fix it, and Carolina Herrera’s muted glamour has been a winning formula for decades (as proven by the presence of the unmistakable Vogue Editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, who sat front row doing her best impression of herself with arms crossed, apathetic scowl across her face, and dark-rimmed sunglasses in place).

In her latest collection, presented in the Theater on Monday, September 13, Herrera’s classic aesthetic was infused with l'esprit du printemps through floral appliqués, which the program notes explained were taken from by 18^th century botanical plates, and inspired by the cut and details of traditional Korean garments. The run of show, played out like a “who’s who” of top models with each of the fifty two looks worn on a different girl, including Chanel Iman, Lily Donaldson, and Karlie Kloss.

Herrera opened with a white oxford twill wrap jacket and matching double pleated pant—simple and chic, the look was the perfect Eastern take on her signature crisp, white button-down—and continued in a subdued and mature manner, seemingly designed with her Upper East Side clientele in mind. Hemlines hit below the unsightly knee, elegant bateau necklines were prominent, and sleeved options, such as a canvas cocoon coat, were ready to conceal arms. Black, white, metallic beige and hibiscus red made for a sophisticated palette. Waists were cinched with a traditional Korean bow belts in organza and cord, and many looks were accessorized with a tall, straw Korean men’s hat, which Herrera felt helped to “complete the silhouette” and featured prominently throughout the show.

Getty Image Via Fashionology.com

Continuing on, ginger, mellon, and lime hues created pristine backdrops for the lady-like botanicals which were translated directly onto garments. A soft yellow tansy appliqué fell from the shoulder of an olive cotton wrap dress and an embroidered forget me not filled the front of a fitted pencil skirt.  Bright colors plucked directly from the garden, such as hibiscus orange and aster pink were introduced on increasingly youthful and formal looks, such a short Korean cocoon dress with a diagonal neckline falling just past one shoulder.

Herrera did not back away from botanicals on red carpet looks, which were made of colorful metallic satins and floral impressionist prints. A stunning floor length gown featured a fitted bodice of swirling metallic olive and ginger with sheer black organza encasing the shoulders and cinching the waist.  The Korean influence was ubiquitous in single-loop obi knots which appeared around necklines, waists and even the bustle of full skirts.

The show concluded with a series of supremely elegant ball gowns featuring full, aikido skirts comprised of yards of porcelain embroidered floral jacquard. Not wanting for bells and whistles, the show—straightforward and first-class in every respect—was in a stratosphere all its own.

William Tempest Conjures Up Alluring "Sirens' Song" for Spring

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British wunderkind William Tempest voyaged across the pond to present his spring 2011 collection at New York Fashion week, picking up some aquatic inspiration along the way.

The collection was shown in the Box early Monday morning, and Tempest himself—petite in stature and boyish in appearance (he’s only twenty four and looks even younger)—earnestly ambled the space, eager to share  his exotically beautifully “Sirens’ Song” collection. Among his inspirations, Tempest cited the mystical creatures of the sea and the dreamy paintings of Pre-Raphaelite artists Herbert James Draper and John William Waterhouse.

Models were perched like statues on individual pedestals and recalled birds of paradise in exotic shades of coral, raspberry, and lemon. Short, asymmetrical hemlines fluttered beguilingly, like the leaves of an underwater plant, and the draping on an orange silk crepe jumpsuit mimicked rippling water down a thigh. Conch and clam shells were translated into rigid, architectural skirts and origami-folded necklines made of sandy pink and soft gray silk organdy.

Defined silhouettes were frequently juxtaposed with frothy, flowing fabrics. 

A covetable series of floor-sweeping gowns featured romantic Grecian draping that fell diagonally from shoulder to just below the opposite breast, revealing the structured bustier beneath, and a nude corset dress was sheathed in a translucent ruffle that spiraled down the body.

The young Tempest conjured up a collection as captivating as sirens, as enchanted as mermaids—and as likely to be seen on the red carpet as that of the most seasoned designers’. 

Elise Øverland Spring 2011: Top Tier Success

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Elise Øverland impressed Sunday afternoon at Exit Art in Hell’s Kitchen with a Spring 2011 collection that moved beyond her signature skin-tight, black leather, 

demonstrating an expanded breadth of style. The collection was a needed maturation for the four-year-old label by the Norwegian platinum blonde who got her start styling rock ‘n roll musicians for the stage, and frequently cavorts with socialites such as Nicki Hilton and Amanda Hearst and rock royalty such as Kelly Osborne—all of who were seated front row.

 

The show began with a series black and cream looks that were kept more town than country by unexpected leather accents, such as a prominent black leather stripe down the center of mod shift dress and a demure cropped pant paired with a sleek leather shell.

 

It wasn’t until the eighth look that we saw spring’s incarnation of after-party-ready, black leather mini dress Øverland is renowned for—and this season’s version is as sexy as ever, with a deep v down the front and cream canvas capped sleeves and collar. Staying close to her musical roots, Øverland thrilled audiences with a surprise walk down the runway by acclaimed violinist (and gender ambiguous) Hahn-Bin in a black leather skirt.

Violinist Hahn-Bin Performs at Elise Øverland

 

The palette expanded to include electric blue, turquoise, and olive. A color-blocked silk dress was easy-to-wear (not a term typically associated with Elise Øverland), and sleeveless blue top paired with a tiered and wide-slit black skirt exuded modern elegance.  A series of transparent black and white lace looks were simultaneously delicate and edgy. The lace was ideal for juxtaposing with leather, which Øverland did to perfection in a black leather jumpsuit paired with a bell-sleeved white lace top.

 

Tiering was a prominent trend and was artfully executed on mini dresses and skirts in a variety of fabrics. The final pass of neon chartreuse gowns were brilliantly tiered in alternating rows of lace, iridescent edging, and peek-a-boo paneling—proving you can lose the leather but keep the edge.

Round up. . . 


Trends: tiered fabrics, black leather, color blocking, lace, bell sleeves


Celebrities: Nicky Hilton, Amanda Hearst, Kelly Osbourne, hotelier Andre Balazs and Diana Picasso, Klaus Biesenbach, Hope Atherton, Minne Mortimer, Gillian Jacobs, Jessica Hart, Irina Shayk, Anya Ziourova, and violinist Hahn-Bin.


Check out this full article and even more NYFW coverage online at Charleston City Paper!