Photo recap: Coco and Breezy S/S 2012 at New York Fashion Week

Since their move to New York two short years ago, Minnesota-native twins Coco & Breezy have become darlings of the hip-hop and R&B set, showed up in the pages of Essence and PAPER magazines, and found their way onto the faces of Nicki Minaj and Beyonce. The twins - real names Corianna and Brianna Dotson - showed their Spring 2012 collection, "Rainy Days," at a private estate during New York Fashion Week earlier this month. I dig how they styled the collection with clear vinyl, black-edge umbrellas and lip colors coordinated to match the glasses. Paired with professional models and simple but chic black outfits, the show looks to be the twins' most sophisticated to date.

[Photos by 24 blogazine and luxelove]

And here's the just-released video showcasing their 2012 "Rainy Days" Collection, which the twins produced and directed:

RAINY DAYS x Coco && Breezy - S/S 2012 from Coco and breezy on Vimeo.

Follow the girls on their Tumblr, snap up their new sunglasses at CocoandBreezy.com, and read new interviews with the twins in Black Enterprise, Essence, CBS Minnesota, and Global Grind.

In review: Ra'mon-Lawrence & Robyne Robinson at NYFW

On Saturday evening, former Minneapolis designer (and Project Runway contestant) Ra'mon-Lawrence Coleman rejoined forces with local jewelry designer Robyne Robinson of ROX for a presentation showcasing his Spring/Summer 2012 line at Happy Monkey Studio in Manhattan’s Garment District. I unfortunately was not able to make it, but Pioneer Press' Nancy Ngo was on the scene and snapped some pics. In another local twist, former Minneapolis hairstylist Kelsy Osterman (now with Cutler Salon in New York) led the hair for the presentation.

Unsurprisingly, these pieces look a lot like the last collection Ra'mon sent down a runway - his Spring 2010 line, which he showed back in fall 2009 at New York Fashion Week. They're wearable, chic, and modern, packed with color and prints, but a bit on the commercial side. It's a side of Ra'mon we didn't see during his time on Project Runway, nor in his more avante-garde looks he showed during his time in Minneapolis, particularly during his Spring 2008 "Eluded Love" collection that he showed at MNfashion Week.

Of the pieces he showed, there were a few standouts - the blue shirtdress appears to have some interesting fabric contrasts, as well as a nice detail in the patterned collar. Same goes for the white men's shirt (far right, above) - classic with a twist makes for great design. The left and center patterned dresses, though, seem like something we've seen before without bringing anything new to the table.


The blue shirtdress at a second glance is indeed quite intriguing. I wish I could have seen this in motion.

That's a great color combination and cut on the men's shirt on the left. It really encapsulates Ra'mon's menswear aesthetic - neatly-cut and European in styling, executed in a bold color and slightly exotic pattern. The slouchy silk dress (center) is pure Ra'mon - the draped shoulder detail over the cinched waist gives a sophisticated yet relaxed look, and the rich color and subtle print are just perfect. I'm not sure what's going on with the men's look pictured on the right - it looks sort of like a men's onesie, and cuts the model in half at a weird spot.

I appreciate the color combinations and mixing of prints in the above looks, but these pieces on their own look fairly basic to me. I would have liked to see more of the striped pants - they have possibilities but the styling of the blue top over it makes it look more sloppy than chic-ly relaxed. The skirt on the left is sort of ugly, to be honest - it looks like she has a curtain for her crotch.


The black and white patterned dress has an interesting neckline, and the shirring on the sides is masterfully done. A chic, flattering little dress any girl would love to wear.

I like what Ra'mon did with the placketed shirtdress - a little bit of on-trend sheerness mixed with a bold print in a demure silhouette, which is just the way to play sheer fabrics.

One other slight criticism: from these photos, it's hard to see an overall thread running throughout the collection. One one hand, you have these lovely unstructured shirtdresses with contrasting fabrics; on another, a sort of breezy, tropical feel. But overall, it's good to see Ra'mon back in the game, working toward his strengths - namely, color and pattern - and pulling some chic looks together. But as a longtime Ra'mon fan, I long for the days of the more sculptural, artful designs he was known for.

As far as the jewelry goes, this is some of Robyne's best work to date - bold, luxe and statement-making, without being overbearing or overdesigned. More new ROX designs are pictured below:



[Photos by Nancy Ngo, Amy Gee and The Style Circuit]

Click here for more photos by Amy Gee and here for a review by The Style Circuit.

Hot photo: Vision's Teqen and Megan McNierney

Vision Management Group owner Teqen Zea-Aida was snapped (wearing a trench from local store BlackBlue) by New York street style photographer William Yan while at New York Fashion Week in February with Vision-managed model Megan McNierney.

[Photo: William Yan]

Vision's Nic LaFrance at NYFW

Vision model Nic LaFrance walked for menswear brand General Idea at New York Fashion Week.


Look for him at the :57 and 1:34 mark in the video:



And here he is at Complex Geometries:

Fashion link roundup: 2.14-2.20

Local street style blog shoots personal style blogger Shannon Licari of Dirty Hair Halo.

Secrets of the City does a studio visit with designer Emma Berg.

Allison Kaplan previews the new martinpatrick3/Inside Design studio and shop.

Minnesota-born designer Claire Lampert has been working for fashion line Bodkin as designer director since 2009. Check out the F/W 2011 line by Bodkin at style.com.

Hairstylist Kelsy Osterman (a Minnesota native) was captured backstage as she led hair for Tara St. James at New York Fashion Week.

Mpls.St.Paul Magazine interviews Stephanie Colgan on her New York Fashion Week experience.

Alli Jagoda does a cute Valentine's-themed spread featuring Ignite models.

Former Minneapolis stylist Xavi Sostre styles with feather headpiece by Gina Schiappacasse, another Minnesota native, in this recent fashion shoot in New York.

Makeup devotee Kara Nesvig interviews her mama on her makeup habits.

Vision's Megan McNierney at New York & Paris Fashion Weeks

Models from local modeling agency Vision hit the runway at New York Fashion Week this past week, and stunner Megan McNierney stood out, as usual. Here she is at a variety of shows last week.

at Lela Rose

at Halston

at Charlotte Ronson

at Maxime Simoens at Paris Fashion Week in January

at Elie Saab at Paris Fashion Week in January

Locals do F/W 2011 New York Fashion Week, part two

Every season, locals head to New York Fashion Week to shoot it, write about it, model in it, and style it. (Click HERE for my recap from last weekend, HERE for photos by Stephanie Colgan, and HERE for a local designer who made a splash.)

[A F/W 2011 look by Rodarte via Couture et Cuisine]

Local stylist/blogger Jane Belfry went to Fashion Week, and offers her wonderfully edited picks for best in show at her blog, Couture et Cuisine. While she was there, she went reviewed eatery Savoy.

Though she didn't attend this February, METRO Magazine's Mary O'Regan also gives her Fashion Week favorites on her Art of Wore blog.

[A Rodarte hair look via Beautylish]

The Mulleavy sisters and lead stylist Odile Gilbert discuss the looks for the Aveda-styled Rodarte show on Tuesday in the behind-the-scenes video here. Gilbert also gives a step-by-step on the hair on the Beautylish blog.

Mary O'Regan of METRO Magazine covers Aveda's Fashion Week involvement in this month's issue of METRO.



Aveda styled Sophie Theallet on Tuesday.

A Girl's Gotta Spa blog does a Q&A with local stylist Pearson Knight on New York Fashion Week.

[Backstage at Tara St. James. Photos by Kelsy Osterman]

Minnesota-born hairstylist Kelsy Osterman led her first New York Fashion Week show for Tara St. James.

[Backstage at Betsey Johnson. Photo by Jen Hughes]

[Backstage at Badgley Mischka. Photo by Jen Hughes]

[Jen Hughes backstage at Betsey Johnson]

[Charlie Brackney. Photo by Jen Hughes]

Kelsy also did hair for Badgley Mischka and Betsey Johnson. Local hairstylists Jen Hughes of Juut and Charlie Brackney, owner of HAUS Salon, were also styling backstage. Jen did hair for Tara St. James, Betsey Johnson and Badgley Mischka, Click here for Jen's backstage photos.

Star Tribune's Sara Glassman was at Fashion Week, and covered Monique Lhuillier, Derek Lam and Badgley Mischka, the latter of which incorporated jewelry by Minnesota-based line Sequin.

Stephanie Colgan shoots Park Choon at NYFW

Local photographer Stephanie Colgan is keeping busy at New York Fashion Week. She just posted some gorgeous shots from the Park Choon show.









Click here for more.

Former Calpurnia Peach designer makes tights for Rachel Antonoff

Sara Glassman just reported for the Star Tribune that former Calpurnia Peach co-designer Ashley Wokasch has been assisting New York designer Rachel Antonoff as of late. For her F/W 2011 collection at New York Fashion Week, Wokasch culled her screenprinting skills and printed tights with kitties and hearts. Elle Magazine recapped the show, saying, "Models bopped around in tween-appropriate drop waist frocks and plaid separates, complete with artistically printed tights featuring offbeat knee-patch designs." I want a pair! (Apparently, stylist/model Alexa Chung does too - Wokasch tells me she asked her to make her a pair!)

Photos via GreasyGuide.com

Stephanie Colgan shoots New York Fashion Week

Local photographer Stephanie Colgan has been shooting New York Fashion Week for years by now, mainly for an ongoing gig with the New York Times (fancy!). She shared with me some photos from the shows she's shot for so far, including Richard Chai and Nicholas K.

[Nicholas K]

[Richard Chai]

[Richard Chai]

[Richard Chai]


[Richard Chai]

[Richard Chai]

[Richard Chai]