WATCH OUT FOR THE BIG GIRL

Aaron & DouglasSays - Munich Hauptbahnhof '07
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Designer DouglasSays is launching a new line called Plus-U for full figured ladies. He staged a runway show in NYC a couple of days ago featuring the new collection. I loved it - it was the perfect blend of sexiness, glamour and practicality. The line is primarily jersey so the comfort and care factor is a no-brainer. Douglas' palette included chocolate brown, lime green, fuchsia, black and beautiful shades of royal, iris and baby blue. What was so fresh about the palette was the way he mixed the colors via color blocking and peek-a-boo facings. My favorite standouts were the opening piece, an amazing, sweeping tweed opera coat with harness belt; a puzzle-piece jersey wrap dress in orange, chocolate and lime; an asymmetric crystal dusted royal blue gown; a simple black and red T-shirt dress with trompe l'oeil halter effect; and a feather paisley printed wrap gown with sexy high slit. I personally think this collection is aesthetically and commercially viable and would appeal to many a big girl. Here are some pics:

I loved seeing voluptuous women on the runway embracing their femininity, sensuality and their diva attitude. These girls turned it out. The bride of the show was none other than The Original Runway Diva, Ms. Sharon Quinn. Sharon is THE plus size runway girl and has parlayed her talents into many runway, TV and performance gigs. The crowd always GOES UP for Miss Sharon and she never fails to burn up the runway. My big question is why is it that a Sharon can't be in every runway show? A little diversity is good for the eye and the soul. Here are a couple of videos of Sharon in action - catch the patented twist, twirl, dip and then side step....

SURPRISES ABOUND

My crew took me out for a lovely going away dinner last night. I had a wonderful time with the people I will miss immensely. They even surprised me with some amazing gifts.

They all know that I have a soft spot for coffee table books. I particularly love fashion and photography books and they gifted me with 2 that mix fashion, photography and history brilliantly. The first is the amazing DIOR book which chronicles the entire history of the house - from Dior to YSL to Marc Bohan to Ferre to Galliano. This book is awe inspiring and completely breathtaking. The Dior aesthetic has influenced me so much - luxurious fabrics, workmanship, silhouette, femininity. BRILLIANT BOOK!!!!!!!

The next book they got is called THE PARTY DRESS. Via illustrations and photography, it details party dresses for every event from garden parties to nights out on the town to weddings. The hugest surprise was the fact that I had illustrations in it!!! I had NO clue. I had already loved the book before I saw that but that was the icing on the cake. Here you go:

Cover of THE PARTY DRESS.

A quick scan of the inside sketches.

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I also received an amazing card which was created by my favorite intern in the world, Laura. Laura has collaborated with me on many designs by creating some of the most amazing embroidery layouts ever. I did a dress for the 100th anniversary celebration of a premiere American department store recently and she took the sketch and reinterpreted it three dimensionally as a beautiful card. It was then signed by everyone with well wishes and love - SO SPECIAL. Here is the card - from Laura's hands to my heart!

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VERY VALENTINO

The VALENTINO exhibition stands, in my opinion, as one of the most amazing fashion exhibitions ever. It is in the same league as the Halston, Jackie Kennedy and Versace exhibitions. Staged in Rome at the Ara Pacis Museum, this was a breathtaking exhibition. The forms are all positioned and posed in a way that makes you think they are watching the second coming or watching some spectacular, natural event. They are all standing with arms outstretched, gazing to the heavens as if they were angels watching God's awe inspiring power. Needless to say, the effect is amazingly dramatic. This is the epitome of VAL'S GALS. To top all of that off, you see up close and personal the pure genius of the brilliant VALENTINO GARAVANI, or simply, Valentino (Val, Mr. Valentino, the sheikh of Chic, Le Chic, etc) . From the most amazing draping to the most beautiful embellishments to the amazing daywear and accessories - whatever this man touches has a severe feeling of luxury, money, chicness and rarity. Known for his love of red, Valentino's repetoire of color was amazingly diverse and rich. An amazing coral embroidered crocodile jacket would make you want to slap yo' momma....lace and ribbon basketweave plaid separates show you how twisting a classic brings about newness.... hand draping that must have taken 5 little Italian mamas 2 months to make...woven chiffon gowns....enough beading to give the little Indian beading men arthritis....cashmere double face coats.....camouflage day and evening......the choices of exquisite beauty were endless. Cases of notes and sketches gave you a small glimpse into the way a brilliant mind works. The original dress forms and gowns of celebs like Halle, Liz Taylor, Reese, Julia were fun to see (they are all freakishly tiny!). This exhibition was truly inspiring.

Their Eyes Were Watching God - an army of angels .
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Beading, draping, degrade', asymmetry, all add up to plain ole' gorgeous.
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Stairway To Heaven - Angels draped in rainbows of ombre chiffon and beads.
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Original wedding gown of Grace Kelly when she married into the royalty of Monaco.
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A heavenly chorus giving praise to God!!! All they needed was a little gospel music in the background. This was absolutely divine staging. Miles and miles of red chiffon, georgette, satin, taffeta and jersey...................

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Rouched tulle pouf gown in multi colored harlequin pattern.
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In addition to me, black was repping in the house that day.
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Off The Wall - the amazing entrance.
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The Arch Angel.
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CROQUIS BOOK

SOFTNESS AND MOVEMENT...........

LOOKBOOK

By Aaron

LOOKBOOK

by Aaron

CROQUIS BOOK

Around the block........................COLOR BLOCKING!

CROQUIS BOOK

Controlled, structured volume
by Aaron