NYFW Spring 2014: Costello Tagliapietra

The designers of Costello Tagliapietra have long been known as much for their personal style as they have been for their light handed approach to draping ultra-feminine dresses. This season they branched out of the their normal territory and made the collection a bit more personal by being inspired by their personal approach to dressing while introducing plenty of separates, handbags and shoes.

 

Naturally there was a nod to the plaid that they both love and have earned them the affectionate nickname of the Fashion Bears. However the plaid has been blurred out to it's most abstract form to create a softer print. The long cardigans they favor, button-up shirts, relaxed trousers and tailored jackets have all found their way into this collection. However this is not to say that this is a literal translation of the duos masculine style and there is no hint of hipster or 90s grunge present. It is more what the designer's vision of women borrowing from the boys might look like.

Don't think that this means the designers have given up on their first love of draping. There are feminine dresses a plenty. However this time around the silhouettes are less voluminous and more sleek.

The color palette of orange, aqua, baby blue, cobalt, olive, black and flame red lend a tropical feel to the collection. When it is layered and color blocked in many of the looks it becomes very striking.

Overall the results were successful in creating wearable, effortless, elegant clothing that is simultaneously modern and classic. I really appreciate how the designers have broadened their offerings, giving more choices to their customer and can't wait to see these pieces at retail.

Online Deal: C&T Costello Tagliapietra

Costello Tagliapietra is one of our favorite designer duos, so you can imagine my excitement when I discovered over a dozen of their dresses for under $100 at barneyswarehouse.com.

C&T Costello Tagliapietra 

Gathered front cross dress $79, Cowl back gathered waist dress $79, Sleeveless crossover front dress $69, Iris dress $69

What a deal!  These sophisticated dresses usually retail for almost $300.  I love these dresses because they're effortlessly elegant and could easily transition from day to night.

If you're not familiar with Costello Tagliapietra, check out this video.  You may spot a couple familiar faces towards the end around 4:20.  We love the bears and their work!

NYFW Fall 2013: Costello Tagliapietra

I got to kick of my NYFW by attending the Costello Tagliapietra show at Milk Studios. My favorite designer duo Jeffrey Costello and Robert Tagliapietra, affectionately known as the Fashion Bears, created another beautiful collection while the Misshapes spun tunes and the fearless Kate Lanphear was spotted again.

This time around the inspiration for the collection came in the form of aerial maps, topographic lines and the floral-like energy that they take on. These images were used as tools that were superimposed on the human form and recreated through drape and patterning.

The results were dresses that had a 40s sort of glamor to them. There was a coziness to the collection thanks to the addition of alpaca teddybear knits that were carefully knit with leaf patterns that from a distance resemble a chunky cable. The alpaca teddybear, if the name of the fabric wasn't adorable enough made for some gorgeous little capelets.


Rich colors like wine, forest green, crimson and fuschia paired back nicely to unusual neutral tones and almost neon red perfectly painted lips. As usual the draping was artfully executed to create flattering looks that gracefully skim over a woman's body. Leather obi belts provided waist definition to many of the silhouettes creating a very feminine look. Hemlines were consistently just above or right below the knee - lengths that work well for just about any woman.

While the prints as always captured my heart with their depth of color, some of the solids were color blocked front to back for a more subdued take on the long lasting trend.  For instance the acid green dress above had a rich turquoise back - you can see just a hint of it in the photo.

Another collection that is simultaneously effortless, timeless and beautiful. Bravo Boys!

All images courtesy of MilkMade.com

Runway Review: Costello Tagliapietra Spring 2013

Costello Tagliapietra's signature draped dresses were aplenty in their SS2013 show. Whether short, long, belted, ruched or asymmetrical, their ability to make their dresses, and therefore their woman, look sophisticated and effortless is what makes their collections covetable. And this season was no different.



Beautifully draped dresses, with flattering ruched details or some artful belt-tying (lovely for those of us with bodies less like a model’s), walked the runway along with a couple of jumpsuits and some separates, that equally lived up to the chic and feminine style we look forward to from this design duo. And though their colors were more neutral and earthy this time around, they still offered some pops of brightness with their abstract prints, some jewel-toned solids and, of course, the peeking undersides of their double-sided AirDye fabrics.

Skin made a bit more of an appearance this season—which only complimented their oh-so-subtly sexy drapes--with several plunging necklines, a halter or two, and a couple of full-length dresses that featured cut-out slivers down the center-front bodice. As always, their styling and beauty was simple, feminine and fresh but with a touch of some carefree sexiness seen with the gently tousled hair and the rosy cheeks and lips. I mean, who wouldn't want to look like this all the time?

Images: Style.com

Runway Review: Costello Tagliapietra Fall 2012

Costello Tagliapietra was my first show of NYFW and the energy was flowing at Milk Studios while The Misshapes were spinning tunes that will get your heart pumping.  It was a full house and out of the corner of my eye I spotted Kate Lanphear, my personal style icon and US Editor in Chief of Elle Magazine in the front row along (bottom right photo) with some of the crew from Barneys New York.  Things were going to get interesting and a familiar hush filled the room as the lights darkened and the audience prepared themselves to be wowed.

In typical Costello Tagliapietra fashion soft, feminine draping hit the runway in the form of dresses that exude casual ease, elegance and luxury.  The prints painted by Jeffrey Costello reminded me of sea anenomes - a bit mystical, quirky and very organic.

The color palette reflects the prints in beautiful and unusual awkward tones of Raisin, Seagreen, Bark, Acid Green, Rust, Steel Blue and Indigo that seem to lend visual movement and compliment the artful draping.  It also gives me pleasure to know that the duo wherever possible relies on the eco-friendly AirDye process to dye and print the fabrics in their collection without using a single drop of water

While beautiful dresses are the effortless backbone of the collection, I was also magnetized by separates like the printed skinny pants and the reversible hooded coats that look so easy to wear and comfortable.

While many of the dresses have lots of fabric gathered around the body, it is not without waist emphasis to ensure a feminine silhouette.  Most of the looks were pretty covered up but some offered just the slightest sliver of skin for a hint of sexiness that is not in your face.

Fabrics with a contrasting color on either side also made their way into some of the draped jerseys for a fun unexpected pop of color.

My personal favorite pieces were the reversible coat, the rust colored one sleeve dress,  the steel blue silk twist dress, the printed brown scarf neck dress, the steel grey/seafoam drape neck halter dress and the cafe colored satin drape neck gown.

Beauty images courtesy of MilkMade.com

As for beauty, it was kept simple with a neutral lip and soft doe eyes that are highlighted in a light pink and steely blue.  Hair was kept very clean and lady-like in a low roll bun.  For nails a chocolatey burgundy shade was created using Essie Nail Polish.

Overall the collection was focused, glamorous and elegant - what more could a woman ask for?