Fashion Maniac: Keeping tabs on
Buffalo’s fashion industry, including models, catwalks, retailers,
designers, stylists, visual merchandisers and jewelers.
TEXT BY PHILLIP D. JOHNSON
PHOTOGRAPHED BY CHERYL GORSKI/FASHION MANIAC
STYLED BY CHERYL GORSK/FASHION MANIAC
MAKE-UP BY DANI WEISER
HAIR BY JULIE BELLOMO
SPRING/SUMMER 2012 NEW YORK FASHION WEEK RUNWAY IMAGES BY CHERYL GORSKI
As we come near to the end of the 2012 spring/summer photo-shoots, we highlight one of the joys of
summer: bugs. Yes, I was being sarcastic but really, what is summer without bugs, the “bad” ones, I
mean? It goes over 80 degrees and you are immediate bug food. It stays hot and muggy for days on end,
hitting 100 degrees, and you are long-term bug food. You can’t win for losing.
really like, THE BUTTERFLY. The spring 2012 collections were ablaze with floral and plant prints, butterfly
prints and 60’s/70’s mod, optical flower and plant prints that we eventually grew to love.
Here are some fun facts about the butterfly. A butterfly is a mainly day-flying insect of the order
Lepidoptera, which includes the butterflies and moths. Like other holometabolous insects, the butterfly’s
life cycle consists of four parts: egg, larva, pupa and adult. For the most part, butterflies have very short
life spans. However, butterflies in their adult stage can live from a week to nearly a year depending on
the species. Many species have long larval life stages while others can remain dormant in their pupal
or egg stages and thereby survive winters. Butterflies are important as pollinators for some species of
plants although in general they do not carry as much pollen load as bees. They are, however, capable
of moving pollen over greater distances and some butterflies goes back to the same flowers again and
again, despite the distance.
Artistic depictions of butterflies have been used in many cultures including Egyptian hieroglyphs 3500
years ago, and in the ancient Mesoamerican city of Teotihuacan, where the brilliantly colored image of
the butterfly was carved into many temples, buildings, jewelry, and emblazoned on incense burners. The
butterfly was sometimes depicted with the maw of a jaguar and some species were considered to be
the reincarnations of the souls of dead warriors. The close association of butterflies to fire and warfare
persisted through to the Aztec civilization and evidence of similar jaguar-butterfly images has been found
among the Zapotec, and Mayan civilizations. In other cultures, the butterfly plays a significant role as
well. A butterfly was seen in Japan as the personification of a person’s soul; whether they be living, dying,
or already dead. One Japanese superstition says that if a butterfly enters your guestroom and perches
behind the bamboo screen, the person whom you most love is coming to see you. However, large
numbers of butterflies are viewed as bad omens.
In Chinese culture, two butterflies flying together symbolize love. Also, Butterfly Lovers is a famous
Chinese folktale. The Taoist philosopher, Zhuangzi, once had a dream about being a butterfly that flew
without care about humanity; however; when he awoke and realized that it was just a dream, he thought
to himself, “Was I before a man who dreamt about being a butterfly, or am I now a butterfly who dreams
about being a man?”
Some people say that when a butterfly lands on you it means good luck. However, in Devonshire, people
would traditionally rush around to kill the first butterfly of the year that they see, or else face a year of bad
luck. In the Philippines, a lingering black butterfly or moth in the house is taken to mean that someone in
the family has died or will soon die. In some old cultures, butterflies also symbolize rebirth and renewal
after being inside a cocoon for a period of time.
In the fashion world, the butterfly also signifies spring, renewal, the end of snow-covered days, a
time to look at life and your wardrobe with a fresh eye. ANNA SUI, ALEXANDRE HERCHCOVICH, PORTER
GREY, ANTHONY RYAN AULD, RICHARD CHAI, BADGLEY MISCHKA, BERT KEETER (PROJECT RUNWAY), BETSEY
JOHNSON, TRACY REESE, CYNTHIA ROWLEY, VERA WANG, DIANE VON FURSTENBERG and DOUGLAS HANNANT
(for his “Pink” Collection) all showed beautiful and varied pieces highlighting the garden and its residents.
VENEXIANA and TADASHI SHOJI showed especially beautiful pieces, and, as befitting their being two of our
very favorite designers here at Fashion Maniac, it’s no coincidence that their fall 2012 collections were
two of our favorites as well. They just do very beautiful work. The theme was continued in the usage of
flower and butterfly necklaces, pendants and broaches, a near tribal cluster of silver necklaces with fruits
and leaves pendants (at BETSEY JOHNSON) and the same, although a little more subdued and in gold at
JEN KAO. Thankfully, the designers (and their stylists) very wisel
y knew when to stop, and didn’t take what
is a lovely idea into an overkill zone. So, no gaudy flower print shoes or belts. Of course, if it’s happening
on the high fashion runways of New York, London, Milan and Paris, it will trickle down to other levels of
fashion as well. Thus, you saw a huge floral and butterfly/bug print trend at Forever 21, Target,H&M, Old
Navy, and other mainstream retailers. Who says fashion is not a democracy?
So far, there is some evidence that the winter garden will be equally as enticing. The European
collections were a veritable feast of flowers and plants prints – for winter. The fabulously talented young
London-based designer, MARY KATRANTZOU–her spring 2012 collection rocked–according to her show
program, “travelled to the manicured courtyard of an Italian villa” for the inspiration of her grass-colored
printed long skirt and top. DEREK LAM has a particularly lovely flower print modified spectator oxfords
(with black leather tip) that is sure to bring a smile to many women’s faces. In fact, his toned down flower
prints were one of the big critical hits of the fall shows. I didn’t love OSCAR DE LA RENTA’s fall collection
(a first for me because I love everything he does) but I adore his printed (flower) silk faille coat dress,
($2,590.00, available at select Saks Fifth Avenue stores nationwide). So, enjoy what’s left of the summer
garden. Fall is almost here.
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– I’d like to introduce to you our latest edition. Our team has been
working on the latest fashion spreads, providing you with the latest
runway trends, from Mercedes Benz Fashion Week New York for over 2
years. Our mission is to help you with your shopping sprees. We want to
be your source to keep you current, showing how accessories, and
clothing can be bought, and worn locally. – Cheryl Gorski
“Bugging Out” Photo Credits:
Photographed by: Cheryl Gorski | Photographer & Creative Director | 716-895-1689 | 716-903-0600 |
info@cherylgorski.com | Also on Facebook specializing in: Fashion, head shots/modeling/acting, editorial,
portraits, bands/CD Press Kits, corporate events, Web photography, runway
Styled by: Cheryl Gorski | Photographer & Creative Director | 716-895-1689 | 716-903-0600 |
info@cherylgorski.com
Makeup by: DANI WEISER: MAKE UP ARTIST | www.hollywoodmakeupartist.net | 716-348-1239 | Make-up
teacher, weddings, TV, film, print and SFX. Hollywood Sunless Tanning, for appointments. Website:
www.hollywoodsunlesstanning.com Please call for any questions.
Hair by: JULIE BELLOMO: Hair & make up stylist at SALON ROUGE | 700 Elmwood Ave, 716-604-2655. New
York City-trained make-up artist and hairstylist specializing in Up Do’s for on-location weddings, color,
cuts, Halloween, runway, and photo shoots and part-time therapist.
Jewelry and Accessories by: LUCY PERRONE-MANCUSO: PROP STYLIST | Owner of MODA VINTAGE, 1509
Hertel Ave | 716-725-6636 | Specializing in accessories, antiques, jewelry, furnishings, buy & sell, motion
pictures/films, photo shoots.
Models: Nhi Dang and Jhorlina Romero
CLOTHING CREDITS:
Flowered Scarf – Charlotte Russe
Turquoise Lace Dress – Macy’s
Sheer Flower-print Blouse – Forever 21
Butterfly Black & White Rayon Blouse – H&M
Flower Hoop Earrings – Charlotte Russe
All Other Jewelry Pieces – Moda Vintage