Welcome to the New York Sartorialist and thanks for stopping by. I'm honored and hope you enjoy!
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Warmest regards and thanks again for being here~ Michael Cress

Friday, December 31, 2010

Distinctive Depictions

Miss Massachusetts 2011 ~ Alida D'Angona
Recently crowned Miss Massachusetts 2011, Alida D'Angona.

OK. Yes, I'm a sucker for pictures with beautiful woman. Thanks to Jan "Archee" Bloch for taking hold of the camera for this one.

Happy New Year!

Michael Cress ~ New York Sartorialist

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Distinctive Depictions

Bebe Spring 2011 RTW~ Look 1
'Tis the season. Through no fault but my own, I look back over so many wonderful images in 2010 that were never published. Snapshots of moments in time through my eyes. I have struggled with not providing commentary but sometimes the pictures say it all. I finally talked myself into publishing all the ones I thought you may enjoy. Well, it would be a waste not to share! Not settling for the average "Picture of the Day" a little wordplay led me to a new category for the site, "Distinctive Depictions" (we need to be stylish after-all). I hope you enjoy!

OK, maybe a little sporadic commentary. The above shot was look number one from the Bebe Spring 2011 Ready-To-Wear (RTW) collection. The runway show was part of this past Fall's New York Fashion Week (NYFW)... and more specifically, Elle Fashion 360 at the Metropolitan Pavilion. The Bebe show was on my short list for best shows I attended.

Michael Cress ~ New York Sartorialist

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

New York Sartorialist column in "Life With Style" Magazine



Click page to enlarge (then click again to magnify)... or just use a magnifying glass





































Many thanks to Birri O'Dea, editor of Life With Style magazine. For the photoshoot, tremendous gratitude to Christina Pierce- a wonderful stylist who pulled a family of rabbits out of the hat to make it happen on a tight deadline. The fantastic Mizu Salon not only did the hair styling but also became a homebase as we shot two models with twelve total looks at various locations in one day. Also many thanks to make-up artist Teague Vivolo, Holiday Boutique and Moxie Boston for the wonderful clothes and accessories. Finally our two stunning and highly professional models, Hollis Crowley and Ashley Bickford (shown). I look forward to showing more images from the shoot- I only wish more could have published with the column. Love all of you guys!

Michael Cress ~ New York Sartorialist

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Louis Welcomes Designer Roland Mouret

Roland Mouret


Louis, the grande dame of New England luxury retail, welcomed internationally acclaimed designer Roland Mouret to the new spacious Louis location to meet with customers and discuss his latest line. The event offered a rare opportunity to meet the talented French born London resident in the United States. Louis was the first stop for Mouret on a four-city whirlwind tour which was followed by appearances the next day at Bergdorf Goodman's in New York and additional stops in Chicago and Miami. Mouret shows his Spring and Fall RTW during Paris Fashion Week so this was my first opportunity to both meet the designer as well as see his collection on display.

Roland Mouret


Louis was abuzz during the event with cheerful customers energetically taking advantage of the rare opportunity to gain invaluable and gracious input from the designer himself as they tried his latest line. Roland Mouret himself was clearly in his element dealing directly with Louis' clientele and his joyful enthusiasm was contagious. A radiant smile throughout the event and an eagerness to assist clients made for a great environment.

Roland Mouret's designs are known for celebrating the feminine form, excellent drape, minimalism and wearability. He says the perfect dress would be made with one piece of fabric and comes close in many designs. In his first runway show 10 years ago, he pinned all the pieces and without a stitch the show was a tremendous success to viewer and critic alike. I asked Mouret about the challenges of seasonal changes the fashion industry demands with his minimalist style. "It would be easy for me to design pieces which are very avant garde, but none of them would be wearable", Mouret said. This is a striking response. Perhaps it is easier for designers to showcase wildly costume-style designs for the runway at the cost of wearability. The real talent is creating "wow" pieces that can be worn straight off the runway. 

Michael Cress and designer Roland Mouret
Mouret has maintained the minimalism of construction and most pieces in his current line have only one or two seams and some well placed darting. What results are elegant, figure flattering pieces with none of the unnecessary frivolousness. As the models and clients tried on Mouret's different garments, it was striking how timeless the looks were. A classic has relevance in the past, present and future.  Mouret's designs are instant classics.        

Roland Mouret


Roland Mouret


Roland Mouret


http://www.louisboston.com/

Michael Cress ~ New York Sartorialist