Category: couture

Blending Comfort with Couture: The Rise of Luxury Hoodies

Blending Comfort with Couture: The Rise of Luxury Hoodies
Source: Unsplash

If you deeply care about style but are often forced to choose between looking stylish and feeling comfortable, we have some great news for you: haute-comfort is on the rise. Luxury hoodies, in particular, seem to be one of the hottest trends in 2024, and we, for one, couldn’t be happier.

This year’s fashion trends are less about “dressing to impress” and more about comfort and individuality. And we think we know why that is – today’s consumer is a confident one, demanding not just fashion that looks good on them but fashion that also feels good to them.

The Evolution of Fashion

Fashion trends come and go, this has always been so. Forgive the rhyme, but it’s true – while some styles could be called evergreen (e.g. a classic trench coat and a nice pair of sunglasses will always be in vogue), fashion, in general, tends to change often as it’s influenced by societal shifts and changing lifestyles.

Case in point: as remote work becomes more prevalent, ‘office’ wear changes. A couple of decades ago, one was expected to look prim and proper at work, but today, when anywhere between 27% to 50% of the U.S. workforce works remotely? There are no hard rules about office wear; you could literally wear whatever you wanted (even nothing at all), and it’s likely no one would care, as long as your camera is off.

Still, the vast majority of people, we’d wager, don’t want to look like slobs, regardless of where they work. Sure, dress codes are more flexible today, but if you want to look like a functioning member of society, it is expected that you put some effort into your appearance.

The Rise of Luxury Comfort

The reorientation of cozy apparel into the everyday wardrobe is a simple consequence of the more relaxed lifestyle we all seem to want or already lead nowadays. Most people want clothing that can seamlessly transition from a virtual meeting to a casual brunch – without sacrificing style.

This shift towards comfort hasn’t escaped the all-seeing eye of luxury fashion; on the contrary. Traditionally associated with high-end formal wear and glamorous evening attire, luxury brands are now embracing the demand for everyday elegance. Hence the luxury hoodies everyone seems to be obsessed with at the moment.

We say “at the moment,” but judging by our lifestyles, which are all about comfort and practicality thanks to the rise of remote work, this trend is here to stay. And fashion houses and other online retailers are taking notice. From hand-stitched embroidery to custom hardware, modern hoodies are designed to look interesting and add some individuality to the wearer without sacrificing comfort.

In addition to luxury brands (take a peep at Balmain or Alexander McQueen’s latest hoodies), various online platforms now sell pieces with super-unique designs that add character to the garment.

Heck, many allow you to create a custom hoodie design of your choice for ultimate personalization. You can literally customize anything from fabric to color to motifs to prints. You can even put your own initials on the hoodie if you want to!

Elevating the Everyday Wear

When all is said and done, some of you might be wondering what even is the appeal of luxury hoodies, sweatpants, and workout clothes? Coco Chanel said it best: “Luxury must be comfortable, otherwise it is not luxury.” In other words, to be truly stylish, one has to feel comfortable in the clothes they wear, and really, what is more comfy than a nice, oversized hoodie with meticulous stitching or a long knitted dress that doesn’t restrict but compliments one’s body?

True, this trend might not be for everyone. But for a generation that values authenticity and comfort as much as they do style? It’s a trend that’s here to stay.

Red Carpet Fashion Designer Supports Equal Rights for Children

Red Carpet Fashion Designer Andres Aquino Supports Equal Rights for ChildrenDesigner Andres Aquino is pleased to announce his collaboration with Equal Rights for Children (ERC) in the upcoming fashion show presenting his latest collection entitled “New York Fashion Symphony”. Part of Couture Fashion Week New York’s 37th season, the show will be held at 8 pm on Saturday February 4, 2023 at the historic Prince George Ballroom, in the city’s Flatiron District. The festive show will include musical performers, the expected participation of models Bea Alonzo and Silmara Ribeiro, Daiana Canalas and Leyla Murugova, among others, as well as the support of a growing list of sponsors.

Andres Aquino is the founder and producer of Couture Fashion Week New York. A fixture of the New York fashion scene, he is an accomplished designer himself, and has shown his designs at important fashion events worldwide including in Dubai, Nepal, India, Romania, Paris, the Dominican Republic and multiple cities in the USA. He is also the founder of the Global Short Film Awards, with an annual black-tie awards gala held in Cannes, France held to coincide with the Cannes Film Festival.

Equal Rights for Children is an active partner for the 17 sustainable goals under the United Nations on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), with a special focus on mothers and children born out of wedlock and both of their legal rights. The non-profit organization’s main goal is that no child is discriminated against no matter when, where, or how they were born. ERC was founded by Amadea Angela Aquino (no relation), and its Board of Directors includes boxing legend, humanitarian and former Philippine Senator Manny Pacquiao, and H.E. Ambassador Libran N. Cabactulan. The organization’s supporters include UNIK Advertising, Nicole Miller, the Foreign Press Association, as well as the Philippine Mission to the United Nations which is also a partner in promoting children’s rights and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

Couture Fashion Week (CFW) is one of New York Fashion Week’s most prestigious events. It showcases the work of exceptional designers from around the globe. It is an important platform for fashion industry professionals, celebrities, and media attention, and has a reputation for presenting the latest trends and styles in the world of couture fashion along with delightful musical performers, makeup and hair styling by top industry professionals, red carpet, and after parties.

The upcoming show is a unique opportunity to raise funds and awareness for ERC’s work and mission. The collaboration of CFW and ERC highlights the importance and value of working together to make a difference in the world.

Click for tickets and more information.

Please inquire for sponsor opportunities and include your name and website/social media: [email protected]

Geraldina’s Couture Makes Highly-Anticipated Debut at Couture Fashion Week NY

Geraldina’s Couture Makes Highly-Anticipated Debut at Couture Fashion Week New YorkDesigner Geraldina Shabani will present her latest collection for her signature Geraldina’s Couture label during the 37th season of Couture Fashion Week New York. The highly-anticipated fashion show will be held at 6 pm on Saturday February 4, 2023 at the historic Prince George Ballroom in New York City.

A native of Albania, now based in the New York area, Geraldina Shabani began designing and sewing her own designs at the age of 10, and has never looked back. For economic reasons, she eventually moved to Greece, where she took a series of jobs and was able to bring her son to join her after a few years. Soon after, she established a network of clients and supporters who recognized her exceptional skills, and helped her launch a startup business specializing in tailoring and alterations. Her endeavors led to work on furniture and décor for hotels and villas, eventually supervising uniforms for 750 employees in a large hotel.

After emigrating to the United States, and with her young son serving as her translator, Geraldina landed a plum job with renowned fashion designer Peggy Jennings at the iconic Waldorf-Astoria in New York City. As she continued to improve her English skills, Geraldina garnered a number of private clients and offers from top fashion brands looking for skilled seamstresses and designers. She went on to work for Christian Dior, Dolce and Gabbana, Fendi and Prada. In 2015 Geraldina realized a lifelong dream and opened her own couture atelier in Hartsdale, New York, outside of New York City, and quickly became known for her impeccable quality and exquisite workmanship. When the Covid Geraldina’s Couture Makes Highly-Anticipated Debut at Couture Fashion Week New Yorkpandemic hit, Geraldina found herself making face masks, and was recognized in the effort by the media and even City Hall. This attention had all of Westchester County lining up at her door to buy masks, and she also donated many masks to local health care workers. At this point, Geraldina needed a larger space, so she moved to her current location in Scarsdale, New York.

As Geraldina’s Couture gears up for its first major fashion show in New York, the designer reflects on how she is determined to bounce back from the pandemic challenges, keep and grow her valued clientele and workers, and bring her brand to the next level. Geraldina’s Couture has launched a GoFundMe campaign for the show, and invites her current and new fans and supporters to donate.

“Raising this money for my fashion show in February will be my way of thanking everyone who helped me get to this point,” says Geraldina. “All of the love that was given to me and my son did not go to waste. I am now working to pay fashion show fees along with my workers, staff, models, fabric and materials, transportation and more. Every bit helps.” She adds: “All the designs we will be showcasing are handmade by myself and my team. I want to inspire other women — and especially mothers that survived or are trying to survive — that there is love and hope, and it’s never too late to go after your dreams.”

Click for tickets and more information.