Lioness Woman's Club

F. C. Gundlach’s Art of Photography Beyond Time and Space

: lionessclub; September 28th, 2011

[Image Source: fcgundlach.de]

Ever since photography began capturing the moments of life, photographers became the artists who defined their age. The esteemed photographer, gallery owner, curator, collector and founder, Franz Christian Gundlach, has made a grand contribution to the art of photography. He is the Founding Director of the House of Photography in the Deichtorhallen in Hamburg and the founder of the F.C. Gundlach Foundation which promotes the cultural value of photography as well as the art, science and research in the field of photography.

F.C. Gundlach is the foremost photographer of his generation. Born in 1926, in Hessen Germany, F.C Gundlach is known as the finest West German fashion photographer of the early post-war period. His work demonstrates excellent photographic technique and artistic refinement. The portraits, fashion photos, architectural and photojournalist images are expressed in a clever, concise epigrammatic style.

Throughout his distinguished career, F.C. Gundlach worked for various magazines such as Film and Frau, Stern, Quick, Revue, Annabelle and Brigitte. He photographed the fashion of Berlin, the haute-couture of Paris, and also worked on photo reportages of film stars and portraits of legendary artists. As a photojournalist he travelled the world and his glamorous works became known around the globe.

F.C. Gundlach exhibited in galleries and museums worldwide, and in his own PPS Gallery. In the eighties, he began collecting works of other great photographers. About his collection, F.C. Gundlach says: “Collecting is a creative act, a method of self-awareness and a possibility to participate in the passions of another.” Featured in the collection are works by photographers of the last and current century.

F.C. Gundlach Foundation, established in 2000 by F.C. Gundlach, focuses on the cultural achievement, and social importance of photography: “From the outset, the image of man has been subject of photographic producing. Of particular importance are those photographic pictures that disclose, beyond their being historical documents, new perspectives on human dignity and vulnerability.” The Foundation is in charge of F.C. Gundlach’s renowned collection, which presents the photographic work of our time.

The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier, an Exhibition that is Alive

: lionessclub; September 6th, 2011

Heading to the exhibition of a world-renowned French Couturier Jean Paul Gaultier at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, I was prepared to immerse myself into the world of beauty, style, and extravaganza, so characteristic of haute-couture culture. I knew that Gaultier is well-known for his audacious experimentation with styles. Knowing that his outstanding 1997 haute-couture collection brought Gaultier a colossal success and universal recognition in the fashion world and beyond, I was really looking forward to an encounter with this unique designer...
But heading to the exhibition I could not have imagined that I would be leaving under the impression that I have just met an artist of genius and seen an exhibition that was a work of art in itself.

Expecting to see a fashion showcase with static displays of designer costumes, I was stunned by the exhibits that were alive! Animated mannequins and projected faces, so different in their facial features, expressed opinions, greeted visitors and conversed to the audience, illustrating the ideas that couturier had behind his thematic installations. I was greeted and addressed by the mannequin of Jean Paul Gaultier himself; he was easy-going, wearing his beloved striped sailor’s sweater, and could not boast the best shape of teeth... He spoke to me and made it feel personal, as he shared with me personally his world perception, outlook and comprehension...
Monsieur Gaultier described his works in the first person, recalling his creative journeys. The great couturier was everywhere; he talked to me through his outstanding costumes, through his fashion photography, through live mannequins; he shared simple truths of his wisdom through the art. It was incredible!
I left the exhibition deeply convinced that Jean Paul Gaultier is more than just an haute-couture designer of a unique talent. He is one of those rare people, who look beyond the present they live in, people who possess an outstanding capacity to progressively change the world – the people of the future. For me, Hieronymus Bosch, the surrealist of XV century, “Salvador Dali of the Northern Renaissance”, was the man of the future in fine art. Peter the Great was definitely the man of the future in Russian history, as he succeeded at radically changing Russian society within a short span of his reign and provoked revolutionary progress in many spheres of social and intellectual life.
And Jean Paul Gaultier is certainly amongst the people of the future. The beauty and freedom of his world perception are revolutionary in their genial simplicity. He sees the potential for unconstrained human existence, rejoicing in who you are. Gaultier world has no borders. It unites people through their individuality and uniqueness, just like different ethnic styles marvelously intertwine together in Gaultier’s fashion masterpieces.

As I walked through the Odyssey part of the exhibit that showcased his favorite stripes and marine theme, I thought that it is not only Gaultier’s Odyssey through the fashion world, his creative quest. It is also his metaphysical journey beyond the conventions and preconceptions of the present. Like ancient Greek Odysseus, Gaultier ventures beyond the borders to bring us the vision, which only he could reach and conceive, to invite other people into the beautiful world he discovered. The world where everyone is happy in their own skin.

Little Jean Paul Gaultier was an unusual child. He didn’t like typical “boy” games and didn’t play soccer with his peers. Yet, being different was not a flaw for him. Gaultier was blessed with amazing mother and grandmother, who had a boundless belief in his talent and supported him in all his endeavors. He is not interested in soccer, but there is probably something else more fascinating for him, something that is his true passion. Now a world-famed designer, Gaultier shares this illuminating and inspiring truth with the rest of the world.

A mannequin of a lovely woman with umbrella was eager to share her greatest joy with the visitors: I love myself. And the world is good because I love myself.

A mannequin of a black man dressed in a skirt was having a conversation with his own reflection in the mirror:
- Hello!
- Hello!
- You look good!
- You look good, too!
The mannequin represents a man who lives in the constraints of societal conventions, and these conventions don’t let him free, they choke him like a tie sitting tight on his neck. The reflection is his alter ego; it is his other self, the one who is brave enough to open up to the world.
…Be everything that you are,
Open yourself – relax your tie!
Corsets occupy a special place in the couturier’s work. In Gaultier’s vision, the corset manifests the freedom of woman’s self-expression. Demonstration of her strength and sensuality, it empowers her not to fear being who she really is
Whoever I am, I like it.
In the Skin Deep section, inspired by the beautiful anatomy of human body, a mannequin dressed in a sexy corset over bare muscles, arteries and veins, perfectly illustrates this philosophy:
I feel comfortable in my own skin – whatever that skin is.
A week later, I am still shaken by the power of The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier. A cosmopolite, a great humanist, an artist, Jean Paul Gaultier gives an immense inspiration to so many people around the globe. It is not simply about clothes. Fashion is just a medium through which Gaultier conveys his eternal messages:
Life is an illusion. Life is a game. Live it, play with it. Enjoy this game – it may be very pleasurable – but be yourself....

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Aelita Andre – A Prodigy Artist

: lionessclub; September 6th, 2011

She is gifted, famous and absolutely sweet - Aelita Andre is only 4 years old, yet her paintings have wowed gallery goers and art critics around the world. The abstract expressionist prodigy, Aelita is a master of color and expression; her works have been compared to such greats as Pablo Picasso, Jackson Pollock and Salvador Dali. She paints with an innocent eye of a child, and expresses energy and freedom with a mastery which befits a genius artist.

Aelita Andre has been painting since she was 9 months old. Both her parents are artists living in Melbourne, Australia. As they painted their canvases on the floor, little Aelita began to participate in the painting process while crawling around in diapers. When she was given her own canvas, paints and paintbrushes, Aelita fell in love with painting and since then, her incredible art has impressed more than just her parents.

Aelita's mother Nikka Kalashnikova, a Russian artist and photographer, showed beautiful abstract paintings to an art curator in Melbourne; when the curator inquired who the artist is, he was surprised to learn that the paintings were made by a child. At the age of 2, the toddler Aelita Andre, had her first show which brought her international recognition as the youngest professional artist.
The tiny master is working away at the canvas; she has a natural sense of where to apply paint and what to paint. Using her paintbrush and fingers to intentionally create shapes, she is fully aware of the creative process and enjoys it to the point of kissing the canvas. After dripping and smearing the paint on the canvas, the result is a marvelous image of an eagle.

When Aelita creates works of art she uses many techniques, tools and materials; aside from acrylic paints, she incorporates found objects such as glitter, pompons, leafs, twigs and gold leaf, applying them to canvas using spatulas, paintbrushes, and fingers. It is amazing that the works of many distinguished grown up artists fade in comparison with Aelita's work, which has a harmonious balance of vivid colors and an exciting combination of abstract forms, as well as some recognizable shapes. Aelita Andre is a real wunderkind, and some of her paintings sell for $32 000, as the latest solo exhibition at the New York ‘Agora’ gallery proves.

Aelita Andre's style is what the best artists in the world aspired to achieve - a childlike freedom in expression. Pablo Picasso once said: "It took me 4 years to paint like Raphael, but a lifetime to paint like a child." It is obvious that to create a great work of abstract art, an artist may master painting techniques of "accidentalism" and "automatism" in order to return to a state of innocence; But for Aelita Andre, painting comes natural because she is a child, with an uncanny ability to express herself through painting.

Gustav Klimt: Love, Art and Women

: lionessclub; June 9th, 2011

Many artists have endeavoured to express the beauty of romance. Gustav Klimt masterfully captures the power of romantic love in his famous painting ‘The Kiss’. Surrounded by a golden glow of love, the kiss of two figures in a passionate embrace seems to last forever. Painted with gold leaf and intricate ornamentation, it is a celebration of pleasure, joy and life.

The work of Gustav Klimt is renowned for golden decoration, colourful patterns, spirals and swirls. Influenced by historic traditions such as the Egyptian, Minoan, Classical Greek and Byzantine styles, the art of Gustav Klimt reflects an eclectic range of symbols and designs. He was also inspired by the engravings of Albert Durer, the Japanese Rimpa School and Freudean psychology. Gustav Klimt used symbols to conveyed psychological ideas, and his distinct symbolist style was part of the Art Nouveau movement.

Gustav Klimt adored women - the female body was the main subject of his paintings, and he freely explored the sex appeal of feminine beauty. Many of his famous nudes such as ‘Judith I’ and ‘Danae’ are overtly erotic. One of his beloved themes was the ‘femme fatale’. The romantic artist had numerous affairs with women and models and he fathered at least 14 children. Despite many relationships, Gustav Klimt’s lifelong companion was Emilie Floge.

Born in Baumgarten, Austria in 1862 to an artistic family, Gustav Klimt lived most of his childhood in poverty, but his creative talent earned him a scholarship to the Vienna School of Arts and Crafts where he trained as an architectural painter. Gustav Klimt began a successful career painting murals and ceilings in public buildings, such as the Burgtheater in Vienna, for this work he was awarded the Golden Order of Merit from Emperor Franz Josef I of Austria.

During his life, Gustav Klimt was a very popular artist; he was one of the founders and the president of the famous ‘Vienna Secession’ group. He received many commissions on serious themes such as Philosophy, Medicine and Jurisprudence. Although the response to some of Gustav Klimt’s work was negative, due to the excessive sexuality of the paintings; his ‘golden phase’, a period where he extensively used gold leaf, was well received by the public. It is during this time that he painted ‘The Kiss’ and ‘Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I’, which was one of the highest priced artworks to be sold at an auction.

Throughout his artistic career, Gustav Klimt enjoyed great fame and financial success. He once said about his art: “I have never painted a self-portrait. I am less interested in myself as a subject for a painting than I am in other people, above all women...There is nothing special about me. I am a painter who paints day after day from morning to night...Who ever wants to know something about me... ought to look carefully at my pictures.” Although he has never painted a self portrait, it is clear that Gustav Klimt dedicated his love and art to women.

Stars through the Lens of Annie Leibovitz

: lionessclub; June 9th, 2011

If you ever wondered who captures the genius of the finest people in the world – take a look at the work of legendary photographer Annie Leibovitz. John Lennon, Queen Elizabeth II, Demi Moore, Johnny Depp and Barack Obama are just a few of the many names that have been immortalized by her photo camera. Through the lens of Annie Leibovitz we see our favourite celebrities in a new light.

You have to see it to believe it. The work of Annie Leibovitz is fascinating, imaginative and controversial; it portrays the famous like you’ve never seen them before. Annie Leibovitz doesn’t just take snapshots of superstars; she creates timeless portraits and works of art that pay tribute to each outstanding individual. The greatness of her work is in capturing the essence of personality.

Whether it’s the signature dance moves of Michael Jackson, or the environmental activist work of Leonardo Di Caprio, Annie Leibowitz knows the unique angle from which to present any star. She admits that she never liked the word ‘celebrity’: “I’ve always been more interested in what they do than who they are. I hope my photographs reflect that.”

And they do. She has photographed some of the most exciting faces on the planet. Hollywood’s crème of the crop actors and Oscar winners, political leaders and history makers, supermodels and rock stars, Annie Leibovitz has seen it all and her photographs are the records of these stories.

Born in Waterbury, Connecticut in 1949, Annie Leibovitz attended the San Francisco Art Institute, where she studied painting and developed her gift in photography. Her career began in 1970 when she started working for Rolling Stone magazine, eventually becoming the chief photographer. While working at the magazine, Annie Leibovitz made a fateful photograph of John Lennon and Yoko Ono, which expresses their loving relationship. Taken 5 hours before his death, it was the last professional photograph of John Lennon. After Rolling Stone, Annie Leibovitz worked for Vanity Fair and Vogue magazines.

During her career Annie Leibovitz photographed numerous celebrities, participated in advertising campaigns, and worked with arts organizations while also exhibiting her photographs in the world’s most prestigious museums and galleries. She has received numerous awards including the Infinity Award in Applied Photography from the International Center of Photography and was recognized as a Living Legend by the Library of Congress. Annie Leibovitz is also a mother of three children and has written several books about her life and career.

Known for a new style of lighting, bold colours and provocative poses, the work of Annie Leibovitz is breathtaking, thought-provoking and at times shocking. These masterpiece photographs tell stories which redefine the meaning of celebrity. Stars are more than who they appear to be – they are groundbreaking, original achievers that have made a difference.

Everyday Hairstyle Trends for Spring 2011

: lionessclub; April 28th, 2011

Everyday Hairstyle Trends for Spring 2011

Posted by Beny Proots in Hair
April 28, 2011

Whether you are just going to work or preparing for a night out, it is easy to have amazing hair everyday this spring. Stylists adapted runways’ most incredible looks to our busy daily schedule. All you need to recreate the podium’s fashionable hairdos - curling tongs, moisturizing spray and a few tips from the beauty experts.

Research shows that 90% of men consider curls to be the most attractive women’s hairstyle. Currently, the hair locks in vogue are slightly curled hair tresses imitating natural waves. To achieve this effect you will need thermal rollers of medium diameter, hair mousse of weak hold strength, a drop of serum, and 15 minutes of your time:

Wash and blow-dry your hair holding your head down for more volume
Apply a walnut sized portion of hair mousse to the hair ends
Wind the hair on to thermo-rollers – make sure to place the rollers like ladder steps: the front hair tresses are curled completely; the next tresses are rolled an inch away from the roots, then 2 inches, and so on.
10 minutes later take off the rollers and brush your hair.
Instead apply a drop of anti-frizz serum and it will coat the hair, creating a shimmering wavy effect.

Hollywood Chic is the hairstyle of ironed hair with curled ends. This style looks especially lovely on platinum hair. Large round brush, a protective and smoothing cream for hair, curling tongs and the glamorous look is yours in 10 minutes:

Wash and blow-dry your hair extending individually each hair strand with a round brush
Apply a heat-protective hair cream with silk powder which creates a shield around the hair strands and protects from hot devices and weather damage
Separate your hair into strands with a thin brush, straighten out one by one. As you reach the hair ends, wind them onto the curling tongs.
Apply a drop of the silk-straightening cream onto hair. This will add a glossy shine and will make you look like a diva on the red carpet.

The ponytail is a very versatile hairstyle. To find a ponytail that suits you, look at your shoes, since the formula of the perfect ponytail states “the higher the heel - the higher the ponytail”. For a charming daily look, stylists recommend a loosely tied low ponytail, which turns to a high, sleek ponytail in the evening. For a day look you will need a round brush, a hair band of the colour of your hair, and hair mousse:

Wash and blow-dry your hair
Brush your hair freely to create the effect of rough texture and teased look
Blend the matting mousse into your hands and use it to slightly smooth the hair over the forehead.
Collect the hair into a lavish ponytail and tousle it with your fingers
Highlight the edges of the hair with your favourite styling cream

For the evening look:

Sprinkle your hair with a moisturizing spray
Thoroughly brush each hair strand with a flat brush
Apply a drop of gel and collect the hair into a high ponytail

The bohemian style of tousled hair continues to inspire stylists to create that “just out of bed” look. It is charismatic any time of day. Arm yourself with curling tongs and let your creativity take over:

Wash your hair and let it dry naturally
Iron out the bangs and top strands
Smooth the hair mousse into the hair with your hands and slightly shake the hair to straighten out the tresses and attain the natural volume.

Every spring, hair weaving such as braids and twists are at the peak of their popularity. Luckily, beautiful hair weaving can easily be done at home. For daily hairdos vary these simple yet stunning styles to look like you have come straight from the catwalk.

Fun Guide to Classical Art

: lionessclub; April 28th, 2011

1. If there’s suffering on the faces against dark background – it’s Titian.

2. Enormous buttocks and even men have cellulite – it’s Rubens.

3. If men look like ox-eyed curly-haired woman – it’s Caravaggio.

4. Lots of little people on the canvass – it’s Bruegel.

5. Lots of little people + tiny incomprehensible stuff – it’s Bosch.

6. If you can add to the canvass few overweight Cupids and sheep (or if they are already present there) without changing the layout, it can be: a). Boucher ;b ). Watteau.

7. Naked people with bodybuilder’s bodies on a beautiful canvass – it’s Michelangelo.

8. You see a ballerina – you think Degas. You think Degas – you see a ballerina.

9. There’s contrast, there’s sharpness and everyone has meager beardy face like this one – it’s El Greco.

10. If everyone, even women, looks like Vladimir Putin – it’s Jan van Eyck.

11. Really bright, really colourful – it’s Van Gogh.

P.S.: Monet – it’s all about spots; Manet – it’s all about people.

Art and Dream: Elena Ilyina

: lionessclub; April 11th, 2011

Art inspired by spirituality evokes wonder and excitement. Today, we talk about a Russian Artist Elena Ilyina and her paintings that convey love, emotion and dreams in a fantastic, expressive and a very feminine way.

Elena’s works depict the beauty and inner life of women; inspire awe and contemplation of the spiritual aspects of woman’s life. A Master of Fantasy art; Elena’s flawless pastel technique produces dreamy and spiritual visions. The sublime realm has been a guiding power in Elena Ilyina’s life. Elena explains that throughout her career she felt a sense of devotion to spirituality - an attribute of a truly keen and sensitive individual.

The artist behind the creative movement of Art&Dream, Elena co-authored a book titled “Star Girls” Together with Marta Ilyina, a talented poet-lyricist, composer and singer. The purpose and the message of the book with a unique combination of art and lyrics is sharing the idea of a positive attitude and faith with the reader, establishing the connection between today’s actions determining the future.

Elena describes her movement of Art&Dream as “a magic combination of dreams in an imaginary reality”; where the style reveals the unseen dimension of dreams, the unconscious and the divine. Her art is so full of light, beauty and positive emotion - it seems to raise our consciousness towards the perfection of Godliness.

The sublime realm has been a guiding power in Elena life. Talented and artistic from her early childhood, the girl had a very special perception of the world and reality. Ilyina’s talent in art was evident and she dedicated years to developing her artistic skills – first in Pinsk, Belarus, her home town and later - at Moscow State University.

The inner world of women has inspired many artists and Elena was not an exception. A woman, she herself has been looking into the mystery of femininity, trying to uncover the sacred secret that mystified so many artists through history.

Deeply spiritual and insightful, a wife and a mother of a daughter, Elena masterfully shows the emotions and psychology of a woman in her paintings and pays the tribute to woman’s beauty, the harmony of her inner world and the powerful connection to the Creator.

The women in Elena’s painting are as fascinating as the artist. In the painting “Energy of Gold” a woman is an enigma and a force of nature - she embodies the elements and is one with the universe. The seated woman is painted in monochrome technique; she is surrounded by bright red-gold tones and flowers which symbolically empower the woman.

The theme of the four elements is the basis of Elena’s work. Everything about her art is an exploration of love, life and eternity. Her profound paintings reveal the universe and Creation and lift the soul towards the divine. Elena Ilyina’s art goes beyond the ephemeral dream and attempts to interpret eternity.

Elena Ilyina currently lives in Moscow, Russia. Her works are highly regarded and are in private collections in Russia, Italy, Spain, France, Germany and England.

Food and Body – Fun and Healthy Resemblance

: lionessclub; March 17th, 2011

While all fruits and vegetables are important for our well-being, some products mirror particular body parts and supply them with necessary nutrients. Coincidence? Perhaps… Although the following 10 products are beneficial for the whole body, these pairs will remind you of what you should be eating to target particular problem areas.

Carrots and eyes

A sliced carrot looks like human eye – you can easily see the pupil, iris and radiating lines in the cross-section. Besides its overall health benefits, carrot enhances blood flow to and function of the eyes. It contains many vitamins and antioxidants, such as beta-carotene, which decreases the chance of macular degeneration – the cause of vision loss amongst the elderly.

Walnut and brain

Folded and wrinkled walnut will keep in shape another human organ: brain. You probably noticed quite fascinating resemblance of the nut structure with brain’s subdivision into left and right hemispheres. No surprise that walnuts are often referred to as “food for brain”. Rich in omega-3 fatty acids that support brain functions, walnuts help develop over 3 dozen neuron-transmitters for brain function.

Celery and bones

Long celery stalks mirror the bones and specifically target bone strength. Just like celery, bones are 23% sodium. If there is not enough sodium in your diet, the body pulls it from the bones, making them weak, while celery replenishes the skeletal needs of the body.

Avocado and uterus

Lightbulb-shaped avocado resembling the uterus targets female reproductive system. It takes exactly 9 months to grow an avocado from blossom to ripened fruit. According to research, when a woman eats 1 avocado a week, it balances hormones, sheds unwanted birth weight and prevents cervical cancers. It is also a good source of folic acid, which decreases the risk of uterine dysplasia – a pre-cancer condition.

Shellfish and testicles

Shellfish, resembling testicles, are indeed good for male sex organs. The research conducted in Netherlands has shown that supplementing the diet with folic acid and zinc – contained in abundance in shellfish – can substantially improve the quality of sperm.

Grapefruit and breasts

The resemblance between grapefruits or oranges and mammary glands is more than mere coincidence – in fact, the citrus fruits assist the movement of lymph in and out of the breasts. Plus, grapefruit contains limonoids that prevent breast cancer development.

Tomato and heart

If you cut a tomato in half, you can see that it has four chambers – just like heart. The research has shown that lycopene – bright red carotene found in tomatoes – decreases the risk of cardio-vascular diseases. And if you add a bit of fat to your tomatoes - toss them with olive oil or mix with avocado, the amount of lycopene digested by your body will increase 10 fold.

Red wine and blood

Red wine, rich in antioxidants and polyphenols, looks like blood. As you enjoy your glass of Shiraz, you are actually guarding yourself against cardio-vascular diseases, by decreasing the amount of bad cholesterol. Red wine also possesses anticoagulant properties. It eliminates the blood clots that cause heart problems and stroke.

Ginger and stomach

Ginger root somewhat looks like stomach. Its pungent smell and taste help fight against sea sickness and the symptoms of food poisoning. Danish researchers found out that ground ginger root suppresses nausea and vomiting even in the severe cases requiring hospitalization. It alleviates morning sickness during pregnancy, reduces gas, treats inflammation, and has an ameliorating effect on digestive ailments.

Sweet potatoes and pancreas

Elongated sweet potato looks very much like pancreas, and promotes its healthy functioning. It contains a lot of beta-carotene – a powerful antioxidant that protects all body tissues, including the pancreas, from damage related to cancer or ageing. Plus, sweet potato is great for controlling blood sugar and balancing glycemic index in diabetics.

Cold Pearls Strewn Over Donna Karan Collection

: lionessclub; March 9th, 2011

Alicia Wallis
Fashion Designer
New York
USA
Alicia Wallis's articles

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Cold Pearls Strewn Over Donna Karan Collection

Posted by Alicia Wallis in Fashion Trends
March 8, 2011

“Pearls of Wisdom” – this is the intriguing and promising name Donna Karan has given to her Fall 2011 collection presented during New York Fashion Week in February. Glamorous sophistication and luxurious elegance has been the dominating theme of the runway. The subtle colour palette without a single black stitch varied in all shades and hues of grey, silver, and pale, evoking “the glow of pearls on skin.” Astonishing pearl necklaces created by Erickson Beamon accompanied all the suits and dresses, emphasizing the show’s neutral colour gamut.

The reminiscence of the conservative 1950s has taken over the catwalk. High bun coiffures in Grace Kelly style, ethereal makeup, gauzy chiffon headscarves, fur-cuffed elbow-length gloves, and nipped waists were the distinguishing elements of Karan creations. In the upcoming season, Donna Karan’s heroine is cold, aristocratic and elegant, like a heroine of Alfred Hitchcock. During the day, she wears a mohair tweed pencil skirt and a shimmering silk chiffon blouse; woolen wraparound dress with a delicate belt; double-faced wool felt coat. Whilst in the evening, she changes into a shimmering pale gown with intriguing décolleté and seductively open shoulders; a pearl gray stretch jersey dress with an open back and one shoulder sliding down the arm; a floor-length dress with pearls threaded on a semitransparent silk.

Wrapping, drapes and folds were the dominant features of the collection. All jersey shifts and evening dresses possess an amazing flexibility of texture, allowing floating folds to shape the outfit according to preference and mood. The impeccably done draping looks very flattering on graceful feminine silhouettes, never bulky or bunching.

“Evolving forward with urban sophistication, embracing a woman's femininity with conviction, empowering her to express her strength through her softness, modern, elegant, seductive, this is a woman who commands a room,” – this is what “Pearls of Wisdom” is all about in the words of Donna Karan.

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