9th November 2016

New York FashionWeek 2016: Chanel Joan Elkayam’s Spring/Summer 2017 collection. That's right ladies and gentlemen I'm talking about New York Fashion week, a show that capitulates classic designers, as well as fresh, Raw and emerging designers. As you may remember from earlier this year and the end of last year I spoke to the wonderful designer Chanel Joan Elkayam in which I wrote a piece about her French Sophistication Editorial and her Sport Luxe Editorial. Since then Chanel Joan has hit Paris Fashion week and now New York Fashion Week. If you aren’t aware of Chanel Joan from my previous posts then I shall introduce her. Chanel Joan Elkayam is currently a first year BA womenswear student at Central Saint Martin’s University in London, the world leading university for fashion design. She has already been recorded as the youngest fashion designer that showcased a couture collection in Paris Fashion Week, when she was only 18 years old and since then she has named the youngest fashion designer in fashion history to showcase a collection at New York Fashion Week.

The Womenswear Fashion Designer turned 19 a few days prior to the NYFW.

Chanel Joan has launched her Spring/Summer 2017 collection on the catwalk of New York Fashion Week and I’m here to give you an insight to the collection and her inspiration. The show was on the 12th September and was held in Manhattan, New York. I managed to speak to the wonderful lady herself. “Chanel what would you say your inspiration for you SS17 collection was?” “Edna Gardner Whyte was my inspiration; she was a woman ahead of her time. During her first solo flight on New Year’s Day in 1931, she spoke the words that would not only inspire generations of women pilots, but would also serve as inspiration for me. “Just watch, all of you. I’ll show you what a woman can do… I’ll go across the country; I’ll race to the Moon… I’ll never look back.”- Edna Whyte.”

Chanel Joan’s Collection had sleek back hair, bold lips and messy yet structured eyebrows. This paired with the sophisticated garments Chanel’s pieces are both spectacular and elegant. The garments consisted of the neutral Palette with a splash of red. The fabrics/materials consisted of an array of textures, including; Chiffon, Silk, Duchess Satin and Heavily Woven Fabrics. To the right is two of Chanel Joan’s pieces the first is one of my favourites, its elegant and flows, the structured breast using geometric triangles provides dimension and shape; this works for those who are heavy busted as well as those who have little bust. The sheer over lay provides additional movement to the garment and ensures the light hits the glitter and shimmer of the garment. The second garment reminds me of angels, very innocent and flowing, light weight. This piece also consists of additional movement, the long length, flows and diverts the image of body figure. It focuses more on the elegance of the garment shape and creates focus on the beauty of the model.

Chanel Joan Elkayam showcased today 30 outfits which includes her new SS17 collection in addition to previous collections which have been shown in fashion weeks across Europe. The next garments are more structured. Chanel Joan uses structural tailoring that evoke an element of power and elegance, they aim to step outside of the box in which traditionally fell into the masculine stereotype. The ‘racer stripe’ type lines down the side of the fitted trousers create the look of height, creating the illusion of being taller and having longer legs. The next piece to the right is a contrast in solid colour and sheer fabric, the blouse is empowering and speaks volumes; It may be seen as controversial, in the sense that many believe being exposed and exposing womens bodies is ‘wrong’ however this does the opposite and rather empowers and enhances the natural beauty of the body. To the right is another elegant and sophisticated piece, which accentuates the hips and curves of the body, this enhances the body positive message and empowers women and natural beauty. It speaks volume of Enda Whyte; ““Just watch, all of you. I’ll show you what a woman can do…” Chanel Joan has done just that using garments to portray and highlight the different types of women and the masters of her designs she shows what young women can do.

The final three pieces are beautiful. The piece seen to the left for me is quite retro in the sense that the animal print jacket is something of the past but Chanel Joan has brought it back to light, the black accented fur. Overlaid on a plain black jumpsuit is classy and can be dressed up and down. The coherent use of the animal fabric shows connection; it speaks as a unit which is what women should do and some are. It adds to the movement of women empowerment. The final garment which was the key piece is seen below, this was the finally piece; a long red gown with the embellished neck, structured and fitting. This piece is very powerful it stands out. It ties the whole collection together, a statement piece that can stand alone, that’s speaks for its self as well as complimenting the other pieces in the collection. The SS17 Collection stands out and highlights the movement of strong independent women, a movement of women empowerment. For a 18 year old designer to have created such exquisite pieces and then to have hit Paris Fashion week, as well as New York fashion week just days after turning 19 that is both phenomenal and inspirational!

All images by Robert Pearson

As you can see the above image is the collection seen all together, I would like to say a huge congratulations to Chanel Joan who like I said was a designer to keepan eye out for and she just keeps on developing and will only keep excelling in the Fashion world. To order any of her garments, or further information on the lady herself: [email protected] or view the website www.chaneljoanelkayam.com I wish to thank all those who have taken their time to read this piece. Thanks for reading all! Much Love,

Ellysia Keddy If you wish to contact myself, please see; Blog - Www.missdaintyk.com Email – [email protected] Facebook Page; https://www.facebook.com/MissDainty-K-842785409150992/ Instagram;https://www.instagram.com/missdaintyk /Tw itter; https://twitter.com/EllysiaKeddy Pintrest; https://uk.pinterest.com/MissDaintyk/