Stop Staring! and Ina Soltana at Style Fashion Week

Stop Staring! and Ina Soltani had the honors of kicking off the opening night of Style Fashion Week’s Fall/Winter 2012 presentations at the beautiful Vibiana Cathedral.

I love attending the Stop Staring! shows because all the fans (including celebs) get decked out in Alicia’s curve hugging retro-style dresses. Guests mingled in the courtyard and sipped on cocktails courtesy of VnC and snacked on appetizers from El Cholo restaurant. The Estrada Boys provided musical entertainment until it was time for DJ Paper to take over. There was a manicurist on site and the lovely reps from Native Union were also there to show off the retro Pop Phone and “Play” video memos. Of course I feel in love with the pink Swarovski handset.



Amongst all the stylish individuals I spotted the lovely Anh Volcek (designer for L'Une) with one of her exquisite models. Anh was wearing a piece from her new accessory collection - a molded plastic cuff that look melted wax. 

On the runway, Stop Staring! designer Alicia Estrada sent out one jaw dropping dress after another. Inspired by “Epoca de Oro” (the Golden Age of Mexican Cinema) the vintage inspired creations—evening gowns, cocktail dresses, pantsuits, and dress coats—paired bombshell silhouettes with a femme fatale edge. Pieces from the collection were adorned with ruffles, flounces, bows, back slits, and faux fur. The models’ hair and make-up was inspired by Dolores del Rio’s signature look – billowing curls, winged black eyeliner, and bold red lips. For the grand finale Alicia sent out a red carpet worthy, form fitting floor-length gown in shimmering gold sequins that brought the crowd to its feet and earned the beloved designer a standing ovation. As one attendee said, “When you see a girl wearing one of Alicia’s dresses you can’t stop staring at her.”  

Ina Soltani’s collection presented an array of looks ranging from sever to romantic. The Bosnian born designer mixed leather with silks and chiffons to create her edgy yet feminine looks. This sexy and sassy presentation was inspired by the rock ‘n’ roll nightlife of the Sunset Strip and the dramatic narrative of her home land. A heavy metal soundtrack blared in the background as models strutted down the runway in billowing gowns, colorful cigarette pants, and sultry mini dresses paired with matching studded clutches. A glamorous floor-length gown comprised of white feathers and black ruffles closed the show.



Narrative and photos by Nikki Neil