Harlan Bel had us at hello with her silk one-pocket crop tops and cage-like pullover accessories (left)--when we saw them in the showroom in suede and leather, we nearly started jumping up and down. The brand's designer, Brandy Lunsford, has been wowing editors and buyers with such things since she started her line just a few seasons back. Mixing sex appeal and femininity with architectural sensibilities it's hard to turn away from her designs. These are the basic elements of modern dressing--plain and simple. Check out our snapshots from the showroom below, our coverage of the collection at Coterie (yes, we are that enthused by her) here, and her proper Spring 2009 runway show, shot by photographer Jonathan Melamed, here.
Harlan Bel
In The Showroom: Harlan Bel Spring 2009
Best of Coterie: Harlan Bel
Brandy Lunsford straddles the seemingly disparate worlds of tomboy equestrian ease and womanly fashion with her line Harlan Bel, of which we have been fans of since we first used it in our photo editorial La Belle Dam San Merci in March. And our enthusiasm only grows stronger with each new collection. She balances harder tailoring with a feminine sense for textile usage and her Spring 2009 collection is no exception.
Coterie Tradeshow Contemporary Clothing Spring 2009
On Tuesday we visited Coterie's eveningwear selections for fresh runway looks but most of the action was taking place in the contemporary market over on the Piers. Buyers worked themselves into a frenzy over collections from Tracey Reese, Velvet, Geren Ford, Inhabit, Shin Choi, Marc Bouer Glamit, Cynthia Steffe, Twinkle, Betsy Johnson, Harlan Bel, Nieves Lavi, Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent, Anna Sui, Nanette Lepore, Citizens of Humanity, Seven for All Mankind, Foley and Corinna, Julie Haus, Erotokritos, Nicole Miller, Vera Wang Lavender, Tibi, Shoshanna, Alice and Olivia, Rag and Bone, Diane Von Furstenberg, Earnest Sewn, Adam by Adam Lippes, Diesel, Milly by Michelle Smith, Helmut Lang, Iodice, and Sunner.
Harlan Bel Backstage & Runway
Harlan Bel Backstage & Runway, New York Fashion Week Spring Summer 2009, Photos by Jonathan Melamed
Up Next: Camilla Staerk and Harlan Bel
Stay tuned folks, we're heading (well, half of us) to the Staerk and Harlan Bel shows and we'll be back with exclusive photos shortly. If you can't wait, check out our pre-fashion week video interview with Harlan Bel designer Brandy Lunsford.
Pre-Fashion Week Video Interviews
To celebrate the kick off of New York Fashion Week we've produced five teaser videos for the Spring 09 season. Last week, amid the inevitable chaos of designers and their pr offices, we snuck in and said hello to some of our favorite New York designers. That is Jerry Tam of Form, Ashleigh Verrier, Steinunn Sigurd of Steinunn, Chris Han, and Brandy Lunsford of Harlan Bel. In the teasers you'll discover a glimpse of the inspiration behind their collections and what each designer does to prepare for Fashion Week. When the time comes, we'll be posting their respective Spring 09 fashion shows (or presentations) and a little backstage action to boot.
Spring 09 Pre-Fashion Week Interview With Brandy Lunsford of Harlan Bel
Spring 09 Pre-Fashion Week Interview With Brandy Lunsford
La Belle Dame sans Merci
An original photo editorial for Coutorture.com. Photographer Alex Norden, Fashion Editor Megan Zanke and Julie Fredrickson, Styling Julie Bobek, Makeup Julie Fredrickson and Maleeha Kahn. Clothing From SS08 Harlan Bel, Trovata and Alice Ritter. Models Margaret Pridgen, Kyla Jamieson, and Marie Lunde Fossdal.








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