>> Photographer (and son of Jann Wenner) Theo Wenner took Frankie Rayder and Ashley Smith out to Amagansett on Long Island for Opening Ceremony's Fall 2011 lookbook shoot. As the settings range from a snowy bank to the bowling alley to the beach, wool blanket skirts, cozy knits, sixties-inspired minidresses, and the requisite helping of plaid are displayed, often styled by Lester Garcia with a pair of colorful tights. Full lookbook in the slideshow.
>> Peter Som loves his color — his approach is, he admits: “I usually say yes to everything. Then I edit down.” This season, he had a vision of what he refers to as Peggy Guggenheim meets Miami, and an affinity for colors that looked sun-bleached, “or like Popsicles.”
The product paid tribute to the ‘60s, with shift dresses playing a starring role in the highly textural collection, which came in an array of structured, loose, and fitted cuts covered in a mix of florals — ranging from soft brocade to brighter silk prints. And Charlotte Dellal, who was front row, collaborated with Som on printed sky-high Charlotte Olympia wedges for the occasion.
Closing out the show, in her first major runway appearance, was Ashley Smith, who between her gap-tooth grin and ample bustline has garnered lots of pre-season buzz. Post-show, Som didn't have much of a breather: he headed straight over to Tommy Hilfiger, where he's a consultant, for fittings.
>> Busty Model Ashley Smith Making Waves —With the success of Lara Stone and the current taste for more zaftig shapes, it was only a matter of time before more bustier-than-usual models flooded the scene. Enter Texan Ashley Smith, who has Lara's gap teeth and the usual model measurements — 5'8.5" height, 24-inch waist, 34-inch hips, dress size 2 — with one notable exception: her 32D bust size. She shot with Terry Richardson back in February, and it's rumored that Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott are "in love with her." [Fashin, Fashin]
When Ashley Smith isn't putting in a solid day's work at a San Francisco salon, she's at home toiling away on her newest venture, Little Golden Wings.
She started designing clothing as a creative outlet outside of her work, but it started to take up too much time and space. Instead of giving up altogether, Ashley rechanneled her efforts into making jewelry. She finds inspiration in antiques and vintage pieces, overgrown gardens, and "the things around us that glow and sparkle." Her goal is to recreate a nostalgic feeling in each piece, and by my judgment, she succeeds.
Little Golden Wings Jewelry runs $48 to $68 and is available at Etsy.com.
To see more Little Golden Wings, read more
