Fashion Week 2012: Tadashi Shoji Laces Up, Richard Chai Wears Shades
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From everyday simplicity to red carpet ready, designers Richard Chai and Tadashi Shoji hit the mark in their visions for fall 2012. NY1's Stephanie Simon field the following report.At Tadashi Shoji the look is more than just chantilly lace and a pretty face. The Japanese-born designer to the stars is inspired by the golden age of Shanghai. His frocks for fall harken back to the 1930's -- ultra glamorous, but oh so mysterious.
"So drop waist, and I like beading, ornate beading, and velvet, supple fabric. And I like lace," said Shoji.
Dressed in lace, "The Talk" co-host Aisha Tyler was also inspired.
"I just think he has a really beautiful restraint, elegance to his clothes. I think he's a very personal designer. He really puts his heart into everything he makes," said Tyler.
Unlike nearly every other show at Fashion Week, backstage at Tadashi is always cool and calm. He's based in Los Angeles so most of the work is done before his team even arrives in the Big Apple.
Meantime, there are many shades of grey in Richard Chai's looks for fall.
Aside from color, there's ambiguity of mixing tailored and relaxed, dressed up and utilitarian, formal and informal.
"It's a real idea of this handsome femininity and the idea of a youthful kind of way of dressing a uniform, so to speak," said Chai. "You'll see a lot of juxtaposition between oversized men's tailoring and feminine shapes. It's about a real individual confidence."
On the palette, there are also blushing burgundies and blues and even a flash of metallic -- all adding a big color boost to Chai's hazy shade of winter.