WHITNEY PORT DEBUTS HER WHITNEY EVE LINE

 

The reality star-aspiring fashion designer shows potential but improvement is needed for a better collection next season.

 

 

New York - The MTV reality star Whitney Port debuted  her Whitney Eve line in the Bryant Park tents at the group show, which included Nicholas K and Mara Hoffman. While I was surprised (in a good way) of what she designed, I confess I'm not seeing all her inspirations in her pieces. According to Port, her inspiration is "playing off of spring and kind of Alice in Wonderland goes to a cocktail party" and "very fantasy-driven but also fun and flirty, having a good time". Those sure are some refreshing descriptors to explain a clothing line. How are you going to be taken seriously, Whitney, as a designer if your inspirations are equivalent to your fellow celebrity designers describing their clothing lines as  "I wanted it to be edgy but classy, sort of representative of who I am style-wise. Yeah that's it." A ha.

 

Now it is just the Alice in Wonderland and "very fantasy-driven" parts I think aren't explicit in your collection. Okay so when Philip Lim said the Beatnik movement inspired his men's collection, he really meant it! The designer included different silhouettes of well-tailored trousers and shorts, shoes with open toes and detachable ankle straps, a raglan oxford and a v-neck T-shirt with big buttons down the middle, which all kept up with what the Beatnik movement is about. Even the models brought to mind the feeling of dissatisfaction for the 1950s culture felt during the movement as they stood against the walls or sat through Lim's presentation with disaffected looks for the common energetic atmosphere of Fashion Week. You see that, Whit? That's one well thought out collection. 

 

I know you admitted that you "pulled it [Whitney Eve] together really fast" and didn't really think it through so much" but you had this chance and went for it. I admire you for taking that chance but the hasty job showed. Don't feel bad though since being too eager to debut your collection is a mistake made by many aspiring designers.  

 

If you do plan on presenting again for the next seasons, here's a sincere suggestion: when incorporating literary or cultural references in your line you need to make sure it shows. You have to think about the small details too like the hair, the shoes, the make-up, the accessories, the nails and how you want the models to walk down the runway. It's all about how all these things tie in together with your inspirations. Don't just quickly string words together because they sound great in your head. For example, the one description in your inspiration that you seem to be going for because of the way you worded it, is "very fashion-driven". The use of 'very' and 'driven' implies that you will emphasize that idea within your line. I expected more intricacy, more out of the norm and more showy; the unimaginative hairstyle, the bland make-up, the uninspired choice of shoes and the typical cocktail dresses all said otherwise. It's more like "eh-driven" for me.  Or maybe you and I just have a different take on what Alice in Wonderland and fantasy are? Or maybe I need to stop typing? 

 

Just fine tune your inspirations next time and please take the time to apply it on your pieces for your next collection and you are set to go. The chiffon cocktail dresses in pastel colors with gold, black and white mixed in here and there is a good start. In other words you have shown the design talent for it, now just develop it. 

 

Sincerely,

Kristina

 

Yes, I got way into this and expressed my opinions like it was a personal letter to her. Don't judge.

 

  

Kristina Bustos

[Story/Images via nymag.com; other images via Getty Images found @ blogs.wsj.com & graziadaily]