Coveting Coven

A sparkly sequined knit dress from the Coven Fall 2010 show. All photos by firstView.

I've been a die-hard Coven fan since working at Fiftytwo Showroom, which represents them in the U.S. The Brazilian based label specializes in knitwear, and my favorite sweater in my closet is one of their runway samples. Never meant for production, the sequins and frills are starting to come apart, but it's still one of my most prized sartorial possessions. Whenever I lay eyes on a new collection in the showroom, I automatically fondle every item, praying that I'll receive some windfall that will allow me to order the entire collection.

The Fall 2010 collection is no exception. Taking a decidedly military-inspired direction, the show featured plenty camouflage prints, army jackets, and epaulet details. There was an undeniable Balmain influence in the super-short body-hugging dresses, and even though Christopher Decarnin is hardly a favorite of mine, I will forgive them because my favorite pieces were decidedly Coven pieces: clashingly colorful, shamelessly embellished, and entirely unique. Pictures hardly do them justice; you really have to touch them in person to sense how weighty and fabulous they are. Plus, they get extra points for taking the technicolor hair trend to new heights, with a veritable rainbow of spray-on hair coloring that has me wanting to reach for one of my ancient bottles of Manic Panic.

-Tiffany

That Heat

My favorite look from Rosa Cha by Alexandre Herchcovitch, a tie-dye and lace paneled scuba-dress. All photos by Alexandre Schneider/UOL

When I heard that Brazilian designer Alexandre Herchcovitch was taking over as the head designer of swimwear company Rosa Cha, I was intrigued, but somewhat dubious about the appropriateness of the pairing. Known for his rapturous use of colors and clashing prints to create avant-garde designs with a decidedly Southern Hemisphere spin, Herchcovitch seems a little bit off-kilter for a company best known for flashy beach clothes that are meant to show off flesh rather than fabric cuts and combinations.

My entire view was turned upside down when I stopped by Fiftytwo Showroom and took a peek at the new collections. Fiftytwo now represents Herchcovitch's eponymous collection as well as Rosa Cha, and while it was definitely strong, I have to say I was surprisingly more impressed with his work for Rosa Cha. Herchcovitch took all the elements of his dynamic designs, and transposed them on the decidedly oomph-oriented swimwear line to create a collection that is utterly unique, while delivering that signature Brazilian sex appeal. I loved the cheeky bathing suits that looked like lingerie, as well as a group of lace and tie-dye printed scuba-suits and dresses. They're so perfect for the surf-trend, and I don't think any designer has ever made me want to wear a swimming cap so badly. I have to say, of all the pieces I've seen in person so far this season, the one I want the most is the dress pictured above, and if it's not too prohibitively expensive, I just might have to place a personal. I'm already picturing myself this summer wearing this to Rockaway Beach while listening to The Drums and Passion Pit on repeat...

-Tiffany