NYFW: The Shows Day 6 – Michael Costello Brings the Classy Back; Serena Williams Has Learned Something Since Freshman Year; Gardening With Angel Sanchez; Straight Outta Hong Kong: Fashion Guerilla

From the Michael Costello S/S 2016 collection. Photos by Yours Truly.

Some of the players on Day 6: Angel Sanchez, Fashion Guerilla, Amato Haute Couture, Art Hearts Fashion: Mister Triple X, Byfield, Alexandra Vidal, Tory Burch, Michael Costello, Croation Fashion Invasion, Rodarte, Diesel Black Gold, Dennis Basso, Serena Williams Signature Collection by HSN, Malan Breton, Milly, Allison Mitchell, Veronica Beard, Carmen Marc Valvo, Nanette Lepore, Alisha Trimble, Narciso Rodriguez, B Michael America

WHAT a difference a year has made! Last year this time, the Michael Costello woman was jetsetting hither and yon. Alas, she was barely decently covered.

For S/S 2016, she has – in the words of an old Southern woman – “put some clothes on.” Consequently, she has returned from the brink of trashy to the sanity of classy in a three-inch adjustment. The collection of gowns and pant ensembles is beautifully constructed, featuring impressive beadwork.

Of course, it is sexy, too, especially that jumpsuit in hot pink. In this collection it can be inferred that MC is channeling Pam Grier’s Foxy Brown character. Indeed, S/S 2016 has a strong 70s vibe, with toga-style gowns, some with attached flowing capes in silk.

Perhaps, too, there is a nod to old Hollywood. The marker is a pronounced shoulder reminiscent of the styles popular in classic films from the 40s.
Regardless of the references, MS S/S 2016 is sexy and, classy.

Serena Williams Collection by HSN

THE tennis star may not have added a 22nd grand slam to her arsenal. However, her second collection is a winner. A year later, things have changed in a good way for SW, too. There is a confidence in this S/S 2016 collection that was lacking last year. Again, not reinventing the box, but introducing accessible frocks that have some oomph. A leitmotif is the leather fringes. Nice touch, like a volley at the net.

Angel Sanchez

From the Angel Sanchez S/S 2016 collection. Photos courtesy of Angel Sanchez.

A tropical garden drives the Angel Sanchez S/S 2016. The colors are brilliant and the silhouettes range from fitted to flowing. All well-constructed. A smashing display.

FASHION GUERILLA – Injury

ONE of four designers showing under the Hong Kong-based Fashion Guerilla rubric, Injury’s base colors are red and black. It’s an engaging mix of lightly tailored and somewhat deconstructed looks for men and women.

FASHION GUERILLA – Daydream Nation

Photos by Yours Truly.

BODACIOUS. Prairie-like dresses pants tapered and loose. Eccentric and offbeat. Yet hip, in its way.

FASHION GUERILLA – Placed by Gideon

MULTI-LAYERED menswear redolent of shirts and jackets with folds, asymmetry, dropped bodices and so forth. Purple is a base color. Androgynous. Chill with quiet swagger.

FASHION GUERILLA – Methodology

CLEVER mix of hard and soft fabrics. Even cleverer is the sandal-sock-ribbon combo. Sexy, confident, feminine with a commanding edge.

On deck today, Day 7: Suno, Raul Penaranda, Michael Kors, Delpozo, Paul Andrew, Parsons MFA, Naeem Khan, Boss, DKNY, The Adam Levine Collection Presented by Shop Your Way Brands/Kmart, Chiara Boni La Petite Robe, Theory, Cynthia Rowley, Greg Lauren, Proenza Schouler, The Blonds, Thomas Wylde, Stella Nolasco, Bibhu Mohapatra, J. Crew, Anna Sui, Demoo Parkchoonmoo

Visit http://www.nyfw.com/ to learn more about New York Fashion Week: The Shows, including show information, videos and installations.

Treating Injuries The Way They Deserve: When It's Best to Use Heat, When It's Best to Use Ice

A new injury sustained in Zumba class, for instance, should get the ice treatment. Archive photo.

#$%@&!!!!!!!!!!! You've just twisted your ankle trying to perfect the Side Salsa in Zumba class or threw your shoulder out during that tennis match in pursuit of a 99-mph serve.

Quick, what to do? Should you add heat or ice?

In this scenario, Scott Lynch would probably recommend icing. “Elevation is probably the most important thing because it limits the amount of blood flow to the area and the amount of swelling,” he says.

The good doctor, director of sports medicine at Pennsylvania’s Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, recommends that cocktail popularly known RICE (rest, ice, compress, elevation) after an injury.

Serena Williams, who tweeted this photo, iced her swollen ankle after her loss to Sloane Stephens in the quarterfinals of the Australian Open in January 2013. However, the 21-time Grand Slam singles titles winner probably added some heat after the swelling went down and before she returned to the practice court, likely followed by more icing. Photo by Serena Williams.

Cold temperatures applied to an injury help narrow blood vessels. This prevents bottlenecking (accumulation) of blood and the swelling that results, delaying healing.

SL and a colleague, Cayce Onks, family and sports medicine physician at Penn State Hershey, both recommend using ice for 20 minutes, once an hour only to prevent other problems such as frostbite or damage to the skin.

Both are contributors to the center's The Medical Minute. It is a weekly digest of helpful health news that draws on the expertise of Penn State Hershey’s faculty, physicians and staff. (http://www.news.psu.edu/tag/medical-minute)

Icy Hot and other similar heat products do provide temporary relief from chronic pains. Archive photo.

Icing an injury for the first 48 to 72 hours after it occurs, CO adds, can also reduce the amount of secondary tissue damage, as well as help decrease pain.

As to the form that ice should take, CO suggests special freezer packs or that old go-to, a homemade ice bag. “You can mold it around the injury and get more coverage,” he says.

“You also have to keep in mind that because of the chemicals in freezer packs, they can get much colder than ice and you could cause temperature-related skin problems.”

Meanwhile, athletes may be good role models for when to apply heat. Those with chronic pain and/or old injuries tend to opt for heat before they engage in physical activity and ice afterward.

“Heat typically brings blood flow to the area, which provides nutrients that the tissues need for healing,” asserts CO. “It can also increase the flexibility of tendons and muscles.”

Good heat sources are moist heat, ultrasound, heating pads and corn packs. Though CO says heating pads and the Icy Hots of the world don’t provide the depth of heat of the humidity-rich, deeply penetrating moist heat and the ultrasound, they do provide some temporary relief.

A simple ice bag can do the job of reducing swelling. Archive photo.

“A lot of it just depends on what feels good with chronic injuries,” CO admits. “It’s one of those things where some people get relief from heat and some from ice.”

He admonishes, however: “Though with acute injuries, you would want to stick with ice.”