Samples Generated during Fall ’25 Semester
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A Rare Public Appearance for Meghan Markle
In Support of Balenciaga’s New Creative Director Pierpaolo Piccioli At Balenciaga’s Spring-Summer 2026 Paris Show.
Isabel Horan
This weekend, Balenciaga was crowned the winner of duchess Meghan Markle’s first Paris Fashion appearance in over a decade as the industry welcomes new creative director, (former creative director of Valentino), Pierpaolo Piccioli to the iconic Haus.
Meghan has been active around the New York and Toronto fashion show scene since she and husband Prince Harry made the radical decision to leave the working Royal family and move to Los Angeles in March of 2020. But what’s got her back in the spotlight this October?
“This evening reflects the culmination of many years of artistry and friendship, reflected in her support for his [Piccioli’s] new creative chapter at Balenciaga.”
-A spokesperson for Meghan Markle when asked by BBC
Meghan stunned onlookers with an all white, wide-legged pants suit from the show’s collection. What made the suit and outfit so elegantly mature was the black pointed heels, minimal makeup and simply slicked hair the now 44-year-old Sussex duchess sported it in. According to a spokesperson, “Over the years, the duchess has worn a number of designs by Pierpaolo. They have worked closely together collaborating on design for key moments on the world stage.”, primairly in reference to his time at Valentino.
Headshot of Piccioli for Harper’s Bazaar in announcement of his move from Valentino to Balenciaga 
Final Lineup at the show on October 4th, 2025. Image courtesy of Fashionista. Image courtesy of 
One of the many alienated models in these new signature Balenciaga shades. Image courtesy of The Impression
Apparently having made the trip overseas by herself, Meghan was later spotted rubbing elbows with Anna Wintour and Baz Luhrmann, director of films such as Moulin Rouge! (2001) and Elvis (2022). Perhaps in a brief homage to the late Princess of Wales, Meghan ended the night with the surprised slicing of a slick, black dress.
Courtesy of Arnold Jerocki/Getty Images for Balenciaga Meghan’s bold re-entrance to the EU’s fashion scene marks a new era for Balenciaga and Valentino simultaneously, one that we here at HEM cannot wait to continue coverage on.
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Skirting the Lone Water Lily
A brooding, dress-centric Swansong to Oneonta’s oldest local Thrift Store, Silks & Treasures. Silks & Treasures is celebrating nearly 40 years of business this winter before the core team and founders choose a well earned retirement in December.
Cynthia “Flarp” Horan models a Uniqlo Dress in Loafers All of the following were shot and styled by Bell Horan on a decrepit point-and-shoot at 7am, featuring their sister Cynthia “Flarp” Horan’s modelling debut! Hair, makeup and handling in the harsh conditions were provided by the ever talented Ivy Paw Schwarz. To view what was cut for HEM and BTS silliness, be sure to check out Catalogue Bell!
Cynthia dawns a Nine West Blazer and a sheer Teal dress by an unnamed designer. Additional accessories provided by the CB archive. 
Baring all, Cynthia shivers effortlessly in a Flax Cotton sack dress. Additonal accessories provided by the CB archive. 
Top by Torrid, Tapestry Vest by Maggie Sweet, and a knit skirt whose tag was decapitated. 
Cynthia in vintage Betty Barclay, shoulder pads and matching belt still very much in tact. 
Old style Inking gloves, Lane Bryant utility maxi and a Dress Barn cover up keep Cynthia reaching for more on the banks of Goodyear Lake. We extend our gratitude to Silks & Treasures for putting up with our lengthy fitting room sessions and wish the team nothing but rest, love and luck to the gals behind it! Another thank you to Cynthia and Ivy for helping me put this together so last minute and being excellent collaborators on shoot day!
All images, clothing, accessories and set snacks were produced by Catalogue Bell.
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Carlota Barrera Remains at the Forefront of Gender-Noncon Sultriness
This Fall, displaying another intentionally androgynous, yet flirtatious Catwalk during Spain’s Spring 2026 season.
Carlota Barrera’s most recent mixed gender show, aptly titled “From the Body’s Edge”, remains a memorable standout for 080 Barcelona’s 36th Annual Fashion Week. The multiple day event featured the Spring/Summer collections of various Istituto Europeo di Design (IED) alumni, with none so cutting edge as “From the Body’s Edge”.
Image Courtesy Of Vogue Runway Audiences where delighted by an array of gender expressions, ages and nude tones among models. Most striking to “From the Body’s Edge” was Barrera’s masculine cohort. As the title implies, Barerra’s Spring/Summer takes the Office Siren trend to an extreme on the backs of lingerie strapping, sheers and a tease of color so faint or so bright, you’ll find yourself further mezmerized with each pivot. When prompted on her unique marriage of office ready with slept-in-the-office Barerra explained, “We wanted to bring together these two seemingly opposite worlds and explore where they overlap”.
According to those who witnessed the collection up-close-and-personal, the garments made topstitched nods towards Lingerie classics like the forsaken stocking seem and the flirtatiousness of a garter belt. Barerra hinted at the fact that more is to be felt, desired, perhaps unfastened, in unseen parts of these garments. An idea that creates an exclusive sort of relationship between Barerra’s design and those daring enough to dawn these whispy pieces.
Image Courtesy Of Vogue Runway
“We wanted to explore intimacy without falling into that saccharine clichés.”
Carlotta Barerra when describing the influence, but not overindulgence, of lingerie within this collection.
Image Courtesy Of Vogue Runway 
Image Courtesy Of Vogue Runway 
Image Courtesy Of Vogue Runway Models teased only by the occasional robustness of this orange satin, otherwise boasted disarming nude tones and a peony pink. From collars, midriffs to various sandals, adjustable, bondage-like strappage, this collection speaks silently a lot of love for masculine legs and chest int he daintiest, most mysterious fashion.
Carlota Barrera posing for a headshot during a 2021 interview with Vanity Fair Spain about her growing success in London. Image Courtesy of Vanity Fair Spain. Once again, the institutionally awarded young talent Carlota Barrera has left us satisfied while still begging for more! We here at HEM look forward to the next addition of Barrera’s “continuous questioning of Menswear”, in accordance to her website’s About statement.
