Padina Bondar Exhibit @ National Arts Club
Photos Helen Oppenheim. Collage helenoppenheim.com
Padina Bondar, an eco-conscious, hybrid designer, artist and activist known for transforming plastic waste into extraordinary couture fashion, textiles and designs, is currently featured in an exhibition at The National Arts Club in New York City, running from December 3 to January 2, 2026
The must-see exhibition, made possible by DTR Modern Gallery, showcases her sustainable art, designs and embellishments. Her work like the bobbin lace from plastic bags found on the streets of Manhattan, highlights environmental responsibility and reimagines luxury through ethical craftsmanship, challenging norms and inviting dialogue about our planet’s future. “The Fashion industry,”she says “is a leading environmental pollutant” and she aims to shed light on the mountain of waste and injustice beneath the glamourous facade of the industry.
“Changing The World One Plastic Bag at a Time” also showcases sustainable jewelry, like everything in the exhibition combining design with social consciousness. The idea of design as a revolutionary activity reminds one of Bauhaus, the early 20th century German art school.
Padina Bondar was born in Tehran, raised in Toronto, and now lives in NYC. Her passion and perspective are the results of cultural juxtapositions. She is a CFDA Scholar (2021) and has an MFA from Parsons (2022)
To see the Padina Bondar album with more photos and more information (latter to come) archived on my website, CLICK HERE
Photos: Helen Oppenheim
CommentThe Golden Swan Heads Czech TV Series
Photos Helen Oppenheim. Collage helenoppenheim.com
A Czech historical drama, The Golden Swan is a PBS Masterpiece TV Series by Water Presents with two seasons currently on Amazon Prime.
Most of the action takes place in a luxury department store in Praque as the Nazis occupy the country. There’s danger, secrets, sibling rivalry, romance, forbidden love, blackmail. With a third season not available on Prime yet.
And there’s inspo with hair and heads of the era – 1939, early ‘40s. Many are wigs. There’s lots of rolls, some great headwraps, a lovely low on the nape chignon, some curly curls.
The actresses shown in this collage, with photos taken by me from the tv, are Kristyna Podzimkova (aka Krystyna Ryska), as Irena,. Simona Lewandowska as Alena. Kamila Trnkova as Marta. Barbara Bockova as Marketa. Marta Matova as Sophie. The lead actors are Marta Dancingerova as Bara and Adam Vacular as Petr, the man and woman seen in the ads here.
The story can be a bit wobbly at times, and one has to wonder how someone with tb, coughing up blood, can be allowed to put everyone at risk for so long, and no one is scared, but it is something different, interesting and addictive. Also known as Zlata Labut, the series is produced by Dramedy Productions and has English subtitles.
CommentMalan Breton Bobs On Every Model NYFW SS2026
Photos Fred J. DeVito. Collage helenoppenheim.com
Bobs are back on the fashion runway. Vivienne Mackinder, who trained in London with Vidal Sassoon way back when, cut bob wigs, some asymmetric, inspired by the famous shapes of the ‘60s and ‘70s, – for every model at the Malan Breton NYFW Show for Spring 2026 held at the Léman Ballroom in New York City. A refreshing change from the same-looking long hair and ponytails seen everywhere for years, easy to handle as a style, the bob, which originated in the ’20s and was re-introduced in the ’60s, looked fresh again.
Both futuristic and deeply poetic, the show was presented in four Acts – The Heart, Time, Transformation and Legacy. And featured silks, brocades, master tailoring, a knock out tie, lapel jewelry for him and more. Opulent Gilded Age designs reimagining the excess and elegance of the era for a modern world and futuristic structures were stunning.
The show was held in support of charity, CaringKind (The Heart/Alzheimer’s Caregiving) and show sponsors included King Seiko (Time) Sohomuse and wigs.com.
To view the album with 22 photos archived on helenoppenheim.com CLICK HERE
Lead Hair: Vivienne Mackinder … Wigs: Wigs.com … Hair Products: Back of Bottle …
Lead Makeup: Odilis Trinidad, Odilis Lashes … Fashion Stylist: Montgomery Frazier
Photos: Fred J. DeVito
Beauty With Disability, Passion For Fashion – 2025
Beauty With Disability, Passion For Fashion – 2025
Anahita Khailian has a passion for fashion. And a disability The beauty, an Iranian/Canadian who lives in Toronto, has SMA (Spinal Muscular Atrophy.)
“One thing I want people to know about living with my neuromuscular disorder is that although it has limited me physically, it hasn’t limited my drive, style or impact.” All were evident as she sat in her wheelchair at the Padina Bondar New York Fashion Week Presentation for Spring/Summer 2025, held at the DTR Modern Gallery on West Broadway in Soho.
There she was wearing a gorgeous art dress by the designer, beautifully made up by herself, hair colored by herself, just a big slash of a subtle green color to match her dress. (She used Arctic Fox hair dye, originally Virgin Pink and once faded she added Phantom Green over it.)
The backward writing tattoo intrigued. “Make a change” is tattooed on my shoulder so that when I look in the mirror I can read it. From Michael Jackson’s song “Man in the Mirror” … if you wanna make the world a better place, take a look at yourself and then make a change.”
Recently she collaborated with a photographer for an art series, deeply personal through the lens of fashion identity and disability. It was around her passion for fashion and her disability using some of her bold high heel shoes” – (Stepintomyshoes.ca). “I love makeup and use my face as a canvas to be free and creative with makeup. Some of her unique creations can be seen on her Instagram page – @anahita.khlin. Anahita Khalilian. You are inspiration to all.
To see the Pandina Bondar Fashions with Peter Gray Hair, CLICK HERE
Photos: Helen Oppenheim
CommentWenny Han Debut Collection @ NYFW SS2026
Wenny Han Debut Collection @ NYFW SS2026
The debut collection at New York Fashion Week SS 2026 by rising star Wenny Han was wearable art, a welcome change from all those glam evening dresses dominating on social media. The Chinese-American showed reimagined classic garments, through a cubist lens for her and him, at a Global Fashion Collective (GFC) event held at The Glass House.
Unconventional tailoring, asymmetric silhouettes, layered organza, sheer fabrics, soft knits, cottons, bold material contrasts, the young designer’s fashions focused on the idea of identity as fragmented and evolving, the collection transforming everyday clothing into conceptual forms that shift with each angle.
The eye makeup on both sexes featured stunning beautiful brush effects, by Key Lead Cristina Cuellar, Instituto Cristina Cuellar. The hair by the Odete DaSilva Hair Team (Lead Trish Apostolides) for Goldwell US and Varis Pro Hair Tools, featured neat smooth buns with some interesting movements at the back. To see the album with more fashions, makeup and hair archived on the website, CLICK HERE
Hair: Odete Da Silva Hair Team, Lead Trish Apostolides … Products: Goldwell US, Bodifying Control Mousse, Dry Texture Spray, Strong Hairspray … Makeup Key Lead: Cristina Cuellar, Instituto Cristina Cuellar … Photos: Helen Oppenheim
CommentFashion Art By Pandina Bondar – 2025
Photos:Helen Oppenheim. Collage by helenoppenheim.com
Pandina Bondar, Designer and Creative Director, explores the space between art and and fashion. Her immersive New York Fashion Week SS 2026 Presentation at the DTR Gallery in Soho transformed reimagined textiles and forgotten artworks into one-of-a-kind pieces. Each garment became a moving canvas on the body, and a celebration of craftmanship and sustainability.
The handcrafted reclaimed jewelry art was by Angel Pai, Illumin Designs, the tattoos by the visual artist Kozo
The hair by Peter Gray for Cutler Salons with Pamela Devlin with was modern, dressed hair which included a combination of gel and gel dressed hair with a mix of wet and dry textures and finishes to emphasize the individuality and modernity of each look. The makeup was by Deney Adam and Christian Mitchell using Mac Cosmetics
To see archived album with more photos and fashions, CLICK HERE
Lead Hair: Peter Gray for Cutler Salon, Pamela Devlin … Lead Makeup: Deney Adam, Christian Mitchell … Jewelry: Angel Pai, Illumin Designs … Tattoos: Kozo…
Photos: Helen Oppenheim
Comment
Must-See Man Ray @ The Met Museum – 2025
Photos © Man Ray 2015 Trust ©The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Collage Helen Oppenheim
“When Objects Dream” at the Metropolitan Museum of Art is the first major exhibition to examine the radical experimentation of American artist Man Ray (1890-1976) through one of his most significant bodies of work, the rayograph. Man Ray coined the term rayograph to name his version of the 19th century technique of making photographs without a camera. He created them by placing objects on or near a sheet of light-sensitive paper, which he then exposed to light and developed. These photograms – as they are called – appear as reversed silhouettes, or negative versions of their subjects. They often feature recognizable items that become wonderfully mysterious in the artist’s hands.
The must-see exhibition, September 14, 2025 to February 1, 2026, explores the rayographs, Man Ray’s paintings and photographs. Included some of his most famous masterpieces – Le violon d’Ingres, Noire et blanche, Glass Tears and Kiki de Montparnasse, Man Ray’s lover, model, muse, with whom he worked from 1921-1929, creating some of his best-known works.
Top L-R : Man Ray rayograph with poster, Photo Ben Blackwell… Rayograph print, from Champs Délicieux 1922, one of 12 rayographs which open the exhibition … Man Ray Self Portrait in 31 bis rue Campagne-Premiere Studio, 1925 … Le violon d’Ingres, 1924, which the torso of the artist Kiki de Montparnasse (Alice Prin) is depicted as a musical instrument. Photo: Ian Reeves
2nd Row L-R : Noire et blanche, 1926, a surrealistic image featuring Kiki de Montparnasse with an African ceremonial mask … Marchesa Luisa Casati, 1922, eccentric Italian aristocrat and muse, known for her extravagant style, photographed with three pairs of eyes, the surreal image being a portrait of her soul … Solarized portrait of Photographer/PhotoJournalist Lee Miller, 1930, a Man Ray muse and lover.
3rd Row L-R : Glass Tears, 1932, surrealistic photograph, of a fashion mannequin, with silent film influences, showing stress after his break up with Lee Miller … Marine, 1925, a rayograph … Elsa Schiaparelli photographed by Man Ray in 1931. Schiaparelli is one of the major funders for the exhibition made possible by the Barrie A and Deedee Wigmore Foundation.
Collage by Helen Oppenheim
CommentMiss Sohee @ Paris Couture Week – 2025
Photos: Marco Bahler. Collage: helenoppenheim.com
Chantilly lace always adds a sense of mystery, created beautifully here on faces, bodies and alluring, seductive dresses by Miss Sohee for Paris Couture Week 2025, presented at the historic Hotel Pozzo di Borgo.
The collection seamlessly fused classical sculptures with Korean heritage. “I envisioned a noblewoman from the Chosun dynasty transported into the modern world, with a delicate balance of modesty and sensuality”” said Sohee Park, Founder and Creative Director for Miss Sohee, who is from South Korea and based in London. The collection also featured “corsets, sheer bodysuits, gowns, with inspiration from petals and lingerie, sequin florals, Mother-of Pearl inlays and draped leather.”
Kevin Murphy, with his team led by Shingo Shibata, “crafted sculptural, high-gloss hairstyles inspired by 1920s Art Deco, featuring sleek finger waves and elegant low buns.”
Lead Hair: Shingo Shibata, for Kevin Murphy, Melbourne, Australia … Hair Products: Kevin Murphy Session Spray, Body Builder, Super Goo, Easy Rider … Lead Makeup: Ciara O’Shea for Make Up For Ever and Proshine by CDM … Photos: Marco Bahler
( @miss_sohee (misssohee.com) … @kevin.murphy …#ShingoShibata …@marco.bahler )