PR Designers Order Classics with a Side of Modern Twists

Posted on August 30, 2015 by SMM

So before the designers headed off on their 1st trip this season to Mood, they met with Tim & Mary Kay global makeup artist Luis Casco on a NYC dock. Why?!? To receive their challenge of course! The challenge this week was to take a classic design and add a modern, unique twist to it. Meeting on the dock was to allow the designers the chance to take in the gorgeous city views as inspiration. In addition, as Luis was there to provide the challenge details, this of course meant it was a Mary Kay challenge. Each designer would receive a makeup consultation to give their modern designs a modern beauty amplification. And finally, to incentivize the designers (which I think was needed!), the winning design would receive a cash prize of $5k and their look would be featured in a Mary Kay ad in Marie Claire magazine.

The designers had 30 minutes to sketch and then it was off to Mood with 45 minutes to shop and a budget of $250. Tim reminded the designers as they got back to the workroom to be mindful of time as this was a 1 day challenge, but they also had to do meetings with him, consultations with Luis, and of course do their model fittings. As the designers started working, we saw Gabrielle anxiously awaiting for Tim to come by and Amanda in doubt. I totally got where Amanda was coming from with being in the bottom so much. I stick by what I’ve said in previous recaps though, Amanda should not have been in the bottom 2 for the Hallmark challenge and her bottom 3 placement last week was ridiculous. Not being in the bottom would have been a much needed confidence booster for her!

Tim-time highlights, Swapnil going from Breakfast at Tiffany’s to Breakfast in Vegas! Also, Blake was baffling Tim! But overall, Tim was energized about the work he was seeing! For model fittings, Laurie was given a new model — not sure why?? But much sooner, rather than later, the morning of the runway came about and it was chaos as usual. Gabrielle was having sewing machine troubles, while Blake was dealing with cuts and blood stains on his garment. Yikes!

This week’s guest judge was Mad Men’s Kiernan Shipka!

I was actually quite impressed with the runway this week. I had a hard time myself picking a top 3. Most of the judges’ top 3 was understandable, but my top 3 consisted of Candice, Ashley, and Laurie.

I saw Ashley’s look come down the runway and I was like, Wow, so pretty! This was feminine, fashionable, and the back was GORGEOUS! I think the skirt could have worked a tad shorter, but overall, this look was super impressive! Shout-outs — JustFab for the stunning accessories, killer heels & coordinating white clutch; Sally Beauty for hair, lovely side-swept wavy do; & Mary Kay for the beauty look, very natural, slight cat eye, love it!

Laurie’s look was also a stand-out for me. I loved the volume on the top and the eye-catching print for the pencil skirt. Heads would definitely turn as this look walked the streets! Shout-outs — JustFab for the sexy heels and oversized envelope clutch

The judges top 3 differed from my own, as did their winner. Hands down, Candice should have won this week! How the judges picked Blake’s look over this one is mind-boggling to me. This look was bad ass, phenomenal jacket, and what a fit!

The best part, not only was it a great look, but it was also well-made, unlike the winning look. Come on judges, let’s reward execution as well as design!

Shout-outs — JustFab, love the heels! Also Mary Kay, love this bold red lip!

Even though Swapnil was not in my top 3, he still did an amazing job this week. And with the judges’ top 3, this should have at least came in 2nd! I love a LBD and I would for sure rock this one. It was super sexy and the back was quite alluring. I love when a look is captivating from all angles.

Blake rounded out the top 3 and was the winning look. I’m still not sure how this happened. I don’t think Blake should have gone home, but he even thought his look was in the bottom. That should kind of tell you something. If he couldn’t even be confident at first, how should we as viewers buy that this was not just in the top 3, but also the winning look??

The judges even admitted this look was poorly constructed, which even further confuses the result for me. I am eager to see more from Blake and I’ve loved a lot of what he has done this season. His look last week was my winning look and was far more deserving than this dress. I’m sure it will photograph well and the color use was great, but still not a winning look for me.

Shout-out, Sally Beauty, spectacular fishtail braid!

Before getting to the bottom, let’s look at the rest of the safe designs. Kelly’s look was quite interesting this week. I was impressed that she made a great pair of pants, especially after seeing so many horrific ones last week. But the more I look at her top, the more I love it. The styling threw me a bit, but this top had such great details, making it more than just a shirt & a pair of pants.

I will give Joseph & Merline some credit this week for showing signs of improvement. They really needed to at this point. Joseph’s black look was well-made and had a great fit. It wasn’t overly brilliant, but better than his previous work so good for him. Merline did amazing work with this jacket. I couldn’t fully see what was going on underneath the jacket, so not sure of my feelings there, but again, a vast improvement from not just last week, but all of her previous work.

Shout-out — Sally Beauty, love Joseph’s messy updo

Edmond did a good job, little short, but much better than last week. Not top 3 material, but I appreciate a comeback. Jake’s look on the other hand was was a trainwreck. It was way too short and there was nothing innovative or original about this look at all. Hello, Tom Ford!! Shout-out to him with Sally Beauty though, love the sexy, gorgeous waves!

Lindsey came in third from the bottom. I pegged this as a bottom look as well. I don’t think she should have gone home, but my notes here were that the skirt could have been shorter and more of a crop for the crop top. I didn’t get the pairing of these 3 pieces. If the focus was on the inner pieces versus the outer, then I say ditch the outerwear. The judges were correct in saying that this ready as thick and it did swallow the model. Shout-outs Mary Kay for this stunning burgundy lip & Sally Beauty for another pretty side-swept wavy do!

I actually feel bad for Amanda at this point. Clearly the judges, producers, or someone does not like this girl. Why did they put her on the show then! I mean 3 weeks at the bottom, that is a lot. I think of all her bottom 3 placements, this was the most deserving, but seeing Jake escape the bottom then in light of the judges’ critiques this week, I’m baffled. I have seen Amanda’s previous work and I know she is better than this look. I actually plan to see her presentation with the House of Perna for NYFW in a couple of weeks and I can’t wait! I will continue my support of her despite the judges’ misguided bottom placements.

This left Gabrielle being eliminated this week. If I had it my way, Jake would have gone. So for everyone being upset over her early elimination, I believe the better answer or solution was not Amanda then being eliminated, but rather Jake. Gabrielle’s jacket was not that bad, but it was not a saving grace for the overall look.

The white dress was so basic and to then not be well-made was not a good thing. I hate seeing her go at this point, but I’m eager to continue to follow her work outside of the show. But from her body of work, I didn’t see her making top 3.

Shout-outs — JustFab for the metallic silver heels; Sally Beauty for the beautiful loose updo and Mary Kay for a stunning beauty look, nude lip & smoky eye.

NYFW: Men — Inspirations Come to Life

Posted on July 23, 2015 by SMM

Once again, the inaugural NYFW: Men was last week. With all of the shows going on, I was quite impressed with the passionate inspirations of 2 designers — Loris Diran & Malan Breton.

So first up, Loris Diran, with Am I Blue?

The S/S 16 collection for Loris Diran reinterprets summer navy as a softer alternative to black, all while maintaining its strength & sensual mystique. The palette consists of deep navy, teal, turquoise, espresso, and chamois. The unlikely use of rustic texture works itself into the urban aesthetic, which underscores the entire season.

There is such a refinement with these pieces, truly showcasing that the designer knows high quality and knows how to dress a man for both upscale and more casual looks. I appreciate with this collection the attention to detail and versatility. There is a great ability here then to mix and match many of these pieces, and overall wear in various fashions.

Diran continues with this collection to march on with his “New Look”: uber soft, washed sulting sans padding and stiff interfacing, yet maintaining a slim, defined silhouette. With a nod to the 80s and a distinct juxtaposition of sportswear to sartorial traditionalism, the collection pairs pieces atypically to create a new masculine sensibility.

Show credits —

Footwear — Fiorentino & Baker
Hair & Grooming — Christo 5th Ave
Styling — Shay Dixon
Music — Reed McGowan

And now, Malan Breton, showcasing his inspirational tale of his journey home to Taiwan thru the art of design.

Malan Breton HOMME presented a collection for S/S 16 of sportswear, swimwear, suiting, and underwear. The collection is modern, sleek, and made in comfort fibers like silk cotton and bamboo, all lending to the modern lifestyle of the man on the go, with exploration of the techniques of wetsuit design. Breton incorporates fusing elements and finds inspiration in the batik techniques and tradition of the Hakka Blue shirts of his homeland — Taiwan.

I was such a fan of Malans’ on during his time on Project Runway. I’ve been so eager to attend one of his shows and I was quite pleased and impressed for my first time in attendance. You could clearly see Malan’s inspiration here, relating back to his journey to his home homeland, Taiwan. The prints were vivid, the color palette was consistently logical, and the silhouettes/shapes were quite innovative. Great work Malan! I can’t wait to see more!

The brand will introduce its first collection of eyewear, cufflinks, and skateboards this season as well. All is made of the highest quality elements — brushed metals, Swarovski crystals, and enamels. These materials accentuate Malan’s philosophy of high style, but continue in the path of total comfort giving every man’s Summer 2016 wardrobe comfort & control.

Show credits —

Presented by — Taiwan, The Heart of Asia
Hair — ECRU NY
Beauty — Bella
Shoes — Giorgio Brutini
Press — La Presse PR

Modern, Trendy Menswear for S/S 2016

Posted on July 19, 2015 by SMM

This past week marked the inaugural fashion week for menswear — NYFW: Mens. And 2 brands certainly caught my eye with a very high-fashion, modern and trendy take for menswear in S/S 2016 — Grungy Gentleman & Timo Weiland.

First up, Grungy Gentleman with “Defense Wins Championship”, Designer Jace Lipstein.

The show took place at The Super Market, featuring an art installation by visual artist Gazoo to the Moon, as well as a special musical performance from renowned piano player, ELEW. The runway show featured other highlights as well with the brand’s latest collaborations. There were Mitchell and Ness hats, UGG for Men partnership with shoewear, and eyewear from Maui Jim with sunglasses.

Grungy Gentleman is known for its thoughtful, subtle details, paired with masculine simplicity. But this season, the brand highlighted its sartorial side with this vast collection, sprinkling in some luxurious, athletic tailoring. The label introduced a new logo and subtle recreations of their signature six-stripe pattern. I enjoyed seeing a great mix of classic styles and colors with tan, black, and white pieces. But it was great seeing such bold and bright pops of color in that of teal and cobalt blue..

A little background on this NY-Based men’s lifestyle brand — it combines design, digital media, and commerce with the services of a creative agency. The company is driven to create an innovative culture where fashion, sports, and entertainment converge, promoting the expression of individuality to both high fashion and urban cultures thru the brand’s product lines, website, and e-store. So who is the Grungy Gentleman? He is a collector, a gentleman, a rebel spirit, and a man who stands apart. He is building a style collection with thoughtful details and masculine simplicity He is bold, brilliant, has fierce taste, pours life into his passion, and is one who takes risks.

Right before the show, the brand offered to its guests a little something different by showcasing their new website. The new Grungy Gentleman site features a clean, new aesthetic that seamlessly mixes content & commerce. The site was conceptualized and built by web developer Benjamins Dev.

Show credits —

Hair — Jon Reyman for Spoke & Weal, using AVEDA & Olivia Garden
Grooming — Nivea
Refreshments — Tanqueray, Peroni, Red Bull, & KIND
Show PR & Production — Factory PR

Moving on from the dynamic Grungy Gentleman showcase, let’s now check out Timo Weiland.

The lyric, “I love you more than being seventeen” by Julian Casablancas ,the lead vocalist of The Strokes, was translated in this Timo Weiland SS’16 presentation.

Timo Weiland’s take on menswear for S/S 2016 was certainly encapsulating of a modern, hip, super trendy vibe. The bold, vivaciously dynamic prints, mixed with a playfulness of cuts & styles, definitely made this presentation a stand-out.

Show credits —

Design Director — Alan Eckstein
Stylist — Haley Loewenthal
PR — Paul Wilmot
Music — Mia Moretti
Makeup — Janessa Pare for Aveda
Hair — Joseph DiMaggio for Davines
Casting — Edward Kim of The Edit Desk
Shoes — Dr. Martens
Eyewear — Cutler & Gross
Production — Navia Vision

Must Have Fashion Week Accessories

Posted on March 27, 2015 by SMM

NYFW has come and gone. It was such a great time, so many amazingly talented designers presented. From RTW to stunning gowns, I saw it all! Some time yes has passed, but after some reflection and time, being able to peruse thru all of the various shows, I did want to put out this fun piece! I always enjoy seeing the many chic and fashionable accessories which complimented the various looks that graced the runways – handbags, jewelry, shoes, and more!

Upon my complete and full inspection, I’ve compiled my list of my “Must Have Fashion Week Accessories”! Enjoy!!

ANNA SUI

Anna Sui had it all, killer boots, fun outerwear hats, trendy jewelry, fun tights, and more — now these are ACCESSORIES!

DESIGUAL

Desigual is always a super fun show, high energy with graphic, bold looks. And the accessories aren’t too shabby either – fun headpieces, statement-making jewelry, and handbags galore!

BADGLEY MISCHKA

Badgley Mischka coordinated well with a floral inspiration, making use of some amazing floral accessories – tights and hair accessories, as well as some stunning clutches.

CUSTO BARCELONA

Custo Barcelona made use of some edgy accessories, super cool & hip – tote handbags, boots, and eyewear!

LEANNE MARSHALL

The F/W collection for Leanne Marshall brought to life a tragic love story. The looks were breathtaking, accessorized very well. The hair pins, the shoes, the jewelry, made this show all the more intriguing.

LIBERTINE

The Libertine show is always a ball. The pieces, the accessories, are just so full of life, meaning the runway show is spirited & energetic.

MALAN BRETON

So in love with every jewelry piece in Malan Breton’s show, women & menswear alike!

REBECCA MINKOFF

Rebecca Minkoff is of course known for making great accessories alongside her apparel pieces. She further demonstrated this point by styling her F/W presentation quite well.

J. Crew

J.Crew had it all – clutches, heels, jewelry, eyewear. So yes, had it all and everything was amazing!

HERVE LEGER BY MAX AZRIA

Herve Leger was bringin’ out a super sexy side for this runway. The gladiator heels wee phenomenal. But so too are the fabulous clutches and handbags!

DIESEL BLACK GOLD

Very practical, yet fashionably chic handbags for the Diesel Black Gold runway presentation!

Nolcha Fashion Week — Last of the Shows

Posted on March 17, 2015 by SMM

So for the last few shows with Nolcha Fashion Week, there was Prieston, Ann Himsel, and Danny Nguyen Couture. These were some truly captivating and mesmerizing pieces. Check it out! First up, Danny Nguyen Couture.

Danny Nguyen Couture

There are not enough good things I could say about this collection. Each and every piece was stunningly breathtaking. I was mesmerized and enchanted as look after look graced the runway!

As seen above, the colors used in this collection are bold and entrancing, whether whimsical in a mix of blue and purple, or dramatic with fiery red.

This nude floral embellished number above is one of my faves. It captures the essence of this collection — how unique any given look is, stunning floral embellishments, and the like.

You can see in each piece, every detail, all of the time, love, and handiwork that went into each look.

Danny’s vision is that fashion and style are based on the culture and heritage of people in action with each other. And his signature work is with that of couture eveningwear.

Lurid fluorescent light spills over a shadowy figure working deep into the night. Exacting needles, spools of fine thread, and luxuriant fabrics find their way in and around the dexterous hands of this diligent artist. Reckless passion is cast aside and replaced by the brutal will of a true fashion designer. To describe Danny Nguyen’s talents with words would be as futile as identifying infinity with a number.

Prieston

What drama and flare were a part of this Prieston F/W 2015 presentation. The shapes, the structure, this collection was very much wearable works of art. And speaking of hart, several of the pieces made use of a very unique hand-painted bird print — quite captivating!

The Prieston woman is confident, strong, and she likes to show her personality through fashion. Prieston is a brand for urban women in their early 30s, with developing carrier, but they still like to show their feminine side. The brand’s signature is all about experimental and conceptual designs that surprise the audience each season with new styles and unexpected color choices.

The fall-winter 2015 collection was inspired by the strong blondes of Alfred Hitchock. The Birds played an essential role in the design process of the visual elements. Prieston offers high quality clothing for modern women who consciously live in the present.

Ann Himsel

Ann Himsel works with menswear that is made for women, in fact, high end tailored menswear clothing, but it is made to fit women. The show featured men’s boots by Cat Footwear.

These looks embody simplistic minimalism, the focus being on high quality and craftsmanship. The mixed media work is very intriguing, especially the pieces incorporating leather.

Hair for all of the shows was courtesy of Indie Hair, while the bold makeup looks were provided by AOFMPro.

Celebs & special guests in attendance — J.W. Cortes of Gotham; singer Jena Rose; Crezdon Butler of the Detroit Lions; Evette Holyfield; Karreuche Tran.

Show sponsors — Indie Hair, Fogo de Chao, J.R. Ewing Private Reserve, LightSpeed, Don Q rum, Vegan Therapy, & SOLO (one step gel nails).

Show location — Pier 59 Studios, Chelsea Piers
PR — Amp3PR

Nolcha Designers — Ones to Watch

Posted on March 10, 2015 by SMM

Nolcha Fashion Week kicked off with a huge bang, 4 designers presenting collections, all designated as “Ones to Watch!” For this showing, we had Yvette Hass, Charles & Ron, Mitsou Ly, & Haute Athletics. I’m always impressed by all of the Nolcha designers, especially in the Ones to Watch category. So let’s take a look at what each presented for this spectacular showcase!

CHARLES & RON

Designers — Charles Borg and Ron van Maarschalkerweerd

Last season at Nolcha, I adored every single piece from Charles & Ron. And the Maltese duo design team certainly didn’t let me down this season! The collection not only included some fashionably chic womenswear, but also amazingly stylish handbags.

For their inspirations & design visions, this is what the dynamic duo has to say — “We have made Maltese culture an integral part of our design ethic and our vision is to inspire our clients to be part of the Charles & Ron Mediterranean lifestyle”.

The signature aesthetic for this brand is modern, feminine silhouettes, adorned with graphic prints. Further, the brand strives to to design high-end wearable clothing and bags with a distinct Mediterranean flair and a dedication to superior quality.

YVETTE HASS

So with “Ones to Watch”, the designers are all about being trend-setters. And that is exactly what the Swedish designer, Yvette Hass, embodies. As a designer, Yvette believes in creating mini collections with a high degree of fashion that creates a demand, covet, and a curiosity about what’s next to come.

Her signatures are all about feminine modern silhouettes, leather, silk, beads and feathers. A major inspiration for her given pieces are cultural based, Scandinavian characteristics. There was a lot of shape and texture to these pieces. I appreciated the use of mixed medias — great looks for a bold, confident women.

YVETTE HASS wants to create strong individual pieces rather than a choral collection. The pieces are made for everyday wear, day to night looks. With her designs, they encapsulate essential pieces to build a wardrobe around, easy to combine in color, and long-lasting in both style and extension of upcoming collections.

MITSOU LY

As a designer, Mitsou Ly brings out the unique quality and personality in each piece. Her fashion philosophy is to realize the garment’s distinctive perspective and independent expression. In her quest for style fusion, she captures the subtle variations of vintage and contemporary design. She strives to create effortless, elegant and confident designs that transcend seasons and inspire dress code creativity for all lifestyles.

With her design, you get looks that are modern, elegant, and unconventional, with a touch of romance and subtle drama. Her designs have an element of contrast, blending different colors and materials into a perfect harmony. She gets inspired by the dualities between city and nature, everyday life and sounds of both cityscapes and landscapes – the collaborative contrasts between movement and stillness. Her brand philosophy is all about reinventing cuts and proportions for the modern woman who carries an effortless sense of style with an appreciation for high end designs. MITSOU LY collections are created to accentuate and bring out each person’s individual style and personality.

HAUTE ATHLETICS

Designers — Margarita Ventura & Brian Kolodny

For all of NYFW, in a sea of RTW and gowns, athletic or sportswear is quite refreshing. And with Haute Athletics, it was encouraging to see real athletes as models, including two-time Olympic hockey goalie Brianne McLaughlin. The brand’s mission is to create an active lifestyle boutique that offers unparalleled selection of fashions from around the globe, a superior interactive, multi-media shopping experience, and helps people through our network of partners to live a healthier life.

The various looks are where fashion and performance meet from your workout to the street. Athletic fashion is the uniform today as people from all walks of life and levels of fitness style up or down their looks to transition and adjust to their fast paced, active lifestyles. And I would mantra up just what Haute says & stands by — “Love Hard. Train Hard. Work Hard. Play Hard. Sleep hard. HauteAthletics.com – Sweat. Strut. Shop.”

Celebs & special guests in attendance — Phoenix Mercury WNBA Player Tiffany Bias; Jessica Pimentel of OITNB; Mimi Faust of Love & Hip Hop; Chanel Haynes of Nellyville; Sharna Burgess of DWTS; Hana Nitsche winner of Germany’s Next Top Model.

Hair for all of the shows was courtesy of Indie Hair, while the unique makeup looks were provided by AOFMPro. The hair was pulled back in a low chignon, except for Haute Athletics, where we got to see the luscious waves flowing. And for beauty, the makeup for each show was as follows —

Yvette Hass went theatrical and dramatic with black out eyes;

For Charles & Ron, it was all about a dreamy, romantic look, light nude lip and lightly golden bronzed eyes;

For Mitsou Ly, there a very fresh face, smoky cat eye, lightly blushed cheek;

And finally with Haute, very understate look, natural feel.

Show sponsors — Indie Hair, Fogo de Chao, J.R. Ewing Private Reserve, LightSpeed, Don Q rum, Vegan Therapy, & SOLO (one step gel nails).

Show location — Pier 59 Studios, Chelsea Piers
PR — Amp3PR

Katty Xiomara is all About Re-Evolution!

Posted on March 9, 2015 by SMM

Nolcha Fashion Week is always a huge pleasure of mine to attend and write about when it comes to NYFW. It’s great seeing such talent from emerging, independent designers. So first up for my series of Nolcha posts, the amazing Katty Xiomara!

The Portuguese designer presented “Re-evolution” for F/W 2015. This line claims the right to be a female. It is designed for women who are confident in themselves and their style choices. Nature also played a huge inspiration for these pieces, especially in color choices, whether solid tones or bold prints.

Katty Xiomara’s signature is creating these dynamic, graphic prints. She works wonders with them as she utilizes them in lady-like collared dresses or fashionable separates. Not only were the prints enchanting here, but so too were the colors in general — mint green, maroon, peach, and navy blue.

Xiomara’s designs are crisp and clean with exquisite details. The designer featured geometric abstract embroidery on pockets and collars, offering an unexpected hint of luxury. I always look forward to Katty’s take on collared shirts and chic dresses. I’m always impressed and this season’s options certainly didn’t disappoint!

Hair for the show was courtesy of Indie Hair, while the bold makeup looks were provided by AOFMPro. The hair was pulled back in a low chignon. And for beauty, the makeup was exotic and wild, bright magenta eyes and vibrant peach lips.

Christina Milian was front row & center for the presentation! Also in attendance, Sydney Thomas of Nellyville, celeb stylist Derek Warburton, Miss D.C. Lizzy Olsen, Arthur Mandel, Kerry Bannigan, Elizabeth Flores, Alvester Martin, Paul Salagabo, & K’Nege.

Show sponsors — Indie Hair, Fogo de Chao, J.R. Ewing Private Reserve, LightSpeed, Don Q rum, Vegan Therapy, & SOLO (one step gel nails).

Show location — Pier 59 Studios, Chelsea Piers
PR — Amp3PR

Taoray Wang Goes for Round 2!

Posted on March 9, 2015 by SMM

Taoray Wang is back at Lincoln Center, MBFW, for the 2nd time presenting during NYFW. She has a successful line in China, Broadcast:bo, but it’s great to see her continue to make an expansion into the states!

Taoray Wang for F/W was all about chic, feminine RTW — some great pieces for modern women at work and burgeoning fashionistas alike. For the collection, she used a neutral color palette of grey, black, creme, navy, olive and burgundy to create a collection full of texture, structure, and silhouettes. Over-sized fur trim parkas were thrown over body con dresses, long coats were donned over long dresses. Structured wide legged crop pants had matching crop jackets with over-sized lapels, and boyfriend-esque motorcycle jackets were paired with skinny pants.

Wang played with shapes and silhouettes in textured materials ranging from polyurethane coatings to natural wools. The lineup started off with a polished and refined hand: a gray plaid slim coat worn over a tailored yet feminine pantsuit. Wang continued with an array of great knits in chic neutrals, including sexy dresses and cozy turtlenecks, as well as terrific oversize coats and a minimal approach to evening wear. I’m a huge fan of polka dots though so those pieces were certainly some of my faves here!

There were a lot of standout pieces here. I appreciated and was impressed by the versatility here. She made great use of a wide range of materials, really giving her type of woman lots of options. Again, I adored the polka dot pieces. The leather looks were also top notch. I love practicality in a collection, alongside of a spectacular runway show. And this is exactly what Taoray Wang delivered for the F/W 15 season.

Celebs & special guests in attendance — Kate Nash, DJ Helena, Alexandra Mandelkorn, Ndey Buri, Jessica Minh Anh, Andrew Werner, J. Alexander.

Lupe Gajardo Brings out Long Lines!

Posted on March 8, 2015 by SMM

Yes, yes! This is true. At Lupe Gajardo’s F/W 15 showing at MBFW, Lincoln Center, lines were quickly forming from invitees, right at the door, and still needing to print out tickets. But what was even more astounding was walking outside and seeing a line down Lincoln Center, passing Avery Fischer Hall, of fans hoping to just get in! It was definitely a site to see and the first time I’ve ever seen such lines in my many seasons of attending shows at Lincoln Center.

The inspiration here was themes of birds and the homeless to weave an intricate story of glamor. There were pieces that were a little more minimalistic in nature, more understated, such as LBDs, cable knit sweaters, or maxi tank dresses. But the more avant garde pieces, creative efforts, were what really amplified this collection. There was such fun and spirit seen in this show that I am very eager to see what Lupe has in store for the fashion masses next!

A lot of burlap (coffee/potato sack material) was used here, meaning the collection was very tan! But there were some pops of color in that of olive green, deep burgundy, and bright yellow. Color aside, the innovative use of materials was what truly stood out here — safety pins, feathers, of course burlap, and several types of denim.

Take a closer look at some of the eye-catching details for this collection — the mish-mash of patchwork denim, feather adornments, clutches, and the many uses of safety pin detailings.

Lupe Gajardo’s distinguishing features are beauty; a sense of craft; a strong, confident silhouette; and the marriage of Latin American tradition with the avant-garde. But even more than that, it offers a fresh injection of Latin America’s energy, power and soul for the truly authentic, stylish and daring to experiment and feel. The underlying cultural inspiration is very much infused with this current F/W collection. The pieces are very unique, so bold, and truly showcase what an emerging and young talent Lupe is.

Show credits —

The makeup was provided by MAC and showed a very neutral look. A little shading was done under and around the eyes, but amplified with a bronze enhancer to create a slight smoky eye. And with a nice change from so many nude lips, here we have a lovely, light pink lip.

The hair was curled at the ends and then was undone a bit, and sprayed with TRESemme Dry Shampoo to give it texture, TRESemme Sea Salt Spray to further enhance the natural texture, then given volume with TRESemme Max The Volume. Some of the looks were pulled back with a burlap tie — very unique!

Celebs & special guests in attendance — Chris Avery Bennet, Gregori Lukas, Maria Czarkowski, Kanard Jackson, Dapper Afrika, Nicole Putz, Nicholas Gruber

Georgine Goes Back to the Psychedelic 60s

Posted on March 8, 2015 by SMM

Georgine took us on a journey back in time for her F/W 15 NYFW presentation, held at Lincoln Center for MBFW. The collection was vibrant, brimming with psychedelic furs and funky prints.

The collection sets out to combine the intricate and the simplistic, all the while marrying classic and modern ideals, and blurring the lines between casual and formal wear. The specific inspiration for this collection was Weimar Cabaret in 1920s and 1930s Berlin, mod sensibility of 1960s British designers Ossie Clarke and Biba, and the bright paintings of Richard Lindner and Otto Dix. “I really love how they [Clarke and Biba] had that romantic yet modern sensibility and I wanted to update those things for today,” “There’s also a lot of art deco prints that always somehow come into my collection, very subconscious, but there they are.”

The colors and hues here was fresh and popping, whether as part of a bold print or use on furs. There was shiny mustard yellow, tangerine, navy blue, deep burgundy, and more. There were also touches of gold and gun-metal metallics. To enhance the feel of the early 20th century on suede, cashmere and silk, Ratelband’s team hand-painted garments for a rich, bold pop. “I knew I wanted to use velvet,” she said. “To me it can have an old world feeling and sometimes look dated, so I wanted to play with that. We came up with the idea to design a print, then put it on chiffon –so it’s more sexy, more lighter. And that’s how we came up with it, that’s color story is right there.”

A major aspect of this collection was vintage-vibe, psychedelic furs — wraps, trims, and more! The worked perfectly with this stylized 60s hip girl that Georgine was going for with the f/w 15 showing.

Georgine has always been dedicated to one simple, yet elusive concept: to create beautiful, chic clothing that every woman will feel great about wearing. And with this collection, the designer’s vision will live on!

Up close and personal with the wild details for this collection — pocket squares, fur clutches, leather gloves, and more!

For hair, obviously the models are donning some the same short, black curly wig for show consistency. The leader for this show detail was Ric Pipino for Melville Pipino Salon. You can actually get this look by —

Cut and style wig into strong angled shape; A bob that is short at the back and longer in front. Then flatten at the top, creating a wedge shape.
Smooth curls using Alterna Haircare BAMBOO Smooth Kendi Dry Oil Mist.
Spray with Alterna Haircare CAVIAR Perfect Texture Finishing Spray to perfect and hold the look.
Shine and enhance the curl using Alterna Haircare BAMBOO Smooth Kendi Dry Oil Micromist.

Nails — Patricia Yankee, “Inspire”, matte base color with a metallic shiny deep “v” moon; almond inspired press ons.

But for makeup, it was all about a bold burgundy lip and smoky eye, courtesy of MAC Cosmetics — going for a beautiful and clean “Real Skin” look using Mac Water Weight Foundation, as well as Prep and Prime Powder, for the face.

For the eyes — Creating a edgier look for the eyes blending Deep Purple shade Midnight Well blending it wet under the eye using brushes #219 and #239 in a slight downward direction at outer corners. On the upper eye Deep Purple applied dry in a large shape all the way up to the inner brow and angling down through the crease to the outer corner of the eye. Finish with Extended Play Mascara and an pink/plum blush connecting the eye to the upper cheek bone (cusom color).

And for the lips — Retro Matte Liquid Lips in Oh Lady, with Plum pencil liner in a straight slightly pointed line.

Celebs & special guests in attendance — Kelly Bensimon, Diana Madison, Kelly Rutherford, LuAnne de Lesseps, Kristen Taekman, Sea Bensimon, Derek Warburton, Liv & Mim Nervo, Rachel Brosnahan, DJ Helena, Vanessa Marano, Diana Madiso.