New Designers To Show At Mercedes Benz Fashion Week

Welcome new designers! I look forward to seeing what you put down the runway this season!

Allegri: Founded in 1971, Allegri has specialized in outerwear and rainwear and it is known for its extensive fabric research to create garments that offer the ultimate protection from the elements.

Callulla Lillibelle: Designers William Calvert and Melanie Fraser Hart create their collections to reflect the diverse range of women’s needs, including style, comfort, and price.

Christian Cota: This Parisian designer attributes his passion for design to his first muses, his mother and his late grandmother, saying “their manner of dress and their poise was always an education in elegance. They define the word.”

Elene Cassis: Long Island native, Cassis started her own signature collection in June of 2009 and has already caught the attention of top retailer Neiman Marcus, along with over 30 other noted specialty stores nationwide.

Frank Tell: Frank Tell describes his new collection in light of the recession, “the Recession killed cocktail dressing. It’s too precious. Women don’t want to buy something they will only wear once and then sit in their closets. What is needed are extraordinarily crafted pieces that can be worn in an everyday way.”

G-Star Raw: Pierre Morisset, G-Star’s head designer, is one of the most important stylists in the denim world. He is creating tomorrow’s authenticity today. He is considered by many to be the denim specialist “le chirurgien du jean” (the jeans surgeon).

Guishem: This Latin American designer, Guillermo Jop specializes in eveningwear; Jop’s designs incorporate draping and innovative pattern cutting.

Irina Shabayeva: Born in Georgia, Shabayeva honed her skills there creating luxurious garments for celebrity clientele, positioning her as a talent to be reckoned on the 6th season of “Project Runway.”

Joy Cioci: Sexy, romantic and influential personal inspirations play into each one of Cioci's meticulous designs to provide a versatile collection that women gravitate to for everyday effortless wear.

Lublu Kira Plastinina: Inspired by her own lifestyle, Kira Plastinina designs prêt-a-porter clothes for a girl who is always on-trend.

Maisonette 1977: Jane Ibrahim, originally from Hong Kong, brings an expressive, innovative spirit tempered by taste and expert execution to her designs.

Porter Grey: New York based designers Alexandra and Kristen O’Neill build on versatile foundation pieces to create beautiful garments infused with an urbane elegance and relaxed sophistication.

Sachin + Babi: Sachin and Babi have successfully translated their vision of modern luxury into a lifestyle brand that is accessible for today’s design savvy consumer. Their designs feature an array of exclusive products including pillows, bedding, ready to wear, and accessories.

Son Jung Wan: Son Jung Wan is one of the largest Korean designer labels in the country with over 37 billion won (34 million dollars) in sales for 2009 and a total of 37 stores carrying the brand.

Tess Giberson: In addition to Giberson’s success in the fashion industry, this American designer’s work has been commissioned for exhibitions by several galleries in New York, Paris and Tokyo.

Vacca: Julie Vacca aims for her line to have a balance of fashion, tradition and luxury. She explains, “I am a person who loves to work but at the same time I have a balance of life where I need clothing for many occasions including travel and cocktail receptions. The most important is for me to feel comfortable in what I am wearing.”

Text courtesy of racked.com

Another Chance To Go To Fashion Week!!

Don't fret! Polyvore.com offers yet another chance to go to fashion week! Fabulous Prizes!

"Dress the icon of chic, Bergdorf Goodman's Fashion Director Linda Fargo, for Fashion Week!"

"Style a look that's both warm and fabulous for Linda to wear front row in the tents at Lincoln Center using pieces from Linda’s closet. You might just win the chance to join her at a runway show!

Linda will personally choose one winner to attend a runway fashion show with her and receive a $2,500 Bergdorf Goodman gift card, a hair and make-up re-style, and a private personal shopping experience."

Let Your Lips Do The Talking

Some interesting statements were made at this year's multiple fashion weeks. Their mouths may not have been moving, their lips certainly said it all!

What do you think the following designers are trying to say?

German designer Patrick Mohr at Berlin's Mercedes Benz Fashion Week:

Shocked? Don't be! Take a look at his work from years previous:

Vivienne Westwood Fall 2011 Menswear Collection:

With all of this attention focused on the kisser, I have the sudden urge to dress mine up too! If you are feeling bold, try lipstick in orange, purple or bright pink for a modern yet funky look. Remember though: keep everything else simple and let the lips do the talking!

Photos courtesy of zimbio.com, style.com and temptalia.com

Win A Trip To New York Fashion Week!

"Accessories designer Rebecca Minkoff is staging her first show at New York Fashion Week next month, and she’s turning to online styling community Polyvore to find a stylist for the show."

"From now until the morning of January 24, users can create fashion collages with pieces from Minkoff’s spring collection and submit them to the contest. Minkoff will select her favorite look and fly the winner to New York City for three days to help her style the show. He or she will also have a seat in the audience during the event.

The lucky winner will perhaps be seated next to the winner of another recent Minkoff-sponsored contest on Polyvore, in which more than 4,000 users competed to design the brand’s next “morning after clutch” using photographs of materials selected by Minkoff herself. The winning clutch will go on sale this spring under the Rebecca Minkoff label."

Visit http://www.polyvore.com/ for a chance to win!

Text and video courtesy of mashable.com

Let it Snow Let it Snow Let it Snow!

Look at this snow!! I went into work this morning but was sent home five hours later because of this weather. I half expected a snow day this morning, being from Seattle and all. There, even a chance of snow means no school or work. At least I’m starting to feel better though.

Tomorrow is the start of fashion week! Still haven’t heard what show I’ll be able to attend (I’m hoping I still get to). Click on the link to find out the schedule. http://www.mbfashionweek.com/newyork/fall2010/schedule/index.html

To date, these Alexander McQueen python shoes for Spring/Summer 2010 runway, have been the most extraordinary, amazing and absurd designer goods that I've seen. They remind me of hooves or even crab claws, which seems to make sense, since this collection has a very reptilian influence. They are 12 inch heels (at only 5’3, maybe I should invest in a pair, I’d totally wear them and I’d still be shorter than my boyfriend)! These shoes (or stilts rather) were very controversial, so much so that three models including Sasha Pivovarova, Natasha Poly and Abbey Lee Kershaw (who walked in Victoria’s Secret 2009 fashion show) refused to participate. Abbey had previously fainted at a Spring 2009 McQueen show due to a too-tight corset and has fallen and almost fallen during Rodarte’s shows because of too-tall heels as well. Click on the following link to watch Abbey share her opinion and experiences:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/02/10/model-abby-lee-kershaw-ta_n_456793.html

I love how structured all of the garments are and how they resemble dinosaurs and/or butterflies. While it may look a little out of place in everyday wear, the shoes are selling extensively and it’s no surprise that Ms. Lady Gaga dawns them in Bad Romance.

In other McQueen news, Alexander just announced that Nicole Fox (winner of America’s Next Top Model cycle 13—the petite competition) will be the face of his Spring/Summer 2011 collection! This gives hope to all of the little people out there, not to mention, she’s the first contestant to receive an international campaign!

McQueen photos courtesy of http://www.bryanboy.com/bryanboy_le_superstar_fab/2009/10/alexander-mcqueens-python-armadillo-shoes-spring-2010.html

and www.style.com

What's in Store?

So I’m not sure what the upcoming week has in store but the rest of last week was pretty busy. Since the swim story is over, it is now time to return all 16 or so racks of swimsuits! Tomorrow, we are staying until 9:00pm (at the latest) to organize and return them, with dinner provided. I’m sick though, congested and sore throat, ugh hopefully I’m better by the morning. Also, this week is the beginning of fashion week (February 11-18) and my boss told me that she will give me some shows to attend (not sure which though)!!! I will let you guys know as soon as I find out.

So recently it has been ungodly cold in New York, between the upper teens and lower twenties! Here are a few new items that are both appropriate for this weather and make me feel like a real New Yorker!

(knee-high) boots, hat, glasses, red lipstick, (sleeping bag) coat, (faux fur) coat