Hey!
Yesterday the Fashion Bomb was in the building for the ARISE Fashion Show. While the presentation had tons of highlights like Sessilee Lopez, Chanel Iman, Arlenis Sosa, and Tyson Beckford stomping the runway (review to come), I couldn’t have been more excited than to catch up with Dwight of the Real Housewives of Atlanta Backstage after the show:
He had some fun newsy tidbits for us:
Enjoy!
Hey lovelies,
Adri here, filing my first report from the NYFW scene!
Thursday afternoon I hit up what’s so far been the best show (for me) of the season, model-turned-designer Lois Samuels’ launch of her collection, the Vessel.
The Jamaican-born Lois (above)–who’s modeled for everyone from ESSENCE to Vogue, Banana Republic to Calvin Klein–was inspired by “menswear as well as the uniform” for her Spring 2010 collection.
As Lois told me backstage, “I grew up in a society where having a uniform was so important. I think it gives calm to the chaos, and in a time like this you want to invest in something that’s multi-seasonal, comfortable, sexy, and not the fad–something that’s going to last.”
Indeed, the pieces were well-tailored, timeless, and rife with an understated panache I termed “prefect-chic.” For those of us with ties to the Carribean, especially, the uniform look is very familiar and makes you nostalgic for home!
Aside from the funky edge of the clothes, what I most enjoyed about the show were the models, which reflected the diversity of peoples you find in the West Indies (black, white, Asian, Latino), and just in the world, period. Models of all hues and backgrounds were presented in a gorgeous, inclusive kaleidescope that made you wonder, “Why can’t other designers follow suit?” Hmm…
Aside from chatting up the gracious Lois, I also ran into Stacey McKenzie, model extraordinnaire and a fellow Jamaican compatriot of the designer!
After the Vessel show, I headed uptown to pick up my Zipcar ride and make my way out to Macy’s in the Queens Center Mall, where I was scheduled to cover Anna Wintour’s Fashion’s Night Out event. Unfortunately, I made it about a quarter-mile from the crib before getting into a minor fender bender. Booo!
But as fate would have it, I ended up having a much better FNO than I could have imagined. How many writers can say that their ER doc recognized them right away and turned out to be a die-hard Fashion Bombshell?
That’s me and one of our fabulous readers, Dr. Uché Blackstock, who checked me over and pronounced me fit to return to my NYFW duties. The Fashion Bomb community really takes care of its own. Now that’s truly Hot!
~Adri
Increasing awareness of a certain product and providing consumers information about it are just two of the tasks promotional models perform.
I was out on the street last night and spied a few fashionable men in hot sneakers:
Turns out they were wearing designs by Alejandro Ingelmo, a Parsons educated and New York based shoes and accessories designer.
I’d actually seen Ingelmo shoes on friend and stylist Darius of YRB Magazine:
And it seems the brand has men’s and women’s shoes that average around $500:
Splurgeworthy, but fab!
Check ’em out at www.alejandroingelmo.com.
Hey!
So yesterday afternoon I went to Milk Studios for the L.A.M.B by Gwen Stefani presentation. The brand’s offsite location offered a unique way of viewing the collection. Instead of struggling to see everything at a fast clip, we could all stand as the models displayed the items before us:
Gwen used lots of bias cuts, draping, and ruching in this spring collection, mixing animal print and neutrals with seemingly Caribbean inspired brights of green, yellow, and blue.
Some of my favorite pieces included a tie dye bubble dress, an off shoulder Vivienne Westwood like plaid shirt, and a ruffled jumpsuit with royal blue and citron.
While I liked the collection, I really fell in love with the bright, droolworthy accessories:
Gwen kept the color going in bags and shoes with neon totes, colorful platforms, and razor sharp stilettos.
After the show I asked Gwen for a snapshot, and she happily obliged:
It was a fun time!
Tonight I’m rushing to the tents for the Nicole Miller and Arise Fashion Shows!
Follow me on twitter at www.twitter.com/thefashionbomb to get the minute- to-minute fashion goss.
Smootches!
So last night I eschewed the hubbub of Manhattan to cover Fashion’s Night Out at my favorite boutique Pieces in Brooklyn:
Owner Latisha Daring was launching her new contemporary line, Ashtyn, and was also exhibiting lots of indie and emerging Brooklyn designers whom I met and chatted with throughout the night:
The first person I discovered was Melissa Carter, owner of Worn Revolution, a women’s line that fuses vintage with contemporary street wear. She maintains that Worn Revolution is for all the recessionistas of the world who love high fashion, but hate high prices. See more at www.wornrevolution.net and www.ebay.com/worn-accessories.
Next I bumped into Gwen Frempong-Boadu of Gwyneth Shoes. Gwen has designed shoes for Sam and Libby, Kenneth Cole, and helped launch Steven by Steve Madden! Her chic designs average around $130 and run up to a size 14! See more at www.gwynethshoes.com.
I had a great time talking to Cherise TrahanMiller, Creative Director of Adha Zelma (www.adhazelma.com), a jewelry line that uses feathers, semi precious jewels, and stones to create one-of-a-kind necklaces, hair pieces, and bracelets.
I chatted it up with Crystal, designer of EllyClay contemporary handbags. Her studded and fringed creations are made for the fashionable working woman and range in price from $250-$595. Check them out at www.ellyclaynyc.com.
And lastly I was delighted to meet Towana Phillip, the designer of To’Sha Knits, an eclectic line of handbags and t-shirts. Towana went to FIT and interned at Laundry by Shelli Segal and Max Studio before launching her own collection. See her fabulous bags at www.toshaknits.com.
After chatting with the resident designers, I took pix of the cutting edge and ever fashionable crowd!
Take a look:
Where to begin? I loved this look! I appreciated the mixture of high and low (Chanel Bag with Sweatshirt), the over the top hair, and the layered Hermes bracelets! This fashionista knew how to bring different elements together into stylish synergy.
These friends looked chic and simple in a black jacket, layered necklaces, and skinny jeans on the left, and a patterned romper on the right.
These two ladies turned it out with unique hairstyles and colorful tones. I found out that diva on the left is Tracy Balan, hairstylist at Imperial Coiff (www.imperialcoiff.com).
And I talked fashion and style to these girls, so much so that I convinced one of them to purchase my MK2K Jersey Dress!
All in all it was a great time!
Check out all the designers’ sites, or simply visit Pieces at 671 Vanderbilt at Park Place in Brooklyn to purchase. Visit their site at www.piecesofbklyn.com to see their new Ashtyn line, scope their blog at www.piecesofbklyn.blogspot.com, and feel free to call them at (718) 857-7211.
They’re the bomb!
Smootches!
Ever since the Gucci Cruise 2009 show, everybody’s been wanting an agate stone cuff. Arden B hits the right note with this Agate Stone Cuff Bracelet:
 The hammered texture gives the cuff a more severe look, so be sure to pair it with something feminine and soft. You can get it here for $28.
~Vuitton
Adding a little fun to your wardrobe isn’t strictly for clothes! Get funky pieces like these Iosseliania Feather Post Earrings from La Garconne:
They’re not your momma’s earrings, but we’re pretty sure she’ll be bothering you to wear them. They ring in at $221 and can be purchased here.
~Vuitton
Hey!
So while we prepare a rundown of yesterday’s events, here are a few tips on how to get your fave Fashion Week celebs look for less!
Amerie was spied later on yesterday in a striped top, black jacket, white skirt, and open toe shoe boots:
Get her look with these fly options:
We also found a full pic of Keri from the BCBG show:
Channel this fashionable diva with these:
As you know, Solange was spied wearing a vintage black jacket, black leggings, and three strap heels:
Get the look with these:
And lastly Amber Rose was spotted at Paper Magazine’s 25th anniversary gala:
Get her simple yet sexy all black look here:
Stay tuned for the best of NYFW!
Smootches!
One would think Paris Hilton wouldn’t become part of the crowd that rips off other people’s design, but I was proved wrong:
Her “Senorita” peep toe pump bears striking resemblance to Valentino’s Bow Peep-Toe pump. Aside from the pink heel and difference in patent leather quality, there aren’t many obvious differences between the two. But which would you rather get? Valentino’s at $695, or Paris Hilton’s at $89?
~Vuitton
