Hey!
So while we all know the names of the season’s hottest young models like Chanel Iman, Jourdan Dunn, and Arlenis Sosa…

… we’ve been spying lots of new and perhaps unknown faces on the runway this season!
Today, I decided to give you guys a rundown of a few lesser known faces in the Fashion Bomb’s Model Manual.
First, we have Hollis Wakeema…
Born in 1984, this Memphis Tennessee native has been ruling the runway since she signed with Vision Management in 2005. She debuted in the Catherine Malandrino’s 2005 fall show, then went on to walk for Vivienne Tam, Marc Jacobs, and Diane von Furstenberg. Now with New York Models, she is the face of Paul Smith Women.
This season, catch her in Douglas Hannant, Nanette Lepore, Benjamin Cho, Marc Jacobs, Sophie Theallet, Chris Benz, Tracy Reese, Abaeté, Rock & Republic, and Rachel Roy.
In past seasons, she’s been plucked by Vivienne Westwood, Baby Phat, Tracy Reese, and Duru Olowu!
Next we have Joan Smalls…
This 20 year old siren of Puerto Rican descent is currently signed with Elite models. In 2008 she became the face of Ports 1961, appearing in their print campaign.
Spot her this season in Ports 1961 and Tracy Reese.
In past years, she’s done Diane von Furstenberg, Sass & Bide, Benjamin Cho, Heatherette, and James Coviello.
Up next: Samira Carvalho Bento…
This 18 year old Brazilian beauty was discovered in Garota da Capa 2002 contest organized by the Brazilian Raca magazine. Signed with Ford models, she debuted by opening and closing Diane von Furstenberg’s Spring collection in September 2007.
This Season she’s stomped in Tracy Reese, Betsey Johnson, and Sophie Theallet. In past seasons, she’s been busy with Alexandre Herchcovitch, Custo Barcelona, Diane von Furstenberg, Heatherette, Monique Lhuillier, Nicole Miller, Betsey Johnson, Baby Phat, Tommy Hilfiger, Yigal Azrouel, and L’Wren Scott.
Finally we have a few up and comers who have been spied on the runway (but their bios are not quite known).
There’s Nana whose been spotted in Tracy Reese and Halston…
Sana Soegaard who lit up the runway at Cynthia Steffe and Tracy Reese…
And Shelby Coleman…
…who also made an appearance in Tracy Reese, but has been seen this season at Threeasfour and Tory Burch…
…and made cameos in the Resort collectins of Akris and Giambattista Valli.
Gorgeous!
Smootches!
Shouts to style.com and nymag.com for images and info.
*Let me know if I missed anyone!

Adriana took in the Milly by Michelle Smith show last night.
Enjoy!
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When I walked into Milly’s Spring/Summer 2009 show, the first thing I noticed was a tall, dramatic Moorish arch painted at the top of the runway. Subtle orange lighting and moody, Arab-influenced music also set the tone for what I thought would be a sartorial Moroccan adventure. Imagine my surprise, then, when the show began and, instead, the lights went super-bright and the music changed to blaring sixties rock. As models sporting raffia cotton, crocheted beanies, and trippy prints began to stride down the runway, it became clear that the bernous and fezes I expected were not to be.

Milly’s collection carries Barneys’ upcoming holiday theme, “Have a Hippie Holiday,” right on through to spring. Billowy peasant dresses, tie-dye, and seemingly homespun embroidery, among other things, dominated the Moroccan influence, which was certainly present in the caftans, lace patterns, and some of the hues. It was clear, however, that designer Michelle Smith took the bulk of her inspiration from the era of flower power and free love (though I learned that her trip to Marrakesh was indeed the likely inspiration for the stage’s setting).

Smith balanced the sixties hippie look with more conservative, streamlined pieces that took their cue from the non-rebellious part of the population during that decade (think”Mad Men”). Nehru-like jackets, silk chiffon blouses with ruffled neck ties, and A-line skirts were done in uber-feminine silks, sateens, and jacquards to satisfy the Milly fans who love the label for its classic feminine tailoring with a vintage feel (like me).

There was nothing really groundbreaking about the collection as the sixties have been done so frequently as to not be much news to anyone. There were some standout pieces, though (a persimmon-colored ruffle sleeve dress, below) and the music itself was so good that I had to ask one of Milly’s reps if they would post the playlist on their Web site when they showcase the collection on it. I saw quite a few heads bopping to it along, too, and while the show’s clothes may not have made waves, it certainly made watching them a lot of fun.
Love, peace, and hair grease,
Adriana

*While I hit up the Russell Simmons and Betsey Johnson afterparties last night, seems Andre Leon Talley was hosting an event for Jennifer Hudson. A few pics:

I must say, Jennifer looks ravishing in red.
*Speaking of JHud, she’s on the cover of Upscale Magazine’s September/October Issue:
…which happens to have a little article on the Fashion Bomb on Page 63!!!
Click to enlarge
It says, “Aside from providing the latest style trends and stories, [the Fashion Bomb] also takes readers on virtual journeys to events like the renowned New York Fashion Week…” Who Me?!?
Pick up your copy of Upscale today!
*And it seems designers are reacting in interesting ways in regards to the ‘Black Model Issue” with some like Sophie Theallet using all black models…
..to others like Betsey Johnson using just one:
Why the extremes? Can’t the runways simply reflect your average New York city street? We’ve got a little bit of everything!

Hey!
So while Adriana took in an afternoon show yesterday, I headed to the tents for Vivienne Tam…

…I took my buddy Stephanie with me into the Promenade…
..and almost immediately caught sight of recent US Open winner Serena Williams sitting front row:
I was excited–I knew my mother (an avid tennis fan) would have died to have me snap a picture with her, but for the moment I sat in my seat and took in the collection. I must admit, seeing Serena might have been the most interesting part of the show:
Tam, raised in Hong Kong, is known for an ‘East meets West’ or ‘China Chic’ sensibility, mirrored in her marriage of Asian inspired tailoring with Westernized fabrics. Chinese influences were evident in high neck dresses with floral appliques:
But with the exception of a few pieces, the collection seemed to be less chic and more reminiscent of a secretary of another generation: think 70’s and 80’s inspired separates and dresses in florals, reds, and pops of purple:
…while lovely, the offerings were almost shocking in their simplicity, and I was left looking for the piece that would make my mouth water.  It came, in part, towards the end of the show, where Tam flexed her skills in cocktails of eye catching colors that melded textures and tones (think satin with sheer, patent leather with chiffon):
…gorgeous. The show ended on a high note, but not quite high enough to offset the rest.
What do you think?
Smootches!
*After the show, I tried to catch Serena, but seems she’s as fast off the court as she is on! Homegirl was gone like lightning, but hopefully I can catch up with her later.
**My dress is by a label named Zoa (currently at Pieces in Brooklyn), Shoes by L.A.M.B (I LOVE THEM!), Jewels by Jenny D, natch.

Adriana does Iodice. Enjoy!
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Iodice is a contemporary Brazilian label known for its denim and simple sophistication, with special attention to easy, feminine silhouettes. The show’s atmosphere was a bustling, excited one as many people new to the Brazilian line seemed to be in attendance. The show was held in the Salon of the Bryant Park tents, the most intimate of the three runway show venues. I could see everything clearly from my seat and, like being up close to a painting in a museum, it made all the difference in observing the clothes’ craftsmanship.The color palette consisted of only five discernable hues: sand, white, deep turquoise, jet black, and a pale mauve. Silk tops with Origami-like folds and ethereal goddess dresses were shown alongside clean-lined trousers, skirts, and dress shorts. The accessories (no jewelry; fingerless gloves; open-toed, strappy, metallic pewter shoe boots) were minimal and added an edge that saved the presentation from being too delicate. Iodice being a Brazilian label there were, of course, several sexy bathing suits and beach ensembles included.

It’s clear that the label would like to replicate its popularity in Brazil here in the States, and likely designed this collection with American consumers in mind (the clothes’ many references to early Halston, Calvin Klein, and Donna Karan seemed to indicate such). Some of the tailoring and draping could have been smarter, and there were a few garments that seemed a bit too derivative, but overall it was a sound collection with pieces that whispered ‘sophistication’ instead of shouting it.

As they say in Brasil, ate logo (until later)!
-Adriana

So Adriana and I met at the tents, looking to cover Fashion Week…

…but decided to grab a drink instead…
..and head over to W Magazine’s New York Affair Party.
The night promised appearances by several celebs, and we weren’t disappointed!
I first snapped a pic with party host Paula Patton, who admitted she didn’t read blogs because of the nasty things they said…
…after I assured her the Fashion Bomb was all good, she took a photo. How cute is she??
I next sidled up to her husband Mr. Robin Thicke…
…who is super tall and cute in person.
I then said ‘Hey’ to Aubrey from Danity Kane who admitted to loving Hairspray…
…but said that Danity Kane was ‘figuring things out’…
Then couldn’t help but stop the beautiful and lovely Stacy Mckenzie (remember her from those Calvin Klein ads)…
…who’s still working as a judge for Canada’s Next Top Model (also check for her for BET’s Fashion meets Movies Show)!
I also met up and coming model Liris Crosse…
…who is currently signed to Wilhemina and has been in several music videos.
It was a fun night!
But we just took one night off…
Stay tuned for more video and Fashion Show Reviews!
Smootches!
PS Had to throw a few patterns in with my Tibi Skirt! Do you like???

Adriana does Miss Sixty!
Enjoy!
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Miss Sixty’s evening show was an even bigger celebrity crush than Rock & Republic’s, and the dazed looks on people’s faces from the number of flashes going off attested to that (or to the bar in the lobby!). Among the stars in attendance: Rosario Dawson, Jay Alexander, Gossip Girl’s Blake Lively, and Ugly Betty’s Becki Newton, all of whom dotted the front rows. The tent was packed to the rafters, and by the time I made my way in, there was no hope of a seat. Fortunately, one of the show’s guards was sweet enough to carve out a space for me at the top of the stairs and I ended up having one of the best bird’s-eye views in the house.

Like Rock & Republic, Miss Sixty is a denim label known for its jeans and sexy contemporary wear. Unlike R&R, however, this collection was, unfortunately, not very cohesive or appealing. While there were individual pieces that merited some note, the clothes as a whole were an example of what happens when a label designs too much for the runway and not enough for the consumer, surprising since Miss Sixty is normally a very accessible line.
A seemingly random hodgepodge of influences, from hippie-chic to 80s fads to punk rock (and more), marked the collection, as did stripes, plaids, psychedelic sixties prints, and graphic designs. Denim appeared in the form of vests, genie pants, and rompers, and the outfits were set off in large part by clunky, high-heeled, open-toe boots paired with multicolored, striped knee-high socks (Are you dizzy yet? I know I was and it wasn’t the flashbulbs this time). There were one or two things you could wear on their own (I thought the colored visors added a playful retro touch, and pair of blue and red-striped tights were fun and made me crave fall weather), but for the most part it was a disappointing show:
But you be the judge F’Bers…
-Adriana