Oversized Glasses & Men's hats- would you commit?

myself for the LoveIsMore campaign

A new trend has been seen all over New York City and the world- over sized, non-prescription glasses. The glasses can be worn alone or topped off with a men's style hat. I got mine from H&M and my glasses from UrbanOutfitters.com.

Celebrities have even stepped up to fall into the trend. Question is, is this a fad? or will this style last for quite a while? Looks like we will have to see.

Whitney Eve- hit or miss?

Whitney Eve S/S '11 collection

Whitney Port, from MTV's "The Hills" and "The City" has really come a long way in her fashion career. Starting off as a new designer, she has had some trouble times with the press and leaders in the industry claiming that she has a lot of work to do. This past fashion week has proved that all wrong. Whitney showed her "Whitney Eve" Spring/Summer 2011 line last Saturday, which was her third collection that she has shown. Stripes, prints, feathers, jumpsuits, seperates, wraps, and jackets were all a part of this trendy collection.

The thing I love most about Whitney's clothes is that they are all completely ready to wear. You can go to your closet and pick out any of the outfits and wear them any time of the day. That will be a key point to her customers once the collection goes on the market. Her inspiration? Combining the femininity and aesthetic of Los Angeles and New York young women.

Whitney Port, showing off her new collection.

Whitney really hit the nail hard with this collection, and I am really excited to see what she has in store for the Fall 2011 Fashion Week!

credit: style.mtv.com

My final experiences with Fashion Week S/S '11

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week for the Spring/Summer 2011 collections has come to a close, and what an experience it has been. I ended up working four shows- Silvio Liu, Indashio, Keep Me (and another one, both ran by People's Revolution), and B. Michael.

I blogged about Silvio Liu and Indashio in a previous post. The two shows ran by People's Revolution were obviously my most exciting shows that I worked. If anyone reading this doesn't know what People's Revolution is.. I don't even know where to begin. Not only is it the number one PR firm in the industry, but  ran by one of the most real women in fashion, Kelly Cutrone. I ran into Kelly again backstage at the Toni Francesc show at Lincoln Center:

myself and the Kelly Cutrone

I only got one picture from the 'two for one' show I worked for People's Rev.

not very good quality, but here is a picture I took from the "Keep Me" show

Guests at the show involved Diane Von Furstenberg, Andre Leon Talley, Russell Simmons, and more. "All American Rejects" lead singer Tyson Ritter was also a model for the show. Before the show started, I put together gift bags and ran whatever errands the management needed me to do. Once the show started, I didn't have any other tasks to do so I watched the show, and I watched Kelly work her magic as she directed from the back of the room.

From being in contact with her assistants, I got to attend the Toni Francesc show and also the Davidelfin show. Both were held at Lincoln Center, the new home of fashion week. (The subway station nearby is actually going to be named the Fashion Line.) Toni was actually in the audience for Davidelfin's show. Toni Francesc based his show on an "urban jungle." I got to sit third row! Here are some pictures:

For the Davidelfin show, I sat second row. Here are some pictures from the show:

The final show that I worked for the week was B. Michael America's show at the Plaza Hotel. I seated guests and ran around the city looking for ribbon. (the perks of being a volunteer.) "B's" collection was to raise awareness for the Haiti benefit, and even had Miss Haiti 2010 as a model for his show. Very inspiring!

second row at the B. Michael show after working it beforehand.

Miss Haiti 2010

So now that the Spring/Summer collections for 2011 are done, everyone in the fashion industry has to wait another six months for the craziest week of the year. What an experience it has been, but this is only the beginning.

my friend Corey and myself

Fashion's Night Out 2010

The evening of September 9^th, 2010 at 6 o’clock P.M. was the kick-off for the second annual shopping event called “Fashion’s Night Out.” The event was started last year in 2009 by designer Diane von Furstenberg and “Vogue” magazine Editor-in-Chief, Anna Wintour.

The event is where designers and other fashion industry leaders come together with customers to raise awareness of the fashion industry. Stores all around the world kept their doors open late for one night only. Some cut down prices to get customers to shop, and can even get the chance to meet their favorite designers. The event was only held in New York City last year, but this year it went global.

Due to the recent recession that the world has been through, the fashion industry has been hit hard. On a CBS news interview, Von Furstenberg told the reporter that Fashion’s Night Out was started due to the economic crisis within the world and in the industry.

"So, to create a real big event in stores is to have the designers go to the shops and meet with the people. To create the excitement of what you can buy now makes so much sense," she said.


Top leaders in the industry all joined together to make Fashion’s Night Out an exciting start to Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. Celebrities took place in events, made appearances, or just walked the streets as they celebrated this exciting event. Icons such as Victoria Beckham and Nicole Richie made appearances at Bergdorf Goodman’s. Tim Gunn also promoted his new book “Gunn’s Golden Rules” at Kate Spade, and other celebrities hit the town.

I went over to Barney's at 5:45 PM and then was told that Mary-Kate and Ashley weren't going to arrive until around 9 PM. So then I headed over to Bloomingdale's to see Michael Kors, and thankfully I did, since he just arrived as I did. Michael is an amazing designer who has become even more famous through the show "Project Runway," which I watch religiously. He's such a nice person, and even complimented my bracelet. Here's the picture of him and I from that night:

designer Michael Kors and myself

After Bloomingdale's I headed down to SoHo to see if I could get a chance to meet Rachel Zoe at Piperlime, but that line was absolutely outrageous. I took a picture of the long line:

massive crowd waiting for Rachel Zoe

While waiting in this massive line, I met a boy named Peter who has a great love for Mary-Kate Olsen like I do. Him, myself, and my best friend here, Kathryn, all decided to head over to Barney's to see Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, since they were going to judge karaoke. Upon arriving, there was THE biggest crowd I have ever seen. I was caught in the middle of it, as well. Fights broke out, people were obnoxiously singing, lots of pushing, it was extremely hot, and it was becoming hard to breathe. It was practically an ant farm with everyone piled up on top of each other. The Olsen's came out about an hour after they were supposed to, so everyone was becoming frustrated. One by one, "celebrities" would come out, such as Jaslene from "America's Next Top Model" and another model, Karlie Kloss.

Jaslene Gonzalez, from "ANTM"

Karlie Kloss, model & ballet dancer

then, finally, came THE Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen. Everyone got excited, of course. Here are pictures I took of them throughout the night:

My night then concluded with walking around midtown with my favorite friends.

Fashion’s Night Out 2010 was a complete success, raking in sales for stores as expected, while customers had a great experience. I know I did. Cannot wait for next year's FNO!

My first two Fashion Week experiences.

Thursday, September 9th- the very first day to kick off fashion week, and the very first time I got to help at a legit New York Fashion Week show- Silvio Liu. 10:30 A.M. was my call time and I was there until about 4. Arriving was a challenge since I didn't expect Shop Studios to be at such a hidden place! I dressed a few models, watched the show, helped out the models as they stood on the boxes, and helped put shoes and jewelry back where they belonged. The owner, Danny Liu, and the designer, Brian Hood, are both intelligent up-and-coming businessmen in the fashion industry.. and I would most certainly love to meet with them again.

dressing and assisting models for the Silvio Liu show.

Last night was my second volunteer opportunity- working "front of the house" at the Indashio show at the Met Pavilion. I got out of class, caught a "taxi" (was actually a biker) and ran through Times Square & Union Square in the pouring rain thinking I was late... but nope. I was an hour early. At least it was all worth it. I made up the gift bags for the first row of seats, went to the store to get Red Bull, and stood and waited to seat people. This other student from FIT and I were the ones closest to the door, which means we helped the most people. Among the audience, it was said, was Amber Rose (Kanye West's ex-girlfriend, who was modeling), P.Diddy's mother, Angelina from "Jersey Shore", and Reco Chapple from "the Fashion Show."

Reco Chapple (from "the Fashion Show") and myself, taken at my school.

After I finish up my classes, I get to go to the Toni Francesc show tonight! Not only that, but I get to attend the after-party. How? I owe it to the Kelly Cutrone, who gave it all to me for free when I met her the other week. She's truly a fabulous lady. Can't wait to blog about it! Stay tuned.

Countdown to the Runway- Fashion Week is here!

Thursday, September 9th is the day that starts the busiest week of the year in this industry- Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. It's finally here!

Designers, models, and other industry leaders are running around as I type this getting ready for this bi-annual spectacular event. Months and even years of preparation go into this week.. all for 7 days. Fashion Week is the chance for famous designers (and rising stars) to show their collections on the runway. The cities that host this event are located in the four fashion capitals of the world- New York City, London, Milan, and Paris. New York kicks it off every year- Fall/Winter collections showing in the Spring, and Spring/Summer collections showing in the fall. It helps show everybody what styles are "in" and "out."

Famous designers expected to show are- Betsey Johnson, Calvin Klein, Diane Von Furstenberg (love her),  Michael Kors (meeting him Fashion's Night Out- *featured on my next blog*),  Ralph Lauren, and Tommy Hilfiger, Vera Wang, and many more. The season finale of the show "Project Runway" also is going to be filmed here, just like previous seasons. The two finalists showcase their collections in Fashion Week- the ultimate for the aspiring designers.

Fashion Week in Bryant Park, 2009

This year's show is much different than all other years. Why? Fashion Week has moved from Bryant Park to Lincoln Center. Bryant Park has been the home to this event since 1993- It's known as the fashion place. Before the move, all the designers left final words on the entrance expressing their views of the move and how Bryant Park has made New York the fashion capital of the world. The move is due to a pro-longed controversy between park management and the designers- the event was getting in the way of the skating rink and public use of the lawn.

Fashion Week is the most exciting and stressful week for all of the fashion industry around the world, and I am in the heart of it all- especially once I show up at Lincoln Center next week. Why? Because I have the honor of being a part of Fashion Week this year. I'm a volunteer- I'll be helping to dress models backstage September 14th. I could not be more excited to finally be a part of something so extravagant that makes this city what it is.

Lincoln Center, the new home of Mercedes-Benz FashionWeek

..and all the hardwork comes down to this.
Let the shows begin!


(images from Google & some info from Wikipedia)

My favorite sport.. with a twist.

Venus' U.S. Open outfit

Acceptable or not?

I am a big tennis fan. BIG tennis fan. I've played the sport since I was 13? 14? and love it. (Which reminds me, I need to find a tennis club in this city..)  Critics around the country are claiming that Venus Williams made a bad choice for the U.S. Open. (It's in Flushing, Queens! I wanted to go but decided to put my money towards the Jimmy Eat World Concert instead.) This outfit was form fitting and kept riding up on the star during the match.. not to mention, bedazzled. The commentators of the event even called it distracting.

 I can obviously relate to why Venus would make this choice. In this sport, girls want to look as cute as possible with their spanks under their skirts. I'm actually wearing one right now in class. They're super comfortable to me and since it's black, I can wear it with anything. But with tennis tops, it's mandatory to try to avoid any fashion disaster. This time wasn't such a hot hit for Venus Williams. Who does she have to look cute for, though? Love means nothing in tennis.