Archive for the ‘Designers’ Category

Ports 1961 Spring 2011 Sneak Peek

Ports 1961 Spring 2011 Sneak Peek

I’m lucky enough to be once again attending the Ports 1961 show this season (it was wonderful this past February and the very first show I got to see in the Tents so it will always hold a fond place in my heart :) ) and if this sneak peek sketch from the upcoming show this Friday is a hint of what’s to come, I cannot wait. This chartreuse color is a favorite of Andrea’s for good reason and I just know this dress is going to be killer when it struts down the runway on some slinky model.

This season, Ports 1961 designer, Fiona Cibani, draws inspiration from the magic allure of the desert. With delicate mirage abstractions and a landscape in constant evolution as her muse, Fiona crafts a collection within a realm of harmonic contrasts.

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modman monday 08 : its that time of year – nyfw.

DVF - FNO Digital Invite modman monday 08 : its that time of year – nyfw.

If you haven’t heard from your friends on Facebook, twitter or blogs, the weather in New York has been amazing. The temperatures have stayed at high-70s/low-80s with cool breezes that linger for just the right amount of time. Labor Day weekend historically marks the end of summer and the beginning of fall, and this weekend has been just that.

The weather has got people buying up fall’s biggest trends, which include coats, full pants and skirts in shades of camel and olive, minimalistic influenced-everything, along with shearling jackets, military-inspired pieces and commanding boot booties. If you haven’t started shopping for fall yet, don’t fret! Fashion’s Night Out is here for you. I reported on the Fashion’s Night Out press conference two weeks ago, along with retailers taking part in FNO in Los Angeles and San Francisco. Since then, countless new events have been posted to the Fashion’s Night Out website. Some noteworthy events in New York City include:

1) For the foodies: The Andaz 5th Avenue joins forces with Vogue Food Critis Jeffrey Steingarten and celebrity chef David Chang to host an evening of tastings. Cook with artisanal whiskeys and specialties from the amazing Momofuku! (Andaz 5th Avenue 485 Fifth Avenue, 6pm – 9pm). How amazing does that sound?

2) For the teens: The Teen Vogue Block Party (West Village Street Block, New York NY 10014), sponsored by ASOS, will include a full fashion show and live performance by VV Brown. The party will be hosted by Shenae Grimes (of 90210).

3) For the active: The adidas store (610 Broadway NY NY 10012) will host a yoga class with adidas yoga ambassador Elena Brower. Make sure to be on top of your game, as the first 40 people signed up get to take part and receive a free yoga mat. Shoppers also get a chance to win a free night at The Fairmont Hotel or a private yoga session with Brower.

4) For the Barbie/Ken obsessed: Ken (as in Barbie’s ex) is making a big comeback. Ken will travel around town in a mobile truck (Mobile Truck on Fifth avenue New York NY 10014). You can track the location of the Ken vehicle via Facebook, Twitter and foursquare. The hunt for Ken will end in the Meatpacking District, where you can take pictures with real Kens. (RSVP and get more info here).

5) For those who love tight-knit communities: The area around Bergen Street, Brooklyn is in for a lot party with 10 neighboring businesses pitching in – food and drink by Bark Hot Dogs, Melt and Sun In Bloom, Charity Raffle for Brooklyn’s Center for Anti-Violence, Photo Booth, DJ, and participation from retailers Eponymy, Babeland, Lululemon, Bump, Bergen Street Comics, Ride Brooklyn, and Private Stock. The in-store event (466 Bergen Street Brooklyn NY 11217) features an ice sculptor, old-fashioned drinks by Weatherup bar, and much more.

6) For the stylists: Kai-aakmann (28 Bond Street New York NY 10012) will host “Style Intersection” in which guests can personally style a male and a female model, illustrating the versatility of the unisex component that’s central to the brand. Guests will have five minutes to select Kai-aakmann samples and then create one look on each of the models. Each guests looks will be photographed and posted on the official Kai-aakmann facebook page. Kai-aakmann is utilizing Facebook to garner likes from fans and the person who gets the most likes will win a $500 gift card from Kai-aakmann. How great is this? The perfect opportunity to showcase your skills!

7) For the French: Opening Ceremony will ring in Fashion’s Night Out with a French flea market staged in the lobby of the Ace Hotel. Inspired by the famous Les Puces de Saint-Ouen market in Paris, the French flea market concept coincides with the launch of France as O.C.’s country of focus for 2010-11. Brands will have their own flea market booths with exclusive items and designers will be present to meet fans and enjoy the festivities. Participating brands include agnès b., Alexander Wang, Band of Outsiders, Collette, Deyrolle, Joseph Altuzarra, Keds, Ladurée, Patrik Ervell, Proenza Schouler, Rodarte, and more.

8 ) For the high-tech: Diane von Furstenberg takes Fashion’s Night Out to the digital universe with The DVF and HP Experience Lounge, a multimedia event that will transform the DVF boutique and gallery into an interactive fashion playground. Hosted by Refinery29.com, the evening will feature cutting-edge fashion installations, complete with a ‘Fall Favorites’ photo booth featuring DVF items curated by Refinery29.com editors on display for shoppers to utilize when browsing their most-desired DVF looks. Photos can be printed, posted to Facebook or streamed live into the lounge on social feed monitors, allowing guests to engage with the fashion community and interact with DVF. Computer terminals and touch screens will feature up-to-the-minute news about FNO from around the city, and the world!


9) For the kids, or the inner kid in you:
Dylan’s Candy Bar (1011 3rd Avenue Manhattan NY 10065) & Savannah College of Art and Design present the most mouth watering of all Fashion Night Out parties! Get a sugar high with sweet tunes spun by DJ MSG, play fashion police and shoot fashion victims with flying marshmallows from the signature Dylan’s Candy Bar Marshmallow Gun, and sip on candy cocktails, compliments of Ed Hardy Vodka.

10) For girls who love to play Hollywood dress up: From 6-9pm, Frederic Fekkai Fifth Avenue Salon at Henri Bendel will present an interactive red carpet experience for FNO. Fashionistas will become the celebrity selecting from five award-winning Marchesa moments.The Fekkai hair and make-up team will re-create these signature styles while your personal dresser waits to outfit and accessorize you in a Marchesa dress, House of Lavande jewelry and Christian Louboutin shoes.The City star Olivia Palermo, will be on the red carpet styling and instructing how to pose. Participants will get a photo sent via email or SMS for Facebook/Twitter. Talk about red carpet treatment!

And one for the lucky: Volkswagen is making it easier for you to travel from show to show, shop to shop. Volkswagen will have a fleet of vehicles, including the 2011 Jetta, to transport people to and from New York City neighborhoods when you present a shopping receipt from FNO participating retailers, of course!

Designated locations include Greene Street New York NY 10012 and 5th Avenue at 51st Street New York NY 10022. And I say “for the lucky” because I imagine there won’t be enough cars to move the MASSIVE amounts of people that will be out for Fashion’s Night Out. Good luck!

One more day of rest and the craziness begins! Fashion week starts this Wednesday and will continue through to mid-next week. I’ll be all over town for NYFW and will try to hit up as many places as I can for FNO. I’ll be off for modman monday next week, but be sure to follow my adventures @mm_modman! Will you be partaking in any Fashion’s Night Out and/or New York Fashion Week events? @ me to connect!

Super excited!
_the modman

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Designer on the Rise: Whitney Pozgay

Designer on the Rise: Whitney Pozgay

Naturally, I love the name of the line designer Whitney Pozgay has created seeing as it is WHIT, but Whitney has a lot more going for her with the debut of her line this past Spring. Featuring playful separates, structured designs and a subtle mix of neutral solids and pops of color, Whitney is set to follow in the footsteps of her aunt, a woman you may know…the Kate Spade.

I first learned of Whitney when I saw one of her darling skirts in this month’s issue of Bazaar. Whitney began her fashion career working for her aunt desgining cold weather accessories. In 2007, she became lead women’s wear designer at Steven Alan where she also spearheaded and designed women’s collaborations including Steven Alan for Uniqlo and Urban Outfitters’ brand Lark and Wolff.

Whitney launched WHIT for the fall 2010 season and if her lookbook for this season is a sign of things to come, I’m already looking forward to seeing what this designer on the verge has in store for us past Fall 2010. She’s already had her designs scooped up by Barney’s, but you can also find them at other boutiques. Find your nearest location that stocks WHIT here.

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Emmy’s 2010: WIT & Whimsy’s Best Dressed

Emmy’s 2010: WIT & Whimsy’s Best Dressed

Lea Michele in Oscar de la Renta

Claire Danes in Armani

Jennifer Carpenter

The girls really pulled it out at tonight’s Emmy’s and I loved the majority of the looks that graced the red carpet. These are just a couple of those I liked. I also thought Tina Fey looked stunning and picked a great dress for her figure, but kind of loathed January Jones’ Versace futuristic look.

Did you have a favorite from tonight? If so, who?

Have you entered the Polyvore styling contest WIT & Whimsy is running?! You could win a sweet $1K just for picking your Fall fashion favs! Enter here!

Vena Cava teams up with Aqua

Vena Cava teams up with Aqua

It’s no secret that Bloomingdales is one of my favorite stores….just one look at what I charge on my Bloomies card and you’ll get an idea. The Aqua brand made exclusively for the store is always on-point with the latest trends and pieces at an affordable price. Soon the Aqua brand will debut pieces designed by the quirky pair behind Vena Cava.

On September 1, the collection will be available at Bloomingdales across the country and online – we can’t wait to get our hands on these pieces. The collection includes a good mix of skirts, tops and dresses that are reasonably priced (more expensive than normal Aqua duds, but cheaper than the main Vena Cava line). We can’t wait to get our hands on the accordion pleated skirt and the silk chiffon ruffle dress….both have a perfect blend of fall trends and feminine touches.

Vena Cava for Aqua

Vena Cava for Aqua

Vena Cava for Aqua

Vena Cava for Aqua

*photos courtesy of Bloomingdales

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Getting to know Jimmy Choo’s Tamara Mellon

Getting to know Jimmy Choo’s Tamara Mellon

One of my fashion bibles is Harper’s Bazaar. And one of the lust-worthy brands I adore is Jimmy Choo which is why it is so lovely when two such wonderful things come together in one like the current issue of Bazaar. In it, Jimmy Choo founder Tamara Mellon opens the doors to her new New York apartment, and discusses her new life.

Looking at her shoe closet in the magazine, one phrase comes to mind and it’s that of Rachel Zoe’s, “I Die.” Because honestly, look at this. Could one’s shoe karma be any more amazing?!

Douglas Friedman for Harper's Bazaar

In the article, Tamara takes readers on a tour of her home on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, a mix of high art and glam minimalism, and poses with her daughter, Minty. In the interview, she opens up about her lifestyle, overcoming challenges, and building the Jimmy Choo empire.

On her new life in New York: “Last year was the best and worst year of my life, a breakthrough year for me,” Mellon explains. “I’ve moved here and managed to clear up a lot of the wreckage. I feel like I’ve arrived in New York with a clean slate, and I have a whole new set of challenges ahead of me. And I find that invigorating.”

On building the Jimmy Choo empire: “I’ve paid my dues in this business,” she says. She started working when she was 18 at the London fashion emporium Browns. “At the time, I thought, ‘Why am I doing this? I hate this!’ But the lesson I learned was so valuable: I learned retail.” She later met Jimmy Choo, a London cobbler, and the rest is a fashion fairy tale. “But still, when someone asks about a career in fashion, I say start at the bottom,” she says. “If you want to start a business, you have to know it from the ground up.”

You can read the interview in full here, but highly recommend picking up a copy to see all the drool-worthy photos from Tamara’s incredible apartment.

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Shoe crush: Alexandre Birman

Shoe crush: Alexandre Birman

In Saks’ newsletter today they featured new shoe designers that you won’t want to miss. Naturally, being a total shoe obsessed girl, I clicked through and fell in love with Alexandre Birman’s designs, especially the two below. How great is this first pair?!

Alexandre Birman Triple Band Wedge sandal, $395

Alexandre Birman Dip-Front Wedge boot, $525

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