Museum of Art and Design

My sister and I attended the opening of The Museum of Art and Design this weekend. As a part of their celebration the museum was open to the public for free on Saturday.

My favorite exhibit was the SECOND LIVES: Remixing The Ordinary, which consists of taking everyday objects and giving them a second life. Of course there was no picture taking so I stole a couple from the website. The first one is records made into butterfly wall art and the second is a jacket made out of 30,000 dog tags! My favorite was a chandelier made out of eye glasses!!

HEMYCA at London Fashion Week

Helen from HEMYCA sent me pictures of their show at London's Fashion Week.
It makes me want to jet set to Europe - now.

Spring/Summer 2009 collection:

To view more photo from their show, check out ELLE UK.com

Recession Chic

Lehman Brothers...what's next?
Not your chicness!
Embrace tough times with style. A loyal blog reader sent me an article that I would like to share with the rest of you - Chic at Every Price. Remember: you don't have to spend a month's salary to dress yourself head to toe. This article is a testimony to that. Trust me, it will make you feel better knowing Gap is just as good as Gucci.

Hump Day Mix, Vol. 1

Are you looking forward to the weekend? ME TOO!

Enjoy the mix tape I put together to help you get through this hump day.

Fall Must-Have

I want it, I need it...

The open front cardigan sweater. It's perfect for this time of year when it's a bit chilly, but not yet cold. I putting this on my fall must-have list.

You can find this in almost every high-end to low-end retail store. From Bloomingdale's to Forever 21. I hope they are not sold out by the time I get there this weekend!

Book Review: The Little Black Book of Style

My lovely sister bought me this book for Christmas and I finally just got around to read it. I was mostly motivated because Nina Garcia just came out with a new book, The One Hundred: A Guide to the Stylish Pieces Every Girl Most Own.

I plowed my way through this book and loved every minute of it. Nina's knowledge on style and the illustrations by Ruben Toledo are inspirational. I have been feeling in a bit of a 'fashion funk' needing something to uplift my spirits.

What I learned from Nina is - a closet of 5 outstanding pieces of clothing is more inspiring than a closet full of mediocre pieces. I took her advice and wiped out anything that was less than fabulous. I must say my funk has lifted! Next on my list, to update the bones aka the staples. Don't know what I am talking about? Pick up the damn book.

Next on my book list - - Effortless Style by June Ambrose.

Can't get enough of Fashion Week Spring 2009?

Photo: Bryant Park Fashion Week, NY. (My future child -- or me 20 years ago)

To view all of the shows that went on inside of the tent last week go to Mercedes Benz Fashion Week. You can click on the designer and view their spring collection.

The video footage is just like being in the front row - enjoy!

Photo from Abaete's Spring Collection at Fashion Week

And after the show, it's the after-party...

What's a fashion show without an after-party? Throughout the week, we gallivanted around the city to after-parties held at the China Club, AZZA & more. There is nothing I love more than being in a room with beautiful people and non-stop champagne service.

Here are some fashionably chic party go-ers that caught my eye...

The Brits are Coming! Recap

Enjoy photos from the show...

Best of the Brits

Nolcha sponsored The Brits are Coming! show. It featured many of London's design talent. I was impressed with their designs and originality. Those Brits really know what they are doing. Oh, and their pleasant personalities and accents makes you just want to jet set to London tonight.

Before the show I was able to view each designers work on display. Most designers had their Spring 2008 designs out because they are showing at Fashion Week in London this week. They were not giving away any sneak peaks! There are a few designers I feel in love with and have inspired me to expand my horizons.

Catharina Eden's designs are elegant and tasteful. Collections from this work are something you would purchase and wear five years from now. I loved this LBD (Little Black Dress).

HEMYCA's designs are extremely fun and edgy. This dress is amazing! I would rock this around NYC, however I know those of you who are 'burans would be a little hesitant. Come on - you only live once.

Bellanina's designs were right up my alley. I could picture myself wearing these creations day or night. I loved the gray jacket and black dress for during the day. The red dress on the model is perfect for evening wear.

whereareyouknow Josie x designs are not only creative, but very eco-chic. The garments are made from vintage found all around the world. The best part is the garments are sown by retired English women! Josie is not into factory work, she believes in keeping the work local. This dress pictured below was made from a corset and someones 1st place ribbon - love it!

I highly recommend visiting the designers websites and view their collections. If your looking for something different, you will definitely be inspired. Tomorrow I will post the pictures I took at the show.

Fresh Faces in Fashion Recap

GEN ART started off Fashion Week with their event on Wednesday, Sept. 5th. Now in it's fourteenth year Fresh Faces has shown some of the best emerging designers. Fresh Faces has given runway debuts to Zac Posen, Philip Lim and many more. The event was hosted by 90210 original, Shannen Doherty.

I highly enjoyed the show and found it exciting to be watching the work of the next upcoming fashion prodigies. Gen Art teamed up with YOOX to have these collections available for purchase online. Again, I apologize for the photography. I think it's time for an upgrade on the ol' 6 mega pixel Canon I have. You can view professional pictures and videos at Gen Art.org

Here are a few of my favorites for Spring 2009...

Inside The Tent

Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2009 has officially ended for me today. I went to my last show, Best of the Brits. Boy, am I wiped. Who knew fashion shows and after-parties could take so much out of you? I'll be back tomorrow to tell you more about the designers and their collections. For now, I'll give you a peek inside the tent at Bryant Park.

The shoe collection surrounding the centerpiece is a dedication to the 70th Anniversary of the Wizard of Oz. Each designer that showcased this past week created their own ruby red slippers.

My personal favorites were Betty Johnson's version.

Sponsors ranged from MAC Cosmetics, Havaiana's, Office Max, M&M's, Judith Ripka, I Love Italian Shoes, TREsemme and T- Mobile.


Of course, Adri and I enjoyed primping in the TRESemme Lounge. TRESemme is coming out with a new line of products and we were able to test them out. I highly recommend the Curl Hydration for those of you who have locks like me.

What I love the most about Fashion Week is the networking that goes on. I love meeting new and interesting people who love fashion as much as I do. The T-Mobile lounge was serving Sunset cocktails to promote the new Blackberry Sunset. I happen to stumble upon Mr. Jamieson Hill. This kind man answered all of Adri's questions about the Blackberry - even though he was not affiliated with T-Mobile. Jamieson is really DJ Remixer/Producer/Actor/Entrepreneur.

Here we are checking out the Sunset Blackberry (aka just posing). Like Jamieson's jacket?? Check out his gear on his website - Jamieson Hill.com

Other new friends include, hip-hop group RETRO (stay tuned for website information). They made quite the entrance inside the tent. People were lined up to take pictures with them - including this woman in the middle.

Well that's a rap (no pun intended, Retro) for now.
Don't worry I'll be back tomorrow fashion lovers!! xoxo

Rachel Zoe's "Shutting It Down"

Last night was the premiere of The Rachel Zoe Project on Bravo. Despite the rumors I have heard about of Zoe, I love her work as a stylist - the girl knows fashion. What I love about her is that she is not afraid to take risks and go over the top (as you can see in her choice of clothes). I was interested to see how this show would portray her. I LOVED it. Just by watching the show you can tell what a fashion lover she is.

My favorite is her terminology. When describing something fierce she says, "you're shutting it down". Ha, looove it! Tune into Bravo on Tuesdays @ 10pm. You'll be just as hooked as I am.


Photography: New York Magazine

The MADNESS!

Yes, I am still alive in the midst of Fashion Week madness.

I am attending shows and after-parties, while trying to juggle my work schedule. I now realize why everyone was complaining about not getting enough sleep during the Olympics. Well these are definitely my kind of games!

I have one more show and after-party left, then I can devote all my time to blogging about the Spring 2009 collections.

Less than 24 hours...

...until the tent opens at Fashion Week in Bryant Park!!!

Tonight I will be attending the GEN ART event - Fresh Faces in Fashion - which showcases emerging designers.

Stay tuned for details!

Fall Color Report

In lieu of the Fall 2008 season, it's about that time to switch up our color palettes - get excited!

PANTONE puts together a Fashion Color Report for the fall and spring season. Along with the color palette, there are pages and pages of sketches by the designers who showcase at NYC Fashion Week. You can download the 33-page report at Pantone: Fashion + Home.

ENJOY!

The NEW 90210?

Ok, I know I wasn't the only one hooked to the TV for the past 2 hours. The NEW 90210 premiered tonight and I must admit - it was a bit cheesy. I wasn't really impressed with the fashion either. This show ain't got nothing on Gossip Girl! I will give them props on those killer shoes Daphne (second one in from the right) is wearing in this ad.

It looks like Daphne is the only one getting the hook-up in the wardrobe department. This bathing suit and headband combo catches my eye every time I am on the subway. FIERCE!

What's your take on the new 90210?

Oh, it's the most wonderful time of the year!

Photography by Ronald Smith

It's truly bittersweet to say 'goodbye' to summer and a BIG 'hello' to fall. As much as I love the sandy beaches of the east coast, it feels good to be back in the Big Apple. You can feel the energy from everyone as they return from their summer destinations.

I don't know about you but after a refreshing summer, I am ready to roll in FALL 2008! There is so much to look forward to this season I am giddy with anticipation. First of all, let's start off with the countdown to Mercedes Benz Fashion Week. T-MINUS 4 days!! God, I love this time of the year. Why? This is the best time of year to read Vogue and New York Magazine, they dedicate their September issue to fall fashion. I am still working my way through all 798 pages of Vogue and only briefly skimmed NY Mag.

I have started to compile a list of things I am looking forward to this season:

+ Mercedes Benz Fashion Week (of course)
+ the return of fashion-inspired television! i.e. The Hills, Gossip Girl, 90210, The Rachel Zoe Project & Lipstick Jungle.
+ adding the following to my never-ending book list - Nina Garcia's The One Hundred & Candace Bushnell's One Fifth Avenue
+ the opening of Sweetpie in the West Village
+ O.P.I.'s France Collection
+ designer makeup artist, Jemma Kidd available at Target
+ visiting the Gothic: Dark Glamour Exhibition at The Museum at FIT
+ the premiere of Fashion Rocks on Tuesday, Sept. 9th @9pm CBS

Well, that's all for now. What can I say?
Nothing, except it's the most wonderful time of the year!!!