A New Generation: Aaron Brown Debuts New Music and Fashion Line In Hollywood

 Aaron Brown, son of musician George Brown who played in the legendary 70s funk band KOOL and the Gang debuted his music and fashion taste at an intimate party at the Poet's Road Gallery on Hollywood blvd this weekend. The multi-hyphenate creator hosted a party to celebrate the launch of his new single "What Are We" along with a fashion show and red carpet to raise money for LA fire victims. 

The event drew influencers in the music, fashion, food, and entertainment space bringing together cultural icons to raise money for a good cause. The night included food, signature cocktails, and merch from the Aaron Brown collection. 

The night started off with the fashion show, where young models and Aaron's friends showed off the Gen Z styles with a twist of 70s flair on the runway. All the styles were available to purchase and all proceeds went to raise money for victims of the LA fires. The stylish and unique looks adorned with lyrics from Aaron's music were a big hit and many pieces sold out after the show. 

The night continued with Aaron's performance. He and his band gave a great performance debuting his unique musical style. The show was professional with a hint of homemade flair to it that made the crowd feel like we were jamming at a house party while a also getting a taste of the up and coming talent. Aaron's music was fresh and the lyrics felt very Gen Z while some of the musical styling had influences from his father's funk career. I can't wait to see what's next for this up and coming artist! Check out my full red carpet interview with Aaron on the red carpet on IG to see more! 

Line in the Sand Premieres in Newport Beach CA

James O’Keefe’s first feature film produced with Tucker Carlson productions and entitled “Line in the Sand” details the corruption and helplessness that has spread throughout the border patrol system in the US. I attended the premiere in Newport Beach CA last week where I spoke to a variety of celebrities and members of the conservative movement about the border issue. One consensus was clear, information about how bad the border crisis has really gotten was suppressed or non-existent. Many people were drawn to the film for its real life footage and O’Keefe’s hidden camera interviews because they simply felt at a loss to find reliable facts about the border crisis anywhere else. 

I also spoke to several women who attended the event, about the increased safety concerns women across the country are facing due to the open border and the thousands of undocumented criminals the Bide-Harris administration has lost track of in the US. Women and children are the main victims in many cases of these disastrous border policies and the film pointed out the inhumanity of allowing the open border to continue. Women in America who have been victims of horrendous crimes as well as women on the other side of the border who are taken advantage of by traffickers and cartels are both powerful examples of the true consequences of the open border.

The film received rave reviews from the audience, and the expose on the corrupt NGO’s who profit off of this border crisis seemed to resonate the most with the people I spoke to after watching. The film also covered the heartbreaking story of the 325,000 undocumented children who have come across the border and have since been lost by the US Government.

HHS Whistleblower Tara Rodas stated, “This isn’t anything new it’s just something that’s not talked about…The most recent DHS report and this is from the DHS (Department of Homeland Security) Office of Inspector General that 320,00 kids they’re not able to know where they are. This is unacceptable. How is that possible that a multi-billion-dollar government program has lost children? This is a failure of policy. We need to fix this problem…We need a strong executive who is going to stand up and be a voice for the voiceless.”

This film highlights not only the border crisis that is tearing so many communities across the US apart but, also the suppression this story has received from mainstream media. The film demonstrates how corruption, crime, and harmful policies are evident in every part of the border patrol process yet, we have been told by the Biden admin and the media time and time again that what we as Americans are experiencing is not real.

Dan Ball of OANN summed up the frustration people feel when they try to search for facts about the border crisis saying, “Let’s be real, the Biden Harris regime created this epidemic at the border. Period…When you’re saying I can’t get straight information, I’m online googling I don’t see-somebody says 8 million have come in, somebody said 15 million, Trump said 20 million.”

Real Housewife of Orange Country star Taylor Armstrong said, “I’m really looking forward to seeing the behind the scenes of what’s going on because all the media is so confusing and not really knowing what to believe especially leading into the election everything is so hyped I’m not sure what’s real and which direction to look in to get the facts and so I know that he (James O’Keefe) is going to provide that for us and I’m excited about that.”

Conservative influencer Xaviaer DuRousseau told me, “I don’t think enough people understand how out of control the border crisis is getting…Anything that is highlighting this I am so in favor of because we know mainstream media is not going to do it. Mainstream media is protecting these people.”

This film premier gave me the chance to see how widespread the hunger for true facts and information is across America. Our fake news problem in America spans race, class, and political divides. One thing Americans can agree on is that we need more facts and on the ground reporting. Journalists who are willing to take risks and put in the hard work in order to write a real story rather than stay comfy 30 floors removed from the everyday challenges American citizens are facing.

This powerful film is worth watching to inform yourself of the true nature and sinister motivations behind the open border crisis. You can also check out all my red carpet footage on Instagram and YT! 

https://www.youtube.com/@cerisesdumatin6167

A Very Fashionable Holiday at East Kennedy Newport Beach

The East Kennedy Boutique in Newport Beach celebrated the Holiday season in style last Friday night with a black and white party complete with a fashion show and charity auction held at the boutique. Local OC celebs came out to support the event including bloggers, fashion designers, models and more. Everyone showed up in their best holiday attire featuring sparkles, fur, fringe, and more all in black and white of course. Check out some of the outfits here. 

The event also featured a fashion show displaying the latest styles available at the shop including men's women's and vintage looks. Boutique founder and owner Hailey Aurelio herself was there and starred in the fashion show wearing a glamourous floor length dress and having a ball on the runway. 

I spoke to the visionary who told me about her journey from interior designer to fashion designer and boutique owner. After starting her career in the bay area she has decided to bring her signature sense of girly yet empowering style to the OC with the opening of her second boutique. She told me that it was an easy transition into the fashion world since as an interior designer she already had a good understanding of colors, and how design can reflect a customer's personality. She said that whether it's walking into someone's house or looking at their outfit you can always learn a little bit about their personality and what they are all about from the design they choose. After founding her boutique she began focusing on empowering her female customers and her motto for the store is #BuildHer and she was able to put her interior design skills to good use creating a welcoming environment where customers can feel comfortable trying risky styles and embracing their unique selves. Every area of the store is thoughtfully curated resulting in a warm but chic atmosphere that feels like hanging out in your best friend's bedroom! 

The event featured sips and bites as well as mini doughnuts which were a huge hit with the crowd. The night kicked off with the fashion show and then finished up with a charity auction to support United Way Orange County children's services. Guests had a great time shopping the boutique, mingling, and gathering for a good cause in the midst of the festive season. All in all the event was truly a success and we can't wait to see more from this new OC address serving up style and fun in Newport Beach! 

LAFW Returns with a Standout LineUp of Designers in Hollywood

This season LAFW returned for the second time under new ownership by N4XT with a standout lineup of designers and additional programming as well as experiences open to the public. The fashion week incorporated similar elements from New York fashion week such as the designer discovery shopping area open to the public while adding programming that was specific to LA such as a film screening and panels highlighting LA talent and sustainability. For NYFW veterans the event felt familiar while also adding a signature LA vibe to the week with a more relaxed and open vibe for networking and mingling. According to designer Maxwell Osborne of An Only Child, LA brought a unique perspective to the fashion week experience. He said, "I think LAFW is different from New York or Paris or London because it's its own thing and its people based and less editorial based. It's a community and a vibe and its a great place to hang out and that's why its great to di it here berceuse its an all day thing with panels and shows and everything's is very intimate and intertwined and it has a space in entertainment and it feels like it should be entertaining. Like they are doing movie screenings panel talks, shows, and presentations so that's what I think LAFW brings to it that's different."

Designer Sergio Hudson echoed this sentiment backstage at his show later in the evening telling me, "It's relaxing very much more relaxing than New York I mean but that's LA it's relaxed you don't really have to have all the extra I really love the feeling of it and I had a great time." 

The week kicked off with the IMITATION OF CHRIST show which brought out fashion lovers form all over as well as influencers and celebs based in LA. The iconic brand showed their collection against the backdrop of the Hole Gallery on La Brea in West Hollywood. The crowd dressed accordingly with denim, rhinestones, and vintage LA inspired looks taking center stage amongst the street style. One of my favorite looks was this vintage DIORANGELES jacket worn by one of the guests. 

Even the art was on the theme of LAFW with the gallery featuring California inspired pieces such as a photograph of JUICY sweatpants set against a vibrant sunset. 

The show featured live musical performances as well as dancing from the models and at the end the audience was encouraged to join in and everyone got a chance to participate in the show. The show featured rituals from religions around the world and according to the designer behind the brand Tara Subkoff the collection was meant to represent the need for community and connection in today's digital world. The collection started off with dark colors using veils of tulle and draped fabrics to represent how we can be pulled into darker thoughts while alone with too much media, and then slowly morphed into lighter tones featuring bright floral prints, light pinks, and delicate ruffles as well as long silk maxi dresses in neutral tones. The evolution represented how being out in the world and part of a community can brighten our thoughts and feelings according to the designer. The poignant theme of the collection resonated with the audience especially during a time saturated with bad news and tensions in the media that we get delivered directly to our phones and personal devices all day long. 

After the show fashion's in crowd gathered for a cocktail hour to officially open the LAFW campus in Hollywood. On Thursday the first official day of the campus, guests could experience the Lancome Beauty Days and the SAP shopping experiences that were open to the public starting at noon. In addition to the brand moments there were also tons of photo ops and free coffee sponsored by Arabica coffee where attendees could relax in between events. The Lancome beaty days experience offered a futuristic photo shoot as well as a complimentary skin test. There was also a nail bar sponsored by dazzledry nails and giveaways from Khalifa Kush. 

Thursday's opening events included several panels as well as a film screening. The Ice Cold: A History of Jewelry in Hip Hop panel was especially popular as it brought together music and fashion lovers to hear from the hottest trendsetters in the jewelery industry as well as music journalist and hip hop historian Vikki Tobak. The panel featured Maxwell Osborne who also spoke on an earlier panel in the day about design, jewelry designers David Tamargo of Alligator Jesus, Lillian Shalom jewelry designer to the stars, and Essence Ventures stylist Corey Stokes. 

The panelists spoke about the evolution of hip hop jewelry as well as the personal meaning and identity aspects that artists represent using jewelry choices. Afterwards there was also a cocktail hour for mingling where guests could buy the newly released book directly. 

Shortly following the panel was the film screening of fashion film "Fashion Reimagined" presented by Otis College of Art and Deisgn. The film's creator Becky as well as the star of the film Amy welcomed the audience and introduced the sustainability focused film which featured the British brand Mother of Pearl. Sustainability is still a thorny topic for the fashion industry and this film aptly described the production chain issues that brands face when trying to implement sustainability initiatives. LA has always been a hub for sustainably minded designers but in recent years Otis and other fashion colleges have been working diligently to make sustainable design a core part of the design curriculum. 

Finally, it was time for the highlight of the evening with the Sergio Hudson presentation that drew the biggest crowd of the day. The designer who regularly shows at NYFW created a special presentation experience showcasing his Spring/Summer 2024 collection in an ethereal candlelit backdrop featuring signature Sergio Hudson cocktails as well as upbeat jazz music and decadent floral centerpieces. The presentation had an intimate feel to it that was distinct from the NYFW shows. After the show, I spoke to the designer about the all white and neutral colored spring collection. He told me, "The inkwell black society wealthy black people that was my first point of inspiration and then it was my client and my customer what would they need in the summertime what would they need when it's really hot and you know they still wanna wear their suits but they can't wear heavy suits." He also told me about his process for creating the collection saying, "The simplicity of it and the smallness of it, it was very concise and very short and very enjoyable. I think the lightness of it and the airiness of it is where I am going next." 

And that's a wrap for Day 1 of LAFW! Check out my recap video on Instagram or visit the LAFW to find out more about the rest of the programming! 

Beauty Fans Unite! BeautyCon Los Angeles Returns After 3 Years

 This year BeautyCon LA the festival that celebrates beauty content creators and the latest trends in makeup returned with a new look after 3 years. The festival which was put on by Essence, came back with a stellar line-up of celebrity guest speakers and brands who came to show off how the beauty industry has evolved. 

While the festival was smaller than in years past, it still drew new and old fans alike who came to try out the free product giveaways and meet their favorite beauty content creators and business owners. This year the brands were more inclusive than ever featuring small female owned businesses and inclusive brands such as Good Weird that make makeup for all genders. The festival kicked off on Saturday with giveaways from Wal Mart, Palmers, As I Am, Black Radiance, and more. Female owned brand Keep it Classy nails, which was founded by Real Housewives star Moneytta Shaw-Carter made a special appearance with founder and influencer Moneytta working the booth and greeting fans. 

Other celebrity appearances throughout the weekend included Peyton List who promoted her new brand Play Cosmetics, Kelly Rowland, Tia Mowry and more. The programming featured several panels that went in depth on hot topics in the beauty industry such as finding balance in motherhood, diversity and representation in the beauty industry, turning your passions into profit, and sustainability in the beauty industry. Fans got to see their favorite creators on stage discussing the latest on everything makeup, hair, and business. 

The event also featured tons of fun photo ops where guests enjoyed creating content and grabbing pics of their best beauty looks and outfits. 

The pink carpet featured several stunning fashion and beauty moments as well. Check out my best dressed video below to see the top looks from the beautycon pink carpet. 

Fashion, Diplomacy, and Dancing Come Together for Charity at the 67th Viennese Opera Ball

On Friday night the annual 67th Viennese Opera Ball returned to NYC where socialites and tastemakers from the NYC fashion scene as well as the Austrian community in NYC and some special musical guests came together to celebrate the 67th year of this special tradition as well as raise money for Gabriel's Angels Foundation a cancer charity founded by Denise Rich. The Austrian Ambassador to the US Dr. Scheenbauer also attended as well as several other members from the Austrian delegation including Peter Hanke the Executive City Councillor for Vienna. Other notable guests included Nicole Miller NYC fashion designer, Sasha Prendas pop singer, and Jean Shafiroff who co-chaired the gala with Denise Rich.

 The night also featured a special treat for guests with performances from Met Opera stars Stephen Costello, Joyce El-Khoury, and Nathalie Pena Comas. Stephen Costello performed his solo from La Boheme which he stars in at the Met Opera and then the trio performed an amazing song together.

 Afterwards guests enjoyed a live auction to raise money for Gabriel's Angels and and then ballroom dancing started.

A beautiful choreography to the Carmen Quadrille by Eduard Strauss was designed for the opening performance of the debutantes and escorts by Vienna Dance School Svabek, headed by Sandra Stockmayer and Roman Svabek. Later guests participated in a group lesson of the midnight Quadrille and then the live orchestra played waltz music “A Night inspired by ‘Carmen’”, from the opera Carmen by Bizet led under the artistic direction of Daniel Serafin with Austrian conductor, Maestro Vinicius Kattah until the afterparty where guests enjoyed traditional Austrian treats and more dancing! 

The event brought together fashion and diplomacy to highlight the strong ties between the two cities of NYC and Vienna and guests got to experience much cultural exchange during the galmourous affair. Everyone came dressed in their most fashionable formal eveningwear as the dress code was white tie. Many guests opted for fun accessories such as elbow length gloves, capes, and even tiaras. Sequins, and princess dress cuts were definitely trending. Both Austrian and New York design influences and tastemakers came together on the red carpet Friday night when designer Nicole Miller wore a dress she designed herself and Austrian fashion designer Carolin Sinemus also attended in a fabulous outfit inspired by Austrian design influences. 

The night ended with a great DJ and afterparty as well as a champagne toast to another successful Viennese Opera Ball. 

Cocktails for Canines: Celebs Come Out to Raise Money for Rescue Dogs Rock NYC

On Tuesday night NYC celebs and style icons came out to raise money for Rescue Dogs Rock NYC charity that rescues abandoned dogs and provides them with housing and medical care. The charity is currently planning to open a new shelter in Long Island that will allow them to care for even more furry friends. Guests came out to support the cause and enjoyed drinks, bites, and a raffle at Versa Lounge in the garment district. Some NYC style scene regulars attended including Jean Shafiroff, Olga Ferrera, Georgina Bloomberg, Leesa Rowland and more.

 Everyone stepped out in their best looks to support the cause. Local businesses also donated prizes to the raffle and donated proceeds from their sales to Rescue Dogs Rock. Brooklyn based LolaHemp founded by Joey DiFrancesco was giving out free samples to guests who had pets at home and donated proceeds the the charity. 

The event brough together style and dog lovers for a night of fun and raised awareness for a great cause. The charities co-founders Jackie O'Sullivan and Stacy Silverstein spoke to the audience about their journey founding the charity and the idea for the rescue center. Their inspiring speech was full of anecdotes about the adopted dogs they have been able to rescue. 

They thanked the audience for their support before introducing the youth co chair Marin Gellar was also honored and gave a speech to talk about volunteering and the importance of involving youth in community initiatives. 

The night was definitely a success and raised over $150,000 to open their new center. Check out my reel to see all the best styles of the night on Instagram here! 

NYC Society Welcomes the Start of Summer with Hamptons Happenings Preview to Fight Cancer at Versa

This Wednesday night celebs gathered to support the Waxman cancer research foundation and celebrate the beginning of the summer season in the Hamptons at the Hamptons Happening Preview event at VERSA NYC. Guests enjoyed food, a raffle, and more fun as they prepared for a summer of sun fun and fashion in the Hamptons all while raising awareness for the important work of the cancer research foundation. Celebrity guest Leesa Rowland, author and lifestyle influencer told me she was looking forward to attending the Hamptons Happening event later this summer and was so excited to be raising awareness for such a great cause at the event. Lucky raffle winners won a ticket to the Hamptons Happening event and Hamptons Happening 2023 Honorees were celebrated with a video. Honorees included Chef Ralph Scamardella, EVP & Chief Culinary Officer, TAO Group, Lori and Scott Levine, Co-Founders, Scott’s Protein Balls, Denise Albert, CEO and Co-Founder, My Cancer Family, Anna Zuckerman, Founder, Chief Designer Anna Zuckerman. 

Photo Credit: Mark Sagliocco / Shutterstock

Guests could also sign up for the Step Up To Turn Cancer Off fundraiser. It is a virtual fundraising event where participants keep track of their physical activities in order to reach their daily “step” goal.  An easy-to-use online tool will convert nearly any activity such as walking, running swimming, dancing, yoga, gardening etc. into steps. Participants can register individually or as a team and then share progress with peers and family to garner donations. The week-long challenge runs from June 19th through 26th, 2023. For more information, to register, or to sponsor a participant or team, visit www.waxmancancer.org/events/stepup/. 

The event brought together style, food, and charity to raise awareness for a great cause! 

NYFW The Talks: Fluidity in Fashion with Tresemme

This season at NYFW Afterpay presented a great panel featuring  Jonathan Simkhai (Founder & Creative Director), Parris Goebel (Creative Director, Choreographer, Dancer & Muse), Lacy Redway (Tresemmé Stylist & Celebrity Hair Artist) and Moderator Jenna Rosenstein (Beauty Director, Harper’s Bazaar). 

The panel focused on how fluidity can help the creative process in art, fashion and beauty industries and panelists had an engaging conversation that offers an inside look at how fluidity is represented and impacts each partner's professional work and personal expression. The audience got a treat listening to Parris Goebel discuss her latest work as Rihanna's Superbowl choreographer. Fluidity played a bug role in her work on this project and she stated that Rihanna wanted the whole performance to feel seamless so fluidity was key in her choreography planning. The dancer and choreographer has also worked with many other celebrities'and was most recently tapped by Tresemme to create their new marketing campaign video featuring dancers in the water. The project was a very interesting artistic challenge according to Parris who had to come up with dance moves that would highlight hair movement in and out of the water. Hearing from the artist only a few days after the career-making Superbowl halftime performance that had immediately gone viral was very revealing about how much work goes into creating a performance like that. Parris shared that fashion week was her first opportunity to get dressed up in over 10 months as she had been working hard on practicing the SuperBowl performance for so long. 

All the artists shared similar perspectives on keeping fluidity in the artistic and creative processes. Parris said that working with Rihanna was a fun challenge because she was often spontaneous and could change her mind at any moment about music, and the performance. Jonathan Simkhai also agreed that in the design process he aimed to incorporate fluidity by embracing mistakes and getting inspired at every stage of design. Lacey Redway agreed referencing that working with clients and on sets under tight deadlines requires a lot of fluidity and creativity. 

This was a very important panel because creative industries can often be misunderstand and with the advent of technology the creative process can sometimes be expected to be very predictable or rigid. But this panel reminds us that the best artists agree that the spontaneity and fluidity lead to the best work. 

The Green Carpet Fashion Awards Announce New Date During Oscars Week

This year, the green carpet fashion awards will take place during Oscars Week on March 9th at Neuehouse Los Angeles. The GCFA (Green Carpet Fashion Awards), co-chaired by Cate Blanchett, Quannah Chasinghorse, Viola Davis, Tom Ford, Simu Liu, and Simone Ashley will take place on March 9th at NeueHouse, uniting the power of fashion and entertainment for positive transformation.

Today the GCFA announces that this year’s honors will include 6 societal archetypes – The Visionary, The Messenger, The Rebel, The Healer, The Sage, and The Futurist alongside two special entertainment honors, for personalities who have distinguished themselves for their work on social and environmental justice.

Mr. Tom Ford will receive The Visionary Honor for launching the TOM FORD Plastic Innovation Prize in partnership with Lonely Whale, the only global competition focused on creating scalable and biologically degradable alternatives to thin-film plastic.

The Green Carpet Fashion Awards are a highly anticipated event bringing together the entertainment industry, fashion industry, and sustainability. Sustainability is receiving more attention from young consumers and events like the Green Carpet Awards are an exciting new development for conscious consumers especially Gen Z and younger consumers. Stay tuned for more coverage from this exciting event! 

Male Celebs Kick Off Fashion Week at the Blue Jacket Fashion Show

 

The 7th annual blue jacket fashion show for prostate cancer awareness returned to NYC in Moonlight studios on Wednesday. Male celebs including Mario Cantone, Andy Karl, Alex Lundqvist, Bill Nye, Carlos Greer, Clinton Lord, Dominic Fumusa, Don Lemon, Don Hood, Dr. Bradley Schaeffer, Dr. Evan Goldfischer, Dr. Ash Tewari, Eric West, Frank DiLella, James Aguiar, James Andrew, Kris Bennett, Les Trent, London Brown, Louis Finley, Marcus Samuelsson, Mike Woods, Musa Jackson, Nigel Barker, Omar Hernandez, Richard Thomas, Souleymane Sy Savane, Ty-Ron Mayes, Tyrone Brewer and Young Paris modeled the reimagined traditional “blue jacket” down the runway by designers including Arjona Collection, Ben Sherman, Bruno Magli Collezione, Cad & The Dandy, Gustavo Moscoso, Levi’s, Maxjenny, Men’s Wearhouse, Michael Kors, Nicholas Graham, Son Jung Wan, Stephen F, Thom Browne, and Tommy Hilfiger. The event was held in partnership with Janssen pharmaceuticals and Zero: The End of Prostate Cancer. Fashion Group International also partnered up with their rising star designer Frederick Anderson in support of the event. 

The night kicked off with a blue carpet full of creative takes on the dress code of blue jackets. Celebs came out to support the cause and raise awareness and the theme of the night was that helping even one person made the event worth it. This year, for the first time as part of this event, community members, event participants, and guests were able to be screened for prostate cancer with a quick and easy prostate-specific antigen test sponsored by Carver Federal Savings Bank and provided by Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. Morning screenings were held outside of the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture and then again at Moonlight Studios ahead of the show.

The participants really made the runway their own wearing outfits that showed their personality and walking to a song of their choice that definitely reflected everyone's personal style. From party rock anthem to throwback swing and jazz hits everybody rocked the runway in their own way. Crowd favorite Bill Nye returned wearing a custom made jacket and periodic table bowtie. Mario Cantone of Sex and the City wore a jacket with his name embroidered inside. No detail was left out of these stylish looks. 

Other VIPs who were seated in the front row included Carol Alt, Maria Borges, Fern Mallis, Chiké Okonkwo, Orfeh, Davis Burleson, Shomari Love, Menegor Galicia, Mica Hughes, Tashiana Washington, Samuel Mancini, and Britne Oldford.

After the show guests enjoyed a blue themed drink at the afterparty in honor of raising awareness for prostate cancer which is very common but treatable if caught early. All in all the night was a success. 

The Blue Jacket Fashion Show Hosted by Frederick Anderson

 

This coming Wednesday designer Frederick Anderson will be hosting the Blue Jacket Fashion Show with Janssen Oncology & Benefitting Zero – The End of Prostate Cancer. The designer gave me an exclusive preview for the evening and you can find my red carpet coverage of the event here on Wednesday evening to see it all happen!

Anderson founded the event with Laura Miller and together they have grown the event to a successful staple on the New York City social calendar that raises awareness for Prostate cancer and screening. 

Frederick shared his excitement for the event as well as the inspiring story of how he came up with the idea in an exclusive interview with me before the big day. He also gave me a sneak peak at what he will be wearing and his plans for the upcoming NYFW! He is celebrating his 5th year with his namesake collection and will be showing his Renaissance collection on February 15th. 

1. What inspired you to found this In my forties and getting the speech from my doctor about prostate and colon cancer and getting my first colonoscopy and PSA.  I had no idea. I had never had a conversation about any of it.  Frightening and concerning… as I am part of the fashion industry and we promote the fashion fights breast cancer I wondered “what about the men”? Well I took it upon myself to start the conversation and based on the reaction its a conversation that was needed.

 

2. Do you know what you'll be wearing to the big night? 

I'll be wearing a couture velvet suit by Sartoria Studio which is opening in NYC on Feb 6th with a Blue jacket fundraiser.

3. How do you think fashion and designers can have an impact on important causes? 

We have a platform and are respected.  I think its my responsibility to use that power for change and awareness. 

4. How has being one of FGI's rising stars affected you? 

Its really amazing to be honored by your peers. The boost is amazing.

6. Any plans for Fashion week in February you can share? The collection is called renaissance.  I feel is fitting for my life and where I am at 5years of my own signature collection.

Trends from PROJECT NYC 2023

This year Project NYC was all about creating a cool and curated space to discover what's new in menswear and even some genderless clothing as well. The opening day kicked off with a trends presentation from Moose Tracks. 

I headed through the floor to look for the latest trends as well as discover the up and coming talent in menswear this season. 

I started with this lovely pastel collection by LA based brand no one. The friends and founders created a menswear line that is all about letting go of ego and contrasts utilitarian style with fun colors and embroidery. Guillermo Bravo was another standout brand featuring unique deconstructed styles with removeable pockets, patchwork clothing, and mixed media designs. 

The modern styles are open to genderless styles and focus on high quality designs that add a statement to the everyday. John Carl Yates an NYC based designer displayed pieces from the fall collection inspired by wool. The elevated silhouettes allowed for comfortable and stretchy wool sets that could be mixed and matched with other pieces. I love the cowl neck design that could be worn for either gender. Javelin another NYC brand also stood out as a trend setter with simple and elegant designs that each told a story. 

Jagvi a French brand with stores in Paris presented a contemporary and sustainable collection that brought elements of classic European style to Project. The collection was full of basic pieces perfect for a capsule wardrobe with a few pops of color for statement pieces. This brand was one of my favorite sustainable collections from the show. Other sustainable designers included Natalie Brown New York who creates unisex puffer jackets and other pieces out of recycled vintage t-shirts. Denim brand Gilded Age also based in NYC offers a more unique take on sustainability focusing on making products that are timeless and limiting collection releases. Not giving in to the ever expanding fashion calendar is an important but not often talked about part of reaching sustainable goals for the fashion industry. 

Awet NYC is another sustainable minded brand that focuses on fashion and social change. The brand's founder a refugee who previously worked at the UN brings his unique experience to the fashion industry by organizing events and products around topics such as refugees, women's history month, and more. The brand is also dedicated to helping garment industry workers in NYC who are a vital part of the reason that NYC is such a hub for the fashion industry. 

Loungewear and vacation wear brands including Samuel Zelig, Sundek USA, and Jasper Los Angeles all showed unique takes on the athleisure industry which is still going strong after Covid. Accessories at the show included footwear and eyewear. One of my favorite lines was the sunglasses collection from brutish brand Spitfire eyewear. I also loved some of the more colorful pieces from the GH Bass fall collection. 

The day ended with a fireside chat with Edwina Kulego VP of Project and futurist/influencer Jerome Lamaar about the future of fluidity in fashion and retail. Check out my coverage of the panel in my next article coming soon! 

Red Carpet Style from the 2023 Critics Choice Awards

Photo credit: Monica Schipper/WireImage

The 2023 Critics Choice Awards were held in Los Angeles on Sunday January 15th. As awards season gets underway in 2023 red carpet style is where celebs show off the latest trends. The Critics Choice Awards was no exception with a stunning lineup of looks from Viola Davis sequin Valentino dress to Amanda Seyfried's gold metallic Dior gown. It's no secret that sparkle is going to be a big trend in 2023 especially during awards season. However there is another trend I'm watching this year as well which is sustainable fashion. Sustainability will take center stage for the fashion world in 2023 as designers and consumers adapt to more eco-conscious clothing in big ways. 

Markarian, a New York City based brand founded by designer Alexandra O'Neill in 2017 is working to create conscious clothing in a fashionable way. The brand is founded on a timeless and romantic design aesthetic and produces made to order garments in an effort to reduce waste. The floral gown worn by Melanie Zanetti this weekend was designed by O'Neill as part of the Autumn/Winter 2022 collection. The ruffle bodice added a feminine touch to the ivory and blue gown that popped on the red carpet. Other sustainable brands represented on the carpet included the Stella McCartney cutout dress worn by Sarah Hyland.

Next up for awards season red carpet style is the Grammys on February 5th. Stay tuned for more style coverage! 

Trends from Press Day in NYC: Sustainable fashion, Italian design, and more!

 I headed over to a Press Day at an NYC showroom today to discover the latest from a few up and coming designers in NYC in addition to some Italian brands. I loved finding new and unique products as well as getting a sneak peak at the upcoming trends for this season. Press day is great because unlike a fashion show you can take your time to see the items up close and browse the collection. 

At the showroom in downtown I entered and immediately saw the collection from one of my favorite brands Deity New York. Designer Renee Bishop creates sleek feminine silhouettes in fun flirty colors. You can read more about her last NYFW show that I attended here. I loved seeing the collection up close and got to see some of the couture pieces she had created like a beaded coat that weighed over 40 pounds! The spring collection was full of delicate patterns and neon accents which will definitely be a big trend for spring. 

Next, I discovered a new brand that specializes in genderless clothing. Rinat Brodach was featured on Amazon's Making the Cut and designs clothing in her Brooklyn New York studio. Her latest collection which I got to view was also focused on sustainability and she worked with hand dyed fabrics from a scrap house in Brooklyn to create unique one of a kind pieces. The upcycled clothes had a worn in feel to them and tons of interesting pattern combinations. Genderless clothing is also a growing trend in fashion and is something more and more designers are experimenting with as the need for inclusivity in the fashion industry grows. 

Frederick Anderson was another one of my favorite collections that I saw during NYFW this past season. I loved getting to learn more about his "garden party" collection he presented this season. The spring collection was full of elegant crochets, floral appliques, and pops of color. The designer also collaborated with artists from Peru to create unique fabrics and weaves while supporting local craftsmanship. 

For accessories I fell in love with Italian brand Il Bisonte which uses scraps of leather from animals used for food purposes instead of creating any new waste. The brand is focused on simplicity and sustainability highlighting the artisanal work in their Tuscan based studio. The leather bags are made with extremely high quality and come in unique shapes and colors. I loved this fuchsia bag that matched my outfit! These bags are made to last and also make a statement with their artistic shapes and designs. 

Finally for footwear I discovered this amazing brand, Respoke handcrafted footwear. They create original one of a kind pieces from re-used Hermes scarves. Each pair of shoes or sandals is unique and colorful and I believe it is the ultimate statement piece for anybody who enjoys luxury and vintage items. 

This press day was definitely a success and I am loving my new pair of pink sunglasses from Marchon which are the perfect accessory for BarbieCore another trend I predict will continue in 2023. 

NYFW Celebrates Latinx Heritage Month

This season UPS kicked off NYFW with an opening party at the Bodega Baque pop up shop in downtown. The party celebrated the collection which is a collaboration between UPS, famed streetwear designer Angelo Baque, and several small Latinx designers. As Latinx Heritage month kicks off later this week it was the perfect moment to highlight these talented designers and small businesses. The event was a huge success with fashionable attendees showing off their stylish streetwear looks as the party spilled out on to the sidewalk. The Bodega was decorated with pieces from the collaboration including hoodies, t-shirts, and hats. There were also appetizers and drinks! Baque attended the event and enthusiastically told me that New York is back! 

The following week NYFW The Talks featured a panel with Angelo Baque himself and several other latinx designers and business partners including Thermal Taveras, Carlos Cuerto Danny Buezo founder of Kids Of Immigrants, and Moderator: Karla Martínez de Salas. The panelists discussed how their culture has influenced their work and has inspired them to create some amazing projects and collaborations with the community. 

For Taveras culture informed his work as a designer through bringing in imagery inspired by the art he saw in church growing up and being a New Yorker as well. For Baque having immigrant parents from Ecuadaor and a strong connection to music has always informed his designs. He said that he often designs a collection imagining a soundtrack in the background. 

For Cuerto who works on the corporate side at UPS he talked about the work ethic his family and community instilled in him to always the the grind on. He also mentioned that growing up in a collectivist culture with  n emphasis on community ahs helped him to work well on a team and excel in a team environment which is so important for success in today's world no matter what industry you're in. 

Additionally the panelists mentioned that they have been able to take a fresh perspective on their own culture often growing up as children of first generation immigrants. Baque said, "I'm ok with being a trail blazer. Holding open doors for others like me to come behind me and hearing from other Ecuadorian kids that I inspired them is how I know I've done good." the panelists also talked about ensuring that the community comes first when they partner up on projects such as the UPS collab which will donate proceeds to a latinx scholarship fund here in NYC. 

Baque talked about dealing with obstacles when he entered the fashion industry from finances to discrimination and how he has overcome them. He now focuses on transparency and sharing the lessons learned so that others can ask for help and won't be afraid to reach out. 

For Cuerto being results oriented and making the most of opportunities has always helped him overcome obstacles he's faced in his career. 

For Danny Buezo putting the community over competition and overcoming shyness and gaining self confidence has helped him to succeed in business. 

The panelists also discussed the best ways to help new talent. They all agreed that it often starts at a personal level and helping evolve form a scarcity mindset and encouraging people to ask for help can make all the difference, According to Cuerto UPS has also worked to ensure that money invested is going to programs that are actually helpful and research is key in finding programs that will have the most effect. It was a great way to kick off a stylish Latinx Heritage month!