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! 

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! 

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! 

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.

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! 

Costuming the Ballet: History and Storytelling through Fashion

From fashion to the stage the New York City ballet company history and innovation are key to creating amazing designs. Gianna Reisen, Marc Happel, Humberto Leon, Zac Posen and Moderator: Donya Archer Bommer discussed 10 years of creating costumes for the New York City Ballet Fall Fashion Gala which is coming up this year on September 28th. According to the panel, the fashion gala is the one event where costumes take precedence over all the other performance elements and the Ballet has worked with over 30 renowned designers over the years creating a crossover between fashion and dance. Gianna Reisen choreographer and former ballerina said, "For the fall fashion gala the costumes are the first thing to think about because ethe fashion element is so important to an event like this." 

According to Marc Happel, Dancers have an affinity for wearing costumes that previous legendary dancers wore. They love the connection tot he past and the tags of the costumes even bear the names of past dancers who performed in them. So it creates an incredible sense of living history. The New York City Ballet is also unique for its archival collection of costumes which many designers have used when creating the costume designs. This season, the audience will be in for a special treat with the costumes. The panelists revealed that the costumes will be adorned with over 800,000 Swarovski crystals which are currently being sewn in the workshop in preparation for the gala. 

Zac Posen who has been a household name in the NY fashion scene for years is one of the designers the ballet has tapped in the past to work on the Fall Gala. He spoke about his experience designing costumes for that and other projects at the ballet. He talked about how excited he was to explore the archives when he first started the project. His designs focused on deconstruction and he recalled an instant where he had a discussion with his subject Lauren who he was designing for. He said all designers should have this moment where they are able to connect with their subject and for him he was able to get in touch with the sense of reflection the dancer was experiencing at the time about career, past performances and more. Posen also discussed how when looking through the archives he got to feel the presence of the past dancers when looking at the costumes. This inspired Posen to create what he called a "distorted line of history of the pieces" He recalled turning pieces inside out and also was inspired by the extreme discipline required for ballet dancers. He focused his designs on capturing a place of beauty and darkness a style which he affectionally named  "fucked up Degas". Marc Happel chimed in remembering the comical label. 

For another designer who had previously partnered with the ballet, Humberto Leon, the ballet became a place for him to explore social controversy and design. He even ended up showing his collection at the ballet one season and he recalled that the performance aspect has allowed his pieces form that collection to take on a life of their own. He said hat he wanted people to wear the clothes beyond the ballet and interact with arts in a beautiful way. 

The choreographer Gianna added her perspective as a former dancer saying that costumes should make dancers feel confident and powerful. Bringing high fashion into ballet is such an interesting balance and challenge because Gianna wants to ensure her dancers feel good in their costumes. She added that the care and time the designers put into personalizing the costumes really makes a difference for the dancers. She said that it's a whole different experience as a dancer to wear something you feel good in. 

Marc Happel pointed out that designers also take away new lessons and perspectives after experiencing working with the ballet. So the exchange is not just one sided with designers bringing fashion perspectives to the ballet gala but they also walk away with often new outlooks and techniques. 

Posen agreed there is definitely a crossover and recalled some of the things he had learned saying, "my experience was learning close up vs. distance and considering things like lighting, space etc. is huge. Designing for the audience being far away there's a boldness that needs to take place." 

For Humberto Leon thinking about movement and flexibility that is used in dance helped him realize how uncomfortable most normal clothes actually are. He told the audience that it really helped change his relationship with clothing. 

Zac Posen encouraged the audience to explore the ballet as you never know what you might learn from it. The inspiring panel wrapped up and I don't know about you but am definitely looking forward to seeing those 800k Swarovski crystals! 

Perspectives on Sustainability at NYFW

 

This NYFW brought together experts from many industries to discuss sustainability as well as several designers in the Black in Fashion showrooms this season whose focus is on sustainable and lasting design. The theme from this NYFW which coincided with the US Open in New York was all about bringing together cross functional perspectives into the fashion space and events like the Glam Slam which I covered here, as well as the sustainability in design panel at NYFW The Talks did just that according to Sean Nelson CEO and founder of LoveSac who said, "We’re here at fashion week discussing sustainability, furniture, fashion, and sports. What ties it all together? Good design" 

The panel featured Ghanian designer Abrima erwiah model and activist Olivia Ponton, interior design consultant Laura Hodges, and CEO of LoveSac Sean Nelson. 

Each one brought a unique perspective to the topic of sustainability but the overall sentiment of the panel was that everyone can participate in creating a more sustainable future whether in a big or small way and no action is too small to make a difference. 

Nelson founder and CEO of LoveSac the company that makes home furnishings that can be easily reconfigured started out by talking about the design philosophy at LoveSac which he calls "design for life" and believes offers a different path to sustainability. This philosophy has worked well for the company and is something that Sean believes can be applied to all different types of design. 

For Laura she also works with her clients to pick out products that she knows will last and stand the test of time. She spoke about how there have been increased trends in the design world that have mirrored what has happened in the fashion world with fast fashion companies. She often consults her clients to be wary of chasing after too many trends and rather to focus on things that will last 30-40 years or a lifetime. 

Abrima also echoed these ideas that sustainability is something that we weave into the fabric of our everyday lives rather than a far off concept. She said that when she started her label she had not set out to be a "sustainable brand" but was simply following the traditions of Ghana which are heavily focused on creating lasting goods with as little impact to the community as possible. For Abrima following the supply chain was also an important part of setting up her business as she wanted to know where every aspect of her products were coming from. She talked about how the process of understanding how things were made helped her to innovate around it and create more sustainable supply chains. This is also another huge area that is often overlooked in conversations about sustainability but process and supply are areas ripe for innovation. 

For Sean his focus has turned from creating new products to creating scale and offering modifications to existing products rather than forcing customers to purchase entirely new models. Sean has worked to make sure that technological additions to his products such as speaker systems are compatible with even older models of LoveSac products. This perspective can also be applied to other industries as well and offers a more sustainable alternative to mindless consumption. 

Olivia who was originally drawn into her work as a sustainability activist by the pollution of oceans and her love for the sea, also spoke about the importance of thoughtful purchases. She said that for her being able to wear an outfit more than once and being able to re use clothing items was a sign that the clothes were well made and it was a good purchase. She is also a fan of thrifting which can also be a way to make keeping up with fashion trends more sustainable. 

The topic of sustainability touches many industries and Abrima pointed out that it is important not to oversimplify it. She added that understanding why we buy or make something in the first place, along with how to properly dispose of it or not, is also key to creating better habits. When it comes to recycling or getting rid of products good intentions may not be enough and according to Abrima we often don't have to do as much as we think. For her the guiding principle is the connection to humanity and that there isn't a one size fits all answer. 

Laura also added that there is a misconception that sustainability always means compromising design and she has ran into this stereotype with clients in her work as a design consultant. Along the theme of doing less said that she often doesn't advertise the sustainable elements of the products she picks out for her clients but instead focuses on the good design. She added that everyone taking small imperfect actions is often better than a few people doing it perfectly. 

Sean also echoed the importance of good design as a path for sustainability. He said that making products that can be passed down to future generations as well as just making good products overall must be included in the conversation. 

The overall conclusion was that good design is sustainable which is a sentiment many companies in the fashion industry and beyond can benefit from. 

Some young designers are already leading the way. Several of the labels that came to showcase at the Black in Fashion showrooms during Spring Studios this season emphasized good design and lasting products. 

I spoke to the The designer for Madame Adassa a Los Angeles based clothing brand that specializes in luxury women's wear. She spoke to me about her latest collection inspired by an Amazon Queen and said that she always tries to make designs that her customers will keep in their closet for a long time. She stays away from the trends and focuses on classic pieces that her customers can wear for years to come. 

Another designer Kwame Adusei who is originally from Ghana but is now also based in Los Angeles took me through his latest collection and design philosophy which is heavily influenced by traditional Ghana clothing styles. He places an emphasis on practicality and utility in his designs which also make them easy to wear again and again. 

For Isha Dusnton creative director of Izayla, sustainable design ties in with creating pieces made for women on the go. She uses a special material that is made to travel, fold, and last for long wear without wrinkling. When she spoke to me about her latest collection she explained that she was designing for style and color post pandemic but wanted to keep the elements of comfort and practicality that had dominated covid fashion. She said that she is designing for women who are not going backwards to the uncomfortable norms before covid but rather taking the lessons learned and creating a new better way of dressing and living that takes women's comfort and movement into consideration. 

All of this inspiring innovation definitely gives the fashion world something to think about as the conversation around sustainability continues to grow in importance for consumers. 

Glam Slam Day 2: Maison Kitsune Celebrates US Open at NYFW with Pop Up Shop

This season NYFW held the Glam Slam series of events to celebrate the US Open bringing together fashion and sports as well as giving fans an opportunity to meet some of their favorite athletes. Sponsored by Chase Sapphire the rooftop events included panels, drinks, bites, and of course fashion. On day 2 Juan Martin Del Potro & Vicente Munoz came out to discuss tennis, men's style, and more. 

Juan Marco del Potro discussed his transition off the court and into the role of commentator. He told the audience he would always miss tennis but his role as commentator has given him a unique perspective to keep up with the game. He talked about how he felt the fashion and styles for men's tennis had evolved and the latest trends he was seeing. He shared that color was definitely the future echoing what we heard about women's trends in the earlier panels. He added that he had also noticed more options for designers in men's tennis which was a great improvement for the players who had more diversity of options. 

The tennis star shared what it was like coming from Argentina to the Big Apple for the US Open saying "it was a gig difference". He also spoke about his career as a top 10 player in the world and how he achieved his dreams. He emphasized that no matter what you are going after it is important to never give up and always give 100% effort even in practices. He also talked about how being resilient and staying in the moment had helped him in his career. 

 

Guests enjoyed beats by Gonnie Garko as they took in the rooftop views from Spring Studios. The DJ and pop up shop were courtesy of Maison Kitsune a French Japanese brand that focuses on style and simplicity. The brand has recently launched a series of events called back to Launch to celebrate the return of in person events. The pop up shop featured classic pieces from the Maison Kitsune line that could be used for sportswear, athleisure, and more. According to brand representative Charly Araton. the brand has been focusing  on offering their customers designs that can be worn outside as they have noticed a demand as people enjoy the good weather and a summer outside their homes. 

Guests enjoyed shopping the collection while watching the screening of the US Open after the panel and it was a great way to relax in between busy fashion week events! 

Manna Kadar Stars on the Cover of Harper's Bazaar Vietnam

Beauty maven Manna Kadar celebrated her feature on the Harper's Bazaar Vietnam cover shot by celebrity photographer Jim Jordan with an amazing party held at the Hotel Laguna under a cotton candy sunset. The party started with a pink carpet where local celebs such as RHOC star Gretchen Rossi, Amber Johnson founder of the Facial Lounge, and Bling Empire star TJ Tsay showed up to celebrate in their best pink outfits. 

Check out my video below to see the pink carpet styles and hear the celebs summer beauty advice!

   

 There were games, photo ops, drinks, and even cake! The event was full of pink and the claw beauty game where guests could try to win a prize from the Manna Kadar beauty line was a huge hit. Manna thanked her guests for coming to celebrate the special night and spoke about the importance of taking a pause to celebrate accomplishments which is a great reminder! It is important to stop and congratulate ourselves even though it can be easy to get caught up in what's next! She shared her inspiration for the pink theme of the night telling me that she felt the fun color was perfect for the celebration. 

After a champagne toast to celebrate the amazing host guests headed home with beauty giftbags full of beauty supplies from the Manna Kadar line. The night was a huge success. 

UnWord BoardGame Launches in Style

Leading up to Oscars weekend the creator of the popular Unword App Ryan Glen launched the new and improved UnWord Board game on Thursday night. Celebs including Kathy Kolla, Amarachi Odinma, Claudia Jordan and more showed up to support the launch. 

The night kicked off with some glamourous fashion on the red carpet and guests came out ready to enjoy game night in style. Guests were also treated to a musical performance by Brian McKnight Jr. who debuted some new songs from his upcoming release. There was delicious food and drinks as well so everyone had a great time mingling in the warm LA weather. Then it was time to start the game. Guests got to participate in the first ever gameshow version of the UnWord game and the live audience was able to play along with contestants! The momentous event had everyone laughing and brought out the competitive spirit in many party goers as audience members and contestants competed to come up with the most words of the night and win the $1200 giftcard.

The Unword board game is now available for sale and is fun for the whole family! It was a great way to start off Oscars weekend with a night full of fun challenges! 

NYFW Report Day 4: Looking to the Future with Virtual Fashion

New York Fashion Week returned in person this season with a stellar lineup of fashion shows and presentations from new designers and household names alike. However, several major brands chose to remain virtual including Jonathan Simkhai, Alice and Olivia, and more. It seems this pandemic practicality is here to stay for the fashion world. At NYFW: The Talks a panel of experts explored what we can expect from virtual fashion shows, the metaverse, and more in the future. 

The panel held at Spring Studios included experts on the Metaverse, digital fashion design, fashion marketing, and Vogue Business Senior Innovation Editor Maghan McDowell. 

The panelists focused on the future of fashion in the metaverse and how designers and brands can continue to reach customers in an increasingly virtual world. One major theme the panelists covered was the virtual fashion show. While live streams and fashion films have been around for years, technical advances in the metaverse and the rapid digital adoption that occurred during Covid have given a new meaning to the term virtual fashion show. Now, audience members can participate in virtual runway shows as if they were really there, using personalized avatars and even gaining special access to backstage footage. While virtual fashion shows allow people to participate from anywhere including the comfort of their own homes, it doesn't necessarily mean that the shows will be any less exclusive. For luxury brands, virtual fashion shows offer another avenue to provide a personalized experience for VIP customers around the world. Virtual fashion also provides for endless creativity and the panelists agreed that virtual shows are a great way to find out what fashion can look like when it is not confined by the laws of physics. Some exciting design possibilities could be in our future and as Maghan McDowell pointed out, we could even get to wear virtual fashion items while on Zoom! 

The panelists also discussed the future of how physical clothing items will integrate with virtual worlds. According to panelist John Lynden, CEO of Mythical Games, video games and virtual worlds offer the perfect environment for luxury brands to test out virtual pieces of fashion to an existing customer base. Panelist Umindi Francis CBO at Infinite World agreed that studying use cases and the success of exclusive digital merchandise in video games is a great way for brands to dip their foot into the future of digital commerce. According to the panelists, a future where every luxury purchase comes with a digital twin in the metaverse could be closer than we think. There are numerous benefits to this idea and panelist Daria Shapovalova and CEO of a virtual fashion store DressX pointed out that it would make verifying luxury items in the resale market fast, easy, and accurate. Perhaps more so than ever before. 

Some brands like Dior, have already begun to test out the virtual world partnering with video games to offer exclusive products while other luxury brands have partnered with young creators to inform on strategy. According to the panelists, the new perspectives have been energizing for everyone involved. According to Umindi Francis just as social media has become a key marketing strategy for fashion brands, a Web 3 strategy will be key in the future and a successful Web 3 strategy must include collaboration. 

Whether the metaverse was always an inevitable part of fashion's future or our post-pandemic world has created this opportunity one thing is clear: virtual fashion is here to stay. 

NYFW Ones to Watch: Colin Locascio AW22 Presentation

 The Colin Locascio presentation on the final day of NYFW may have been a quiet event compared to some of the more well known shows of the season but it was not one to miss! I am labeling this designer as one to watch as the style and skill in this breakout collection definitely stood out. 

Colin Locascio who is a new designer on the scene made his NYFW debut with a brightly colored Autumn Winter collection full of whimsical designs and surprising details. The designer may be new to having his own label but he has spent several years in the industry working for some of the top brands such as Marc Jacobs and designing custom pieces for celebrities including Kendall and Kylie, Bella Hadid, and more. His design background and experience showed through in this season's collection which had notes of Marc Jacobs artistic refinement mixed with loud celebrity style. The collection was described as designed for the outer-borough girls and pays homage to the designer's roots in Queens. 

The collection notes stated, "For AW22, we looked to our favorite Bridge and Tunnel gals from TV -- Adriana from the Sopranos, Betty Suarez from Ugly Betty, and of course Fran from the Nanny to name a few. Each character has her own defined style, and we were interested in mixing the sexy, the quirky, and the absurd. For AW22, we also leaned into a grittier approach to our RTW, referencing the bridge and tunnel teens in the South London Club Scene in the late 80’s early 90's. Key items are our patch worked vegan leather trench and bustier dress, our 3-D crushed velvet floral puffer and micro mini set, our tinsel eyelash knitwear, and our brand signature printed mesh with 3 original prints this season." 

My favorite piece was the 3-d crushed velvet floral puffer and micro mini skirt set.

 This piece incorporated so many trends for the Fall season including bright and unexpected colors, and the elements of whimsical 3-D tech inspired fashion. The idea of bringing creations from the virtual world to life seemed to be a common theme and this was one of my favorite representations. The collection also spoke to the sentiment of recovering from the pandemic and keeping the fun energy going even in the colder months. Another one of my favorite pieces was the puffer that featured fun vibrant prints and from afar looked like a typical streetwear piece but up close had a delicately bejeweled drawstring.

Little elegant details like that were everywhere in this collection giving the clothes a very Hollywood effortless cool touch. No doubt inspired by his work with celebrities a Colin Locascio piece will make any wearer feel like an A-lister. I can't wait to see what's next for this exciting brand! 

NYFW The Talks: The State of Fashion Journalism

On the fourth day of NYFW I attended the Fashion Journalism panel held at Spring Studios where several household names in fashion journalism came to speak on some of the historic moments and scandals in the fashion press over the years and the state of the industry today. Panelists Bridget Foley former editor of WWD, Lauren Sherman of Business of Fashion, Dr. Valerie Steele director and chief curator of the museum at FIT and Emil Wilbekin editor and founder of Native Son shared their thoughts on how things have changed during Covid, what TikTok means for fashion journalists, and more. After a whirlwind 2 years of historical events that have turned things upside down for many, journalism may look a bit different but these journalists are committed to continuing to report on all things fashion. 

Social media has been a huge part of the fashion industry for years now and like brands, fashion publications have embraced connecting with their audiences on these platforms. However, due to the accelerated digital adoption that happened during Covid lockdowns, more people than ever have joined social media and are embracing even the newest platforms like TikTok at rapid rates. #FashionTok as its known on the platform has become a worldwide community that encompasses every aspect of fashion from amateurs to legendary professionals. The community has also become known as somewhat of a counterculture with many prominent users sharing controversial opinions and going against the traditional norms of the industry. TikTokers such as Caroline Vazzana have been able to gain more success and recognition on the platform than through traditional jobs in fashion media. So how can traditional publications navigate this new space? 

Bridget Foley shared her thoughts on the platform saying, "I think people want to hear from their peers which TikTok is great for, but they also want to hear from those traditional authority figures whose opinions are informed by years of industry experience." 

The panelists echoed this outlook when discussing social media. Traditional fashion publications can take on the role of experts sharing opinions and verified stories readers know they can trust. While social media platforms like TikTok can serve as a place for people to hear the opinions of their peers and have more open conversations that aren't dominated by corporate fashion's interests. The panelists also discussed the unique phenomenon of TikTok fashion vloggers pointing out that they stand out among social media users as a group that truly cares about what they are talking about. 

The panelists also pointed out that the counterculture found in these communities could be a reaction to the consolidation of the fashion industry over the years. Bridget Foley shared that she had witnessed firsthand how the industry had transformed over the years into a corporate-driven environment. This shift has touched all areas of the industry including designers, consumers and of course journalists. One important effect the reorganization of the industry had was how we define what may be perceived as a scandal and how it is covered by the media. Panelists shared some of the major scandals they had covered throughout the years and discussed how those same scandals would be received if they had happened in the present day. Scandals like copyright issues, designers copying one another's work, and giving credit to independent artists have all been hot topics in recent years. The panelists pointed out that in today's fast-fashion economy copycats are not as scandalous as they once were and it can sometimes be impossible to trace back where an idea originated from. However, one of the more positive effects of social media is that it has now become easier for designers and brands to credit independent artists whose work they may have used by shouting them out on social media. In recent years it has become an expectation for big designers to give credit where it is due when using work from small independent artists whether it be in prints, graphics etc. 

The topic of fast fashion is also a controversial subject in the industry right now and the panelists addressed the fast-paced fashion calendar that has taken over in recent years. This has led to difficulty for designers to be new and create because we are constantly inundated with newness. With an "on to the next" attitude, it is hard to reflect on things that stand out which is a challenge fashion journalists must contend with when covering new products. The fashion industry is creativity on demand and many designers have compared the feeling to being on a treadmill year round and journalists have also had to change their working style to keep up with the new normal. But, after the world was put on pause for 2 years during the pandemic, the panelists concluded that there is hope for the future. Everyone agreed that there is an urge for change, for something new. And that there is no substitute for in person events. 

Another challenge fashion journalists face with the advent of social media is the blind enthusiasm that emerges from the 24/7 nature of these platforms. It can be difficult to publish negative opinions and still get eyes on a piece when you are going against the flow of the social media hype train according to the panelists. Does this make fashion a more forgiving industry than other creative professions? Designers are often not subject to some of the harsh criticisms that other creators may receive on a regular basis. The panelists pointed out that the industry media often does not need to be as critical since the general public is already so critical of fashion. However, journalists also face a challenge from bigger brands who may control the media. 

After attending this insightful panel looking back on the evolution of fashion journalism it has definitely changed my opinion on some of these controversies. Let me know what you think in the comments!