Tag Archives: NYC

Femininity and Glamour at RAOUL F/W 2014

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RAOUL presented a beautiful, feminine ready-to-wear line at the off-site location Stanley H. Kaplan Penthouse this morning to kick-start my fashion week events. The models stood on the stage that curved around the room, some chatting to each other while the press mingled and took their photos. My favorite looks were the vintage-esque ensembles—the prints mixed with powder blue tones and marigold. Each look was feminine, but had a modern twist.  LOVE IT.  In addition, RAOUL launched a new accessories and shoe (!!!) line. What do you think of the looks? Which is your favorite?

The Fashion Olympics Begin

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Today was the official kick-start of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York: the official Olympian event for fashionistas around the world. Global trendsetters are flying in from all over to make appearances at shows while flaunting their best high heels (without tights) in this super frigid cold air. To make it more of a spectacle, these stylists, models, bloggers, editors and spectators alike are hopping and leaping over giant mounds of snow with pure grace in their stilettos. Impressive, we know.

Here are some street style photos of fashionistas that caught my eye today.

Adventures on a Talk Show

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clinton kelly

It was just another snowy day in Manhattan. My friend Julie and I decided it was the perfect day to be audience members on a daytime talk show, The Chew. I mean, what else is there to do when a blizzard hits town?

We broke out the jewel-tone attire that is a requirement for these adventures. Red? Check.  Blizzard-sturdy shoes? Check. We were ready to go.

Upon arrival at the ABC studios, we snagged our tickets and chugged our coffee before entering the field that was full of production teams and people looking for snazzy, fun audience members. Julie and I must have had a light shining down on us, because lo’ and behold, practically every person in the studio asked us to keep in contact to be on the show another time (as audience members, participants for activities, etc.). We were stoked! Lucky for us we were able to partake as taste testers— yum! Not only were we taste testers, we were chosen to be participants in a trivia-pie throwing game. We had to answer 3 pie trivia questions. For each correct answer we could step forward to get closer to Chef Michael Symon, our pie target. I lucked out and got all 3 correct—giving me perfect aim for the $250 prize I won! The studio team was so kind—we had no idea that this snow-filled day would end up with us on TV, tasting some seriously amazing food, and winning a cash prize. Who knew?!

As if that wasn’t fun and exciting enough, Clinton Kelly (a hero of mine!) chatted and took a selfie with me and Julie. Isn’t NYC amazing? The Chew episode we’re on will be airing on March 28th. Spot us in the crowd and watch our pie throwing skills!

Venexiana Shows Off Evening Gown Variety

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Gown after gown, dress after dress marched down the runway at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week during Venexiana’s spring/summer show. Turquoise, tangerine, periwinkle and pink florals all colored the dresses in such a cheerful manner—ready for the sunshine and outdoor awards festival season coming next year. Although there were a large amount of gorgeous red-carpet dresses, I have watched plenty of Project Runway episodes to know that this line needed to be edited down (thanks for the insight, Tim Gunn!) because there ended up being 73 different looks. After a while, you start losing the “ooh” and “ahhh” from the audience because the show kept going on and on. Despite the length, Venexiana put together a drop-dead gorgeous show that celebrities and their stylists will be clamoring to buy this spring/summer time. Check it out in the video!

Katie Gallagher’s Funeral Flowers Prevail

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Upon arrival at The Raven on that hot, September day of New York Fashion Week—guests spiraled up the staircase into a packed room full of press and fans alike. Each lined up to get the best photos possible of the new spring summer 2014 Katie Gallagher collection, while others bee-lined to the bar to cool off with a vodka lemonade—both excellent choices.

Models stood against the backdrop of a blank white wall—staggered positioning based on height alone. The minimalist, yet edgy line was inspired by the song “Blume” [lyric: For you I am a Chrysanthemum/Supervova, Urgent Star/  For you, I’ll be a dandelion, a thousand flowerettes in the sky, or just a drop in the ocean} and funeral flowers. The line titled ‘Bloom’ for spring/summer examines our tendency to conceal unpleasant ordeals with beautiful objects.  I had to wonder if they had to draw sticks or not, as some models got the short end of the deal and had to bite onto a rose for the entire presentation.

Take a look at the happy models [note: sarcasm] and let me know what you think of the presentation. I found her inspirations to be interesting and unique, and her line clearly stayed true to the theme.

Check out www.katiegallagher.com – I recommend watching the videos of her previous lines, too– entertaining!

Street Your Heart Out: Street Style at NYFW

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Everyone and their dogs showed up during New York Fashion Week dressed to impress. Whether it be classic, sophisticated style, punk-rock edge, or quirky-unique, fashionistas alike all made the entire week a runway itself– even if you didn’t make it into the Lincoln Center. I met a lot of fun spectators and participants in all kinds of attire. What inspires me the most about being in the fashion industry is that every individual has his/her own point of view of what is stylish and beautiful. No matter what the look, the differences are what makes the fashion scene exciting and unique. Besides–if we were all wearing the same thing– wouldn’t that be boring? Take a look at all the stylish people I took snapshots of and let me know what you think. For a closer look- click on the collage.

Tweet your personal style to me @blairebrownNYC and you can potentially be featured!

Ricardo Seco Brings Asian Influence with a Brooklyn Twist

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Self-taught designer, Ricardo Seco, has been keeping me on my toes each season. Last season he designed a line inspired by Hasidic Jewish culture in Brooklyn. This Spring/Summer 2014 he’ll be airing a collection of street-savvy looks with pops of Eastern Asian influence. The show certainly was not a snooze-fest, as most are at this time of the week. Instead the audience was captivated by the vastly different looks on each male model (and one female, by the way)—but Seco was able to keep the collection nicely cohesive. Sporty jackets and unique pant silhouettes kept the show fresh and new. Models walked the runway, but surprised the audience at the end by walking back out and stepping up onto stools grouped together right in front of the guest benches that spectators were seated on. It was a runway show transformed into a presentation—how fun!

Joanna Mastroianni Brings Flirty Dresses to the Runway

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Inspired by the architecture of Gaudi (see images of his work here), Joanna Mastroianni designed a beautiful collection full of black, white, Mediterranean blue with tangerine pops. Her cocktail dresses had everything from A-line cuts to one-shoulder caftans over skinny jeans. The sweetheart dresses had impeccable tailoring and even hand-sewn embroidery. Transparent tops brought on the sex appeal making this flirty line not just for girls. It is a younger market fashion line, but held every aspect of sophistication. Each detail was well thought out and perfectly placed. Models strut down the runway as TLC’s “No Scrubs” started jamming from the speakers.  I’d wear her pieces to a cocktail party, date or a gala event.

GORGEOUS! See for yourself in the below video.

For more, see www.JoannaMastroianni.com

Argentine Designers Premiere at the Tents

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The Argentine Ministry of Foreign Affairs granted 7 lucky finalists the opportunity of a lifetime: to show their lines at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. The designers were each handpicked based on their creativity, career progress and ability to show and sell internationally. Viviana Uchitel, Tenaz, Agostina Bianchi, Mariana Dappiano, Fabian Zitta, Daniela Sartori, Marcelo Giacobbe all brought their Argentine flair to New York City which showcased Argentina’s great creativity and talent.

Watch the video to see each designer’s lines—which one is your favorite?

My Fave of the Week: Cynthia Rowley

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Drumroll, please! Cynthia Rowley’s Presentation was my favorite of the week. Rowley demonstrated what she is known best for: whimsy, femininity, and beautiful style. Walking into the Highline Hotel where the presentation was held was a trip in itself. The overwhelming, delicious smell of espresso upon arrival and a cute little cocktail bar tucked to the left. Kind PR girls ushered guests up the multiple flights of old-school, castle-like stairs into the giant banquet room that was decorated similarly to Cynthia Rowley’s party-décor shop—with multi-colored bulbs placed in the old chandeliers and bright, cheery streamers draped for days. The atmosphere was fun and vibrant, and I hadn’t even seen the clothes yet.

Rowley’s models stood side by side showcasing her Spring/Summer line that will be in stores in 2014. Bright colors, feminine shapes, floral prints, embroidery—she left out no detail when creating this collection. Surfer girls in California, women in Greenwich, Texas ladies going to a cocktail party—her designs are created for all kinds of women across the country. Women with confidence that are bold and feminine will flock to stores to get their hands on this sweet collection.

I left the event smiling—no one could help it after seeing these happy, whimsical designs. It was a fabulous fashion affair!

For everything Cynthia Rowley, check out http://www.cynthiarowley.com/