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Wednesday, July 31, 2013

DIY: How to Make a Beaded Macrame Bracelet


Did you make jewelry crafts at summer camp?  I was reminiscing about my days of twisting lanyards into wearable art in 5th grade this week.  I thought I would present a quickie macrame bracelet DIY to refresh your memories.  This one is based on a basic square knot technique.  If you don't have the patience to read, you can also watch the tutorial video I made with About.com.

To make this project, you are going to need:
·         Scissors
·         A board and something to pin your project to
·         Some lengths of cord
·         Beads large enough to fit your chords through
·        A button


Anchor Cords to Begin Making Your Bracelet

To start, you are going to have two lengths of 48-inch cords, and you are going to fold the two lengths like the first photo. Then you are going to tie a knot to create a loop. Next, you are going to pin it to your board, and this is how you're going to anchor your project. You are going to stick your loop against the pin and separate your cords. You are going to have two center cords, and you can take this down. 


Start Knotting and Adding Beads

Next, you are going to begin a knotted technique for your macramé bracelet. You start with one under and one over and pull. You alternate your knots going over and then under the two center cords. Then you are going under and over and this is known as a square knot.

When you are ready for your first bead, you are going to take your center two cords and pull them through your first bead. You are going to continue your knotting around the bead. So you're going to grab  your cord again and go under and over right around the bead and keep knotting again.


Finish Your Beaded Macrame Bracelet

When you are ready to end your bracelet, take your cords and put them through the buttonholes. Take your cords and knot off the ends and pull the knot tight. Trim off the excess length. When you're ready to wear your DIY macrame bracelet, you put your button through the loop that you made, and there you have it!

If you want to create an entire arm party, you can add this set of bracelets to complete the look.
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Sexy Sauvage Spring 2014

Sauvage's West Coast sensibility brought plunging necklines and teeny bikinis to South Beach.  Designer Elizabeth Southwood creates this sexy swimwear collection out of San Diego, California and showed it at Miami Fashion Week.

In addition to the skin-baring solid colors, 1970's inspired floral prints adorned suits and coordinating pieces.  The cover-up length of choice was a baby-doll length, just grazing the behind.  I'm guessing the California crowd loves to show off their legs.  The overall attitude was of the bombshells of the 70's and Bond girls.

I know that this label also produces a men's collection and was disappointed they were not shown alongside their fashion sisters. Perhaps next season, the models will be paired with a date for the enjoyment of all of us gals in the photographer's pit... 
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Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Beach Chic for the Family at Naila Summer 2014

While ladies clearly ruled Miami Fashion Week Swim, the Naila Swimwear runway was inclusive of the entire family.  Designer Naila Chbib offered up sleek swim shorts for men, sexy suits for women and coordinating pieces for boys as well.

The designer brings her French and Swiss heritage to the sophisticated prints and embellishments.  She also studied fashion at my alma mater Parsons School of Design.  A lot of work has been put into the technology and sustainability of the fabrics, being quick dry and often made with eco-friendly upcycled materials.

Cover-ups were focused on beautifully printed sheer fabrics that gave the models a lot of movement as they walked.  The attitude on this catwalk was clearly playful.  There was one female model who echoed the sentiment of the women in the audience in her feigned faint at the sight of the first piece of male eye candy all week.  I wish there were more men's shows in South Beach.  They need fashion too!
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Monday, July 29, 2013

L*SPACE Statement Swimwear - Miami Swim Week

How do you jazz up the a simple swimsuit into a spectacular outfit? L*Space designer Monica Wise pairs a dramatic statement necklace with it to complete the look.  The swimwear of their  Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Miami show had simple silhouettes but maximum impact on the runway.

Designer Monica Wise draws inspiration from the various beaches of where she lives.  She lived in Florida and now Southern California.  You can see the South Beach muses in the dark, sexy Latin looks of the black bikinis accented with straps and fringe.  They were paired with edgy chain necklaces and black mesh cover-ups.  The West Coast influence is in the group of pastel teal and coral colors with light colored cover-ups that doubled as sun dresses.  Hair was pulled back into twisty braids for all the models (a popular style this week in the heat).

I loved that the models really knew how to work the swinging jewelry when they posed on this catwalk.  As pretty as the swimwear was, this show proved how accessories can truly make an outfit shine.
photos by Mariana Leung
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Saturday, July 27, 2013

Sexy Sporty Oakley Swim 2014

The true beach warriors hit the runway at the Oakley Swimwear fashion show last Sunday.  While many of the models at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim emphasized the sexy attributes of bikinis (often wearing impossible stilettos) sports stars strutted their fit bodies earned from hard work.

Oakley is the label you wear to play, strive and surf.  This was proven by pro-surfer Erica Hosseini and pro-volley ball player Christal Engle who took on the catwalk.  They weren't pandering to the leering hotel lizards but were sexy and strong by being accomplished athletes.

I haven't been able to personally verify the practicality of the suits in active use, so I can't tell you if they really are sport-worthy.  Style-wise, bright, California colors, simple stripes, classic American shapes defined this collection.

Now, for those who just need their eye candy, here you go:
Now go root for Team USA!
photos by Mariana Leung

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Friday, July 26, 2013

BCBGeneration Swim from South Beach

Young, sport and strong, these are the target women for BCBG Max Azria's swimwear collection for junior label BCBGeneration.  Their runway presentation at the SLS Hotel in South Beach was a mix of wearable, realistic swimsuits for ladies with active lifestyles.  Higher-cut bottoms, tank suits with graphic text prints or geometric patterns were fun for the beach.  

Keeping the design philosophy, Max Azria's daughter Joyce Azria was the creative director behind this label.  Perhaps this is why these suits were (slightly) more modest and the shoes more realistic for the poolside than some of its sassier competitors at the Raleigh Hotel.  As with the previous year, I found that the models also had more realistic bodies than the uber-tanned Amazons of other shows as well, but certainly looked as good as any catwalk you could wish for.  Here's to not falling out or falling down next time you take a dip...


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Thursday, July 25, 2013

MIAMI SWIM WEEK: Gottex Summer 2014

For a dose of European chic in South Beach, look no further than the Gottex show at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim.  The luxury swimwear collection was presented on a runway inside the SLS Hotel pool in Miami.

The color combinations of deep blue, tangerine, purple, turquoise and hot fushia made for a sophisticated palette.  The patterns were a mix of bold color block combined with intricate ethnic and art deco inspired prints.  Coordinating scarf prints and cover-ups looked fashionable enough to wear as a your summer soiree ensemble away from the poolside.  The matching scarf was also used to create coordinating jewelry, by wrapping them around big bangles.  (A good tip for any summer outfit!)

The striking colors and patterns from the 2013 were instantly recognizable on fashion week guests this year.  They were being worn as summer dresses at a luncheon right before the show of fashion editors and looked fantastic, proving how timeless a fantastic print can be.

Creative Director Molly Grad has a background designing for Stella McCartney, YSL and Ferre, so it is no surprise that she has brought a couture sensibility to poolside style.
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Wednesday, July 24, 2013

MIAMI SWIM WEEK: Poko Pano Summer 2014

The heat of South Beach made everyone at Mercedes-Benz Fashion week yearn for something icy.  The  Oasis tent was air conditioned and the sand below your feet was cool. Brazilian swimwear label Poko Pano brought a palette of sorbet colors like tangerine, raspberry, lime and ice blue.  The silhouettes were simple and clean with classic patterns of variegated stripes and polka dots. Swirling geometrics and floral prints were also added to the mix. The collection was also a tribute to St. George, shown by the collection of elaborate rosaries that accessorized the models.  Now if we could only get some Brazilian cocktails going as well, it would be a perfect night.

photos by Mariana Leung


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Tuesday, July 23, 2013

MIAMI SWIM WEEK: Tribal Chic at Mara Hoffman

mara hoffman 2013
mara hoffman miami fashion
My favorite styling was hands down the Mara Hoffman Swimwear 2014 show at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week.  Her signature use of ethnic prints included Indian deities, tropical florals and mystical tribal patterns.

Of course, the color palette was not traditional to the inspirational cultures, but updated with a fashion forward palette.  The prints were also engineered into curves and shapes that flattered the body.  The real stunner was the jewelry and hair by Nick Irwin of TIGI.  The jewelry was a mix of antiqued silver bells and beads in layers of bracelets and necklaces.  Each model had elaborately plaited hair with textile flowers and tassels that were traditionally used as decorations for camels.
Make-up was more subtle with natural, earthy looks with a inked in motifs on the forehead.

In addition to swimsuits, the runway had pretty dresses that were perfect for a night out, well beyond the basic cover-ups that most swimwear collections offered.

Mara Hoffman was also the designer that Mercedes-Benz chose to honor during Miami Fashion Week by plastering her prints all over their marquee car model.  The cars were prominently displayed outside of the
Raleigh Hotel as guests entered the fashion show venues.  Damn, I have heard of matching your purse to your outfit, but being able to match  your ride to your threads? That's badass.
mara hoffman mercedes
photos by Mariana Leung, camel photo from Adelaide Beatrice Laing
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Monday, July 22, 2013

MIAMI SWIM WEEK: Nicolita's Booty Shaker

booty swimwear
nicolita swimwear
It was all about the booty at Nicolita's fashion show at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim on Saturday.  The outfits themselves celebrated the era of vintage Cuban glamour, back when old Hollywood saw it as its playground.  The models were styled like classic starlets of the 1950's and pin-up girls.

Bows and ruffles accented backsides against a soundtrack of Beyonce's Bootylicious and Sir Mix-a-lot's Baby Got Back.  Designer Nicole Di Rocco's collection focuses on flattering a woman's curves.  The retro prints and silhouettes were perfectly at home in South Beach among all of the old hotels of the Art Deco era.

Hair was set in rollers tied with a pretty scarf.  Jewelry included big hoops and buttons. While the models on this runway were a little curvier than those you see on the anemic runways of New York, I still don't think any of their behinds truly encompassed the scale of "Big Butts" and "BOOTY" being flashed on the wall and memorialized by the soundtrack.

What do you think?  How much booty do you think you should see in a show where it is the main theme?

nicolita designer
Photos by Mariana Leung
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The Fashion Milestones of Ms. Fabulous


What was the milestone moments that brought me here today?

The definitive moment that made me choose the fashion industry as my career path was after watching a charity runway show of Canadian designer Alfred Sung in 1991.  This was before Toronto had a fashion week, and was just a trade show.  It was also where M.A.C. cosmetics were first introduced to the Canadian fashion crowd before taking over the world.  It was my junior year in high school and I had loved every part of the atmosphere there.  While there was a lot of pitching from marketing people, I loved listening to all of it, just to learn about how the industry people talked about their product and try to learn the lingo.

When you feel that “A-ha” moment, embrace it.  Explore it, learn about it, and then find a way to make it happen.

After that, I set out to explore who the top players were in the industry and what the top schools were.  I made it a goal to get into Parsons School of Design as it had the best alumni.  I didn’t really have a plan B.  I always knew I wanted to live in New York City and am really grateful my parents were so supportive.

My first job after graduating from Parsons was to work as a designer for a lingerie company. I got to see my first solo project hanging in Bloomingdale’s six months later.  This was a milestone moment for me to see a major store carrying something I put my stamp on.  It was the scared look of a customer trying on the robe and seeing me jump and down that finally snapped me back to reality.

There’s nothing like a moment of validation that your chosen path in life was the right one. 

One of my first projects in embroidery design, and what would become my passion, was a project for Oscar de la Renta. I was creating Baroque motif “graffiti” by spray painting stenciled shapes onto sheets of sequins.  The design made it into his collection and I called my mother when I saw the runway photos in a magazine. 

In the apparel industry, it often is not as artistic as one might hope.  I soon learned that merchandising and margins get in the way of creativity quite a bit.  Embroidery design turned out to be one small segment of the industry where one really could branch out and take chances in design, and where your fashion design heroes actually take notice.  Also, Oscar de la Renta happens to have the same birthday as me today of July 22nd.  Perhaps that’s why we understood each other.

The most important fashion design I ever created was my own wedding gown.  Yes, that’s cliché, and I was sternly instructed not to attempt making it myself by my mother.  I wasn’t sure if that was a superstition or her knowing me well enough that I shouldn’t stress myself out.  What made this an important gown was not just the symbolic purpose of it, but the fact that it was a collaborative project with several good friends.  I designed it, but my good friend Regina constructed it and another friend Rekha did the embroidery.  My entire family and friends collaborated on many other aspects of the event, from running an assembly line for programs or my Mother running the planning down like a military operation (really, she had spreadsheets and charted images of all vendors on CDs!). 

You may have terrific milestones in your career; you might have amazing accomplishments of your own.  However, I realized the longer I live life, the ones that are the most satisfying are the ones you achieve with the people you love. 

In today’s busy world, don’t let your period slow you down. At the end of the day, Always Infinity is the pad that’s still going strong. It’s made from a revolutionary material called Infincel, so it’s super flexible and totally molds to your shape. Plus, it absorbs up to 55% more.* So spend more time with your friends and family, and less time worrying about leaks. Try Always Infinity today. Share your tips to achieve a better balance: Facebook.com/always.               *versus the leading Regular Ultra pad with wings.

Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Always via Glam Media.  The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Always
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Sunday, July 21, 2013

Miami Swim Week: Betsey Johnson Swimwear 2014

betsey johnson swimwear
betsey johnson miami fashion
The lady in pink, Betsey Johnson launched her swimwear collection on top of the Betsy Hotel in South Beach Saturday night.  There were only a few looks but the very game models were styled in retro swimsuits with lots of pin-up details and pop art graphics.

Accessories included licorice bouquets, rose petals, pop art printed totes or polka dot messenger bags.  The models danced to the music in day-glo colored wigs.  Being a New York based designer, the girls wore booties and leg warmers because apparently the 88 degree day wasn't warm enough...  The bikinis had a vintage silhouette like high-waisted bottoms, tied tops or ruffled and belted like iconic suits of the 1960's.  One piece suits were basic tank suits but with a bold pop art graphic.

Bright pink "Betsey" cocktails were served while a DJ spun tunes for the rooftop crowd.  I didn't stay through to the very end of the party, but I'm guessing Ms. Johnson probably did not cartwheel down the end of the penthouse.  She probably would have tumbled right into the ocean...
photos by Mariana Leung
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Saturday, July 20, 2013

MIAMI SWIM WEEK: Agua Bendita Summer 2014

agua bendita miami fashion
agua bendita 2014
How does a rocker take to the beach?  The opening group of the Agua Bendita show at Miami Swim Week was all about leather and studs.  While the actual fabrics of these swimsuits were not made of leather, the shiny black pieces looked like they came right out of hair band music video.

I don't exactly see these looks on the sand overlooking the ocean, but probably poolside at the Hard Rock hotel in Las Vegas.  They are sexy, and look perfectly appropriate for a night out at the music clubs in Los Angeles.  Hey, musicians and the gals who love them need their designers too.
agua bendita 2013

The end group was what I call the "glamping" group.  There was some fringed bikinis, suitcases with old travel stickers, fatigue pants with badges and a terrific trompe l'oeil print swimsuit with a camera and strap printed on it.  This was a fun collection, as if it was a girl scout expedition as imagined by the male editors of Penthouse magazine. 

Agua Bendita is a 10 year old swimwear label by designers  Catalina Álvarez and Mariana Hinestroza who started working together as fashion design students in Columbia.  Perhaps their travel-themed collection above represents their journey...
photos by Mariana Leung
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MIAMI SWIM WEEK: Dolores Cortes Summer 2014

miami swim week
dolores cortes swimwear
dolores cortes fashion show
Bam! The Dolores Cortes girl is no wallflower.  The only flowers here are super bright, tropical and three-dimensional.  The Spanish designer displayed a very bold collection of swimwear for her Mecedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim show.

The solid colored suits had all sorts of twisted straps that wrapped around the body in sexy ways.  The prints were big and loud.  There were floral appliques on top of the tropical printed flowers just in case you "missed" them.  Just in case you thought these were too sweet and feminine, the collection was accessorized with big statement jewelry.  Gold spiked necklaces, cuffs, earrings acted like Wonder Woman's accouterments to the Amazonian models.

You know that messy, sticky, almost ratty hair you get after a day at the beach? Well, somehow the hairstylists made that look work on this runway.  The eyes on the models were well beyond 'smoky' and into 'raccoon' territory that they were so dark.  This worked on the most confident of models, but overwhelmed others.

Dolores herself looked like a proud Mom in her printed dress and statement necklace.  It's like the gold spiked bikini was her baby and she was releasing the warrior out into the world...

photos by Mariana Leung
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Thursday, July 18, 2013

South Beach Beauty and Fashion List

I am headed to South Beach for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim tomorrow.  I thought I would let you guys see what I am packing.  These are all of my summer beach beauty essentials.

Notably, I want you all to realize that these are all products I spend my own money on.  One of my favorite discoveries this season was Hydroxotone's BB Cream.  It has 40 SPF sunscreen and feels cool on my skin when I first put it on.  The medium shade works well on my face.

I can't live without my tiny M.A.C. small angle brush lately.  I found that liquid eyeliner and I don't mix, but the thin, angled brush is perfect for applying the cat's eye look.

Aveeno's night cream has been one of the best night creams I have tried in ages.  It is also more reasonably priced than many others I have encountered.

I love my M.A.C. Lip Glass... I do.  It's what I use when I have to give up my signature dark lipsticks for summer.  I love their vanilla scent and shimmery shades of translucent color.

For the beach itself, a curvy like me can't go without my Miraclesuit Pandora suit .  I bought this style because it has somewhat of an eveningwear look to the bodice.  I can easily pair a flowing skirt to the bottom for a full outfit off the sand.

Last but not least are my pretty prints from AllSaints. I bought this peony print long sleeveless top and live in it for days... It is super soft and light.  A lifesaver this summer!

Ok, the next time I report will be from the Raleigh hotel in Miami!  Xoxo!

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Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Win Hpnotiq’s Handbag Challenge - Bling It On!

hollywood glamor fashion

Who is the most “glam” of them all?  You don’t need a magic mirror to tell you, (that’s what “selfies” are for).  Let Hpnotiq reward you properly, with a purse.   Yes, the blue liqueur is hosting another round of its #GLAMLOUDER contest, and you can win the designer handbag you have been eyeing all summer for showing them your best head to toe look. 

The image you offer up doesn't have to be of yourself, just an incredibly chic look that represents the best of your taste!  For my entry, I loved the classic Hollywood vamping from the models on the Korhani Fall 2013 runway at World MasterCard Fashion Week.  The retro-styled hair, the poses and perfect facial expressions made it the most memorable show in Toronto.

This multi-round contest awards luxurious fashion prizes around different themes.  I first wrote about the glammest heels challenge where they outfitted lucky feet with $800 stilettos.  The next prize was to bestow a beauty queen with an entire year of mani-pedis.  This round, the winners get to their favorite piece of arm candy in the form of a designer bag.

To enter, you need to submit your head to toe “glam look” to Hpnotiq’s Facebook page or their website.  You can also follow and tweet your photo  @Hpnotiq.  Just make sure you tag your entry with  #GLAMLOUDER to make sure the judges see it! They will choose four fashionistas from this contest to gift with the perfect purse.  Winners of this challenge are also entered into the grand prize drawing where you (and three of your BFF’s) are flown out to Los Angeles to get makeovers and shop with Khloe Kardashian (and you know that family can shop!)  You’ll also star in your own photo shoot which might be Hpnotiq’s next ad campaign! Make sure you enter by July 28, 2013.

Click here for full contest rules.   Good luck and win BIG!

Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Hpnotiq via Single Edition Media.The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Hpnotiq.


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