Wizard of Oz - Leading Ladies Re-Imagined

No, this isn't Kansas.  Warner Brothers and Tonner Dolls have combined forces with 20 fashion designers to create one-of-a-kind dolls to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the Wizard of Oz movie.  Designers like Reem Acra, Betsey Johnson, Chris Benz, Byron Lars, Donna Karan, Jenny Packham  and Colleen Atwood to name a few, sketched and created couture ensembles for the collectible Tonner Dolls.  Above are a few preview sketches from different designers.  They were tasked with re-imagining the characters of Glinda the Good Witch, The Wicked Witch and of course,...

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Siempre Mujer Shoot with Genesis Rodriguez

Are you fan of bridal or embellishment design?  If you are not familiar with my side project, Weng Meng Design Studio, I create one-of-a-kind pieces based on my artisan embroidery designs.  Earlier this summer, a cool stylist by the name of Carlos Franqui contacted me after seeing my feather capelets on my Etsy shop.  He was working on a fabulous white fashion story for a cover shoot for leading Latin magazine, Siempre Mujer.  The gorgeous actress Genesis Rodriguez was starring in this photo spread.  He said a white falcon would be the co-star and wanted...

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Best of Emmy's Red Carpet - The Angels

The most talented actresses of the small screen were celebrated at the 66th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards.  The hottest trend on the red carpet? Bright glittering angels in platinum and white.  As a curvy girl myself, I love seeing gowns that sculpt and highlight great curves in an unusual way.  Kate Mara's J. Mendel gown had multi-directional shirring along with shaped, semi-sheer layers to reveal the leg in a soft way.  Also loved the chunky beading on the top.  Sofia Vergara's hourglass figure is always epic on the red carpet.  Roberto Cavalli's gown not only...

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#MYNY - DKNY Launches Fragrance With a Party in the Park

  Pop star Rita Ora, supermodel Chrissy Teigen and other celebrities were on hand to dish out heart shaped pretzels from Cronut King Dominic Ansel.   It was one giant party in Madison Square Park with a DJ, treats and the newest sweet scent from DKNY. The Donna Karan brand has always professed their love for the city of New York in their advertising and their location in the heart of Manhattan.  This campaign takes that idea quite literally.  The digital heart motif was splashed everywhere.  The heart shaped bottle has a top inspired by the architecture of the city....

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How to Rock Transitional Style with Skirts Online

All right, we have hit that time of year of transitional dressing.  Fall and winter clothes have hit the stores while summer temperatures occur outside for another month.  How do you bridge that gap in seasonal style?    Tip #1: Black and white was a big trend at both the spring and fall collections.  Pairing textures and graphic patterns work all year round.  Stripes, geometric and ethnic prints I found all over the runways the past year.  Stretch your wardrobe with a solid black or solid white bottom to anchor any design up top. Tip #2: You can’t...

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#MENSWEAR: Dr. Martens Spirit of '69

The iconic Doc Martens boot brand celebrated the “Spirit of ‘69” last night on the Lower East Side.  In its latest campaign, British rapper Mike Skinner and photographer Gavin Watson have evoked the rebellious spirit, music and skinhead culture of 1960’s that made the brand the punk fashion icon it is today.  Dr. Marten’s also collaborated with brands like Trojan Records, Alpha Jackets, Brutus Shirts and Edwin Jeans that they felt also contributed to the culture of that time. While Dr. Martens was traditionally made in the U.K. did you know there really...

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#Menswear: Stronghold Denim: America's Heritage

Do your jeans have history? I came across Stronghold Denim's gorgeous store in Venice Beach, California.   Walking into their space in the chic shopping street of Abbot Kinney Boulevard was like a trip back in time. Stronghold was the first denim company to produce and Manufacture in Los Angeles.   They date back to 1895.  They supplied authentic work wear for those early consumers.  In the 1930's, you saw Stronghold jeans in movies like The Grapes of Wrath and Charlie Chaplin’s Modern Times.  The company closed in 1949. Fast forward to 2004, entrepreneurs...

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#Menswear Schuyler 4 Fall/Winter 2014

Do you need some German engineering in your wardrobe?  I love visiting the Schuyler 4 menswear showroom.  Their luxury men’s sportswear is what I would wear if I were a man.  They represent several heritage brands, Alberto, Haupt and Codice.  They each have been around for generations and hail mostly from Germany.  I always find it interesting that the classic legacy brands are often the ones doing the most innovative things with their product.  I don’t know if that is because they know their category so well, that they are confident enough to take chances? ...

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#Menswear Nautica Fall 2014

Did Nautica’s Black Sail Fall 2014 collection finally find its identity? I’m kicking off my menswear week coverage with one of my career alma maters. For many years, Nautica did not seem to know where it wanted to be in the market place after VF Corporation took the brand over from David Chu. While I was employed there, there were efforts to make it preppy and sophisticated.  It dabbled in the more urban aesthetic towards what their expensive (but inconclusive) market research told them. Should the brand stay true the nautical theme?  Did it really boil down to Father’s Day promotions...

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Sales Alert: June Ambrose & Scoop NYC Clean Out Their Closets

June Ambrose is one of the most influential stylists, cool Mom and celebrity wrangler on the fashion industry.  She has worked with some of the top pop culture figures of today, helping to craft their personal brands.  It should come as no surprise that she also has one of the most coveted wardrobes around, full of top designers and every accessory you could dream of. (Check out our exclusive interview with June Ambrose). She is cleaning it out, and that act of organization is your gain.  This Saturday, those goodies are for sale in Downtown NYC.  Bring cash and carry...

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Aritizia Holiday 2014

What are you wearing to work this winter?  Aritizia's Soho Boutique hosted a preview of their winter and holiday collection last week.  While this clothing chain is new to many of my fashion friends, they have been a go-to destination for Canadian peeps for years. They are not selling revolutionary new styles, but are trend driven and sophisticated at a great price point.  This was the store that you graduated to after you left behind the fast fashion and high street stuff of placed like H&M to be taken seriously with the proper wardrobe of an adult. I love that their...

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Ms. Fabulous Hosts The Tipsy Tea Party

Thank you to all my lovelies who indulged me and my drunken tea party.  The theme (besides tipsy tea beverages) was the gorgeously quirky film The Grand Budapest Hotel Hubby, my cousin and I decorated the ballroom to look like a musty 1930’s hotel. They found tapestry rugs and over-sized leather chairs.  Within the ballroom’s kitchen, I found hundreds of dainty, hand-painted China cups that were likely inherited from the restaurant that was onsite back when the building was first established in the 1920’s. They were accompanied by tea plates that had cup indentations...

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Echo Design & Hunt Slonem Collaboration

Welcome to the jungle! I had the privilege of visiting the studio of Hunt Slonem for his collaboration with Echo Design this week.  The renowned artist is famous for his tropical hued works of parrots and rabbits. The accessory group Echo Design is known for mid-priced fashion forward accessories across many categories.  While they were always trend-driven, they wanted to do collaboration with an artist.  It turns out that executives were friends of a friend of Slonem and the rest was on display at his studio. The studio was huge, with an aviary in the back housing...

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National Museum of the American Indian - Identity in Costume

Can you say the story of your identity is told in your wardrobe?  I visited the National Museum of theAmerican Indian in Washington D.C.  I, of course, went straight for the costume and fashion related exhibits. The museum itself was beautifully conceived.  I loved how individual tribes curated their own sections of the museum to tell their own stories.  The museum doesn’t shy away from the often ugly history or painful experience of native people in the United States. The major goal of the museum is conservancy.  There are culturally sensitive...

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Indah Swimwear 2015

Going tribal are we?  Indah Clothing’s 2015 collection was the last runway presentation of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week for the season.  Was everyone a little fatigued? Sure.  Was this fashion show worthy of keeping wearing photographers awake in the pit? Yes. Hand woven and crochet pieces were prominent throughout this collection.  Tassels and ethnic jewelry embellished the swimwear and cover-up lounge looks.  Animal prints from zebra to tiger to African tribal prints were the patterns of choice.  Hair on the models was blown out wild and BIG.  Here...

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Blogger Love: Far & Away

. For many across the globe, August is the month where you take a vacation. The last days of summer before school starts. The hottest and most miserable time in the city. The coolest and most fun time at the lake. Or best time to travel. Whether you are going far, of staying in town, you'll want to do so in style. This week's roundup has just everything you need, from travel tips to Berlin or Istanbul, and how to pack. The hottest half-trend of the summer, whether it be a half top know or a crop top. It's all here. Links à la Mode: July 31st Anonymous Beauty Blogger: Women and Bullying in...

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Belusso Swimwear 2015

Are you ready to tie one on?  That was the definitive detail of the Belusso 2015 swimwear collection at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim.  Exaggerated ties were prominent in a majority of the looks on designer Kirsten Ehrig-Sarkisian’s runway.  The super-long ties were swung around from the side of the hips, front cleavage, back muscles, around the neck.  While probably not practical for swimming through coral embedded waters, it does feature a great way to create movement to highlight whatever part of the body you want to draw attention to. The other signature...

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