Art Basel Miami - Where The Fashion Crowd Parties

Art Basel is Miami's annual celebration of all that is art. The top earning artists and galleries down to the up-and-coming sculptor displaying his work at McDonald's. The fashion crowd headed south this week to check out stylish parties in South Beach and boutiques in the Design District.

Art Hearts Fashion is a travelling collaboration showcasing young artists and designers for one of the sexiest parties in each city. After NY Fashion Week and Los Angeles, they held a party at Spectrum Art Fair along with runway shows of Mr. Triple Ex, Amato Couture and the House of Li Jon,

Valentino's 3-story emporium of high fashion opened in Miami's Design District this year. For Art Basel, the boutique hosted a celebration in honor of fellow Italian artist Pietro Ruffo.

Also in the Design District was biker chic jewelry designer Chrome Hearts hosted a cocktail party in collaboration with the Sean Kelly Gallery. They know the fashion crowd, treating them to cocktails and macarons from Laduree.

william mackrell art basel shot by BFA

The Gen Art organization came roaring back this year after a few years on hiatus. They helped launch runways shows for up and coming fashion designers during NYFW. Now in South Beach, they presented artist  William Mackrell in a performance art piece at the Mondrian Hotel.

With big international names, Art Basel seems like it might be an event that focuses on outside creatives. Worry not, local Miami knitwear fashion maven Karelle Levy is hosting an event with 3000+ local influencers on Friday at the Miami Hearts Design bash. If you didn't get an invite to the other parties, you can actually pick up a reasonable ticket for this party. It will feature an installation from artist and performances from hometown entertainers MILLIONYOUNG, Afrobeta and DJs Bedside. 

Stay cool, stay stylish and enjoy Miami's Art Basel everyone!

Read more >>

MIAMI SWIM WEEK: Tribal Chic at Mara Hoffman

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.

photos by Mariana Leung, camel photo from Adelaide Beatrice Laing

Read more >>

Top Trends from Miami Swim Week

The hottest fashion shows of the country (both literally and in attitude) was in South Beach. Distinct fashion trends from Miami Swim Week emerged. We rounded up the top trends for the beach for the upcoming year:

Get a hold on the best fashion trends for the beach

Flash Tattoos 
Metallic body jewelry was everywhere. I saw these on multiple runways and all over the streets. It makes sense. actual jewelry is too heavy in the humidity and how else do you glam up your look when you're wearing nothing more than a few inches of bikini?

Fringe 
This was the one of the top trends for the fall 2015 shows in New York Fashion Week. This detail also ruled the runways of Miami as well. Fringe decorated everything from necklines to sleeves to skirts and tunic hems. Any body part you can shake is a place that you can add some fringe.

The Butt-revealing Cut
 The posterior is the erogenous zone of this decade. While thongs are more daring than many women are comfortable with, the high-cut back to frame the behind was popular across almost every collection I saw in South Beach. I'm just waiting for the hip-hop community to immortalize this silhouette in music.

Photos by Mariana Leung and David TW Leung

Bollywood Chic
Several swimwear labels looked to the East for their muse this season. The Filthy Haanz show used gold thread embroidery, color-blocked styles inspired by the Indian flag and prints that took its muse from the graffiti of Mumbai. Dijana's fashion show opened with traditional Indian dancers. San Lorenzo Bikinis opened their show paying tribute to yoga and multi-limbed deities.

South Beach brought the heat. Now it's up to your to bring Miami Swim Week's hot trends to your own sandy runway.

Check out The Hottest Runways of Miami Swim Week 2016
by Ms. Fabulous at Mode

Read more >>

MIAMI FASHION WEEK: Mara Hoffman Swim 2013

It's is a steam bed of heat and humidity in South Beach.  If you're wearing anything more than a bikini, it will feel overdressed.  That's why I was a little unsure about the footwear choice of cowboy boots on the runway for Mara Hoffman's 2013 swimwear show.

For fall 2012, the designer was inspired by Shaman gaucho cowboys for her sportswear collection during NY Fashion Week.  The ranch hand influence was extended into the beach.  Native prints were given a South Beach color palette of coral, lime, sky blue and black.  The hair was styled in free form, with big statement necklaces and heavy bracelets for accessories.

The other accessory at this show, as sponsored by Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration, was skin.  In a fashion week dedicated to swimwear, that makes sense.  The skincare company made a clear point in their presence at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim that as so much skin was showing, it needed to be protected and moisturized.  They gave out lots of beach essentials to guests throughout the event which included towels, totes and tees.  This of course was in addition to the copious amounts of SPF 30 (and 50 for vampires like me).  You may remember in the 1980's it was all about the oil and tanning.  The company has evolved with the times and realized healthy skin is much sexier.

Pretty cut-outs and high waisted bottoms were flattering.  There were a lot of long, flowing cover-ups that worked as daywear dresses.  The Mara Hoffman lifestyle is all about easy, relaxed chic.

Read more >>

MIAMI FASHION WEEK: Frankie's Bikinis 2015

Hawaii meet Miami.  The Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim runway hosted the debut of Frankie's Bikinis cruise collection.  Swimwear prodigy Francesca Aillo created a bohemian, laid back collection inspired by the island of Kauai.

Her swimsuits did indeed include many bikini styles.  The colors pulled from nature, like sky blue, sand, earth, shell white, gardenia red...  The details were simple, like ties and crochet.  Some reminded me of the string games of my childhood.  The fits were designed for the girl who likes to play.  The construction was made for active women, structured for those who actually intend to get in the water.

The models were styled in loose, beachy hair by BLO Blow Dry bar, with natural make-up looks by BeautyBlender cosmetics.  Accessories were very simple, natural grasses wrapped around wrists, maybe a hand knotted bracelet or two.

Francesca Aillo is the youngest designer to have ever shown her collection in South Beach for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim.  Clearly, there is a lot more style to come.

Read more >>

MIAMI FASHION WEEK: Vogue Brasil Launch Party

Vogue Brasil launched their stylish South Beach issue during Miami Fashion Week.  The party was a chic, subdued affair at the SLS hotel by the pool.  Cucumber cocktails and summer sushi was served to a crowd of Miami socialites and fashion insiders. 

I love the design of this hotel.  Very contemporary, but witty.  There is a giant silver rubber duck by the pool, a big fushia draped bull's head in the dining room and life sized photos of partying guests inside the elevator.  I wonder what they do for mints on the pillow?

Read more >>

Miami Fashion Week Swim: Cia Maritima 2012

Cia Maritima's show at Miami Fashion Week drew the most enthusiastic response from the burly men of the photographer's pit.  How can you go wrong with a vintage Van Halen soundtrack and hot models in bikinis?

For those of us actually studying actual fashion details of the collection, there were sexy animal prints to be found.  Leopard spots showed up in chiffon wraps and swim suits.  A sorbet color palette of raspberry, lemon and pops of turquoise came up in dip-dyed cover-ups and watercolor floral prints. 1980's rock and roll influence could be seen in the off-the-shoulder fringed tops or revealing cut-out silhouettes.

Cia Maritima is the hot Brazilian swimwear line from Benny Rosset.  The grandson of a famous shirt manufacturer in the 1930's, Benny updated the family business to mix high-tech textiles and luxury workmanship into upscale fashion for the beach.

Whether you are a groupie or looking to acquire an entourage of your own, Brazil's top swimwear designer has your back.

Read more >>

Miami Fashion Week Swim: LUXE by Lisa Vogel 2012

How do you bring luxury to the beach when one doesn't wear that much?  Lisa Vogel answered that question in a tent and on the runway at Miami Fashion Week.  The fashion show contained a beautiful watery prints in multiple shades of blue.  An elegant group of delicate paisley-inspired prints also in a blue palette also strutted down the catwalk.

The "luxe" part of LUXE by Lisa Vogel was seen in the upscale details probably not meant for the chlorine of a swimming pool.  Pretty crystal details anchored shirring on some suits and bodices on others.  Silhouettes themselves were simple and flattering.  Twisted straps gave interest in halter form or as an asymmetrical single strap.

If you want to want to show maximum sophistication with minimal actual coverage, Lisa Vogel is the one to dress you in style.

Read more >>

Prune for June - Stargazer Style Contest

I hit the beach for the first time this weekend and realized very quickly that a few things needed a trim.  Schick® Quattro for Women® TrimStyle® is helping summer babes by giving inspiration for our warm weather style.  Five top trendsetters have put together their Pinterest boards around different “Prune for June” shapes.

I myself and partial to the “Stargazer” collection from Pinner Elizabeth Dehn of Beauty Bets. As a photographer at Miami Fashion Week, I am always on the hunt for hot celebrities and the best bikini looks on the runway.  There are no wallflowers in South Beach.  The fashion crowd there loves their flash, their sparkle and their skin.  I created a pin board of my own shining style faves:

You can create your own summer style board based on the themes of the Landing Strip, Bare-Muda Triangle, Heartbreaker, Stargazer and Flash.  

Enter your board in Schick Quattro’s “Prune for June” contest and win an entire set of prizes based on the collection around your theme.  For example, if you chose the Stargazer theme like I did, your prize set would include glittering jewelry pieces, metallic designer clothing, embellished shoes, metallic leather seating and a few purses too!

Here’s a tip: Make sure you recruit your friends and family to vote on your board.  You can even bribe them with a promise to share the prizes…

Enter here and then tweet, “like” and pin your way to summer goodies.

Schick® Quattro for Women® TrimStyle® enables women to shave, trim and transform themselves with a simple flip of the handle.  

Getting your garden ready has never been this much fun thanks to the Prune 

for June Pinterest contest. Share your best summer style for a chance to win amazing prizes. 

Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Schick® Quattro for Women® 

TrimStyle® via Glam Media.  The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Schick® Quattro for Women® TrimStyle®.

Read more >>

MIAMI FASHION WEEK: ANK by Mirla Sabino 2013

Brazilians always seem to have a leg up on the competition in Miami... ANK is the swimwear collection of designer Mirla Sabino.  She started out designing belts and jeans before morphing into a Brazilian swimwear distributor.  The collection at Miami Fashion Week was clean, simple and wearable.  Cute printed cover-ups doubled as summer day dresses and casual tunics.  

Read more >>

Ms. Fabulous: Favorite Moments of 2014

Happy 2015 my divas! On this first day of the year I wanted to reflect on the most memorable moments for the Ms. Fabulous site. I compiled a bunch of our top fashion blog posts in terms of personal favorites to write, photograph, emotionally moving and popularity.

I started this blog as a creative outlet in rediscovering what I loved about fashion; the culture that inspires it. I love to cover great events and the Jean Paul Gaultier exhibit at the Brooklyn Museum was my favorite. I am also a big fan of costume design. The event that made the biggest impression on me was Lady Gaga’s ArtRave.

The most popular post in 2014 was unexpected. I wrote a spontaneous ode to the fashion eccentric fictional character of Myrtle Snow on American Horror Story. Overnight, the post had gone viral. There is a certain comfort in realizing how many twisted, style obsessed fans are out in the internet as me.

At Ms. Fabulous, we specialize in our runway coverage. For the past few years, our team here including David TW Leung, Mdivani Monroe and I have embedded ourselves into the photographer’s pit at New York, Miami and Toronto fashion week to bring you coverage from the front lines. I wrote 5 Things Only Fashion Week Photographers Understand as a tribute to all of the hardworking shooters at the end of the runway.

The runway shows themselves? The one that left the biggest impression was the Alleles & VAWK show in Toronto. Their collaboration incorporated 3D printed technology to create beautiful prosthetic limbs that were both functional and chic to coordinate with the clothing collection. The collections that were the most fun to shoot included Betsey Johnson, Beach Bunny’s collaboration with The Blonds and Desigual’s show starring Adriana Lima. Sometimes the best runway moments are the spontaneous ones. Zang Toi celebrated his 25^th anniversary at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in September. Press corps leader Richard Renda chased him down the runway to present him a cake when the shy designer fled. It was a hilarious and touching moment that I was honored to be a part of.

The saddest post I had to write was my remembrance of Oscar de la Renta. There are certainly many people in the industry who knew the designer better. However, the brief meetings I had with him in my career made a huge impression.

Bonus:

We pimped ourselves out to other publications too. My piece for Narrative.ly on the War of the Fashion Bloggers gained kudos and haters alike. 

We reported on 3D printing and how it can make fashion design sustainable for Eco Salon.

We created fashion pieces for Genesis Rodriguez’s cover shoot for Siempre Mujer and Carol Alt’s upcoming movie Stealing Chanel.

Ms. Fabulous wishes you a glamorous, successful 2015! 

Read more >>

Miami Fashion Week Swim: Poko Pano 2012

Polo Pano led the first show of the Oasis tent Friday night in Miami Fashion week with a bold collection of tropical-chic.  The models on the runway were styled as strong, Amazonian women.  The hair was intertwined with tribal feathers like a warrior, the walk was strong and confident.

The swimwear itself featured jungle-inspired prints like over-sized fronds, snakeskin and tiger silhouettes.  The color palette was simple.  White popped on the tanned bodies.  It was paired with olive, coral, black and tan.  Pops of bright turquoise was reminiscent of the ocean surrounding the islands.

If you hit the beach with a take no prisoners attitude, Poko Pano is the collection for you.

Read more >>

Accessories Report - Miami Fashion Week Edition

I hope you're enjoying our runway reports of all the shows from Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim. The bikinis were hot, but the accessories of South Beach were stars on and off the catwalk.  When I wasn't shooting from the photographer's pit, I did my style hunting with my phone on Instagram.

South Florida fashionistas are all about color. The sun is bright on the beach and the women are no wallflowers. Statement necklaces are more of a declaration on the runways of Mara Hoffman and Red Carter. A bunch of guests even had a chance to DIY their baubles at an event under the tents of the Raleigh Hotel.

Shoes were bold, following trends of color blocking and big floral embellishments. Handbags in Miami were far from demure. I spotted a flashy metallic envelope clutch and a neon trimmed woven rattan purse.  The Caffe Swimwear fashion show had a parade of big, brightly colored straw beach bags with over-sized tassels and wrapped handles.

One popular accessory unique to the South Beach fashion crowd is the updated turban. Maybe it's the heat, but I haven't seen that look too often in the Northeast. Variations includes luxe designer scarves, retro bows and wild prints.

Until next time SoBe!

Now you don’t have to sacrifice beauty for power. Introducing the ultra-sleek, ultra-responsive Ultrabook™, Inspired by Intel. Visit intel.com/ultrabook for more information.
Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Intel via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Intel.

Read more >>

How To Dress for a HOT Humid NYFW

Every influencer, selfie stylist, and fashion editor planned their wardrobe for maximum street style impact for New York Fashion Week. As the person behind the camera, I am dressing for NYFW with maximum efficiency while still looking cute.

The most important app that I need for the next few days is the AccuWeather MinuteCast one I downloaded for the summer. I already know that it is supposed to rain today and tomorrow, with lots of humid. That is so enjoyable while carrying around all of my camera equipment. I am ready with my Pucci rainboots with backup foldable flats from Coach. It is too hot for a jacket, but a tiny umbrella that fits into my camera bag will work. I am relying on layering lightweight jumpsuits (I just bought one from Catherine Malandrino) while adding one of Diane Von Furstenburg's pretty printed chiffon tops for fashion show venues with aggressive indoor A/C.

This summer, for both New York Fashion Week Men's and Miami Swim Week, they both were sweltering hot with breaks of heavy rain showers. The AccuWeather MinuteCast, minute-by-minute precipitation forecast helped me determine when to dash for my next fashion show or take cover for a few extra minutes. If I had rival runway presentations, knowing when it would rain helped me decide which show to attend.

Friday will be rough at 91F. I will be running from Pamella Roland's fashion show downtown to Tadashi Shoji in Midtown in a late summer haze. At least I have fair warning. I am planning a super lightweight silk crepe top and shorts for that day with plenty of water to hydrated. While a cute handbag for this fall is ideal for street style shots, (I miss my haircalf purse from BCBG and Marc Jacobs leather daisy bag, but just not practical during the day) my camera sling with specialty fabric to keep my skin cool is what I will be wearing for most of the week.

When it finally drops down to a cool 59F on Sunday night, I will be able to break out my more dramatic fall fashions and hit the after-parties. That is when you will see my leather and fur Isabel Marant boots, maybe a moto jacket paired with a printed dress I bought Alexander McQueen's diffusion brand McQ.

The AccuWeather app is not the sexiest application of NYFW but it will be the one who tells what is hot and what will chill you out on the most hectic of days. It gets a permanent place in my squad of most valuable tools on my phone.

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of AccuWeather MinuteCast. 

To learn more about AccuWeather and its applications please visit: http://www.accuweather.com/

Read more >>

MIAMI FASHION WEEK: Minimale Animale 2015

Smoke, mirrors and rock n' roll.  The Minimale Animale fashion show at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim was a good time, especially for all of the male photographers in the pit.  The edgy swimwear collection by Cassandra Kellogg had a minimalist, sexy fetish vibe to it.

While the motorcycle helmets were gimmicky, they established the biker chic vibe she was going for.  The added bonus of keeping your attention on the body and therefore the swimsuit the model was wearing.  The helmets also allowed for the "liberation" of the model's hair and face at the end of the show, where the models could shake out their tresses in spectacular fashion to the cheers of the admiring male fans.

The designer loves her music.  She taught herself how to make swimwear and the brand got its start when she sold her collection at festivals.  The Minimale Animale collection is definitely not for the shy girl.  The skimpy bikinis leave little to the imagination and highlight what little is left.  If you have the rockin' bod to carry these off, by all means, show it off.

Rock on ladies, rock on.

Read more >>

MIAMI FASHION WEEK: SUBOO 2015

It's the tough girl from Down Under.  Suboo's 2015 resort collection at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim was a parade of strong women with an attitude.

There were many variations of bikinis and one piece swimsuits with halter neck styling.  The necklines had interesting twists, straps and wrap details.  I loved several of their bold prints, like a navy, peach, black and white camouflage pattern.  There was a graphic black and white art print and wild floral design as well.

There were a lot of looks using a slick shiny black fabric that gave the appearance of leather.  High-necked severe tops were easily balanced with sexy cut-outs on bikini bottoms.  The leather look, along with the models' fierce expressions gave the impression that this collection would be the most intimidating (fashionable) gang at the beach. 

The Suboo collection is based in Australia.  I'm wondering if the upcoming reboot of Mad Max was an inspiration for creative director Sue Di Chio?  Actually, the aesthetic and movement of modern dance was the muse for this season.  That look of determination on the models actually refers to the discipline of the art.

Nick Irwin of TIGI created the pulled back, high on the crown hair.  Vincent Longo was responsible for the dark eyes and ZOYA created the sharp white manicure on the models.

If you are a beach beauty who does not want to be messed with. The Suboo 2015 collection is perfect for you.

Read more >>

MIAMI FASHION WEEK: Mara Hoffman Swimwear 2015

Mara Hoffman swimwear at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim is one of the most anticipated shows every season in Miami.

Her collection this summer took its muse from the designer’s recent trip to Guatemala.  She was inspired by the textiles, culture and landscape of the country.  The brightly colored prints reflect the motifs seen in the garments of the native people.  Graphically detailed tigers and parrots were featured across swimsuits and rash guards of my favorite pieces. 

Mara Hoffman IS the embodiment of her brand.  The free flowing hair and models strolling the runway in loose dresses and caftans could be her relatives.  Strategic cut-outs and high-waisted bikini bottoms were sexy and flattering.  She blocked photographers from shooting her rehearsal because she wanted to ensure that everyone looked perfect. 

Nick Irwin of TIGI haircare referenced the South American landscape was referenced with green palm fronds woven into their hair by.  The big cord jewelry worn by the models was made by Orly Genger by Jaclyn Mayer.  They were an updated variation of the arts and crafts found in the country.

Mara Hoffman embodies the easy chic of her collection. She seamlessly blends into the catwalk with her models.

Read more >>