#2016bestnine The Year of Ms. Fabulous

At the end of the year, Instagram once again offers to show your #2016bestnine based on what their engines have determined to be your most engaged and liked photographs. I looked at them and tried to see if they reflected the year of Ms. Fabulous in any real sense, whether an algorithm could actually figure out what we actually liked or where we traveled. Surprisingly, that answer was yes.

Like #2015bestnine, it is evident I personally still love the color red. It dominated five out of the nine images like the year before. I am a bit surprised that four of these images features me as the main subject and I am flattered, as these pictures are chosen based on your likes. As they are me (in a bathing suit!) and one photo featuring famous full figure model Sabina Karlsson I would like to think that coincides with 2016's shift in the acceptance and celebration of diverse body shapes. A record number of mainstream designers featured real people on their runways for Spring 2017.

I was truly grateful to have the opportunity to travel to several of my dream destinations this year. I visited Thailand, Paris for my 10th wedding anniversary and to shoot Guo Pei's Haute Couture show, London Fashion Week and Miami Swim Week in addition to my home base here in NYC. All of those locations were reflected in the collection of nine.

As a photographer, my favorite runway shots feature the movement of the fabric. The fact that three of the top nine are images with flying fabric in motion on the models tells me that you guys like that too.

Another year goes by and for many, a rough one (judging by the trend in memes). While I was bummed out on a few things that happened in 2016, this group of my #2016bestnine showed me that there were plenty of fabulous moments to appreciate. Here's to slaying 2017 my friends!.

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#2015bestnine: What Instagram Knows About You

If you on are on Instagram, Facebook or any of the social media apps, you have no doubt come across the #2015bestnine hashtag. The site creates a collage of your nine most popular images that you have posted based on engagement. So what does this data-curated collection of pics say about you?

Based on the images it pulled for me, I am clearly obsessed with fashion, the color red and pastries. Is that true? Well, as someone who has worked in fashion for over 20 years, live to shop and love any stylish cultural event, yes. The color red? I have had red walls in my last two apartments, various shades of it permeate everything in my home decor and all over my wardrobe. Baked goods? I am relieved this only occupies one photo of the nine. Yes, I love those too, but in 2016 they will be taking a smaller role in my life as part of my healthy resolutions. 

The photos are pulled by quantity of likes though, so it's not necessarily about what I like, but what others respond to right? Well, I would like to think that whatever you are truly passionate about comes through in your photography and people who follow you can see that. As a photographer, I love a saucy pose and dramatic flip of a dress. As a designer, I love color and texture. I think the photos above definitely demonstrate that and since they are the most popular pics, I'm not the only fan. 

Five of the photos were shot directly off a runway from NY Fashion Week. One is a personal style #OOTD look during fashion week, another is a fashion museum exhibit, and another is a fashion design display at a museum-like boutique. Damn, I'm predictable. Eight of nine photos were taken in NYC, the pastry photo taken in San Francisco. Weirdly, that pretty much sums up my geographical whereabouts in 2015 as well. 

The one thing that this collection did not show is my love of family. I don't post too many images of them on public accounts. When I do, I rarely add hashtags because they are for me, and not something I promote heavily, so they don't get as many engagements. It has been an emotional roller coaster of a year as far as they have been concerned. I have been lucky to spent some quality time with many of them, even if it was in small doses. Many have visited me in NYC, while I visited others in the North or West. Others I hope to see soon in 2016.

So now that I have pseudo-analyzed my own, timely gimmick posts. What did your own results say about you? Has Facebook's memories made you tear up? Your best nine Instagram images match capture your 2015? Let's get ready to make amazing content for the New Year!

xoxo,

Mariana 

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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!

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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.

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