Second screen shopping, shoppable video, HSN has been doing that decades. Christos Garkinos is a celeb stylist and founder of ultra-exclusive consignment store DECADES in Los Angeles. He starred on a reality show on Bravo TV and refers to himself as a Fashion Hunter.
Christos is taking time out from the luxury and launching an accessible collection for the masses tonight on HSN. His first few shows start at 9 PM EST tonight with two more shows in the next 24 hours. If you're not the type to watch, you can buy his affordable chic online with Eureka at HSN.
He draws from his Greek heritage for this group. You can see this in his Mediterranean colors and fisherman's sweater. He has a soft-tweed cardigan for an elegant look and his favorite is the queen tunic with billowing sheer sleeves.
Our video producer Mdivani Monroe interviewed Christos Garkinos before his debut:
Mercedes Benz Fashion Week is a hectic week of running from one show to another, standing in lines and a lot of waiting. I always love seeing what the big-name established designers will come up with each season and what trends will be important. However, what I really find exciting about the week is the discovery of young fresh talent.
One of those discoveries last season was Elene Cassis. Having only graduated from Parsons School of Design in 2009, Elene Cassis has already developed a name for herself and piqued my interest. Her Fall 2011 Collection was focused, sophisticated and very chic. Utilizing European fabrications that had a vintage feel to them, Elene’s collection played with color blocking, texture, and matte mixed with sequins.
On the heels of such a strong collection, I was very interested to see what she would come up with for Spring 2012 and I wasn’t disappointed. The show opened with violinist Sarah Charness performing Swan Lake, which set the tone for the whole show. Elene Cassis’ Spring 2012 collection again played with color blocking, sophisticated silhouettes, textures and a refreshing spring color palette. Inspired by the Swan Lake theme, gorgeous dresses that mixed white and black together were a big highlight of the show.
We went backstage to talk about the beautiful new collection with Elene Cassis and also had the opportunity to speak with Sarah Charness about her involvement in the show and where she is heading with her music!
Sweet threads for the boys, eye candy for the girls...Happy holidays to ME! West Coast editor Mdivani Monroe brings us goodies from Parke & Ronen's Spring fashion show and chats with the designers, all for our shopping and viewing pleasure:
As you know, I LOVE to shop! I especially like shopping for myself, finding new and interesting things to wear and trying on a slew of garments! Only problem is that I am extremely picky (no big surprise) and there are very few things that really speak to me. Even more frustrating can be finally finding something I love and it not being available in my size!
Due to my high standards, there really are only a very few collections that really draw me in. A recent discovery, Parke & Ronen is one of those lines. As I have stated previously, I am not a super relaxed casual guy and when I am dressed casual, I still like to be stylish and put together. Parke & Ronen fits my casual style aesthetic perfectly.
With chic swimsuits, workout gear, casual shirts, casual shorts and pants and nicely cut jackets, Parke & Ronen offers me the look I want for the gym, the beach, vacation or just a casual weekend in town! The Spring 2012 collection offers all of that and in great colors to boot! As I watched the runway show, I was already making a shopping list in my head!
We went backstage before the show to meet the Parke & Ronen designers, Parke Lutter and Ronen Jehezkel, to find out more about them, where their inspiration comes from and what we will be lusting after for the Spring 2012 Season!
Reported by Mdivani Monoes of Ladies Who Lunch Travel, video by Nicholas Waickman
In my teens, a friend insisted that I had to see the movie Cabaret. As we were both dancers, she believed the Bob Fosse choreography was crucial to our dance education. I was already a film buff, so it was kind of a no brainer. I also was a big Judy Garland fan and was curious to see her daughter perform. We rented the video and I watched Cabaret for the first time, transforming me into a fan of the film, Liza Minelli, Michael York and of course Bob Fosse.
But the biggest revelation for me in the film was Marisa Berenson. I was quite taken with her beauty and her acting, thus sparking in me an interest to find out more about her. I did my research, discovered her fascinating career as a model and became a life long fan. Not only was I captivated by her beauty, but a radiance that came across in her photos and films, leaving me wanting more.
Years later as I was at Parsons studying Fashion Design, I finally made the connection that Marisa Berenson was the granddaughter of famed Couturière Elsa Schiaparelli. I had been in awe of Schiaparelli for years, but somehow I had never made the connection between the two of them. This of course added another dimension to Marisa Berenson that would keep me enthralled.
When Fashion’s Night Out came upon us this last September and I was flipping through numerous invites, trying to decide where to go, I received an email that set my course. A PR person I highly respect, Deborah Hughes, invited me to Donna Karan’s Boutique for the launch of Marisa Berenson’s new book, Needless to say I was ecstatic! The chance to meet someone I had been so long a fan of was an opportunity I couldn’t turn down.
I am happy to report that Ms. Berenson is as beautiful, radiant and charming in person as one might imagine that she would be. Meeting her was the high point of Fashion Week for me and getting a signed copy of her book was a thrill. The book, Marisa Berenson: A Life in Pictures
, sits on the side table next to the big comfy chair in my CA bedroom and I have spent many an evening perusing the gorgeous photos within.
As for Donna Karan, the hostess of the event, she was vibrant full of energy and engaging as always. I did manage to get a few moments of her precious time, but I am saving it for a video I am working on about her Los Angeles Urban Zen Foundation store. Stay tuned for when that video will air shortly.
Our beloved West Coast correspondent, Mdivani Monroe came to visit NYC recently. He got in touch with an old friend of Ms. FAB, Minji Kim, a fellow Parsons alum... A new mother and talented designer, she has held court with a chic boutique in the East Village for years. Mdivani gives the scoop:
"When you go to a highly competitive college, you form a special bond with those that survived it with you. Even though years may go by and you may not even have any communication with fellow classmates, that bond somehow stays intact. Who else can understand those all-nighters, the unrelenting work load, the ruthless competition, the intensity of the whole experience that changes your life forever.
As I was searching for new shopping venues in New York, I came across a boutique, Min-K, the brainchild of one of my former classmates at Parsons, Minji Kim. Reminiscing on our time at school, I remembered Minji as always being super creative and for having an eye for what was hot and happening. True to form, Minji’s boutique is the perfect place to shop for the coolest clothing and accessories in the market. Showcasing designers from Korea, Min-K has fashion items that you won’t find anywhere else in the city.
Due to the cutting edge style found at Min-K, it is no wonder that you have seen it’s designs on celebs like Blake Lively, Katie Holmes and many more.
When you are in New York, you have to pay a visit to Min-K and pick up a something special and original! And if Minji is in the store, say hi for me!"
For more on the boutique and an interview with Minji, check out Mdivani's video blog here.
Photos and Video by Ritika Wahal Photos of Blake Lively and Katie Holmes Courtesy of Min-K
December 2014 Update: Sadly, the boutique will be closing its doors in February 2015. You can stay up to date on Minji Kim's work on her website and her costume work for upcoming movies.
, sits on the side table next to the big comfy chair in my CA bedroom and I have spent many an evening perusing the gorgeous photos within.
