New Year's Eve Sparkle Style

I am READY to celebrate the end of 2014 with the most sparkly New Year's Eve I can muster. I collected all of my crystal-studded, "bling" worthy, glittery fashion accessories for an outfit that suits the sparklers of Times Square. 

My look was inspired by a recent gift of a dazzling Swarovski studded case for my Samsung Galaxy Note 3. I know that sounds lame, but for a blogger/social media obsessed gal like myself, it's like a diamond necklace for your best friend. I next added an elaborate jeweled flower headband from BCBG Max Azria. I am not quite the tiara type, but the smoky jewels was a pretty compromise. My oversized rhinestone bracelet and ring are from a cute wholesale boutique on 28th street. They are not ready for the spotlight, so if you love them, you can get them through me.

 My nails are from Sally Hansen's glitter saturated Purple Gala shade. I have their entire range of long lasting, quick dry and nail art shades. The real MVP for my manicure though is their Double Duty Base and Top Coat. With all of the abuse, my nails go through from slamming the keys on my laptop or sewing and embroidery, this product keeps my manicure intact much longer that I would have expected.

My sequined top is a version of the Alice & Olivia version available now.  I had fun playing with the sparkly Moondust eye shadows from Urban Decay with some MAC Cosmetics paint to hold the colors in place on my lids. With pre-cocktail patience, I finished  with some winged eyeliner from Rimmel London that I received in my Influenster VoxBox.

I am now ready to indulge in some sparkling cocktails made with Smirnoff's Whipped Cream edition Vodka and Moet & Chandon. Here's a mixologist's recipe:

The SMIRNOFF Limelight

Serves 1

·         1.5 oz.  SMIRNOFF® Whipped Cream Flavored Vodka

·         4 oz. Ginger Ale 

·         .75 oz. Simple Syrup

·         Squeeze of Lime

Preparation: Combine all ingredients, except for ginger ale, in a shaker with ice. Shake well, strain into glass and top with ginger ale and garnish with a lime wedge.

Now enjoy your New Year's Eve in style!

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DIY: Crystallized French Riviera Floral

Welcome to the first project in my runway DIY series. This crystallized French Riviera floral brooch/clip was inspired by Zang Toi's Spring Summer 2013 runway collection. You can read our exclusive interview with the designer about his creative process in designing his sparkling embroideries right here.

For this project you will need:
-3 or 4 Swarovski 4739 200x160 MM crystals
-About 50 Swarovski Crystallized Sew-on crystal 4mm 3128 stones
-1 yard of silk organza in the color of your choice.
-Beading needle and matching thread
-Dual brooch clip (I order mine from Trimweaver)
-Flower template (Download the one I created here).  

Fold the organza as many times as you can and pin the flower template to the top. You can print the flower template in different sizes if you like.

Cut around the flower template for lots of layers of flowers.You don't have to spend too much time getting the ridges exactly right.  It looks more natural to have some irregularity.

This is totally optional, but you can shape your cut organza flower petals for more depth.  I have antique French flower irons, but you can also just shape them with a ball iron (available at craft stores) or the tip of your regular iron. If you do you a regular iron, you can try pressing the petals down the middle, or stretching and pressing around the top edges for shape and dimension.

Layer all of your flower petals on top of each other, but rotate them slightly with each layer for more depth and coverage. Use a few tacking stitches (cut and stitch to a circle in stiff fabric if your organza is too flimsy). 

Embroider 3 or 4 of the Swarovski 200x160 stones in the center. Then embroider the small 4mm sew-on stones in an irregular manner in between and around the larger stones. Over lap and sew some stones on top of the first layer of 4mm stones for a clustered, rich look.

After all of the Swarovski crystals are embroidered, stitch the flower to the brooch clip through the center.

You're done!

Product was provided by Swarovski Elements for use of this project.

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How Zang Toi Creates Embellished Luxury

Fashion Designer Zang Toi always has one of the most stunning runway collections at NY Fashion Week.  For his spring 2013 collection, I was dazzled by the sparkling embellishments on the pastel gowns.  As an embroidery designer, I wanted to get to know his creative process.  He was generous enough to let us into his journey:

Ms. Fabulous: What is your creative process when developing embroideries for your collection?

Zang Toi: I get my inspiration from almost everything; it can be from a molding, or lace, or drawings or simply a unique pattern.

Ms. F: What materials did you choose in spring 2013 and why?

Z.T.: I used a lot of sequins and beads, as well as Swarovski crystals. It is a Spring collection; I wanted it to be light and airy, yet elegant and beautiful at the same time. The Swarovski crystals for the evening, in order to capture the glitz and glamour of the French Riviera.

Ms. F:  Do you have favorite materials you like to use again and again in your embellishments?

Z.T.: Over the years, I have used a lot of beads, sequins, and crystals.

Ms. F: How did the color palette for spring 2013 collection reflect the inspiration of your French Riviera trip?

Z.T.: French Riviera is so romantic and breathtaking. I used Ice Lilac, Ice Yellow & Ice Pink to express the beauty of Cote D’Azur.

Ms. F: I loved the placement of the crystal embroidery in arches at the waist or like an encrusted collar around the neck and flower motifs at the hem. When you create the overall look do you design the embroideries to flatter the body or highlight certain areas of the customer?

Z.T.: That’s definitely one factor that I take into consideration when working with a customers. But very often, I have a vision in my mind of how I would like the embroidery to look. Sometimes it would work and sometimes it doesn't. We would do fittings and make changes accordingly.

Ms. F  Thank you Zang!

Now are you feeling inspired? Why don't you try your hand at the DIY project I created for you that was inspired by this collection. 

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Fashion, Music and Hollywood Elite for CFDA Awards

The CFDA awards used to be about hardcore fashion industry insiders celebrating their achievements.  Last night's awards though, brought out the top names in music (Lady Gaga, Kanye West, Estelle), Hollywood (Jessica Alba, Olsen Twins, Kirsten Dunst) and journalishm (Andersen Cooper).  Designers, merchants, retailers still ruled the carpet and took home the trophies.

Designer of the year for womenswear was awarded to Proenza Schouler's  Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez.  For menswear, Michael Bastian took home the designer honors.  Alexander Wang won the award for Accessories Designer of the Year.

While it seems that the fashion crowd has been aware of Prabal Gurung's achievements for quite some time, he won the Swarovski award for emerging talent.  The forever-hot Marc Jacobs won the Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement award, (even though he has yet to hit middle age). 


A turquoise-wigged, Thierry Mugler wearing Lady Gaga own the (least surprising, yet highly deserved)  Fashion Icon award.  
photos by  Larry Busacca

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Scottish Fashion Awards 2010

Winner Jonathan Saunders with Amanda Wakely

Laura Whitmore wearing nominee Graeme Black

Scotland celebrated its top designers last Sunday. The event took place at the Glasgow Science Center, with VIPs walking down the ‘Tartan’ carpet instead of the red...What else would you expect?

The awards recognized a diverse number of categories within the fashion industry. Besides designer of the year, there were also prizes for textile brand, best designer use of a Scottish fabric, Top retailer and Scottish communicator. Best Scottish model and fashion icon were the higher profile awards.

The Swarovski-style fashion show entertained the celebrity filled VIP dinner. The judging panel included editors from Vogue, Harpers Bazaar and the Daily Telegraph. Jonathan Saunders took home the prize for Designer of the Year. Lisa Omond was awarded Scottish Model of the Year. The evening was hosted by MTV presenter Laura Whitmore.

A smaller fashion icon, Barbie decorated the tables. Attired in a commissioned gown by Saltire, the doll was auctioned to raise money for the Princes Trust in Scotland. For the full list of winners, click through to the Scottish Fashion Awards.
Photos courtesy of Vogue.co.uk

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Molly Ringwald and Swarovski are Getting the Pretty Back

The Swarovski Crystallized boutique in Soho hosted the book launch of 80's icon Molly Ringwald Tuesday. The feel-good book
is filled with fashion tips and advice and illustrated by Ruben Toledo. Artist Cindy Sherman was in attendance along with many of the author's fans. Ms. Ringwald looked like a sophisticated (but barely older) version of her John Hughes envisioned self in a lace and satin sheath dress. She played DJ at one point and mingled with the cocktail sipping, fashionably attired crowd.

Photo by Stephen Lovekin

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