FLEURS DES VILLES @ HUDSON YARDS

Ballet mannequin inspired by Sugar Plum Fairy from The Nutcracker Suite, Created by Matthew David Norman

The early start was well worth it for an exclusive morning of sips, scents and spectacular sights at Hudson Yards Friday morning. As part of Nikon's VIP preview, we had the privilege of photographing the enchanted Fleurs Des Villes exhibit before it opened to the public. The morning felt magical, touring each piece and hearing behind-the-scenes bits from Fleurs des Villes founder Karen Marshall. Photographer Brandon Woelfel was on hand to provide photography tips and tricks. The artistry on display was nothing short of breathtaking. Keep reading to have a look inside...     

NYFW 2019: MARK GONG S/S 2020 @SPRING STUDIOS

Mark Gong Gökotta Spring / Summer 2020 at Spring Studios

Parisian chic layered with backpacks and bungee make Gökotta Mark Gong's S/S 2020 show a NYFW phenomenon. Flanked by a fashion-forward front row, models rock the runway in silk, sheer, sheen, satin, feather and jacquard combinations. The mixed materials and moderately masculine texturing exude a feminine-yet-rugged feel. One of the youngest to show at NYFW at 21, Mark Gong's simple and sophisticated style lends to a pleasant premier day of NYFW 2019. Keep reading to see more looks... 

#NYFW2018: SANIA STUDIO @INDUSTRIA STUDIOS

SANIA STUDIO NYFW presentation at Industria Studios as part of the CAAFD showcase Monday Night

Monday evening, Pakistani womenswear designer SANIA STUDIO drapes the runway with swaying silks and expertly tailored brocade. Known for innovative prints and artisan crafted fabrics, Sania Maskatiya channels a unique design ethos through an "interplay of colors, depicting imagery inspired by nature and her environment, often juxtaposed with a darker twist" (Sania). With expertly structured pieces and loose-fitting luxury, SANIA STUDIO presents the best of both worlds as one of four designers in the CAAFD's emerging designer showcase. Keep reading to see more...

CHRISTIAN COWAN A/W 2018

Lights dimming, Pre-show at Christian Cowan, Spring Studios

It's LIT Saturday afternoon as party hats, neon lights and sassy, see-thru styles parade down Christian Cowan's runway. Saturating Spring Studios with bountiful bling, a steady stream of sparkle and shine ends a harrowing wait for elevator service (to enter the show). An assortment of casual wear, party wear and sportswear--interpreted with maximalist appeal--comprises Cowan's Fall/Winter 2018 collection. Keep reading for a look inside...

SNOW XUE GAO A/W 2018

 Snow Xue Gao 2018 A/W runway collection presented at Jing Fong 

Stylish suiting with juxtaposted jacquard are the featured special at Chinatown's Jing Fong  Thursday night. Every seat for Snow Xue Gao's  A/W runway presentation was "front row," with onlookers snaking around servings of tea and dim sum. Situated on the second floor of NYC's largest Chinese restaurant, Snow Xue Gao returns with a third showing at NYFW, with a wacky, non-traditional Mad-Men meets Picasso sequence. For A/W 2018, Gao fuses traditional tailoring with amplified proportions, crossing boundaries associated with gender-based fashion. Keep reading for a look inside...

29 ROOMS: TURN IT INTO ART

Refinery29 presents #29Rooms // Room #6: The Beauty Carousel sponsored by Ulta Beauty

Delayed post--Better late than never!

Last week I join 20,000 others in a dark Brooklyn warehouse-- straddling a unicorn, bouncing into a blue foam block pit, shredding away insecurities and meditating in a makeshift womb. Invited to experience Refinery 29's 29 Rooms, I graciously indulge in an instagrammer's paradise. This year's theme, Turn it into art is partly inspired by the Carrie Fisher quote "Take your broken heart, make it into art" and looks to art to ignite conversation, cull concepts and be a catalyst for action. Keep reading for a look inside...

PAMELLA ROLAND RESORT 2018 @BVLGARI

Behold the glamour and glitz of Pamella Roland SS 2018 at BVLGARI

Glasses of Veuve Cliquot, bites of salmon and minaudieres of steak tartare snake through  clusters of celebrities and camera-people Thursday evening as gilded gals parade through Bvulgari's Fifth Ave. flagship. An after-hours soirée of glitz and glitter complete Pamella Roland's 2018 Resort presentation, set in one of Manhattan's most coveted retail corners. Drawing muse from her garden, Pamella Roland's newest endeavor synthesizes the colors and cuts of Spring into a dynamic 30-piece collection that floats, shimmers and stuns. Keep reading to see the looks... 

PICK, PLAY, PIRCH-ASE

 Tub as big as a mini pool in the Lower Lobby of Pirch, Soho

A full chicken roasts atop freshly grilled vegetables in Patio,while warm steam seeps into a corner shower two floors below in Sanctuary. Children wrestle an iPad to alternate operation of 40 different shower heads as newcomers order caffeinated beverages at Bliss. Elevating the try-then-buy experience, luxury home furnishings retailer Pirch opens in Soho this weekend. Dominating the corner of Broome and Lafayette Streets, the new flagship is Pirch's 9th store. Occupying 32,000 square feet of retail opportunity, Pirch NYC features over 30 interactive vignettes. Keep reading for a look inside...

#ELEVATESUMMER WITH EVERLANE at SHOE PARK

Everlane's Shoe Park, a 10-day pop up in Soho featuring #ElevateSummer shoes and sandals

Shoes off. Try On. Fall in Love. Walk Out. The rules are rudimentary at Everlane's makeshift 'stomping ground' (some may opt to purchase and "Bring Home" their favorites as a last action). Over 10 days (from May 13-22nd), Everlane invites the public to partake in Shoe Park-- an interactive pop-up designed by London-based Robert Storey. Complementing minimalist shoe design, the Storey Studios team instills an equally unassuming 'play' theme through "sculptural installations that both display and engage" [source]. Keep reading for a look inside...

BREW WATCH CO. @ WIND UP NYC POP UP

Brew Watch Co. at Wind Up New York City, presented by @wornandwound

Surrounded by suits of simultaneous similarity, wristwatches quietly become fascinating focal points during monotonous meetings. While Rolex, Movado, Seiko and Cartier have secured surefire associations as quality timepieces, equally exquisite indie watch companies are building buzz-worthy, budget friendly brands. Combing for caffeine on Wooster Street Sunday afternoon, my honey and I wander into Wind Up NYC. Presented by Worn & Wound, Wind Up is the first fair for affordable independent watchmakers. Keep reading to for a closer look at one stand-out brand...

FTL MODA @ GRAND CENTRAL STATION: PART 2

Andrea Wild at Vanderbilt Hall, Grand Central Station as part of FTL Moda

Energy emulates from 3,000+ guests as models emerge onto a 110 foot runway at Grand Central Station. FTL Moda's #NYFW2015 show was quite the event this past Sunday. Finally catching a minute to post Part 2 (Part 1 here), keep reading to see Spring/Summer 2016 collections from Andrea Wild, Alexandra Frida and Hendrik Vermeulen...

-WANDERLUST WEDNESDAY- FTL MODA @ GRAND CENTRAL STATION

Anna's Loud S/S2016 Collection at Vanderbilt Hall/ Grand Central Station as part of the FTL Moda Fashion show

Vanderbilt Hall at Grand Central Station set the stage for FTL Moda's groundbreaking runway Sunday evening. Redefining industry standards, Carmen Steffens (US), Anna's Loud (Italy), Archana Kochhar (India), Andrea Wild (Germany), Hendrick Vermeulen (South Africa) and Alexandra Frieda (Netherlands) emphasize that beauty is inclusive... of gender, race, physique, age and ability. Casting role models as runway models, women with prosthetic limbs, wheelchairs--and some men--are included in showcasing the SS 2016 lineup. Keep reading for scenes from the show...

FASHION WEEKEND #NYFW2015

NYFW HQ at 451 West 14th St

Wrought with wardrobe wonders, this weekend signifies the peak of Fashion Week in NYC. While brands, buyers and media outlets acclimate to core changes (e.g. new management, live streaming technology, limited show access, etc.), select sponsors pop up in venues that welcome both show-goers and the general public. Set in the Meatpacking District, NYFW HQ launches a lounge and event space serving sips, hosting event series and housing art installations. Across the street, Chanel debuts its Boyfriend watch via white-walled exhibit. Other NYFW pop-ups this weekend include 29 Rooms, celebrating the 10th anniversary of Refinery 29, and Tumblr's pop-up at Lightbox. Keep reading for more on the events...

SATURDAYS IN SOHO + AN ANTHROPOLOGIE POP UP MARKET

 #Anthroevents presents an in-store Pop-Up Market featuring local favorites

Strolling through Soho this sunny Saturday, a stop into Anthropologie uncovers silky skirts and savory samples from local sources. Two Moon Brooklyn's shortbread and Gimme Coffee's iced pourover provide a pre-brunch pick-me-up; Granola Lab and the Jam Stand inspire the meals of upcoming weeks. Enjoy your weekend. While awaiting brunch, have a look at some newfound local favorites...    

FERN MALLIS #INHEROWNWORDS @ STORY

Rachel Shechtman and Fern Mallis #INHEROWNWORDS at STORY

"Be Nice," is the rule of thumb Fern Mallis imparts on a sizable audience at STORY Wednesday evening. On the heels of launching her new publication, Fashion Lives, Mallis steps off a plane from India and sits down with STORY founder Rachel Shechtman to share her experiences and achievements in fashion. From cold calls soliciting funds for her first NY Fashion Week to running her own PR company to being fired for the first time (during the holidays!), Fern Mallis gets personal. Keep reading for more on the event...

WEDDING WONDERS by MAGNOLIA + FLEURSBELLA

Magnolia cakes + FleursBella arrangements 

Wedding bells and wedded belles bestow telltale signs of beauty, bouquets and baked goods on the day of noteworthy nuptials. With winter barely behind and matrimonial madness quickly approaching, service providers hasten to woo potential patrons with spirited guidance and expertise. In an intimate bridal preview, Magnolia Bakery and FleursBella assemble a showcase of sweet and sylvan. Bridal beauty is magnified with culinary bliss as floral arrangements by FleursBella mingle with familiar favorites from Magnolia. Keep reading for a closer look... 

CRAYOLA + THE SELECTIVE @ BLOOMINGDALE'S SOHO

 Crayola's version of Nanette Lepore's Sunny Day Shift dress at Bloomingdale's Soho, part of "The Selective" Collection (exclusive)

Crayons are for coloring pictures... and clothes! Enjoyed by children and creatives, crayons become the medium for promoting Bloomingdale's new collection, The Selective. Inspired by Instagram, Bloomingdale's Fashion Director, Brooke Jaffe, recruits 13 cutting edge designers to contribute to an overall in-house exclusive--part of the 100% Bloomingdale's campaign--using 4 unique Crayola colors. Thursday night, special guests Rebecca Minkoff, Cynthia Rowley, Michelle Smith (Milly) and Laurienne Gilner (Parker) join Jaffe in introducing the stylish silhouettes. Keep reading to see more Crayola-embellished creations...

FAVORITES FROM (CAPSULE)

Remnants of my morning at (capsule)

My experience with trade shows is often short-lived and edged with disappointment. Perhaps it's the typical toe-to-toe proximity of booths, overwhelming crowds or the constant hustle of exhibitors. Fortunately, the founders of (capsule) have discovered a refreshingly new way of producing fashion trade shows. With elements of community and cohesiveness, each brand is set up like a small boutique and embraces the common areas embedded in the floorplan. Among the talented crop of emerging designers, have a look at a handful of my favorites....

THE INDEPENDENT MINDSET @ (CAPSULE) 2015

 The Independent Mindset, a (capsule) discussion w/Jill Wenger, Jennifer Mankins and Steven Alan, moderated by Lauren Sherman @Pier 94 

Even the most distinguished designers travel down a pivotal path leading to a 'moment' or THE opportunity for which he or she can credit today's success. In an effort to connect talented emerging designers with attentive boutique buyers, (capsule) hosts periodic trade shows in multiple cities, highlighting a curated selection of independent talent around the globe. From February 22nd to 24th, NYC's Pier 94 has become the premier marketplace for buyers to stumble on the new 'it' designer, acquaint themselves with new contemporary concepts and experience the Fall 2015 collections from "the best high-end, progressive brands and directional, independent designers" [source]. To kick-off the 3-day event, (capsule) invites Jill Wenger (Owner, Totokaelo), Jennifer Mankins (Owner, Bird) and Steven Alan (Founder, Steven Alan) to converse with Fashionista's editor-at-large Lauren Sherman about the art of fashion retail and succeeding with an 'independent mindset.' Keep reading for discussion highlights and more on (capsule)...

NYFW: METAL NOIR FALL 2015 @ PIER 59 STUDIOS

Metal Noir Fall 2015 collection presentation at Pier 59 Studios

For me, New York Fashion Week is a bi-annual event to fête the achievement of established and emerging designers. Each season presents new opportunities to meet new designers and watch veterans shift gears from sun to snow. Sunday evening, I venture due West, despite the bitter cold, to attend Metal Noir's 2015 Fall/Winter presentation at Pier 59 Studios. Having been amply impressed by the brand's stand-out Spring/Summer 2015 campaign (see it here), my curiosity piques. Keep reading to find out more...