I ♥ BURBERRY PROSUM’S S/S 2011 CAMPAIGN!

Happiness, Joy, Elation and Excitement are just a few of the emotions that I felt when I saw the new Burberry Prosum S/S 2011 advertisements featuring Supermodel Jourdan Dunn and  Sacha M’Baye.I am so excited that Burberry has finally chosen to feature models of color in their campaigns.  For decades Burberry has featured european models exclusively in their advertisements. It’s great that they are diversifying their image and appealing to all of their customers, not just one segment of them. This is a new day for the company and I can’t wait for more. Burberry has my support!

Fall Shopping Guide: DIANE VON FURSTENBURG

“I always wanted to live a man’s life in a woman’s body,” Diane Von Furstenburg stated in her program notes. How well did this statement fit this collection. It was masculine yet very feminine. She took the comfort and ease of menswear and mixed it with feminine ideals of fashion. For instance, the show opened with Natalia Vodianova wearing a grey chiffon rosette blazer over a very masculine grey wool blazer. Also, there was that lovely ensemble of  a black chiffon dress paired with black twill riding pants  worn by Rose Codero( the pants very reminiscent to a pair of your boyfriends lounge pants, how comfy and chic!). Of course Diane stuck to her bread and butter as well. There were plenty of fabulous wrap dresses to tickle your fancy. My favorite was the silver sequins and tulle  ballerina wrap dress worn by Sessilee Lopez. It was a perfect marriage of masculine and feminine aesthetics.  These clothes are definitely perfect for any woman living in a man’s world!

Reasons why you should buy: Diane Von Furstenburg is the epitome of the modern woman. After unveiling her iconic wrap dress, dubbed the working womans uniform in 1973, she’s been a household name and a beacon to modern women everywhere. Her clothes are feminine, modern, timeless and intellectual. Also, Diane Von Furstenburg has one of the best price points in industry. Who doesn’t want to look chic yet save money!?

My Favorite Looks!

Fall Shopping Guide: ANNA SUI

Anna Sui is a New York gem and a designer after my own heart. No one put together a collection the way she does. Whether the inspiration is Collette, Spanish punk rock, or Dr. Doolittle, she always delivers a thought-provoking and utterly delicious collection. Her fall 2010 collection did not disappoint! Anna drew inspiration from Art Nouveau and turn of the century Americana. It was a rich potpourri of beautiful things: Wonderful hats, richly printed baby doll dresses,lace cut tights and fur coats to die for( nothing says ultra glam like a fur coat!).  Anna Sui never disappoints. She really knows how to translate her fanciful visions into wonderfully practical clothes that girls and lady boys love.  I’m definitely buying the tights!

Reasons why you should by: If you’re a bohemian hippie fashionista at heart than Anna Sui is the designer for. Every season Anna Sui delivers fabulous bohemian clothes with a twist that are always fresh and exciting. Her clothes are favorite of young hollywood and musicians and are regularly featured on Gossip Girl.

My Favorite Looks

Fall Shopping Guide: Michael Kors

Rugged comfy glamour was the tale at Michael Kors. Michael proved why he was the recipient of the CFDA Lifetime Achievement award.  This collection was too fabulous for words. I LOVED THE CASHMERE SWEATPANTS! THEY’RE MY NEW FAVORITE THING! These clothes are perfect for a ski getaway Gstaad or running New York City( Just imagine how beyond chic you’ll be walking around in a coyote fur vest or sitting by the fire in a bronze sweater dress!). The menswear was just as scrumptious. It was sophisticated, rustic, masculine, sensual and youthful.These are garments that would easily fit into your wardrobe and lifestyle. You would regret not buying something from this collection! TRUST ME! I KNOW I’M BUYING A PAIR OF THOSE CASHMERE SWEATPANTS!

Reasons why you should buy: Michael Kors is a true leader in an American Sportswear mixing all american style with modernity. His clothes are timeless,youthful and functional. Also just look at this collection. It screams BUY ME and it’s worth the investment because you know you’ll wear these pieces season after season, especially the coats!

1. Looks #1: Coyote Vest, Camel Strectch Cashmere Bodysuit, Look #2: Camel Crushed Gabardine Anorak, Camel Mohair Pullover, Smoke Crushed Flannel  Track Pant.

2. Look# 25: Loden Cotton Anorak , Camel Cashmere Pullover, Charcoal Crinkle Flannel Trouser

3. Look #30: Tobacco Distressed Leather Flight Jacket, Loden Satin Officer’s Shirt, Loden Crinkle Flannel Track Pant

4. Look #31: Blonde Sable Shift

5. Look #36: Knitted Fox Tabard, Camel Marocaine Dhirt, Anthracite Strecth Flannel Trouser

6.Look#42: Anthracite Doubleface Melton Poncho, Anthracite Cashmere Sweaterdress

7.Look#43: Anthracite Metallic Tweed Blazer, Anthracite Cashmere Pullover, Black Crushed Flannel Track Pant

8.Look#45: Gunmetal Lurex Pullover, Gunmetal Crushed Velvet Trouser

9. Look#46: Gunmetal Crystal Slide Dress

10. Look#48: Anthracite Metallic Tweed Blazer, Silver Lurex Pullover, Anthracite Crushed Flannel Sweatpant

11. Look#51: Black Stretch Cashmere Bodysuit, Black Doubleface Cashgora Skirt

12.Look#56: Black Nylon Utility Coat, White Marocaine Shirt, Anthracite Cashmere Sweatpant

13.Look#57: Camel Crinkle Cashmere Chesterfield, Smoke Cashmere Surplice Pullover, Black Crinkle Wool Trouser

14.Look#17: Camel MeltonChesterfield, White Marocaine Wrap Shirt, Anthracite Cashmere Skirt

15.Look#20: Camel Cashgora Blazer, White Charmeuse Shirt, Anthracite Crushed Flannel Trouser

16.Look#21: Anthracite Crinkle Cashmere Chesterfield, Anthracite Viscose Military Shirt, Anthracite Cashmere

17.Look#12: Shredded Cross Fox Anorak Coat, Camel Marocaine Scarf Dress

18. Look#3: Camel Mohair Cocoon, Camel Mohair Cowl Shift

19.Look#4: Charcoal Crushed Cashmere Coat, Smoke Cashmere Pullover, Smoke Cashmere Sweatpant

20.Look#6: Smoke Stretch Cashmere Bodysuit, Camel Doubleface Cashgora Skirt

Fall Shopping Guide: PORTS 1961

Nature + Technology was the winning equation at PORTS 1961. Tia Cibani, the force behind the brand did a splendid job of melting the two themes together. The collection was edgy & new yet classic and refined. Colors such as Mulberry, Freesia,Tobacco, Iris, and Clover were used in a whimsical way adding softness to this very technical collection.It was easy, wearable clothes which is always a plus! This collection is perfect for the woman on the go but who wants effortless chic. Who wouldn’t look fabulous running around town in a cape coat and a pair of wellies!?!?

Reasons why you should buy: PORTS 1961 is a brand that understands women who want fabulous thought-provoking clothes. Also, the garments are well made and the price point is perfect! PORTS 1961 also supports many wonderful charities around the world so not only will your money get you a fabulous wardrobe but it will also be helping others. Talk about your money going a long way!

My Favorite Looks

1. Look #2:  Ginger Sweater, Pepper Epaulette Vest, Ginger Trouser, Ginger Wellies

2. Look#9: Freesia Shirt, Pepper Cape Coat, Pepper Stirrup Trouser, Pepper Motocross Glove, Pepper Oxford

3. Look #10: Double Face Knit Dress, Neoprene Clutch, Licorice Militia Boot

4. Look #41: Clover Pleated Lame Dress, Embellished Belt, Licorice Militia Boot

5. Look #42: Clover Pleated Lame Top, Licorice Duchesse Satin Trouser,  Licorice Naess Pump

6. Look #43: Licorice Duchesses Satin Dress, Licorice Leather Glove, Ceramic/Glass Necklace, Licorice Militia Boot

7. Look #46: Leather Hat, Licorice Embellished Duchesse Satin Dress, Licorice Leather Glove, Licorice Militia Boot

8. Look #45:  Leather Hat, Wool Cape, Lace Shell, Licorice Trouser, Licorice Leather Glove, Licorice Naess Pump

9. Look #11: Licorice Leather Hat, Licorice Melange Cardigan and Dress, Licorice Militia Boot

10. Look#14: Iris Nuclei Silk Print Dress, Ceramic/Glass Pod Necklace, Pepper Militia Boot

Fall Shopping Guide 2010 NEW YORK

Hooray! My favorite fashion season of all is finally approaching: FALL!! Candy Pratts-Price said it best, “September is the January of fashion. This is when I change.” And on that note,what better season to evolve in then fall. The weather is perfect for experimenting with a myriad of different looks and styles ranging from pop culture to ethnic. If you’re like me, and if you’re reading this you are, you could careless about following  trends and more about making your own statement, which means you care about designers and with this economy, you want to know where you should invest your fashion dollars for the best value in quality,style, and value too ( Granted if you invest your fashion dollars in cheap poorly mad products, it’ll cost you in the long run because you have to always keep replacing them. $20 bucks every week for those Forever 21 tops add up!).  So as being your fashion fairy godmother I have compiled a list of my favorite designer collections from the New York runways (Don’t worry! I haven’t forgotten about Paris, Milan, and London! ). I’ve waited all summer for fall shopping. The collections on my list truly represent the best of New York fashion. I hope you enjoy this guide and find it helpful. HAPPY SHOPPING!! (Please Note: None of the collections have a rating of 1,2,3, etc. because each were beautiful and unique in their own right and merit. For I to do so would be like comparing Coco Chanel to Halston! You just wouldn’t do so.)

Sarah Amelia

 

Emotional, Passionate, and Enthralling: all suitable words to describe the photography of Sarah Amelia. With a flick of her camera shutter, she captures a world in which fashion and art juxtapose together, forming a riveting visual for the senses. Her talent reminds me of the late great Herb Ritts, both mastering the art of intertwining the rhythms of fashion, art, and life into one united beat, captured by film. Her work, although not vast, is some of the most thrilling I have ever seen. She’s not afraid to take chances and get dirty. Sarah Amelia is fully dedicated to her art which is inspiring. She makes me fall deeper in love with fashion and beauty and has also restored my faith in this new generation of emerging fashion photographers. Her work is poetic, enchanting, and RAW which I love (a little rawness never hurts anyone)! One thing I do know is talent, and honey she’s got it. Her skill and knowledge easily surpasses her youth. She can hold her own with the best of them. I feel like Jann Wenner of Rolling Stone magazine watching a young Annie Leibovitz bloom. What a privilege and an honor it is to see such greatness materialize. I have no doubt that Sarah Amelia will become one of the greatest photographers of the 21st century and her work will achieve immortality. VIVA SARAH AMELIA! 

Calvin Klein Collection Men’s Spring/Summer 2011

All American Athletics was the theme of Italo Zucchelli’s collection. There where graphic-print broad shoulder suits ,  glossy oversized chino shirts and also terry cut off tops and work-out suits( talk about physical!). It had a very hedonistic vibe, reminiscent of the Calvin Klein campaigns from the late 1980′s/early 1990′s (Marky Mark ring a bell?). These where very wearable and comfortable clothes that are transitional from the office, to the cocktail party and even to the gym. I’d wear it!

Emporio Armani Men’s Spring/Summer 2011

LEATHER, LEGGINGS, AND SLAVE CHAINS! OH MY! These were just a few of the nuances that made up the ultra sexy Emporio Armani collection. Fresh off his collaboration with Lady Gaga on her mega fabulous Alejandro video, it’s clear to see where Giorgio Armani drew inspiration. It was good gone bad and bad gone good. It reminded me of TOM of FINLAND artwork and The FOLSOM Street Fair, which I both adore. As always, the tailoring was superb( I DIE FOR JACKETS!).Who knew Mr. Armani had an inner leather daddy(GRRR)!? The leather daddies of the world will definitely be scrambling to own this collection, especially those scally leather perforated pants. You’ll definitely be seeing this collection at all the leather bars around the world, especially THE EAGLE and EASTERN BLOC!

CONTROVERSY OR ARTISTRY?

While I was researching for an upcoming tribute piece on Karl Lagerfeld, I saw a picture taken of Claudia Schiffer taken by the kaiser with the title, Controversy attached to it. The Controversy picture depicts the supermodel made up as a black woman with an afro wig. “She looks FIERCE!” was my initial reaction to the picture. This picture has generated  a lot of outrage and scrutiny. Such phrases as “racially insensitive” and “horrific” have been used to describe this portrait. Naturally a public statement  was issued on behalf of this work, saying that it isn’t meant to be racially insensitive and that it main purpose is to showcase artistic license. Personally, I do agree with statement. As an artist myself, I do believe that should  be able to maintain my artistic integrity and  vision at all cost. But on the other hand I do also agree with some of the critics. Even in the wake of the Obama era, the fashion industry is still lacking in diversity amongst models.  Even after the fabulous VOGUE ITALIA Black Issue from July 2008, models of color are still struggling to get work in an industry that supposedly “celebrates individual diversity” and seeing another white model(Lara Stone, VOGUE PARIS editorial ) painted up to resemble a black woman was icing on cake considering. I do love Kaiser Karl( even though he is guilty of not having girls of color in neither his CHANEL, CHANEL HAUTE COUTURE, FENDI and his namesake collections) and respect his vision but this a very hot issue and is very debatable. What do you think?