New York Fashion Week Presented Crowns and Faces on September 7, 2014

Fashion Week continued this weekend with a beauty, hair and fashion trifecta. Produced by MVC Management Productions, Celebrity Makeup artist Kim Roxie of Lamik Beauty and Emmy Award winning hairstylist Hadiiya Barbel teamed up to bring hair and makeup demonstrations in this event entitled: Faces & Crowns.

The theme of the day was that embracing beauty was the ultimate trend this upcoming season. Kim Roxie stated in her presentation that when she does make-up she doesn’t want to mask beauty, but to enhance it. “I want my clients to feel like celebrities because they are. Celebrities are people that are celebrated, whether it’s by 12 people or 12 million.”

Hadiiya Barbel also talked about embracing natural beauty. She doesn’t like to use the word wig, because she feels like it will make the client feel as though they are wearing a disguise, but rather calls her creations “Crowns”.

Faces & Crowns was also a hotspot for fashion. “You can’t have an event during fashion week and not include a fashion show” stated event producer Tai Chunn. Up and coming New York based fashion designer Luis Peralta debuted his Spring/ Summer 2015 Collection. Guests looked on at his elegant, bold and futuristic designs.

Special Guests included Erica Campbell and Tina Campbell of the Grammy Award Winning group;Mary Mary, as well as celebrity stylist GooGoo Atkins. The women looked on as Hadiiya Barbel, Kim Roxie, and Luis Peralta presented the latest fashion, makeup trends, and how to style your own crown.

This Month Roxie and Barbel created eyebrows and crowns to victims Alopecia for Alopecia Awareness Month. Alopeica is a type of hair loss that occurs when your immune system mistakenly attacks hair follicles, which is where hair growth begins.Just this week, Hadiiya provided a custom crown for four-year old Madison Chins who suffers from Alopecia.

The entire event was amazing and MVC Productions pulled off yet another successful event for New York Fashion Week.

The Mischka Velasco Collection for NYFW September 2014

New York Fashion Week was in full swing with various designers displaying their new collections all over the city and the fabulous Mischka Velacso was one of the designers among them. On Sunday, September 7th, 2014 at 7pm at the Last Rites Tattoo Theatre at 325 W 38th Street New York, NY 10018 (between 8th/9th avenues), she unveiled her latest collection.

For this season, Mischka Velasco’s latest collection was inspired by two American concepts: They were NY State’s well-known Hamptons beaches and the burning man festival in Nevada’s black rock desert. Quite an interesting and exciting contrast that worked very well together on the runway.

The show began with a bit of theatrics from a character by the name of Vladmir Exx. He gave a brief commentary and was quickly followed an exhilarating and vibrant presentation.

As stated before, Velasco’s Hamptons inspired collections are all about the fetish and worship of banality, the quest for a normal retreat, a place that is odd in that it longs sorrowfully for that innocent wonder of a yard and the serenity of a white picket fence. At Burning Man in contrast, devotees create realities from their childlike imagination and people commune in costume, art, fantasy and eventually burn everything created as a symbolic ritual of letting go. Burning Man lasts for a week, the Hamptons much longer but is a heavily populated world only in the summer. The Hamptons and Burning Man both create strong impressions of prejudice or awe. It is the risk of visiting and either belonging or longing. Yet somewhere is her longing for Santa Monica that blends with everyone’s All American dream.

Velasco aimed and considered the question of what is a simple kind of life and hopes she can find an answer to this challenge, using nude draped jersey, denim, feathers and the 50’s allure of something so American and so deep in our hearts.

Velasco makes a quick croqui (strong intense sketches to evoke the feeling of fashion in general). She and her colleagues work as a team as they create sometimes a sketch, sometimes a drape and always a lot of excitement in the workspace. There is a passion for skipping the muslin and working directly with the cloth in the dresses. For menswear she enjoys adding clever little pockets in a handsome subtle way, such as welted pockets on dress shirts in fine cotton. Velasco’s label is funny, elegant, and always surprising.

The fashion press, guests and other members in the audience were swept away and the result was a success. Mischka Velasco has once again presented must have fashions during NYFW.

The L’Oréal Brandstorm Competition Held in NYC on April 11, 2014

Large organizations are continuing to come up with interesting ways to find new talent. These initiatives are exciting ways for college students/graduates to find a new career and also provides major brands access to top candidates. L’Oreal just happens to be one of those companies with The L’Oréal Brandstorm Competition.

The L’Oréal Brandstorm Competition is an innovative and strategic attraction and recruitment initiative dedicated to spotting the best marketing talents through an assessment-based journey, in which teams of three students in their junior or senior year of college work on the launch of an innovative product with an agency and with the guidance of L’Oréal executives. Furthermore, between 150 and 200 Brandstorm participants are recruited by L’Oreal each year for internships and/or full time positions.

 L’Oreal Brandstorm has attracted over 70,000 students from more than 360 universities and over 45 countries since its conception in 1993. The competition provides a unique opportunity for students with an interest in marketing to unleash their creativity and to apply ground-breaking ideas to one of L’Oreal’s international brands.

The 2014 edition features Kiehl’s, one of the top L’Oreal brands in the luxury cosmetics market with a unique business model. Student teams have been challenged to come up with a new product line and innovative in-store & digital activities to help expand Kiehl’s share in the selective men’s market.

This year’s US Brandstorm National Finals took place on Friday, April 11th in New York City, where six teams from six universities competed for the chance to represent the United States against 44 other countries in the Brandstorm International Finals, which is set to take place from June 11-12th in Paris, France. The winning team from this year’s US National Finals Competition hails from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.

For more information on the competition visit their website at: http://www.brandstorm.loreal.com/.

Actress Mary-Louise Parker Supports Aveda Earth Month in NYC

There is always something exciting and interesting going on in New York City. Whether there are sporting events, movie premieres or charity events, NYC keep their residents and visitors engaged in some the most interesting experiences. It is also one of the best cities for celebrities and philanthropists to support causes that may be close to their heart.

A perfect example of this happened on Wednesday, April 3, 2014, when actress Mary-Louise Parker visited the Aveda Institute located on Spring Street in NYC to show her support for Aveda Earth Month 2014 clean water initiatives. While there, she spent some time in the Institute looking at the Catwalk for Water “trashion” dresses made of recycled materials and created by Aveda stylists across the world. She also purchased an Earth Month Light the Way Candle for $12.

 Parker stated “It’s been amazing to see Aveda’s Earth Month fundraising initiatives, especially the Catwalk for Water “trashion” dresses. I try to teach my kids the importance of recycling. I turn old things like old hotel room keys and stuff lying around into games for them. Aveda’s Earth Month efforts perfectly align with my personal mission to help create a cleaner, safer world.”

It was indeed a pleasure to have an actress like Mary Louise Parker stop by the Institute to use her celebrity status to spread the word about such an important initiative. Aveda continues to support efforts to preserve the earth. In fact, since 1999 Aveda has raised over $32M to help support organizations that directly affect environmental change. More than $26M of that amount has supported clean water projects at home and around the world. Last year Aveda’s Earth Month efforts raised a total of $5.5 million for Clean Water and set a Guinness World Record for the Most Money Raised for Charity Through Haircuts in a 24 Hour Period during our Global Cut-A-Thon. This year we are aiming to up the Earth Month ante to $6 million.

Teen Diaries Foundation Presents “Pretty Girls Sweat” Event in NYC

Health and fitness in the United States has been an important issues for the past several years. The obesity rates especially among teens has risen and there are important strides being made to eradicate this issue. The Teen Diaries Foundation is dedicated to helping multicultural females between the ages of 13 to 22 transition into adulthood. On Saturday, February 22, 2014, the foundation kicked off the New Year with its first event simply called PRETTY GIRLS SWEAT “Fashion Meets Fitness.” The event was held at the Educational Alliance’s Sirovich Center located at 331 East 12th Street.

There was energy and excitement all over the room and was hosted by author, reality TV star, eyewear and shoe designer, June Ambrose. Seventy inner city teen women from the Teen Diaries community enjoyed a high energy Pound Rockout. Workout.™ led by Crunch Fitness followed by a Q & A with the event’s co-host Justine Skye (Atlantic recording artist), author and reality TV Star, Daisy Lewellyn and talk show host, Bevy Smith.

Teen Diaries’ Pretty Girls Sweat initiative aims to encourage young women to embrace fitness and feel confident in their own bodies. This specific event focused on making fitness fun while guests also received mentorship from accomplished women who work in the fashion industry. The result is feeling more confident about exercise and gaining knowledge about a variety of careers in the fashion business.

“Introducing a variety of workout routines and positive mentors to teen women remains a constant goal of mine. Many young women are intimidated by fitness and leadership roles so Pretty Girls Sweat is the ideal vessel to break down those barriers of self-doubt,” says Teen Diaries founder Aeshia DeVore Branch. “Teaming up with June Ambrose to promote fitness and careers in fashion is the icing on the cake. Her commitment to staying healthy and her dedication to her fashion career will speak volumes to our youth,” adds Branch.

Participants of Teen Diaries’ Pretty Girls Sweat will enjoy beverages from event sponsor HINT, a bottled water brand with a splash of natural flavor, a stretch session led by Nike Pro reps, and a full Pound – Rockout. Workout.Ô cardio class sponsored by Crunch Fitness (Stanhope, NJ). Crunch Fitness in Stanhope is a 15,000 square foot facility full of fitness and fun, featuring state-of-the art cardio and weight training machines, tanning, HydroMassage and an expansive group fitness studio.

Additionally, June and Justine were on hand to speak with participants about the importance of fitness and even took part in a fitness class alongside the young women. Guests enjoyed music by DJ Tyger Lilly, a healthy lunch, and gift bags sponsored by TeenDiaries.net, Mixed Chicks, Kind Bars, and Pretzel Crisps.

Designer Mischka Velasco Making Moves in the Fashion World in NYC and Beyond

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With New York Fashion Week which is scheduled for February 2014 a little less than two months away, fashion lovers and enthusiasts are gearing up to see what’s new with well-known designers and definitely what is happening with new designers. Each season, there are new styles based on past ensembles and every now and then there is something very new and original to be discovered.

Founder/Fashion Designer, Mischka Velasco just happens to be one of those new and original creators. Born in The Panama Canal Zone, Velasco now resides in Manhattan. In fact, she lives in an area known for great shopping and small boutiques known as SOHO and from viewing some of her designs it is clear that the city has a great influence on her.

Mischka, like many other designers studied at the well known school, FIT also known as The Fashion Institute of Technology. While there, she immediately threw herself into the industry, creating previous fashion lines and also working for start up labels.

In addition to following her fashion dreams, she was involved in other cool things. In fact, she formed a punk band called “Mischka’s World” and performed. She also held art gallery shows featuring her Asian American art paintings, in Seattle. This certainly displays her ability to multitask well.

As a result, she has spent her life devoted to various art forms and explorations. Mischka is currently studying conscious capitalism and its role for businesses in the future. With a serious passion for international business and its interconnections to fashion, she is in the thralls of how finance and art collide in harmonic unison. This looks to be a pragmatic approach because without one you cannot have the other.

As her brand continues to grow and become a household name, Mischka hopes to become an investor for future upcoming fashion designers. Her goal is to advise on their day to day challenges while maintaining her pleasure of creating a dress out in love and passion. She believes in giving back and doing her part to be instrumental in shaping the future. With these goals it is clear Mischka Velasco has a strong and growing brand.

For more information about Mischka Velasco, visit her website at: http://www.mischkavelasco.com/. She can also be found on her social sites like Facebook and Twitter. Also, keep an eye out for her upcoming fashion show during New York Fashion Week in February 2014.

Luxury Piper-Heidsieck Champagne Toasts Designer Jean Paul Gaultier

Jean Paul Gaultier

It’s always exciting when the world of fashion meets the world of art. It is even more exciting when a luxury beverage is added into the mix. Three exciting industries coming together to celebrate the work of a legend creates such an atmosphere that many want to be a part of the experience. The good news is now art and fashion lovers can be with a new exhibit coming to NYC.

This fall, Champagne Piper-Heidsieck, the famed Champagne house whose iconic red label and unique partnerships have epitomized grand and bold directions for over 250 years, celebrates its long-standing relationship with noted French fashion designer and two-time collaborator, Jean Paul Gaultier at his much anticipated exhibit, opening this October at The Brooklyn Museum.

‘The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier: From the Sidewalk to the Catwalk’ is the first international exhibition dedicated to the groundbreaking French couturier. Organized by the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, in collaboration with Maison Jean Paul Gaultier in Paris, the exhibition opens at the Brooklyn Museum on October 25th and will run through February 23rd, 2014. Originally curated by Thierry-Maxime Loriot of the MMFA, the Brooklyn Museum show was coordinated by Lisa Small, Brooklyn Museum curator of exhibitions. With a strong history of supporting the arts, including cinema, fine arts and fashion, Champagne Piper-Heidsieck is proud to be a sponsor of the grand exhibit’s opening evening, and it was only fitting, given their historical ties to Jean Paul Gaultier.

In 1999, Piper-Heidsieck was on the cutting edge of innovation as the first champagne house to invite a couturier to dress a bottle of Champagne. It was history in the making when Gautlier boldly wrapped Piper-Heidsieck Cuvee Spéciale in a red leather corset, complete with delicate red lace for the French Maison. Ten years later, in 2010, the collaboration was revisited when Piper-Heidsieck released a second limited-edition Jean Paul Gaultier coffret –the Black Cancan Millésime 2000. This grand coffret included a bottle of Piper-Heidsieck Vintage 2000 wrapped in a Swarovski Crystallized fish-net stocking, a studded collar of diamond-cut crystals and a sleek, black and red colored lucite carrying case. With each, Gaultier created surprising and stunning works of art that became the buzz of the fashion world. These innovative and grand limited-edition bottles sold out in record time, and have been unavailable again to the public — until now. In honor of the designer’s upcoming exhibition, Piper-Heidsieck will re-release a limited number of his French Cancan coffrets ($630) for sale by special request at Winfield Flynn in Manhattan.

As well, Piper-Heidsieck will proudly raise a glass to celebrate Gaultier’s bold vision and creativity at the launch of his museum show. The champagne was recently poured for the designer, his muses and other VIPs at the opening night festivities on October 23rd at The Brooklyn Museum, located at 200 Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn, New York. For more information, visit www.brooklynmuseum.org.

Kahri by KahriAnne Kerr Presents Spring 2014 Collection for NYFW at Studio Arte

Rocker chic fashion label Kahri by KahriAnne Kerr celebrates New York Fashion Week with a Manhattan-inspired Spring 2014 Collection. The show was held in the sleek and stylish loft, Studio Arte in Manhattan located at 265 West 37th, New York, NY.

The Kahri line has grown and evolved over the years. KahriAnne has branched out to include millinery and handbags to coordinate with the hip, funky, rocker chic women’s contemporary clothingline. The new diffusion clothing line KA byKahriAnne Kerr was launched for Fall 2010 for the rebellious fashionista on a budget. KahriAnne is proud to produce both collections in NYC.

For the 2014 Spring season collection, her designs showcased a bold, sexy and glam look and included hip and stylist dresses along with trendsetting skirts which were perfect for a fun night on the town. There were champagne colors, red along with classic black and white coupled with a new rebellious twist.

The Kahri brand has been sold at over 20 boutiques across the US, England, Scotland,Austria, Spain, and Israel, as well as 30 online boutiques. In addition, Kahri has also been featured in many fashion shows with celebrity hosts and performers, such as Kanye West, MTV’s Quddus, BET’s Melissa Ford, Keenyah Hill and Naima More from America’s Next Top Model.

Her designs have been seen on on TV programs, such as: MTV, Fuse TV, The Late Show with David Letterman, Jerseylicious, 24 Hour Catwalk, The League, as well as many magazines, websites and newspapers, such as Interview, NY Magazine, InStyle, Vibe, US Weekly, Zink, Highlights, Venuszine, WWD, The Today Show, DailyCandy, and AM New York.

In addition, celebrities such as Keri Hilson, Fergie, Jayma Mays, Aubrey O’Day, Brandi Carlisle, Paris Hilton, Miss Universe 2010, Miss USA 2010 and more have rocked Kahri gear on and off of the red carpet.

For more information on Kahri, visit her website. Also, she can be found on various social media sites.

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Instagram
• Pinterest
• YouTube

K. Nicole Debuting Fashion Line During NYFW

New York Fashion Week began at Lincoln Center with the usual suspects, but there is always the new kid making their mark in such a competitive industry. On Monday, September 9, 2013 at a fabulous loft in Manhattan, Philadelphia’s own K. Nicole graced the New York runway this year. The event was produced by Curtis Davis from Adam Group Productions and Susan Liebesman of B2B Management, while back of the house productions was overseen by Tai Chunn of MVC Productions. Tai over the years has been responsible for bringing quite a bit of new talent to NYFWand continues to do so.

K Nicole brand is created by designers Kera Anderson and Nicole Styer who is also the owner of N.R.S.Boutique in South Philly. K.Nicole Couture consists of ready-to-wear and couture pieces, with tasteful selections of Italian prints and other luxury textiles with beautiful, rich velvet which is just perfect for fall.

In fact, the K. Nicole Couture line is said to represent ”the everyday working woman, the boss stepping out of the Town Car, or simply the woman who appreciates sophisticated style,” says Anderson and Styer. With obvious feminine inspirations from the 16th Century era, the latest Spring 2014 collection offers women jackets, pants, dresses, and jumpsuits.

For NY Fashion Week, K. Nicole Couture recently hosted their new line for Spring 2014. The event was held at the Designers Loft – Studio 450 on 450 W. 31st Street in Manhattan followed by a show cocktail party. New York’s fashion elite came out to celebrate the launch of the new women’s ready-to-wear line created by designers Nicole Styer and Kera Anderson.

For more information on the K. Nicole brand, visit their website. Also, stay up to date with the brand on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter!

The Haneefah M. Show at New York Fashion Week September 2013

New York Fashion Week continued with brand new designs by newcomers into the fashion world. On Saturday,September 7, 2013 designer Haneefah M. debuted her Spring/Summer 2014 Women’s Wear Collection at the Hotel Pennsylvania in Manhattan.

Her feminine, fun and flirty women’s brand brought clean lines of flowing texturesto the stage. Perfect for the spring and summer. Quite reflective of the poised yet playful for any women who might be out on the town.

 For those who don’t yet know her, designer, Haneefah M. line of clothing can be found hanging in boutiques in the Beverly Hills or being worn by summer residentsof the hip resorts at Martha’s Vineyard.

In a recent interview Haneefah M. mentions her goals in life for fashion.”NYFW has been a childhood dream that has now become a reality. From reading fashion magazines in grade school to sketching dresses in high school, dressing models in college then designing full time. Everything has come full circle and I’m enjoying the ride,” says Haneefah M.

With decades of designing experience, in 2011 Haneefah M. began focusing on production. For seasons, Haneefah M.has worked many positions in production including with the Emerge! RunwayShowcase, B. Michael, Nicole Miller, DKNY, and the Isabel Toledo Retrospective Collection. Learning key aspects to runway show production coupled with attending some of the best runway shows New York Fashion Week has to offer, Haneefah M. has been able to develop her line and present a runway show to the standard and expectations of New York Fashion Week.

For more information on Haneefah M’s collection, visit her website. She has also, created a video promo of her line. She can also be found on Twitter and Facebook. Fashion connoisseur will definitely want to keep an eye on for Haneefah M. With such a successful start, there is sure to be more to come in the fashion industry.