Model Constance Zheng relaxing between takes
During the first two days of Fashion Week, February 7th and 8th, the Women’s Mafia and ThatGirlAtTheParty.com hosted, in conjunction with Yellow Sky Agency PR, the premier fashion and beauty lounge. Situated in a sun-lit studio at the Kaufman Music Center, just two short blocks from Lincoln Center and Mercedes Benz Fashion Week, the first bi-annual Refresh Lounge was a relaxing oasis for busy fashion editors, celebrities, bloggers, stylists and key trendsetters to recharge, refresh their look with and discover exciting fashion and beauty brands outside of the tents.
(Spa Owner and Beauty Expert Lora Condon [left] with Keisha from Patrick Wellington Salon [right])
Gretel-Ann of TLC's Next Great Baker
In keeping with the theme “Rejuvenate and Recharge” the guests were greeted with a warm cup of tea from Le Palais Des Thes Tea and a scrumptious cupcake prepared by Gretel-Ann of TLC’s “Next Great Baker” and Cupps Cafe. As the featured fashion designer, Dore Designs Couture previewed their new evening gown collection. Dore Designs head designer and CEO Dawn Smart was on hand to discuss the line with the fashion editors and bloggers in attendance.
The fortunate guests were then able to enjoy a brow treatment or Aroma-Reiki healing spa treatment from celeb esthetician Lora Condon aka “the Beauty Buster” and author of the book Spa Wars, consult with our Fitness Expert Stacie Smeal, get their hair blown and styled by Keisha from Wellington Hair Spa with products from official hair sponsor Dr. Miracle’s and have makeup touch-ups provided by LiSi Cosmetics makeup artist Nixie Ramirez. DJ Sharri Model provided an upbeat mix of chill and hip hop, further adding to the rejuvenating ambience of the lounge. Guests went home with gift bags featuring Dr. Miracle’s, Body Brite, ID Pop Shop and Magic Hands Skin and Body.
In Dore Designs Couture capsule presentations styled by celeb and Royal stylist Engie Hassan, top models such as Brett O’Conner, Constance Zheng, Myranda Berner and Juliana Harris, modeled some of the glamorous gowns by the famous atelier. Dore Designs is well known for dressing the stars of “So You Think You Can Dance,” Olympic ice dancers and the 44 top professional ballroom dance couples in the world. Featuring hand-painting, dramatic cut-outs, luxurious Italian stretch crepe and genuine Swarovski elements the gowns wowed guests who snapped photos all day long. Engie, who plans on bringing some of the gowns to LA to dress her Oscar clients, noted that the intimate presentation allowed the press and prospective clients to engage with the collection and see the gowns’ detailed artwork up close.
LiSi cosmetics founder Lisa Hill noted: “We loved having our makeup artist Nixie work on both the presentation models and press guests at the lounge, the pictures and personal connections we made at the lounge will last far beyond New York Fashion Week and help us further our reputation as a high fashion makeup brand.”
With 200 fashion editors, bloggers, and other VIP fashion week attendees passing through the lounge, brands received major fashion week exposure. Social Media also played a major part in the Refresh Lounge with attendees tweeting and instagramming throughout the event.
“Even snowstorm Nemo could not keep the guests away and we did our best to make sure that each visitor to the lounge had a relaxing and fun time right till the very end with blowouts, tea and cupcakes provided till the final minutes,” stated lounge co-producer and co-host, Courtney Henley, Editor-In-Chief of That Girl At The Party, “With the buzz about the venue and the lounge, the plan is to make the Refresh Lounge, a regular Fashion Week fixture and include more brands and amenities each season. We started small but because of our proximity to the Tents, there are already potential sponsors and exhibitors lnquiring about September.”
“Taking care of guests to the Refresh lounge and helping our sponsors make meaningful connections to the press was the goal of the event,” states co-host Marcy Clark, President of Yellow Sky Agency PR and founder of The Women’s Mafia. “We received feedback from the press afterwards that the spacious, relaxed lounge was the ideal way for them to meet our talented event partners and experience their products and services in a personalized, intimate way.”
Dore Designs Couture Designer Dawn Smart being prepped for an interview
Celebrity Interviewer Cognac Wellerlane preparing to interview Dawn Smart of Dore Designs Couture
The hair team from Patrick Wellington Hair Spa Using Dr. Miracle's product with guests of the press lounge
Models fresh from the Project Runway show recharged and rejuvenated at the VIP lounge
Models with Women's Mafia fave DJ Sharri Model at the press lounge
Engie live-styling the presentation for Dore Designs Couture
Fitness Expert Stacie Smeal (left) talking wellness and beauty with award-winning esthetician and makeup artist Lora Condon
Designer Dawn Smart with Baker Gretel-Ann and producer Alvin Calo
Stylist Patricia Parenti and TV Interviewer Cognac Wellerlane
Editors visiting the Dore Designs pop up boutique at New York Fashion Week
Models fresh from the pop-up salon by Dr. Miracle's and Patrick Wellington Hair Spa