On the morning of Friday the 5th of September Carrie Hammer showcased her Spring/Summer 15 collection at the prestigious Fashion Law Institute. It was a full runway show with 24 gorgeous models, however, there was a refreshing twist. Women’s Mafia insider Engie Hassan of EngieStyle was styling the show and our friend Bridget O’Brien was the press agent, so we got to go backstage and cover this exciting event.
For the second season in a row Hammer took a rather unique approach when choosing the best fitting models to capture the message of her collection. Instead of using runway models to display her collection she used women who were role models in their communities. As Hammer’s collection is targeted at professional businesswomen, the idea of role models walking the runway was perfect. Some women were role models due to their achievements in the business world, where as others had powerful stories from their past.
Getty Images for Mercedes-Benz F Craig Barritt
Photo by Abbey Rogers – Fusion.net
Photo by Abby Rogers – Fusion.net
Karen Crespo was the last model to walk the runway and graced the runway with confidence. Crespo sadly lost all four of her limbs due to a bacterial meningitis infection, so for her to WALK the runway in a custom red Carrie Hammer gown was such a powerful ending to an inspirational show. This A-line dress was named ‘Karen’ in Crespo’s honor.
The collection itself achieved its aim by producing stylish clothing for professional businesswomen. This included trench coats, traditional Khaki coats and of course Hammer’s signature sheath dresses. Hammer is known for creating garments that fit every body type. This was illustrated at the show – every article of clothing fitted each role model perfectly. The show was excellent in showing how work wear doesn’t have to be dull and shapeless, it can be stylish and flattering.
Getty Images for Mercedes-Benz F Craig Barritt
Karen Crespo with Engie Hassan (right) and the styling team backstage including Michael Rosenberg and Daphney Lorene
Lhuillier’s inspiration for her new collection started with one question: “What do I want to accomplish this season?“ She wanted the collection to be “glamorous, sexy, precious and colorful.” Lhuillier definitely accomplished her goal with these red-carpet-worthy gowns from her new Fall 2013 collection which she showed at the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week.
Embellishment and intricate stone work featured extensively through the collection, as well as sumptuous knits alongside light and airy silk chiffon gowns with lots of movement and play of light. Metallic shine, both woven into fabric and as accent work was a bright aspect of the collection, as were her refreshing prints, fringe and lace details.
Hanako Maeda showed her first Fall collection at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week. It was inspired by the magic of woodland and the musical “Into the Woods”. The adorable collection featured a variety of fabrics and woodland prints, which made it enchanting. Hanako Meada said “she was thinking about a city girl who wandered into the woods.” Definitely it made us want to get lost in her collection!
“ADEAM” is a word created by reversing “MAEDA,” which is designer Hanako Maeda’s family name. Maeda values honoring her family and the past while innovating her contemporary collections. See more about this exciting newcomer to Mercedes Benz Fashion Week here: www.adeamonline.com
Designer Kati Stern presented her newest collection of sumptuous gowns at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week. True to form, it was a pure gown collection, every dress more beautiful than the last and Kati once again showed that she is one of the most prolific designers at Fashion Week. She featured rich fabrics, beautiful colors and memorable details. Featuring her signature choice of energizing rock music, the dresses featured embellishment, shine, velvet and a variety of textures and hues. It was rock-n-roll haute couture. Our friends from Tela Design Studio run by the famous hair stylist Philip Pelusi did great work once again with the glamorous and inventive hairstyle.
On Friday February 8th Charlotte Ronson showed her newest collection at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week at the Box presentation space in a mixed presentation / short runway format. Her designs included a mixture of leather jackets and short dresses. She managed to include some vibrant floral patterns without her garments losing any of their cool factor. Guests at her presentation seemed to appreciate her injection of bright colors into Fall. Ronson also embraced a cute boyish flavor with loose sweaters and comfortable leather or wool pants. Of course, Charlotte’s sister Samantha Ronson provided an epic soundtrack with great 60’s English rock hits that fit perfectly with the collection. Enjoy more images and highlights from the soundtrack here via Style.Mtv.com
David Tlale presented his third collection at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week this winter. This Fall collection is a mix of stunning evening gowns and really chic day-wear. Tlale featured a wide range of rich materials and colors. In a collection that combines the best of 70’s working girl style with forward-thinking necklines, proportions and color combinations, Tlale created clothes perfect for the smart individualist. We liked the gold detailing, the inventive accessories and statement jackets that are present in the whole collection. Tlales collection was really strong, easy to combine and definitely ready to wear.
On Friday the 8th of February, Nicole Miller presented her new Fall 2013 collection at Mercedes BenzFashion Week. Most of her designs were black and ivory, perhaps because she had so fully embraced colorfor Spring. She got her main inspiration from a piano-key motif. In addition the crowd enjoyed manydiamond-patterned jacquard pants, smart black jackets and pretty floral patterns. Her collection was a mix of elegant styling with very fresh and young features. One model sported memorable yellow and orange ombre hair with a full sleeve of tattoos. She seemed to embody this new, bolder “Nicole Miller” attitude. www.nicolemiller.com
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.”
For further press information about the Refresh FW2013 lounge sponsors and planning your next Fashion Week event contact: Marcy@yellowskyagency.com
Dore Designs Couture Designer Dawn Smart being prepped for an interviewCelebrity Interviewer Cognac Wellerlane preparing to interview Dawn Smart of Dore Designs CoutureThe hair team from Patrick Wellington Hair Spa Using Dr. Miracle's product with guests of the press loungeModels 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 CoutureFitness Expert Stacie Smeal (left) talking wellness and beauty with award-winning esthetician and makeup artist Lora CondonDesigner Dawn Smart with Baker Gretel-Ann and producer Alvin CaloStylist Patricia Parenti and TV Interviewer Cognac WellerlaneEditors visiting the Dore Designs pop up boutique at New York Fashion WeekModels fresh from the pop-up salon by Dr. Miracle's and Patrick Wellington Hair Spa
By Marcy Clark with additional reporting by Constance Zheng
VENEXIANA’s new Spring/Summer 2013 collection shone like a shooting star during Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week. She used colorful crystalline tones and magnificent heavy silk for her gowns. Showcased radiant crystals under see through chiffon, giving the embellished gowns a look more mystical than loud. Her collection seemed inspired by ancient Rome at times, with toga like draping. At the same time, her glamorous draping was expertly fitted so as to accentuate a woman’s body perfectly. Oranges, milk whites, bloody reds and lake blues shone throughout… dresses fit for royalty with luxurious twinkle silk.
Other clever details included white jackets with black lace embellishment and pants that creating an exciting contrast with the evening gowns. As my assistant Constance said after her first Venexiana show during her first time at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week “It was like walking in a fashion milky way.”
