11/19/2009

Daria Werbowy: Twenty-Six Years Today

“She is much more than a model-
a personality and a unique beauty, a rare mix.”

-Karl Lagerfeld



In quite nearly every mainstream fashion magazine, cosmetic company LancĂ´me unleashes the forcefully mesmerizing face from which peer the pair of inimitable blue, baby-doll eyes belonging to Canadian supermodel, Daria Werbowy. Twenty-six years in and already an inductee into Canada's Walk of Fame, Daria bears a long list of accomplishments in the industry which she -quite surprisingly- had no initial intention of being a part of. Luckily for the world of fashion, the industry has twenty-six years today to thank their lucky diamond-studded stars for a gem like Daria Werbowy. So naturally, I decided to do a brief tribute to my indisputably favorite supermodel.

With one of the most enviable resumes in the business, Daria has been regarded as one of the top runway models in history and has been named one of the top ten earners by Forbes magazine. Switching from a smaller agency to joining world-class model scout Elmer Olsen as he left Elite to form his own agency, was undoubtedly the wisest professional move Daria could have ever made. With ace agent Elmer Olsen, her career began to flourish on an international level as the agency on the forefront of personal model management took her to new heights. In fact, by 2003, Daria had been in more shows than any model had ever walked in one season alone, making her the "breakthrough" girl in the industry. Yes, Daria Werbowy has quite the vitae, but there may be a fair bit exceeding the person you have in mind.

Stunning as she may be, there is much more to the five-foot-eleven beauty than first meets the eye. Reveled for her attractive personality, Daria is a charismatic, creative, intellectual role model who engages in her fair share of philanthropic work. Karl Lagerfeld, the designer for Chanel put it in impeccable terms; “She is much more than a model - a personality and a unique beauty, a rare mix.” With hobbies like snowboarding, sailing, basketball, and a heart of gold, I cannot fathom a single thin not to love about the athletic Ukrainian/Polish/Canadian catwalk queen. With a passion for art, Daria told Canada's Walk of Fame that “Art is definitely something I’m going to be working at my whole life. It’s my outlet. It gives me solace and comfort to be able to sit backstage on my own and draw ink sketches and let everything come out through my hands.” Spoken like a true artisan, soulful and honest. Dexterous. Darling. Daria. Happy, happy birthday, and many happy returns!

“Art is definitely something I’m going to be working at my whole life. It’s my outlet. It gives me solace and comfort to be able to sit backstage on my own and draw ink sketches and let everything come out through my hands.”
-Daria Werbowy to Canada's Walk of Fame.

10/16/2009

NYC OPEN CALL: Supima Design Contest Returns!

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FASHFLASH: Olsens Optical


Style veterans Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen hardly hit the streets without being clad in the trendiest designer pieces, and of course, their trademark stunner shades. So naturally, the idea that the young business-savvy trendsetters are to open an optical line comes as no surprise to me.

To be released in 2010, glasses will fall in the $325-390 range, and focus on four prominent styles. According to NYLON, "A classic aviator, a square-lens oversize pair, one with rounded shades, and one where the tops hit your eyebrows." NYLON just released the info with three examples from the eyewear line. Check it out the link to the article by clicking HERE.

10/11/2009

The Thing On Everyone's Lips: Red

Playing into the hands of the Fall 2009 Color Trend, red lips have returned with luscious smack. Matte and sophisticated, the shades of red on runway lips this season are perfect with the ubiquitous red trend and sleek black look. Check out the look designed by MAC for the Ruffian Fall 2009 Runway and decide how you'll wear it!




Fall 2009 Color Trend: The Power of Red

Perhaps it's the trending vampire themes, or the sultry and seductive Edward Cullen look that has had designers delve into the blood-red color theme for Fall 2009. From shoes to clothes and lips to toes, red is the hottest trending color this season in every part of your closet.




10/10/2009

Fall 2009 Trend Report: Colored Metallics


Brilliant and lustrous, colored metallics have glamorized the nightlife of Fall 2009 by channeling rocker vibes and a sleek retro look. Metallics of all colors have made their way into stylish closets for Fall 2009, and this chic look was a hit on the runways at New York Fashion Week Fall 2009 Ready-To-Wear.

I must say, my favorite feat for this trend is probably that anyone can whip an otherwise dreary outfit into shape with a single lustrous metallic piece, such as a bright blazer. If recessionista chic has not yet hit you, try eyeing Elise Overland's Fall/Winter Collection. Pedal to the metal, allllll the way.



10/06/2009

New York Fashion Week: Alexandre Herchcovitch SS/10



A sporty spectacle, Alexandre Herchcovitch throws it back to the eighties with his football-themed runway show for his Spring/Summer 2010 Collections. With twenty-eight incredible outfits, architectural genius carves its way into fashion as Herchcovitch displays his creatively constructed wired dresses. Symmetrical to perfection, every shoulder that made it's way down the runway had an identical match mirroring it on the opposite side. With big shoulders bold enough to mock a football player out of his uniform, brights and neons caught the eye of every row. Herchcovitch really captured the essence of color revival this show, and we can expect eccentric colors for SS/10 to follow.

Hot pinks and vibrant oranges made their mark on rubber dresses suitable for a basketball team. Of course, I'm not quite sure I would ever find myself in a rubber dress, but the talent and exquisiteness of the pieces were so fine I turned a blind eye to the peculiar trend.

Other pieces parading down the runway included silk dresses and pants in pastel neutrals, paired with ruffled sleeves and flowing sheen material. See through symmetrical shirts with skin-tight form also strutted along with the models. Some pieces I cannot say I absolutely adored, including the abysmally bright checkered blouses and the multicolored patch pants. Some should have stayed in the eighties along with their mullet-sporting forefathers. But alas, what is meant to be will always find it's way. Hopefully, not in the form of outlandishly bizarre patchwork.

On foot, the models trekked the catwalk in what looked like gym socks from the nineties, which in my books, is a major win (pun intended). High socks have always resonated in my books, ever since I spotted them way back at American Apparel. Perhaps I might not pair them with the leather wedges our dear bright Brazilian-born designer did, but nonetheless, athletic knee socks take the cake.

My favorite piece was by far the closing one, modeled by one of my Canadian favorites, Kate Somers. A structural wonder, the dress was draped around a framework of metal rods pieced together to create the shapely composition for the design. From the waist down, the dress bubbled out around the body of the model, and from the waist up, the same big, athletic-inspired shoulder-pads jutted out just like they would on a jock. The dress was filled with bright oranges, yellows, reds, and pink, but also had the basic fundamentals of black and white worked in wisely. Both sheer and solid materials were included, as well as both striped and polka dots. Somehow, Alexandre Herchcovitch managed to pull together polar opposites and fused them into one wonder of fashion design. Walking art, to say the least. Absolute brilliance, skill, and artistry is definite to say the very best.

But back to basics, any designer who sports an athletic-inspired theme derived from and including stylish gym socks, legitimate protective shoulder pads, and puts baby footballs in the hands of the models definitely has gotten a touchdown for me.

(Not to mention the gift bags for those in the front row were awesome. I got a white umbrella and a special edition of Brazilian Vogue!)

Check out the slideshow of photos I took at the show.



Here are the shots from backstage...



9/25/2009

UPDATE: Fashion Week Diaries: Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week


Ah, to be young and in love- with fashion that is! Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week- alias New York Fashion Week- has been wrapped up and shipped to the hearts of fashion lovers everywhere. One of my ultimate favorite times of year has come to a close, but I have all the runway rundown to share with all of you. So over the next couple of days, since I am home and all settled in, I will be dishing all of the details from fashion week for you to enjoy! Keep checking back for more updates!


9/08/2009

Anna Sui For Target, Inspired by Gossip Girl.


Following in the footsteps of Alexander McQueen, Anna Sui's becomes the second collection in the Designers Collaborations initiative for Target. With nineteen looks in the collection, Anna Sui caught her inspiration from the infectiously addicting hit television show, Gossip Girl. Sui was especially inspired by the four styles types of central female characters Blair, Serena, Jenny and Vanessa. Slated to hit over 250 select Target stores and online at The Target Website, the line will only remain from September 13th to October 17th. Luckily for all my readers in New York City, you are invited to a exclusive pre-sale from September 10th-12th at 54 Crosby @ Spring (scroll for invite). Take advantage of the great styles and sales, and enjoy the fine fashioning of Gossip Girl's finest!

"I have always been a fan of designer partnerships with mass retailers. I think it is a great way to bring fashion to everyone," designer Anna Sui tells WWD. "It is an exciting challenge to try and interpret my aesthetic into a mass-produced product with a specific international source as the focus."

Have a sneak peak at the Look Book;

Following in the footsteps of Alexander McQueen, Anna Sui's becomes the second collection in the Designers Collaborations initiative for Target. With nineteen looks in the collection, Anna Sui caught her inspiration from the infectiously addicting hit television show, Gossip Girl. Sui was especially inspired by the four styles types of central female characters Blair, Serena, Jenny and Vanessa. Slated to hit over 250 select Target stores and online at The Target Website, the line will only remain from September 13th to October 17th. Luckily for all my readers in New York City, you are invited to a exclusive pre-sale from September 10th-12th at 54 Crosby @ Spring (scroll for invite). Take advantage of the great styles and sales, and enjoy the fine fashioning of Gossip Girl's finest!

"I have always been a fan of designer partnerships with mass retailers. I think it is a great way to bring fashion to everyone," designer Anna Sui tells WWD. "It is an exciting challenge to try and interpret my aesthetic into a mass-produced product with a specific international source as the focus."

Take a peek at the Lookbook below.



TFVG READERS: YOU'RE INVITED TO SHOP ANNA SUI BEFORE IT HITS STORES



If you are in New York City, come join in on the fashion week shopping fun! I know I will be there!

WHERE: 54 Crosby @ Spring
WHEN: September 10th from 11am-11pm (in celebration of Fashion's Night Out!) & September 11th from 11am-8pm

Check out Target.com/annasui and get your Gossip Girl on today!

You Know You Love Me,
XOXO
TFVG!

9/07/2009

T-Minus-Three: The New York Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Countdown Begins


In just three days time, I will be hopping a plane with my brand new SLR and jetting over to Manhattan, New York to attend the incomparable Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. The day I got my invitation, I don't think I have ever cracked a smile as wide or pulsed a heartbeat so erratic. How thrilling, to be gifted with one of my foremost dreams so early in my career. But lo and behold, the day is only three away, and it is about high time to begin my "T-Minus-Three" New York Fashion Week Countdown.

Throughout the week, the 10th to the 17th to be specific, I will be posting all my NYFW adventures. From showtime schedules to events attending, from gallery openings to interviews- all your fashion fixes will be right here between the four corners of your screen. Keep your eyes peeled for the contest, one lucky winner will get a chance to be featured for their fashion knowledge on Fall Fashion, and get a chance to win big!



Stay Stylish,

Nadia
Editor-In-Chief