Independent Handbag Design Awards

Last week, NYC was home to several major fashion awards. The CFDA of course, feted the mega-clothing labels like Marc Jacobs, Rodarte and Calvin Klein. These are the guys you already know and have been around forever .

What about handbags and the truly unique, independent designer? Handbag Designer 101 held its annual awards this week as well. The chic, lively event was held at the classic New York Historical Society on Central Park West. This event recognized the best in individual creativity among handbag designers. Proving that the night was not just about pretty purses, categories like “Best Green Handbag Design” and “Most Socially Responsible Handbag” was awarded to designers who create with a conscience. The competition accepted entries from designers all over the world. The prizes were truly important in the assistance it gave to the winning designer. Awards included essential equipment like sewing machines and access to materials libraries. Apprenticeships for students, a contract to develop a collection with a Swarovski, a deal to sell the winning bag at Sak’s as well as a sponsored booth at the top handbag trade show in Las Vegas.

Lulu Guinness was presented with the Iconoclast award and made everyone smile by wearing a witty Giles Deacon dress paired with her own lip-shaped handbag to make a face onstage. In her acceptance speech, she hit home that independent designers were more important than ever in this time of economic trouble. People need things that are unique and well made.

Perks for attendees? They must have had one of the most useful gift bags I have ever received as a guest (and designer!) The glossy Lulu Guinness bag held a pair of the designer’s slippers (comfort), a printed silk scarf from Rosangel (keep a bad hair day in check), Vitamin Water (for dehydrated, malnourished creatives), Foot Petals (for fashionista heels), measuring tape, pins, Pantone color inspiration CD and Singer sewing guide (no explanation needed).Read about the winners here.

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Gala Weddings Magazine - Designer Profile

Shameless self-promotion time: This summer's Gala Weddings magazine has included me in an article profiling emerging designers. I am on page 33, designated as the "Embellishment Artiste".

I am absolutely honored to be included with so many talented people in this issue. As all creative know, it's a lot of hard work to do what we do. It's (really!) nice when someone notices the effort...

Thank you for the shout-out Gala Weddings!

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Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art Festival - Talent Only, No Costumed Geeks Allowed

This weekend, the 69th street Armory on the East Side of Manhattan was host to the Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art Festival. The soaring old space was home to tables upon tables of the hottest up-and-comic illustrators, artists and independent publishers. Along side of all the fresh meat, were legends, and established artists on hand for seminars and signings. This was not the event for costumed freaks of questionable mental stability found at those other conventions. The crowd here was here to appreciate and support artistic talent and unique points of view. A crowd that speaks to my heart. For the shy boys who fantasize about an evil comic temptress? What you will find here are sexy, smart and gifted women like Tara McPherson, Molly Crabapple and others doing what they do best without the aid of a latex catsuit, but wield a mighty pen.

Another of my favorite finds? The quiet and cute Michael J. DiMotta. His work featured brilliantly composed, whimsical scenes. Each of his images seem to be drawn from the viewpoint of a boy whose imagination ran amok.

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Culture, Cupcakes and Cocktails at the Chelsea Art Museum

Social networking site Yelp.com, together with the Chelsea Cultural Partnership threw a fabulous launch party at the Chelsea Art museum to kick off the Passport to Chelsea campaign.

The "Passport to Chelsea" offered guests discounts and special offers to sample the culinary, artistic and athletic specialties all found in the neighborhood.

The three-level museum housed several art and design exhibits that I enjoyed. One was "Sustainability" presented by a collective of Italian design brands. It showcased furniture, art, living and functional pieces made from sustainable materials and concepts. The second was "Dream in a Contemporary Secret Garden". This was an exhibit of 12 contemporary Asian artists, using mixed media to interpret the concept of "garden" in their own way.

There was a lovely pianist on the third floor playing for guests of the exhibits, and a DJ in the reception room. Top restaurants from the Chelsea neighborhood provided the nibbles. Crema, an upscale modern Mexican restaurant served up a truffled chicken tortila goat cheese tart as well as coconut scallop ceviche. Late night favorite, Cafeteria, served up delicious red velvet cupcakes. Elegant Matsuri, could barely keep their spicy shrimp siu mai on the banana leaf for a few seconds before being ravaged by hungry guests.

Sake2Me, a new company, served up fruit and tea infused sake beverages that were light and flavorful withough knocking you on your butt. My new favorite liquor brand, Domaine de Canton, a ginger-infused cognac, also spread some cocktail love with their drink of the evening, using lemon and bitters.

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