Nolcha's Beyond the Runway Competition

Are you showing during New York Fashion Week this September? Are you an independent designer looking for some extra funds? Nolcha Fashion Week is presented simultaneously along with Mercedes-Benz Fashion week to showcase up-and-coming designers.
The bonus this season, is that Nolcha is teaming up with LooseButton to host the Beyond The Runway contest. The winning designer in September will receive a $50 000 business support package to help them succeed as an entrepreneur.
Judges will include Gabrielle Teare, a stylist from Elle Magazine, Marie Claire and Fashion TV. President of LooseButton, Ray Cao, Sheri L. Koetting, CEO of marketing agency MSLK and Lilly Berelovich, founder of Fashion Snoops will also be on hand to review designers.
The entrepreneurial support will come in the form of legal help, accountants, web consultations, marketing advice and retail placement.
To show in Septembers Nolcha Fashion Week, start with the application here. For more about the competition, check out Nolcha's web site.

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Strut the Sidewalk Catwalk on Broadway

A lot of attention has been paid by the media in saving New York's Garment Center. Local Organizations like Save the Garment Center, the CFDA and Made In Midtown have been fighting to keep New York’s fashion industry intact with local manufacturers.

This week through the September 3rd, New York designers are taking this fight to the streets. The pedestrian-friendly parts of Broadway between 35th street and 42nd street will be home to the Sidewalk Catwalk.

Thirty top American designers and student teams have created original mannequins attired in a signature look. The lineup includes icons like Diane Von Furstenburg, Isaac Mizrahi and Donna Karan. New guard designers, Prabal Garung and Jason Wu are represented as well. Many of these designers, like Nanette Lepore manufacture their clothing in New York as a vital part of their business.

In addition to the exhibit, the original artwork for the mannequins is being auctioned to benefit Materials For the Arts. The organization donates supplies and support for arts programs in schools.

Care to take home a piece of garment center history? Bid here.

Sidewalk Catwalk

Click for Full Slideshow Photos by Adam Weinstein

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ECO-CHIC at the Scandinavia House

When you think of ‘green’ fashion and eco-friendly clothes, do you think drab? Shapeless sacks of hemp, faded linens, dragging earth tones? Think again.

At the Scandinavia House, there is a free exhibit until August 21^st, 2010. The Eco-Chic exhibit in Midtown Manhattan's Scandinavia House showcases Sweden’s best designers who follow the principles of sustainable design.

Frumpy, the clothes are not. Julian Red’s lurex/linen trench strikes a very tailored, dramatic silhouette. Anja Hynynen’s delicately knitted gowns are delicately sculpted into ruffles. The comically named Swedish Hasbeens makes ultra-sturdy handmade boots from traditional methods.

The museum doesn’t just serve to present pretty fashion. As you walk around the rooms, you can fill out survey testing your eco-chic knowledge.

The fashions and accessories on display represent multiple disciplines of sustainable fashion. It demonstrates the different fabrications like hemp, organic cotton, linens, etc. These many people know.

Eco-friendly clothing is more than that. Ethical and fair-trade practices of manufacturing are explored. Re-using and re-cycling is updated by mixing vintage with the new and the popular “upcycling” of items. Re-purposing a piece to something fabulous.

Many don’t know that harmful effects that stem from laundry. The simple choice to air dry and hand wash a garment makes a huge impact globally if done en masse.

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Scottish Fashion Awards 2010

Winner Jonathan Saunders with Amanda Wakely

Laura Whitmore wearing nominee Graeme Black

Scotland celebrated its top designers last Sunday. The event took place at the Glasgow Science Center, with VIPs walking down the ‘Tartan’ carpet instead of the red...What else would you expect?

The awards recognized a diverse number of categories within the fashion industry. Besides designer of the year, there were also prizes for textile brand, best designer use of a Scottish fabric, Top retailer and Scottish communicator. Best Scottish model and fashion icon were the higher profile awards.

The Swarovski-style fashion show entertained the celebrity filled VIP dinner. The judging panel included editors from Vogue, Harpers Bazaar and the Daily Telegraph. Jonathan Saunders took home the prize for Designer of the Year. Lisa Omond was awarded Scottish Model of the Year. The evening was hosted by MTV presenter Laura Whitmore.

A smaller fashion icon, Barbie decorated the tables. Attired in a commissioned gown by Saltire, the doll was auctioned to raise money for the Princes Trust in Scotland. For the full list of winners, click through to the Scottish Fashion Awards.
Photos courtesy of Vogue.co.uk

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Brooklyn Fashion: American High Style Hands On

In Brooklyn, style and culture is a hands-on event. The Brooklyn Museum has a fantastic exhibit of American High Style: Fashioning a National Collection. It features the works of prominent American designers in our history as well as International designers that had an influence on how Americans dressed.
Etsy, online champion of artists everywhere, is collaborating with the museum Saturday for a full day of fashion design events. The events start with a community crochet project, leading to a gallery tour of the exhibit. A panel discussion with fashion editors in the afternoon will elaborate on how Brooklyn design reflects the cultural, ethnic an international trends of the community. The third floor will house a showcase of Brooklyn designers and top graduates of the Pratt Fashion program. Complete event details here.

Dress and photo by naKIMuli. Dress by Adrian, photo from Brooklyn Museum

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Pay It Fashion Forward - Summer Rayne Oakes Delivers For Fashion

Where can you find impeccably dressed fashionistas bowling in mismatched shoes?  Last week at Lucky Strike Lanes, the fabulous people were out to support Pay It Fashion Forward, a benefit for Fashion Delivers.

The party was hosted by Emmanuelle Chriqui of HBO’s Entourage and Bryan Greenberg of How to Make It in America.  The event brought together guests from the entertainment, media and fashion industries to raise money for Haiti relief.    

Fashion Delivers calls upon apparel companies, designers and individuals to contribute clothing, products and funds to help those in crisis.  Anyone who works in the industry understands that excess merchandise is a regular part of doing business and the organizers behind this charity found a great outlet for it.

 I was able to speak to Summer Rayne Oakes, one of the evening’s honorees. She is a model/activist who has devoted much of her time to this cause. In addition to helping the victims of Haiti relief, she was also involved in providing aid to help victims of Hurricane Katrina for the organization. She has made a name for herself, more for her environmental work then modeling. Summer has launched Source 4 Style, a platform for designers to source ethical and sustainable suppliers for their collection.

The board of directors Fashion Delivers is made up of the top executives in the apparel industry. Together, they have lobbied the government to make shipments sent for aid duty free to make giving easier.

Forever 21 presented a fashion show along the bowling lanes, raffles of sponsor goodies and tasty cocktails from Patron rounded out the night.


How can individuals contribute to this organization? Ms. Oakes suggested new helpers can donate money, clothes or even their time. Also, funds raised by attending events thrown by Fashion Delivers helps pay for the shipping of supplies to those in need.

Photos by Mariana L and Emma Grady

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4th Annual Independent Handbag Designer Awards -Part One

The Independent Handbag Designer Awards were held last Wednesday at Parsons, the New School of Design.

Emily Blumenthal explained the fledgling award show had progressed ‘from the minors to the majors’. The fashion industry elite included supporter from Kate Spade, Swarovski, mark by Avon, Timberland, Carlos Falchi, Singer and Instyle Magazine. Besides the awards, guests enjoyed surprise guests (Tim Gunn!), laughter and inspiring speeches.

Parson’s Dean of School of Fashion, Simon Collins opened the program by reminding us that fashion is perceived as a “ bitchy, cut throat”. In reality, the evening showed a caring community.

“So many designers are anxious to get noticed,” said Emily. This competition provides an opportunity to showcase their talent to an international audience. Categories included Best Student Made Handbag, Most Socially Responsible Handbag, Best Use of CRYSTALLIZED™ -Swarovski Elements, Best Handmade Handbag Best Green Handbag and Best Handbag in Overall Style & Design and Most Innovative Handbag Inspired by mark.

Independent Handbag Awards - Press Preview

The judging panel consisted of editors, style makers, buyers and professors for each category. selected winners. In addition to international press coverage, awards ranged from apprenticeships with designer Carlos Falchi to selling a limited edition run of their design from CRYSTALLIZED Swarovski Elements.

Where do these awards take you? Rachel Esswood, last year’s winner for Best Student Made Handbag was recently hired by Devi Kroell following her apprenticeship. Another winner from 2009, Lorna Nixon had three bags featured in the film Sex and the City 2.

For more on the awards and individual winners, stay tuned! We will be profiling our favorites in the next few days.

Photos by Mariana L.

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FAB Exclusive: Bibhu Mohapatra Studio Tour

It is rare to fall in love in the fashion world. Once in awhile, you do meet that one designer who makes you feel the passion for a great gown.

I met that designer last month at the National Arts Club. He was being honored as a “Young Innovator”. He had two pieces on display, which were simply sublime, and luckily, we had a chance to see these at his studio again. His name is Bibhu Mohapatra.

Vogue named him one of the “New Guards” of fashion. The CFDA awarded him a coveted space at the Fashion Incubator among other up-and-coming designers like House of Waris, Alice Ritter and Prabal Garung. I was invited for a behind the ‘seams’ studio tour before his trip to India.

Bibhu greeted us promptly at 3:00 PM for our interview before apologizing to check in on a fitting. I was excited to have a few minutes alone to delve into his Fall 2010 collection and explore the pieces individually. The first test of a good quality garment is to look the inside of the piece. A good design is as beautifully constructed inside as it is outside, and his collection was beautifully executed.

While I waited, I saw his inspiration wall covered with collages of 1920’s flappers and 1930’s ladies in cloche hats. As I peered closer, I saw the film Metropolis, my favorite movie of all time.

As we walked into the studio, a dressmaker was meticulously hand sewing geometric pieces on a gossamer evening gown. The yellow dress was stunning, and light as a summer day. It instantly reminded me of Katherine Hepburn...

I asked Bibhu about it in our interview:

Bibhu M: It’s from our Spring 2010 collection. It was inspired by x-rays. The ability to look through them. This is dress is being made for a client - a mother of the bride.

MsFAB: How many sketches/designs does each collection start with? I remember from FIT that we had to do hundreds of mini sketches to develop ideas for each collection.
BM: Each story starts with 300-400 sketches and these are distilled to 26-27 pieces.

Depending on the inspiration, I have specific pieces in mind, then I sketch. Sometimes the material is so beautiful, we design based on it “ outside in “ with shapes and fabrication.

Take simplest fabric and create texture out of it. Create dimension and geometry.

MsF: Are you a draper or a patternmaker. (for our readers, designers essentially like to drape on a ‘body’ or dress form or they like to make patterns on papers and then make the piece. Both M and I are drapers)
BM: I am a draper. This piece for example had 39 different pieces! A pattern production nightmare.

MsF:How do you balance creativity/design and making your collections sell thru?
BM: We are sensitive when we price these products. We definitely do not make it cheaply!

Fashion is a business. Fashion without commerce is just art. It should be a viable business and striking a balance is key.

MsF: How do you like your new space provided thru the Incubator program. You had mentioned your former studio was on the west side?
BM: This space is amazing. It’s nearly three times bigger. We are in here for two years.

MsF: What piece was the one you loved most?
BM: This shirt is my favorite from the collection.

(The designer pulled out a simple, boxy shaped silk and wool inset top in muted shades of navy and brown .The fabric was light with a mod look)

MsF: The fabrics are so beautiful. Did your days with J. Mendel help get contacts and where are your fabrics sourced.
BM: The fabrics are from Japan, Italy and Asia. Yes, I do have access to European mills and developed relationships with them. Working at J.Mendel definitely helped.

MsF: Who were your favorite or influential professors at Fashion Institute of Technology as you studied design there?
BM: Professor Joe Maria and Professor Diorio. She was so very good to all of us and made me work harder. She always knew if the pins on the muslin were not in perfectly!

MsF: Professor Diorio was my professor too! It turns out we were at FIT at nearly the same time and had Professor Diorio. What was your inspiration for Fall 2010 collection?
BM: Fall 2010 is lots of plush clothing. Velvets. Definitely furs. Lots of old world glamour and is also about practicality and purpose.

(Bibhu pulled an anorak from Fall 2010 with fur lining which in production will have a rainproof reversible shell.)

MsF: What is one piece of advice you would give to someone starting out?
BM: Just be aware of working as a team. Everyone deserves equal amounts of respect.

MsF: Please tell us who are your ideal muse(s)? I know you mentioned you want to dress Frida Pinto.
BM: I would like to dress her – Frida Pinto.
Lauren Santo Domingo (contributing editor of Vogue magazine) is a constant muse in my mind. She helps style my shows.
Cate Blanchett – her personality and dress meet in the middle and meld. It’s a happy union of craft and person. The dress does not wear her.
Tilda Swinton – it’s all about her persona.

At 4:00 PM, a blonde with an enviable size 0 figure walked in for her fitting for a dress I had been eyeing. Bibhu went into work mode. He came in between the fitting to continue speaking with us to share favorite books from his library.

I thanked Mr. Mohapatra for the interviews. Bibhu replied with a smile, “ How about making it dinner. I will get the fish from Jackson Heights – hilsa”. Fantastic! I planned to soon make an authentic Bengali dinner for Bibhu.

I walked out lusting every piece in his elegant Fall 2010 collection and was charmed by the man driven by purity of design and respect for others.

The next week, I was in Soho covering a different story when I ran into one of Bibhu’s muses on Mercer Street – Tilda Swinton!

I quickly walked over, introduced myself and informed her of our meeting with Bibhu and that she was an inspiration to him. Playing fashion matchmaker, I asked if we would be able to get her connected to him somehow? She said, “Yes, I will have someone look into it and get back to you” and took our card.

Ms.Swinton – if you are reading us in Europe, we are certain you will fall in love with his work!

As they say, there is still a bit of luck and magic left in this city. If you see Ms. Swinton wearing Bibhu Mohapatara, I will feel like my fashion fairy dust has succeeded…

Photos by Mariana L.

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FAB Sales Picks: Carlos Falchi

In NYC:
Carlo's Falchi's exotic and luxury handbags will be on major discount AND benefit the National Audubon Society...How do you like that? Guiltless shopping:
Where: 260 West 39th street, 7th floor
When: Tuesday, June 22nd, 10 am - 7 pm, Wednesday, June 23rd, 10 am - 5 pm.

Loomstate & Rogan's fabulous casuals are up to 75% off
Where: 91 Franklin Street
When: Wednesday, June 23, 8 am - 8 pm.

In LA:
Monique Lhuillier's red carpet-worthy bridal gowns are up to a whopping 90% off. Please try to control the bridezilla in you and keep civilized...
Where: 1201 South Grand Ave.
When: Sunday, June 27th, 10 am - 4 pm

Online:
Marc Jacobs Collection handbags are up to 60%
When: MONDAY at NOON EST

Daryl K's downtown chic still rules any cosmopolitan jungle...
When: Wednesday, June 23rd at Noon EST

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Designer Dads - Fashion's Top Father Figures

There are plenty of well-known mothers in fashion. Some of the top were spotlighted on Mother’s day. What about the Dads?

Oscar de la Renta lavished love on stepdaughter Eliza and designed her hand-embroidered wedding gown in 1998. She is a VP in her father's firm, and often consults on what styles will appeal to the younger client. I remember watching adopted son Moises do his homework in Dad’s office back in the late 1990's. Grown up, he took after Dad's creative side, designing a rock n' roll themed shirt for Oscar's 2005 collection and launching his own denim line. In 2010, he designed a collection for Mango.

Ralph Lauren and wife Ricky had three children who made their mark. Son David is an executive at Polo Ralph Lauren in Dad's organization. Daughter Dylan is the famous Dylan's Candy Bar founder. Son Andrew is in the film industry.

Tommy Hilfiger, head of the mega American brand of the same name was seen consulting with daughter Ally in MTV’s Rich Girls in 2003. Now, she is a hands-on employee for Dad's company, doing everything from styling, to unpacking boxes. She hopes to follow in her father's footsteps and launch her own line some day.

Photos by Janet Mayer, Michael Edwards and AP

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Bright Young Things Launch of the LBD

PYTs wear LBD's..

Thursday night, Maryam Nassir Zahed’s boutique on the Lower East Side hosted the launch of Brooklyn designer, Eliza Starbuck’s new line, Bright Young Things. The concept is simple. The Little Black Dress (LBD) designed in a clever way to be all things to many people. This is ‘slow fashion’ as a parallel to the ‘slow food’ movement where clothes are not disposable.

Some of the live models wearing the LBD had their own comments, explaining it “Molds into whatever you want and it’s the perfect dress and sold as a canvas like art.” The pricing is also practical at $185 for a garment made In New York. Production is in the Garment district and Chinatown. Online sales start June 18th. Orders will take 4-6 weeks to be made and is currently offered in three sizes.

I checked out every young model wearing the LBD, it did seem incredible that so many women of different sizes, heights and body types could rock the dress in independently. One model channeled 70’s Janis Joplin with a furry vest and pink tights. The LBDs were worn wrapped to the front, back, open, tied with an obi or worn simply with a slim belt as Eliza did.

The designer was her own best model. Tall and svelte, the LBD looked amazing on her. Eliza spoke to us about her first gig, “The Uniform project” which inspired her Bright Young Things launch. She found it hard to locate “Made in US” anymore. The oil crisis of recent years had affected shipping costs making it expensive to ship goods in from China and India. She was also concerned about why goods were so cheaply made overseas. Ms. Starbuck started questioning how and in what conditions these items were being produced.

“ There was never a comfort level working in the industry. I felt that consumer culture has been blind”. She felt she wanted to “see and meet the people making the clothes” and decided to produce her clothes in US.

The LBD in cotton pique is the first of her Bright Young Things conceptual collection. She will add on to the collection by adding core pieces to build upon versatile items. “People were ready for it.”

Eliza was ready to leave the industry for good after becoming disenchanted by it. This was until 2009 when she met Sheena Matheiken during a charitable drive. Sheena was out to raise funds by wearing a single dress for 365 days of the year. She designed and created the Uniform dress that could work in any setting for the whole year.

Based on the awareness generated from the Uniform Project, Eliza produced a 365 piece limited edition run of the Uniform dress that sold out quickly. The sales from this raised an additional $10,000 for the Akanksha Foundation that funds education in India.

Resist being the fast-fashion victim. Wear the Little Black Dress and make it your own. We wish Eliza great luck and we hope this is only the tip of the thoughtfully-made fashion movement!

Photos and story by Ritika W.

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Fashionable Father's Day Picks

There are plenty of men's fashion guides out there. Dandies and Divas wish lists are everywhere. For Dads though, I thought gifts should be stylish, but most of all PRACTICAL. Let's face it, no matter how exquisite, he doesn't need another tie.

If you have the budget, a bespoke shirt or suit is an unbelievably thoughtful gift. What could make a fashion conscious dad feel more special than personalized shirts that fit perfectly? A good tailor will help him pick out the most chic and comfortable fabrics, and adjust subtle details like collar/cuff heights and shapes to flatter your guy's best features. Check out Duncan Quinn, Ascot Chang, Tom Ford and Coppley. Need custom shoes? Our recently profiled Ildiko Gal makes the best.

Mocc Socks are perfect solution for the man who is uncomfortable with bare feet in summer shoes, but wouldn't dream of embarassing you by wearing sweat socks. These won't break anyone's budget at $8.00

Don't make a new Dad suffer this summer by forcing him to carry your Vera Bradley floral Mom Tote. Give him a guy-worthy by Jack Spade. This one features the shark from the movie Jaws, infusing humor and practicality. If the father in your life likes to look a little more badass during a diaper change (the child's not his own), go for the Diaper Dude messenger bag.

Call it man jewelry, call it spy accessories or nerd chic. These discreet, elegant cufflinks are actually 4GB USB flash drives. Carry all the photos of family, videogames and any other info you want. They look fabulous and you know some fathers would wear these just for the power...

Love you Dad!

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FFAWNing over Blige and Malandrino's Collection

Fashion, like many other disciplines, require passion and creativity. It is no surprise then, that an accomplished musician and fashion designer would collaborate on a fabulous collection together.
Catherine Malandrino and Mary J. Blige presented the FFAWN collection Tuesday night to a room of notables from all walks of artistic life at the Museum of Modern Art. Fellow singer Estelle, celeb-chef Todd English, museum curator Thelma Goldin were all on hand to celebrate.

The clothes themselves were sexy and diva-worthy. The looks onstage were perfect to represent the Foundation for the Advancement of Women Now in inspiring young women succeed with confidence and skills. Proceeds from the benefit will help Bronx students on their way to college this year.

Photos By Steve Eichner

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Fashion History Starts Now

It is a well-established cliché that the fashion industry prizes youth and sex appeal. Politically correct or not, it’s an image that sells clothes. What is not as well-established, is that there are many in the fashion community who are aware of the uglier side of society that preys upon that youth and have come together to do something about it.

Monday night, History Starts Now hosted a night of “Fashion Gives Back". The event at the Stone Rose Lounge was home to the second annual fashion show to raise awareness of sexual trafficking of minors within the U.S.

The passion backstage showed that the event meant more than your average fashion outing. Manager Kristin Huggins styled and corralled the models into character. The stylists of Bumble & Bumble team worked hard to make everyone look their best. Designer LeQuan Smith was on hand to make sure the finishing touches on his neoprene pieces were intact for the spotlight.

After a moving speech by founder Kristina Lee Grandstaff, film director Kat Rohrer screened a trailer for her film, “Fatal Promises“ documenting this tragic part of society.

The runway was not just a pretty parade of clothes. At the center of the stage, a male and female model stood roped together to symbolize the bondage of slavery that the victims suffer. The designer’s models came out and reacted differently to the central couple to represent the growing awareness and action of the organization’s cause.

How can you help? If you are a designer, artist, musician or media representative, you can partner with History Starts now to raise awareness. You can donate or become an ambassador in your community. You can research or host an event of your own too!

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LIVE: Cynthia Rowley Resort Goes Mobile

What are you doing this afternoon? If you are strolling the streets of New York this lovely afternoon, catch the Cynthia Rowley bus for one of their mobile presentations. Servers are keeping onlookers comfortable with bottles of water and mimosas.

The designer herself is on the sidewalk with a bevy of models to present the looks for early next year. According to Ms. Rowley, the main direction for this collection was to give a relaxed vibe for the customers. Layered denims, flowing silks with retro-inspired prints attired the models.

The accessories are whimsical. The shoes were woven from busy prints and denim. A paillette covered hat adorned one model while another model held a bright floral pattern bag. My favorite piece is the segmented antique-look goldfish necklace.Care to catch the next presentation? Run on down to the Time Inc. building between 5pm – 6pm today.

Photos by Mariana Leung

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Chanel Onscreen...Again

A new film about Coco Chanel is being released this month. One of the many that have found inspiration in designers.

“Chanel Coco & Igor Stravinsky“focuses on the brief affair between the designer and married composer. Karl Lagerfeld is not a fan. Like many who worship at the altar of Chanel, he does not prefer to think of the pioneering designer in an unflattering light. She may be portrayed as cold and calculated at times, but ambition and selfishness is still human.

This film follows in the footsteps of last year’s ”Coco Avant Chanel”, the film follows ingénue Gabrielle from her humble beginnings post-orphanage to the beginnings of fashion success. Again, it shows her rise with the help of her lovers.

Shirley Maclaine earned an Emmy Award for her portrayal of Chanel in her later years, with a romanticized younger version in the television movie of 2008. “Chanel Solitaire” was a 1981 film based on a biography by Claude Delay. Katherine Hepburn starred in the one Broadway musical version of her life.

Coco Chanel herself made contributions to film in the form of costume design. She even collaborated with Pablo Picasso on a film.

Photos by Sony Picture Classics and Lifetime Network

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