Ryn Walling 9/22/16 Ryn Walling 9/22/16

Veronica Beard NYFW After Party

Underneath their Madison Avenue store, Veronica Beard hosted an after party to celebrate the presentation of their Spring/Summer 2017 collection at New York Fashion Week. Walking into the seemingly innocuous store, the only thing that betrayed the fun going on downstairs was the thump of the bass.

Guests were immediately immersed in the party’s “Stars & Stripes” theme as they descended down a red, white, and blue staircase and saw one of many items on display, the Freedom Biker Jacket with Eagle Embroidery. There were also tasty drinks served in mason jars, deviled eggs, and one of the most American foods there is: Domino’s Pizza.

Besides the leather jacket there were also nearly two dozen other items on display for our viewing pleasure such as the Picnic Bow Mini Skirt, the Mia Ruffle Blouse, and the Sierra Ruched Mini Dress.

As classic and patriotic as the party was, it was also modern and funky with cheetah print walls and neon pink lights floating overhead, not to mention the groovy upbeat music that kept partygoers dancing all night long.

Iconic women that embody the American spirit inspired Veronica Beard’s Spring/Summer 2017 Collection and just as the party mixed cheetah print with red, white, and blue, the collection creates the perfect combination of vintage and modern. Between the floral dresses, preppy trousers, and classic jackets, the strong, vibrant American woman can dress for any occasion in these clothes.

The party was nothing but carefree fun, a great way to keep the excitement going as NYFW, and the summer, were ending.

Special Thanks to Emily from Veronica Beard and photos courtesy BFA

Ryn Walling 9/21/16 Ryn Walling 9/21/16

Michelle Helene Spring/Summer 2017

On September 7th, the Spring/Summer 2017 collection of Michelle Helene debuted at New York Fashion Week. Stark white walls and brightly colored platforms were the perfect backdrop for the models wearing the funky, chic new collection.

As a brand that focuses on the satisfaction and accessibility to people of all kinds it is no surprise that this collection and the models wearing it were incredibly diverse. The collection was full of bright colors and fun silhouettes and it is easy to picture any one of the models walking around the streets of NYC in these clothes.

Between afros and head wraps, denim and maxi dresses this collection calls back to 70s style fashion and the easy, flirty style of the era. Designer Michelle Helene explains, “My inspiration for the Spring/Summer 2017 collection is rooted in both the clothing and political messaging from the 1970s. This is my interpretation on anti-conformist casual chic fashion for the modern day woman.”

As my first NYFW event this show really got me excited for the rest of the week and just makes me want to look at more of Michelle Helene’s amazing work.

Photos courtesy of EB Consults

Nev Snook 9/20/16 Nev Snook 9/20/16

MARIA'S Technicolor By Alida Boer

At the Dream Downtown on the evening of September 6th, press, friends, and editors gathered to celebrate the second season of handbags from Maria’s by Alida Boer. The event welcomed guests to view the upcoming Spring/Summer collection of Technicolor design, with a reflection on the rich heritage of the stunning, Guatemala. Each bag is a story capturing vision, narrating the life of color and vibrancy within the Latin American culture.

Handcrafted by women in a country with poor economic and social conditions, Maria’s provides her artisans with the right for independence, to learn from the opportunity of employment, and individually earn an income. The hidden but actual realities of marriage conditions in Guatemala often include violence and early commitment, leaving women with little room to grow independently. Through the platform that is Maria’s, however, opportunities for women to become self-reliant and financially stable opens the door for conditions to change. The collection embodies the strength of the cautious and incredibly talented hands that made them.

The collection consists of clutches, totes, and satchels of various shapes and sizes, combining to become a story with over 50 shades of textiles.

Regardless of design, every handbag is alive with the stories of Guatemalan culture, with origins bright and hidden within Mayan treasures. The yarns intertwine into zigzags and floral designs in resemblance of history, myths, and legacies important to the people of Guatemala.

Mirroring the past with the present, the color black is polished as the backboard for which the textiles dance against. Where black is neutral, a basic, a safe haven; the color of the bag creates dimension and risk, daring individuals to hold on their arm an item of interest. Black is the present, the shade of fashion that is distinguished in the industry as modern and classic. The hues of culture that illustrate the handbags make the collection a mysterious and lively twist on what is considered safe.

The collection was assembled delicately among flowers and candles, gorgeously commemorating the Latin American culture and environment. Shades of purple and white were the base theme for the presentation of the colorful collection. Guests admired the ordination of the handbags, excited to welcome the fair trade designer another successful season.

Special thanks to Terry from SeventhHouse and photos courtesy of BFA

Jenna Strauss 8/8/16 Jenna Strauss 8/8/16

ICB Launches “Midnight Winter Dream” Editorial Campaign

At a private event at The Box, ICB introduced their campaign for the Fall/Winter 2016 #TheFashionsDaily; a magazine/media project created to display their upcoming collection. This issue was a parody illustrated from Shakespeare’s "A Midsummer Night's Dream." LA-based model/fashion blogger, Aleali May hosted the event with attendees including Beau (Emma Rose Jenny & Heather Golden - @beau_band) and Nora Vai (@NoraVai) & Lisa Nguyen.

The burlesque club backdrop made for the perfect intimate setting to introduce ICB’s line, which will be launching in stores on August 15, 2016. #TheFashionsDaily depicted the story of an ICB girl taking a midnight stroll through New York City during the cold winter. We enjoyed tasty hor d'oeuvres, cocktails, and a special launch themed performance where dancers were suspended in the air.

ICB’s new collection is a play on menswear and oversized proportions. The line features pieces such as chic wide-leg pants, extra long sleeve knit dresses, long cashmere coats, and knit scarves with faux fur detailing. The inspiration behind these designs was showcasing the ICB girls’ internal struggle over being fashionable while still appearing effortless, luxurious, and witty. Throughout the venue, models and guests were seen wearing stylish ICB designs.

The chic launch party was hosted by the incredible team at EBConsults. We were ecstatic to get a couple of dreamy polaroids with their very own Stefanie Skinner.

Photos by: BFA.com/Tiffany Sage

Ryn Walling 8/2/16 Ryn Walling 8/2/16

Thomas Sabo Fall/Winter 2016 Preview

To preview the Fall/Winter 2016 collection of Thomas Sabo, Georgia May Jagger hosted a party at the New Museum. Amidst beautiful views of the skyline and delicious food platters and wine, a select few were able to get a peek at the absolutely stunning new jewelry line.

As one of the top jewelry and watch brands in the world, it’s no surprise that their new line keeps with their high standard of beauty. Their attention to detail left no stone untouched, quite literally. The necklaces were edgy and stylish, the watches classic yet quirky, and the rings proved that good things do come in small packages.

In addition to Georgia May Jagger, a number of other celebrities were in attendance such as Alice Marie Muller and Zaina Gohou, making the evening sparkle with stars and stones.

Given how amazing these selections were, make sure to look out for the rest of the collection when it comes out this fall!

Photos courtesy of Thomas Sabo

Ryn Walling 7/29/16 Ryn Walling 7/29/16

NYC Opening of Barton Perreira

Barton Perreira has come to New York! On July 19 this California-based luxury eyewear brand opened the doors to its new boutique just off Madison Avenue and celebrated the official opening.

This is only the fourth boutique opened by the brand’s owners, Patty Perreira, Bill Barton, and Tim Cadiente. At this special event, guests could mix, mingle, and, most importantly, try on the fabulous glasses on display.

The owners, along with architect David Spinelli, designed a beautiful space that serves as the perfect backdrop to the eyewear. The new Upper East Side boutique is sleek and modern, with white walls and silver accents throughout, a style that complements the elegant designs of the eyewear featured throughout the store.

There were glasses of all shapes sizes and colors, classic styles with fun twists and incredible detail, and more than a few aviators I wanted to try on for myself.

This new boutique has a design for everyone, and the best way to beat the heat is to head up to this new boutique and grab a pair of Barton Perreira sunglasses!

Photos compliments of Barton Perreira.

Divina Doveyo 7/28/16 Divina Doveyo 7/28/16

Zero Waste Party at Jussara Lee

On Tuesday night, Jussara Lee held a Zero Waste Party, dedicating their time and effort to hosting an event that would have little to no impact on the environment.

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Walking into Jussara Lee, the sustainable clothing store named for it’s owner and head designer, one is immediately met with a sense of peace and contentment. Much of this feeling comes from Jussara herself, a woman who, by her own judgement, has decided to consciously move away from practices that are harmful to the environment and people in order to help the world in her own way. "Making people clothes is fine and dandy,” she tells me, “but there has to be a strong reason to carry on for so long. It’s important to feel like what you’re doing has meaning and purpose.”

One such way Jussara works to bring more purpose into her work is by enlisting homeless women in India to make shopping bags out of newspapers, and then using them in her shop. “Everybody wants to be doing something,” she explains, and by bringing her work to them, Jussara opens up an opportunity for them to have a better life.

One of the sustainable shirts created by Jussara Lee.

This outlook is not limited only to her workers. One of Jussara’s favorite pieces is a coat made out of scraps of discarded thread. For her, a coat like this “epitomizes the kind of luxury that is not the traditional,” -- that is, a beautiful piece that can be worn without any masking of what was put into its creation.

So if you’re looking for beautiful, cruelty free and sustainable clothing in New York, look no further than Jussara Lee.

Photos provided by Jussara Lee

Jenna Strauss 7/27/16 Jenna Strauss 7/27/16

Updownacross Launch Party

Updownacross is a new women’s private label fashion brand that is dedicated to creating well-constructed, high-quality clothing at an accessible price point. Beginning this July, every 15th of the month, Updownacross will launch a capsule collection of 5-8 different styles exclusively on their website and through pop-up events selling directly to consumers.

Every capsule collection is designed and manufactured in their own factory located in NYC’s Garment District. The brand offers the look and feel of luxury designer brands at an affordable price, and there's nothing to hate about that. The overall look is clean, minimal, utilitarian, bold, urban, and architectural.

Owner and designer Joann Kim (pictured on the left) has a spunky personality and says she gets inspiration for her collections from her dynamic friends. She refers to the women who will wear her designs as “Creative Professionals” who value simplistic, minimal pieces but don’t always want to invest in steeply priced clothing. Her designs are also very reflective of her own personal style. Kim’s go to summer outfit is a shirt dress, and she always chooses sneakers over heels. She is someone all of us urban girls working in creative fields can easily relate to!

This line launch took place at American Two Shot, a new boutique in Soho. The trendy crowd enjoyed cocktails, a DJ, and a boomerang style photobooth. The first capsule collection was on display at in the center of the store where we could view the designs and even try them on! This particular color palette was strictly neutral tones, but the garments were well constructed and easy to incorporate into any existing wardrobe.

updownacross provides customers with quality garments, a Made in America label, an e-commerce platform, affordable prices, and a unique on-demand experience. Joann hopes to create a sustainable business model that can stabilize the fashion industry in the US for both brands and consumers alike. I can’t wait to see what incredible designs she will have available for us next month!

Jason Gao 3/17/16 Jason Gao 3/17/16

Force 4 Fashion

In order to promote and celebrate Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Disney and Bloomingdale's joined forces to create Force 4 Fashion. Top fashion designers created many Star Wars inspired outfits to be auctioned off for charity.

The event appropriately took place in Skylight Modern, a space that is typically used for fashion shows and other such events. The entrance with its Star Wars decor was outstanding. We were greeted at the entrance with Champagne, which is always a nice way to start a party.

Force Awakens stars came out to support the event

They did not let the guests go hungry. I did not get a picture, but they also passed around Wagyu steak hor devours style, and having been my first time having wagyu, I gotta say it was delicious.

This is the true definition of squad goals. Overall, the fusion of the Star Wars film and fashion worked out really well. The combination of Star Wars, fashion, and charity is a strong one.

Jason Gao 3/15/16 Jason Gao 3/15/16

Harper's BAZAAR Icons NYFW Party

New York Fashion Week always features great parties, and I was honored to be at one of the best ones. One of the most exclusive NYFW events was held at New York City's Plaza Hotel. Hostess Carine Rothfeld definitely knows how to throw a party. It was in celebration of Harper's Bazaar's "Icons" issue, and some of the most powerful people in every industry were in attendance. From fashion to business; and music, everybody who was somebody was present.

You know a party is good; when Katy Perry is performing. Katy debuted beautiful red hair, and had a short set performing five of her biggest hits.

Fashion "it" girls Kendall Jenner and Gigi Hadid were in attendance to support Carine Roitfeld.

My favorite model Rachel Hilbert was so sweet and obliged to entertain me with this picture. My roommate in college had pictures of her up on his wall, I knew he was crying somewhere.

The @thefatjewish is one of the funniest people on Instagram. This guy was nothing but class, and he has the naturally ability to be a great story teller. Earlier that day, the @thefatjewish had debuted his fashion line "Dad Fashion" and it stood out of from all the other shows due to its diversity of models combined with hilarity. Funny story: after posting this picture on instagram, @thefatjew actually liked it, and I had a spike in likes with over 200 more likes than I would usually receive, including a like from the Huffington Post.

Fashion designer Jason Wu looked like an Asian Gangster. I think we can pass for cousins, or maybe even brothers. I guess he is the more successful Jason in the family.

One of the most talented kid actresses. I was so happy to meet her because I watched her grow up as Sally Draper from Mad Men. She was so humble, and when I introduced myself to her; she went on and did the same. Never change, Sally Draper, never change.

The hostess with the most. A gracious lady with nothing but elegance and grace, and damn she knows how to throw one hell of a party.

This billionaire' and Patriots owner, was a funny man. I made a few jokes about deflate gate and he was totally cool with it. Stay classy Mr.Kraft.

Beautiful party girl Michelle Rodriguez lived up to her reputation and she was already in a different time zone when I met her and took this picture.

Even though I looked like an idiot here, I had to post it, right? I mean, how many chances do you get to meet the hottest model in the world? Exactly.

The night winding down

Overall, probably one of the best nights of my life.

Jason Gao 3/14/16 Jason Gao 3/14/16

Stepping on Anna Wintour's shoes for the Homeless

I want this to be my first entry because it is the event that inspired me to start this website. I remember it just like it was like yesterday. It was the night of the annual God's Love We Deliver gala, a star-studded charity event that pays tribute to an organization that delivers meals to ill and homeless families. The award ceremony was honoring Neil Patrick Patrick for his Outstanding Community Service. After accepting the Michael Kors Awards Neil gave an impeccable speech about how everyone of us should look out for the community. After the show, it was time to mingle with the celebrities. The event was hosted by Michael Kors, so naturally he brought all of his famous friends with him. A-listers included Kate Hudson, Emily Blunt, Diane Kruger, and tons of beautiful models.

**Kate Hudson casually chatting with someone as Emily Blunt looks on. NPH drinking his glass of wine, as Michael Kors chats up with a guest.**

As I squeezed my way through the crowds of photographers and guests, I arrived at the royal VIP table where all the A-listers sat. I was lucky to see NPH and got a quick picture with him.

NPH is just as nice as you would expect him to be. He was a true gentlemen who even told a few jokes before I asked him for the picture. As I looked around frantically wanting to get a picture of the host (MK), I accidentally stepped on someone's shoe and nearly tripped. I turned around; and before I could even say the words "so sorry", my mouth shut in utter disbelief. The person's shoe I stepped on was none other than the fashion icon, Anna Wintour. I panicked, not knowing what to say, and before I could find the words, Anna looked at me and said "don't worry about it honey, have a good night." I was in dismay, the woman that was portrayed by Meryl Streep as a cruel boss in the movie The Devil Wears Prada, was such a sweet woman. After gathering the courage to look at her again, I asked for a picture, and she happily obliged. I hope this does not ruin her cool image, but she is not as mean as people put her out to be.

Oh, I eventually found the host himself.

Emily Blunt and Diane Kruger share a picture

Overall, it was an amazing night of fun and the best part is that it was all for charity. The generous crowd raised over one million dollars for God Loves, We Deliver.

God Loves, We Deliver is a organization that provides nutritious individually-tailored meals to people who are not able to cook or shop for themselves. The organization was founded in 1985 when one woman began delivering food on her bicycle to a man dying from AIDS. Today, the program has grown tremendously and cooks 5,500 meals each weekday, delivering them to clients living with life-altering illnesses in all five boroughs of New York City. All of services and foods delivered are provided free of charge without regard to income.

To find out more about the organization or give a generous donation please visit: God Loves, We Deliever