Friday at Couture Fashion Week Spring 2009

Most people assume that Fashion Week means shows in the Bryant Park tents, but some of the most colorful and innovative designs are being shown throughout the week in other locations. Couture Fashion Week always showcases these types of designers. The dress is elegant, the crowd, eager to see what's on the runway(s), and there is always a display of luxury goods in the venue, such as this amazing, hand-beaded handbag by D. Rothbury (designer, Dee Rothbury).

On Friday, September 5th, at the Westin Times Square's Majestic Ballroom, The Advice Sisters were fortunate to see three different shows by International designers that have unique visions.

There was live music before each show. Pianist Donna Weng has performed as soloist with the Atlanta Symphony, Shanghai Symphony, Philadelphia Orchestra, and the New Jersey Symphony to mention a few. She is also on the faculty of the Mannes College of Music Preparatory Division.




Violinist Jane Hunt, also known as the "Violin Venus"made her debut at Carnegie Hall in 2007, and has appeared in such venues as Radio City Music Hall, The Kennedy Center, The Cannes Film Festival and Sir Elton John's Lifeball Concert. She is also appearing this summer at the 2008 U.S. Open Tennis tournament.

The clothes are the real stars at Couture Fashion Week. Designer Celia Perez produced elegant eveningwear from glitzy, form-fitting golden gowns, to classic strapless, to a white wedding gown that featured a removable train so the bride can have a regal train walking down the aisle, but end up with a sexy mini-dress for dancing the rest of the night away with her new (and lucky) groom. Perez has a unique style. She's been at her craft for nearly 2 1/2 decades. Her designs benefit from her training in watercolor and oil painting as well as sculpture. The designs are known for attention to detail and elegant, luxe fabrics. Her new, pret-a-porter line, a new initiative under the Cecilia Perez brand, launched in NYC this September. Perez was recently recognized as a fashion industry leader by the Colombian-American Chamber of Commerce. As a favorite designer of many Latin America celebrities, one of her gowns was presented to actress Eva Longoria at the 2007 Alma Awards. What's nice these elegant gown is that they are actually modern classic, in other words, wearable, not so avant garde that you couldn't wear it to your sister's wedding. Violinist Jane Hunt played beautiful, soothing violin music throughout-- a nice departure from the often loud, raucous runway tunes.

Sararose Krenger loves vintage fashion. Her inspiration this season's "Sararose" evening collection came from the silhouettes and extravagance of 1930's. Texture is a key element in this collection and the extravagant use of luxe fabric mixes such as satin, silk dupioni, and tulle. Colors ranged from classic black, to soft gold and silver, to deep burgundy and emerald green. These were interesting designs that looked nice on the models. There were surprising elements, such as feathers on long sticks that were reminiscent of mardi gras masks, or the types of feather ornaments that used to festoon men's hats. Extravagant fantasy details, such as the very large "snow white" type collar on the burgundy gown in the photo, looked eye-catching on the runway, but probably would be less wearable for anything other than a red-carpet event.

Edwing D'Angelo did an eye-catching collection featuring two favorite colors only: white and black. His show featured a variety designs, many adorned with crystal details and also a number of style sfor men. The all-white men's suit in this photo would make a great wedding or prom outfit. D'Angelo's designs would work well on young, hip men and women, but the classic, short dress on the left would work for women of all ages. Entitled "Aquactica", this designer's inspiration for the collection was the continent of Antarctica with it's black and white landscapes, especially the shifting shapes and textures that Spring brings to that harsh environment. The Designer's innovative fashion are faves of celebrities such as: Vivica A. Fox, Patti LaBelle, Lil' Kim, Paula Garces, Nelly, Sean Paul, Mo'Nique, Rosa Blasi, Tia Texada and Tony Award nominee Laurie Metcalf--just to name a few. D'Angelo thanks God and credits his family, especially his mother, Sara, for helping him bring this season's vision to life.

Fashion shows by other designers will run throughout the week. Couture Fashion Week is a series of couture and luxury fashion shows held multiple times each year in New York City, Palm Beach, and other selected cities, featuring international designers, entertainers, art and luxury product and service exhibits. The event attracts press coverage and upscale fashion buyers as well as socialites and other affluent fashion consumers. The shows are produced by USA International Fashion Shows®,. If you're a fashionista and you'd love to attend one of these exciting fashion events, or you'd like to see events and photos of show's past, visit http://www.couturefashionweek.com/luxury.htm

*All content and photos --Alison Blackman Dunham for the Advice Sisters copyright © 2008 all rights reserved by Alison Blackman Dunham of THE ADVICE SISTERS® The Advice Sisters is a registered United States trademark.

I am pleased to announce that the AdviceSisters December/Holiday 2007 What Works Beauty, Cosmetics & Fashion review column is up on the AdviceSisters web site http://www.advicesisters.net/ .

This special edition, two page holiday column features features seasonal beauty, fashion and gift ideas for virtually everyone with suggestions to help you enjoy the holidays, look great, and feel great, too.

Page ONE http://www.advicesisters.net/whatworkscol3.html features the newest makeup kits & gifts, fantastic holiday fragrances, and great gift suggestions for "the girls," the guys, and couples.

Page Two http://www.advicesisters.net/wwDEC07pg2.htmlfeatures "must-have" products for every budget including: hair helpers, bath & body gifts; holiday home; beauty helpers; products that "give back;" gifts for younger generations; and the most glamorous and gift-able makeup on the market. Our Buying Guide with links to all the products we review, is at the bottom of Page Two. Shop at early and at home and avoid the crowds!

Don't forget to come back to these forums and let us know what you like the best. If your posts catch our eye, you could become one of our official what works reviewers!!!!

The AdviceSisters wish you a beautiful holiday season, and our best wishes for a happy, healthy, joyful new Year!

Mercedes Benz Fashion Week 9/9/07- Couture Fashion Week at the St. Regis Ballroom

While the main fashion events may be in the tents at Bryant Park, those who love fashion can find showcases of talent every day of the week, as any fan of "Sex and the City" knows (Sarah Jessica Parker as Carrie Bradshaw seemed to be oogling the runway in every show). For those who can't get enough up-close-and-personal designer fashion, there's Couture Fashion Week and Bridal Fashion Week, multi-day events showcasing luxury couture and fine fashion including eveningwear, elegant fashion, couture bridal as well as accessories. Attendees include upscale consumers, invited VIPs, the press and selected high-end store buyers.
Last night, I attended one of these shows, featuring Katerina Bocci from Albania, and Margaret Nagel of Canada. The two-designer show was held in the very elegant, crystal chandeliered ballroom of the very elegant St. Regis Hotel. After being at the tents during the day, the Couture Fashion Weeek's pre-cocktail hour with champagne, the appearance of the elegant Miss Florida, and the chance to check out some high-end handbags (gorgeous, with interchangeable handles) and other luxury items, was a treat. If there's one thing I learned about fashion last night, it's never place yourself in a photo next to a beauty queen!

First to show a small group of wedding gowns was the The Canadian designer Margaret Nagel. Part of Couture Fashion Week. The designer is known for her hand crafted evening and bridal gowns, suits, coats, accessories and high quality one-of-a-kind jewelry. Mrs. Nagel's fashion designs are characterized by impeccable tailoring, attention to detail and an abundance of finely worked elements such as embroidery, hand beading and double stitched seams. Apparently, she has expertise in working with high quality leathers, deerskin, suede and furthat she honed during the dozen years she worked with Heasman’s Furs in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan! No leather or fur, but lots of white, ivory and bridal lace was presented at this, her New York debut. The sweet ensemble on the left, with huge bridal hat and veil, would flatter a young, first time bride, while the more elegant strapless gown would be perfect for a second-time bride or just for a woman who needs a flattering and sophisticated gown for a special event. As with many of the fashions I've seen this week, a ribbon sash/belt encircles this second gown.

N Next, showcasing a much larger collection of special event evening gowns was Albanian native Katerina Bocci. I was sitting next to a young woman eagerly awaiting the arrival on the runway of her friend, model Madelene Lukic. If I got the information correctly, this was Madelene's first appearance as a runway model. Judging from the photos, I'd say the tall and elegant Madelene did a fabulous job. Good luck in your career, Madelene!

The gowns in this collection were unique, but wearable. Still, with large ruffled colors, and many dresses in a "tulip" shape, they had an inmistakeable "I-love-the-80's" vibe. After graduating from the renowned SITAM Institute of Design in Padova, Italy, Ms. Bocci opened her own fashion atelier in Albania. In 2001 she moved to the Detroit. where local TV news anchors Lila Lazuras and Rhonda Walker are fans. She designer an evening gown for a photo shoot by Fadil Berisha Studio in New York with Miss Universe 2006 Zuleyka Rivera, and Miss Albania Sadina Alla in the 2007 Miss Universe pageant (that's Miss Florida in yellow, eyeing a striking black and red-accented gown).

A standout for me was this body conscious, brilliant blue, strapless, iridescent, tafetta gown, with a tulip-shaped hem tight to the hips. Worn with a suite of sapphires, you'd sparkle more than anyone in the room!

Here's the designer, in a simple black dress, with one of her models, taking her well-deserved walk on the runway.

all text and photos by Alison Blackman Dunham -- copyright © 2007 all rights reserved by Alison Blackman Dunham of THE ADVICE SISTERS® FEEL FREE TO LINK TO ANY POST ON MY BLOG, but please be mindful of my property! No portion of advicesisters text or illustrations may be copied or used in any without written permission. Permissions: advicesisters@advicesisters.net. The Advice Sisters is a registered United States trademark.