ROTHMANS celebrated the grand opening of their new NYC Flagship store with a live performance from BK band Caveman; who looked quite dapper, decked out in their ROTHMANS suits. To be honest, before going to the opening on 18th St. and Park, I had never been to their pre-location, (which has been around for the past 25 years!) all of one block south on 17th Street. Not a huge surprise considering it’s a mens store, although if I had any idea how cool it was, I would have recommended it to my male viewers much sooner!
I ran into a former college classmate during the opening who informed me of some of the changes between the the old and new location. Mainly, that the store still sticks to it foundation of showcasing established and emerging designers and it focus on the custom and ready made suits that’s it’s known for but has a lot more of a casual assortment and appeal for a younger male generation as well. The new store design is definitely a lot hipper at large spanning two floors at 11,000 sq feet.
{Inside the new ROTHMANS}
{Caveman’s Performance}
ROTHMANS is located at 22 Park Avenue South, despite what your iPhone may tell you if you attempt to map it, since it’s still locked on it’s former 17th Street location.
Agyness Deyn in Dr. Martens Spring/Summer 12 campaign
After consecutive seasons of model, Agyness Deyn posing for Dr. Martens ad campaigns, the duo are launching a limited edition collection together set to launch globally for Autumn/Winter 2012.
The partnership brings together two British icons, championing individual style and united spirit, that’s all the details that have been released thus far, but I hope the collection looks a lot like these boots I’ve been coveting.
Project Runway All Stars: Austin, Modo, Michael and KenleyMe with Mondo!
On Thursday Night, I had the pleasure of joining the surviving cast members of Project Runway All Stars and Nanette Lepore at her store in SoHo for a private viewing party of that night’s episode. With only four contestants left, Mondo Guerra, Austin Scarlett, Kenley Collins and Michael Costello, this was a particularly exciting episode considering it would determine the 3 finalists that would be showing in the finale (for their chance to have their collection sold at Neiman Marcus!).
Nanette Lepore was a guest judge on the episode (along with Gorgina Chapman and Isaac Mizrahi) and the winner of the challenge would have their design sold at her store with the proceeds going to Save the Garment District. Despite some difficulty in hearing the episode from within the store, it was really exciting being with the designers as they showcased their designs, although much more nerve racking over waiting for the announcement of who was in and out. In all honesty, at the level these finalist are at I thought all the designs we’re good. Austin, was safe, Mondo won and Kenley and Michael fell to the bottom. Michael design was a little long but I thought otherwise very LA and wearable (it reminds me of a T-Bags dress I once owned) and Kenley, who despite picking a fabulous print, cut the print a little off and was eliminated.
Nanette Lepore and Mondo surrounded by his design
Once the winner was announced, the designers final garments we’re put in the store for display and Mondo’s mass-produced design went on the racks officially for sale ($298). It’s so cute and spring, and I love that it has pockets! Congratulations Mondo!
{Season 1, Episode 10 Project Runway All Star Dresses}
{Austin adjusting his dress}
{Nanette Lepore and Kenley showing there’s not hard feelings over her elimination}
In a world where we use email to catch up, text instead of conversations and watch as online dating replaces any form of ‘love at first live sight’, NIVEA acknowledges the importance of human touch and is on a crusade to take it back!
Launching a Million Moments of Touch Movement, NIVEA has partnered with Lifechangers expert Dr. Drew and celebrity couple Jerry O’Connell and Rebecca Romijn to kick-off this year-long program that aims to take back kissing, hugging and touching one again.
While Dr. Drew presented some interesting facts on how we’re starved for affection (did you know we do touch our cell phones more than we touch a loved one?), out came Rebecca Romign and Jerry O’Connell showing the room just why affection is so important and more fulfilling than any computer or smart phone could ever be. Talking about how much they miss each other when they are apart, and how they incorporate a weekly date night into their routine (sans kids) they reminded us not to lose sight of the importance and joy physical interaction plays in our life. I was ready to kiss them both.
Lifechangers expert Dr. Drew
Some interesting stats NIVEA discovered on the road to launching their Million Moments of Touch campaign:
· Nearly equal percentages of women (74.5%) and men (74.4%) agree that Americans are in a state of “skin hunger,” a desire for more touch and human connection than they
Diane von Furstenberg has been busy! Well, I assume she’s always busy, so maybe I should say busier… She recently launched two partnerships; the first with Live Worldly to create Brazilets, a limited collection of wish bracelets and the other with Gap to launch a spring collection for Gapkids and babyGap.
The Live Worldly and DVF Brazilets come in a plethora of colors and are available with two different sayings, ‘Love is Life’, and ‘Be the Woman You Want to Be’. The packaging includes 3 lines for you to write three wishes. Tapping a 200 year-old tradition from mystical Bahia, Brazil to bring good luck, you wrap Brazilets around your wrist and tie three knots, making a wish with each knot. When your bracelet naturally falls off, it is believed that your three wishes will come true. The bracelets ($5) can be found at DVF locations and www.liveworldly.com. 20% of all proceeds go towards ‘Plant a Billion Trees’ Plantabillion.com which is dedicated to planting one billion trees in the Atlantic Forest – the most endangered forest in Brazil.
Diane von Furstenberg is also partnering with GapKids and babyGap this month to launch a children’s collection, dressing girls from newborn to age 14. This collaboration is the first between DVF and Gap and I wish it extended to adults considering I’d love me some DVF designs at Gap prices…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v44UwlFpVXE
“I am thrilled to collaborate with Gap on this playful collection for girls. It is timeless…colorful…effortless. That is very DVF!”, says Diane von Furstenberg. The collection features iconic DVF prints, signature silhouettes and a bold color palette. Filled with summer wardrobe essentials, the line includes easy t-shirt dresses, jersey tanks, graphic t-shirts, blazers, capri leggings and swimwear. The iconic DVF wrap is re-invented with a child-like higher waist detail, in structured cotton or as a jersey romper shape for babies and toddlers. Accessories include printed knot sandals, sunglasses, beach bags and sunhats. Prices range from $20.00 to $120.00.
The collection will launch in the US on March 15th and internationally on March 28th.
Where fashion meets soda, comes an all new partnership between designer, Jean Paul Gaultier Partners and Diet Coke. The brand has also appointed the world-renowned fashion designer as the new Creative Director of Diet Coke, who will be working his magic on a range of Diet Coke projects in 2012. Jean Paul Gaultier will bring his creative flair and fashion prowess to a limited edition collection of Diet Coke bottles and cans. He will also be developing online content, retail concepts and ad campaigns across Europe
The duo also announced today that they will be launching a series of three short films entitled “The Night & Day Serial Designer”, which will be available on YouTube over 3 consecutive days – today, March 8th through March 10th.
It’s bizarre, I don’t really know what to make of it. Although I do love JPG; Irene on the other hand, she’s got nice eye makeup, but otherwise she has 2 more episodes to win me over.
I am such a fan of Cynthia Rowley from her apparel to Band-Aid collaboration and now her as a person! Minutes before her Fall 2012 show Cynthia Rowley took a break from putting the finishing touches on her show to talk to a few special bloggers *inhale* myself included. And instead of being stressed and in need of a sedative, she was cool and collected and just excited. She talked about the music and the intricate hair style designed for the models and how all the pieces went together support the theme of craftsmanship which was the inspiration for her show.
I’ve never felt so welcome or had as much fun backstage at a show. Generally, I’m in and out, just there to interview the beauty sponsors, however this was no ordinary backstage…
As some of you know after going nut-so over the Cynthia Rowley BAND-AID’s they asked me to be a blogger ambassador last year for the collection! At that time they we’re limited edition, however due to the enormous success and popularity, the duo are collaborating again! And as part of the celebration, BAND-AID hosted a backstage lounge at the show and gave guests a sneak peek at the new collaboration, the BAND-AID Brand Beach Sport Kit. The kit ($10) which will launch May 2012 includes 20 newly designed bandages, 4 NEOSPORIN single use packets, and resealable plastic pouch to hold your beach essentials (and big enough to hold and protect your cell phone!).
Cynthia Rowley Fall 2012 Collection
So I hung out, made friends (that where I met my new bff Jenni from ISpyDIY!), and was all around blown away by the texture and craftsmanship that went into the hair created by amika. In contrast, MAKE UP FOR EVER did a nude and natural makeup application to balance the look.
GET THE LOOK! Here’s how to recreate the show’s hair and makeup:
Inspiration: “Cynthia and I wanted the hair to play with texture for the hair look. The clothes this season are so structured we wanted to contrast that with the hair. The idea of this look was for it to be free flowing; there is no beginning and no end.” – Duffy
How Duffy created the hair look:
1. Mouse was applied to the hair and it was rough dryed with the amika NRG Professional Hair Dryer
2. A figure-eight technique was used (around the crown of the head) which was created by pinning the hair around bobby pins
3. The figure-eight shape was sealed in with heat from the amika x Cynthia Rowley styler
4. Tight curls were created using a hot rod
5. The hair was then dragged out and brushed to create volume
6. Pieces were pulled and pinned
Since each girl’s hair was different Duffy selected the final style based on each individual girl, their personality and the clothes they looks they were modeling.
Makeup Look/Inspiration: The look was inspired by the women of the 40s – effortlessly natural, empowered, and clean. The skin had a dewy finish with supple bare lips. To add a slightly masculine edge, Lottie groomed the brows creating a full and fluffy appearance.
How Lottie created the makeup look:
Complexion: Lottie first mixed MAKE UP FOR EVER HD Invisible Cover Foundation with MAKE UP FOR EVER Uplight #12. She applied this mixture all over, which gave the models a flawless dewy canvas. To finish the look and set the make up, she used MAKE UP FOR EVER HD Microfinish Powder.
Brows: Lottie brushed the brows upwards to create a fluffy appearance. For added fullness, she filled in individual hairs with MAKE UP FOR EVER Brow Pencil and MAKE UP FOR EVER Waterproof Eyebrow Corrector. The brows were then kept in place using MAKE UP FOR EVER Brow Seal.
Lips: The lips were supple and hydrated with MAKE UP FOR EVER Moisturizing Lip Balm.
{SMASH star, Megan Hilty Backstage at Cynthia Rowley}
In a recent visit to the Valentino showroom, I met Valentina. Or rather, I should say experienced Valentina as she is a fragrance, not a person. Taking the journey through 3 rooms; Valentino’s Spring collection, the Valentina advertising campaign, followed by an introduction of the formula by the perfumers, gave me a much deeper understanding and connection to the Eau de Parfum.
“I just women to feel beautiful”, Valentino’s very essence and foundation for the House of Valentino translated into a fragrance. Keeping elements of couture he used his iconic flowers to adorn the bottle. A unique floral oriental, this fragrance is feminine and delicate while still exuding strength and confidence, much like the women Valentino embodies in the ad campaign featuring model, Freja Beha Erichsen.
Freja has that edge and uniqueness to her, and yet when looking at her their this underlying innocence that makes her perfect for the face of Valentina. The advertisement depicts her as an heiress/socialite being called down to her elaborate 21st birthday party but is sneaking out to soak in the streets of Rome and create her own adventure.
After two years of development, Valentina came to fruition with the help of perfumers Alberto Morillas and Olivier Cresp. Composing a fresh floral oriental which is inspired by the streets of Rome and the scents in the air, many of the notes are authentic to Italy. The heart of the fragrance is orange blossoms, jasmine tuberose and wild strawberries mixed with top notes of bergamot from Calabria and white truffles from Alba, which settle on the base notes of cedar, vanilla and amber. This is the first fragrance to use white truffles in it, and it adds a soft quality to this very unique and original fragrance. Masked in a vintage italiana perfume bottle, I’m so happy to have this fragrance in my collection and have been wearing it everyday. It’s whimsical essence is feminine without being too sweet or overpowering and just a lovely day fragrance that’s perfect for spring.
{Valentino Spring Collection}
Valentino ‘Valentina‘ Eau de Parfum (2.7oz/$108, 1.7oz/$80) is available at fine retailers including Bergdorf Goodman, Saks, Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdale’s and Nordstom.
DISCLAIMER: A complimentary sample was given to Pretty Connected in a gift bag for the products launch. Pretty Connected was under no obligation to write this review.
One of highlights of last month was making it to Levi’s first ever global collection during New York Fashion Week. The event started with an art installation and then runway presentation where the brand showcased the key looks from its Fall/Winter 2012 collection.
Inspired by the ritual of getting dressed, the models did just that — dressed! While some models we’re busy putting on their clothes on stage, others we’re already dressed and walking down the cat walk. Mixing both men’s and women’s together, one model even added a bicycle to his morning routine and biked down the runway. Visually, one of the best produced and coolest shows I have been to; although with models coming out in all different directions was a little distracting in not knowing which direction to focus on.
Much like the aesthetic for the whole presentation, the pieces we’re very well styled and accessorized. The evolution of Levi’s beyond blue denim was apparent in their tailored jackets, pops of leather pieces, series of dresses and extended color range of men’s pants. The shoes stole the show.
“Levi’s® has always been about embracing the energy and events of our time. Today, fashion is more democratic and accessible than ever, making New York Fashion Week the perfect moment in time for the Levi’s® brand to launch our first global collection,” said Len Peltier, Global Vice President of Creative Direction.
It was a solid collection based on a more refined and tailored look, for both men (which featured a tapered and slim leg) and women (a redefined bootcut skinny pant). The designs were inspired by the idea of craftsmanship, honesty and authenticity – honoring tradition while defying convention, redefining the norm and re-crafting and re-creating iconic Levi’s® styles. For men the key look was was a slouchy on the top and has a slim tailored leg.
The show concluded with a live banjo performance. They thought of everything.
Complexion: Lottie first mixed MAKE UP FOR EVER HD Invisible Cover Foundation with MAKE UP FOR EVER Uplight #12. She applied this mixture all over, which gave the models a flawless dewy canvas. To finish the look and set the make up, she used MAKE UP FOR EVER HD Microfinish Powder.
In a recent visit to the 
