Last night, the fashion community gathered at Merkin Concert Hall in NYC to celebrate the most digitally inclined fashion brands at the fifth annual Fashion 2.0 Awards. Robert Verdi hosted the evening with a special keynote presentation by Zac Posen. Coco Rocha, Ruthie Friedlanderm and Jeannie Mai were
Oh my GOODNESS, is right! As some of you know, as of last NYFW season I began working with the supermodel/philanthropist, Elettra Wiedemann on her 4-day fashion week pop-up restaurant concept, GOODNESS, which was founded on the principles of providing a wide audience, affordable, locally sourced food, by a rotating line-up of celebrity chefs.
After such an amazing response in September, Elettra brought GOODNESS back for the Fall 2012 NYFW season. Hosted by CIRCA and The Daily Front Row, GOODNESS was housed at the Robert on the 9th floor of the Museum of Arts and Design from February 11 – 14th, and featured an amazing line-up of rotating chefs which included: Mario Batali of Babbo, Leo Forneas of ROBERT, Alain Allegretti of La Promenade des Anglais and Julian Medina of Toloache. And to add to the excitement, GOODNESS earned the CFDA’s Health Initiative Stamp of Approval.
We also took over the 7th floor of the museum to create the GOODNESS Lounge by Renaissance Hotels. Designed as a comfortable “living room” space for guests to relax and recharge. The GOODNESS Lounge by Renaissance Hotels also featured a touch-up station by Lancôme and massages by Equinox. CIRCA, the world’s leading global buyer of fine jewelry, showcased their collection of recycled, sustainable luxury jewelry in the lounge. As you may remember (I posted about the competition!), GOODNESS partnered with Talenthouse to choose a winning resident DJ for the lounge. Our winner, DJ Travisty was a gem and kept the beats going and the lounge popping.
Day 1 was a blur! Mario Batali was in the kitchen and naturally we we’re booked the entire day. We also had a little kick-off party to toast Elettra and the chefs. We were joined by Elettra’s mother, Isabella Rossellini, as well as fashion friends, Monique Pean, Michelle Harper, Laura Brown, Mickey Boardman, Lorenzo Martone, and Jon Emperson aka Lypsinka.
After that we cruised through the next 3 days, welcoming guests, coordinating interviews and trying everything we could possibly could on the menu. I’m so lucky to work with the most amazing team that made going to work everyday so fun and be apart of such an innovative concept.
You haven’t heard the last of GOODNESS… aside from a return in future New York Fashion Weeks, expect appearances in Paris, London, Doha and Miami.
Photo Credit: Abe Shaw (minus the tragic looking ones I took)
Last night the Style Coalition Fashion 2.0 Awards brought together the top social media influencers to recognize and honor the most innovative fashion brands in the online community. Attendees gathered at the SVA Theatre in New York City to announce the winners and celebrate the new fashion frontier. Hosted by Robert Verdi, with a keynote address by Norma Kamali the night was a splendid celebration of inspirational achievements.
Once again the big winner was New York-based fashion label DKNY, taking home awards for Best Twitter and Best Blog by a Fashion Brand, both of which are run by Donna Karan International SVP of Global Communications, Aliza Licht.
Winners were determined entirely by public vote, following an open nomination round. Other winners included Bergdorf Goodman picking up Best Facebook beating tough competition from Burberry, Dior, Gucci and Oscar de la Renta. Best Website was awarded to Marc Jacobs; Tiffany & Co. took home the award for Best Mobile App for its engagement
For the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, I decided to spend the evening at the Kiehl’s Flagship store to partake in the celebration of their ‘Give Kiehls, Give Back’ campaign.
Photographed by David LaChapelle, the campaign features actress Julianne Moore, musician Pharrell Williams, pro-surfer Malia Jone and artist Jeff Koons; all of whom designed a limit edition label for Kiehl’s Acai Damage-Protecting Toning Mist. For every one sold, Kiehl’s will donate 100% of the proceeds (up to $200,000) to the RainForest Alliance.
With actress Taryn Manning on the turn table, we celebrated Earth Day and Kiehl’s philanthropic efforts in style; great music, fun drinks and snacks (all acai berry based), with an influential crowd of actors, artists, TV personalities, photographers and press. Guests included Malia Jones, Tinsly Mortimer, Robert Verdi, Parker Posey, Adrienne Bailon, Shiri Appleby, Richie Rich, Heather Matarazzo, Kelly Benisom, Ally Sheedy, Norman Reedus and KAWS.
The collection is available at Kiehls.com
Well it’s that time of year again in my household –spring cleaning! And my apartment could use a bit of an upgrade. As a busy New Yorker I never took much stock into seriously decorating since I was never home, but now that I work out of my apt that’s all changed. And as a bit of a website junky, I’m always looking for inspiration, since I’m a merchandiser, not a designer. What I mean by that is coming up with concepts I’m somewhat deficient in; I never know what I want. But put me in a room full of fun furnishings and I can easily maneuver my way around to achieve the look I never knew I always wanted (I’m that way with clothing as well).
Fortunately, the website Moderndose.com recently entered my life when I met it’s Founder, Estela Lugo, at a Fashion Week event hosted by Robert Verdi (where he called her website, ‘the future of interior design’). I was intrigued to say the least. That’s quite an endorsement from
I love New York Fashion Week (NYFW) — the people watching, the clothes, the makeup/hair, the backstage passes, and all around fabulousness. However it does have it’s down side — the weather was cold and icy, and it felt like every show was miles apart. Everyone assumes NYFW = Bryant Park, but many of the shows were held at alternate venues including Milk Studios, Chelsea Art Museum, The Altman Building, and Exit Art. Not a fun trek in your Manolo’s. You’re stuck waiting for a cab in the freezing cold with all the hustle and bustle for a fifteen-minute show. Don’t get me wrong, it’s worth every minute, exhausting yes, but when I received an invitation to Robert Verdi’s 2010 Fashion Retreat, I was not about to pass up the opportunity.
Robert Verdi’s Luxe Lounge was beyond my expectations. The style icon was not only charismatic, and full of smiles, but also the most fabulous host. He thought of everything a girl needed to relax, and escape from all the running around. From healthy snacks and juices by Blue Print Cleanse, to manicures by Ginger + Liz Nail Polish, to blowouts by Phyto, the haven pampered guests from
Congratulations to SPiN New York and Modelinia for a job well done! The two partnered last week to host a fundraiser to support Haiti, raising over $18K in donations in just one night. Auction items are still available online until Wednesday, so please visit www.charityfolks.com/helphaiti to make your bid.
The benefit, hosted by Susan Sarandon, Veronica Webb, Rachel Roy, Robert Verdi, Georgina Chapman, Judah Friedlander, and many more, made for a social evening filled with ping pong, dancing, and fun. James Lipton gave a memorable speech, keeping the evening in perspective and encouraging guests to donate.
Here’s a taste of the evening for anyone who was unable to join.
See more videos on modelinia.com
Thank you to all the Pretty Connected readers who made it to the event!
