The Future of Fashion hosted by Robert Verdi’s Luxe Laboratory: the ultimate New York Fashion Week retreat

Believe it or not, fashion week can be uber-stressful so any and all opportunities to take relaxing breaks are very much-welcomed. So I was thrilled to be invited to the exclusive New York Fashion Week retreat: The Future of Fashion hosted by Robert Verdi’s Luxe Laboratory. Verdi organizes these fashion Week retreats with a specially curated group of partner brands in fashion, beauty and lifestylen to offer ‘exclusive services, little indulgences and innovative ideas that are shaping the future of fashion & the way we live’.

The Luxe Laboratory is set up in an intimate, studio-style setting, and if I could live in the cozy space, I absolutely would! I visited the lounge on Valentine’s Day, and upon entering, was greeted with a welcoming, relaxing atmosphere of food, drink, fashion, beauty, artwork (from Jen Bekman gallery), and fellow fashion bloggers milling about. I was served yummy Absolut Berri Açai champagne cocktails (sadly I just missed the healthy brunch from BluePrint Cleanse!) and gnoshed on my favorite kettle corn popcorn from Popcorn Indiana. On one end of the Luxe Laboratory was a Rock & Republic denim bar so we could take a peek at the hottest new styles from the brand, alongside custom fittings from Maidenform and ShāToBu™ shapewear, Carrera sunglasses and a furnishings by Modern Dose.

On the other side of the main room was a spa-like lounge area where we could get all dolled up! Ginger + Liz, two ladies who started their own line of fab nail colors, were there providing manicures using their haute collection. My fave was ‘Swagger’. Makeup was provided by Neil for Jouer Cosmetics. He did such a fab job on my face that I sorta hired him to duplicate the look for my upcoming wedding! A professional hair stylist from PHYTO was also there to provide blow-outs. Yes, I felt spoiled for the day!

The Robert Verdi Luxe Laboratory event was amazing! It was such a great space to relax, mingle with other fashion bloggers and editors and get up close and personal with the brands I already write about.

Thanks Robert Verdi! Hope to pay another visit to the Luxe Laboratory very soon!

“Key to my…” necklace by EuforiA

Throughout fashion week, lines are blurred - fashion designers do double duty as stylists, editors, budding actors, and even publicists. Such was the case with Amanda Eufer - PR girl by day, jewelry designer by night. While in line at the Toni Francesc show during New York Fashion Week, I spotted Amanda’s amazing necklace, which she designed herself. The editor in me had to know more, so I later discovered her line titled “EuforiA“. This Dallas-bred designer first discovered her love for all things shiny as a competitive figure skater. After graduating from college and a stint at Marc Jacobs, she launched her designing jewelry, accessories and clothing line.

The vintage-y pieces are described as “1960’s pop art meets revolutionary Parisian design”. The piece that caught my eye is the “Key to my….” necklace, made of a large gold chain with a blue cotton grosgrain ribbon woven throughout. Multiple “Do not duplicate” keys hang from the chain, with sparkling blue Swarovski crystal drops. The result is a sweetly feminine necklace with just a bit of edge.

$100, EuforiA

Tory Burch - Spring/Summer 2010 Presentation #NYFW

During fashion week, where would you find yourself in the same room as Anna Wintour and Toni Braxton? Tory Burch of course! The favorite designer of mine held a presentation near the end of fashion week and even at 9 in the morning, it was a zoo of fashionistas (myself included) clamoring to see what’s haute for Spring. Burch revealed her new logo color (purple) along with the new collection which as always, included a ton of pieces I wanted to snap up immediately.

The collection was an interesting mix of retro, prep, modern frontierswoman with a dash of glitz and glam. The pieces ranged from sequin party dresses to floral-print retro style day dresses; chic tweed skirt suits and gingham pant suits; tie dye to traditional trenches. The footwear was interesting as well - strappy leather sandals stood alongside flat and heeled moccasins.

Accessories included a wide range of covetable handbags, jewelry and belts. Every piece covered the gamut of traditional to trendy. Tory Burch knows how to serve up fashion for any woman, any where at any time.

Photos: Ehmonie Hainey/What’s Haute and NY Post

Maria Pinto - Spring/Summer 2010

We’ve been eyeing the First Lady’s fashions even before she became the First Lady and the one name we kept hearing over and over again was Maria Pinto. The Chicago-based designer has been dressing Michelle Obama long before the nation took notice, and it’s easy to see why Pinto’s designs are a favorite of Mrs. O - they’re figure flattering, fashion-forward and classically glamorous.

I had a chance to chat with the designer after viewing her selection of beautifully constructed and colorful dresses, jackets, and separates including pants, blouses and skirts at her Spring 2010 presentation. Her inspiration? Argentine tango dancers and polo players. Pinto said she visited a while back and loved their vibrancy and sensuality so much that she used the inspiration to incorporate into her line.

Palette: Mimosa, canna, salvia, fuchsia, peony, steel, sand and mud

Silhouettes: Ruffled minis, A-line trenches, pencil dresses, pleated pants and skirts, sleeveless gowns, structured blazers, tops and jackets with strong shoulders

Materials: Chiffon, soft leather, stretch wool, shirred jersey

Pièce de résistance: Black Ritero leather trench with pointed shoulders

Takeaways: Maria Pinto designs for the everyday woman who loves to inject her wardrobe with a bit of glamour. Simple silhouettes are embraced by unlikely fabrics and color choices but the result is stunning. We can see Michelle Obama snapping up this entire collection. We want it all too.

Photos: Ehmonie Hainey/What’s Haute

She By Sheree - Spring/Summer 2010 at New York Fashion Week

So we’ve been waiting all year for She by Sheree and the line finally debuted during New York Fashion Week. Sooo, the looks aren’t necesarily ‘wow’-worthy but, well…they are wearable. Both Sheree’s line and Lisa Wu-Hartwell’s ‘Closet Freak’ line have that sort of slightly upscale bebe vibe - they’re full of cutesy contemporary separates that draw a fine line between corporate and the club. All in all, it’s a nice first attempt for Sheree; a lot better than most of us were expecting.

J. Kohen/Wireimage

Nine West on the runway at New York Fashion Week

During New York Fashion Week, Nine West collaborated with some amazing rising designers to dress their models in some of the latest footwear designs. Designers included Project Runway runner-up Jillian Lewis, Bensoni, Timo Weiland and Untitled 11:11. Nine West’s Creative Director, Fred Allard, commented:

“We were very excited to collaborate with such talented designers for the Spring 2010 fashion shows. We believe in supporting the efforts of new talent in the industry and will continue to work with young designers. The trends I loved on the New York runway ranged from eye-catching Americana to neutral layered palettes. For footwear, there was an emphasis in flats and sandals as well as the continued menswear/utility trend with updated lace-ups.”

Styles included the Lollipop ($89), the Count ($89), the Norbu, the Aleksander, ($79.99), the Velli, Boutique 9, ($99.99), the Tesia, ($89.99), all available in stores and/or online at Nine West.com.

Toni Francesc - Spring/Summer 2010

Toni Francesc’s water-inspired show was a delight to the visual and audio senses. The Catalan designer’s Spring-Summer 2010 collection titled “Water’s Mood” paid homage to water in all its forms. A video installation with moving images of water – waves, currents and water drops – got us in the mood to be wowed. And that, along with the sounds of dripping water mixed with relaxing music set the stage to usher in the models.

The water theme of the collection resulted in a palette of blue with shades of mauve, khaki and sand, white and gray, to translate images of water droplets, lakes, puddles and rivers into ready-to-wear looks.

Silhouettes: Billowy tops, origami pleats, simple cuts, multiple layers and drapes.

Materials: Silk, satin, chiffon, cotton

Pièce de résistance: Blue satin cap-sleeved dress with short underskirt and a sheer ruffled overskirt.

Takeaways: You may not be very familiar with Francesc since this was his first time showing in the tents at Bryant Park, but he is absolutely one to watch. He studied at the Catalan Fashion Institute from 1986-1988 and shortly after, started his eponymous line for the sophisticated urban woman. This was by far one of the best showings during Fashion Week. Each piece was breathtakingly designed, the silhouettes were flattering to all women’s body types and each piece balanced soft and hard textures, with an ethereal yet sculptural feel. It was very well-received by the entire crowd.

Kristian Dowling/Wireimage

Chambord the official liqueur of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week

There’s a bevy of energy drinks and coffee to help keep you alert during Fashion Week but if you want to celebrate it and wind down, use the help of Chambord^® Black Raspberry Liqueur, the official liqueur of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. Inside the tents I sampled a few Chambord cocktails and they were the perfect blend of smooth and sweet with just a bit of kick! If you couldn’t make it to Fashion Week, no worries - grab a bottle of Chambord and mix in your favorite ingredients and kick your feet up to read your favorite fashion blog’s updates on the shows while you enjoy a luscious cocktail. Here are some of the drinks that were available in the tents:

 

 

 

 

Chambord^® French Martini
1½ oz vodka
½ oz Chambord
3 oz pineapple juice
Shake ingredients with ice and strain into a martini glass. Garnish with a lemon twist.

  

 

Chambord^® Lemonade
1½ oz vodka
½ oz Chambord
3 oz sugar free lemonade
Shake ingredients with ice and strain into a tall glass. Garnish with fresh berries or a lemon.

  

 

Chambord^® Velvet Elvis
2 oz Jack Daniel’s^® Tennessee Whiskey
1 oz Chambord
2 oz sweet and sour
Shake ingredients with ice and strain into a martini glass. Garnish with a lemon twist.

How do you like your Chambord?

(The U.S. legal drinking age is 21 or over. Please drink responsibly.)

Rihanna runs this town in Barracuda shades by A-Morir Kerin Rose #FNO09

Rihanna celebrated Fashion’s Night Out #FNO09 at Intermix Soho and she came with the fierceness as usual. Black spandex hooded dress. Strong red lip. Black suede clutch. And her new signature - fierce shades. She wore the hand-painted, hand-distressed pyramid studded Barracuda sunglasses by A-Morir Kerin Rose ($350), the same ones she wore in the “Run This Town” video with Kanye and Jay-Z and Amber Rose. Is it us, or is she starting to morph into Amber Rose? It looks like the two fashionista’s styles are starting to overlap.

PRE-ORDER NOW! THESE ARE A PRE-SALE ITEM. A PURCHASE NOW GUARANTEES YOUR ORDER WILL BE SHIPPED THE FIRST WEEK OF OCTOBER.

JP Yim/Wireimage

Fashion’s Night Out #FNO09: Anna Sui for Target pop-up shop

I recently reviewed the Anna Sui for Target collection so I knew what to expect upon entering the store. The store was cutely decorated in newspapers covering the walls with the headline “Anna Sui for Target”. It was laid out like a closet, with each Gossip Girl character the collection was based on, grouped in separate areas. Models lounged in chairs and sofas throughout. My favorites were the “Blair Waldorf” dresses. I tried on the blue belted mini dress but it was way too big. Unfortunately by the time I arrived, all of the selection had been picked over and only mostly extra large sizes were left. So I guess I’ll be picking up my pieces in Target when the collection rolls out in stores on September 13th!

In New York? Visit the store:
Anna Sui for Target pop-up store:
54 Crosby St.
Thursday, September 10th, 11 pm - 11 pm
Friday, September 11th, 11 pm - 11 pm
Saturday, September 12th, 11 pm - 8 pm

Stay tuned to What’s Haute for New York Fashion Week coverage!

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