"Bag Some Art" with LaLucca’s Summer 2010 collection hosted by BagTrends.com

Laura Pimental and Aleksandar Kirilov

Pamela Pekerman of Bagtrends.com

Tawny Ong and her fabulous cupcakes

On March 4th, I attended the "Bag Some Art" event at the PT Experiment Gallery, hosted by Bagtrends.com. The event introduced LaLucca's Summer 2010 handbag collection, by husband and wife design team Aleksandar Kirilov and Laura Pimental. What really caught my eye were the special edition LaLucca Art Bags in canvas with leather. No two wearable art pieces are alike, as the clutches are hand painted in vibrant colors.

After I was done looking at the bags, I made my way to sample Tawny Ong's mini cupcakes, which were truly fashionably petite! The red velvet and hummingbird cupcakes (made with bananas, pineapples and pecans) were addictive and delectable, and I was sold on the cream cheese icing. The double fudge espresso brownies were so sinful and rich! VOGA Italia wine was provided to go with the cupcakes.

Upon leaving, guests received a Bagtrends.com gift bag including a Pursendipity Ring, Maria Bonitas Salon & Spa gift certificate, Tip Toes foot petals, Fashion Forum fashion tape and a brown cotton jersey scarf from Derek Loves Shopping.

- Kim Weling

New York International Gift Fair Finds - Spring/Summer 2010

Here are some of my favorites that I encountered at January's NYIGF.

I always like to check out what Murval Paris has in store. I love all the pink - leopard plates and bowls and pink faux-leather clutches and bags (checkout the bow hobo!).

Seda Naturals by Seda France is a 100% beeswax candle collection, hand-poured in German clasped glass jars. Each candle has the soft aroma of pure beeswax.

I love Joya's Shades of Dusk perfume necklaces - Roman Cameo, Enchanted Spider and Ancient Sphere as well as the Joya Reserve collection, featuring scented candles, liquid soap and rich hand and body cream - Royal Hunt Bouquet, The Alhambra Perfume and Caprice de la Mode.

- Kim Weling

Toni Francesc presents "Artificial Life" for Fall/Winter 2010

Toni Francesc's "Artificial Life" collection for Fall/Winter 2010 is futuristic and androgynous, combining Man and technology. The feel is very industrialized, with train tracks and electricity cables as key aspects of the collection. I can picture these looks playing a part in The Matrix or Star Trek.

The palette comprised of brown, orange, green, silver, grey and black refers to rusted metals and industrial elements.

Different textures and shades of cotton, viscose and silk fabrics are shown throughout the collection, with shapes and volumes stemming from the shoulders and hips.

- Kim Weling

Video courtesy of mbfashionweek.com

Tibi Fall 2010

Photos by Stevyn Llewellyn for Modern Glossy

Cossacks coat with tile bead strapless bodice dress (left)
Corset top with tartan armada pant and fog whisper tee (right)

Madeline strapless dress with fog whisper tee (left)

Midnight forest dolman blouse with leather paillette mini skirt (right)

Tibi's Fall 2010 is inspired by the photographs of Peter Beard. The collection focuses on the appeal of opposites -mixing masculine with feminine, pairing draping with structure and combining neutral colors with bright, contrast prints. There are a lot of flashy pieces, including sequin jackets, skirts, dresses and gowns. My favorite looks from Tibi include strapless dresses or corset tops worn over fitted long sleeve tees, leather paillette pieces. Burgandy opaque tights add color to grey, navy and black. Belts play an important part in each look, cinching dresses, skirts and even a fox coat.

- Kim Weling

Additional photos courtesy of nymag.com

Wool Jersey dress with mélange sweater coat (left)

Sebastian tweed bow skirt with brigade sweater (right)

Genevieve chiffon draped dress with fog whisper tee (left)
Aubergine fox coat with genevieve goddess dress (right)

Arsenal jacquard & chiffon pleated strapless dress (left)

Bonnet a poil short with leather paillette beaded zip front jacket (right)

Here's the finale walk of the show:

Temperley London Presents New Looks at Milk Studios for Autumn/Winter 2010

Photos courtesy of nymag.com

Additional photo by Jill Goldsberry

Alice Temperley showed her latest collections at the hip Milk & Mac combined studios for fashion week. Instead of a traditional runway she opted for a presentation. It felt almost museum-like with mannequins decked out in full Temperley London with a striking photo right above each look.

The presentation consisted of short little cocktail dresses with embellishments - perfect cocktail/party dresses for the petite fashionista. One strapless number in cream caught my eye. It was dripping with jeweled embellishments. In addition there were longer, flowing dresses in bold prints.

There was an ode to the rocker chick in all of us with heavily studded leather belted jackets and accessories. The leather made up for the girliness of it all. A few beautifully dressed models paraded through the room and mingled as guests sipped on vodka cocktails. The best part of this presentation was being able to see the beautiful garments up close and personal.

- Jill Goldsberry, Contributing Writer

Thuy Fall/Winter 2010

Photos by Stevyn Llewellyn for Modern Glossy

Additional photos courtesy of nymag.com

Thuy's Fall/Winter 2010 collection features opulent fabrics and vibrant jewel tones of ruby red, fuchsia, amethyst, peridot, canary yellow and topaz, standing out amongst camel, grey, black and white.

Thuy's looks invoke a "spirit of controlled gothic romanticism". There's a lot of cinching with long belts, layering, tucking and folding. CRYSTALLIZED™ Swarovski Elements are embroidered on paisley appliqués. Fur is a heavily used accessory as elbow length arm warmers, scarves or shown dangling at the hip. Chunky embellishments and reflective details are also shown throughout the collection.

- Kim Weling

Video courtesy of mbfashionweek.com