Allure Lounge Featuring Gabriela Moya

Back again for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Spring 2012 was the Allure Lounge featuring Gabriela Moya, on the ground floor of The Empire Hotel. The lounge was open to the public, with complimentary makeovers by Maybelline and hairstyling by Ricardo Rojas Salon. Ricardo himself styled my hair, giving it some natural-looking curls in just minutes!

Gabriela Moya Spring 2012's "City Scapes" is inspired by Carlos Rodriguez Cardenas' architectural and vibrantly colored paintings.

FLO refillable fragrance atomizer

- Kim Weling

Allure Lounge During Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Spring 2012

Images by Kim Weling

The Allure Lounge on the 2nd floor of the Empire Hotel was the perfect place to get glammed up before attending fashion shows at Lincoln Center! From the nail station to the on site hairdressers, the lounge encompassed everything that you would need to freshen up and get pampered. Upon entering the lounge I was greeted and welcomed to try refreshments provided by KRUPS coffee, VOSS water, vitaminwater, Voli light vodkas and Voga wine. There was an Essie manicure station that provided some of the hottest colors for Fall.

Next to the nail station, Erica Adams had provided blowouts or curled hairstyles using CATWALK by TIGI hair products. CATWALK by TIGI featured YOUR HIGHNESS Volume Collection, including Elevating Shampoo, Thickening Gel Creme, and Root Booster Spray as well as the Curlesque Curl and Sleek Mystique Straight Collections.

Marlies Dekkers showcased bras and panties with a range of colors from black, lavender, pale pink, and white. The lace, contrast coloring, strap details and prints are super sexy!

One of the favorites showcased at the lounge is Ricardo Rojas' Tango Brush set inspired by brightly painted buildings, dancing couples, and music-filled streets of Argentina.

Another favorite amongst attendees was Netherlands brand Kiboots with their colorful handcrafted boots, made with original vintage kilim rugs and leather. Each pair is unique!

Loved the scents of Eau de Nous Fragrances, including gardenian gift, jasmine joy, bebé breeze and citrus charm. These fragrances are "inspired by nature, defined by passion".

Another new product on the market is the new HTC Trophy, an amazing, easy-to-use smartphone. Check it out if you are shopping for a new phone!


Attendees took a few minutes to get a brighter smile with GLO Brilliant™ Personal Teeth Whitening, specifically four, 8-minute sessions.

Flo Atomizer is the perfect accessory for the fashionista on the go

Overall, the lounge provided a very intimate setting and unforgettable experience. I was glad to be in attendance!

- Khalia Harrison

Lacoste Spring 2012

Debuting as new creative director, Felipe Oliveira Baptista puts a fresh spin on Lacoste Spring 2012 with color blocking and art deco themes. The palette is dominated by white, navy and black, with a twist of olive, orange and blue.

Felipe puts a contemporary stamp on the spring looks, with short and sexy dresses with cut-outs and long, lightweight dresses. He takes cotton pique rugby shirts and transforms them into sporty, wearable dresses.

Photos courtesy of nymag.com

- Kim Weling

Gen Art Fresh Faces in Fashion New York 2011

Ann Yee

Left: Champagne/Pewter Silk Charmeuse Yin Yang Dress

Right: Pewter/Vermillion Silk Chiffon Layered Angles Dress

Gen Art's Fresh Faces in Fashion presented by smart car and hosted by Erika Christensen, returned to New York Fashion Week at Manhattan Center Grand Ballroom on September 9th.

Seven ready-to-wear designers - Ann Yee, William Okpo, Sunghee Bang, Ace & Jig, Eighteenth, Jennifer Chung and Baron Wells showcased their looks, along with four accessory designers - Collina Strada, Falconiere, Osborn and Wool and the Gang.

My favorites are Ann Yee for her lightweight, effortless dresses and Sunghee Bang, with sexy, fitted edgy looks.

Ann Yee

Left: Dark Taupe Open Shoulder Sweater Dress with Ash/Canary Silk Chiffon/Crepe de Chine Color Block Scarf

Right: Viscose Twisted Shell with Midnight Organic Cotton Crepe Play Short

William Okpo

Left: Pink button Up, Print Pants

Right: Cotton Mesh, Cotton Gauze Three Tiered Jumped Suit

Sunghee Bang is inspired by being lost in the chaos of life, striving to untangle ourselves . Her pieces reflect an entaglement, the restriction of it, or liberation from it with the use of signature handknits and jersey with asymmetric shapes and loose draping or clinging pieces.

Left: Black Burnout Cowl Dress, Camel Mini Tube Dress

Right: Black Tangled Leather Strap Vest with Snap, Grey Cross Back Tank, Black Burnout Legging

Left: Grey Asymmetric Dress

Right: White Long Asymmetric T, Grey Slit Legging, Tangled Knit Scarf

Ace & Jig - Left: Gauze Dress with Provence Stripe Fringe Scarf

Eighteenth - Right: Gumby Tee Cropped Extra Long Sleeve Tee, Crazy Hemenway Silk Asymmetrical Drawstring Skirt

Jennifer Chung - Left: Eggshell/slate jersey henley, embroidered lace, python cami A-line dress

Baron Wells - Right: Navy anorak, blue stripe contrast collar shirt, saltwater red elastic box shorts

Images courtesy of Gen Art

- Kim Weling

ELLE Fashion Next

ELLE magazine partnered with the distinguished Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) for its second annual FASHION | NEXT program and runway show. The exemplary design students chosen for the program were matched with mentors and given the incredible opportunity to present their designs in a runway show at the Koch Theatre in Lincoln Center during NYFW on September 9th, 2011. Maybelline New York sponsored the event, promoting both fashion and beauty as equally important forms of expression. ELLE will also feature the designs in their October and December issues.

Major industry names, including editors and buyers, filled the room as each student sent two models down the runway dressed in their fashions while the DJ spun haunting electro-pop, including songs from artists like Robyn and Lykke Li.

The designs varied greatly, exemplifying each student’s unique contribution. We saw beautiful asymmetrical skirts and collars, punchy red velvet ensembles, incredibly tailored leather coats and jackets, and delicate, floral inspired dresses. Student Lauren Mayhew grabbed the room’s
attention with skirts and gowns featuring long, blonde ombre hair.

The FASHION | NEXT initiative is a truly incredible opportunity for students to be recognized for their talent and also a great way to garner well deserved attention. At the end of the show the ELLE | SCAD Design Award and the Maybelline New York FASHION | NEXT Award were granted to Faith Thornburg and Lindsey Hopkins, respectively. Each winner received$25,000.

The impressive panel of judges included major contributors to the design, beauty, and modeling world alike, including Chris Benz, Jeffrey Costello, Whitney Port, Iman, Karolina Kurkova, Julianne Hough, Ken Downing, and Doreen Arbel. Also in attendance were British songstresses Ellie Goulding and Corinne Bailey Rae, as well as Brazilian model Camila Alves.

We loved Faith Thornburg’s (the only wedding dress designer in the group) winning white gown with petal appliqués and lace!

Images courtesy of fashionista.com

- Alyssa D'Alessandro

Concept Korea IV Spring/Summer 2012 Collection

Son Jung Wan

Spring/Summer 2012 marks Concept Korea's fourth presentation at New York Fashion Week. Concept Korea is a design competition, highlighting the most talented designers in Korea and giving them a platform to introduce them to the international fashion arena. This season's winners are Doho, Lie Sang Bong, Resurrection by Juyoung, Son Jung Wan and Steve J & Yoni P.

Son Jung Wan is my favorite with modern, glamorous pieces, such as an eye-catching cobalt blue cocktail dress. The open-toe ankle booties are also very chic.

Lie Sang Bong's inspiration comes from traditional Korean architectural elements known as "Dancheong," the art of painting wooden buildings and structures with decorative patterns. The collection has a vivid color palette with unique graphic images. Even the tights have an enticing design that completes each look.

Lie Sang Bong

Lie Sang Bong

- Kim Weling