Malan Breton A/W11 Collection

Adrian Alicea Haute Couture F/W11

It was a haute night in Harlem last evening, as fashionistas headed uptown to the National Black Theater in Harlem to view the Adrian Alicea Haute Couture F/W11 Collection. We were glad to see things ended on a haute and high note, as New York Fashion Week F/W11 concluded its shows.

The Nolcha Fashion Lounge F/W11 - A Destination for True Fashionistas Now during New York Fashion Week

New York Fashion Week under the tents at the Lincoln Center was not the only place for high calibre designers and artists to provide new styles and looks for the coming season. The 'Nolcha Fashion Lounge' just a few steps away at the rooftop of the Empire Hotel, was the ultimate destination for fashionistas to preview and discover a world of talent that comprised of fashion, jewelry, handbags, custom one of a kind bow ties and sport bras that are unbelievably multi-functional. Jessie Zaino, celebrity stylist of "VHI' and "Glamour.com" fame, was present to give personalized guided tours to guests with courteous and in depth knowledge of many of the designers and items that were being showcased.

Call it a pop-up shop if you like, but these emerging designers are passionate about their collections and brands. For example, I was very impressed by Rudy Wolff, a Norwegian/Dutch designer who was previewing her F/W11 collection titled "Dark Dawn". It's a collection inspired by the darkness of the ". . . . Byzantine empire, Romanov aesthetics, (and) Victorian fin du siecle, . . . ." Each piece in her collection, is one of a kind and very avant garde but whose craftsmanship is very strong, and probably deserves a showing of its own across the Lincoln Center. But don't count her out, because Wolff is presenting her collection at the end of February in Georgetown, Washington, DC and she even invited me to the show.

It is an experience like this that is unique and which makes the 'Nolcha Fashion Lounge' an event to look forward to during New York Fashion Week. There were many other very talented designers and artists that I would love to go into detail about, because I talked to many of them at this event and they are all excellent, but I plan to feature forthcoming stories about their individual brands. Other fashionable items, were bow ties designed with leather and a section of cocktail dresses designed with eco-friendly fabrics, making this event something that I will be looking forward next fashion season, to ensure True Fashionistas are well informed of talent they might not have heard about from the pages of Vogue, ELLE or Harper's BAZAAR. In case you felt your beauty being faded during your visit, 'The Beauty Oasis' was waiting for you to be pampered, with makeup retouches or a hair fix, which was provided by Paul Mitchell, or nails and lashes by Kiss.

Fashion is a business, and one aspect of this model of business for new experiences for fashionistas, is the inclusion of eco/sustainable materials used. This inclusion demonstrates that fashion can be glamorous and fun while still being environmentally responsible. 'Show Me Your Mumu' a collection that comprises of mumus (loose fitting dresses for women) and tote bags, is another excellent brand with proceeds that give back to Kenya and another fine example of promoting fashion humanitarianism. Bodyrock Sport, another amazing label whose presentation I attended last fall at the Chelsea Piers, continues to make it's strong fashion presence felt, with sport bras that are simply amazing in terms of multifunction, style and financial value. Please check out all these exciting collections and their brands, to see the fashion excitement that I am talking about. I have listed them separately below with their direct links.

The scene at 'Nolcha Fashion Lounge' at The Empire Hotel

Check out these fabulous brands for all the fashion excitement

• Abreu Rios
• Adolfo Sanchez
• Ailin
• Alberto Parada
• Bodyrock Sport
• Chabahll
• Courtesan Studio
• Daniela Vlad
• Eva Evanovich
• Helicoptor
• Pitusa
• Ricki L. Designer Jewelry
• Rey
• Rudy Wolff
• Room to Roam
• Show Me Your Mumu
• Tammam
• The Art of EMJ

Tracy Reese F/W 2011 Runway Show has star power and Hollywood celebrities

Tracy Reese debuted her F/W 2011 Collection at Lincoln Center on February 14th 2011 and attracted many Hollywood celebrities. Gabrielle Union ("Army Wives"), Julia Stiles ("Dexter"), Veronica Webb (Supermodel and "Tim Gunn's Guide to Style"), Natalie Morales ("TODAY") and Catt Saddler ("E! News") attended. Check out scenes of celebrities in attendance below.
Photos credit: Edward James

Julia Stiles and Tracy Reese

Tracy Reese and Catt Saddler

Gabrielle Union

Natalie Morales

INAISCE F/W 2011-12 Collection (Ashen Tundra~Frozen Roads)

When I arrived for the presentation of Inaisce's F/W11-12 Collection, I entered a room filled with models tranced in a mood of a frozen time zone. The suddenness of this mood, is exactly what Jona wants to evoke in his fourth collection of garments and looks that takes us to the . . . 'frontlines of the struggle between man and his environs'. The color tones of blacks and grays but mostly icy looking grays, surely makes us feel very chilly, of things to come this fall in Inaisce's world. Distressed sheepskins, microsuedes, black wools, calfskin highlander boots and an elfskin flight jacket are fabrics used to create a world of looks to cover our feeble flesh. Thanks to make-up by Alexandra Kwiatowski of frosty lips or matte flesh tone pinks, or else one would really believe that this was a flight, to the set of 'Atanarjaut - Part 2'. Check out the looks and lets hear which ones are your favorites.

MM6 Maison Martin Margiela and Opening Ceremony collaboration reveal styles galore for F/W 2011 Collection

"MM6 Maison Martin Margiela are garments for ♀Another vision of Maison Martin Margiela’s take on feminity. A daily and younger contemporary approach to fashion in which prints, soft volume and ease play a key role. These garments draw their inspiration from and lend themselves to the more casual moments of life, often with a humoristic twist.
MM6 Maison Martin Margiela is made of garments, shoes and accessories.

OPENING CEREMONY is a multifaceted retail environment comprised of shops, showroom, and private label collection that establishes a new, international creative forum in downtown Manhattan. Opening Ceremony brings together emerging American talent with both young and established designers and artists from abroad. Each year, the unique commercial and cultural character of a visiting country is represented at Opening Ceremony by capturing the essence of the country’s consumer experience. Opening Ceremony has also become known for its myriad collaborations with the likes of Chloë Sevigny, Spike Jonze, Pendleton, Levi's, Timberland, Keds, Robert Clergerie, and more"