Fashion PR division of Pierce Mattie Public Relations, A Fashion Public Relations. Fashion publicity, promotion marketing firm

How many of you change up a handbag simply because the one you are currently using only looks appropriate for the season we are currently in? Then of course there are the trends, and I know that for most people like myself, trendy bags only have so much life to them and then they put off to the side when the next big trend arrives. If you are going to invest in a quality handbag, why not chose one that looks good no matter the season, or trend for that matter?

There is this new handbag designer, Bryna Nicole, who designs some fantastic looking handbags that really are timeless designs. We all use a clutch at one time or another, or a tote or even a satchel. It’s all based on our own need to be expressive with our fashion accessories to make a statement about our own individuality. Each one of Bryna Nicole’s handbags does just that, not just through design but through color as well.

For example, the Rossi Wristlet is a handbag that can take you from day to night, and its luxurious too with its Italian leather body and suede interior. The Minna Slouch is one of those “comfortable” handbags that hugs the body of its owner with its calfskin material. It has a few color choices, but my favorite is bronze as it gives it that ultra chic type look to it.

The best part is knowing that Bryna’s collections are based on what women are looking for in a handbag: style, taste, design and color that transcends season after season and trend after trend. Her handbags fit into the gap created by many designers that look to have their handbag simply be the next “it” bag and not one that will have any long lasting style quality to it. Her handbags are one of those unique finds where you don’t mind investing the money to purchase one because you know that you will have it for the long haul.

What qualities do you look for when purchasing your next handbag? An expression of yourself, design, material or something completely different?

Everyone’s attention lately has been on trying to fix the fashion industry, which when it comes to the whole modeling/weight/eating disorder issue, is in need of some serious PR. Each country has their take on what should be done, the CFDA doesn’t appear to really want to “weigh in” too much on the issue, but now the very talented Donatella Versace can no longer be apart of the masses that are in denial about the issue, as it has been confirmed that her 20 year old daughter suffers from Anorexia.

Seeing pictures of Allegra Versace with a feeding tube in her nose as she walks down the street is certainly one reason to make you stop and think. I can only imagine the pressure and microscope she lives under being surrounded by the industry and all the good and bad that comes with it. However, the title to this post is two-fold as Anorexia is not only hitting home with the Versace family, but also with mine. Tonight we spoke with family who let us know that my niece is Anorexic.

This gorgeous young girl, only 15 who I have always admired for her height (5’7”) and fabulous figure, was forced out of the closet when her parents found a purse-full of diet pills hidden in the basement this weekend. When they went into her room, they discovered pictures of ultrathin models from the best fashion magazines taped to her walls. This hadn’t previously set off alarms, but it all began to make sense now with the diet pills and also the discovery that she had been visiting “pro-anna” sites on MySpace that were teaching her how to hide her disease from her parents. Her mother had noticed her recent obsession with the model reality shows and how her eating had become substantially less. This week she took my niece to the pediatrician who confirmed her BMI as 17; my niece only weighing in at 110lbs.

Jockey’s latest collection called 3D-Innovations has a new “body” to show off the line. One of the biggest heartthrob’s in New Zealand is Rugby player, Dan Carter. In New Zealand he is basically the equivalent of David Beckham, certainly not just due to his Rugby skills and ability to capitalize on his fame through endorsements, but he has those stunning good looks to match.

While Carter has been promoting Jockey since 2003, it is with the launch of 3D-Innovations that he is becoming their international spokesmodel, and well, you won’t hear me complaining. However, his international campaign seems to be falling short of the US and will only be promoted in Europe and the UK.

The new Jockey 3D line offers cotton spandex underwear that incorporates technology, so as to enable them to mold and reflect the movements of human body. It is said to offer an excellent comfort fit and hugs the body like second skin. While the line was launched in New Zealand today, it is also offered in the US and can be seen on their website, just without the fabulous imagery of Dan Carter wearing them.

We see it every Fall and Spring during Fashion Week, designers dictate what everyone will be wearing the following season by what they display in their runway collections. If they deem a particular trend to be in style, then we are guaranteed to see it in one form or another throughout each collection. While that style trend is prominent, each designer does their own take on it and lends their own spice of creativity to the mix.

While many brands have some designs patented, such as Levi Strauss’s pocket embroidery, which almost serves as a trademark of the brand, the fuel behind Intellectual Property Law is lost on most of the fashion industry as their “creative ideas” are not copyright protected. This is according to an article I read in the International Herald Tribune today which discusses why the fashion industry flourishes on copying each other’s ideas.

According to the article, fashion designers promote the latest trend sending us all running to be the first among our friends to be wearing that trapeze dress or grabbing that silver handbag off the rack. Once we become a sea of silver handbag, wedge shoe wearing, statement ring flashing individuals in baby dolls with leggings, we are immediately bored and begin looking for something new and interesting to wear. Thus begins the cycle of designers churning out the next trend for us to gush over all due to the expansion of creativity that isn’t confined due to copyright of anyone’s design idea.

Put into this perspective it’s almost amusing to look back on my fashion behavior, yet something I would absolutely not want to be without. Season after season I love watching the shows during Fashion Week and watching each trend emerge and how wonderfully creative each designer is with it. I openly admit to being one of “those people” who run to the store to pick up the latest trend-wear of the season. Isn’t that what makes fashion fun after all?

Whats new for Spring? Whats new for Fall? Whats new for Next Fall? What season you are talking about all depends on what your business is. Fashion designers that work on runway collections are always working on what will be in stores 6-8 months from now. Designer merchants who produce all the truly profitable fashion that pays the rent for many companies are usually a year ahead of in-store sales.

Designers drive themselves crazy staying ahead of the curve, and hoping their vision is the right look for next season. Others play it safe and follow what has been successful for bigger names than their own. What I'm wondering lately is - What is the next big look? Decades always have trends when we look back in retrospect. What will this period between 00-10 be all about? We don't even have a name for this decade. The 00's??

The 60's were all about thigh high boots and Baby doll dresses

                                  The 70's were about Prints and bell bottoms.

 

 The 80's were all about big hair and big shoulder pads!

 

The 90's saw a grunge resurgence all over the place.

 The last 5 years saw an obsession with Shoes and Handbags.... true fashion has taken a back seat to accessories & denim. So, where do we go?

What will we be wearing 10 years from now?

Are we going futuristic or retro?

Will we all be walking around in monochromatic uniforms with mandarin collars?  Or maybe we'll be wearing linen tunics made with all natural dyes!

Any thoughts?

I just spent five days in Texas. That’s right, 5 days. So, as you can imagine I almost wanted to kiss the lazy baggage handlers at Laguardia airport after I landed safe and sound back in New York. (sorry Texas friends!)

Some luxury department stores have shareholders to please, so I can understand they are under the gun to grow the business any way they can. This includes opening new Luxury department stores anywhere they can. New destination shopping with ultra luxe merchandise. Behold, The Domain in Austin Texas!!

The center is so new the only images available are renderings.  Its all there- Louis Vuitton, Barney's Co-op, Intermix, Ralph Lauren, & Neiman Marcus.   There are even condo's above the open air mall.  That's right folks, you can now live at the mall!

The scary thing is that the luxury market is growing in leaps and bounds. The surge of new wealth is at a staggering pace. Unfortunately, the rise of ones financial wealth does not automatically lead to the rise of their taste level. In fact, if you take a look around at the new wealth it seems as if the opposite effect is true. This is especially true when a great wealth is made in less than one generation. All you have to do is look at the endless version of shows with titles like “Its good to be…. “ or “The fabulous life of…” and our country’s obsession with ostentatious displays of wealth is evident. The most nauseating example is that true turd of a show called “my super suite 16” on MTV. The program is a showcase for wealthy, low class families that spend upwards of $100,000.00 on the coming of age tradition of a sweet 16 party. This was once reserved for girls, but thanks to shows like Will & Grace we have boys who are “girlfriends” feeling comfortable with their feminine side and not ashamed to throw their parents $$ around just as carelessly as their overweight female counterparts. I have watched numerous episodes to research a phenomenon I quickly recognized. Every girl on the show is clinically obese. In a few short episodes I saw more back fat and love handles than the last time I walked past the Cinnabon line in the Houston Galleria Mall. I mean seriously, I thought we had an epidemic of anorexia in this country? I thought we were up in arms about skinny runway girls being bad role models??? I have to say that after watching that show I was so thankful to live in NYC where we have emaciated skeletons like Ashley and Mary Kate to call our own. There is just something so sophisticated about underweight girls that the chubby chicks can’t compete with. I understand why designers love to see these girls with almost alien like proportions work the catwalk. They bring an unworldly beauty to clothing.  So all of you “we love our curves” people can go watch the Victoria secret show where there is plenty of T & A by the mile. That is also a good test of body mass. If you watch the Victoria’s Secret show and think the girls are too skinny – you are fat!

While I’m on the topic, why is it that obesity only gets a fraction of the camera time that anorexia does? The cold hard fact is that people like to look at skinny girls! On the runway or on the news it doesn’t make a difference. Fat girls are getting cheated even by our news outlets. Nobody cares enough to point out the endless health problems that are headed their way. The only time you hear about obesity is when something happens like the banning of trans-fat. Even then, the news covers the business angle of how companies will have to spend more on alternative oils.

But I digress. My favorite part of the sweet 16 show is when they go shopping for gowns. It’s a guilty pleasure because the girls are young and ignorant. Now that is no crime and we all were at one time, but these girls are something else – Arrogant! There are few things harder to watch than the combination of ignorance and arrogance! Its like watching a train wreck. My heart goes out to the poor sales help that have to service these little monsters. They throw around daddies black American Express card like it’s a Starbucks gift card. That is really the point, to them it is the same thing. These girls and boys don’t know the value of a $1 or $10,000 dollars because they have been spoiled rotten. They shop at Gucci and Chanel as if they were rolling into Abercrombie or American Eagle! The boys will have a rude awakening when they leave college (if they make it through) and realize that when mommy and daddy expect them to earn their own living – they will actually have to work??

The girls are in for a more brutal realization. Right now, they think they are popular because they throw money at people to get attention. However, this faze will end pretty quickly once they get to college. They will realize that horny college guys usually don’t care how much money your father has! Today’s chubby chipper freshman is tomorrow’s lonely sophomore! Being that these girls have as much dough on their waistline as daddy has in the bank – I don’t think there will be a line to their dorm room! Then they will get to the point that they realize they have to marry someone who has as much money as their father, and who will love them as much as he does – GOOD LUCK! It is really a cruel joke being played on these girls by their parents. They are setting them up for a lifetime of disappointment and heartache. Most of these families are so new money that there is no trust fund to fall back on. What will little Mercedes do when reality hits the fan???

Come on America, do right by your children! Instead of planning that over the top sweet 16 party – invest in a gym membership and a thesaurus for little Tiffany, or Audi or whatever you call her! It's tough love time, make her get a job at Barnes & Noble for this summer and earn enough to pay for at least one pair of Manolo's. While you’re at it, put down that Krispy Kreme doughnut and start setting a better example yourself.

Who knew that being a manager at The Gap, having some fashion savvy and owning an iMac with a built in video camera to shoot a few video blogs on, would one day land William Sledd You Tube celebrity status, as well as possible offers from NBC and Bravo.

William Sledd is the 23 year old vlogger behind the now hugely popular video clips on You Tube, “Ask a Gay Man: Fashion Edition.” With over 45,000 subscribers and millions of viewers, big media is starting to take notice. He has signed a deal with NBC and Bravo (owned by NBC) has discussed with him their ideas on some possible scenarios that he could fit into on their network.

Sledd has a good sense of humor and answers subscriber emails in his video series. He has no fashion background beyond managing The Gap, but its his interest in dressing everyone better and his unique standing as the average gay guy dishing out fashion advice that has captured everyone’s attention and lead him onto celebrity status with the jump from ordinary blogger to someone who may be gracing your television screen sometime soon.

Be sure to check out his fashion video series on You Tube. I’ve posted my favorite above, Ask a Gay Man: Fashion Victim Edition, it is very funny and I laughed out loud during the woman and the salt and pepper shaker scene. William Sledd is definitely one to watch!

This blonde haired blue eyed soon to be 21-year-old Canadian model was discovered at age 16 at a restaurant in Ontario by an agent for International Model Management and later went on to win the Los Angeles Model Look Search. She has quickly become a name you will often hear mentioned by anyone discussing a top ten list of models, which is no surprise when she has had a spectacular start to her modeling career.

Stam, which is also the nickname she is known by, lit up her career when she was placed on the cover of German Vogue. Since then she has appeared in ad campaigns for Marc Jacobs, Anna Sui, Vera Wang, Atsuro Tayama, Cerruti Jeans, Valentino, Miu Miu, Prada, Dolce & Gabbana, Holt Renfrew, BCBG, and Banila B. Marc Jacobs has even created a handbag and named it the Stam Bag in her honor.

Stam is a beauty whose face and body can convert to any fashion vice without looking out of place. Despite participation in such high profile ad campaigns, she remains well grounded and certainly not full of herself. This down to earth quality makes her all the more attractive considering that most supermodels attain a diva attitude when they are in such demand.

Stam will continue to strut the runway until her gorgeous piercing blue eyes go out of style. The fact that she lives in New York City (one of the Mecca’s of modeling) and is represented by IMG (who represents a majority of the women and men we call supermodels), I have a feeling she has a long modeling career ahead of her.

Rainy days need not be the only day you dawn a trench coat. Designers have begun to include them as pieces to an outfit that look good worn both outside and indoors. Similar to the pantsuit’s jacket, trench coats are now becoming a versatile fashion accessory.

Over the last several weeks I’ve been watching trench coats pop up as the “in” item to be wearing this season. I first witnessed it on one of my favorite shows, What Not To Wear, where a pink trench coat was used as a top. I first balked at the idea, until I saw the fashion victim pair it up with some other great accessories and pieces of clothing. Next came an email from Isaac Mizrahi’s website that he had a Country-City Slicker available on his new online store. Looking at his gorgeous creation, I began to envision pairing it with gray or linen dress pants and some heels, maybe unbuttoning that top button to reveal some pearls. Since I know Mr. Mizrahi’s sense of style is never wrong, I knew a trend was emerging that would soon be seen no matter the city or town…at least when this weather decides to warm up.

One of the great things about trench coats is that it is figure flattering. While the basic layout of the trench coat is all the same, there are varying cuts and designs that can make any girl look good. It also adds a new dimension of style when you chose a trench coat with different patterns, cropped or below the knee, and with different adornments on it. Nevermind simply wearing it with pants, there are quit a few trench coats that are nice enough that they could be worn as a dress or paired with a skirt. Being that it is also an item for outerwear, it’s a great way not to have to add more bulk to your attire when heading outdoors. The fabulous trench coats you see in this post can be found at Bergdorf Goodman.

What do you think of the trench coat trend?

There is no crowd more jaded than the fickle fashion industry. Withstanding a constant state of sensory overload - who can blame them for Blase reactions to fashion hopefuls?  After all, collections are launching daily with bigger and fancier launch parties every season. Store buyers and Magazine Editors can develop permanent lip pursing from all the mediocrity - think Miranda Priestley in "The Devil Wears Prada".
This makes the opening of Tom Ford's new boutique on Madison Avenue all the more significant. A private party at the spectacular space on Monday night has Fashion executives as excited as teens who win tickets to the MTV Music Awards! (it was the Gianfranco Ferre space for years)

They all turned out to support Mr. Ford in his next venture in the designer role.

Tom Ford put the F back in Fashion in the mid 90's.  If you don't know what F I'm talking about, you don't have a pulse!   There were no fashion ads sexier than Tom Ford for Gucci.   Mr. Ford has always understood designer fashion at its core.   It is the art of seduction that makes the difference between a pretty collection and one that becomes legend.  Men and Women want one of two things from a designer campaign.   People either want to look like the models in the ads - or sleep with them!  It is as simple as that. 

Never one to be shy about his vision Ford sent shock waves around the world with his direct approach to what was sexy and what inspired him.   It was this maverick sensibility that took Gucci from a sleeping old Italian luggage company and turned it into the  fashion collection of the decade. 

 Hollywood quickly took notice and embraced this hot new designer who looked more like a model or actor than your typical designer.  It was in fact his acting background that allowed him to be so comfortable in his own skin.

One of the first style icons to jump on board was Madonna.   Never one to miss a hot new style on the horizon, she famously wore head to toe Gucci to the 1995 MTV Music Awards.  She uttered the words "Gucci, Gucci, Gucci" when asked what she was wearing.   Tom Ford himself credits her with "starting it all".

Mr. Ford not only changed the look of the collection, he changed the look of the company.   He and his long-time partner Richard Buckley had dreamed of living and working in London.   Suddenly, Tom had the power to make that happen. 

Once Gucci had the clear vision he wanted, the next challenge made itself clear.   Taking the helm at Yves Saint Laurent.   Parent company PPR had taken over the legendary design house and Mr. Ford would re-invent the wheel that was the life-force of the fashion industry during the 60's,70's, and 80's.

The most interesting aspect to this period was when Tom stayed true to his personal ideal of sensuality with the launch of M7.  A musky scent in a sexy brown bottle was sure to be a success.   Except, Mr. Ford insisted on launching the campaign with a portrait of a male model with natural body hair completely nude.   Now chiseled male models nearly naked are nothing new.  However, this was the full monty with penis in full few.   It was beautiful , sexy and refreshing - of course it became banned by publishers in the United States.   It is still one of the best mens fragrances out there.  I have been wearing it since the launch- now I have to find it when traveling in Europe.  

With the new Boutique on Madison Avenue Mr. Ford is sure to give more of the same in terms of his sensual vision of the well dressed man.   A large portion of the collection will be bespoke - or custom order, so don't expect to run in and find anything on sale - ever!

If accessories make the outfit, then a handbag should be a priority to make your fashion statement complete. No one understands this better than up and coming handbag designer, Amanda Che. Che, whose collection of handbags makes its official debut on May 17th, has a style to complete every outfit leaving your friends wondering how you became so fashion forward.

Each handbag in the A.Che handbag collection is made of luxurious deerskin leather with a logo plate decorated with genuine Swarovski crystals. A constant among each handbag in the line are A. Che’s signature diamond knots.

Not only did Marilyn Monroe inspire Anna Nicole, but she was the inspiration behind Amanda Che’s Marilyn Collection, as well. The Marilyn Collection comes in three colors, white, black and nude, and represents Marilyn’s timeless presence in Hollywood. The Audrey Collection and Sophia Collection also symbolize the significance of two classic Hollywood beauties. My favorites among her collections are the Sophia Clutch and Marilyn Satchel, although I also think the Marilyn Basket is also very unique.

If you are in Los Angeles, the A.Che handbag collection can be found at Le Trend in the California Market Center. Soon the bags will be available for sale on the A.Che website for the Fall 2007 season. You can get a sneak peak of all of the handbags in each collection by going to www.a-che.com, clicking on “collection” and using the username: signature and the password: collection.

For more information about Amanda Che and the A.Che line please contact:

Fashion PR Division: Maryam at piercemattie dot com

One big fashion mistake that many of us make is not choosing the right clothing to accentuate our shape, no matter what size we are. I know that I have fallen prey to this faux pas many times when I try to wear baggy clothes to hide a waistline I am not in love with. Getting my mindset away from “hiding” my figure and into choosing pieces of clothing that will flatter me hasn’t been easy, but if you don’t want to end up a fashion victim on What Not To Wear, it’s best to learn how to dress for your shape.

There’s more to shape than your typical “Apple” and “Pear” and what you chose in terms of cuts and patterns can either minimize the positive (or negative) or put the focus on a part of your body that is less than flattering. The various shapes range from petite, tall, triangle (hip heavy), top heavy (wedge), curvy/hourglass, or rectangular. What can complicate things even more is when you are petite in height or tall in addition to another shape, thus having to take many tips into account when choosing the correct pieces of clothing for you. It can get confusing and frustrating to say the least.

A great site I have come across is MyShape.com, which breaks down shapes into M, Y, S, H, A, P and E. Based on the measurements you enter into their survey, the system will accurately tell you which shape you are. You then set up a profile to also determine the type of style you prefer and MyShape.com can then make style recommendations that will flatter your figure. There is even an area where you can determine your color palette so that you know in addition to various cuts, which colors will also be flattering to your look. Using a site like MyShape simplifies shopping for the right look, fit, style and accessories so that you can emphasize the positive aspects to your shape.

Once my son is born, this is a program I am excited to try out. There is nothing worse than trying to shop for the right clothes, only to come out of the dressing room disappointed that an outfit didn’t fit right. MyShape.com looks to alleviate that anxiety and disappointment and make shopping fun again and looking like you have your own wardrobe stylist to boot!

Fashion is beginning to merge itself with social media. Fashion communities are popping up where you can mix and match pieces of clothing with shoes and various accessories and publish your fashion match for others in the network to see. Of course, no fashion site would be complete without telling you who sells the items and enabling you to purchase what you’ve styled (or the styles of others).

In a previous post I mentioned MyShape.com, a place where you can shop for put-together outfits based on your shape; sites like Polyvore and FashMatch have taken the idea of a clothing match site one step further by creating a community of members who are the driving force behind the mix and match ensembles allowing them to create outfits from pre-existing brands in their database and upload fashion items of their own for every fashion members mix and matching pleasure. Each site tells you the brand and store where the items are available, not only making the whole process fun (and addictive), but allowing you the ability to purchase some pretty terrific looking outfits.

Both sites offer top designer names and brands in fashion like Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Burberry, Baby Phat, Betsey Johnson and Marc Jacobs (among many others), as well as brands that may be more for the budget oriented like Old Navy, Abercrombie & Fitch, Forever21 and Target. Both sites are also free to join, which is always a bonus if you are inclined to purchase clothes you fall in love with.

Honing your styling skills can be fun, especially with an audience filled with like-minded fashion addicts, but I can also see how it can be bad for your wallet when you find wardrobe after wardrobe that can’t seem to live without.

Fashion designer Oscar de la Renta will be inducted into the Fashion Hall of Fame by Kent State University's School of Fashion Design and Merchandising on Friday April 20th. The induction will coincide with a fashion show featuring the collections of more than 20 of the school's seniors who are majoring in fashion design. The school has been inducting prominent names in the fashion industry into its hall of fame since 1989.

Oscar de la Renta has received many honors over the years both within the US and internationally. He was inducted into the Coty Hall of Fame in 1973 and has won their Coty American Fashion Critic’s Award twice. In February 1990, he was honored with the CFDA Lifetime Achievement Award and received their Womenswear Designer of the Year Award in 2000. Oscar de la Renta has also been awarded the French Legion d’Honneur as a Commandeur.

The fashion school will be holding two shows, of which de la Renta will be present at the 7pm show. Ticket prices for non-students are $65 for the matinee and $200 for the evening show. All profits will benefit Kent State's fashion school. For more information about the shows you can visit their ticket website, however, online tickets are no longer available due to limited seating availability.

For Boaz David, music and fashion are not two separate entities. Having grown up in Israel with exposure to the British punk rock era, he was inspired by the fashion and imagery of many of his favorite punk groups. He attended the Shenkar School of Fashion in Tel-Aviv and designed wardrobes for both television and theater before moving to New York City in 1996. It was then that Boaz decided to take his love for music and fashion and merge the two together to create his own style of clothing.

The result is a women’s clothing line with a rocker-chic look that has an edgy, yet fashion forward sense of style. The line’s trademark pocket in the shape of a shield, detailed with distressed leather and accents of metal zippers and rivets was inspired by the simple geometric shapes placed on the shields of medieval armor and used to identify individuals and represent their place in society. One could hardly feel ordinary dawning a Boaz blazer or pair of trousers.

Today I had the chance to ask Boaz more about his line and see what he is working on for the future:

Who are some of the fashion designers you have worked for before making the decision to start your own line?

For 10 years I worked in the contemporary market for lines such as Yigal Azrouel when he just started, Nili Lotan when she started and Alice & Trixie (among others).

I love the writing on the trouser legs and the back of the blazers, is this Hebrew and what does it say?

The writings on the pants are indeed in Hebrew. The circle print just says my name in Hebrew, but all the other prints (the one along the right leg, on the back yoke of some of the pants and the jackets) is a sentence from a Jewish morning prayer and it means, "Bless you (God) who dresses the naked." In Hebrew it sounds like, "Baruch Malbish Aroomim."

The fashion industry can be a superficial business. While the pursuit of beauty is arguably a noble cause, those attracted to the glamorous life can be slightly one dimensional to say the least.  It is a business focused on outside appearances and the "look" of the moment.   This makes the dinner last Monday night honoring Steve Sadove who is the CEO of Saks Inc. all the more relevant.  

The evening was celebrating Mr. Sadove not as a businessman or a merchant, but as a humanitarian.  It was at his urging that Saks 5th Avenue as a nationwide chain of luxury department stores held a fund raising campaign during the holiday season in 2006 to benefit WIN - Women In Need.

Women In Need is an incredible organization that cares for homeless women and children in an effort to rehabilitate families and get them back into permanent housing on their own accord.   The process utilizes but is not limited to job counseling, childcare, temporary shelter, after school programs, food distribution, domestic violence counseling, and friendship!

Founded in 1983, the foundation has an unprecedented success record with over 90% of former clients remaining in their self supported new housing two years after leaving the program.  It was a wonderful idea to raise money during the holiday season and a wonderful idea to hold a benefit to celebrate this philanthropy while raising more money for the cause.

The event was held at the Pierre Hotel in New York, just steps from central park.  The Hotel is a legend in its own right dating back to the 30's, and so is the huge ballroom where we all gathered.  There are weddings booked for years to come in this world famous event space.  While it is beautiful and stately, I have to say it could use a face-lift and a case of Febreeze!  The whole space is treading on the legend and legacy more than its actual merit as an elegant location to celebrate anything.

Having  said that, there is a sense of old world charm when you enter the grand salon.  There are a handful of apartments in the tower that are some of the most expensive private homes in the world!

The event was co-chaired by Marlo Thomas who is the perfect image for the independent woman.   Many of you may be too young to remember her as TV's first single Woman living alone in NYC in TV's That Girl.  Yes, before Mary Tyler Moore, there was That Girl.

Tune in to TV Land or rent the DVD's and discover this classic show all over again.
You probably do know Marlo as Rachel's mom on Friends!  It was a great recurring role that gave her exposure again to a worldwide audience of viewers under 30.

She is also the daughter of famed entertainer Danny Thomas - he was a household name during the I Love Lucy era of Television.   He also was a great humanitarian who founded the St. Jude's Children Hospital.  The facility has worldwide notoriety for treating children with cancer without ever charging families for treatment.   Ms. Thomas continues to help raise 500 million dollars yearly for that cause!

 The night was a great opportunity to point out the good deed of one person who wanted to help.   It also let everyone in the room reach into their own pocket and buy a $100 balloon to give to clients of Women In Need.   All the major fashion houses were in attendance and it was a great chance to catch up with friends who I don't always get the chance to see as we are all chasing our own tails during the year!

What struck me the most was the poise and maturity of the 5 children who were chosen as finalists in an essay contest of all the Children who benefit from the charity.   The image we have of homelessness  really does bely these articulate, polite, and innocent children.   They would have more aptly fit in at a dinner for honor students from the best private school in NYC than at a fund raiser for homeless children.

A friend of mine who is in the modeling industry forwarded me this great article written in the Daily Mail today. The Daily Mail is a UK news site that I also read at least once a week to gain perspective on how those outside the US view our beauty and fashion industry (plus I cannot resist their celebrity gossip, it’s always entertaining). This particular article speaks of our fashion industry and model standards and how here in the Western World, we have a great love for fashion models with little meat on their bones.

Previously I had raved about John Lewis Department Stores forward thinking by using “average-sized” models in their swimwear campaign. Average being a size 12 and not a size zero. What I found most interesting today was the Daily Mail’s discussion on how those with curves and “average-sized” women are those who are most sought after in the African fashion industry. It’s really quite interesting to hear that high profile and in demand models such as Kate Moss or Jessica Stam, would rarely get a second glance if they hit the runway in Africa. Our idea of beauty is the complete opposite to those in Africa, where a healthy looking body is the sign of wealth and status. In the West, a healthy looking body means maybe you ate 3 meals today instead of 1.

While our ideals of what beauty in fashion means spreads throughout the world, I have to say it is refreshing to find a Country not caught up in it and relishes in their shapely figures. According to the Daily Mail, even Levi Strauss made changes to their red label jeans to accommodate those in Africa wanting to dawn a pair, yet couldn’t fit in the jeans aimed at Western shaped bodies.

I do find the modeling industry fascinating and I surely love the fashion industry, but you can’t help but love how another country is sticking to their ideals despite the pressure of conformity from Western society.

What do you think about seeing more average-sized models on the runway; does it take away from the beauty of idealism or does it represent our society today?

Ford Models can now do more than just strut on the runways or land a designer print ad campaign; they can also star in the new web series by Ford Modeling focusing on beauty, fashion, modeling and fitness tips. In a time when many companies are trying to spread brand recognition through viral marketing with web videos, Ford Models seem to have found the right formula of a high quality video, the right beauty and fashion professionals offering attention-grabbing behind the scenes tips, content to keep the viewer interested and of course, beautiful models to look at.

FordModels.tv has several different web series to choose from: Beauty Tips, Fashion Flash, Model Fitness, Ford Models 360 and Model Lifestyle. All episodes are under 3 minutes, most ranging from 30 to 90 seconds, making load time much faster and offering content that is simple and to the point.

Beauty Tips is just what the name implies; Fashion Flash are quick fashion trend “flashes” of fashion; Model Fitness focuses on fitness tips by Ford fitness model Kim Strother; Ford Models 360 is a blend of episodes about the season’s latest trends, while Model Lifestyle has the entertaining, “Changing Room Confessional” series. If you are a Blogger and your niche is beauty, fashion or fitness, FordModels.tv offers a variety of code to fit into a variety of blog formats including MySpace, RSS feeds and your typical blog. Code for the web series is provided by Revver, an online video service similar to You Tube, however those who produce videos and use the Revver service to upload them earn money each time their video is viewed.

FordModels.tv is a great way to get behind the scenes in the fashion and modeling industry in a pretty down to earth manner. I’m most in love with their Beauty Tips series, but have loved watching many of their fashion webisodes. Since FordModels.tv is a new venture for the modeling agency, it will be interesting to watch how these webisodes evolve.

After years in menswear, fashion designer Emmett McCarthy took an unexpected chance – he completely reinvented his image and parlayed his talents and expert technique into designing womenswear that is as classically chic as it is fashion forward.

Stylistically, Emmett favors clean lines, redefined details, and subtle construction, and finds himself applying this sensibility to the marvelous variety of silhouettes and fabric possibilities for women. Women have so many choices in terms of fashion. Looking beautiful, appropriate and fashionable can pose a challenge. Emmett and his design team strive to make the EMC2 experience a pleasure, whether in person or online. Emmett’s goal is to design pieces that truly make women feel as comfortable as they are confident – that is how Emmett defines luxury.

Emmett’s decision to open a studio boutique immediately rather than seek out other retail outlets, is at the heart of his creative process. He conceived EMC2 as a self-financed retail prototype, wholesale incubator, and creative laboratory where he could innovate the old-fashioned way – one product at a time, face-to-face with his clients.

As a Project Runway (Season Two) alum, Emmett continues to embrace the new roles both reality television and the online communities are forging in fashion. The intersection of mass and new media represents the future of how fashion is discussed and marketed, and is the new model for how brands are born and cultivated.

EMC2
240 Elizabeth Street, NY
www.EmmettMcCarthy.com

Media Contact:
Fashion PR Division: Christina at piercemattie dot com

While eco-fashion can be chic or trendy looking, it can also be practical for the ordinary person, including babies. MyConservationBaby.com designs upscale eco-fashion for the little ones so that they can make a statement with earth friendly clothing that spread the word to save our environment.

When gas prices began to skyrocket in 2006, Ellen and Michael McNeill became interested in conservation. While doing research on what impacts gas prices, they learned about energy, global warming and conservation. Rather than complain, they decided to do something about it and felt it was best to begin with those who would be the future environmental leaders of this world: children. Through their new line of baby and toddler clothing, your little one can declare conservation inspired messages such as, Stop Global Warming, Protect the Environment, Save the Forests, Recycle and Re-Use and Conserve.

Onesies and toddler t-shirts do come in both organic and non-organic cotton. However, for each of their non-organic cotton products the company has pledged to donate 1% of gross annual sales to environmental organizations through membership in 1% For The Planet.

I think these adorable onesies are perfect for families who already wear eco-friendly clothing and want the same for their new arrival.

Whenever we see any behind the scenes photos at fashion events, many times the models are seen with cigarettes in hand. Many even say they smoke to fill a hunger void. However, as we’ve seen with Camel taking on the beauty angle with Camel No.9, Davidoff Cigarettes decided to promote its brand at a pre-fashion week party in Australia last night.

Davidoff Cigarettes, a German cigarette company, collaborated with Belvedere Vodka to promote their cigarettes on the bar and through scantily clad promotional girls handing out free packs of cigarettes. The pre-fashion week party this was held at? A Red Ribbon Foundation party, which is an AIDS charity fundraiser, held by Fashion TV. I suppose you could say Davidoff was simply trying to help fundraise for one health issue while ignoring the fact that cancer is another. The double whammy of course being that cancer caused from smoking and AIDS are preventable deaths.

In Australia, they have a Public Health Act, and promoting a tobacco product by giving away free samples is an offence that could result in a fine anywhere from $5500 to $20,000. I’m not sure I understand why free cigarettes were promoted at an AIDS event, but I can only conclude that Davidoff was capitalizing on the fashion industry and glamour that has been associated with smoking and fashion in the past.

What do you think: Was it in bad taste for Davidoff to promote their cigarettes at an AIDS fundraiser? Do you think that the cigarette company was glamorizing a deadly habit through this fashion event?

Now that it seems like Sprin