Henri Bendel Open See!

How cool would it be to have your design on display for the world to see and buy?!

Henri Bendel is giving a lucky person a chance to do just that!

What this is actually?

"Calling all Bendel Girls! Welcome to the Henri Bendel online "Open-See"?. We realize that not all Bendel Girls come from New York, so we have extended the reach of our legendary "Open-See" where you can enter by submitting a sketch of a handbag, hair accessory, scarf, hat, small leather good, or piece of jewelry that you think will have our buyers smitten." - Bendel Website

Click Here to Enter!

http://www.bendelopensee.com/officialrules/index.html

** Special thanks to Ashley Sutton for the info : )

The Office of Alexander Wang.

NYFW: Spring (1 of TBD)

Now that I’ve had time to decompress from NYFW, I can finally get to blogging my experience. This was my second season volunteering with a great PR firm that worked on 11 events (shows, presentations, parties). It definitely was easier this time around. The lack of blinding BLIZZARDS and freezing temperatures made it much more enjoyable! So much happened, so I'm breaking it down in a couple of blogs that I am calling: NYFW: Spring! (Original, I know!)

After waking up at 3am to catch my 6am flight, and after traveling for almost 2 hours to get to Brooklyn to meet up with my friend Chantelle, I had the biggest celebrity sighting of my life so far: MADONNA. IN BROOKLYN of all places. My friend Christian and I were getting off the train and looking for a street to turn on and there she was, in all her incognito glory. I freaked out and screamed at Christian “THAT WAS MADONNA!” and the 15 people that were following her (her entourage) seemed unphased that I recognized her. At that point, I was too tired and famished to run after her! (Plus, I had my huge suitcase with me)

Then we met up at my friend’s cute apartment in Williamsburg and headed to this restaurant called Lodge where we had the juiciest hamburgers ever! But getting back to the fashion. The first show that I worked this season was Jen Kao. Last year, her show was the first live fashion show that I had ever seen in New York and it was amazing. This show was definitely a great one. I was assigned to assist with check-in (one of the most important roles of a PR company)and some of the celebrities I saw: Kelly Rowland, Jessica White (who sat front row, and looked STUNNING in her Jen Kao dress) and Elle senior editor, Kate Lanphear!The runway was covered in sand and had elaborate designs drawn onto them. A lot of work was done just so the models could walk through it!

The collection featured a lot of muted colors – sand (haha), light olive green and featured a lot of crochet, including these really cool crochet gladiator “sandals”. Below are some of the favorite looks, and some video I took of the runway show. Enjoy!

Closer To My Dreams

This February, I had the amazing chance to volunteer with two PR firms for Fall 2010 fashion week in New York.

Instead of going with a group of friends like I did in September, I went by myself and worked. I stayed for 9 days and it was way more challenging than I thought. I knew that it would be hard work and it definitely was. On one of my first days working, I worked from 9am-10:25pm.. it was insane.

With that said, I learned a lot, had fun and carried a heavy garment bag with a fur coat inside through the NY subway system. Oh, and I also delivered invitations to one of the shows in the BLIZZARD. I wouldn't change anything about the experience. It let me know that I am extremely dedicated to fashion public relations and that I do have a passion for it.

Even though I spent a lot of $$$ on the trip (when you work in Soho, its hard not to spend a lot of money!) , the experience was worth it. Hopefully, I'll be working in NY fashion public relations sooner than you think!

Now, onto the fashion. I worked about 4 fashion shows and 1 presentation. Here's some of the fashion from the shows that I worked: Jen Kao, Carlos Miele, Tadashi Shoji and Dennis Basso.

It was an incredible experience to actually do the work that you see people like Kelly Cutrone do on 'Kell on Earth' and Lauren Conrad/Whitney Port did on The City/The Hills

Jen Kao

Carlos Miele

This show had the most amazing music ever. I also saw Nigel Barker here.

This show was actually held at the Bryant Park tents and to get into the tents was one of the biggest feelings of excitement that I ever had in my life! The Bryant Park tents! Amazing! And it was also an honor to be a part of it when it was the final year for the NY fashion shows to be there.

Tadashi Shoji

saw one of my favorite models ever : Bruna Tenorio! AHHH.

Dennis Basso

saw her AGAIN! Ahhhh!

Anna Wintour and Andre Leon Talley were at this show!

Empire State of Mind

Jay-Z - "Empire State Of Mind" ft. Alicia Keys

Jay-Z | MySpace Video

Brings back memories! We're coming back New York!

New York part 1

NEW YORK, I LOVE YOU.



New York City! (in country accent) lol. So we just got back from New York and had an AMAZING experience, one I will never forget. New York is a beautiful city with beautiful people, if you've been there you know what I'm talking about. I've been telling everyone "You need to go, like now!" lol. I can say after being there one day I knew this is where I should've been living my whole life. The fast pace, the honks from cab drivers, the street vendors, the musicians in the parks, I loved it all. People are definitely more carefree and willing to take chances in what they wear, it inspired me to take more risks with my own style. What also inspired me more so now then ever is to continue towards my dream, whether it means living in New York, Houston, or San Diego, that I can be successful no matter where I'm living. But New York does have this energy that over takes you and you never want to leave. I'm planning right now on how to get back : )
- Jasmine


Empire State of Mind:

I visited New York City for the first time in 2000, and I got to do all the 'fun' touristy stuff like go inside the Statue of Liberty and I even saw the back of Aaliyah in Times Square at the MTV Studios, but nothing compares to turning 23 in the middle of Times Square having a couple of close friends and family AND some Russian/Czech tourists sing 'Happy Birthday' to me. Not to mention that it was the start of NY Fashion Week and on September 10th (my birthday), the first annual Fashion's Night Out. Even though we weren't able to volunteer or attend any shows (due to scheduling conflicts- haha), just being in the city was an experience that I will never forget.

Sometimes the fashion world can seem inaccessible and closed off and fake, and being in NYC and seeing the tastemakers and models and editors in person let me know that this is something that is living and breathing and it is something I could totally make my career in. NYC just reinvogorated my love for fashion and started my obsession with NYC! I've already saved up money to go back in February!
-Vanessa

Best Moment on the Trip: JASON WU!!!!!!!!!!

Credit: Deanna Mendoza/ SevenThirteen Photography

American designer Jason Wu! (aka the man that designed Michelle Obama's white inauguration gown!) Jasmine spotted him and was like "he's someone -- he's a designer" and then when we finally crossed paths, I said "Mr. Wu?" and then he turned, and I was like "CAN WE GET A PICTURE WITH YOU?!!" He was nice even though he was in a rush! Thanks Mr. Wu!

Meeting Jason Wu was pretty amazing and kind of surreal. While we were in New York, we met Jason Wu, Lupe Fiasco, and Vanessa met the entire cast of In The Heights after their show and that was just in a week! Imagine if we lived there!

Fashion's Night Out!

It's been a while since we've posted... work is taking over! I'm not sure if we've mentioned it, but Jasmine and I (and a couple of other friends and family) are heading to NEW YORK CITY in celebration of my 23rd birthday (among other things...) and the first week of debut collections of Spring 2010... otherwise known as NEW YORK FASHION WEEK.

To get people excited about shopping, and get them to spend those hard earned $$$, the fashion industry is hosting Fashion's Night Out, a celebration of shopping. On September 10th, (my birthday!) shops and boutiques and department stores are going to be open late, serving up champagne and edibles and offering discounts and other cool things (cha cha lessons in front of Kate Spade's pop up boutique). Tons of celebs, designers, models, and EVERYONE is going to be out in the streets of New York City. The Olsens are bartending at Barney's (Hello, BIRTHDAY SHOT WITH THE OLSENS!) and Anna Wintour is going to be making an appearance at Macy's in Queens!

Here's the PSA that got me even MORE excited about Fashion's Night Out and our upcoming trip to NYC!

Urbane Style Icon

I haven't seen too much of The City--- in fact, I don't think I've ever seen an episode; just a few clips, but I've heard a lot about the friend/foe of the star Whitney Port's 'character' and her amazing style.

She keeps accessories to a minimum, but when she puts them on, she makes a STATEMENT. They are almost always intricate pieces that lend a air of glamour to her outfits.

What I noticed about Olivia, who is a 'socialite' in New York City, is that her style epitomizes New York chic. Which to me, is an effortless look with an overall classic sense. But she mixes fabrics and prints with great statement jewelry and she always looks REALLY pretty (at least to me!).

Even though The City season 1 has ended, I am definitely going to tune in for Season 2 to see what Olivia wears on and off the camera.

Here are a couple of examples of her style. She gravitates towards classic lines, mixed with interesting cuts which join forces for a fresh and effortless look. That's why she's an Urbane Style Icon.