Couture Fashion Week: SAI SUMAN

reporter: Miguel Dominguez

Indian born Sai Suman showed her Summer 2013 collection as part of Couture Fashion Week on September 15th at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel. Hers was THE spectacle of the evening!

Couture Fashion Week: ISABEL ZAPARDIEZ

reporter: Miguel Dominguez

On February 17, Spanish designer Isabel Zapardiez, as part of Couture Fashion Week, presented at the Grand Ballroom of the Waldorf Astoria Hotel her latest Bridal collection for the Spring 2013 season.

frontrow: SHATERIA MORAGNE-EL Fashion Show

reporter: Miguel Dominguez

Shateria Moragne-el

Most known for her consulting work for some of today's top fashion magazines Shateria Moragne-el debuted frontrow, her first fashion collection on September 11th at the Metropolitan Pavilion, with an opening performance from Platinum recording artist JoJo and musical set by Nicole of Nina Sky. Celebrity styling guru, Misa Hylton served as creative director for the exclusive presentation.

JoJo performs

RE:MIX LAB Fueled by Hyundai

reporter: Miguel Dominguez

To launch the newest incarnation of the RE:MIX LAB event series, Hyundai revealed on September 27th at the Chelsea Market three custom built vehicles representing the ultimate in style, design, performance and innovation. Each car has its own personality and features top of the line modifications, socially connected technology and the most current gear available. Showcasing personalization on a higher level, these one-of-a-kind builds are the epitome of future forecasting and the masterpieces of the event’s “Exhibits in Collaboration” installation.

SORRY I MISSED YOUR SHOW! Dance Discussions

reporter: Miguel Dominguez

 Panelist Heléne Alexopoulos, William Forsythe,  Peter Frame and Jeffrey Edwards with Celia Ipiotis in center

On October 27th at the Gibney Dance Center, I had the great joy of attending Sorry I Missed Your Show!, a very informative series presentation of a past show of EYE ON DANCE, and discussion by former members of the New York City Ballet Company and moderated by Celia Ipiotis, the creator, producer, and moderator of the nationally recognized culture series EYE ON DANCE & The Arts and EYE ON THE ARTS.

Gibney Dance and Dance/NYC have jointly developed Sorry I Missed Your Show! as a "second chance" to view works by both emerging and established choreographers, as well as a forum for artists and their audiences to revisit them from fresh perspectives.

Video screenings will be followed by thoughtful discussions and reconsiderations led by some of the great minds of the contemporary dance world.

CELA NY debut benefits New York Organ Donor Network

reporter: Miguel Dominguez

Owner and designer Kelly Mayo with her new line

On September 6th at Sea Thai’s Moon Room in the HiLine District, Cela New York debuted their newest collection during Fashion’s Night Out 

With champagne and complimentary mini massages provided by Exhale Mind & Body Spa, guests enjoyed music by DJ Spyfno of Hot 97 and BET; and were able to pre-order a Cela New York bag with a portion of the proceeds being donated to the New York Organ Donor Network. Guests also had the opportunity to register as an organ donor.

All Cela New York products are produced in New York City. Ms. Mayo is adamant about advocating the preservation of the Garment District in Manhattan. Cela uses the highest quality of leather and handbag hardware materials that she took great care in sourcing in the United States. Ms. Mayo takes great pride in Cela New York being entirely manufactured in New York City and in ensuring all materials are produced within the USA.

Fashion Night Out: YELENA NY

reporter: Miguel Dominguez

Yelena Feuerman, Founder and CEO of Yelena New York, which purveys her luxurious footwear, and also represents jewelry designs in her "By appointment Only" private showroom located at the Carlyle Hotel

Couture Fashion Week "Jewel of India": RITU BOORGU

reporter: Miguel Dominguez

ON September 16th at the Wardolf Astoria Hotel, Ritu Boorgu, owner of Charisma Boutique,  presented her latest creations for the Spring season as part of the group event "Jewel of India" arranged by Couture Fashion Week.

ANTONIO LOPEZ by Mauricio and Roger Padilha 2nd Book Signing

reporter: Miguel Dominguez

On October 18th, at Bookmarc Books in the West Village, Roger and Mauricio Padilha had the second New York signing event of their latest book Antonio Lopez: Fashion, Art, Sex, and Disco, published by Rizzoli Books. Bookmarc Books, a small place by bookstore standards, made it all the more fun being there. It was tight, and it was ebullient.

To read about the first book signing, which I previously published in this blog, please click here.

Book Authors Roger and Mauricio Padilha, Co-founders of MAO PR

HORSES by Jill Greenberg - Book Launch

reporter: Miguel Dominguez

On October 19, a day after her book launch at ClampArt, the New York gallery that represents her, Jill Greenberg had a second one at the Milk Gallery.

Jill Greenberg earned her BFA from the Rhode Island School of Design in 1989. She is represented by ClampArt in New York and Katherine Cone Gallery in Los Angeles. She has exhibited her work internationally at museums and galleries in Rome, Amsterdam, New York, Los Angeles, Paris, and Montreal, and at venues such as the TED conference and Art Basel Miami Beach.

PIECE OF CAKE for the Holidays

reporter: Miguel Dominguez

On September 19 at Rizzoli Books, David Lesniak and David Muñiz, co authors of Piece of Cake: Home Baking Made Simple and owners of Outsider Tart, the first American bakery in London, had their book signing event, just in time to give holiday inspiration by presenting over 100 home-baked American classics in this compendium of dessert recipes.

Freshly home made Brownies and Carrot Cake, brought to Rizzoli for the book buyers to enjoy

Couture Fashion Week "Jewel of India": SHEKHAR RAHATE

reporter: Miguel Dominguez

This Fashion presentation occurred on September 16th as part of the "Jewel of India" runway shows by Couture Fashion Week at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel

Couture Fashion Week: CARLOS VIGIL

reporter: Miguel Dominguez

Peruvian Designer Carlos Vigil specializes in custom-made Haute Couture evening wear and bridal apparel.

On September 16th, his presentation at the Couture Fashion Week event that took place at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, was the undisputed highlight of the evening.

Carlos Vigil

Couture Fashion Week: ROBERT FLORES

reporter: Miguel Dominguez

Robert Flores escorted by his models

Winner of  the “Best Menswear Designer” at Miami Fashion Week in 2008, Dominican designer Robert Flores presented a mostly formal line up for Spring 2013 on September 15th, at the Couture Fashion Week event that took place at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel ballroom.

John Rosselli Antiques hosts THE GREAT AMERICAN HOUSE Book Signing

reporter: Miguel Dominguez

On October 9th there couldn't have been a more fitting place to have the book signing of The Great American House: Tradition for the Way We Live Now, written by Gil Schafer III with foreword by Bunny Williams, than at John Rosselli Antiques, that treasure house of understated and ever so elegant house appointments in the most rigorous Western Tradition, which includes a great deal of Orientalia by the way. Blame it on the English influence.

AVENUE Shows: Antiques, Art and Design at the Armory

reporter: Miguel Dominguez

The AVENUE Shows that took place on September 20, is a whetting prelude to the much admired Winter Show at the Armory. It is also the most imposing exhibit of art and luxury items outside of the Metropolitan Museum.

This article is a perfect case of words being not just superfluous, but detrimental in describing the feast for the eyes this event was.

Enjoy!

Couture Fashion Week: DIANI MOTA

reporter: Miguel Dominguez

Designer Diani Mota

Diani Mota Designs were shown as part of the Spring Collections for Couture Fashion Week at the Waldorf-Astoria ballroom on September 15th.

JEROME LUCANI Photo Exhibit

reporter: Miguel Dominguez

On September 17th at Brasserie Beaumarchais, one of the most unassuming but elegant, and nicest restaurants in the HiLine District, Photographer/Artist Jerome Lucani had a wonderful exhibit of his mosaic like photos, with the single exception of a female nude done in relief.

Couture Fashion Week "Jewel of India": CITRA GALA

reporter: Miguel Dominguez

Fashion designer Citra Gala presented the latest collection under her Citrolina label at the Couture Fashion Week this September. Part of the “Jewel of India” collective fashion show, the event took place at  the legendary Grand Ballroom of the Waldorf-Astoria.

Couture Fashion Week "Jewel of India": SUMBUL RIZVI

reporter: Miguel Dominguez

Designer Sumbul Rizvi on the right

A native of Pakistan who grew up in Muscat and Dubai, Ms. Rizvi now lives in New Jersey. She is the recipient of numerous fashion awards. Her recent career highlights in the USA include showing her designs at the Emmanuel Cancer Foundation Fashion Show, showing at Plitzs during NY Fashion Week and participating in the “Runway Princess” fashion show in NY where the winning model was crowned wearing a Sumbul creation. Internationally Ms. Rizvi has presented her work in Asia, including at an event at Karachi’s Pearl Continental Hotel where she was was awarded first prize.

Laurent Dauptain Art Exhibit

reporter: Miguel Dominguez

Laurent Dauptain in front of himself

A hallmark of the best sociocultural circles, is the exquisite graciousness expressed by the people in them. I was the recipient of such a gesture when on October 6th, while making my way home from covering a book signing event in SoHo, I happened to pass by Axelle Fine Arts Galerie in West Broadway and noticed a very lively party going on inside, and also a greeter at the door. Asking if it was an RSVP affair, and being told that yes, it was a "By invitation only" Art opening, I identified myself as a blogger and asked if I could cover the event. The response was as positive as it was instantaneous. It became the best time I spent that evening.

Fashion Night Out - Fall 2012: EFVA ATTLING

reporter: Miguel Dominguez

 Efva in double vision

Fashion Night Out for me ended at the High Line Park District, where the neighborhood was teeming with the kind of crowd one would expect on Halloween in the West Village. I made it a point to finish the evening at Efva Attling's jewelry store, having been tipped by Rizzoli Books that the newly published Antonio book was being presented there.

Downstairs was as crowded as it could be, so I made my way to the second story, just in time to see the space getting filled with Efva's close friends for a more relaxed time socializing.

COUGAR The Musical

reporter: Miguel Dominguez

Babbs Winn who played the part of Mary-Marie with the sassiness only expected from Southern ladies

On September 14th, I had the great pleasure of attending the performance of COUGAR The Musical. Except for the scenery, which was practically non existent, the production values were so strong, in acting, singing, script, and music and lyrics, I had to ask both Actress Babbs Winn and Playwright Donna Moore, what are you guys doing Off Broadway? Their answer was "We just opened, our play has been out for less than month."

Rather than tack on another gushing and well deserved review to their list of success, I've decided to post into the article the opinions of Theater experts.

NY1 Theater Review

“Like a woman who tries to have it all, Cougar The Musical has a lot going on. The 90-minute off-Broadway tuner is funny, raucous, sweetly sentimental and romantic. And women, mostly women of a certain age, are likely to fall under its life-affirming spell.” Click here to read more.

Three Singles Seeking Partners for Duets
New York Times
“It is filled with original melodies… The script reflects considerable imagination… Click here to read more.

Predators prowl in Cougar the Musical
Associated Press
“This understated production proves surprisingly charming with elegant flow from start to finish under the sure-handed direction of Lynne Taylor-Corbett (a Tony Award nominee in 2000 for direction and choreography in Swing!).” Click here to read more.

Fashion Night Out - Fall 2012: VERSANI

reporter: Miguel Dominguez

Designer and Versani CEO Ara, was born in Liberia, Africa, where the beauty of the world struck him at an early age. Upon arrival in the United States in 1985, Ara turned to his artistic renderings and sought an outlet for his creative vision. Working from his loft in Soho, Ara began exhibiting his jewelry designs in 1992 at industry trade shows. Quickly finding enthusiastic buyers, Ara invested himself fully into building this business, eventually leading to the opening of his first NYC retail store on the edge of SOHO on Bleecker Street. Ara has now successfully opened the Versani Flagship Boutique in the heart of SOHO on Mercer Street, in addition to opening two more retail stores across the country - Mulberry Street in Nolita, NYC, and in Miami's South Beach.

Ara displays some of his creations on his wrist.
All designs at his store are by him