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

ANTONIO LOPEZ - Book Signing and Exhibit

reporter: Miguel Dominguez

On September 13th, Roger Padilha and Mauricio Padilha had a book signing of their latest book Antonio Fashion, Art, Sex & Disco at the Bernarducci. Meisel. Gallery, which was exhibiting Antonio's Illustrations as well. It was the first complete monograph on Antonio Lopez, the influential Warholian fashion illustrator of the 1960s, 70s, and 80s.

Best known for dazzling illustrations in Women’s Wear Daily, Vogue, the New York Times, Interview, and also for high fashion labels, Antonio Lopez (1943–1987) was a force majeur in the fashion world for three decades. In the ‘60s, Lopez’s vibrant illustrations helped usher youth culture into the pages of magazines, setting a new, free-flowing, sexually liberated standard for fashion imagery. Living in Paris during the 70s with his creative partner Juan Ramos, Lopez launched the modeling careers of Jerry Hall, Grace Jones, and Jessica Lange among others, worked with design royalty like Karl Lagerfeld and Yves Saint Laurent, and cultivated a soigné nightlife persona in the blistering-hot underground clubs of Paris. Returning to New York City in 1976, Antonio documented the sexy influence of athletic-wear, puffy, down coats, and break-dancing style, inspiring such designers as Norma Kamali and Anna Sui.

Roger and Mauricio Padilha, Authors of the much ballyhooed, and much coveted book

Designers Collective - Spring 2013: NICCI HOU (NICOLE HOUSTON)

reporter: Miguel Dominguez

Nicole Houston was born into a family of master seamstresses and designers. Maturing in a family of creative minds, it was only natural for Nicole to gravitate towards fashion. As a military child, she spent most of her life traveling and observing unique cultures of the world. From the age of 7, her common child’s play included sketching designs, creating doll clothes, and styling clothes. As a teenager, she studied patterns and refined her style techniques by creating original designs for clients and local dance teams. With her love for all things fashion, she went on to graduate, in 2009, from Alabama A&M University with a degree in Apparel Merchandising and Design. Two years prior to graduating, she launched her own line, Nicci Hou Collection.Her designs are creative, edgy, glamorous, sophisticated, unique, classy, and made for the elite woman. Nicci Hou not only is a couture line of clothing geared towards high fashion editorial photography, but also allows her to showcase her interpretation of Fashion Art. The Nicci Hou Collection reflects her continual inspiration from art, fashion editorials, and her deeply rooted passion for self-expression.

To see the more recent article of her Fall/Winter 2013 collection, click here.

Nicole with friend Rebecca Wright

Designers Collective - Spring 2013: BENITO ANTONIO

reporter: Miguel Dominguez

The Designers Collective had a four men show (actually one man, three women) at the Hellen Mills Event Space around the corner from the Fashion Institute of Technology on September 9th.

The Designers Collective Four: L Nicole Houston, Kristalos, Benito Antonio and Lucrecia A. de Blasser

Couture Fashion Week "Jewel of India": PARNA GHOSE

reporter: Miguel Dominguez

Fashion designer Parna Ghose presented the latest collection under her “Pure Elegance” label as part of the “Jewel of India” collective fashion show at the Couture Fashion Week in New York City, taking place on September 16th, in the Grand Ballroom of the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel.

Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2013: STACI SHERRI

reporter: Miguel Dominguez

Staci Sherri

DREAM CATCHER was the name of the collection Staci showed for Spring/Summer 2013 at the Hellen Mills Event Space on September 8th.

It all had to do with Staci’s goal in outfitting women in her brand is to enhance outer beauty while fostering inner beauty. She believes that every woman should love, cherish and celebrate exactly who she is and how she impacts the earth. From childhood, Staci has taken great pride in living by her manta, “When I grow up, I want to be just like me.”

Couture Fashion Week "Jewel of India": MADHU MUNYAL

reporter: Miguel Dominguez

New York-based fashion designer Madhu Munyal  presented her latest collection at the Couture Fashion Week in New York, as part of the “Jewel of India” collective. The fashion show was held on September 16, 2012 in the Grand Ballroom of the Waldorf-Astoria.

Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2013: KATYA LEONOVICH

reporter: Miguel Dominguez

Past winner of the Mittelmodal Prize, the Smirnoff International Competition, the Nadejda Lamanova Prize of the Russian Federation and Supima’s inaugural Competition for Emerging Designers, Katya Leonovich developed her techniques in couture design while in Paris, Rome and her hometown of Moscow.

Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2013: TUAN TRAN

reporter: Miguel Dominguez

While covering the Angel Sanchez event at the Lincoln Center tents, I came across Tuan Tran and his lovely models who were wearing three samples of his custom hand woven (no cutting or sawing involved) wearable Art.

Needless to say, they were the sight to see and photograph all over the Lincoln Center grounds.

Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2013: ANGEL SANCHEZ

reporter: Miguel Dominguez

Angel has plenty of reasons for such a broad smile, as the reader will ascertain from the images below

Angel Sanchez developed an appreciation for fashion at a young age surrounded by dress forms and fabrics in his mother’s Venezuelan atelier. His first love was architecture, which he studied and practiced professionally for many years, but he soon found himself drawn to back to his mother’s work. Armed with the knowledge of form and structure from his architectural work, Sanchez founded his fashion house and quickly rose to fame throughout Latin America, and expanded internationally when the company headquartered in New York City.

Today, Angel is renowned worldwide for eveningwear designs as well as an acclaimed bridal line and is a proud member of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA).

Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2013: ERIN BARR

reporter: Miguel Dominguez

Erin Barr, a Wisconsin native, began her career in fashion as a hair and make-up artist. After graduating from the Aveda Institute in Minneapolis, Barr was offered a job in New York where she remained for three years. Although working at top salons, garnering a celebrity clientele, and working on editorial shoots, Barr yearned to design a more complete vision. She moved to London to study fashion design at Central Saint Martin’s college of Art and Design. After a year, Barr returned to the States to complete her studies at Parson’s School of Design, which she followed up with an internship at Alexander Wang and a job as a design assistant at Cushnie Et Ochs before establishing her own label.

To see the recent article on Erin's Fall/ 2013 collection, click here

ABINGDON THEATRE 20th Season Kick-Off Party

reporter: Miguel Dominguez

Jan Buttram, Artistic Director at the Abingdon Theatre Company

Abingdon Theatre Company—which has produced 77 new American plays in its 20-year history, kicked off its 2012-2013 Season with a wonderful party that felt to all partiers attending like a gathering of old, intimate friends, since according to ATC, "It's our 20th Season and we want to celebrate with all the Artists that we know and love".

MYRIAM PHIRO Sings French Songs

reporter: Miguel Dominguez

On August 25th, I had the very gratifying experience of hearing Myriam Phiro sing mostly traditional French songs at the very intimate La Carafe Wine Bar & Restaurant, with accompanist Benjamin Ickies     playing the accordion. It was a definite treat.

PIN UPS Hair Accessories Trunk Sale

reporter: Miguel Dominguez

Jeweler David Von Kittleberger is assisted by his Director of Sales Yayoi Yamada
in placing a Middle East inspired chain tiara on Barbara Crentsil

On September 22nd, Henri Bendel was the place where for three days New York accessories designers, David Von Kittleberger and Anthony Maxwell teamed up once again to present their Fall “Pin Ups” collection and trunk sale.

Characterized by a host of elegant shapes and colors inspired by the pin up girls of the ’40s and ‘50s, and combining old school glamour with modern day sex appeal, “Pin Ups” is the must-have accessory for fashion-forward women.

Diamonds may be a girl's best friends, but Adam Werner prefers Pin Ups rhinestones for Nightlife partying

Grammy Nominee SETH GLIER Performs

reporter: Miguel Dominguez

Seth Glier, Musician Extraordinaire!

Grammy® nominee, singer/songwriter Seth Glier returned to his favorite NYC stage, Rockwood Music Hall (Stage 2) on August 16th, his first time back in the hall since last February, to preview music from his upcoming 3rd release, due out in early 2013.

Master Guitarist Ryan Hommel accompanied Seth

MANHATTAN DREAM: KILAME Shoes Show & Sale

reporter: Miguel Dominguez

Pamela Quinzi, the artistic genius,
creator of Kilame Shoes

On August 15th at XVI Lounge, Designer Pamela Quinzi and Giuseppe Conte presented a fashion show celebrating Pamela's 3 years of establishing her company in New York, and her fashion collection KILAME. The event was hosted by Italian Magazine A.R.T. Artistic Resource of Tomorrow

"Eight Weeks to Everlasting - How to Get (and Keep) the Guy You Want" Book Signing

reporter: Miguel Dominguez

Amy Laurent with her newly published Bible
for single ladies on the warpath

Relationship Expert and Professional matchmaker for over 7 years and Founder of the Amy Laurent Matchmaking Service, Amy is consistently ranked as one of the top experts in her field. So it was that on August 6th at the very popular (jam-packed) Singles watering hole The Hill, she was at hand to sign her new book Eight Weeks to Everlasting - How to Get (and Keep) the Guy You Want (St Martin's Press/Griffin 2012)

Definitely a Singles crowd!

Happy Hour at the LIMELIGHT STORES

reporter: Miguel Dominguez

Refreshments courtesy of ModaListas

On August 10th, the boutiques at the Limelight Stores unveiled "Happy Hour" from 6-9 PM, a promo  idea with refreshment bars at every floor. They are planning to continue the practice on a regular basis.

It was the perfect opportunity for me to peruse at leisure their very colorful wears, definitely gear to the young adult, trendy crowd.

Fashionable accessories for the mobile networking crowd

OVER 40 FEMALES: Fashion & Beauty Extravaganza

reporter: Miguel Dominguez

Beth Rembold Mercante and Judy Goss, founder of Over 40 Females

On July 26th, the networking group Over 40 Females™ had a Beauty & Fashion meet at Boutique on 57.

Over 40 Females was founded in 2010 by Judy Goss, a former More Magazine Editor and also National TV Spokesperson for More. It was created to allow women to have a platform to be heard, to network and encourage, with the motto "Connect, Encourage and Inspire" for women everywhere. Since the Fall of 2011, eight chapters have been established, and the movement is spreading rapidly nationwide.

Not just another networking group, Over 40 Females has gotten their members press awareness, jobs, a $25,000 scholarship, business connections, nationwide speaking opportunities, education, friendships, confidence, luxurious pampering and much more.

Since Spring of 2012, Over 40 Females has been seen on: NBC, CBS, News 12, Huffington Post, Westport Magazine, Bella Magazine (coming out July 2012) and numerous newspapers and blogs.

Kasia Bosne, founder at Boutique on 57, socializes by the refreshments station

INSIDER ART: Christie's 13th Annual Staff Exhibition

reporter: Miguel Dominguez

CHRISTIE’S PRESENTS INSIDER ART: THE ARTISTS BEHIND THE WORLD’S LEADING ART BUSINESS

Christie’s 13th annual exhibition of Insider Art took place on July 31st at their Rockefeller Plaza headquarters. Since 2000, Christie’s NY has celebrated the summer with this astounding group show, offering the public a wonderful opportunity to view the seriously gifted talent often concealed in the background within the world’s leading art business. Gifted artists can be found within many departments throughout Christie's, including Marketing, IT, Client Service, Christie’s International Real Estate, and the art handlers

Insider Art will offer collectors at all levels a chance to purchase stunning works of art at approachable prices. Visit Christie’s at 20 Rockefeller Plaza from July 31 – August 21 for the unique opportunity to connect with emerging artists before their work becomes the next record-breaking sale.

LIPSTICK LEGENDS by Angela Bowie Book Signing

reporter: Miguel Dominguez

Angie shows off her new book

June 8th was a Champagne Night celebration, when Angela Bowie showed up at Lair Lounge & Restaurant for the signing of her latest book Lipstick Legends, which is about the trend setters who redefined sexual mores in the 1970s. From London, to Japan, Los Angeles, New York, and Switzerland, Bowie talks of her own personal experiences and along the way she passes on the thoughts and ideas of some of the most compelling voices of the decade.

Angela Bowie has been writing articles in British Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar, and on the internet magazine Frock. She is the author of three previously published books: Two autobiographies, Free Spirit (1981, which includes some of her poetry) as well as the bestseller, Backstage Passes: Life On the Wild Side with David Bowie, published in 1993 and updated in 2000. It detailed her alleged drug-fueled and openly bisexual lifestyle with her former husband and many other well-known musicians. She also wrote The Pocket Guide to Bisexuality.

The movie Velvet Goldmine was loosely based on her life with David Bowie. She was fictionalized as a character named "Mandy", portrayed by Toni Collette.

Also on display were copies of her CD Moon Goddess

4950 DRAWINGS & PRINTS: A Group Exhibition

reporter: Miguel Dominguez

Pianist and Conductor Reed Woodhouse with Guy Kettelhack holding violin

On May 11th, New World Stages Gallery presented an exhibition of 55 original drawings and digital prints. Curator Bernard Stote, a New York based artist and arts manager for New World Stages, managed the three-person show consising of artists Jonathan Glass, Guy Kettelhack, and Eric Rosner who were exhibiting in the first annual drawing and print exhibition at the gallery.” On exhibit were drawings and prints responding to poetry, jazz and classical music.”