FashionXTech New York Fashion Week After Parties with Project Runway Designer

Meeting with fashion designer Anthony Ryan Auld, Grand Prize Winner of Project Runway

New York Fashion Week 2015
One of the most fun things about Mercedes Benz Fashion Week are the after parties where models, designers and journalists get to mix and mingle in a more relaxed atmosphere. So there is more to a fashion show than what you see presented on the runway.

I was invited to FashionXTech's VIP Cocktail Party at the Tender Lounge on 47th. They picked us up after the shows at Lincoln Center Plaza with The RIDE, a crazy cool tour bus with stadium seats! Traveling from Lincoln Center along 9th Avenue, we went to pick up our host designer, Anthony Ryan Auld before going to the party.

Anthony boarding The RIDE in route to the after party.

So the celebration officially got started on thetour bus as we were entertained by our host Katlean DeMonchy of CNN and fashion designer Anthony Ryan Auld, Grand Prize Winner of the hit television series, Project Runway. Anthony shared his unique style tips and said: "It's all in how you put it together" meaning you can combine pieces from various fashion outlets to put together an amazing outfit. This was the first ever New York Fashion Week Mobile Lounge and it was a fantastic way to make use of our time while in route to shows and events. The RIDE has a killer sound system, pulsating multi-colored lights, 24 plasma screens with floor to ceiling windows to take in all the street action as well.

Anthony gives some useful insider secrets and fashion advice.

Once we arrived at the Tender Lounge on 47th street (between 6th & 7th Avenues), we were all warmed up for the cocktail party. There were floating hot horderves, asparagus risotto, mineral water and flavored vodkas. I had a chance to talk with Katlean and Anthony one on one as well as other journalists, photographers and VIP attendees.

New York Fashion Week Party People

Busy bartenders at the VIP Cocktail Party

Lovely runway models Ammalie Overbeck (L) and Bo 'T Jong (R) 

Jennifer Suh, VP of Snowman NYC

Active big screen showing our real-time Tweets from NY Fashion Week.

We also got to see some pretty tricked out Brother sewing machines. Brother is the official sewing machine for Project Runway and the embroidering work these new machines can do is simply amazing. 

We all received really sweet Goodie Bags with lifestyle items such as:  Coco-Mat Sachet and Slippers,Insomnia Cookies, Chic Buds, BigT NYC,  BARE New York, GirlyGoGarter, p.i.a. pouch and electronic accessories like the pink portable Razor Plus phone charger by MyCharge.

Special thanks to FashionXTech and The RIDE NYC for providing transportation to and from the shows and hosting us at the Tender Lounge after party. Thank you also to all the sponsors who contributed to the Swag Bag for this event.

Winter Sparkle Evening and Everyday Makeup Trends for the New Year

Shimmer and sparkle are ON for evening. Neutral naked palettes for daytime.

Whether you are planning on ringing in the New Year with a bit of glitz or are looking for a neutral, almost naked eye palette for everyday, here's what's trending for 2015. Bold, rich colors for lips and eyes in neutral tones of beige, brown and pink. Most professional makeup artists start with the eyes so let's talk about what's hot right now.

Eyes: Going Naked? No, Try Lorac's Unzipped
I had a chance to see Urban Decay's new Naked3 Pallet this past fall. I saw it at Ulta and the sales woman kept going on about it. Really, it didn't look THAT much different from the first two releases, although the Naked3 had more of a pink, flesh tone to them. 

I looked up a dupe for their palette and Lorac's Unzipped Eye Shadow Palette came up. Lorac is makeup artist quality pigment and often seen on the runway and red carpet. Like the Urban Decay set, the Lorac Unzipped comes with an eyelid primer and has 10 ultra-rich shimmering and matte shadows. The mirrored case has a magnetic closure and this nude eye shadow palette is one you will reach for day after day. By LoracCosmetics.com

Pacifica Natural Minerals Stellar Eye Trio and Lorac Unzipped Eye Shadow Palette

Pacifica Natural Minerals Stellar Eye Trio
Going natural is on trend for 2015 and so this Stellar Eye Trio is 100% Vegan and made from natural minerals. I especially like the Natural Color Eye Pencil which goes on very smoothly in a rich matte black. Likewise the little Natural Eye Shadow Duo is ready to travel with two colors: Unicorn and Moonbeam. Has an almost creamy feel and goes on with a lit from within glow without too much shimmer. By PacificaBeauty.com and available at Whole Foods Markets nationwide.

Another favorite of mine is ELF's Black Shimmer Eye Pencil which comes with its own sharpener. Rather than flat black pencil line, the ELF Eye Pencil looks almost moist on due to the shimmer. You also might want to try Esum Brushes, namely their G27 Brush. So soft, they are amazing for blending pigments. See them at MuseBeauty.Pro

Sparkle and Shimmer for Lips and Nails

Lip Service
Just for evening, a neutral or even smokey eye gives you license to add a bit of glitter to your mouth and nails. I just wouldn't do both in shimmer as it may be too much. 
Glitz Fix by Ciate - London
This is really theatrical but the two part kit consists of primer and top glitter. Comes with a mini fan brush for blending the glitter out from the center of your lips for an ombre look. Definitely rock this look for New Year's Eve! See it at CiateLondon.com

The glitz and glitter squad.

Mineral Fusion Sheer Moisture Lip Tints
Rich in natural oils and botanicals like jojoba and aloe, these lips tints are VERY comfortable to wear and look amazing on. 100% vegetarian, paraben free and artificial color free. Made in the USA. Visit them online at MineralFusion.com

Mineral Fusion Mini Nail Polish Kit
This 100% Vegan Chip Resistant Formula is formaldehyde, toluene, camphor and dbp free. The smaller sized pots travel well. They go on very smoothly and dry quickly. This kit consists of:

Galaxy (dark blue glitter)
Royal Rubble (dark purple glitter)
Berried Gem (cranberry glitter)

Another new favorite of mine is from PINK (Victoria's Secret). Nail Paint. Shown here below in sparkly gold, I got it along with the PINK Nation Racer Back Bra that was in this year's Victoria's Secret Fashion Show. The PINK Nail Paints are VERY luxe and have a long lasting high wattage glitter. Use them to accent a manicure as they cover extremely well.

PINK Nail Paint in Gold

Victoria's Secret PINK Accessories, Mine
Cosmetics c/o the companies so listed herewith

Travel Smarts: Chilly Jilly Wrap & Lounge Pants

In the limo to NYC: Chilly Jilly Wrappers make my stay feel more like home!

Summer is here! This means more trips to events, a weekend get-away, a cruise or a trip abroad. Where ever I go, I bring my Chilly Jilly Wrapper Blanket in a Bag and Lounge Pants. Why? Well for one thing, they are very easy to pack in my 24 hr bag because each piece comes in its own matching silky duffel.

Made in the USA Chilly Jilly Wrapper Blankets come in brown as shown here, black and slate. It measures: 37″x 60″ with its own Bag: 5 1/2″ X 9″. Stretchy and soft with a scalloped edge, they are perfect for the car, plane or train without taking up too much space in your bag. Once you arrive at your destination, throw it over yourself at the hotel if the air conditioning is a little high. Later toss it over your shoulders as a chic evening wrap for dinner. Wraps like these were very important in Elizabethan times as cultured society women always covered their arms. This still holds true today. When I was invited to meet HRH's Prince Alexander II and his wife HRH Princess Katherine in NYC a few weeks ago, I wore such a shawl to cover my arms as part of court etiquette. See the full article with photos HERE.

HRH Crown Princess Katherine and I in NYC

So wraps or shawls can fill an important roll in helping to keep you comfortable while traveling and also once you arrive at your destination. Chilly Jilly just made this easier by allowing you to stow one away in your purse!

If you are heading for the mountains or the shore, keep in mind the temperatures there can be much cooler than what your encounter inland. When we stayed at Crystal Springs Resort in northern NJ, there was a cool breeze coming across our patio from the Cascades. I brought my Chilly Jilly Wrapper Blanket and Lounge Pants along as each is brushed on both side thus so soft and silky. The Lounge Pants are very stylish and can be used: in the bedroom, at the pool, in the spa, entertaining guests, etc. They really look great and have a flattering wide waistband. I pair them with my Luxe Me Now Bronze Lurex Slippers and I'm in my home comfort zone.

Now I'm unpacked!

So no matter if your are staying at The Peninsula on 5th Avenue or at a mountain retreat, Chilly Jilly has got you covered! Want to see more? visit ChillyJilly.com online for their full selection.

Chilly Jilly Lounge Pants also come in a Silky Bag

Wrapper and Lounge Pants c/o Chilly Jilly

In Royal Fashion-Roksanda Ilincic & Vogue Italy's Rushka Bergman Do NYC Benefit Show

Vogue Fashion Editor Rushka Bergman and Designer Roksanda Ilincic team up for Serbian Flood Victims.

NYC, NY A wonderful charity dinner and fashion show was held on June 5th at the Liederkranz Foundation on 5th Ave. to help victims of the recent flooding in Serbia. The Lifeline New York Organization, whose Patron is HRH Crown Princess Katherine, hosted this event which included a press conference with both Her Royal Highness and HRH Crown Prince Alexander II.

Both HRH's gave insightful press conferences at the event.

Meeting the Press
We had a chance to interview the royal couple and see the whole community come together to lend their talents in support of HRH's charities which has a special affinity for Serbia's children. In fact HRH Princess Katherine created 7 charities in 10 days to answer the needs of her people in the areas of parental care, children with diabilities and improving the quality of healthcare. This charity dinner and fashion show raised nearly $40K which will help bring relief to citizens caught in, "Some of the worst flooding in over 100 years" according to Prince Alexander.

Worst flooding in over 100 years has hit Serbia, Bosnia and Croatia.

  
Charity Dinner & Music
After the press conference we retired for elegant dining and classical music performed by Soloist Jadranka Jovanovic who sang delightful arias from Bizet's Carmen. One the most active Serbian classical musicians, Professor Nikola Rackov accompanying her on grand piano.
We also saw a brief film showing the hardest hit of the Serbian flood zones. It was heart breaking yet encouraging to know that so many people want to help and are stepping forward. 

Fashion designer Roksanda Ilincic (standing) HRH Prince Alexander and Vogue Editor, Rushka Bergman at dinner.

The Fashion Show included lovely pieces from designer Roksanda Ilincic, a Serbian native who lent her support and incredible artistry to this charity event. Born in Belgrade, Roksanda earned an art degree in her country and then moved to London where she graduated from Central Saint Martins where she specialized in designing women's clothing. Also involved in putting together this show was contributing fashion editor for Vogue Italia and Italian L'Uomo Vogue, Rushka Bergman. Bergman has styled a profusion of people,(Micheal Jackson, Madonna, Jay-Z, Beyonce, etc.) while designing creative magazine covers and editorial features.

Here are some of the "runway" highlights from Roksanda's collection.

 

The Show's Finale!

Roksanda's collection focuses on a concept of femininity and beauty as well as attention to detail. The entire show offered bright, bold colorways with interesting geometry and design. It was a joy to see so many artists participating in this worthwhile event to assist flood victims of Serbia. If you would like to help or send a donation, please visit LifelineNY.org online for details.

L-R Yours Truly, Roksanda Ilincic and HRH Princess Katherine

My LBD dress, the Alyssa by fashion designer Nora Gardner, NYC.