"A Dark Romance" - My Fall Inspiration

Saturday Nite Fever: Part Two

"...it's not how much you spend, it's how you put it together."
~Kelly Brown

Kelly and Lady Yvette strike a pose in front of Antik.

Okay, so on to the second party...Antik on Bowery! I never been and wanted to connect with stylist, Kelly Brown. OMG, how delightful it was to see her. We worked together on a fashion look book creative that I art directed back in June (yeah, I'm waiting on word so I can present those pics to you...it's been about 2 months already and I am dying to see our work!!!! Might have to wait until the designer's website launch before Thanksgiving...UGHHH!!).

Kelly Brown is wearing a vintage dress from the 80's bought at a thrift store in Austin Texas. Gold bracelets from Kmart...DAMN, that dress is FIERCE!!! Love the color and silhouette...

Anyways, I think this kick-a@@, free-spirited, red-headed, "HIP" chica is phenomenal at what she does as a stylist. Originally from Canada, Brown graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Fashion Communication at Ryerson University in Toronto where she took a class taught by Art Director of the number one fashion magazine in Canada, FLARE. That class is where she fell in LOVE with styling and has been going hard ever since. She's based in NYC and has done work for MTV, the Tyra Bank's Show, Walmart, and developing artists in the music industry like Wyclef's, Niia & Logik. Just go to her website and see why I had to pull her on my team...I like to associate myself with only da best!

A best-seller, MONIES clear resin necklace

Oh and I had to ask the fashionista what her favorite piece of jewelry is because I covet any DOPE piece of jewelry. She told me she just purchased this over-sized Lucite rock necklace by Denmark jewelry designer, Monies. Too bad I don't have a picture of the exact necklace she bought but thank you Mz. Brown for introducing me to this jewelry designer (above is an example of what she possibly owns)....I must say after further research on this designer these pieces are to die for!! A definite statement pieces that can be incorporated with everything!! You can find Monies at Eye CandyVintage like Kelly did or online @ ExclusivelyMonies ...;-) This shoe addict plans in the future to expand her shoe collection PLUS, she told me she's working on the Holiday ad campaign for Urban Planet, a young & trend clothing store chain based out of Canada. I ADORE (my favorite word at the moment) your work ethic and inspiration, LADY!!!
Let's look forward to great things from Kelly Brown...

Well, that night I got my dose of Fabulosity and Fun...until the next time...

in LOVE,
Lady Yvette

Saturday Nite Fever: Part One

No...there was no dancing involved but I was out and about this past Saturday night! LOL!

I was invited and attended two parties this past Saturday with my sister, Cassandra aka CassiRenee - the make-up artist. The first party was a birthday party celebration of one of Cassi's clients, Liz Kinnmark of Design Glut, one half of the duo team that designed the "World Links Chain Necklace"(remember that necklace I modeled in one of my post back in August?). They threw a "Noir" party where black was the color of choice. Very fitting for chic New Yorkers....right??? Us New Yorkers are always in black, especially those in the fashion/beauty industry. I know I had to ALWAYS wear black while working at M.A.C. Cosmetics and the upper west side boutique I used to work...BLACK, BLACK, BLACK...lol! It was cool, though because it's been awhile for me and I thought Cassy and I did pretty good in our black outfits that night.

CassiRenee and Lady Yvette @ the "Noir" Party - upon arrival they made everyone take a picture

The birthday girls, Liz & Leslie

Anyway, everything was black...the drinks (liquor dyed with food coloring), risotto made with squid ink (delish, btw), cupcakes with frosting, cheesecake, M&Ms, balloons, and guest(in black wardrobe). Cute concept and idea...FAB party, ladies!




Liz make a wish!!

There's one thing I have to note, though - Liz's shoes she wore that night, the Porn Toe Sandal. Although, I didn't take a picture for you all, you're just gonna have to take my word for it but do you remember one of my first postings back in March on the unique shoe brand, United Nude? Well, I was quite surprised because this is not by any means a popular brand that everyone knows about...I hardly see anyone wear these functional but artfully& architecturally designed shoes. But, if I think about it it only makes sense that Liz would LOVE United Nude. Design Glut & United Nude are two brands that pride themselves in the Art of Design drawing their inspiration through other Art. Check out Liz and Kegan on their website.
Lady Yvette's obsession of the moment. ;-P

Oh, and check out UN's A/W 09 collection...the Eamz black patent leather bootie is SIC!!!

in LOVE,
Lady Yvette

NYFW Coverage Sunday : Tuleh & Custo Barcelona

So this past Sunday (the night of the VMA's) my partner in crime, Carolyn and I met up to see the Tuleh and Custo Barcelona S/S 2010 collections @ 7 pm. I was running kind of late but the shows NEVER start on time and I was so worried that I was going to miss the Custo show following Tuleh. However, because they never start on time I was able to TRY and get in the Custo Barcelona show - it was a MADD house!! Everyone and their mother was there trying to get seated for the 8 pm show and this was the only show I actually got seating arrangements (see below)!! Unfortunately, the story ends with my girlfriend and I having to miss out on the show I was most excited to see because someone at ASI Marketing sent out one too many seat assignments...but, by no means was I disappointed because I was sweetly surprised with Tuleh's Spring collection that night.

Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week

Dear Sherice, Below please find your seat assignment for CUSTO BARCELONA Spring 2010 on Sunday, September 13th at 8pm in The Tent at Bryant Park.

B - 9 - S Please print and bring it to The Tent.

We strongly recommend that you arrive by 7:30pm to allow time for check-in. See you at the show! ASI MARKETING

The production of the Tuleh show was well thought out through the designer's inspiration from short fiction to runway. Bryan Bradley, the designer behind Tuleh (also, from my home state of Wisconsin) broke his collection into short-stories called, Fashion as a Short-Story Collection with each story having a title - "The Van Dykes", "Duck, Duck, Goose" and "Beale & Bouvier" are some with inspiration stemming from an article in The New York Review of Books by Deborah Eisenberg.



Carolyn and I absolutely loved this navy & white chiffon blouse worn with white shorts...yeah, I know - I suck with the camera!LOL

The show started off with the "Sportswear Salon I" story with short shorts belted with a bow and adorned flouncy blouses. Following that were tailored jackets and flirty, ruffled mini-skirts adding the splash of color in the collection to then just switch it up with three structurally simple coat dresses from the story, "Gowns by Tuleh".



More Sportswear read through on the catwalk along with the story, "How nice for you..." which I thought was just that for ME! Specifically, one look of a black, thick-striped casual knit top with a hood and simple black short shorts. Something I could easily wear with either some contemporary flats or wedges( a definite 2010 spring trend from the runway).

"Duck, Duck, Goose" was an interestingly boring story but the dress below add some twist...

Dresses for the pretty of "Beale & Bouvier" perked me up...





And last, there was "Proposition Tuleh" where Bradley makes a statement through nontraditional wedding looks.








Go to Vogue.com to see the complete collection.

It's really quite amazing how a designer can create a whole collection spawned from a simple thought, idea, or another Art form....Art to Art. This is a great example of how art continually inspires and the cycle of creating Art is ongoing.

Carolyn and I decided after we found out that the Custo Barcelona show's seating arrangements were over booked, to walk down 6 avenue to Rue 57 to have a drink and their most delectable popcorn shrimp. (Thanks Carolyn for the introduction to this fine place...LOVE IT!!) On the way, she spots a young lady wearing a Sachika dress! How random because there was NO Sachika show at the tents!!! LOL But, the Real twins of New York are definitely making their mark! Cute dress....

Carolyn and Sachika model in the Sofina dress.

It was an Indian Summer night and I have to say although I wasn't able to see Custo I was pleasantly surprised all night...

in LOVE,
Lady Yvette

ARISE to Fashion: The African perspective

Last night, I was honored to attend and sit at the ARISE: Promise of Africa Collective S/S 2010 show at Bryant Park, a showcase of 4 top designers from the Mother Land. This event was sponsored by ARISE magazine, Africa's global style & culture magazine from Thisday Publications that celebrates accomplished Africans in fashion, music, culture, and business. The synergy in that room was invigorating and the excitement of this years show was contagious. The buzz was that Tyson Beckford was walking the show and everyone was wondering if there would be a surprised guest to out do last years appearance by fashion icon, Grace Jones. Although, there was no Grace the show was equally comparable to the fervor in that tent...LOVED IT!!!...Oh, and Tyson did make it!;-)











Above are a few of my perspective shots on the runway that evening (had a hard time capturing what I wanted...sorry ya'll) of the first designer, Jewel by Lisa. With a heavy dissonance of color off-set with batik-inspired prints this Nigerian designer's collection screamed AFRICA...lol. Although, I am not much of a fan of this collection, I will give it to her for her "Afro-Chic in the City" take on spring fashion and her signature hand-beaded work of sequins and Swarovski crystals. It's for the effervescent, off-beat, whimsical gal who doesn't mind throwing us off with a touch of sophistication. ;-)









LadyYvette's pick...I can see myself wearing this with a thick braided belt or belt by Sara Aphrodite and some HUGE gold hoop earrings.


Also, from Nigeria, Tiffany Amber graced the catwalk with her amazingly sexy collection! I felt her collection was fit for a Lady who see's herself as a Queen..picture it: it's a warm, sun-filled afternoon and the trees of your orchard whisper how beautiful you look standing off the balcony of your chateau...hehehe. It's because you are wearing flowing art - literally. The recurring print seen in her collection was inspired by a painting by the Nigerian artist Kolade Oshinowo - how clever! The vibrant colors , metallic weaves, silk fabric and woven details makes for a Diva-lious collection that I have definitely seen before. Don't get me wrong, though this was my favorite designer out of the four. ;-)












Next was the Madagascan-born Eric Raisina Haute Texture who scorched us with his HOTT like fiyah S/S 2010 debut with adorable Chanel Iman opening the show. Master of textiles, Raisin heated it up with avante-garde fabric techniques like his infamous "silk fur"and wild vivid colors. For me, though, I thought some of the dresses made the models look bigger than what they are because of the different textures and the look of certain pieces looked cheap & sloppy...but that's just my opinion. Take a look for ya' self...
















And Last, South African award-winning designer, David Tlale showed his more muted collection - I think they thought they were saving the best for last. It was definitely the more refined, luxe, and polished of the four designers, to me. Compared to Jewel by Lisa, I think his collection was more "chic" and more wearable for a New York City socialite.











All in all, this 20 minute show was a treat for me to see and I appreciated every minute! This cleary was a great representation of what Africa has to offer in terms of fashion and I am PROUD!

All straightforward shots are courtesy of image.net

in LOVE,
Lady Yvette