Wasn't it Obvious - Project Runway Finale Winner

Congratulations to Irina Shabayeva!!!...it was obvious she was the winner. Don't you think?

Not sure if you all have been following Project Runway now that it's been moved to the Lifetime Network but Season 6 was quite interesting...OK, I mean quite boring. They also tried to do something different by following the one hour show with a 30-minute spin-off show, "Models of the Runway" giving the viewers the models' perspective of the designers' and their own competition. BTW, congrats to Kalyn Hemphill, the model who came out the winner in the models' competition.

Kalyn Hemphill wearing Irina's design in Episode 5

I must say though, between all of the contestants and finalist of this season's Project Runway, Irina stuck out to me because of her ability to seamlessly execute her work, her artistic vision, visual understanding of proportion, attention to detail and technical skills. YES, she was most hated on but her work visually already looked at a level that could be taken seriously in this cut-throat, opinionated, criticizing world of fashion. - I guess we can conclude she would fit in quite well. Although, the 13 piece collection she presented back in February for this competition, according to Michael Kors, has already been done before AND it was ALL black which was an issue with Nina Gracia; it was clear she understood how to present a collection that told a story, gave you a sense of who she was as a designer and artistically could take you somewhere....even if it was in BLACK! But I guess what did we expect - she's a New Yorker for crying out loud!! LOL...All the chunky knits, strong outerwear, satin textured skinny pants, oversized tees, leather embellished leggings...made just for “what it takes to survive in the city as a woman." Take a look at some of MY favorite looks of Irina's collection. Follow the links below for my top three looks:

1) Something other than black

2) The Streets are Calling Me

3) It's All About the Coat

And of course, if you know me and what I like (I mean, if you follow this blog...lol) you will know why Mz. Lady Yvette approves!! You can view all 13 looks at MyLifetime.com along with the looks of the other two finalist, Althea Harper and Carol Hannah Whitfield.

in LOVE
Lady Yvette

P.S. Look out for the debut of Irina's Spring 2010 Collection....11.27.09....

Princess Goddess of Love Clothing Designer - Sarah Aphrodite

As apart of her process, beautiful dreams and memories are remembered through cut-outs and nostolgic photo imagery of the things that move her, creating inspiration boards offering the evidence of her life...

I would like to introduce to you......SARAH APHRODITE!!


While sourcing a stylist for a shoot I am putting together for myself I discovered this designer that happens to live right in Brooklyn in the same neighborhood as myself...as I scroll through her website I'm having this orgasmic experience because of how simplistically her work speaks directly to me. It whispers to me and says, "SEXY, FEMININE, AUTHENTIC, ECLECTIC, SASSY, URBAN, GYPSY, LATINA, CUBANA, UNIQUE, EXOTIC, and did I mention SEXY!!!

I told her when we sat down for lunch (yes, I had to meet her!), "Girl, if there is any designer in the world that would represent ME...you are it, hunni!!!!" Right away, her current spring/summer 2009 collection spoke me and as I learned more about her I realized I met a like-mind.
Model Lexie Smith is wearing a beaded cardigan (one-of-a-kind) $375 Photographer: Sander Lak

Dressed in a pair of high-waisted, slim fit, stone washed skinnys that she designed(yes, people she designs denim jeans!); a simple white t-shirt representing her Brand on the back and the international city of Athens silk screened on the front, which she also designed; hair tousled half-way up and half-way down in a pony-tail and a Sarah Aphrodite denim tote with handles embellished with gold rings, she met me at Sucre Jazz Lounge Cafe in Bed-Stuy to chitchat over lunch and a smoothie.
Aladdin-inspired silk harem pants (MY FAVORITE) $250

Since 2006, Sarah has been living and working out of her Brooklyn Apartment producing her one-of-a-kind designs. She is originally from the Netherlands HOLLAND and graduated from the ArtEZ Arnhem Academy of Visual Arts in Fashion Design. She just started two semesters ago teaching fashion design at Parsons School of Design. Leopards, elephants, lace, stretch denim, and rap artist Nelly are a few things that she is in LOVE with...she would describe her Brand as "soulful street wear" (love it!!) and although she does not want to tag the label of Eco-friendly or Eco-conscience onto her repertoire she recycles fabrics from old clothes and makes her own simple masterpieces that would make Gary Harvey proud too! She would be quick to tell you though, that she has no problem buying any type of fabric to make clothes with she loves.

Navy polka dot halter dress $130 w/harem pant

She just got back from LA and shot her Spring/Summer 2010 Collection in the desert with fashion photographer Thomas Marin. After talking it up with her I can not WAIT to see the new campaign for this collection....of course, I get a sneak peek of it on Monday as I go and check out her studio but I will be sure to update you on the goods!! You MUST go to her website and check out her pieces...you won't be sorry and you can see her growth actually from the stuff she did back in 2006 to now...the NOW is ME and hopefully you too!! ;-) Showroom Seven/Seventh House PR's, Beyond 7 and Albertine are two Manhattan boutiques you can find her one-of-kind-pieces hanging on a rack.

Get up close on Saturday, August 22nd @ Moomia Lounge (157 Lafayette) for "Collision - A Fashion Show of cultural proportions". Show starts at 5:30pm and is $10 at the door. I'm a be there and so should you! winkwink

in LOVE,
Lady Yvette

GOLD + WATER = AuH2O

Sometime last summer, I was strolling over on New York's East village near NYU on E 7th street and I came across this tiny boutique that looked like a vintage thrift shop. I think what really caught my eye was the jewelry showcased at the cash wrap. The boutique was so small that only me and a friend could comfortably shop with out saying excuse me every second with the sales clerk safely behind the counter. But don't get me wrong the place is very quaint, cozy with positive vibrations. The sales clerk greeted me warmly with a hello and offered answers to any questions....

Kate Goldwater (middle), designer/owner of AuH2O

Surprisingly though, I have to say it's a small world because as I discovered that the clothes on the racks where all recycled, redesigned, re inventive pieces sewn by the owner, Kate Goldwater which happened to be the sales clerk, I also discovered that Kate Goldwater is from MY HOMETOWN - MILWAUKEE, WI!!!! - "Get outta here...where did you graduate from high school?"... Serendipitously, we continued talking for sometime about what brought us out to New York, our goals and our upcoming trips back to our hometowns that summer. I never even knew of Kate while growing up in Milwaukee and now here I was standing in a boutique she owned at the age of 24. Can we say, "Yes We Can"??!!...

She calls herself an eco-friendly, feminist fashion designer and graduated from New York University for "Art and Clothing for Social Justice", a major she design herself incorporating her passion for feminism, activism and the environment with sewing clothes, an outlet to create art that expressed her political beliefs. And of course, I told her my story of how I was excepted to the Tisch School of the Arts for acting/theatre at NYU but never went....yeah, yeah - it's a long story but, I was proud to be from Mil-town and excited to have stumbled upon this treasure.








Kate's eco-friendly and social conscience store is called AuH2O Recycled Clothing Creations located NOW at 84 East 7th Street. Since we met she has moved from the tiny place I met her to a space next door twice the space!!! CONGRATS, Kate!!! Not only does she carry her own one-of-a-kind pieces but she carries other designers, consignment jewelry, vintage clothes, belts, handbags and shoes. Everything is so affordable with prices ranging between $7 (earrings) - $50 (one-of-a-kind dress)!! Check out the recycled couture piece above made out of MetroCards....I think Gary Harvey would be proud!! ;-)

in LOVE,
Lady Yvette

P.S. Tonite Kate is a featured artist in TRASHION, a new exhibit brought to by the Urban Green Initiative @ Gallery 151, 350 Bowery Street btw E3rd and E 4th street. Click here for more information. And check out her blog for updates on what new with AuH2O!! Check...check...check it out!! ;-)

FEEDBACK WELCOMED!!! - Fashion on the Hudson Press Party/Event

This weekend I participated in a fashion show off the Hudson river in Harlem as a model and was shell shocked, more like, hit with reality that you can do whatever you set your mind to (knew that before the show, though...) BUT, I question at what cost and level of class? Is it really worth it, if it's not thoroughly thought out, strategically planned and executed with a certain level of taste along with quality of intent?...PLEASE DO TELL!!

Fashion show flyer: One of the "red flags" on the production of the show

Ladies & Gents, I could kick myself in the buttocks for ignoring the red flags, giving this show the benefit of the doubt and participating as a model in something I would NEVER represent!!!!!! But, I will not go into the negative things about this experience because I intially was drawn to this event because I love to see strong women in the industry love what they do and create platforms for others, like myself to collaborate and further pursue our dreams. Plus, my job is to report what is DOPE and cool to me so, I will highlight the positives that stuck out to me and that deserve my attention.

Yours Truly Mz. Lady Yvette(far right)and other participating models at Press Party.

Now, before the actual show this past Saturday there was a "press party" for all that was involved that Friday. In a room where auditions/rehearsals are usually being held models, designers, photographers, producers, editors, publicists, publishers, managers and I mingled in excitement about this "FABULOUS" fashion show we were all going to either partake in or witness. I had no idea what I was getting myself into but I was intrigued about the 50 foot double T runway that was talked up by the producer. I had a few fittings scheduled that night for the show and like most was curious to what was going to be seen at the show. Like suspects in a line-up, models stood shoulder-to-shoulder in the designers' favorite pieces from their collection as they posed with their business cards at hand while photographers shot away capturing a little taste of what was yet to come on the big day! Below are a few designer duds that I thought had a glint of potential...(Ya'll this was very hard for me to post but here it is...lol!!!!)

Model above wears Balmain-inspired design by Imanilia. www.imanilia.com

Model and designer, Sena. www.sena-collection.com

Model bearing all in Tatiana Arias's, Arcoiris swimwear. www.arcoiriswimwear.com

Model with designer, Morgan Elizabeth's business card at hand. www.modelmayhem.com/morganelizabethbridal

Readers, I only posted images of what I could bear on my site so the worst of it will NOT be televised on my time but, I would honestly love your feedback on what you like and don't like of what I did post...in the mean time, I will be writing the producer of the show on my feelings and giving her some feedback on my thoughts of the show. I will be sure to keep you updated and hope you stay tuned...

in LOVE,
Lady Yvette