This season, Art Hearts Fashion transformed the landscape of fashion week here in Los Angeles with over 30 designers, 7 visual artists, and 1 very excited 11 year-old from Make-A-Wish. Embracing the power of art, fashion, and charity, Art Hearts Fashion sets itself apart as the fashion week that redefines what the runway can do for designers, brands, and the community.
During the epic 4 day event, charity shows, couture collections, kids shows, celebrities, and performers had Los Angeles on her toes. Fashion icon Sue Wong set the tone on opening night with her monumental, “Carnevale” 78 piece collection. Brands including Mister Triple X, Levitation Activewear, Koco Blaq, Lolly clothing, Aussie Gear, and Nicole Miller got the energy pumping throughout the week as bold patterns, shorts and swimsuits stole the shows.
The fan favorite kids shows opened with 11-year-old designer Noa Sorrell from Make-A-Wish. The colorful and patterned collection, designed by Noa while she underwent her treatment for cancer, elicited cheers from the audience. A Betsey Johnson 6 piece installation from the celebrated designer’s 50th Anniversary Collection stood tall on Tuesday, representing over a decade of fashion magic.
Stello Official took to the runway Wednesday night with an awe inspiring collection of sexiness that is everything guests love about the brand’s dark and playful edge. Art Hearts Fashion bid adieu to SS’16 with a closing night of couture this Thursday, October 8th. Celebrity designer Amato Haute Couture by Furne One had all eyes on the runway as french laces & tulle paired with stretch & acid washed denims made their way down a smoke layered runway.
Models Who Walked the Show: Mariane Calazan, Mahany Pery and Natiele Alves
On The Runway: Love this collection. Autumnal colors always look good on darker skin tones. This collection truly embodies the richness of Fall weather.
When you are the face behind Robert Cavalli fall adverts then you must be able to pose like rent is due, correct? Ciara is a one woman powerhouse who can sing, dance and model her butt off. Ciara appears in the most recent edition of Vogue Italia showcasing creations by major designer brands.
What exactly does Ciara wear in her shoot lensed by Markus & Koala? CiCi brings the heat in a bold, printed bodysuit by Dquared2 as well as Tom Ford skirt and top by Cushnie et Ochs. In still another display of great fashion Ciara models a stunning corset by Givenchy along with skirt and boots.
Ciara looked completely drop dead gorgeous with the help of an amazing team comprising of hair, makeup and styling. Yolanda Frederick handled makeup duties, while Cesar Ramirez was on locks control and the wonderful Agnieszka Scibior made sure Ciara’s style was kept on point.
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Models Who Walked the Show: Cindy Bruna, Ysaunny Brito, Aamito Lagum
On The Runway: This collection is simply heaven. The hues of the ocean really translated on the runway. Akris is always fresh and what’s now and always delivers.
Models Who Walked the Show: Nykhor Paul and Tara Falla
On The Runway: It was all about the color blue and the ease of fabrics for this collection. The runway collection was prim and proper with great silhouettes that formed to the body very well.
Just the other day, the beautiful Jennifer Hudson had us in a fashion fairy tale thanks to her Atelier Prabal Gurung gown. Since then, we have been obsessed with Disney fashions, because what little girl hasn’t imagined herself as a gorgeous princess? Therefore, it seems as though our Disney-esque style fascination will have to continue on its high now that our attention has swifted towards a particular pair of Jimmy Choos inspired by Cindy herself. Ladies and girls, fashionistas and converted tomboys feast your eyes on the Jimmy Choo Crystal Covered Pointy Toe Pump aka Cinderella Slipper!
These pumps are so bomb if we had attended Prince Charming’s ball in these babies we wouldn’t have left one behind… because we would have super glued them to our feet (LOL)! The photos alone simply do not do this shoe justice especially when it comes to the luminous and luxurious shine given off by the crystals. For that reason we invite you to take a moment to watch this short video showcasing these out of this world pair of heels.
Okay, welcome back and honestly aren’t those shoes simply beautiful? Design like that is meticulous and very well executed. Moreover, would we expect anything less from a brand that prides itself on it’s production value? See for yourself, how much love and attention Jimmy Choo puts into every pair of their stunning heels.
Here are a few more photos of the shoes while on display in Saks Fifth Avenue. You may remember that actress Lily James was lucky enough to rock these for the premiere of Disney’s real life adaptation of Cinderella. If you have around $4600 lying around you can also rock these lovelies anytime you desire.
Thoughts? Love Disney as much as we do? Let us know by dropping a comment down-low or hit us up on our Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr or tweet us @1966magazine.
Kimma Wreh celebrates her Liberian heratage by waving the country flag during fashion week
Throughout the developed world African nationals are racing to build sustainable marketplaces for independent designers of Afro-centric inspired fashions. Numerous African inspired Fashion Week events have emerged throughout three major continents.
North America, Western Europe and West Africa. Setting the pulse for this movement is the World Fashion Organization’s agenda to develop wealth creation and eventually free African societies from a dependency on world aid.
The ambitions of WFO is to foster fashion as a vocation; and further the development of ‘World Fashion’ by helping developing nations improve intercontinental trade. Overall, WFO aims to create a global market place for emerging fashion brands under the theme “We Fashion All“. According to the WFO apparel is the chosen market for economic development in Africa because of the high degree of influence African aesthetics has had in the western markets.
Rather than receiving financial aid from the international community, African nations need help developing commercially viable creative industries. The fashion industry has multiplying chains of vocation, which can create wealth. For example, the clothing industry creates jobs for Apparel Designers, Accessory Designers, Tailors, Weavers, Textile Designers, Hairstyles Designers, Pattern Makers, Wardrobe Stylists, Models, Fashion Photographers and Writers.
Senior official – Office of the Vice President of the Republic of Liberia – and Ambassador Kimma Wreh at the US Liberia Trade & Investment Forum in New York.
The plan for staging an international trading platform is to span events across three continents. The intention is to establish annual events in Paris, Montreal and Nigeria to form the largest African market place for “Made In Africa“ garments, textiles and lifestyle products.
Each participating country in Canada, Paris and Nigeria events will be given an exhibition pavilion where they can promote not only their apparel and accessories products, but also culture and tourism potentials. Each participating country will be represented by a nominated Apparel Designer to introduce their country’s tourism, trade and apparel manufacturing resources.
The African Fashion Reception event is in association with the World Fashion Organization. Mr. Lexy Mojo-Eyes is a member on the Board of Governors at WFO and he heads the annual Africa Fashion Reception event in collaboration with the African Union Summit; and the Nigerian Embassy in France. We wanted to take advantage of some of WFO’s platforms for producing fashion events.
Africa needs to build its own platform. We Africans have never been able to get into the mainstream of the global fashion networks and events. If Africa’s governing leaders decide to create a level play ground for Africa’s apparel manufacturers through heavy investments in the apparel sector like China did, the garment and textile industry can help Africa to eradicate poverty; if only our leaders realize the potentials in the fashion sector.
Since we all wear clothes, this shows the economic viability of the garment industry.
After the 2nd World War, the apparel sector brought Europe back to wealth creation through industrialization. The apparel market is doing the same for Asian countries. Fashion is the highest creator of jobs around the world.
The Africa Fashion Reception is a Pan African initiative that will bring together fashion designers, dignitaries and media from over thirty African countries in a celebration of the proud theme “Africa is the new inspiration of global fashion.”
There are currently thirty African nations being represented by a Designer.
Unfortunately, logistical obstacles such as language barriers, political conflicts and under developed infrastructure are cause for hindrance to some of the 54 African nations participation. Preparations are being made for designers to present in Paris this November 22nd.
After the 2015 Paris event, the next African Reception event will be hosted in January 2016, at the African Union Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The Africa Fashion Reception event is aimed at attracting global attention to Africa’s garment and textile industries.
With the AFR event positioned during the African Union Summit the coordinators will work to engage the governing leaders to help improve intercontinental trading conditions for better collaboration amongst fashion practitioners throughout the African continent. The ultimate goal is to promote self-reliance as the initiative for economic stability for citizens of Africa.
MacDella Cooper of the MacDella Cooper Foundation with Ambassador Wreh.
Designer Kimma Wreh of TeKay Designs is an award wining couturiere who has recently been recognized by the Vice President of Liberia, the Honorable Joseph Boakai as Liberia’s Fashion Ambassador to represent the nation of Liberia on November 22nd. As Liberia’s official Fashion Ambassador, Kimma will promote the nations design talent and manufacturing capabilities during the African Fashion Reception event in Paris.
Kimma is an African National who resides in the United States, and creates ethnic inspired gowns and jewelry for special occasions. Tekay Designs has a distinguished couture collection that is currently produced in the West-African country of Ghana with a manufacturing expansion to Liberia.
“I am very proud to share my success in fashion with the people of Liberia,” explains Kimma Wreh. I’ve donated clothing to needy women and children of Liberia because I want to help the people. I am honored to be nominated and represent my home country of Liberia during this prestigious event. My dream of being a fashion designer extends beyond myself.”
I wish to expand the production of my product line in Monrovia, Liberia. Apparel production can offer viable opportunities for employment and a better way of life for the people of Liberia, as well as many of the other developing nations that are represented at the African Fashion Reception event.
I fled Liberia during the civil war in the 1980’s. Since then I’ve earned a bachelor’s degree from Howard University, and a masters in business administration from LeTourneau University in Houston, Texas. My venture in fashion has been long and not without struggles. However, I’ve begun to see my hard work pay off.
The opportunity to introduce Liberia’s industrial capabilities to the western markets is another proud moment of success for me. And I want to collaborate with other fashion designers who wish to expand apparel production in Liberia as well.
Partnering with the Liberia National Tailors, Textiles, Garment and Allied Workers Union (LNTTGAWU). Ambassador Wreh will lead a delegation of over fifteen Liberian professional tailors to participate in the Africa Fashion Reception event. The group will present a portfolio of sample merchandise produced at the Liberian Tailors Union’s production and training facilities.
The presentation will include a live demonstration by a textile weaver producing Liberia’s official country cloth on the premises. Working on behalf of the Liberian government, the garment workers produce official uniforms for Hospitals, Police, Military, Immigration officials, school uniforms for students, as well as request for custom made garments.
The union offers Liberian citizens fundamental training courses in tailoring, weaving, creating Tie and Dye cloths, home fashions for interior decoration, business and finance management courses. The union provides advanced courses for professional tailoring, such as pattern making, advanced garment design and construction. Advanced business management and strategic financial planning is also a part of the curriculum.
As the established western apparel markets continue to look to African culture for style trends and creative inspiration. The tailors union sees opportunity for small enterprises in Liberia who are professionally savvy about the business of fashion.
The future holds potential benefits with preparing Liberian professionals for the attention and buzz about the African fashion industry. According to the tailors union, Liberia’s educated workforce is invaluable for Liberia’s participation in a market place that promotes the African culture; it’s history and traditions.
Forget Cinderella, Jennifer Hudson didn’t even need a glass slipper to be considered the Belle of the Ball! Hudson was in attendance this week for the New York City Ballet Fall Gala and arrived in style with her date, designer Prabal Gurung. Now it just wouldn’t be fitting for a lady to attend such an event with an esteemed high fashion designer and not were one of his creations, correct? Well, not to worry Hudson was a stunning date and muse for the night.
Jennifer wore a gorgeous satin faced chiffon Atelier Prabal Gurung gown with hand embroidered crystals. If were Hudson and the clock struck twelve we would have had to take our chances with our car turning into a pumpkin because we would not have wanted the night to end and have to give back this dress! Is it not easy to see we have gorged ourselves on Disney films for many years (LOL)? We digress, but Jennifer Hudson did look like an absolute dream.
(Photo – Nicholas Hunt)
Prabal Gurung must of felt the same way because he had nothing but glowing remarks in regards to his pretty little date. On the gram Gurung posted a picture of him and Hudson with the caption,
“Her beauty radiates from within, you can’t help but stare and admire.”
Altogether everyone, “AWWWW!” The gala that Jennifer Hudson and Prabal Gurung attended was held at the David H. Koch theater at Lincoln Center in New York City. The decor was just as lush and classy as Hudson’s ensemble (see below). What a great night of beauty as well as fashion and we are still loving that short hair on Jennifer!
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Photographer DeAnna S. Reid has once again captured a cool fashion vibe. Reid lensed a shoot in Phoenix, Arizona featuring couture from Clothes Minded Boutique (yeah, we absolutely adore the pun too). Reid called upon the talents of model, Samantha Daniels to bring her voguish vision to life!
The overall look showcases how to make the over-sized, baggy style streamlined and chic. If you are afraid of losing your curves then accentuate or create some with the help of some well placed accessories. For this look in particular Daniels’ waist was highlighted with the help of a belt. Moreover, a few buttons were left undone near the top of her shirt to show off a little skin. Lastly, a gorgeous designed necklace brings the whole outfit together seamlessly.
Plaid always works well during the fall and winter seasons. It is a very relaxed style but still adds some pizazz due thanks to its print design as well as colors. Pair a plaid top with shorts, tights, pants or skirts and you have a simplistic yet modernistic ensemble.
One trend that has seemed to be hot all year long has been red lip color. The sassy and bold tint has been seen everywhere from the red carpet to the runway. Therefore, if you are looking to be “in” for fall you may just need to shop your own makeup bag.
Red lip color was spotted on models at Bottega Veneta, Celine, Saint Laurent as well as Carolina Herrera to name a few. Deep red hues are gorgeous on brown skin, but if you would like to brighten things up then go for it! Red comes in several lovely shades so regardless how light or dark you want to go you will be able to find the perfect shade to fit your mood.
Moreover, the red lip color made for the Vanessa Seward show was also a stand out hue. While more shades of lip colors tend to come with moisturizers to add more shine sometimes a more matte shade can be just as dramatic. The matte lip color for Seward’s collection was gorgeous without needing any glistening effect. So then, if you prefer a more subdued red lip color look opt for a matte shade.
