Fashion from Coachella 2011

My editor's pics from Refinery 29's Coachella pics!!!

You know I love this.

How yummy are these???

Donnella Tilery, the Darling of New Jersey Fashion Week

New Jersey Fashion Week is the surprising new platform for emerging designers

 by Candy Washington

Donnella Tilery was the recent special guest on Goddess Talk, a segment on Blog Talk Radio, created and hosted by Juanita Kelly, and she shared some on the ins and outs of NJ Fashion Week, the industry as a whole, and where up-and-coming designers fit in.

One of the most notable quotes of the evening was, “Success is not an accident,” which Donnella so confidently informed. And over the last eight years she has been working diligently to make NJ Fashion Week the success that it is today. Priding itself in being a new platform for emerging, diverse, and international brands, NJFW is often a gateway for designers to showcase their talents before graduating onto New York, Paris, Milan, or LA runways. NJ Fashion Week is the premier place for buyers and retailers to gain first access to the next big “It” designers. This is where the next Marc Jacobs, Michael Kors, DVF, and Tracey Reese’s are born.

Another big draw for retailers to this fashion soiree is the screening and selection process conducted by Donnella and her board of advisors to ensure that only motivated and inspired designers make the cut. In order to be chosen for the shows, the designer’s line must be cohesive and tell a story from beginning to end. The collection must make under $100,000 per year, the designer must submit a three page application, and have an established brand voice prior to entry.

What’s next for the already arrived NJ Fashion Week? Donnella has big plans of expansion. Soon it will be a bi-annual event, tripling its size of participating vendors. The week will also be fleshed out into a global market week and a highly sought-after building block for developing talent. Donnella and NJ Fashion Week also know the importance of giving back and have donated $8k to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation. The next NJ Fashion Week is scheduled for October 9-13^th, 2011.

For more information and how to register:

DC Showroom
23 Anderson Street
Raritan, NJ 08869
Attn: Donnella Tilery, NJ Fashion Week
info@newjerseyfashionweek.com
Media/Press: pr-njfw@studio25inc.com
www.newjerseyfashionweek.com

The Train & The Box: The Cool Kids Club

New York, NY, February 19 – 21, 2011 – Further downtown away from the goliath that is the Javits Center, home of Coterie and other mega fashion trade shows, lies The Train & The Box, a smaller but equally influential fashion trade show, (think an endearing Indie film as opposed to a summer Blockbuster hit). With the Seventh House girls, notably Courtney Daniels and Brittney Escovito, working their PR mojo, the array of up-and-coming designers was impressive to say the least.

First up is Erica Klein, whose decadent jewelry line has been described as ‘retro vintage, with a classic sensibility’. The standout pieces from this collection are her animal inspired necklaces, rings, and bracelets, all are available in gold or silver. Necklaces range from tigers, elephants, monkeys, and snakes while the bracelets feature ram, rabbit, and dragon heads. Don’t forget to pick up a lion ring and a personal favorite, the octopus brooch.

Anna Aichinger‘s Fall 2011 collection, the Dawn of Dusk, is breathtaking. The Turret dress features a webbed top and is a top seller. The Void dress is both innovative and slimming, an awesome combination for any garment. The accessories in the Dawn of Dusk collection are also not-to-be-missed. The Hibou bracelet and/or necklace is an owl in flight, the Hirondelle bracelet and/or necklace is a sparrow in flight, and the Pipistrelle bracelet is a bat in flight. All bracelets and necklaces are available in either bronze or noir mat.

In the market for the perfect knit? Gudrun & Gudrun produces some of the most comfy sweaters, skirts, and tops made from organic wool and mohair. The off-white button-up sweater cardigan with black snowflakes is ideal to wear on the slopes or by the fire. Pair a basic tee or tank with the long black mohair skirt with pink ribbon. The white knitted top with a splash of black is super cute with your fav pair of skinny jeans. The editor’s pick from this collection is the off-white with grey oversized sweater cardigan made from 100% recycled cotton and 100% alpaca.

Another noteworthy aspect of this international fashion trade show is that it is a pioneer in developing and cultivating emerging brands from around the globe. This year Austria was the chosen region. Art Point, Edith A’Gay, Manguelware, AND_i, and Karin Wagner were some among some of the rising Austrian brands.

By Candy Washington
Photo courtesy of The Train New York.

Channeling Sienna

Sienna Miller is one of my all time favorite girls... and she's back in a big way - just wrapped a play in London! She's even dating the English actor, Tom Sturridge. Delightful.

Heavy metal

New York International Gift Fair 2011

New York, NY – Jan. 29 –Feb. 3, 2011: We all know the old adage, “It is better to give than to receive,” and with the impressive array of gift options at this year’s New York International Gift Fair, these words of wisdom have never rang truer.

First up was Mudpie, an Upper West Side-inspired clothing line (think Charlotte York from Sex and the City) that has something for everyone, from bride-to-be to bouncing baby. Great gifts ideas from Mudpie are the personalized piggy banks for the wee one or the monogrammed totes for your bridesmaids.

Trinkets were definitely the dominant trend this season. Jewel-encrusted jewelry boxes ranging from red, green, black, ivory and blue were seen from booth-to-booth. Miniature statuettes of lady’s handbags were prevalent as well as small figurines that double as necklace and earring holders. Small replicas of shoes would make great stocking stuffers or add flair to any gift basket.

Some of the top places to track down your trendy trinket are the Splendid Music Box Company, Welforth, Inc., Vikolya and Art East. Jacki Design also dominates this area with girly jewelry holders, printed makeup bags and fashionable brushes. These pretty presents can be found in the Ballet Series Collection, Urban Glam Collection and Daisy Love Collection.

For a more unique and sustainable gift idea look no further than The Tunes Co. This throw-back to the 1960s company offers coasters donning vintage record covers. These groovy giftables are even made from recycled albums. The Tunes Co. also boasts a collection of worn-in tees inspired by California, musical icons, Woodstock and England.

If there’s a game player on your list then opt for chessboards, poker sets or Dominoes kits from Gatogi. All of the games are available in wood, steel and even pink. Don’t forget to check out their 7-game traveler’s set edition.

Need a gift that’s both smart and fashionable? Then Assouline has exactly what you need. This iconic publishing house is the authority when it comes to coffee table books from fashion, travel, lifestyle, architecture, art and photography. Some notable titles include Condé Nast Traveler’s Where Are You?, a follow up to best seller, Room With a View, along with Dior, 60th Anniversary, American Fashion Cookbook and Hotel Stories. My editor’s pick is the new Survival Kits, where you can choose from fashion, lifestyle, art and design.

If you are in the market for housewarming gifts, then peruse Impulse! for acrylic chandeliers that can be hung or used as a centerpiece and modern plate sets in gold, silver or prints. Design House Stockholm has some amazing light fixtures, lamps and glasses. Artenica’s light fixtures are moldable and has a line of bags made from recycled billboards. Each bag is individualized and holds up to 33lbs.

For gifts for the body and soul, Love & Toast by Margot Elena provides lust-worthy items like tasty lip balms, scented lotions, sugar scrubs, shower crèmes and pretty perfumes. Give the gift of relaxation with Lafco‘s scented candles, oils and fragrances.

Images clockwise from left: Assouline, Jacki Design, Impulse!, Mudpie, Love & Toast.

I originally wrote this article for FashionEdits - you can view here.

This is a gift.

The looking glass, so shiny and new
How quickly the glamor fades
I start spinning slipping out of time
Was that the wrong pill to take (Raise it up)
You made a deal, and now it seems you have to offer up
But will it ever be enough
(Raise it up, raise it up)
It's not enough
(Raise it up, raise it up)

Here I am, a rabbit hearted girl
Frozen in the headlights
It seems I've made the final sacrifice

We raise it up, this offering
We raise it up

This is a gift, it comes with a price
Who is the lamb and who is the knife
Midas is king and he holds me so tight
And turns me to gold in the sunlight

I look around, but I can't find you
(raise it up)
If only I could see your face
(raise it up)
Instead of rushing towards the skyline
(raise it up)
anekatips.com
I wish that I could just be brave

I must become a lion hearted girl
Ready for a fight
Before I make the final sacrifice

We raise it up, this offering
We raise it up

This is a gift, it comes with a price
Who is the lamb and who is the knife
Midas is king and he holds me so tight
And turns me to gold in the sunlight

Raise it up, raise it up
(repeat)

And in the spring I shed my skin
And it blows away with the changing wind
The waters turn from blue to red
As towards the sky I offer it

This is a gift, it comes with a price
Who is the lamb and who is the knife
Midas is king and he holds me so tight
And turns me to gold in the sunlight
(repeat)

This is a gift

lyrics - rabbit heart (raise it up) - florence & the machine 

Color me bad: Paris Fashion Week

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