Style 2006 Garden Party

Style 2006 Garden Party: Hosted by Frederic Fekkai Salon and Spa

Hollywood’s Frederic Fekkai Salon and Spa in late August played host to dozens of fashion and style companies, as well as more than 70 film and TV elite, who celebrated emerging couture and trends at the Style 2006 Garden Party. The event, hosted by DPA marketing company Chief Executive Officer and President Nathalie DuBois, opened the 58 th annual Emmy Awards with fun, fashion, food, and the stateside debuts of several up-and-coming luxury companies.

Grace Lazenby of iTrain recognized the popularity – and practicality – of high-tech devices when it comes to staying in shape. Along with her co-founder, Sebastian Reyent, Lazenby created an iPod-friendly workout program to alleviate any time constraints that otherwise prevent consistent exercise.

“I came up with it because a lot of my clients wanted my voice while they traveled, or they were on set, or they couldn’t work out with me, so they just wanted a portable device to take with them. So, this is a way for everyone to have a personal trainer at an affordable price,” Lazenby says.

A personal trainer for more than 15 years, Lazenby says her clients include Sarah Silverman, Courtney Cox, and others. While the iTrain still is designed for the original iPod, there are plans to incorporate a mobile workout program for the iPod Video as well, according to Lazenby.

“Most people have audio iPods, and when you’re working out – doing treadmill and running – you want to hear the trainer telling you exactly what to do,” she adds. There are more than 100 programs in the iTrain regimen, and information is available at iTrain.com.

Nespresso is paving new roads in the trendy coffee market, with its innovative espresso maker, which comes with a line of rich, gourmet espresso, says Greg Epic, marketing representative for the company. “The Nespresso is based in Switzerland. It’s actually the market leader in Europe – best-selling machines and coffees in Europe. And, they’re available in the U.S.,” Epic says. Each of the celebrities who visited the garden party was treated to the company’s new machine, Le Cube, as well as a two-month supply of coffees, which come in a single-serving capsule, Epic adds. The company plans to open its first U.S. boutique in New York in October. The elite shopping district of 65 th and Madison soon will be able to enjoy the flavor of Nespresso, which also will be releasing its first-ever line of flavored coffees, adds Epic.

The company is very particular about the type and grade of coffee that goes into each capsule, selecting only the finest quality beans, he concludes. More information, as well as ordering information, can be found at Nespresso.com.

Jeff Miller of Mojito Island is excited about what he calls “the most delicious mojito you’ll ever have” and the easiest to make. The company is no stranger to celebrity parties, having been featured earlier this year at the Oscar Diamond Lounge Party, where the delicious drinks received rave reviews for their minty rum flavor. Having a pre-mixed formula guarantees a great drink that is easy to prepare and will taste fantastic every time, he adds.

“All you need to do is fill a glass with ice, throw in your favorite light rum, some soda water, throw in Mojito Island and top it off with some mint leaves for garnish and a lime wedge – and you have the perfect mojito every single time,” Miller says. “It’s basically pre-muddled.”

After five years of perfecting, the Mojito Island formula has circumvented the problem many bartenders have had with preparing the popular drink, he says. Being able to use the same perfect ratios of mint, simple syrup, lime, and rum can be troubling – and result in a less-than-stellar cocktail. “This way you get a consistent mojito that is delicious any time,” Miller says. Mojito Island is only available in bars and restaurants; however, it will be available for retail purchase in the near future.

Robert Wan’s Tahiti Company is redefining couture jewelry with its distinctive pearl necklaces, according to Turia, company spokeswoman. “Robert Wan is the largest producer of Tahitian pearls in the world,” she says. “He provides the best high-end, knowledgeable resource for these pearls, so this is basically what he’s been doing for the past 30 years. For the past four years, we’ve been branding his pearls with his name with a different kind of jewelry by doing high-end accessories with pearls, so it’s more – it’s a different way of wearing pearls, with a different concept,” she added.

That different way includes using the magnificently sized beads with dresses, purses and more, Turia says, and the company sees the added aesthetic benefit of mixing the pearls with silk and other fine materials. The standout feature of Wan’s pearls is that each necklace contains beautiful, uniquely hued beads of different sizes, with almost a rainbow appearance against a black background.

“As you see in this line of jewelry, we are playing with the different kinds of shapes and colors in the pearl,” Turia says. “Of course, you know, the perfect, round pearls are very exclusive and rare. We have very, very exclusive strands.”

The high cost of the pearls is justified by the extensive amount of work that goes into securing each one from the Tahitian coast, which includes many private islands. One pearl takes six years to produce, says Turia. The rarer the pearl, the more high end it becomes, she adds.

For now, Wan will focus only on pearl strands, perhaps incorporating other jewels in with the line. “We’re the biggest producer of pearls, so we will eventually use other precious stones; but the pearl will always be our queen.”

Tak, who represents Kunna Jeans, is bringing the haute couture of Japanese-made denim to the U.S. market. The stylish and expertly sewn clothing features a fashionable mishmash of denim designs. The manufacturing process involves punching out the fabric of the jeans from the inside, resulting in amazingly colorful and creative patterns.

“The concept is a whole background of [founder Hiro Morise’s] love of surfing,” says Tak. “Every single time we come up with something new to appeal to consumers all around the world, retailers and surfers.” The line includes jackets, sweatshirts, cargo pants and unisex shirts. The production, oddly, is very quick because of the support from Japanese textile makers, Tak says. An added perk – the designs incorporate leftover fabric, making the line a great tool for repurposing the fine, quality denim, he adds.

Beauty Addicts’ cosmetic line was on hand to present celebrities with a new, hypoallergenic and quality makeup line, specifically tailored for use at the right time, all the time, says representative Alexandra. “It’s a makeup line designed to be a simple beauty system for women,” she says. “What we do is we design color families based on a woman’s attitude or mood, instead of designing by traditional seasonal color families”:

Glow, a shimmering and glossy palette; Express, with natural, earthy tones; Motivate, which is very classic and edgy; and Seduce, an “all-out” glamorous palette perfect for evening parties, make up the portable and easy-to-use makeup kit that helps skin while it makes it look fantastic, she says.

“It’s very good for the skin: a lot of anti-aging ingredients, green tea – because that helps calm redness in the skin – SPF, it’s beautiful, luxury makeup, simple for the skin and very easy to use,” Alexandra says.

Originally designed for the high-end spa market, the makeup line evolved into a more focused line for women to feel beautiful at any time, working with all skin tones, she adds. Counted among Beauty Addicts’ fans are Sharon Stone, Bai Ling and numerous professional athletes who appreciate the line’s ability to stay vibrant and fresh throughout wear. Visit BeautyAddicts.com.

Author of Men are From Mars, Women are From Venus , Dr. John Gray, presented his new dietetic line of the Mars & Venus Diet and Exercise Solution, a formulated supplement program targeting the different metabolic levels of men and women. However, beyond just encouraging good eating habits, the program also addresses the link between poor diet and poor relationships.

“Under stress, men run low in dopamine, which gives you energy and motivation and interest – which is why men get bored in relationships,” Gray says. “Women get overwhelmed when their serotonin levels drop. Women feel food cravings or they feel more depression because of low serotonin. So I came up with all the natural foods that we lack in our diet that would provide more dopamine levels for men and more serotonin levels for women.”

By replacing breakfast with the special supplement, women and men experience a relationship-enhancing diet because their psychological and physical selves are healthier. The natural minerals and ingredients are designed to affect brain chemistry, while also addressing the body’s glycemic index tolerance, Gray says.

“Refined sugars give you spikes instead of sustained blood sugar,” Gray says. “And, with diets that incorporate just the glycemic index, they’re great, but you have to have a lot of control, exercise. With my program, you don’t need to do more exercise, you don’t need to diet anymore; just supplement your body with what it’s missing,” he says. Visit MarsVenus.com for more information.

Additional vendors included Lasik, Dove, Energetix, Royal Guard Clothings, Octavio Carlin (former child actor cum haute couture designer), Bora Bora Nui Resort, Jimmy Jimmy Coco, Moonsus and Marsus (high-end laptop carriers), Edge Tech, Only Heart Club and Monaco, among others.

Still, the vendors shared the spotlight with the more than 70 stars who showed up to revel in the garden party’s atmosphere, including comedian Kathy Griffin, Brain Cranston (Malcolm in the Middle) , Alfre Woodward, Allison Janney, Eva Larue, Jonathan Silverman, Kimberly Elise, Maria Conchita Alonso, Sir Ben Kingsley, Vincent Martella, Sharon Lawrence, Niecy Nash, Joshua Lebar, and many others who received special gift bags featuring some of the vendors’ top-quality products. Clearly, the Garden Party 2007 has quite a lot to live up to.

Written by Natalie Martin

GenArt L.A. Fashion Week Premiere: “New Garde 2006”

Presenting Three Designer Installations with Rotating Vignettes: Kit Pistol, Mandula, and Unhee

GenArt’s Access to Emerging Art rocked downtown Park Plaza on March 17, announcing L.A. Fashion Week with “New Garde 2006 . ” The three designers featured—Kit Pistol, Mandula, and Unhee—represented a spectacular eclectic range of fashion philosophies.

Kit Pistol: Kit Pistol, aka Christina Scarbo, is an FIT fashion design graduate. Her mod installation explored pieces inspired from her prior work as a lingerie technician in New Orleans burlesque. Canary yellow and theme music of Annie reinforced the intended playful tone of the fall collection, set in a school ground setting complete with slide and swing set. Navy plaids and tartans, exposed bras, panties, and knee highs were featured throughout, some with spiffy pairings of patterns and an overall preppy quality.

Mandula: Hungarian-born fashion designer Hajnalka Mandula is well known in Canada, her current home base. The Pacific Northwest atmosphere and palette of the region resonated in the collection: many of the pieces were constructed from torn fabrics and crochet that are hand-knitted and dyed with natural substances, such as tea, coffee, pumpkin seed oil, and berries.

Installations began with models entering the stage from what can only be described as an orb-pod-twig construction, illuminated from within. The outdoorsy cocoon concept completed the garments. Layered legwarmers, tights, scarves, and knits, all in the neutral palette, made me think autumn, but with the moderate beach climate of California’s coastal living, one can wear them year round.

Unhee: Suzy Yun launched Unhee as an experimental endeavor in 2005, working from her small studio. A year later she has navigated through the theatrical concept of fashion and art fusion. In what was commonly described by GenArt onlookers as “The Pirate Room,” her installation usurped the concept of a night of fashion. A strong costuming flair describes the heavy-wrap flounces, which accentuated and complemented the feminine bodice. Wrap-style pieces and shimmery puffed sleeves in a rich palette of jewel tones and delicate yet regal fabrics of satin and velvet set a romantic-at-sea vibe against the billowy movements of a mock pirate ship. Hair, makeup, set design, and overall ambience in that room made it a show to remember.

Details at www.genart.org.

Coverage by Pamela Heath

Runway Rundown: Fall 2006 Mercedes Benz Fashion Week

Runway Rundown – Fall 2006 Mercedes Benz Fashion Week

It’s impossible to make it to every show during LA Fashion Week at Smashbox. Regular attendees know that. And in “regular,” I don’t mean the celebrities that can saunter in VIP-status with seats held and fluffed down in the front row. As for regular, I mean industry folks like myself who depend on invitations and RSVP lists just as we depend on our audio recorders and lined notepads. With parking crises, valet lines, check-in waits, and schedule changes, etc., making it to every show with a decent view while noting the designer’s vision and execution is not always a cinch. But happily, I was able to sit down and soak up some of the most anticipated runway shows this season.

Designer Erik Hart of Morphine Generation created the beauty of punk rock mayhem through his own take of fashion through black hooded capes, skinny jeans, tattered vintage tees, red plaid capelets, and a show splattered with faded shades of grays and black. As frontman to post-punk, Goth group Suicide Club, Hart blurred the line between fashion and music in his first clothing line. And when it comes to rock on the runway, what was up with the solo guitarist opening the Antik Denim show? What started off as a cool onstage introduction turned into about 15 minutes of pure noise–and I wasn’t the only one who noticed it either. “Enough already!” and “Start the show!” sentiments yelled out from the crowd prior to the first model stomping ground. But the show turned out to be hot: sexy mini-skirts, fabulous signature stitching on the slouchy, extremely low pockets, tons of leather, fishnet, chains, and all other details that personified the underground movement of fashion, yet with a kid model thrown in here and there.

But there were definitely no tykes onstage at the burlesque-drivenAgent Provacateur lingerie show in the Main Tent. It was totally risqué with semi-nude models adorned with bows, garter belts, lace, and everything that’s most coveted behind closed doors. A-listers galore showed up, anticipating this season’s desirable designs: Courtney Love, Kimberly Stewart, Carmen Electra, and Christina Aguilera, just to name a few.

As for international inspirations, Sue Wong delivered an interesting production. With themed chapters by cities and countries, her ethnic designs and use of bold color were no doubt beautiful, but the snake-arm-Egyptian-like movements from the models didn’t turn over well in my book. A cute idea, but some of them were struggling with doing so and walking the runway at the same time, making it look just plain silly. But a few hours prior was the Alan Del Rosario show, an enlightening experience into the world of gypsies, flamenco fashion, and powerful women. With male models following the females down the catwalk and sensual styles in blacks, grays, whites, and reds, this Filipino designer is headed in a luxurious direction with the debut of his self-titled collection.

And as everyone has his/her favorite designers to flock to or look forward to discovering for the first time, LA Fashion Week is an awesome time to check out the scene. You can people watch, chit-chat in between shows while making new connections in the process, and breathe in a fresh season of trends, making me realize over and over again that the real show is the waiting room.

Written by Elana Pruitt

A Private Luxury: An Intimate talk with Lingerie Designer Stacey King

A Private Luxury

Lingerie designer Stacey Walker King is no stranger to the private luxury of sexy undergarments. As CEO of iCovet, a Los Angeles-based personal shopping business, this Duke graduate knows a thing or two about finding the perfect pieces for a woman to feel gorgeous. Amid her evolution as a designer of intimate apparel, King is aware that if it came down to it, most women would feel more comfortable forking over their last dollar for fabulous jeans instead of a beautiful black slip dress. Still, a little something special to lounge in or slip on and off may be the next best addition to your wardrobe. Whether lingerie has become your recipe for success behind closed doors or is worn for thyself to feel oh-so-wonderful, King’s line LaVande SWK(pronounced lah-VAHND) offers numerous vintage-inspired numbers that are designed to accentuate the female figure. In delivering the goods, King gives insight into where she’s coming from.

EVOLUTION AS A FASHION DESIGNER

I have always loved lingerie–I really have. And I find that with a lot of the clients that I personal shop for, this is the last area that they spend their money on. Shoes, no problem. Handbags, no problem. Lingerie is always an afterthought. At one point in my career, I had to travel to Paris a lot, and I just loved the way European women view lingerie. They can give little thought to the entire outfit, but their undergarments are always wonderful. They know that they are worth it. It’s almost a sacred thing: “These items are the closest to my skin, so I should take the most care in choosing them.” The way lingerie is marketed in this country is exactly the opposite. It’s more about getting items for a spouse or significant other, rather than wearing pieces that celebrate you.

LA FASHION WEEK DESIGNERS

I saw Kevan Hall, whose mastery of luxurious fabrics was a joy to watch. I was mesmerized by his collection. I did see the Agent Provocateur show and I loved the spectacle of their show; I am a fan of their line, as well. Louis Verdad and David Meister also put on great shows as well.

DRESSING FOR THYSELF

Even though these pieces are mainly hidden from view, I think we are all aware of the transformation that happens when you are dressed really well. This is the same thing that happens for me when I’m wearing wonderful undergarments. It doesn’t matter to me that other people don’t know. I know! And it’s a great little confidence boost to know that I look good in ways that other people aren’t even aware of. I look good inside and out. It’s my little secret.

INFLUENCES ON MY OWN STYLE

I pull influences from a lot of different areas. I’d have to say that my mother gave me a lot of confidence to be my own person. My grandmother taught me a lot about grace, which I still think is the most important thing a woman can ever hope to wrap herself in. From a celebrity standpoint, I’d have to say Diana Ross a la “Mahogany.”

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ICOVET AND LAVANDE SWK

These are definitely complementary businesses. The great thing about iCovet is that I’m able not only to introduce new items and styles to my clients, but most importantly, there’s an opportunity there to educate. I can show a woman how a little slip of silk will make a huge difference in the way she walks, and the way she carries and thinks about herself all day long.

BIGGEST CHALLENGE THUS FAR

The hardest part has been getting the fit right. The work in getting these items not only to look beautiful but also to fit perfectly has been immensely challenging. The best undergarments are the ones that disappear, not only visually, but that feel invisible as well. The other challenge for me is to stop designing! I’m constantly getting inspired by something and trying to add it to the line. At some point, you have to stop yourself and save it for the next collection. Really, really tough!

* Designs from the LaVande SWK collection are available atwww.lavande-swk.com.

Dress of a Woman: Alan Del Rosario

Dress of a Woman – Alan Del Rosario

Feminine and fierce, with the scent of flamenco spirit–ah yes, Alan Del Rosario’s fall 2006 fashion show was ultra-sexy! From the sway of the models’ hips to their face-off strut with camera flashes, his sophisticated collection has the kind of international flair that makes you want to skip out on your 8 to 5 and visit that exotic land you’ve been dreaming about. With such extravagance and dressy detail worth witnessing, Del Rosario’s fall collection is definitely not designed for the tame and timid.

Off the bat, his inspiration was alive and kicking: … The sights and sounds of Barcelona, Madrid, Mexico City, Buenos Aires, and Manila … the movement of flamenco dancers and even Spanish beauties Penelope Cruz and Selma Hayek, as well as globe-trekker Angeline Jolie, mesmerized me. This collection is infused with a fiery, tempestuous strength. And what else has worked its way into the launch of his new couture line? Gypsy style from around the world also poured through his use of “bold, ornate, modern yet ancient textures,” while hoping to maintain a level of “American sensitivity.”

I sat front row with eagle-eyed intent, and my focus immediately gravitated toward the beauty before me: the flattering cuts and styles wonderfully designed with regard for feminine curves. Penciled skirts in a variety of fabrics puckered out from the knee down, and form-fitting silk pieces actually created a svelte look, nothing close to frumpy or cumbersome. And with peek-a-boo midriffs showing forth here and there above classy high-waisted skirts, it was hard not to imagine slipping these unique designs on and walking along with the best of them.

With excitement in the air, the debut of “Alan Del Rosario” follows the recent development of “Del Rosario,” his contemporary line of women’s clothing that lost its place a few years back due to a financial blow. Now with a clearer understanding of the American market, Del Rosario is fired up, in high demand, and full of determination.

“It’s about serious women too,” he says. “As much as I do love to show their sensuality, I don’t want to compromise their intelligence. They have to be smart and feel sexy with no apologies.”

Sticking with the basics, Del Rosario shied away from the typical chocolate flavor of the season, yet showed off dynamic combo contrasts of grays, blacks, whites, with bloodthirsty, fiery red in the midst of it all. Through unconventional bustiers and silk gowns, oversized roses and bows, tiered floor-length skirts, black lace dresses, strikingly-high slits, and splashes of leather, Del Rosario delivered a show that made you feel gutsy just watching it. Think evening wear at its bravest–or better yet–its sultriest, in which he adorned with lace gloves, canes, sheer veils, sun umbrellas (parasols), and piercingly-pointed stiletto boots.

According to the words of Del Rosario, evening wear is “the opportunity to catch a woman at her most feminine, her most glamorous. It’s the moment she feels like a star.” And with male models reluctantly, yet promptly, following estrogen-charged steps on stage, he especially depicts his view about women in the Latin culture.

“I’d like to enhance more what women are about and try to empower them–for them to enjoy and embrace their sensuality,” says the Filipino-bred designer who once led a civil engineering career before pursuing the ever-evolving world of fashion design. “I come from a Latin culture, and these women are very, very strong. The bottom line is the woman controls the home.”

The dress of a woman is something worth exploring, and as I exited Stage One that third day of Fashion Week, I imagined a little flaunt of my own along the catwalk, twirling an umbrella in hand, covered in couture, with a gaze that could kill. Alan Del Rosario feels it, and so did I: looking sexy is all about feeling it too.

Written by Elana Pruitt

The Beauty Agenda

The Beauty Agenda
by Patricia Lee

Q: What is the difference between sunscreen and sunblock? Though I would like protection from the sun, I’d still like to be able to achieve a tan this summer.

A: Ah summer! As we shake off sheaths of clothing in favor of showing some skin, the summer sun can scorch, especially if one opts to head out sans sun protection. The outer layer of one’s skin is comprised of dead cells on the surface and live cells right beneath, which repeatedly replenish the surface of one’s skin with dead cells. Overexposure to ultra violet radiation from the sun deeply damages or destroys live cells, producing painful pomegranate-toned skin, increasing the chances of skin cancer, and promoting premature aging. Naturally, the most prudent protection from the negative effects of sun damage would be to stay out of the sun or completely cover oneself from head to toe, but that ultimately defeats the purpose of truly enjoying the wonderfully warm weather. Your other option? Before hitting the beach, partaking in some outdoor activity, or even people watching curbside with friends over some refreshing mojitos, suit up with some sun protection, such as sunscreen or sunblock, both of which work to protect one from the skin roasting, radiation-laden rays. The form of protection one seeks determines one’s choice between a sunscreen and sunblock. Sunscreen, a chemical block, can be absorbed into one’s skin. Once applied, it absorbs radiation and limits the amount of UVA and UVB rays penetrating one’s skin. Sunblock, a physical block, lies on the surface of one’s skin rather than being absorbed. Based on its composition, it defends by its ability to either absorb or reflect rays away from one’s epidermis.

Savvy SPF selection serves as a key factor in sun protection. SPF, sun protection factor, refers to the amount of protection one obtains in minutes with a particular protection level compared to unprotected skin. For instance, if an individual who burns after 30 minutes of unprotected exposure to the sun applied sunscreen with an SPF of 30, he/she could stay out soaking some sun for 900 minutes. However, throwing in such factors as activity type, temperature, time of day, and the inevitability of perspiration, it may prove prudent to either pick a water-resistant or waterproof product, select a stronger than usual SPF, or routinely reapply one’s selected sun protection. If you fall under fair-toned and your goal is gaining a golden hue, you may wish to select an SPF 30 sunscreen or sunblock. Regardless, reapplication remains relevant in one’s routine. Armed with sun protection, what are you waiting for? Get out there and make the most of your days in the sexy summer sun!

Q: With all the leg baring dresses and skirts this summer, how do I get my legs in tip top shape?

A: As the warm rays of the sexy summer sun shower us, those committed to sculpting sexy bods and those just blessed with good genes welcome the opportunity to strip down into summer’s array of skirts and dresses. For others not as fortunate that fancy following suit, get your gams in shape with some thigh tightening and trimming squats and lunges. Before you begin this butt kicking, yet beloved routine, it’s crucial and common sense to stretch. To stretch your butt and thigh muscles, begin by sitting on the ground. Leaning back for a bit of balance, sit up with your left leg bent and left foot on the ground. Bending your right leg, lift your leg, placing your ankle on the top of your left thigh right below the knee. Keeping this perhaps puzzling position, roll back so that you’re lying on the ground. Place your hands on the back of your left thigh and pull your thigh towards yourself. Scrupulously stay in this position as you pull. You’ll begin to feel your right buttock and thigh stretch/burn. Hold the position for at least five seconds before switching over to stretch the left side. Stretch and hold the position a few times before beginning and after each repetition of squats or lunges, which may possibly help in staving off some stretch marks.

With two ten to fifteen pound weights, stand shoulder width apart, resting a weight on each shoulder yet remaining parallel to the ground. Inhale as you bend your knees until your behind is parallel to the ground, carefully keeping your back straight. Be sure not to bend your back, putting possibly painful pressure on your knees. Exhale as you carefully concentrate on contracting your glutes and standing in an upright position. Begin with two sets of ten before working your way to more reps or heavier weights.

For lunges, start your stance in an upright position with weights at your side. As you extend your right foot forward, bend your lower leg towards the ground until your thigh is parallel to the ground. As you begin to stand upright, extend the left leg as if you’re taking a stroll, bending your right leg towards the ground, until your left thigh is parallel to the ground. Remember to inhale as you bend downward and to exhale as you begin to stand upright. Try for two sets of twelve steps for starters.

Post physical priming, work on boosting your body’s outer appearance. After efficiently exfoliating your legs and thighs, maintain the moisturizing mantra. Meticulously massage moisturizer in oil, cream, or lotion form all over legs and thighs daily. On days you seek to show off, opt for leg boosting balms, such as Neutrogena’s Body Oil Sesame Formula, which saturates legs with sesame oil to silken and smooth legs, leaving a superior sexy sheen. For nighttime naughtiness, boost your babe factor by adding some sparkle to your skin with enhancing lotions, such as Nivea’s Silky Shimmer Lotion or Scott Barnes’ Body Bling, which imparts a bit of pigment and/or shimmer to help fake a flawless look and to bolster your legs onto center stage. With such jaw-dropping gams, you’re ready for one sensational summer.

Tried & Tested

No season screams skin like summer. As balmy weather beckons, scads shed the caked on, concealing look of heavy makeup in support of allowing the natural luminosity of one’s skin to shine through. As sun lovers and worshipers opt for outdoor activities to soak in some summer goodness, the steamy summer calls for a fresh, hassle-free look. Pamper and prime your face using a heavenly hydrating lotion laden with antioxidants and botanicals, which work to fight fine lines and improve the overall appearance and texture of your face. We love Dr. Jessica Wu Cosmeceuticals Dew Cream , which fuses Eastern beauty principles and tradition with Western science. Exceptionally light and luxurious, this extraordinary emulsion spoils your skin, as it slips on like silk sans the slick, slippery feel. Soaking in the soothing botanicals, skin looks and feels super soft, supple, and sprightly, as fine lines fade and dullness takes a back seat. Bright, baby-soft skin beyond compare to complete the sweet, seductive look of summer? You’ve got it covered.

Sizzlin’ Summer

Sweet yet seductive, cute yet coquettish, demure yet bold, darling yet daring, the summer charms and captivates with coyly contrasting pieces, such as feminine, girly, vintage-inspired lace dresses cleverly crossed with daring hemlines, boyish shorts mixed with sexy peep toe platforms, bewitching bohemian top teasingly teamed up with sassy sandals, and exotic empire-waist dresses prettily paired with lower key Roman sandals. The look exudes enigmatic seductiveness.

With the potential to increase one’s sizzle factor, footwear itself acts as an indispensable accessory in and of itself.

A few of our favorites : Marc Jacobs Gladiators, Jelly Sandals, Cholé Chunky Heeled Sandals, Steven by Steve Madden Lalo

Getting Glammed

Rather than conventionally carrying off in the all too predictable pinks, peaches, sorbets, and nudey nail polishes to complement the girly dresses and tops or striking shades to complement exotic ensembles, let the bold magnetism of mix ‘n match textures, styles, lengths perfect your mani pedi this season. Throw a dash of dramatic with the feminine or a splash of subtle with the colorful. Come hither contrasts prove pretty.

A few favorites :

Chanel Le Vernis

Pulsion Cobra Ballerina Seduction

Essie

infatuation flirt China Doll

Written by Patricia Lee

Ty-Ron Mayes, Stylist and Fashion Editor with a Super Hero Eye

Ty-Ron Mayes – Stylist and Fashion Editor with a Super Hero Eye

Some people see New York stylist Ty-Ron Mayes as a triple threat. Not only does he do styling, but he has also mastered make-up and hair. He was in town styling a shoot, and I was able to ask Ty-Ron some key questions.

While Ty-Ron Mayes was in college studying pre-law (he wanted to be a lawyer).

I have a Bachelor of Arts and Sciences in Pre-law/Political Sciences.

Styling was always his hobby, his extra-curricular activity, and it started to become a lucrative business.

Ty-Ron decided to give it a couple of years before he began to immerse himself in another industry. While he was actually doing work in the law field, it started to pull him away from law. That’s when he decided to try fashion for two years.

“I discussed it with my family because they invested a lot of money in me, doing other things. And luckily it took off. I am an opportunist, so I took the opportunity when it arose. I got an internship, and was briefly hired with David Glinert and Associates under Entertainment Law. We handled precedent setting cases at the time, like Martha Walsh and Lolita Hallaway. Their voices were being sampled illegally. Now, as a result, you have to reference anything sampled, and you must pay for it. That was my beginning.”

Ty-Ron was always shooting for his portfolio, and he ended up getting some good layouts on magazines. Always interested in some facet of entertainment, whatever career he decided, it would have to be in entertainment in some way. This explains why he went into entertainment law. If not, then it would have been something else that would lead to his fashion career. And his first break came very soon.

“I had positioned myself to be with Amica Magazine because they were a weekly Italian publication, which gave me 52 chances a year to get published; and because they did 10 stories, it gave me 520 chances to get published. They liked me, but it was that one time I walked in with pictures of Bridget Hall, a 16-year-old super model who had done covers with Italian Vogue. They were astounded that I was able to shoot with her—because they couldn’t even get her themselves. That was my big break, and they ran the story that we shot. I was then asked to come in and do some shoots. Tony Verga of Amica Magazine, the editor at the time, trained me on how to do a fashion layout with all the politics that went behind it. I even shot with Scavullo. Sean Byrnes of Cosmo also took me under his wing. I did Oprah and Iman and it all snowballed at one time.”

There must have been something extra special, a technique that makes you a great stylist.

“I was friendly, people liked me, and helped me because of it. Lisa Lawrence with Moda had been giving me Jean Paul Gaultier for 14 years. What happened was my first love was comic books. I wanted to draw the super heroes, so I was searching my entire life to be able to transfer that love for the comics into the fashion divas that I was working with. I wanted women to look beautiful and heroic. I learned how to do makeup and hair, also; and because of my drawing technique, I was able to pick it up very easily. I learned how to augment the nose along with the little tricks that make celebrities look special. That made my vision of how women could look special. That was my secret weapon.

“It’s more about understanding what’s reality and not reality. Fashion is fantasy—it’s 2-dimensional. So you’re taking a human being who is 3-dimensional, and you have to see them as a 2-dimensional image. It’s almost dehumanizing. When I’m working with models, I’m thinking about the way they’re going to look in the picture. If you know the way the camera was created, whatever is closest to the camera is going to get bigger. A lot of times when I do makeup, I do contouring of the nose, because it’s going to be the closest thing to the camera. So the nose has a tendency to get a little bit wider. So you do some tricks, or see things in 2-dimensional. You’ll highlight the front of the nose and contour the sides because what gets darker falls back and what gets lighter goes front. That’s how you compensate and balance for what the camera is doing, taking a 3-dimensional image and flattening it into a 2-dimensional image. That’s also another reason they like models to be very tall and thin, because they look very normal on the runway. But when you see them in person, you’ll say, ‘’My God she’s 6’1, she didn’t look like that,’ because the camera squashes, flattens, and widens. So if you have a very long body, and it’s photographed, it will photograph like it’s normal. It’s really about understanding the medium that you’re working with.

“There are a lot of tricks, too. Photographers use certain lenses that can slim and elongate the body. They use different lenses that will be for beauty that won’t distort the face. It won’t make it wider or longer. We use a lot of different techniques in order to create an image. I would love for women to know that it is not real. It is definitely for fun—it’s fantasy.

“Then of course there’s retouching—everybody has computers now. No image goes through fashion without being retouched somewhat. Eyes are cleaned up to look whiter. Pupils are made a little bit bigger because they’re considered an erogenous zone, and that means that you’re sexually turned on if your pupils are very wide. So they will sometimes tweak and augment the eyes for magazine covers. There are lots of little tricks that go into making pictures.

“I also wanted to know more than if just the dress is pretty, or if she’s pretty. ‘Pretty’ gets you in the door. It’s all the other techniques that you learn that create the artist, and create someone that people want to work with, and people feel like they’re going to bring something fresh and new and different. The interpretation is going to be different each time. For all artists, you really have to learn your medium. A lot of the new kids that are on the block have no references. You need to have your references so you know what 60s fashion was about. And if you’re going to talk about make-up, what a doe eye is, a smoke eye, and color wash. You know the top and bottom lashes like Liza (Minnelli) and Cher. You really have to have some good references to pull from. This is what’s going to make a fashion picture even more interesting. When people look at a story, it should have some continuity and fluidity. They should be able to look at a fashion layout and see some kind of thin thread that ties all of the images together, and it creates a story and it speaks to you before you even read the title.”

What does Ty-Ron consider to be a trend in 2006?

“On the red carpet I see a lot of clutches from the Hollywood actress with drop down earrings. Platform shoes are more arched, streamlined, and thinner, corked bottoms and wood bottoms. It’s rethought, and shaped into something new. People don’t want to buy something completely old; they want to buy something new with a twist. Celebrities can be a great vehicle for trends, but the designers all have their own individuality—but they also have an ESP. I like to call it the hive mentality, you know, like a beehive. The one queen bee does something, and then all of the other yellow jackets go around and follow her message. So you’ll find that designers will do something and somehow the buzz word gets around. Celebrities have become the new runway stars, and the fashion model has stepped back into her old place. Now people really are celebrity driven. They’re following trends through celebrities. The tabloid magazines have all changed their direction and have gone with the times. And they’re tracking what these celebrities are wearing. You’ll see credits of who’s wearing what, their handbag, shoes, etc. The knock off industry has exploded because we can’t afford the Roberto Cavalli. But you’ll see the day after the Oscars the six hottest dresses duplicated in affordable fabric because people want to look like celebrities now. And now these celebrities look better than ever. They have the perfect haircut, the perfect color. They’re all skinny. They’re all killing themselves dieting so they can actually be on that red carpet. It’s leading to celebrities getting cosmetic, designing, and fashion campaigns. They’re now making their own clothing lines. Instead of blowing up designers on rap records, you’re seeing rappers now talking about their own line. And the kids are going out and they’re buying it, because the celebrity is so powerful.

“It doesn’t come easy. One thing you have to know about the fashion industry, if anyone is going to get involved with it, a lot of it has to do with rejection. It has nothing to do personally with you. A lot of times, you’re just not right for the job, or someone is a friend of someone, and they’re going to get the booking. If you can deal with the rejection and a lot of the near misses, you can have a really good career in the industry. But you really have to know the animal that you’re with. This industry is very fickle. You can be in one day, and out the next.”

Who are some of Ty-Ron’s favorite designers?

“I have designers I gravitate toward for many reasons. Artistically, I like Vivienne Westwood and Alexander McQueen for incredible corseting and interesting beading, and for chic and sexy [there] is Gucci. I always like to bring in somebody new. I am always interested in who’s going to be the next big designer, for instance, Jason Woo, who is a new designer who created the RuPaul doll. I like to book designers who do well and don’t try to make something out of what’s not there.”

Is it hard to be a stylist and not try to make over everyone you meet?

“I learned early on to turn it off, ‘cause if not, you’ll go crazy. You’ll scrutinize everybody that goes past you. I don’t traumatize women by putting them up to an unlivable standard. It’s O. K. to have an eyebrow out of place, or if you want to be experimental with a weird hair color. I like people to be normal. I talk to women all the time about this fashion machine because it can be very abusive to women. Fashion is for children. All of the models that you see walking down the runway that are size 0, 1, and 2 they’re all 15 years old. When they get that dress in the store, it’s going to be cut, reshaped, and lengthened to fit a woman’s body.”

Can you make any woman over?

“I can make a woman look fantastical and beautiful. But I am not a plastic surgeon and cannot move things around. But with tricks we can corset, pad, push up, lift up, and strategically hide things. Everyone, even models, have something that we as stylists hide and something that we really play up on. So if you look at the person’s best asset like maybe a great bust line or great legs, everyone has a little something. You can take that and magnify it, and make that your focal point, and I think that if women learned that little trick, they could take that into their everyday life. And they will feel a lot better about themselves because the real fashion models you see in the magazine don’t really exist. But they each have something special, and remember that we constantly fix and retouch.”

Highest High

“I think that I am enjoying the highs right now. I am in a place where I feel like I learned my craft and I have a lot to offer to my clients. They trust me. It takes a long time to gain people’s trust. It’s a really unfriendly industry to people that are new. A lot rides on a great makeup artist, great stylist, and a fashion model who’s thin, has great skin, and is on time. Millions of dollars are riding on whether or not we are going to produce what we say we can produce. So if I have to say that I am riding on high, right now people can trust my layouts, I have a history behind me. And hopefully I can go further with the career. I am also looking at a book deal.

“I am the fashion editor of a new magazine called Jewel Magazine. I get a chance to do this high-end magazine for people of color. If I can bring all the techniques that I learned on mainstream magazines into this publication, I think I can help change the face of publishing and prove that yes we can sell. One of the biggest injustices in the industry is that they say that blacks and others don’t sell when they put us on their magazine covers. So my task right now is that I want to bring that to the publishing world and show that we can sell.”

Look for Jewel Magazine on the newsstands. For more information about Ty-Ron Mayes visit Warren Tricomi Artist Management at:www.wtmanagement.net.

Interviewed and written by Kaylene Peoples

View the Ty-Ron Mayes web gallery

Watch the video.

Adrienne Janic – From Model to Television C0-Host

Adrienne Janic – From Model to Television Co-Host

image of Adrienne Janic Ford model and co-host of TLC’sOverhaulin’, Adrienne, AKA AJ, is climbing the road to success one car at a time. Adrienne was hired for a one-time episode onOverhaulin’ and won the producers’ hearts immediately. They asked her to shoot five more episodes then promptly contracted her as a permanent fixture on the popular television show.

“I played the part of a shop owner’s wife. I had on a mini-skirt, stiletto heels, and big hair, just really gaudy. It was what I thought an auto shop owner’s wife would be. The guy came to get his truck, and he thought it was getting done for free. Well, little did he know that I was going to charge him $1,500.00. So, I really got under his skin, and he was so upset with me. He called me every nasty name in the book (which was cut out of the show), and the director loved what I did and asked me to come back for another episode. That one episode led to more episodes on Overhaulin’, and the next thing I knew, the network called me and asked me to be the Co-Host.”

Before joining Overhaulin’ on TLC as a Co-Host, Adrienne hosted several shows on E! Entertainment. She hosted the pilot Music Café, and worked as a spokesperson for Coca-Cola’s Fanta Soda. Adrienne was born and raised in Whittier, California. Her mother was from Mexico, and her father was from Yugoslavia. Adrienne always knew she was an entertainer, and as early as six years old, she acted and danced on stage. She continued acting and dancing all through junior and senior high school. Adrienne attended Rio Hondo Community College and even wrote for a local newspaper for a short while.

At a supermarket one day, Adrienne was approached by a scout who asked her if she wanted to enter a modeling competition. At first she thought it was a scam, but the scout assured her it wasn’t and that it wouldn’t cost her anything. She thought about it and brought her dad along to the competition. Adrienne came in second place and won $200.00.

“For a 17-year-old, $200.00 was a big deal. So I did more local contests around the Whittier area. I would win anywhere from first to third place, and put cash in my pocket. One day, a photographer said I should go to Los Angeles to visit the different modeling agencies, and do this professionally. It took me a while, because Whittier seemed so far away from Hollywood to me, even though it was only twenty minutes away.”

Adrienne eventually gathered up the courage and went to five modeling agencies. The first one turned her down, telling her she was really pretty but too commercial. The other four wanted to sign her, but she ended up going with Ford. Adrienne had no idea that they were the largest modeling agency in the world.

“When I went to their open call, my hair was down to my waist, and I came in wearing so much makeup, big hoop earrings, red lipstick, too much mascara, blue eyeliner. I thought I was supposed to look like the cover of Cosmo. They actually told me to come back the next day and take off the earrings, get rid of the red lipstick, and remove the makeup. I thought, oh wow! I can’t go there without makeup. But once I came bare-faced, they offered me a contract.”

Adrienne has been with Ford Models for 10 years now. She started off doing Seventeen Magazine, Fitness Magazine, and was featured in so many more popular fashion magazines.

“As I’ve grown more comfortable in my skin, the more modeling jobs I’ve booked. I’ve learned with modeling it’s not so much physically—it’s how you feel about yourself, your confidence, and your personality. And as a result, I’ve been booking a lot more. But now with the show Overhaulin’, it’s been tough, but Ford has been really supportive.”

I asked Adrienne where she saw herself in five years. She would love to be doing films, and has already had some small supporting roles.

“Film is a whole other game. The pace is a lot slower, which it’s hard for me to get used to because I’ve done so much television. You shoot an episode in a week, or a couple of days, and I’m done. But in a movie, you’ll shoot just one scene in a day. On television, I can shoot my whole part in a day. It’s different, but I do love the big screen. So I hope to be there one day.”

Highest High
“Getting a contract with Coca-Cola and being a Fanta girl—that was so much fun. I was with them for four years. And Coca-Cola has probably been one of the best companies I’ve worked for. They are the nicest people and very down to earth. It was one of my biggest contracts with the commercials in the movie theaters and billboards. Everybody has seen it on television. I loved doing the personal appearances, traveling across the United States promoting Fanta, and also being with coca-cola from the very beginning, at the time, years ago before they decided to re-launch Fanta. I was there from the very beginning. I have been able to see the product grow and get into the market.”

Lowest Low
“I couldn’t get an audition for a few months. It was tough. This industry is feast or famine, and I couldn’t even get my foot in the door to even get an audition. I had to sit down and reevaluate things. Was this really how I wanted to live the rest of my life? When I worked, it was great, but when I didn’t work, it was horrible! I had to dip into my savings. It was really hard. I think the industry was just really slow at the time. I even called the model, acting and commercial agents. They all said that it wasn’t me. There was just nothing going on at the time. I even tried different things like getting highlights in my hair, taking new headshots, anything in the book that I could afford to do at the time. This was during the commercial SAG strike. I couldn’t even go out on any auditions. I cried a lot during that period of my life.”

I asked Adrienne if there was a love interest in her life, and she confessed that there was a special guy. She dated enough actors and models to know that she didn’t want to be with them. The more she got involved in those past relationships, the more they turned into a competition. One guy she dated had the nerve to ask her why she had more auditions and bookings than he did.

“A lot of insecurities came out with them. I just didn’t need that. I’m secure with myself in a relationship, and I don’t want to be with someone who’s like that. But at the same time, when I dated a guy that was not in the industry, they didn’t understand the schedule, or the fact that I had to do a kissing scene when it’s just work and doesn’t mean anything. That was tough, too. So I wondered where could I find that balance with someone who understands my schedule and is behind me 100 percent? So the guy I’m seeing is in production. He’s very supportive. He has to travel and be on set for hours at a time. With him, I think I finally found the right balance.”

Adrienne’s father has been her biggest fan since the day she decided she wanted to enter this crazy business that we call show business. He told her that whatever she wanted to do, whether it was basket weaving, or an oil painting in the mountains—he was behind her 100 percent. Adrienne’s mother was a little tougher. Being that she was from Mexico, she was big on education. Her mother had come to this country to better herself, and she had become a nurse.

“I’ve always known that I wanted to travel the world. It’s such a big world out there, and I didn’t want to stay in Whittier in school. So right out of high school, when I got the opportunity to model and travel the world, my dad gave me a little bit of money and told me to have fun. So my dad has been my biggest fan.”

And Adrienne is doing just that, and having fun right now. She is really grateful for her job at TLC.

“After ten years into this business, I’m so glad I didn’t give up. There were many times I wanted to throw in the towel. But to see the famous people that stuck with it succeed, that’s what kept me going. I probably have more rejections than I have had jobs, but you grow from that. You learn to have thick skin; and when something does happen, you’re grateful for it, because nothing is forever. So I’m going to try to ride this wave for as long as I can. I am going to enjoy every minute of it!”

Watch the video.

Interviewed and Written by Kaylene Peoples

Lisa Michelle – Designing Clothes Beautifully Both Inside and Out

Lisa Michelle – Designing Clothes Beautifully Both Inside and Out

The Lisa Michelle Collection may have only debuted last spring, but designer Lisa Felsenthal herself is not just stepping into the fashion scene. Having designed for names like Rozae Nichols and Monique Lhuillier, this designer has a resume to envy. Establishing her own line just moves her one step closer to achieving her dreams of having her designs worn by models strutting down the runway during Fashion Week.

It’s a dream to be able to have the opportunity share my work with so many people.

Lisa goes on to explain that passing random women on the street wearing the Lisa Michelle label will be a huge milestone for her as a designer.

The Los Angeles native has always had an interest in art and fashion. However, her journey to becoming a designer was slightly unorthodox.

While attending Reed College in Portland, Oregon, Lisa studied Fine Arts and Art History. The school’s liberal arts program allowed her to explore and fine-tune her skills in multiple disciplines: photography, painting, and drawing. For her final project, she used a culmination of all media to design a series of sculptures based on connections between fashion and architecture. It was her sculptural clothing “finale” at Reed that inspired a new beginning.

My journey in art transformed into one in fashion. I realized I wanted to make things both artistic and functional. I moved back to LA and attended Otis College of Art and Design. It was a three-year program with intense pattern making, sewing classes, and internships.

During her studies, Lisa had the opportunity to work beside both designers Michelle Mason and Jeremy Scott. It was under the wing of Jeremy Scott she began to grasp how to take sketches and make them come to life.

I wasn’t always sure how to do it at first, so I just started trying to put everything together, and throughout the creative process I would transform these sketches into a reality. The internship was a very positive experience.

As a student, she did not go unrecognized for her talent. She received numerous awards and honors, among them the Rosalind Gilbert award for evening wear, a Fashion Group International Award. Select designs by the budding young designer were even featured in the windows of Neiman Marcus.

The Lisa Michelle Collection offers a style that is feminine and flirty. It provides a mixture of serious architectural jackets and soft drapery in dresses. There is great attention to detail in each garment. As a clothing designer, there is always the challenge of finding ways to distinguish yourself from your peers. Perhaps, the thing that separates the Lisa Michelle Collection from other clothing lines is the use of such unique and exquisite fabrics. Traveling to the top European mills has allowed Lisa to stay on top of the latest trends and give buyers luxurious, quality pieces to add to their wardrobe. Lisa strives to come up with interesting ways of finishing garments, whether it is through contrast binding or specialty trims.

I pride myself on making everything as beautiful inside as outside.

Lisa describes the 2008 Fall Collection as having a “playful and optimistic attitude.” The line is made up of two distinct groups. A black and white group inspired by bold graphics combines different fabrics and textures. She found a fuzzy hounds-tooth to be very inspiring and used it to create a jacket that’s sure to stand out in a crowd. In contrast to the harshness of the black and white group, Lisa chose more natural earth tones, skirts and jackets made of velvets and a floral jacquard.

One of my highest points as a clothing designer was putting together the Fall 2008 Look Book. At the photo shoot, when the models are dressed in the clothing, it allows me to see it all come together. The collection comes to life, and all the hard work is rewarded.

Lisa does admit that so far each season’s Look Book brings a higher ??? with the new fabrics, the expansion of the collection, and new photographs.

So what has been Lisa’s lowest low since stepping into the world of fashion?

It’s hard to pinpoint just one particular moment. There are so many ups and downs, but it always goes back up.

Each day Lisa is faced with the same challenges and frustrations that many of her peers deal with as clothing designers.

Sometimes I will drape a garment and when it comes back from the sewing machine, it isn’t the way I want it and I have to rework it. Eventually some pieces have to be put aside, but some turn out better.

Lisa freely admits the beginning stages of production and getting her line into stores have been more difficult than she expected, but it is clear that her passion will allow her to prevail. Her advice to up-and-coming designers is to just start making pieces and let it evolve.

My first collection started with a dress. Then I made a jacket, next a shirt. Ilet it evolve and my mentality was that even if the collection did not work out I would have my dream wardrobe!

A sneak peak of her Spring 2009 collection reveals a much softer color palette, made up of creams, lavenders, and mossy greens in combination with bright yellows. Expect to seefloral prints, matte jersey dresses, and a Grecian theme throughout, which inspired interesting drapery in the garments.

Try to create something new every day. It doesn’t have to be perfect, just an expression of yourself is Lisa’s personal motto; and it would appear, thus far, it is leading this ambitious young designer down the right path.

To Learn more about this designer, visit her website at www.lisamichellecollections.com.

Interviewed by Shannon Haggard

Showtime® Style 2006 Review

Showtime Style® 2006 Review

Page 1.

At the Showtime Style 2006 Retreat, celebrities like Angela Bassett, Darryl Hannah, Andrea Bowman, Kathy Hilton, Kristen Bell and Tichina Arnold were spotted testing products, getting treatments, and walking away with bags and bags of goodies, from micro-dermabrasion kits to cashmere hoodies to laptops to exquisite and exotic jewelry. Many enjoyed the spirits of Margarita King and Star Ice, and ingested the non-alcoholic inner skin treatments from Borba. I watched like a voyeur as other celebrity personalities got eyelash extension treatments and vacation packages to exotic lands. I went from booth to booth and decided that I wanted to know what these vendors, inventors, designers, and founders had to say. I tested, tasted, felt, and learned all about these fabulous products myself while my photographer followed me and captured the essence of the afternoon at the Luxe Hotel’s Penthouse Suite.
Barbara Moore with DPA, manned the only table that had products from vendors who could not be there, like Dove, and Lykovouno,FouFouDog.com – Designer Doggy Wear, and an assortment of other goodies. Showtime offered a DVD pack, which included several of their shows: BROTHERHOOD; LIZA WITH A Z; SEXUAL HEALING; and HUFF the second season.

Jennifer Chang of Kumi Kookoon graciously showed me her assortment of linens. I felt the soft silk and envied anyone who possessed one of these bedding sets.

“We do loungewear for the home, bedding, embroidered butterflies, slippers, eye masks, and we’re giving away drawstring pants for the Golden Globes. We’ve been in existence a little over three years, and we’re based out of Los Angeles. We sell all over the world—we have a big celebrity following. I used to be a CPA, and I just hated it. My mom used to be a designer, so I thought I would do something I liked with my life, and here I am. It’s amazing how fast the company has grown. Gwyneth Paltro, Halle Barry, Debra Messing, Adrian Brody, and the like call all the time to order stuff.”

–Jennifer Chang

To learn more, visit www.kumikookoon.com.

As I turned around, I almost tripped into a woman wearing a lab coat. She was applying a micro-dermabrasion treatment, Derma New, to a woman’s hand. I looked on as she skillfully swirled the white tool around. When she was finished, her patient’s right hand looked at least five years younger than her left—it was amazing to watch! Well, needless to say, I wanted to try it for myself, and as the clinician worked her magic, she explained the entire process to me.

“My husband and I created the concept out of our former Day Spa in Beverly Hills, called Dean Rhodes for Hair, Skin and Body, and we’re going to be six years old this year. We’ve taken the clinical micro-dermabrasion procedure and created a way for consumers to get the same results at home. The crystals from the machine are in a cream base, a very super anti-oxidant rich cream, and we’re working the crystal cream onto the skin with a battery-operated tool. Now, when we apply a moisturizer or toner, your skin absorbs it so much more naturally. It’s about getting clinical procedures and results at home without having to go to a clinic. We’re literally polishing wrinkles, fine lines, hyper-pigmentation, sun damage, acne scars, and we’re also reducing pore size. The kits retail starting at $80.00. For less than the price of one micro-dermabrasion clinically, you can have a whole 30-day supply at home. It’s really affordable, it’s very safe, very effective, and it’s for all skin types. We think micro-dermabrasion is for everyone, even those with sensitive skin because we’re able to uncover fresher, newer skin that may be clogged, or may be congested on the surface. There may be dead skin cells; there may be excessive oil production. It’s all about finding the right type of exfoliation. If you’re not exfoliating, you’re not taking care of your skin. Initially, use it every day for five days in a row, and then take five days off; and then it comes back into your regimen two or three times a week after that.

“There is a complete skincare system that complements each of the systems. For instance, the sensitive skin system has sensitive skin care that nourishes that newly resurfaced skin. There are nourishing skin systems for all types and other formulations that nourish hands and feet. We can be found at Sephora in the USA and France, Alta nationwide, select locations at Nordstrom on the West Coast, and we’re in fine salons and spas all over the world in twenty countries.”

–Amby Longhoffe

To learn more, visit www.dermanew.com.

After my treatment I turned to my left and was immediately drawn to this bag of gummy bears. You see I was starving. I hadn’t had anything to eat all day. So I plopped a few of those gummy bears into my mouth. They were delicious! Scott Vincent Borba watched me and smiled. Then he offered me some water to wash them down. Okay, I’m game. Delicious! I looked at the calorie count and was shocked to see a zero with tons of nutrients. The bottle of water alone practically filled me up. He then proceeded to tell me all about his product.
“Borba is the first ever, new critical skincare water. Every bottle has 4 million nano spears, and literally, as soon as you drink it and put it into your trachea, it goes 100% into your blood stream. It attacks not just your face, but your back, your chest, legs, wherever there are issues. When you drink the product, within seven days, drinking it twice a day, you’ll see a result. Everything is clinically proven. We’re the first water that actually hydrates you. We’re actually four eight-ounce glasses of water in one bottle. All your supplements and vitamins are in one. All of your skincare is in one bottle. The packaging was made by the same manufacture that makes Louis Vuitton purses, so you have that texture. There are no calories, no carbs, and no sodium. It’s 100% organic. So for people that never take care of their skin, you can drink your way to clear and anti-aging skin.
“We have many different formulations: Anti-acne formulations 62% reduction in 28 days twice a day; 30% reduction on fine lines and wrinkles; 66% increase of hydration. It’s great for eczema, psoriasis, dandruff, and sensitive skin; one for cellulite stretch marks; and it also burns calories, so you lose weight. Borba is great for before and after sun damage. Then we have topical products that synergize the benefits. So when you use the topical products along with the internal products, you’re getting a whole synergy. It’s literally communicating and breathing and allowing the two to synergize to make it heal faster. Then we have the first ever skincare candy, gummy bears and jellybeans, using the same technology as the other products. I am a gummy bear fanatic. They have half the calories of normal candy, and the more you eat, the better your skin looks. You can buy this at Sephora, Nordstrom, and Magnolia Bakery in NY.”

–Scott Vincent Borba

To Learn more, visit www.borba.net.

So are you getting the picture yet? Everywhere I turned, there was something exciting going on. And they were all things I really wanted and needed to know about. As I enviously passed the three cosmetologists giving manicures, pedicures, and facials, I forged ahead. I passed through the hallway, and to my immediate left were these gorgeous handbags. They looked very expensive and they were unique in their design. They were the Moonsus / Marsuscollection from Canada, and the line, which is only four years old, has already been covered in fifty magazines.
“A lot of women are looking for a stylish bag in the market. There are not many stylish but functional bags available in the market. The interior has a sleek lining, which is mostly for laptops. The fabrics are designed for water and stain resistance with Jaguar fabric, which is one of the most durable. The men’s line, Marsus, is created along the same premise. But they are in the style of a backpack, which is preferable for men. The fall line is with traditional black leather, and the lighter colors are for spring. And new accessories come out once a year. You can buy Moonsus / Marsus online, at high-end boutiques, and department stores. They retail for $250.00 – $390.00. They are a nice quality, nice design, and affordable.”

–Christine Kuo

To learn more, visit www.moonsus.com.