NEWS FLASH! NEWS FLASH!! NEWS FLASH!!!
This blog has moved to a new location! You can now find it at www.la-story.com.
I haven't left Fashiontribes.com. I am still part of the staff. It was to streamline the blogs.
Why the move?
So you can find it easier and the pages will load faster.
There's a ton of new podcasts and features waiting to go up. So check out the new location and let me know what you think!
Stevie Wilson
Sources say that BOULEVARD3 was THE place to be during LAFW. I mean THE PLACE to be. 944 Magazine was there and snapping photos -- and the photo credit definitely goes to them for sticking around and taking photos of the guests. You won't find me and the bffs there-- we weren't "anyone" that they recognized.
What was funny was that good friend and PR extraordinare AVO YERMAGYAN of Gaudy PR was hosting an event at BOULEVARD3 on Thursday, March 26 which was a SMASH!
Yermagyan' s Pinque Cirque featured BLOKE by Jerell Scott and House of Doll by Brett Bailey was building such a buzz during the week that people were calling offering bribes to get tickets to attend this "must see and be seen at" event.
I was assured by Avo that I would be in VIP section-- so I made sure I got a couple of friends to go too and it was LINES out the door and around the block to get into the club.
Parking was a freaking nightmare. By the time we got to the door. and got waved in (the checker was just wiped out. She only asked if Avo invited us. *big duh)-- so we were in.
Avo Yermagyan/Gaudy PR and Kim Kardashian (in order of appearance) Thanks to Kevin Parry, photographer! (big hugs)
Inside was a courtyard with a fountain and right smack in the middle of it, a 20 foot woman in a room-filling black gown. It was an incredible sight. She did have a companion – an equally tall man in gray pants – but he was mobile, while she was confined to the wading pool.
On the edges of the pool stood male models in scruffy couture. Sort of contemporary grunge mixed with some couture effects-- I think one of my friends described it as “Derelique”-- a la Zoolander. Since we missed the first runway show, we weren't sure whose designs they were but we figured they were Bloke designs.
To the left, was a cotton candy machine which Jennifer could not resist! Girls with trays strapped around their necks were handing out energy drinks which we passed on those items. There were also little cubbies or niches where people could sit. These were occupied by models and artwork, the most notable of which was a religious scene with a gorgeous male model meant to resemble Jesus, sitting on a throne. (Comment reserved here because we don't want to offend, but the guy was gorgeous. I gotta stop there.)
Since the first show was over and the second one had yet to start, the room was filled with peopl--there was no longer any room to get into the VIP section--there was no longer any room to move!
It was PACKED. P _A_C_K_E_D!!! I knew that it was going to be about a thousand people, I knew I could find Avo out of a 1000.. that's not hard. But THREE THOUSAND? NOT A CHANCE IN HELL could I find him. So my promise of showing up was for nothing (and I missed out on a goody bag too)
I left my bff's -- "the Jalapeno" and her friend -- there to party on and enjoy the show. ( I was driving just over an hour each way so it was not worth hassling the crowds), So the description that follows is based on a detailed note and more questions from me to the Jalapeno about what happened.
We made our way inside, which felt like Charlie’s first view of the Chocolate Room in Willy Wonka. There were three enormous chocolate fountains – one brown, one white, and the largest one pink! There were marshmallows, pretzels and juicy strawberries to dip. There were also big bowls of red licorice, hot tamales, jelly beans, all kinds of candy. It was a nightmare (only because I’m dieting!)-- or it was a candylovers dream.. which now makes me (Stevie) sorry I left).
The main room was a long rectangle with a second floor balcony all the way around--shaped like a huge U. The runway jutted out into the middle of the room. The VIP area was upstairs in the balcony. The only celebrity I am sure I saw was the guy from Borat (Ken Davitian). My friend thinks she saw Maria Conchita Alonso, but we're not sure (and I could not verify--Stevie).
We paid for our cosmos and looked around for goodie bags. I saw one pink bag and snuck a look inside but it was empty. I’m not sure what we missed out on there. Sad -huh!!
Almost right on time, the House of Doll show started. All I can say is: WOW.The show featured Cirque de Soleil dancers which were amazing. First, two impossibly gorgeous male models walked to the end of the runway. Then a ballerina came out, which would have been interesting enough, but was made more so by the mouse (or pig?) nose taped to her face. She moved in a way that suggested she was a “wind-up” doll from a jewelry box.
Suddenly a slew of scantily clad dancers came running onto the stage. I could never describe the way they danced, you’d have to see it. It was almost violent. They were like angry muses-- all dressed in black, thrashing and kicking. Their hair and makeup lent to this perception: they had enormous black eyelashes and huge hair that resembled black or blond flames (think 1980's but not cheesy, more artsy).
When they retreated backstage, the ballerina who had been watching all along, opened the huge runway door and the models appeared one by one, which made the ballerina look very pleased.
The models were stunning, with enormous eyelashes and fussy hair – most had their hair fashioned into huge bows! (I am sure the hair-bows were hair extensions but they looked very real.) Their makeup was very bold, very pink. They wore tags on their wrists that said Doll.
I’m sure you want to know about the designs, but unfortunately, most have escaped my memory. They were beautiful, interesting and artistic but wearable pretty much for parties or red carpet only. There were a lot of unfinished seams, heart-shaped appliqués, intricate straps. One dress that stuck with me was a blue and yellow striped gown that was almost like an upside-down daffodil.
(the dress was actually a riff on an umbrella upside down--Stevie)
House of Doll Designer Brett Bailey Busses his Muse, Kim Kardashian. Photo by Kevin Parry . (We heart you greatly)
After the show, I (the Jalapeno speaking) saw a flamboyant guy in patent leather platform boots, wearing a t-shirt that said “TOUCH ME, I’M PLASTIC” on the front and “I’M FAKE” on the back. I thought it was Bobby Trendy but can’t be sure. ( It was Bobby Trendy--Stevie) I did try to touch him for a photo but he ignored me.
Before we left, we decided to see if there were goodie bags left in the VIP area. We walked right up the stairs without anyone stopping us, but most of the crowd up there had cleared out. Tons of people were lingering by the fountain though, so we stayed there for a while then headed home.
It was a really great night.
Who was there:
Kim Kardashian,
Kourtney Kardashian, Kris Jenner, Kim (again)
Tracy Bingham,
Bai Ling,
Ken Davitian (Borat),
Phoebe Price,
Bobby Trendy
Missing the photo for: Katherine Bayliss, Matthew Fashion,
Carolina Baccardi--she walked the catwalk for the shows,
Chudney Ross who hosted the Bloke Show,
Alex Quinn
Here's a "photoshopped image" of the Jalapeno-- photoshopped to protect the innocent -- and the guilty. She's really quite stunning
Let's put it this way.. this party was smokin' haute and hot. EVERYONE was talking about it the next day because it had three thousand people.
Food? Was there food? I gather there was food: imported peanuts and Peroni Nastro Azzuro, cotton candy cocktails, cotton candy and chocolate covered confections in several colors. (Who knew there were that many colors? Did Yermagyan leave any for anyone else in LA?)
DJ Splyce had the music cranking so hot that people did not leave till 3AM and it was smoking haute partying in the room. People didn't want to leave because the music was too fabulous.
What was funny was that Paris Hilton walked the 944 Magazine show featuring 2 Be Free on Monday for the opening of LAFW. It was nice party.
However this party closed LAFW and this one exploded into a frenzy of amazing buzz and fun which I gather now blew the lid off the Paris Hilton vs Kim Kardashian friendship which seems to have gone kaput .. since this event.
*Shrug* Who knows why? Could it be that this event where Kardashian walked the runway for Pinque Cirque coupled with the release of her "sexpose' tape" hitting the streets beat Paris at her own game? It seems that Kardashian "out-walked" Hilton on the runway --both for fashion and for PR spin. Thoughts? HMMMMMMMMMMM?
Stevie Wilson
SHU UEMURA SPECIAL SKIN CARE EVENT WITH MISUMI KITANO
(APRIL 5-7)
Skin care update for San Francisco Bay Area beauty addicts!
Here's your chance to receive a super pampering beauty lesson and learn more about the reformulated Depsea and B-G skin care lines.
Hand-selected by Mr. Shu Uemura himself, the expert Shu Uemura team will be led by the talented Education Manager Misumi Kitano. Under Ms. Kitano's careful guidance, they will perform an elaborate series of skin care techniques tailored to your personal skin regimen, followed by a comprehensive makeup technique tutorial.
Nibble on tasty apps, sip on some bubbly, and get your goody bags!
Raffle prizes will be drawn each day (Grand Prize: Master class for 10 people).
This is HOT-- so call to reserve your spot!
By Appointment Only - Call (415) 395-0953
Thursday, April 5 -- Saturday, April 7 (11am - 6pm daily)
1971 Fillmore Street, San Francisco
Tami Yu
If you're bona fide a rock star living in the world today, you don't need a survival kit per se because you can afford a "survival team" of stylists, doctors, masseuses, nutritionists, shrinks and a 2 month stay at the Malibu's Promises Centre where Britney Spears has reportedly found a new love at an AA Meeting. But for those of us mere mortals who occasionally indulge in the Rock Star lifestyle as a recreational alternative to say… crochet … the Rockstyle Clothing Line is a fun tongue-in-cheek jab at our naughty night lives and a statement about who we really are underneath our London Fog trench coats.
Well then, how could I leave the Design Suites without my very own ---
ROCKSTAR SURVIVAL KIT?
… stuffed with a signature Rockstyle T…
And… of course we had to dish about Rockstyle fan Dita Von Teese…
who's doing an outstanding job of repping Mac's Viva Glam in the wake of dumping Marilyn Manson in January. The obvious question on our minds was "When is Dita going to write a book on HOW TO SURVIVE A ROCKSTAR?
Reportage-- Marie Bargas, Editor, Afro-Love Magazine, Fashiontribes.com
One of the HOTTEST (and Hautest) tickets in town last week (yes.. that's PRE- LA Fashion Week) was to get into Social Hollywood-- the coolest of the sizzling hot venues where celebs come to wine, dine and hangout.
So what was going on that stacked up the cars for the valets to check? MAX FACTOR premiering the BEST of LA's Fashion Designers to a stellar, star-struck, fashion-obsessed crowd of fashionistas, celebs, designers and stylists who were there to see an assemblage of great fashions by designers that haven't been featured together in one room except for perhaps --either an awards show OR Divine Design (and that's just a guess!)
This exclusive event featured Hollywood's hottest young stars working the catwalk, wearing exclusive new couture creations from the hottest new --and established-- designers.
PLUS they were wearing Pat McGrath's trend-setting couture makeup looks
at the coolest location for a GREAT cause-- Clothes Off Our Back-- the charity fundraiser for children started by Jane Kaczmarek and Bradley Whitford --ALL for a great cause--an auction of the great clothing worn that night by a "who's who" of actresses.
Hosted by Max Factor "FACE" and Spokesmodel, Carmen Electra, this event was showcasing the fashions of local LA designers Kevan Hall, David Meister, Elsie Katz, Dina Bar-El, Lloyd Klein, Arden B, Trina Turk, Mon Atelier, Louis Verdad, Cosa Nostra (Jeff Sebelia), Rachel Palley,and Sue Wong. Stuart Weitzman donated all the shoes for the event! All donated at least one to three items to be modeled by actresses like
Allison Sweeney
Beau Garrett
Noureen DeWulf
Kristin Cavallari
Kristen Bell
Denise Richards
Nadine Velazquez
Olivia Wilde
Autumn Reeser
Melinda Clarke
Guilana DePandi
and
Carmen Electra!!
We were lucky enough to snag celebrity stylist and costume designer Barbara Palmer to be our "reporter undercover" at this amazing event so we have her "reporters notes" of what was going on at Social Hollywood.
"There were tons of people at this event-- and there were three lines we had to get through. First was the check-in line which wasn't crowded and moved quickly.
The second line was to get into Social Hollywood where everyone was sheparded into the bar area (beautiful but small) and it was packed! Open bar made it easy to wait and I met the father of designer Rachel Palley whose designs were being featured in the fashion show. He introduced me to Rachel who is only 24 and just beautiful .
We were then escorted into the Fashion Show area which was in the back of Social Hollywood. Who would have known it was there?
Max Factor Eye Quad Look
It was a gorgeous very high platform runway done in shiny black. It looked like patent leather. Everything was done in black and white. There were so many people that they added more chairs and even had standing room.
Carmen Electra spoke and introduced Jane Kaczmarek who thanked everyone for coming and participating in this event in support of Clothes Off Our Backs Charity. Ken Paves was also introduced as well.
I was in the second row so was directly across from Rachel Palley, her dad and Kevan Hall. The show finally started at 9:25 and got a bit of a wobbly start because that black "patent" runway really was patent and very slippery. It was so slippery that the actress/models removed their shoes and carried them with them as they walked barefoot down the catwalk and then returned to change into the next outfit.After the fashion show was completed, we were escorted to upstairs to have more drinks and tons of yummy appetizers like sliders (tiny mini hamburgers for which Social Hollywood has a well-earned rep for having the best around), spring rolls and smoked salmon on flatbread. People were there well past 10:30 when I departed.
The goody bag was a lovely bag chock full of Max Factor cosmetics and their new mascara!
There is a sweepstakes going on for the Rule the Runway in conjunction with the launch of the VOLUME COUTURE mascara from MAX FACTOR. You can win a pair of Richard Tyler heels and Max Factor Cosmetics!!!
We would like to thank Max Factor for inviting the LA STORY to this event and also many thanks to Barbara Palmer for being our reporter on the story. This fantastic stylist and costume designer has worked with a slew of celebs from Faye Dunaway to Wendie Malick to Bryce Soderburg/Life House. She's fab!
Image of Carmen Electra on the catwalk in the blue gown, courtesy of Mark Sullivan/ Wire Image
For those in the LA area, scope out the event in Santa Monica and make sure you and your fave bff are on the LIST (read by tickets ahead of time) to get into the Sassy City Chicks Sale!
This sizzler sale is definitely not to be missed:
Make sure you buy the 2 for 1 tickets!
Check out all the deets here:
And for all you San Diego peeps, you have not been forgotten. SAVE THE DATE on your calendar for the SD sale that's going to be a scorcher
You can get a 2 for 1 deal there too. Here's the LINK for the details
For info and questions please email info@sassycitychicks.com or call 310-318-1731
Definitely a fun time for shoppers!!
Champagne, truffles, dark chocolate—sounds like “the Donald’s” grocery shopping list, right? Actually, these classic sinful indulgences for the palate are now ingredients in a new line of luxurious hair and skin care products by Alterna. The collection of products was named “TEN” not only for the fact they were developed to celebrate the company’s tenth anniversary, but also because they contain ten premium and high-performance ingredients to enhance hair and skin health and appearance. Sort of an inner and outer beauty product!
The TEN products include these exotic, state of the art—and well downright yummy ingredients:
African Cacao Extract: Chock full of beneficial anti-oxidants! Well, at least that’s the excuse I give for eating dark chocolate daily.
White Truffle Oil: One of the richest sources of B vitamins, which are critical for the simulation of proteins and amino acids.
Champagne Grape Seed Oil: Grape Seed Oil moisturizes the hair and scalp and protect from damaging free radicals.
Also included are Bulgarian Evening Primrose, Arabian Frankincense, Arnica Flower and Hyaluronic acid among others.
I had the opportunity to test out some of the products in the TEN line—quite a treat for me, since this choice collection has a premium price tag to go along with its premium ingredients. Since my shampoo and conditioner cost $2 each compared to the $60 that TEN’s luxurious shampoo and conditioner retail for, my hair should look and feel 30 times better, right?
The packaging for the TEN products is as classy as one would expect from this top-tier line of products. From the "Arabian Nights" styled bottles to the deep purple and burnished gold coloring, you can tell right away these are no cheap drugstore hair products. All the products have a fresh, light sweet scent to them. I can’t put my finger on what the fragrance is exactly—it’s not foody, fruity or floral—but it’s the kind of scent that would make a significant other sidle up and say, “Mmmm, your hair smells GOOD!”
The shampoo produces a light lather and cleans with stripping, rinsing well.
The conditioner is very thick—it took quite a bit of effort to get it out of the bottle! It left my hair tangle-free, soft and silky.
The hair masque is a heavy creamy conditioning product—to be left on the hair for five minutes, ideally with a cap or towel.
The product line also includes a Skin Therapy lotion with SPF 8. The lotion is light and soothing with the same sweet scent as the hair care products. For the life of me, I could not find the active ingredient for the sunscreen. With an SPF of only 8, however, it would make sense to use this product at night or under a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15.
So, did the luxurious TEN products work better than my $2 shampoo and conditioner? I can’t say I could really see a big difference—but then again, I’m the kind of person who can’t tell the difference between a $2 bottle of wine and a $200 one. I’m a cheap date—but I’m not easy!
If you like the thought of living lavish life but don’t have the bank account to dine on champagne and caviar on a regular basis, these products might be the ticket. You can satiate your taste for the good life by feeding your hair with the exotic ingredients found in Alterna’s TEN.
For more info on where to find Alterna products, check out www.4alterna.com
Stella Louise
While the movie and television awards season is pretty much over, the details of the different suites will keep rolling out for the next couple weeks as I give you the 411 on the suites and also some podcasts with key people/suites I stopped at along "road to the red carpet".
One of the most popular suites around town--particularly with the ladies--was the Sonya Dakar-Adwill Oscar Lounge.
The product lounges were filled to overflowing with brands who participated-- giving great gifts to both celebs and stylists. While there, many participated in getting ready for the big Oscar event with facials, massages, pedicures, manicures and other luxe treatments. Stylist/costume designer Barbara Palmer (she's worked a slew of movies, tv shows and styled celebs like Faye Dunaway, Wendie Malick and even musicians like "eye candy" Lifehouse's Bryce Soderburg -who attended Oscar parties) attended the Sonya Dakar-Adwil Oscar Lounge and said it was absolutely fabulous. Surrounded by celebs who were thrilled to see great brands participating in the lounge, it was definitely a "not to miss" experience. Even guys were there partaking in all the great treatments-- like really luxe shaving experiences.
While celebs and stylists walked off with bags of swag, Fashiontribes and LA Story haven't forgotten you. We know that all of you out there would love to experience the bliss of an "celebrity suite" or "awards lounge". Sonya Dakar -Adwil Oscar Lounge has offered ONE LUCKY PERSON a chance to win a gift bag worth over $2500.00!!
What's in this faboo bag of goodies?
Gift Bag Contents: (and this is the regular retail value of all the different products!!)
(total retail value $2443)
Sonya Dakar Skin Care Regimen - $1500 (want great skin? Use Dakar!)
Jamestown CD - $18.99
Trespassers William CD - $18.99
ME! Bath Papaya Nectar Body Icing - $20 ( this is heavenly stuff)
Franché Mineral Makeup goodie bag - $65 (fab new mineral makeup !)
Tarte Gilt Trip lip gloss set - $38 ( Tarte!! We "heart" Tarte)
Reservoir Dogs poster - $13.99
Sparitual nails goodie bag - $75 ( Fab nail products used at select spas)
Alora Ambiance – Rosa - $50 ( This is killer! I love this line)
New Beauty magazine - $5
Girl ExtraOrdinaire Puppeo with rhinestone doggie tee - $100
Girl ExtraOrdinaire shirt - $19.99
Numi's Flowering Tea - 15.99 ( This is an amazing all natural tea. FAB)
Exhale candle - $12 ( smells heavenly)
Exhale socks - $10
Mimi Turner bag - $100 (great bag!!)
Kathleen Cavalero jewelry - $225 ( you will be the envy of your friends)
Flux Nouveau cotton garment - $75 ( yummy soft)
Lush handmade Cosmetics goodie bag - $30 ( Lush is --LUSH!)
Nature's Notebook cards – n/a ( beautiful notecards)
ABS by Allen Schwartz dress (as modeled by celeb Bai Ling)--$250.00
Knock them out of the park dress!
So what would you do will all this great stuff? Who knows!! Wear it, Gift it, Share it, USE IT!!
Have a blast playing with it!
Ah.. How do you get it? Here's the easy part-- ENTER to win!! Visit Fashiontribes.com and click on the photo to enter. Fashiontribes.com has partnered with www.papierdoll.net and Second City Style to give away this great swag filled bag. It's smokin' hot!
Definitely get your fingers moving and hit one of these sites to enter. Multiple entries will be eliminated so just enter ONCE!
If you are the lucky winner, we would luv you to send us a photo of you with your very own "swag bag". Wow-- what a blast!!
CONTEST ENDS ON 3/30 and winner will be announced on 3/31.
Shipment of the gift bag will be made by Sonya Dakar-Adwil.
Good luck!!
Stevie Wilson
Hey there,
If you read my LA STORY BLOG it might seem that I have been scarce.. but not really. I have been working the Oscar beat and hitting all the suites, parties, (one where I was the ONLY media person with J Mendel, Kara Ross and a few other choice people) and chalking up a lot of podcasts. Also connecting with new makeup artists, designers, jewelry lines, brands, and oddly enough musicians--which is why I love what I do.
I have lots more coming at you including interviews with brands and designers, Sara Barielles, reviews on new music like James Morrison and if you haven't heard him-- you should. Ditto Keaton Simons -- his music is on a loop in my head (that's how good he is)
So stay tuned boys and girls, it's definitely an E ticket ride!
Stevie
Stevie Wilson
Here we are again-- it's WEB SNOB time! So sit back, pull up the mouse and a martini and have a rocking good time cruising along the internet highway and make sure you stop at these VIP blogs
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Pout-a-Porter: Sheer Marketing Genius
Bag Snob pickets the prices on luxury bags.
Bag Snob protests the rocketing prices of luxury bags!
Blogdorf Goodman-- Proenza Pink? What about Schouler?
Pretty in Proenza Pink
Coquette flips over Fred Flare Jumpers
Coquette says jump into cute jumpers at Fred Flare.
Ebelle5 is bagging on Burberry
Designer handbag inspiration from a top designer house or maybe itâs just a coincidence. Hermes Shoulder Birkin vs Burberry Jermyn Shoulder Bag. Inspired by or just plain coincidence?
FASHIONTRIBES falls for the most interesting trends of NYFW
Fashiontribes finds the Top 10 most interesting trends to come out of New York Fashionweek for Fall 2007.
LA Story gets the dish on Armani's spring beauty collection and a lot more!
Armani Beauty's Tim Quinn Talks About Spring Color and lots more
Second City Style taps out the top 10 trends for fall.
Second City Style's Top 10 Trends (You'll Be Wearing) From Fall Fashion Week 07.
SheFinds.com gets ready in a flash!
Speed Demon: Get Ready FAST with these Products
Grooming rituals can provide relaxation on occasion, for our day to day living we just want to get it done and get going. We have found some great products to help shorten your routines.
Spring 2007 Louis Vuitton Shoes captured the K's eye and her heart.
Itâs been a few Manhattan minutes since something made your K go, "Ooh. La. Love."
StyleBakery.com cooks up the top spring trends
Shop Spring's top 10 trends in StyleBakery.com's ultimate guide to the season filled with over 200 perfect pieces to add to your wardrobe
Stylehive gives us the list and lust for retro inspired intimates.
The Honeydew Signature collection - inspired by the 1920âs, modern meets vintage with glossy stretch satin silk mixed with intricate lace detailing, and sumptuous glossy stretch satin silk.
The Jewelry Weblog finds a magical mix in a new jewelry designer.
Fairy stories and rose gold are two important elements in the mythical, magical jewelry of Victoria Buckley. The Jewelry Weblog crosses her fingers that we'll see the talented artist's work here in the States soon.
eBeautyDaily "hearts" Dove, contests and we aren't talking chocolate!
eBeautyDaily is loving Dove and their new contest and moisturizing self tanners.
Stevie Wilson
