This week's giveaway has been sponsored by Asha Patel Designs

Designer Asha Patel believes history shapes us. “Where we have been and what we have done helps us grow,” says the Atlanta-based designer. The importance of the past and hope for the future serves as inspiration behind her delicate line of jewelry. 

Born in London to Indian parents, Patel’s fascination with jewelry began at an early age with traditional Indian jewelry. Although she appreciated the beauty and grandeur of these pieces, her mantra became less is more, and she began to shift her design focus. The result — symbolic, pieces which reflected a fusion of eastern and western style coupled with simplicity and symbolism.

Her designs are worn by hollywood celebrities such as Nina Dobrev and Nicole Ari Parker, pictured here Nina Dobrev Wearing Padma Necklace.  So casual yet elegant.

The giveaway works as follows.... visit our facebook page and share the giveaway message on your wall, and the fan who gets the most likes on their page will win a Tulsi Necklace. As shown below.... Share away!

Winner will be announced on Friday, November 4th, 2011 at 9.00 PM.

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Meet our talented Jewelry designer Susan Delvecchio

Tell us about your inspiration behind the Susan DelVecchio Designs?

Each collection starts with an inspiration board, which used to be a big white foam board on my studio wall and is now, thanks to technology, a nifty little app on my iPad.  So many things inspire me, but lately I’ve focused on locations, like beaches, blue lagoons or lush forests.  I collect photos, drawings, sketches, fabric swatches, quotes and everything else I can find that conjure up a location.  I let those elements brew and bubble up in my head, and then I get to work.  I start by adding color strips to the inspiration boards to represent the stone colors I’ll be using, and then the designing begins.  Since I love to travel, browse magazines and take photos I am never short of ideas.  Right now I’m working on 5 different boards, and I’m loving it!  It can be quite addictive.

Who is your style Icon?

There isn’t a specific person, but rather time periods.  I am currently mad about Mad Men and all the stunning 1960’s pieces that the women wear on the show.  My husband is amused by the fact that I’ll pause the TV to sketch an earring design or will rave on about the jewelry more than I actually follow the plot.

 

Describe a perfect day for you?

It starts with breakfast with my daughter and husband.  After that, my daughter is off to school, my husband is off to work, and I am off to design and work in my studio.  Once my daughter get’s home, we take the dog for a walk and make dinner.  We all eat dinner together, then snuggle up with a good book (most likely Good Night Moon).  The day would end with me, my husband and a good glass of wine.  Maybe dreams of glittering jewels will follow.

 

What do you strive for as a designer?

To create jewelry that can be worn every day and make the wearer feel beautiful and special.  I love the personal relationships I have with my customers and the stories they share with me about giving my jewelry as gifts, or how a piece completed their look on a very special occasion.

What's next for Susan Delvecchio Designs.

I am always exploring ways to incorporate new jewelry techniques into my designs.  I’m about to take classes to learn casting and stone setting.  In 2012, I hope to be adding more designs and more color combinations to offer an even greater variety of jewelry. 

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Meet DS & DURGA

We wanted to introduce you to DS & Durga, a team of two young entrepreneurs behind the fragrance brand DS & Durga.  D.S., the nose of the brand fell in love with scents when he was still a young boy in New England.  He started making experiments for friends in late 2007.  He attempted to make a bay rhum and a rose scent.  Not happy with the results he looked further into how to make scents that last.  He immersed himself in antiquated recipes & experimented.  When Durga discovered D.S.’s creations she loved what she smelled and decided to join the team and now creates the beautiful packaging the scents are sold in.  Within months, D.S. & Durga was selling in NYC boutiques.

The team finds inspiration from travel, records, literature and old herbal books.  D.S. researches each idea and creates scents that capture various aspects and notes of what he is trying to conjure up.  The scents usually have about 20-40 notes and are mixed in small batches.  Durga’s Indian roots are evident in some of the team’s concoctions such as Coriander, and My Indian Childhood.  The team also uses many indigenous flowers from India such as Chameli (Jasmine), Champaca, White Lotus, Kewda and Tube Rose.

When asked about future lines, D.S.  Says “We are in the midst of a few collaborations with outside companies.  I am always researching & experimenting on new scents.  Our next line will be smaller in range but bigger in quantity per unit.”

We love DS & Durga’s unique take on fragrance making, we wish them all the success.

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Get Nina Dobrev’s Emmy Look

Image courtesy of WENN.com

We all love the young and talented Nina Dobrev.  She rose to fame through her portrayal of a no nonsense girl on the Entourage show.  She recently walked the 62^nd annual Emmy’s in a off white one shoulder gown by Zuhair Murad and sported Chopard’s diamond chandelier earrings.  As beautiful as these earrings are they cost a fortune.  But you are in luck as we have beautiful earrings with cascading Swarowski crystals on gold filled hoops for just $217. 

 

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Meet Our Latest Young Talent, Emilce Borz, Designer of Bella Borz

 

 

Emilce Borz moved to the United States at the age of 25 to pursue her Masters in Communication Design at the Pratt Institute.  She later had a successful career in packaging design where her work was nominated for the FIFI awards (Oscars of Fragrance Industry).  In 2010 she decided to launch her innovative handbag line, Bella Borz, as a way expressing her design talent as well as her entrepreneurial spirit.  Her line beautifully melds the elements of latest trends with timeless design.  Bella Borz offers structured styles in soft calf leather skin all made in New York.  Her specialty?  Well we will let her explain it to you.

 

How did you get started with Bella Borz?
In 2010 I did five (handbag) samples. We started sending the pictures to PR firms and showrooms…and we got feedback, and the feedback was good. It was then when we realized that if somebody would take the time to just get back to us, we might be onto something.  Also, just wearing the bags – so many women commented. Interesting, because I always wore a handbag…but I never got so many comments as when I wore my own.  Then in October 2010 we started working with Passion Style PR and they really helped us with branding and communicating the brand to access the right market.

 

Tell us what is so special about Bella Borz bags?
The Philosophy behind the brand is to create handbags that women can use on a daily basis as they run their busy lives, while being extremely stylish and comfortable; handbags that celebrate femininity and focus on functionality.  BellaBorz focuses on detail and innovation in hardware and design. Inspired by the Urban Chic street style, art and culture, of busy New York Lifestyle; Fashion icons of past eras that heavily cultivated style, each handbag is a statement of self expression and individuality.  The designs move seamlessly from work to weekend, keep clutter organized and never weigh you down.  Emilce had longevity in mind when she created Bella Borz. "My handbags will just get better and better with wear. When you have broken your bag in, you feel so in love wearing it. Some bags are great as brand new but the best bags are those that have gotten plenty of love”.

Who is your ideal woman?

What I love the most about the women that buy Bella Borz handbags is that they are not afraid of being different, that they are demanding in their expectations and want a handbag or accessory that is not only the best in quality but that hasn’t been seen before. I like that my customer will mix colors that are unexpected and experiment with a shape that is not the classic tote bag.

 

What does luxury mean to you?

Luxury means top quality materials and craftsmanship. Luxury also means to have something that is unique, that hasn't been seen before and makes you feel original and different from the mass. A luxury product shouldn't look like a mass produced item. I treasure originality in design, color choices and materials.

 
What do you see as the future of Bella Borz?

My main goal right now is to develop my products into a brand. It is an amazing feeling to be recognized by products that women love but I’d love for my customers to also identify with Bella Borz as a life style brand.

My main goal is for my customers to create that emotional connection between the Bella Borz brand and what they want: which is a sense of individuality and uniqueness.

We love your bags Emilce, and hope to see more styles from you soon.

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Meet our very talented designer Nadia Amran of SAKU Bags.

Nadia is not only a talented designer, but she is a bubbly, vivacious young woman with lots of positive energy and enthusiasm.  We fell in love with colorful exotic bags all the way from Kuala lumpur.  If you like her line you would just love getting to know her.  Read on…

 

FABLOGUE:  How did you perceive the concept of Saku?

Nadia:  There is a high demand for luxe handbags in Malaysia; the women are stylish, have traveled abroad extensively, know what they want and have learnt what to expect from their purchases. Accessible luxury was somewhat of an oxymoron when I first started so I set out to carve a niche in the market to cater to the segment that loved luxe and wanted luxe for every segment of their lifestyle and not just on special occasions.  And so, saku was born to cater to this lust for new gorgeous bags meticulously crafted from the finest selected leathers, and exotics to be carried for day, night and play and not just on special occasions.

FABLOGUE: What does Saku mean in Malay?

Nadia: Saku is the Malay noun for pocket/bag in Malay. I wanted a name that reflects the origins of the label and our tagline ‘pockets that go places’ encapsulates not just the aspirational spirit but the versatility and philosophy of the label to take you anywhere and everywhere.  Also, how cute is it to say “Go ahead pick a pocket” to your customers?

FABLOGUE:  What does Saku Strive for?

Nadia:  Saku’s goal is to be at the forefront of fashion accessories internationally, consistently introducing collections that  are beautifully versatile, gorgeously crafted and statement-making with its design philosophy of contemporary yet timeless aesthetics.

FABLOGUE:  What was the best moment of being a designer?

Nadia:  I can’t put it down to one moment, there are many moments; from spotting a saku bag at an event on the arms of the fashion set, being told by customers that they love the bags and a few months ago having a customer tell me that a lady she didn’t know actually came up to her to ask her “Is that a Saku?”. A lot of love, care and research goes into the design and creation of each bag so it means a lot to me when people recognize that and love our bags.  

FABLOGUE: What's in store for next season?

Nadia:  The upcoming season sees us reinventing the classics we have in next season’s colours while introducing new shapes and design elements creating textures. We will also be introducing the Heritage Collection; a capsule collection inspired by the history of traditional Malaysian art and carvings.

FABLOGUE:  Define Luxury in your own words.

Nadia:  Luxury is the ultimate look and feel of sophistication; a necessary indulgence. For Saku, it’s impeccable craftsmanship and the finest materials that can never be replicated by using anything less.

 

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Behind the Scenes of Our Fabulous Trunk Show

Last Thursday we held our second Trunk Show at a Chelsea Gallery.  On my way to the show I encountered traffic as I had never seen before.  Once I got there I realized, 5 large tables had to be transported from the curb to the building not only that I had to park the car at the end of the block.  So I decided to ask a young man on his smoking break to watch the tables while I park the car.  He obliged with a smile, I was so thankful. 

 

 

I got to the lot and ask the lot guys to leave the car on the main level so I can transport all of the  stuff.  Meanwhile 5 large tables had to be moved into the building.  So I run over to the tables thank the sweet young man and start transporting one table at a time.  After running back and forth a few times I spot a woman with a push cart that is used to haul heavy items.  I asked if she could help me move 3 tables from the curb.  She offered to carry them so we moved all of the tables to the building with the help of the the very helpful young lady.  Now the task of bringing Shopping Bags, Pellegrino bottles, Signage and all other knick nacks from the parking lot.  I turn around and I see my intern with her wide smile.  I was so thankful to see her at that moment.  So we run over to the lot and bring all the items in 2 trips.

 

 

We get upstairs and it is exactly 4.00 PM and Aki Kano one of our designers was already there.  She helped us carry the tables from the elevator and we fiddled with the tables and opened them with some effort.  Quickly setup the tables and slowly positioned to as to keep the room open and have space for every one to walk around.  We found some space for our computer and were ready for the show to start.

 

Just as a way of greeting our guests I decided to camp out in the lobby of the building and help them get upstairs.  And while doing that I bump into Lisa Smilor of CFDA.  First words out of my mouth, I have died and gone to heaven.  She gave me her card and was very very sweet.  We had a great show thanks to all my designers, Aki Kano, Andrea Corson, Natasha Wozniak, & Anuja Tolia

 

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Congratulations to Jess Rizzuti on her nomination to the Independent Handbag Designer Award

I remember meeting Jess at an industry event in Feb of 2010 and she had just designed her eponymous eco-friendly Cork Clutch and had it on display at the event.  I remember taking notice of it right away.  I approached her gently and we spoke for a bit.  She is an amazing person and aisde from being a very talented designer.  Her clutch took my breath away.  I knew right away that she has the raw material to be a successful designer and I am not least bit surprised that her Fiona Cork Clutch has been nominated for the best Green Handbag category of 2011 Independent Handbag Designer Awards.  We would love to see her win but a nomination itself is a major milestone and I wish her the best.

 

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Meet Natasha Wozniak our talented designer

She decided to be a jewelry designer at 15 and learned the art of Jewelry design through her studies at University of Wisconsin-Madison and through her many travels to the east.  This includes the 2 years she spent in Nepal as a Fullbright scholar learning ancient techniques. She applies myriad of techniques in her designs that are intricately hand crafted.  We caught up with her recently for an interview....

 

Tell us about how you started your line?

I have been making either jewelry or sculpture in metal since I was a teenager, when I decided that I was going to be an artist working in metal. I always knew that this would involve having my own business. I was working freelance in a museum in 2001, and when I took that job, I told myself that it would be the last job I did before going out on my own. A soon as the project ran its course, I made a small group of designs and took them to a sale that was hosted by a craft school at which I taught. Back then, my knowledge of the business part was minimal to none, so it has been a process of immense learning over the last ten years.

I have made some sculptures since starting my own business, but I really love the personal aspect of jewelry. The act of wearing the jewelry is mutually transformative. If ten people try on one ring, each of them will give the ring a different appearance. Likewise, different pieces of jewelry can reflect various aspects of the personality and mood that comprise an individual.

What's the difference between being a bench jeweler versus a Studio Jeweler

A bench jeweler can encompass many roles in the jewelry business, from a person that does production work and repairs, doing the same task all day, to a person that works on one-of-a-kind museum quality pieces of jewelry. I would be also be considered a bench jeweler, but the studio jeweler title differentiates what part of the bench jeweler spectrum that I fall into. In the jewelry business, jeweler is often used to describe an owner of a jewelry store and jewelry designer has become a widely used term that includes celebrities that sign their name on a collection that has been conceived of and produced by others. I felt that the term studio jewelry invoked a picture of my business as an artist, creating work in a studio in Brooklyn.

Your technique is very different tell us a little about that?

I have chosen to use some techniques that date back to the earliest days of goldsmithing. For example, I have been using filigree extensively in my work. This is the technique of using wires to create linear patterns. It is a very direct and simple way of working, and does not rely on the use of advanced technology. However, it is not used frequently, as the time needed to master the bending of thin wires into graceful and intricate designs deters many. I take it to yet another level when I inlay the filigree into another metal. I careful trace the filigree design, and use my hand saw to cut a precise opening for the filigree to fit into.

Another technique that I love is chasing and repousse. Even more so than filigree, this technique requires many hours of focused practice. The metal is set into a resin and I use a series of steel tools that inscribe lines in the metal as I tap the tools with a hammer. I am often asked if the design is stamped out, but actually, each piece has been made individually with my tool drawing it onto the metal. After the lines are finished on the front, I flip the piece over and use a set of rounded tools to push out certain parts of the design, and the metal becomes sculpted. In order to be able to do this work, I also had to make my own set of tools, specially customized for the motifs that I frequently use.

In my work, the designs and the techniques are closely integrated, and one play off the other in order to create a very distinctive style.

Where do you draw your inspiration from?

When I began studying metal and jewelry, I became a fanatic for the Art Nouveau style, pouring over any book I could get my hands on. During my college years, I discovered Middle Eastern tile work, Chinese tapestry, Thai temples and Tibetan paintings. There was one painting in a National Geographic magazine, from the Himalayas, that captured me so much, that when I saw a poster for study abroad in Nepal, I decided to go. I ended up spending two years immersed in Nepal, creating sculpture and soaking up the combination of Nepali, Indian and Tibetan cultures and influences.

Since that time, my love of Art Nouveau has blended back into mix, and the combination of experiences that make my story unique, carry over to my designs. About three years ago, I made a very big shift in my designs. After moving to brownstone Brooklyn, and seeing wrought iron all around me, I began making my blackened silver collection, adding the latest life experience into my designs.

Tell us about some of the awards you have won

My most significant award to date was my Fulbright scholarship to Nepal. After studying in Nepal during college, I felt that my work there was unfinished, so I applied for, and received a Fulbright. I spent the year working with the Buddhist statue makers in the city of Patan, creating a collection of my own sculptures. At the end of the year, I had my first solo exhibition at a gallery in the Kathmandu Valley.

Since I began my jewelry business I have been a finalist for a Niche award for handmade jewelry, as well as a finalist for the New Talent award from the American Jewelry Design Council. My jewelry has also been published in several jewelry books, and I was included in an exhibition that travelled to several museums in the US.

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Inspiring Destinations - Vista De Valle a hidden gem in Costa Rica

Travel is such a pleasure for most of us.  Some Destinations just leave a lasting memory, Vista De Valle in Costa Rica is one such special places.  Nestled on a green plantation Vista De Valle sits on the edge of the dramatic Rio Grande Canyon about 2700 feet above the sea level.   The plantation is surrounded by lush green mountains providing breathtaking views.  The accommodations are all built to be eco-friendly with high ceilings and wall-to-wall windows so guests can wake up to the rising sun and watch sunsets from their bed.

 

A view from the cliff side restaurant

My most precious moments were that spent at the cliff side restaurant.  As the name indicates the restaurant is on a cliff giving you the best view of the green mountains.  Keeping with the rustic nature of the Inn the furniture was all hand crafted by local artisans. 

 A view of the eco-friendly octogonal Condo

Every pathway of the plantation is lined with vibrant flowers with bees and butterflies humming.  And on the back of the plantation there is an equestrian center and a sprawling orchard with mango and citrus trees.

 

What else?  You can enjoy a relaxing massage at the spa or take a yoga class and find inner peace.  

 The Stable at the Inn

Vista de Valle is owned by a lovely couple from California who go out of their ways to make your stay memorable.

visit VistadeValle.com

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Culmination of Fashion and Architecture, "FAAShion" – Our recent chat with Jorge Ayala, the visionary behind the concept

It is our pleasure to introduce you to Mexico-City born, Jorge Ayala, the founder and principal of [Ay]A Studio. [Ay]A is an international design studio committed to cutting edge research and experimentation, across scales. [Ay]A engages the field of design, architecture and landscape urbanism in both theoretical and professional praxis.

In 2010 Jorge became the Director of AA Visiting School in Paris hosted by Musée des Arts Décoratifs, an intensive design-based programme combining novel production in fashion and architecture. 

We at FABLOGUE were fortunate to catch-up with Jorge and here is an excerpt of our conversation. 

 

© ALL IMAGES COURTESY OF JORGE AYALA, AA SCHOOL PARIS SPRING/ SUMMER 2011 COLLECTION

FABLOGUE:  Tell us a little about AA School of Architecture and your present Role

Jorge: The Architectural Association has offered me the opportunity to get started with this new programme in Paris- city where I spent most of the time. Christopher Pierce who leads the AA Global Schools Programme allowed this exchange to happen while pointing at an interest to grow up the AA within Europe. Somehow we both felt that the European Continent still holds a myriad of options for theoretical research and thick new research-based studios.  Also, on the last years the AA School has known an expansion in all continents and among them some countries have become really interesting places to study at the AA, like China. We thoroughly believe Paris could channel such interests linking different design scales, approaches and parallel disciplines.

© ALL IMAGES COURTESY OF JORGE AYALA, AA SCHOOL PARIS SPRING/ SUMMER 2011 COLLECTION

FABLOGUE:  How did you conceive the idea of FAAshion

It was when I saw the last pair of shoes designed by Alexander Fielden that I got the idea to open this programme! (laughters) I am joking!  Today, there is a non-academic institution trying to push forward on the long term both parallel disciplines –Fashion and Architecture- towards same directions. On the other side, at the beginning for AA School of Architecture it really represented a challenge to be able to generate an audience in Paris, geographically and culturally speaking very close to London.  The Fashion Industry came as an opportunity to create a thick topic for our Parisian agendas.

When one thinks about Paris, one thinks about fashion and the thousands of billions that are invested on it, renewing such efforts season after season. Thus, our goal became to challenge all architectural expressions within fashion: from catwalks to retail, from pop up stores to apparel new typologies, going to clothing design too.

© ALL IMAGES COURTESY OF JORGE AYALA, AA SCHOOL PARIS SPRING/ SUMMER 2011 COLLECTION

FABLOGUE:  How do you see the program that you are developing morphing in the future

Jorge: As a new discipline: Fashion Architecture, having a field of expression and repercussions within the practice.  In today’s society, many consumers are hungry for greater meaning in their lives. Therefore big global brands of mass production need to address the anxieties of such costumer identities. To that extend, clothing design get ‘sort of democratized’. Due to this many fashion-design courses start to focus on cost-cutting strategies, fast-moving business, global goods, retail sections and commercial products. Within our design course we seek to prototype spatial apparel logics that stage sharp, raw, urban, experimental and alien couture forms.

As we speak, I am getting in contact with some American designers based between New York and Paris whom interests meet ours. Also, a series of academic institutions –elsewhere than France- have shown their support and will of joining this adventure.

© ALL IMAGES COURTESY OF JORGE AYALA, AA SCHOOL PARIS SPRING/ SUMMER 2011 COLLECTION

FABLOGUE: Tell us a little about the recent exhibit in Paris and how it culminated and do you plan to hold such exhibits in other cities as well

Jorge: The final show was amazing. The 40 students we had joining this first season were really proactive and wanted to have their word to say within such emerging topics. We manage to present a decent amount of digitally-design garments, new typologies for retail stores and experimental catwalks too.

And yes of course! We want to go wider. I have received an invitation to run our fashion architecture programme in Barcelona. We look forward to this, especially when cities like Barcelona, Los Angeles or Doha had turn to become leading locations for fashion and architectural novelty.

© ALL IMAGES COURTESY OF JORGE AYALA, AA SCHOOL PARIS SPRING/ SUMMER 2011 COLLECTION

FABLOGUE:  Share some insight about the program for the students who may want to apply to your program

Jorge: On the feedback received from the first alumni, we all agree that many of the topics we raised during the first season are far for been concluded yet, they have so much potential for development (in theory and in practice).

Always keeping an eye in the reality, I believe fashion is such a deep social catalyst now at days we all can learn about. I am glad slowly but surely Architects start to look at the temporality of fashion as a source for architectural means.

 We want to thank Jorge for spending the time with us and wish him best for his ground breaking endeavour.

 

 

 Our Guest Blogger, Cathy Joins us from Bay Area

Cathy is a San Francisco Bay Area native who traces her San Francisco roots back to the gold rush. She was inspired to start Bay Area Fashionista while working on local charity fashion shows over the past decade and also from her prior experience working in the fashion industry. She is a sustainer in the Junior League of San Jose and CEO of Chlorine Media. 

In addition to running Bay Area Fashionista, Cathy has three columns with the Examiner. She is the San Jose Fragrance Examiner, National Handbag Examiner and the San Jose Charity Examiner. 

When Cathy is not working she enjoys spending time with her Husband, three children and her extended family and friends. Cathy also enjoys swimming, tennis, volunteer work, fundraising, watching football and of course, shopping!

 

 

Meet Sandy Leong Our Rock Star Designer

 

 Diamonds may be a girl’s best friend, and my newest BJF (best jewelry friends) are part of Sandy Leong’s brilliant collection of gem-studded 18K gold rings, earrings, and bracelets. This world travelled emerging jewelry designer is a modern day alchemist of nature, culture, design and precious gems. Although Leong doesn’t classify herself as an eco-jeweler, her use of conflict free diamonds and recycled gold would suggest a green perspective. Her organically shaped pieces are a nod to nature. She says of her Signature Collection (18K yellow gold organic orb shapes, select pieces available with delicate champagne diamond accents), “it reminds me of shells and the beach” and in the commitment rings (stunning even as gifts to one’s self) she sees “tree bark, which is very representative of growing up in California and Oregon”.

 

Perhaps it’s the element of play at the core of her design process – a curiosity and openness to discovery of how the materials take form that stretches Leong’s collection beyond the expected or contrived.  She continues, “I was playing with a piece of metal and was hammering away. I loved the texture.” And it’s the texture that is like a favorite pair of jeans – “I sandblast my finishes, so that the metal is matte instead of shiny. It looks more natural and just gets better the more you wear it.”   Sandy has been featured in Instyle, Maxim, O magazine, Glamour as well as Lucky Magazine.

Meet Alexandra Satine

Alexandra Satine an energetic entrepreneur and a handbag designer who thinks out of the box has just joined FABLOGUE.  She launched her innovative line in 2009, her belief is to bring chic designs that help the wearer look fashionable yet have the flexibility to use bag in multiple ways to suit their lifestyle.

 

 

For instance her Brickel Bag can be worn in three different ways; The pockets are detachable and can be worn as a belt bag.  The main bag can be worn with or without pockets.  It comes in an eye pleasing beach tan color and gives very good value for the price.

 

 

The Love my Bag turns into a clutch with a few minor adjustments.  So you can go to work and then fold it up for an evening out without having to carry an additional bag.  The bag is quite exquisite with beautiful hardware and elegant design.  So go ahead and order one and you will be very pleased.

 

 

Gowns and Jewels of Oscar Awards 2011

I have never missed Oscars since the day I found out about them when I was a teenager in India.  I always loved the gowns the jewels and the poise of the women who look ethereal on the red carpet.  Well this year, although Anne Hathaway and James Franco failed to live upto the expectations of their predecessors,  it was still a gorgeous ceremony filled with excitement and some great wins. 

 

Melissa Leo’s acceptance speech will be memorable and her lace and gold dress made by Marc Bouwer was a stunning piece of art.  And the 50 year old actress looked poised and elegant and expressed her sense of style very well.  Media has been rampant about her profanity but she was truly Avow and her honesty made it a great speech.

 

Photo Credit: Harpers Bazaar

 

Halle Berry is probably has the most feminine body ever.  She can make any dress look outstanding.  Her Marchesa dress at the Oscars was just mesmerizing with its details and the train that looked like a floating cloud. 

 

Photo Credit: Harpers Bazaar

Our darling of the night was Natalie Portman in her purple Rodarte Dress and her matching Ruby earrings by Tiffany.  The 29 year old actress has accomplished a lot during her career and won a well deserved Oscar.  What I should mention is that her acceptance speech was touching.

 

Photo Credit: Harpers Bazaar

I also loved Mila Kunis in her Elie Saab Couture, Gwyneth Paltrow in Calvin Klien, who surprisingly has a talent in singing, Annette Benning in Naeem Khan and her emerald droplets by Lorraine Shwartz, Amy Adam’s sparkled in L’Wren Scott dress and Cartier jewels.  The performance by the kids from P.S. 22, it was a great finish to the wonderful Oscar Ceremony.

 

 

Inspring Women Series - Meet Divya Gugnani

I met Divya at an Astia event in the summer of 2010.  She was bursting with enthusiasm about all of her ventures.  She talked about her experience as an entrepreneur and dished out uncensored advice to the entrepreneurs in the room.  It was awesome to meet Divya, a former Banker and an MBA who has decided to take the entrepreneurial path.   Recently we caught up with her (virtually)and this is an excerpt of FABLOGUE's interview with Divya.

FABLOGUE: Tell us a little about your transition from being an Investment banker to an entrepreneur

Divya: I was putting in ninety-hour weeks at Goldman Sachs when I realized my two true callings: fashion and food. After attending the French Culinary Institute and earning an MBA from Harvard Business School, I launched the culinary media brand Behind the Burner in 2008, which features contributions from the finest chefs, restaurateurs, and nutritionists in the industry. In the summer of 2010, I partnered with fashion designer Christian Siriano and fashion industry veteran Mariah Chase to launch Send the Trend, an online fashion accessories retailer. Sexy Women Eat represents my inner chef and outer fashionista.

FABLOGUE: How did Behind the Burner and “Sexy Women Eat” take form?

Divya: My passion for food started at a young age, but since I chose a career in finance I never thought food would be part of my working life. After advising startups as a venture capitalist, I got excited about the idea of launching my own business so I started Behind the Burner to show the best tips, tricks and techniques for food, wine, mixology and nutrition. Also, as a busy working woman, I wanted to share my secrets for eating right so I wrote “Sexy Women Eat.” This book distills information down to concise tips on how to have a career, eat great food and still remain in shape. 

FABLOGUE:  What are some of the projects you are working on currently?

Divya: I’ve got three major projects I’m working on. Behind the Burner, a culinary media brand that focuses on food, wine, mixology and nutrition. We have a network of over 475 culinary experts, particularly chefs (Todd English, Marcus Samuelsson, Wolfgang Puck, Michael Mina, etc.), celebrities, mixologists, sommeliers and nutritionists. The second is Send the Trend, which is a newly launched online accessories fashion retailer offering curated selections of accessories for $29.95 per item including free shipping. And then there’s Sexy Women Eat. I’m living proof that you can work twenty hour work days and still find time to stay fit and fulfill your everyday food cravings. In Sexy Women Eat, I show you how to make small changes in your daily routine that add up to big savings on the scale.

FABLOGUE: What's a typical day in your life like?

Divya:  Hectic, busy, fun, exciting. Always filled with fashion and food!

FABLOGUE: If you were to create a look from FABLOGUE what would that be?

Divya:  The look would consist of True Religion jeans, a fitted cotton shirt and a Theory blazer. To finish I’d add Manolo Blanhik or Louis Vuitton shoes and a Chanel handbag.

 

 

Jewelry gets bold for spring – By Cathy O'brien of  BayAreaFashionista

 

Jewelry has been getting bolder as the fashion world moves out of minimalism and into vintage attire and more accessorized ensembles for 2011. Many designers in Milan, New York and Paris are showing earrings which almost dust the shoulder, bib necklaces, pendants, large cuffs and unexpected jewelry designs paired with neutral toned outfits, soft florals, all-white and bright color blocking. As fabulous as a large bib necklace paired with shoulder duster earrings looks on the runway, wearing more than one stand-out piece of jewelry in reality can overpower one’s overall look. Therefore, it is important to choose one bold piece and make it stand out.

FABLOGUE has hot up and coming designers who create unique, hard to find jewelry pieces which are right on trend for spring as well as next fall. This season, it is important to find one statement piece for an outfit. Incorporating one statement piece is the easiest way to bring the bold jewelry trend from the runway to reality.

 FABLOGUE has several statement pieces online right now which are perfect for the bold jewelry trend:

The Surface Style Silver Ring is bold and works as a statement piece when wearing long sleeves; since long sleeves would typically cover up a bracelet.

The Abstract Gold Cuff is unique, bold and eye-catching; a definite statement piece. Also, leather bracelets are big for spring with and without embellishments. Bold pendants such as the Hannah Necklace or the Crete necklace work well with the all-white trend or paired with the neutral tone trend.

If the bold trend is not your thing, wearing unique yet quiet jewelry pieces is one way to express your personal style this season as well as next fall. Small stacked rings such as the Constellation Stacked Rings are understated yet eye-catching. The Geo Stackers are a great compliment to the rocker chic trend this spring since they are slightly edgy yet still on the quiet side.

Whether you choose a statement piece of jewelry, or quiet form of self-expression this season; jewelry is always the perfect way to update your look and invest in a piece that reflects your personal style for seasons to come.

 

 

The Fanny Pack Gets A Face Lift – Roni of Brooklyn Posh

 

Since the beginning of time, the Fanny Pack as been regarded as something that was an absolute NO in fashion. This is, unless of course you wore Door Knockers and MC Hammer pants to accompany them. As of late, as reported by Rachel Dodes of the Wall Street Journal, the wretched Fanny Pack is getting a complete makeover with updated materials and even new names.  Having quoted several industry insiders, phrases such as “ hands free bags” by Yvan Mispelaere at DVF or “apron wraps” makes it seem as if designers are straying away from the words “fanny pack” to avoid the negative connotation that comes with it.

 

Since 2010, luxury designers have started to create their own fashionable version of the fanny pack and many of the 20 something crowd has followed trend. Amber Rose, rapper Kanye West’s ex girlfriend now turned model/fashionista sported a Louis Vuitton fanny pack at the Dior Homme show last year.  Gucci always has their famous “belt bag” available for purchase in stores and their site in an assortment of colors. As proved by the always well dressed Rihanna, a fanny pack can also be elegant and stylish if paired with a dress.

Elizabeth Laine has the chicest “pouchette” featured on FABLOGUE. The Taylor Pouchette is made with genuine croc leather and adorned with a gold buckle and gold embellishments. It’s not tough enough to be paired with jeans but feminine enough to be worn with a dress or slacks.

The buzz surrounding the fanny packs hasn’t been completely positive. People still regard them as eyesores, and pointless despite their wide array of uses. “Despite the lampooning, the usefulness of the item has never eluded true believers” says Rachel Dodes. The bare truth is everyone can find a reason to be hands free and fashionable.

 

 

I Met Sarah Endline, Founder and CEO of sweetriot, a few years ago through 85 Broads Network.  I was taken by her friendly demeanor yet when she spoke of her business it was clear that she cared about it deeply.  She was interested in not just building a lasting business but also in following sustainable practices.  Her passion and commitment shows for itself, sweetriot is now sold at more than 200 specialty food retail locations through out the U.S.,  and the list keeps growing.  I recently had a chance to interview her .  So here we go….

Rana: So Sarah, tell us a little about a day in your life?

Sarah:   I love living in the village in New York City because it allows me the flexibility to walk to work each morning. I've been known to roller blade in the spring & summer which makes my commute under 10 minutes! I read the New York Times religiously, and try to carve out 20 minutes in the AM to stay informed. As an on-the-go entrepreneur life tends to very fast paced so when I leave the house I have to be prepared for the numerous meetings and events I attend throughout the day & evening.  The sweetriot office AKA Riot Room is a really creative, open, space and we pride ourselves on always having Pandora playing to keep the vibe upbeat, and energized.  My day consists of anything from a Product Development Meeting, Investor Lunch, to a speaking event at NYU, followed by a team building happy hour.  I am a firm believer in doing what you love. Being a founder and CEO is a 24/7 gig. I built sweetriot around things I love & enjoy like socially responsible business, interacting with people from all around the world, travel, artists, and yummy, healthy dark chocolate! 

Rana: What is the most unique gift you received?  Why is it special?

Sarah:  This past Christmas I received a bicycle- fun and health at the same time!

Rana:  What is luxury in your opinion?

Sarah:  Time is a luxury in my opinion. An extra hour here and there is my day is icing on the cake!

Tell us Sarah What 3 items in the FABLOGUE portfolio appeal to you?

Sarah:

I love color!

A great necklace can jazz up something simple & classic.

Supporting eco designers is important to me!

Thank you Sarah for your time, we find your journey very inspiring.

 

 

I met Jennifer Behr at the CFDA accessory show case in the fall 2010.  She was a quiet but an intense person.  Despite being a highly accomplished designer she was easy to approach and extremely friendly.  She creates romantic, dreamy hair accessories that beautifully integrate victorian charm and modern day sophistication.  She uses fine feathers and crystals to create these one of a kind pieces in her atelier in Brooklyn.  Her cinderalla-esque headbands are for a woman with a discerning taste.  Celebrities such as Amy Adams, Natalie Portman and Maggie Gyllenhaal have been spotted wearing Jennifer's Accessories.   Light up a ball with her gorgeous accessories!

 

Photos Courtesy of Jennifer Behr