The Tibi show was thoroughly packed.  People were waiting everywhere in order to get inside.

As the runway tape was pulled away & the music began, the opening of the Jane’s Addiction song, “Been Caught Stealing” began to play…

“OMG!  They’re really using this?  Holy GAWD!  Let’s GO!” I thought to myself as the stage darkened.

However, I was soon to realize that, although it appeared as though every important New Yorker had come to observe the show…  There was one very important person who had never bothered to show up; The Bass Angel.  (Not to mention The Sound Guy!)

Just WHO is The Bass Angel, you ask?  Well…

The Bass Angel is the angel who pumps up the bass in runway shows and gets the party started!  The Bass Angel is the one who helps teach models to walk and take away all the fear.  In his spare time, he watches over runway shows & makes sure that everything goes correctly.

He reaches, with a well trained fist, deep into that space in between your shoulder blades and grabs you.  He holds you up, like a woman posessed, like a puppet.  He uses his iron grasp in order to force your lungs & heart to expand and contract without your own will.  Your eyes either go dead and look straight ahead, or they take on the look of a woman gone mad.  (Why do you think models walk with shoulders waaaay too far back and hips thrust forward?  They’re puppets for the Bass Angel! He’s simply holding them up, and waving them down the runway like toys.)

If you ask me, our dear Bass Angel never got an invite to this show!  No one called him, sent him an e-mail, or even bothered to flirt with him.  If anything, He completely abandoned this designer!

And it would appear that he was nowhere near this model either…

The clothes were tragically boring.  The music didn’t fit the clothes.  And the models looked like women Un-Posessed.  See for yourself:

This one was rather ok though…  It reminded me of high school….  LOL!  A ‘90’s flashback!   HA!  Dreams of Detention and Catholic School Rebellion coupled with a Nine Inch Nails soundtrack and an ’83 Cougar come to mind…

Till next time Darlings!  XOXOXO

By: Christie Heinrich

Photos by:  Netty P.

The Zang Toi show last night at Lincoln Center was as triumphant as they come!  Gasps and applause could be heard from the audience over and over again!

This collection, called “Timeless Beauties” is said to be designed for the stylish and sophisticated palate.  Zang Toi is also always inspired by his love of travel and fine living.

We are treated to an abundance of luxurious fabrics such as English Wool, Cashmere, Silk, Fox Fur, and Mink; all with thorough tailoring and a large helping of Swarovski Crystals!

The Heiress Necklace, shown below in emerald, is gauranteed to be the talk of any party of ages to come!

Overall, I can’t express the sheer perfection of Zang Toi enough!  Ladies beware though, wearing this collection in my opinion is like hauling out the Big Guns!  It’s more than Dressing to Impress!  It’s like Dressing to end a Long Term Feud!  (Go for it Darlings!)

By: Christie Heinrich

Photos: Netty P.

Behnaz Sarafpour was born in Iran, however raised in Philadelphia. Her mother was a painter who encouraged her artistic side.

Her Fall 2011 Collection would appear to be a display of classic eloquence that plays a bit on Jackie Kennedy. If you are looking for a no-fail outfit that will get you noticed for your MIND but with an EDGE, search no further.

Here are my favorite pieces:

Behnaz Sarafpour is sold in New York at Barneys, Bellhaus, and Elizabeth Charles. Find her online at http://www.BehnazSarafpour.com

By: Christie Heinrich

Photos by Netty P.

The scene at Vivienne Tam was an ethereal experience that appeared to have been created by a calm, collected mastermind who knows exactly what she wants.  (The music will be swimming in my head forever!)

The Fall 2011 collection features heavily on knits. It offers us a stunning array of tweed coats and suits with statu’esquely formed collars that command respect.

The evening wear that we were presented with continued to be controlled and elegant with a hint of playfulness to it.

By: Christie Heinrich

Photos by Jim Bluck

Running twenty minutes late to begin with, we all wondered what we might be in for from the Hungarian born designer Kati Stern and her Venexiana label.

With this being my first time, all I knew about her was that she’d had a rather interesting background before embarking on her current path of fashion;  careers in both music and architecture!  And of course I knew that she had no fear of using fur.  This wait was growing more unbearable by the second!

Eventually though, as you can see here.  It was all completely worth it!

This designer wasted no time pumping up the punk rock music and hitting you directly with her best and most luxurious looking furs!  Reminding us that it’s OK to go big, go glamorous, and be yourself!  — I think the woman who wears these coats is thinking, “Go ahead! Let them stare!”

Now what is a lady to wear under her fur?  Where is she going if she’s wearing such an envy inspiring coat?  Well, to a ball of course!  So evening gowns were what we were treated to next.  Out they came in various shades of gold, deep and or vibrant purples and teals, nearly every one the picture of elegance.

Overall I think this collection still had Ms. Stern’s definate brand of edginess & danger that she seems to always bring to her pieces, but this time with a much more wearable finish for the Modern Woman!

Find Kati Stern Venexiana at upscale stores like Nieman Marcus and Saks 5th Avenue.

Christie Heinrich
http://www.ChristiesBook.com

Photos by Jim Bluck

In a word; Fabulous!

This jewelry designer is the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Winner for a reason! She combines such exotic materials as fossilized wooly mammoth and walrus ivory, 18 carat recycled gold, as well as conflict and devestation free diamonds!

And as if that weren’t enough, a portion of all of her proceeds go to various philanthropic initiatives!

Her jewelry is gorgeous, sustainable, and has a conscience! The Spring 2011 Collection was inspired by a trip to French Polynesia as well as the works of Gauguin while also drawing on the “power and beauty of the ocean.”  What’s not to adore?

I luved the fact that she thanked everyone that was involved in making the show possible, in her program as well! As Derek Blasberg would say, “Very Classy, Darling!”

Shown here is the Omaru Morganite necklace!

www.MoniquePean.com

By: Christie Heinrich
www.ChristiesBook.com

There’s been so much talk back and forth about whether or not people do or don’t like having Fashion Week up at Lincoln Center as opposed to The Tents at Bryant Park!

Afterall, The Tents are a Legend! It’s only natural that many in the Industry would mourn their passing.

I recently caught up with Heinz Holba, owner of New York and LA Models to get his perspective on these major changes to our Industry’s special week!

”I do think Lincoln Center resembles the Louvre in Paris more, which is a very prestigious Location for a lot, if not most of the Shows in Paris. Simply by Location Image, expanse and layout as well as the cultural backdrop the Louvre resembles Lincoln Center. Also the backstage areas and some Runway locations are and feel more spacious and the Mercedes Benz sponsor area looks more prestigious now than it had been at the Park.”

By: Christie Heinrich of www.ChristiesBook.com

The Kaelen Spring / Summer 2011 Presentation was held down in Chelsea on West 18th, I’m guessing to create a much more intimate experience for the viewer.

Indeed the seeting was that of an intimate art gallery where beautiful flutes of champagne were served and people mingled as three rotations of models passed each giving the crown a limited amount of time to take in a set number of designs.

The Kaelen Spring / Summer 2011 Collection is said to have been influenced by a recent tornado chasing trip of all things! The designer stays within the context of modern design but continues to add the element of edge and surprise that would be found in nature!

Overall, quite interesting!  Congrats Kaelen!

By: Christie Heinrich of www.ChristiesBook.com

Designer Tadashi Shoji gave a thoroughly well thought out and put together presentation at The Box showcasing his extremely elegant designs! Everything about it was perfect – not just the clothes! I honestly can’t say enough about the entire presentation! It simply had FLOW! It WORKED beautifully!

The set was just enough, the models were exactly right for the dresses, the make-up was not wearing off, and the security kept just enough people inside at one time in order to ensure that there would be NO pushing. (which is more than I can say for OTHER events)

Tadashi Shoji’s Spring 2011 Collection is an unusual and refreshing departure from his normal focus on modernism! This time around he is said to have been inspired by the “Goddess in the Woman” and tells us that his dresses can be worn by “All Women.”

Indeed, as the photos will show, I believe they can and will be!

All of this added up to allow us to really focus on how stunning the gowns really were!

And isn’t that what it’s really about? Cheers Tadashi Shoji!

In the ‘70s Tadashi Shoji designed for everyone from Elton John to The Jacksons. Today you can see the likes of Tyra Banks, Debra Messing, Kate Walsh, etc. wearing his pieces. The Tadashi Shoji line as well as his Home Collection is found is upscale stores such as Nieman Marcus ans Istetan. www.TadashiShoji.com

Reality star and budding designer Whitney Port also dropped by to promote her upcoming project, “Her Way to the Runway;” with Tresemme and Condenast which will be a behind the scenes program about her upcoming spring 2011 collection! The press was in a complete frenzy over her! Ouch!

The Edition Georges Chakra show was nothing short of a Glamazon Affair!

Each gown was simply more stunning than the next! And as if that weren’t enough, absolutely everyone in the audience was someone that was really there to buy — for THEMSELVES! (I was even sitting next to a guy who could’ve been JFK Jr’s long lost twin! I swear! I had to look twice!) Check out the show footage!!!

EDITION Georges Chakra is the ready to wear line, shown at NYFW, from Georges Chakra which grew out of demand from his haute couture line which is only shown at Paris Fashion Week. Both lines are a favorite of celebrities such as Carrie Underwood, Katy Perry, Beyonce Knowles, and even royalty. His lines can be ordered directly or found in specialty shops around the US.