The Spring / Summer 2011 Luca Luca Collection that we’ll be seeing was rather different in my opinion from those that we’ve seen in the past!

This one had a younger, more refreshing playful feel, complete with it’s thorough use of prints, silks, and it’s constant chiffon.

The collection, inspired by the changing lights on the Sydney Opera House, really does have the same fluid feel of being on an exotic cruise!

I’m ready to go shopping & set sail!  Who’s joining me?

By: Christie Heinrich of www.ChristiesBook.com

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.

Using eye liner is a simple way to add color that doesn’t require adding a whole lot of time or skill to your routine.  There are many varieties and formulas that you can use to spiff up your color collection.  There is, of course, the all too popular pencil.  Aside from that we now have creams, liquids, cakes and gels.  And who’s to say that you have to stop there.  Benefit used to make a deep magenta/red lip liner that I used to keep in my eye liner drawer.  I used it almost everyday and received so many compliments when I wore it.  I even turned a few friends onto that little trick.  Some companies even make a liquid transformer so that you can turn any eye shadow into an eye liner.  That one way to keep your liner uniquely you…

 Sometimes applying a thicker top line can make the eye appear too big or too small depending on the shape and lid space.  When you apply the top liner I recommend really trying to get it into the top lash line and keeping it as thin as possible.  Keeping the color in the lashline shouldn’t effect the size and shape too much.  So once you get it in there you can build the width and transform the eye from there if wanted or needed.

Unless you are applying a smoky eye I wouldn’t recommend being too heavy handed.  I prefer using pencil.  Another option is to color a little space on the back of your hand and use a smudge brush to wiggle that color into the bristles and then wiggle into the lash line for a natural finish…even with the most vibrant colors.  This technique can be used with gel and cream liners as well.  And keep in mind that applying a dark color on the inner rim may make eye apper smaller.  For a bigger and brighter eye use a white/very very light bluish white color on inner rim.

These are some of my favorite finds…

Urban Decay 24/7  Glide-On Eye Pencils

Laura Mercier Eye Liner

Smashbox Cream Eye Liner

Too Faced Starry Eyed Liquid Liner

Chanel Le Crayon Yeux Precision Eye Definer

Holiday gift sets are a fun and practical way to spoil your friends and family without breaking the bank.  If you utilize the holiday sales for self-gratification then you are still going to get much more ‘bang for your buck’ and you can just gift out what you know you wont use.   

Sephora Brand Flashy Liner Waterproof Gift Set are a high-value set of seven creamy, metallic, waterproof eye pencils that will make the perfect stocking stuffer.  It includes the best-selling shades of bold, radiant color that beam through any circumstances-rain, shine, and dance floors included.  This set contains 7 Flashy Waterproof Liners in Silver, Mauve, Copper, Brown, Blue, Green, Deep Black.  Each long-wearing, vivid shade glides on easily, so there’s less tugging on the delicate skin of the eye.  I have to say that these are among my favorite products in my makeup kit.  Use them to spruce up a colorful eye shadow or simply glide over a nude eye for a color-pop.

Holiday Stila Lipgloss collection is a collection of eight mini Lip Glazes that  give you non-stop shimmer and shine!  The collection features EIGHT shades four bestsellers and four brand new. Find the flavor to match your every look and mood in this must-have set that delivers lips with unprecedented high-wattage color and shine.  You get 8 for less than the price of 2.  What a deal!   

Smashbox Master’s Class GlamourEyes is a kit featuring shadows that complement your eye color and a step-by-step guide on how to achieve various eye looks.  This kit features an arsenal of eye-conic products that specifically cater to your eye color. An illustrated Get-The-Look guide walks you through the application process and breaks down intimidating eye looks. With the blendable shades and step-by-step lessons, even a makeup novice can shade it out like the pros.  There are kits for brown, blue and green eyes that include all of the nessecities for a polished eye. 

Sephora Favorites LashStash Mascara Deluxe features Sephora’s most “wanded” mascaras for the lash results you desire.  There is no need to wish upon a star this holiday now that Sephora is making all of your beauty-full dreams come true.  They have 5 gift sets with ten their favorite and best-selling products in each one.  This one comes with all some on my favorite and recommended mascaras.  Personally, I’m keeping this one for my pro kit.  It’s good to have on hand to get the natural lash or the ‘fly-trapper’ lash, water-proof lash or the colored lash.