Ladies Who Lunch: Son Jung Wan Spring 2012!

Usually when I go to a Fashion Show, I am familiar with the designer and have expectations of what will come down the runway.  However, in the case of designer Son Jung Wan, I had no preconceived notions of what I would be seeing.  I interviewed Son Jung Wan before the show and got a glimpse of a few garments, but not enough to form an opinion.  So, when I was finally in the audience watching the show, it was a total revelation!

Based on this collection, it was apparent to me why this designer is one of the largest designer labels in Korea. Son Jung Wan is introducing her line to the US market and I can say with certainty that the line is a definite fit with the American Market.

A collection with an emphasis on drape, sometimes in an almost architectural way, the silhouettes emphasized the body even when they were loose and flowing.  I was also impressed with how the line can seamlessly adapt to a varied clientele.  There are dresses and separates with a style and sophistication that you could clearly see on someone like Kelly Rutherford, but there are also sexier younger pieces that would be a perfect fit for the Blake Livelys of the world.  And to top it all off, there was a sprinkling of menswear in the collection that are right up my alley!

Inspired by the Isle of Capri, the line has a Mediterranean feel to it, further enhanced by a color palette that emphasizes whites, sands and the various blues in the sea!

Watch the interview with designer Son Jung Wan and see the collection that I think will make her as important in America as she is in Korea.


Video Photography by Nicholas Waickman

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Ladies Who Lunch: BAD GIRLS Go Lingerie Shopping!

Dr. Carole Lieberman and Niki Akhtar

I must admit, it is a rarity that I make it over to The Valley!  Whenever I think of The Valley and Ventura Boulevard, it recalls images of the way it was in the 80’s: a little bit seedy and not much of interest for me.  However, I have to keep reminding myself that those days are long gone.  Ventura Boulevard is now quite chic, with great shopping, great restaurants and of course views of the rugged hillsides.

I found out that Dr. Carole Lieberman, author of “Bad Girls: Whey Men Love Them and How Good Girls Can Learn Their Secrets”, was going to be at a Lingerie Store in Studio City to read from her book, so I thought it was worth checking out.  Thanks to Dr. Carole, I discovered Faire Frou Frou, a simply wonderful lingerie shop for upscale and classy intimate apparel.

Faire Frou Frou Owners Alison and Gail

Owners Alison and Gail have put together a delightful boutique with a French Boudoir theme and have stocked it with the finest lingerie from top designers around the world.  Carrying panties, bras, corsets, bustiers, camisoles, etc., Faire Frou Frou is the place to go for lingerie that is beautiful, sexy and playful.

And, what better place for Dr. Carole to read from her book, since those Sexy Undergarments are most certainly one of the BAD GIRL secrets!!  Dr. Carole also had on sale the limited edition version of the dress Kate Middleton wore to grab the attention of Prince William! (You can get your own on Dr. Carole’s website!)

The evening also had a British Theme in honor of the Kate Middleton dress, which brought out a few beautiful and charming ladies, all vying for positions on the upcoming Reality TV Series Prince Charlie’s Angels.  The series will take American Anglophile contestants to England, where they will compete against each other to see which one is the most able to fit into British Society!  Producer Toni Farina brought several of the ladies competing for a position on the show, including Breanne Munro, Kat Sheridan and Deena Jacobs (who you might remember form her appearance on H8Rs!).

From Left: Breanne Munro, Kat Sheridan, Deena Jacobs, ?, Producer: Toni Farina
wearing the "Kate Middleton" Dress

A fun evening of Dr. Carole’s reading, lingerie shopping and cocktails made the evening at Faire Frou Frou memorable!

So, stay tuned to Ladies Who Lunch, where in just a few short weeks we will do a video segment to truly give Faire Frou Frou the attention it deserves!!


Watch the interview with Dr. Carole to find out more about BAD GIRLS at:

Ladies Who Lunch: Bad Girls!

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Ladies Who Lunch: Douglas Hannant Spring 2011!

Inspired by 1930’s Shanghai, the Douglas Hannant Spring 2012 Collection was presnted to an audience at The Plaza Hotel.  The venue was decorated to recall a Chinese Speakeasy from the period, with bamboo accents playing a key role in the set design.

Mr. Hannant’s inspiration was not about chinoiserie, but rather about the Shanghai elite of the period. Wealthy and western educated, the society of Shanghai were extremely sophisticated, but also a bit decadent.  This theme played out well in Douglas Hannant’s collection with the emphasis on luxury and sophistication.  The inspiration was woven very subtly into the collection, but it’s influence was evident in the silhouettes and even in the use of raffia.

With hair by Edward Tricomi of Warren-Tricomi and make-up by Maud LaCeppe, the Douglas Hannant Spring 2012 collection was shown to its best advantage.  This is a collection that will certainly please Mr. Hannant’s loyal customers, while ushering in a new clientele as well.

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Ladies Who Lunch: Zang Toi Spring 2012!

Zang Toi knows how to put together a beautiful and luxurious collection that answers the needs of his clientele.  And, this Spring 2012 Collection was no exception.  The Zang Toi show was quite possibly my favorite of the season!

Zang Toi took his inspiration from Morocco for this season, which brought us sumptuous desert browns, ebony, ivory and an intense sapphire blue with strong gold accents.  The inspiration of the collection was apparent, but not in a way that made the clothes look like costumes.  These were real clothes for real women who are looking for style and luxury.

The surprise of the show was the finale gown, worn by a beautifully radiant Kirstie Alley.  Ms. Alley commanded the runway and her presence was the icing on an already perfect cake.

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Ladies Who Lunch: Byron Lars Beauty Mark Spring 2012!

By now you all know that Byron Lars is one of my favorite designers.  So after a fabulous Fall 2011 collection inspired by Native Americans, I was really looking forward to see what Byron came up with for his Byron Lars Beauty Mark Spring 2012 Collection!

The biggest surprise was that Byron Lars decided to forego the madness and unpredictability of a live show for a digital presentation!  In typical Byron Lars style, the presentation is stylish, fun and most importantly it shows off the clothes beautifully.

The Byron Lars Beauty Mark Spring 2012 collection is another feather in Mr. Lars cap.  Sexy feminine silhouettes, gorgeous prints, seductive trims all come together to make a collection that is quintessential Byron Lars.  And as usual, Mr. Lars who is a master of the cut produces a line of brilliantly constructed creative garments.

Mr. Lars spoke to us about new collection, the digital presentation and what inspired him to create both.

To see the complete presentation follow this link:

Byron Lars Beauty Mark Spring 2012

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Ladies Who Lunch: Project Ethos Los Angeles Spring 2012!

Counting down to the beginning of Fashion Week Los Angeles and getting ready for all of the events.  The Week opens with Concept Los Angeles at the Ace Gallery in the Mid-Wilshire District, moves on to Style Fashion Week at VIBIANA downtown and concludes with LA Fashion Weekend at the Sunset Gower Studios in Hollywood.

However, a few more exciting events are taking place around town!  One of these events is PROJECT ETHOS at the historic House of Blues on Sunset Boulevard at 8pm on Friday, October 14th, which will roll out the Pink Carpet in conjunction with 97.1 AMP Radio’s “Pink Month” and the events official sponsor vitaminwater zero™  The event will benefit Stand Up To Cancer, a program of the Entertainment Industry Foundation.  

Stand Up To Cancer is a charitable organization that raises funds fro “Dream Teams” of scientists collaboration on research that will get new therapies to patients quickly in order to saves lives now.  1$ of every Pink Carpet ticket will be donated to Stand Up To Cancer.

While benefitting a great cause, PROJECT ETHOS also promises to be an evening of talent and entertainment.  The evening will begin with a live concert featuring American Idol performer Julie Zorrilla and will be headlined by the Black Cards, featuring Fall Out Boy’s former bassist/front man Pete Wentz.  Mr. Wentz’s new project features of mis of electronica, ska, dance and reggae with female vocalist Bebe Rexha.  Visual artists will be on display in the Crossroads Restaurant, including works from visual artists Allison Reimold, Alexander dod Smith, Tom Garner, and James Naccarato.

Since it is Fashion Week, so collections from emerging Los Angeles based designers will hit the catwalk at 10pm including the work of BritBoy, GLAUDI, Japanese Import B by APERIRE.  Over 90 models with hair and make-up created by TNT Agency will help to make this a memorable show.  Each designer will have the chance to win prizes valued up to $3,000 if their garment is chosen as the winning design in the vitaminwater zero™ “Flavor Fashionista Challenge”.  Each designer was challenged to come up with a design inspired by a vitaminwater zero™ flavor that will then be voted on through a live text-to-vote.

More fashion from vitaminwater zero™ Scholarship winner Dorian Pentard, Cardiwrap by Kymaro and Frederick’s of Hollywood Swim will round out the evening.

And of course PROJECT ETHOS IS a party, so after the fashion shows, dancing will continue into the late night with slamming music and special guest appearances.  Party On!

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Ladies Who Lunch: Style Fashion Week LA Spring 2012!

October is here once again and in Los Angeles that means Fashion Week.  Although LA Fashion Week is not on the same scale as New York Fashion Week, there are quite a few interesting venues which showcase equally interesting designers.

The new kid on the block last March was Style Fashion Week at VIBIANA, an event space that was a former cathedral in downtown Los Angeles.  I attended all of the shows that they presented and was pleasantly surprised by their professionalism and sophistication.

Having said that, I am very pleased to report that Style Fashion Week is back!  Monday, October 17th through Friday, October 21st, Style Fashion Week will again feature exciting Los Angeles design companies presenting their Spring 2012 lines.

Stop Staring! will reveal a new collection of retro-inspired dresses that have an über-feminine, vintage feel. Following its namesake, Stop Staring! will ensure that your gaze stops when its line of curve-hugging looks takes on Fashion Week.

Gypsy 05, whose collection is made right here in Hollywood, will hit the runway on Wednesday, October 19th. According to these designers, “Gypsy 05 is a lifestyle brand that transitions from day to night attire with ease for both men and women. It is predominantly a t-shirt line, but they also like to incorporate unique casual dresses, pants, and sweaters.” The brand prides itself on "[continuing] to push the envelope in creating a truly distinctive collection."

A leading lifestyle brand, Alternative Apparel brings its spring collection to Fashion Week on October 18th. Its spring line, "Oasis of Color, will feature rich textures, sun-bleached desert washes, bold prints and a vibrant color palette." Expect to see "asymmetrical maxi-dresses and high-waisted mini-skirts in colorful prints, as well as a selection of must-have novelty pieces for women, including sheer, mesh tanks, cut-out sweatshirts and beaded Baja Cloth ponchos." Alternative Apparel also produces a men's line that will offer "breezy Baja Woven's in hoodies, shorts, and button-downs" for spring.

Rounding out the week on October 22nd, Gen Art will showcase an entire night of emerging fashion designers. With a track record of “alumni [including] Zac Posen, Rebecca Taylor, Philip Lim, Vena Cava, and Rodarte,” Gen Art continues its legacy fashion program, "Fresh Faces in Fashion." SFW is honored to welcome this respected organization.

To keep things interesting, Style Fashion Week has kept a couple of surprise designers on tap, who will be unveiled as the event nears.

Look forward to seeing you at VIBIANA for Style Fashion Week.

For Style Fashion Week updates, “Like” on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/stylefashionweek and follow on Twitter: StyleFW, http://twitter.com/#!/stylefw.


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Ladies Who Lunch: NY Fashion Week THEIA Spring 2012!

Don O’Neill most certainly won us over as fans with his Fall 2011 and Resort 2011 Collections for THEIA.  So we were looking forward to what he would come up with for the Spring 2012 Collection.  Needless to say, he didn’t disappoint!

Watch our video of the complete collection, hear about it first hand from designer Don O’Neill and discover why THEIA has quickly become a celebrity fave!

The THEIA Spring 2012 Collection takes its inspiration from Chloris the Goddess of Flowers, Nature and Spring.  The collection focuses on the transformation of the dark wintry landscape into lush greenery and carpets of flowers.

Showing a series of Black & White dresses and gowns, some with laser cut fabric discs that gave a wintry snowy feeling, Mr. O’Neill achieves the transformation to Spring with a gradual progression of colors.  The Black & White’s give way to mossy and then more verdant greens, which then explode in floral tones of violet, oranges and fuchsias, concluding with bright yellow sunshine.

Transparency being important to this collection, softly flowing floral watercolor prints with sheer yokes and 3-Dimensional flowers floating over and across the gowns give the collection a light and airy feeling.  Other gowns play with transparency by elaborate layering of organza into brilliantly constructed gowns that achieve volume while still maintaining an ephemeral feeling.

Of course THEIA’s signature glamorous beaded pieces are also present, with the addition of form fitting beaded gowns to the already popular line of beaded cocktail dresses.

In addition, this collection marks the debut of THEIA’s new line of “Daycassion” dresses.  Suitable for those special occasions where a total evening look would not be appropriate, these elegant and special dresses can also go from day to evening with the addition of the right jewelry.

Once again, THEIA has given us a collection that we look forward to seeing on the Red Carpet and more importantly at cocktail parties and events on women we personally know and adore!

Video Photography by Nicholas Waickman

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Ladies Who Lunch: Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Spring 2012!

Every September, the Fashion World descends upon New York for Fashion Week to see the Spring Collections!  This September was no different, with designers showing their collections at venues all over the city.

Myself and Mariana Leung of MsFABulous.com made it our goal to see as many shows as humanly possible, so that we could share it all with you!

So join us over the next several weeks for a look into New York Fashion Week and what the trends will be for next Spring!


Video Photography by Nicholas Waickman

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