fashionweektampabay

Archive for May, 2010|Monthly archive page

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Fashion Review: Sex and the City 2

In Events, Fashion, Updates on May 28, 2010 at 10:10 am

After Fashion Week Tampa Bay’s pre-party and drooling over all the fabulous clothes at Saks Fifth Avenue, I eagerly walked to the movie theater in my little black dress and pumps to watch Sex and the City 2. I was so ready!! The Sex and the City girls always have superior style thanks to New York Stylist, Patricia Field. She made sure that the clothes in Sex and the City 2 played almost as big a role as Carrie, Charlotte, Samantha and Miranda. She has succeeded once again! There is so much fashion to cover from this movie so I’m going to focus on the trends that stood out to me most.

The movie cleverly starts with an 80’s throw back of each girl. It brought smiles and laughter out of everyone in the theater. The outrageous 80’s outfits were hilariously over the top and the Sex and the City memories behind each one made them even better. The girls showed off their glamorous side with a ton of gold and silver accessories! Who can forget Samantha’s silver studded shoulder pads during their singing performance in Abu Dhabi.

The clothes worn in Abu Dhabi were very different from New York City. The main reason you may ask… 1) It’s the desert and 2) Avoid bursting into flames! They mostly wore light fabrics that flow like chiffon and silk. Shoulders were totally uncovered in Abu Dhabi with one sleeve, no sleeves and strap less tops. The beautiful dresses made the girls look like goddesses and what’s a goddess without her gems? Oh yes! Breathtaking bold necklaces matched with their simple colorful dresses!

I was saving the best for last! I absolutely love Carrie’s dress she wore to dinner with her ex fiancé, Aidan Shaw. Every girl knows you must look fantastic when seeing an ex! If you’re going to play with fire… look HOT!

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Fashion, Fun, and Friendship

In Events, Fashion, Updates on May 28, 2010 at 6:58 am

Fashion Week Tampa Bay rolled out the pink carpet last night (5/27/10) at Saks Fifth Avenue for the Ultimate Ladies Night Out: SATC2 Pre-Party & Movie Night. Women of all ages joined the Fashion Week Tampa Bay team for a night of fashion, fun and friendship.

Upon entering the party doors, guests received an ultimate swag bag. Inside were fabulous surprises like Fekkai Brilliant Glossing Cream and a 1.5ml size perfume bottle of Jessica Simpson’s new Fancy Love. Now that’s what I call swag!

Meridith from 933.3FLZ

As Meredith from 933.3FLZ played the voice of the party, she also brought the music. That’s right, ladies were shopping to Lady Gaga. While shopping, guests received an extra 15% off towards their purchases for both Thursday (5/27) & Friday (5/28) , plus Saks generously donated 5% of the in-store sales from last night and today to Fashion Week Tampa Bay’s beneficiary for the event, Best Buddies Tampa Bay.

Ocean Prime Tuna Tartar

Now all that shopping would definitely work up an appetite, wouldn’t you agree? Well, no worries there because the very avant-garde modern American supper club, Ocean Prime provided their signature tuna tartar, PF Changs brought their Asian fusion cuisine and Mangroves supplied their delicious American dishes. So all food cravings were satisfied. Of course every Sex and the City party has to have cocktails and ZYR vodka was shaken up for SATC-inspired cocktails…I’ll take one up with a twist please!

Alexa Workman

The women were dressed to the nines and definitely brought their shoe game. I chatted with Alexa Workman, a Fashion & Retail Management student from The Art Institute of Tampa about what inspired her look for the evening. The Ai colors, black and red, inspired her outfit but she did what any ‘Carrie’ would do and merchandised it up with a black belt and accessories. However, women traveling from work to play portrayed a ‘Miranda-style’ by simply changing the shoes from pumps to strappy sandals.

Before heading out to the movie, ladies grabbed their personal bag of truffle butter popcorn also provided by Ocean Prime. The most anticipated ‘chick flick’ of the year was sold out. I’ve never seen that many women under one roof at a time, it was exciting! Although I will not give you any details of the movie, I will tell you this, if you haven’t seen it yet grab your girlfriends and have an ultimate ladies night out soon!

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The Ultimate Ladies Night Out: SATC2 Movie Night

In Events, Fashion on May 26, 2010 at 3:05 pm

On Thursday, May 27, 2010, Saks Fifth Avenue at the Westshore Plaza Mall will be transformed into every ladies must-have accessory…a ladies night out! Join Fashion Week Tampa Bay for a night of shopping, SATC2-inspired cocktails, hor d’oeuvres, and of course the most anticipated ‘chic-flick’ of the year, Sex and the City 2!

Pre-party starts at 4pm at Saks Fifth Avenue in the Westshore Mall.  Saks is holding a two-day promotion on Thursday (5/27) and Friday (5/28) where 5% of in-store sales at Saks will be donated to Best Buddies Tampa Bay. I know I’ll be breaking out the shopping fund, a sale + helping those in need = a happy shopper!

While you shop-til-you-drop, enjoy SATC2-inspired cocktails sponsored by ZYR, delicious hors d’oeuvres provided by Ocean Prime, P.F.Changs, and Mangroves,  a chance to win fabulous prizes and much more! But it doesn’t stop there. At 7:15pm, grab your girlfriends and head over to the AMC Westshore for a movie filled with fashion, friendship and fun.

For more information regarding this event visit us at www.fashionweektampabay.com/satc2tampabay.html

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Get Carrie’d Away!

In Designers, Fashion, Trends on May 26, 2010 at 2:55 pm

It’s so easy to get carried away… when you’re falling madly in love with your “must have item” while turning the page of your favorite fashion magazine, imagining yourself switching spots with the model. Soon to realize you are mistaken and day dreaming with Vogue right below your chin. Fashion advertisements for designers like Marc Jacobs and Dolce & Gabbana always have that effect on me!

You would have to live under a rock to be unaware of how Sex and the City is the perfect show for fashionistas! Sex and the City 2 will be as fabulous as the first movie and the TV series! Can’t wait!!! One of my many favorite things about Sex and the City is getting carried away in Carrie Bradshaw’s fashion.

This fearless fashionista lives and breathes fashion in the city! The girl would easily choose Vogue magazine over dinner… now that’s passion for fashion! She’s known for her great style and skill of mixing high and low. Meaning high-end designer fashions mixed with flea market finds! She mixes the two in a much unexpected way that helps to create her unique and memorable look. Fashion icon would be an understatement for Ms. Carrie Bradshaw!

Sex and the City has made a huge impact on fashion! Stilettos, great coats, must-have designer bags, the bob, flower pins and much, much more! Let’s get carried away in what makes Carrie’s fashion so iconic! Below are some of my all time favorite Carrie outfits. Which one is your favorite Carrie look?

City Chic Carrie

Vintage Inspired Carrie

French Carrie

The Very Carrie Suit

Carrie in the Westwood wedding dress

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Male’s Only Club…Female’s Always Welcomed

In Designers, Fashion on May 20, 2010 at 2:41 pm

When it comes to Wall Street, men in suits is the first thing that often comes to mind. When it comes to fashion, ugh… not so much. Yes, very stereotypical of us to treat men as second-class citizens just because they’re ‘simple’ shoppers. That’s why I am excited to inform you that Coach will be catering to men. The first Coach men’s store has opened at 370 Bleecker Street in Manhattan, also known  as the village.

The new mens’ platform incorporates many Coach signature elements tweaked in a masculine way. They offer merchandise like the business messenger bag, what I like to call the man-bag, premium leather belts along with the trendy avant-grade boat shoes. The ambiance of this store is also very masculine. Its decor consists of dark mahogany, dark brown shelves and industrial ceilings. I’m calling it Abercrombie meets Marc Jacobs. The casual feel of Abercrombie with the quality and price point like something you would find from a Marc Jacobs’ collection.

In the world of fashion, looking for a new niche-market is always on every marketing-gurus agenda. Finding a way to bring attention to a less acknowledged shopper, like men, is something this economy needs. Coach plans to expand within the U.S. and eventually globally. I sure wouldn’t mind seeing more men’s specialty stores. Prada Men’s??? We’ll have to wait and see.

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Hollywood Hair

In Trends on May 18, 2010 at 12:58 pm

Ever wonder what you would look like with your favorite celebs hair cut/style? Well, thanks to InStyle’s fabulous web-site you can now have your “Hollywood Hair Virtual Makeover” and get a glimpse of what a new hair cut or color would look like!

I just discovered this web -site earlier today and I’m obsessed!! It’s  so fun and at the same time I’m able to see what hair styles I should definitely stay away from and which ones actually complement the shape of my face and skin tone. You just upload your picture, outline your facial features and voila!

You can choose from hundreds of celebrity styles and hair colors AND you can even adjust the hair style to contour to your face (less/more volume). Seriously… it’s fascinating.

I have a hair appointment next Tuesday and I’ve been browsing every fashion mag for some ideas- wish I knew about this earlier…

Which do you think suits me best??

*p.s. they also have celebrity up-do’s and styles for special occasions!


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Calling in an S.O.S

In Designers, Fashion, Trends on May 13, 2010 at 3:57 pm
Calling all fashionistas…This is a fashion emergency…the ladies from Sex and the City are heading to Morocco and need a ‘virtual’ stylist.
Fashion Week Tampa Bay is deporting some of our very own designers to rescue the girls. But…who wears what? Carrie (Sarah Jessica Parker), Samantha (Kim Catrall), Charlotte (Kristin Davis), and Miranda (Cynthia Nixon) have a strong chemistry between each other on and off the set. However, their style is very different. This week the girls need a swimsuit and I know just the right match ‘virtually’ for them!
Carrie Bradshaw, not only lives for fashion but has even gone as far as buying Vogue instead of dinner. Although she cannot afford her “shopping addiction”, she is known for mixing vintage finds with high-end labels. Maybe to her, this justifies the high-end purchases by pairing it with a bargain deal…ugh..hmm…

By Adjanys Marrero

I have come across a swimsuit from designer Adjanys Marrero that would be a perfect match for the shoe-loving socialite. This vibrant black hand-crocheted swimsuit will allow Carrie to show off her fabulous abs in this two-piece suit.

Miranda Hobbes, the career-minded lawyer, has not only changed her cynical views on relationships and men-after getting married and having a baby in later episodes-but her masculine image has softened up as well and she will not be wearing a business suit to the beach this year.

By Trineice Cagua

I found a swimsuit that is the lucky winner for the power-dresser herself. A brown and white two-piece with a halter-top and criss-cross front and back straps that have a full-coverage bottom by designer Trineice Cagua of J Cagua. Miranda is definitely all about covering up!

The Park-Avenue Princess Charlotte is the most conservative and traditional one in the group. She will not be flaunting her ‘goodies’ that bring the boys to the yard. Instead she will be sporting a one piece swimsuit with minimal cut-outs on the side. Designed by the beautiful and talented Essence Flowers.

Remarquable designs by Essence

The most promiscuous one out of the group, Samantha will not have any problem ‘flaunting’ her goods. I found a swimsuit that screams sex-appeal. Designed by Adjanys Marrero, this coral one-piece will bring the Caribbean heat anywhere. However, the amount of cut-outs on this swimsuit clearly doesn’t classify it to be an actual one piece does it? Well, you will have to decide that for yourself!

By Adjanys Marrero

So this week’s fashion emergency is taken care of. However, we will be on call for the next fashion emergency!

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Tampa Bay Wine & Food Festival…With Style

In Designers, Events on May 13, 2010 at 3:52 pm

Ce sera une belle nuit! Oh yes, I feel like speaking French because it’s going to be a beautiful and elegant night this Friday! The fourth annual Tampa Bay Wine and Food festival is this weekend, May 14-15, 2010. Where else would an elegant night be held then Tampa Bay’s very own pink palace, the Don CeSar Beach Resort and Spa in St. Pete Beach.

The festive weekend has many events to keep you busy: Grand Tasting and LUSH by Loews Hotels on Friday, May 14th, plus Beam’s Beach Bash and BBQ (Brighthouse Grand Tasting and Publix Apron’s Seminar) on Saturday, May 15th.

LUSH by Loews Hotels will begin at 8pm. It will be a high-class glamorous and classy evening with wine, food, an auction, art and fashion by one of my favorite Tampa Bay designers, Ivanka Ska.

Ivanka owns the House of Ska; she is the first to bring a fashion house to the streets of downtown St. Petersburg. She has also been featured in Fashion Week Tampa Bay 2008 and 2009.

Indulge on some lovely champagne and gourmet cuisine while watching Ivanka Ska’s “De Lere” collection hit the runway. Be among beautiful fashion and people at the lovely Don CeSar Beach Resort and Spa!

The ticket proceeds benefit Heartbeat International, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to save lives globally by providing cardiovascular implantable devices and treatment to the needy people of the world. The proceeds will also benefit The Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association’s ProStart Program which provides industry training, scholarships and grant funding for interested culinary students.

Feel like royalty this weekend by indulging in gorgeous fashion, champagne, wines from around the world and gourmet cuisine. Bon appétit! Click here for tickets and more information!

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Oh My Gauze!

In Designers, Fashion, Trends on May 12, 2010 at 2:22 am

When we think of gauze we typically refer to using this textile for medical purposes, right?  Well, not anymore! The newest trend gliding its way into the mainstream is Gauze Clothing! This sheer, loosely woven textile is so breathable you will feel as if you’re wearing air. In this blazing-hot state (Florida) this is a wish come true!

Gauze, originally made from silk, is now traditionally made from 100% cotton. This allows the fabric to be completely washable, will not shrink and best of all – no ironing is necessary! Due to the delicate nature of this fabric though, it should be handled with care. So, make sure you read the care labels!

Gauze clothing has been a great addition to the ‘go-green’ epidemic. Not only is the fabric all natural, it’s free-flowing movement is casual yet sexy,  allowing your silhouette to shape the garment.

I have come across a wider selection than I thought would be available for this niche market. Retail stores such as Old Navy and designers like Marc Jacobs offer bright and trendy pieces made from 100% cotton gauze. Gauze clothing can be worn both day and night to the beach or out to dinner. Right now, gauze fabric is used to produce summer garments due to its sheer qualities. In the world of fashion, I wouldn’t be surprised if we see this trend trickle into the winter.

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Espadrille 101

In Designers, Fashion, Trends on May 7, 2010 at 7:13 pm

When you throw on that adorable new sundress you purchased for the summer season, think twice before you go to put on the flip-flops. Add some style and height with a pair of Espadrilles! They are sexy, trendy and will make any women feel instantly girly. Who wouldn’t want to feel like that? However, there seems to be some confusion as to what classifies as an espadrille, so I am here to provide you with a little Espadrille 101!

These casual flat or high-heel sandals have been around for centuries. Originated in the Pyrenees, espadrilles were once worn as peasant footwear.

Love these Prada Espadrilles

Now, top designers like Prada and Gucci produce espadrilles. Unfortunately, not at a peasant-budget price though. Even so, this trend is everywhere and you shouldn’t find a problem locating a cute pair  within your budget at retail stores such as DSW or even Payless.

These shoes usually have a canvas or cotton fabric body and a flexible sole made of rope or rubber material molded to look like rope. The Jute rope is the key ingredient to what makes an espadrille an…espadrille! This natural fiber is very eco-friendly and gives a casual look to any style.

Espadrilles have become a staple piece, such as an LBD (Little Black Dress) or a pair of Levi’s. I personally own about six pairs of these shoes in black, white, brown and some crazy vibrant colors that are very daring to wear, I like to live fashionably on the edge! I wear them with sundresses, capris or even my bathing suit at times. They can be worn both day and night to most events. I wouldn’t consider them an option for wedding attendance though, unless it was on the beach.

So ladies, whether you’re under the sun or chowing down at a BBQ this summer, don’t forget your espadrilles but… do forget those flip-flops!