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Archive for the ‘Events’ Category

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The Iconic Style of the Red, White and Blue!

In Events, Fashion, Trends on July 1, 2010 at 1:56 am

I love the Fourth of July! It’s the epitome of summer – beach barbeque, fireworks, everyone outside eating hamburgers and laughing with friends… does it get any better? It can if you dress well! To make your Fourth of July outfit extra special, embody your iconic American style!

You may be asking, what makes our American style so iconic? Yes, American style varies from state to state like the city chic New Yorker, Floridian beach lover, Texas cowgirl and so on! However, one iconic look Americans share (no matter what part of the country you call home) – JEANS! Bonus points if you wear a white or red tank top (a well-fitted tank top so it’s classy, not trashy) for a simple yet sexy American look. Perfect for your Fourth of July outdoor activities! To make this blue jean look pop, wear a colorful light scarf or big and bold necklace. Friendly fashion reminder: if you live in Florida like me, remember it will be a very haute summer night so wear jean shorts, not pants!

What will I be wearing this Fourth of July? Well, my personal style is nowhere near simple! My patriotic look from head to toe: hair bun, white cat-eye sunglasses, red lipstick, a dark navy and white thin strip shirt, jean shorts and red wedges. It’s my mixture of modern artistic chic with preppy chic, worthy of crashing a Hampton’s beach party. Who knows, you may mistake me as the newest Tommy Hilfiger model (minus the height difference of being only 5 ft and 3 in). Wearing a navy and white thin stripe shirt with red shoes is the definition of patriotic chic for a beach barbeque! Now all I need is this GAP nautical tote bag to complete my Fourth of July outfit!

Embrace your American pride by dressing preppy chic in red, white, blue and denim! Then sit back in your patio chair and sip iced tea long after the last firework has gone off! Happy Fourth of July loves!

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Do You Have World Cup Fever?

In Designers, Events, Fashion, Trends on June 22, 2010 at 4:29 pm

Since our economy took a wrong turn somewhere and is currently trying to find its way back, fashion is still staying alive. However, the industry is looking for all possible routes. Fashion has been taking the road of sports by collaborating with well-known athletic icons such as Derek Jeter and Nike and Armani having the oh so good-looking David Beckham model in underwear…(sigh). Recently, fashion world has caught World Cup fever on the way. Fashion designers and sports have united to kick off products for the FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

The tournament is considered to be the world’s largest sporting event. So, it comes as no surprise that some of the world’s largest fashion designers would be apart of something like this. Louis Vuitton created a special case for the 24-karat gold trophy with malachite detailing that will be given to the winning team. If I was on the winning team I don’t know if I would be more excited about winning or that the case was a Vuitton…hmm. Giorgio Armani has not only dressed the Italian national team in the past, but created a World Cup collection of men’s accessories for Emporio Armani. The collection includes a weekend bag, belts, sneakers, t-shirts, and boxer briefs with a detachable flag logo. Dolce & Gabbana, also supporting the Italian national team, offers a more sophisticated collection. A navy blue two-buttoned suit with spear-headed lapels over a white shirt, a Jacquard tie, a four-button waistcoat and sunglasses all with the Italian flag somewhere within.

Many more designers have caught a case of the World Cup fever such as, Puma, Nike, and Adidas. The companies hope to generate more to the industry. I believe they are going down the right route. Although sports merchandise like football jerseys and team logo coozies have been produced for years, designers have brought something new and innovated to the table. This is a market that has so many opportunities and I look forward to see what the future holds for fashion and sports!

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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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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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Fashion & History Under the Same Roof!

In Designers, Events, Fashion on May 5, 2010 at 2:03 am

As Tampa continues on its journey to increase the fashion scene in the Bay area, on May 1st it got one step closer. Garment District 813 was to me a feeling of familiarity. Historic downtown Tampa turned into the 1970s meatpacking and garment district of New York City. Minus the ‘meat’, local Bay area fashion designers Ben Chmura and Raven Reda set the stage with their latest collections. Their inspiration for the show was the late 1970s meatpacking and garment district. So what better place to have it then Tampa’s well-known district of memories, the Tampa Armature Building (trolley barn). Between the brick foundation and the restored trolley at the head of the runway, you couldn’t help but to look around. This is when arriving early to a fashion event was a must. The two elements, the building and the clothing, were both equally beautiful yet so different. The wide open entrance (picture an entrance the size of two trolleys plus) lead your eyes straight down the runway. The exposed brick, original iron support and some broken windows reminded me of the Gansevoort Market in NYC.

Fashion Week Tampa Bay’s very own Ben Chmura showcased his first collection since being on Project Runway Season 7 and recent showing at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in February 2010. Although his collection was inspired by the old Greek Myth about Lamia and Zeus, accents of his collection also paid tribute to 1970s NYC . Textured, cropped pants with a coral diamond-cut jacket were paired with metallic, copper shoes. Copper shoes, can we say disco inferno!

Gabrielle(me) & Raven Reda

Along with Ben Chmura’s futuristic resort collection, Raven Reda revealed her latest collection Coup D’etat. Huh? That means what? Well, in an interview with Raven I got the scoop. She stated that, “Coup D’etat, which basically symbolizes a takeover of the fashion industry here.”  Her rocker-heroine chic clothing consisted of dye-jobbing, netting tops and jeggings (jean leggings) that accent anyone’s be-hind!

Until recently, New York City’s meat packing district was known for its industrial purpose. Now, high-fashion stores and art galleries fill the streets between Gansevoort and West 14th Street. Designers like Ben Chmura and Raven Reda are always actively involved in growing the fashion scene in Tampa Bay and bringing that high-fashion that is desired. However, this was Ben Chmura’s farewell show for he is leaving for New York to further his brand in the original garment district. Good luck Ben!

Deanna (FWTB Blogger) & Gabrielle (me)

All you shop-a-holics can still purchase both Chmura and Reda’s clothing at LACE Boutique, located @ 100 Main St., Suite 106, Safety Harbor, FL. For more information about Ben Chmura visit him at www.facebook.com/benchmura Coming soon: www.ben-chmura.com! For more information about Raven Reda visit her at www.dementa.etsy.com!

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Garment District 813

In Designers, Events, Fashion on April 29, 2010 at 2:09 pm

This Saturday, May 1, 2010, the historic Tampa Heights neighborhood will be fashionably transformed into Garment District 813!

Inspired by New York’s Garment and Meatpacking District, Garment District 813 will be a haute tribute to the historic Armature Building . The two featured designers, Ben Chmura and Raven Reda are creating everything 100% cut and sew! The perfect way to embody the true artistic roots of the runway fashion industry.

Garment District 813 will feature Ben Chmura’s first Resort Collection: Lamia’s Wrath. This will be his first show since being on Project Runway Season 7 and recent showing at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in February 2010. Designer Raven Reda will also be showing her newest collection: Coup D’etat. She has shown runway fashion for the past 6 years in cities like NYC, Miami and Tampa.

I simply can’t wait for this fashion runway show! The way these two designers embody their rocker artistic side and true runway craftsmanship into their garments… is my cup of tea! Garment District 813 will be held this Saturday, May 1, 2010 at the historic Tampa Armature building from 7pm-12am. General admission is only $10 and runway seating with gift bag (limited availability) is $20. Click here for more information!

Witness Tampa’s garment haute-ness this Saturday as Garment District 813 brings fashion back to its roots!

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Who Wore What on Race Day…

In Events, Fashion, Updates on March 30, 2010 at 1:08 am

Gabrielle and me (Deanna) on Pit Lane

Whether you’re going to a fashion show or a race, dressing stylish for that specific event is always a must! There is a certain look that spectators wear on race day but making it more fashionable can be fun and as easy as 1, 2, 3… GO!

When I attended the IZOD IndyCar Series 2010 – Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg yesterday, I saw a lot of spectators wearing driver merchandise like shirts and accessories of Danica Patrick. Wearing a driver’s merchandise or IZOD is perfect for a racing event!

Showing off your personal style in your race day outfit is really taking it to the next level. I love embracing my artsy rocker side so I just had to mix that rocker style with my race day outfit. I mean hellooooo… what’s more rebellious than driving speeds as fast as 200mph?!

I wore a purple plaid shirt, light denim shorts, tan boots, a teal beaded bracelet (with a silver snake in the middle) and my Fashion Week Tampa Bay t-shirt to represent! Gabrielle also looked super stylish with her ripped jeans, sunglasses and bright purple flats.

The bracelet I wore on race day!!!

IndyCar driver, Arie Luyendyk, Jr. knows a thing or two about racing and fashion thanks to his own clothing line:  Anti-Celeb. He shared some great fashion advice on what to wear on race day like sunglasses, a hat and closed-toe shoes are a must! Sadly, I didn’t get his advice until it was too late on Saturday (3/27) and I was banned from the pit lane for wearing sandals…that were super cute, by the way. I mean, come on! Everyone wears sandals in Florida! Safety first though, so when it came to my outfit for the Grand Prix – boots were on the top of my list!

A spectator’s outfit should embody two things: style and function! You never know what the weather will bring in Florida! There wasn’t a single cloud on Saturday and it was pouring rain Sunday… so random! Spectators like Melissa were fully prepared for rain or sun! She wore black rain boots, sunglasses and carried the cutest pink Juicy Couture umbrella! Smart and stylish!

Dressing for function and style are simply the two most important things when putting together your race day outfit! Rain or shine… look stylish while cheering on your favorite driver in the IZOD IndyCar 2010 Series!

Melissa (race day fan)

Arie Luyendyk, Jr and me

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Girl ‘Turbo’ Power

In Events, Fashion, Updates on March 27, 2010 at 8:16 am

Bringing the spice to the race track, Milka Duno, the first Latin American female driver ever to be classified as an “expert” adds chic style to the raceways.  As I spent some time with Milka at the IZOD Indy Car Series, she sported a white tank, denim jeans, a jeweled belt and Gucci boots. Can we say va-va-va-vrrooom stylista! On the track Milka feels that every part of her fire suit accessories are important, and off the track her number one must-have accessories are belts!

In addition to being one of the most successful female sports car racers in history, Milka is also a qualified Naval Engineer with four Master’s degrees in: Organizational Development, Naval Architecture, Fishing and Aquaculture and Maritime Business. Talk about Girl Power!

She filmed her first major motion picture playing the role of race car driver, Kellie “Gearbox,” in the highly anticipated Speed Racer movie that is based on the 1960’s classic animated series.  The talent doesn’t stop there…she recently published her first bilingual kids book, “Go, Milka, Go!” . The book depicts her as a cartoon character teaching the importance of education to children of all ages.

Although Milka Duno wears many hats, on Sunday, Mar 28, 2010, during the IZOD Indy Car Series 2010 at the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, the only head wear Milka will be sporting is her sassy helmet. “Go, Milka, Go!”

Milka Duno and me