Stephen “Suede” Baum, seasoned fashion designer, TV personality and season 5 Project Runway® contestant, has signed an exclusive licensing agreement with Simplicity Creative Group. Suede will be offering patterns, fashion trim and other creative products under the SUEDEsays™ brand.

I had the opportunity to get a behind the scene look at the launch of the Simplicity SUEDEsays™ collection. Three exclusive looks that will début in the Simplicity Spring 2011 Pattern Catalog were modeled by Karalyn West, also from Season 5 of Project Runway. These patterns included modern silhouettes, dresses, tops, rompers and skirts. The looks range from classic, edgy and ... Read More »]]>

Stephen “Suede” Baum, seasoned fashion designer, TV personality and season 5 Project Runway® contestant, has signed an exclusive licensing agreement with Simplicity Creative Group. Suede will be offering patterns, fashion trim and other creative products under the SUEDEsays™ brand.

I had the opportunity to get a behind the scene look at the launch of the Simplicity SUEDEsays™ collection. Three exclusive looks that will début in the Simplicity Spring 2011 Pattern Catalog were modeled by Karalyn West, also from Season 5 of Project Runway. These patterns included modern silhouettes, dresses, tops, rompers and skirts. The looks range from classic, edgy and feminine flirty. Helping to make the looks complete was celebrity make-up artist, Nathan Johnson and hair by Jamie Hanson.

Each of Suede’s patterns will include multiple styles covering classic, edgy and feminine flirty looks that offer fashion musts for everyone. Suede says, “I am honored to join the ranks with other great designers, like Cynthia Rowley, under Simplicity Creative Group’s umbrella. This venture allows me to bring my fashion vision to the retail market, but at the same time empowering the consumer to interpret fashion to fit their lifestyle.”

BEHIND THE SCENES OF THE SIMPLICITY SUEDEsays PHOTO SHOOT

Nathan Johnson and Karalyn West

Karalyn West with Jamie Hanson

Karalyn West and Suede

Nathan Johnson, Karalyn West and Jamie Hanson

Visit Suede on his website www.suedesays.com. Plus you can find him on Facebook and follow @SUEDEsays on Twitter.

Photography by: Contrino Photography

Accessories: Kendra Scott, R.J. Graziano, Nine West, and Jones New York

Being the offspring of a fashionista, Nadia Murdock has always had a passion for fashion. She decided to put her passion to work two years ago and launched Manchester Public Relations www.manchesterpublicrelations.com. Nadia is the Public Relations Director for Chic Galleria magazine and works in New York City.

They will be taking live calls and would love to hear from Chic ... Read More »]]>

Tune in October 7, 12:00 EST to hear my good friend Suede on an hour long panel about Fall Fashions with his emphasis on the Youth Market.  Dee Perry of WVIZ / 90.3 FM (Cleveland) hosts another edition of the popular Fashion Call-in program Around Noon with Plain Dealer Style editor Kim Crow, who’s returned from New York Fashion Week. Also joining the panel are Project Runway Season 5 star Suede, Mary Davis from Case Western Reserve University and William Perrine of the Kent State University Fashion School.

They will be taking live calls and would love to hear from Chic Galleria readers. Have your questions for Suede ready and tell him Chic Galleria sent you!   The number will be given out during the panel.

If you live in the Cleveland Area you can tune in to 90.3 FM at 12:07 pm EST for the live broadcast

If you live outside Cleveland area you can tune in live or check the archives at your leisure:

Here are links:

For streaming live 12:08 pm EST

http://www.wcpn.org/WCPN/streaming/

For archive listening:

http://www.wcpn.org/WCPN/an/28007

We arrived at the event fashionably early due to the fact that our hotel was close and I wanted to see the silent auction items before it got too crowded.  Jack’s PR representatives Rachi Govil and Michelle Ouellette  from Cohn & Wolfe were so gracious and made sure ... Read More »]]>

November 9, my business partner (and son) Austin and I flew to New York City to attend the GMHC Fashion Forward 2008 Fundraiser as guests of Jack Mackenroth.  After a busy day of shopping in Soho and meeting Jack at Starbucks for coffee, the evening was quite a thrill to say the least.

We arrived at the event fashionably early due to the fact that our hotel was close and I wanted to see the silent auction items before it got too crowded.  Jack’s PR representatives Rachi Govil and Michelle Ouellette  from Cohn & Wolfe were so gracious and made sure we received one of Jack’s signature campaign scarves and tshirts for Living Positive by Design.

Although Jack was busy doing personal interviews and taking loads of photos, he found us from across the room and greeted us with his warm, gorgeous smile.  As you can see in the picture, Tim Gunn was being interviewed behind us.  Jack was quickly whisked away to prepare for his appearance before the runway show.  He delivered an incredibly moving  speech and had a huge cheering section where I was standing.

I then had a chance to introduce myself to Tim Gunn.  He was such a gentleman and so kind.  He acknowledged Chic Galleria.com and then asked me who I was wearing and told me that it was stunning. Seriously, I was almost speechless! I immediately told him Alberto Makali.  I had purchased this gorgeous blouse at Donna’s two days before my trip never dreaming the fashion guru himself would compliment me on it. My top lip was quivering as photos were taken of the two of us by photographers covering the event. Can you tell how nervous I am in this picture?

I received warm greetings from both Kevin Christiana and Suede. Kevin and I chatted briefly about the collaboration between he and Jack on a new reality TV series.  I wanted him to know that I planned to be first on the list to apply!

Seeing Suede was like seeing a long lost friend.  We had talked so many times and finally had the chance to meet face to face.  Unfortunately, he too was quickly swept away by the at fire code crowd. www.perezrevenge.com captured some great crowd pictures including one of me with my back to the camera. It was definitely a packed crowd of supporters for the Gay Men’s Health Crisis Fashion Forward fundraiser event.

I was very excited to share this evening with Jack as he launched Living Positive by Design.  Please visit his website to learn more about this educational campaign.

Special thanks to Jack, Rachi and Michelle.  Photos by Austin Anderson/Chic Galleria.com.

Related articles:

GMHC’s Fashion Forward 2008 Fundraiser

The Sights and Sounds of Soho

Chic Galleria Hits New York City For The Fashion Forward 2008 Fundraiser