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Hop aboard the Glambulance and learn DIY techniques to transform cast-offs into on-trend couture from the 'Instant couture' masters. House of Diehl's MJ Diehl and Roman Milisic highlight trends from New York Fashion Week and offer fantastic, inventive ways to create your own signature look for pennies--using quick and easy transformations of thrift-store cast-offs. Forget Runway to Reality, this is Reality to Runway!

Fresh from their guest appearance on Bravo's Make Me a Supermodel, award-winning fashion designers House of Diehl are the creators of Style Wars, the Style Battle Championships, on tour in November.

Meeting Times: Thu, Sep 24, 2009; 6:30pm doors, 7:30 talk
Location: 92YTribeca, 200 Hudson Street New York, New York
Venue: 92YTribeca Mainstage
Code: T-MM5LC03-01
Price: $12.00 Tickets

Women want to look their best. Regardless if they are celebrities, brides, or moms dashing between work and drop-off for soccer practice in the afternoons. As an image consultant, Ebony (Eb) Looney has helped women to do just that.

Eb is the founder and creator of Make Me Over Eb (MMOE).  With over 10 years of experience as an image consultant she hopes to provide women with simple solutions that can enhance their image and improve their lives.  She strongly believes that every woman has it in them to be fabulous. Eb helps her clients see their true beauty inside and out.   Eb brings women together through the "Make Me Over Eb Show" pod cast, MMOE Mixer and Beauty workshops scheduled throughout the year. Her clients have the opportunity to learn new beauty tricks and socialize with other magnificent women.

The "Make Me Over Eb Show" is the ultimate make over show. Eb interviews professionals within industries such as hair, skincare, health, finance and home improvement.  Each pod cast is available for download on the website www.MakeMeOverEb.com.  On August 24th Eb will be celebrating the 2-year Anniversary of the "Make Me Over Eb Show" live from Pynk Hair Studio in West Columbia, SC.  The show will feature past guests throughout the years highlighting funny moments from their last visit.

Eb stated, "I'm always torn between being the makeup artist and the pod cast host.  I love doing both.  I'm excited that it's been two years hosting the pod cast. It's been fun meeting people and seeing what they're doing to help people improve/maintain their image. I have developed great friendships both professionally and personally throughout this experience and I am looking forward to what the future holds.  There have been some exciting moments hosting the pod cast and preparing women for their wedding day as well!"

Eb hopes to continue to provide each client with perfection for their special day whether it be her wedding day, prom, or a night out with girls.  A make over by Make Me Over Eb is a long lasting impression.  Celebrating of the second anniversary of her podcast, "Make Me Over Eb" on August 24, 2009, is a great accomplishment for Eb and for the ladies she has helped to look their very best. 

If I learned one lesson at BlogHer '09, it was "quality vs. quantity".  I am no stranger to conferences.  I attended my fair share back in my past corporate life that was also pre-Twitter, pre-Facebook and frankly pre-Social Media Marketing so it was definitely a different ball game.  Back then it was all about the workshops and the swag slinging only happened within the confines of the exhibit hall.  Not the case anymore.  Now that bloggers are the new hot vehicle for brands to get noticed, blogging conferences are now a marketing free-for-all inside and outside of the exhibit hall.  While the BlogHer Conference was successful in bringing blogging women together to network and learn "in real life", it also brought out the best and worst in these women... and the best and worst in the PR/Marketing professionals / brands trying to reach them.

The Good
BlogHer did a great job of putting together very informative sessions and break-out workshops that addressed all levels of bloggers across many genres. I was especially impressed with the sessions that addressed the "Daddy Blogger" and husbands of blogging women.  There were also a few sessions devoted to new media and how to effectively market to bloggers and how bloggers can position themselves to be profitable.

It was nice to see the conference embrace and accommodate families and breastfeeding/baby-wearing moms. Though I personally did not bring my children and were told no horror stories about experiences, I am assuming that these parents felt comfortable with the arrangements.

The open BlogHer parties were fantastic and gave us all a chance to mix and mingle in a fun atmosphere that was very inclusive and welcoming. The majority of the attendees that I was able to connect with were just as genuine in real life as they are online.

The Bad
The wireless service in the Sheraton left much to be desired.  Many of us were not able to connect to the Internet in our rooms via WiFi or via ethernet cord.  I noticed that some ladies lost service while trying to mobile blog or tweet during sessions.  Mobile phone usage was also touch and go at times.  It was very disappointing.  I mean, this was a bloggers conference.  Didn't they know we were expecting to...um...blog?

Since BlogHer was sold out in an unprecedented five months ahead of time, they created LobbyCon...a mini-conference experience for those who were not able to get a full or one-day pass.  I had a chance to speak to some of the Lobby Con-ers and the consensus was they did not need to pay $100 to hang out in the lobby and be treated like the conference red-headed step children...they could have done that for free.

I felt a bit sorry for the non-mommy bloggers in attendance.  The general focus for everything seemed to be heavily weighted toward mommy-blogging.  While the majority of the women there were bloggers who happen to also be a moms, not all of them classify themselves as mommy-bloggers.  I'm sure they did appreciate learning about the latest and greatest from PlaySkool, Clorox, Tide, and Wal-Mart but if talking about those experiences is not the focus of the blog, well...you get it.  It was also weighted heavily in the favor of moms with pre-school aged kids.  Moms of kids over the age of five were just out of luck in bringing home goodies to share.

The Ugly
The existence of private "invitation only" brand sponsored parties seemed to create a divide among the bloggers.  Sort of like "the haves" and the "have nots".  It was almost as if "the haves" taunted "the have nots" with their exotic "swag" and their "na na na na na..."I got invited and you didn't" attitudes.  As if being invited to these parties somehow lifted their status in the blogosphere and gave them the right to look down on everyone else regardless of followers, hits, and subscribers.  It caused me to lose respect for some of the bloggers I once looked up to.  I get the exclusivity of it all...I have been invited to special blogging events myself.  But the idea of making someone else feel lesser because they are not as "priviledged"...well that's just wrong on so many levels!

The depths that some of the attendees sunk to for free products was just appalling!  From the minimal...just walking into a brand's suite or up to their booth and grabbing the swag without so much as a "hello" or any other conversation about the products they were practically stealing...to the ultimate...actually telling a brand that they will negatively slam them on a blog if they do not get the goods!  Yes, it got that ugly!

Despite the Bad and the Ugly, it was a lot of fun and I feel that I made some lasting friendships and some fantastic business connections.  I was glad to meet a good number of the women that I speak to on line every single day.  Seeing them in person...hugging them...made me love them more.  That to me was what held the most value about this experience.  It truly brought the theme of "In Real Life" alive.  Do I plan to attend next year?  That is still up in the air...however I hope that the conference will adopt a more "quality vs. quantity" approach when planning the activities.

Love fashion? Women's Wear Daily is promoting a contest that could send you to New York Fashion Week in September 2009.

The Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) will give the Popular Vote award to one American designer on June 15; each time you vote for your favorite one through WWD's site, you will be entered to win two tickets to a Fashion Week show.

Visit WWD.com to scroll through the designers and vote.

Project Runway alum, designer Jack Mackrenroth, is dishing up Fashion Week in NYC at NewNowNext.com!  Chic Galleria is thrilled to have the opportunity to share his articles.

I was really looking forward to the Michael Kors show. I have not seen him in forever and I was supposed to have a brief pre-show interview with him but when I arrived his PR team had already packed up the check-in. Oh well. I figured I would try for post-show. Right. Not.

The show was excellent. I know that everyone is talking recession doom and gloom but you couldn't tell from the Kors collection. First of all he did not scrimp on the models. He had some of the top girls right from the get-go. Carmen Cass, Frankie Rayder, Chanel Iman, Raquel Zimmerman, Coco Rocha and my FAVE model of the moment, Tanya Dziahileva.

One thing that Michael does extremely well is style an entire head-to toe look. With many designers I like certain pieces but not a full look. Kors models look as if they could walk right off the runway and onto an awaiting private jet.





The show started with black wool and cashmere luxurious pieces that were soon infused with neon green accents followed by grey and white tweeds and leathers. He moved onto a more neutral mid section with tans and olive fabrics and furs. Neon green, pink and orange were scattered throughout.

Watch the whole show here. Click the PLAY tab.

I went backstage after the show but Michael was MOBBED by press. I just stood in the corner waiting for a moment but it never happened. INSTEAD I chatted with Jane Krakowski from 30 Rock and various Broadway productions. She was SO nice. She is my new BFF and Nicole Richie is out. I'm fickle like that.






Then Heidi Klum arrived backstage with a throng of press and madness ensued. She is always very kind to me so I applaud her for that especially since she is constantly hounded. She always takes time to kiss kiss and say "hi".

On the contrary my reception from Mr. Kors was quite chilly. When I finally approached him he said, "Oh, hi." and stuck out his hand. I thought that was strange. I know we are not bosom buddies but we did go through quite an experience together. Anyway-I will assume he was just exhausted and OVER it at that point.

Show Jack some love and leave him a comment at NewNowNext.com. 

Project Runway alum, designer Jack Mackrenroth,  is dishing up Fashion Week in NYC at NewNowNext.com!  Chic Galleria is thrilled to have the opportunity to share his articles.

As the world becomes increasingly eco-friendly, by unveiling her first ever full runway collection, Barbie continually reminds us of one thing. PLASTIC IS FANTASTIC!! That b**ch  must have some massive walk-in closets in that dream house of hers because she has a lot of fabulous clothes.

The Barbie show on Valentine's Day was a mob scene and definitely the show of most interest this season. 50 different designers each designed one look inspired by the polyurethane pop-tart and they were all amazing. Since it wasn't an exhibition for buyers and editors they really put on a SHOW! I was in the second row and I did feel a bit snubbed that I was seated behind a 5-year-old but I think she may have been an editor at pre-teen Vogue. These days apparently anybody can be (Lauren Conrad), so who knows.

I spied with my little eye... Lots of celebs! I wasn't really star-searching Ed McMahon style but I did see Heidi Klum, Diane Von Furstenburg, Jeffrey Banks, Stephen Cole of the CFDA, Bob Mackie, Peter Som, The Blonds, Annie Leibovitz with her daughters, power gays Simon Doonan and Jonathan Adler, Mattel Creative Director Robert Best and Robert Verdi. There were loads of screaming girls so I felt right at home.

As they peeled back the plastic off the runway and the lights went black, a 5-minute video of all Barbie's fabulousness dazzled the audience. I was in heaven. After the video the scrim parted and beneath a crystal chandelier posed the first model.

The show was divided into 3 sections. The first was high-pony glamour Barbie. The second was career glamour Barbie. And the third was futuristic glamour Barbie. I like the first group the best because all the models were so made up to look like dolls that they looked like reincarnations of Amanda Lepore. (No relation to Nanette Lepore who wouldn't give me a ticket to her show.) It was a hot pink tranny mess. I loved it.

The audience was full of excited little girls on their mothers' laps and many Barbie lookalikes in pink dresses, blond ponytails, even a pink wig. It was a cinematic event, opening with a visual biography of the birthday girl that took us through the ages, highlighting Barbie favorites - her stylish wardrobe, pink convertible and enviable dream house. But the real show began when the big screen split, revealing the first look: A black and white sequin swimsuit.


There were so many amazing looks it was difficult to pick a fave but I LOVED Bob Mackie's creation. We all know from Cher's get-ups that Ms. Mackie knows how to costume.

The party ended with a parade of models holding the hands of little girls dressed in brightly colored tutus and white Barbie logo tops, while sparkling confetti rained down on the birthday fete.

Color Palette: Pink of course! Black and white, silver, red, blue.

Textures & Details: Fur, organza, bows, ruffles, sequins, satin, sparkles. Completely girly, completely Barbie! High ponytails, oversized floppy sun hats, pink pumps, cute coats and slinky evening gowns.

Key Looks: ThreeAsFour's half pink-half white pleated, tiered party dress; Diane von Furstenberg's glamour girl in pink and white print wrap dress toting stylish luggage in tow; Alexander Wang's silver glittery one-piece bathing suit with pink jacket; Koi Suwannagate's butterfly-inspired dress with petal skirt; Kenneth Cole's Ken and Barbie in coordinating jeans and jackets.

The complete list of designers (in alphabetical order) includes:
Alexander Wang, Anna Sui, Baby Phat, Badgley Mischka, Betsey Johnson, Bob Mackie, Brian Reyes, Calvin Klein, Carmen Marc Valvo, Catherine Malandrino, Chris Benz, Costello Tagliapietra, Derek Lam, Diane von Furstenberg, Donna Karan, Erin Fetherston, House of Field, Jeremy Scott, Juicy Couture, Kai Kuhne, Kenneth Cole, Koi Suwannagate, Lyn Devon, Marchesa, Michael Kors, Monique Lhuillier, Naeem Khan, Nanette Lepore, Nicole Miller, Norma Kamali, Peter Som, Rachel Roy, Rag & Bone, Rebecca Taylor, Reem Acra, Rosa Cha, The Blonds, Three As Four, Tibi, Tommy Hilfiger, Tory Burch, Tracy Reese, Trina Turk, Tuleh, Twinkle, Vena Cava, Vera Wang, Vivienne Tam, Yeohlee, Yigal Azrouel.

And the cherry on the top of the sundae: A one-of-a-kind collector's edition Barbie to go!! Hello eBay!!

If you love Barbie, head over to NewNowNext.com and leave Jack a comment!

For the next week, Project Runway alum, designer Jack Mackrenroth, will be dishing up Fashion Week in NYC at NewNowNext.com!  Chic Galleria is thrilled to have the opportunity to share his articles.

After the Duckie Brown collection, next was Charlotte Ronson, who unfortunately has become almost overshadowed by being Samantha Ronson's sister.


Samantha was DJing and backstage was on lock down before the show because Ms. Lohan was in protective custody. Right before the show started she came out with a gang of security and took her front row seat.

I managed to get one decent pic before being trampled by paparazzi. Literally. To death.

She looked great although she is very thin and her hair could use a deep conditioner. Apparently she got up before the show was over and went to kiki with Samantha in the DJ booth. I went backstage after the show but it was mayhem and L and S were swept out in a cloud of security with cameras flashing. It was kind of sad to witness. What a life.

Anyway-The Charlotte Ronson show was good. It combined post-war decadence, military details and feminine tailoring. Charlotte has this affinity for shoulder cutouts which I don't quite get but for the most part I thought the show was interesting.

Charlotte was really cute as she took a bow-but maybe she could have dressed up for the occasion just a smidge?

 

Head over to NewNowNext.com and leave Jack a comment!

Photos courtesy of Jack Mackenroth

For the next week, Project Runway alum, designer Jack Mackrenroth, will be dishing up Fashion Week in NYC at NewNowNext.com!  Chic Galleria is thrilled to have the opportunity to share his articles.

Well, it's here again! The Bryant Park tents are up for the last time before they move to Lincoln Center. The models are emaciated, the editors are frenetic and the designers are popping Xanax in a mad last minute panic. Fashion Week officially starts today, Friday the 13th (oooooooh), but the festivities kicked off yesterday.

I braved the cold and ridiculous wind-my hair was a hot mess-all for the fashion frenzy that is about to crash land in NYC. My day started with a fabulous installation by ubertalented super cutie Jillian Lewis my friend and fellow Project Runway Season 4 designer. Jillian is known for her amazingly tailored coats and knitwear and she did not disappoint. Opting not to do a full fashion show she did an installation down on Little West 12th street. It was great because you could go up and chat with the models. She told me that her inspiration came from her residence which is covered in graffiti and overlooks railroad tracks. The futuristic industrial feel was readily apparent.






I think her pieces were even more gorgeous than her final collection for Project Runway. Jillian believes that, "clothes can be editorial and still wearable." And she proved it with her collection. Her favorite piece in the show was this coat on the left. It's gorgeous.



























My favorite was the charcoal, fringe sleeve, knitted gown on the black model at the top of the group. Rock on, Jillian!








Visit NewNowNext.com and leave Jack a comment. I know he'd love to hear from our readers!

This past November I attended a fall 2009 fashion preview co-sponsored by Boston Fashion Week and Fashion Group International.  When the final frame of the Spring/Summer 2009 screening faded out, the room was quite.  "Really?" hung, unspoken in the air.  80's inspired trends ran rampant on the runways.  The critique that followed by Boston fashion notables as well as representatives from WWD and Lucky Magazine confirmed what many of us in the room seemed uneasy to believe: 80s fashion trends provided notable inspiration to Fall 2009 collections.  With that, however, was the added notion that anything goes; wear what looks good on you and wear what you like.  Enter Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week.

Collections presented on day one were indeed reminiscent of the runways of the 80s.  Some designers enjoyed greater success at incorporating the look than others.  Different spins on the theme appeared in Yigal Azrouel's sporadically futuristic collection as well as in Charlotte Ronson's more tailored version.
 
Also present, however, was the notion that the trend is infused into a more open minded concept of what is and is not acceptable.  While asymmetry, cutouts, jumpsuits and Dhoti pants made their appearance, so also did wide legs and tapered legs with hems above and below the ankle.  Patterned leggings and tights peppered collections as did monochromatic looks.  Hems on skirts were both high above the knee and just below.  Oversized plaid made a few appearances as did some overstated textures.  Duckie Browne included a fine looking larger scale herringbone in a beautifully tailored menswear collection albeit paired with oversized scarves and towering toppers.
 
Some may find the eclecticism confusing, perhaps.  True visionaries, however, will view these collections and those not yet presented with an eye toward incorporating a few personally favorable pieces into their own wardrobes to cultivate their personal style.

Kim Lampe is ready to figure out her exit plan from 21 years of Corporate America. Grateful for her experience, but ready to be done with all that "do it for the stockholders", which means "do it for the money". Fast forward to December 2008, Kim has a concept, branding strategy and small but loyal list of newsletter subscribers.

Ask her what she sells and she will proudly say, "NOTHING". She sends out a weekly newsletter, blogs and gives away gifts to her subscribers. Tell her she's not really running a business and she will strongly disagree. She's not ashamed to say she doesn't have it all figured out and feels it time to hear stories about journeys, not just "arriving" and "crashing".

In the spirit of shredding fear, Modern BAG Ladies is taking action and holding their first official Drop Off Your Baggage event, Saturday, January 17, 2009. The 4 hour event will be packed with sharing, fun and an "A"ction project that will serve to provide other ladies with inspiration and connection. The mission of MBAGL is to provide women with their daily dose of "B"elieve vitamin and charge women to "A"ct, because women deep down desire to "G"o to places they thought were only in their dreams. Ladies will spread their new found joy, shred their own and other's fears and just have more fun. They are real! They are not yes ladies! They are OH YES Ladies and it feels darn good!

Kim Lampe is 1 of 11 million women entrepreneurs in this country. Today her eye is not solely on a $1 Million dollar pot of gold at the end of an entrepreneurial rainbow. She is equally in it for the multi-millions seconds of joy, love, fun and happiness she can give herself, her family and the world.

Today she is in the business of studying her market, strengthening her skills, building her brand and GIVING AWAY FREE ECO-FRIENDLY FUEL to her growing list of newsletter subscribers. To fuel up with Modern BAG Ladies' weekly Traveling Sanctuary Newsletter, go to Kim's blog, www.believeactgo.blogspot.com and click "Join Now" . Stay a while and read some get real posts as well.

In a world and economy where money & stuff, as the focus, is failing, Kim is focusing on the needs of NEW LADY CONSUMERS in this NEW ECONOMY. Ladies have much control over how and where money is spent. 38 million ladies with children control $8.5 trillion in consumer spending--three quarters of the American economy. And NEW BUSINESS LADIES are outpacing men entrepreneur start-ups 2 to 1. NEW LADY CONSUMERS are emerging.

Viewed as consuming machines, but quickly becoming conscious consuming machines, ladies are educating themselves on environmental impacts, socially responsible companies and realizing the power of knowledge. This NEW BUSINESS LADY sees a NEW ECONOMY where NEW LADY CONSUMERS will have a large impact on the new world order. She's positioning herself to align her purpose with this ever changing new world order, which isn't all about houses, cars, money or stuff.

Spread Joy. Shred Fear. Have Fun.

Michele Sipolt Kapustka has taken humor and a children's toy to THE BIG IDEA with Donny Deutsch.  Coining the phrase, "Great minds think alike", Michele and her sister started a business sending inflated balls through the mail each with a special message.  With this idea, SENDaBALL was born!

Michele, can you please tell Chic Galleria.com readers a little about yourself and how you got started? 

Myself?  Oh certainly.  3rd of 5 kids in a working class family.  Went to a liberal arts college (Augustana) and I worked for the same direct mail company for 17 years as a creative director in downtown Chicago.  I am married to my high school boyfriend, and we have 4 boys. My sister lives across the street from me and we are both pretty creative outgoing people.  We regularly would try to come up with THE BIG IDEA that would afford at least one of us to stay home with our kids (we have 7 between us).  We had idea after idea.  All talk.  Over the years it has always been a running joke in my family that I can send silly stuff in the mail without an envelope or a box.  I sent my sister a pair of chopsticks from San Francisco - just wrapped the stamps around it and wrote her address really really small on the square side.  I've sent a sandal, a sugar packet, a rock, a brick (that was expensive).  Then a few years ago I was in Osco and happened to notice that big bin of BOUNCY BALLS on sale for 99 cents.  I had an idea.  I could send that.  So I wrote on it
"HAVE A BALL with your new baby" to my girlfriend, and took it to the post office - they mailed it.  It was so funny when she called laughing.  So - over the years I would send balls now and then, but no big deal.

Then, one day in June 2003 I was entering a contest with a ball (you will HAVE A BALL if you pick me to win) and a guy behind me asked me over and over what kind of business it was.  I told him it wasn't a business, but he insisted that I send a ball for him to his friend.  He gave me $6.  It was strange - so I called my sister and told her about the funny encounter, and she screamed "I THINK WE ARE ONTO SOMETHING".  Within 7 minutes on the phone with her, we had bought a website for $9.99  - put "under construction" on it and my phone number. We had a business.

Where do you draw inspiration for your products?

Well - I really like the PUN thing - so I look for light weight items that I can use a PUN with.  The ball thing is the best, hands down. We then did hockey pucks for our brothers that said, "Merry PUCKIN Christmas".  We have sand pail buckets that say, "have a bucket of fun on your birthday".  We have slices of a tree branch that say, "What WOOD I do without you?".  I have a small plastic golf club that says, "Welcome to the club".  They all go in the mail with no packaging.  I offer those special items to my regular customers for the same price.

Describe your best selling items or favorite experience with your business?

Best selling item is the ball, and probably the HAVE A BALL because people just add their message after that...like:  with your new baby, in your new home, with your new job, celebrating the season, etc.

Best story is one from when we first got started, we sent a BOUNCE BACK SOON ball.  The person who sent it called to thank me - which alone was so great.  She told me she sent the ball to her Aunt who was fighting cancer.  When her aunt called to thank her for the ball, she was laughing.  Her aunt told her she hasn't even smiled in the last 4 months, and now she has not stopped laughing for 10 minutes.  The postman had the strangest look on his face, and she just started laughing.  Those are the things that make it worth it.  I get at least one email or call a week with a funny or touching story.  I eat it up!!!

There is also all the funny BALL jokes.  This one is my sisters favorite.  Professional hockey player sent 2 balls to another Professional hockey player who had been dating a wonderful girl for a few years.  The ball said, "I'm sending these because you don't have any - ask her to marry you already!".  It was so funny.

We also have sent balls for retirement that say, TAKE YOUR BALL AND GO HOME - happy retirement.

I got a million of em!

What are your plans for the future?

Plans for the future ... wow ... good question.

After 9/11, like many americans, I re-evaluated the need for my full time job downtown and started doing free-lance from home so I could be physically closer to my kids. What I set out to do is start a small business that I could run from home so I can keep tabs on my boys and make enough money to send them to school.

What has happened, tho, is that I have been able to show my boys that ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE, and with enough hard work and faith in yourself, you can really make a business!!!  So, I would like to grow the ball business to a point where a larger company would want to buy it and take it to the next level -  it is my baby, so it would be important who it would go to and perhaps I could stay involved in some creative way.

Keeping these 4 boys of mine fed and sending them to college is going to be quite a
challenge, so financial security would be a dream.  Then I can move onto another BIG IDEA or two.

Right now, I do what I can to encourage people to follow their entrepreneurial spirit on a
small scale.  I would like to expand that.  I am high energy and enthusiastic and LOVE to help people.  Giving back is HUGE.  I tell my boys that the absolutely number one job I have in this world, is to raise KIND MEN who contribute in a positive way to the world.

Also - being a guest on CNBCs BIG IDEA with Donny Deutsch (boy oh boy is he ever handsome) was a big step for me, very validating to have someone tell me my idea was AWESOME and could very well make MILLIONS.

Visit www.SENDaBALL.com.  Chicago, Illinois

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
       

 

On Monday, November 11, I attended the Fashion Forward 2008 Fundraiser presented by Bank of America benefiting Gay Men's Health Crisis.  Project Runway alum, Jack Mackenroth invited me to this event and I was thrilled to be able to attend and represent Chic Galleria.com.

GMHC is a not-for-profit, volunteer-supported and community-based organization committed to national leadership in the fight against AIDS.  They provide prevention and care services to more than 15,000 men, women and families that are living with, or affected by, HIV/AIDS in New York City, and advocate for scientific, evidence-based public health solutions for hundreds of thousands worldwide.

Dr. Marjorie Hill, CEO, Gay Men's Health Crisis and Mr. Alan Rappaport, NY President, Bank of America, addressed the SOLD OUT crowd for this event held at Skylight Studios in New York City.  With over 700 in attendance, fashionistas, friends and supporters listened to stunning statistics about the growing numbers of people affected by HIV and AIDS.  Master of Ceremonies, Tim Gunn welcomed everyone and talked briefly about wrapping up Project Runway Season 6 in Los Angeles.  This drew some jeers from the New York based crowd.

Before the runway show, featuring six of New York's top designers, Betsey Johnson, Michael Bastian, Ports 1961 by Tia Cibani, Charles Nolan, Tim Hamilton and John Varvatos, the crowd browsed the fabulous silent auction items. These included vacations, jewelry, shopping sprees, a Michael Kors mink vest, Madonna concert tickets, and an autographed fashion table book.  U.S.A. Olympic Fencing Silver Medalists, Tim Morehouse and Jason Rogers were in attendance as well as Gretta Monahan, Andrew Buckler, Derek Lam, and Miss USA, Crystle Stewart.  Beverly Johnson was flawless in a dress designed by Project Runway Season 6 finalist, Korto Momolu.  Project Runway alums included Suede, Kevin Christiana and Malan Breton as well as New York stylist, Flavio Gomez. 

What a thrill it was to see my friend Jack introduced by Tim Gunn before the runway show.  Jack addressed the crowd with charm and dignity as he talked about living with HIV and how GMHC has helped him over the years.  He spoke of his new campaign Living Positive by Design with such enthusiasm and grace.  I wanted you all to read his passionate speech:

As Tim mentioned, we all know that HIV/AIDS has hit the fashion and arts community disproportionately. I wonder who else might be here tonight if AIDS had not picked so many flowers before their time. It's a thought that should motivate us and inspire us to work harder to combat the disease. That is one of the many reasons I am SO thankful for GMHC.

Some of you may know me from" Project Runway" and some of you know me personally. But what you probably don't know is that I have been a client of GMHC since the early 90's when I first moved to New York. When I was diagnosed with HIV almost 20 years ago I was a young, scared, starving Parsons student. GMHC provided free counseling, patient advocacy and legal services that I desperately needed but could not afford. They were the single bright light in a fairly bleak horizon of my life. So thank you GMHC for possibly saving my life so I could be here tonight.

"Project Runway" was an amazing tool for national exposure and has brought many amazing opportunities in fashion that I would not have had otherwise. However, I am most proud of the fact that I was open about my positive HIV status on the show and exemplified that a person can manage HIV and live a successful life. Every time a person with HIV is open about his or her status it helps everyone who is living with the disease. That's why I'm here tonight to talk about an inspiring HIV educational campaign I'm working on with Merck and many AIDS service organizations called Living Positive By Design. Living Positive By Design encourages people, both HIV + and HIV -, to engage in thoughtful conversations about HIV. Through these conversations, we hope to help eliminate the stigma still associated with the disease. We encourage people living with HIV to be proactive with their doctors to find a treatment regimen that gets their virus to an undetectable level, one of the most important goals of treatment. For physicians who treat HIV, we want them to consider treatment tolerability so patients are more likely to stay on their medications. In your gift bags tonight you will find a red scarf I have created as my interpretation of the classic red AIDS ribbon, which signifies the points of the Living Positive By Design campaign. I hope you wear it with pride and purpose.

I am a living testament to what you can accomplish by letting go of shame and being your own advocate. When I had to leave Project Runway prematurely, after hours of crying Tim said to me in the hallway as I left, "You are very talented and everything happens for a reason." At the time I thought he was just comforting me, but now I know it's true. Not everyone has the luxury of a support network like GMHC. We need to support each other. That is why I am so thankful that you all came here tonight to show your support. Please keep up all the amazing work that you are doing and know that every single person can make a difference. Thank you.

I will be dedicating an article within a few days to Jack Mackenroth and Living Positive by Design.  I hope you will take the time to visit his website and show your support.  Thank you Jack for a wonderful evening!

Read the Press Release of this fabulous event!

Photos: Jack Mackenroth and Tim Gunn courtesy of http://blog.jackmackenroth.com.  All other photos by Austin Anderson/Chic Galleria.com.

Related Articles:

Compliments From Fashion Guru Tim Gunn

The Sights and Sounds of Soho

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

ideeli partners with Barneys New York to kick off their holiday campaign "Peace and Love: Have a Hippie Holiday" by offering its members a chance to donate for a great cause and win an exclusive one-of-a-kind, hand-painted Volkswagon Beetle.  ideeli -- the first invitation-only online shopping community launched in the U.S. in June 2007 and Barneys New York, a leading luxury emporium specializing in designer fashion.

Barneys invited artist John Paul Phillipe to decorate a Volkswagon Beetle in a psychedelic swirl of doves, peace signs and flowers in honor of the department store's latest campaign Peace and Love: Have a Hippie Holiday.  Barneys New York partnered with Volkswagen of America because the auto company shares the same environmentally conscious values.  All the proceeds from this promotion will go to VW Carbon Neutral Project, which helps to reforest and protect endangered species. 

Ten lucky ideeli members will be offered tickets for a chance to win a one-of-a-kind Volkswagon Beetle, hand-painted by artist John Paul Phillipe, and a $50 Gift Card to Barneys New York.

ideeli members will have access to buy tickets for a chance to win the Volkswagon Beetle at the Barneys website (www.barneys.com).  All proceeds from the sale of tickets will be donated directly to the VW Carbon Neutral Project.    

•    Giveaway Date: Monday, November 10, 2008
•    Ticket Sale Start Date: Monday, November 10, 2008
•    Preview: Currently featured in ideeli's "Coming Soon" section

ideeli wanted to share this exciting announcement with Chic Galleria.com readers and has provided this private invite URL to join ideeli and participate in this giveaway event:

http://admin.ideeli.com/in/media?mi=hippiechic

code: hippiechic  

ideeli provides its members with the "ideel" shopping experience: access to not only the most sought-after products (often at privileged prices), but also true lifestyle experiences (ranging from tickets to fashion shows to VIP seating at sold-out concerts).  With a hand-picked offering of luxury fashion, home and beauty brands and a commitment to bring that lifestyle to life beyond your closet walls, ideeli has quickly become the go-to destination for the savviest shoppers.

Barneys New York, the luxury fashion emporium that has been winning the hearts of fashionistas and celebrities since its opening in 1923, is kicking off their holiday campaign: "Peace and Love: Have a Hippie Holiday."  They invited artist John Paul Phillipe to decorate a Volkswagon Beetle, which will be on display in the windows of the Madison Avenue store along with giant size peace signs, vintage album covers from musicians like Jimi Hendrix and the Doors, as well as a homage to the era's female icons including Janis Joplin and Joni Mitchell.  The Peace and Love campaign also marks the 50th Anniversary of the peace sign; during the holiday season, the store will offer exclusive products like Fendi baguettes with a peace sign key-chain, tie-dye Converse All Star high tops, and recycled t-shirts from the hip line Loomstate, plus many more fabulous gifts.

On Monday, November 10, I will be attending the launch of Living Positive By Design, HIV And AIDS Education Initiative, at the GMHC Fashion Forward 2008 Fundraiser in New York City.  Jack Mackenroth is nationally debuting this HIV and AIDS education campaign at this event and will unveil a signature campaign scarf and address attendees regarding the Living Positive By Design campaign.

The Living Positive By Design campaign, a sponsor of Fashion Forward, seeks to help combat the stigma associated with HIV by engaging people in thoughtful conversation about the condition and is being supported by Merck & Co., Inc. 

GMHC Fashion Forward event is being held at Skylight Studios with a cocktail reception and silent auction followed by a fashion show.  Runway Designers include Michael Bastian, Tim Hamilton, Betsey Johnson, Charles Nolan, Ports 1961 by Tia Cibani and John Varvatos.  Sponsors include Diane von Furstenberg and Michael Kors.

I'm looking forward to meeting up with Jack before the event to hear more about his amazing project and attending Fashion Forward representing Chic Galleria.com that evening. 


Visit www.livingpositivebydesign.com and www.gmhc.org.  

Related Articles:

Compliments From Fashion Guru Tim Gunn

GMHC's Fashion Forward Fundraiser

The Sights and Sounds of Soho

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

 

ideeli introduces its members to the first Extravagant Four-Day Shopping Event!
 
ideeli -- the first invitation-only online shopping community launched in the U.S. in June 2007
Featured designers include Botkier, Christian Lacroix, Dolce & Gabbana, Missoni, Nina Ricci, Prada and Sonia Rykiel to name a few.
 

This exciting ideeli event features the biggest selection of products to date at the deepest discounts ever.  Spoil your friends (and yourself) during this four-day fashion event. With the holidays just around the corner and prices up to 90% off retail, it's the ideal time to pick up the perfect styles from your favorite. From luxurious handbags to eye-catching clutches to brilliant jewelry to charming accessories, our Extravagant Four-Day Shopping Event has it all. So get ready to get glamorous-with so many tempting treasures to choose from at such unbelievable insider prices, it's bound to be an extravagant season indeed.

 

 
 
•    1st-row members - Thursday, November 6 @ 11:00am
•    2nd-row members - Thursday, November 6 @ 12:00pm
•    This event will run through the evening of Sunday, November 9
 

ideeli wanted to share this exciting announcement with Chic Galleria.com readers and has provided this private invite URL to join ideeli and participate in this online event.

http://admin.ideeli.com/in/media?mi=chicgalleria

code: chicgalleria

ideeli (www.ideeli.com) provides its members with the "ideel" shopping experience: access to not only the most sought-after products (often at privileged prices), but also true lifestyle experiences (ranging from tickets to fashion shows to VIP seating at sold-out concerts).  With a hand-picked offering of luxury fashion, home and beauty brands and a commitment to bring that lifestyle to life beyond your closet walls, ideeli has quickly become the go-to destination for the savviest shoppers. 

Chic Galleria.com is please to announce our new partnership with Lucky Magazine and Luckyshops.com. 



What is LUCKY SHOPS 2008?

LUCKY SHOPS is a shopping event hosted by LUCKY Magazine. Like the pages of the magazine, the event features a wide range of our favorite designers and shops selling current and off-season items at up to 70% off retail. While you're there enjoy: complimentary cocktails* from our lounge, great music, and sponsor giveaways.




Where is it?
Metropolitan Pavilion
125 West 18th Street (between 6th and 7th Avenues)
New York, NY

When is it?
First Dibs Friday: November 7, 10AM - 7PM
Saturday Shop-a-thon: November 8, 10AM - 5PM

How do I get tickets? It's easy, click here.

What happened last year?
 
In 2007, LUCKY SHOPS hosted over 65 designers and shops from around the globe in New York City, including: Marc Jacobs, See by Chloe, Tracy Reese, Foley + Corinna, Mulberry, Rebecca Taylor, Theory, Tory Burch, Botkier, Belle by Sigerson Morrison, Helen Ficalora, Miguel Ases, Bluefly, Catherine Malandrino, MINT jodi arnold, Rafe, Vena Cava, J Brand and many many more. Most merchants sold current as well as off-season items at up to 70% off. Click here to check out our 2007 Highlights for a photo gallery and videos of the last year's event.

*Must be 21 years or older to enjoy complimentary cocktails. While supplies last. Cocktails served Friday 3-7 pm and Saturday 1-5 pm.