Ever wonder What Presentation Shows are Like? Sneak Peak Inside ORGANIC's Spring 2011 Line

A previous post, highlighting some of life's more attainable pleasures, reminded me of footage that I shot in NYC for Spring 2011.

My favorite socially conscious designer John Patrick of Organic described the inspiration for his collection as "the water that connects us." John Patrick explained that water is free flowing and is that unifying thing that all of us need and are entitled to. He emphasized that he didn't create the line for money, but rather, he was doing it for the love of design and the need for people to hear his greater message.

Although many of John's travels are to Third World countries, parts of the south remain hidden behind the "cotton curtain" and experience the same kind of life as those in opposite hemispheres. Therefore his global based presentation had a suitable all-American relevance as it mirrored the romantic and unpretentious nature of a beloved Country Time Lemonade commercial...Ahhh refreshing, graceful, chic.  Models sat on crates leisurely mingling about the set in their pale colored, patent leather, wing-tipped shoes. An enormous woven hat and over sized lightly tailored linen took me back to childhood memories south of the Mason-Dixon where folks talked of drinking sweet water (which was nothing more than well water with locally grown sugar cane stirred in).  I can imagine that sweet water provides a universal refreshment across the globe.

This brings me to my final point in this post which is: that I love a presentation style fashion show. I could never have seen the level of detail sitting front row in a runway show as I got mingling the crowd of a presentation. Watch the video above you'll feel like you were right there talking to the designer elbow to elbow with major magazine editors, having the models flirt with YOUR camera. From now on I'm going to every presentation I can, because I know that I'll certainly get my camera's worth.

Halloween Portrait of Josephine Baker and Dorothy Dandridge by Douglas Levere

This weekend Torn Space Theatre Company hosted a Halloween fundraising gala to support the production of avant-garde stage drama here in Buffalo, New York.  That's me on the right dressed as Josephine Baker with the incomparable Dorothy Dandridge (left).  In addition to her clutch "Dorothy" is also clasping a bottle of vodka and a bottle of pills.  Dangerous? Not anymore.  Necessary? Absolutely.  I'm holding a stogie, 'cause every vamp needs one.

Not Just a Gathering of Gobblins...

Guests were asked to come dressed as famous people who had passed to "the other side" in addition to the look we were expected to come in character and tell their stories.  I don't like to brag but I think that we had the most interesting costumes there and we spent not a cent on them... that's what I call making good with what you got.

The super cool photography portraits were done by Mr. Douglas Levere  you can view his other wcostumesork by visiting his site at:  http://www.douglaslevere.com/

Autumn's Simple Things

With all of the glitz and glamour of the past few weeks I decided to bring it down a few notches and post a more attainable autumn treasure. 
In a recent Facebook post someone snapped a picture to poke fun at, and challenge the design aesthetic of, this community when they used antique bed posts in lieu of a more traditional fence to encircle the vegetable beds.  However I, on the other hand, beg to differ. Not only was this a good way for some really decorative pieces to avoid the nearest landfill, it also lent some serious charm and stand out quality to what would otherwise be just another urban garden.  Oh yeah...If there was a person in this picture I'd award them the October Style Watch winner just to show those garden bullies what's what!

That was Then, This is Now --From the tents at Bryant Park to the courtyard at Lincoln Center

It's October which marks the close of Mercedes Benz Fashion Week shows across the globe and makes this the perfect opportunity to reminice a bit about Bryant Park and gush over the new digs at Lincoln Center. Although I'm relatively new to the whole MBFW madness I found that in chatting with some of the regular bloggers and media types that we all agree Lincoln Center is the superior venue to host this biannual event. The Mabelline Lounge served as my living room for the time I spent in NYC giving me a stelth vantage point from which to capture everthing from celebrity entrances to the all-important Free Giveways. It also provided a quiet nook to talk to any and everyone looking to get the scoop on what's what.

In a conversation with a smartly dressed construction crew member I was told that the square footage of the general area was the exact same as that of the Bryant Park location...what a difference set up makes.

Essence.com Interview with Elite Model Damaris Lewis

I just wanted to make sure I kept you all in the know about my fun at Fashion week Spring 2011 in NYC.  Click on the picture above and it will take you to Essence Magazine's website where I gave fashion advice based on the Question of the Day-- Stilettos or Flats?  My response was an emphatic Stilettos! Cuz I'm short... and spend the money on a good pair of shoes so that you can get the height without compromising comfort.

The Beauty that is the Work of Monique Pean

 Talk about multi-function! These stunning bangles are made from assorted woolly mammoth, wave diamond and scrimshaw making their beauty nimble enough to go from being a natural history museum exhibit to being a wardrobe must have when dining at the Powerhouse. I feel fortunate to have had a chance to speak with Monique during her presentation.  We are pictured left.

No Stoppin' My Show Hoppin--Tracy Reese, Bibhu Mohapatra, Luca Luca and Nigel Barker,

Here are a few pics from my adventures in "Manhattan Land" 1) Runway Show for Tracy Reese, 2)Presentation models and designer Bibhu Mohapatra 3) Gettin Ready for the Luca Luca Show 4) Nigel Barker at Barnes and Nobel for a book signing

September Style Watch at Fashion Week

It was a wise decision to hold-off posting a September Style Watch winner until I returned from NYC, because Mercedes Benz Fashion Week for Spring 2011 at its new venue (Lincoln Center) was a breath of fresh air.  Not only was there more space to hang out and hob-knob but there was also more room to snap pics of attendees who have a fantastic sense of personal style.  When I saw this gentleman my first reaction was to scream...brotha you are the truth!  His hat is a reworked vintage piece and can be worn several ways.  Here he sports it like a tribal matador.
Wanna be included on our style watch site? Click on the button to the left. If chosen, you'll receive a gift.

Go "Wilder" at Apple's Online Store

You asked, We listened.  In September, Apple's Haberdashery will provide a virtual shopping experience via our website!  By clicking on the Shop Online button you can view our online catalog entitled
"Pairings" Curated Vintage Collection for the Fall 2010 season.  This collection was inspired by a naturally beautiful African runway model as well as the outfit she doned for ORGANIC. 

You can expect this concept every fall and spring, where we take inspiration from designers and overarching trends in the fashion industry and  "pair" them up with vintage lovelies from the Apple's Haberdashery wardrobe vaults.

The theme for this season is NATURAL BEAUTY.  We also play up references to the song "You Should Be Wilder, You're No Fun At All."  This tune was played during ORGANIC's Fall 2010 NYC fashion week show.  Caution, this song will get stuck in your head and you'll be singing it all day long.

Good News! The Apple's Haberdashery Website is Here.

This should make the cover of every newspaper in North America...Apple's Haberdashery's new website is up and running!  It took some bending over backward (see picture above) but with your help we did it. Now you can visit us at the Wardrobe Salon, at Our Official Website and here at the Blog.
Hurry up and click on the link below, a matter of fact, why don't you save it in your computer's "Favorite" file.

www.appleshaberdashery.com

10 Day Challenge-- Get the Website up and running by August 17th!

I'm sure I can do this.  That's why I've publicly announced the deadline for completion of the Apple's Haberdashery Website on my blog.  We're letting peer pressure ensure that August 17th is the lastest Apple's Haberdashery fans have to wait to see us on the web. 

IT'S A VIRTUAL GARAGE SALE

By having the site up and running there's gonna be a rummage sale of sorts between the Spiced Apple's Blog and the new Site.  You can expect expanded info about Apple's Haberdashery, vintage products, services, and other fun stuff on on the official site the only change will be fewer pages on the blog...Not a bad trade-off huh?