FIRST BITE: "THE FASHIONISTA DIARIES"

So it's a Saturday night and my plans to go to DC to dance the night away got postponed. [sigh] What's a girl to do? Well, I figured I might as well take advantage of my free time - by catching up on my blog writing and doing some random fashion researching and e-shopping. How exciting. The life of a writer. My TV just so happened to be on and in my constant channel flipping, I stumbled across SOAPnet, and I saw the title "The Fashionista Diaries" pop up on the screen. I'm thinking Hmm, well what's a fashion show doing on a soap opera network? Nevertheless, I intensely watched the hour long reality show and learned that it follows 6 young fashionable hopefuls from all walks of life who learn how to crack into the tough fashion industry. Which is so true, it's definitely a dog eat dog industry! Man, where was I at during the casting call for this one ? [ pokes lip out ]

I particularly like how the show chooses to show more than just one side of the industry. They have PR, Magazine and Marketing. I already have a favorite cast member out of the group. Rachel. I guess I took a liking to her because I can identify with her so well. She definitely has the passion and drive for the industry but her lack of confidence to shine like she really should is what's holding her back. Just like me, at times. Unforunately, I think that may limit her opportunites in the end, but I hope she does well though. I was also pleased to see Andrew (previously from the now canned, Jane Magazine) on the show. I just love a man who knows his style, loves to good look but still knows how to be a manly man all at the same time. It doesn't hurt if he's a little bit uh, gorgeous too. ;) The show actually aired back in August, so I have to backtrack about 8 episodes to play catch up. So far, I like what I see with this show. This is like the cheat sheet for other twenty-somethings (such as myself) to get a live preview on what life is really like for a newbie in the fashion world. Believe me, I will be watching every week with my pen and paper in hand ready to take notes! The Fashionista Diaries airs Wednesdays at 9pm/EST on the SoapNET channel (Channel 262 on DirectTV).

FIRST BITE: FASHION WEEK DAY 3 !

FASHION WEEK DAY 2 RECAP:

Another great day of fashion I must say. I can barely wait for the pictures to be posted after each show, that`s how stunning the designs have been so far. My standout collections would go to Lela Rose (who also debuted her shoe collection with Payless) who's dresses & gowns were simply sleek and timeless. The color choices, fabric choices and cuts were all on point. I loved it. Carlos Miele had a sexy collection of dresses as well. (It must be the year of the dress?) Hotness. I also adored Bill Blass' collection. Another collection of gorgeous knee-length and floor-length dresses with amazing detail. Gorgeous. Gottex! This swimwear collection was beyond hot. It made me want to get back in the pool again, just to show off one of these fierce bathing suits. Loved it! Now on the flipside, there were a couple designers I was noticably disappointed with. Miss Sixty was the first out of the bunch. I was not impressed with this collection. I've seen Miss Sixty at previous Fashion Weeks and seen much better from Wichy. Badgely Mischka also disappointed me with their collection. At the Miami Fashion Week back in May, their gowns were mesmerizing so I was expecting way more from them. The designs this time around were rather plain.

PORTS 1961

VERA WANG

TRACY REESE

BEHNAZ SARAFPOUR

CHALKEN

FIRST BITE: FASHION WEEK NEW YORK DAY 2 !

Fashion Week Day 1 Recap:
Yesterday was simply a-ma-zing! The first day of fashion week was MAJOR! Nothing but great designs and concepts came from all the designers that presented. Of course, I had my favorites that stood out..one of them being Gwen Stefani's L.A.M.B. ! I was highly anticipating her collection because her style is ridic, so I knew her line was going to be fantabulous. Preppy Rockstar Mod was the look she went for, and it worked! I also adored the Marchesa gowns, they were to die for. Defining classic elegance at its best. My last favorite of the day was the BCBC Max Azria collection! As I flipped thru each picture, my mouth dropped wider and wider each time. The dresses were breath-taking. I loved how almost all of the dresses were paired with a lovely cinch waist belt, which is definitely the "in-look" right now. FIERCENESS.

RUNWAY HIGHLIGHTS OF TODAY'S SHOWS (MORE TO COME AS THEY ARE RELEASED)

LELA ROSE

MISS SIXTY

BILL BLASS

All Photos Courtesy of nydailynews.com

FIRST BITE: FASHION WEEK NYC KICKS OFF TODAY!

Hello my beautiful fashionistas! Today marks a very important day in the world of fashion. Yes, it's the first day of Fashion Week in New York City showcasing all the Spring 2008 Collections! It's going on right now as I type this, lol. I can't explain how long i've been anticipating this week. It's like the Grammy's for fashion!

From September 5-12, New York City will be even hipper than usual with the onslaught of shows and exclusive parties for Fashion Week. A who's-who of designers and fashion icons are set to show their latest work, from Gwen Stefani's chic L.A.M.B. line as the Wednesday night kick-off to the plentiful work from big names like Donna Karan, Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein, and the Nicky Hilton, just to name a few.

This season's fashion week will include a total of 64 designers showing off their spring 2008 collections in the tents at Bryant Park, while dozens more send their styles down runways at sites throughout the city. Attendance this year is projected to reach in the 100,000's over the course of the entire week. I'll be covering the best collections everyday so be sure to check back ! ;)

THE LOOK FOR TODAY = DRESS FOR SUCCESS!

Styles shown at today's opening shows were more loose and feminine than the ladylike, polished fall fashions now in stores. BCBG Max Azria showed sheer, flowy dresses while Abaete turned to '40s-inspired sheaths and halters for the collections shown at Bryant Park. Dresses have been a strong trend the past three fashion cycles, but what started with short, boxy shifts in the spring morphed into shirtdresses for fall. It seems next season's shape - at least in early shows - is a loose sheath, one that glides over an hourglass shape without sticking to it.

RUNWAY HIGHLIGHTS FROM TODAY'S SHOWS

YIGAL AZROUEL

BCBG MAX AZRIA

ALEXANDRE HERCHKOVITCH

ABAETE

T0NI MATICEVSKI

NAUTICA

L.A.M.B.

VENEXIANA





RAG & BONE

ADAM

NICOLE MILLER





MARCHESA




ALL PHOTOS COURTESY OF

NYDAILYNEWS.COM & MBFASHIONWEEK.COM