Maui recently experienced catastrophic loss caused by wildfires, leaving thousands displaced and in dire need of support. Jessica Stam, who is a resident of the island, WME Fashion partnered with Stam to host an event at Spring Place to benefit the People’s Fund of Maui.
Lamborghini unveils the new Revuelto Lamborghini in a night of Lambo-themed cocktails at Blu on the Hudson.
Oktoberfest NYC at Watermark is back for the 2023 season.
This weekend, glam-looking Los Angelenos raced to check out the triumphant return of fan fave Beautycon, presented by Walmart. The weekend-long extravaganza was held at The Reef in DTLA.
New York Fashion Week is back and active, as everyone gathered near and far to be apart of the many shows, press events and after parties. It’s a full week affair and on Saturday September 9th I had the pleasure of attending Leonardo 5th Avenues NYFW Runway show located at the infamous Spring Studios.
New York City on a rainy September evening, anticipation and excitement filled the air. I had the privilege of attending a highly anticipated fashion show at Spring Studios, a venue renowned for hosting some of the most prestigious events in the fashion industry. Leonardo 5th Avenue promised to be an unforgettable experience, and I was eager to immerse myself in their collection. Designers, Leonardo and Ana Sofia, debuted their RTW Spring/Summer 2024 collection on the runway with the rainy day, but the show must go on. Leonardo’s show was filled with so many unique attendees dressed to impress. As the doors to the hall opened, I made my way to the front row, where the runway extended like a glistening pathway. The stage was bathed in bright lighting, creating an atmosphere of anticipation. The pristine white catwalk seemed to stretch into infinity, a canvas awaiting the artistry of the designers.
The show commenced with a breathtaking display of creativity and innovation. The designer’s collection was a unique expression of their artistic vision, and I was captivated by the diversity of styles on display. From sleek and minimalistic ensembles to bold, avant-garde creations, every piece pushed the boundaries of fashion. The destructed tailored suits, paired with the models dark grungy black Smokey eye makeup, was the perfect combination of elegance and grunge. The models, with their impeccable poise and grace, glided down the runway at first in pairs of two. They walked with a vampire blank expression, sharp movements and confidence that brought the garments to life. The music pulsated in harmony with the designs, adding an extra layer of excitement to the spectacle. This is my first viewing of the brands clothing and I was blown away. The innovation of turning unisex suits into rockstar styled outfits is amazing. The collection was a mix of high fashion quality with street style inspiration. One model had a suit with a studded choker, long cape attached to the romper style suit and chunky leather high heel boots. This was a moment everyone’s jaw dropped in awe of this silhouette.
What I found equally fascinating was the backstage chaos that contrasted with the elegance on the runway. Hair and makeup artists worked tirelessly to ensure each model’s look was impeccable. Designers and their teams hurriedly made last-minute adjustments to the outfits, and the energy backstage was electric. As a fellow model, I saw a few familiar faces that are good friends of mine and other fabulous models I’ve shared a runway with. It’s always a proud moment to see models flourish and grow while being chosen to walk show to show throughout the chaos of fashion week.
The final walk, where all the models appeared together, was a spectacular. The audience erupted in applause, acknowledging the immense talent and hard work of the designers, models, and everyone involved in making the event a reality. Leonardo and Ana Sofia graced the runway with their presence and walked amongst a roaring applause in support and congratulations to their showcased collection. They took pictures, press gathered for interviews and others hurried to the next show.
Congratulations to Leonardo 5th Avenue. I am now aware of this brand and will be on the lookout for what is to come of their next collections and even interests in pulling one of their fabulous evening wear pieces. For more information about Leonardo 5th Avenue, check out their instagram and vogue runway pictures online.
Last night, Katie Cassidy continued to Raise the Bar, at Rhonda’s Kiss Charity Helping Cancer Patients in Need with the Second Annual Legacy of Love Gala in New York City at TAO Downtown.
The fundraising event held at TAO Downtown was held to benefit the Maimonides Cancer Center Patient Care Program in partnership with Rhonda’s Kiss .
Rhonda’s Kiss (RhondasKiss.org) is a national non-profit created to help cancer patients in need by donating to the non-medical expenses associated with cancer. The organization is passionate about giving patients and their families a fighting chance to recover. Through fundraising and annual events, the organization has worked to help raise awareness and funding towards cancer programs that are led by forward-thinking doctors at hospitals that support the charity’s overall mission.
Guests sipped on El Cristiano Tequila, Casa Luigi Prosecco, Mercer+Prince Whisky, and Maison No, 9 Rose.
NEW YORK, NY – With its origins stemming from the later half of the 20th century, Diner En Blanc (French for “dinner in white”), has established itself as an annual tradition in NYC since 2011.
The Parsons MFA fashion show, “We Dem Kids,” celebrated art and time in almost all its forms at the historical Brooklyn Museum during NYFW on Sept. 11.
Before deep diving into an exploration of three chapters: “Heritage,” “2113,” and “Generational,” Sean Slaughter set the show off with a spoken word poem that set the tone for the journey ahead.
Designers Anna Roth, Chang Liu, Fabiola Soavelo, Hsiao-Han Kuo, Mel Corchando, Nan Jiang, Natsumi Aoki, Lorena Pipenco, Ren Haixi, Story, Siri, Sunny Ning, Yamil Arbaje, Ying Kong and Yu Gong got to show off their skills during “Heritage” portion of the show which featured pieces that required the designers to use various crafts, techniques, and traditions for completion.
From appreciating the past, straight to the future; 2113 showcased each designers visions for the year. A chapter dedicated to being experimental, the pieces spanned from whimsical to structured and 3D until the transition to “Generational” where the garments seemed to band together. 
Throughly depicting interconnectivity through the mixture of different trends, shapes and textures; the “Generational” chapter was the cherry on top of such a refreshing show where very little was conventional.
On Sept. 10 Token Black Girl author, Danielle Prescod, sat with fashion giants and panelists: Costume Designer, Shiona Turini, Stylist & Travel Editior, Alexander Julian and UPS EVP & Chief Marketing & Customer Experience Officer, Kevin Warren.
The talk, Black Excellence in Fashion: Championing Representation and Entrepreneurship, gave audience members a closer look at the journeys of these entrepreneurs; who started down an uncertain path and rose to prestige by their own merit and despite obstacles.
While Turini spoke about feeling physically isolated in her home, Bermuda, and her experience as an immigrant; Julian explained the magnitude of networking and building communities after getting too comfortable in his individuality and relying on work ethic alone. Offering a different perspective, Warren highlighted the importance of contributing to the arts and supporting artists of color; the way UPS became an official NYFW sponsor and presented three HBCU alums with $150,000 to execute NYFW runway event, Big Motion: Featuring HBCU Alumni Designers: Undra Celeste New York, The Brand Label, and Chelsea Gray. 
Although the talk served to motivate and inspire, the panelist didn’t shy away from speaking on the issues. “I have been in many spaces, or worked in many publications, where there were black employees and we really still have no voice. We really still have no power,” Turini recalled. “We would fight and watch people be inspired by our culture and inspired by the things we were partaking in but we were not getting appreciated the same.”
As for navigating up the ladder in such circumstances, Warren put it plainly. “Sometimes it’s about overcoming adversity,” the designer and creative entrepreneur explained later in the talk. “Understanding the rules of the role, understanding that performance is really, unfortunately, black life in corporate America.”
Relating to the others, Julian concluded by pointing out something the panel made crystal clear. “Black people care so much about fashion,” he asserted. “This is generational, this is in our blood, this is in our DNA and we are shut out so much from the industry just because we don’t know somebody, just because we haven’t had that open door and that always pains me.”
Designer Tia Adeola hosted a dinner and film screening to showcase her latest Spring/Summer 2024 collection. The event took place at the chic venue Spring Space in the heart of Tribeca. The sponsor of the evening was the pure coconut water brand 100 Coconuts.
Servers sported the brand’s “Black Jesus” T-shirts, as several dinner guests were draped in original pieces. Tia Adeola’s designs have a sensual undertone that reflects the art of feminity. The brand is known for its signature sheer styles and ode to the Renaissance period, where designer Tia garners inspiration.
Adding to the luxury ambiance were several fashion tastemakers and influencers. Guests included Zerina Akers, Joy Bridges, Lycia Lamini, Jennifer Udechukwu, Blake Newby, Gen-Z it girl Aliyah’s Interlude, Jada Kingdom, Serayah, Joey Bada$$, LAYA, Draya Michelle and more! 9-year old fashion blogger Taylen Bigss also interviewed Tia herself.
After being served a delicious dinner, attendees headed to the viewing room for the film screening. With her love for film and educational background in culture and media, Adeola used a different medium to showcase her new line. The film pays homage to early roots “Slashed by Tia” and shows the evolution of her brand today. We see scenes of models through a curved staircase and entering into a ballroom as the movement flows with the clothes. “It embodies where I am at in life,” said Adeola. “Sort of fun, learning, growing, and experiencing New York City.” To cap the evening, attendees headed to Harbor nightclub to experience the after-party with a special performance from Coi Leray!