The wonderful goodness of Venezuelan food comes straight to Manhattan
If you are looking for a perfect meal in Manhattan full of fantastic flavor and thrills look no further than The Woo.
On October 18th, UMA by Raquel Davidowicz celebrated the opening of a new store. Once located on Bleeker Street, the family-owned brand has relocated to 13 Crosby Street which calls for more room to showcase the contemporary, classic womenswear manufactured in Sao Paulo.
The function, a classy mixer, gave guests and press a chance to rome through the store and go through the clothing racks as Sao Paulo native and DJ, Beco Branoff, provided music. Although hors-d’oeuvres were provided by SoHo’s The Smile, Davidowicz was sure to include flavors from Brazil, paying homage to the place her parents were born. Traditional Brazilian cocktails called caipirinha were served while sweet desserts, known as Brazil’s national truffle, called brigadeiro sat on their own pedestal near the entrance waiting for guests to indulge
Amongst the crowd, enjoying the food and cocktails was Emma Ferrer, Elle Dee, and Alexia Bontempo, as well as Lolita Cros and Lily Mortimer who both wore a white, zip-up jumpsuit from UMA’s current collection.
“I make clothes for women of all ages, mostly for women who are involved in art and women who like to work,” Davidowics explains as she points to the wrap sweater she’s wearing. “This collection was all about the refugees all over the world,” she continues, “the fashion show was in Sao Paulo’s Museum of Immigration, it’s the place immigrants were received in Brazil during the 30’s and 40’s.”
Davidowicz is from Poland, but uses fashion to pay tribute to refugees, like her grandparents who migrated to Brazil, by creating clothes with simple colors, black, white, blues, and earth tones; that are easy to travel in and can be worn in many different ways. At first each piece looks laid back, however, they can be dressed up or down easily.
Although there is only one UMA located in New York, consumers can head to the UMA website where the current and future collections can be shipped internationally. Be sure to check out the new location and shop the latest.
For its second location in New York City the brand is debuting a new store concept that is bold, contemporary and clean and will certainly appeal to New Yorkers.
Italian elegant flair meets Californian laid-back style in this new collaboration between Margherita Missoni, the heiress of the Italian eponymous fashion house, and Splendid, a Los Angeles based clothing brand that specializes in comfy essentials with a focus on luxuriously soft materials.
70 years of luxury family-ran fashion was celebrated Thursday night with the opening of Herno’s first New York City storefront in Soho Manhattan. Located down a quiet cross street at 95 Green, and perfectly positioned next to other designer power houses like Dior, the Herno storefront launch was a gathering place for fashion insiders. Claudio Marenzi, current President & CEO, hosted the reception and music was curated by by Paul Sevigny with Sophie and Wolfgang Sevigny.
The room was filled with a healthy mixture of lightweight, breathable neon fall bubble jackets and fur-hooded pastel a-line winter jackets, each with their own unique styling. We sat down with Olivia Labella at the event to find out more about the brands first ever U.S flagship launch:
On the Importance of Thursday’s Launch:
“Very important because the brand is now in its second generation. It’s a family owned business and with the second generation Herno went through a relaunch of the family business, starting a new approach of outerwear so a little bit more technological more couture, more feminine. And every jacket tries to contact every need of the customer today but with a glamorous appeal. Of course we’re an Italian made brand but we’re sold in 54 countries. We’re very international and what’s nice is next year we’re celebrating 70 years as a brand, but 50 years that we’ve been selling in Japan. So it’s going to be a double anniversary. But even in Japan our business is run by a family, but it’s a second generation running it as well. So it’s family to family. So it’s very nice to work in such an environment, I think it makes it more special.”
On the Most Popular U.S. Herno Styles:
“This new phase that Herno is going through, for the first time, and we started making them 10 years ago, for the first time we started showing down jackets in a couture format. I mean literally, when the first prototype of an egg shaped, 3/4th sleeve, crater color down jacket came out- we were all saying ‘o.k, it might make you look fat. It’s 3/4th sleeve will it keep you warm? Who’s going to buy it?’ It’s been the number one selling piece for 10 years because it’s the first time you felt elegant and glamorous in a down jacket. It’s also super light because it’s produced with the newest technology, you can even see the quality of the feathers through the label. It’s so fine because it has no quills, no grains, it’s all pure white feathers. This feels like silk, and amazingly this is a jacket, you can wear all year round because it’s so light.”
On U.S. Expansion:
“In the past two and a half years the company has invested a lot in the American market. We started with this flagship store in New York but the branch has been open two and a half years because American business is very good to us, the customers have been reacting very nicely. Also to our Lux business, for example, the cashmere line has Lux material like cashmere and silk. And all the Americans love the combination of the lux materials but also feeling comfortable and protected. So the American line has been doing very well for us. And what is important is this store, is the only direct store after Milan. All the other stores were done with franchise partners but this one here is direct from the company so that’s the importance we’re giving to the American line.”
Alessandra Balazs
On What’s Next For Herno:
“I think we’re going to go for another store, maybe in Europe? But for sure we’re going to invest more in the American market.”
Credit: BFA/ Matteo Prandoni
The French electronic music record label turned fashion brand Maison Kitsune hosted a lively Afterwork party at Spring Place in Soho Wednesday night.
In an homage to the brand’s musical roots, the event hosted a lineup of talented up and coming artists who kept the night’s energy high in the social club.
Maison Kitsune’s Japanese inspired label hosts their Afterwork events in Paris, Tokyo, and New York, and all of the parties are sure to provide a bustling and chic atmosphere with enjoyable new live music. Monday night Spring Place hosted a few different DJs and performers who all brought a healthy dose of energy. DJ Austin Millz opened up the night with a set of fun, upbeat hip hop mixes. DC based rapper Innanet James and Milwaukee hip hop artist IshDARR each followed with a few of their own tracks that vitalized the dance floor.
Innanet James
IshDARR performing
Thelonious Martin, K$ace, Isshdar, Innanet James at the event
The event closed out with a appearance from Thelonious Martin, the Chicago hip hop producer known for his work with Odd Future. The Kitsune brand will always be intertwined with high quality music, and last night they presented a great platform for talented newer artists.
Kitsune Hot Stream playlist – it’s where fans can learn and listen more about all the new talent that Kitsune are championing!
Last Wednesday in the Skylight Clarkson Square, expert tailor/designer Cho Cho Cheng showcased the beautiful hand-sewed garments from his upcoming collection.
A little drizzle did not stop Dos Equis from throwing an epic 5 de Mayo party this past Thursday, because it’s never too early to start celebrating!
Opening today in Soho through the weekend, “The HeLa Project” is multi-sensory experience that merges the art and science of Henrietta Lacks.