Abstract Expressionist New York

I am a total art nerd and the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) is not only by far my very most favorite museum in NYC, but it is absolutely one of my most favorite museums in the world. An invitation to last night's private viewing plus Q&A session with the curators of the Abstract Expressionist New York exhibition, which began on October 3 and will run through April 25th, 2011, was well beyond exciting. The survey draws from MoMA's renowned and unmatched collection to display a chronological narrative of the true breakthrough of American artists on the art scene. Starting in the beginning of the 1940s and lasting into the 60s, you can sense the dialogue between the works of art and how each artist looked to one another to really create and define the revelatory movement. With some of the most famous pieces from some of the most influential artists of all time, this presentation is an awesome representation of the first avant-garde movement to place New York City at the forefront of international modern art. I highly, highly, highly suggest visiting it today.

Andy Warhol

Jackson Pollock

Sam Francis

Barnett Newman

Jackson Pollock

Clyfford Still, David Smith

Adolph Gottlieb

Introducing the new MoMA iPad App

To learn more, see more, and to visit MoMA, click here.

To learn more and see more from the Abstract Expressionist New York Exhibition, click here.

xx.

M

BTS by Vanilla Star Jeans

New York Fashion Week and all of its crazy happenings aren't slated to start for another week, but if you've been keeping up with us on twitter, you will know that last night was already extremely event-filled. I found one event to be particularly interesting. Wet Seal and New York's number one radio station, Z100, hosted a Back-to-School blowout party where they unveiled the new BTS collection by Vanilla Star Jeans. The entire collection was designed by students. Yes, students. And no, not students from FIT or Parsons, but high school students. The autumn/winter line, which featured all of the season's necessities with everything from jeans, to skirts, to jackets, to tees (and much, much more), was completely designed in collaboration with students from the High School of Fashion Industries. Truly impressive.

BTS by Vanilla Star Jeans, Fall/Winter 2010 Collection by Students from the High School of Fashion Industries

To see more, learn more, and to shop Wet Seal, click here.

To see more, learn more, and to shop for Vanilla Star Jeans, click here.

To learn more about the High School of Fashion Industries, click here.

To learn more and listen to Z100, click here.

xx.

M

Launch of Anuja Tolia Jewelry

Lately the only jewelry I have been wearing is Anuja Tolia. It is all that I wore in Miami (here,here, here, and here-where, I must add, it garnered compliments from numerous designers and even our favorite supermodel, Irina Shayk!), and it is all that I have been wearing out and about in my everyday NYC life.

I. AM. OBSESSED.

And...I assure you, it is not hard to be. At all.

I am ecstatic to be the first to introduce you to this up-and-coming designer and present to you her very first collection!

Tolia's debut collection is a glamorous mix of what she names as Indian artisanship and Western flare. She has not only traveled the globe, but she has studied across the world as well. With extensive time spent in New York City and in Florence, Italy, and what seems to be everywhere in between, her work certainly shows the influences of the numerous cultures that she has been immersed in. With the use of semi-precious stones, real silver, and gold plating, each piece exemplifies true beauty and a deep sophistication. Yet, it is worth noting the use of exotic and rough unfinished stones in much of her work, which gives her line an extremely contemporary, extremely edgy, and extremely playful twist. With the line divided into three sub-collections, named Florentine, Ready-to-Wear, and Couture, Tolia is able to speak to a wide variety of people. From the big and the bold to the intricate and the delicate, there is definitely a piece (or in my case many, many pieces) for everyone.

Florentine Collection

Ready-to-Wear Collection

Couture Collection

With this inaugural collection (Fall/Winter 2010) comes a fabulous launch party and trunk show...and you are ALL invited! Check out this exclusive invitation below and RSVP ASAP! Each piece is handmade, and many are one-of-a-kind, so make sure to get to the event to get first dibs on this amazing jewelry line!

You can thank me when you see me there.

To learn more, see more, and to shop for Anuja Tolia, click here.

For more information on the Anuja Tolia Launch Party and Trunk Show Event, click here.

For any more information, feel free to contact me.

xx.

M

Cynthia Rowley Bridesmaids Collection

Last night, Cynthia Rowley launched her new Cynthia Rowley Bridesmaids Collection at her West Village, NYC location. Inspirations pulled from her eponymous ready-to-wear collection, specifically tulle skirts and drop-waist silhouettes, allow Rowley's bridesmaids line to double as both wedding-wear as well as dresses for other events that are wellllll beyond the reception! Each piece can certainly be worn more than once and NONE have any trace of that infamous "bridesmaids dress" stigma attached to them! Getting some time to speak with Ms. Rowley herself was by faaaaaaar the highlight of my night. When I asked her how many times she, herself, has been a bridesmaid, she answered "A LOT of times!" She went on to explain her ability to identify with bridesmaids as her reasoning behind wanting to design pieces that are "cool, fun and comfortable." She added, "a wedding is all about fantasy, so why shouldn't a bridesmaid's dress embody that element of fantasy, too!?" Well, Cynthia, yours certainly do! I love them all. And I mean really...shouldn't we LOVE the dresses that are meant for the one occasion that is all about LOVE?! To top it all off, with dresses like these, you might not mind "always [being] a bridesmaid, never the bride!"

Designer Cynthia Rowley & Me

What I wore: Dress by Millau, Fringe Vest by Ann Demulemeester, Shoes by Special Collection by Zara Woman,Scarf by Missoni, Necklace by ByLashan

Cynthia wore: Dress by Cynthia Rowley

Here are some of my favorite dresses from her Bridesmaids 2010 Collection Look Book. I could definitely see myself wearing each of these to a posh cocktail party...Oh, and of course to a wedding!

To view the entire Look Book from the Cynthia Rowley Bridesmaids Collection, click here.

To schedule appointments for fittings or to place orders please check out Lovely Bridal Shop here or contact me for more information.

If you are in the Charleston or Chicago areas, and are interested in viewing this collection, please contact me for more information on upcoming celebratory events.

To learn more, see more, and to purchase Cynthia Rowley click here.

See more posts on Cynthia Rowley here and here.

And a BIG "Thank You" to Jessica and Michelle of Cynthia Rowley for making last night possible for me!

xx.

M

Let the Games Begin!

I really do feel like all of the games are beginning. With the Super Bowl just this past Sunday, the opening ceremonies for the Olympics coming on Friday, and Mercedes Benz NY Fashion Week officially starting on Thursday, can we all agree that this is probably the best week all winter? I mean, there's pretty much something for everyone! And we can just ignore the fact that we're likely getting a blizzard tomorrow (EWW).

Anyyyyywayyyyy, we decided to start Fashion Week a little early (but who isn't?). Last night we attended the Models Hotel Official Launch Party & Fashion Delivers Charity Event at the new west-side hot spot Juliet. Hosted and attended by a plethora of fashion big-wigs, fashion models, fashionistas, and of course socialites (and even Olympic Silver Medalist Fencer Jason Rogers...coincidence that the Olympics are coming up? I think not.), it was a night of networking, complimentary Vita Coco Coconut Water (which I just discovered...YUM!), and of course the debauchery of a top-shelf open bar! I must say, a perfect way to kick off Fashion Week!

What we wore: Millau Handkerchief Sweater, Millau Bandage Skirt, Jeffrey Campbell Studded Booties, Scarf (Unknown, purchased at a boutique in Paris). Gryphon Embellished Tee, worn under Alcot Oversized Sweater, Jeffrey Campbell Poland Boot, Rings by YSL & Unknown (purchased at LF Store)

To join or learn more about Models Hotel click here

To learn more about Fashion Delivers click here

xx.

M&B