Celebrities Today

Friday, November 7, 2008

Islands of the World Fashion Week: Day 2

It's day 2 of Islands of the World Fashion Week in Nassau and we are getting an early start to the shows. Impressed by the first show of the day, Luna Designs by Glora Plata showed tremendous craftsmanship of the art of accessories on the runway. The company and products are completely conscious with the environment, using vegetable ivory that used to be used in the 18th century to make buttons. Now they use it in a different way to make accessories. The outcome- gorgeous necklaces, bracelets and rings with unique shapes that are in every sense environmentally friendly. The vibrant colors include yellows, turquoise and pinks created in vibrant colors with eco-friendly vegetable dyes. We loved the oversized rings so much, we bought one for ourselves in turquoise!

Luna Designs from Barbados
Photo by Factio Media

We adored the collection from Nadya designer Nadine Lurey, as the pairings of her separates and techniques of her use of texture and lush color was extremely unique. Originally from Chicago, Nadine began designing by venturing to the Salvation Army to get interesting fabrics like lace curtains and transforming it into a coat. She then began traveling around the world to places like South America before moving to Bali where inspiration has undoubtedly taken a firm standing in her collections. "I actually always like to say that I cook with leftovers because I love putting elements together and when I was first working with materials they were old textiles and pieces that had finite quantity, so I learned to mix and match and do things with kind of a texture and layering technique." Our favorite of her worldy creations were her textured jackets, many of which were reversible with one side revealing a fancy side, while the other was far more casual. Just by wearing one of her pieces, you will appear to look well-traveled.

Nadya from Indonesia

Hupfeld Hoerder from Fiji

Hupfeld Hoerder, a designer from Fiji, really brought island style to life with his unique hand painted dresses and separates. His designs are inspired by nature and his bright motifs and patterns set his style apart during fashion week.

Designer Genie Nuttal of Jeannie McQueeny with her models
during Islands of the World Fashion Week
Photos by Factio Media

Carmen Fiol from Cuba
Photo by Factio Media

Other island designers who presented during today's shows included Jeannie McQueeny and Lisa Humes, La Bonne Vie Bahamas and Elements from the Bahamas, Natural Beats from St. Vincent, Desreen Waller from Jamaica, Carmen Fiol from Cuba and Shaun Griffith Perez from Trinidad.

Thursday, November 6, 2008

Islands of the World Fashion Week: Day 1

We've just landed in Nassau, Bahamas and we are ready to see 38 of the world island's most talented designers at the first ever Islands of the World Fashion Week! Over the span of 4 days, 21 shows will take place at a transformed space at the British Colonial Hilton, as well as the opening and closing reception at The Atlantis on Paradise Island. As we arrived for the closing night show at the Atlantis on November 5th, we couldn't have been more impressed with what we saw. The space was designed and produced by a former Versace executive Tomas Frenes, so you can imagine the chicness of the set up, including a sophisticated color scheme of a black runway, flanked by black chairs with comfortable sofa's for fashionistas in the back to enjoy the shows comfortably. At the Hilton, the design was just as savvy with countless chandeliers acting as a focal point to the sleek white and black runway. At closing night, we enjoyed an array of eco-friendly designs from island designers, as well as a sleek collection by famed designer of NOIR Illuminati II. Danish designer Peter Ingwersen showcased a brilliant collection of sexy dresses and pantsuits in sensuous fabrics. He has said before "in the West, we dress for sex" and this collection was no different. The colors were in neutral tones of black and white, and Factio favorite, a satiny, hot pink form fitting dress. Celebrity judges we spotted front row included Nole Marin from America's Next Top Model, Aphadi, a famed Paris fashion designer originally from Niger, Susan Stein of Palm Springs, California, Nick Verreos of Project Runway fame, who designs the Nikolaki collection.

Designers who participated in shows earlier that day at the Hilton included Sea, Sex, Sun from Haiti, Van Der Vlugt from Trinidad, Christine Demeritte and Apryl Weech from The Bahamas, Heather Jones from Trinidad, Soka, Poshelle, Tami B. Designs, and Deb E. Barbour from St. Vincent.

Here's a look from some of our favorite pieces from designer Peter Ingwersen of NOIR Illuminati II...

NOIR Illuminati II

NOIR Illuminati II
Photos by Factio Media

Monday, November 3, 2008

Chicago Latino Fashion Week

Latino Fashion Week, Hair Productions Platform Showcase
Photo by Steve Starr, www.stevestarr.com

Latino Week has already kicked off, with the Monday, October 27th Latino Hair Productions Platform Showcase, Tuesday’s Latino Fashion Week Student Designer Contest, Wednesday’s AOL Fashionista Day: Rising Stars of Fashion, and Thursday’s San Juan Fashion Group. The terrific festivities came to an end at the close of Halloween weekend: the Friday Halloween Masquerade Ball, the Saturday International Showcase, and the Sunday El Fin.

Kiss-FM’s Nina Chantele hosted The Latino Hair Productions Platform Showcase on Monday, October 27. Top Latino cosmetologists and stylists competed and challenged their makeup artistry and hair styling skills at the Religion Night Club on 720 N. Wells. The spectacular competition was judged by a panel of local celebrities and industry pro’s.

Tuesday, October 28 marked the Stepping into the Spotlight, Student Designer Showcase for Latino Fashion Week. Four designs from each student finalist were showcased as the student designers took the stage hoping to win the title of the Top Latino student designer. Student designers included Estanislao Cabrera, Juliana Martinez, Hector-Javier MonArrez, and the winner Nora Del Busto. Nora Del Busto was declared the winner by a panel of celebrity and industry expert judges: Steven Rosengard, 2007 designer of Project Runway; Erikka Wang, Akira Clothing Chicago; Julie Gee, fashion buyer for Macy's; and our very own Henrique Kerch, publisher of Factio Magazine. The event was free and held at the Chicago for the Performing Arts.

AOL and UNSCENE magazine played the host for Wednesday, October 29th’s AOL Fashionista Day: Rising Stars of Fashion. Crobar nightclub set the scene for the sleek fashion show of rising star designers. The winner of the night was none other than Texas-born Horatio Nieto. The San Juan Fashion Group featured fashion designers from Puerto Rico. Designers included Felix Poll, Lilliam Landron and Tommie Hernandez. The Chicago Center for the Performing Arts held the event on Thursday, October 30. A portion of the nights proceeds also benefited MANA of Illinois.

The Halloween Masquerade Ball took place on Halloween night at Club Mannequin. The fashionable party featured theatrical masks and cinema inspired costumes. ABC7’s Silvia Perez hosted the marvelous masquerade.

Tsi-tsi-ki Félix from Telemundo Chicago hosted fashions from Mexico, Columbia, Brazil, and Argentina at the Alhambra Palace on Saturday night, November 1. The newest Latino collections raised money for Mujeres Latinas en Acción.

Chicago Latino designers showcased their Spring 2009 collections and couture designs inspired by their favorite Hollywood Screen Stars including Rita Hayworth, Maria Felix, Dolores Del Rio, Rita Moreno (who was in the audience), and Linda Carter during the grand finale show, Sunday, November 2. The all day Grand Finale took place at the Drake Hotel. Host, Silvia Perez from ABC7 opened the fashion show at 1:00 p.m.with featured designers James de Colón, Orlando Espinoza, Anna Fong, Elda de la Rosa, Carol Pineiro and Horacio Nieto. The proceeds from the day went to benefit the International Latino Cultural Center of Chicago and the 25th Anniversary of the Chicago Latino Film Festival.Latino Fashion Week was deemed a success, to be followed by the Latino Fashion Week The Magazine this fall.
- Jackie Medler