List of Fashion Week events.

September
2
Tuesday
September, 2nd - September, 17th
Showroom Seven Sample Sale, 263 11th Ave., NYC



September
3
Wednesday
September, 3rd
The Aim of Art is Living Creations preview, The Gallery at Hermes, 691 Madison Avenue, NYC
hosted by Robert B. Chavez, president and CEO, Hermes USA, curated by Oliver Barker, curator & projects director, The Josef and Anni Albers Foundation and featuring cocktails and photographs by Josef Albers, by invite only

6:30 PM - Tech by Tumi and Abercrombie & Kent's Extreme Adventures, The Explorer's Club, 48 E. 70th St., NYC

7:30 PM - 11:00 PM
Dior Beauty to host Tinsley Mortimer's Guest Appearance for "Gossip Girls", Empire Hotel Rooftop Lounge, 44 W. 63rd St., NYC
The rooftop will host a screening of the episode with the brand's very own DJ, Harley Viera Newton.



September
5
Friday
September, 5th - September, 12th

9:00 AM - Mercedes Benz Fashion Week New York, Bryant Park Tents, Sixth Avenue at 41st Street, NYC
event spaces include Tent, Promenade and Salon, by invitation only, not open to the public

9:00 AM - Michael Angel Spring 2009 Collection, Salon, Bryant Park Tents

10:00 AM - BCBGMaxAzria Spring 2009 Collection, Tent, Bryant Park Tents

11:00 AM - Perry Ellis Spring 2009 Collection, Promenade, Bryant Park Tents

1:00 PM - Duckie Brown Spring 2009 Collection, Salon, Bryant Park Tents

2:00 PM - Rubin Singer Spring 2009 Collection, Promenade, Bryant Park Tents

6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Stolen Moments by Yasmine Chatila exhibition opening reception, Edelman Arts, 47 East 63rd Street, NYC
exhibition run September 5-October 18, 2008

6:00 PM - Nicole Miller Spring 2009 Collection, Salon, Bryant Park Tents

6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
The Good Shepard by Michael Roberts book signing and photo exhibition, 825 Madison Avenue, NYC
hosted by Dolce & Gabbana

7:00 PM - Erin Fetherston Spring 2009 Collection, Promenade, Bryant Park Tents

8:00 PM - Academy of Art University Collections, Tent, Bryant Park Tents

8:00 PM - 11:00 PM
What Comes Around Goes Around Spring 15th Anniversary Party, The Hudson Terrace, 621 W. 46th St., NYC
Hosted by Blackbook and accompanied by a WCAGA 2009 Collection presentation.

9:00 PM - Venexiana Spring 2009 Collection, Salon, Bryant Park Tents

September
6
Saturday
10:00 AM - Lacoste Spring 2009 Collection, Tent, Bryant Park Tents

11:00 AM - Charlotte Ronson Spring 2009 Collection, Promenade, Bryant Park Tents

1:00 PM - Abaete Spring 2009 Collection, Salon, Bryant Park Tents

2:00 PM - Andy & Debb Spring 2009 Collection, Promenade, Bryant Park Tents

3:00 PM - Rosa Cha Spring 2009 Collection, Tent, Bryant Park Tents

3:00 PM - Karen Walker S/S 2009 "The Believers", The Altman Building, 135 W. 18th
St., NYC

6:00 PM - Verrier Spring 2009 Collection, Salon, Bryant Park Tents

7:00 PM - Alexandre Herchcovitch Spring 2009 Collection, Promenade, Bryant Park Tents

8:00 PM - Rock & Republic Spring 2009 Collection, Tent, Bryant Park Tents

9:00 PM - TBA Spring 2009 Collection, Salon, Bryant Park Tents



September
7
Sunday

Chadwick Bell Spring 2009 Debut Collection, 66 W. 10th street. No. 16. NY
The Chadwick Bell Spring 2009 debut collection to take place
10:00 AM - Lela Rose Spring 2009 Collection, Salon, Bryant Park Tents

11:00 AM - DKNY Spring 2009 Collection, Tent, Bryant Park Tents

12:00 PM - Tracy Reese Spring 2009 Collection, Promenade, Bryant Park Tents

2:00 PM - Terexov Spring 2009 Collection, Salon, Bryant Park Tents

2:00 PM - Shumaq Spring 2009 Fashion Show, The Altman Building, 135 W. 18th St., NYC

3:00 PM - Herve Leger by Max Azria Spring 2009 Collection, Promenade, Bryant Park
Tents

4:00 PM - Diane von Furstenberg Spring 2009 Collection, Tent, Bryant Park Tents

6:00 PM - Akiko Ogawa Spring 2009 Collection, Salon, Bryant Park Tents

7:00 PM - Tibi Spring 2009 Collection, Promenade, Bryant Park Tents

8:00 PM - Miss Sixty Spring 2009 Collection, Tent, Bryant Park Tents

9:00 PM - Thuy Spring 2009 Collection, Salon, Bryant Park Tents



September
8
Monday
9:00 AM - Twinkle by Wenlan Spring 2009 Collection, Salon, Bryant Park Tents

10:00 AM - Carolina Herrera Spring 2009 Collection, Tent, Bryant Park Tents

11:00 AM - Peter Som Spring 2009 Collection, Promenade, Bryant Park Tents

12:00 PM - Telfar Presentation of SS09 Unisex Collection, "Breathe", 236 Mulberry
St., NYC

1:00 PM - Sergio Davila Spring 2009 Collection, Salon, Bryant Park Tents

2:00 PM - Diesel Black Gold Spring 2009 Collection, Tent, Bryant Park Tents

3:00 PM - Luca Luca Spring 2009 Collection, Promenade, Bryant Park Tents

6:00 PM - Tony Cohen Spring 2009 Collection, Salon, Bryant Park Tents

7:00 PM - 9:30 PM
5th Anniversary of "The Budget Fashionista" site, New York Housing Works Thrift Shop, 143 W. 17th Street, NYC
Event is during the New York Fall Fashion Week and hosted by Kathryn "The Budget Fashionista" Finney. Some of Today's Hottest Celebrities, Top Editors from Leading Magazines and Blogs will be in attendance.

7:00 PM - Ports 1961 Spring 2009 Collection, Promenade, Bryant Park Tents

8:00 PM - 150th anniversary of the House of Boucheron, Spiegelworld, Pier 17, South Street Seaport, NYC
Private performance of Spiegelworld's new show Désir from 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Will be followed by a party with DJ Santo Domingo from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m.

8:00 PM - Gottex Spring 2009 Collection, Tent, Bryant Park Tents



September
9
Tuesday
9:00 AM - Cynthia Steffe Spring 2009 Collection, Salon, Bryant Park Tents

11:00 AM - Monique Lhuiller Spring 2009 Collection, Promenade, Bryant Park Tents

1:00 PM - Iodice Spring 2009 Collection, Salon, Bryant Park Tents

2:00 PM - Betsey Johnson Spring 2009 Collection, Tent, Bryant Park Tents

3:00 PM - Dennis Basso Spring 2009 Collection, Promenade, Bryant Park Tents

5:00 PM - Joanna Mastroianni Spring 2009 Collection, Salon, Bryant Park Tents

6:00 PM - Max Azria Spring 2009 Collection, Tent, Bryant Park Tents

7:00 PM - Vivienne Tam Spring 2009 Collection, Promenade, Bryant Park Tents

7:00 PM - Don the Verb S/S 2009 Presentation, Whitebox Gallery, 329 Broome St., NYC



September
10
Wednesday
September, 10th - September, 12th
Yves Saint Laurent Friends and Family Sale, Metropalitan Pavilion, 125 W. 18th St., NYC
Up to 75% off original retail prices.

9:00 AM - Brian Reyes Spring 2009 Collection, Salon, Bryant Park Tents

10:00 AM - Michael Kors Spring 2009 Collection, Tent, Bryant Park Tents

11:00 AM - Nanette Lepore Spring 2009 Collection, Promenade, Bryant Park Tents

12:00 PM - Richard Chai Spring 2009 Collection, Salon, Bryant Park Tents

2:00 PM - 3.1 Phillip Lim Spring 2009 Collection, Tent, Bryant Park Tents

3:00 PM - Carlos Miele Spring 2009 Collection, Promenade, Bryant Park Tents

5:00 PM - Pamella Roland Spring 2009 Collection, Salon, Bryant Park Tents

6:00 PM - Milly by Michelle Smith Spring 2009 Collection, Promenade, Bryant Park Tents

7:00 PM - Anna Sui Spring 2009 Collection, Tent, Bryant Park Tents

8:00 PM - Mara Hoffman Spring 2009 Collection, Salon, Bryant Park Tents



September
11
Thursday
9:00 AM - Malan Breton Spring 2009 Collection, Salon, Bryant Park Tents

10:00 AM - Vera Wang Spring 2009 Collection, Tent, Bryant Park Tents

11:00 AM - Naeem Khan Spring 2009 Collection, Promenade, Bryant Park Tents

1:00 PM - Rebecca Taylor Spring 2009 Collection, Salon, Bryant Park Tents

3:00 PM - Reem Acra Spring 2009 Collection, Promenade, Bryant Park Tents

6:00 PM - Chris Han Spring 2009 Collection, Salon, Bryant Park Tents

7:00 PM - Custo Barcelona Spring 2009 Collection, Promenade, Bryant Park Tents

8:00 PM - Zac Posen Spring 2009 Collection, Tent, Bryant Park Tents

9:00 PM - Aurelio Costarella Spring 2009 Collection, Salon, Bryant Park Tents



September
12
Friday
9:00 AM - Project Runway Finale Spring 2009 Collections, Tent, Bryant Park Tents

12:00 PM - Tadashi Shoji Spring 2009 Collections, Promenade, Bryant Park Tents

1:00 PM - Sabyaschi Spring 2009 Collection, Salon, Bryant Park Tents

2:00 PM - Carmen Marc Valvo Spring 2009 Collections, Tent, Bryant Park Tents

4:00 PM - Badgley Mischka Spring 2009 Collection, Promenade, Bryant Park Tents

5:00 PM - Omnialuo Zheng Luo Spring 2009 Collection, Salon, Bryant Park Tents

6:00 PM - Chado Ralph Rucci Spring 2009 Collection, Tent, Bryant Park Tents

6:30 PM - 9:00 PM
Costume National New Store Opening, Mercer Street
Costume National opening at a new location on Mercer Street.

6:30 PM - Jordi Scott Fashion Show, Arena, 135 W. 41st St., NYC

Old video of Shaq dissing Kobe

I love this clip.
It is awesome that Shaq was actually freestyling and had the moxy to talk shit about Kobe not winning the championship, emphasize the fact that he never pays off chicks and brought up his own divorce.
Enjoy.

Wednesday Photos - the fattest cat ever!!

Peace,
I am posting some recent photos...enjoy

This photo was taken last night from the roof of my friend's building on 33rd street.


The train station at 23rd st.


An awesome view from the pier at 70th and Riverside.










After sangria at the pier, we headed uptown for some more drinks...


...and I saw the fattest cat ever!!!


Look at this!!!




Dope statue.



I took this photo a couple of weeks ago. Crazy outfit.

1980s

Greetings…something has been brought to my attention that I must address. There are a growing number of people in the music, fashion, and entertainment industries that are reviving and promoting the 1980’s retro look. Take a look at the examples below.

Here is my biggest problem with the whole 80s revival – most of the kids that are supporting it were not even born in the 80’s. There are all these 17 and 18 year olds running around talking about how cool the 80’s were. Look, I was born in the late 70’s, and grew up in the 80’s. THE 80’S WERE WACK.

Think about it…crack, Reagan and Bush, the moral majority, Yugos, blatant racism on television and in the movies, and the fashion wasn’t all that cool. There were no street wear companies in the 80’s, so you had to buy Jordache or Bugle Boy and try to flip it…try to make it unique…try to make it cool.

Basically, this 80’s kick is an imitation that is rooted in fiction…because a lot of people are basing their fashion sense on movies and videos from the 80’s…that’s not what regular people were wearing!!! It would be kind of cool if the retro trend was derived from what people actually wore in the 80’s… but it is not. The trend is being dictated by movies and Tv Shows that were popular…It’s one thing for fashion designers (artists) to imitate the 1980’s fashion sense, but it’s another thing to imitate an imitation.

SO… the 80’s are back…great…enjoy the tight jeans, the faux-hawks, and all the coke you can sniff.

PEACE

Remy Party

Wednesday night my girlfriend and I attended a Remy party that was pretty cool. The party was held in celebration of Remy releasing a new bottle designed by David La Chapelle that featured an image created to pay homage to Josephine Baker. It is dope that a photographer was given a chance to design the bottle - and he decided to feature a Black Woman...I can't wait till I get that opportunity!!
The night included: free Remy to my face, bodypaint (not for me), and a surprise appearance by Steve Harvey...one of the original Kings of Comedy.
Enjoy the photos!!!



Like I said, bodypaint.


The Dj for the first part of the evening was DJ Cassidy.
He had a great mix of contemporary party music and some old school hits...always show love to the DJ!!


Special guest: Steve Harvey (one of the best dressed men in entertainment). This dude is hallarious. I am not a fan of many comdedians but I find Steve Harvey to be intelligent, witty and innovative...check out his Def Comedy Jam skit about Mitch Green.





If you don't know about the Retro Kidz...you are late as hell!!!!!!







It's a PARTY!!!!!


I would like to thank the party planners for the awesome decision of chocolate dipped strawberries...choice!!!


Some guests even made travel bags!!!


I love this lady's hat. Check her out, she is a NYC based writer....Dorothy Dunne.


The second half of the night was DJ'd by a team of four female DJs that had the party rocking!!!
Always show love for the DJ!!!


All of the DJs!!!!!!!!!!





Below is a pic of me and my beautiful girlfriend...she's dope!!


Thanks for checking out the post.
I leave you with this message...

EAT THE CAKE.!!!!!!!!!!!!!EAT THE CAKE.!!!!!!!!!!!!!EAT THE CAKE.!!!!!!!!!!!!!EAT THE CAKE.!!!!!!!!!!!!!EAT THE CAKE.!!!!!!!!!!!!!EAT THE CAKE.!!!!!!!!!!!!!EAT THE CAKE.!!!!!!!!!!!!!EAT THE CAKE.!!!!!!!!!!!!!AT THE CAKE.!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Vogue Italia - the Black Issue...

I know that I am extremely late with this post, but I feel like I need to address this issue.
Recently, Vogue Italia released the “All Black” issue…some people thought that it was revolutionary, some thought it was pointless, and others seemed to be bothered by all the attention that it received. I think the All Black edition is a good step, but I would like to see more diversity in general, not just a special issue. It reminds me of "Black History Month"...If Black History was taught throughout the year, we would not need a month dedicated to it.

If true honor, respect, and diligence was given to the impact of minorities on the global fashion industry, we would see more minority representation on the catwalk and in the pages of international publications.

side note - even though it was the All Black Issue, almost none of the ads (which make up half of the publication) featured minorities and the photographer that shot all the images was not a minority.

This is my belief…Vogue [as well as many other publications, media outlets, or ad agencies that would like to sell products to the general population (white people)], does not want to be associated with anything that will alienate their consumer base. The implication is that a white audience wants to see white people on the covers of the magazines that they buy, the television shows and movies that they watch, and the only times that minorities are to be seen in the public sphere is if it’s trendy or will somehow entice the general audience to fetishize the exotic.

I am one of those people that believes that sexism and racism have become part of the social structure worldwide and their pervasiveness have created a systematic racist/sexist ethos/culture globally. The Fashion industry is not exempt from this.
All this to say: I am not surprised that you almost never see women of color on the covers of major magazines. What surprises me is this: people will not admit that racism is rampant in the fashion industry!

Do me a favor – go to a book store or magazine shop and peruse the fashion, entertainment, and culture magazines…see how many people of color grace the covers of magazines that are oriented to the “general” audience. If you see a person of color, take note of how they actually look…does the person possess the same facial structure, hairstyle, or other physical characteristics associated with a person of European decent? When you do see a person of African decent on a cover, do they have a weave, a perm, a natural, dreadlocks…is there any difference between them and the model of European decent?
Can you name more than one or two dark skin models…that are not African in origin of nationality?

Answer me this: why are there so few models of African decent on the runways during Fashion week, on the cover of magazines, or being used in huge global advertising and marketing campaigns? If the answer is: because white people (the general audience) have an aversion to seeing images of non whites in association with certain consumer products….then… why can they accept black people as singers, dancers, and comedians…but not as models.

Why won’t a white woman in Idaho buy an issue of Cosmopolitan magazine if it has a Black person on the cover? Are the clothes in the issue of lower quality? Are the articles worse? I think not…so why won’t that person buy the magazine…sounds racist to me. If you pander to racist, it sounds like you are complicit in condoning a racist cultural dynamic, as well as profiteering from such a destructive social problem -- either way, I want to see more diversity in the fashion world!!!!


Below are some of the photos from Toccara's shoot...tell me what you think.





PLEASE LEAVE SOME COMMENTS...

Being that I am a photographer, I am constantly observing and studying images produced by a variety of media – magazines, advertisements, fine art, the internet…etc. I believe that the images we consume are very powerful, so yes…we need to see more minorities on the covers of the magazines, in the advertisements of these magazines, in the features of the magazines and on the editorial staff and executive board…not to mention photographers.

In conclusion, here is a quote from Franca Sozzani, the Vogue Italia editor-in-chief.

“Mine is not a magazine that can be accused of not using black girls,” said Ms. Sozzani, noting that Naomi Campbell has had several covers, and that Liya Kebede and Alek Wek have also had covers. – The New York Times – Fashion and Style section…written by CATHY HORYN

I commend her for being for putting out an issue that features black models, but I think that it is odd that she can only name three or four black models that have been given the Cover. That is a tiny percentage of all of the covers published.

I want to see more diversity in the fashion world.

PEACE

Here is a link to another good blog.
http://invasionsosuccexy.blogspot.com/2008/07/toccara-jones-italian-vogue-july-2008.html

---Below is a list of Black Models.

Iman Abdulmajid

Karen Alexander

Tyra Banks

Naomi Campbell

Pat Cleveland

Waris Dirie

Selita Ebanks

Wa'Keema Hollis

Chanel Iman

Beverly Johnson

Toccara Jones

Liya Kebede

Noemie Lenoir

Sessilee Lopez

Donyale Luna

Eva Marcille

Kamla Millwood

Ajuma Nasenyana

Oluchi Onweagba

Beverly Peele

Alek Wek

Jourdan Dunn

Veronica Webb

Yasmin Warsame

Saleisha Stowers

A Rave in Brooklyn...

Another late post...I went to a rave a couple of weeks ago that was insane...exactly what you imagine when you think of a rave; a large warehouse, lazer and light shows, video projections (what up R2), shirtless and sweaty kids, people rolling balls, glow sticks, pacifiers, a time out space (or area for the people on drugs to mellow out), and music so loud I could feel the bass vibrating in my lower intestines. Awesome!


What you might not have expected is that Rob Swift and Dj Precision of the would show up and perform an ill Dj set over the electronica and techno music.


Inside the warehouse -- fire spinning in full effect.


This is what happens when you combine a lazer show, fire spinning and long exposures...
I love it.




If you don't know what that yellow balloon is about...I can't tell you.


What up...Ari and Mojo.


Cool hat.


This dude was pretty good with the glow sticks...what is a rave without glow sticks?



I told you!!!!!!!!
Ill Insanity -- this was an awesome Dj set. I saw legendary hip hop djs step up to the table, keep the electronica going and provide some of the illest cuts and scratches that I have seen in a really long time. The speed and technical skill that I witnessed was baffling...these dudes were on point!!!






Back to what normally happens at a rave.

Awesome costume.

Now, there was a lot that was going on at the party that I did not photograph...let's just say that not everything is for public consumption...I hope you like what you see!!!

Hit me up if you have a good party coming up -- I need to shoot!

There is more in the slideshow. PEACE