Features — Page 34

The Return of the Naked Dress

May 10, 2019 by admin Leave a Comment

Photos courtesy of instyle.com

She’s back and better than ever, and no this isn’t in reference to a celebrity who is making a comeback. The naked dress, which was trending a few years ago thanks to Beyoncé, Jennifer Lopez, and Kim Kardashian, is back and more glam and glitz than ever. It’s no secret that sex sells—ad agencies have proven ad nauseum that a beautiful woman in a skimpy outfit can sell product. In this age of celebrity royalty, marketers understand that no one sells sex better than a physically fit celebrity.The naked dress has become a cyclical staple of the celebrity red carpets, trending in-and-out of style every few years to being reinvented and welcomed back like a long-lost friend. The idea behind the naked dress is strategically placed embellishments and just the right amount of peek-a-boo skin before it borders on indecent exposure chic.

Photo courtesy of cnn.com

The naked dress isn’t an invention of this decade. This fashion phenomenon goes back even before Hollywood’s va va voom glamazons–Marilyn Monroe, Jayne Mansfield, Mamie van Doren, and Carol Baker. Even Barbra Streisand wore a very revealing Arnold Scassi sheer black pantsuit when she won the Oscar for “Funny Girl.” Marilyn Monroe famously wore a bedazzled, barely-there gown when she sang “Happy Birthday” to President Kennedy at a birthday celebration in New York City before a crowd of 15,000 people in 1962. Monroe’s rendition of “Happy Birthday” with her nude-toned skintight dress will go down as an iconic moment in entertainment history.

Photo courtesy of alux.com

Cher’s exposing skin moment comes in a close second to Monroe when she won the Oscar for “Moonstruck” in 1988. Cher, who worked closely with designer Bob Mackie, had Mackie create a dress that was bold with strategically placed black sequins, and all about her very fit body. This wasn’t the first time Mackie outfit her in a nude dress either. At the 1974 Met Gala the designer created a sheer feathered dress for Cher that at the time was one of the most provocative looks ever seen at The Met Gala.

Photo courtesy of pinterest.com

No one would make a statement that bold again until actress Rose McGowan bared it all at the 1998 MTV Video Music Awards. The actress showed up with Marilyn Manson as her date (as if that wasn’t controversial enough), wearing a sheer black shimmery-beaded gown with a leopard thong. McGowan owned the look and rocked the red carpet, creating one of the most memorable moments in MTV VMA’s red-carpet history.McGowan was clearly ahead of her time. Over the years naked dresses would be seen on Toni Braxton at the Grammy’s, Rihanna giving a Marilyn Monroe moment at the 2014 CFDA Fashion Awards, and then came the 2015 Met Gala, or as it should have been renamed “The Battle of the Naked Dress.” Beyoncé walked the red carpet in a naked dress by Givenchy, Kim Kardashian West wore one by Roberto Cavalli, and Jennifer Lopez was snatched in a skin revealing Versace gown.

Image courtesy of popsugar.com

Post 2015, naked dresses were not commonplace or red carpets; seemingly filed away a moment in fashion history. Enter the 2019 Met Gala. Emily Ratajkowski walked the runway in custom Dundas, Kendall Jenner was sexy and feathered in Versace, and Stella Maxwell was starry and sheer in Moschino. The crown jewel of all naked dresses that night went to Kim Kardashian West, who coaxed the legendary Thierry Mugler out of retirement to design the first dress he had created in twenty years. The form-fitting dress left very little of Kardashian West to the imagination, and while it was quite on theme for this year’s Gala (Camp: Notes on Fashion), it was a beautiful celebration of both the female form and a reminder of what we have missed from Mugler all these years. (The dress was designed as though Kim K had surfaced out of the ocean; a kind of Venus rising from the sea.)Although the naked dress has an appeal for celebrities who are always looking for media coverage, the naked dress doesn’t the same appeal for the average consumer. It also hasn’t found popularity among fashion magazine stylists and editors, even in summer editorials when are lot more skin is showing.

Some stylists and fashion editors have found the naked dress distasteful. Several years ago, Carolina Herrera voiced her grievances to New York Magazine, “[Some designers think] it’s so modern to be naked or almost naked. They think it’s going to attract younger people if they do those dresses. No! The almost naked! Oh God! They’re just trying to get people to pay attention to them. In life, there should be a little mystery. [These women are] supposed to be fashion icons, and yet they’re not wearing anything.”

Photo courtesy of nytimes.com

The current fascination with nude or naked dresses is another attempt by the fashion industry to excite, titillate and stimulate conversation. Maybe the proliferation of nude and/or naked dresses will appeal to consumer’s this time around. Hmm, maybe not. Remember, you must have a slammin body to look good in naked dresses!!

—Kristopher Fraser

Emily Burnett and Sterling McDavid of Burnett NY Boldly Go Where Few Brands Dare Venture

May 6, 2019 by admin 1 Comment

Launching a luxury fashion brand is a risky venture; particularly when you consider the current market saturation and the high concentration in the US on fast fashion. Still, there are brave, fashion souls who take up the challenge.

Emily Burnett and Sterling McDavid, of Burnett NY are two such brave souls. And their bravery is paying off.

After only two collections, Burnett NY has been picked up by some major fashion retailers. All of this is a testament to Emily and Sterling creative mien, business acumen, and the brand’s model of inclusivity.

Emily Burnett and Sterling McDavid are proving that dreams due come true. And unlike the “Odd Couple’s” Felix Unger and Oscar Madison, two dissimilar personalities sharing in an apartment in New York City and almost driving each other crazy, these two New York City creatives have crafted a brand where a woman’s fashion needs and desires come first. And they are not driving each other crazy!!

Fashion Reverie: Burnett NY is the brainchild of Sterling McDavid and Emily Burnett. How did you two come together?

Sterling McDavid: I met Emily about four years ago when I was on the search for my wedding gown. I went to many fashion houses in search for the perfect designer to make my gown. I couldn’t find any designers whose sketches matched the idea in my head. However, when I met Emily she was able to realize my vision; it all just came together.

I was engaged for two years, so it was early on that I got to know her. We worked together for some time and at my last fitting I looked at her and said, “why have you established your own brand.” At the time Emily had been a creative director for Dennis Basso for ten years.

After my wedding in August 2017, me and Emily got together to work out a partnership and how we could build a fashion brand together. A month later we had a business plan and we had come up with a strategy of how to build a fashion brand that moves the needle in women’s wear.

One of the first things that we recognized was that we were two women running a fashion brand. It may be hard to believe, but in this industry that is unusual. It is a rare to have a female creative director and a female running the business side of the brand. In addition to that we felt that the fashion industry historically has not been inclusive. We wanted to be inclusive, not just with race and ethnicity, but also with size, age, and gender fluidity. We genuinely wanted to be for all women.

With this vision we felt the best way to actualize our vision was to raise money from female investors. With that in mind, we found a diverse female investor group from all over the global.

Burnett NY Pre-fall 2019

FR: So, you wanted a diverse group of female investors that differed from the usual investment sources.Sterling McDavid: Our investors range in age from 30 to 70 years of age. They are from all different ethnicities, as well as different body sizes. And they are all regionally located. When we started this brand, we realized we wanted diverse opinions on are advisory board.

FR: Why does this diversity make a difference to your fashion brand?

Sterling McDavid: It makes a big difference. Emily and I only have two points of view and any time you bring in different cultures and perspectives, it can really help a brand grow in the right way; particularly around cultural sensitivity. For example, our East Indian investor has made us aware of things that work in her culture and what things don’t.

FR: Oftentimes, when fashion brands use plus-size models in their runway shows, the plus-size model is there only for effect or to give the illusion that the brand is inclusion. And unfortunately, many times the garments on those models are not flattering. Your fall 2019 runway show was different. It appeared that you took the time to really put the right garments on the right models. Could you talk about that?

Emily Burnett: It was important for us from the beginning to target women of various sizes. It wasn’t about taking a sample size and putting it on a size 12. We wanted to include models that were sizes 12 and 14 and consider how they would they look their best wearing in our runway show. We wanted the clothing to flatter those body types. And what a larger woman would wear if she were going out and what garments would complement her body type.

Sterling McDavid: We wanted to inspire women with what they are wearing and not have the clothes wear them. Emily is very good at designing garments for a variety of body types and shapes. Every size twelve is not the same, so it helps that we have an in-house atelier where we custom make garments.

FR: Why did you leave Goldman Sachs and go into an industry that is peripatetic and uncertain?

Sterling McDavid: I have a traditional finance background. I went to business school at the University of Texas and I started my finance career at Goldman Sachs. My parents both had an entrepreneurial background and my goal was to get as well versed in the world of finance as I could get. And so, when I had the opportunity to go off on my own and start something, I grabbed it. Prior to starting Burnett NY with Emily, I had started two other companies.

Growing up in Texas and Emily growing up in Arizona, you don’t realize that you can have a creative career, even more a career in fashion. We had lots of support from our parents who believed we could be anything we wanted at be; however, fashion just didn’t exist for us until we got older.

I know now can be immersed in a creative environment without being the creative force. I can still bring my finance skills to this endeavor.

FR: To my knowledge Burnett NY is one of few fashion brands—excluding Sally LaPointe, Rodarte, and formerly Cushine et Ochs—comprised of two women as the leading forces behind the brand. Could you talk about that?

Emily Burnett: We think it important to show to women that you can live your dream. But more importantly, that we can create items for other women that lift them up and inspire them. It interesting to us that there are so few fashions brands were women are the leading forces. We just don’t understand that. So, putting feminine faces as the focal point of this brand is so important to us.

Additionally, we have a social mission with our brand. A portion of the proceeds from our sales goes to benefit UNICEF Girls education and empowerment programs. Burnett NY encourages young girls to live their dream, and maybe do what we are doing, even better.

FR: What is the design aesthetic of Burnett NY?

Emily Burnett: Our design aesthetic is boldly feminine. Our idea of the Burnett NY woman is a woman who is boldly confident in herself and confident with others. When she walks into a room she presents herself in a strong way. Still, she is very feminine. Burnett NY dresses women in power suits without having women look overtly masculine.

FR: Who is your customer?

Emily Burnett: We cannot be everything to every woman. However, our woman is that demographic of 30 years old to 60 years of age. She is always sophisticated, educated about fit, fabrications, and construction. Burnett NY is a luxury brand and it’s important that the materials reflect our price point because our consumer is very familiar with luxury garments.

Sterling McDavid: Our customer is also very multi-faceted. She could be a CEO but also have an intense fitness routine.

Emily Burnett: Everything in our fall 2019 collection has an evening aesthetic that could transition from work to a cocktail hour to a gala in the evening. Which explains all the separates in the collection which helps facilitate our customers busy but exciting life.

FR: What was the inspiration for your fall 2019 collection?

Emily Burnett: Our inspiration was a bold, iconic power woman. Think of Michelle Pfeiffer and Sigourney Weaver from the late 80s and early 90s. They have ambition and passion, but they are also sexy and very, very feminine.

FR: I noticed that you had a lot of flowing skirts in your fall 2019 collection. Why that direction?

Emily Burnett: I loved the idea of this power suit with lace embellishment and flowy pleated skirt. I like to have a lot of movement in the clothes. Movement in the clothes facilitates a lot of grace and a kind of charm. That said; I still am heavily drawn to the more architectural pieces in the collection. So, I mix the flowy and architectural together.

FR: What are your price points?

Emily Burnett: Our starting price points for our separates go from $995 up to $2500. Our evening gowns go from $2500 up to $9000. Dresses are in the realm of $2500 to $4000.

Photos courtesy of Burnett NY

FR: What’s next for Burnett NY?Sterling McDavid: We think a lot about this business in the long term, so even when you built the business plan, we thought about different things the brand could accomplish down the road. We do see bridal collections in our future, and accessories as well. Our present goal is to focus on our customer and meet her needs.

FR: And Neiman Marcus recently picked up And Burnett NY.

Sterling David: Correct. That is a now for us. We are only in our second season and we have been picked up by Saks, Neiman Marcus, and Net-a-Porter.

—Wiliam S. Gooch

Fashion Tea with Kristopher: Month of April 2019

April 28, 2019 by admin Leave a Comment

Image courtesy of pinterest.com

It has been a very chilly April, but thankfully the tea is still being served up piping hot. The first full month of spring always brings about big news in the fashion industry, and this month was no exception. Get your teacups ready, Fashion Reverie it about to pour a few cups of interesting fashion tea.A top luxury brand’s Madison Avenue flagship is hemorrhaging money due to his inability to listen to the advice of his former PR firm. When cautioned to scale back on some of his designs for the American market, the designer ignored this advice, and him and his PR eventually parted ways. His inability to adhere to their advice is costing him a pretty penny. Let’s see how much longer his store lasts.

A top fashion company will be moving their offices to none other than Hudson Yards. While rumors that the company is cash strapped have been floating, they don’t seem to be too hard up, because rents there are real estate prime, top dollar. After all, Hudson Yards is the new playground for the ultra rich.

Image courtesy of teatimetutorial.com

Things aren’t looking pretty for J. Crew. Not only is the company’s turnaround plan failing, but their employees also are exiting by the droves. Employees are jumping ship so fast it looks like a re-enactment of the Titanic. At this point, J. Crew is looking lost at sea with a buoy or lifeguard.A particular top model management company is witnessing an influence and prestige downgrade as they lose some of their models in development to other agencies. Additionally, to losing two of their top models this year to one of their biggest competitors. Oh, how the mighty might is falling. Name recognition is now not enough to maintain industry traction.

—Kristopher Fraser

Five Timeless Fashion Statements from Modern Hollywood Films

April 19, 2019 by admin 1 Comment

Image courtesy of fashiontrendsetter.com

One of the universal truths of fashion is that we can always find great looks in Hollywood. To some extent this is because we tend to look to celebrities and A-listers who populate the most noteworthy movies for fashion inspiration. It’s also thanks in part to the fact that films naturally put fashion in the perfect place, pairing actors with ideal outfits and just the right settings. The result is that, quite often at least, a given outfit in a film looks better than anything we might see even on a runway, magazine cover, or blog page.Considering this, Fashion Reverie wanted to take a fun look back on fashion from five popular films in the past decade. These looks have been perfect for the actors wearing them and the situations they were presented in, and they’ll be among the lasting fashion imagery of modern Hollywood.

Image courtesy of popsugar.com

Emma Stone —“La La Land”

Emma Stone’s yellow dress in 2017’s “La La Land” seemed to become an iconic piece of Hollywood fashion overnight. It’s what she wore in some of the film’s most beloved scenes—such as the City of Stars song and dance. The dress was instantly memorable, and particularly with the way certain scenes were filmed; that yellow dress really popped off of the screen. Supposedly the dress was actually based on a real red carpet look of Stone’s, and in that sense it’s sort of the epitome of celebrity fashion on screen. Any girl without a particular aversion to yellow would love to have this dress on hand for a warm spring or summer night.

Image courtesy of InStyle.com

Sarah Jessica Parker — “Sex and The City”If you ever watched “Sex and The City,” you probably picked up more than a few fashion tips along the way; fashion and style was an essential part of the show. The same was true of the movie, and while there were a lot of great looks in it, Sarah Jessica Parker’s Gucci rose dress stole the show. It was literally an off-white dress that was about 70% covered in beautiful, detailed rose graphics. And though not everyone could have pulled it off, it was a wonderful combination of bold elegance, and lightheartedness–incidentally not a bad description of the show’s and film’s style overall.

Image courtesy of usweekly.com

Anne Hathaway — “The Devil Wears Prada”If there’s a defining fashion film from mainstream cinema in the 21st century, it has to be “The Devil Wears Prada.” This movie simultaneously delved into the business side of the fashion industry and demonstrated a virtual runway’s worth of incredible looks and outfits. Singling out one look from Anne Hathaway in this movie is sort of a shame; she and other castmates looked wonderful and glamorous throughout much of the film. However, Hathaway’s black dresses (there are a few) make particularly lovely statements. (The Prada gown she wore to The Met Gala in the film was divine.) They black dresses are simple at a glance, but Anne Hathaway is putting on a clinic on how and when to pull off this classic look.

Image courtesy of thehollywoodreporter.com

Jessica Chastain – “Molly’s Game”“Molly’s Game” isn’t quite as noteworthy as the other films in this roundup, but it may be in time, because it has a chance to be recognized as one of the last and best casino Hollywood movies. This is a 2017 film about back-room celebrity poker games in an era in which the word “casino” increasingly refers to lineups of digital games available at websites from Canada and the UK, or jingling slot apps for free play on mobile phones. These kinds of casino games can’t make for much of a movie (which is why this could be a dying genre), but the subject matter of “Molly’s Game” absolutely did. Accordingly, Chastain’s character demonstrates the stylish side of high-end poker culture, in numerous scenes and with numerous looks. Her black-and-nude dress in a scene in which she’s hosting a high-roller game, though, cuts a particularly striking image.

Image courtesy of vox.com

Constance Wu – “Crazy Rich Asians”Most of the actresses listed above were known for their style, or for great fashion style in past movies, before the aforementioned films came out. Constance Wu was a little bit more of an unknown to major audiences before starring in “Crazy Rich Asians.” However, Constance Wu became an overnight sensation when “Crazy Rich Asians” started dominating the box office. It’s an exquisitely styled film in every sense, and there are more than a few great outfits throughout its runtime. The sheer, pale-blue Marchesa gown Wu wears to the massive wedding at the center of the film, however, is a marvel. It’s not the sort of look one might seek to replicate in everyday life, but it should be an inspiration the next time you need a standout look for a formal event!

—Staff

Spring 2020 Bridal Sketches Preview

April 7, 2019 by admin Leave a Comment

Fashion Reverie prides itself on providing its viewers with inside information that they sometimes cannot find anywhere else. With New York International Bridal Week being only a few days away, Fashion Reverie’s staff has curated some select bridal sketches from the upcoming spring 2020 season.

From the accompanying sketches, viewers will observe that the 2020 bridal season promises to be a fantastic season. Enjoy!!

Sketch image courtesy of THEIA

THEIA is one of the bridal brands that Fashion Reverie anticipates every season. Creative Director Don O’Neill every season creates bridal collections that are both innovative and consumer friendly. For the spring 2020 season, Don O’Neill continues his penchant for light, ethereal bridal gowns. And in a nod to the brand’s namesake, THEIA the goddess of light, the spring 2020 collection is similarly ethereal, utilizing a Grecian design aesthetic with hints of floral vines and laurel motifs.

Image courtesy of Atelier PR

Francesca Miranda has set a standard for beautiful bridal gowns that speak to that bride who is looking for glorious expression of majesty. For the spring 2020 season, the bridal brand embraces whimsical romance with a touch of springtime elements expressed in vine embellishments with dipping décolletage and off-shoulder design elements.

Image courtesy of marthastewartweddings.com

An all-time favorite of Fashion Reverie, Ines di Santo for the spring 2020 season looked to fantasy and a fairy-tale world for her inspiration. “Our bride spends time in a shimmering lunar garden filled with celestial wonder. She dances through branches with fluorescent blossoms,” explained di Santo. Let celestial beauty reign!!

Image courtesy of marthastewartweddings.com

Those industry professionals who did not enjoy the privilege of attending Justin Alexander Signature fall 2019 bridal show last October missed a glorious bridal collection. This season Justin Alexander Signature spring 2020 collection promises to be just as exciting. The collection draws inspiration from the “transformative nature of spring,” explains Justin Alexander.

Image courtesy of marthastewartweddings.com

If there are adjectives that could describe Mira Zwillinger, the words sublime sophistication and definitive charm fit the bill. And that just a few adjectives. If you have ever attended a Mira Zwillinger bridal show, you immediately understand that Mira Zwillinger is pushing the proverbial envelope without hitting consumers over the head with her design aesthetic.For spring 2020, the design duo at Mira Zwillinger was inspired by the power of wish making. “… Our wish was to incorporate technology outside the fashion world to create something new and innovative,” details Mira.

Image courtesy of Naeem Khan

Naeem Khan is credited for reinventing the modern bridal gown. Every season Naeem Khan includes sequined jumpsuits, sweat suits, and even an occasional athleisure wear garment. And the genius in Khan’s bridal collection is that though many of the bridal garments could double as eveningwear, they work equally well as bridal wear with Naeem Khan’s special touch. This sketch from Khan’s spring 2020 collection reveals that there will be more than white gowns in the collection, probably some pastels, and there will romance galore with a dose of Khan’s version of va va voom.

Image courtesy of HL Group

New to Fashion Reverie this bridal season is MORILEE by Madeline Gardner. The reference of desert beauty carries over from the fall 2019 bridal collection to this spring 2020 collection. “Through the wind and sand, the silhouette of simple, structured shapes will capture the natural spirit of the bohemian bride.”

—Staff

New York International Bridal Week Spring 2020 Pre-coverage

April 6, 2019 by admin Leave a Comment

Image courtesy of Ines di Santo

With New York International Bridal Week being less than a week away, bridal designers are gearing up to present their latest collections for bridal press and invited guests. Unlike New York Fashion Week (NYFW), Bridal Week is still an ordered event, and has not been kidnapped by social media influencers and sundry crashers who only view Fashion Week as a way to build their social media audience. Bridal Week is still industry. Thank God for that!!True to form, some of New York International Bridal Week fashion staples will again show their collections, and that includes the always innovative and entertaining Ines Di Santo, THEIA, Mira Zwillinger, Reem Acra, Gracy Accad, Francesca Miranda, MORILEE, BERTA, and others. Thanks to Rachel Leonard of The Bridal Council for all her great week in bringing New York International Bridal Week front and center, and using that platform as a vehicle to keep media informed of what is going on in the bridal market all year long.

Image courtesy of Marie Claire Australia

Fashion Reverie will be front and center bringing our viewers fantastic coverage of spring 2020 bridal season. And we will bring coverage, as we always do, of bridal designers and brands that you may not of heard of before. Stay tuned!!—William S. Gooch

Meghan Markle Turns her Pregnancy into a Fashion Statement

April 5, 2019 by admin Leave a Comment

Images courtesy of hellomagazine.com

Meghan Markle is one of the most watched women in the world. She made history by being the first woman of color in modern history to marry into Great Britain’s royal family. She has beauty, grace, she’s the Duchess of Sussex, and perhaps, a situation that carries more weight, she’s currently with child. Meghan Markle went from a role on USA Network’s “Suits” to a woman who is constantly in the press. And when her pregnancy was announced, it was the news item heard around the world.Many were entranced with the idea of the royal family adding to their potential line of succession. Although it is unlikely that Harry will ever be King of England, the fascination with any addition to the royal family’s lineage is as entrenched in British society as fish and chips. As the world anticipates for her delivery date, all eyes are on something in the intermittent time: The Duchess’ fashion choices.

Image courtesy of the dailyexpress.com

While Markle’s fashion choices have been under public scrutiny ever since she began dating Prince Harry, her fashion choices came under more scrutiny during her wedding and when she began making appearances as an official member of the royal family. Her ability to cause an item to sellout instantly with one photograph is unparalleled; a feat only rivaled by the Duchess of Windsor Kate Middleton. With a growing baby bump in tow, women around the world were watching Meghan Markle to see how she would do baby bump style.Meghan Markle could be expected to get away with sweatpants once she outgrew her tailored dresses. (After all, she is from across The Big Pond.) Being a commoner and an American aside; a level of high fashion is an expectation from Meghan, and she has managed to do what few women could do, make pregnancy fashionable.

Image courtesy of townandcountrymag.com

In a recent appearance last month for Commonwealth Day Service, the Duchess of Sussex arrived at Westminster Abbey in a printed Victoria Beckham dress, a cream coat, and a pillbox hat reminiscent of First Lady Jackie Kennedy. The dress was a nod to her honoring British designers.Meghan has also been cautious as to not bring constant attention to the fact she is with child. Coats have become a bigger part of her wardrobe. On the same Commonwealth Day last month, she was photographed attending Canada House in a matching coat and dress from Erdem. Coats have long been used by women to downplay their pregnancy, and in some cases conceal a pronounced baby bump. With her due date slowly approaching, coats have become more important than ever to the Duchess’ wardrobe.

One of the most shocking things about the Duchess’ pregnancy style though has been her choice of footwear, as he is still in her signature pumps and doesn’t appear to be putting them down anytime soon. Her footwear choices have included pumps from Aquazurra to Manolo Blahnik.

Crafting the image of a pregnant royal isn’t new to the modern royal family, however. They have successfully accomplished this with Duchess of Windsor Kate Middleton during her pregnancies with Prince George and Princess Charlotte. Through it all, Kate never lost her near impeccable sense of style, grace, poise and glamour.

Image courtesy of townandcountrymag.com

Meghan Markle has managed to send a message to the world that pregnancy doesn’t mean you have to give up fashion for nine months of your life. Pregnancy could be an opportunity to explore maternity chic. Meghan Markle is helping to write the glamour page on maternity style, and as usual, her fashion cues are catching like wildfire.

—Kristopher Fraser

Fashion Tea with Kristopher: March 2019

March 30, 2019 by admin Leave a Comment

Spring has finally arrived!! The flowers are blooming, the birds are chirping, and the fashion tea is flowing. Between Paris Fashion Week wrapping up, Karl Lagerfeld’s final collection for Chanel, and the opening of Hudson Yards in New York, it’s been quite an exciting time for fashion this past month.

Ginger Tea

Vogue has lost its online culture editor, Alessandra Codinha, to Departures, where she has been appointed Departures’ style director. Departures is ramping up its fashion footprint ever since being acquired by Meredith Corporation. Departures already has those travel ad dollars, so they are primed and set to beef their fashion coverage.

Musical tea

A music company with ties to the classical music world has their eyes now set on the fashion industry. Their press events, which were once a playground for classical musicians, has turned into another Manhattan fashionista and socialite scene. Fashion Reverie is taking bets on when they are going to take out an ad in Town & Country to get those high spenders to lay out the ducats.

Lemon tea

A former top magazine editor finds herself at home with a respectable financial compensation and a new role in broadcast journalism. Expect her to lend her fashionable touch to many a morning network TV show.

Sizzling, hot tea

Fashion designer Mossimo Giannulli might be going down in this college admissions scandal involving him and his wife, actress Lori Loughlin. He and Lori Loughlin allegedly bribed a college admissions counselor to help them get their daughter into University of Southern California. (By the way, Giannulli is also a staunch Republican.)

Giannulli gave $2700 to Marco Rubio’s senate campaign and $5000 to the Romney victory fund in 2012. Between this scandal and his conservative political leaning, the fashion industry may not welcome Giannulli welcome back or sing his praises, even if he gets off.

—Kristopher Fraser

R. Riveter; More than your Typical Handbag Line

March 18, 2019 by admin Leave a Comment

Having a great narrative is an essential element to bringing value in a very saturated fashion market. Whether the narrative illuminates the brand’s US-based manufacturing or inspiration from season to season, without a strong, detailed narrative brands cannot differentiate themselves from other similar brands.

R. Riveter, not only has a great product, that serve modern women’s needs, the brand also has an innovative, decentralized business model to that helps support military spouses. In this Month of the Women, R. Riveter giving make to this country and the fashion industry by providing a utilitarian product that can also provide mobile income for women.

Lisa Bradley, one of the co-founders of R. Riveter graciously spoke with Fashion Reverie about her company and how facilitating a flexible income model to military spouses brings her great joy.

FR: From your site, I learned that you started this handbag company because you and a friend, Cameron Cruse, both military wives, were having difficulty finding employment. Could talk a bit more about that?

Lisa Bradley: Military families move on average two out of every five years, so, it hard for the spouses of a military person to find steady work. Employers understand that you are probably going to move once they conclude that you are a military spouse, making employers less opt to hire, not wanting to invest in a military spouse.

With that fact in mind, Cameron and myself launched a unique handbag line with a business model that supports military spouses. Just like the Ford assembly line, back in the day, military spouse can assist with the manufacturing of our handbags while working from home. The military spouse assembles pieces of the handbags from home and the parts are put together in our factory in North Carolina.

This homegrown assembly line is a throwback to World War II’s Rosie the Riveter who did so much for this country during the war. So, for Women’s History Month we are launching our 2019 spring handbags with an empowering message that goes out to the modern-day woman.

FR: Where is your factory in North Carolina?

Lisa Bradley: Our factory and retail store is in Southern Pines, NC, which is a major stop on the PGA tour. Our retail store is right on Broad Street and it is a great place for the wives and mates of professional golfers to stop and purchase our handbags.

FR: Did you or your business partner have any experience with fashion or handbag design before you started your business?

Lisa Bradley: No, we did not have any fashion design experience or experience in handbag manufacturing. It was new to us and we are still figuring a lot of things out. I believe our lack of experience is a testament to the fact you still create something from nothing in America and if you have the determination, you can grow your brand.

FR: Could you talk about how you came up with the name of your company?

Lisa Bradley: We named the company after Rosie the Riveter. She was such an icon for American women. We wanted our company to represent modern women, and though Rosie the Riveter is an icon from World War II, she still embodies the spirit of modern women.

As modern women, we have so many things coming at us. From social media telling us who we should be to mass media, everyone is telling women that should take on more responsibilities, as well as their own career goals. We wanted to create a product and business that allows women to be able to create an income from their home while they put the care of their family first.

FR: How did you get your brand name out in the market and grow your company?

Lisa Bradley: It has been a process. We have really grown the company one handbag at a time. We started the company out of my attic and we initially financed the company with our credit cards. We did a Kickstarter in 2014 that pushed our brand out there.

Our biggest move was appearing on “Shark Tank” in 2016. We did get an investment from Mark Cuban, one of the judges on “Shark Tank.” That investment really helped our company grow. Being on “Shark Tank” really gave us a national platform and gave a big boost to our brand.

FR: How did the appearance of “Shark Tank” happen?

Lisa Bradley: “Shark Tank” wasn’t something we haven’t considered doing, but it happened, and it seemed like a good opportunity for the company. We spent several months prepping for our appearance of the show.

Once we appeared on the show it was a great experience. The “Shark Tank” team was wonderful and 100% behind us. It is very difficult manufacturing in the US, and the “Shark Tank” team really wanted to support brands where the manufacturing base is in the US. And we were that company. So, that helped us a lot.

FR: Because of the cost of labor in the US, how are you able to maintain a manufacturing base in the US?

Lisa Bradley: We have created a process where if a military spouse in looking for flexible work hours or mobile income, we provide an opportunity that works for all parties involved. Spouses can work any hour of the day, and our customers know that we are providing an opportunity for military spouses to have flexible work and a mobile income. Our customers understand the a third of the cost of the product goes back to the military spouse that helped make our product.

FR: How would a military spouse reach out to you and find employment?

Lisa Bradley: On our website their a link to becoming a member, which is an employee, and there is link about becoming a riveter which details our remote work process. If you have a little bit of sewing experience and the right home tools this is a great opportunity for flexible, mobile income.

FR: Could you describe the brand and its design aesthetic?

Lisa Bradley: Our handbags are classic and very utilitarian. We design our handbags to meet the woman where she is today, whether that is the boardroom or a playground with her children. We feel that a woman shouldn’t have to change out her accessories to accommodate her life. Our handbags are made with canvas and leather so that they are very durable.

FR: Let’s talk about your spring 2019 collection. What was the inspiration behind this collection?

Lisa Bradley: Our spring line launches in mid-March and we are introducing our first custom floral. Our florals are very important to our brand because our florals represent blooms and blooming. As a military spouse you are always moving and having to bloom where ever you are. That process of setting down new roots inspires the blooms in our prints.

FR: You have included a lot of small bags in a spring 2019 collection, which are on trend, could you speak to that?

Lisa Bradley: Our small bags can be worn cross body or on your hip. They are very much in trend now. We also realized that people are traveling and Riveter_01ore active in the springtime, so consumers need a more utilitarian bag that fits with their active life.

Photos courtesy of R. Riveter

Lisa Bradley: Our price points range from handbags priced in the $20 to $250. Our bags are made of the highest quality leather and canvas.

FR: Where can your bags be purchased?

Lisa Bradley: We sell predominantly on our website rriveter.com, and our flagship retail store in Southern Pines, North Carolina.

What’s next for the brand?

Lisa Bradley: We are always releasing new styles and adding vendors to our marketplace. Our marketplace is a place on our website where we bring attention to other military brands or brands that support the military.

For Women’s History Month we challenge everyone to think of the women in your life that inspire you and to celebrate her by thanking her and possibly purchasing something from our site.

For more information on R. Riverter’s spring handbag line go to rriverton.com.

—William S. Gooch

For Fashion Stylist Tracy Shapoff Taking Risks Pays Off in a Big Way

March 11, 2019 by admin Leave a Comment

Image courtesy of realitytvworld.com

A career in fashion is a risky venture. Unlike more traditional 9 to 5 jobs, most jobs in fashion don’t have set hours and often you go from gig to gig. If stability and job security is what you are looking for, then fashion may not be for you. Well, not at first!!Risk-taking is a natural state of being for Tracy Shapoff. After achieving as a fashion designer and trend forecaster, Tracy took a huge leap in career trajectory, moving from New York City to Los Angeles in pursuit new career as a fashion stylist. And all the risk-taking and hard work is starting to pay off. And her current appearance on this season of “The Bachelor” is sure to make her rising star shine even brighter.

Tracy Shapoff knows what wants and she’s is willing to do what it takes to get there. Not frightened by the risks and adversities of a creative career, Tracy meets challenges head on with tenacity and perseverance.

Tracy Shapoff sat down with Fashion Reverie and graciously spoke about her life, her passion and her bravery.

Image courtesy of life&style.com

Fashion Reverie: How did you first become interested in fashion?Tracy Shapoff: My grandmother was an incredible designer and seamstress. I learned how to sew from her and there are lots of creative people in my family. I very quickly realized that I had a strong passion for fashion.

FR: How would you describe your personal style?

Tracy Shapoff: I would say my personal style is clean eclectic. I am kind all over the place. I love being trend forward and taking risks; but that all depends on my personality on a given day. Sometimes, I might wear very clean, crisp clothing that is monochromatic in scope. Other days, I could dress down, and other days I could be really trend. It just depends on what mood I am in. I am also a big theme dresser.

FR: So, you went to Kent State and majored in fashion, why Kent State, and what was that experience like?

Tracy Shapoff: I looked and considered some fashion schools in New York City—FIT and Parsons. However, my grandparents live in Cleveland and my mother had worked for a woman whose daughter attended Kent State. I knew that Kent was an amazing school. And at that time Kent was ranked in the top five when it came to fashion schools.

I wanted to have a complete college experience and I fell in love with Kent State at my first visit to the campus. I knew I would eventually move to NYC to work in fashion.

Kent State is very much a part of a college town, lots of partying, of course. I immersed myself in college life and activities. I joined a sorority while I was at Kent. I was able to study abroad in Florence, Italy because Kent has a campus in Florence. I had so many amazing experiences at Kent State.

Image courtesy of heavy.com

FR: How did the job at Sam Edelman come about?Tracy Shapoff: Prior to working at Sam Edelman, I had done trend forecasting for Kohls in New York City. My first job in NYC was designing for a private licensing company which didn’t pay well. Later, I got the opportunity at Kohls to do trend forecasting. I was there for three years.

I found the opportunity at Sam Edelman online. When I went in for the job interview the job was in retail, which I wasn’t interested in. The interview went so well that I was offered a trial job designing for Sam Edelman.

After only being there a few days, I realized Sam Edelman didn’t really have a fashion design department. I presented a proposal to the company about me creating a design/trend department. They bought the idea, and I ended up being at Sam Edelman for three years.

FR: You switched careers and became a wardrobe stylist. How did that all come about?

Tracy Shapoff: While working at Sam Edelman I got to go on lots of editorial and magazine shoots that were using the footwear in editorials. I found out how much I loved styling from those opportunities. I knew that I had reached a ceiling at Sam Edelman, and it was time to move on.

I went out to Los Angeles for about a month to figure out if I would like to live there and to see if I could launch my styling career in LA. I researched a bunch of stylists that I loved and reached out to them about working with them as a styling assistant. I got a lot of positive feedback and started my new career from there.

FR: How did you sustain yourself in fashion as you are pursuing this new career in LA?

Tracy Shapoff: I have always been able to fall back on bartending to sustain myself between jobs or to supplement my income. I work a lot of hours between styling fashion jobs and bartending, when I need to. Sometimes, there is a long layover between styling jobs, so I have always been able to supplement my income with other work. Recently, I have had a lot of styling work, so I haven’t had to look outside of fashion for more income.

Image courtesy of realitytvworld.com

FR: How did you navigate this big career move?Tracy Shapoff: When I first moved to LA I thought I wanted to be a wardrobe stylist in film and television. Once I got to LA, I didn’t have the contacts to land styling work in film and television. So, I reached out to celebrity stylists for assisting work and quickly got work as a styling assistant for celebrities and over time I have acquired my own clients.

I am in a place in my career where I am still building as a fashion stylist, so I take on jobs that pay well and some that don’t pay so well. I am very fortunate to have a great relationship with showrooms and fashion PR firms where I can pull clothes from some of the best designers and brands in Los Angeles.

FR: What shows have you work on as a wardrobe stylist, and which celebrities have you dressed?

Tracy Shapoff: I have worked mainly on reality television as a wardrobe stylist with such shows as MTV’s “Undressed”—which was a dating show—“The Voice,” “America’s Got Talent,” “Champions,” and “Baker’s America.” I have dressed Channing Tatum, Gillian Jacobs, Octavia Spencer, Constance Wu, Toni Trucks, Claire Holt, Elizabeth Banks, and Jermaine Fowler, just to name a few.

FR: What has been your best experience as a stylist?

Tracy Shapoff: My best experience was working on the 2018 Golden Globes and getting to dress Dany Garcia whose company, The Garcia Companies produced the “Baywatch,” “Jumangi,” and “Rampage” movies. I was also to witness the Golden Globes red carpet up close and personal.

Image courtesy of usweekly.cov

FR: How did “The Bachelor” come about?Tracy Shapoff: I was randomly looking at information on reality television shows and I noticed that “The Bachelor” had an online application for contestants. And I thought, “why not, give this a shot.” I didn’t think anything would come it. I got a call to come in for casting and the rest is history.

FR: Now you have worked mostly behind the scenes, but on “The Bachelor” you are in front of the camera. How was that different? What was that experience like?

Tracy Shapoff: I didn’t think I would like being in front of the camera, but I have to say, I had so much fun on the show. I really enjoyed staying in the house in Los Angeles for the first four episodes. Then I went with Colton to Singapore, and after that I was eliminated.

FR: What was Colton Underwood like, what was your experience of him?

Tracy Shapoff: He is a sincere and genuine person. I was very comfortable around him from the first time I met him. I wasn’t sure what to expect from him, but I had watched him on his season of “Bachelorette.” He went beyond my expectations. We talked a lot with each other, which you don’t get to see on the show because most of it is edited out. We had a lot of fun together.

FR: Did Colton pull your heart strings.

Tracy Shapoff: Yes, he did pull a couple of strings.

Image courtesy of realitytvworld.com

FR: What were your expectations of being on” The Bachelor,” and did the show come up to your expectations? Tracy Shapoff: I wasn’t sure what to expect because you could get sent home from the first episode or you could become engaged. I was completely open to whatever happened. I am very ready to be in a long-term, stable relationship.

Honestly, I had only watched one season of “The Bachelor” and when watching the show, you think that the premise of the show is kind of crazy; however, once you are there is a very different experience. You are spending so much time with each other—which mostly gets edited out—that you really get to know the other person and that is your main motivation. Remember, there is next to no outside stimulation because you are in a cloistered environment and what is actually a few weeks feels like a much longer time span.

FR: Did you get what you wanted or expected?

Tracy Shapoff: I am not sure what I was expecting. That said; I learned things about myself that I did not realize I needed to know. The show opened me up to areas about relationships that I didn’t know I was closed off to. Of course, I would have loved to end up with Colton, but it didn’t happen. But I think “The Bachelor” got me one stop closer to meeting the right guy because I know now what I want and don’t want.

FR: Did being on “The Bachelor” ignite something in you that made you want to be in front of the camera more?

Tracy Shapoff: Not necessarily. I did like being on camera; however, I am very committed to my styling career. I would be open to hosting a fashion television show or being on a show about fashion and style or doing fashion commentary.

Image courtesy of realitytvworld.com

FR: What’s next for you? Tracy Shapoff: Well, “Women Tell All” already premiered. The finale of “The Bachelor” airs on Monday and Tuesday. I would be open to do another “The Bachelor.” Other than that, continuing to work hard as a stylist. I would love to collaborate with a fashion brand, helping to build that brand.

—William S. Gooch