Christo NYC Men: Men’s Grooming at its Best

 

Downloads422OK, getting older is a natural part of life. And as much marketing campaigns promote 50 as the new 30 or 60 as the new 45, in real time none of us are going to escape the aging process. However, getting older does not mean that life has to pass you by or that muffin tops and receding hairlines should be the expected look for a mature man in the second half of his life.

For most men the true indication of their exact age is their thinning hair and receding hairline. And though the market is chocked full of hair products from Rogaine to hair follicle transplantation treatments that have some positive effect on treating hair loss, few live up to their branding claims.

Christo_salon

Christo’s Fifth Avenue salon

Well-known celebrities from Marcia Gay Harden, Debra Messing and Kelly Rutherford to Eve, Matthew Modine, Larenz Tate, Nia Long, and Miss New York can all testify to leading New York hairstylist Christo’s incredible hair products. This transplanted Cypriot for over two decades has serviced an A-list clientele from his Fifth Avenue salon. Christo has also been featured in publications from Glamour, Teen Vogue and Marie Claire to The New York Times, the Boston Globe, and the Chicago Tribune.

Christo  has added another laurel to his many accomplishments by recently launching a men’s scalp stimulating hair care line. “For years, I’ve been searching for the perfect solution since my hair started thinning in my late 20’s. I began researching for the latest and most advanced ingredient formulations that effectively stimulate scalp and hair follicles, not only for myself but also for my male clients alike. Now, I am thrilled to introduce an impeccable formula like CHRISTO NYC MEN,” explains Christo.

Image courtesy of Christo NYC

Image courtesy of Christo NYC

Christo NYC Men contains a five-part, easy to follow system that includes a scalp stimulant, a hydrating paste, a hair and scalp stimulant shampoo, a hair and scalp stimulant conditioner, and a styling gel.  The scalp stimulant increases microcirculation within the scalp to allow essential nutrients to invigorate hair from the roots. Prevents premature graying and thinning hair and is also safe for color-treated hair. The hair and scalp stimulant shampoo uses natural extracts work to remove buildup and normalize pH to promote thick and healthy hair and is good for all hair types. And the hair and scalp conditioner uses specialized ingredients expand the hair bulb to prevent hair loss and thicken the entire hair shaft.

Some of the natural and essential ingredients in the hair care line include vitamins A, C, and E which help prevent premature graying while promoting growth of new blood vessels to stimulate circulation and hydrate the scalp; aspalathus linearis (red tea) and pomegranate extract which provide powerful anti-aging antioxidants and promotes healthier new growth by increasing micro-circulation to the hair follicles and scalp, and eucalyptus, peppermint, spearmint, clove and sage extracts which soothe and hydrate hair follicles and scalp.

What is also unique about this men’s grooming line is that most of the products only have to be used a few times a week, and results can be seen in just a few months. And at price points ranging from $26 to $46, Christo NYC Men is not only a frugal purchase, but a purchase that renders positive results.

Christo image courtesy of zimbio.com

Christo image courtesy of zimbio.com

Christo NYC Men launches in October 2013 and can be purchased at curlisto.com.

—William S. Gooch

The Shock and Awe of Project Runway Season 12

 

Image courtesy of Lifetime Entertainment Television by Barbara Nitke

Image courtesy of Lifetime Entertainment Television by Barbara Nitke

The new season of Project Runway has been making headlines already and the season hasn’t even debuted yet. Racy billboard ads showing a phalanx of nude people clambering to get towards hosts Tim Gunn and Heidi Klum were banned by the city of Los Angeles for indecency.

No, the nudes aren’t the actual 16 designers competing in season 12. But Sara Rea, the show’s executive producer and show runner, said the image is a fitting tribute to all the drama in store once the season debuts at 9 p.m. this Thursday on Lifetime.

“The billboards weren’t supposed to be a tease on the season. But they fit the unpredictability and the real shockingness of what happens this season,” Rea said. “There’s lots of drama. [Viewers’] eyebrows will be raised. It’s a very fresh, new exciting season with lots and lots of drama.”

So, what’s all the drama about this season?

Rea said huge fights between contestants, emotional breakdowns and lots of twists and turns are all on the runway this season. “It’s not anything [the producers did]. This is just a very intense group, to say the least,” explained Rea. “We had some real characters, some eccentric people, and it’s a hot bed of emotion in that workroom every single day for some reason. “We never knew what would happen. The day can start cool and calm and you never know where things are going to go. They’re just very talented and passionate. This is very intense. I mean we have an emotional breakdown in episode 2 and you usually don’t get that until (episode) six or seven.”

That’s not to say that the producers aren’t introducing some changes for Season 12. Gone is the weekly team challenge format added last season that was almost universally panned by fans (via social media) and critics. Instead, designers will once again compete as individuals (although almost every season has included at least one team challenge).

Image courtesy of Lifetime Entertainment Television by Barbara Litke

Image courtesy of Lifetime Entertainment Television by Barbara Litke

Gunn, the longtime mentor for the designers, will have an increased role this season—sitting with the judges, providing them with background information about what went on in the workroom and advocating for the designers. In another major change, Gunn will also now have the power to bring back one contestant he feels was eliminated too soon.

“He’s very honest with the judges,” Rea said of Gunn. “He is the advocate for the designers and this is a way for him to share how he feels directly with the judges.”

The most important change may be that for the first time, as a regular part of the judging process, the judges will inspect garments close up in addition to the regular runway presentation. This was something previously only done when a judge specifically requested a closer look. “This is something that naturally evolved. The judges wanted to start getting closer looks at the clothes so we would do it when they asked,” Rea said.

Other changes being introduced this season include:

  • New interactive onscreen chats during the show via playrunway.com each Thursday beginning at 9 p.m. EST
  • A Superfan contest in which seven Superfans will be selected via video submissions to appear in an episode of the show
  • Runway Redemption in which a designer from a past season will be selected through fan votes to get a second chance on Project Runway. That designer will be announced on Thursday’s premiere.
photo - projectrunway12#3judgesandkatebosworthsmaller

“Project Runway” judges Kate Bosworth, Nina Garcia, Zac Posen, and Heidi Klum.
Image courtesy of Lifetime Entertainment Television by Barbara Litke

Despite all of those changes, some constants remain. Klum will be joined by regular judges Nina Garcia and designer Zac Posen, who replaced designer Michael Kors on the regular judging panel last season. Kors, who according to Rea, was prevented from appearing again as a regular judge because of his busy schedule, will appear again as a guest judge. Other guest judges announced include actors Kate Bosworth, Sigourney Weaver, and Jesse Tyler Ferguson.

But as Project Runway fans know, the real stars are the designers who are tasked with producing garments, often within 24 hours. Taping began June 8; the last episode before the remaining designers were sent home to create their final collections was taped last week.

The high stakes involved with Project Runway are reflected in the prize package for the winner, estimated to be worth over a half million dollars. Prizes include $150,000 cash, $50,000 worth of technology from HP and Intel, a chance to design and sell an exclusive collection at Belk, a complete sewing and crafting studio from Brother Sewing and Embroidery; a fashion spread in Marie Claire; a $100,000 fabric allowance; a $50,000 styling contract with L’Oreal Paris, and a 2014 Lexus IS 350.

"Project Runway"  season 12 designers, Helen Castillo, Jeremy B

“Project Runway” season 12 designers, Helen Castillo, Jeremy Brandick, and Ken Laurence
Images courtesy of Lifetime Entertainment Television by Barbara Litke

Given the stakes to say nothing of the attention Rea was asked if perhaps some of the Project Runway drama was more manufactured made-for-television moments than actual reality. She insisted that everything on Project Runway is unscripted. The designers, she said, aren’t playing to the cameras either.

“I think the audience is sophisticated enough to know if someone is trying to play something up. The b.s. meter goes off when someone is trying to play it up. I don’t think this group is trying to be dramatic. I think they can’t help themselves,” she said. “Everything here is 100 percent real. We don’t need to tell them what to do or how to act. We put them in the situations and let them do and act as they will. We never ask them to say or do anything. It’s a hard and fast rule that I have: the moment we get involved in what they say or do we lose the integrity we have. We don’t want these designers to say anything but their own thoughts. That’s why we chose them. Our job behind the cameras is we just follow what happens. I don’t think you can make this stuff up.”

So who’s competing this season:

photo - projectrunway12#8contestantsgroupshotof15smaller

Image courtesy of Lifetime Entertainment Television by Barbara Litke

Besides the still-to-be-named designer from a past season, the season 12 designers include a hearing impaired architect/artist, an art gallery curator, a makeup artist turned Broadway costumer, and a former professional dancer turned fashion designer. Here’s the list of all of the designers for season 12:

Alexander Pope, 38 – Hometown: Los Angeles, CA; resides in New York, NY

Alexandria von Bromssen, 38 – Hometown: Stockholm, Sweden; resides in San Mateo, CA

Angela Bacskocky, 33 – Hometown: Richmond, VA; resides in Richmond, VA

Bradon McDonald, 38 – Hometown: Lowville, NY; resides in Los Angeles, CA

Dom Streater, 24 – Hometown: Philadelphia, PA; resides in Philadelphia, PA

Helen Castillo, 25 – Hometown: Weehawken, NJ; resides in Union City, NJ

Jeremy Brandrick, 41 – Hometown: Birmingham, England; resides in New York, NY

Justin LeBlanc, 27 – Hometown: Tampa, FL; resides in Raleigh, NC

Kahindo Mateene, 34 – Hometown: Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo; resides in Chicago, IL

Karen Batts, 29 – Hometown: Boca Raton, FL; resides in Queens, NY

Ken Laurence, 24 – Hometown: Birmingham, AL; resides in Birmingham, AL

Miranda Kay Levy, 29 – Hometown: Wilton, WI; resides in Milwaukee, WI

Sandro Masmanidi, 28 – Hometown: Krasnodar, Russia; resides in New York, NY

Sue Waller, 45 – Hometown: Boston, MA; resides in Brooklyn, NY

Timothy Westbrook, 24– Hometown: Wanakena, NY; resides in Milwaukee, WI

— Karyn D. Collins

 

 

Jovani Fashions, More than Pretty Prom Dresses

Downloads404Jovani Fashions is on a mission. Deemed as one of the go-to brands for the perfect prom dress for that young consumer who wants to turn heads and make a statement at one of the most important social events of the year, Jovani has now positioned itself as a brand that is extending itself into markets that go beyond just pretty prom dresses. “Right now we are trying to expand consumer’s perspective of the brand beyond just prom dresses. We really want consumers to realize that the brand goes beyond prom, and that we are multifaceted and have merchandise that extends to affordable couture to great cocktail pieces to a variety of great garments for special occasions,” details Social Media/Marketing Coordinator Felicia Garay-Stanton.

In the constantly evolving, fast-paced fashion market, branding is everything. From American sportswear lifestyle brands like Tommy Hilfiger to luxury brands such as Ralph Rucci and Oscar de la Renta, solidifying your consumer base is essential to surviving in an economically challenged market. Still, fashion brands are always looking to capture a wider demographic. And with Jovani’s expansion into couture and holiday, the brand is redirecting its course, giving its widening consumer base more options.

“In our new collections we have incorporated more sophisticated looks that go beyond prom looks. This includes our couture-inspired or holiday garments which are still at Jovani’s affordable price points,” explains Design Director Julie Durocher.

Taylor Swift, Natalie Cole, Paris Hilton images courtesy of Jovani Fashions

Taylor Swift, Natalie Cole, Paris Hilton images courtesy of Jovani Fashions

This new focus is evident in Jovani Fashions’ lookbook and ad campaigns that now feature top models and well-known celebrities, ranging from Taylor Swift, Paris Hilton, Ashanti, Megan Hilty, and Katherine McPhee to Natalie Cole, Miranda Lambert, Carrie Underwood, and Keri Hilson, who don the brand on music stages, award ceremonies, and red carpets. Jovani also played a key role in providing matching cocktail dresses for the finale of Smash.

Celebrities and top models aside, Jovani understands that staying on trend with new fabrications and exciting color palettes is crucial for any expanding brand. “If there is a popular trend in the market, we will find a way to incorporate it into the collection. Interestingly, we have been including diaphanous illusions and cutouts, which is now a popular trend, in Jovani dresses and gowns for several seasons,” contends Durocher.

All images courtesy of Jovani Fashions

All images courtesy of Jovani Fashions

“We also continue to stay on trend by using a lot of lace in our collections. For our current collections,  I am concentrating now on longer length dresses with drop waist in reference to Downton Abbey and the Great Gatsby. We don’t want our collections to look too literal, so we have to be cognizant of the fact that some of the 1920s silhouettes don’t look good on all shapes and sizes, so we have to modify the silhouette to keep the looks current and fresh,” Durocher continues.

On-trend looks each season, affordable garments for a variety of customers, and a surefire marketing strategy, sounds like a winning combination. And it is!!

For more information, go to jovani.com.

—William S. Gooch

 

 

Shop-Hers.com: An Online Shopping Experience that Beats All Others

Shop_Hers_07With the proliferation of fashion e-commerce sites, many consumers have difficulty discerning what differentiates one site from the next, let alone offers great product and service. And though the digital age offers more accessibility and sometimes a wider range of product, quality of product and customer satisfaction sometimes gets lots in the shuffle.

Shop_Hers_03Shop-Hers.com seeks to reshape the fashion e-commerce landscape by forming community with likeminded shoppers and giving them incredible opportunities to replenish their wardrobes with merchandise from similarly minded shoppers. This unique concept was borne of Shop-Hers.com co-founder and CEO Jaclyn Shanfeld’s need to clean her overstuffed closet of merchandise.

“Shop-hers.com evolved from me wanting to purge and replenish my wardrobe and there was nothing out there that was a viable solution. There was no online site that met my needs of wanting to buy great clothes that had only been worn once or a few times. I tried Ebay, but the trust factor was not there. I also tried consignment stores but I continued getting ripped off. I remember taking in several thousand dollars of clothes to a consignment store and getting a check a few months later for only a couple hundred dollars,” explained Shanfeld.

Shop_Hers_01

After realizing that many women were just as frustrated without viable options, Shanfeld with some key industry advisors came up with the concept on an e-commerce shopping site where women could purchase authenticated pre-owned luxury items, as well as shop from the closets of other women with similar tastes and body proportions. “When I decided to bring this concept to fruition online, I wanted to surround myself with industry professionals who supported my vision and were experts in their perspective areas of fashion … With this team of industry professionals, one of the issues that kept popping up was the multitude of returns that goes part and parcel with online shopping. There is such a huge differential in sizes that vary from designer to designer. There is no rhyme or reason for how brands cut and construct their clothing, even within the same brand, which can vary from season to season and silhouette to silhouette. We decided that in order to create a community where online shoppers could trust the sizing, we had to find commonality from some real data, “details Shanfeld.

This quest for commonality resulted in Shanfield creating the shopping soul mate component of Shop Hers.  “On Shop Hers women can shop in each other’s closet, and we match up women who have similar tastes, style and body proportions. We are seeing interesting data of women shopping in each other’s closet and forming relationships and community,” confides Shanfeld.

Shop_Hers_05When reselling and buying luxury items online, consumers are always leery of sites that purport to have authentic merchandise for top design houses. Shop Hers has found a great way to ensure that shoppers are buying accurate product. “Shop Hers created partnerships with luxury brands and they are our trusted source. So, when merchandise comes in, we go to our brand partners or they come to us and authenticate the merchandise. If an order comes in that is not authentic or is damaged, we cancel the order and send the merchandise back to the seller. Buyers are very excited to know that an order has been canceled and we are sincere about customer service,” explains Shanfeld.

Shop_Hers_04And like all good sites, Shanfeld understands the importance of educating her shopper about great brands, new trends, and merchandise that might be off the radar of many consumers. “It was so important to me include luxury brands that have not had market saturation. When I think of luxury, immediately Balenciaga, Valentino, Lanvin, Balmain, and a host of others come to mind, but I also think of Jenny Kanye, Myne, Adam Lippes, Citizens of Humanity, and Kimberly Orvitz. All these brands have similar luxury price points. I am also thinking of educating the consumer who is not knowledge about Jenny Kanye or Zero + Maria Cornejo. … I didn’t want to be obsessed with just the heavy hitters because I see the value in a variety of luxury brands. And so do my shoppers. Many other sites that purport to sell luxury brands only take consumers down the same paths with the tried-and-true names. We have created a platform that takes our readers down multiple paths and fashion points of view,” extrapolates Shanfeld.

images courtesy ofAutumn Communications

Images courtesy of
Autumn Communications

Great merchandise; providing a platform for like-minded women to shop from each other’s closets; good customer service, and educating the consumer; all done in six months since Shop-Hers.com launched. Who would ask for anything better?

I know Fashion Reverie wouldn’t.

—William S. Gooch

 

 

 

Michelle Lesniak Franklin’s Fresh Approach to Hard and Soft

Downloads344As Project Runway nears the end of its 11th season, many pause to wonder about the success of the many designers who have appeared on the show. Christian Siriano from season four is quickly becoming a household name with a lucrative contract with Payless Shoes and garments sold in Bergdorf Goodman’s, Neiman Marcus, and many upscale boutiques, as well as recently opening his signature store in New York City. Austin Scarlett from season one recently launched a well-received bridal collection. Irina Shabayeva, Korto Momolu, and Daniel Vosovic regularly show during New York Fashion Week. And season seven’s Emilio Sosa is one of the designers for Broadway’s much anticipated Motown: The Musical.

Michelle Lesniak Franklin may be one of the breakout alumnae from Project Runway’s growing list of contestant’s that will continue to make her mark in the fashion industry after her turn on the show. As a cast member of the current 11th season, Franklin had to remain silent about the outcome of the already taped finale, but she was forthcoming about her experiences on season 11.

Fashion Reverie recently caught up with Michelle at Lord & Taylor’s signature store as she debuted her dress that won the Lord & Taylor challenge.

michelle_Lesniak_08Fashion Reverie: How would you describe your design aesthetic?

Michelle Lesniak Franklin: I call it geek chic. My style is for a fashionable woman who is very serious during the day, but at night she turns it to a real diva.

FR: What are your favorite fabrications?

Michelle Lesniak Franklin: I work a lot in leather, wool and silk. I also like natural fibers and rainwear fabrics. I am from Portland, Oregon where it rains a lot, so you could say I do sportswear-inspired rainwear.

FR: Since the show have you moved to NYC?

Michelle Lesniak Franklin: I still currently live in Portland because I am a Pacific Northwest girl. My dream would be to have an apartment in NYC and my house in Portland. But, there is no budget for that right now.

Michelle Franklin Dress [1]FR: Would you say you combine hard and soft in your silhouettes and construction?

Michelle Lesniak Franklin: Yes, I definitely combine hard and soft elements in my garments. No woman’s body is perfect, but with the right tailoring and design we can make a woman’s body look ideal and the combination of hard and soft fabrics facilitates a designer’s ability to make women look perfect.

FR: What did you learn on Project Runway that now informs you as a designer or your design aesthetic?

Michelle Lesniak Franklin: I learned a lot. People spend a lifetime trying to figure out who they are and I got it in a crash course on Project Runway. I learned that I am very dedicated and focused, and that I have a very strong aesthetic and stick to my guns, which is important in this industry.

FR: I am sure you were a fan of Project Runway before your appearance on the show. How many times did you audition before you won a spot on Project Runway?

Michelle Lesniak Franklin: I auditioned once before.

Michelle_Lesniak_10FR: How was Zac Posen different as a judge than Michael Kors?

Michelle Lesniak Franklin: They are both incredibly successful designers. But, what I like about Zac Posen was that he is newer as a designer relative to the industry. So, he may have a more current perspective of what we are going through as emerging designers.

FR: This is the first season that Project Runway designers worked on the team format for the entire length of the current season. When you won a spot on the show and learned that you would be working as teams, how did you respond?

Michelle Lesniak Franklin: When we learned we would be working as teams it was very frightening at first. The designers for this season really didn’t sign up for this new format. But, if you think about it, in business everything is a collaborative effort, in other words, you work in teams. So, in the end it was a good thing.

FR: What is next for you?

Michelle Lesniak Franklin: I am currently in production with my brand. I produce everything from start to finish, and I am now looking to hire that out.

—William S. Gooch

 

 

Monica Cruz Steams it up for Agent Provocateur

 

Monica Cruz “shows her true self” for British lingerie giant, Agent Provocateur‘s fall/winter 2012 collection. The Spanish actress, dancer, and younger sister of Penelope Cruz has become the face of the new steamy collection. The designs were Victorian inspired and returns to its signature rich, dark color palette layered with elegant lace and ruffles,perfectly defining a woman’s curve . The collection portrays an intense femininity wrapped in glamour and mystery through its stunning pieces.

 Along with a fabulous campaign, Monica Cruz is also featured in the brand’s promotional video titled “Wilhelmina: Show Your True Self” that captures the sultry dark essence of the campaign through the vision of Director Tim Pope. The video starts off with a seemingly innocent Cruz who evolves into an enigmatic, fiery spirit exploring her inner sensuality through a magical camera lens while donning the brand’s signature pieces. The video proves to be as memorizing as the designs and Cruz most certainly does not disappoint viewers while teasing the audience with her sexy and unfathomable presence on screen.

Images courtesy of Agent Provocateur

Agent Provocateur continues not to disappoint its adoring fan base and their fall/winter collection will be available soon in Bloomingdale’s and specialty worldwide.

—Dana E. Givens

Fashion Reverie’s Million-Dollar Makeover

In celebration of achieving the one million hits mark, Fashion Reverie has gotten a million-dollar makeover. Success does not happen in a vacuum, and we would like to thank all of our readers for coming back time and time again and making Fashion Reverie a smashing success.  A special thank you goes out to all the fashion and film PR firms who have worked so diligently with us. We would also like to thank our dedicated, talented staff for their creativity, dogged determination and hard work. You guys rock!!

There are also some recent additions to our staff. Fashion Reverie is happy to welcome contributing stylist Lauren Matina; contributing fashion editor Olga Maria Vargas, and researcher/fact checker Eric Arnold.

That said; there are some exciting things to look forward to. Fashion Reverie will now produce monthly photo editorials with our Summer Shades shoot being the first. Readers can look forward to monthly giveaways, ranging from accessories to beauty products and a host of other goodies.We will also host monthly live chat forums with fashion industry professionals. And lastly, Fashion Reverie will be on the ground, on the photographers’ riser, backstage, at industry events, and in the front row during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, giving you detailed coverage of the spring/summer 2013 collections.

Fashion Reverie will continue to keep you informed of all things fashion with great interviews, fashion news alerts, trend reports, introspective, detailed articles, and provocative features.

—William S. Gooch, Editor-in-chief

 

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