Get Paid To Promote, Get Paid To Popup, Get Paid Display Banner

Happy Halloween- Fall Inspiration!

Hello everyone! Hope you enjoyed your Halloween!
A client of mine was looking for a fall look. Think colored leaves in gold, red currant and sage greens. Hot chocolate, and brown sugar. Yum. Here's a look at my inspiration board and notebook.




Photo Credits: The Knot Magazine Fall 2007/Winter 2008 issue, Painting : Van Gogh, Poster: Stenberg Brothers: Georgi (Russia 1900-USSR 1933) & Vladimir Augustovich Stenberg ( Moscow 1899-1982)

TV Guide's Fashion Team Halloween!!



In the spirit of Halloween, I have added the video from my Guest Hosting duties on TV Guide Channel's Fashion Team. It was a Halloween themed episode and as you'll see from the video, I was dressed in full 18th Century Regalia! I had the best time, as always hanging out with my buddies at TV Guide and they were nothing but kind as they helped me "keep my head above water" through the perils of Semi-Live TV!

Below are the other 3 parts of the episode.


Some of my favorite silk box invitations!

For Brianna and Kevin's silk box wedding invitations Lela New York used a nautical theme. Using navy details like Italian papers and ribbons and sand colored details using woven papers. Brianna chose a cream colored silk and our square shaped box.


I also included starfish in the inside of the box.


Wendy and Sean were having a Newport wedding. Wendy chose the silver silk box invitation to go with her silver and aqua themed wedding. Lela New York tied it up in a silver silk thread with a Swarovski crystal closure.


She chose our booklet wedding invitation with custom drawn chandelier artwork! She also chose a special tissue paper that had actual gold and silver foil for a bit of sparkle. We also added Swarovski crystals for that added bling!


I used a shimmer translucent paper for end papers. And 100% cotton paper for the inside. Lela New York chose aqua and silver colors for the inside and outside of the booklet. The inside laid out all the information her guests needed for their weekend stay in Newport, R.I.

5 Steps to a Couture Invitation

I wanted to share with all of you some steps I consider when designing a couture invitation.

1. Always consult an expert.
An expert will help take your ideas and elements you would like to incorporate and turn them into reality. At Lela New York we offer a free consultation where we sit down with our brides for a one on one. We will generally ask her to have any fabrics, colors, or photographs they may want to include or use as inspiration present for our consultation. It helps to have a theme, it can be simple like a winter wonderland or you can choose to incorporate where you met or base your theme on a favorite poem. The best thing about having a couture designer is that every detail is custom and truly one-of-a-kind.

2. Think about color.
Color is important to create mood. It can reflect your theme, your brides made dresses, or your favorite colors. Your designer will help pick the perfect color to reflect your style and event. From green and crisp, cool in turq, classic in white, to hot and red express yourself in color!

3. Paper and boxes.
There is still the classic white and ecru cotton paper which can be very beautiful alone or embellished with warm elements such as flowers or ribbons. You now also have much more of a variety of papers to choose from. Choose from beautiful colored cotton papers to printed antique papers from Italy to Japan. Today we also have the option to box your invitation for that extra wow factor. Lela New York offers beautiful hand-made silk boxes in 100 colors to choose from. Have your designer show you the different options that suite you.

4. Print Method.
Choose from the now popular letterpress, or other classics such as engraving, offset printing (flat printing), blind embossing ( which is an impression without ink), and foil stamping (metallic foils that leave an impression as well).

5. Embellishments.
Make the finishing touches by choosing the right embellishments for your invitation. There are ribbons, Swarovski crystals, Japanese tissue papers, you can tie it, wrap it, choose custom artwork and more! But most of all have fun, this is your time to shine!

Welcome to the Lela New York Blog!

I am excited to be able to share with my clients and readers new trends in weddings and invites.
I will be sharing my inspirational images and thoughts with you as I develop my designs.
Enjoy!

TV Guide Channel's Fashion Team

Friday night, I was asked to co-host TV Guide Channel's Fashion Team show, alongside the beautiful Daphne Brogdon. Fashion Team is a weekly series that takes a look at celebrity fashion and lifestyle trends. On that same night, I was "double-booked" to present the Inspiration Award to Project Runway at the third annual LA Fashion Awards. I called the producers of the Awards to tell them that I might not be able to make it because of this last-minute call to host this show, but they insisted that we would "make it work". Somehow I did! (More on that experience in an upcoming posting!)
The episode I co-hosted debuts tonight on the TV Guide Channel at 7 PM and replays at midnight as well as at 4 PM Monday afternoon (check your local listings). I had so much fun doing it, since the show is about fashion (my forte) and this particular episode was the Halloween Special!! Yes, you will get to see Uncle Nicky in full costume! You will have to watch it to see what I wore. Since the show is "live taped", there is little room for missteps--and I warn you, there were some on my part, but that's the beauty of live TV! It was a joy to have been asked to do this and to work alongside Daphne (who was a dream!) and to return to the TV Guide Channel. Love them!

Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore in Mario Testino's "Let Me In"

It has been said the avid magazine readers are likely familiar with Mario Testino's work. He is an amazing photographer to the celebrities and contributes regularly to famous fashion magazines such as Vanity Fair and Vogue. His new book, Let Me In, consists of amazing photos he has taken throughout his career, along with those he has taken on the sidelines of photo shoots, capturing celebrity subjects in their natural states. One of the best pictures made it as the cover: Demi Moore putting lipstick on hubby Ashton Kutcher - sexy, voyeuristic, and kinda weird (in a good way).


Photo Source

Frederick’s of Hollywood 2008 Spring Collection

The Frederick’s of Hollywood 2008 Spring Collection fashion show was held at the Hollywood Palladium last October 24. The show unveiled a starry display of celebrities. Jessica Simpson, Amanda Bynes, High School Musical and real-life lovebirds Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens, Janet Jackson, Jermaine Dupri, Amanda Bynes, Kirsten Bell, Bai Ling, and Ashley Olsen were among the few celebrities that attended the show.

Check out what happened during the show...









Photo Source

Where's Andrae?

Here's a great photo of Andrae and I with Galina Sobolev, the designer of Single, a wonderful contemporary line based out of Los Angeles. JLo, as well as other beauties have worn her fabulous silky printed tops and dresses, which are carried at all the high-end department stores, such as Neiman-Marcus. See below for an example of a Single dress. We were at the Los Angeles Fashion Week Single Fashion Show, sponsored by 944 Magazine.

Oh, and did I tell you Andrae is designing for them? So the next time you ask "Where's Andrae?", he's at Single with Galina!!!!!!

Heidi Klum Poses for Accessorize

Heidi Klum is the latest celebrity to front a campaign for Accessorize, after Lily Cole, Kelly Osbourne and Claudia Schiffer.

The Autumn/Winter 2007 campaign which was taken in a New York studio, shows Heidi in a series of images, with various handbags and accessories from the brand. Day accessories, which are quite sophisticated and elegant, are inspired from modernist designer Poiret. The party accessories were inspired by dramatic theater and pure glamour with metallic finish, crystals and gem studding. Jet pendents, chandelier earrings and gem-studded bags are the highlights of the collection.










Photo Source

L.A. Fashion Awards Celebrates Project Runway

Fashion, Cars, and Making It Work!

This Friday is the Third Annual LA Fashion Awards, presented by Saturn and hosted by E! Daily 10's Debbie Matenopolous. I have attended previous years and have had a lot of fun. In fact, I presented an award last year to my friend, Jen Egan, West Coast director of Gen Art.

It is sort of like the LA version of the CFDA, but more trucker hats, tattoos, and LOTS of jersey little dresses!!! This year, Bravo's little old show, Project Runway will receive the Inspiration Award, and I'll be there to celebrate, congratulate and make fun of my loving producers that worked so tirelessly to make the show so wonderful and for making me cry on tape! (remember that final episode of mine? Trust me my niece and nephew do!)

For those fans of the show, this might be a cool event for you to go to, since there might be some "surprise guests" from the show stopping by and a Season 4 designer , local wunderkid, Rami Kashou, is nominated in the "Moss Adams Fashion Innovator Award" category, amongst others. There will be capsule collections presented on stage throughout the event so it should be like an award show and fashion show--all rolled up into one event!

Click at the image for tickets and info. I hear there are some Balcony Seats still available. See you there! You can also click on the link to go directly to TICKETMASTER.

Pink Passion

As I do my regular blog/site hopping, I was fascinated with Victoria's Secret Pink collection. (I am a certified pink-oholic since birth, with addictions on green and purple.) A few days ago, I had a post about purple, "the new pink". Sad to say, purple dominated the fashion world which leave the pink-fanatics a slimmer chance flaunt a pink outfit.

So let me share with you the pink-est prezzles that caught my eyes in VS site.



The site offered their A-List Gifts for Victoria's Secret Pink collection. The list includes comfy, cozy and cute thermal, flannel, hoodies, sweats and sleepshirts galore; perfect for holiday PJ pants; adorable flip-flops and ballet slippers; trendy totes and laptop cases; sweet chillin' boxsie and hipster popper; and huggable pillows.


Gwen Stefani's Sweet Escape Dolls

After a successful "Sweet Escape" song, Gwen Stefani will add a new collection on her doll line. This collection was inspired by the looks of her new Sweet Escape album.






Photo Source

Vintage Divas! Nick & Chloe Dao sitting in a Tree...

Check out my BRAVOTV.COM Blog about my recent experience as a moderator for a great event entitled Vintage Roadshow. I had an amazing time hobnobbing with the illustrious panel including Madonna's stylist and Academy Award-nominated costume designer, Arianne Phillips, and Elizabeth Stewart, New York Times West Coast fashion editor. There was even a visit from a surprise Guest!
Check out my best Moderator-meets-Thursten Howell III double breasted jacket with an orange silk hanky look. I was trying to look "vintage", "sassy" as well as serious!

Los Angeles Fashion Week

LA Fashion Week Spring 2008: Sweats, more Trucker Hats...and BRADLEY!!!!

You might have not known this, but after NY, after Milan, after London, after Paris....comes Los Angeles Fashion Week. For the last couple of weeks, many fashion shows, parties and events have been occurring throughout Los Angeles. Events held in different venues, such as Mercedes Benz Smashbox Fashion Week and BoxEight, showcased the good--and some bad--of what makes Los Angeles such a unique fashion capital. For a long time, we tried to compare ourselves to other style metropolis' such as the aforementioned cities, but I think we are finally getting slightly more comfortable with our "quirky" skin.

For years now, I have been saying "What is the point of showing jeans and t-shirts and sweat pants with models such as adult porn stars like Jenna Jamison on the runway?". It makes us, Angelenos look tacky and cheap, and you wonder why a lot of industry professionals, at times, did not take "Los Angeles Fashion Week" seriously. For a great article on this, which was featured in Los Angeles Magazine's August edition, click HERE.

There was still a lot of that this season, but there was also some wonderful, true Southern California designers doing their thing. I attended only a handful of these, including Single, a line of brightly printed tops and dresses. I absolutely adore its designer, Galina Sobolev and just found out that my buddy, Andrae Gonzalo is designing for them as well. So you know I had to show up to support! I actually attended with my old friend--and best girl-date, former "Miss Universe" , Brook Lee. She just had a baby 4 months ago and looked wonderful (of course she wore something from my line!)

And last Friday, I went to the debut show of Season 3's Bradley Baumkircher, held at the wonderful Besant Lodge in the Hollywood Hills below Beachwood Canyon. Model Amanda Fields(just about walked every damn show--except this one), came with me, wearing one of my Spring 2008 Duchesse backless dresses, as well as my partner David. It was a wonderfl show,I have to admit. All Bradley. Quirky yet lovely dresses, perfect for that oh-so-chic boutique on Third Street or Abbott Kinney. I met Bradley's mom, who was the nicest woman you'd ever meet, dressed very elegantly I might add. And I also ran into Season 3 designer, Vincent Libretti, who could not have been any nicer, saying something to the effect of "You are a great guy Nick, and it's so good that you come and support..."

This Friday Los Angeles Fashion Week will conclude with the LA Fashion Awards, which will honor Project Runway. I will post info on that next!

Sophie Monk's "Spice Up Your Life" PETA Ad

Sophie Monk, an Australian pop singer and actress, stripped off her clothes to promote the veggie diet.

The American Beauty inspired print and billboard campaign sports the tagline: “Spice Up Your Life—Go Vegetarian” and showed Sophie lying on a bed of red hot chili peppers.



According to PETA, Sophie wants fans to know that giving up meat is one of the best things you can do to "spice up your life." Eating a diet of vegetarian foods will give you more energy, help you stay trim, and improve blood flow to all of your body's organs.

"If you are going to take your clothes off for something, it better be a good cause," says Sophie in her interview for PETA.

Click here to see the original ad!

Diesel's Fuel For Life


Diesel had launched their much-anticipated Fuel For Life Factory website yesterday, October 22, 2007.

The site gives the limited 20,000 people the opportunity to create a personalized fragrance by designing and dressing a perfume after their own style and imagination. You’re given 10 color choices for the leather pouch and strap and the opportunity to select from a dozen logos to be laser-engraved.

“Everyone, man or woman, can now express their style by dressing the bottle which encases the sexy and energetic elixir. A way for Diesel to invite the internet user to express their personality and membership of the Diesel community, a generation of hedonists for whom anything goes,” a Diesel press release said.

The limited edition fragrances are estimated to sell for $120 (80 Euros, 55 British pounds) beginning October 22, and will be distributed in the U.S., Canada, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Austria, Finland, Ireland, Portugal and Netherlands.

Source

London's Fashion Rocks

Music and fashion collided last October 18 during the Swarovski Fashion Rocks concert in London.

Again, it turned out to be a star-studded event. Celebrities wore gowns from Armani Prive, Valentino, Dolce & Gabbana, and Calvin Klein.

Topping the sparkly stakes was Kate Moss, donning a 1920s-style frock, adorned with 60,000 Swarovski crystals, and apparently vauled at £40,000. The frock will be auctioned off on eBay.


Uma Thurman


Naomi Watt


Kate Moss


Donatella Versace and Iggy Pop

Samuel L. Jackson


Domenico Dolce, Naomi Campbell, and Stefano Gabanna


Heather Graham


Lady Gabriella Windsor


Alicia Keys, Giorgio Armani, and Helen Taylor

Photo Source