12.06.2006

Milan's Changing Catwalk

According to a Wall Street Journal article in today's paper, authorities in Milan are thinking of putting regulations on the size of models who walk the fashion show catwalks. The controversy over this issue has been fueled lately by the growing size of the average person as well as the recent death of a model due to annerexia complications. Earlier this year, Madrid passed guidelines that said models should be at least 125 lbs.

The initiative is being headed by Giovanna Melandra,Italy's youth minister and Mario Boselli, head of the National Chamber for Italian Fashion. They plan to issue a 'national manifesto' before the fall faashion shows which take place in February there. There is no word yet on what the Milan manifesto would require. The article points out that while companies would not be obligated to follow the guidelines laid out, they could recieve penalties including being kicked off Milan's fashion show list.

Cosmopolitan magazine, here in the US, will begin enforcing a policy of not running advertisements with super-thin models this February. Kate White, editor in chief, was quoted in the article as saying, "We were looking at some of the illustrations for the magazine and I thought, 'We just have to put more meat on their bones.'" Models in the magazine must look like a size 6 or 8. (Which is still below the national average size - which is a size 12)

12.05.2006

December event

Our next meeting is quickly approaching. This Saturday we will gather at 117 East 70th St. at 3:00 pm. Our speaker is Nia Shepherd, a fashion freelance writer. She has written and interned for a number of fashion publications, including most recently British Vogue. Nia will talk to us about tricks of the trade, how to get into the industry, ace an interview, pitch a killer story idea. After her presentation we will have a brief Q & A session followed by refreshments. The program will conclude at 5:00 pm.

We look forward to seeing you there. 117 E. 70th St. is located between Park and Lexington avenues. It can be accessed most easily via the 6 subway line by getting off at 86th St.

If you have any questions about the event don't hesitate to shoot us an e-mail or post a comment on our blog... www.nyfashionforum.blogspot.com

11.20.2006

The 'little' Black Dress Alternative


Every fashion magazine and guru totes the necessity of every woman owning the perfect little black dress. But finding one that speaks to our dignity and still flatters is no easy task. With the holidays upon us that means there are dances to attend, parties to go to, work socials, etc... and that is when the black dress comes in handy.
Well... there might just be a solution to owning the perfect black dress and dressing with pose. Shade Clothing has a specail line of 10 black dresses that the company is selling this holiday season. Each dress has a slightly different style, flare or accent that make them perfect for almost any body type. You can see all the selections at here.
Do you have the perfect holiday dress or a tip on how to find one? Post a response here.

November's Event

We had a great time this past weekend at the Museum of the City of New York. While there we saw the two fashion exhibits and were treated to a compilation of songs from various broadway musicals. The show lasted over an hour.
The exhibits, It's in the Bag and Black Style Now were both great.
Take a look at some of the pictures from our recent event and stay tuned for an announcement on the December event. We hope to see you there!



11.10.2006

November Event

Here's what we are up to in November...
Fashion Forum invites you to an afternoon of Fashion and Music at the Museum of the City of New York on Nov. 18, 2006.
We'll meet outside the museum at 1:45pm and expect the trip to end by 5pm. While at the museum we will be viewing two exhibits as well as attending a broadway musical medley. Black Fashion Now and It's in the Bag are the exhibits we will go through.
The cost of the event is $10. That fee will cover the entire cost of the event, including admission to the museum and musical performance.
We hope you can join us for the afternoon.
Please RSVP by either posting a comment here or e-mailing us at nyfashionforum@yahoo.com. Any questions regarding the event can also be directed to our e-mail.

The Museum of the City of New York is located 1220 Fifth Ave at 103rd St. If you plan to come by subway, the 6 train is your best bet. Get off at 96th St., walk west to the park and then walk north along the park till 103rd.

11.07.2006

Calendar Events

Fashion Forum is now in the process of finalizing our speaker/event series. If you have any speaker suggestions or topics you'd love to learn more about let us know. We've got so many ideas for events - but want to tailor everything to our audience.

11.02.2006

Winter tights

In today's New York Times fashion section there was a very interesting article about the latest in New York fashion, which is changing the silhouette of the average woman - tights as pants. Check it out.
The most interesting part is the fact that these women know they are getting looks for their lack of clothing and it doesn't seem to bother them. Are we losing the concept of modesty and what is appropriate street wear? Sound off here!

9.30.2006

London Ends It All


With the conclusion of Fashion Week in London, the month worth of fashion shows comes to a close. I'm sure you're dying to see what the major designers cooked up for each city - we are. And even if you have been following the shows throughout September, a recap is always helpful. The Fashion Week Daily has posted their summary of all the cities with pictures of the major designer's outfits. Interested? Check it out here.
Or if you are just interested in a specific city. Here's London and Milan.

9.27.2006

More Homecoming

Here's a few more dresses we love for this year's homecoming events! They are each unique and fabulous.


Jump Right In

Jumpers are the fall must have!!!
Remember back to the grade school days when you were walking around in a green or red plaid jumper? They were easy to wear, easy to clean, and hid stains pretty well. Guess what? That same jumper is back in full force now - but not for 6 year olds. Now it is a fall fashion must for the older student and young professional.
The New York Times' Bill Cunningham, who captures the weekly 'On the Street' section, photographed the numerous renditions the jumper resurgance has taken.
No ready to go back to your roots? At least they are easy to slip on! They come in a variety of styles, colors, and designs. You can get the traditional plaid you grew up with or a soft gray. You can wear them with jeans, leggins, or just as is.
<-- This one you can get at Urban Outfitters for $68.00. It comes in both red and green plaid.

Skinny Models Strike Again

As Fashion Weeks continue across the globe during the month of September, the debate continues as to what is too thin. Earlier this month, Madrid ban models that are under the World Health organization's healthy standard from walking the runway.
Now it's Milan's turn, but they aren't taking the same steps Madrid did. The Reuters' article today has the head of Italian fashion chamber of commerce saying there is no need to ban ultra-thin models. He said of the hundreds of models there are only a couple that look sickly.
What do you think? Are models on the catwalk too thin? Will model size ever change to better represent the world's population?

9.26.2006

Fashion Week's Top Trends

New York Magazine has published what it considers the top top trends at Fashion Week. Amoung the items to watch for this Spring, the magazine includes:
1. Little White Dresses
2. Cobalt Blue
3. Yellow
4. Prints in Black and White combinations
5. Floral Patters
6. Polka-dots
7. Droopy Pants
8. Volume in clothes, especially skirts
9. Shining materials that are still discreet
10. Huge, Chunky-heeled shoes

9.25.2006

Skinny Jeans; Hepburn style


For months now skinny pants have been breaking into the fashion sceen. Gap's skinny black pants are all the rage, with ads for the item all over New York City. Where did the inspiration come from?
Audrey Hepburn is the model and muse for the Gap's new fall line, according to an article in Sunday's USA Today Hepburn was made famous from movies like Roman Holiday, Funny Face, My Fair Lady, and Sabrina. She was always known for her own style and graceful air, even as she aged.
This fall skinny pants aren't the only Hepburn style we are seeing on the streets. Pencil skirts, a staple of her time, and even those large sunglasses were a Hepburn must. For years Audrey Hepburn has helped define and create style for women by simply looking, acting and portraying the woman she was.

Homecoming

Homecoming is quickly approaching and finding the perfect dress is on the list of top priorities. This year's style includes short skirt lengths, low necklines, and designs that border on the side of ridiculous. But just because that is the norm, doesn't mean you have to follow what everyone else is sure to be wearing! Go for unique. Be orignial. The good thing about today's fashion is that there are so many options that you do not need to be just like everyone else. Pick a dress that flatters, in it's cut and color and that does not send the message your an object.
Sure it will take a little research and a lot of shopping time to locate the perfect dress, but in the end it'll be worth it. Be a fashion leader - go for the styles that prove the dignity you know you have.
Below are some of our picks for this year's dresses that make a statement.










Check back - we're likely to update with more favorites in the days to come.

9.23.2006

Fashion Week Reality: Now This is Entertainment



It was 10 a.m. I was running in my four-inch stilettos and a classic vintage ensemble, seemingly way too overdressed for a Saturday morning and was already late to catch the first of many shows of the day. After flashing my red press pass, and racing passed the security guards and the crowd of people outside the tent—hoping to catch a glimpse of some celeb—I made it. As usual, the show started late and I had to yet again, wait in the never-ending lines at fashion week. Once I finally got inside, my feet were swelled, the VIP (celebs, Dandy’s and their entourage) scooted past, and the first show was over in less than 15 minutes. What a perfect beginning to yet another “glamorous” day. A couple tips to stay alive for the remainder of the week: try not to steal a seat in the front row—or you might find yourself in a knuckle sandwich with 50 cent. And beware of imposters you might meet on the fashion bus; they will steal your spot at any high profile event you may have an invite to. - By Natalie Dolce










Natalie Dolce is a friend of Fashion Forum and after hitting up the tent events in New York's Bryant Park, she agreed to share her experiences and pictures.

9.22.2006

Madrid takes a stand against ultra-thin models

Today's Thursday Style section of the New York Times has an article on the ultra thin models that stalked the runway in New York just a few days ago and who are now making the rounds of the fashion shows in cities like London and Milan. The interesting part comes half-way through the article when they mention Madrid ban models who do not meet the World Health Organization's weight standard for a healthy woman. For Spain, no model under 125 lbs would be found on the runway.
What do you think about the size of models now? Have we gone back to the early 90s when models were often given the look of one drugged? Let us know where you stand on the issue.

8.18.2006

Thicker eyebrows?

There was an interesting article today in the NYTimes about the new trend in thicker eyebrows...
It started at Prada's fall fashion show in Milan this February. The models eyebrows were supposed to look like they fanned out, so Pat McGrath, a makeup artist, used clear mascara on the brows to make them keep the flare shape. Months later... and thicker brows are in.
This isn't the huge uni-brow look. No, these brows are still shapped, they still come to an actual point at the end and have a natural rounded look on top, but they are a far-cry from the pencil thin brows of years past.
So go easy on the plucking, waxing, tweasing, etc... this fall and let your brows take on a slightly thicker look.
And if you are interested Here is the link to the NYTimes article on eyebrows. Apparently, it is a trend that is sweeping the nation.

We're back!

Hi all...
Just wanted to give you the heads-up that after a couple months hiatus from the blogging scene, Fashion Forum is back and will be updaating the blog again frequently. Stay tuned for our upcoming fall schedule of events.
If you have speaker ideas or questions you want addressed here feel free to let us know. As always you can leave a comment here or shoot us an e-mail at nyfashionforum@yahoo.com

5.17.2006

The Great White...

As the weather heats up, light colors are back in full swing. And while we did have winter-whites make an appearance this year, white is bigger than ever this summer. We scoured some of the typical stores and have pulled our favorite summer-whites.
A word of caution - obviously whites can be tricky to wear. Go shopping with a friend to decide if the white is thick enough not to see through and remember the garment will probably need to be laundered often. (Unless you have a huge bank account it might be wise to stay away from the dry-clean only things.)

These Ann Taylor products are cute. If you are a classic fashion personality these might be the summer-whites for you. These capris are cute with the little detailing at the waist. But the pants are dry-clean only and sell at $78. They are totally work casual though, so if you are in the market for some clothes for that job or internship these will work.
The Ann taylor skirt is also dry clean only, but it is 100% linen and feel great on. The flare is super cute too. Cost: $68.

















Here's our picks from Urban Outfitters. The Surplice Top is really cute and soft looking once on. Also it's on sale! Down from $78 to $29.99. The cotton will be breezy in the summer plus you can match it with fun shirts/tanks underneath for a little added flare. This Soundgirl Strawberry Ruffle Top is ultra cute too. The little strawberry appliqué at the bottom adds a little fun to the all white top. Plus the cut is unique. Price: $28.
Ok yeah so the Elvis shirt probably shouldn't fall in this summer-whites category, but one of the Fashion Forum girls loves Elvis! So this shirt for $9.99 is a must have!





American Eagle has a huge section of whites this season. We really liked the lightweight white cargo pants now on sale for $38 from $49. (Sidenote: these come in Olive Haze and Light Wet Sand too.) These are perfect for combing the beach. The draw-string tie and flap-back pockets just emanate comfort. The Beach House Tunic - is 100% Cotton Gauze and oh so comfortable! And since the tunics are really in this year, we especially like this shirt. Wear it with a funky belt over it at the waist for some more funk.
















And let's not forget the shoes…. Nine West sells several pairs of white shoes that we adore. Here are just a few…
The jeweled, semi-Roman look is big this summer and we like these white shoes. They aren't to over the top or gaudy - like your grandmother might wear. But they are still a little splashy for stepping out. Price: $79. The simple white paten shoe with an open toe is perfect for that summer job that has you on your feet all day but still has you wanting to look good while you do it. They are comfortable and sleek too. Plus the shoe is on sale for $59.99

















Lord and Taylor's website homepage is dedicated to the summer-whites. Here's some of the things you can get there….
This all white Calvin Klein suit is sleek and only $149.99. That's cheap as far as suits go plus then you get a white jacket and white pants out of the deal even if you never wear the two together. The Buffalo Jeans Woven Tank Top is just plain cute even for $68.

5.16.2006

Spring Fling

So now with summer just days away, and the weather beginning to say warm weather is here to stay (at least for a few months), here's some of the new fashion to hit the stores and the streets.

Bare those legs...
Bermuda shorts are big again this summer. After making their debut in 2005, with only moderate success, they are back again this year and seem to be taking off more quickly then before. Word of warning: this shorts don't work with every body type. Try a few pairs on to see how they fit. Often pants that are short (like capris and bermudas make us look shorter and stouter. So if these don't fly - no worries. There are plenty of summer style to choose from.
We like these Bermuda shorts from Target. They are cheap at $24.99, but also stylish with the green color that is all the rage and round pockets. The rope tie is fun too.

If capris have proven anything over the years it's that they are are here to stay. Can you even remember the days before capris? What did we wear? These American Eagle Dessert Capris are comfortable and totally chill. They come in three colors: whitewash, lightwashed khaki and dark olive haze. Price: $39.50. We dig the ties at the bottom of the legs and the snap front pockets.

This Bahama-print skirt from J.Crew is totally cute. Yeah sure it is a little pricey at $118 but if you are looking for a skirt that is a little out of the ordinary, a little funky and super cute - look no further. The white bottom-border with the acquatic symbols is waht really does it. Add a simple top and a cute pair of strappy sandals of a fun color - maybe orange to match the tie and you have got your never-fail summer outfit.

In case you are living in a hole, white is all the rage now. White White White. New York & Company has this great pair of white crop pants. It's called the East Broadway Crop and sells for only $29.50. The zipper pockets add a bit if punk style but the white, light material makes thesethe perfect summer pants for chillin' around the house or going out on the town. Wear it with flipflops for a dressed-down look, or heels for a night out. These pants can work for almost any occasion.

Anthropologie - a favorite store for one of the Fashion Forum girls - has a bunch of super cute skirts. Instead of writing about each of them, here are the pics of our favs. The best part is there is something for everyone!

















Has anyone noticed camo has made a comeback lately? Well one of our Fashion Forum girls really likes it and so she loves these capris from Forever 21. These Vintage Cargo Capris are $29.80 (what's up with the 80 cents?) and really can be worn for a lot of occassions. Dress them up with a better top some great summer sandals with heels and you can be hitting the town. Dress them down with a simple Old Navy t-shirt and you are walking the beach.

Stay tuned for more of our summer favorites...

4.20.2006

The Posh Sale

For those of you in the New York City area, here's an opportunity for you to get your hands on clothes by some world renown designers and donate your time to a good cause! Several Fashion Forum members will be volunteering. We'd love to see you there!

POSH 2006 Designer Fundraiser Sale to Benefit the Lighthouse

Join other volunteers in this exciting sale of new and gently used designer clothing for men, women and children, accessories and home furnishings to be held Thursday, May 11 - Sunday, May 14. All proceeds benefit the Lighthouse mission of helping people overcome the challenges of vision loss.

The sale operates like a store, and volunteers will be assigned to do a variety of assignments, including hanging, carrying, organizing and packing clothing during this retail operation. It's a great opportunity for high-energy people who can stand for three hours. There are morning, afternoon and evening sessions.

Volunteer individually or be a part of a team effort for your school, corporation or organization. Call (212) 821-9406 for more information and a POSH application form.

4.17.2006

April's Event

Join us April 23rd for our final Fashion Forum event of the school year!
Kymberlee Harris, a freelance PR/Marketing consultant, will be speaking to us about her career. For various companies and now as a consultant, she has worked on special events of all kinds, fundraised, advertised products, dressed celebrities, and organized exclusive trunk shows. She specializes in fashion and beauty products. Kym, who has an advanced degree in Fashion Buying and Merchandising from FIT, will tell us how she has put that degree to creative use in the field.
The event begins promptly at 3:30 at Alderton House. For more information please leave a message here or shoot us an e-mail at nyfashionforum@yahoo.com. We hope to see you all there!

4.13.2006

Justina McCaffrey

Our March event brought wedding gown designer Justina McCaffrey and her husband Dave, all the way from Canada to talk with us.
Justina walked us step-by-step through the events in her life that brought her to being a well known and respected wedding gown designer today. As a beginning designer in Canada, Justina didn't feel like she was getting anywhere in her field and she barely had enough money to live on. When Justina got married, she designed her own dress - and her career took off from there. Before long she was making dresses for her friends and their friends in the attic of her apartment, with classical music blaring in the background.
Now she is an established designer, finding her inspiration in ballet and classical music, and trying to make a difference in the fashion world. Instead of using models for her runway shows, Justina hires balerinas. She finds their posture, poise and grace truly inspiring, plus the money she pays helps them survive in a career that often pays minimally.
Her dresses are often described as romantic due to the layers of lace, the mounds of beads, and intricate work put into each dress. Justina doesn't know if the dresses are romantic. "Romance is giving everything you've got, till you can't give anymore," she told those gathered, likening romance to the ballerina with her leg in the air who holds it steady and gracefully desipte the pain.
After her presentation, the group watched one of Justina's promotional videos for her Coronation collection (inspired by the Coronation Mass by Mozart) as well as her latest runway show.

1.16.2006

~January Event ~

Hey Girls - Ever wonder what your fashion personality is? Do you know what your best colors are? Can you dress according to your body type?

Join us on Jan 22. for our first meeting of the new semester to answer these questions and more. We will have a fashion consultant speak about the different fashion personalities. She will help each of us learn our personal style and tell us what that means for the fashion world we live in.
Interested in attending? The event runs from about 3:30 to 5:30 at Alderton House (117 E. 70th between Park and Lexington). Price is $5. There will be a presentation by the fashion consultant, followed by discussion, snacks, and socializing with others. Feel free to bring friends.

If you have any further questions you can post a comment on the blog or shoot us an e-mail at: nyfashionforum@yahoo.com