October 2015 | Febeary Fashionista

Interview on the Red Carpet

I had such a great time at the Lactrodectus ribbon cutting and grand opening party yesterday. So many great people were there and I hope this new family business will have a lot of success.

The highlight for me was my red carpet interview, conducted by journalist and model Niara Johnson, for Fashion In The Fast Lane TV. (How amazing is that green dress?) I hope to get video to post later, but here’s a photo from the interview.

My friend Niara was the winner of last year’s Fashion In The Fast Lane Ultimate Runway Walk-Off Competition and has a lot of great things ahead of her, both as a model and a fashion journalist. You can read her work in Fashion In The Fast Lane magazine. Follow her on Facebook at facebook.com/NIARAMODEL.

New Jersey Singer, Artist and Model Pastele Pasquelina

On Saturday, October 24, I was invited to attend a ribbon cutting grand opening of Lactrodectus, a new clothing store in East Rutherford, NJ (110 Hackensack St, East Rutherford, NJ 07073). I hope everyone in the East Rutherford area will stop by and support this new local family fashion business!

The special guest for the ribbon cutting was New Jersey singer, artist and model Pastele Pasquelina. This multi-talented artist and performer is an accomplished visual artist, along with her stunning modeling work and high-energy live performances.

Connect with Pastele on her Instagram (instagram.com/cityofpastele/) and check out her website (www.cityofpastele.com) and join me in watching her career lead to great things in the years ahead!

That Little Black Dress in Montclair

I love any opportunity to visit one my favorite boutiques, That Little Black Dress, in Montclair, NJ! I had the opportunity to walk in a runway show for them in September, and became friends with the store’s wonderful owner, Jenna Davis. (Hi, Jenna!)

Montclair had a Ladies Night Out event recently, so I wanted to stop by for some fashion, friends and wine at this special shop. What fun hanging out with Jenna and her sales associates and check out some of her latest cool finds.

If you’re in Montclair, it’s worth a trip to visit TLBD at 179 Glenridge Avenue, Montclair, NJ 07042. Check out her website (www.shopthatlbd.com) or call 973-233-0523 for store hours. Make sure you let Jenna know that Myra from Febeary Fashionista says hello!

Jenna had some “Little Black Dress” wine ready!

How cool is that colorful vest?

Philadelphia Fashion Alliance – Designer Terese Sydonna

My biggest new discovery at the October 11 Philadelphia Fashion Alliance Launch Event, is designer Terese Sydonna.

Terese Sydonna, the brand, is a contemporary ready-to-wear and accessories brand designed for the superhero in all of us. Inspired by bold prints, sculpture, and unexpected detail, Terese Sydonna’s collections celebrate a modern landscape where art, fashion and comfort intersect. Stylish, yet maintenance free, 95% of the collection is machine washable, quick drying, and wrinkle-free.

Terese Sydonna, the designer, is a 2014 alum of the Philadelphia Fashion Incubator at Macy’s, holds a dual degree in Economics & Business and Studio Art from Lafayette College, and a Fashion Design degree from The Fashion Institute of Technology (F.I.T.), and is super-cool, friendly and one of my new favorites. And, yes, one of those print jackets is now hanging in my closet. I couldn’t resist!

Learn more about Terese and her collection at her website www.teresesydonna.com and feel like a superhero!

Thank you, Terese! I’m looking forward to seeing you and more of your wonderful clothes and accessories very soon!

Philadelphia Fashion Alliance – Designer Jovan O’Connor

I was so fortunate to be invited to the launch event for the Philadelphia Fashion Alliance (PFA), held at Wetherill Mansion, South 18th Street on October 11, 2015.

The Philadelphia Fashion Alliance is an alumni group for designers of the Philadelphia Fashion Incubator. Its purpose is to create a support network for these designers to promote the growth and success of not only their businesses but also the Philadelphia Fashion Industry as a whole. Since I love to support and promote the local fashion scenes in our area, I was thrilled to participate and see of the wonderful designs and styles coming out of this vibrant city.

I was first introduced to the brilliant work of designer Jovan O’Connor at her New York Fashion Week AMONYC show, so I was especially excited to find out that she’s a member of the PFA and would be a part of this event. A number of her beautiful dresses were on display and I was very happy to see a lot of people checking out (and buying!) her styles.

What to buy, what to buy?

I like this one!

Or this one?

No, this one!

The beautiful and incredibly talented Jovan O’Connor. I am so looking forward to seeing her Spring 2016 collection. She had some previews at this show and they were amazing.

Atlantic City Fashion Week 2015

I almost didn’t make to my first Atlantic City Fashion Week (ACFW). With a hurricane in the area, and an accident on the New Jersey Turnpike, it seemed like we’d have to wait for next year. But, we finally made it and it was worth the effort!

Held at The Playground at Caesars Hotel and Casino the weekend of October 3, ACFW was founded in 2011 by the husband and wife team of Lamont and Jeana Bowling.

We saw six fabulous designers featuring all sorts of looks, ranging from a kids show that was so much fun, to elegant, sexy and futuristic collections. It is obvious that the founder of ACFW love what they do and so much effort goes into making these events enjoyable for everyone who attends and a valuable networking and exposure opportunity for the designers, models, hair and MUAs and everyone else who participates.

(Special shout-out to my new friend, designer Aprille Grace! More on her show later!)

The Spring 2016 ACFW has been announced for February 25-27, 2016. I’ll be there, will you? Get more information and tickets on the ACFW website www.atlanticcityfashionweek.net.

For anyone who wants to be a part of ACFW, watch out for casting notices being posted on the website and Facebook.

I was lucky enough to get to chat with Jeana Bowling after the show. She was so sweet and took the time even in the middle of fashion show craziness. Hi, Jeana! See you in February.

My Runway Day – Walking For Montclair Fashion Night Out!

All my life I have dreamed of being a model. It’s part of the reason that I love fashion so much and have gotten into blogging and being involved with fashion events. I was so thrilled and honored when Fifth + Park Style & Image Consulting invited me to be a runway model at the 2015 Montclair Fashion Night Out. It was a crazy and memorable experience that I will never forget. I hope to do it again!

The day started out at 8:30am at Bangz Salon in Montclair (23 S Fullerton Ave.), which is a really beautiful salon and spa housed in an old church. Stop by just to look around! Here I am getting my hair done while being shot by the videographer.

My stylist, Mariah Easton, did a great job. Love her hair! Follow her on Instagram @mariah_easton.

Then it was on to make up at Bobbi Brown Studio (10 Lackawanna Plaza, Montclair). There is a large space behind the store where the fashion show took place, with an area where all of the models got made up. The MUAs were all wonderful and their worked shined on the runway.

My first walk! A casual look from That Little Black Dress boutique in Montclair. Do you love it?

My second walk was evening wear. You can also get this look from That Little Black Dress boutique. I loved this outfit so much I bought it right after the show!

That Little Black Dress Fittings for Montclair Fashion Night Out

When I did my first runwalk walk for Montclair Fashion Night Out, I was so thrilled to be walking for this amazing cool boutique in Montclair called That Little Black Dress (179 Glenridge Avenue, Montclair, NJ). Here are some of the photos from my fitting, which ended up being two outfits: a casual outfit (love the hat and poncho… and those jeans are fantastic!) and an evening wear outfit (how cool is that skirt?)

Boutique owner Jenna Davis was wonderful in sharing her outfits with me, and I love how she curates such a wonderful variety of looks and styles that fit me so well. Her store is definitely worth a visit to Montclair and I’m proud to have walked for her and to be a new regular customer!

For more about That Little Black Dress, you can shop online at their website www.shopthatlbd.com. Please follow them on social media as well on Twitter (@shopthatlbd), Instagram (@shopthatlbd), Pinterest (shopthatlbd) and Facebook. Who wants to go shopping?

Meet Model Sophia Leap

It’s not often you meet someone who you know is destined for great things. At The Affair event held at Robert Greco’s Atelier boutique in Montclair, one of the models was the stunning Sophia Leap, and I predict that she’ll be one of the world’s top models in the years ahead. This stunning 16-year-old has only been modeling for a little over a year, and has already been getting lots of positive attention, walking the runway at New York Fashion Week and Atlantic City Fashion Week for multiple designers.

She’s also really nice and sweet and after talking with her very supportive mother, Jill, I see that she has the talent and family support to accomplish great things. I’m excited to watch her career progress to runways and covers around the world! Go, Sophia!

To follow Sophia’s career, connect with her on Facebook (facebook.com/SophiaLeapModel) and Instagram (@sophialeap).

Montclair Fashion Night Out: Sofistafunk Runway Show

One of my favorite parts of the Montclair Fashion Night Out event on Saturday, September 26, was the amazing runway show presented by Sofistafunk and that brand’s wonderful designer Arlinda McIntosh.

First, a quick aside: Arlinda was also the runway coach for the evening and gave the models a lot of wonderful and helpful instructions before our walk. So, we could say that I had my first runway training from Arlinda. And, she said that I did great! Thank you, Arlinda!

Back to the show. Sofistafunk is “The Original Skirt Co.” and her skirt designs are really amazing, unique and look fabulous. As you’ll see from the photos below, they stand out and definitely need to be seen in person. Some of her designs are being sold at Robert Greco’s Atelier boutique in Montclair, NJ, or contact them at [email protected] with questions. They do showings by appointment only. Call 917-566-5900 Monday-Friday 10am-6pm to set one up (and let them know that I sent you!)

Lots more Sofistafunk fun – along with shopping online – can be found on their website at hello.sofistafunk.com. You can also connect with them on Facebook here.

Me and the fabulous Arlinda McIntosh on the Montclair Fashion Night Out red carpet!