LYRA MAG.

Text, Vivian G. Kelly Images, Randy Brooke, Courtesy of Academy of Art University ACADEMY OF ART has the distinction of being the ONLY fashion school that shows on the New York Runway. Each season, a handful of students are selected to showcase their designs to the fashion community of retailers and press. Also in the audience are prospective AAU students and their parents. Recently, the excitement level has escalated and the buzz in the air at this show was palpable. The lucky students who got to come to New York and show their collections this year to a packed house that included Saks' Michael Fink and ANTM [America's Next Top Model] host, Nigel Barker in the front row. The varying aesthetics made for a great overall show mix. WHO SHOWED *Jamie Cole [her second time, this time as a solo act] *Elena Akoulova *Eric Tan and Karina Cordiale *Tara Bradley *Anne Jones & Michelle Clarke *Daniel Emir Armosilla *Desiree Daniels *Ali Khan & Sook-Yeong Kwong *Kara Laricks *Johan...

A STORY TELLING FASHION COLLECTION OF “LOVE, HOPE, HARMONY” Words, Judith Ecochard, Images Courtesy of the Designer Our July jaunt to experience the sizzling fashion/art/music scene in Berlin, Germany was an eye- popping experience. The city was buzzing with new talent nutured by 11 major fashion schools, government subsidies, and a copious amount of cheap (relatively speaking) rents…particularly in areas that used to be behind the Wall. One collection we didn’t see in person…but will make a note to for sure…is the Berlin based women’s label, Bo Van Melskens, designed by the Danish Sarah Elbo. The fairly newish fashion brand takes summery cues from Jeanne Moreau in The Lovers and Audrey Hepburn in Funny Face-with one posh “Designer Dress” (instead of a multi-piece assortment) - that shows off a gal’s curves. We think the fitted seamed bodice with flattering knee length, full skirt silhouette hits the right note between a vintage frock and 21st century outfit. Fetching and FUN. What...

Text, Casi Densmore-Koon Edited by Vivian G. Kelly Images, Dan Lecca, courtesy of Mercedes-Benz TIME & PLACE: October 16th @ 4pm, LA Fashion Week at Smash box, Studios, the spring 2009 collection. The tulle women's collection was conceived by design duo JENNIFER SMITH and AMOUSHKA SCOTT. The women were brought together by the desire to preserve past trends and by their love of travel. WHAT THEY SHOWED: pants, tops, skirts and dresses, outwear & chic separates. DESIGN INSPIRATIONS Vintage fashion, flowers, architecture, as well as indie art shows and local boutiques. THE DESIGNER INTERVIEW LYRA MAG: Can you tell us a little bit about your inspiration for the Spring 2009 Collection? TULLE: We were inspired by images of vintage bicycles, boats, and the idea of spring fever and love at first sight. CLOTH LOGIC: It was inspired in part by launch of Cloth Logic and Spring fever in the Ivy League school campus of Boston. I was really taken back by a picture I saw of a couple wal...

THE SAMUEL WAXMAN CANCER FOUNDATION 11TH ANNUAL BENEFIT/AUCTION 69th Regiment Armory, NYC - November 20th, 2008 Last night, the nation’s economic ‘morale’ was decidedly low -the financial markets, ugh…but the moods of attendees at the SAMUEL WAXMAN CANCER FOUNDATION BENEFIT were noticeably upbeat . And it wasn’t just the consumption of alcohol by some, and/or a knockout performance by the iconic rock group, Steely Dan that kept spirits going higher and higher. Or the self-deprecating, comedic remarks delivered by Guest MC, Chevy Chase to get the crowd in a generous spending mood…that did the trick. Rather, it was the hopeful updates on the battle to find cures for cancer- delivered by leading light, Scientific Director - Samuel Waxman MD himself…as well as the order to “ let it rip ” delivered by Chairman of the Board, Michael Nierenberg - that gave the well-dressed crowd a reason to bid up on unique auction items… and to positively party on. WHAT: To quote from the 2008 Annual R...

Text, Vivian G. Kelly “Before” and “After” images, Richard Spiegel Images of the Rock & Republic spring 2009 show, Dan Lecca courtesy of Mercedes Benz Image of Linda Kaufman, from myspace.com A few weeks ago, we spent our lunch hour with LINDA KAUFMAN, a freelance makeup artist, who was demo-ing Rock & Republic’s new makeup line. We hadn’t heard of it until Linda told us she would be at Bloomingdale’s Soho, educating shoppers about the brand. When we arrived, we were in for a BIG surprise – the line is huge, and we hope that we’ll be seeing some wide scale advertising to promote this cool new line that’s sure to hit with teens and twenty-somethings who want to look like a rock star. WHAT WORKS: The luxurious packaging, even the cardboard containers are shiny THE NAMES: Jet set anyone? Villa, Private Jet, penthouse, chenille, cashmere, satin. PRIMER These are named after all our favorite fashion icon: Eve, Audrey, Sophia, Cleopatra, Jezebel. They’re also all tinted with SPF 20, ...

“HELPING AFRICANS HELP AFRICANS” GREENHOUSE, VARICK STREET, SOHO NOVEMBER 19TH 8:30 PM Words, Images by Judith Ecochard WHO: Music/business entrepreneur and yoga enthusiast Russell Simmons, the multi-talented hip-hop artist LL Cool J, and edgy magician David Blaine hosted a packed house of well -dressed guys, chic/sleek gals, celebs less the entourages- plus an effortless blend of with genetically blessed models, special guest Miss Africa USA Nyasha Zimucha, fellow musicians like Erykah Badu, O’Neal McKnight…and co-hosts African Angel Ambassador Nicola Breytenbach-Steiner, and Benjamin Steiner. WHAT: “T he Diamond Empowerment Fund is a non-profit international organization founded in 2007 by Russell Simmons, individuals in the diamond and jewelry industries, and others who are committed to the empowerment of Africa. D.E.F.’s mission is to raise money to support education initiatives that develop and empower economically disadvantaged people in African nations where diamonds are a natu...