What you just threw out you could wear, is the philosophy that Nancy Judd seems to have. She makes dresses and outfits of junk mail, phone books, plastic bottles, aluminum cans, cassettes, etc. but one of her most recent creations is a real eye catcher and a great statement. Her “Obama” cocktail dress started the day after the election when she started grabbing all the Obama campaign posters she could carry and fabricating them into a dress one poster at a time.

It’s a slinky, body-hugging number crafted from the president’s campaign posters. As the “fabric” winds around the body, from above the knee to below the armpits, white letters form a crisp graphic pattern on a black background and the name “Obama” pops up over and over.

In these dark and gloomy times, no industry is finding themselves “recession proof”, everyone is getting hit, and some are getting hit hard. The Fashion Industry has taken another hit with news that French designer Christian Lacroix brand SNC has launched insolvency proceedings. They said they can not pay their creditors due to the global financial crisis that has hit the luxury goods market. The 125 manned company is seeking protection from its creditors in hope to stay operational.

In 2005 the Christian Lacroix SNC label was bought by the US based, The Falic Group.

The Promenade was drenched with bright white lights as the light and airy Ports 1961 fall 2009 collection pranced down the runway. I say the collection, and not the models, because the models blended into the background with plain hair and simplistic makeup. No crazy Prada hairstyles or Pat McGrath- Dior makeup extravaganzas. This certainly set the tone for the show- naturally beautiful easy to wear pieces for the everyday woman.

While absolutely stunning this collection seemed a bit out of place, the colors, fabrics, and styles shown were much more summery than fall, with only a few coats and even less dark hues. The India inspiration clearly shown through beautifully, however this collection may not have been shown at the optimum time.

The construction for the 3.1 Phillip Lim started way before it’s 3 o’clock call time. With a 3-hour break at the tent between his and Micheal Kors’s show everyone waited with abated breath for what the stellar Mr. Lim would pull out of his box of tricks. Yet when I entered my jaw still dropped to the floor I was so impressed. A huge stage was set up with bright lights overhead and the Lissy Trullie band playing. Models were pale faced with very close cropped bobs, perhaps Lim was looking to please Anna Wintour even more? The collection was dark and mysterious and all together fabulous. The palate was mostly black with a little beige and some colored pieces thrown in.

Without a doubt the strongest part of the collection was his amazing array of coats- nearly every look had one, each with their own look and style; some cropped blazers, some furs, some snake-skin rain coats and more. The collection was a feast for the eyes, however I couldn’t stop myself from drooling over the amazing Christian Louboutins parade down the runway.

Michael Kors knows how to put on a show like no other designer. All of his shows have the best music, the most current models and fun celebrity spotting. However for his fall 2009 collection all that fell to the waist-side as beautifully constructed clothes came out one after another. It was mostly heavy knit knee-length dresses in black or grey for women at the beginning of the show. Then gradually amazing neon color’s were incorporated, starting with hilariously bright orange, green, and pink fur hats and then there came dresses and coats of the same colors. This is truly where the show hit it’s stride, the ostentatious color was offset by the purity and beauty in the design of the clothes.

Simple shift dresses with amazing draping; an oversized flash-dance style shirt and luxurious coats were transformed from plain to unique. I can only imagine showing up at a party in the dead of the winter in a bright pink dress while everyone else is wearing a LBD, attempting to hide the extra’s pounds from the holiday season.

When most people hear the word “Lacoste” they think of the polo’s with little alligators over the left breast. However, for me I immediately think of the first show I ever worked at- Lacoste Fall 2008. I thought it was the most amazing and beautiful thing and immediately fell in love with fashion shows. This may be for that reason that I always Christophe Lemaire’s collection for Lacoste.

This time he did not let me down, delivering a great, easy to wear collection with lots of solids great for layering. Most of the outfits were monochrome or had a matching color theme. Perhaps the best part about the collection was the slouchy, worn-in look the clothing had that will make it perfect for those winter days when you want to put minimal effort in your clothes but still look amazing.

The Sao Paulo Fashion Week is coming up in June and every one is looking forward to what it has to offer. However, there is some controversy surroundings the event. The Brazilian newspaper, Folha de Sao Paulo, brought to attention the fact that at last year’s Sao Paulo Fashion Week, out of the 344 models, only 2.3% were black. A government authority opened an investigation on the matter. What resulted from the investigation was a deal. Now, the Sao Paulo Fashion Week is required to have at least 10% of its models be Black or mixed race. Under this new deal whomever fails to meat the 10% standard faces a fine of $120,00 and up.

Outside of Africa, Brazil has the largest population of Blacks and mixed race people. Black Brazilian models have been quoted as saying it is easier to get jobs abroad. Do you think that this is standard being imposed on the Sao Paulo Fashion Week is fair, or right? Please leave opinions in the comments section of the page.

The basketball court on West Fourth Street known as the Cage is right in the heart of the West Village. The court is one of the most competitive in the nation. But, Basketball players might have been a little upset Monday night to find that their sacredcourt had been turned into a fashion show.

The Cage was the stage for the introduction of a new clothing line. Waiters greeted guests with goat cheese tarts. Models were put on podiums that brought them to eye level with professional basketball stars, past and present, who milled about at the request of fashion executives.The court was rented out by the city at a one-day cost of $14,000 to the JA Apparel Corporation, a design firm started by Joseph Abboud, which was introducing a lower-priced men’s clothing line that the National Basketball Association is helping promote. The backboards were splashed with decals of the brand name “JOE Joseph Abboud.”
The show appeared to be a slam dunk.

Judge Paula Abdul poses in the press room during the “American Idol” Season 8 Grand Finale held at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on May 20, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. Paula Abdul wore a radiant gown by designer Ivonne de la Vega to the after-party celebrations that started at the popular West Hollywood nightclub “Area”.

“This gown was perfect for Paula’s tiny frame,” states Ivonne de la Vega, “I immediately pictured her in this gown when we received the request to dress her. It really enhanced her figure, elongated her silhouette and the color was a perfect compliment to her skin tone.”

About Ivonne de la Vega:
Ivonne de la Vega is a couture eveningwear designer with a flagship salon, Atelier Ivonne de la Vega, located on the picturesque Las Olas Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. As designer to the stars, Ivonne de la Vega caters to an elite clientele of jet-set celebrities, successful entrepreneurs and socialites from around the globe. Her gowns have graced the Red Carpet of such prestigious events in Hollywood as the Academy Awards “Oscar” celebration. Know for her exceptional fit, premium quality and impeccable service, Ivonne de la Vega is sought after by the most discriminating women today. In additional to the namesake salon, Ivonne de la Vega is sold at specialty department stores and boutiques across the country. To learn more, please visit www.ivonnedelavega.com.

Global videogame publisher, 505 Games, and global sports, entertainment and media company IMG, today announced a new partnership to develop multiple, multiplatform console and iPhone games based on a concept created by world-famous make up artist Pat McGrath and fashion insider Noël Gordon.  For the first time on the videogame platform, game players and fashion lovers alike will be able to enter the world of high fashion at Fashion Week, with a true insider’s point of view.  Games will feature world-class industry gurus, top models and the star-studded runways of Fashion Week events worldwide. The first titles will be available in 2010 in all major markets around the world.

“The time is right to bring the high fashion world of Fashion Week events to the videogame platform and we’re thrilled to be partnering with IMG to make it happen,” said Adam Kline, president of 505 Games U.S.  “With today’s videogame technology and IMG’s incredible reach into all facets of the global fashion business, we’ll be providing fashion enthusiasts the opportunity to experience all aspects of the international fashion scene at Fashion Week.”

IMG is responsible for the industry’s most celebrated portfolio of Fashion Week shows and designer fashion events – from New York to Miami and from Moscow to Mumbai.  Along with showcasing world-class designers at invitation-only Fashion Week events, IMG champions the fashion business in many other ways — providing hundreds of hours of Fashion Week programming as well as customized fashion content for worldwide distribution over every type of medium, including the Internet, iPods, PDAs and mobile phones. With offices in New York, London, Paris and Milan, IMG’s modeling arm, IMG Models, expertly manages the careers of the world’s top models and trend-setting celebrities.

“IMG Fashion is thrilled to be working with 505 Games on an interactive fashion video game which incorporates all the elements of our industry, from the glamour of fashion weeks, and runway shows, to the models, designers, stylists, hair and make-up artists, the parties and celebrations. By combining IMG Fashion’s experience, expertise and relationships in this space with 505 Games’ abilities, I’m sure we will all soon become video game fashionistas,” said Fern Mallis, Sr. VP IMG Fashion.