The moment at which a tattoo is conceived is the moment at which time starts to stretch and fade it. Luckily, for those who live with the lackluster aftermath of the recent tattoo craze, laser tattoo removal offers a refreshing dip in the fountain of youth. And with the tough job market that already has its foot in the youth-obsessed door, professionals are connecting the needle marks and requesting this service when they realize that their tattoos could work against them in the age department. Laser hair removal is no longer just about modernizing a look; it is about competing for jobs and building job security.

The great news is that the permanence of a tattoo can fade even faster than its popularity. Sabina Kozak of Sensitive Touch Medical Spa in New York City says, “We use state-of-the-art technology by Cynosure, a leading laser technology manufacturer. Our clients are thrilled with the immediate results of laser tattoo removal and some get pretty emotional when they see that how easy it is to get rid of them. As job competition shows no sign of slowing down, our clients realize that, if they are fortunate enough to land an interview or get a new job, they definitely need to look the part.”
As the traditional nine-to-five work day becomes a thing of the past, keeping tattoos hidden under suits is no longer adequate. Employers do not want their Sales Director to show up at the charity golf tourney with a Celtic cross sneaking down from the pant leg of her capris or a ring of barbed wire asserting itself from the sleeve of his polo shirt. A representative from Sabina says, “Events held outside of the office pose difficulties for those who are overly confident that they can keep their tattoos hidden. People are attending more events with their bosses and co-workers – from scheduled business trips to impromptu barbecues and summer get-togethers. Our clients recognize these events as opportunities for building business relationships and maintaining a competitive edge.”

To make matters worse, no one could have predicted that one day’s tattoo du jour would be next year’s tramp stamp. A representative from Sabina says, “Times change and laser tattoo removal lets clients stay current. We do not think they should have to lose out on a job or promotion because they are sending mixed signals about their professionalism. Plus, a lot of people are just tired of hiding their tattoos.”

For best results, clients should expect two to four treatments scheduled four to eight weeks apart.

Sabina says, “The cooler weather offers more opportunities to cover up and is a really great time to start treatments. New clients can achieve full results in time to show some skin on New Year’s Eve, not to mention months to spare before bikini season.”

While freedom of expression is a beautiful thing, professionals are realizing that all methods of standing out are not equal. With laser tattoo removal, they can exercise their First Amendment rights at the water cooler, not at the tattoo parlor.  – Erin Bartolo, Writer

All eyes will be on New York when fashion’s greatest designers gather to reveal the upcoming season’s sleekest styles at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, and Chambord® Black Raspberry Liqueur will be serving up its own version of style with fashionable cocktails as the Official Liqueur of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week.

Chambord, an all-natural liqueur produced in France’s Loire Valley will be on the scene for the fourth consecutive year in the tents at Bryant Park, adding to its reputation for fashionable cocktails.

“Chambord is the perfect accessory for every outfit and occasion. With cocktails from the seriously chic French Martini to the rocking Chambord Velvet Elvis, Chambord is an all-natural liqueur that suits every style,” said Josh Hayes, brand manager for Chambord. “Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week is an excellent way to highlight Chambord’s stylishness and versatility, and we’re excited to partner with IMG Fashion once again.”

The cocktails Chambord will feature are the classic Chambord French Martini, the Velvet Elvis (a rocking combination of Chambord and Jack Daniel’s) and for the calorie conscious, the Chambord Lemonade (Vodka, Chambord and sugar free lemonade) during the showing of the Spring 2010 Collections (September 10 – 17).

Chambord® French Martini                                              Chambord® Lemonade

1½ oz vodka                                                                             1½ oz vodka

½ oz Chambord                                                                                       ½ oz Chambord

3 oz pineapple juice                                                              3 oz sugar free lemonade

Shake ingredients with ice                                                 Shake ingredients with ice and strain into a tall glass.

And strain into a martini glass.                                          Garnish with fresh berries or a lemon.

Garnish with a lemon twist.

Chambord® Velvet Elvis

2 oz Jack Daniel’s® Tennessee Whiskey

1 oz Chambord

2 oz sweet and sour

Shake ingredients with ice and strain into a martini glass.  Garnish with a lemon twist.

About Chambord

Chambord Black Raspberry Liqueur, made from all-natural, raspberries, blackberries, XO cognac, Madagascar vanilla, Moroccan citrus peel and honey extract, is produced just south of Paris in the picturesque Loire Valley. Inspired by Louis XIV’s visit to Chateau de Chambord in 1685, Chambord continues to lend elegance and style to every occasion as one of the world’s most versatile liqueurs.

With the upcoming 2010 Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week quickly approaching, we here at Runway New York, would like to look back at some previous seasons of the New York Fashion Week. We are starting off with the Fall 2004 Collections. To see the Fashion and the Trends just visit our gallery. Please check back daily, since that each day we will be uploading more shows. Hope you enjoy this blast from the past and look forward to the upcoming 2010 Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week New York.

DRESSED is a documentary about once homeless, Laotian-American fashion designer Nary Manivong and the trials and tribulations of “making it” as a fashion designer in America. The documentary, features an up-close and personal portrait of the self taught designer from his early beginnings as a homeless young boy in Ohio to the daily production routines and challenges faced leading up to the presentation of his Spring 2009 collection during New York’s infamous “Fashion Week”.

Click here to view the trailer

Because of limited financial resources, Nary began designing and creating his “look” from vintage clothing, DRESSED announces a Facebook Fan contest called SHOW US YOUR VINTAGE! and the winner receives TWO tickets to Nary’s, September 10th,  4pm-6pm,  fashion show and entry to the sneak peak of the film DRESSED at 9pm that same evening. The contest runs from August 1, 2009 at 12:01am to August 31, 2009, 11:59pm only.

DRESSED Fans are asked to submit a photo of themselves featuring their favorite vintage piece, updated for the Fall ’09 trends with a caption of why they love it and why they are a fan of the film DRESSED! The winner is selected by Nary Manivong and the DRESSED Team.

The film also offers an insider’s look behind-the-scenes of the glamorous, chaotic world of fashion as well as insightful commentary from industry experts such as Fern Mallis, Senior Vice President of IMG Fashion; Ohio designer Nanette Lepore;  Mickey Boardman of Paper Magazine; Author Mary Gehlhar “Fashion Designer’s Survival Guide”; Simon Collins, Dean of Fashion for Parsons, The New School for Design; Industry Consultant George Furlan; Stylist, Robert Verdi; President of The Fashion Group International, Margaret Hayes; fashion writer Lynn Yaeger and author and Creative Director at Barney’s, Simon Doonan.

DRESSED is directed by award-winner David Swajeski, with executive producer Maryanne Grisz, both of onerock.tv

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.

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.

The Baby Phat 2005 Fall Fashion Show by designer Kimora Lee Simmons had a huge celebrity turn out for the popular line. The collection was made up of the most innovative designs and the after-party was among the best during New York Fashion Week that season. Revealing her most most innovative collection up to that date, Kimora took the 2005 Fall Collection to a new level.

The sleekest and sexiest designs covered each of the runway models as they strutted down the catwalk to some of the hottest hip hop tracks as the shows’ music/fashion fusion was seamless. From swimwear to hats all the way down to latest body fitting under garments, nothing was left out. All designs were made for woman to feel and look like the most styled for an everyday and every night occasion. The jackets that were showcased were the highlight of this show. Jackets and furs completed each design and gave a new look for 2005.

Checkout the Baby Phat 2005 Fall Collection Fashion Show Photos here.

Celebrities and notables in attendance were JoJo, Paula Abdul, JoJo, JC Chasez, Carson Daily, Rah Digga, Amerie, Ray J, Cam’ron, Cynthia Garrett, Gina Hiraizumi, Irv Gotti, Swiss Beats, Shannon Daugherty, Mos Def, Lil Kim, Ashley Olsen, Tommy Hilfiger, Missy Elliot, Tori Spelling and Eva Pigford. It was a party as soon as they hit the red carpet.

Kimora Lee Simmons made her Baby Phat 2005 Fall Collection Fashion Show one of the hottest shows at New York Fashion Week for the 2005 Fall season. Expect nothing but the best from Kimora.