The Lovely Katie Holmes is making her entrance to the wonderful world of fashion with her own clothing line. While currently working on her new movie, Katie plans on releasing her clothing line later this year at Maxfield stores.Teaming up with her stylist Jeanne Yang, Katie is making a premier line of clothes for Women and Children. Well, I personally look forward to seeing what Katie has to offer the Fashion World.

For any body who is or wants to be a fashionista, we are all aware of Vogue’s legendary September Issue. This is the Coup De Gra of Fashion, the high light issue of the year for Vogue and Fashion Magazines everywhere. Well, now the process, work, and hours that go into making this famed issue is now going to be on the silver screen. Titled The September Issue, the movie takes an indepth look with unparalled coverage of Anna Wintour and her iconic magazine, more specifically The September Issue. I, as well as many others, will be looking very forward to seeing this movie, which is being released on August 28th. See you at the theatre! Click Here to see a preview!

A mid-summer cocktail party was held last night at the upper East Side home of decorator Charlotte Moss. This party kicked off the fundraising drive that culminates in the annual Couture Council luncheon where Dries Van Noten will make a rare trip to New York to receive the 2009 Couture Council Award for Artistry of Fashion.

Over a hundred people showed up on a warm and muggy night. A lot a familiar faces were out in the garden enjoying cocktails. They included Ralph Rucci, Hamish Bowles, Victor de Souza, Nanette Lepore, David Chu, Christian Cota, Somers Farkas, Amy Fine Collins, Cece Cord, Arnold Scaasi, to name just a few. And quite a number of photographers were on hand, including Bill Cunningham and Patrick McMullan to record the event.

Co-hosts for the evening was FIT museum director Dr. Valerie Steele and deputy director Patricia Mears. We also ran into Charles B. From, the exhibition designer responsible for setting up the museum’s exhibitions and who we interviewed for our Masters of Fashion series.

The Couture Council is a membership group of fashion enthusiasts that helps support the exhibitions and programs of The Museum at FIT, a specialized museum of fashion. Previous recipients of the Couture Council Artistry of Fashion Award are Isabel Toledo in 2008 (a prescient choice made before Michelle Obama selected Toledo’s design to wear on Inauguration Day), Alber Elbaz of Lanvin in 2007, and Ralph Rucci, the recipient of the first award in 2006.

Currently on exhibition at The Museum at FIT, Isabel Toledo: Fashion from the Inside Out, a mid-career retrospective displaying approximately 70 iconic looks from the mid- 1980s to the present, including the ensemble worn by First Lady Michelle Obama on Inauguration Day. Also on exhibition, Fashion & Politics, a chronological exploration of over 200 years of politics as expressed through fashion.

Summer 2009 breezes in just in time to lift the dark cloud of despair that has been hanging heavily overhead for the last several months. Right now, we all need a recess from the recession, a summer vacation, a new beginning. Or, we could just re-visit the past when things were happier and more prosperous. Fluorescent hues, a la Stephen Sprouse, are pioneering an eighties revival. Neon colors have saturated the fashion world with no intention of stopping in the near future. Remember the days of football player-like jackets? Well, they‚re coming back! The shoulder has been the focal point on the runway for the last couple of seasons and we‚re seeing it manipulated in a variety of ways. Strong shoulders, whether they‚re achieved with padding, cutouts, asymmetry, shirring in sleeve caps, pleating, draping, etc., are one of the most significant features of the Spring/Summer season.

With a new President in office America is ready to embrace change. It‚s not just that Barack Obama is the first African-American President elected, but also the fact that he represents a new point of view. Politics play an important role in fashion and this season is no exception. Influences from all over the world are setting trends ranging from elaborate embellishments, ethnic prints/motifs and tribalistic jewelry. Textured natural fabrics such as linen, silk and cotton in neutral tones as well as warm saturated colors are key. Reptile skin dominates and Summer ‚09 is overwhelmingly animal friendly in terms of print.

The return to American idealism is perhaps the biggest trend occurring as of late. Because we know that nothing can change overnight and that „Made in USA‰ may take a while to come back (at least in apparel), we choose to reminisce about times gone by. Feathers, fringe and turquoise compliment buffalo checks, plaid and Navajo motifs. Cowboy and other styles of rugged ankle boots make a strong statement and, as always, denim rules. The Bohemian style lingers on, but in a more elegant way this Summer. Maxi-dresses are one of the season‚s most important silhouettes, while the mini-skirt is still present. Watercolor, floral, medallion and paisley prints decorate chiffon, jersey and voile. Ornamental touches of crochet, lace, eyelet and other open work fabrics add dimension.

Wall Street may have crashed and burned recently, but the market has bounced back, in a sense, emerging in fashion. Clean sharp lines materialize into tailored pieces while, on the flip side, a wave of feminism is washing over the fashion industry providing a balance between the masculine and feminine. As a key component of the season, trousers have never been more diverse. Skinny flat front pants still stand strong, but a new regime of wider leg silhouettes are marching in with higher waists, pleats and yoke treatments. They come in all lengths ranging from full, to cropped, to shorts. In fact, shorts have exploded as a category and are available in a vast array of shapes and styles. On the opposite end of the spectrum, delicate fabrics in cosmetic colors (or non-colors) such as nude, buff, porcelain, blush and Champagne evoke femininity. They are draped and layered creating pretty pieces fit for a princess. Ruffles are unavoidable this season as are rosettes and bows. While Donna Karan has been the „Queen of Drape‰ for years (and let‚s not forget the late greats, Halston & Madame Gres), the Grecian look is becoming increasingly important. Draping and folding tend to camouflage and accentuate where needed, therefore, it‚s no mystery why women gravitate toward these styles. We feel pretty, sexy, self-assured? like a Goddess.

With the message of change permeating the country, there is more focus on America‚s youth. Thanks to the Internet, Facebook, Twitter, IPhones, etc., the younger generation is more cognizant than ever of politics, science, culture and fashion. An awareness of domestic and international issues is infiltrating schools all over the country and prep-school socialites have created a huge buzz in the fashion world. Pretty little fine-gauge cardigans and preppy cropped blazers mingle with short tulip skirts to create refined and sophisticated (but inherently young) ensembles. Plaids are flirty rather than serious and dots and spots in all sizes dance around on a variety of fabrics exuding zest and vitality as if they are personal messengers of hope assuring the world that everything will be OK.

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 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.

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.

Sara Blakely, founder of the universally recognized shapewear SPANX, will make a personal appearance to launch Haute Contour by SPANX, a sumptuous collection of lingerie-inspired looks designed to shape and enhance one’s body.  Additional attendees to be released prior to the event as applicable

SPANX, Inc.® proudly introduces the first ever Sexy, Sumptuous, Shapewear with a new brand, Haute Contour! For years, the First Lady of Shapewear, Sara Blakely and SPANX Inc, have created shaping solutions to help women look and feel great in their fashions – now they are bringing fashion to shapewear with beautiful pieces designed to slim the derrières and torsos of fashionistas everywhere. Haute Contour by Spanx is truly the dessert of shapewear – now you can have your shape and sexy too!

Sara Blakely, founder of SPANX, Inc. said, “Women and men would always ask me if I could create sexy shapewear, and now I have with Haute Contour.  Each piece of this lingerie-inspired collection is shaping, sumptuous, and ready to be seen in!”

The event will be held at Saks Fifth Avenue, New York 611 5th Avenue New York City, Intimates on Ten (10th Floor) and take place on Thursday, March 26, 2009 Press Call Time: 4PM, 4:15PM: Press Line with Sara Blakely (additional guests as applicable) Cocktails/Event: 5PM – 7PM

About Sara Blakely: Nine years ago, Sara Blakely began her mission to make the world a better place, one butt at a time. A frustrated (yet fashionable) consumer-turned-entrepreneur, Sara invented SPANX Footless Pantyhose and single-rearendedly revolutionized the hosiery industry. Obsessed with creating comfortable, slimming garments that minimize figure flaws, Sara reinvented shape-wear with innovative designs and smart features and won the hearts of fashion-loving women, from Oprah Winfrey to Gwyneth Paltrow.

DHL, the world’s leading express delivery and logistics company, following two successful years working with IMG Fashion, returns for its third year as sponsor of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York.  The annual designer fashion event introduces the 2009 fall fashion collections and highlights DHL’s role in delivering the latest fashions to runways and customers across the globe.

Fashion is a $250 billion global industry that moves quickly and relies on time-sensitive shipping and logistics. With its logistics leadership position in Asia, Europe and Central and South America — all markets that are important to the fashion industry — DHL is the premier provider of express services to the fashion industry and has the global resources to provide tailor-made transport solutions that address the latest trends in the fashion world and meet the specific needs of individual customers.

DHL’s regular services cover the entire logistics value chain of the fashion industry – from material purchasing to quality control of production and direct delivery to the boutiques of international fashion companies.  DHL’s commitment to the fashion sector also includes sample room management and consolidation services, and overnight door-to-door service from Asia with five flights to New York City with the latest pickup and the earliest delivery times into the city.

“Our Fashion Week sponsorship allows DHL to demonstrate our commitment to the industry and expertise in helping the fashion industry maximize sales, reduce risk and operate the entire supply chain expertly and efficiently,” said Charles Brewer, Senior Vice President & General Manager Northeast for DHL Express. “Fashion is an extremely time sensitive business, and now more than ever the choice of express delivery and logistics provider plays a vital role in meeting the industry’s success factors of cost efficiency and timeliness. That is why DHL maintains dedicated international shipping specialists at our Manhattan service center to support the fashion industry and offers the earliest delivery times into New York.”

DHL has also worked closely with customers in the fashion industry and other sectors to customize a helicopter service that provides quick transportation to and from Manhattan for international shipments.  After early morning arrival from direct flights to its international gateway at JFK, the helicopter service brings shipments directly to Manhattan in less than 10 minutes, cutting as much as a day off the time in transit for shipments – a feat unmatched by the competition.

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week New York is presented annually in tents at Bryant Park in New York City. The invitation-only event, which runs this year February 13th – 20th, provides designers’ fall fashion collections to the national and international media, and industry insiders.

The New York sponsorship is part of an expanded relationship with DHL as the official express delivery and logistics partner for IMG’s Fashion Weeks around the world announced in 2008.   DHL also sponsors fashion events in Milan, London, Mexico City, Moscow, Mumbai, Hong Kong, Los Angeles, Miami and Sydney.