EDITOR’S LETTER
W
elcome to our November/ December issue, we have great things in store for you. This month, we have two covers featuring musicians Meklit and the fashion label M. Dot Design Studio.
Meklit an artist that has a knack for music and a talent for writing moving song lyrics, she was interviewed by Melissa Czarnik in a powerful and eloquent article. For our second cover, Creative Director, Joseph Young, sat down with 22 year old Michelle Aquino who heads M. Dot Design Studios out of her apartment in San Diego. M.Dot is a modern couture, old school designs with an urban fashion outlook, so don’t miss out on this interview. Joseph also caught up with model Tamara Whatley, who tells us about her style in a photo story by our favorite photog, Taye Hansberry. Each issue we go across the pond to the UK our Beauty Editor Sareta delivers practical tips for make-up during the cooler months. And if you ever wonder what it would be like to live in the UK our Contributing Editor, Karen Knight, gives us an insightful view on culture shock and adjusting from American customs to English culture. There are 70 plus pages this issue, filled with colorful images of fashion photography work, music and memorable articles. Stay tuned next because we are revamping the magazine in 2011 with plans for a brand new home for the magazine. Until then, enjoy your fall and stay fashionable. - Angela Clay, Editor in Chief
Fall For Her by ByronGeorge
Page 22
IN THIS ISSUE STORY: 04 COVER Michelle Aquino of M. Dot
Design Studio brings limited edition pieces to San Diego
SONG BIRD: 14 THE Muscian Meklit Hadero talks with LSMAG about her craft
22 EDITORIAL:
“Fall for Her” by ByronGeorge
MODEL CITIZEN: 34 THE Tamara Whatley on her style : 42 EDITORIAL “Fondo Blanco” by Steven D. Hill
52 THE PLEASURE’S
ALL THEIR’S: Fashion
Editor Alexis J. finds the perfect bandage dress fashion label
101: 60 ENGLISH Written by Karen Knight WONDER: 62 WINTER Make-up artist Sareta Gabriela’s top picks for fall’s best products.
: 64 EDITORIAL “Neon Lights” by Danny Fontaine
74 SHOP GUIDE
LSMAG Angela Clay Editor in Chief
Creative Director Joseph Young Fashion Editors Arushi Khosla Alexis J. Beauty Editor Sareta Gabriel Editor at Large Steven D. Hill Contributors Taye Hansberry ByronGeorge Bobbie Dooley Rus Anson Traci Moore Amanda Valdez Danny Fontaine Matt Crump Angie from Confidence Models Carly Ellis James Norton Erin OQuinn ( Neal Hamil) Kari J Michelle Parham Ashleey Mekeel Marisol Garcia Summer Kais Kailin Johnson p.H Balance Photography Wendy Poindexter
Special thanks to: Jennifer Bowman Carmen Splane Joshua Saposnekoo
THE
DESTINED
DESIGNER {COVER}
By Joseph Young Photographed by Summer Kais, Jessica Diaz and p.H Balance Photography.com San Diego might not be the first place you think of when it comes to an up and coming fashion house, but M. Dot Design Studio and head designer Michelle Aquino is set to change all that.
Michelle Aquino lives and breathes her creations -- literally. Situated along a long stretch of street in downtown San Diego is Aquino’s apartment, the same facility that serves as her studio, where the 22-year-old is building a brand based on craftsmanship and urban cool. M. Dot Studio, the place where she designs, works and sleeps, strikes a strong resemblance to a vintage boutique: shelves upon shelves of art, jewelry, purses and other accessories. One wall is a display of her clothing. The space is large, but comfortable, and at every glance there’s something else propped up to catch the wandering eye, inviting the guest to give it a closer look. Dressed in a purple strapless dress and a floral vest (an outfit I’d later learn she made herself), Aquino opened the door with a warm greeting as she gently brushed her dog out of the way, and led me to the center of the main room, where we sat at a large table covered with sewing machines, tear sheets, and other knickknacks to discuss her design house and fall collection that was shown at San Diego’s W Hotel a week earlier. “Industrial, vintage, mod,” is how Aquino described the aesthetic. “Everyone always asks and that’s what comes to my mind.”
in National City, a sub city of San Diego. She learned her sewing skills while working in her grandmother’s tailor shop and trying to overcome her large family’s tight budget. “I have two older sisters, so sometimes I would get two of the same thing and I would alter them in different ways, trying to make something new,” she said. It’s her learned ability to sew and make her own patterns that sets Aquino apart from the ubiquitous cool kid found on every corner and blog. “Fashion is all about craftsmanship of making and selling clothes,” she says. “I believe the current state of fashion has its good and its bad. The medium of having Internet use is excellent, having everyone in the world being able to have access to see your stuff is amazing. However, I feel like nowadays people forget about the craft of being a fashion designer. So many people are aspiring designers, which is great, but it’s surprising to me how many people don’t take the time to sew right.” Aquino confesses she is an old soul. Much of her love affair with all things vintage is also due to her grandmother, whose taste in jazz, blues and the fashionable 1920s and 1930s can be seen in her fall show, appropriately titled “A Gatsby Affair.” “I read Gatsby in high school, and the book just stuck. I wondered what the characters would dress like in certain situations,” she said.
Hand-stitched details to garments, Aquino’s signature, is also evident in the clothing displayed in her studio. “I usually do detailed work with each piece I sew, some sort of embellishment, and I usually work with the same patterns that I create… I usually like to make timeless flowing pieces.”
Just a week earlier I got the chance to attend her show which was only the second time she put on a complete runway event (the first was in January and was themed after a futuristic safari). As the lyrics “As Long As I Got You” came over the speakers, put on by her DJ boyfriend, Gabe, the mood was set and the first look came out.
The youngest of five sisters, Aquino was born in New York and lived in various places with her family before settling down
The fall line represents a new take on the classic novel through fashion, featuring rompers paired with knee-high stockings
THE M.DOT LOOK: Clothes & Styling: M. Dot Design Studio Make-up: Marisol Garcia Photography: Summer Kais
and booties, flowing tops and kneelength dresses among other designs. Luxury of the past was an undertone, as fur, pearls and lace made an appearance on every other look. Crimson was a major color (both in clothing and hair, as well as make-up), as well as pastels, darker shades like black and navy blue, and some florals. Aquino’s signature hand stitching pops in her fall line, like an asymmetrical mini dress done in a dark green with an embellishment at the shoulder. It was a piece that begged for a feel as it made its way down the runway. While the clothes were impressive in their wit and urban sophistication, the models were just as entertaining. They would come down a few steps and then walk about the room, in an act that reminded me of something you would’ve seen in a YouTube video of a Galliano show– the feeling was moody and the models sold the clothes as such. After all the looks had been shown, Aquino came down the runway, as designers do, to a good amount of fan fare. The collection, it seemed, was a hit with everyone in the room. Aquino allowed me to take a second look at her fall line, including the silver beaded finale mini dress, a piece that took a week’s worth of long workdays to finish (and is available for purchase in her Etsy store). M. Dot studio, reminiscent of the French art of Haute Couture or an old-school tailoring shop but with a modern bohemian vibe, may catch the hearts of the American Apparel and Urban Outfitters crowd, but it isn’t as easy as stopping by a local Forever XXI.
FASHI Des Aquino her w includ fall
HION FORWARD: esigner Michelle no (bottom left) and world of M. Dot, ding images of her show (far right).
“I usually do detailed
work with each piece I sew, some sort of embellishment, and I usually work with the same patterns that I create… I usually like to make timeless flowing pieces.”
- Michelle Aquino
Only five people, excluding Aquino, are currently listed as employees of M. Dot, incluing DJ boyfriend, Gabe, who helped start the label with her and is her right hand man. For now the label’s merchandise is only carried in a few boutiques. It’s the small structuring and an emphasis on art, however, that makes Aquino’s work stand out among other San Diego fashion labels. Only a year after launching her own line, Aquino has already racked up magazine features, photo shoots, an interview with the city’s local NBC station, and also mentors students at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising -- all without a fashion degree. Studying fashion is not a bad thing, Aquino says; rather, it helps people realize their vision if they need help “pushing it forward.” And though I felt she did value it on some level, a part of her wanted to keep on the path she made for herself without a degree. “In school you learn all those terms. People at FIDM know how to talk about their lines, and I have a hard time answering questions about fashion sometimes,” Aquino confessed, chuckling a bit. As we continued looking over her line, that dark green asymmetrical dress caught my eye in her apartment/workplace, calling again from the hanger for a feel. And even though she might not have had some Project Runwayesque one-liner to explain its overall chicness, the important part was, at that point, she didn’t have to. For more on M. Dot Design Studios, visit their blogs at: mdotdesignstudio.blogspot.com and store etsy.com/people/mdotdesign FALL FOR IT: \Photography: Jessica Diaz
THE
SONG
BIRD {MUSIC}
By Melissa Czarnik Photos courtesy of Rus Anson
F
or most musicians, five years may not seem like enough time to hone a craft well enough to perform around the world, but for Meklit Hadero, it proves to be more than a possibility, it is her reality. If you are among the lucky that have heard the musical sophistication of the singer, songwriter and musician, you might be surprised to find out that Hadero is fairly new to performing and had no formal musical training until 2005, after moving to San Francisco. Since then, Hadero, a native Ethiopian, released her debut album, On a Day Like This (Porto Franco Records, 2010) and has toured the U.S.A and abroad.
“People want to be
free...and when I am free, they are free… people mimic what they see.” - Meklit
“I’m a bit obsessive,” Hadero said, “Musical obsession is very important, it is what helps me grow.” Hadero’s consistent and daily rehearsals are proof of this obsession and how it has allowed her to steamroll her musical career. She is a poet and songwriter with a natural stage presence, carrying the poise of Nina Simone and the humility of Lauryn Hill MTV Unplugged.
Meklit was photographed by Rus Anson.
Her voice carries like silk over the jazzy-worldly vibe that accompanies her, and somewhere in between the release of her words and the ears of the audience, time seems to stop. When asked how this might be possible, Hadero said, “I try to be as unearthed as possible...People like seeing other people be free.” In this way she creates an environment that is open and pleasurable. “People want to be free,” she said, “And when I am free, they are free… people mimic what they see.”
Hadero is not only a musician, but also a “cultural activist” as her business card reads. She has lived in more than a dozen locations throughout the world, including Brooklyn , New York and Ethiopia. Her music thrives on this cultural exchange and multiplicity. She has a heart the size of the world and knowledge of several languages: including Spanish, French, English and Amharic; her original language of birth. While listening in on On a Day Like This you can catch Hadero singing mostly in English; a touch of French on her track “Soleil Soleil” and in Amharic on the traditional Ethiopian tune “Abbay Mado.” Her songwriting process is just as buried in this multiplicity and freedom as her stage presence is. “Every song has a self genesis,” she said, “sometimes I’m walking down the street and a melody comes into my head... other times I’m sitting with a friend and we begin to improvise a song... The main thing is to just to do it alot.” And that’s what she does, obsessively and dedicated. Her music and words are her proof and her success is her reward. You can follow Meklit Hadero’s tour schedule and purchase her new album, On a Day Like This at her website:.meklithadero.com
FALL FOR HER Fashion Styling: ByronGeorge Photographer: Kari J MUA: Michelle Parham Model: Ashleey Mekeel
Fashion Styling: ByronGeorge Photographer: Kari J MUA: Michelle Parham Model: Ashleey Mekeel
{FASHION}
THE
MODEL
CITIZEN By Joseph Young Photographed by Taye Hansberry
It’s not secret that models tend to have a style of their own when their not in front of a camera or strutting down a runway. Much of the time it’s their street style which attracts those, who look to blogs and magazines for inspiration, to a certain face in fashion. Model/actress Tamara Whatley is no exception to the rule. She’s developed a look all her own, albeit with the help of some talented friends, while working as a professional model in New York and L.A.
LS: If you could define your style in three words what would it be? TW: Fashion forward, chic, simple elegance LS: Where are you originally from and has your style shifted/changed overtime with all any/all the traveling that you do? TW: I am originally from Atlanta , GA. A southern bell...My style has definitely shifted and changed over time, due to exposure in the fashion industry; I dress timely and age appropriate; and have easy pieces that travel well as well as are comfortable. For example, I’m no longer a big fan of showing my mid-drift; not that it was my look, but there was a time when I didn’t give it any thought. LS: How did you develop your look? TW: Being in the fashion/entertainment industry, I think once true personality should always shine through. I’m pretty laid-back and love fashion, so it’s represented in my style. I am also much aware of what works for my body type. LS: Fashion today is spilt up into so many different markets. How do you manage them? Does your style allow you to mix and match looks from varying places, designers and influences? TW: Absolutely, I’m always mixing, matching looks. I love a bit of edge with softness. My favorite eras are the 70’s and 80’s. That’s the great thing about fashion these days; it’s more about individual style then having to follow certain trends. If rock and roll is your look…ROCK it!
LS: Who are your personal fashion icons and who influences your style the most? TW: I love icons with great sense of style. Kate Moss just knows what works together and does it so effortlessly; I love Mary J Blige and her sense of which she is comes through her style; in general, I love seeing anybody who is completely comfortable in what they are wearing, it’s like the clothes are an extension of their personality and they are aware of it! I love the sensibility and beauty of designers Stella McCartney, Karl Lagerfield, Alexander Wang, and Derek Lam, just to name a few. LS: How do you go about planning your fall wardrobe, what should it include and what do you try and stay away from? TW: Either living in LA or New York , I always make sure the clothes I buy are very multi-seasonal and can be easily layered and/or simple accessories (hats, tights, shoes) fall/winterize the clothes I have. In the fall/winter, I love doing fitted long sleeves under lose tanks, that I normally sport in the summer.
LS: Are you a shoe girl or a purse girl? TW: Hmmmm, I don’t know. I really like both. I will say my purses seem to get a lot more attention than my shoes. LS: How has your modeling career influenced or affected your style? Has it helped it grow or do you find yourself shying away from the looks you model for other people? TW: My modeling career has definitely affected my style. I am fortunate to be around so many people who have a true sense of who they are through their fashion, and am totally inspired all the time. It also helps me to keep re-inventing what is already in my closet, as well as adding key pieces to my wardrobe that are timeless. LS: You mentioned that you have friends in fashion as designers and stylists, how has this influenced your personal style and what types of tips/advice do you get from them? TW: It actually dawned on me as we spoke, yes, the majority of my friends are designers, stylists, photographers, in general people who are quite creative and stylish. They always help me out when it comes to fashion. First of all, many
let me borrow their fabulous clothes for special occasions, shoots, etc. They all have such a great eye for details, quality, and style. And shopping with them is the best! There could be an item, I would have passed on the rack, and they may say “try this on, or this will look great on you” and voila...they’re right! Some of my best pieces of clothes, I got while shopping with friends. LS: When you go to castings how do you manage to marry your own personal style with that of your required role? Is it a 50/50 kind of thing or is it purely spur of the moment mixing and matching? TW: When I go to castings, usually I’m given a description of what the client is looking for; but if not 100% of the time a tank and jeans will do the trick. It’s simple and can be read so many different ways on camera. Of course my tank my have a really cool detail on it like feathers or ruffles, and my jeans a bit of a flair.
Photographer: Steven D. Hill Make-up, Hair and Styling: Traci Moore Talent: Erin OQuinn ( Neal Hamil)
{FASHION}
THE PLEASURE
IS ALL THEIR’S By Alexis J. / Photos courtesy of Pleasure Doing Business
Bandage skirts and dresses may not be the easiest things to wear seeing as they define your every flaw but for those of you who worked off those extra pounds you gained during the winters where you can hide under layers and layers of clothes, they are the best way to show off your new bod. (Those of you who still need to hit the gym and work some of those layers off - they provide the perfect motivation!). Unfortunately, not all of us can shell
out $1200 for a gorgeous Herve Leger bandage dress or a Max Azria bandage skirt. Cue: Pleasure Doing Business. Their super pretty skirts and dresses are ideal for us thrifty fashionistas and they don’t cost an arm and a leg. Designer Simone Gonzalez started PDB in March 2009 and it has been a hit with everyone - and I mean everyone - from bloggers like myself to celebs like Rihanna, Heidi Klum, Mary Kate and Kristin Cavallari.
LS: Why did you choose to become a designer, was it a lifetime dream? SG: I’ve always wanted to be a designer; it was something that just came naturally to me.
SG: Something told me that’s what my company should be named, it felt right.
LS: When did you come upon the realization that you are a fashion person, and essentially, a designer? SG: I came to the realization that I was a designer when I saw my first piece made and on Rhianna. LS: Can you tell me where did the name for “Pleasure Doing Business” comes from originally?
LS: Is there a specific age group you are trying to cater to? SG: I don’t really have a specific age group; I just want any and every woman to be able to feel sexy in my clothes. LS: How would you describe your design aesthetic? Do you think that it has changed over time? SG: My aesthetic is fun, unique, and different. The style has
“My aesthetic is fun, unique, and different. The style has changed a bit over time, but my ideals are still the same and I think really that comes through in my designs.� - Simone Gonzalez
changed a bit over time, but my ideals are still the same and I think that really comes through in my designs. LS: How did you start in this industry? Do you have any formal training? SG: I started out interning for Bloomingdales in New York the summer after my junior year in college, it really taught me a lot. Then I eventually got a job working with a designer in his showroom and that is when I really learned the most about the
fashion industry. I feel like you can learn a lot more through experiencing the industry than having formal training. LS: Do you think going to school for designing is important to excel in the business later on in life? SG: It is important, but not necessary. Things like pattern making, etc. will definitely be easier with formal training, but you can teach yourself anything you put your mind to. LS: But do you think fashion is something that can be taught? SG: I believe anyone can be a designer; they just have to put their mind in the right place. LS: Tell us a little bit about how Pleasure Doing Business came to be. SG: My mom gave me a small loan to start my business, I designed a prototype for my first skirt, and myself, her and my brother did everything from my parent’s house. I sold to small boutiques around the city, and eventually sought out a showroom and then sold my designs from there. LS: A large number of your designs are bandage ones. SG: The bandage skirt is what I
started with, it is our signature piece and it is what has gotten us to where we are today; and our customers love it. LS: What if your favorite part of being a designer? SG: Seeing people be happy and comfortable in what they are wearing and knowing I am the person who is bringing it to them. LS: What according to you, has made the PDB collections such a hit with people? SG: The clothing is able to make every woman feel sexy and stylish, and it’s easy to mix and match our pieces with any kind of outfit. LS: PDB designs are extremely edgy but they’re still girly, they’re a tad preppy but not over-the-top. Is that a reflection of your personal style? SG: It is, I want my collection to be able to be worn by everyone, on any day of the week. I know from experience that girls style changes from day to day, and my I think that my collections reflect that. LS: Finally, where can people purchase your fabulous pieces? SG: View a complete listing of at: pleasuredoingbusiness.org
{VIEW}
Our magazine’s former Editor Karen Knight returns to LSMAG bringing a monthly column about her life as an American in the UK and what she learns while living there
ENGLISH101 “Downshifting”
R
ight now I am learning to drive in England. I know how to drive, just not manual and not on the left side of the road or from the right side of the car. My instructor is a tubby local named Jim and he has been teaching people to “give way” and “feed the wheel” for 28 years. When I used to think of England, I never thought I’d meet anyone like Jim, but in my part of the South West, he’s quite common. When he picked me up for my first lesson, it was a lot to take in at once and I don’t just mean the driving. Jim’s sneakers and jeans were hopelessly stained and his stomach hung a good 4 inches below the hem of his shirt. He also sported one of those spiky mullets. It wasn’t as long as Billy Ray Cyrus’ in his Achy Breaky period, but it was still disconcerting.
LONG RIDE: Photography by Pete Knight
He greeted me warmly and I got in the car where I was hit by what must be the scent of despair; an unpleasant, aromatic mixture of stale and fresh sweat that I attribute to his spending the majority of his waking hours in the passenger seat of a tiny Ford Fiesta fearing for his life.
Jim drove us to an empty parking lot where I would finally take the wheel. He was patient and reassuring, even when I made my first left turn onto the right side of the road into oncoming traffic. During that and subsequent lessons, Jim has regaled me with yokely anecdotes about fox shooting, his other foreign clients and the romantic trysts of his close friends. As I bunny-hop through roundabouts and explain to him what a K-turn actually is, I find myself enjoying our time together. His Devonshire accent makes him somewhat difficult to understand, but I’m getting used to it and the idea of one day being able to make a trip to the supermarket on my own. I am expecting my being an American who has chosen to live in the English countryside to be personality enough for everyone else. I want the English community to say “That’s mad! I want to be near her and know more about her!” It’s like when you describe a friend, by their ethnic background rather than their actual, physical characteristics or personality traits, expecting that to suffice. Even though growing up and living in diverse areas have made others being foreign mundane to me, I can’t wait to be identified in this way. It’s all I have to talk about. I’ve discovered that my nationality is good for starting the conversation and that’s about it. In the local pub, a Canadian man, who
has lived here for years, told me he detected a Californian accent in my speech. I grew up in Virginia and spent the last 12 years in New Jersey, so I assured him that, no, he must be mistaken. We then faced each other, silently, until I finally moved back to where my husband was sitting. I began to imagine how the conversation might have gone if I had indeed spent any significant amount of my life in California. My younger sister, Shari, lives there
“I have relied on work and long-formed friendships for more than 10 years, and at my age, I never imagined making new friends would ever be an issue in my life...” and I did offer this, but it failed to ignite the sort of comradery I think he must have envisioned. Would we have gotten on famously if I was a Californian? Or would we still be two people with nothing really in common? I’m leaning towards the latter, but I can’t help but believe our conversation would have lasted, at least, three minutes longer. It’s not that I have no human interaction. It’s just that I was blissfully unaware of my social deficiencies. I have relied on work and long-formed friendships for
more than 10 years, and at my age, I never imagined making new friends would ever be an issue in my life. I had the luxury of being choosy and never thought the day would come where I would be auditioning for the role of “friend.” As much as I’ve been guilty of passing judgment, it makes me nervous to think I’m being scrutinized constantly. This is the kind of situation that either forces you to realize you’ve been a shallow, social snob all along and some way-changing might be in order or, in my case, causes you to hide indoors and watch Judge Judy just to make sure there are people out there you are better than. Even though Jim, the driving instructor, is a captive audience, he makes me feel like he’s enjoying the ride as much as I am. He’s not the type of person I would have ever thought might be numbered amongst my friends, but I guess life is meant to teach you lessons like this. I find it hard to make new friends and I’m at the point where the idea of the effort outweighs the possible rewards. I exhaust myself before I even start. I know that a move to a foreign country warrants a little change on my part, but for now, I prefer to pay £16 an hour and hope Jim did something fun over the weekend. THERE’S MORE: Readers can follow Karen as she writes about her life abroad in each issue of LSMAG in our View section!
l e i r b a G a t e r a S WINTER WONDER
{BEAUTY}
MAKE-UP ARTIST
OGSPOT.COM
SARETAGABRIEL.BL
Winter is upon us, so it’s time to get those sexy warm palettes! My chosen colours are mochas, toffees, sexy hot chocolates and deep reds. The right shades will look beautiful on a night out. 3
2 1
GET THE LOOK
1. Dark Deed lipstick, MAC - $15.50. 2. Eyeshadow, Urban Decay - $17.00. 3. Swavorski Lashes by Sareta Gabriel Custom and available only in the UK. 4. Eyeshadow, MAC - $15.50. 5. Spice Blush, Bobbi Brown -$22.00.
LASH FACTOR (above right): Photography: Danny Fontaine Make-up: Sareta Gabriel Model:Aleasha Benoit
5 4
OUICK TIP! If you’re planning a night out, either with the girls or your guy, make sure you define and show off your best asset - whether it’s your eyes, cheekbones or lips, here are the best tools.
Eyes Get your hands on the limited edition premium 24k gold eyelash curler, Shu Uemura - $24.00. These will tease your lashes into shape and stand out of the crowd. Why not unleash your inner diva and try some false lashes? Cheekbones Add definition to your cheekbones by adding a matt blush under your cheekbone with an angled contouring brush - 109 Small contour brush, MAC - $32.00. Best use: The area, if not obvious, starts from the middle of your ear to the centre of your cheek. Dust some shimmered bronzer on the top of your cheekbone to highlight. Lips Layer it on baby! I usually start off with re-moisturizing the lips with some Carmex, Walgreens - $1.69, then you can add in your chosen lipliner and lipstick. Finish the look with a little clear gloss on the centre of your lips (lower and upper), this draws attention to the center of your pout creating a fuller pout.
PAPPED! Behind the scenes and on location...
I worked on a pirate themed music video (for The Horns of Fury) back in October and had to get a quick pic of the two beautiful extras who appeared in the video! Name: Fidana Hadzhieva Profession: Teacher & Model Favorite look for night out: Black smokey eyes. Favorite item of make-up: Mascara!
Name: Shireen Jathoonia Profession: Dancer Favorite look for night out: Sexy and smokey! Favorite item of make-up: Bronzer.
NEON NIGHTS Shot by Danny Fontaine
Photographer: Danny Fontaine Art Director: Matt Crump Make-up: Sareta Gabriel Model: Angie from Confidence Models Clothes: Carly Ellis
{SHOP GUIDE}
T A H W VE: WE LO
H&M Takes on Lanvin By Bobbie Dooley
Just like Karl and Comme Des Garcon before, Alber Elbaz is taking Lanvin to the mass market with a collection of dresses, shoes and more for H&M. What we love most about the whole collection is that fact that it’s so distinctly Lanvin, the flowing dresses, spike shoes and heavy jewelry, but what we are going to have to take time to digest is the cost. Dresses will run fashion lovers $199, all the way up to $249. So be ready to shell out some pretty pennies for it.
Making Size Sexy Get the scoop on plus size fashion house CoQo Clothing Company By Amanda Valdez
Sexy is word rarely used in the curvy community. CoQo Clothing Company is on the move to change that. The Boston-based company is on a mission to celebrate curvy proportions in all their glory. Founded by designer Janet Allen in 2008, CoQo Clothing, pronounced “cocoa” (just like the chocolate), specializes in trendy, affordable formal and semiformal wear for the plus size woman. “Every woman should feel luxurious in our designs. Each cut, hem, and stitch is made to fit her exactly how she needs it,” says Allen. And what happens if a curvy client doesn’t feel luxurious? CoQo gladly tailors any of their form-fitting garments.
“Allen and her team believe American plus size fashion, ‘needs a reality check!’” TREND BASED: CoQo is all about curves in fashion and head designer Janet Allen tries to convey that in every outfit. Photo by CoQo
After participating in countless fashion shows, including a feature for online plus size boutique Marie Denee, the ladies of CoQo are ready to take the fashion industry by storm. Allen and her small team of hard working ladies work every day to bring CoQo, and plus size fashion, to life. They believe current American plus size fashion, “needs a reality check!” Full-figured women want to look and feel good They want to wear something other than layers of jersey and shades of black and grey. CoQo Clothing Company wants plus size women to embrace their bodies just like their thinner counterparts. CoQo Clothing wants all women to be a size sexy.
CLICK HERE