Couture & Luxury Magazine

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Scenes Scenes from from Couture Couture Fashion FashionWeek Week NewYork NewYork The The Paris Paris Haute Haute Couture Couture Scene Scene

Precious Precious Gemstone Gemstone Jewelry Jewelry on on the the Runway Runway

Couture Fashion Week New York - Palm Beach

World Class Designers Upscale Boutique Buyers Affluent Audiences

Prestigious Venues International Press Branding Opportunities

www.CoutureFashionWeek.com

From The Producer Couture & Luxury is dedicated to showcasing some of the best highlights from the always-impressive couture fashion shows presented in Paris and New York City.

Couture Fashion Week New York continues to grow into a realization of my initial vision of a place where myriad artists - stylists, makeup artists, painters, sculptors, decorators, photographers, lighting and sound designers and other creative minds – come together around a center of the ever-changing art of fashion. It is a place where people enjoy art, fashion and socialize. It is a platform where dancers and classical performers – fresh from their appearances at some of the world’s top venues show their talents to a highly appreciative audience. It is a place where popular performers show they can reach new audiences and showcase the best of the best. It is an environment where writers and editors find new inspirations. It is a place where new ideas and the next cool trend will hatch.

We are proud of:  The quality and craftsmanship of designers from all corners of the planet participating in Couture Fashion Week.  The very special audience in attendance composed of diplomats, socialites, fashionistas, affluent consumers, fashion lovers and the fa shion trade.

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The ethnic and racial diversity of the models, stylists and staff working on the event.

The enthusiastic group of young volunteers from fine fashion schools in the New York area.

The "fantabulous" artists performing at this evergrowing event.

The national a nd international press coverage of the event bringing images to millions around the world

Above all, we have a great exciting time and love what we do.

I was told it would be impossible to do these kinds of shows in New York. But the impossible is only a matter of perspective. We believed it could be done, and now New York is well on its way to becoming a world couture capital.

Andres Aquino

Publisher and Producer

Couture & Luxury Vol. 1, No. 2 Cover: Gown by Haya Al Houti Editor-in-Chief: Andres Aquino Managing Editor: Elaine Hallgren Contributing Photographers: Brigitte Pollio, Jodi Jones, Rich Schaub, Ken Minami Published by USA International Fashion Shows P.O. Box 727, Woodstock, VT 05091 Fax 212.202.4604 E-Mail: info@usafashionshows.com www.CoutureLuxury.com © Copyright 2008, Andres Aquino. All Rights reserved.

Printed by: Clover Graphics, Inc. Ronkonkoma, NY 11779 Tel. 631-471-2323

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HAYA AL HOUTI

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kuwait

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CATALIN BOTEZATU

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JEAN FARES

lebanon

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ROMANITZA

romania

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KATERINA BOCCI

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RABIA YALÇIN

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LOURDES LIBMAN

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MICHAEL MIONÉ

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SUSHMA PATEL

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ANDRES AQUINO

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From Farah’s Jewelry Box Precious gemstone jewelry provides perfectly exquisite counterpoint to luxurious fashions.

Fashions: Casablanca Collection by Andres Aquino.

Jewelry: From the collection of Farah Mallick.

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Couture Fashion Week Performers Alexander Markov has been hailed as one of the most captivating musicians in the world today.

Lord Yehudi Menuhin has written, "He is without doubt one of the most brilliant and musical of violinists: Alexander Markov will certainly leave his mark on the music-lovers of the world and in the annals of the violin virtuosi of our day." A native of Russia now based in New York, Mr. Markov is a Gold Medal winner at the Paganini International Violin Competition, is an internationally acclaimed recording artist and has appeared with some of the world's greatest orchestras.

Pianist Donna Weng Friedman has performed as a soloist with many world-class symphony orchestras throughout China, South America, Europe and the United States. Her performing credits include recitals at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, the Caramoor Music Festival, Symphony Hall in Shanghai, the Flagler Museum in Palm Beach, Florida, Le Jeu de Paume in Fontainebleau, France and Tillett Gardens in St. Thomas, USVI. An American of Chinese heritage, Ms. Weng Friedman has performed as guest artist with the Orchestra of St. Luke’s Chamber Ensemble at Caramoor, Bargemusic, Weill Recital Hall, and Merkin Concert Hall, and has collaborated with clarinetist David Shifrin, violinist Mark Peskanov, violist Paul Neubauer, and cellist Carter Brey. She has conducted master classes at the Beijing and Shanghai Conservatories and has been on the faculty of the Mannes College of Music Preparatory Division since 1989. A winner of numerous prestigious piano competitions and awards, Ms. Weng Friedman is the music supervisor and pianist for the award-winning film documentaries Frames of

Life, Living Liberty and Morris Engel: The Independent. She has been invited to perform in and preside as the Artistic Director for the Music, Art and Technology festival to take place in Shanghai, China during the Shanghai Expo 2010 .

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Couture Fashion Week Performers New York City's signature aerialists, AerialDuo/Mantryx, have performed in over 70 countries; for millions live, and millions more through their appearances on most major television networks. They have appeared in top venues including Times Square, the NASDAQ, South Street Seaport, and the Jacob Javits Center and have created shows for Macy’s, Maxim, Bud Light, Norwegian Cruise Lines and Gay Life Expo, as well as appearing with such performers as Madonna, Justin Timberlake, Snoop Dogg and Patti Labelle. In addition to their traditional stage performances, they have shared laughter, silliness, and the spectacle of circus arts at hospitals, orphanages, and veteran’s homes.

New Tang Dynasty TV Lion Dance Group.

These talented dancers performed at the debut of the NTDTV Chinese New Year Global Gala in New York City and are active in various community events in the greater New York area promoting traditional Chinese culture. The Lion Dance (pronounced WuShi) is an important tradition in China dating back to the Han Dynasty (205 B.C. to 220 A.D.) and is believed to bring luck and happiness.

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Couture Fashion Week Performers A native of Albania, cellist Gjilberta Gelaj has appeared at Carnegie Hall as a member of the "Passionata Trio" and has given numerous solo, chamber music and orchestral performances throughout the world. She has studied with eminent cellists such as Peter Wiley and Andre Emelianoff, and has performed in various master classes including with Yo-Yo Ma. Ms. Gelaj is a cello/ violin faculty member of C Note Music School, Kilroy Music Studios Production and Abrons Art Center in New York. She is a Charter Member-Associate Artist of Hudson Valley Piano Club.

British born violinist Jane Hunt, also known as the "Violin Venus", is quickly becoming one of the most talked about violinists in both the UK and USA. Making her debut at Carnegie Hall in 2007 and having appeared as a soloist at Radio City Music Hall, The Kennedy Center, The Cannes Film Festival and Sir Elton John's Lifeball Concert, the Violin Venus captivates audiences wherever she performs. Combining the beauty and refinement of classical music with the energy of folk and jazz, Ms. Hunt is an eclectic highenergy performer. She will be appearing this summer at the 2008 U.S. Open Tennis tournament.

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Couture Fashion Week Performers Lara Janine is a talented singer, actor, dancer and composer. She recently played Elphaba in a special version of Wicked in Japan, and some other credits include Jasmine in Aladdin the Musical and Otilie in Dvorak in America.

For her new album, It’s My Time, Lara wrote or co-wrote every track. Her songs have been featured on Access Hollywood, Degrassi, Big Tunes 2008 Compilation , and How Do I Look?

Lara recently signed with On Track Sound and is a regular singer of the national anthem for Stanley Cup champions, The Anaheim Ducks, is heard on many Barbie commercials for Mattel, and is the voice of the singing Barbie Doll, Princess Anneliese as well as the singing voice of Melody in the upcoming movie Barbie and the Diamond Castle. She can also be heard on Applebee’s latest television commercial and often performs at some of New York’s top music venues.

Bluffa Jo Cosmetics www.BluffaJo.com

Luxury Living Whimsical hand-beaded and embroidered handbags by Canadian designer Dee Rothbury make a bold fashion statement..

The unique woodwork creations of artist Artur Moreira are the perfect combination of art, function and form. Much like fellow Brazilian and world-renowned architect Oscar Niemeyer, Moreira incorporates smooth, graceful lines and Surrealist, liquid-like elements into his pieces. In addition to Niemeyer, Moreira credits the work of Salvador Dali as a great influence. Because he works on each piece individually, every creation is inimitable and one-of-akind with unique coloration and grain patterns . Moreira’s lacquerpolished wine racks, cabinetry and a myriad of other wooden creations present a distinctive way for collectors to integrate art into their homes.

Danish ceramist and product designer Susanne Hangaard takes a conceptual approach, often using unexpected combinations of materials with ceramics to achieve intriguing new expressions. The essence of her work is a desire to tell stories and create images in a playful interchange with the world within the framework of clashing environments and realities.

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FINE ART

at Couture Fashion Week

Artist Monica Agudelo identifies herself as an observer of the modern society. “I am a thief of individuals and global vices and virtues that speak to me and which I translate into my own artistic expression.�

The work of awardwinning Russian-born artist Leon Oks shows an exciting visual style that unites form, fluid brushstrokes, and vivid color into a tapestry of unique inspiration.

Dynamic movement and multiple perspectives combine with romanticism and emotion, revealing joy and sadness in equal measures.

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The Paris Haute Couture Scene

Christian Dior Couture & Lux ury :: 42

Valentino

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Chanel

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Jean-Paul Gaultier

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Armani PrivĂŠ

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Christian Lacroix

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Christophe Josse

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Elie Saab Couture & Lux ury :: 49

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Bridal Couture New York

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