Springtime Gift Idea Dilemma? Try Avon!

I used to think of Avon as primarily a beauty company, but their line of fashion and accessories continues to impress me with trendy styles and affordability. The Advice Sisters had a chance to check out some of the Spring line, in time for Mother's Day gift-giving. Here are some of our favorites (and go to http://www.avon.com/ to check out pages of gift-able goodies)!

The Crochet Medallion Knit Top (sizes small-XL and women's sizes 1X-3X ) is just $21.99, and comes in comes in two of the season's hottest colors: a bright blue, and a soft yellow. The plunging, gathered front with large crochet medallion, defines the waist, but flares out over hips to be flattering to every figure. The top can be sexy if worn without a cami underneath, but equally alluring and day wear friendly worn with an additional layer underneath. The fabric is soft and drapes beautifully, in viscose/spandex knit jersey. The top looks delicate, but you can drop it in the washer and dryer! I have seen lots of tops that are similar to this style, but not at this price!!!!

And how about not one, but two sets of strappy, metallic sandals, for just $19.00!

Sizes 6-10M (half sizes, order one size up). These ladylike, flat, toe-loop sandals have sturdy, no-slip rubber crepe soles, and elastic at the adjustable buckle to ensure a perfect fit. You get one pair in bronze, and another in gold--that's just $10.00 a pair (but they look like they're a lot more).

...and if you want to get Mom (or yourself) some fashion-forward baubles, there's an entire line of fun, fashion jewelry averaging under $30.00. Give Mom something inexpensive but timely --a bracelet supporting a good cause, for just $3.00. There's a Salma Hayek-sponsored Against Domestic Violence bracelet (100% of the net proceeds ($1.86) goes to Speak Out Against Domestic Violence) and a Reese Witherspoon-sponsored Women's Empowerment Bracelet." (the first $500,000 from bracelet sales will be matched by the Avon Foundation for a total donation of $1 million to UNIFEM, the United Nations Development Fund for Women, for projects that will empower women around the world).

Of course, Avon is known for fragrance and cosmetics, and there are plenty of things to choose from at Avon as well. The Advice Sisters will be reviewing more Avon beauty and cosmetics in our upcoming What Works Beauty, Cosmetics & Fashion review column for May/June, up the first week in May...so watch for it!

Mercedes Benz Fashion Week 9/7/07-Cynthia Rowley

When I saw the line of brightly colored bicycles (obviously hand-painted with Cynthia Rowley signature design), I knew her Spring 2008 show would be unique, edgy and lots of fun, like all the shows of the previous season. The inspiration/theme for the Spring collection is "Le Sportif. "

F Cynthia's show is always held a short walk from the tents, in the beautiful and historic Gotham Hall on 36th Street and 6th Avenue. It's a spacious venue, although it isn't just used for runway shows, of course. The atmosphere (at least to me) seems less tense than backstage at the tents, although it might be a bit disconcerting for a fashion designer to house her collection in a hallway until showtime.



Backstage, Jonnie Sapong for Redken was busy getting the models ready. The romantic, feminine hair looked right in step with the youthful, reminine clothes. As you can see from the photo, it does take a lot of hands to do this look perfectly, but you might be able to re-create the look at home if you are able to work on the back of your head. Redken Hot Sets #22 was sprayed along with plain ole water, from root to tips of each section of the model's hair. Then it was rolled into a modern version of rag curls, around flexible rollers made of alumnium foil. A diffuser or a bonnet dryer was used on the models to dry the curls, thoroughly. The top of the head was flat with all hair behind the ears and following the girl's natural parts. but although I couldn't get a closeup of the finished result (hair wasn't brushed out until time for the show) but you can see that the look was long, loose, textured, and just a bit bouncy as the models walked the runway.


Makeup, by Charlotte Tilbury for Avon, featured new colors for Spring 2008. I will be offering complete details and lots more photos of the hair, clothes and makeup un my photo/text feature on Cynthia Rowley's show. Check our FEATURES page at: http://www.advicesisters.net/Features/Features.html in mid-September, where I will be listing all the Fashion Week Spring 2008 features as they are posted. Lips were pink--actually, rasberry, featuring a lipstain and a gloss. As you can see, the focus is on the eyes, featuring navy, a softer look for a dramatic eye than Fall's black and charcoal. A light dusting of sheer bronzer with a tiny with of shimmer gave the models a subtle "glow." The look is polished and sexy, not "punk."

Celebrities are always a big part of any show, and Cynthia always has plenty. On the left is Lisa Edelstein, who plays Dr. Lisa Cuddy on the FOX Television show "House." On the right is a lovely young woman the photographers went crazy over. She obviously knows how to strike a pose. Someone please identify her for me?
I was sitting in the back, actually having a delightful discussion with a few of Cynthia Rowley's relatives. Great grandmother Amy was a charming conversationalist. Watching her eyes light up when her little great grandchild was brought by, was priceless! Alas, my photos, are not the best from this show, but here are some examples of what Cynthia Rowley has in store for her devoted fans, for Spring 2008. The colelction was full of flowing fabrics in light tones of taupe, light turqoise, light pink, and hits of lime. The clothes are fresh and body-conscious, but not so much that a non-model wouldn't be able to wear them. Cynthia seems to favor silky, drape-y fabrics, and these were in abundance, but not in super-shiny finishes as in Fall 2007. Long, delicate, silky scarves were a recurring theme in this show, used both with casual and evening wear, draped around the neck and flowing away from the back as the model moved forward.

Cynthia has a real sense of humor, always adding a surprise element into her shows (last year it was a giant braid, held by all the models at the finale). At one point models were being sent down the runway wearing headbands straight across their foreheads, like 1920's flappers, or worn sideways on the back of the head. And, there were a few goofier designs such as the dress of loopy fabrics worn here. At the end of the show, some of the models gingerly rode bicycles down the runway and around the back of the runway area. It was a fun, fitting end to a delightful show that is making me long for Spring already (and Fall just arrived). I'm wondering if Cynthia will consider a line of decorated bicycles for sale.....these were simply too cute! By the way, Cynthia was the final rider (my camera battery died right then, unfortunately)....what a way to end the show!!!!

*all text and photos by Alison Blackman Dunham -- copyright © 2007 all rights reserved by Alison Blackman Dunham of THE ADVICE SISTERS® No portion of this blog or any advicesisters content, including illustrations, may be copied or used in any without written permission. Permissions: advicesisters@advicesisters.net. The Advice Sisters is a registered United States trademark.

Fashion Week--Must-Haves

In my post of February 1st on this blog I wrote: "for 7 days those of us involved in Fashion Week will live in an altered reality. There will be memorable people to meet, and some who aren't so nice. There will be connections to make, and some that only last for the amount of time you are standing on the line to enter the show. We will know what's coming in fashion, but we can't know what's coming for the next 7 days until we live them.

Fashion Week is over. Every season I've attended, I find the experience to be like a roller-coaster ride. First, there's the anticipation. Then, there's the growing excitement as the first shows reveal a glimpse of our fashion future (for the next season, at least). Mid-week, there's exaustion: "Why am I subjecting myself to the intensity of this?" The intensity continues to build as the shows draw to a close. Who will show us something new and exciting? Whose collection will flop? What other news will affect us? This year, the death of Anna Nicole Smith, and the bitterly cold weather, were two big topics of conversation.

On Friday, after all of the above, I always feel a bit of a let-down as I bid farewell to the tents, my 7-day home-away-from-home. But the title of this blog post is "Fashion Week Must Haves." Here's what I simply couldn't be without --- followed by things I would definitely ditch (if it were up to me), and a few closing thoughts on Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Fall 2007:

Fashion Week Must-Haves:

Clothes: really warm coat (will definitely get dirty since it will be dragged on floors, spilled on backstage, and rumpled in standing room). Comfortable shoes (heels tend to turn into flats, and then into sneakers as the week goes by) . Gel pads for comfortable shoes (no shoe is really comfortable after you've been standing all day). Layered clothing (you're going to get HOT, and then COLD, and then HOT, and then COLD...)!

Handbag: this is the second season that I've used a Butler Bag to carry all my essentials. It is sturdy, with inside compartments that let you see exactly what is inside without fumbling and fishing. It has seen me through travel, interviews, launch parties, and even a few dinner dates!

Emergency Kit: Tape (for everything from a broken camera to a ripped hem), Batteries (for the two digital cameras, audio voice recorder, and MP3Player I carry), Aleve and Aspirin (for aching feet and bones); Pens and pads (lots of them)...the MAC booth is a godsend but thick-barrelled pens are easier on the hands when you're taking lots of notes; A great, lightweight tote (for all the above)

Makeup Must-haves: Lots of lip balm and treatments (Einstein Lip Theory, Z. Bigatti Re-Storation Lip Pout and Re-Storation Lip Envy, Damage Reveral Lip Treatment by Patricia Wexler, M.D., ANEW Clinical plump & Smooth by Avon), Hair products (Redken, Got2B, Warren Tricomi, Aveda, Bumble & Bumble), great brushes, and a hair straightener by Maxius.
Eye shadow that won't run, crease, or quit: Stila, Trish McEvoy, Laura Mercier, NARS, MAC)
Blush that won't run, crease, or quit (Boots No.7, Tarte, Jillian Dempsey for Avon). A great foundation and base that won't run, crease, or quit: Clarins Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch, Make Up For Ever Matte Velvet, Anew Age Transforming Foundation, Biotherm Light!). A great Mascara that won't run, flake, or fade: best of the best: Chanel, Giorgio Armani, Dior, Bourjois, Clinique...Q-Tips!....Great Hand and Body Creams (Zia Age-Defying Hand Treatment, Essie Smoothies, Lady Primrose Royal Extract Body Creme, Phytomer BodyRexlax).

Food: Thanks to DHL in the tents for the coffee, I really appreciated it. Still, you've got to eat sometime. If you don't want to leave the tents, and can't squeeze your way into the little "cafe" area inside, seasons past there were sponsors offering power bars, yogurt, mints, etc. This year, we got to look at gorgeous cars, but there wasn't a snack in site. Bring your own water, too. These are still given out, but bring your own water bottle or juice pack, if you want to be sure you are properly hydrated.

Business Cards: I can't believe how many people don't have them (or enough of them) for Fashion Week!

...Michael from New Jersey, a firefighter and Fashion Week Security Guard --and ALL the security guards and service personnel who are polite and patient (you guys have a rough job, and we all know it)! ...and Michael....definitely do enter yourself as a model for the next fire-fighters calender...you'll be a hunky hit!

DEFINITELY DITCH:

Overuse of the word "chicettes," chicas," "fashionistas" and "fabulous" (once or twice is ok but "gag me" when it's used more often)

Non-essential guests who get great seats, while members of the press and the buyers are standing in the back. Also impossibly long standing room lines that are first come first served. Suggestion to IMG: Why not let working press (who paid for the ability to report on the shows) move up to the front of the standing room line if they do not have assigned seats and the standing room line is very long? Press need to get in to to their jobs more than the merely curious do.

The ("new") idea that "by invitation only" (and you didn't get one) means you are apparently less "fabulous" than some other folks, while you are in full view of them (and a sign that says "be fabulous").

Daily suites once open to all with creds, now mystifying if you didn't get the "missive"

Internet writers who report on shows and parties as a clique of cronies, pretending that they were flooded with invitations (but only one person really gets in and files a report for all the others "as-if" ). Sharing info is ok, but please keep the internet credible and honest, and say your content is second hand.

Hotel lobbies where a "fash week" invitation gets you through to the elevators or else, you're left out in the cold.

Cold Weather...can't wait for Spring!

Some Final Thoughts On Mercedez Benz Fashion Week Fall 2007:

Fashion week is like a wedding: it brings out the best, and the worst, in the best in people. Mostly it brings out the best in them...but there are always a few exceptions. There are new connections to be made, and the type of instant bonding that takes place when you're all in the same place and situation, together. Easy laughter over a drink or a shared seat in the Lycra Lounge. Alas, there are also attendees who feel more "entitled" than others. they are rude and pushy. They take other people's assigned seats and refuse to move. Some even steal products out of goodie bags that or take entire bags that don't belong to them. We're not just talking one thing or one bag....-I saw a man literally take an ENTIRE ROW of little bags off the back row at a major show! How many beauty products or T-shirts could you really need?

And, while my own visibility continues to grow, I'm still aware that the fashion week I experience as a member of the Internet press is different from that of the very high profile press. I'm in the majority of journalists who attend to do a job, and pass the information on to people who will probably never get closer to the tents than seeing them on TV. We do not arrive in furs and limo at the last minute, waving an invite with a seat assignment already on it (front row, or second row at the very worst). We do not walk directly to our seats...we wait..and wait...and wait some more. We do have a shared experience with the "Annas" and "Patricks" and other "must-have" front-row faces, though: we are united in our interest in being part of the experience, and viewing the newest clothes and trends.

I feel fortunate to receive press credentials to cover these shows as I have done for a number of seasons (I believe that I was one of the first Internet writers to receive credentials). I feel even more fortunate that I have a network of related professionals who know my work, understand the power of the Internet (and the power of my international audience), and respect my professionalism,. Due to them, I was able to cover more of backstage than ever before. My sincere appreciation to all of you that made it possible to pass information and experiences on to my readers.

My writing is always first-hand. If I don't experience something, I don't pretend that I did, just to boost ratings or readers. My style is 100% "up-close-and-personal." So....to the designers and sponsors who don't know me or are not sure they need my online coverage need to, let me show you what I can do. If you, or any of your assistants/friends/staff/colleagues/publicists/clients read The Advice Sisters through this blog, my web site, the What Works Beauty, Cosmetics & Fashion Review columns, my bi-monthly Enews, or my Myspace.com page and like what has been written about other designers, maybe next year I will get close enough to your clothes, products or services to report on them! Please contact me and put me on your media list.

See you NEXT season!

Cynthia Rowley, Rocks it with Redken and Avon

Cynthia Rowley's runway show at the great and glamorous Gotham Hall was one of my favorites last season, and this year didn't disappoint either. I'll talk about the clothes briefly here, but will be adding more about them in a full feature in a few weeks focusing also on the hair (by fabulous REDKEN) and the makeup (a brilliant, new Cynthia Rowley for AVON Fall 2007 Color Collection). I checked to see who is reading this block, and discovered that along with all the readers the Advice Sisters have in English speaking countries, the past few entries in this blog have been translated into a number of languages, the most popular being French, Chinese, German, Japanese, Turkish, Korean, Dutch; Flemish, Arabic, and Greek ! I am flattered that someone would take the time to translate "The Advice Sisters!" If you are visiting this blog, please let me know. Leave a COMMENT! I'd appreciate it.

But back to Cynthia Rowley: As I walked through the backstage area, I spied a group of people with needle and thread, quietly stitching together what seemed to be a 30-foot brunette braid (3o foot braid?!). I was informed by REDKEN lead stylist Rodney Cutler that this giant braid was for the finale of the show. It would be attached to the head of just one model, and the rest of the models would hold it as the walked their last looks down the runway. As they stiched the braids together to make one long chain, it writhed and wiggled like a giant snake emerging from primordial ooze. It was a bit freaky, actually, but looked great on the runway and got murmurs and a few giggles from the audience.

As you might have already guessed, it was braids that were the theme of the hair for the Cynthia Rowley show. Rodney didn't do "pigtail" type braids, but instead, sophisticated, sleek, shiny hair with no part held tight to the head by a number of REDKEN styling products (see a view of the products below). How much and what was used depended upon the texture and length of the model's hair, but as you can see from the photo on the right, all those REDKEN products may each girls' hair sleek and shiny. The finished look was youthful (as are Cynthia Rowley's clothes), but still sophisticated, fresh and pretty, not silly, wacky, or out of place.

Actually, I got the the Gotham Hall early, before my REDKEN contacts arrived, but discovered that most of my contacts from the public relations firm Tractenberg, were already in place at the doors and inside the backstage area (they were handling the PR for AVON and for the press reception for the Cynthia Rowley for AVON Fall 2007 Color Collection) after the show. I was eager to see it.

AVON has several new collections that are quite beautiful, and the one For the Cynthia Rowley show is stunning! You are going to want to buy all o fit. As luck with have it, the lead on the collection, Jillian Dempsey, had just given birth to twins a few days prior, so she had her friend, makeup artist Tina Turnbow do the model's makeup instead. FYI: Tina learned her craft by assisting celebrated makeup artists such as Kay Montano and Pat McGrath, and works with celebrities such as Gwyneth Paltrow, Natalie Portman, Anne Hathaway, Julianne Moore, and Joan Allen, among others.

As with many of the makeup looks for Fall, this one for Cynthia Rowley is all about the EYES (are you getting the theme for Fall, 2007 from all these blog entries?) . I had the opportunity to see Tina apply the makeup to the first model and explain it to her assistants. I was sitting down among them (maybe not such a good idea, but I knew I'd been on my feet for hours, and it was a free chair). At one point, Tina suddenly stopped what she was doing, and looked right at me : "Who are YOU?" she said in a voice that reminded me of the Caterpillar on the Hookah in Alice in Wonderland. "Uh, Oh, I'm a writer and reporter" I mumbled (as humble as Dorothy adressing the Wizard). Thankfully, one of the lovely women from Tractenberg confirmed my reason for being there and once the mystery was cleared up. Tina went right back to work, and I went right back to work too, taking notes!

The new, AVON Cynthia Rowley makeup collection is remarkable, not just for it's wearable and quite beautiful palette, but also because it translated uniquely to each model. I'm not going give away the secrets to getting this beautiful Cynthia Rowley makeup look from AVON today....you'll have to wait until my feature on the show is posted on the Advice Sisters Web Site http://www.advicesisters.net....but I will say that the collection will be available through AVON for Fall 2007 and it will work it's magic for you as well *Watch my FEATURES PAGE on advicesisters.net http://www.advicesisters.net/Features/Features.html for a complete description of how to get the goods, and do the look (coming in a few weeks).

The look was all about a fresh face (no foundation, just a bit of brightening powder, concealer and a dusting of face powder if necessary). As with most of the shows I've seen this week, the focus is all on the eyes. This time, in a palette of violet and grey with some shimmer and lots of mascara. The model I quickly snapped in the photo above is a thousand times more beautiful than this photo shows, but it gives you a great look at the eyes. Note that the lips are pink and very, very shiny. The new Cynthia Rowley Color Collection for AVON lip gloss is unbelievable!a definite must have for your Fall makeup wardrobe.

As you can see from the model above, the eyes are the thing. The look was all about a fresh face (no foundation, just a bit of brightening powder, concealer and a dusting of face powder if necessary). Eyes were done in a palette of violet and grey (with some shimmer) and lots of mascara. There was just a bit of pink blush to warm up the face. The model I quickly snapped in the photo above is much more beautiful than this photo shows, but it gives you a great look at the eyes. Note that the lips are pink and very, very shiny. The new Cynthia Rowley Color Collection for AVON lip gloss is unbelievable!a definite "must have" for your Fall makeup wardrobe.