Fresh Faces from Fashion Week-Thursday September 11, 2009

As we remember the tragedy of September 11th, the excitement of Mercedes Bens Spring 2009 Fashion Week, continues:

Jay Manuel, is best known as the director of photo shoots on the reality TV show; American Next Top Model. He is in the front row at Reem Acra's show during the rehersal, with a young girl named "Britany" who apparently is being shown the Fashion Week "ropes" by Jay this week. I heard him giving the young girl tips about how to behave in the front row. Then he left her to go backstage and do an interview with designer Reem Acra. Yes, Jay is wearing a pleated...uhhh...skirt?

Amy Smilovic is the woman behind the Tibi designs. She paid a surprise visit to the American Express Skybox and graciously posed with me for a photo. The skybox is a special opportunity for American Express cardmembers. I will be blogging about my experience in the skybox, shortly!

A surprise guest, the radiant, Diane Von Furstenberg, electrified the American Express Skybox audience with her account of how she started in the fashion business, her feelings about being the genius behind the enduring "wrap dress," and her favorite charities. " I always wanted to empower women," said Diane. "Every woman is strong, even though sometimes you have to bring out that strength from deep within." She is certainly a role model for women, everywhere,

Dutch makeup artist David Stella with a stunning, Dutch model backstage at the G-Star runway show.

Sherrie and Britany, mother and daughter visiting the American Express Skybox at Bryant Park for Britany's 16th birthday. Britany wants to be a model --but both Mom and daughter are lovely, aren't they? Watch for the Advice Sisters Feature on the American Express Fashion Week Skybox experience..coming soon!

Model Aaron Lorenzo, in an eye-catching outfit at the Bryant Park TMobile/Blackberry Lounge

Designer Reem Acra's adorable pooch, "Lulu" --the best dressed doggie in the tents!

Aurora Nessly, one of the charming hostesses at the TMobile/Blackbery Lounge

Danity Kane and singer Ashanti backstage post-show with Designer Reem Acra (and "Lulu")

All content and photos (unless otherwise specifically marked) --Alison Blackman Dunham for the Advice Sisters copyright © 2008 all rights reserved by Alison Blackman Dunham of THE ADVICE SISTERS® The Advice Sisters is a registered United States trademark. Please feel free to link to this post. For other permissions, email the Advice Sisters advicesisters(at)advicesisters(dot)net

Mercedes Benz Fashion Week 9/11/07- TIBI

Season after season, I enjoy viewing the TIBI collection. Tibi designer and founder, Amy Smilovic, designs a range of bright and interesting prints that match her sense of style, with each collection heavily influenced by Amy’s lifestyle and travels throughout Asia and Europe, including the beaches of Bali, forests of New Zealand and Mediterranean landscape of Capri.

You could almost feel the sunlight in this Spring 2008 collection, featuring a palette exclusively of brown, green and beige mixed with white, with bold patterns that looked exotic and almost tribal. Longer length day dresses and ruffled collars predominated. The look was youthful, but chic and urban, balanced wider tops and cropped jackets belted over wide legged pants, for example, or a long, soft beige cardigan sweater made chic, belted over pants. And, speaking of belts, TIBI featured them in wide and slim versions.

But many of the dresses had nipped-in belted waists with full skirts, that reminded me a bit of the daytime version of the Bill Blass Spring 2008 collection...very demure, a bit more ladylike than previous seasons, with more structure to the clothes than the previous seasons. As "Susie Q" blared from the background, the vibe was back-to-the-50's, but with modern colors and a slightly less structured silhouette. The slightly retro, urban chic look was followed through with very high, very sleek ponytails that swung madly from side to side as the models sashayed down the runway. The makeup was moist and a bit bronzed, with coral/pink lips.