New York Fashion Designer Byron Lars is "More About the Clothes, Less About the 'Hype'"

(Photo Credit: Courtesy of www.agendamag.com)

If you missed my latest news article in Agenda Magazine, noooooo biggie. When you get a few minutes, please check out "Byron Lars Beauty Mark: More About the Clothes, Less About the 'Hype'" in the July/August issue.

Byron Lars, the New York fashion designer who has dressed First Lady Michelle Obama more than once, believes you can look like a million buck without having to spend that. Yes, that is MY kind of designer!

Thanks for reading. Comments are always welcome!

The Kristinit "It" Top of Spring

I am quite proud of my recent one-on-one interview with Kristina Lenss in Agenda Magazine (the "Going Green" section) -- the designer behind the Los Angeles-based, eco-friendly line, Kristinit. Lenss' sweet nature, passionate drive, and innovative design concepts are an investment that will benefit your wardrobe.

Pictured here is my very own Kristinit exclusive blouse that I had the pleasure of receiving directly from Kristina! This is me in my hotel room at the Luxor Hotel two weeks ago, before heading out with Plastic Surgery Studios' coworkers for an enjoyable evening after the ASAPS show.

My original plan was to take a few pics of me wearing the blouse in a few different ways -- with a vest, under a blazer, etc. But honestly, this type of silk top looks best as is, letting the design and creativity shine on its own. The other pieces hid the pink and cream-printed design, and I didn't want to do that! So, because the material is sheer, I wore a black lace tank underneath and voila! My Kristinit look was complete. I paired it up with my Forever 21 denim skinny jeans, and black BCBGirls booties.

How would you have worn it?

To see more of Lenss' collection of blouses and adorable dresses, please visit http://www.kristinit.com.

Photo Credit: Me and my camera!

MINT Jodi Arnold Fall Sample Sale (up to 60% off savings!)

The next best thing to shopping in a New York showroom? Being able to view the same sample collections of a top designer in the comfort of your own home. AND to receive 60% off while doing so -- pretty lucky.

If you can't make it to 39th St., get your sneak peak of the MINT Jodi Arnold Fall collection online. "An art-inspired, ready to wear, women's contempary line" has some of the cutest prints and styles. It is sold in over 300 stores worldwide.

So with a Barneys New York price point, getting more than half off of a luxurious collection is quite something -- especially if you need to update your wardrobe and/or want to get going on holiday shopping for your best girlfriend, sister, or mother. (FYI: MINTJodi Arnold T-shirt dresses, like the one I have featured here, are too fabulous. Its original price is $407, as it is 55% silk and pssst...it will be one of the sale items!)

Starting November 11th through the end of the month, enjoy your VIP treatment and shop (smart) til you drop! And tell me what you end up purchasing or salivating over...Just go to http://buy.jodiarnoldnyc.com/samplesale.html.

Photo Credit: http://www.jodiarnoldnyc.com/

Gossip Girl -- I'm (Finally) On Board

What can I say? After last week's Gossip Girl episode, where this one guy was dating this one girl, but then showed up with another woman, who is the mother of one of their friends...Oh, and the fashion on set...gorgeous.

What can I say? I'm in.

But why am I surprised? This is coming from the girl who religiously watched 90210, Melrose Place, The OC, and now One Tree Hill...

Photo Credit: http://www.glamboulevard.com/

One Lovely L.A.M.B.

An oldie but goodie. Gwen Stefani: brunette and a style beyond our time. And yes, my favorite chameleon. 1991, 20 years old.

Photo Credit: found on http://theboombox.wordpress.com/category/gwen-stefani/

My Interview with Kaylene Peoples -- Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Agenda Magazine

She is a publisher. A documentary filmmaker. A jazz singer. Founder of a youth-based foundation. A network queen. And my editor!

Kaylene Peoples offered me the opportunity to be her first fashion columnist for Agenda Magazine (AgendaMag.com) in late 2004, for her second issue (which eventually turned into a staff writing position as well). I remember the day like yesterday -- just out of college and working at Nordstrom. I knew that I wanted to pursue my ideal writing career, but I never knew how to get started. So after contacting the woman I interviewed when I was an intern (really just to say thank you for being so great!), I was blessed with this question: "Do you want to be a fashion columnist for Agenda Magazine, a new online publication I'm starting?"

My life felt worthy after I said yes. Kaylene gave me the chance to set my soul free through personal talk of shopping, designers, materialism, and fashion shows. My column "Talking Chic" was born with her support and encouragement.

So, with great pleasure, I present to you a long-awaited interview with my fabulous editor and friend:

I have known you for almost 4 years now, Kaylene! You asked me to come on board as a fashion columnist, and I have been in love with Agenda Magazine ever since. So tell me how it started...

Agenda Magazine has been percolating in my mind since I was in high school. I used to read all the fashion mags from cover to back and really was just addicted. There was one thing that I found to be missing though, and it was the fact that the articles only went just so deep. I always put them down wanting to read more or learn more. I wanted to create a publication that would pull the reader in even deeper – answer all the questions. Lastly, since I am involved in filmmaking and music, I wanted something that could incorporate multi-media. And it seems that Agendamag.com really fills that niche.

So I know that you attended NY Fashion Week this year (so jealous, which you know already). Which shows were unbelievable?

Zac Posen was incredible. Monique L’Huillier and Joanna Mastroianni stood out in regards to luxury. Jayson Brunsden really exemplified the playful side of a woman. But all the shows were really impressive. The styling, along with the pieces were perfection in their presentation – a lot if wearable garments. And the colors that popped on the runway were interesting. Banana yellow, deep purples and the smoky eyes from the 20’s and 30’s was a big hit. A lot of designers had a taste of old Hollywood in their collection. That was exciting. Of course the veterans like Diane Von Furstenberg, Vera Wang, Bill Blass, and Oscar de la Renta, made a huge impression as usual.

How does LA Fashion Week compare to NY?

I have been asked this question so many times, and have really tried to be fair in my comparison, however New York is primed for high fashion and LA is more suited for “Hollywood.” And it seems like that is where the trend is going on the West Coast for fashion. Since I have been attending for over 4 years (I only missed one season a couple of years ago), there have been some talented designers: Sue Wong, Custo Barcelona, Rami Kashou, Kevan Hall, etc… The list is endless. However, within the last 3 or 4 seasons, it seems like LA has been more interested in the celebrity side of things. For example, one season Metro 7 showed. Fashion House cast took up ¼ of the front row and they even showed clips from select episodes. Metro 7 is an in-house line from Wal-Mart. I can’t imagine seeing something like that in Paris, London, or New York. LA designers have a tendency to design their shows with surprise celebrity models: Bai Ling and Paris Hilton were featured in shows.

But in the same breath, you have designers like Christian Audigier, Louis Verdad, Elsie Katz Couture, St. John, Lords, and Lloyd Klein who have graced Smashbox’s catwalk with their exquisite collections. There is no denying that there is phenomenal talent in LA. But what ends up on the runway during Fashion Week doesn’t always reflect that. The lineup for Fall/Winter 2008 is filled with unknowns and the big ticket names are scarce. It will be interesting to see what Jenna Jameson’s “PETA” and the Robin Antin’s “Pussy Cat Dolls” have to offer the fashion world.

How does Agenda Magazine stand out among the various online publications that also deliver couture fashion coverage?

I really feel that we have tried to spotlight not only couture, but ready-to-wear, eco-friendly designs, and emerging designers. In the past we have shown complete collections of the Fashion Weeks from LA, San Francisco, and New York. I’d like to incorporate international designers too. The format of the webzine is evolving daily, so as we fine tune, you will be seeing even more diversity in fashion. But regarding couture, I feel that we have been successful in showing those collections as well. But the world is diverse and I’d like Agenda to be able to reach out to the luxury side of our readers of all income levels. So those who cannot afford an atelier can still reap the benefits of their version of couture with some of the newer designers we feature.

Our first meeting was when I was still in college in '03, and I actually interviewed you when I was interning at Hollywood Scriptwriter. And over the fabulous breakfast you made me, we discussed the indie film you were producing. How did you jump from filmmaking to a fashion magazine in such a short period of time?

Once an entrepreneur always an entrepreneur, but I saw the need. And I had the resources available to make it happen. It was floating around in my head for quite some time as I mentioned before. If I could incorporate fashion, film, and music in a magazine I’d find a way. And because of the Internet, I was off and running! It provided the audience, and that was all I really needed.

You are one of the busiest, most incredibly talented women I know, tell me about some of your other current projects you're working on...

Well, Agenda Magazine has founded Agenda Foundation. It is an opportunity for foster care youth to be able to learn filmmaking. We are planning our first fundraiser sometime this year. I am producing a couple of film projects, one of them is a documentary and you will be seeing corresponding interviews in the mag once we are ready to release the documentary. Also, you mentioned about my jazz music, which is my passion; I am cultivating my music daily. There are some exciting things in the works, but it’s too soon to mention yet.

Thank you Kaylene! I look forward to growing with AgendaMag.com. If there are writers out there who want to contact you for an internship or for a contributor position, what should they do? Are you currently looking for people?

Thank you Elana, you are a huge asset to Agenda and have been a big part of our developing webzine. Currently we just added a fitness columnist, Anthony Heredia, and we will be incorporating Beth Shaw of YogaFit in that fitness section on a regular basis. At this moment, we aren’t really looking for writers, but that will probably change mid-year, as there are going to be some major changes. We always welcome interns. To intern with us, please send resumes to agendamag@aol.com. However, if somebody would like to contribute, please feel free to contact us, because you just never know and we are always happy to hear from talented journalists.

Photo Credits: Courtesy of Kaylene Peoples (That's her in each pic. Last one also features designer Tracy Reese.)

To My Cyber Fashion Friends: I Heart You!

What can I say except that I love my couture-loving, budget-conscious blogging buddies I have met via myspace, Divapreneur, MyBlogLog, and Facebook (There are so many more networks that I can't wait to join!).

And especially for all my fashion friends who enjoy the heartfelt diary pages of my shopping sagas, I honor you like the endearing and lovable Betsey Johnson on the runway.

When I need inspiration, I log in. When I want to read amazing blog posts, I turn to you. And when I am reading your profile, I leave long-winded comments.

A random blog post, I know. But so necessary.

Photo Credit: http://www.newsday.com/