Miami Swim Week Producers: Rick Fatzinger of SWIMMIAMI

Pablo Starr
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Miami Swim Week Producers: Rick Fatzinger of SWIMMIAMI

Meet Rick Fatzinger of SBI Productions and SWIMMIAMI

Who’s behind Miami Swim Week? As we roll into summer (we’ve already got our Frescobol Carioca towel and Orlebar Brown beach shorts packed and ready to go), FWO meets some of the producers that make Swim Week sizzle.

Although SWIMMIAMI, as an entity unto itself, is one of the newest production entities on the scene, their history is anything but recent. The creators of SWIMMIAMI have been producing Miami Swim Week shows for more than a decade.

Rick Fatzinger, director of SBI (Siegfried’s Basement), told us a little bit about how they and LDJ Productions have continued to leverage some 12 years of experience producing Swim Week shows, even as they move relentlessly into the future.

 
SWIMMIAMI Collections

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Interview with Rick Fatzinger

Q: How did SWIMMIAMI come about, and when? And who’s behind it?

SWIMMIAMI started in July 2015 by SBI (Siegfried’s Basement) and LDJ Productions. The event was formed when IMG Fashion announced that they would be taking a hiatus from Miami Swim Week. Both LDJ and SBI had worked with IMG since it began in 2005.

We had worked with IMG since it began in 2005.

Q: What was Miami Swim Week like when you first started producing shows?

The first year of shows was actually called Sunglass Hut Miami, and included about a dozen fashion shows in and around the Raleigh Hotel. Since Swim Week prior to this had been solely a trade show event, the audience was mostly buyers with a very small number of media attending. The focus during the first few years was catered toward hosting buyers at the show, and then after party.

Q: What’s it like now, post-IMG? What are the challenges and what are the positives?

Miami Swim Week has continued to grow since 2015, and with this growth it has “de-centralized,” with more events taking place over the same 3 1/2 days. While this growth has enabled more brands to showcase their lines, it has also created a more competitive schedule, with overlapping events.

SWIMMIAMI strives to maintain the highest-level production quality with a seamless schedule including the “must see” shows from the best brands in the industry.

Q: What makes Miami Beach special as a place for swimwear collections?

Miami Beach is the perfect backdrop for SWIMMIAMI and swimwear collections, because it’s swimwear season here year-round, and there is already a fun, carefree vibe that really lends itself well to a week of sun, fun and bikinis!

it’s swimwear season here year-round

Miami Swim Week, SWIMMIAMI Collections Q: What do you see for the future of Miami Swim Week? What’s the dream?

We see Miami Swim Week continuing to grow and expand to feature more swimwear and other complementary categories, and attract more media, buyers, and influencers from all over the world.

There is no other platform in the world that allows buyers, media, and influencers to discover new brands at a trade show during the day, see runway shows at night, and then go to a killer party hosted by a swimwear designer at night.

The dream is for the week to have the same industry brand recognition as NYFW or Coachella.

The dream is to have the same industry recognition as NYFW or Coachella

Q: What’s the BEST part of being involved in Miami Swim Week?

For us, it is providing swim and resort brands the highest quality platform to showcase their new collections. Swimwear is a growing industry, but designers don’t often get the same respect as ready-to-wear or couture designers.

SWIMMIAMI gives designers a platform to showcase their art professionally and creatively, and we love being a part of that.

Miami Swim Week 2018Q: What can we expect to see this upcoming season?

We have so many exciting things planned for this season, including a daytime wellness program (think “Swim to Gym”). There will also be an increase in onsite fashion events (not just runway shows).

We really focus on improving the user experience each season, so we’ll have a media bungalow again this season where media can beat the heat and relax between shows, a gifting suite for top influencers and celebs to visit, and so much more!

we’ll have a media bungalow again, a gifting suite, and so much more

Follow us on Instagram @swimmiami to get the latest updates and news, and visit our website to see the schedule as it is announced: www.swimmiamicollections.com.

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Learn More

www.swimmiamicollections.com

With love,

FWO

Pre-NYFW Men’s: Makeup Tips for Men

FWO
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Pre-NYFW Men’s: Makeup Tips for Men

New York Fashion Week: Men’s Report

As we head into summer and the men’s fashion week shows, Lisiana Carter offers us an overview on that most taboo of male fashion topics: makeup for men.

 
Now don’t get all weird. Yes, a lot of men still bridle at the idea of wearing makeup: even though it’s been common practice for decades in stage and screen, and been rocked by “ladies men” from Johnny Depp to Keith Richards to … well, a whole bunch of bad-ass dudes.

But before you reach for that guyliner (and that’s certainly one look to explore), consider that makeup doesn’t have to be about creating a theatrical or flamboyant look. A more even complexion; defined cheekbones; pronounced eyebrows; kissable lips. These are just a few ways to make a subtle impact.

Makeup Tips for Men – Here’s How to Get Started

by Lisiana Carter

Fashion and makeup are not just for women; men shouldn’t be afraid to make the most of these fantastic tools. Men’s makeup doesn’t even have to be all about glitz and glamour, as there are plenty of natural ways of adding a bit of makeup on your face to add to your daily look.

So, as we approach New York Fashion Week: Men’s here are some makeup tips men can utilize when they’re set to look their best.

Starting with the Foundation

The most obvious way to start using male makeup is the foundation. It’s great for beginners because it isn’t anything too flamboyant and it can simply enhance your skin tone and give you more confidence.

Differio Makeup for Men

A good foundation is not supposed to show — it’s just there to cover imperfections and blemishes. Getting yourself a smooth and natural-looking skill will definitely add to your confidence and make you feel like you can conquer the world.

You can see some great examples over at Man Repeller. (There’s also a great Buzzfeed story, but a lot of the pictures no longer work.)

A GOOD FOUNDATION IS NOT SUPPOSED TO SHOW

When selecting a foundation, find one that matches your skin tone. You can take a tester and spread it on your neck or the back of your hand. If you can easily spot the foundation, you need to go either darker or lighter. Another good tip for finding the right foundation is to pick water-based foundation. The water-soluble foundation will result in a less patchy finish even if you are out and about all day.

When in doubt, just drop by Sephora — or any makeup counter, really — where you can get a lot of great advice from the people working there.

When applying the foundation, use a brush or a sponge for even application. Make sure your face is clean and that you are wearing a good moisturizer. Applying foundation on dry skin can result in a patchy finish.

While foundation is certainly not just a girl-only thing, one group of men will probably want to skip using a full foundation: bearded men. 

Beards and foundation don’t match, as the foundation will just create an inconsistent look, since you can’t evenly apply it underneath the beard. But don’t worry! You can still use concealer to cover any small spots or imperfections you might have. As with selecting the foundation, you need to find a concealer that matches your skin tone.

There are a few male-specific foundations out there. For example, check out the Differio range. But you can also use any foundation you find in a makeup store — even if it’s not specifically made for males. The key is to just find the right shade and consistency for your skin.

Next, find out about subtly accentuating the cheekbones with a bronzer.

Bobbi Brown bronzer is a great place to start. (You’ll also need a brush. NARS makes a great line of “kabuki” brushes, like the Ita Kabuji Brush, to help accentuate the cheekbones ever-so-subtly. Again, if this is done correctly, no one will actually see you’ve done anything!)

The Eyes Have It

Tired eyes? Do what women have been doing for ages now, and use a concealer, like NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer. Again, if done correctly, it won’t look you’re “wearing” anything. Your eye circles and bags just sort of won’t be there.

if done correctly, it won’t look you’re “wearing” anything

Thicker eyebrows always look great. For that, use an Ultra-Fine Precision Brow Pencil like Dior’s Diorshow Brow Styler. (But again, these are only suggestions. There are hundreds of products to choose from!)

And yes, now it’s guyliner time.

If you want to enhance your eyes and add a bit more drama to your look, you should opt for eyeliner. The makeup product will be more noticeable than the preceding tools, but still look sophisticated and elegant. If you have a little rock star living in you, eyeliner is definitely a must.

The great thing about eyeliner is the versatility. Not only are you able to apply it in different ways to create a different effect, but you can also find it in different colors to go with your look. Black is the most obvious option and it will suit most stylish ensembles. However, brown and navy can be great choices for something a bit different. If you want a lot of drama and attention, go with purple or red eyeliner.

For a classic look that just enhances your eyes, draw a thin line on the top lid, adding a bit more color to the outer edge. If you want, you can also apply a thin line in the lower lid for a more gothic look. For those looking for a playful look, consider cat eyes style or simply make the line a bit thicker.

If you’ve not used eyeliner before you might want to practice with pencil eyeliner. Urban Decay and Artdeco are great for beginners.

Finish it with Luscious Lips

Want to maximize your kissability? Heed these words.

There are plenty of natural options for adding just a layer of lusciousness to your lips without looking like you’ve spent a lot of time adding makeup. Nude lip color or even lip balm might be sufficient to hydrate your skin and give them a lovely dewy look. You can find tons of delicious options from the Body Shop.

lip balm might be sufficient to give lips a lovely dewy look

Another great makeup option for men is lipstick. Again, you really don’t need to go all out with red lips if you don’t want.

In terms of colored lips, men are more suited for darker colors. Soft and light shades can look a bit unflattering, so you definitely want to opt for rich and dark colors. A deep burgundy or a dramatic purple can finish off your evening look in style. Tom Ford has plenty of good lipsticks specifically for men.

The above will help you create a natural makeup style as a man.

If you are more playful, you can add more things such as eye shadows and even cheek stain to your look. When it comes to finding good makeup products, don’t be afraid to shop online and make use of coupon codes like Groupon, etc. Those in the UK can find great deals and discounts from various retailers at VoucherBin.

Now you just need to find your favorite products and practice with the above tips and ideas.

Get ready to look and feel your best.

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Lisiana Carter is a renowned independent researcher and is studying the impact of technology in the beauty industry. She is passionate about beauty, makeup, fashion and skincare industry. She holds a Ph.D. in beauty and thereby has been consistently sharing her experience by writing various articles related to makeup, beauty, fashion, and skin care. She has been writing on beauty and skin care related topics from the past 10 years. 

Protect Your Skin During Miami Swim Week (Or Wherever You Go)

FWO
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Protect Your Skin During Miami Swim Week (Or Wherever You Go)

At Miami Swim Week, Healthy Skin is the Ticket

If you’re looking for tickets to Miami Swim Week, you can register here. (Just thought we’d get that out of the way.)

As we wade more deeply into summer, the real question is how to enjoy all of the fun of the summer season while looking beautiful and feeling safe. (For example, since the shows of Miami Swim Week are mainly held in the evenings, we expect to spend the day — guess where? — relaxing on the beach, of course.)

To that end, beauty expert Lisiana Carter presents:

5 Tips to Safely — and Stylishly — Have Fun in the Sun

by Lisiana Carter

Sunny days ahead mean we can look forward to more fun in the coming weeks. Why not? It’s everybody’s favorite time of year! As you gear up for the best memories of summer, which you can keep “inside the pocket of your ripped jeans” — according to Ed Sheeran — or, uploaded to your Facebook and Instagram accounts, you should seriously go over your sun care strategy.

Why? Simply because it matters.

Keep The Fun — Not The Sun — Coming!

With an estimated 2 to 3 million people becoming affected by skin cancers all over the world, there is no way you can taking sun protection lightly. If you want to keep the summer fun times rolling, make sure you won’t regret this summer by following these 5 top tips to have a safe sun time:

1. Bring your fashionable self. It is so unfortunate that people equate sun time and the beach with exposing so much skin when, in fact, more cover is required. Miu Miu’s summer 2017 runway showcased one-piece and high-waisted bikinis that definitely added more pizzazz — and more cover — to what women and men have gotten so used to, exposing every inch of skin.

 
This is a great opportunity to cover up stylishly! You can also use a rash guard to get more of your skin surface physically shielded from UV when you’re expecting to spend hours out in the sun doing water sports. Put on your sunglasses, and top it off with a stylish hat.

This is a great opportunity to cover up stylishly!

Remember the words of legendary Miuccia Prada: “What you wear is how you present yourself to the world, especially today, when human contacts are so quick. Fashion is instant language.”

2. Stay protected with sunscreen. The first thing you should keep in mind is that any sunscreen will have limited power in providing you sufficient coverage from the sun. Make sure to follow application instructions closely. You should also choose your sunscreen wisely. There are way too many sunscreens out there that can hurt your skin, making sunscreens one of the most toxic products that you can get in contact with.

If you know you have sensitive skin, you should stick to mineral-formulated sunscreens that use only zinc oxide and titanium dioxide as active sunscreen ingredients. Chemical sunscreens like avobenzone, octinoxate, and homosalate can all cause skin irritations. A key ingredient you should also make sure your sunscreen has are antioxidants, which add another layer of protection from UV but also from cell-damaging free radicals.

stick to mineral-formulated sunscreens

Intensify protection for your eye area. Skin around your eyes is so thin, which makes it so much more vulnerable to sun damage than any other part of your face. Check out a Rodan and Fields eye cream review to see which product line might best suit skin around your eyes. Make sure it is infused with broad spectrum SPF too, and that it contains powerful antioxidants. Don’t squint. Make good use of your goggles and sunglasses whether you are in or out of the water.

4. Choose your sun time wisely. Early mornings and late afternoons are the best times of the day. If you’re engaging in water sports, it’s best to head out into the sea before — or at — sunrise, and be done by the time your watch reads 10. Take a break under the shade, wherever you can find some, and hit the sea again late in the day. The worst time to be catching sun is when it peaks at midday so, try to avoid the sun around those times, when you can.

5. Relieve sun-exposed skin. Even when you don’t get sun burned, the heat of the surroundings can dry our and exhaust your skin. Immediately cool off with a cold shower to relieve any UV-induced inflammation. When you do notice a sunburn, soak up in a cold bath with uncooked, rolled oats in it. Then, soothe and heal immediately with cosmetic-grade aloe or a sun-relief product. Soak your sun exposed skin in deep moisture.

Conclusion:

The sun brings on a cheerful summer time. But, while it is a friend, it can also be your worst enemy so, be always make it a point to stay sun protected.

Related Video:

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Lisiana Carter is a renowned independent researcher and is studying the impact of technology in the beauty industry. She is passionate about beauty, makeup, fashion and skincare industry. She holds a PhD in beauty and thereby has been consistently sharing her experience by writing various articles related to makeup, beauty, fashion, and skin care. She has been writing on beauty and skin care related topics from the past 10 years. 

Remaking Makeup: Interview with Make-Up Pro

Melanie Sutrathada
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Remaking Makeup: Interview with Make-Up Pro

Interview with Chika and Cheve Chan of Make-up Pro

If you’re involved in almost any aspect of the New York fashion scene, you’ve probably heard the name “Make-up Pro” in conjunction with fashion shows and editorials, or just from people’s lips.

FWO’s Melanie Sutrathada recently sat down with founders Chika and Cheve Chan, for her web series Under the Seam. As she discovered, these two disruptors have created a new business model in the makeup business, functioning as a services provider, educational facility, and mentoring and career counseling hub, while bridging the gap between marketing and artistry.

Cheve Chan
Cheve Chan

Q: Tell us about Make-up Pro and how you got started. I’d love to hear about the inspiration behind your entire company.

Chika Chan
Chika Chan

Chika: I actually started Make-up Pro six years ago, and now Cheve has joined the company as well, and we are so happy finally. I have a full team right now, but six years ago I remember I’d just come back from Hong Kong, and previously I was the retail manager for Bobbi Brown. I learned so much from the company and figured maybe we should have some kind of workshop, that kind of balances the upper management and the artists.

I figured maybe we should have some kind of workshop that balances the upper management and the artists.

It’s always like a gap. A lot of makeup artists say “I look good, I am very skillful,” but they don’t realize they actually have a sales goal. So it’s not easy for the upper management to deliver marketing strategies. For the artists it’s like, “It’s too much. I’m an artist.”

Q: Right.

 
Chika: So we started Make-up Pro and then we started to do workshops, to fill in the gaps. And now we network a lot, with LVMH Group, Estée Lauder Group, and L’Oreal Group. And before that, the reason I got into makeup is because I was a finalist in a competition in London, from IMATS, it’s called the International Makeup Audition.

I really want to bring the artistry mixed with business and make people alive. That’s how we started.

Q: I love it.

 
Cheve: What we’ve created is more like a platform, so we invite and welcome a lot of people from different worlds and walks of life. You know anything in the art world we really welcome it; we want to create this as a creative haven … a platform for everyone to showcase their work whether it’s fashion week, whether it’s an editorial shoot, whether it’s an artist, whether it’s a graffiti artist that wants to utilize this space. So we just really welcome that, and I think that’s truly what the concept and aspiration is about.

Backstage at Concept Korea at New York Fashion Week
Backstage at Concept Korea at New York Fashion Week

Q: Absolutely! This amazing graffiti wall really just stands out; it’s not something you really see when you go to a makeup studio or even a lot of places in New York. There’s actually a workshop happening right now so these lovely ladies hold between two and three different workshops every single day, even on Sundays, which I still think is crazy. Can you guys tell us a little bit about the classes you’re offering and how everyday people can get involved?

Cheve: Yeah so currently, we are having different workshops and one of them is really gearing toward makeup artistry. So we want to really educate our artists to actually understand their periodic looks, this is because fashion and a lot of the trends are from history.

You know, the Great Gatsby look, the Marilyn Monroe look, Chanel. A lot of the brands that are trendsetters; these are kind of the inspirations that they are looking at, so it’s important to really educate our students with artistry skills, to understand trends, to know what was the ‘80s, how to like bring it back into modern, and just really transition it and make it your own.

The Great Gatsby look, the Marilyn Monroe look …

Chika: The Counter Workshop is an 80-hour workshop.

Q: That’s a lot of hours!

 
Chika: So a lot of artist would actually come in and say “hey, I want to learn makeup, I might have a little sense of makeup artistry skills; however, I really want to know how can I prep myself for an interview.”

So at that part we teach them how to dress properly, how to set their self-goals, and how to communicate to upper management and so on. And also chatting with your clients while you’re applying makeup. Not just applying makeup with no sound.

We teach them how to dress properly, how to communicate to upper management and so on.

Because there are a lot of people who say, “Oh I am so in love with this makeup,” but you really have to really consult with your client. Is that what she’s going to do after she purchases the product? She might not want to be with that high cheek bone and thick brow, and maybe she will be like, “Hm, that’s the trend, but that’s not really me.” So I think communication is the key.

And that what’s we teach in the Counter Workshop; and after that Cheve will oversee their résumés and set up interviews immediately with Chanel, Tom Ford, Bergdorf Goodman, Saks, Macy’s, so it really depends on the student’s level. And then we also have job postings as well.

Cheve will oversee their résumés and set up interviews immediately

Backstage at NYFW
Backstage at NYFW

Q: It feels like Make-up Pro is a really wonderful way of connecting anyone from very basic beginners first picking up a brush, to someone who is on a much higher level, someone with a lot more expertise. Make-up Pro feels almost like a safe haven for anyone who is in makeup artistry, wanting to do more than beat your face in contour. I think it sounds like a really great way to learn and to grow and to continue the education aspect but also have a lot of fun with makeup.

Cheve & Chika: Yeah.

Q: So what are you guys seeing in regard to trends. I know we talked a little about Marilyn Monroe and a lot of others kinds of comebacks, because history always has a way of repeating itself.

Cheve: Colors are always really powerful when it comes to fashion, anything in the makeup artistry world, and so there are a lot of this trend forecasters like WGSN, so obviously we also look to see what is forecasting.

We also look at what is forecasting.

So for example for this year, 2017, one of the colors is greenery. So I think it’s a bit of pop color. And we also talk about it because of the politics, and because of what we are facing now. Sometimes it’s great to have some strong powerful color to make people feel better, to make people feel good. And also understanding because the color is greenery, that doesn’t mean you have to put green all over your face.

So how do you use that greenery in pops? Like little accents, like an accessory.

So we do teach and educate our artists with the colors, and what’s trending, and how to really be creative.

Chika: You know we want to try our best to convince our clients to try all the new colors that they hate the most. So it’s kind of crazy, but we want you to discover that you don’t need to have only one look. It could be very fun. Makeup, colors, are all about transforming. So now it’s summertime. Although you might hate that Barbie pink, you might hate that orange color … give it a try.

We want you to discover that you don’t need to have only one look.

It doesn’t have to be like very, very orangey, but it could be just like a little tint on the lip, and then it kind of changes your total look and brings some warm personality out there, and help discover who you are.

Cheve: I think that a lot of girls out here are trying to find themselves, or want to discover “what is the best on me, what do I look the best in.” So I think that this is kind of a concept, that we wanted to be an educator, the pros to help them go down this path and to really discover who they are. And we are super excited about it.

We’re launching this survey where we are inviting 1,000 people to get complimentary makeup from Make-up Pro from members and artists, and to really get to know them through the survey, and to really discover who they are.

We are inviting 1,000 people to get complimentary makeup from Make-up Pro.

(For more information, follow Make-up Pro on Facebook for updates.)

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Learn More

makeuppro.org

With love,

FWO

How to Photograph an Editorial for Harper’s Bazaar (with FTL Moda)

Pablo Starr
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How to Photograph an Editorial for Harper’s Bazaar (with FTL Moda)

Interview with the FTL Moda Team

Shooting an editorial at this level always looks effortless once it’s complete. In fact, one might say that’s the whole point. But how does it all come together?

On a recent day in April, the FTL Moda team got together to photograph Luma Grothe for Harper’s Bazaar.

We spoke to the team to find out more about how the magic happens.

See the whole shoot here.

 
Harper’s Bazaar Thailand Shoot

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Photographer Francesco Vincenti

Q: What concept were you going for in this shoot? How do you adjust to get the effect you want based on lighting or other challenges?

My concept was time. Everything was based on time. I saw this story with a girl lost in time, and she found herself again on the big roof-top of this amazing city, New York: this place that’s new, for her. Then I added the cinematographic set to represent everything as a film, because life is just a film — your film!

Life is just a film — your film!

Everything was based around the location; it give me the sensation and inspiration for this story, and with this amazing TEAM, how can you not create a beautiful story? I want to say thanks again to all my team for everything. We made an amazing story with a unique supermodel in Luma. It was a really big pleasure to work with all of them! In my opinion, this is the key, when you have a professional team with good connections, you can have a great result.

 
Key Hair Stylist Gianluca Mandelli

Q: What mood or attitude were you going for? How does the environment challenge what you’re trying to accomplish? What products did you use?

The mood I was going for was messy but sophisticated.

I decided to give to Luma some bangs, because I was imagining a more sensual woman. The messy look was perfect with the environment, because we where shooting on a roof and I knew it was going to be windy. I only use entire Kerastase line, because it has a huge variety of products. Amazing brand!

I decided to give to Luma some bangs.

 
Key MUA Victor Noble

Q: What’s the secret for making a shoot work at this level? How did the lighting and concept of this shoot influence the makeup? What products did you use? Are there any products you ALWAYS use?

The secret is to bring good energy to the set. It’s very important that everybody be happy and focused to make something amazing together.

Well, I was so happy the we had the sun that day. Natural light is my favorite because it always makes the makeup look amazing, and photographers don’t have to do any retouching. My inspiration was the sun and summer in NYC, so I keep the look simple: beautiful skin, a lot shimmer, and focus on the eyes using gold and brown tones.

Natural light is my favorite.

Products … I like to mix. For this shoot I used L’Oréal, Maybelline, and Chanel.

Yes, I have a secret product that I always use … it’s the shimmer ice gold from Ben Nye is amazing.

 
Producer Ilaria Niccolini

Q: What was the concept for the shoot, and how did it come about?

After so many years in the industry, more and more I feel the need to “go back” and search for our cultural origins, to create content for any activation we produce for the fashion and entertainment industry.

In this case, I was seeing a sophisticated traveler, ready to shine in the new “lounge” where beauty meets art, tradition, and class. The choice of Luma was perfect for this; she embraces her role magically. And then yes, I needed the perfect team: passionate, exuberant, workaholic, ready to accept the challenge to shoot on such a cold and windy day, on the top of one of the most panoramic roofs in Manhattan!

The choice of Luma was perfect.

 
Stylist Pablo Patanè

Q: The looks you put together were gorgeous. What’s the first thing you look for when combining pieces? And who was this woman, as you envisioned her? What mood or attitude did you want her clothing to convey?

First of all, I would like to express my gratitude for your compliments. This editorial with Luma is certainly one of our best productions and I am proud of the result, as Ilaria is. This was a challenging shoot, very nicely planned in detail, even if I need to admit that I always leave my intuition at work to create my styling.

My mission, in this case, was to transform our beautiful Luma into an ’80s icon of glam and beauty, playing with big accessories, fantasies, colors, and shapes, but always keeping the dialog open with the actual trends. I believe the result is one of the most innovative and rich I have created, and I am very satisfied.

I wanted to transform Luma into an ’80s icon of glam and beauty.

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Learn More

ftlmoda.com

With love,

FWO

Peace Train: Talking Worldwide Brides with with Naeem Khan

Clara Meyer
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Peace Train: Talking Worldwide Brides with with Naeem Khan

Interview with Naeem Khan

Naeem Khan knows what his international bride wants to wear on her big day.

Naeem Khan offered up a different look for each woman in the audience, whether it be a playful plunging jumpsuit or a more classic one-shoulder, fully beaded number.

We sat down with the designer moments before the show to discuss his vision.

Q: What was the inspiration for this collection?
 
The main inspiration was the women of the world. My ready-to-wear collection sells across the world, and I have been designing for so many brides from the Middle East to Japan to Korea to here in America.

So who are these women? Why not make individual pieces that are so important that they have a couture feel to it? We want to make clothes that resonate throughout the globe.

We want to make clothes that resonate throughout the globe.

 
Spring 2018

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Q: What are your favorite silhouettes and fabrics to play with, and why?

I’m a big fan of embroideries. That is my number one. I like playing with silks and different types of fabrics.

But it all depends; for example, I will use tulle if I want something to drape, but if I want to do something giant it’s always organzas or fabrics that have a lot of body. So it’s hard to say “I only like this,” because at different times I like different things.

So I have standard things I always go back to, and interesting fabrics create a level of newness in my collections.

Q: What did becoming Halston’s apprentice at the age of 20 do for your career and influence, even this collection?

Oh my God, Halston was my ABC.

When you are 20, to hone your skills with Halston was to experience the best of America.

It was not just fashion, it was about how do you live; because fashion has to do with how we live, who you associate yourself with, and who is that woman that’s going to be wearing it?

Halston was my ABC.

You have to understand her lifestyle. To me, all of these women have become friends of mine. I would be at the Louvre for parties or in LA for something else.

So it was through Halston that I learned to entertain, and learned fashion as well. Learning how to understand textiles, learning how to actually let the fabric talk to you; standing back and giving it a breathing, and letting it come back and say “do this to me.”

Q: How excited were your parents when you moved from India to New York City, and you could tell them you were the apprentice of Halston?

That was super exciting for them. They are still super-proud of what all we are doing. And now, of our new journey of giving back to society through what we are doing in Miami*. So it’s a place where the education industry and community meet.

(*Naeem is creating a vocational school of fashion in Miami.)

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Learn More

naeemkhan.com

With love,

FWO

Sachin & Babi Bridal: Spring Awakening

FWO
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Sachin & Babi Bridal: Spring Awakening

Sachin & Babi Bridal Spring / Summer 2018

Sachin and Babi Ahluwalia have collected an envirable “worn by” list, from Olivia Palermo and Josephine Skriver to Kate Hudson.

For their Spring / Summer 2018 bridal collection — presented at the artsy NoMo Soho — they tapped into the idea of spring as a cycle of renewal, “just as a wedding is a fresh start and the beginning of a new chapter.” They say they started with images “depicting the archetypal tree of life and studied its imagery while weighing its larger themes of rebirth.”

Images depicting the archetypal tree of life

Spring’s Thing

[portfolio_slideshow id=28961 align=center width=600 click=advance thumbnailsize=40 showcaps=false]

 
Sachin & Babi has carved a niche for themselves as creators of luxe looks at accessible price points, often shoppable by theme (such as in the St. Barth Escape; which you know resonates with us as we gear up for resort-themed Miami Swim Week).

Look 14, Sachin and Babi Brial Spring 2018

Then of course they have their very estimable bridal offerings. (Our favorite from last season being the Copeland gown.)

The new season didn’t disappoint. Our favorite was mod-inspired Look 14, a mini on top of a sheer tulle skirt with ostrich-feather accents.

Catering to a bride with an eye for luxurious detail, the Spring 2018 collection shows why this dynamic duo has attracted a clientele that loves sophistication, with just a little adventurous spirit.

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Learn More

sachinandbabi.com

With love,

FWO

Miami Swim Week Calendar

Squirrel Abrams
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Miami Swim Week Calendar

Miami Swim Week Calendar

See Miami Swim Week Calendar

 
As with many fashion weeks, the events comprising Miami Swim Week are anything but homogenous.

Although swimwear takes center stage, there are resort / cruise, or cabana collections on the calendar as well.

But no matter what Miami Swim Week event you plan on attending, chances are good you’re going to need someplace to stay.

Places to Stay in South Beach during Miami Swim Week

So you’ve looked at the Miami Swim Week calendar, and have decided to attend Miami Swim Week. Aside from the events and after parties to consider, you’ll also need to choose a place to stay in South Beach. Deciding on one isn’t necessarily an easy task, because there are lots of options within the area. When it comes to accommodation, you can choose between hotels and apartments for rent. Let’s take a look at both options.

Hotels in South Beach

Hotels are best suited for people who are traveling alone. The rental cost for an apartment can be expensive if you are not sharing it with others. It is also recommended to stay in hotels when you require 24 hours concierge service and other amenities such as a gym or a business center.

You will be spending a lot of time watching the runway shows and attending after-parties, it’s likely you’ll only use the room for sleeping and showering. Staying in a hotel is also ideal for a person who doesn’t know or don’t want to cook during fashion week.

Most the the events take place around Collins Ave. In fact, many of the events on the calendar take place in hotels along Collins, such as the W, the Setai, the W, to the SLS South Beach.

Most of the party hotels are also found in the center of South Beach, especially in Ocean Drive between 5th and 13 streets. If you’re on a tight budget, then you can choose one of the affordable boutique hotels in Washington Ave. And for resort style hotels, you can also head to Lincoln Road.

Apartments for Rent in South Beach

Apartments for rent are suitable for people traveling in a group for Miami Swim Week. They will be able to live like the locals and be among neighbors. It is also the ideal accommodation for people who love cooking their own food. An apartment is also perfect if you know people from South Beach and you will want to entertain them during the fashion week.

Before signing the contract for an apartment, make sure that you compute the expenses first. You might be able to get a good deal on a short term apartment, but there are instances in which the apartment can be a lot more expensive than a hotel suite.

It is also important to consider the location of the apartment. You might find a cheap deal, but of it far from the activities during Miami Swim Week, it might not be worth the hassle. You should check whether the location is just a walking distance to most of the venues of the activities on the Miami Swim Week schedule.

First of all, you probably want to stay in Miami Beach (the island off the coast of Florida), not Miami itself. A great place to start, predictably, is Airbnb.

you probably want to stay in Miami Beach (the island off the coast of Florida), not Miami itself

When choosing between hotels and apartments for rent, it’s important to be honest with yourself. Can you really cook for yourself and do the other household chores during your stay in South Beach? Or would you rather just relax and enjoy everything that fashion week has to offer?

If you think that you will be spending most of the time eating out with friends and will not use the kitchen, then it negates one of the advantages of staying in an apartment.

No matter what you choose, there are so many great shows on the Miami Swim Week calendar for this 2018 season (July 2017), you’re sure to have a great time.

So get out your sunblock, get your “beach body” in shape, shop for your cutest resort-wear outfit, and get ready!

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Learn More

Miami Swim Week Calendar

With love,

FWO

Miami Swim Week 2018 Registration

FWO
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Miami Swim Week 2018 Registration

Miami Swim Week: Registration

Yep, Miami Swim Week is already coming together behind the scenes, and we’re proud to be a part of it, in our own small way.

If you want to register to attend the shows, there are a few things you need to know.

First (“firstly?” we can never remember which), a number of companies produce Miami Swim Week shows, from Funkshion and Art Hearts Fashion, to SWIMMIAMI and DIVE.

As a result, where you choose to register will depend on which productions you want to attend. (And the same goes for model castings.)

The good news is, our Miami Swim Week calendar is being curated to represent all the top productions of Miami Swim Week.

Stay tuned, as we keep you up to date on where to register, model, and much more.

Miami Swim Week Registration

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With love,

FWO

New York Bridal Fashion Week: Gemy Maalouf to Naeem Khan

Pablo Starr
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New York Bridal Fashion Week: Gemy Maalouf to Naeem Khan

Here Comes the New York Bride

New York’s Bridal Fashion Week is right around the corner, and that means established and emerging designers — from Oscar de la Renta to Lela Rose — showcasing their takes on the most breathtaking, groundbreaking, and just plain beautiful wedding looks.

Like many, we suspect, Bridal Fashion Week isn’t necessarily the top ping on our radar, although we’ve recently begun following wedding blogs like Vogue Contributing Editor Alexandra Macon‘s excellent Over the Moon.

Vogue Contributing Editor Alexandra Macon’s wedding blog Over the Moon

This season, the lineup is slated to include some 50-or-so designers, including designers like Gemy Maalouf, who will be showing their latest collection on April 20.

(We’re particularly excited about the Naeem Khan show on April 21.)

Gemy Maalouf began pursuing her dreams to be a designer when she was just 17, and eventually launched her own line in 1996 in Beirut, Lebanon, with a staff of only 5 people and a small atelier. Since then, she’s expanded into a team of 120 personnel with collections sold in over 150 high-end global boutiques in Asia, Europe, Russia, the GCC, and the USA.

Maalouf shares our love for the silhouette, saying “when shopping for a bridal gown, one can argue that a silhouette is often the most important aspect of a dress.”

Like her ready to wear, her bridal collections are created to flatter a variety of body types, so everything will fit perfectly on that special day.

her collections are created to flatter a variety of body types

She says, “If you’re planning to emanate an aura of royalty down the aisle, the fairytale bodice or the basque are two classic styles that are commonly suggested. Alternatively, for those who want to set a more modern, contemporary mood — the sheath, mermaid, or empire silhouettes are three seductive outlines that will leave a memorable imprint on your skin as well as your guests.”

Maalouf’s designs have reached a total of 48 countries to date, touching the hearts (and bodies) of every fashion-conscious woman. Her elegant gowns are fashioned with sequins and careful details that have become the designer’s signature.

She’ll be showing the latest collection on Thursday, April 20th, 2017, as part of New York’s Bridal Fashion Week.

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Learn more

RSVP: GemyMaaloufMedia@myngroup.com

gemymaalouf.com

With love,

FWO

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