NYFW: MOJ Works Behind the Seams of the Risto Show!

Photobucket New York Fashion Week is under way and the whole city is abuzz. There is a rapidly decreasing ratio of taxi-cabs to fashionistas, plenty a meal to be missed, and plenty a good garment to see for the Spring season ahead. Who’d have thunk that we’d already be talking about Spring 2010 as only the first leaves of fall think of setting in?

This year is the first year that I get to participate in shows, working both backstage, and as a spectator alike, to bring you my faves of the bunch. It was my joy to present myself as the mani-pedi technician of the Risto Bimbiloski show.

Click ‘Read More’ to check out some more pictures and details about both the clothing brand, as well as the nail polish that made it happen. You can probably tell from the image what it is!

First an introduction on Risto Bimbiloski:

Risto Bimbiloski is an emerging brand, centered on a forward thinking vision. It is foremost a family business, started by a group of common minded individuals, connected by the unique concept, of what is new in the world of design. Risto was born in Macedonia in 1974. His initial influences were the realities of common socialistic lifestyle and early pop images on MTV. In 1993 he was accepted and enrolled in one of the most prestigious Parisian design schools-Duperee. This enriching experience resulted in initial research of his inner “East-West” balance, still very prominent in his collections to date. Macedonia is a matriarchal society full of strong women proud of their heritage and traditions. It is customary that the technique of knitting and handcrafting is learned from an early age to execute to perfection. Thus it was an organic decision to embrace these traditions and launch the label Risto Bimbiloski as knitwear based collection. The presentation was called simply “24” and showed twenty-four silhouettes based on women that would wear a Risto Bimbiloski garment at a precise hour: minute of the day, in very different places worldwide. By combining these traditional knitting techniques with ultra modern design that is always executed with precise art of the drapery, Risto showed a very new and unique product. Many high praises followed immediately after. The talent behind these creations was noted at Louis Vuitton, and early 2006 marked the start of a strong and ongoing collaboration: Risto Bimbiloski at Louis Vuitton as a contracted freelance designer for the man’s knitwear line. Although, the collection started mostly as knitwear, the brand has since developed into a full ready to wear collection. The knitting artisan atelier started with four ladies only, and presently contracts over one hundred. In these ever-changing unstable times this is one of the most important ingredients of the Risto Bimbiloski label-its human element. A product made with love, well paid for, that gives a chance to help and to increase drastically each lady’s familial economic situation.

In the summer of 2007 the brand Risto Bimbiloski opened the doors to its first factory that tends solely to the ever growing needs of their production: knitwear, artisan and the cut and sew collection. The designer and his team continue to collaborate with many stylists, artists and photographers, but the base of the collection, and the feeling of the garment still remains true to it’s original vision: an effortless blend of East and West, avant-garde and tailor made sophistication.

Check out slide 4 of this up and coming slideshow from New York magazine about the brand here!

The show featured some original designs that I had never come across before, and had the cutest shoes with back pom poms/tassles. The look was a very heavy and bold black eyelid for all the models with slicked back hair that was heavily teased in the back. There was no single one makeup sponsor, so the looks were created with a plethora of products including industry favorites Chanel, MAC, Makeup Forever, and others such as Kett, etc.

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the kit

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That’s my curly head working some magic on them digits!

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Rejuvacote resting among the makeup πŸ™‚

The models had manicures that ran the gamut from creams to mattes. Some even had four coats on from numerous previous shows! After the removal process, given the tried and true quick dry practices of Rejuvacote, we settled on clear nails and toes, and opted to not use colors. I used Duri‘s Rejuvacote to give them a clear and natural mani and pedi. Additionally, the nail polish stimulates stronger and longer nails, so not only was I cleanin’ em up, but I was setting them up for fab nails!

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Backstage mayhem – getting ready to start the show

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Here are some of the pros of Rejuvacote polish as I came in contact with it:

  • You can feel a harder and stronger nail after the first application.
  • It goes well as a base or a top coat over any polish or alone.
  • It dries in under five minutes, letting you get back to what you were doing previously without a problem. I polished some ladies minutes prior to wearing shoes & their toesies weren’t at all messy!

As part of the giveaway, I will be giving away one bottle of the Rejuvacote.

Everyone else, you can buy it here!


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Fashion’s Night Out – The Neverending Story (pic heavy)

PhotobucketDon’t look at me with such contempt lol, I have to finish this or else I’ll feel bad about not covering everything I set out to.

This post is going to be much more specific. And with much more pictures. Remember to click ‘read more’ to check out all the pictures. I started this feature so that the blog wouldn’t go on in length forever and people who are just checking out the blog could scan through articles and choose which ones they want to read. Plus, this way I can have much more material on the main page. Let me know if you like it!

There are several brands and stores that get my utmost respect and loyalty. This is through ups and downs, mishaps and elation… these brands/stores could knock me upside the head and I wouldn’t hesitate to forgive them and shop summore!

Want to know who they are? I’m in love with Betsey Johnson, Henri Bendel, Juicy Couture, PurpleLab, and Stila This fab five could do me no wrong.

Granted there are other brands to whom my loyalty is neverending as well (ahem Zoya & ChinaGlaze etc.) but these are the ones that did fab things on Fashion’s Night Out & landed in my memory card.

Like the photo to the right? It was the Fashion’s Night Out Batman symbol up on a building side in the Meatpacking District. I thought it was so cute & appropriate.

First stop – while I was on Fifth Ave in the upper 50’s I had to hit up Henri Bendel. They’re always the number one spot to catch all the new brands and products. They give little designers a big voice, and they have a creative team behind the Bendel logo as well. Check out the pics below:

PhotobucketAs if I couldn’t live without makeup for a day, I was greeted with MAC at the entrance. The brush display was pristine and I was trying to concoct a burglary, but I couldn’t.

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They also had the Style Black Collection which debuts in the US on 9/24 – the day after my birthday!

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Now Henri Bendel is always thinking of something cool. Their slogan at the moment is “I’d rather be naked than…” to promote accessories. All the designers in the building finished the sentence as well. For example, Personally, I’d rather be naked than wear fussy accessories.

Their mannequins for the day were super fab. They were all made out of different materials, like watches and gloves (get it? It goes with the theme!). You can click on the images to see ’em bigger.

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Out of gloves!

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I got to meet some designers and saw some really good accessories.

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That’s Paige Gamble with her accessories – she has some fab handbags y’all. That brown one caught my heart. See that piano? It has the Bendel girl on it. I figure if I lose some chubb, I might just look like her! lol

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I’m in love with the Bendel colors and stripes. I even had to stop and photograph Miss Sandra here because her outfit was fab-tastic.

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Next stop was Juicy Couture! If y’all don’t believe me when I say I love Juicy.. check out some of my stash:

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I also love strawberries – thus the mass of strawberry charms.

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Juicy Couture perfume

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charm bracelets galore!
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the mannequin fits the new Bird collection perfectly

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the staff was a swingin’ success with their getups πŸ™‚

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see that crazy crowd?

One of the founders of Juicy Couture was in the store (it’s the P&G ladies), and there were plenty celebs at hand as well. The store in Soho didn’t do so bad either, turning into a swanky night spot with security checking id’s at the door!

Next stop – Betsey Johnson. I love the brand and Stila was there to do makeovers!

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live models, fancy staff getups, hurr dids

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Stila makeup pros at work!

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Did I mention I loved the designs?
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MOJ, Betsey J, & Stila in one picture!

I know this post is getting pretty long, but here’s the kicker. Last stop – Scoop to meet the Purple Lab mavens, and get some shopping done.

PhotobucketFirst, I entered the regular Scoop store insted of Scoop Street and got to enjoy the photobooth courtesy of Hudson jeans! I was there by myself so I had my camera to keep me company πŸ™‚

Scoop for all the stores had great outfit layouts and inspirations, as well as fab DJ’s and drink centers. We all seem to shop a bit better with some alcohol in the system was the lesson of the day.

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As soon as I found out that my beloved Purple Lab was a store over, I had to scoo(p)t. πŸ™‚

I was met with some of the Purple Lab gals, Veronica the Burlesque beauty, and a bird’s eye view of a rockin’ DJ who just happened to be wearing purple.

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Then of course, ya gotta check out the Purple Lab display and all the Huge Lips, Skinny Hips glosses.

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PhotobucketWhich one on my huge lips? Love Your Thighs, because I most certainly do!

As I left, I had to decline a lychee martini, because well… check the line.

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That’s all folks! Check back here as I start the New York Fashion Week coverage!

Fashion’s Night Out – Picture Perfect

Photobucket I am going to bang out a couple more Fashion Night Out posts today and then commence with the Fashion Week coverage.

I’m not checking out too many shows this year, only about 8, the rest I will be checking out on TV and online. It’s started raining around here and it’s almost comical to see people rush to the tents in the midst of rain and shoes that shouldn’t get water, get soaked.

Until then – I have some photographic enjoyment for y’all.

Click ‘Read more’ to see some of my favorite displays on this night out, and for the trend of the day. Can you tell what it is?

I’ll give you a hint – it’s very lifelike.

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Escada displays did not disappoint with live models.
My next stop while walking through the wonders of Fifth Avenue, was Tiffany’s. It was funny on this day to balance what you set out to see and all the wondrous things you saw along the way!

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Tiffany’s had a red carpet of their own – in Tiffany blue. There were elegant white roses lining the side of the store, and they had larger than life jewelry boxes piled up by the entrance. There was a woman in a bright red jacket walking past and she just looked perfect in the background. I would like to assume that she shops there every week … with that sassy red coat. πŸ™‚

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These two were the Tiffany’s models at the entrance. I took the picture thinking – if I have Tiffany’s dolls – they’d look like this.

Next stop for me? Bergdorf Goodman – and by the looks of things – it was all good…man. πŸ™‚ They had the entrance lit up like a red light district club and the displays were beyond fantastic with the fashions and themes. I only snapped up one pic though, because they drew crowds & it was hard to capture!

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The next stop was Prada. Totally not on my list (or budget) for the day, I couldn’t help but stop and enjoy the display. They renamed the day to Wolve’s Night Out for a Little Red Riding Hood theme, and had the storytale outfitted in the latest Prada. Additionally? The customers all walked away with a red apple. That… and the drinks πŸ™‚

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The last picture is not from the Fifth Avenue store. It’s from the Soho location. I told y’all I really made the rounds on this day! Even though the Soho store wasn’t rocking the same theme, it kind of fit into it, no?

Next stop was Adidas – had to show the love for them in both of the downtown stores. The Soho location had some nice sports-clothes and the other had people outfitted in the old school track suits, with a breakdance dance off inside the store. Additionally – the mannequins inside were rocking it out (but they said no photos inside 😦 ! )

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I’m showing y’all a lot of the outside. The insides were just as great at ALL these stores by the way. It’s just I can only post and share so many photos of one day… right?

Well here’s some goodies from Express, their scarf selection in color and texture was bananas.
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Done with my Fifth Avenue travels, I had the downtown area to cover. First one to pop my eyes open with excitement? Karen Millen the designer from across the pond got my heart racing with all the designs. I’m so serious. I asked for an application to work there!

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The store was also on trend for the day with live models mingling with the mannequins. I loved this model because she was feisty & gave me Fierce with a capital F.

Then I hit up Bleecker St. Let me make something clear. My feet were barrrking the moment I started to head home. Some of my downtown findings were accidental as I made my way over to the PurpleLab event at Scoop.

Yet another store rocking the live model look: Black Fleece

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They also had the most creative styling and adoration of the official Fashion’s Night Out tee IMO.

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Like it?

Next on the block was Intermix. They had a Barbie display and I wanted to break in and steal the whole darn thing.

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Barbie was doing the damn thing with the tee as well.

Another fab display? Vince. I love this brand for the softest of soft fabric. Their tees are pricey but always always worth it, and the rest of the brand follows suit.

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I love that they had a Shopper’s Whodunit on display.

What do you think? Did you find anything great?



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Fashion’s Night Out – The Plaza Beauty

Photobucket As promised, I have all the great deets for you. I can’t let y’all know all the tidbits from New York Fashion Week until I complete my FNO coverage, and so I’m running around my computer her trying to upload the pics as fast as my computer will let me. The desire is there people, the technology is lagging. πŸ™‚

As some of you may have seen from my tweets on Twitter, I was very impressed with the displays in the shows and just how the whole city looked like it was having a party. I went to so many stores that my feet were starting to sing a soprano by day’s end. As noted earlier, I hit up The Plaza first. (That’s a pic of a lucky lady getting her hurrr did at The Plaza btw).

I have a nifty new cam that took millions of pics for the event. Let’s face it – Fashion’s Night Out speaks louder with the images than with the words. So click ‘read more’ and get to viewing the good stuff! πŸ™‚
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I’d love to have a beauty consultation here… seems regal – si?


The Plaza Beauty had all sorts of fun going on. I saw Smashbox, Becca, & the Warren-Tricomi haircare products, and was introduced to Kimiko skincare among others. There was a fab presentation of a hairstyle, and an exhibit serving as an homage to the Wizard of Oz and the ruby red shoes!

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While waiting for the elevator, I noticed that they had outfits planned out as inspirations behind glass. Wouldn’t you love to have your clothes displayed like so?

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Warren-Tricomi haircare products (I snagged some samples to giveaway!)

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the droolworthy Smashbox stash


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my introduction to Kimiko


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the Becca stash
There were designs up for the red shoes by designers like Botkier, Betsey Johnson, Sergio Rossie, etc. I actually was surprised because I couldn’t find the Louboutin design – but maybe I missed it?

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Can you tell which shoe is by which designer?
(click for larger picture)


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Fashion’s Night Out – Recap

After anticipating the day, when yesterday night came into fruition, it was like the whole city was in a party. I honestly have to tell you, the closest I have seen so many people in such a big city party simultaneously is for Halloween. Otherwise, we seem to be a serious bunch.

I have so many pictures to show you and things to tell you, but that will have to wait until later tonight. The upload process of photos is taking way too long and the start of NY Fashion Week is beckoning me. That then, also tells you that I’ll have even more good things to share!

To give you a quick view into the future posts:
-the displays for FNO09 were phenomenal. I was so taken aback by the creativity of all my favorite, and a bunch of new to me brands
-the streets were alive! I even have a picture of the subway being completely empty, and a very opposite busy store
-there were several partnerships of brands that worked out amazingly well! Just wait till you see who.

Click ‘read more’ to see what my NOTD is for the first day of NYFW for me!


I can’t ever explain thoroughly, how much in love with Zoya I am, but here is another profession of my love:

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Harley

This is the softest gray shimmer that I have seen. It reminds me of How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, when they chose the slogan for the jewelry line to be “Frost Yourself.” This is such a … frost… color.

Don’t forget to invest in a Zoya or two – or a hundred before October, that’s when their nifty $6 goes up to meet with Mr. Economy & Mrs. Inflation to be $7. You can get the color Harley here. It’s also offered as part of the Twist! sampler with my other fave, Malia.

As the rules apply with the giveaway – this is a polish that’s now added to the list of prizes.


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OPI Mattes

It’s the matte wagon and I know y’all are lovin it! I have read the nail blogs and seen the bottle and swatch pics of the OPI mattes but I had to see it all for myself. Nothing is the same until it is gliding over my fingernail.

I went to my favorite online nail haven, Transdesign and snatched up three mattes. I wasn’t interested in the berry or white color because it doesn’t take much to inform me that the white matte resembles white-out and I don’t believe I would pull it off for long (all my jeans would bleed the white into oblivion!), and well the berry just didn’t inspire the awe that the other colors did. πŸ™‚

Click ‘read more’ to check out the swatches. And true to the giveaway, the OPI Matte You Don’t Know Jacques will be on the list of prizes to choose from!

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left to right: Russian Navy Matte, Gargantuan Green Grape Matte, You Don’t Know Jacques Matte

The bottles tell you not to use a base coat, top coat, drying drops or hand lotion. I used lotion post application and nothing changed it, but everything else probably needs to be adhered to. Additionally… these dry almost instantly but wear for the most of two days.

Here’s how they looked on me:

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I didn’t swatch Russian Navy yet, but as soon as I do, you’ll be the first to know!

What do you guys think about these? Tired of mattes?

As a sidenote – as many of you heard me whine on Twitter – my beloved phone went for a swim in the sink and didn’t come back alive. A lot of the information and pictures for here were there so be patient as I get myself together with the outside world lol!



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Talk About Rules

This Tuesday is a simple Tuesday. Yesterday was Labor Day for me and my fellow US readers, and we also have this odd rule that goes with it.

“Don’t wear white after Labor Day”

Now the only reason for the rule that makes sense to me is the weather change. The federal holiday marks a start of the oncoming fall weather, and thus it would make more sense to wear colors that attract sunlight, and thus warmth.

But really, there are white sweaters out there! πŸ™‚

This Tuesday I want to hear what other funky rules y’all have heard or observe. Regarding clothing though – ’cause we can go on forever!

p.s. disregard the ‘Read more’ for this post. This is all she wrote!


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Fashion’s Night Out

I briefly posted about Fashion’s Night Out a bit earlier as an introduction, but I figure I’ll share a couple of the events I’m excited to go to.

The first spot I’ll be checking out is The Plaza Beauty.

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Click ‘read more’ for info and details!

Expert makeup artists from Smashbox and Becca will be on site for makeup consultations and touch-ups, giving visitors the opportunity to preview the season’s must-have fall looks. Representatives from Sjal and Comfort Zone will be on hand to provide mini facials, hand massages and treatments using their legendary formulas.

In addition, renowned stylists Joel Warren and Edward Tricomi will be presenting hair demonstrations to showcase fall’s key trends. Finally, visitors will have the chance to experience all the decadent indulgence The Plaza Beauty by Warren-Tricomi has to offer through special, deluxe samples courtesy of Lisa Hoffman Skincare, Tocca, Revitalash, Luzern Skincare, Kai, Santa Maria Novella, MLAB and Sponge Skincare.

If there’s a Fashion’s Night Out near you, where are you going?



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New Giveaway – Party Like a Shop Star!

Sorry for the delay y’all!

The new giveaway is simple. The more people sign up to ‘Shop it To Me‘ – the more prizes there will be. One in every four people will get two items of their choice.

Click here or on the image to sign up and ‘read more’ for more details!

This is a funny kind of contest to have right? True.
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Let me explain. My birthday is September 23. Yes – soon. πŸ™‚

As I have previously posted about Shop it To Me, this is a great site that sends you a sales newsletter specified to your needs. You can set it up to show you sales on any brands you like for men, women, and children alike. Also – you can set the frequency of e-mails (I like to get mine every day) and the spending limit. Did I mention that the site was free?

The trick is that if you refer 10 people, you get a gift card. Thus the giveaway for the people that sign up! (Just in time for my birthday!) I have plenty of goodies to give away and so in exchange for y’all signing up to a great site, one in every four people that signs up will get to choose to products for themselves.

Which products? All products (with the exception of one) that I post about this week are in the giveaway. This will include: Nailene, Zoya, Tarte Cosmetics, Fing’rs, Urban Decay, etc.!

To enter, click on the link here or image and sign up. When you signed up and confirmed your account, leave a comment here letting me know you signed up and under what e-mail address.

That simple!


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