BeChicMag.com

 
Bryant Park isn’t the only locale with shows and a celebrity guestlist during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. Hosts of the new series “Make Me A Supermodel” Niki Taylor and Tyson Beckford where sitting front row at FORM’s Autumn Winter 2008 Collection at the New Museum on the Bowery on Saturday morning. Apparently, hidden cameras and photographers where taking candid footage of all the attendees for the Bravo hit show.

FORM’s four designers were inspired by the intrinsic and sculptural qualities of architecture, and its 2008 collection focused on traditional garment lines. From the museum’s Sky Room, the models wore cashmere knits, coats made of natural fabrics with a touch of greys, midnight blues and black. My favorite where the outfits with hints of magneta and the matching fuchsia lipstick. 

As I walked to the museum from my apartment, I didnt know what to expect of the show. I had yet to visit the musem. Perhaps I was subconsciously protesting against the project: Something about a 50-million-dollar museum built next to a homeless shelter on the Bowery just doesn’t seem right. However, the fashion show  was great and the turn out was impressive. *mercedes sanchez

LIPSTICK JUNGLE AT THE TENT

Not only is February 1st National Wear Red Day, but today also marks the official Mercedes-Benz Fall 2008 Fashion Week in New York City.

And what better way to kick off the week with the new female powerhouses of Lipstick Jungle, Brooke Shields, Kim Raver and Lindsay Price at this morning’s ribbon cutting at The Tent in Bryant Park. Not even a cold, rainy day in February could keep these ladies away from one of the biggest occasions in the industry. Besides, next week the trio is starring in another series by Sex and the City author Candace Bushnell about Manhattanite fashionistas. But this time Bushnell’s characters won’t merely focus on shoes, sex and writing. This time around the chicas are also savvy and sultry business women. *mercedes sanchez

I’LL SHOW YOU HOW TO CHANGE OUTFITS WITHOUT CARRYING AN EMBARRASSING OVERSIZED BAG TO THE CLUB

Women often bring an all-purpose handbag to work that carries their paperwork, toothbrush, perhaps a pair of flipflops and if going to an afterwork event: an extra change of clothes.

But if you’re going out on the town for cocktails and get the urge to wear two different outfits instead of one, bringing a big bag is not the chic thing to do. Instead, find a cute clutch (or purse) that has the capacity to carry an additional dress. Seems impossible? Have a little faith! That’s what I did when we went to Dolce on Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles before going to Club LAX.

Most people don’t have the luxury of having drivers and changing into multiple outfits in a limo like celebrities do. Follow these steps and know how to travel light and be able to change anywhere, anytime.

1. Get the perfect purse.
The ideal bag is small and will not burden you when you want to dance later that evening. You’re looking for a purse that can hold your money, digital camera, keys and the extra outfit (plus the original outfit you leave the house with). In the photos posted here, I chose an inexpensive black clutch from Aldo’s that held all these items!

2. Plan both outfits early.
Before getting ready and thinking you’re set for the night, make sure you’re wearing an easy-to-pack dress and that outfit #2 will also fit in your purse. I wore a violet, silk frock from the Gap that I purchased on Rodeo Drive earlier that day. And after a luscious dinner I went to the ladies’ room at Dolce’s, slipped into a white short dress and let my hair down before hitting the club. And it’s as easy as that!

You can’t be an obsessive neat freak.
There’s a good chance that after being folded in a small bag for over an hour, your second outfit might have a wrinkle or two. Try to find a garment that doesn’t wrinkle easily. And if it gets a small crease, really, who cares? The club is going to be dark anyway.

Downside: You will most likely have to wear the same pair of shoes because in most cases, pumps don’t fit in small purses. *ms

WHO WORE IT BEST?

No, you’re not seeing double! Over the past few days I’ve had friends telling me they saw drama queen New York from the VH1 series “I Love New York” wearing a dress I rocked in November 2006. Then while reading the New York Post today, I see a cd review of former American Idol contestant Katharine McPhee wearing the same dress on her cd cover! I can’t help but be proud of the fact that I am almost positive I was the first to wear the dress. Now I don’t know where the others bought it, but I am proud to say, I purchased mine at the H&M on Fifth Avenue! Who would’ve thought a trend was started for less than $60. And by coincidence, I sported the same gown but with a more casual touch this week at Shecky’s. I switched the stilletos for boots, the bare legs for jeans and the blown out hair for a more natural, wavy look.

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With full backstage access, I had the privilege of meeting with designer Kati Stern right before her show at Bryant Park.

As reporters (and bloggers) squeezed through the over-crowded hair and make up tent- not to mention carefully walking by burning hot combs and curling irons- Kati welcomed the anxious media folks with opened arms.

And in the middle of total craziness, she was quite serene and soft spoken. We didn’t want to take much of her time so we got straight to the point and spoke with the Venexiana designer and this is what she had to say:

“My collection was inspired with pre-war Hollywood. I saw a movie that influenced me,” says the very stylish European-born Stern. “The collection sort of states the sleekness of the Hollywood years of that era with a modern touch.

“I design for every woman- anybody, any age. Absolutely anyone who feels confident and wants to wear sexy but elegant clothes.” Come the fall, Venexiana fans can shop for beautiful garments in chocolate, black and sapphire. And don’t tell PETA, but phenomenal furs are to hit the streets of Venice and New York soon…

Kati Stern resides in both Manhattan and Venice, Italy. Check out Venexiana.us for updates on her fall 2007 collection, and more of her fall line below. *Mercedes Sanchez