BeChicMag.com

In his fall collection, Gustavo Arango is bringing it back to New York. For the last two years, the Colombian-born, Puerto-Rican raised designer has been traveling between Colombia and the Big Apple with the recent adoption of his three children. “But now I’m ready to settle down and be part of the New York scene,” says Arango. “So my inspiration [for the fall collection] comes from New York.” His collection consists of various silk chiffon dresses including a Swarovski crystal dress! Take a quick look at his collection on the runway only on MercedesSanchez.com. *ms

In the midst of celebrity mayhem in Manhattan, we had the pleasure of chatting with renowned photographer Nigel Barker at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. The British-born and New York-based artist who stars as a judge panelist alongside Tyra Banks on America’s Next Top Model just finished taping for the hit series. He gave us the inside story on season eight which premieres on The CW on February 28th.

We both sat down in our front row, VIP seats to catch Gustavo Arango’s models hit the runway at the Altman building. In his sexy British accent Barker filled me in on what we could expect to see in the upcoming new episodes of ANTM- though he couldn’t say much. And that’s OK with us. We’ll just have to wait and see for ourselves. In the meantime, catch our short convo below…

BeChicMag: What are you doing now that you’re done taping for ANTM?
Nigel Barker: Well tomorrow I’m off to L.A. to shoot for GQ and I’m also working on other TV shows like Style Her Famous on the Style Network with Jay Manuel- art director for ANTM. And we start shooting season nine of Top Model in May.

BeChicMag: Who can we expect to see in season eight? Any famous guest appearances?
NB: We have the same panel of judges. I’m actually the longest standing judge there. We have Twiggy and J. Alexander- the usual crew is back again. We go to the furthest place we’ve ever been to on the show, really great cool place. An unusal place for us, but I can’t say anymore because I’m banned.

BeChicMag: How are girls this time around?
NB: They’re the craziest bunch of girls we’ve ever had. It’s going to be some fabulous TV. We definitely had fun making it.

Catch the two-hour season premiere of America’s Next Top Model on The CW on February 28th @ 8p.m. EST. *ms

BEHIND THE SCENES PHOTOS BEFORE SHOWTIME

Getting VIP or even just first row seating at fashion shows is great. You’re one of the firsts to catch a new collection step on the runway and see a designer’s debut up close and personal. This frontal fashion view gives one the chance to see the good, the bad and the ugly. From perfect sewing- or visible malfunctions like holes and loose thread to shoes that are too big on models. But believe it or not, there’s something that brings even bigger excitement during fashion week: BACKSTAGE! Now that’s where one gets to see it all. From thelast minute make-up to seeing the models interact with each other and acting “normal”. Yes, they actually have personalities and make funny faces like everyone else. Don’t believe me? See for yourself…. *ms

EXCLUSIVE BEHIND THE SCENES SHOTS OF CARLOS CAMPOS’ SHOW IN THE ALTMAN BUILDING
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As fashion editors contemplate the outfit that will make them stand out at the most famous tent in New York this week, two days before show time designer Carlos Campos is busy at work in his Garment District office tailoring away.

With the clock hitting 7:15, the aura is one of pleasurable pressure. “It’s almost 8:00 p.m. and I’m still making some cashmere sweaters,” admits the 34-year-old designer. “And they have to be done tonight because tomorrow we’re going to style everything.”

If the words read as if they were said in a stressful tone, don’t be fooled. Campos was as calm as ever as we chatted away on an ample brown leather sofa to the sounds of smooth music playing off a Mac in the sexy showroom, as one of his crew members made last minute calls to special guests including Manhattan socialites that shall remain nameless.

As I took an exclusive sneak peek of his Fall 2007 men’s collection- which has a “from boys to men” vibe and debuts this Saturday at the Altman Building- Campos explained the inspiration behind the line. After watching bad boys like Frank Abagnale and Porfirio Rubirosa who have a clean, classic style on the big screen, Campos remembers how the 1940’s and 1950’s macho men got away with almost everything. Read the rest of this entry »

MERCEDES-BENZ FASHION WEEK ONLY DAYS AWAY

On the Catwalk: Omahyra Mota in Gustavo Arango in 2006

With Fashion Week hitting New York in two weeks, Valentine’s isn’t the only day to look forward to in February. Spring- not to mention the real face of Winter- hasn’t even arrived yet and renowned designers such as Diane Von Furstenburg, Carlos Campos, Vera Wang, Max Azria, Oscar de la Renta (and the list goes on and on) are getting ready to unveil their fall collections at the Mercedes Benz 2007 Fall Fashion Week in Bryant Park starting on February 2nd.

While we wait for the most anticipated week this winter, check out some photos from Gustavo Arango’s Olympus Fashion Week Spring 2007 runway.

Mercedes at The Promenade.

*ms