NYFW House of Aama ’23

August 22, 2023. No comments.

Scene: The House of Aama Fall Winter ’23 collection at New York Fashion Week. Designed by mother and daughter duo Rebecca Henry and Akua Shabaka. The Los Angeles-based fashion house infuses their designs with an exceptional reverence for the past and collective memory. Titled Prelude: Aama Tales, the show explores diasporic family migration patterns from West Africa to the West Indies and the Southern United States through the travels and journey of the folklore Anansi the Spider, who was known for being resourceful and able to adapt to changing environments. They use garments as a means of translating history and transcending time.
Talent for the show: Hair by lead hairstylist Anthony Joseph Hernandez and team for Cutler Salons and Redken. The key hair look was braids on the forehead with a bun in the back adorned with florals. Lead makeup artist Maite Moreira and team for New York Makeup Academy. There were two makeup looks: The Caribbean, a warm natural look with deep eyeliner and deep lip liner with a natural lower lip. And, the Green Party Girl, with natural color and a simple ’60s -’70s vibe, duochrome eyeshadows from jade blue to green with a subtle sheen. Nails by Leanne Woodley and team represented by She Likes Cutie, Florals by Ryan Norville, Stylist Tiffani Williams, Casting Director Dionne Cochrane, Shoes for her Kendall Miles and for him Gola Classics and Dr. Martens, Location Georgia Room at Freehand Hotel New York, Photos by Fred J. DeVito.
Photo above, Sunrise Sleeveless Open-Back Maxi Dress illustrating the House of Aama’s Parable Capsule Collection in collaboration with visual artist Gianni Lee, presenting the body as a canvas with original artwork depicting geometric forms and anthropomorphized floral depictions with human attributes. (House of Aama x Gianni Lee)

Scene: House of Aama Maroon Day Camp Vest and and Capri.

Scene: The Caribbean makeup look, a warm natural look with deep eyeliner and deep lip liner with a natural lower lip.

Scene: House of Aama Natural Button Up and Natural Capri.

Scene: Aja Bodysuit, House of Aama x Gianni Lee Original Aja Print.

Scene: House of Aama Berry Cropped Silk Jacket with Berry High-Waisted Cropped Silk Pants worn by Ms. Goodie Gyal, Sah-say, @sensaysha.

Scene: House of Aama Anancy Paneled Dress.

Scene: The key hair look, a mix of natural soft hair and braids on the forehead with a bun in the back adorned with florals by lead hairstylist Anthony Joseph Hernandez for Cutler Salons and Redken.

Scene: House of Aama Natural Slip Dress.

Scene: House of Aama Black Pinstripe Lace Up Shirt. And, Aja Strapless Open-Back Maxi Dress, House of Aama x Gianni Lee Original Aja Print.

Scene: Aja Strapless Open-Back Maxi Dress, House of Aama x Gianni Lee Original Aja Print.

Scene: House of Aama Patternmaster Trench Coat.

Scene: Night Sky Maxi Dress, House of Aama x Gianni Lee Original Night Sky Print.

Scene: Open-Back Blue Mood Maxi Dress, House of Aama x Gianni Lee Original Blue Mood Print.

Scene: Green Party Girl makeup look with natural color and duochrome eyeshadows from jaded blue to green with a subtle sheen by lead makeup artist Maite Moreira. And, the key hair look, a mix of natural soft hair and braids on the forehead with a bun in the back adorned with florals by lead hairstylist Anthony Joseph Hernandez for Cutler Salons and Redken.

Scene: House of Aama Maroon Day Camp Embroidered Shirt and Capri.

Scene: House of Aama Anansi Men’s Jacket and Capri Jeans with Roots Bucket Hat.

Scene: Deep Turtleneck. House of Aama x Gianni Lee Original Deep Print.

Scene: House of Aama Hush Up Camp T-Shirt and Anansi Maxi Skirt.

Scene: House of Aama Anansi Cardigan Sweater and Capri Jeans.

Scene: House of Aama Corset Denim Jacket.

Scene: The key hair look, a bun in the back adorned with florals with a mix of natural soft hair and braids on the forehead by lead hairstylist Anthony Joseph Hernandez for Cutler Salons and Redken.

Scene: Night Sky Slip Dress, House of Aama x Gianni Lee Original Night Sky Print.

Scene: House of Aama Anancy Paneled Button Down and Black Pinstripe Capris.

Scene: House of Aama Web Lace Crochet Dress.

Scene: House of Aama Blim Blim Dress with ruffles aplenty and a flirtatious sweetheart neckline.

Special thanks to Helen Oppenheim, hair historian, archivist, and blogger, for asking me to collaborate during Fashion Week.

Red The Luxury Life

August 19, 2023. 10 comments.

Scene: Red The Luxury Life Magazine. I am thrilled and thankful this magazine featured me in their August 2023 issue. A six spread article about me, Creative Director, StyleCulture Blogger, and Imagemaker; my early work for Almay, Bergdorf Goodman, and Bloomingdale’s; and current work for New York Fashion Week fashion brands Chiara Boni, House of Aama, and Nazranaa for my blog “Street Scene”.

Special thanks to CEO/Founder Sandra Smith-Doghmi and Director of PR/Marketing Ivonne Camacho AbsolutModern.

• Red The Luxury Life Magazine logo.

• Bergdorf Goodman fashion book. On location at Yaddo Mansion, Saratoga Springs, NY. Photographer Erica Lennard, Stylist Mallory Samson, Makeup artist Margret Avery, Hairstylist Trevor Bowden, Production Manager Ken Hobart, Models Charlotte Hammond (Charlotte Morgan) wearing Donna Karan and Stephen Mabry wearing Go Silk, Creative Director Fred J. DeVito, Inc.

• Bloomingdale’s Designer Shirts. Photographer Mitchel Gray, Stylist Joan Robins Lacey (Joan Robins), Models Rene Russo, Anna Anderson, and Jerry Hall, Art Director Fred J. DeVito.
Right, Oscar de la Renta. Photographer Gordon Munro, Stylist James Bosco, Hairstylist Lindy King, Models Valerie Vidal and Kalanie Durdan, Art Director Fred J. DeVito.
Fred J. DeVito at The Fresh Art Exhibition, curated by Debbie Dickinson Gallery. Photo Helen Oppenheim.

• Bloomingdale’s Perry Ellis’s spring collection, inspired by the legendary Twenties, premiered at Bloomingdale’s. Photographer Erica Lennard, Models Eva Voorhees, Lisa Ryall (Elisabeth Halsted), and Esmé Ellen Marshall, Stylist Jill Glover, Hair Stylist Lindy King, Art Director Fred J. DeVito.
Right, Almay Cosmetics on location in L.A. Photographer Patrick Demarchelier, Stylist Sylvie Sabatier, Model Stephanie Seymour wearing Joan Vass, Creative Director Fred J. DeVito, Inc.
“Our home base for this campaign was the Beverly Hills Hotel. After this photo was taken Stephanie and I rode around in this Mercedes pretending we were boyfriend and girlfriend and we had a blast.”

• Bloomingdale’s. Oscar de la Renta cabana wear. Photographer Gordon Munro, Stylist James Bosco, Hair Lindy King, Model Kim Alexis, Art Director Fred J. DeVito.
Right, New York Fashion Week. Designer Chiara Boni, Photo Fred J. DeVito for “Street Scene”, Lead hairstylist Jon Reyman for Aveda, Lead makeup artist Janell Geason for Aveda, On his blog Fred covers personal style on the streets, parties, events, and fashion shows. At Harry King, iconic hairstylist, and legendary model, Nancy C. Donahue’s famed fashion reunion, Fred photographed Helen Oppenheim, hair historian. She liked his photograph from the party and set up a lunch with him. At lunch Helen asked him if he was interested in collaborating with her during NYFW. He said yes. https://www.helenoppenheim.com/

• New York Fashion Week. Designer Shia Gupta Singh of Nazranaa, Photo Fred J. DeVito for “Street Scene”, Lead makeup artist Monique Rinard for Aofm MakeupPro, Lead hairstylist Becca Nielsson for Unite Hair.
Right, Designers Rebecca Henry and Akua Shabaka of House of Aama, Photo Fred J. DeVito for “Street Scene”, Lead hairstylist Anthony Hernandez for Cutler/Redken, Lead makeup artist Maite Moreira for NY Makeup Academy.

• Bloomingdale’s. Anne Klein, Photographer Patrick Demarchelier, Stylist Meryll Shaw-Levenson (Meryll Shaw), Models Gia Marie Carangi and Turkish Angora Cat, Art Director Fred J. DeVito.
Right, A Halston campaign, one of several ads, Photographer Arthur Elgort, Stylist Jill Glover, Hair Lindy King, Models Joan Severance with Tony Spinelli behind the movie camera on the left, Art Director Fred J. DeVito

• Red The Luxury Life Magazine Covers.

NYMD Atelier Cillian ’23

July 6, 2023. No comments.

Scene: Atelier Cillian by designer Stephen Mikhail. The Fall/Winter 2023 collection was presented at New York Men’s Day during New York Fashion Week. Inspired by “Malleus Maleficarum” an ancient 15th century treatise by Heinrich Kramer detailing how to identify and punish witches.
Atelier Cillian made men’s formalwear glamorous. In a forest setting. “Living and lost in the woods” said lead makeup artist Monique Rinard about the direction she was given. And, lead hairstylist Ashley Brecken said the direction for the hair was “feral cat with texture”. Tops were cut asymmetrically, or with slits to expose parts of the chest. There were also sheer shirts and a sheer pair of pants. Pants were fitted and straight, sometimes skin-tight.
Talent for the show: Hair by lead hairstylist Ashley Brecken and team for OribePro.
Lead makeup artist Monique Rinard on behalf of AOFMPro using Desmalogica. Faces were pale, sometimes dark under eyes and grey eyeshadow, some lips were smudged dark and others had a natural look with a pinkish tone. Location Daylight Studios in Hudson Yards, Photos Fred J. DeVito.

Scene: Hairstyling before the presentation.

Scene: Hairstyling before the presentation.

Scene: Hairstyling before the presenation.

Special thanks to Helen Oppenheim, hair historian, archivist, and blogger, for asking me to collaborate during Fashion Week.

Nancy and Harry’s Dance Party

May 24, 2023. 8 comments.

Scene: Harry King and Nancy Donahue at their fun dance party at Slate in New York City. Everyone was excited to be at Harry and Nancy’s annual soirée again since the pandemic halted this event for a few years. It was the perfect Friday evening in April for a fashion reunion!
Guests included art directors, bloggers, family and friends, fashion designers, hair stylists, magazine editors, makeup artists, models, photographers, public relations, stylist, and notable others. People came from near and far, from Manhattan to Cannes.
The vibe was upbeat and happy as the DJ spinned dance music pumping up the mood. Guests mingled over cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and music. And everyone enjoyed a splendid time dancing the night away.

Scene: Keith Gog, Patti Hansen, and Tony Spinelli.

Scene: Jany Tomba and James Bosco.

Scene: Nancy Donahue, Stan Wan, and Yasmine Guenancia.
Co-Host Nancy Donahue is an American Fashion Model, Mother, Entrepreneur, and Realtor. She first took the modeling world by storm in the late 70s after being discovered by Mademoiselle magazine. Over the next two decades, she rose to the top of her field, becoming one of the most successful fashion models of her time. She graced the covers and pages of countless American and European magazines. Nancy worked alongside some of the top international models including Carol Alt, Gia Caranza, Janice Dickinson, Kelly Emberg, Kim Alexis, and Esmé Marshal. I worked with all of them when I was Fashion Art Director at Bloomingdale’s. Nancy walked the runway for Calvin Klien, Ralph Lauren, Donna Karen, and Perry Ellis. She worked with numerous renowned photographers including Irving Penn, Author Elgort, Denis Piel, and Patrick Demarchelier. She still models, represented by Iconic Focus. She is passionate about health and fitness and is a certified Personal Trainer, Pilates and Yoga Instructor. A superwoman!

Scene: Jeff Brackett and Harry King.
Co-Host Harry King is a Freelance Hairdresser, Photographer, Party Thrower, and Hairstyling Legend. Originally from London, when he first arrived in New York in 1973 he worked at Cinandre on 57th Street. Five months later Polly Mellon, Editor, snapped him up for Vogue. His hair styles have been featured on the covers and editorial pages of many magazines including Cosmopolitan, Bazaar, Interview, American Vogue, British and Italian Vogue, Grazia, and Stern. Harry has collaborated with renowned photographers including Richard Avedon, Arthur Elgort, Francesco Scavullo, and Irving Penn. His celebrity list includes Sophia Loren, Raquel Welch, Diana Ross, and Madonna. Models he has creatively reinvented hair styles for, for fashion and beauty shoots, include Patti Hansen, Iman, Cheryl Tiegs, Stephanie Seymour, Twiggy, Beverly Johnson, and of course Nancy Donahue. He has taken memorable photos on many of his shoots through out his career. Truly fashion history behind the scenes. A superguy!

Scene: Barry Weinbaum and Jean Stone.

Scene: Barbara Tate and Richard Warren.

Scene: Vivian Scalia Dash and Thom Fleming.

Scene: Nancy Donahue, Susan Sakin, and Harry King.

Scene: Loris Diran and Gypsy his pup in the bag, L.J. Kirby, and Casey Kavanagh.

Scene: Guest and Sylvie Ball.

Scene: Sandy Linter and Myra Scheer.

Scene: Dan Brennan and Helen S. Murray.

Scene: Margret Avery and I embrace. Photo Harry King.

Scene: Nancy Donahue and Steven Maginnis.

Scene: Yasmine and George Guenancia.

Scene: James Bosco and Betsy Berry.

Scene: Susan Sakin, Nancy Donahue, and Laurie Lowe.

Scene: Jany Tomba and Benjamin Pasteur. And Margret Avery on the right.

Scene: Bill Westmoreland and Joy Bell.

Scene: Yasmine Guenancia and Dustin Pittman.

Scene: Salvatore J. Cesarani and Patti Hansen.

Scene: Nancy Donahue and Martina Gates.

Scene: Jill Lynn and Harry King.

Scene: Julian Molesso and Leslie Mills.

Scene: Harry King, George Guenancia, Yasmine Guenancia, Susan Sakin, and Nancy Donahue

Scene: Tony Spinelli, Tony’s daughter Ari Spinell, Joey Hunter, and Vivian Scalia Dash.

Scene: Rashgene Gazi-White, Susan Devine, Duane Gazi-White, and Fredi Cooperman.

Scene: Harry King and Freddie Leiba.

Scene: Stan Wan and Joy Bell.

Scene: Nancy’s brother and sister-in-law Richard and Rosie Donahue with Nancy Donahue.

Scene: Coco Mitchell and Earl Davis.

Scene: Jay Grant, Yuliana Kim-Grant, and Shin Holgg.

Scene: Lynn and Klaus Lucka von Zelberschwecht.

Scene: Nancy Donahue and James Bosco.

Scene: Yasmine Guenancia and Edward Tricomi.

Scene: Stan Wan and Jade Albert.

Scene: Helen S. Murray and Christiaan Houtenbos.

Scene: Rochelle Mello, Harry’s niece. And that’s Janet Wolfman on the right.

Scene: Nancy Donahue and Dustin Pittman.

Scene: Montgomery Frazier and Debbie Dickinson.

Scene: Harry King, Constance von Collande, and Nancy Donahue.

Scene: Tony’s daughter Ari Spinell and Tony Spinelli.

Scene: Yoshinori Hashimoto.

Scene: Shelby Lane and Sophia Chen.

Scene: Dustin Pittman and Freddie Leiba.

Scene: Jennifer Watson and Harry King.

Scene: Klaus Lucka von Zelberschwecht and Helen Oppenheim.

Scene: Nancy Donahue and Samantha Brownell.

Scene: Christiaan Houtenbos and Harry King.

Scene: Sam Bodloche and Hayden Flanders.

Scene: Jean Stone, Dustin Pittman, and Benjamin Pasteur.

Scene: Nancy Donahue and friends.

Scene: Rashgene Gazi-White and friends.

Scene: Debbie Dickinson, Joey Hunter, and Dan Brennan.

Scene: Luis, Oscar Reyes, and Roger.

Scene: Philip Anthony Coccioletti and Thom Fleming.

Scene: Lani Nguyer, Hayden Flanders, and Kelly Phan.

Scene: Nancy Donahue and L.J. Kirby.

Scene: Gloria Dare and Ford Crull.

Scene: Bill Jarema and L.J. Kirby.

Scene: Hayden Flanders and friend.

Scene: Harry King and Tony Spinelli.

Scene: Annie Rex and Sumner Hatch.

Scene: Beth King DeVito and me. Photo James Bosco with my camera.

Scene: Alan Gold.

Scene: Paul North.

Scene: Sumner Hatch.

Scene: Betsy Barry and friends.

Scene: Annie Rex.

Scene: Sylvie Ball and friends.

Scene: Nancy Donahue and Samantha Brownell.

Scene: Barbara Tate and Harry King.

Scene: Hayden Flanders, Sam Bodloche and friends.

Scene: Nancy Donahue bids a fond farewell to the guests.

Scene: Ari Spinelli, Joey Hunter, and Tony Spinelli.

Scene: Montgomery Frazier and Barbara Tate.

Scene: Thanks for another memorable, fun, fab, and wonderful evening, Nancy and Harry!

NYFW Attendees (part two)

April 18, 2023. One comment.

Scene: A collection of more guests from New York Fashion Week from various designer shows.
Paul and Jessica strike a natural pose downtown at the PH5 presentation.
“I think personal style starts from within because it’s a philosophy and an attitude. If you’re honest and true to yourself, you will have the best sense of personal style”. Stella McCartney
“What is style? It is an effortless confidence in being yourself, it is a way of putting yourself together according to your mood and what you want to project”. Diane von Furstenberg

Scene: Irena Kroeicker at PH5 presentation.

Scene: Jadam Go and Navdeep Kaurat at PH5 presentation.

Scene: Guests at PH5 presentation.

Scene: Guests at PH5 presentation.

Scene: Aïssata Diallo, Digital Creator and Model, wearing PH5’s pants and dress layered together with their gloves at PH5 presentation. “I love how fun this brand is because that’s what fashion should be”.

Scene: Liz Kapran, Content Creator, Digital Stylist, Independent Model, from downtown Toronto. She is wearing PH5’s dress at PH5 presentation.

Scene: Guest at the PH5 presentation.

Scene: Rebecca-Jo Dunham-Baruchel and Morgan Gardiner at PH5 presentation.

Scene: Rebecca-Jo Dunham-Baruchel and Morgan Gardiner signing my book at the PH5 presentation.

Scene: Nelson Tiberghien, one half of the Young Emperors, at the PH5 presentation. See the style matching couple at the end of this story.

Scene: Guests at PH5 presentation.

Scene: John at PH5 presentation.

Scene: John at PH5 presentation.

Scene: Guests at PH5 presentation.

Scene: Olha Stepanova and friend at PH5 presentation.

Scene: Guest at PH5 presentation.

Scene: Guest wearing PH5’s outfit at PH5 presentation.

Scene: Guest at PH5 presentation.

Scene: Jess Xu, Influencer, at PH5 presentation.

Scene: George Cool at Global Fashion Collective runway show.
Global Fashion Collective is an expansion of Vancouver Fashion Week which provides a platform for emerging and established designers to showcase their recent creations. Launched in October 2017, the collective has been producing exclusive runway showcases in diverse fashion capitals around the world. GFC aims to help designers increase their global brand presence, increasing their exposure internationally and opening up new markets.

Scene: Jessica Marmolejo, stylist, and Alejacuolic Romero, makeup artist, at Global Fashion Collective runway show.

Scene: Isis Miralles, image consultant, blogger, stylist, and personal shopper, from Bolivia at Global Fashion Collective runway show.

Scene: Jasmine Green, Founder and Casting Model Agent at MARZ Enterprise, and Joyce, Content Creator and Vlogger, at Dell Scott runway show.

Scene: Joe at Tanner Fletcher presentation at Freehand Hotel in the Flatiron District.

Scene: Guest at Tanner Fletcher presentation.

Scene: Rozi Joanne-Richard Levine at Tanner Fletcher presentation.

Scene: Jordan D. Roy, Model, and friend at Tanner Fletcher presentation.

Scene: Guest at House of Aama runway show at Freehand Hotel in the Flatiron District.

Scene: Toluwalase at House of Aama runway show.