NYFW Bluetamburin

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Scene: Spring/Summer 2022, Korean designer Bomin Kim’s fashion brand, Bluetamburin, was presented as part of Global Fashion Collective, founder Jamal Abdourahman, at New York Fashion Week. Bomin wanted to express Korean and Western moods at the same time and to share the importance of self-expression and freedom in this collection.
The collection included several nods to Kim’s heritage, like the black hat mirroring the traditional gat. Garments came in shades of blue and gray and were heavily accessorized. Blazers were accented by shimmering embellished sleeves, and paired with teal feather and floral arrangements. The looks were very structured, from the tailored men’s formalwear to their dramatic dresses. This collection is so uniquely Bluetamburin. 
Talent for the show: Hair by lead hairstylist Odete DaSilva, Artistex Salon Westport, Ct, and team, Makeup by lead makeup artist Monique Rinard, Aofm Makeup and team, Fashion publicist Emily Bungert founder, EB Consults, and 608 Fifth Avenue was the venue.

Scene: Walking garment. The clothing was actually touched with a device and you could see a walking and revolving garment. The information and history of the piece is listed with this app from Bluetamburin. 
Scene: Creative Director and Fashion Designer, Bomin Kim, with models.
Scene: Looking in the mirror.

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

Photo 25 courtesy of Bluetamburin.
 
 
 
 
 
 

NYFW House of Aama

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Scene: Spring/Summer 2022 collection, titled “Salt Water” was set in a fictionalized Black resort community called Camp Aama referencing the Black community’s seafaring legacy and beach havens they fostered. Through clothing, the House of Aama set the scene in a vacation community similar to ones that flourished in the early 1900s in the US.
“We really consider ourselves folklorists, telling sartorial stories through fashion” says co-founder Rebecca Henry.
Talent for the show: Hair by lead hairstylist Anthony Hernandez and team for Cutler/Redken, Makeup by lead makeup artist Maite Moreira and team for NY Makeup Academy, Fashion Stylist Tiffani Williams, Wardrobe Manager Audra Gooch assisted by Myles Colbert, Casting Director Dionne Cochrane, and Freehand New York was the venue.

Scene: The LA mother and daughter brand are inspired by Black folklore. Founded by Rebecca Henry, a practicing lawyer, and her daughter Akua Shabaka, who recently graduated from Parsons School of Design, House of Aama clothing is produced and manufactured in Los Angeles, California. 2021 CFDA finalists Rebecca and Akua are carving out a vital space in the industry for fashion born from the Black experience. House of Aama’s collection “Salt Water”, as a term, is an ode to the Africans who crossed the Atlantic Ocean and survived the middle passage to the Americas, Black sailors, and the water spirits of Yemaya, Olokun, and Agwe that have served as spiritual anchors of African traditions in the diaspora.
Scene: Debutante Silk Midi Dress.
Scene: Cocktail Beaded Silk-Linen Midi Dress.
Scene: Cut-Out Silk Charmeuse Gown.
Scene: Cut-Out Silk Charmeuse Gown with House of Aama x Gianni Lee Sea Spirit Scarf.
Scene: Henrietta Jumpsuit.
Scene: Tattoo Mesh Turtleneck with Sailor Pants, Unisex.
Scene: Azaka Button Up, Azaka Shorts with Embroidered Hat, Unisex.
Scene: Maroon Victorian Pussybow with Sailor Suspender High Waist Pants, Unisex.
Scene: Akua Shabaka fine tuning the outfit before the runway presentation.
Scene: Crochet Cotton Tank Top. The woven net designs are reminiscent of fishing sea nets that would have been utilized in a seafaring community.
Scene: Camp Aama Towel with Vintage Wooden Beaded Colorblock Swim Trunks.
Scene: Anthony Hernandez, lead hairstylist, placing the HOA x Gianni Lee Sea Spirit Silk.
“It is retro hair, 40s-60s Hollywood, inspired by black and white photos, the French Twist and Aretha Franklin.”
Scene: Akua Shabaka, wrapped in Camp Aama Cotton-Blend Sweatshirt, wearing Tan Nude Silk Halter and Skirt Set and Model wearing Tattoo Bodysuit with HOA x Gianni Lee Sea Spirit Silk Sarong.
Scene: Maite Moreira, lead makeup artist, putting on the finishing touches.
“40s-50s look, authentic and classic with black eyeliner, a defined cat eye. The black girls and women were the pioneers of this look.” 
Scene: Sundown One-Piece Swimsuit.
Scene: Clear Heels from Fashion Nova Los Angeles.
Scene: Gianni Lee Sea Spirit Button Down with Tattoo Mesh Turtleneck, Unisex.
Scene: Retro Ruched Bikini Set.
Scene: Tattoo Bodysuit with HOA x Gianni Lee Sea Spirit Silk Sarong.
Scene: Akua Shabaka wrapped in Camp Aama Cotton-Blend Sweatshirt and Rebecca Henry wearing Tan Nude Silk Halter, Skirt and Scarf Set before the show.
Scene: Altars of candles, photos, flowers, and other items. House of Aama clothing collection explores a different facet of Black history and culture, from their Creole spirituality inspired Bloodroot Heritage Collection to this Resort Collection, Salt Water.
“We definitely were a home that practiced a lot of different traditional African practices, as well as voodoo and conjurer work. I didn’t have a typical Black American experience, it was definitely more Southern-based, African-diaspora-based, working with nature and spirituality” said co-founder Rebecca Henry.
Scene: Detachable pockets Sailor Jacket, Sailor Pants, Tattoo Mesh Turtleneck, Sailor Agwe Chain Stick Embroidered Hat, Olokuns Kingdom Canvas Duffel Bag, and HOA x Gianni Lee Sea Spirt Flag. 
Scene: Gianni Lee Sea Spirit Button Down, Tattoo Mesh Turtleneck with Sailor Pants, Unisex.
Azaka Cabana Print Playsuit, Azaka Sailor Collar Top, and Azaka Cabana Midi Skirt and bag.
Scene: Azaka Button Up, Azaka Shorts with Embroidered Hat, Unisex.
Scene: Louise Strapless Dress.
Scene: La Sirene Bodycon Maxi Dress. “In exploring the seafaring legacy, we highlighted water spirits, including the African La Siren, who hails from Haite. She is the mermaid and a patron saint of sailors” said co-founder Akua Shabaka.
Scene: Sundown Cut-Out Silk Charmeuse Midi Dress and bag.
Scene: Azaka Cabana Print Playsuit, Azaka Sailor Collar Top, and Azaka Cabana Midi Skirt and bag.
Scene: Checkered Beaded Bikini Set.
Scene: Whispers! Sailor Crochet Cotton Maxi Dress and Cocktail Beaded Silk-Linen Midi Dress.
Scene: Stairway to the show at Freehand New York.
Scene: Gianni Lee and Aaron Ramey.
Scene: Artist Sydney Mikayla, Emmy nominated for ‘Trina” on General Hospital, ‘Wolf’ on Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts on Netflix.
She is wearing an Earnest Official, with rings by Dara Ettinger.
Scene: Sade Keinu and Tommy Playboy.
Scene: Doris McGarry.
Scene: Anike Thomas.
Scene: Gabriella Baldwin.
Scene: Lynn Yaeger, Contributing Fashion Editor to Vogue.com and a contributing writer to Vogue. She is a former reporter for The Village Voice, for 30 years with her column “Elements of Style” and contributes to other major publications. Yaeger is known for her eccentric personal style, powdered face and dark, cupid’s-bow lipstick as well as cutting her own hair. She is one of Marc Jacobs muses.
Scene: Friends Doris McGarry, Anike Thomas, and Gabriella Baldwin.

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

NYFW Cynthia Rowley (part two)

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Scene: Spring/Summer 2022, with a sunset Lady Liberty view from the tip of Manhattan’s Wagner Park. “I’m slightly Y2K-obsessed, but not too much,” designer Cynthia Rowley said following her playful and feminine show. Rowley combined her various categories — swim and surf, girly occasion and daywear, and sporty leisure layers into one collection that embodied wearable, optimistic, and fun styles with just enough of a nod to the early 2000s. The nod came in the form of butterfly and floral motifs, chunky crystal jewelry and embellishments, and a girly, bright palette. Spring was one of Rowley’s most cohesive collections in recent seasons and a celebratory return to New York Fashion Week.
Talent for the show: Hair by lead hairstylist Rodney Cutler of Cutler Salons and team. Makeup by lead makeup artist Cassandra Garcia and team for Bobbi Brown. 
Above photo, Maia Hannemann represented by The Industry Model Management is wearing a Twilight Dress. And Mia Speicher represented by Next New York is wearing a Smocked Silk Twill Dress.

Scene: Cassandra Garcia, lead makeup artist for Bobbi Brown, comments on the makeup direction “Pretty, rosy, with a soft pink eyeliner complemented with a soft glowing rose lip.”
Scene: Rodney Cutler, lead hairstylist of Cutler Salons, comments on the hair direction “Elegant, deconstructed, a return to glamour with a young attitude.”
Scene: New 3D printed, made-to-order, futuristic wedges, which Rowley explained were the result of trying to find a more sustainable and manageable solution to her current shoe business.
Scene: Cynthia Rowley said postshow “Sexy! Sexy for sure, right? Haven’t we been waiting a lot of time to be sexy?”
Watch the runway show!

To view NYFW Cynthia Rowley (part one) click here.

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

 

 

 

StockadeFaire

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On a cold Winter night I’m remembering this warm and fun day in October.
Scene: StockadeFaire, Day into Night. A Block Party that took over Wall and North Front Streets in Kingston, coinciding with One Mile Gallery Janet Hicks OMGArtFaire.
Sean B Nutly of bluecashew Kitchen worked with his life and business partner JT McKay, and with Lovefield Vintage owners Darbie Nowatka and Justin Rice. Sean envisioned StockadeFaire as a collaboration between the Uptown Kingston businesses and the Phoenicia Flea.
StockadeFaire brought together business sponsors, merchant booths, live music acts, and DJs. The block of Wall between John and North Front Street was bookended by stages.
People came to hear the music, shop, view classic cars, mingle, dance, party, and enjoy the day into night event.
Above photo Laura Lee and Sean B Nutley.

Scene: Waiting for Unicorn Disco for Tots.
Scene: Eli Goldstein of Soul Clap, Unicorn Disco for Tots, spinning tunes while parents and kids sway and dance with delight on North Front Street.
Scene: Hogs & Hotrods, the vintage car show curated by the crew at Pugsley’s Barber Shop. 
Scene: 1956 Buick Roadmaster.
Scene: Lovechild on the Ramblin’ Rose Mobile Stagecoach Stage at the corner of Wall and John Streets. Hotel Kinsley presented an afternoon of live music curated by Drew Frankel of Impact Concerts and Levon Helm Studios, and Kyle McEvoy of Sonder House record label. The lineup featured Angela Bove, Patrick Collins, Lovechild, Paul Moody, Jules Olson, Heathered Pearls, and Spencer Zahn.
Scene: Enjoying live music at the Habitat for Humanity lounge area.
Scene: Habitat for Humanity and ReStore provided tables and chairs for Stockade Soundstage.
Scene: Hotel Kinsley’s Sips and Bites.
Scene: Spencer Zahn, ambient jazz performer and bassist who was the headliner. Born in Massachusetts, he started playing the bass at age 12. Since moving to New York in the mid-2000s, he has worked as a touring musician, performing live with a range of acts across the genre spectrum.
Scene: Jas Walton on saxophone, played with Spencer Zahn. Born and raised in midcoast Maine, he moved to New York City where his eclectic musical interests quickly took root. He has collaborated with the Alan Watts Audio Archive.
Scene: Maria and Ken Glass. “Lovechild’s original music rocks” she said.
Scene: Enjoying Hotel Kinsley’s Sips and live music.
Scene: DJ’s Morgan and Gadi Mizrahi of Wolf & Lamb.
On the North Front Street Corner “DJs for Climate Action” Stage featured beats programmed by music producers Eli Goldstein of Soul Clap and Zev Eisenberg, who is half of the DJ duo Wolf+Lamb and also chief of Hudson Modern. DJ sets included Tinkerism, Morgan, Schneur and Mister Rogers, ROBERT, DJ Hawx of Weird Rooms. Internationally renowned dance music DJ and producer and Hudson resident Tedd Patterson closed the house down.
Scene: Dancing to the music.
Scene: Riley Johndonnell.
Scene: Efy Tal and DJ Sensay Shnay.
Scene: Yoav Arie Rabby and Laura Lee.
Scene: Prizes for Arla Vintage booth.
Scene: Product•Think•Tank booth.
Scene: Product•Think•Tank booth.
Scene: Product•Think•Tank booth.
Scene: MAS Designer booth.
Scene: DJ’s “A Rock The Islamic Shock Jock” and Sensay Shnay.
Scene: Khyal of MegaGlam.
Scene: Thomas Russo, owner of White Rabbit Audio, whose unique white speakers filled the street with smooth vibrating tunes, and Garrett Grassi of Aether.
Scene: Klye Meyer and Rachel Chayon.
Scene: Louis P. Timperio of The Klyne Esopus Museum.
Scene: Northern Country Classic Vintage booth.
Scene: Alcove Craft booth.
Scene: Chicory Naturalist booth.
Scene: JR booth.
Scene: JR’s fun display and price list.
Scene: Willa and Victoria.
Scene: Shopping the unique offerings.
Scene: Carlos Rodriguez and Garrett Grassi.
Scene: Behind the DJ booth, DJ Sensay Shnay, Zev Eisenberg who is half of the DJ duo Wolf+Lamb, Efy Tal in yellow sleeveless blouse, Yoav Arie Rabby behind her, and DJ Gadi Mizrahi with others.
Scene: Eliza & Wyld signage.
Scene: Eliza & Wyld booth.
Scene: Natibo Atbp. by Hatzumomo booth.
Scene: Only Hearts booth.
Scene: Only Hearts booth.
Scene: Viewing the offerings at the Rabbit Rabbit booth.
Scene: Jessie.
Scene: Hermance Farm creative painting area.
Scene: Taylor + Ace booth.
Scene: Sarah LaSpada booth.
Scene: Luna Ruda booth.
Scene: MN Dye Studio booth.
Scene: SO Handmade booth.
Scene: Flyaway Bluejay booth.
Scene: Heya booth. Photo from their Instagram page.
Scene: Rabbit Rabbit booth.
Scene: Photography by Sara Laser booth.
Scene: Printmaking and Illustration by Rika Laser booth.
Scene: Stephanie Zimmerman and Josie Andrew. Josie is wearing Slow Process shirt that he just purchased.
Scene: Sam Zollman at his Slow Process booth wearing his selvedge denim Parcel Jacket.
Scene: Julia, Fiona, Zoe, Zoë, and Abby. Girls just want to have fun!
Scene: Bill Smith, Jose Fuliciano, and Raleigh Green at Stella’s Restaurant on North Front Street.
Scene: Rachel Kafka and Nate Hennagin.
Scene: Zulia & Huipa booth.
Scene: Willa playing peekaboo with me!
Scene: Nathan, Marianne Aguilar, Jas Walton, and Spencer Zahn.
Scene: Rachel Chayon.
Scene & Heard: Into the night! Disco ball reflects, the light show shines with a myriad colors, the beat filled the street, and the dance party gets hotter and higher.
Martha and The Vandellas sing Dancing in the Street
Scene: Disco Party!
Scene: Mario Geissler.
Scene: DJ Robert, aka RC Wheeler.
Scene: Christina Osburn, Ruth Lancer, Carrie Bono, and Lauren Fornabaio. 
Scene: Robert Provenz and Kirby Duncan.
Scene: Riley Johndonnell.
Scene: Stephanie Mossey, official photographer for StockadeFaire and OMG ArtFaire.
Scene:  DJ Hawx, aka Reuben Ullman.
Scene: Max and Erin.
Scene: Carter Peabody.
Scene: René de Roneque.
Scene: Dakari with the beat!
Scene: Jojo Ans, Christina Osburn, and Rachael Chayon dancing in the street.
Scene & Heard: DJ Tedd Patterson. Patterson is a regular in the DJ booth at Battle Hymn in Manhattan, House Of Yes in Brooklyn, and with Horse Meat Disco circuit. Patterson spins State 518.
Scene: Klye Meyer a-go-go! And Kevin Anthony Thomas of ReStore.
Scene: Those boots are made for dancin!
Scene: Daniel McCluskey Jr. and JT McKay of bluecashew Kitchen.
Scene: Christina Osburn and John Mckinney.
Scene: Efy Tal, Phillip Trinh, and Carrie Bono.
Scene: Garrett Grassi of Aether.
Scene: DJ Sensay Shnay and Cassie Karopkin.
Scene:  Sean B Nutley and Jennifer Donavan of Le Shag. Performers were styled by Le Shag beauty salon.
Scene: Bride and groom.
Scene: Kevin Anthony Thomas of ReStore.
Scene: Phillip Trinh and Carrie Bono.
Scene: Kevin Muth.
Scene: Max and Erin.

 

 

 

In Between

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Scene: Personal style from Fall to the Winter Solstice. Unwrapped and bundled up. On the go. Personal style and dressing in a way that makes you feel good and comfortable, regardless of what’s considered cool or hot, trending or not. It’s about the person’s persona, taste, and projection. Projection on how one chooses to put things together. The wardrobe as palette. Color, texture, patterns, and silhouettes. Mixed in favor with individual taste, combined with an awareness of what is new, vintage or future. Feeling what’s right for you. Rich, off color, tailored, casual, arts and crafts, cozy knits or knit wit. Mixed, mashed or matched.