A Diva State of Mind

The Dareen Hakim Handbag Collection came across my inbox earlier this year and I fell in love!  The bags are chic, bold and unique.  Inspired by designer Dareen Hakim’s travel and heritage, the collection is best known for “sumptuous leathers, unique contrasting effects, handcrafted metalwork, and dramatic hues.”

There are a few clutches that come in a variety of colors and plaque options, allowing you to create a handbag that is uniquely your own.  Here are some of my favorites:

Le Icon in Sapphire

The V Clutch in Flame

Le Capri in Forest

L' Ôciel

Between now and December 31st, Dareek Hakim is offering 10% off any collection handbag. Enter code DH10Holiday at checkout. To view the entire collection, click HERE.

Stay tuned for an interview with Dareen Hakim and preview of the new Spring Collection in January 2012!

Pink Rocks The Runway is only a few days away!  I had the pleasure of interviewing DC designer Afua Sam of Studio D-Maxsi Designs in anticipation of the fashion event.

Afua is originally from Ghana; her Ghanaian roots and culture serve as inspiration for her designs.  She creates pieces for the chic and funky modern woman. Studio D-Maxsi Designs have been worn by Jaime Foster Brown of Sister 2 Sister Magazine and Glynn Jackson of the Golden Scissors Award Show. Afua’s designs have also been featured in 3G Magazine, The Baltimore Sun, Ghanaian Times and Ghana Web.

ADSOM: What are three words you would use to describe your designs?

Afua: Chic, classy and sexy at the same time.

ADSOM: What was your inspiration behind your current collection?

Afua: I am inspired by color, texture, and everything around me. Most of my very best designs come from when I sit behind the [sewing] machine. I don’t sit around and sketch. Best designs from sitting behind the machine and creating.

ADSOM: Why did you decide to participate in the Pink Rocks The Runway Fashion Show? 

Afua: I have two reasons; first, I received a message from Stef Woods. She wanted me to design her dress. I was so humbled by it. If you are doing something people like, that’s inspiring.

Second, I’ve worked with a lot of breast cancer organizations. I was drawn in because my father and brother died of cancer. I’ve worked with tons of organizations. I also created a bra dress purposefully in honor of breast cancer survivors. Hopefully I’ll be able to bring it to Pink Jams!

ADSOM: What advice would you give to aspiring fashion designers?

Afua: Don’t ever let anybody tell you that you can’t follow your dreams.  It doesn’t matter what you want to design. As long as you believe in yourself and this is what you want to do, keep going and someone will love what you’re doing. Dreams do come true.

If you can, you learn about sowing because if you have a vision and you don’t find the right person to bring the vision out, it won’t come out the right way. If you know about sewing, it will help you save money on construction.

ADSOM: Which celebrity would you love to work with that you haven’t worked with yet?

Afua: I love Oprah. I think she’s a big inspiration to a lot of woman. I would love to create something beautiful for her to wear. I would love to do something beautiful for Mrs. Obama. I think she is inspirational, especially for black women.

If you are interested in checking out Studio D-Maxsi Designs and other fabulous designs on the runway, purchase your ticket for Pink Rocks The Runway today!

This Friday, Pink Rocks The Runway will showcase designs from local DC designers and Christian Siriano.  In anticipation of this amazing fashion event, I had the pleasure of interviewing designers participating in the show to learn more about their collections and why they decided to participate in the fashion show.

Kenneth “KAS” Flanagan is the designer behind KAS Collection, Inc, a high end couture fashion company that specializes in sophisticated evening wear, stylish men and women business suits and high fashion urban apparel.  KAS’ collections have been worn by a number of celebrities including Rihanna, Trey Songz and Keyshia Cole.

I attended his House of KAS fashion show earlier this year at the National Harbor; gorgeous! So of course I was excited to interview KAS about his collection and why he decided to participate in Pink Rocks The Runway.

ADSOM: Your love for art began when you were 4 years old. When did your passion for art transition to becoming a fashion designer?

KAS: When I turned 15, I was frustrated with the clothes that I saw at the stores and I was tired of seeing clones every where.

ADSOM: What was the first article of clothing you ever designed? 

KAS: The first design I created was a shirt out of designer pockets (Jean back pockets).

ADSOM: What are three words you would use to describe the KAS Collection? 

KAS: Timeless, sexy, and fashion-forward

ADSOM: What was your inspiration behind your current collection?

KAS: My mother, Mahogany and the well-tailored men from the 40’s.

ADSOM: What matters to you most as a fashion designer? 

KAS: Designs, construction of garments and taking risks.

ADSOM: Why did you decide to participate in the Pink Rocks The Runway Fashion Show? 

KAS: It’s very personal.  My mother passed away of cancer and l have big respect for Christina.*  I want to support her in everyway I can.

ADSOM: What advice would you give to aspiring fashion designers? 

KAS: Don’t rush. Get your business right first. Take an intern position so that you can get hands-on experience. Know your target audience and your competitors. And don’t be afraid to fail. Stay hungry and keep God first.

If you want to see KAS and other fabulous designers showcase their designs, purchase your ticket for Pink Rocks The Runway today!

*Christina Floresca is the founder of Pink Jams! and Pink Rocks The Runway

Considering how excited I was in June when I heard about Versace teaming up with H&M, I completely forgot the collection was going to be in stores next month! I guess I should’ve marked my calendar when I did a blog post about the new collaboration.

As it gets closer to the November 17th launch date, pictures are beginning in appear in editorials of the Versace for H&M collection. Check out pictures from Vogue Russia and ELLE UK below.

What do you think? Will you be in line November 17th to purchase Versace?

Source: Refinery 29 & The Glamazon Diaries

Now this is one collaboration I will be standing in line for in February!! Known for designing Mrs. Obama’s inaugural gown, designer Jason Wu is teaming up with Target for a limited collection. The Jason Wu for Target collection will be available in stores February 5, 2012 through March 6, 2012.  The collection will feature womenswear, handbags and scarves ranging from $19.99 to $59.99. Talk about affordable!

“My collection for Target embodies my signature aesthetic of feminine sophistication, with a mischievous nod to the 1960s,” Wu says.  “I’ve had an incredible experience partnering with Target and I am looking forward to bringing these affordable designs to women across the country.”

I, like so many others, thought Wu’s inaugural gown was gorgeous. However, I fell in love this his designs when I watched his Fall 2011 Collection runway show at New York Fashion Week in March. His pieces are so chic!!   I CAN NOT WAIT for this collaboration.

Source

This year, I missed the live streams and photos from the all of the fashion week shows, but there is one collection I could not escape even if I tried. A few pictures from the Balmain Spring 2012 collection appeared on my twitter timeline and Tumblr dashboard multiple times in one week. So you already know; I searched online to find pictures from the entire fashion show. And let me tell you, I was not disappointed!

The Balmain Spring 2012 collection at Paris Fashion Week was amazing!  The new creative director, Oliver Rousteing, infused glamour with south western style to create a collection full of metallics, crystals and embroidery. The texture and pattern detail of the collection is impeccable. I would have loved to view the Spring 2012 line in person.

Check out the collection below!

[Show as slideshow]

12►

HAUTE!

Source: New York Magazine

By Danielle Sara Photography

Rakhi and Company is a DC based jewelry company focused on creating effortless jewelry for women.   Created by Rakhi in 2010, the collection is wearable throughout any day and into evening, regardless of the occasion. Rakhi and Company jewelry comes to life when sterling silver is transformed into finely crafted, unique jewelry to compliment a woman’s beauty in any setting.

Rakhi finds inspiration by observing the shapes and textures found naturally in her environment: She marvels at the elements of nature while walking along the Capital Crescent trail; she loves the vibrant colors we see as we walk the streets of DC’s Chinatown and Dupont Circle neighborhoods. You’ll see the resulting distinctive use of color, texture and shapes throughout the collection.

By Danielle Sara Photography

To pay tribute to the places where she found inspiration, each piece of jewelry is named after particular street names, communities and landmarks in the DC area.

I recently partnered with Rakhi and Company to create the September Look of The Month for the company’s monthly newsletter. Check out my look!

To learn more about Rahki and Company and to view the full jewelry collection, visit http://rahkiandcompany.com/

In exactly two weeks, 235 Macy’s stores and online will feature the new Karl Lagerfeld collection Impulse.  The collection features 45 pieces including dresses, leather pants/gloves (assuming faux leather given the price points), skirts, shorts, tees and tanks.  Prices average between $50 to $170.

My favorite looks from the collection are the structured outfits, probably because they would work great for the office and after work events (happy hours, networking events, etc). I love the leather looks too.  I don’t own a pair of leather (or faux leather) pants or a pair of Fall/Winter season shorts.  I’m thinking those items need to be added to my wardrobe this Fall!!

Check out some of my favorite looks below along with the rest of the collection in the slideshow:

[Show as slideshow]

12►

Source: New York Magazine

The high end designer/mainstream retailer collaboration has become extremely popular and it continues this Fall between Missoni and Target.  On September 13, Target will launch the Missoni for Target Collection.  The collection will feature 400 pieces for men, women and children including dresses, jackets, swimsuits, scarves, blankets, laptop cases and a bike!

Prices range between $7.99 to $199.99, meaning there is something for everyone. Check out a sneak peak at the collection below:

[Show as slideshow]

 What do you think of the new Target collection?

Source

I first heard of Brian Atwood while watching an episode of “The Rachel Zoe Project.” His shoes are HAUTE!  (I’ve added his name to a list a designers I look forward to affording one day).  For this upcoming fall season, Brian Atwood created B by Brian Atwood, a lower priced collection featuring 35 to 45 styles ranging from $100 sandals to $650 boots.

Atwood describes the collection “as three kinds of aesthetics melted together: Upper East Side poshness, mixed with downtown cool, along with a Parisian sophistication.”

In anticipation of the new collection, Saks Fifth Ave will premiere a new style everyday this week online available for pre-order.   The entire B by Brian Atwood collection will be available online on August 15th.

Check out a few styles below:

Love it!!!

What do you think of the B by Brian Atwood collection?

Source: Fashionologie