Blahnik to Receive Couture Council of Artistry and Fashion Award from the Fashion Institute of Technology

Posted on April 10, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

It’s a special first for Manolo Blahnik…

The 72-year-old Spanish designer and founder of the self-named, high-end shoe brand will receive a “career-crowning” Couture Council of Artistry and Fashion Award from the Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT).

Blahnik is the first footwear designer to receive the prestigious international award for lifetime achievement.

Blahnik, who celebrated his namesake label’s 40th anniversary in 2012, became a late-career household name, thanks, in part, to Sex and the City, which name-dropped him reverently.

It’s one of the few international honors in fashion, decided by a committee of editors, retailers and journalists. In years past, it has been received by Karl Lagerfeld, Valentino, Oscar de la Renta and Carolina Herrera.

Mota: 2014’s Most Searched For “Fashion Designer” on Google

Posted on December 17, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

She may be a teenager, but Bethany Mota is already garnering major attention in the fashion world…

The 19-year-old half-Mexican YouTube vlogger and fashionista, a contestant on the most recent season of ABC’s Dancing with the Stars, was the most searched for “fashion designer” of 2014, according to Google.

Mota, also known by her username Macbarbie07, rose to fame in just a few short years with beauty tutorials, fashion lookbooks, and “haul” videos, gaining nearly 8 million subscribers in the process.

In December 2013, the teen sensation partnered with tween retailer Aeropostale to launch her own clothing and accessories line for the brand.

The eponymous line consists of teen staples, including graphic tees (some featuring Mota’s face, $16), oversized skull tote bags ($24), and scented body shimmer ($12).

Since the unveiling, the successful collaboration has led to seasonal collections as well as a bedding collection (particularly popular is the “Motavator” bed in bag set, $109).

Mota beat out some big names on Google’s list, including Kate Spade, Alexander Wang and Valentino, as well the late greats Oscar de la Renta, L’Wren Scott and Edith Flagg.

Torres Among the Red-Hot Models at the Heart Truth Red Dress Collection Show

Posted on February 7, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Gina Torres is always red-y to raise awareness about women’s heart health…

The 44-year-old Cuban American actress, who currently stars as Jessica Pearson on the USA Network’s popular legal series Suits, had fashionistas seeing red during the Heart Truth Red Dress Collection show in New York City.

The event, sponsored by the American Heart Association Go Red For Women campaign, kicked off New York Fashion Week Thursday night at the Lincoln Center.

In honor of American Heart Month, Torres, Bella Thorne and Victoria Justice joined other red-hot celebrities, including NeNe Leakes, Anika Noni Rose and Leona Lewis, to walk the runway in designer red frocks, all to raise money for the cause.

This year’s Red Dress Collection designers included Oscar de la Renta, Carolina Herrera, Carmen Mark Valvo, Mark Zunino and Donna Karan.

Here’s a look at Torres, Thorne and Justice in their red dresses.

Gina Torres flaunts her curvas in an eye-catching Marchesa dress during The Heart Truth Red Dress show.

Bella Thorne dons a sleek Badgley Mischka dress in the Go Red For Women-The Heart Truth Red Dress runway show.

Victoria Justice strikes a pose in a flowery Oscar de la Renta dress in the Red Dress show.

Heart disease reportedly causes one in three women’s deaths each year, killing approximately one woman every minute. It’s estimated that 43-million women in the United States are affected by heart disease.

Here are some important facts about Latinas and heart disease:

Hispanic women are likely to develop heart disease 10 years earlier than Caucasian women.
Only 1 in 3 Hispanic women are aware that heart disease is their No. 1 killer
Only 3 in 10 Hispanic women say they have been informed that they are at a higher risk.

Herrera Leads the Pack of Latino Fashion Designers Dressing the Stars at the Golden Globes

Posted on January 13, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Carolina Herrera may not have attended this year’s Golden Globes… But her presence was definitely felt on the red carpet.

The 75-year-old Venezuelan fashion designer dressed several of today’s hottest starlets for Sunday’s 71s Annual Golden Globe Awards, including this year’s hostess with the mostess Tina Fey.

Here’s a look at some of Herrera’s most eye-catching dresses of the night…

Everything was coming up roses for Fey on the red carpet. The former 30 Rock and Saturday Night Live star turned heads in Herrera’s black and red rose printed dress. She paired the princess-like dress with jewelry by Fred Leighton and Brian Atwood shoes.

During the live telecast, Fey returned in another Herrera gown, a form-fitting, embellished maroon look. The SNL alum, wearing her hair down, accessorized the dress with jewels by Lorraine Schwartz and Brian Atwood shoes.

Meanwhile, Modern Family star Julie Bowen donned a red and purple velvet dress by Herrera. The actress paired the dynamic dress with Jimmy Choo heels, and Jacob & Co jewels.

Lastly, pop-country singing sensation Taylor Swift, nominated for Best Original Song or her song “Sweeter Than Fiction” from the film One Chance, chose an Herrera gown in her favorite color, Red, which happens to be the name of her latest Grammy-nominated album.

Swift completed her look with Christian Louboutin shoes, a Jimmy Choo clutch, and Lorraine Schwartz jewelry.

But Herrera wasn’t the only Hispanic fashion designer represented on the red carpet…

Two-time nominee Juila Louis-Dreyfus picked a red-hot Narcisco Rodriguez dress for the night’s festivities.

Dreyfus paired the custom-designed, scarlet-hued, crepe gown with antique gold and pearl jewels by Fred Leighton.

Last but certainly not least, Oscar de la Renta dressed two beauties for this year’s Golden Globes.

Michelle Dockery in Oscar de la Renta

First up, Downton Abbey star Michelle Dockery in a strapless gown from the 81-year-old Dominican fashion designer’s 2013 collection.

The dress, which featured gold speckled detail, fell shorter at the front, showing off Dockery’s simple satin heels.

Zooey Deschanel in Oscar de la Renta

And New Girl star Zooey Deschanel’s de la Renta dress has been described as “vintage glam” with a “modern-day edge.”

The kitschy dress featured a crop top, mullet hem and oh-so-sparkly embroidery.

de la Renta to Receive the Carnegie Hall Medal of Excellence

Posted on November 19, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

Oscar de la Renta is being heralded for his leadership in business and philanthropy…

The 81-year-old Dominican American fashion designer has been named as the recipient of the Carnegie Hall Medal of Excellence.

de la Renta will receive the award from Carnegie Hall‘s Board of Trustees Chairman Sanford Weill at a gala benefit on April 24, 2014.

“As a beloved and dedicated trustee, Oscar has lent his creative talent to furthering Carnegie Hall’s mission since 1987. He is a true visionary who has made incomparable contributions to society and has altered countless lives around the world,” Weill said in a statement.

The award ceremony will be followed by a performance by Julio Iglesias, his first at Carnegie Hall in 25 years.

“Julio is like a brother to me. I am unbelievably honored that he will be joining me at Carnegie Hall, a place with an extraordinary soul, that for me holds a very special meaning,” said de la Renta of the gala’s lineup.

de la Renta became internationally known in the 1960s as one of the couturiers to dress Jacqueline Kennedy. His eponymous fashion house continues to dress leading figures, from film stars to royalty. He’s particularly known for his red carpet gowns and evening wear.

Alba: Best-Dressed Latina at the Golden Globes

Posted on January 14, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

The 70th Annual Golden Globe Awards marked the official start of award season… And, this year’s event featured several of Hollywood’s hottest Latina luminaries on the red carpet, in the audience and on the stage.

From Jessica Alba’s silk trumpet gown to Eva Longoria’s slit-to-the-hip dress, the Latina style-stars, dressed to the nines in their designer frocks, simply sparkled.

Here’s a look at this year’s best-dressed Latinas at the Globes:

Jessica Alba

She may have earned her only Golden Globe nomination for starring as Max Guevara on Fox’s sci-fi series Dark Angel, but there was nothing dim about Jessica Alba’s look at this year’s show.

The 31-year-old half-Mexican American actress – one of the night’s presenters – shined brighter than the sun in an orange silk faille trumpet gown from Oscar de la Renta. And Alba, who will be starring in this year’s Sin City sequel, paired her fiery frock with a $5.8 million Harry Winston diamond necklace, as well as diamond earrings and a cocktail ring all set in platinum. And she capped off her look with a fuzzy orange Roger Vivier clutch.

From head to toe, Alba’s look was nothing short of perfection, making her the night’s best dressed Latina.

Eva Longoria

Eva Longoria just missed out onbest-dressed honors by a leg. Literally!The 37-year-old Mexican-American actress and former Desperate Housewives star sizzled in an oh-so-revealing black Emilio Pucci gown.

Longoria, a presenter at Sunday’s awards show, proved there’s nothing lackluster about a black dress in the stunning gown that featured a slit cut up to her hip.

And, the Texas-born starlet seemed to take the popular Lone Star State saying, “The Bigger the Hair, the Closer to God,” to heart with an impressive pouf.

Rosario Dawson

It’s no wonder she’s starring in Danny Boyle’s Trance; Rosario Dawson is a dream in her form-fitting powder blue gown. The 33-year-old Puerto Rican/Cuban American actress’ figure-flattering dress featured an on-trend peplum effect that helped spotlight her curves. And Dawson completed the look with some sparkly Lorraine Schwartz jewelry.

Sofia Vergara

Sofia Vergara may have failed to win a Golden Globe for the third straight year, but the 40-year-old Colombian actress didn’t let that cramp her style. The Modern Family star oozed sex appeal in a black sequin sweetheart gown..

“I usually try to stay away from black, but I love the dress,” said Vergara of the eye-catching gown from Filipino designer Michael Cinco.

Vergara completed her look with slick hair and Lorraine Schwartz jewelry.

Jennifer Lopez

Don’t blame this year’s Golden Globes hostess and nominee Tina Fey for wanting to share some screen time with Jennifer Lopez during the announcement of the winner in her category. The 42-year-old Puerto Rican actress/singer left little to the imagination in Zuhair Murad‘s nude long-sleeve silk gown featuring an ivory embroidered lace overlay with beading detail from the designer’s spring/summer 2013 ready-to-wear collection.

Lopez, who served as a presenter with her Parker co-star Jason Statham, accessorized with Christian Louboutin shoes, a Jimmy Choo bag and Le Vian jewels.

Salma Hayek

Salma Hayek has curves… and she knows how to put them on display. The 46-year-old donned a perfectly fitted Gucci Première gown with a large bow at her oh-so-small waist. The Frida star paired her stunning dress with glistening gems.

Nicole Richie

Nicole Richie channeled old Hollywood glamour in a periwinkle embroidered Naeem Khan gown. The 31-year-old part-Mexican reality-TV-star-turned fashionista and Fashion Star mentor completed her look with Brian Atwood shoes, a House of Harlow 1960 Jude clutch, H. Stern earrings, and rings by Arunashi, Sylva & Cie, Elahn and House of Harlow 1960.

Iglesias Performs with Haitian President Michel Martelly

Posted on December 29, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

Julio Iglesias has performed a presidential duet during a recent benefit concert..

The 69-year-old Spanish singer performed at the Altos de Chavon Amphitheater in the eastern Dominican city of La Romana, where he shared the stage with Haitian President Michel Martelly.

Iglesias kicked off the Friday night concert with several references to relations between the Dominican Republic and Haiti, the two countries that share the Caribbean island of Hispaniola.

Iglesias’ concert was a benefit to raise money for a children’s institution presided by Haiti’s first lady, Sophia Martelly, who was there with her husband, as were the country’s Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe and Tourism Minister Stephanie Balmir Villedrouin.

Iglesias spoke French to greet Martelly, who was seated in the front row, and thanked him for joining him at the show, to which Martelly thanked Iglesias for his concert on behalf of Haitian children.

Haiti’s president connected immediately with the audience when he said he has been a singer all his life, but never imagined he would be performing once day alongside “a singer called Julio Iglesias.”

At that point Iglesias invited his illustrious companion to come onstage to do a duet of “Corazon, Corazon,” which they sang in Spanish.

Martelly displayed a clear, strong voice and several times earned applause from the audience, above all for the second song he sang with Iglesias, “To All the Girls I Loved Before,” which Iglesias made famous with Willie Nelson.

With that, the Madrid artist hugged Martelly, who left the stage waving at the audience to another resounding ovation.

The concert continued with Iglesias singing “Hey,” highlighting the admirable qualities of his friend, famous Dominican designer Oscar de la Renta, who was in the audience, as was Barbara Walters.

Herrera Receiving Special Fashion Group International Award

Posted on July 17, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

There’s no doubt that Carolina Herrera is a superstar in the world of fashion… And, now she’ll have an award to prove it!

The 73-year-old Venezuelan-American designer, who has designed a limited edition T-shirt for this year’s Key to the Cure campaign, will be honored by the Fashion Group International this fall as the recipient of their Superstar award.

Herrera—one of 24 noted designers creating a holiday collection for Target and Neiman Marcus— will receive the honor at the group’s annual Night Of Stars gala on October 25

“Carolina is an international icon and a brilliant businesswoman. For over three decades, she’s remained true to her elegant design aesthetic in everything — from her signature collection to her bridal, accessories and fragrance collections — while presiding over a global business with a singular focus on excellence,” says Fashion Group president Margaret Hayes. “She has an innate understanding of what smart, chic women everywhere want when it comes to style and beauty.”

Last fall, Herrera gained international attention from new generation of fashionistas and increased her star power when she designed the wedding dress Kristen Stewart’s character Bella wore in the The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part I.

Past recipients include Giorgio Armani, Karl Lagerfeld, Oscar de la Renta and Donna Karan.

In addition to Herrera’s Superstar prize, Haider Ackermann, Gareth Pugh and Derek Lam will also be honored with special awards, and the Marmotti Family of Max Mara will receive the Brand Heritage Award.

Herrera’s Limited Edition Designs Headed to Target

Posted on July 10, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

She’s one of the most iconic Hispanic designers in the world of fashion… And, now Carolina Herrera is preparing to share her designs with a wider audience.

The 73-year-old Venezuelan-American designer, who designed Kristen Stewart’s character Bella in The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part I, has signed on to participate in a joint partnership between Target and Neiman Marcus.

The discount retailer is collaborating with the luxury department store on a holiday collection from 24 noted designers that will span from fashion to sporting goods.

The limited edition collection will be available at all Target stores and all Neiman Marcus locations, as well as online on both retailers’ websites, starting December 1.

More than 50 products from 24 designers, including Oscar de la Renta and Robert Rodriguez, will be available until they sell out. Items in the collection will cost from $7.99 to $499.99, but most will sell for less than $60.

“We definitely have our differences,” Kathee Tesija, Target’s executive vice president of merchandising, said of her company and Neiman Marcus. “They’re high end, and we’re mass appeal. But we both love design.”

Here’s the complete list of designers participating in the Target/Neiman Marcus partnership:

Alice + Olivia
Altuzarra
Band of Outsiders
Brian Atwood
Carolina Herrera
Derek Lam
Diane Von Furstenberg
Eddie Borgo
Jason Wu
Judith Leiber
Lela Rose
Marc Jacobs
Marchesa
Oscar de la Renta
Philip Crangi
Prabal Gurung
Proenza Schouler
Rag & Bone
Robert Rodriguez
Rodarte
Skaist-Taylor
Thom Browne
Tory Burch
Tracy Reese

Smalls Starring in Chanel’s Latest Ad Campaign

Posted on January 24, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

She’s a rising star in the modeling world… And, now Joan Smalls has landed an oh-so-coveted campaign…

The 23-year-old Puerto Rican model appears in the spring 2012 campaign from luxury label Chanel.

Captured by the label’s creative director Karl Lagerfeld, Smalls and Saskia de Brauw appear as high fashion gymnasts in the campaign. The dynamic duo hit the beach wearing lightweight dresses and outerwear in the classically styled images shot at the Hôtel du Cap Eden Roc.

Smalls—who recently walked the runway for designers Oscar de la Renta and Diane von Furstenberg—even performs acrobatics high above the ocean.

Don’t worry! As evidenced by the behind-the-scenes video, Smalls wasn’t exactly risking her life for Lagerfeld’s lens. But she still had to rope climb, mount a high bar and swim—all in Chanel!

Images courtesy of Chanel/Karl Lagerfeld.

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