Stylist Spotlight.......

Today's Stylist Spotlight is L'Wren Scott! 

Photo Credit: NYMag

This beauty is the beautiful girlfriend of Rockstar Mick Jagger but is very much a stable woman on her own. She was 1st a model and now is is a great celebrity stylist. She doesn't let much get out about herself especially who she styles but I found out that she's great friends and has styled both Nicole Kidman and Sarah Jessica Parker. 

L'Wren Scott has been a highly influential celebrity stylist since 2009, she contributed designs for Madonna to wear in her photo shoot with model Jesus Luz for W Magazine and in 2011, Scott styled actress Julia Roberts for a W Magazine shoot, alongside Tom Hanks.

She has also designed costumes for such films as Diabolique (1996 remake), Ocean's Thirteen, Eyes Wide Shut, as well as Shine a Light, a documentary by Martin Scorsese about The Rolling Stones, with Mick Jagger, with whom she has been romantically linked since 2001.

L'Wren Scott is also a designer and her first collection was Little Black Dress, launched in 2006. The collection presented an array of black dresses, including her now famous Headmistress dress worn by Madonna, Sarah Jessica Parker, Angelina Jolie, Nicole Kidman, Penélope Cruz and Amy Adams have all worn Scott's dress.

L'Wren in her famous Headmistress dress

In 2010, Scott collaborated with Lancôme to design a capsule collection for the 2010 holiday season featuring a lipstick in Scott's signature bordeaux color. The campaign was shot by photographer Mario Testino and featured model Daria Werbowy wearing an outfit designed by Scott. May 2011 saw the launch of Scott's first collection of handbags, named "Lula" after her mother. The line was launched at Barneys New York, with a personal appearance by Scott.

I love her because her style is tailored and sophisticated. She keeps it low key in her work and her personal life which I LOVE and aspire to be like!! I loathe that people want to damn near know your social security number before the know if they want to buy your clothes. ANNOYING!! 

Her latest work is with the store Bannana Republic & it's on sale NOW!! Check out some looks below... (Photos Curtosy of Bananna Republic) 

Check out BanannaRepublic.com for      shopping!!  

Look for her credits when you can find them.. He he.. 

Fashionably Yours, 

ImaniLia

UPDATES!!!

Hey Fashion Lovers!! New updates to the website Check out the new images in the gallery of the 2012/2013 Collection and the new Homepage Image. Click the pic to view the updated site!!

Love You All!!

Fashionably Yours,
ImaniLia

Mogul Mondays: Giorgio Armani

Giorgio Armani was born on July 11,1934. He is an Italian fashion designer, particularly noted for his menswear. He is known today for his clean, tailored lines. He formed his company,Armani, in 1975, and by 2001 was acclaimed as the most successful designer to come out of Italy, with an annual turnover of $1.6 billion and a personal fortune of $8.5 billion as of 2013.

Now lets go back in time and start from the beginning....

After his stint in the armed forces, Armani found a job as a window dresser at La Rinascente, a department store in Milan. He went on to become a seller for the menswear department, in which capacity he gained valuable experience in the marketing aspect of the fashion industry. In the mid-1960s, Armani moved to the Nino Cerruti company, for which he designed menswear. His skills were in demand, and for the next decade, while continuing to work for Cerutti, Armani also freelanced, contributing designs to as many as ten manufacturers at a time. In the late 1960s, Armani met Sergio Galeotti, an architectural draftsman, which marked the beginning of a personal and professional relationship that lasted for many years. In 1973, Galeotti persuaded him to open a design office in Milan, at 37 corso Venezia. This led to a period of extensive collaboration, during which Armani worked as a freelance designer for a number of fashion houses, including Allegri, Bagutta, Hilton, Sicons, Gibò, Montedoro, and Tendresse. The international press was quick to acknowledge Armani's importance following the runway shows at the Sala Bianca in the Pitti Palace in Florence. The experience provided Armani with an opportunity to develop his own style in new ways. He was now ready to devote his energy to his own label, and in 1975 he founded Giorgio Armani S.p.A. in Milan, with his friend Galeotti. In October of that same year, he presented his first collection of men's ready-to-wear for Spring and Summer 1976 under his own name. He also produced a women's line for the same season.

In 1979, after founding the Giorgio Armani Corporation, Armani began producing for the United States and introduced the Mani line for men and women. The label became one of the leading names in international fashion with the introduction of several new product lines, including G. A. Le Collezioni, Giorgio Armani Underwear and Swimwear, and Giorgio Armani Accessories. In the early 1980s the company signed an important agreement with L'Oréal to create perfumes and introduced the Armani Junior, Armani Jeans, and Emporio Armani lines, followed in 1982 by the introduction of Emporio Underwear, Swimwear, and Accessories. A new store was opened in Milan for the Emporio line, followed by the first Giorgio Armani boutique. Armani's concern for the end user culminated in the development of a more youthful product with the same level of stylistic quality as his high-end line, but at a more accessible price.

Armani is the man we always can look to for great tailored Italian style.. a great Fashion mogul to look to when molding your career. Study your craft, Hard work and dedication pays off. So get to work Fashion Lovers!!!! 

Mogul Mondays(LATE EDITION!): Miuccia Prada

Today's Late Edition of Mogul Mondays is a bit late but none the less totally worth it!! Spotlight on Miuccia Prada!! 

Prada was born in Milan, the youngest granddaughter of Mario Prada, founder of the company of the same name. Miuccia and her husband, Patrizio Bertelli, took over the family-owned luxury goods manufacturer in 1978. Since then, they've turned it into a fashion powerhouse, acquiring Jil Sander, Helmut Lang and shoemaker Church & Co. She is a collector of contemporary art and owns several personal artworks. In 2002, she opened a contemporary art space, Fondazione Prada, which exhibits work by various international artists. Prada announced the winner of the 2010 Turner Prize. She was listed as one of the fifty best-dressed over 50s by the Guardian in March 2013.

Miuccia Prada was born on May 10, 1949 in Milan, Italy. She attended The High School Liceo Classico Berchet in Milan. After graduating with a PhD in political science, Miuccia attended Teatro Piccolo to study and perform as a mime for five years. She was known to be a member of the Communist party and a champion for women’s rights during the seventies in Milan. In 1978 she entered into her family’s business of manufacturing luxury leather bags, a company established by her grandfather in 1913. Around the same time Miuccia met her now husband and business partner, Patrizio Bertelli. In 1985, Miuccia had her first hit when she designed a line of black, finely woven nylon handbags that instantly became a hit. By 1989, Miuccia designed and introduced her first women’s ready-to-wear collection that was critically acclaimed; men’s wear followed in 1995. Miu Miu was introduced in 1992 as a less expensive women’s wear line that was inspired by Miuccia’s personal wardrobe and nickname. Miuccia was honored with the prestigious Council of Fashion Designers of America International Award in 1993. The following year she showed her collections in both New York’s and London’s fashion week, although she had already become a staple of Milan’s fashion week. Miuccia’s husband, Patrizio Bertelli, is still the predominant business force in the company who is responsible for the commercial side of products and Prada’s retail strategy.

Miuccia Prada is known for her understated, minimalist, classic, cool, and comfortable luxury. The company has expanded into leather goods, shoes, fragrances, and apparel for both men and women. Prada currently has about 250 stores in 65 countries. 

Miuccia Prada Fun Facts

She's a Taurus just like ME! 

Prada is worth 12.4 Billion Dollars!! (THAT'S WHY SHE'S A MOGUL)

Late Edition: Wednesdays Fashion Tips and Tricks to Get You through the Week!!

Every Fashionista has Fashion Tips and Tricks in her back pocket that get her through those emergency moments so check put the list below of 10 fashion Tips and Tricks that will get you out of a bind!! 

Look for different Fashion Tips and Tricks every Wednesday!!! 

1. Use white wine to remove red wine stains.

2. Remove odors from vintage or thrift clothing by spritzing them with a mixture of one part vodka, two parts water.

     

3. “Remove white deodorant marks from a garment by gently rubbing the protective foam used on hangers against the fabric.” — Jonathan Simkhai, designer

4. Fake designer bags are a huge don’t, fake diamond studs are a huge do. Faux stones are hard to spot to the untrained eye.

5. “Never put a garment on immediately after ironing, as this can actually cause new wrinkles to form. Instead, let it sit for five minutes to set the press.” — Althea Harper, Designer and Rowenta Brand Ambassador

(I think I'm the only 20 something that still irons but still.. LOL)

6. Snap clip-on earrings onto flats for an instant evening shoe, or onto shirt collars for DIY embellishments.

7. Pour a dash of vodka into vase water to extend the life of your flowers.

8. Spray tights with sticky (read: cheap) hairspray to avoid holes and runs.

9. Blot, don’t rub, when you spill something on your clothes. Wiping or rubbing will actually further ingrain the stain into the weave.

10. “Use hairspray to remove a lipstick stain.” – Kaelen Haworth, designer, KAELEN

I hope these tips help you out and remember to look out every Wednesday for new tips and tricks!!!

Fashionably Yours, 

ImaniLia

Stylist Spotlight

Celebrities usually look really good 90% of the time we see them and often it is not done on their own so check out one of the women that helps some of our favorite gals look their best!!

Stylist Petra Flannery

This beautifully stylish woman is Petra Flannery. She is a Los Angeles based stylist who was born in San Francisco. Flannery is most recognized for clean, classic sophisticated looks. Through her extensive experience as a stylist, she has cultivated a professional and well-honored approach to her craft, quickly forming a lasting presence in the industry. 

Emma Stone

Flannery's best-dressed clients include Emma Stone (winning looks: Calvin Klein at the Globes and Chanel at Vanity Fair's fete Not pictured), Mila Kunis (winning looks: lavender Elie Saab at the Oscars (pictured below) and Alexander McQueen at the SAGs) and Zoe Saldana. Before making Steinfeld a red-carpet one-to-watch, Flannery created Saldana's elegant, avant garde style during last year's Avatar awards campaign, including the daring lavender Givenchy Haute Couture she wore on Oscar Night 2010 (Not pictured).

Mila Kunis

Zoe Saldina

Last year Petra was singled out as one of "The 25 most Powerful stylists in Hollwood", topping the list at number 3. Of her many projects and collabrations, shemost recently launched a capsule collection for Genetic Denim's Visionaries Initative for the 2011 Holiday collection.  
She is surely a stylist to pay attention to. So Thank You Petra Flannery for helping the world be a more beautiful place 

Mogul Mondays Has Begun

EVERY MONDAY we're going to highlight a Fashion Mogul that is an inspiration to us all in some way. I mean they've made it so we all need to take note. The 1st mogul up is someone I personally adore for my own personal reasons and that is Sarah Blakely the founder of Spanx!!!  

         

Sarah Blakely is originally from Florida and originally planned to become an attorney but changed her mind after less than stellar scores on the LSAT's. she in turn worked various odd jobs including working at Disney World, stand up comedy and selling doors door to door. The selling door to door was the sole inspiration for creating Spanx alone. After making many self prototypes and shopping the idea around to manufactures who had no interest she moved to Atlanta, and while still working at Danka, spent the next two years and $5,000 she had set aside in her savings researching hosiery patents and visiting craft stores to find the right material for her product. Eventually coming upon a solution, she wrote her own patent from a Barnes & Noble textbook and incorporated her company under the name Spanx. She eventually found a hosiery factory in Asheboro, North Carolina, which was willing to make her product. She successfully pitched her idea to Neiman-Marcus by personally taking the buyer to the ladies restroom to show her the benefits of Spanx in person. Bloomingdales, Saks, and Bergdorf Goodman soon followed. She handled all aspects of the business from marketing, logistics, and product positioning (preferring that Spanx be sold alongside shoes rather than in hosiery). In November 2000, Oprah Winfrey named Spanx her favorite product of the year and sales took off; soon after Blakely resigned from Danka. Spanx had $4 million in sales in its first year and $10 million in sales in its second year.In 2001, she signed a contract with QVC, the home shopping channel, where she sold 8,000 pairs in the first six minutes.

SARAH DID IT!!! She worked hard and persevered; and at a young age came with something unique and made a way for herself. at 42 years old she is still a young designer and a billionaire to boot!! 

Sarah also has a philanthropic side since Spanx started she has been putting money aside and in 2006 she launched the Sara Blakely Foundation to help women through education and entrepreneurial training.

Sarah inspires me to continue to be different and motivated as well as reminds me that even if I become MAJOR 15 years from now I will still be young in fashion years so I will continue to strive for my dreams. I know I can make it!!! 

Fashionably Yours,

ImaniLia 

All It Takes...

Last night I spent time updating blogs, checking my various email accounts, prepping for my upcoming photo shoot next weekend, going over budgets, paying bills etc.. and I got to thinking of what all this (owning, operating, & managing your own brand) takes & you know what......It's A LOT its no wonder as a One Woman Show I can't always get it all done but i'm going to keep trying until as they say the wheels fall off.

As an independent emerging designer with no trust fund or rich family members by my side this is a list of all I'm juggling daily. I used to have an assistant & a publicist but having that outside help costs money I could no longer afford so now it's all me. Here's a list of what I try to maintain daily... 

• 2 Twitter Accounts (1 personal, 1 business) 
• A Facebook Fan page 
• A personal Facebook page 
• A tumblr blog 
• This blog 
• A monthly newsletter 
• Birthday Incentives for Previous Clients 
• An Instagram Account
• Keep my website Updated 
• A Linked In Account 
• A Pinterest Account 
• Finding shows worth doing
• Finding interview opportunities & speaking engagements 
• Maintaining client work 
• Setting up promotional shoots, videos etc 
• Building new collections 
• Working with various Stylists 
• Maintaining an online Store & trying to get buyers 

This is a conservative list i'm sure i'm missing something(s) BUT I'm doing all this while working 40+ hours a week as a shoe designer. Attempting & failing miserably at being outgoing & social both personally & professionally, finding time & money in there somewhere to sleep, eat, meditate (HA I wish!), spend time with family blah blah bah.... 

Now don't get me wrong I'm not complaining this is just A LOT to maintain alone. Am I wrong? But I have passion & determination so I'll get it all done. I honestly can't afford much of a personal life because these things aren't free. Anyone who has a small business knows you put out a lot before you see any return & I'm ok with that. 

Everytime I reach a personal goal within ImaniLia Fashions it's all worth it. Like this rebranding process that is coming together. I will find an investor by 2014 or sooner!! (You have to speak these things into existence)

So thank you all for your continued support and listening ears. Your patience and understanding. Your kind words and warm hearts. Day by day all i'm trying to do is grow and serve you better.

ImaniLia :D

African American Designers Show up and Show Out at NYFW! A bit of a rant..

I was cleaning my inbox and I cam across this fantastic article. I am so proud of these designers mentioned in the attached article but I have some feelings about how we as a people are progressing in the industry. Read my rant below and click on the link at the end to get the info on some great designers that are right under your nose and they happen to be African American.

Do you agree with me? Did you enjoy the article?

This is how I felt after reading about these great people... Are we our own downfall? I sure do think so!

This is great that more African American designers are making themselves known at Fashion Week. The crazy thing is I know more than a couple of people on this list and it makes me think why not me??? I'm trying to patiently build, grow, and wait for my time to show the world how great I am.. 

I think the real problem in the African American design community is that no one wants to help each other.. When other designers ask me for advice I openly give it with out hesitation to the best of my ability. The advice doesn't always go both ways tho... I know I have asked other designers that are 1 or 2 steps ahead of me and the response is always.. "Girl i'm just grinding", "keep hustling" ummm thats not helping me... 

You want to see more African American Designers out there well then we need to help each other.. Stop walking past people like you have never met them, Never did a low budget show with them, never went to school with them, never had a conversation with them etc!!!

*End Rant!

Congrats to the people on this list!! And all the other designers I know that are doing their thing African American or not.

Click the link to see where this all stemmed from... It will all make sense.. I promise
African American Designers Shine Bright At Fashion Week

Model Behavior

Hey Fashion Lovers!! I'm sorry if you feel neglected but there's been soo much going on & I had a fashion show yesterday so the prep for that was crazy as you probably can imagine...

Anyway the producers of the show did the model casting and their are a few things I encountered that I didn't think we're very good 'model behavior' so listen up models & wanna be model casters: 

- Models no matter your size your body should be tight & toned!! There is a such thing as 'Skinny Fat' & Flab & cellulite does not discriminate by weight! So keep that stuff in check. 

- Don't tell designers what their runway size should be! It is always flattering when a model wants to wear your clothes but if she doesn't have your size say ok & move on. Telling them they need to make smaller or larger clothes for YOUR size is rude! I cannot say it enough fashion presentations are about the designers.

- I cannot say this one enough: THIS IS NOT ABOUT YOU & WHAT YOU WANT. It's great if a designer has something specific you'd love to wear but only make your request ONCE if you must make it at all!! The designer & stylist of the show have a vision & it is NOT your job to re create it! 

- You are NOT a stylist! At least not today Hun. If you aspire to be a stylist or its one of your trades.. FANTASTIC but do what you were hired to do. Wear what is selected for you. Don't try to make up your own looks. 

-Take care of your skin! If you are a model you are selling your body essentially so you can enhance the beauty of what has been made for you!! If you have skin diseases, pimples, dark spots, blotchy ness, uneven areas try your hardest to keep them at bay. It's a harsh business & if there's something you can't control maybe this isn't the initiatory for you... 

-Be friendly, be professional, be fun & easy to work with but DON'T be over bearing!!! Everyone wants a great, calm, fun work environment but every designer doesn't want to be your best friend!! At least not right away. Gauge a persons reaction to you before you dive right in because things can quickly get ANNOYING!  

-Don't eat while wearing or around a designers clothes! Contrary to the saying we do want you to eat.. We'd prefer if you didn't pass out.. BUT to eat right next to someone's garments is just rude & disrespectful! God forbid you get something on the garment! You will be billed!! Just don't do it!  

 

- Last but not least: EVERYONE CANNOT BE THE EXCEPTION TO THE RULE! You might have a unique look or walk, you might have a funky hairstyle or color, anything were all different but everybody might not like it want your different font be offended! Again this vision is not yours!! Just because a casting agent picks you doesn't mean a designer who makes the final cut wants you. Don't expect everyone to want to work around or with your 'DIFFERENT'

Now I know as a designer I'm on the small time side but I want my brand to be represented at its BEST everytime we are shown.... Even if its in a back alley! 

So take heed. Presentation is EVERYTHING & someone is ALWAYS watching!! 

I really am all about people looking good which is why I say these things to you all. I mean. I am in the business of making people look good!! 

Fashionably Yours, 

ImaniLia

Fashion Show Review: PARU PARU 2013 NY Charity Fashion Show

Wednesday Night I attended a pre fashion week show called PARU PARU. It was held at a BEAUTIFUL venue called We Work Lounge located at 154 Grand Street in China town. It was a charity fashion show put on by Dia Ates who  founded KALIBOTAN, a charitable foundation that aims to provide financial support to sustainable projects from other non-profits around the globe, as well as train students and young professionals in the process; while creating small manageable jobs in developing communities. The show was held to raise money for for the charity through fashion. Dia has a factory in the Philippines that produces her line as well as other budding designers in the industry. 

For me it sounded like a GREAT cause and a great place to meet new people as well as make connections for my own line. NO? 

Well it was a great cause BUT the production was a mess!! I was ready to leave as soon as I got there!! This is how you ruin a production: 

My guest & I got there about 8:10pmwhich was 10mins after the doors were supposed to open only to find out that they were not letting people in yet & that they were still running through the show!! A LIVE RUN THROUGH! No bueno!! I also found out that someone went out to buy a steamer at 7:45pm to steam the garments!! So my guest & I went across the street & had a drink to kill time.. 

Waiting for our drinks & Appitizers to kill      time. 

The house was FINALLY opened at 8:30 which was the original start of show time. Once we were let in there were seats avaiable but not to anyone that was there. The seats were ONLY for VIPs who arrived even later or some didn't arrive at all so we were all standing for an hour and 10 mins before the show began!! Yes you read that right.. The show began at 9:40pm I wis pissed!! & drinking up ALL the free wine I could until then!! 

 Free Drinks what EVERYONE LOVES!! 

Please leave the child wine tasting in the      privacy of your own home!! NOT CUTE!! 

On the sneak tip I found out from a server that we were waiting over an hr because they were backstage snapping pictures!! This is the dialogue transcript: 

Q: what exactly is going on behind the 

      black curtain? (@9:30pm) 

A: From Server- Their taking pics of the models in the clothes. 

I was appaled & offended!! Who does that? I feel like thats so unprofessional. Do you agree? 

So once the event finally started there was an intro video & then on to Fashion right!?.... Ummm NO The show organizer took the time to chat even more about the orgiznation & what not (because I honestly stopped listening).... I wouldn't have minded the added speech on top of the video if it wasn't 10pm... It's like I was supposed to be at my next event by this time!! During fashion week people don't wait around 2 hrs for anyone & no one would ask someone to. 

Once the fashion show finally started it was good. The 2 designers that presented before the organizer were good they had very wearable pieces. After the 1st 2 designers there was an intermission!! WTF!! After all the time I had to wait you want me to wait more? At this point I actually saw people leave... Which I totally understood!! When there are only 3 designers there should NEVER be an intermission for what!? So the show organizer who only designs for charity & gives everything a butterfly feel presented her beautiful gowns & the night was finally over!! I don't know how much they collected in donations for the event but it was about 11:30pm by the time all was said & done... I just wanted to get out of DODGE!! I will say that the MC Kevin Thomson was great!  Through all the waiting he kept everyone energized & laughing as well as the DJ that kept the tunes coming and people dancing in their place. 

See below for for pics of the designers pieces: 

Montego Travis Sylvester

www.iphoneogram.com/u/9183458

House of Rubi- Tenneh Wilkins

www.etsy.com/shop/HouseofRubi

www.HouseofRubi.com