i rallied for sanity and/or fear (and it was so much fun!)

On Saturday, October 30, 2010, I left my house to meet up with friends. Our destination: The National Mall. We made our way there after the fashion show more of my friends, Ryan Mattimoe, was suppose to be in didn't go according to plan. Ryan is trying to break into the modeling field and I am trying to assist wherever I can.

After that journey we made our way to the Crystal City Metro station. The train was already packed! I didn't know what I was getting myself into. As we arrived at the Smithsonian stop, we were greeted by hundreds (and I mean HUNDREDS) of other rally goers. We made our way to the surface and after deciding to not spend four (4) dollars on a hot dog, we went into the McDonalds in the Air and Space Museum.

After eating, we joined the crowd, swarm, masses, holy-unbelieveable amount of people.

Hanging out with my friends was great. There was four of us: Ryan Mattimoe, Danielle Smith, Duncan Cannon, and myself.

These photos came to be:

Looking Way Back: Inside Fashion Week

I can't believe I haven't posted these videos until now. I apologize! They are all on my Youtube though!

Here is just the inside of the tents. I am going to post separate posts, just so the tags are organized.

Fashion Education!

I am very fortunate that my Fashion Marketing Department at my HIGH SCHOOL (YES, A PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOL), has many Fairchild Books available to us.

I apologize that I don't have the authors written down/visible for all of the books, but just go to the Fairchild Books site, and look them up. Also see if they are available at your public library. These books are full of great resources!

I have skimmed/read a few of these books, but I constantly go back for reference!

Project Fundway Finale Show

Earlier I posted about being a judge for the first round of Project Fundway. Well, I am now a judge and red carpet interviewer for the Finale Show. The show is being held at the Warner Theater (which for you no DC-ers, is VERY close to the White House...and my spa!)

I am very excited to be a part of someone receiving funding for their education. These designers have poured their soul into their collections for this event. The looks will be fantastic.

Also, shout out to Jimmy de la Cruz for his post about me doing this on his blog. Jimmy and I got in trouble for talking too much during the judging. (We are going to finishing that conversation!) I will also be interviewing Jimmy on the red carpet.

My next post about all of this will have the winner included! Keep a look out!

xxRien

Looking Way Back: Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Rachel Roy Presentation

Here are a few videos from the Rachel Roy Presentation. The presentation overall was great! It was held in a different area than the main tents, but the location was still beautiful.









"Smileee"!

I just wanted to share these quick two videos. More to come. Check out my Youtube for all of them! Thank you again Ms. Roy for the invitation!

Tim Gunn wears purple

Today has become the day that everyone remembers the lives lost these past few weeks due to harassment.

Tim Gunn is hostin a party for the his Capitol File cover. According to multiple people that are at the party, he is wearing purple in respect as well. Tim shared his story about saying, "It Gets Better":



He is truly a great man!

Here is the invite to the party:

Save the GARMENT CENTER!!!

The title says it all!!! VISIT THEIR WEBSITE!!!!!

Here is the video from the website:






Save The Garment Center Rally - 10/21, NYC from Save The Garment Center on Vimeo.

Looking Way Back: Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week S/S2011 Invitations

Here are what Fashion Week invited look like! They are being sent out digitally now so the fashion industry can be more eco-friendly.

I RSVP'd for Rachel Roys show via Fashion GPS

Personal invite from Rebecca Minkoff for her presentation.

I got an e-mail invitation for Project Runway before the hardcopy invite.

valium in the sunshine

This so is great and now getting over Florence...sort of....I am now really into this song.

I just feel a connection to this video that is hard to describe. Listen to it and buy it! No illegal downloading!!!!!

Looking Way Back: The House of KAS

Kenny "KAS" Flanagan opened his first store at the National Harbor during the summer of 2010. I was honored enough to be invited as a VIP and to be able to sit front row to the show that caused the National Harbor to shut down!

Talk about craziness!

I arrived early for the VIP pre-reception and it was flawless. It was flawless because it was a Maggy Francois creation. The reception last about an hour or so and I was with one of my executives of Rien Online, Elizabeth Hogue.

Before the reception ended we grab a quick pic and then left for the show, which was set up right on the water's edge.

Me infront of the step and repeat.

With amazing model friends, Rachel DeMita, Nora Sommerkamp, (Me,) and Nadia Christian.

With Elizabeth

I sat next to the fabulous Jimmy De La Cruz. He has an amazing blog.

Then the show started. The most fabulous and flawless looks came down the runway.

NOTE: The dress on the right was wore by Rihanna to an awards ceremony.

As you can see it was a great night!

Looking Way Back: My first talk with Tim Gunn

When I first spoke to Tim Gunn, Chief Creative Officer of Liz Claiborne, Inc. and mentor on Project Runway, I was 15. I had learned that he was to be the main speaker of the first annual All Access Fashion. I wanted to interview him for my company, MSGFT. MSGFT was still small and was not very well know. But with my philosophy of saying "all they can do is say no," I contact the press contact, Leah Salak, and she said YES! I was so excited and I could not wait!

The day finally arrived. I raced home from school to except his phone call at 3:00pm est. This is what the phone came up with:

(His number is, of course, edited out)

This is a weird office phone, but I always find myself walking around while speaking to people, so wireless works best for me.

I answered the phone and said, "Ryan Charchian." And, I still remember, he said, "I Ryan, its Tim Gunn!" And just from the way he said it I knew it would be a great interview. It was! We spoke for a good half an hour before we hung up. I told him I would meet up with him at All Access later in the week. That time came...

It was great and it was an honor! Tim had me down as his friend for a day and I was able to follow him everywhere and watch him in action. After a fashion show, during which he gave style advice, he went upstairs where guests of All Access could get a photo with him. Here is mine. There was also a professional one taken, but I can't find it on my computer.

From here, I have kept in touch lightly. Our second, in-person, encounter was at the Renwick Gallery for the National Design Awards keynote speech.

Looking Way Back: Teen Vogue Event

I am now going to introduce my back posting as "Looking Way Back." I will show you all the events that I have attended that has given me the credibility I built up over my time in the fashion world.

The first event I attended when I moved here to the DC area was a Teen Vogue and Guess event. Proceeds from the event also benefited Fashion Fights Poverty (I now intern for the Co-Founder).

Here is me infront of the step and repeat:

This is just taken from my camera. That is why you can see the tape....and a security sensor on my jeans!

Here is just a room view:

This one event opened up my possibilities to the fashion community of Washington, D.C.

Stay tune for more back posting!

My first post via mobile posting!

Shoot for Change: BoConcept in Georgetown

I attend another Shoot for Change. Two different factors this time though: different charity and different location. This time, the revenue went towards Courage for Kids, an amazing charity ran by the fabulous Andrea Rodgers. The event also took place at the BoConcept in Georgetown this time. Talk about amazing.

Crossing the Potomac, cobble streets, multi-level boutiques, and more! I felt like I was in SoHo!

So as the evening progressed, these pictures came to be:

This finally shot is so seductive. From left to right: Elizabeth Hogue, myself, and Elisabeth Link.

These photos are great and all the cost all goes to charity. What could be better? Here is another pictyre of the evening:

These are very powerful Washingtonians! Andrea Rodgers is the center. She is so sweet and kind!

Florence + The Machine: Make-Up Look

I have fallen in love to his artist ( and I use the word artist as that. Not just a musician, she is a visionary).

The music video for Dog Days Are Over is what I am obsessing over. The make-up and costume design is sheer genius. Here are a few screen shots:

Now that you have seen these, lets look at the make-up aspects. He are some items that could give you that painted look:

Use this primer to paint over any little imperfections. This will NOT get you the white look. You will need to find an oil-free white face-paint or a very white loose powder.

Use these two products for you eye area. The left item, a Cream Colour Base in Dark Brown ($16.50) is to get you that red around your eyes. To the right is a Lash Opulash ($14.00). This wide tip and the formula will get you every dramatic eyes.

Lastly, Touch O' Peach Powder Blush ($18.50) will get you those glowing pink cheeks. 

All of these products are MAC. Photos from MACCOSMETICS.COM

Paris Fashion Week: Chanel

I will not normally break down every show at fashion week. I will talk mainly about the main shows. But instead of a review for Chanel, here is the sweetest picture ever:

This came down the runway. A regular male model and then a mini him! The little toddler, adorned in Chanel, is unbelievably cute!

More reviews to come, but I just had to share this!

All Access Fashion 2010: Anne Fontaine

Anne Fontaine launched her campaign into the US market with her first store at Tysons Galleria. The runway show was divine!

enough for today

Now that I have posted all that for you, I now have to done my homework, sorry! I will be posting A LOT more tomorrow! Enjoy all of these though!

xxRien

All Access Fashion 2010: Breakfast with Carmen Marc Valvo

Since I was able to go everywhere and to everything during All Access I went! I had to document every moment. Aba Bonney Kwawu, the Aba of the Aba Agency, asked to me to do a special task and I did not want to let here down!

So on the morning of Saturday, October 2, 2010, I went to a breakfast event for the Carmen Marc Valvo. Talk about elegance. Everything was just great; the food, the arrangements, the space, the clothing, everything! PICTURES::::

One of my downfalls is food, which will be discussed...a lot...on this blog.

All of the looks are simply beautiful, but there are so many I can't put them all up.

I wanted to show this ivory because, just look at it! The color on her skin just brings it to life. I mean it is just stunning in person!

















Lastly, here is my picture with both Carmen Marc Valvo and Phillip Bloch. Also with me is my best fashion-friend Elizabeth Hogue.

All Access Fashion 2010: Lounges

During All Access there were a lot of lounges. The Starbucks Media Lounge, the FTV live stream lounge, Fashion BS lounge, and many more! Check out some of the pictures:

 The Ritz-Carlton lounge offered free quick massages and....food. I mean, really, really, really good food. Look at those brownies. OMG.....

At the Fashion BS lounge I was able to get a copy of the Shopping Diet autographed by Phillip Bloch! I have been on Fashion BS for the Teen Revolution episode discussing Fashion and teenager influences in the industry.





And here is a lonely picture of the Starbucks Media Lounge. Sorry! I forgot to take more of this lounge!