- Miriam Driot

Twitter: @miriamdriot
Instagram: Instalife06

www.duncanquinn.com
www.facebook/duncanquinn
Twitter: @duncan_quinn
Instagram: @duncan_quinn

1. What do you love most about your job?

That its not a job.  Its the old do something you love and you’ll never work a day of your life.

That and the characters I get to meet and share the experiences of DQ with.

2. If you did not live in New York where would you live and why?

Out of a weathered and well travelled bag.   I love to travel,  make new friends,  experience new things,  and live to tell the story.

3. When not working what do you enjoy doing?

I love to read and learn new things.   So that’s what I seek out when I find myself with a window of time.

4. What is your best memory from childhood?

Spending time at school with an incorrigible scallywag who to this day makes me cry with laughter at his antics and storytelling.   He added some particularly bold color to life.

That and walking on the beaches looking at the peaches in the summer months in Nice,  France.

5. What is your favorite holiday destination and why?

A totally unanswerable question as it depends what you are seeking from the trip.  Anywhere I can see new things, experience new cultures or share time with dear friends works.

6. Book or e-reader? Why and what are you currently reading?

Both.  Books on planes, trains and beaches.   E-reader otherwise.

Machiavelli’s The Prince (again), Reamde, and, A Sport And A Passtime.

7. Which social media platform do you use  and how did they impact your business?

Recently a lot of Instagram.   A picture tells 1000 words after all…

Its fed through FB and twitter as well, and we also send e-mails to our mailing list.

8. What is a true luxury for you today?

To be able to orchestrate the creation of things that give others pleasure.

9. What is your biggest accomplishment to date? Why?

Doing something in a way that others are generous enough to lend their support.

INperson: Peter Hidalgo
INperson: Elizabeth Uss
INperson: Shamma Fidaly
INperson: Selima Salaun
INperson: Alexandra Adame
INperson: Lisa Weiss
INperson: Jin Soon
INperson: Hubert Barrere
INperson: Lissa Hussian & Dominique Marano
INperson: Valentine Pozzo di Borgo
INperson: Pierre-Andre Senizergues
INperson: Patrice Farameh
INperson: Christina Neault
INperson: Barney Bishop
INperson: Chrissie Morris
INperson: Christopher Chong
INperson: Francesco Clark
INperson: Christine J. Brandt
INperson: Rolando Santana
INperson: Diane Clehane
INperson: Pierre Cardin

Biscotti are traditional Tuscan cookies which are twice baked (bis “two”, cotto “cooked”) resulting in their signature crisp, dry texture. The dough is worked by hand and formed into loaves, brushed with egg wash, sprinkled with sugar or almonds and baked. After the biscotti’s first “baking”, the loaves are removed from the oven, sliced on the bias and returned to the oven for a second baking.

Danielle Di Vecchio is a professional actress living in New York City.  Some of you may now her from her work in The Sopranos or Prison Break.  She was taught to bake biscotti from her paternal grandmother. It wasn’t long until she began adding her own creative twists to these old world treats, adding unconventional spices, dried fruits, nuts, & different chocolates in various combinations, in the process, reinventing the genre.

She began creating her own variations of this popular and traditional Italian cookie after experimenting with different combinations of spices, dried fruits, nuts and chocolates. Encouraged by family and friends to produce and market these unique cookies, she launched Biscotti di Vecchio to the delight of her friends & family, who encouraged her to share her creations with the rest of the world.  Lucky us!!!

The range of options is plentiful & can be ordered on-line or purchased at a fine food emporium in & around the tri-state area (NY, NJ, CT… & MA).  Choose from a variety of traditional shaped biscotti in 11 flavors, some sweet & some savory.  There are also Biscotti Hearts, gift sets or sampling bags of pieces called “Biscotti Baci”.  I just finished a bag of those & trust me… every calorie was worth it.

Nut allergy sufferers beware…  Biscotti Di Vecchio are prepared with nuts or in facilities that do process nuts.

-Scott French

www.biscottidivecchio.com

MIKA LOOK, to the rescue!

Newly launched, Web-based “shop-azine”, MIKA LOOK allows its visitors to view an editorial layout, view it in action through short play video segments, & then buy any piece of or all of the look with the simple click of your mouse.

The brainchild of Elena Fesenko, who serves as the project’s Creative Director, & her Co-Founding partner Sani Sanilevich, a noted internet strategist who counts numerous successful internet start-ups to his credit, not to mention his serving as 2009 campaign manager for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s victorious election bid, designed MIKA LOOK to be the premier online destination for editorial, fully curated looks using many of the industry’s most coveted brands.

The site, currently in beta launch status is debuting a full new look each week, with plans of ramping up & out of beta with a fully new, curated look each day, 365 days a year… no small undertaking, as anybody in the editorial side of the industry can attest.  Helping to achieve this daunting task is a team of photographers, models, & stylists who are bringing to the table their own aesthetics & personal connections to present a look each day to address another day in the life of the “MIKA”… aka:  “You”.

Overseeing the team on a day-to-day basis is Thuy Diep, certainly no stranger to many of you who are truly in the know fashionably, due to her presence on the runways in the Tents, as designer & creative director of her namesake contemporary collection “Thuy”.  Her clean, edgy, accessible, exponentially chic fashion sense & her trained editorial eye can be seen in nearly every digital pixel of MIKA LOOK.  As you enter the corporate loft in Chelsea, where MIKA LOOK’s 365 looks a year are curated, there is a palpable sense of fashion in the making, as Thuy & her team of young, trendy, devotees scour the market, evaluate the trends, & distill the seemingly endless stream of chic pieces from the likes of Halston, Cynthia Rowley, Vivienne Tam, Tracey Reese, and Yigal Azrouel, to name but a few, down to a singular complete look every 24 hours.  Sign-on now… tomorrow’s look may just be the one for the MIKA in you…

-Scott French

www.mikalook.com

The show, which was previewed as a breakfast reveal during New York Fashion Week in February, features iconic pieces from the runway as well as the streets of London in the period from the early 1970’s to present & is understandably heavy on British labels as London is arguably where the movement not only got some of its early roots, but has certainly taken hold in a stronger, more lasting manifestation than any of the other fashion centers in Europe or here in NY.

That’s not to say that the other fashion centers aren’t seen as important in the history of PUNK’s transition from anarchy inspired irreverence to highbrow runway homage.  In fact, quite the contrary is the case, as the show begins in the first gallery which is staged to be the mensroom of the famed CBGB’s nightclub which was located on the Bowery in New York City, which, perhaps a bit prophetically has now been transformed into an upscale clothing boutique under the John Varvatos moniker.  But alas, the visitor is soon taken to 1970’s London in the 2^nd gallery & onward from there.

Some 100 looks later, after passing through the “D.I.Y.” section as well as the “Made to Measure” gallery, the visitor emerges with the fashion historical ammunition to identify PUNK in its next incarnation, whatever it may be.  Since most of the designers included in the show are still working & creating, chances are, it won’t be long until the movement will be spotted in a torn seam, shredded hemline, or biting graphic on a runway soon.

Designers included in the exhibition are:  Miguel Adrover, Thom Browne, Hussein Chalayan, Giles Deacon, Christophe Decarnin (Balmain), Dior, Domenico Dolce & Stefano Gabbana (Dolce and Gabbana), John Galliano, Nicolas Ghesquière (Balenciaga), Alexandre Herchcovitch, Viktor Horsting & Rolf Snoeren (Viktor & Rolf), Marc Jacobs, Christopher Kane, Rei Kawakubo (Comme des Garçons), Karl Lagerfeld (Chanel), Helmut Lang, Martin Margiela, Alexander McQueen, Moschino, Kate & Laura Mulleavy (Rodarte), Miuccia Prada, Gareth Pugh, Zandra Rhodes, Jeremy Scott, Stephen Sprouse, Jun Takahashi (Undercover), Riccardo Tisci (Givenchy), Gianni Versace, Junya Watanabe, Yohji Yamamoto, & Vivienne Westwood.

The exhibition is on public view from May 9^th, 2013 through August 11^th, 2013.

-Scott French

www.metmuseum.org/punk

In a small and focused presentation Ms. Anderson continued with her collection’s DNA silhouettes and constructions. She uses soft round and curved seams, unfinished edges, and minimal linings to enable the fabric to fall in it’s most relaxed and least restricted manner. This also allows for a more comfortable fit when layering her various items from head/neckwear accessories and vests, to jackets and coats. Her signature piece, the “Crux”, which essentially means heart or nucleus, is the perfect word to describe her unique head/neckwear accessory item, since at the central point it brings everything together, and in a sense finishes off a look.

Inspired by a multi-color striped wool fabric that set the tone for a new and darker color palette of rich caramel, deep burgundy, and vibrant saffron, Ms. Anderson elevated the collection with an introduction of luxurious rabbit fur, and a soft elegant printed chiffon. A few interesting details were the snap in or snap away pieces that closed off a neckline or added length to a coat. Her designs are not conventional sportswear pieces, and the influences of nature are seen in every one of her garment’s lines, forms, and structures.

With private clients in both Paris and Chicago, and Ikram selling her line in the States (also in Chicago), this young designer is making waves with her new approach to outerwear, and rejuvenating the entire process of wrapping oneself and bundling up.

- Elise Goldberg Santiago

www.starkweather.fr

The full schedule includes over 50 students each showing in 20-minute presentation style vignettes that will all their friends, family, & supporters (… and if this year is like last year, a few members of the press!).

Taking place at 157 Lounge in downtown Kent on May 2^nd, 3^rd & 4^th, the showings begin at 6:00 PM each evening with two designers showing each 20 minutes until 10:00 PM.  Each presentation is staged on live models with each designer styling their own looks.

The event is free, open to the public & each designer is on hand immediately following their presentations for a meet & greet with their admirers, friends & press.

The full schedule of shows can be found below:

While his grandparents were natives of Spain, Peter and his parents were born Santo Domingo, DR where Peter spent his childhood.  The family was a creative bunch, especially his aunt whose sense of style inspired him to become a designer.  His first loves were music, painting and illustration.  Until not long ago he was sketching his designs in exhaustive details. Today while sketches are still a part of his creative process he is more focused on the draping of the garment. Peter is known for his skills at cutting and fitting a garment. If like me you are the proud owner of one of his dresses you will agree that he truly is a master tailor!

After having weathered a few ups and downs, nothing uncommon in this business, the label is now on more solid footing and can be found at Linda Dresner, Hall’s, and of course Diana Broussard.

-Miriam Driot

Follow Miriam on Twitter: @miriamdriot

www.peterhidalgo.com
www.lindadresner.com

1. What do you love most about your job?

The creative part without a doubt. I could not see myself doing anything else.

2. If you did not live in New York where would you live and why?

While I enjoy living in Astoria I think I’d like to either move into the city or somewhere with a beach.

3. When not working what do you enjoy doing?

Spending time with friends and family.

4. What is your best memory from childhood?

Christmas at home in Santo Domingo.

5. What is your favorite holiday destination and why?

The beach. Always. Anywhere.

6. Book or e-reader? Why and what are you currently reading?

Books.  I just finished “The Power of Now” by Eckhart Tolle.

7. Which social media platform do you use  and how did they impact your business?

Mostly Facebook for the business but also to reconnect with old friends.

8. What is a true luxury for you today?

High quality products made with care.  That is too rare today.

9. What is your biggest accomplishment to date? Why?

To be happy and at peace.

INperson: Elizabeth Uss
INperson: Shamma Fidaly
INperson: Selima Salaun
INperson: Alexandra Adame
INperson: Lisa Weiss
INperson: Jin Soon
INperson: Hubert Barrere
INperson: Lissa Hussian & Dominique Marano
INperson: Valentine Pozzo di Borgo
INperson: Pierre-Andre Senizergues
INperson: Patrice Farameh
INperson: Christina Neault
INperson: Barney Bishop
INperson: Chrissie Morris
INperson: Christopher Chong
INperson: Francesco Clark
INperson: Christine J. Brandt
INperson: Rolando Santana
INperson: Diane Clehane
INperson: Pierre Cardin

Looking through his candy shop of goods at the Premiere Class held in the Tuileries Gardens, I gazed upon various display cases, endless baubles and jewels, where everything from the most intricately detailed flower rings and tiny stone encrusted stud earrings, were alongside the boldest of rings and larger than life 3D cuffs. His collection this season, The Third Eye, was one of Mysticism and New Age Spirituality. He created a multitude of mythical talismans using a huge glass eye to represent the inner brain’s “pineal gland” or “third eye”. The designs were at times surreal, as a ring of an eye held in place between parted lips, or a crossbreed between human and reptile, as a frog ring with the body being made up of an eye.

Already selling at several places in the States, I happened to be present as a potential buyer with stores in NY and San Francisco was eyeing a few of his designs. Hopefully she left with a huge order of goodies to bring back to us, as I’m sure many will want to stock up on these incredible pieces!

- Elise Goldberg Santiago

www.bernarddelettrez.com

About Megan: American fashion designer Megan Huntz is originally from Atlanta, GA, where she currently resides, after nearly a decade living abroad in Italy and Spain. Her graduate studies at Domus Academy in Milan took her to Italy in 2003. Her professional experience includes working for some of Italy’s premiere fashion companies: Meltin’Pot, Spazio Lazzari of Treviso, as well as for Max&Co and New Penny, brands of the Max Mara group.

Megan’s degree in Industrial Design, from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn (1999) and a background in fine arts, have given her a basis to explore fashion with an non-traditional approach, blurring the lines of art, fashion and design.

Designer website: www.meganhuntz.com

Also check out her line of men’s ties at www.huntzandwhite.com/

Several seasons ago, Vera Wang delightfully stunned us with color when she showed every dress in a deep Reddish Oxblood color accented with Black detailing.  Despite the enthusiasm for the show that the fashion flock may have felt, one couldn’t help but wonder… “Who would wear a wedding gown in that color?”  Last season, she did an about face and showed a collection where every look was a single shade of Cream.  Each dress could easily be imagined walking down an aisle.  Practical?  Yes.  Beautiful?  Yes.  But fashion newsworthy.  Not.

This season, Ms. Wang seemed to strike a balance, in a collection mostly Cream, but accented with serious dose of Black in bodices, panels, overlays and sections that ranged from simple accents to what could be called “blocking”, but in the process, proved that she can still create at a level that earns the distinction of being deemed one of the best collections of bridal I’ve ever seen shown.  This collection wasn’t routine on any level; in fact, it was simultaneously complex, novel, edgy, demure, fashion forward, reverential, sporty, traditional, architectural, soft, you name it.  This collection was on a stratum all its own.

It’s always a thrill when one witnesses a moment when the limits of fashion are tested.  I can enthusiastically say that a new Bridal design high was tested with this collection & it not only topped any previous efforts, it set a new bar that will be virtually impossible to top.  Ms. Wang has spoken.

-Scott French

Publicity:  PR Consulting

www.verawang.com