The ANYWHERE Swim 2011 Show at the Raleigh

TEXT, VIVIAN KELLY
Images of the Swim Anywhere Inc. Collections, Courtesy of Deborah Hughes Public Relations


When I read the line-up for the evening's festivities, I was thrilled to see that Deborah Hughes from New York, was on the evening's roster. While sitting on the side of the pool, I thought about how I'd go anywhere to say anything that Deborah Hughes is representing, even Priscilla of Boston Bridal - Bridal is my least favorite of all the fashion and lifestyle markets I cover.
Swimwear Anywhere- North America’s leading privately held swimwear manufacturer, provides fashion-driven swim apparel representing 14 apparel labels including DKNY Swim, Juicy Couture Beach, amongst others.
The highlight of the show was CARMEN MARC VALVO's segment, which included a ruched sapphire maillot and a one-shoulder perfect white maillot. Mr. Valvo was actually there for the show - a rarity in a secondary market. It might seem puzzling that I'm raving about the simplest of the suits we saw, but it takes a talented designer to make a suit [or dress for that matter] stand out with no "look at me" Swarovski crystals, hardware or bolt prints to draw you in.
Another bonus, and one that was entirely unexpected, was that I happened to be sitting next to IVANA SERT, who had designed the much-talked about costumes 'Samantha' wore on Sex & The City II. While I didn't get a chance to visit the Allure Showroom to see her clothes, Ivana's fringed black jacket gave me a heads-up of what to expect when I eventually go see her collection. Meeting Ivana was a treat and goes to show that why NOT start chatting with the person next to you at a show. You never know who you'll meet.

"BIG" - the big Kahuna 'Carrie' finally caught, wears JOHN LOBB

TEXT, VIVIAN KELLY
Images of Chris Noth and Staveley Lobbs, courtesy of Simone Pioggi, Atelier Public Relations

I've always had a crush on actor, CHRIS NOTH, from the first time he appeared on Law & Order and helped me get through miles of training runs on the USA channel, TNT. True, he was a bit of a thug, but he was without question, the cutest boy in the NYPD. I challenge any woman out there to say with a straight face, that she hasn't fallen at least once for a bad-boy Chris Noth type.

While I liked him in Law & Order, I was HEAD-OVER-HEELS for him in Sex and the City. "Big" was THE BIG ONE - the proverbial "one who got away". For me, he was a ringer of the ridiculously handsome DJ/skier boyfriend I had in my mid-twenties who made me my first "serious" money by advising me to short Toys R' Us, right before they filed for Chapter 11.

As much as I love watching Chris, whether on the tube or live and in person, front row, with SJP at a Marc Jacobs show, I'm actually more interested in watching his evolution from a J.C. Penny suit-clad detective to a sharply tailored guy with JOHN LOBB shoes on his feet.

I couldn't get to 'Sex and the City II opening night, but I did hear, courtesy of Atelier PR, that Chris is getting some serious fashion know-how. Mr. BIG looked refined all right, in his STAVELY Lobbs while attending the premiere of Sex and of the City 2 earlier this week. The Staveley is a classic oxford with a modern squared toe that featured a mock toe cap with three rows of stitching. Maybe, it was Carrie/SJP who speeded-up the process, but Chris Noth has definitely gotten the moves down to fit the bill as Carrie's forever consort. After all, the first wardrobe item a woman looks at on a man is his shoes. Bases on his LOBBS, BIG and Carrie will be together for a very long time.

*I'll be hitting the movie theater at some point this weekend. If you're remotely interested in fashion, you should too to see what stylist PAT FIELDS has done this time. www.sexandthecitymovie.com

To view more items from John Lobb, visit www.johnlobb.com
Sometimes, you can get lucky, and find a pair on one of my new favorite sites, www.giltman.com

We Like Singer Katy Perry in Spring 2010 Mara Hoffman!

TEXT, VIVIAN GALTIER-VAN ZUTPHEN
Photo Credit, just Jared Blog (http://justjared.buzznet.com/), courtesy of Peoples Revolution.

MY teenage daughter and her friends are fans - of Katy Perry. I am a long-standing MARA HOFFMAN fan. This weekend, a rare thing has just happened: we all agree on something! That "something" would be that Katy Perry looks fantastic in Mara Hoffman's Spring 2010 Net Back Cowl dress in guatemala violet print. I've always loved Mara's funky cool-girl vibe and it was good to see it on someone who could pull it off.
Have a look at these pics of Katy shot Friday night, May 7th, of Katy leaving Trousdale night club with Russell Brand in West Hollywood.

Mara Hoffman's a designer who's been on the outer edges of many people's radar screens, but who deserves more attention.

She's a New York City based fashion designer, who graduated from Parsons School of Design and also studied at Central Saint Martins College of Arts and Design in London. She launched her ready-to-wear collection in 2000. The line evolved from hand-dyed silhouettes to her current collection, which concentrates heavily on original silk prints and encompasses everything from dresses, leggings and blouses to coats, knit sweaters and scarves. Hoffman continuously draws inspiration from nature and fantasy, often finding creativity from her own travels around the world.


Her big break came when Sex and the City stylist Patricia Field stopped her on the street of New York City to complement her outfit. Field picked up Hoffman’s samples and sold them in her shop, House of Field. Hoffman’s colorful designs are a fave with celebrities such as; Katy Perry, Halle Berry, Megan Fox, Jennifer Lopez, Drew Barrymore, Lauren Conrad, Eva Longoria Parker, Whitney Port and Ginnifer Goodwin. Mara Hoffman is currently available through top retailers worldwide.


To read more about Mara Hoffman, visit www.marahoffman.com