Behind the Scenes at Miami Swim Week with Art Hearts Fashion

Backstage culture, at any fashion show, is typically frantic, intense and let's face it, sexy. Art Hearts Fashion's Miami Swim Week platform certainly embodies the latter. Often times, behind the scenes is a show in itself. Now don't get me wrong, fun and good times aside, hair, make-up, fittings and backstage management keeps things quite busy. 

Dior Beauty and FHI Heat kept it going strong, look after look!

Erik Rosete (c) with Mister Triple X models. All photos: Getty Images

Erik Rosete (c) with Mister Triple X models. All photos: Getty Images

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Art Hearts Fashion Miami Swim Week - Day 2

miami swim week

On Saturday July 16th Art Hearts Fashion continued its series of presentations during Miami Swim Week at W Hotel South Beach's Lycra Swim Salon presented by Planet Fashion TV. Designers included Koco Blaq, Bella Mar Swimwear, Mister Triple X "Wild Things" and Yas Couture by Elie Madi. Offiicial Eyewear sponsor L.A.M.B. by Gwen Stefani provided the finishing touches for both Koco Blaq and Mister Triple X. 

The next edition of Art Hearts Fashion will take place at New York Fashion Week September 12th-15th at the Angel Orensanz Event Space and on October 8-13th in Los Angeles. 

Art Hearts Fashion is one of the most esteemed fashion platforms in the nation, breaking new ground with revolutionary and cutting-edge runway exhibitions and receiving national and international acclaim. Art Hearts Fashion designers continue to make national headlines, being featuring on major network television shows and pioneering never-before-seen shows for Miami Swim Week. Participating designers can be seen on every major Hollywood celebrity including: Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Niki Minaj, Rita Ora, Jennifer Lopez, Shakira, Miley Cirus, Carrie Underwood, and countless more. The platform is unequivocally intertwined with the causes and organizations it supports.

Art Hearts Fashion is leading the way in combining fashion and philanthropy by raising awareness and funds for great causes all while celebrating the art of fashion. The runway shows presented by AIDS Healthcare Foundation help raise awareness for HIV/AIDS and this seasons shows are dedicated to their #KeepThePromise campaign which highlights AHF's mission to provide access to treatment to the millions living with HIV. 

COLLECTIONS: Koco Blaq, Bella Mar Swimwear, Mister Triple X "Wild Things" and Yas Couture by Elie Madi

(Photo Credit: Arun Nevader/Getty Images)

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Dress Like a Celebrity

Don’t have an Oscar or multi-million dollar paycheck?

Don’t sweat it.

No matter what budget you’re on, you can still look like a celebrity. Yes, rocking a red carpet dress and mink eyelashes will make you look super fabulous. But what about feeling super fabulous?

To look like a celeb, it’s all about the confidence. No matter who you are, if you feel good, you look good. Whatever you buy, make sure you love the way you look. This means buying clothes you feel comfortable in, fit well and can strut down the street in with hundreds of paparazzi following you. Now that you’ve got the attitude down, it’s time to go shopping. Here are some key pieces you need to dress like a celebrity:

Sunglasses

When was the last time you saw a celebrity out and about without a pair of the latest shades?

Never.

Sunglasses are a great way to update your wardrobe and can be had on the cheap. The secret is to buy sunglasses that are high quality and look as good as designer names. Try on different shapes and brands. Don’t feel like you can’t go over the top a little either. Like a celebrity,

bigger is always better, and that definitely goes for your sunglasses. If they aren’t covering half your face, you’re doing something wrong.

Handbag

Photo by Stacie Stacie Stacie via Flickr

Yep, celebs always have the most in-style handbag and carry them with style. To get a 

handbag that won’t break the bank

, go for lesser-known brands that have very discreet logos and look like real leather. Many times, second-hand stores have a wide variety of designer and vintage handbags that look great with a little TLC.

Buy a used bag and show it some love with a leather conditioner.

No matter what style you choose, make sure the bag looks sturdy and has a great form that will hold up no matter where you go. For winter, you can’t go wrong with a cross-body or carry-all tote hanging from your arm.

Shoes

[Photo by Fashionista's via Flickr]

Whether you’re short or tall, heels and wedges always make someone look a little bit more

flashy.

Department stores like Macy’s have 

the best shoe sales

, so no matter what your budget is you can find a variety of sizes and styles. 

This season, instead of just buying a knee-high boot, find a knee-high boot with a little bit of a wedge and maybe some embellishment like studs. 

Adding hardware to a shoe automatically dresses it up and makes a statement. 

When you’re looking for heels, don’t shy away from color. You want every part of your outfit to push the limit a little bit and shoes are a great place to start.

Lipstick

Photo by P-J-TRASH via Flickr

No celebrity leaves the house without makeup. If you’re trying to look like one,

neither should you

. Go

bold

with a

bright

red

lip

for winter and don’t be afraid to add some gloss to give it shimmer and shine. Even if you don’t like caking on makeup, wearing bright lipstick is a great way to make people notice you without spending a lot of time getting ready.

fashionado

by guest author

Tony Green

Gucci Victoire Stiletto

gucci-victoire-shoe-fashionado

Psst

... Ladies... you know platform shoes are kind of out? Yeah, strippers, hookers and drag queens have taken them back. But don't worry because what's coming is even more fabulous! Try the

Gucci Victoire

stiletto for example. They are sleek and patent leather sexy. Pair them up with a skirt, pant or gown and you will not go wrong. Step into trend with Gucci.

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Miss Georgia USA, after the REIGN

kimberly-gittings-miss-georgia-usa-fashionado
kimberly-gittings-miss-georgia-usa-fashionado

As the reign comes to an end for Miss Georgia USA 2009,

Kimberly Gittings

and I chat about the past year and life after the crown. She speaks openly about her platform and how it was a very personal battle.

fashionado:

What's been going on? Tell me what the last few months have been like.

KG:

I've been in Asia, specifically Korea, for the past three months with the prospects of doing commercials, modeling and a soap opera. My challenge has been the language barrier because I don't speak Korean that well, though I am taking classes at the University of Georgia.

Kimberly's plan is to return to Korea to pursue business opportunities, but at the moment, needs to continue her college studies at UGA. She explains that the Koreans love multicultural personalities, in her case its the Korean/Caucasian mix, an advantage to breaking into the film/modeling/tv industry. If she returns to Korea, it could be for nearly a year, an adjustment for her and her family.

Kimberly's major is Biology, Pre-Med and Speech Communications and she is taking Korean as her foreign language. In addition, she is also a Cadet in the Air Force ROTC program.

fashionado:

Have you always wanted to be on tv?

KG:

I really got into it after the fact (during my reign). Friends always tell me I should be on tv, maybe host a show, so I am looking into it now. There may be a real market for me in Korea, so we'll see.

fashionado:

Lets take some time and talk about your platform as Miss Georgia.

KG:

My platform is about eating disorders and its called

A Hunger for the Right Weigh: Eating Disorder Awareness and Prevention.

Yeah, it's a long title! The focus is about awareness and prevention through education.

Its because of a personal experience that I battled an eating disorder when I was younger. I was taller than most girls and kids were mean. If you are taller, smarter, different, kids can be very mean and the messages about self image can be very confusing. I didn't know where I fit in and I had low self-esteem. The straw that broke the camel's back was during middle school when a school "crush" found out I liked him. He didn't like me, so one day in between classes he came up to me and said, "Kimberly, I think you're ugly and fat." I was devastated. In my mind, I believed that if he thought I was ugly and fat, so must everybody else. From there started a downward spiral of bad body image and I stopped eating. I would lie to my parents about eating, and though I always thought about food, I couldn't eat. Eventually, I got extremely sick. I was having heart and liver problems. I went through a lot of therapy and tears. My family was initially in denial, "

how could this happen to our daughter

," but they got me the help I needed and through their love and support, I overcame. I can honestly say that I have been to the lowest of lows and now I am at my highest and happiest.

Self-worth is very important and my message to all girls is that they are worth much more than words.

You

are unique and beautiful as you are and don't let anyone tell you otherwise. I have spent much of my year as Miss Georgia speaking to middle school boys and girls about positive self image, building self-esteem and the importance of going after your goals.

fashionado:

Thank you for sharing Kimberly. Your story and message are very significant on all levels.

Now, lets lighten up our talk  a bit.  Is it true that you can never where your crown in public after your year reign as Miss Georgia?

KG:

No! Obviously its in respect to the new queen. She won her crown and it's her year. Its her time to shine.

fashionado:

You get to keep the crown? And is it on display?

KG:

Oh yes, I get to keep it! Its in its box and there is a process to how I open the box. It is on display in my home. My room is very interesting to walk into, though it seems a bit narcissistic because all my accomplishments, trophies and crowns are on display. My parents tell me I've earned them and should be out for all to see.

fashionado:

When did you start doing pageants?

KG:

I was 15 years old and though the pageant and modeling worlds are a little taboo with eating disorders, pageants actually became a part of my healing process. I was in recovery at 15 and immediately made eating disorders my platform which required me to talk about it.

fashionado:

Are you finished with doing pageants?

KG:

Yes, I'm hanging up my high heels.

fashionado:

How do you feel placing in the top 15 in Miss USA?

KG:

The top 15 is a complete honor. I'm representing the state of Georgia and I know I went into that competition and did my best. I had an outstanding team with great people behind me who supported me and helped me get to where I was. It was a great experience which opened up so many doors. I am very proud and very thankful to all the people who helped me get this far.

fashionado:

Have you met

Donald Trump

?

KG:

I did. I did meet him, twice. Of course he's very busy. When we first met him, he came into the auditorium with his own theme music. But you know, that's him, that's his style, a little over the top. He walks in with all these security guards and says' "

helloooo

girls". I shook his hand and said "Hello Mr. Trump."

Another time I met him was after the pageant, I was a little incognito with family and friends. As he walked near me along with this entourage, he stops, comes over and says, " You're Miss Georgia, right?" I didn't even look like Miss Georgia at the time. He and his wife are a very nice couple.

fashionado:

So what's on your agenda now as the time has come to crown a new queen?

KG:

I need to finish up my semester at UGA this fall and then plan to go back overseas in 2010. I'm not sure where that will take me, but I also have L.A. and New York in mind. I want to pursue all avenues and keep my options open.

fashionado