My kind of WINTER!

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The Winter Wren grand opening: Live jazz, with a three-piece band set the soundtrack for the evening as guests sipped on complimentary Cathead Vodka cocktails and wine while enjoying fresh sushi and bites by Genki Noodles and Sushi. In addition to offering a 20% discount throughout the evening, Winter Wren also did special Free People giveaways throughout the evening. And, to help celebrate the opening of its sister store, 310 Rosemont (offering high-end men's and women's apparel located just steps away) treated shoppers and partygoers to Wild Heaven Craft Beers and delicious fare from Ocean Catering Company.  

The energy

at Winter Wren last night was as

fresh

as the clothes themselves. It was an amazingly fun evening...

Take a look!

[All photos:

Tomas Espinoza

]

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Season to season, Winter Wren will offer customers an array of expertly merchandised inventory from brands like Michael Stars, BB Dakota, Ella Moss, BCBGeneration, French Connection, Wildfox, Aryn K., Joie Soft, Double Zero, Addison, Tuile, Charlie Jade, Kensie, MM Couture, Greylin, Jack, Karlie, Umano, and Seven For All Mankind, as well as jewelry, shoes, and handbags from designers like Sam Edelman, Michael Kors, Rebecca Minkoff, UGG, Minnetonka, Jessica Wren, Hobo and Ty Jewelry.

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Free People's Diana Vaughan & Winter Hodges

Meeting the man of the hour, Winter Wren owner,

Winter Hodges

was also the highlight of the evening for me.

WOW

, doesn't even begin to describe this guy. Winter is the most charismatic person I may have ever met. We spoke and carried on for some time. His spirit, energy and demeanor is so pure, so authentic. Yes, I'm been captivated by Winter and I can't wait to return to Winter Wren and visit  310 Rosemont as well, just so we can chat some more. And shop of course! YOU must stop by both locations. 

fashionado

Celebrity Faces of the Brands We Love

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by guest blogger, 

Sherry Levine

The latest crop of celebrity brand ambassadors has proven particularly promising, with such big names as Jennifer Lawrence and Amanda Seyfried signing on with their favorite designers. These celebs bring something new to the table, with their personalities proving every bit as important in attracting audiences as their hotness. Their effortless ability to change the image of some of the world's prominent brands is clearly attracting attention—and it should be.

Celebrities have long been paired with a wide array of brands in hopes of convincing the public to invest in the latest trends. And the tactic clearly works—if it didn't, companies would have quit sinking their money into celebrity endorsements long ago. While some critics scoff at celebrity branding as a marketing tactic that lacks creativity, recent campaigns have proven that, when the right celebrity and product are combined, the result can be truly droolworthy.

Givenchy's 2013 fall campaign

includes a number of prominent names, such as superstar stylist Carine Roitfeld and her daughter Julia Restoin Roitfeld. Although these are familiar monikers in the fashion world, those unfamiliar with haute couture are less likely to be influenced by their inclusion in the campaign. However, actress, dollface and recent trainwreck

Amanda Seyfried

is known and [hmmm] adored. As a result, she will attract plenty of attention to Givenchy's new Very Irresistible perfume.

Scarlett Johansson and Dolce & Gabbana

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Although she is not new to the Dolce & Gabbana brand (she shot a commercial for the designer back in 2011), Scarlett Johansson's recent re-inclusion in their fashion campaign is refreshing. Scarlett's pouty lips and seductive eyes will be showing off Dolce & Gabbana's exclusive line of makeup. She appears alongside a marble statue (which her flawless complexion easily outshines), looking beautiful as ever in makeup that is natural and yet sensual.

She was also recently spotted along with Matthew McConaughey in Malibu shooting with Dolce & Gabbana for their latest perfume campaign.

Jennifer Lawrence and Dior

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She's clumsy, she's awkward, she's cute... therefore, she's unbelievably loveable and, as Rolling Stone exclaims, she's "America's Kick-Ass Sweetheart." Jennifer Lawrence is appreciated both for her acting ability, her goofy photo shoots and her down-to-earth approach to the celebrity lifestyle. Let's just agree to put her 

hilarious pictures

on the side burner as she has the opportunity to show her sultry side. So why is this seemingly humble actress now the face of the consistently sophisticated Dior?

Turns out, Jennifer has begun to express an interest in fashion, and while doing so she never comes off as haughty or stuck up. By incorporating the seemingly opposite worlds of high fashion and Jennifer's laid back vibe, Dior is showing that the most stereotypical girl next door can transform herself into a fashion diva at the drop of a hat.

Tilda Swinton and Chanel Couture

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Known for her quirky sense of style, Tilda Swinton has recently been snatched up by fashion maven Karl Lagerfeld. Her big objective is to prove that Chanel Couture can be a forward-thinking label. In her Chanel campaign, Tilda is shown posing in front of a Scottish castle, and although the modeled designs lend her an air of elegance, she still manages to hold on to that whimsical vibe that makes her such an appealing (if occasionally perplexing) presence both on the silver screen and the red carpet.

As top designers continue to include prominent Hollywood names into their campaigns, they are likely to see greater engagement from consumers—a definite must-have in this golden age of starlets and social media.

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Project Runway goes to Europe

This was anything but a European vacation for the Project Runway designers, though I am sure it was a blast! The designers and an assistant [former contestant] were sent to various European destinations, from Barcelona to Berlin, to seek inspiration and buy fabric for the challenge that would determine who'd move on to Fashion Week. Michelle's "do or die" moment came in the form of you're not eliminated but you're not going to Europe. Michelle stayed in NYC and even though she pouted and was kind of bitchy about it, she got to STAY in the competition. 



Daniel surprised us all with this modern and edgy look. I love it. BUT he owes so much to Amanda who kept him current and on trend, otherwise he would have gone over-the-top dated and frumpy... So it will be interesting to see what he puts out for a collection since he won't have anyone guiding him.



Stanley won the challenge. He and Richard went to London and came up with the dark couture-esqe design. The capelet is chic and the styling, fantastic. Stanley gets an A+ for drama. The only [minor] issue I have is that he lined the dress with a beautiful black sequin fabric. [He] and the judges loved it and called it a "surprise"... I don't quite see it that way... To me, lining the gown in such a dramatic textile made it seem like the model was wearing the dress inside out.



Oh Patricia! Seriously, you go to Paris and you're inspiration is graffiti art??? WTF is wrong with you! Nina Garcia asked the same question, sans the "WTF." Paris is a fashion mecca. The most romantic city in the world and Patricia comes up with this schizophrenic nightmare. At the same time, I am so happy that Patricia has moved on to present in Fashion Week because I'm very interested to see the collection her artistic mind might produce. Nina and Heidi got into a debate [near argument] on art vs. fashion over Patricia. Amusing. Ratings. Drama. Blah Blah...



The only reason I am happy to see Layana go home is because she has demonstrated over the last few challenges that not only is she out of her league at this point in the competition BUT that she is a spoiled child! In life, you often win through failure. It's about time she learned that. By itself, the lace coat is good but as an ensemble, especially with the flowy blouse sleeves poking through, it's hideous. Maybe Daniel rubbed off on her because how a young designer can create something so dated just doesn't make sense. AUF! #fail



Finally, we have Michelle... good job! I don't think she regrets not going to Europe since going to Fashion Week is way better. I love the punk and bondage elements of the dress. The chest plate is reversible btw. Off subject: One word of advice for Michelle... seek counseling for your space and intimacy issues. That no hugging thing is freaky freaky weird and rude!

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Project Runway "Wearable Art" Challenge

How fabulous is the Guggenheim? Of course it is, designed by the masterful Frank Lloyd Wright, the space is as magnificent as the masterpieces it houses. So it was quite appropriate that the Guggenheim would serve as the source of inspiration for

Project Runway's

"wearable art" challenge. The popular HP + Intel fabric challenge was integrated, heightening the level of creativity from the designers. Naturally, some did better with it than others. They are still working in teams and the only contribution "teams" are making to Project Runway at this point in the competition is making drama. One team member designed the art look while the other made a commercial counterpart.

Daniel was hit this week. He needed that because the last few challenges were (big) misses for him. [But] for me, he's done. Go home.

AUF!

I want to see nothing else from Daniel.

Layana was Daniel's team partner. She created this mess of a dress. The symbolism here, artistically speaking, is that the dress captured Layana's inexperience and lack of art / cultural references due to the fact that she's like 12. This isn't art. She created crap wrapped in tulle. Layana, you do not know better than Tim Gunn or the judges, acknowledge that missy.

And while you're at it Layana, learn from Michelle. Yes I know the dress is weird, but this was NOT the ready-to-wear look, Michelle's partner Stanley was working on that design. Michelle successfully created an artfully cohesive gown made out of leather and painted bubble wrap!

Patricia: EDIT! Too much is too much... I loved the bold graphic patterns she created and there are aspects of the dress that I appreciate, like the silhouette when I squint my eyes. But to say that the chiffon head piece made the model androgynous tells me that you are clueless! The model looks like abstract-expressionist tragic bride.

Richard went home, yay! Too bad he didn't go packing the challenge before this one because Samantha would have soared at the Guggenheim. Richard became such a pain in the ass about everything and everyone that it just consumed him and his abilities. His emotions overshadowed good design and behavior!

Stanley took the well-deserved win and $10K!! [I hope he gives Michelle a little bit of that cash!] The dress is hot. I love the shape, pleating, structure and styling. I was not a fan of the print, however.

We are down to 5 designers.... I'm pretty good at nailing the top three but I must admit, I'm having a little trouble this time around.

Who do you think will make the top list??

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Ready-to-Wear Roses on Project Runway

[caption id="attachment_20160" align="aligncenter" width="440" caption="Michelle in the Project Runway workroom."]

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Fashion came back to

Project Runway

last week! Thank goodness. As much as we loved the nakedness of the Thunder from Down Under beefcake, we missed good clothing and good design. While they're still working in teams, the designers are being allowed to "express" themselves at the same time. It was the "ready-to-wear" challenge with

Lord & Taylor

as the client.

The theme:

To design a RTW look, to be sold in stores and online, inspired by the iconic L&T rose. Who came up smelling like roses and who got pricked by the thorns? 

Pretty. Patricia has proven to be a real player here. She's a little different, sometimes a little "off" yet she always manages to bring it home. This is a very nice look. Kudos to Patricia for not allowing her teammate's bitchiness and rudeness to affect her. Check yourself Stanley!

Maybe if Stanley hadn't spent so much time being an asshole to Patricia, he could have focused on making an interesting dress.

Speaking of bitches... Richard, WTF!?? You're a grown man, stop acting like a little girl. He designed this jersey maxi and okay, I like it. A lot. So did Heidi. The problem lies in the fact that he's done this before. Show us something new please.

Layana's dress was naughty and nice. I loved the use of leather and the print on the skirt didn't bother me. However, the same print on the bodice was just way too much. I would have kept the top in a solid.

This dress would give me a stomach ache except it makes me think of Pepto Bismol and then I feel better. You know its BAD when the best thing a judge could say is "nice shoulders." I'm actually surprised that

Zac Posen

nor

Rachel Roy

grilled Daniel on the sloppy construction around the slit and the hem! I'm ready for Daniel to go home. I want to enjoy the dramatic meltdown he'll probably have on the runway.

Poor choices... Samantha, who I was NOT ready to see go home, failed us (and herself) with this ruffled, layered tragedy. Her sketch was hot this dress was not! What happened? Maybe she didn't have enough time to stand back and edit?? There is too much going on with this look and not only does it come across as junior, but also cheap.

If

Tim Gunn

were straight, Michelle would need to put out because he gave her the win with his workroom wisdom. Tim talked her out of making a gloomy, hideous gray vest to go over the pretty chartreuse shift dress. This outfit is such a winner! I've heard it's already sold out at Lord & Taylor.

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A bone poppin' Project Runway Tonight!

Project Runway

goes

Magic Mike

on us tonight with a brand new, steamy episode. Catch a preview

HERE

and tune into Lifetime at 9PM. Wonder if there'll be any lap dances on the runway!?

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maje at Bloomingdale's

While pulling tuxedos at Bloomingdale's yesterday for a shoot, I made a little fashion discovery that I think the ladies are going to LOVE! Three fashion lines worth checking out:

Zadig & Voltaire

,

Sandro

and

maje

. If you desire clothing that is modern, edgy, strong yet feminine and of course, sexy, these collections are calling your name. The tailoring is amazing, btw. AND every piece of clothing is on trend with the season. Leather detailing with laser cut patterning, chiffon overlays, matt sequin embellishments and bold uses of color will not only keep you current BUT will make you stand out -

in a good way

- because the

only

place you can find these European collections in the state of Georgia is at Bloomingdale's at Lenox Square Mall. Don't walk, run... Happy shopping!

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