The 5th Annual Fashion 2.0 Awards

A couple weeks ago I had the fortune to attend the Fashion 2.0 awards. Since the launch 5 years ago, social media has changed drastically from something that brands never talked about to an integral part of marketing strategy and customer relations.

The Fashion 2.0 awards founded by the beautiful Yuli Ziv, the founder of Style Coalition and Fashion 2.0, are the first industry recognized distinction honoring fashion brands for outstanding achievements and communication strategies across a variety of digital media channels. When the awards first launched, DKNY's DKNY PR girl aka Aliza Litch was one of the only attendees and Foursquare was honored as the best start-up. Could we have dreamed then how much times would have changed? Today over 400 industry insiders helped celebrate the event at Merkin Concert Hall in New York City. 

The awards were hosted once more by the ever charming Robert Verdi with legendary designer Zac Posen invited to give a keynote speech. After he ended his speech he attempted to take an audience wide "selfie" but ended up leaving himself out of the picture. Host Robert Verdi later corrected the error in good fun and soon the entire room was standing to be a part of it!

As for some of the winners, Marc Jacobs won big, sweeping awards for best Instagram and Twitter. Nordstrom won for the Best Pinterest. DKNY won for best online campaign with DKNY Draft. The campaign featuring both models and football players for the Super Bowl taught us in the words of pioneer Aliza Litch that "Models can't throw for shit". Acustom Apparel won for best start-up

Eva Chen was honored by Fashion GPS with the online Navigator award and rushed in a little late after being caught in a heated ping pong match with the Warby Parker boys. The Fashion Navigator Award took into consideration the fact that ambitious women are not just bossy, ambitious women can become the boss. Eva Chen exemplifies this modern attitude.

Fashion expert Jeannie Mai presented the Visionary award to the Warby Parker boys, while telling a touching story about how the brand changed the life of one woman who had a life altering ordeal in which she no longer had the confidence to go shop in public. The award celebrates not only what fashion can do, but what fashion can do for others.

The beautiful and charming Coco Rocha presented the evenings top honor for Top Innovator to ASOS as she shared how this year both the internet and herself turned 25. "For decades, industry standards dictated that models be seen and not heard. This model is one with an opinion, not seen but heard. If you have a loud voice, have something to say. Social media has given me a voice to be someone beyond just a face".

After the awards ceremony let out, everyone hit the cocktail reception for some in-person socializing. It was a grand night with red carpet glamor and beautiful people celebrating the digital world. I wonder how the awards will change and change again in the next 5 years!

Special thanks to photographer Ken Arcara for the bottom three images.

NYFW Spring 2011: Z Spoke by Zac Posen

Here in the Theatre at Lincoln center the crowds are mounting as for the start of Z Spoke, photographers are taking pictures of front row celebs that we have yet to decipher. Devon Aoki is casually chatting with Jaime King, Leigh Lezark (?) is directly in front of us speaking animatedly to Michelle Trachtenberg. Clare Danes has entered the room to sit next to 90210’s Shenae Grimes. Kimora Lee & Russell Simons are seated front row and next to each other! Who else is here? Solange Knowles, Carmen Electra and Estelle. It’s a veritable celebrity circus, the likes of which we haven’t seen since the days before the recession began.Lani and I are both tweeting & typing furiously! I’m so relieved to have a seat because I can make use of my borrowed Vivienne Tam/HP digital clutch and can write about what I’m seeing as it’s happening instead of in recollection.Things must be looking up Mr. Posen as his only New York show is starting with a bang. The room is buzzing and flashbulbs are popping. The backdrop is set with architectural frames and Z Spoke glows in bright lights as the music starts. The show had a feeling of living large and living loud. However when you examine individual pieces they are quite wearable. The perfectly tailored little jackets, the flirty dresses and the slim cut trousers.

The inspiration behind the show? Posen says was "Three girls. We start with an intellectual. She's skinny, has a dog, and went to Sarah Lawrence. Then we have the English rose. She went to art school, loves classical music, and has a cat. And then there's our third girl. She's a fiery redhead and probably has a pet snake."

Whimsical fruit & smiling face prints made me smile back at the cutesy pineapples & melancholy apple. The trench coat above even features a watermelon slice broach!

Statement makeup focused on bold turquoise eyes and stained red lips. Hair was all about curls whether swept up in a twist, pony or wrapped up in high buns. As for the shoes? Sky high wedges and lace-ups are actually part of a collaboration between Posen and Steve Madden that had even the most experience models tottering.

Most notable accessory? The great sunglasses that are very pop happy in very round shapes that were sometimes accented with sparkle.

Coral tones and yellow were the predominant pop colors that were anchored nicely by black in a variety of finishes and denim chambray.

If you didn’t want denim pieces that are not jeans before, you will definitely want them now. Denim looked great in overcoats, trousers, and little shift dresses. The great thing about Posen is that he is able to balance the fine line that separates great feminine details and the cupcake-like (too sweet, too frilly). Soft touches such as a hint of ruffle, a little peplum, a little bow and hints of lace hit the right note.

Skirts are either slim maxis or flirty fun minis that often had bounce in each step. In this collection bust focus becomes important through contrast colors, and style lines that are referential to corsetry and bustier.

The mood was cheerful, fun and that life is a party. The models were vivacious obviously having fun! Cheers to Posen for the great diversity in castings on the runway. One of the rare shows that really reflect the diversity of New York City. We also caught Crystal Renn on the catwalk and although she is considered a plus size model, we don’t really see it! She did look great though :) Loved that the show ended with Posen in a fist pump of victory after the runway finale.

Shopping Report: Zac Posen for Target Pop Up

Erin and our friend Sara at Explosive Kiwi checked out the Zac Posen for Target pop-up shop earlier this morning before work and here's what they reported!

The black tape dress, tiger print dress, chambray dress, yellow raincoat, and black belt are gone - sad because I really had my heart set on the black tape dress and Erin has been dreaming of the tiger print dress.
Remaining items include: black sparkly cocktail dress, jacquard prom dress, bathing suit separates, ruffle prom dresses in red and black, red leather jackets galore, as well as anything tuxedo-related and with that small, flowery print. Remaining styles are still available in most sizes XS-XL though XS are running low. To view the full Zac Posen for Target lookbook, click here.



Who: Zac Posen for Target Pop-Up
What: 24 Hr Shopping event before the collection before it hits stores nationwide on April 25th
When: until 11pm tonight
Where: 481 8th Ave (at 34th St)

Zac Posen for Target Pop-Up Store

As the Zac Posen for Target Collection reach nears it's launch date on April 25, 2010, New Yorkers can once again have the opportunity to shop the collection early during a 24 hour Pop-Up shop. Unlike previous pop-up stores run by Target this one will not last days but it will be a 24 hour party featuring performances by The Like and live DJs.

Check out The Like, decked out in the Zac Posen for Target collection in a new video directed by Gia Coppola playing their hit song "Fair Game". Coppola and Posen met years ago when he was first starting out in fashion, while Coppola and members of the girl group have been friends since high school. Inspired by old footage of “The Beatles” in their hotel room, the video shows the girls primping for a show.

Can't wait for this collection to hit stores as it's priced from $17.99 to $199.99. I personally want the gold dress, gold bikini and Tiger Print dress!

Who: Zac Posen for Target Pop-Up
What: 24 Hr Shopping event before the collection before it hits stores nationwide on April 25th. Will include performances by The Like and DJs Kid America, Luisiul, The Other Will
When: April 15-16, 2010. Thurs 11pm to Fri 11pm
Where: 481 8th Ave (at 34th St)

Preview: Zac Posen for Target

Thanks to Fashionista the new Go International, Zac Posen for Target collection is no longer a mystery. The collection ranges in price from $16.99 to $199.99 for a red leather jacket. It won't be hitting stores or online until April 25, 2010 but I can't wait for my dose of lame, 40s style feminine dresses & even a tailored slim suit. Are you a fan?