On View May 10–August 19, 2012

The Met’s Spring 2012 Costume Institute exhibition, Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations, explores the striking affinities between Elsa Schiaparelli and Miuccia Prada, two Italian designers from different eras. Inspired by Miguel Covarrubias’s “Impossible Interviews” for Vanity Fair in the 1930s, the exhibition features orchestrated conversations between these iconic women to suggest new readings of their most innovative work. Iconic ensembles are presented with videos of simulated conversations between Schiaparelli and Prada directed by Baz Luhrmann, focusing on how both women explore similar themes in their work through very different approaches.

The exhibition showcases approximately ninety designs and thirty accessories by Schiaparelli (1890–1973) from the late 1920s to the early 1950s and by Prada from the late 1980s to the present. Drawn from The Costume Institute’s collection and the Prada Archive, as well as other institutions and private collections, signature objects by both designers are arranged in seven themed galleries: “Waist Up/Waist Down,” “Ugly Chic,” “Hard Chic,” “Naïf Chic,” “The Classical Body,” “The Exotic Body,” and “The Surreal Body.”

Schiaparelli, who worked in Paris from the 1920s until her house closed in 1954, was closely associated with the Surrealist movement and created such iconic pieces as the “Tear” dress, the “Shoe” hat, and the “Bug” necklace. Prada, who holds a degree in political science, took over her family’s Milan-based business in 1978, and focuses on fashion that reflects the eclectic nature of Postmodernism.

Have you gone? What did you think?

My Schiaparelli Shocking perfume bottles (and Gaultier, which appears to have been inspired by)

Here’s the other reason, for the kid: Spiderman: Turn off the Dark (but I hear a spoof is coming soon too!)

This attractive, lightweight makeup palette is perfect for mixing custom colors with pigments, then capping them to preserve.

Mix to make awesome nails like this CND Brisa with Additives look

Not only useful for nail art, but also mineral foundations and makeup.

The best part? This attractive, lightweight palette is top rack dishwasher safe.

Love what you mixed up?  You can also cap your creations in the individual wells of the Minerals Mate.

Use code 2468MineralsMate at checkout on www.mineralsmate.com and receive 25% off of your order. WOWOWOWOWOW Want to win a set? Like this video and Facebook page for a chance to win your own. Drawing May 30th. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Solessence/175603091625

Product was sent for review consideration.  I loved it so much I featured it.  Minerals Mate has generously provided an additional item for giveaway.

“Solessence offers readers a large collection of articles, posts, and tips related to nail polish, nail care and beauty care. Visitors will find that many of the posts are written based on professional news leads and expert reviews. Interactive links available through Solessence allows readers to find a calendar of events, Fashion Week updates, nail polish and design swatches, and full-length tutorials on creating unique designs at home.
Popular Post: Sneak Peek: Six New Spring 2012 CND Shellac Colors & Salon Certification Program”

Thanks again, FrugalDad.com!

Hosted by

Carly Cushnie ’09 and Michelle Ochs ’09 of Cushnie et Ochs (I’m also showing they graduated ’07 – any confirmations?)

Live Show Invitation Only, but LiveStream event is planned at the following:

Live Stream Viewing at 12:00 noon, 66 Fifth Avenue, Aronson Galleries.

Neiman Marcus Chicago opens three newly remodeled handbag spaces this month!  Chanel, Gucci and Prada.  Stop in to see the new spaces.

April 13 & 14 Estate Trunk Show
View the Estate Trunk Show collection of the finest jewels.
10 am to 5 pm
Precious Jewels Salon – First Floor
For more information, please call (312)642 – 5900, ext.2224

April 14 TOMS “Style Your Sole” EventJoin us and have your Toms styled your way. Work with a Toms shoe artist to create a unique look all your own
(complimentary with a new shoe purchase of Women’s, Men’s and Children’s. TOMS) 1 to 4 pm
Ladies Shoe Salon – Second Floor
For more information, please call (312)642 – 5900, ext.2060

April 14 Gurhan Trunk Show
View the Gurhan collection of the best jewels.
10 am to 5 pm
Precious Jewels Salon – First Floor
For more information, please call (312)642–5900, ext. 2224

April 17 + 18 Christian Siriano Trunk Show View the latest collection from fashion favorite and Project
Runway winner Christian Siriano. 10 am to 4 pm
Couture Salon – Second Floor
For more information, please call (312)642– 5900, ext. 2050

April 17 & 18 ForeverMark Diamond Event
This event brings in the finest loose diamonds and a large selection
of settings for you to choose from.
10 am to 5 pm
Precious Jewels Salon – First Floor
For more information, please call (312)642 – 5900, ext. 2224

April 21 MCL Trunk ShowMCL designs feature ornate settings with fine materials creating truly unique works of art. 10 am to 5 pm
Designer Jewelry – First Floor
For more information, please call (312)642-5900 ext. 2417

April 24 + 25 Peggy Jennings Trunk Show
View the latest collection from Peggy Jennings.
10 am to 4 pm
Couture Salon – Second Floor
For more information, please call (312)642–5900, ext. 2050

April 27 + 28 Alex Soldier Trunk Show
View the latest collection from Alex Soldier.
10 am to 5 pm
Precious Jewels Salon – First Floor
For more information, please call (312)642– 5900, ext. 2224

April 28 Alexis Bittar Personal AppearancePlease join us as welcome jewelry designer Alexis Bittar. His collection has built quite the fan following and is now one of the hottest jewelry collections around. 10 am to 4 pm
Designer Jewelry – First Floor
For more information, please call (312)642–5900, ext. 2417

Swatches

Theses swatches are wet (surface was damp) to show better coloring.  This will be similar to how color will get more rich when added to your CND Shellac/gel/liquid and powder

GREEN GOLD SPARKLE PIGMENT ADDITIVE

If you like iced coral you’ll love this gold with green overtones

VIOLET PEARL PIGMENT ADDITIVE

Pretty violet powder sheen

SPECTRUM SHIMMER EFFECT ADDITIVE

The picture says it all.  Abalone flakes of diamond, pinks and a hint of blue

PINK GOLD SPARKLE PIGMENT ADDITIVE

TITANIUM PEARL PIGMENT ADDITIVES

HAUTE PINK PIGMENT

ANTIQUE BRONZE PIGMENT

BRIGHT RED PIGMENT

CERULEAN BLUE PIGMENT

• According to Dr. Robert M. Sayre, Ph.D., of Rapid Precision Testing Laboratories one of the creators of the SPF rating system: “UV Nail Lamps are safer than natural sunlight or sunlamps.”

•  Dr. David Valia, Director of Research and Development for CND, compares the exposure from a UV lamp to that of indoor fluorescent lighting. He explains, “The amount of energy from a UV lamp during a nail service would be roughly equivalent to the amount of UV exposure one would experience during a typical day of exposure in indoor fluorescent lighting.”

•  According to Dr. Sayre:  “People who are indoors have little to no skin risk due to long term exposure to fluorescent lighting. People who sunbathe or work outdoors have real risks of excessive UV exposure, the cause of sunburn and skin cancer.”

•  “The CND UV Nail Lamp bulb emits almost exclusively (more than 99%) UVA-1, the safest part of the ultraviolet spectrum,” says Dr. Sayre.

•  The exposure from a bi-weekly UV manicure is equivalent to “an extra 1-2 minutes in daylight each day between salon visits,” says Doug Schoon, CND’s Chief Scientific Advisor and author of Nail Structure and Product Chemistry.

•  Although hands are the most exposed, they’re also the least susceptible to UV sensitivity. According to Dr. Sayre, “It would take 6 – 10x more exposure to your hands to produce mild sunburn than it would to produce a burn on your face, abdomen or back. UV Nail Lamps are used on one of the least susceptible parts of your body.”

• Hands get more UV exposure holding the steering wheel of a car or talking on a cell phone outside than they do from the use of UV nail lamps.

•  UV nail lamps have been on the market for over 30 years and there have been no proven reports linking them to premature aging or skin cancer.

• Just like you put sunscreen on your face, put sunscreen on your hands throughout the day, especially after washing them.

Sydney, Australia (April 6, 2012) IMG Fashion is excited to announce the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia provisional Runway schedule for the Spring Summer 2012/13 season, April 30 – May 4, 2012. Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia will see some of Australia’s biggest designers including Akira, Dion Lee, Josh Goot, Ellery, Zimmermann, Kirrily Johnston, Toni Maticevski, Carl Kapp, Magdalena Velevska as well as Jayson Brunsdon all unveiling their collections to local and international fashion industry heavy weights.

“The excitement is building in anticipation of what will hit the runways this season at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia and Romance was Born is a fitting kick off to the 2012 season. This schedule truly showcases the creativity and innovation of our talented Australian and visiting international designers from across Asia and North America,” says Jarrad Clark, Global Production Director, IMG Fashion.

“A fitting new chapter for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia with this inspiring line up of established and emerging designers.  Mercedes-Benz is proud to be supporting such a significant event for the Australian Fashion industry and showcasing our designers to a global audience”, says Gavin Allen, General Manager Marketing Communications, Mercedes-Benz Australia.

“With the world’s most beautiful harbour as a backdrop, Australian fashion designers are set to wow our local and international guests in Sydney during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia 2012,” says NSW Deputy Premier and Minister for Trade and Investment Andrew Stoner.

GINGER & SMART will be a highlight on the schedule as they celebrate their 10 year anniversary. Other regulars include Camilla, Alice McCall, Bec & Bridge, Lisa Ho, Gary Bigeni, Manning Cartell and Gail Sorronda.

Designers making their Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia solo debut for 2012 include Bless’ed are the Meek, Roopa Pemmaraju, An Ode to No One, Watson X Watson, Flowers for a Vagabond, Toi et Moi Sydney, Dylan Cooper, By Johnny, Aje, and nANA jUDY. Also welcomed to the official schedule for the first time are household names and Australian icons Jenny Kee and  Oroton.

Fresh from the runway at MBFW New York, Whitney Eve and WE by Whitney Eve will be presented in Australia for the first time. TV personality Whitney Port will be in attendance to introduce her eclectic and feminine contemporary collection in an installation format within the new venue space, The Box.

Renowned globally for our swimwear, a schedule highlight for overseas buyers is sure to be the swim and resort wear collection shows from designers We are Handsome, Suboo, Lisa Maree & Kooey Australia.

Menswear will also form a significant part of the 2012 proceedings with designers Christopher Esber, Song for the Mute, and Ksubi showing menswear within their collections, as well as a dedicated Men’s Group show featuring: FROM BRITTEN P/L, INJURY, MilsMANIFESTO, ZSADAR, Nathan Paul Swimwear, KALB and ETIW.

A curated stable of emerging talent will also showcase their collections at MBFWA. This year we had too much talent for just one New Generation Show so 2 amazing collection shows grace the schedule with designers: Collecting Pretty Boys, Elliatt, KAHLO, Kristi Rose, Tovah, ASH TO GOLD, LittleGracie, LUELA, Susan Rep, AANCHAL CHANDA, Uscari and LF MARKEY.

Continuing to support the next generation of talent, designers showing in the 2012 Innovators show from TAFE NSW – Sydney Institute are Carlie Waterman, Stephanie Goerlach, Cynthia Thai, Yuliy Gershinsky, Christopher Baldwin, and Kaylene Milner and the Raffles International Designer Showcase will include collections from Winson Tan (Malaysia), Crystal Tsoi (Hong Kong), Akaya Ichikawa (Japan) and Gabriel Lee (Korea).

STYLE HONG KONG with the support of the Hong Kong Trade and Development Council will showcase emerging Hong Kong designers ready to launch international careers. Expect to see new and exciting collections from DoDo Leung, Hei Lau, Chairlie Ho and Harrison Wong.

Closing the weeks proceedings will be an extravaganza like no other, when Fernando Frisoni presents his collection in a unique, invitation only Masquerade to wrap up the 2012/13 Spring Summer show schedule on Friday May 4^th, 2012.

Soon to be announced is an anticipated addition to Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia, a Mercedes-Benz Presents show. Recognising designers that demonstrate dedication to the use of quality materials, unique style and innovative design, the Mercedes-Benz Presents runway designer will work with Mercedes-Benz to create a unique experience that ties fashion and automotive design together.

The complete list of designer shows at MBFWA 2012/12 are: Aje, Akira, Alice McCall, An Ode to No One, Aurelio Costarella, Bec & Bridge, Bless’ed Are The Meek, Bowie, By Johnny, Camilla, Carl Kapp, Christopher Esber, Dylan Cooper, Dion Lee, Ellery, Flowers For a Vagabond, Fernando Frisoni, Gail Sorronda, Gary Bigeni, Ginger & Smart, Hardwick by Mariana Hardwick, Jenny Kee, Jayson Brunsdon, Johanna Johnson, Josh Goot, Kirrily Johnston, Kooey Australia, Ksubi, Lisa Ho, Lisa Maree, Manning Cartell, Magdalena Velevska, MATICEVSKI, Mens Show, Michael Lo Sordo, Miss Unkon, nANA jUDY, New Generation 1, New Generation 2, Oroton, Raffles International Designer Showcase, Romance was Born, Roopa Pemmaraju, Sara Phillips, Song for the Mute, Style Hong Kong, Suboo, Talulah,  The Innovators, Toi Et Moi Sydney, Watson X Watson, Whitney Eve and WE by Whitney Eve, We Are Handsome and Zimmermann.

Title sponsor Mercedes-Benz is proudly supported by Government partners Destination NSW and Austrade, Maybelline New York, DHL, HP/Intel, Redken 5th Avenue NYC and EYE and as well as media outlet Getty Images. Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia is an IMG event.

The Spring Summer 2012/13 Collections will take place April 30 to May 4, 2012