A Fashion Fiend

Teen Style Tuesday- She’s gone batty

Long gone are the days of the Halloween class parade that Elementary school allowed. Family and friends came to watch you and your classmates march around your school while you showed off your costume. Sadly, Middle school has all kinds of rules and restrictions, basically NO costumes! I love Halloween so I had to pick an outfit to represent my spooky style without getting detention! The weather is warm so I’m still wearing t- shirts and tanks. This muscle tank is so freaking soft, I know I’ll be laying this through the fall. Happy Halloween!

~Taylor

Tank- Forever 21, Jeans- Wet Seal, Loafers- Forever 21, Nail Polish- Ruffian in Fox Hunt

Boot tights

I love the weather in Houston in October. The humidity is bearable, the leaves change and the weather is cool and crisp. However this year, Houston had other plans. It has been in the 80’s and 90’s all month! This certainly makes my wardrobe transition extremely difficult, especially when it is cool in the morning and warm throughout the day. I am a big fan of wearing tights under skirts and shorts to move my spring clothes in to the fall. I switched to Bootights last month when I received my first pair and I’m hooked. Bootights are tights with socks attached, so you don’t have the usual slipping around in your shoes with regular tights. I choose a pair with a funky pattern to bring a pop of color to my black peasant dress and booties.

photo (21) — dress- Forever 21, tights- c/o Bootights, booties- ALDO, hat- Target, purse and necklace-Dillard’s, sunnies-Karen Walker

Teen Style Tuesday- A Little Sparkle

It rained the other morning so when I picked out my outfit for the day, I wanted a little bling to brighten my cloudy forecast. I love Abercrombie & Fitch tees cuz they are so freaking soft and comfortable. I really go to items that I can sit in class all day without feeling like I’m holding something in. Seriously, sucking in is THE WORST! The sequins on my tee adds a teensy bit of flair to liven up this classic T-shirt and jeans. Oh, and for you AWKWARD. fans- it premieres tonight.

You’re welcome.

~Taylor

photo (15) — **My bracelet is for my home ec baby- I had it he day of the shoot 🙁

photo (16) — Tee- Ambercrombie & Fitch, Jeans- We Seal, Shoes- TOMS, Sunnies- c/o Yelp

Phoenix Fashion Week: Night 3, Finale and After Party

On the final night of Phoenix Fashion Week 2013, I turned to two more Emerging designer favorites for show stopping looks, to dazzle us on this last night of fashion. I was not disappointed. The two sisters behind the label, struck our heart strings when we met them at the Emerging Designers showcase back in June. Jadapa and I were immediately drawn to the duo being that we too were sisters working together. We have kept in touch with the sisters through the 4 month designer bootcamp, and we cheered them on all the way to Fashion Week. Check out our recap of Ja’ires journey.

Ja’ire international Couture started the show with a performance by none other than Ja’ire Hattley herself! The show held the audience in awe as we watched the models prance down the runway in designs perfected by the ladies that created “the walk-away”.

Ja’ire International Couture

jairehugging — Ja’ire and Nekia at the end of the show!

with Nekia and Jai're of Jai're International Couture — with Nekia and Jai’re of Jai’re International Couture

Trang Nguyen hit the runway next with her reds and floral dominated collection. Her feminine touches make each piece’s style ranged from fancy ball gown to business casual. Layers of chiffon did not take away from the classic look of some of the other less showy items. We are huge fans of Trang’s sleek lines and vast attention detail.

Trang Nguyen

trang5 — photos by the Phoenix New Times

The Emerging Designers then took to the stage for the announcement of this years winner. And the winner is…

Katya Leoncio, designer Dolcessa swimwear

We spoke to Katya the designer behind Dolcessa as soon as she exited the runway after her win. “I am thrilled and honored to be a part of this whole process with Phoenix Fashion Week and we elated to have won.” Her $10,000 prize will go to further launching her swimwear line. Katya’s collection made a “splash” on the runway Thursday night, presenting as the first emerging designer to hit the stage at Talking Stick Resort.

Dolcessa Swimwear

The grand finale was a presentation of the in depth mind of Filipino designer, Rocky Gathercole. Rocky described his style as “feisty, unapologetic and at times, controversial” -Metrovelvet 2011. Rocky’s unbridled mind creates for the most unique fashion experiences. All of Rocky’s pieces are custom, hand-made and entirely individual. These marvelous outfits may have concluded Phoenix Fashion Week 2013, but left us with urning for more fashion.

Rocky Gathercole

rocky3 — photos by the phoenix New Times

Second nterview with FameAzTv — Second interview with FameAzTv

Finally after all the fashion and interviews, we celebrated with a concert by International recording artist Yasmeen! She brought the house down with her smooth and soulful vocals. A crowd favorite! We were stoked to hang with her back stage after the show. We love you Yasmeen!

us&yasmeen2 — after the show with Yasmeen

What we wore: Jadapa- top and shorts- Winsor, heels- Jessica Simpson
A Fashion Fiend- crop top- TJ Maxx, skirt- forever 21, heels- ALDO, earrings- Foreign Exchange, equestrian charm bracelet- Ann Taylor

Huge thank you again to Brian Hill, Abbei Marquis, Lauren Pfingstag, Christina Ziegler, Brenna Moses and the entire Phoenix Fashion Week team!

Phoenix Fashion Week: Night 2

Friday afternoon I was fortunate to attend a seminar with Style and Pepper creator, Jessie Artigue. She got up bright and early Friday to host “The Business of Blogging” seminar after strutting her stuff on the runway, wearing a Dora Yim designed dress, in the Fashionably Pink Charity Fashion Show, Thursday night. Her discussion on blogging as a brand was so insightful and very informative. I was really impressed with the way Jessie not only captured our attention but held it while also having us contribute in an open discussion type of forum. She answered all of our questions with real world examples and relative information. So happy that I got a chance to hear from the best!

Jessie in Fashionably Pink Charity Fashion Show
photo by Dan Tabar

20131004_133054 — With Blogger, Jessie Artigue of styleandpepper.com

Night 2 started off with just as much luster and enthusiasm as the previous evening. Gents featuring Googleglass hit the runway first showcasing its dapper, futuristic look. We were super excited to see last year’s emerging designer winner, Bri Seeley, take the stage with her Silence Collection. Bri’s color palette, feminine A line’s and open back dresses made this collection so stylish and delicate. Bri’s most recent work on The Silence Collection., benefits Step Up Women’s Network, a nonprofit membership organization igniting women and girls to fulfill their potential. Great job, Bri!

photo by Dan Tabar — Gents featuring Googleglass

Bri Seeley ~ Silence Collection

bri1111 — Bri Seeley collection photos by Melissa Fossum, Phoenix New Times

Hitting the runway next was Dallas based designer, Dora Yim, presenting her collection D.P.C. by Dora Yim. Living in Houston, I have been following this Texas Designer mix business woman with style and quality. Dora’s D.P.C. collection can be worn in the boardroom as well as out to lunch. The versatility of the line provides women with affordable pieces that are stylish and made to last. “Wear it today, treasure it always” D.P.C tagline.

D.P.C. by Dora Yim

dpc4 — D.P.C. photos by Melissa Fossum, Phoenix New Times

Dora Yim in teal dress — photo by Dan Tabar

Next the emerging designer, Herbert Victoria took to the stage. We were lucky enough to chat with this San Fransico based designer on the show and collection. Herbert’s African West line incorporates a cut and sew style, embodying bold prints and tribal influences. I asked Herbert his inspiration for such brave pattern choices. “In Africa, class and station are demonstrated through the prints and patterns in their clothing.” Herbert’s line presents a designer that is not afraid to stand out. He truly makes beautiful, one of a kind pieces.

African West by Herbert Victoria

HV6 — photos by Melissa Fossum, Phoenix New Times

20131004_225039 — **Check out my interview about Herbert with FameAztv**

We caught up with International recording artist, Yasmeen, in the Pinnacle Aviation lounge at Talking Stick. She said she enjoyed the show and was super excited about performing tomorrow at the after party.

What we wore: Jadapa- jumpsuit- Urban Outfitters, Heels- Bakers, earrings- Forever 21 A Fashion Fiend- Top-TJ Maxx, Skirt- boutique closed ;(, Heels- ALDO, Headband- TJ Maxx — What we wore: Jadapa- jumpsuit- Urban Outfitters, heels- Bakers, earrings- Forever 21
A Fashion Fiend- headband and top-TJ Maxx, skirt- boutique closed 🙁 Heels- ALDO, Bracelet- Nordstrom

Teen Style Tuesday- Welcome Taylor!!

Hey Fiends!! We are so excited to welcome the newest member to our style family, teen fashion blogger, Taylor!! Taylor is a middle school girl with a great sense of style and love of fashion. Her obsession for TOMS can only be surpassed by her love of denim, seriously the girl has a closet full 🙂 Her style is versatile, going from more formal to casual looks, like meet day dress to weekend wear. She definitely has the eye and creativity for fashion. We are so thrilled to have her!!

A message from Taylor:

Hey Hey!! I am so happy to be blogging for A Fashion Fiend! I have noticed that there are very few teen style blogs out there and wanted to share my personal style with you all. Most other teen bloggers are in high school and have a more mature sense of fashion. Being young, I can still mix and match A LOT of pieces, colors and styles in different ways without age holding me back! I love to hear any questions or comments so please feel free to leave me a note!

~Taylor

Phoenix Fashion Week: Night 1

Phoenix Fashion Week night One

J&me — What we wore: Jadapa Dress- TJMaxx, Shoes- Michael KORS, Earrings-ALDO
A Fashion Fiend Dress- Urban Outfitters, Booties- ALDO, Clutch- Tory Burch

britonrunway — Brittany Dawn Brannon starting the show!

We quickly caught up with Joanna de’Shay of Black Russian Label to discuss her looks and what went into preparing for this event. Joanna was most excited about participating in Phoenix Fashion Week again. As the 2009 Emerging Designer winner, this half Nigerian, half Russian designer held nothing back. This 2013 collection made use of contrasting grays and blacks as well as wearable designs with leather and lace trims. Joanna used cultural inspirations for all over the globe. Joanna says”A Black Russian woman likes to be seen and wants her clothes to make a statement every time she enters a room.” -Black Russian label, redefining the face of fashion.

20131003_205949 — Black Russian Label designer, Joanna de’Shay

I also chatted with Sam Mascaro and Clary Jeffrey behind Loin Cloth LA as they excited the runway. The dudes said they were stoked about the show turn out and would do the designer bootcamp again in a heart beat. Their “where struggle meets success” line featured laid back Cali looks with style. The brand motto ” a penny and a plan” refers to how the boys got started with -$143 in the bank and a dream. You can really see the passion in the looks the guys created. The pocket details and floral prints are a huge hit with the brands’ followers. I asked the guys what was next for these two, Clary answered ” we go back to the grind.” These two guys’ dedication and hard work truly show in their amazing Summer 2013 collection. Thank you. Sam and Clary for taking this risk, you guys are awesome.

Sam and Clary. Co-founders, Loin Cloth LA

Phoenix Fashion Week 2013 highlights

Hi lovelies!! So happy to be back from traveling and blogging! I recently was in Arizona attending Phoenix Fashion Week with Jadapa and visiting with family. It was such an amazing experience to see the Emerging Designers of 2013, display their final pieces in a 3 night, runway extravaganza, ending with an amazing performance by our girl, international pop sensation, Yasmeen!

Our interviews with established designers: Joanna de’Shay of Black Russian Label, and Bri Seeley, emerging designers: Clary Ryan and Sam Mascaro of Loin Cloth LA, Herbert Victoria, Jai’re and Nekia Hattley of Jai’re International Couture and 2013 Emerging designer winner, Dolcessa are coming up so stay tuned!

Each night would start with 3-4 established designers hitting the runway with their upcoming seasons looks. Following a brief intermission, 4 Emerging Designers would showcase the designs that they have been working on since June! We have been following the emerging designers over the summer and became very close with a few of them. Throughout this experience, we became a little family, it was so great seeing everyone and how much they have grown as artists and business people. We are so proud of all of them!

Special thanks to Brian Hill, Abbei Marquis, Lauren Pfingstag, Christina Ziegler, Brenna Moses, the Phoenix Fashion Week team and fellow blogger, Sheila Vertuno.

These are a few of our favorite looks from each night:

Black Rissian Label — Black Russian Label

rocky-gathercole-phoenix-fashion-week-2013-15 — Rocky Gathercole, modeled by Joy Linton

A Fashion Fiend with PhxFW Host, Jackie Morales of 101.5jamz

Media Day and Fashionably Pink Charity Fashion Show

October 1st kicked off Phoenix Fashion Week with media invitational breakfast hosted by PhxSoul. Later that evening PhxFW held their Fashionably Pink Charity Fashion Show featuring local celebrities and breast cancer survivors. Held at Domus luxury apartments homes in Phoenix, Arizona and catered by GiGi’s Cupcakes. Holly Rose founder of Don’t be a chump! Check for a lump! organization, donates wigs for cancer patients, as well as providing mammograms and spreading the message to get checked for early detection. Holly and other survivors shared their inspirational stories and donations were collected throughout the evening for wigs and mammograms of cancer patients.

Media Day Breakfast hosted by PhxSoul.com

Fashionably Pink Charity Fashion Show

What we wore: Jadapa-Peplum top- Forever 21, Skirt-Target, Slingbacks- Jessica Simpson, Necklace-Q

A Fashion Fiend- Top-BCBG, Shorts- Forever 21, Shoes- ALDO, Bracelets-TJ Maxx and H&M

Holly Rose, Founder of “Don’t be chump! Check for a lump!’

Fashionably pink breast cancer survivorsThe Bachelorette season 8, Arie Luyendyk Jr. and JadapaWith Sam and Clary of Loin Cloth LA

The Bachelor, Arie, from and Jadapa — Fashionably pink breast cancer survivorsThe Bachelorette season 8, Arie Luyendyk Jr. and JadapaWith Sam and Clary of Loin Cloth LA

JohnJay from 104.7Kiss fm after jumping in the pool on the runway!

noname (1) — With sponsor, Tremaine Jasper, founder of Phxsoul.com

Ja’ire International Couture to be featured at Phoenix Fashion Week 2013

With Phoenix Fashion Week in 7 days, we wanted to do a recap of some of the amazing talent that will be presented and their journeys leading up to PHXFW 2013. First up, the sisters Ja’ire and Nekia Hattley behind Ja’ire International Couture. Press Release below.

ABOUT JA’IRE

Ja’ire International Couture (JA’IRE) is a Los Angeles based, edgy contemporary clothing line created and owned by two sisters, Nekia and Ja’ire Hattley. The sisters are established experts in fashion, also offering styling services, image consulting, and personal shopping. Ja’ire’s mission is to be the definitive source for style and fashion by providing unique, high-end quality products and services and to be the premiere brand sought after when people desire to stand out, exude confidence, and set trends. For more information, visit www.JaireIC.com, www.Facebook.com/JaireIC,www.Twitter.com/JaireIC, or www.Youtube.com/JaireIC

Aside from Phoenix Fashion Week, Ja’ire accepted a spot as Emerging Designers to participate and be featured along side, Bri Sealey, in WWD Magic Las Vegas back in August. As a part of Phoenix Fashion Week, JA’IRE will be rocking the runway for the Breast Cancer cause at Fashionably Pink Celebrity Charity Fashion Show honoring Breast Cancer Survivors on October 1, 2013. Ja’ire was also featured on Actress Amanda Crew in LadyGunn magazine (see link below). Ja’ire will also be in People Magazine, Style Watch, Aug./Sept. 2013 issue. JA’IRE is becoming the brand to look out for!

“We feel that we truly represent what America is all about, living your dream. ” -JA’IRE

LadyGunn Magazine Amanda Crew Behind-the-Scenes video featuring JA’IRE’s Graffiti Samba Dress as the 1st look: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPNNqp77Icw

LA DESIGNER JA’IRE BRINGS EDGE TO THE PHOENIX RUNWAY

After an eight city tour, JA`IRE is selected as one of the 12 Emerging Designers to launch at Phoenix Fashion Week 2013

Los Angeles, CA (July 10, 2013) Ja’ire International Couture (JA’IRE) will make its debut at Phoenix Fashion Week 2013 in October. Competing with a host of other budding designers, JA’IRE was selected along with 11 other brands to showcase its collection during the 5th Annual Phoenix Fall Fashion Week. Distinguishing itself as a leader in the competition, the Los Angeles based company was voted “most likely to succeed as a brand” by a host of guests, media, and fashion industry professionals who attended the recent Phoenix Fashion Week Emerging Designer Challenge and press conference in Scottsdale, Arizona.

The designers were culled from a tour of the United States including Phoenix, Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, San Francisco, Salt Lake City, Las Vegas and St. Louis. The selected designers will now compete for a $10,000 prize package consisting of goods and services to help launch their brands. Sponsored by TONI & GUY, Zappos.com and Balluun.com (the global wholesale platform), “Emerging Designer Challenge” is an ideal platform for talented designers who are looking to introduce their collections to vendors and buyers nationwide. “Phoenix Fashion Week provides us with an exciting opportunity that new brands struggle to attain; to get the exposure and recognition from buyers, consumers, and press, essential for growth and to be successful in this industry” said JA’IRE Designer Nekia Hattley.

To show the versatility of the collection at the upcoming fashion show, JA’IRE will feature key pieces from its run of sexy, slinky, edgy, body hugging skirts and dresses and include one of their popular accessories, the “Shrug Glove.” This standout piece cohesively blends in with and compliments the other contemporary items in the collection, truly establishing JA’IRE as a ‘lifestyle’ brand. The line is comprised of opened-backed, 30’s inspired floor length dresses, mixed media prints, skirts trimmed with vintage lace or eyelet details, peek-a-boo slit front and back maxi dresses and skirts, razor back cut-out drop-waist dresses, and asymmetrical hemlines all designed for wearable versatility and made of high quality fabrications.

With timeless styles and on-trend details, the collection is sure to have strong sell-through and enduring appeal. JA’IRE seamlessly fashions the perfect brand for women of all ages who desire sexy but classy, with just the right amount of edge. Ja`ire International Couture Dare 2 Be Seen!

To shop the JA’IRE collection and connect with us, visit www.JaireIC.com, and follow us on Twitter and Facebook @JaireIC.

ABOUT PHOENIX FASHION WEEK

Phoenix Fashion Week is the premiere fashion industry event in Arizona. Phoenix Fashion Week’s core purpose is to push the Arizona fashion industry forward. The organization’s mission is to bridge designers and buyers together through our three pillars of fashion, education, and humanity. Through educational fashion seminars, year-round fashion events and charitable partnerships, Phoenix Fashion Week continues to gain rapid acclaim for its community service efforts and for infusing world-class innovation into the Southwest. For more information, visit www.phoenixfashionweek.com

For More Information, Contact:

media@jaireic.com

www.JaireIC.com

www.Facebook.com/JaireIC

www.Twitter.com/JaireIC

www.YouTube.com/JaireIC

www.Instagram.com/JaireIC

Ja'ire designers- sisters, Ja'ire and Nekia Hattley with Jadapa — Ja’ire designers- sisters, Ja’ire and Nekia Hattley with Jadapa