FIT trained and New York City based designer Mishka Velasco was born at the Panama Canal - the dividing boundary between two worlds. Perhaps it is fitting then that her 2013 New York Fashion Week runway show, titled Harmless Sociopaths, seemed to straddle two worlds with an 'accountant by day, Bacardi by night' type of aesthetic. Fairly modest black dresses and bright pastels that could be worn to work or a daytime social function were met on the runway with BDSM-influenced, latex clad models. The juxtaposition of the two was interesting, and while creative, I don't feel it enhanced the designers core product.
Velasco's look book, available at http://www.mischkavelasco.com/ shows a creative, ready-to-wear collection for women and men. Perhaps I'm too much a traditionalist, but I won't have preferred a more straightforward presentation of what the designer sells to her customers without the Fifty Shades of Grey slant. Mishka Velasco has an urban, eclectic feel to her designs, which should appeal easily to those fashionistas with a downtown vibe.
Upcoming artist Dani Atkinson performed live at The Chance theater in Poughkeepsie, NY. A native of upstate New York, this was Atkinson's first performance at The Chance. The pop/rock/country artist performed to a sold out home crowd who were very receptive to her short set on the evening of Saturday, August 17, 2013.
Atkinson is a talented young singer with a set of pipes that can compete with the biggest female songstresses. Not surprisingly, one of Dani's biggest influences at a young age was Whitney Houston. While Atkinson's style is markedly differently than Houston's - more of a folksy, rocky pop style - one can clearly see how the singer's powerful vocals take a cue from Whitney. As an example, Dani dared to take on the challenging pop ballad, Heart Attack by Demi Lovato - in an acoustic set, with no back-up singers!
Her original singles - Right in Front of Your Face and Dismissed - are catchy, radio-ready songs with a blend of heartfelt, soulful melodies and high powered vocal crescendos. Inspired by a personal experience with love lost, the songs are raw, emotional and relatable.
Check out the video and follow Dani on Twitter (@daniatkinson), Facebook and YouTube.
It is fitting that Maaji Swimwear hit the runways in Miami for the 2013 Mercedes Benz Fashion Week SWIM with a fun and flirty pirate themed show. While the 'pirate' models are certainty more sexy than scary, the show is historically correct in harkening back to a time when pirates roamed the waters from the coast of the Carolinas and Florida down through the Carribean islands.
Maaji Swimwear is the product of sisters Manuela and Amalia Sierra hailing from Medellin, Colombia and the swimwear is produced in this fast growing country. Their brand is all about providing one of a kind pieces that surprise the discerning fashionista. Each collection carrying a magical, surreal theme. But don't let the theatrics fool you, these swimsuits, biknis, beach dresses and men's swim trunks are well designed, with vivid colors and exquisite attention to details.
As someone of Colombian heritage myself, I am very proud to see such amazing design work - dare I call it swimwear couture - coming from Colombia. To learn more about the Maaji brand, visit their website at www.maajiswimwear.com
Credits:
Photography: Seks Wilson for VIVE Katerin, LLC
Lourdes “Luli” Hanimian and her brother in law Agosto Hanimian are the designers behind the LULI FAMA swimwear brand. Born in Cuba, but raised in Miami, the designers bring together a mix of eclectic colors, prints and styles. From brightly hued bikinis to crochet sun dresses, the silhouette is always form-fitting and sexy.
