Designer Interviews | Fashion Pulse Daily - Part 3

Designer Interviews

February 16, 2012

Dana Maxx for SS12: A Female Powerhouse

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[Bianca “Aldana” Halter Dress, $340]

It’s not every day that one gets to sit down to a one-on-one with a strong, innovative female designer and pick her effortlessly cool brain. Lucky for us at FPD, we had the opportunity to meet Dana-Maxx Pomerantz, a recent winner of Polyvore and FIT’s Emerging Designer Series Contest. The contemporary ready-to-wear designer understands fearless fashion and the feeling of certainty that jibes when clothing is simply put, meticulously you.

[Zoey “Casp” Dress, $340]

[Claudia “Sarria” Blouse, $210, Olivia “Tasso” Skirt, $330]

Dana-Maxx’s Spring 2012 collection was inspired by Barcelona, a city known for its individuality and its unabridged physical beauty. She combined architecture and striking “juicy, yummy” colors to create a line as full of history and cultural descent as the city itself.

With a strong focus on day dresses and other no bother pieces, the brand fills a (serious) void for women’s easy, citified workwear. Architectural necklines and geometric shapes give strength to an otherwise relaxed collection.

[James “Lepant” Dress, $340]

“I love designing clothing that let women feel strong, vibrant and fearless in when they wear the clothing,” the designer explains. “Also, this sort of no fuss attitude; women want a lot of bang for their buck today…. (they want) easy, effortless pieces that are unique but can transition into various seasons.”

Here’s to clothing you’ll feel strong and individual in, and to a woman who gets it, and delivers it!

Shop the Dana-Maxx label online or find a store that carries the line in your city. Dresses and separates retail from $98-$425 while accessories go for $58-$100.

-Alana Quagliariello

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December 12, 2011

Evyan Metzner, SELF Magazine’s Fashion Director, Discusses Styling, Internships, And Fanny Packs

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[All images courtesy of Condé Nast]

SELF Magazine‘s Fashion Director, Evyan Metzner, knows a thing or two about conducting a successful photo shoot.  With over 20 years of industry experience, Metzner travels all over the world to conduct shoots for SELF, Teen Vogue, Vanity Fair, New York Magazine, and InStyle.  She’s worked with  Beyonce, Jennifer Aniston, Jennifer Hudson, Gwyneth Paltrow, Carrie Underwood, Kristen Bell, Taylor Swift, and more, with some of the shoots she’s styled pictured below. FPD was able to get the skinny from Metzner, for you aspiring stylists out there, what its like to be a stylist and how to prepare for a styling career.

FPD: Most people want to know how to jump start a styling career, let alone become a fashion director; what sound advice might you give them to follow to make their dream a reality?

EM: “First, I’d suggest reading, looking at, and watching fashion and style magazines and blogs, whether in print or on the iPad.  See what you like and respond to: are you more of a full fledge fashion girl or do you like more lifestyle-like magazines, like SELF?  What designers do you like?  What photographers do you like?  I’d also suggest following different editors on Twitter.  And then intern, intern, intern.  It is still the best way to get your foot in the door.  While interning, see if you want to style (work with photographers and models on shoots), or want to be a market editor (they call in the clothes and accessories from designers & PR firms).  And then take a look at the mastheads of the magazines you love.  Find the editors’ email addresses or send them letters to ask for a meeting with their assistants.  Its also important to understand that we all don’t start out in this industry doing exactly what we want to in the beginning.  It’ll take a lot of energy and there is a lot of hard work, like packing and unpacking…and packing and unpacking.  Most importantly, though — don’t give up!”

FPD: What would you say are some elements to look for, take note of, and analyze, when looking at editorial shoots in magazines, in order to become a novice (or better)  stylist? Continue reading…

December 6, 2011

Eleanor Lambert: Still Here by John A. Tiffany

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[John A. Tiffany]

Fashion historian, author and lecturer John A. Tiffany was mentored early in his career by working for Eleanor Lambert, who is considered  THE pioneer of public relations, as well as credited with many monumental events and organizations still in place today, such as the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA). A true visionary who led a  fascinating life and incredibly long, fruitful career, Miss Lambert’s story has never been told before, until now, with Tiffany’s first book, Eleanor Lambert: STILL HERE. Fashion Pulse Daily was honored to interview John A. Tiffany about the experience of writing the book, and his personal interactions with Miss Lambert. Read below for a look into the life of a legend; although she has been gone since 2003, her legacy continues on in print form, thanks to John A. Tiffany.

FPD: What was the main catalyst that drove you to write “Eleanor Lambert: Still Here”?

JT: “I first started working for Miss Lambert, I was familiar with MANY of the things she did or so I thought… but as time went on I discovered more and more of the things she created, people she discovered and talent she nurtured and things she represented.  I had a passion to let people know all the things that she did!  I think the final straw was when my friend — celebrity photographer Karl Giant said (for the 100th time) you have got to write these things down!  My friend Jessie Barth always says  “John, you have to tell the story of our pioneer!””

FPD: Miss Lambert was obviously way ahead of her time and an incredible visionary in the realm of public relations; her decades-long career and reaching the ripe age of 100 is such a feat in itself. Working alongside her in the 1990s, what do you see as some of the reasons that can attest to her success?

JT: “Miss Lambert actually didn’t believe in luck; she believed in destiny and she believed in hard work!  I have always had incredible bosses – all successful ad hard working, but Miss Lambert really was he hardest working person I ever worked for – she didn’t waste time – she was very focused and very busy, I always felt that she had a lot of ideas brewing in her mind.  She totally knew who she was, she had no doubts about what she wanted to do — and what she was going to do and she kept doing it until she achieved it.  She was very focused.”

[A young Eleanor Lambert]

FPD: A quote from your book, that quotes Miss Lambert, “You must always be alert and see the things right in front of you that are not done and should be done.” Such simple, yet sound advice! Could you give an example of something like this that you recall happened while working with her?

JT: “Well of course that applied to the great things she created such as the Costume Institute which she helped start in the 1930s and the Costume Institute Gala which she started in 1948, or creating the first Fashion Week in 1943 or the Council of Fashion Designers of America in 1962; but also it referred to people – fashion designers or interior designers or any of her clients!  She liked to work with people – she wasn’t a big fan of big corporations.  She was always looking for new talent – people who needed her help and of course if she liked them she would help them – whether or not they could afford it!  She was always going to see a new designer somewhere.  I recall she was always interested in helping people out, she could get anyone and I mean ANYONE on the phone in minutes – making connections, she would and all parties would be the better for it.  Miss Lambert would consider that being alert — helping people who needed it!”

FPD: If there is one thing that Miss Lambert could go down in the history books for, what would you think her most significant contribution to fashion should be noted as (or what she would most likely want it to be)?
Continue reading…

September 22, 2011

FashionPulseDaily Featured on Naya Shoes: How Do You Naya?

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We’ve been a huge fan of the eco-minded  footwear brand Naya ever since they launched over a year ago, hence it was an honor to be featured on Naya’s blog, The Green Room this past week! Here’s the interview, and please check out their blog, as well as fabulous fall 2011 footwear offerings!

How do you like to relax?

Usually at night, once the computer has been turned off is my “me” time, and I love to indulge in a lavender foot bath, flipping through a hot-off-the-presses issue of a magazine, and watching old movies. Lately, I’ve been going through 1960s and 1970s Warren Beatty flicks; I just love him and Faye Dunaway in Bonnie & Clyde!

How do you help soften your footprint on our earth?

Every day I think about this, and am amazed at how much garbage my household of two humans and one cat can produce, despite recycling as much as possible. Besides conserving water by keeping it off while brushing teeth, taking quick showers, etc, I try to get as much second or third time use out of plastic and paper bags, tissue paper and bubble wrap as possible. As a fashion and beauty editor I have a high volume of packages coming in and out, so if I can find ore than a one-time use for them, it’s terrific. My cat, Micia, loves playing in the cardboard boxes, more so than any toy we’ve ever gotten for her, so we occasionally let her keep a few.

Sleep is a huge part of renewing your mind body and soul. What is your routine before going to sleep each night? Any tips on how to sleep soundly?

I try to have a break in between working and heading straight to bed or my mind will be racing when I lie down; night time is usually when I get to do some book-reading, a routine I’ve done all my life, as it seems to help my mind and body relax and prepare for rest. I also have some lavender mist and lavender temple cream that helps lull me into a calm state (can you tell I like lavender?).

What is your favorite drink to help you relax?

I occasionally have caffeine-free mint tea, but also feel really great doing some ‘juice’. Pureed watermelon is a delicious juice and great source of Vitamin C, and I’m also big on green juices. I’ve recently started using the powdered form from Amazing Grass which comes in great flavors, but love getting a fresh blend that includes cucumber, green apple, spinach, parsley, pear, lemon, and ginger.

Do you have a favorite song that helps you renew yourself?

If I’m down, I feel like I can always endure by listening to “Bittersweet Symphony” by The Verve. I also tend to crank Death Cab for Cutie and Nirvana (while of course singing along, obnoxiously loud in the solace of my apartment or a car).

Do you participate in any outdoor activities that renew your mind, body or spirit?

Yes! Summer is my absolute favorite season, and I can’t get enough of being outdoors. I recently brought my childhood bike back to New York City, so I’ve been riding around on some weekends and weekdays which feels much better than hitting the gym. I also am big on kayaking, and am grateful that NYC offers free kayaking on the river in several locations.

What is your favorite Naya shoe and why?

For fall 2011, I am loving the stylish versatility of the Naya Quail boot. It definitely is one of those boots you can comfortably wear all day long thanks to the wedge heel, and transition easily to the evening. My hypothesis is that it is going to be one of the best selling styles this fall!

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