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Hello darlings, welcome back to Cognac’s Corner Magazine.
Cognac Wellerlane – Photography by Shane Gritzinger
You all won’t be hearing from me in about a week. I am off to the most romantic city in the world Paris, France. I will be visiting the Historical Places of Interest The Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, Arc De Triomphe, Pompidou Centre, Sacre Coeur and Montmartre
Museums and Galleries – Orsay Museum, The Louvre
We will also be visiting onDay Trips from Paris - Versailles and Trianons, Chartes, Mont St. Michel, Amboise, Fontainebleau
And of course darlings I will also be enjoying Paris’s spectacular nightlife. My itinerary includes Maxim’s de Paris, The Lido Paris, Moulon Rouge, a dinner cruise on the Seine around Paris, French nightclubs including a Drag club and possibly a few fashion shows with my press Photographer Shane Gritzinger. This will be my last post for the week. I will return with more stories, gossip, fashion, photos and videos darling, that’s right we will be filming for the show on location “My Paris Trip.”
Pink Champagne Kisses or as the French say
Au revoir darlings,
Cognac Wellerlane
Hello darlings, welcome back to Cognac’s Corner Magazine.
Cognac Chats with Patrick McDonald, Angel Marlow and TV Host Christina Ha – Video by Lorenzo Esquivel
I had a chance in between shows to chat with some of the wonderful people that come every year to report, see and enjoy the shows at Mercedes Bens Fashion Week.
Impeccably dressed, perfectly groomed and always a pleasure to speak to, Patrick McDonald is a permanent fixture at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week every year. If Patrick is not there than you know there is something quite wrong and it just wouldn’t be Fashion Week without Patrick McDonald! Each season, I always have a chance to speak to Patrick about his favorite shows and his overall reaction to the latest trends in Fashion.
Patrick McDonald, better known as “Dandy” to fashionistas everywhere, has been at the top of the New York social scene since his debut at Studio 54, He and his twin brother were born in Heidelburg, Germany to American parents and returned to the United States aboard the SS United States. The bicoastal McDonald spent his earlier years in California and soon after attended Punahou Academy Prep in Hawaii. To further his education, he enrolled at Pepperdine University in Malibu, California and graduated with a BA in Fine Arts. Yearning for culture, glamour and the outrageous, McDonald moved to New York during the heyday of Studio 54 in the 1970’s and began working as a model. He quickly learned the ins and outs of the fashion industry and his love of high fashion led him to Fiorucci and then to Barney’s as an assistant buyer of the European collections. He also held the couture director position at Fabrice and worked with Upper East Side couturier John Anthony for many years. In addition to working at prestigious fashion houses and retailers, McDonald has become a published writer, holding several columns in trendy high-fashion magazines. He was the lifestyle editor of Arude magazine since 1998, and since 2001 writes the “Highbrow” column for Paper Magazine. Photographers love to catch McDonald in action at New York hotspots and celebrity events. He has appeared in PAPER, Detour, New York, Numero, SoHo Style, Surface, The New York Times lifesstyle section, Sportswear International, Russian Vogue and many more. McDonald is also featured in the upcoming book “The Style Makers” and has been voted one of Gotham Magazine’s 100 Best Dressed New Yorkers. In recent years, Patrick was asked to join a number of high profile celebrities and designers such as Pink, Missy Elliot, Diane von Furstenberg and more in creating a card for MAC cosmetics that was included in a deck that was auctioned off for charity.++++
In between breaks Christina Ha spoke to me about Fashion Week and how much she adores Michael Kors.
From Kenneth Cole to Karl Lagerfeld, Christina Ha has interviewed all the top designers in the fashion world and the editors, retailers and celebrities who covet their clothes.
As a TV host and correspondent for FULL FRONTAL FASHION, Christina follows the latest looks on today’s hottest runways and profiles the designers who make it all happen. “Full Frontal Fashion” is seen on NYC-TV in New York and nationally on the Ultra HD channel/Dish Network and on the WE: Women’s Entertainment network.
Prior to joining the FULL FRONTAL FASHION team, Christina covered the New York food and restaurant scene for the Metro Channel. Her work earned her a James Beard Award nomination for Best Local TV Food Reporting in 2000.
A University of Maryland graduate, Christina has also worked as an Entertainment Reporter for the E! channel, the Home & Lifestyle Reporter for New York 1 News and as a Community Affairs Reporter for WNYE-TV. Her broadcast career began behind the scenes at CBS Radio Networks and WCBS Newsradio 880.
Hello darlings, welcome back to Cognac’s Corner Magazine.
Luca Luca Spring 2009
Cognac chats with Supermodel Carol Alt, Soap Star Rebecca Budig and Creative Director Raul Melgoza – Video by Lorenzo Esquivel
The Spring 2009 collection has a whole new concept emphasizing on the cut, shape and flow of the fabrics. When designing the line new Creative Director Raul Melgoza’s preference was in classic silhouette instead of gimmicky trends.
Melgoza chose to use embellishment sparingly and opted for the most luxurious fabrics for designing the Spring season’s collection.
Some of the pieces were in neutral hues of white and gunmetal gray, my favorite was the one-shoulder, bias-cut gown in white satin that flowed like silvery Liquid
I chatted backstage with Creative Director Raul Melgoza and inquired “What was the inspiration for this collection?” “As new creative director I wanted to look at what made Luca Luca the brand that it became and it was sexy clothing that accentuated the body but I wanted to move forward and what I did was utilize that idea of the body but made it in a more youthful sportswear driven way,” he revealed.
Hello darlings, Welcome back to Cognac’s Corner Magazine.
Fashion Designer Malan Breton and Cognac Wellerlane pose for a photo-op Photography by Lorenzo Esquivel
Designers Count Vlad, Malan Breton and Cognac Wellerlane – Photography by Lorenzo Esquivel
Designer Esther Nash – Photo by Lorenzo Esquivel
Photographer Lorenzo Esquivel, Bravo Realty TV Star Alex McCord, Designer Malan Breton, Simon Van Kempen and Cognac Wellerlane
Designers Count Vlad and Rosemary Ponzo pose for a photo-op at the Malan Breton Spring 2009 show – photo by Lorenzo Esquivel
Designer Count Vlad, Cognac Wellerlane and Model Ronnie Kroell – Photo by Lorenzo Esquivel
Malan Breton Spring 2009 Mercedes Benz Fashion Week – Photos by Lorenzo Esqivel
Malan Breton’s inspiration for Spring 2009 comes from the five essential elements, Earth, Water, Fire, Air anad Metal. The collaboration of these specific elements provides the collection with perfect harmony because of the consistency of utter Hollywood Glamour.
Malan’s Fine Jewelry Collection combines precious and semi precious stones that are set in precious metal and silver and will stand the test of time. Vibrant shades of Amethyst, Aquamarine Blue Topaz are significant.
Cognac Chats with Malan Breton Backstage – Video by Lorenzo Esquivel
Cognac chats with Designer Esther Nash, Model Ronnie Kroell and Sweat Pea from Project Runway – Video by Lorenzo Esquivel
Ideas for the shapes for Spring 2009 were inspired by Malan’s muse Moviestars Dame Julie Andrews in the cult classic film “Star.” Wardrobe for the film was designed by the legendary Costume Designer Donald Brooks.
Hello darlings, Welcome back to Cognac’s Corner Magazine.
Sergio Davila Spring 2009
Sergio Davila Spring 2009
South American Designer Sergio Davila created his fashion brand from a tiny boutique in lower Manhattan much like Coco Chanel he wore many hats including tailoring designing and marketing his designs.
Cognac chats backstage with Designer Sergio Davila – Video by Lorenzo Esqivel
Davia’s knits, for both men and women were his strong points but the line was mostly about menswear. I simply adored number nine a black silk & baby alpaca “destrozado” top and black baggy trouser. His collection has tremendous potential but needs work.
At the moment the collection is fresh and certainly wearable thus commercially marketable. I would love to see more of a women’s line.
Hello darlings, welcome back to Cognac’s Corner Magazine.
Joanna Mastroianni Spring 2009
Joanna Mastroianni Designs are famous for dressing the soap stars — including Soap Dva Susan Lucci! Her collections are always luxurious and glamorous, depicting feminine allure which is why so many celebrities wear her dresses on the red carpet. Mastroianni’s Spring ‘09 collection showcased daytime ensembles in tropical fruity citrus shades like chartreuse and bright tangerine.
Cognac chats with Designer Joanna Mastroianni Backstage Video by Mauro Botero
I interviewed Joanna backstage to find out what her inspiration was for this season. “Tony Duquette,” she revealed. Duquette’s Designs were always over the top, extravagant and whimsically luxurious. Mastroianni combined these same details to create her own signature collection for Spring 2009.
Until my next celebrity fashion event darlings,
Hello darlings, welcome back to Cognac’s Corner Magazine.
Anna Sui Spring 2009
I attended the Anna Sui Spring 2009 collection on Tuesday evening. My colleague Alison Blackman from advicesisters.net was unable to attend due to a prior engagement and asked if I would attend in her place. Gladly I was happy to oblige.
Cognac interviews backstage at Anna Sui – Video by Mauro Botero
It was my first Anna Sui show and I was excited to see the collection. Sui wowed her fashion audience with sexy models and even hotter prints at her Spring/Summer 2009 runway show at Bryant Park. Agyness Deyn, Jessica Stam, and Lily Donaldson did the catwalk on the runway efortlessly in resort wear in Mexican, American Indian and South American influenced dresses that she later confessed to me backstage was her inspiration for the collection. The embellishment-heavy collection features embroidery, ribbons, and fanciful trims paired with whimsical floral patterns and brightly colored Erickson Beamon costume jewelry. Think Matador in black lace pagentry. Simply marvelous darlings.
Hello darlings, welcome back to Cognac’s Corner Magazine.
Alexandre Herchcovitch Spring 2009
Brazilian Designer Alexandre Herchcovitch unveiled his beautiful Spring 2009 collection to much enthusiasm.
Cognac Wellerlane interviews backstage – Video by Mauro Botero
Herchcovitch collaborated military attires where East meets West combining influences from the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Turkey, India and Pakistan to create westernized looks that can be ultimitely explained as sophisticated and chic.
His silhouettes were architecturally sculpted yet draped in fluid splendor.
Hello darlings, welcome back to Cognac’s Corner Magazine.
Cognac Interviews Backstage at Betsey Johnson Spring 2009 – Video by Mauro Botero
Over the top and dressed like Peter Pan, Betsey Johnson was at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week to showcase her Spring 2009 collection and to entertain granddaughter number two. The show was total theatrics bordering on the theme of pirates-meets-Peter Pan. This unusual Grandma displayed her models wearing neon bright pastel shaded pageboy wigs, hoop-skirted dresses in kiddie-nursery prints, Victorian jackets, bathing suits, intarsia sweaters, va-va-voom corsets, and tie-dyed maxi dresses magically enchanting the audience. Backstage I asked, “Betsey what was your inspiration?” My grandaughter,” she enthusiastically replied.
Hello darlings, welcome back to Cognac’s Corner Magazine.
Rosa Cha Spring 2009
Are you ready to Cha Cha for 2009! Rosa Cha’s swimwear collection displayed beachwear for this coming Spring and the beaches of St. Tropez during the winter holidays.
One shoulder, cutaways, v-neck, and more. The swimwear can make the change from poolside to cabana to inside and still retain the glam. Rosa Cha showed some bikinis with the requisite Swarovski crystals
Cognac interviews Nigel Barker, Bravo Realty TV Star Alex McCord and Designer Amir Slama – Video by Mauro Botero
Until my next Mercedes Benz Spring 2009 Fashion event darlings,
