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Cognac chats with Classy Bride at the NYIG Fair at the Javits Center

Cognac chats with Owner and Designer William Zelowitz from Mother Plucker Feather Comany and Christine from Jazzdinc.com

NYC & Company, the City’s marketing, tourism and partnership organization, and GLM welcomed the 158th semiannual New York International Gift Fair (NYIGF). This event returned to New York City from January 30 to February 4, 2010 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center and Pier 94. The NYIGF, New York City’s largest trade show brought in more than 50,000 visitors from all 50 states and 85 countries. The semiannual wholesale market for gift, home and lifestyle merchandise also is expected to generate about 30,000 room-nights and $22.3 million in direct spending in New York City.

“Focus Forward NYIGF 2013,” a strategic reorganization of the New York International Gift Fair® (NYIGF®), comprising a series of considered changes to product categories and layout, was announced today by GLM. These changes, which will be implemented over the next three years, will position NYIGF as the defining marketplace for fashion-forward and design-driven home, gift and lifestyle resources.

Beginning in summer 2010, NYIGF’s Handmade will present two distinct categories of handcrafted merchandise: Designer Maker and Global Resources. NYIGF Handmade: Designer Maker will include some 360 designer-makers from across the United States and around the world, and Handmade: Global Resources will include some 200 imported resources featuring traditional designs and craftsmanship and Fair Trade production from around the world.

New York’s Newest, showcasing companies new to the New York market, will be reintroduced to NYIGF in summer 2010. The division, which will feature some 200 newcomers to the Fair, will be housed at Pier 92.

NYIGF is the nation’s premier gift, home and lifestyle marketplace, with 2,700 exhibiting companies featuring an extraordinary breadth and depth of design-driven home fashion products and complementary giftware. Some 31,000 attendees from all 50 states and more than 85 countries worldwide are expected.

In summer 2010, NYIGF runs Saturday, August 14, through Thursday, August 19, at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center and Passenger Ship Terminal Piers 92 and 94. Information and registration is available online at www.nyigf.com.

At the event I had time to chat with many brands including Classy Bride, Mother Plucker Feather Company, Inc. and Jazzd, Inc.

CLASSY BRIDES
After three weddings, three bachelorette parties and numerous showers, the Slavin sisters realized there was nothing available for the modern bride-to-be to wear during her last night out as a single girl. Desiring something stylish, contemporary and original to don on such an important and festive evening, the sisters put their thinking caps on and put their creativity to work. The first sister to be married adorned a ribbed tank top with “Bride” tastefully grazed across the chest in crystal rhinestones. For an added touch, the sister also wore panties with her groom’s name playfully embroidered across the front.

Tiffany, Bridget, & Allison

In early 2002, while working for their mother’s clothing manufacturing company, Allison Slavin and her two sisters, Bridget and Tiffany, created a small line of custom embroidered panties and cotton tanks adorned with crystals to give at their friend’s bridal showers. The panties and tanks were a smash at each party. This was the start of a new era in fashion for the modern bride-to-be and a fresh company called Classy Bride.

Soon after they opened an online store, retailers started calling and wanting to place orders. Realizing there was a demand for their products, the sisters took the Classy Bride line to market.

Within weeks of receiving the bridal line, many boutiques reordered and requested more items that would appeal too a broader range of woman. To accommodate their client’s wishes, Classy Bride launched their newest line of loungewear and lingerie in early 2004, Cotton Sisters. Cotton Sisters offers maternity loungewear and tanks, baby apparel, velour pajamas and cotton intimates.

In the past 5 years, over 500 stores have picked up the Classy Bride line including bridal salons, department stores, fine apparel shops, gift stores, and lingerie boutiques.

For more info please visit www.classybride.com

MOTHER PLUCKER FEATHER COMPANY, INC.

Mother Plucker Feather Company’s beautiful handcrafted Feather Angel Wings have been featured in movies, TV shows and magazine layouts. They know that angels come in all shapes, sizes and colors and are limited only by one’s imagination so their sizes range from Baby for infants and children to the dramatic XX-Large for adults.

All styles of Mother Plucker Feather Angel Wings can be ordered with Goose Feathers (smaller, softer whole feathers), Point Cut Turkey Feathers or Round Turkey Feathers (stiffer, larger feathers with clipped tips).

Additional accessories for completing an angel costume include Marabou Halos and Ankle Wings.

Their Feather Angel Wings are available in the following colors:
White, Black, Red, Purple, Light Pink, Lavender, Royal Blue, Candy Pink, Hot Pink and USA (a Red, White and Blue combination) have adorned Victoria Secret Models.

I had a chance to chat with owner and designer Willy Zelowitz who also designed feather garments for legendary Recording Artist Peggy Lee, Bette Midler in Vegas as well as many other famous celebrities to date Bruno at the MTV Awards.

for more info please visit http://www.motherplucker.com

JAZZD INC.

In 2002, Jazzd launched an exciting new collection of accessories that combined luxurious silks and beautifully rendered hand embellishments with unique and exciting designs. Today, Jazzd still celebrates fun, individuality and feminity through its stylish interpretation of current trends rendered in vivid colors and cutting edge styles. The inspiration behind Jazzd is to offer style and function at an affordable price. Each season they strive to bring you fresh, unique collections that reflect their philosophy.

Jazzd Inc. understands that in a world of instant gratification and cold hard technology there is an unspoken need to get back to the idea and ideal where things are made by hand – each item being passed through craftspersons who actually took pride and time to make something beautiful for the enjoyment of others. Their brilliant, hand-woven silks are crafted by artisan hands into handbags, jewelry pouches, cosmetic bags, lingerie bags and much more. These beautiful pieces are then painstakingly embellished with hand embroidery, beading, mother-of-pearl, horn and other natural materials. Each design is truly as delightful and personal as it is functional. Our collection does not spare detail and imagination .

For more info please visit www.jazzdinc.com

Until my next fashion event,
Pink Champagne Kisses
Cognac Wellerlane

Hello darlings, welcome back to Cognac’s Corner Magazine.

TV Host Cognac Wellerlane chats with Designers Paul Mayer, Michael Kaufman and sales Director Carlos J. Gavilanes at the Shoe Expo at the Hilton Hotel – Ms. Wellerlane’s stylist Patricia Parent www.tendergovingcare.com

The New York Shoe Expo is the largest footwear show on the U.S. East coast and features approximately 600 fashion footwear brands exhibiting in booths, international pavilions and FFANY Member showrooms. The aim of this exhibition is to create one marketplace in New York City, the fashion capital of the world, where exhibiting footwear manufacturers
and attending retailers can efficiently buy, sell and develop business networks.

Founded in 1979, The Fashion Footwear Association of New York, known as FFANY, is a non-profit trade association representing footwear manufacturers globally. FFANY?s mission is to promote and assist the common business interests of our members, who include over 300 footwear manufacturers, representing over 800 fashion footwear brands.

This year the event was held at the New York Hilton from February 2, 2010 to February 4, 2010.

I was pleased to interview a variety of designers displaying their shoe brands.

Paul Mayer Attitudes is a lovely shoe brand created and designed by Paul Mayer, a distinguished Frenchman who admits to bringing elegance and refinement to his consumers.

Paul Mayer comes from the world of couture shoes having designed his first collection bearing his name in 1980. “In my previous life,” he offers, “Diana Ross, Cher, all the girls wore my shoes.” The brand evolved as attitudes with women evolved and “Moods by Paul Mayer” emerged. Now as the brand has adapted to the mood of the country, “Attitudes by Paul Mayer” allows women to remain elegant with skimmers and ballet flats.

OVER 25 YEARS DESIGNING AND MANUFACTURING FINE WOMEN’S FOOTWEAR.

The Finest Ballet Flats and Ballerina Pumps

Women’s Favorites for 25 Years

Available in Hundreds of Material, Toe Shape and Sole Combinations

SOLD AT FINE SALONS AND BOUTIQUES
for more info please visit http://www.paulmayerattitudes.com/

Another important Brand is Diego di Lucca.

Owner Michael Kaufman chatted with me about his brand at the show.

his mission to provide the most innovative designs in women’s footwear.

Diego di Lucca places great emphasis on providing shoes that are not only beautiful and stylish, but comfortable and unique.

Their shoes embody the look, feel, and style from the leading fashion centers from all over the world.

The brand focuses on capturing current fashions, and on setting new trends that push the industry to new levels.

Their goal is to have their customers get to know their creative edge and their unique designs concepts.

The Diego di Lucca family invites you to contact them to learn more about our exciting company.

Please contact http://www.diegodilucca.com for more info on the brand.

Last but not least I interviewed Carlos J. Gavilanes who has worked for the Lilita Brand for two years.

The Lilita Leather Collection is a new brand founded by 2 Venezualan sisters, Carolina and Franzia Lopez.   Their goal is to “develop into a loved, adored, and desired brand, so that customers will search for styles from the Lilita Collection.” [LilitaShoes].  Their collection is hot, sexy, alluring like a Miami Night yet soft and feminine.

The brand offers a variety of styles including flats, wedges, pumps and boots for today’s trendsetters, fashionistas and career women.

Until my next fashion event,
Pink Champagne Kisses
Cognac Wellerlane

Hello darlings, welcome back to Cognac’s Corner Magazine.

Joan and Melissa Rivers

“How You Doin” Talk Show Host Wendy Williams, who is famous for her oversized hair and statuesque figure seemed low key in Joan Rivers’ huge great room Tuesday night. Williams make an appearance at the book signing party Rivers hosted for her daughter, Melissa, in her Upper East Side apartment. Hoda Kotb, Rosanna Scotto, Deborah Norville, Robin Quivers, WNBC’s Megan Meany and LXTV’s Sara Gore gathered with Bernadette Peters and Donnie Deutsch to celebrate Melissa’s “Red Carpet Ready: Secrets for Making the Most of Any Moment You’re in the Spotlight.” Melissa and I am sure Joan Rivers will be at a signing today at Borders at Time Warner Center.

Until my next celebrity gossip darlings,

Pink Champagne Kisses
Cognac Wellerlane

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Joy Behar

Joy Behar retrieved her beloved cellphone through a connection with the Rev. Al Sharpton. A homeless woman found the phone on her way to the Salvation Army and called Behar’s boyfriend, Steve Janowitz, at their home. When Janowitz met the woman to retrieve the phone, she remarked, “I knew it was important because Al Sharpton’s phone number was on it.” Janowitz gave the good Samaritan a cash reward.

Until my next celebrity gossip darlings,

Pink Champagne Kisses
Cognac Wellerlane

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Nicole Scherzinger

The latest scoop is that Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger is set to do a live performance at Allison Melnick’s Studio 54-inspired, Svedka Adult Playground party at Playhouse in Los Angeles this evening . . . Hot off the press, more news the Jets’ Calvin Pace and the Houston Texans’ Tutan Reyes will make an appearance at the Super Bowl-viewing party and buffet at SHO Shaun Hergatt at the Setai on Broad Street.

Until my next celebrity gossip darlings,

Pink Champagne Kisses
Cognac Wellerlane

Hello darlings, welcome back to Cognac’s Corner Magazine.

Cast of “Jersey Shore” and Anna Wintour

Ghast!!!!!!!!!! Highpower Vogue Editor Anna Wintour just might be sitting front-row next to “Jersey Shore” bimbo Jenni “JWoww” Farley at Fashion Week?

It could happen — fashion insiders are gossiping that “Jersey Shore” cast members are demanding tickets to shows during Fashion Week, which starts Feb. 11. And one of their managers claims the designers are actually reaching out to them.

MORE: THERE’S A SITUATION WITH HIS TRADEMARK

That means the MTV reality stars, including JWoww, Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi, Sammi “Sweetheart” Giancola, Paul “DJ Pauly D” Delvecchio, Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino, Ronnie Ortis-Magro and Vinnie Guadagnino could be plopping down beside fashion’s elite and A-list stars.

Michael Schweiger, who manages all the cast members except Polizzi, says at least three designers have actually approached them — particularly Farley and Giancola — to attend or even model in some of the Bryant Park runway shows.

Some fear that buzz over the “Jersey Shore” stars could take the focus away from the collections. Last February, Ashley Dupre became the event’s biggest story when she turned up in the front row at Yigal Azrouel’s show. “Every level of pop culture has come to Fashion Week,” said celebrity stylist Mary Alice Stephenson.

If the “Jersey” stars do make the Fashion Week rounds, some insiders are urging them to bring their signature style to the tents. “They should dress exactly the way they always do and not change a hair or hair gel or tone down the tan,” said Allure’s editor-in-chief, Linda Wells. “They’re perfect as is.”

Others disagreed, saying they should smarten up their act. “If they’re going to a designer’s show, the nicest thing they can do is wear the designer’s clothes,” said Paul Wilmot, who reps Tommy Hilfiger and Oscar de la Renta. “No wife-beaters, no baggy jeans. Dress up and act like ladies and gentlemen. And invest in a good haircut.”

Until my next celebrity gossip,
Pink Champagne kisses
Cognac Wellerlane

Hello darlings, welcome back to Cognac’s Corner Magazine.

Mena Suvari

Engaged and waiting to wed Mena Suvari and her fiancé, music promoter Simone Sestito, who are to wed in Rome, sources report. The couple, who got engaged in July 2008, were overheard finalizing details for their planned summer wedding in the Eternal City while at the Library Bar at the Paramount Hotel. The “American Beauty” star also had a fitting for her wedding dress with friend and Alice + Olivia designer Stacey Bendet.

Until my next celebrity gossip,
Pink Champagne kisses
Cognac Wellerlane