Have you ever wondered what a model thinks about before stepping onto the runway? I caught model Madeline Berl literally right before she stepped onto the runway for designer Wanda Beauchamp at the Art Hearts Fashion show.
Madeline was the closing model for designer Wanda Beauchamp and I must say that she looked absolutely stunning! When I saw her walk down the runway, I was in awe. She looked like she just walked out of a magical garden. She really made us feel like we were in a fairytale.
This is one of my favorite times of the year! To celebrate, I’m sharing my behind the scenes exclusive with supermodel Farah Zulaikha.
Farah is one of the most open, edgiest yet sweetest models that I know. When I was first thinking of creating my fashion blog, I didn’t know where to start. I remember walking into the makeup room at New York Fashion Week and finding Farah. I knew that I wanted to start a fashion blog but i didn’t know if I was truly ready. I ran the idea by Farah to see what she thought of it. Farah loved the idea and encouraged me to just start… all while getting her makeup done!
Would you believe two years later, we had our exclusive interview in that same make up room?!
The video above shows my exclusive behind the scenes look with Supermodel Farah Zulaikha while she was getting ready for designer Alexandra- Popescu-York’s fashion show in New York City.
It’s that time of year again! New York Fashion Week is right around the corner, school’s back in session…and models from all over the world come into New York City to audition to be in the big Victoria’s Secret fashion show!
Last year I blogged about what it was like to be at the Victoria’s Secret castings. This year, I didn’t know what to expect. I only had 20 minutes to be there. But what can you really do with 20 minutes? Little did I know that in that short amount of time, I was able to meet Victoria’s Secret model Sadie Newman. Some may call it destiny and some may just say it’s a coincidence, but last year Sadie was the first picture in my Victoria’s Secret post. Now a year later, she’s posing with me in the middle of Manhattan.
If the Jenny last year could see the Jenny this year, she’d be shocked. So much has changed in my life, it’s incredible. Many of you have been asking where I’ve been… The truth is I took the summer to refocus on myself. Just a few days ago, I received the sweetest phone call from one of my original models, Shinice Kelly. She told me that she is actually putting her first fashion show together in March. It really touched my heart to hear what an impact my blog had on her life. It’s moments like those that really remind me how important my blog is.
So with that, I just want to thank you for all of your love and support.
You can read last year’s post about what it was like to be at the Victoria’s Secret casting auditions here.
Did you have a chance to watch the Royal Wedding? From walking down the aisle to seeing the way that they looked into each other’s eyes, it was a wedding out of a fairytale. To celebrate, I thought it was the perfect time to share Alina Petra’s evening gown collection with you. Did you know that it was inspired by the Royal Wedding?!
When you need a little inspiration, put on a beautiful dress and channel your inner Princess.
Ever since I was little, my mom used to dress me up in beautiful dresses and make me feel like a Princess. When I saw Alina Petra’s evening gown collection, I felt like I was in a dream. I remember sitting at Style Fashion Week in awe. Each model who walked down the runway looked like she walked right out of a story book.
Designed in Los Angeles, Alina’s gowns are made from Italian lace. While this is her first evening gown collection, she’s been known for her sexy swimwear. She’s turned the beach into a runway with her steamy bathing suits. “This is my first evening gown collection and a definitely big step forward from being only a swimwear designer.” – Alina Petra
Personally, I think it’s inspiring to see her try something new and design evening gowns. I like how she channeled her energy into creating chic yet romantic looks. I can help but imagine what it would be like to walk down a grand staircase or attend a lavish garden party in one of her gowns.
Get to know more about designer Alina Petra and her collection through our exclusive interview:
Jenny Alweiss (Jenny A.): What was the inspiration behind this collection?
Alina Petra: The Royal Wedding. I wanted to create a very chic and romantic look.
Jenny A.: What was your biggest challenge with this collection?
Alina Petra: The only real challenge was moving the gowns from LA, where they were made to NY. I was freaking out though the entire flight thinking that my dresses are ruined!
Jenny A.: What made you decide to design evening gowns?
Alina Petra: Designing gowns was my longtime dream, so it was about time to start doing it instead of dreaming it.
Jenny A.: When did you first become a designer? How long have you been a designing for?
Alina Petra: I basically started making clothes at age 5 for my dolls, but professionally I have been doing it for about 3 years
Jenny A.: What was your favorite memory from your fashion show at Style Fashion Week?
Alina Petra: Style Fashion Week was an amazing experience for me! Mainly, because how they made me feel during the preparation for the show when things got very stressful and were feeling like everything could go wrong. But I had so much fun instead. Everyone was very cool and supportive.
I want to hear from you! What did you think about the Royal Wedding? Be sure to subscribe to my blog and follow my blog’s Instagram @newstylemode
Are you getting ready for summer? Check out Alina Petra’s swimwear collection at https://alinapetra.com/
Model Carley Beck’s hair is crimped for designer Alexandra Popescu-York at New York Fashion Week
Happy St. Patrick’s Day! This season I decided I wanted to switch it up and try something new. Usually I ask fashion models questions that I come up with during New York Fashion Week. This time, I wanted to make it a little fun and asked my friends to come up with questions that they were dying to know about fashion models.
My friend, Mara from the Upper West Side wanted to know : Does all of the runway prep – like dressing up and getting your hair and makeup done – take away from the fun of doing it on your own free time? Watch the video to find out!
Thank you so much for your question Mara!
A little backstory behind the video:
I was behind the scenes at Couture Fashion Week when I saw model Carley Beck getting her hair crimped for her next fashion show. While I’ve seen different crimping videos online, I’ve never scene it in person. So I wanted to get an up close view. I started talking with Carley and we really connected. When we exchanged Instagram accounts, I was so surprised. I was already following her! I looked up and saw that she had the same look across her face. Apparently she recognized my logo and was already following me too! It was so funny! While we didn’t figure out exactly how we know each other, I have a pretty good feeling that it was probably through all my work at past New York Fashion Weeks.
Watch Carley getting her hair crimped by hairstylist Ramika Guillory:
I want to hear from you! What do you think about the crimped hairstyle? Be sure to subscribe to my blog and follow my blog’s Instagram @newstylemode
For more of Carley’s fashion adventure, you can follow her on Instagram @carley_beck
Active wear isn’t just for the gym anymore; it’s becoming the new fashion statement. From cute sports bras to chic leggings, athleisure is the “out of the day.” To sum it all up, athleisure is basically fashionable clothing that is made for working out. But you don’t have you don’t have to workout while wearing it, you can wear it anywhere – sitting in class, taking a walk or just hanging out with friends.
During New York Fashion Week, I saw Janelle FUNARI New York’s performance wear on the runway at Couture Fashion Week. It’s modern. It’s sexy. It’s stylish. Oh, and it just so happens to be designed for the “city warrior” A.K.A the busy New York City girl. Which is what I am.
Designer Janelle Funari (middle)
How cute?! Some of the models walked onto the runway with adorable little pugs. They were wearing designer outfits from Janelle FUNARI New York, showing off the collection’s fashionable dog apparel. Just imagine… you and your dog can look stylish together! #twins
Model Bre Gail (left) ; Model Aislinn Ennis (right)
While I typically don’t walk out of the house in just a sports bra and leggings, I could really imagine myself wearing the Janelle FUNARI New York collection. The collection spoke to me. It’s an all-black women’s collection which gives off a feminine yet edgy vibe. I really like the outfits – between the blazers and leggings – It’s definitely something I would wear while walking down New York City.
“Our Couture Athleisure collection was created to empower all who wear it and inspire woman to feel confident, comfortable and elegant! We want our fans to be able to wear our line day to night and to feel like a warrior!” – Janelle FUNARI New York
I really like how this collection can be worn both in the day time and at night. Most of my days are pretty jam-packed so having an outfit that would be perfect for all times of the day sounds like a dream.
My Top 3 Looks on the Runway:
This is my favoritelook from this collection. When I saw model Madison Puricelli walk down the runway, I saw myself.
Model Madison Puricelli
2. Matching outfits?! Just imagine you and your dog are both wearing designer apparel. How cute? But seriously … adorable
Model Maddie Kirkland
3. To me, this outfit says “Don’t try and mess with me. I am fierce.”
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If you love this collection, you can check out all of their collections on their website Janelle FUNARI New York
A special thank you to Janelle FUNARI New York for providing the gorgeous runway pictures in this feature.
“Nothing is impossible. The word itself says ‘I’m possible’” – Audrey Hepburn
I can’t tell you how proud I am of model Charlotte Smith. She’s made something that might have seemed impossible into a reality. She walked for her favorite designer Dan Liu during New York Fashion Week. Here is the inside scoop of what it was like!
Catching up with Charlotte Smith:
Jenny Alweiss: How was modeling for Dan Liu?
Charlotte Smith:Absolutely incredible! He’s my favorite designer. What I love about Dan is that he cares about every model. He won’t put a model in a dress he doesn’t think fits. He wants the model to look incredible. He puts heart and soul into every look and it shows!
Jenny: What inspired the collection?
Charlotte:The Spy Who Loved Me movie with James Bond. His collection was a powerful Bond girl. It was sexy. We wore sunglasses and a headscarf on the runway which was based off of Audrey Hepburn. I adore her.
Jenny: What is Dan Liu really like?
Charlotte: He’s so talented. He has a strong vision and brings out your confidence. He told each model “this is what you’re doing” and explained what he wanted. He boosted the overall moral and he’s very enthusiastic. He was so excited to be there. He told us for this collection, “no smiles, you’re dangerous – you’re a badass spy!”
Jenny: What was it like to be on the runway?
Charlotte:I was on cloud nine the whole time! I wore one of his signature pieces – a jacket with a bird on the back. Dan chose me to be the one to rip off my sunglasses and wink at the end of the runway.
Jenny: What were you thinking about when you were on the runway?
Charlotte: I was imagining myself as a spy. I kept thinking “I am a spy. I am a bad ass. I’m so happy to be here.”
Jenny: Were your outfits comfortable to wear on the runway?
Charlotte: Yes! His clothes are incredibly well made.
Jenny: Speaking of being a spy, do you have a favorite spy movie?
Charlotte: I love the James Bond movies. They’re great!
Jenny: Were there any funny moments at the fashion show?
Charlotte: Yes – Madeline, one of the models needed to borrow my heels even though were in the same show! It was chaotic. Also, there were like 5 people working on me at the same time – spraying my hair, touching up my makeup, and helping me get into the clothes. They were just zipping up my dress right before I had to go.
Jenny: What were the other models like?
Charlotte: They’re so sweet. We were all supportive of each other. We got waffles together after the show with all of our hair and makeup still on!
Photographer: Frazer Harrison / Getty Images North America
Jenny: Question from Igor in the audience: What drives you?
Charlotte: I have a mantra “I’m working to be the best version of myself.” You can’t change yourself for a designer. You have to stay true to yourself. You are enough and if a designer doesn’t like you, don’t take it personally. Always keep your options opened. Be your best self.
Photographer: Frazer Harrison / Getty Images North America
Check out my first blog post about Charlotte and her sister, Natalie Smith. You can follow her on Instagram @charlotte.smith
I want to give a special thank you to photographer Frazer Harrison / Getty Images North America for the photos. Thank you!
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