In celebration of my fashion blog’s birthday, I wanted to do a special post on FUNARI NEW YORK.
I was so pumped after watching the FUNARI NEW YORK collection at Style Fashion Week. All I could feel was the energy and excitement flowing through the air. The show left me dancing in my seat and wishing that I was also up on that runway.
I’m no stranger to FUNARI NEW YORK. Last season I saw her show and was very impressed. This season, designer Janelle Funari took it to the next level with her Fearless collection.
When I asked Janelle what makes her fearless she answered, “I try new things and I’m not afraid to fail. Many people fail before they even try. They let others tell them it’s not possible. I say, “block out the noise!” I give 200% in everything I do in life! My mantra is to never look back, never regret, and to always give it your all!” – Janelle Funari
My absolute favorite part of the show was when 2 of the models opened the show by dancing on the runway. They were doing flip and splits! They were jumping around and just lighting up the runway. I was completely gripped when they walked to the end of the runway, posed, looked at each other, turned their backs towards the cameras and clasped hands. I felt as though they were standing together and blocking out all the noise around them. They walked back up the runway hand-in-hand before running into the distance.
They were fearless
I wanted to be them.
Photo by: Noel Valero Photography
The couple’s outfits were so cute! The Fearless collection is elegant, comfortable and practical! It can be worn all day and all night. Can you imagine you and your partner going to the gym together and then going out to dinner in these matching outfits?!
“In this crazy world, we all need someone to turn to.” – Designer Janelle Funari
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.
New York Fashion Week is one of my favorite times of the year! Over the weekend, my brother and I went to Couture Fashion Week where we saw designer Andres Aquino‘s Turbulent Waters Swimwear Collection. Personally, I have always adored designer Andres Aquino. He’s very creative and I think that his work is stunning.
I really enjoyed seeing his swimwear on the runway. Each model strutted down the runway in one of his bathing suits matched with a pair of high heeled black boots. Most of his designs were black and gold pieces.
My most favorite piece from his collection was worn by the award winning model, Samantha Speulveda. She wore his finale piece – a gorgeous black one-piece bathing suit with elaborate gold sequined sleeves.
I think the most shocking part was that designer Andres Aquino’s swimwear were all one-pieces! I can’t tell you how excited I am. I don’t usually wear bathing suits but when I do, I try to wear a one-piece.
Honestly, I’m in love with the sexy sequined bathing suit look. Recently, I’ve seen videos on Facebook of one piece bathing suits with sequins. I wonder if they’re waterproof!
It’s a little crazy for me to think of wearing a bathing suit when I’m still bundling up in all of my winter gear! I guess when it’s hot out, I’ll be ready to hit the beach in style 🙂
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Want to know what it’s like to model for Couture Fashion Week? Model Maanami Naomi shares her fashion experience at New York Fashion Week’s Couture Fashion Week with us. Watch and find out what she really thinks!
Just wait for it! At the end of the video, you’ll get to see the elegant black dress that Maanami modeled for which was designed by fashion designer Azulant Akora. ❤
Bonnie Sofia shared what it was like to model for the 2017 Cannes Film Festival. Here’s the inside scoop!
1) How does modeling in France different from your runway experience in New York?
In France the designers took a lot more risks on the runway. They were less likely to shy away from nudity. I have some runway pictures from France that I can’t even post on social media. I never had this problem with my runway pictures from New York. Another difference I noticed is that France is more tolerant of diverse looks when it comes to models. Even though the height requirement is still strict, there is a much higher tolerance for models who are different from the “cookie cutter” look.
2) What was the craziest thing that happened behind the scenes at the Cannes Film Festival?
I consider myself a very low drama and down to earth model, but I guess even I have my limits. During this particular show, there was an organizational mistake. Usually models are not allowed to book designers who are showing their collections one after another. However, this time they did not clarify, so all the models booked back-to-back designers.
Since I hadn’t come back from the runway yet, one of the organizers told my next designer to give the dress I was supposed to wear to a different model. It did kind of break my heart because the dress was an absolutely stunning creation from German designer Luciana Adulari. I was excited about being able to wear it on the runway and have pictures in it. So when I saw another model sewed into my dress, I couldn’t hold back the tears! Someone from the hair team got me a glass of champagne while 2 other hair stylists told me jokes to cheer me up.
3) How would you describe the atmosphere? Did you like any of the fashions or designers ?
The atmosphere of the show was incredible. It was definitely one of the best that I had ever been to. Designer Andres Aquino is a perfectionist and his shows are always flawless. One of the things I liked most about the show was its diversity. There was a wedding dress collection by Hany ElBehairy, as well as a lingerie collection by Duonvlang. One of my favorite designers at the show was Kelsy Dominick from DiDomenico Design. It was inspirational talking to her and walking for her, because she is just full of enthusiasm and motivation. She is an example of how far you can go in a short amount of time.
4) Did you experience a language barrier while modeling at the Cannes Film Festival? If so, how did you manage?
Fortunately, there was not too much of a language barrier. Since most of the designers and models were international, the lingua franca was English backstage. There were a few French models who didn’t speak English, but I have enough French to get my thoughts across at least. [But even for the non-French speaking models, it was not a problem at all, because the designers and organizers spoke English. ]
5) Did you meet anyone interesting at the Cannes Film Festival?
One of the most interesting people I met was Lionel Madiou, the photographer for the DiDomenico Design team. He is absolutely phenomenal. I’ve shot with him twice since Cannes and each time I was just blown away by the results.
6) What was the most challenging part of your experience?
For me, the most challenging part of any runway show is surviving the castings. I’m considered short for a model (5’8”), so I’m not always a top pick for designers with floor length gowns who need to ensure they are not going to be tripped on by the model. Kelsy of DiDomenico Design was the first of three designers who selected me. As soon as she did, I breathed a sigh of relief. I’m also thankful to my boyfriend, who was nice enough to let himself be dragged to this casting with me. He kept telling me not to stress. I think it doesn’t matter how long I have been modeling, castings will always be stressful.
7) What was it like after the show? How did you feel? Did you go to any after parties?
One of my favorite parts of a show is after it is over. Haha. This may sound strange, but this is a very special moment where everyone–designers, organizers, and models–collectively breathe a sigh of relief, pour themselves a whiskey, and bask in their accomplishments. The atmosphere after the show was unusual because there was an after party at the venue itself. So the runway turned into a dance floor! The guests, models, and designers all mingled and danced together. It is one of my favorite memories.
Raven Ledbetter is an American model and designer from North Carolina. She always lives in the moment! As a former army girl, she says that you always have to stay positive and believe good things will happen.
Raven LOVES heels. Not only is she always wearing a cute pair of heels, she also loves customizing them. Right now her go to fashion style is velvet and suede. Her favorite makeup brand is MAC. She wears a signature long ponytail which is inspired by her role model, The Queen B Beyoncé. #queen
“I dream it, I work hard, I grind ’til I own it.”- Beyoncé, Formation
Raven is a go-getter and a risk taker. She doesn’t like taking no for an answer. She is inspired by dominating and empowering women. Her favorite Disney princess is Moana, a powerful woman who went out on her own to accomplish her voyage.
If she could be a fruit or vegetable she would be a peach because it is juicy, sweet and beautiful on the inside-out, just like her.
Raven modeling her own design. Photographed by: Ibe Bello
Raven modeled a designer velvet dress from her own collection at Fashion Gallery’s New York Fashion Week. She thanks her beautiful daughter and fiancé for all the support.
Dayna Deleon is an American model who is a cowgirl at heart. She worked on ranches before buying her own cabin in January. She was living in her own house before she moved out east. She can’t live without her close companion Nomad, her 5 year old horse. Dayna and Nomad have traveled together across the country (which is where he got his name…Nomad)!
Dayna describes her style as the Western style. Her favorite piece of clothing is her leather jacket with fringes and silver conchos. She enjoys ice hockey, long boarding and skiing. Dayna said that she was the only girl to make it on her ice hockey team in Colorado. If she could be a fruit or vegetable, she would be a strawberry!
Dayna modeled for New York Fashion Week’s Couture Fashion Week 2017 spring collection.
