San Juan Beauty Show

Entrance to the San Juan Beauty Show

Out of this world!! This is how I would describe the San Juan Beauty Show this year, celebrating their 15^th anniversary. I went with my photographer, Apolonia Vargas and my official Curvy model Ana García, to the event and we had so much fun! I met Victor Pino one of the organizers; a very gracious man and he gave us our VIP passes.

First we went to the Beauty Show itself. I was literally in beauty heaven. They had a full house as always. My first stop was to go say hi to my friend Millie Banchs, the make up artist to the stars. She was with Lourdes Chacon, a beautiful artist from the Island.

Millie Banchs and Lourdes Chacon

I visited many booths. The prices were great and the people...so nice. I especially liked the body painting. It was incredible! They had conferences about everything that had to do with beauty. I sat down for a while and listened to their lectures. They gave great tips! I also went to see the makeup competition. This year it was hard to pick a winner because they all did a great job. The models looked stunning.

Marta and Millie Banchs

We went to the green carpet event. They interviewed people in the beauty industry and local artists from the Island. I felt like I was in Hollywood! Then we went to the cocktail party before the fashion shows and the awards.

Interviewing Nelly Trinidad

I got to go backstage and say hi to designer Nelly Trinidad, as always so sweet and humble. She looked like a diva in her beautiful white dress. Her models looked incredible and her fashion show was amazing! To end the night, designer Carlos Alberto showed his collection...beautiful as well. The Latin American Awards were given out.

Guests at the Green Carpet

I want to congratulate the San Juan Beauty Show organizers, their show was amazing!!!

Blessings to all,

Marta

Fuera de este mundo, así es como yo describiría El San Juan Beauty Show de este año, celebrando su quince aniversario. Fui con mi fotógrafa Apolonia Vargas y mi modelo con curvas Ana García, nos divertimos muchísimo! Conocí a Víctor Pino uno de los organizadores, un hombre muy amable que nos dio la pases VIP.

Giving facials

Primero fuimos al evento y yo estaba literalmente en el cielo de la belleza con tantas cosas bellas que vi allí, tenían casa llena como siempre. Mi primera parada fue ir a saludar a mi amiga Millie Banchs, la maquillista de las estrellas, ella estaba con Lourdes Chacón, una artista bella de la Isla. Visité muchas estaciones de productos, tenian muy buenos precios y la gente, muy agradable. Me gustó mucho la pintura corporal, era increíble, habian conferencias de todo relacionado a la belleza, me senté un rato a escuchar sus conferencias, y dieron muy buenos consejos!

Apolonia and Ana at the cocktail

También fui a ver a la competencia de maquillaje, este año fue difícil elegir un ganador, porque todos hicieron un gran trabajo, las modelos lucían regias! Fuimos al evento de la alfombra verde, donde entrevistaron a personas de la industria de la belleza y los artistas locales de la isla, me sentí que estaba en Hollywood con tanto glamour!!!!

One of their gorgeous models

Nelly Trinidad and her beautiful models

Luego fuimos al cóctel antes de los desfiles de moda y los premios, fui a saludar a mi amiga la diseñadora Nelly Trinidad, como siempre tan dulce y humilde, parecía una Diva con su bello vestido blanco y sus modelos estaban preciosas, su desfile de moda fue increíble! Para finalizar la noche el diseñador Carlos Alberto mostró su colección, hermosa también y los Premios de América Latina fueron otorgados.

Body Painting

Quiero felicitar a los organizadores del San Juan Beauty Show, el evento fue increíble y un éxito total!!!

Bendiciones a todos,

Marta

Santana has Style & Mode

To see young talent in Puerto Rico trying to make a name for themselves makes me so proud. Today I am going to blog about an amazing young woman named Inelda Santana.

Inelda Santana

 She was born in Bayamón, Puerto Rico and is the oldest of 11 brothers and sisters. She was raised in the projects and is proud of it; telling me this has made her the great woman she is today.

She studied Cosmetology and is a makeup artist. Her good friend Emmanuel Acosta, a fashion designer from Puerto Rico, called her to prepare his models for a fashion show. Since that day doors have been opening for her.

It's not been easy for her because she is just 25 years old. Some people think she's is too young to get things done, but she has a goal and she will reach it. With God by her side, her family and her great team she will conquer the world.

Santana's Magazine, Style & Mode

She is the director of the Best Performance Studio Agency. Inelda wrote an article for Magic Image Hollywood Magazine that was very well liked and hopes to write some more. Recently she published an online magazine called Style & Mode. I read it and loved it! I am happy to announce, I will be writing a column called “Curvas con Estilo” (in English “Curves with Style”) in the magazine.

Marta's column, "Curvas con Estilo", in Style & Mode.

Inelda is happily married to a great guy named Jonathan and has two beautiful boys. They are the love of her life. Inelda doesn't posses luxuries, but she possess love and peace in her life that are more important. At the end of the day that is what really matters!

Blessings to all,

Marta

Model Mogul

What young girl doesn’t have a dream of becoming a famous model at one time or another in her life? Today, I am going to blog about a beautiful model in Puerto Rico who had that same dream, her name is Caridad Fernández Carreras. I contacted her and she was kind enough to share her story with me. 

Caridad Fernández Carreras

Caridad was born in Cuba. She left with her family in exile and came to Puerto Rico when she was three years old. Her genetic homeland is Cuba and her adopted country is Puerto Rico. She loves them both with all her heart. She is married to Francisco and has two great children named Hugo and Lucas.

     When she was fifteen years old, she took several courses in modeling and refinement that changed her life forever. It awoke in her the artistic and creative side she had always carried within, and from that time, with discipline, patience and passion she started to learn how to become a model.

Initially, Caridad stood out as a business model and later as a photo model and catwalk in the late seventies, eighties and nineties. She told me everyone thinks the world of modeling is all glamour and nothing is further from the truth. This world is full of sacrifice which involves a lot hard work and dedication.

She started working when she was fifteen years old as a modeling instructor in one of the most important schools on the Island called Model Corporation of America (MCA). Once she graduated from college, she decided to join her two passions: modeling and education. Along with Ileana Cambó who was another model, they dared to open a school and modeling agency to impart their knowledge to other girls. This is how Unica, Refining and Modeling Center was born. They managed to position it gradually in the market of fashion, beauty and modeling.

 In 1996, the opportunity to franchise Elite Model Look of Puerto Rico appeared and she took it. Elite is a worldwide recognized modeling agency. These experiences have gradually led her to become a producer of fashion events. In 2005, Rosa Lourdes Ortiz came to her and raised the idea of producing the Fashion Week in Puerto Rico. At first, she thought it was crazy, but she went for it once again. Caridad took a chance and the Puerto Rico High Fashion Week was born.

Some acknowledgments she has received have been the Veuve Clicquot Grande Dame Business Award – Méndez and Company, 2007, Ten Best Dressed Women – The San Juan Star, 2003 and Stanford Who’s Who’s – Honor Member – Stanford University, 2011.

Being a plus size advocate I asked her about plus size modeling. she told me that in her opinion the purpose of models is to use their image to sell products, ideas and/or services. Plus-size models as Fluvia Lacerda, Ashley Graham, among others, are as necessary as any other model. Both the regular model as the model "plus" must be very careful of excesses. The top model has to be careful not to fall into anorexia or bulimia to maintain their weight. Similarly, the plus model must watch their weight for health reasons. It's all about maintaining a balance while taking into account that health is beauty. Caridad it was a pleasure blogging about you. I wish you the best that life has to offer.

Blessings to all,

Marta

My Interview with Syreeta Rios of Lipstick Killers

A few weeks ago, I discovered a new designer while on Sense of Fashion trying to find a dress for a function I was attending. After seeing her work, I contacted Syreeta Rios of Lipstick Killers and she agreed to do an interview with me for the RL readers.

A model with Lipstick Killers designer, Syreeta Rios.

How long have you been designing?

For close to ten years.

Where are you from?

Originally from Wilmington, Delaware and now reside in Atlanta, Georgia.

Print Romper w/ Sash Retail: $65

How did you come up with the name Lipstick Killers?

My actual company name is Big Gyrl Clothing, Inc. but I wanted to expand my line with more sizes and give it more umph..lol So while I was listening to a song by Ghostface called "Killer Lipstick" talking about women assassins and hustler divas, it inspired me with the name Lipstick Killers. I wanted the line to be different, fierce, punkish, and original so there it goes.

Why plus size? Why couture?

Plus size is where its at baby! I'm a big girl myself and always make my own dresses and there is still such a lack of style and proper definition for plus sizes in major stores so designing for my fellow plus divas will always be something that I will feel passionate about. To be couture is to make custom, made to measure pieces that cost thousands of dollars so I wouldn't say that my collection is couture, but it is my desire to be at that level soon.

What type of woman is a Lipstick Killer?

Lipstick Killers live by their own rules, control their destiny, and fight for everything worth fighting for. We live fearlessly and dress fearlessly. We don't break fashion rules, we create them. We don't live by the trend, we set them. We love hard and work hard just to play even harder. We live a life full of passion, excitement, and fullfillment. Lipstick Killers rock! To read more, please visit my blog post http://www.ustrendy.com/lipstick-killers-collection/blog/.

Tube Top Rhinestone Jumper Retail: $60

What's special about Lipstick Killers?

Its original prints and designs, flowing pieces, tight pieces, unique tees, and some accessories. LKC is where its at for the killer outfit. Its head turning, eye catching garments.

Explain how you construct your pieces?

My pieces are constructed from various patterns and from the heart.

What are your inspirations?

My inspirations come from anything and everywhere. Mainly, I am inspired by different genres of music such as heavy metal, rock, pop, and hip hop.

Do you prefer independent designers or mainstream designers?

 I think independent designers are the best! We hustle hard for what we make and go through so much to put our lines out there. There is nothing like exclusivity.



Sexy Striped Spartan Dress Retail: $45



Who are you influences?

I adore Chanel, Dior, and especially Christian Siriano. I also love Kimora Simmons business ethic and style.

What is the average price of your pieces?

On average about $50

What is your favorite piece?

I must honestly say that I do not have a favorite piece, I love them all like children, equally..lol

Do you have any side projects you want to share with our readers?

 I am also a journalist for examiner.com as a nightlife expert which you can read my articles at http://www.examiner.com/nightlife-in-atlanta/syreeta-rios and also am working on a men's line.

Thank you Syreeta for sharing Lipstick Killers with our readers! Make sure you become a fan on Facebook.

Local Love: My Interview with KoKo Brown

KoKo Brown

I got the opportunity to sit down and have coffee with one of the hottest designers here in Indianapolis. I was introduced to her work during the Real Women Exposed Fashion Experience show. She is none other than Kimberly Brownlow, but the fashion world knows here brand as KoKo Brown. Brown discussed her work, inspirations and aspirations with me as we sat down last Friday.

RL: Who are you?

KB: My name is Koko Brown. Well, that’s actually the name of my line. My real name is Kimberly Brownlow.

RL: Where is your hometown?

KB: Indianapolis, IN. I sound like a little hick girl. {giggles}

RL: How long have you been designing?

KB: I’ve actually been sketching and designing since I was in the sixth grade. So that would be a total of about 13 years.

RL: Why did you start?

KB: Actually, it was something that kinda crept up on me. You know when you are a little kid, you always have grander dreams of being a star. I got tired of seeing these clothes that wouldn’t fit me; cause I have always been a plus size girl. So I started drawing to see what I could come up with. I started drawing and sketching. In every class I would go to, I started drawing, and that’s what people knew me as.

RL: Who are your inspirations?

KB: Oh my gosh! Monif C is a great inspiration to me. I love really abstract artistic designers like Alexander McQueen. I also love Hussein Chayalan, he’s really really talented. He was able to take things and make it into fashion. He made a skirt out of a table. It collapsed into a table on the runway. He used airplane parts and made a dress.

(One of KoKo Brown's designs on the runway.)

RL: What speaks to you when you’re designing?

KB: What speaks to me are people. I need to see who I’m designing for and lately it’s been plus size women. I want us to be classy. I want us to look just as good as anybody else. I KNOW we have it. I’m tired of seeing the clothes that people are designing now. There’s no umph about it. A lot of clothes out there are the wrong fit for our bodies. Some stuff is just a no go…they should not have went there. I think we don’t have to wear everything a smaller girl wears just to look good. I don’t feel like they need to make some of that stuff in our sizes for us to feel like we look good. We can look just as stylish, couture and sexy as any smaller girl.

RL: Describe your aesthetic.

KB: My clothes are classy, sexy, comfortable and classy.

RL: What do you think about the issues a plus size woman face in our society?

KB: I don’t think you have to be a size 7/8 to be healthy. As long as you eat right, as long as you’re exercising, as long as you’re taking care of your health and going to the doctor you’re okay. I go to the doctor. I talk to my doctor. As a plus size woman, even though I carry weight, everytime I go in the doctor lets me know I’m healthy. Keep working out and keep eating better. As long as we are taking care of ourselves, I don’t feel like we have to fit into a box of what people think we’re supposed to be. I don’t go by what scientist say, I go by what my body is telling me. My body has told me I’m always going to be a plus size girl. I’m not going to eat bad or not workout, I’m going to do what I have to do. But I’m not going to change myself because that person says I’m supposed to be a size 10.

(A happy client in KoKo Brown.)

RL: Many people leave Indianapolis to pursue greatness in other cities. Are you going to leave us?

KB: My heart has always been in New York, and for a time I was in Chicago. But you know what, I’ve always wanted to base a business out of Indy. Indy is starting to become more fashionable. Indy is starting to become more fashion conscious. There is so much talent here that I would like to base my business here. But I just don’t want to be here in Indy, I want to be global. I want to be able to go to Milan and see my shop. I want to go to England and see my clothes. I want this to be for everybody because plus isn’t just here in Indy, it’s everywhere.

RL: Do you take special orders?

KB Yes. You can contact me on Facebook or MySpace. You can contact me through my email, kbrownlo@yahoo.com. Website is coming soon. I’m always open and available. I do a little bit of everything. I would like to have at least a week, sometimes even a few days. It depends on what you want. If it is something complex, I would like to have at least two to three weeks.

RL: What are your goals/dreams?

KB: My mother always said dream big. {giggles} My biggest dream is to have my own fashion house. I want to do different collections for different people. I want my clothes to be really eclectic, really fun, really flirty. My focus may be on plus, but I want to design for a wide range of people. I can design for everybody, but plus is important to me.

RL: What is in your future?

KB: I just got a couple of offers to do some shows. I’m working on some photo shoots and the website. Me and a fellow designer (Shay Robinson of Black Pear) are setting a show for November. It’s going to be a great fall collection. Beautiful colors. Fall is my absolute favorite season. This collection that I’m building right now is going to be to die for.

The sky is the limit, if I could sit on top of the world that would be great!

Koko's star is rising. She will definately be one that RL will watch for. For more information on Koko or to ask her how she can hook you up, email her at kbrownlo@yahoo.com.

(All photos were submitted by Koko Brown.)