Midwest Fashion Week: October 19th - 22nd

One of the things that makes me proud to be in fashion in Indy is Midwest Fashion Week. In it's five year inception, MFW has grown from a small local event to one of the region's hottest fashion tickets. Midwest Fashion Week is hosted twice a year, once in March and the second is in October. Last MFW, I got to meet the AMAZING ladies from Eliza Parker.

The theme for MFW this quarter is Fashion is Empowerment and is sponsored by many of Indiana's leading companies, fashion houses and media. The itnerary has recently been posted for the October's events. I hope to get to at least one or two functions during the short week of festivities. To view the complete schedule, check the website.

Janelle

Puerto Rico High Fashion Week Wrap Up

Covering Puerto Rico High Fashion Week for Ruby Leonne and Style & Mode was an unique experience.

I went on Saturday with aspiring plus size model Ana Garcia, wearing a beautiful dress from Torrid, and her friend Apolonia. It was the finale and some of my favorite designers were going to be showcasing their designs.

 I arrived there and went to the press table to get my ID. I still couldn’t believe I was covering the most important event of the year in fashion on the Island. I sat down with my photographer, Javier, and I was literally in Fashion Heaven.

Jose Raul Collection

Magalis Garcia Collection

The first fashion show was with Jose Raul, Magalis Garcia and Jaer Caban. Their collections were unbelievable. I was transported to Paris feeling I was in one of their great fashion Shows. Yes it was that good!! Then Lisa Thon showed her collection. Everyone was at awe...simply stunning.

Lisa Thon

Jaer Caban Collection

Eddie Guerrero Collection

To finish the fashion shows, Eddie Guerrero showed his collection. He had some musicians playing African music and his collection was inspired in this theme. Very exotic! It was a great way to finish the show.

I also visited The Shop, saying hi to Marilyn Arroyo, owner of Plump Couture. She was looking beautiful as always. I went to a great boutique named Bounkit and the jewelry was absolutely stunning.

Ana wearing Torrid with Caridad Fernandez PRHFW President

While visiting the Shop I saw Caridad Fernadez, the PRHFW president. She was so accessible to everyone. She took a picture with aspiring plus size model Ana Garcia and that was the highlight of her evening.

The Shop

What I liked most is that people from all walks of life attended this magnificent event. I talked to a lady who lives in the projects and she was there because the prices were affordable to all, I had so much fun with her telling me she took two busses to get there and was proud of this! 

Designs

 Caridad Fernandez said once that this was an event for all the people of Puerto Rico and she was right. I saw so many girls in this event, thin and curvy and they all looked great. I hope one day I can cover a Full Fashion Week in Puerto Rico because there are so many beautiful curvy girls that want to be given the chance to do the same things as the thin models, who knows what can happen, life is full of surprises!!

Blesssings to all,

Marta

Castelar at the Movies: Colombiana

   Throughout the years, Luc Besson has made several spectacular films which have left me in awe as he has the unique talent of crafting and delivering a satisfying action film.

His latest effort introduces a female protagonist, Cataleya Restrepo, who starts out as an innocent girl. Unfortunately, she witnesses her parents’ murder as a child and this act of violence changes her life.  Cataleya has been tainted by the vicious cycle of violence and her inner rage motivates her to focus on becoming an assassin. With the help of her uncle Emilio she learns how to become a relentless killer who is an expert in stealth tactics which helps her to kill her targets without getting noticed.

This is a killer who plans every inch of her operation and she loves to position her targets at a certain location before she makes the kill.  Zoe Saldana clearly committed to this leading role as she plays this sad and bitter woman as a person who wants to remain anonymous in order to avoid any emotional attachment. This is a memorable action film which contains an intriguing story and an explosive ending which makes you wish there would be a sequel to this movie.     

   Every member of the cast gave a good performance and when you have many good performances in an action film you know that the people who are in charge of the film know what they’re doing. 

 One of the best characters in the entire film is the one portrayed by Michael Vartan. Vartan portrays a man named Danny Delaney who falls in love with Cataleya. Delaney is an artist who is trying to find out more about his mysterious girlfriend since he really cares about her and he wants to know everything about her. However, Cataleya is a very secretive person who doesn’t want to reveal too much about herself in order to protect her boyfriend and her family.

Another great performance in this film is given by Cliff Curtis who portrays Cataleya’s uncle named Emilio. Emilio is a bitter man who lost his only son, but he gained an unexpected daughter in the form of Cataleya. At first, Emilio wants Cataleya to have a better life that he has since he is a man who can hurt and kill anyone easily without any remorse. He doesn’t want a life of violence for his niece, but in the end he is the one who is responsible for helping Cataleya to become a lethal killer.

This movie takes us on a journey which is guided by rage and hatred so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the final confrontation with the main villains of the film ends in a violent bloodbath. 

Castelar

PRHFW Press Conference

The Puerto Rico Art Museum

I went to the Puerto Rico High Fashion Week Press Conference at the Puerto Rico Art Museum in San Juan yesterday. When I arrived, I didn’t know what to expect because I had never gone to a Press Conference before, but the experience was amazing!

The Press Conference for PRHFW

I got to meet Yalitza Navedo, she is the Press Director, and one of the sweetest women you will ever meet. Before the Conference started, I chatted a while with Reynaldo Jose one of the New Generation designers. He is so humble and talented, making me so proud he is from our Island. The highlight of my day was when I met Caridad Fernandez, the PRHFW President; such an elegant and sweet lady.

Designers from The New Generation

 At the Press Conference, the designers were presented and they talked a bit about their collections. So much talent in one room, amazing! When it was ove,r I said hi to Magalis Garcia a designer I blogged about in the past. She is so down to earth and she loved the blog I wrote about her. That made me so happy because writing for Ruby Leonne is such a therapy for me, I started writing for Ruby Leonne a couple of months ago and I was covering the most important event in fashion in Puerto Rico, because of the blog that everyone loves so much.

Yalitza Navedo taking questions from the Press

Jaer Caban with one of his models and designs at his shop

I have no words to describe how I felt, these people made me feel like I was at home. Jaer Caban another great designer invited me to his shop to see his designs and they were amazing. We talked quite a bit and I have to write a blog just about him. He has a great and inspirational story. My next blog will be about my experience covering the event on Saturday so stayed tuned!

Blessings to all,

Marta

Natural Hair Topic: Henna

It's the fall, so it's time for protective styles for my natural hair. During the cold weather months, I do a LOT of wigs and scarves and underneath I usually put my hair in twist. My hair is growing and I'm almost at my one year big chop anniversary. 

I'm always looking for ways to elongate my curls and provide moisture to my hair. As a 4b hair type, those are the two things I struggle with the most. This weekend I did a henna treatment.  Henna can be used safely on ALL hair types and makes your hair stronger, provides a red tint to your locks, makes your hair shiny and it has NO chemicals.

I've tried it before thinking it would change my hair color dramatically, but I don't think I did it correctly. This time I used the information I got from two of my favorite natural hair care blogs, All Things O'Natural and Curly Nikki to help me with my henna journey.

What I used: I got this recipe from the Curly Nikki website:

1 100oz package of Henna from the Mehandi website 

2 cups of tea (Sleepytime tea which is a mixture of Chamomille and other teas)

Honey

2 caps of Apple Cider Vinegar

You mix the ingredients until you get a "chocolate pudding" type consistancy. I parted my hair into sections and applied throughout. Here is the worst part...I didn't use gloves so my hands are STILL dyed orange. I will stress to everyone...USE GLOVES!! AND PUT A TOWEL ON YOUR PILLOW WHEN YOU GO TO SLEEP...I ruined a pillowcase!

I kept on my hair for 12 hrs (well a little bit more...because I had meetings and errands to run). I washed it our with Aussie Moist conditioner and then shampooed with Creme of Nature's Coconut Detangling Shampoo. I then deep conditioned my hair, rinsed and put it back in twist with Kinky Curly's Knot Today.

Henna in da hurr...LOL!

I will have to say, detaingling was a bitch, and that was with the Knot Today. Next month, I have to work on that somehow. My hair does feel softer and my grey hair (what few strains I have) are an auburn brown color, but still no dramatic change in color. I think it will take sometime to gradually pick up the color after a few treatments. I will do henna again, and will try to do it once a month for now on.

Just me..no makeup...henna soaking in.

Have any of my natural friends tried henna?

Janelle

The Mother of Miss Image Plus: Otis Rutinel

It is very hard to find a charismatic person who is dynamic and charming. Nevertheless, I have found such a person named Otis Rutinel on the Island. She is an experienced personal image consultant, who offers services internationally; which have a huge impact on the Anglo-American and Latino Market.

Otis Rutinel

As part of her training, Rutinel worked in the pharmaceutical industry and textiles. In this environment, she fully met the concepts of image and the importance it has on business and personal life.

Rutinel founded the Mimisima Corporation focused on building the personal and professional image of their clients. The company offers its services in the United States, Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico. She is also director and editor of Mimisma La Revista, a magazine recognized in countries such as Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Spain, United States, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, Uruguay, and Venezuela. This lady is amazing!

Promoting her contest Miss Image Plus on TV

 Last week, I got to meet her in person when she invited my daughter Ana to model for a TV Show, because she was promoting her Miss Image Plus Pageant. I went along and had so much fun. She is one of these people you meet and feel you have known forever. I watched how she treated the models making them feel at ease before the show.

Otis is also promoting another event that promises to be great as well which is called Puerto Rico Plus Week 2011. I am so excited about that particular event, because I was asked to cover it for Ruby Leonne! So my friends stay tuned since there are many great curvy things coming our way in Puerto Rico.

Blessings to all,

Marta

Countdown to PRHFW: Magalis Garcia

The countdown begins for one of the most anticipated events in fashion in Puerto Rico, the Puerto Rico High Fashion Week! I will be attending the fashion shows on October 1, 2011, covering it for Ruby Leonne and Style & Mode. This night promises to be amazing, although in all fairness to all of the designers, I think all the fashion shows will be great.

Today I am going to blog about Magalis García. She will be showcasing her designs that night. I talked to her a few days ago and she was so gracious to tell me about herself. Magalis was born in Norwalk, CT where she grew up in a Spanish speaking household rich with the Puerto Rican culture of her parents’ native country. She was always an artist who explored a variety of mediums over the years, including paintings and sculptures while attending the Maryland Institute of Art.

Magalis García

Magalis was searching for the perfect outlet for her talent, when she finally found she could bring her artistic creations from what she had learned from her mom growing up together in fashion. Fashion was an incredibly direct way for her to reach people and truly express herself. Magalis moved to NYC and polished her skills with classes at FIT spending her afternoons watching the eclectic styles of New Yorkers.

While developing her own pieces, she freelanced for several notable fashion houses including Anne Klein and London Fog. In 2001, Magalis finally debuted her own creations with a line of accessories during a trunk show at Henri Bendel. After a great response, she expanded under the name "Detox" and "Detox Clothing". Her work was incredibly popular and sold well at high end boutiques in New York, Los Angeles, Dallas, Atlanta, New Orleans, Miami and Puerto Rico.

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As of today, Ms. García continues her creations under a new eponymous line launched in 2008 "Magalis García". Her line, designed with art in mind, incorporates hand stitched appliqués, a variety of materials, colors, and textures throughout all her collections. The Magalis García tone is a little bit urban with romantic silhouettes, cuts, and sensibility. There's an interesting take on an edgy romance with her everyday inspiration; the grandeur, allure and energy of New York City and the natural beauty of Puerto Rico, in my opinion this is a great combination!

Story Line of Magalis García Spring 2012 Puerto Rico

 Life and death of a Toro and Torero (Bull and Bullfighter)

This is a modern look at turn of the century Spain and the art of bullfighting. The Magalis García Spring 2012 line starts with a lightness that captures the innocence, youth and freshness in the young bull as well as the young torero before both are chosen to follow this career path. White and yellows, cotton, lace, and gingham represent the pasturing and leisure in the open fields. The bullfight follows with the glitz, glamour and glory of the grand arenas, elaborate costumes, and the lady aristocrats who fill the balconies at the event.

Bright, rich fabrics-evening gowns are elaborated with beading and embellishments, capturing the eloquence and art form of bullfighting. The dance of the bullfight is interpreted through the movement in the fabric. The line concludes with a dark color palette (hand painted deep colors to bold black) that represents the unfortunate fate of many who choose this path. She gave me a sneak peek of one of her designs and it blew me away. I couldn’t stop looking at it because it was simply breathtaking.

Personally, I can’t wait for this day to arrive to meet this incredible lady in person!

Blessings to all,

Marta