Press Preview: Vionic Shoes Unveils Fall/Winter 2017 Collection

Last week, Vionic Shoes  hosted a delicious luncheon at the chic Beekman Hotel to unveil their Fall/Winter 2017 collection.  Vionic is one of the few brands to successfully combine comfort with fashion.  Using their specially designed Orthaheel orthotic technology , Vionic consistently produces reliable, comfortable shoes without sacrificing style.     

Described as their "most fashionable collection yet", the line features everything a fashionista could want like boots made for walking,  healthy heels, stylish flats, and technology enhanced fitness shoes.  

Scroll down to check out the goods!  

I always look forward to seeing what Vionic comes out with each season.  The brand is always on trend and never fails to deliver.  My personal faves this time around are the tall boots and Josie pumps.  Can't wait to rock them come fall!     

Have you shopped Vionic before?  Are you interested?

The Ashley Bouder Project Opens at Symphony Space in NYC

As a principal dancer with the New York City Ballet, Ashley Bouder knows that despite George Balanchine's famous saying "Ballet is woman", it is in fact an industry ruled by men.  Bouder has since founded The Ashley Bouder Project, a platform dedicated to showcasing choreography created solely by women.        

Last month, The Ashley Bouder Project debuted at the esteemed Symphony Space in NYC, and unveiled a collection of works, with music accompaniment by the New York Jazzharmonic.  The 17 piece orchestra was lead by Bouder's co-producer, Ron Wasserman.    

The theme of the night was fittingly "At this dance, women take the lead".  The show kicked off with "In Pursuit Of", a brand new piece choreographed by Ms. Bouder herself, set to music by NY Jazzharmonic's associate director, Miho Hazara.  It was performed by six NYCB dancers whose uplifting fluidity soared across the stage.  It's cheerful movement and classic partnering styles put the audience in a genuine, feel good type of mood.       

Perhaps the most captivating piece of the night was "Duet", the pas de deux performed by Bouder and fellow company member Sara Mearns.  The two women, a pairing almost unheard of in ballet, performed choreography by Liz Gerring to music by Anna Weber.  "Duet" was a moving picture of masterful purpose and intensity, with rough and tough music to match.  As ballerinas, both dancers admitted venturing into modern dance was stepping vastly outside of their comfort zone, yet both women demonstrated flawless technique and the ability to conquer a new genre of dance.    

The night closed with a glorious revival of Susan Stroman's "Blossom Got Kissed" set to music by Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhdorn.  The jazz infused number starred Ms. Bouder as an off beat, quirky dancer named Rose, who just can't seem to get the steps right, that is until she gets kissed.  It's a lively piece with intricate formations and precise timing.  Overall, a sincerely fun one to watch and you can't help but root for Rose.   

Ashley Bouder and Co- Producer Ron Wasserman

The evening marked a positive step forward for the future of women in ballet, and hopefully more will follow.  For an industry so fastened on the grace and delicacy of a woman, it is only logical to celebrate her in every facet.          

Photos by Diana Mino, provided by PR

Free Beauty Events April Giveaway

After a brief hiatus, Freebeautyevents.com is back with a giveaway that's bigger and better then before!  For those not familiar, the site is a great tool for any and every beauty addict.  It lets you stay up to date on the latest beauty happenings in your area and serves as an awesome way to snag killer free samples. Best of all, each month the site gives away a bundle chalk full of the industry's best must haves.  Let's check them out!

This month's basket includes products from Nexxus, L'Oreal, Almay, La Roche-Posay, Marc Anthony, Cantu, Rimmel Cosmetics, Maybelline, Neutrogena and more! The Contest runs from now through 4/30/17, winners will be chosen on 5/10/2017 and notified by 5/15/2017. Entering is simple!  Visit FreeBeautyEvents on Facebook (don't forget to like them!) or enter directly on their website.

Besides the monthly giveaways, the site also offers great beauty advice and product reviews on their blog.  Like any of the products you read about?  Keep your eyes open for your chance to stock up!  Easy as 1-2-3, just enter your zip code into the site's search bar to find out which locations in your area might be handing out samples.  It's a helpful way to keep up to date with the beauty events happening in your town.    

   

Get more on FreeBeautyEvents.com:

Facebook 

Google+ 

Pinterest 

Tumblr

 

 

Do you follow FBE?  Have you attended any events in your area?

 

Press Preview: International Vision Expo 2018

 

This year's International Vision Expo 2018  is back at the Javits Center in NYC this weekend.  On Thursday, press attended an exclusive preview at The Crowne Plaza to get an up close look at the latest trends for the Spring/Summer 2018 season, as well as a sneak peek into Fall/Winter 2018. 

 

The season's four macro trends: 

 

Slow Features looks to the past to inform the future.  Expect to see colors like sulfur greens and reflective tones on the lenses as a way of incorporating both nature and technology. 

 

Psychotropical is wildly exotic and playful.  Exaggeration is considered key, and thus includes looks that create an oversized cat eye feel, and colors like lush pinks and electric greens. 

 

Kinship draws from global inspiration.  Color combinations like intense reds balanced by precious indigos, with touches of metals create a sophisticated feel.   

 

Youth Tonic blurs the boundaries between ages.  Considered to have a youthful direction with a DIY approach to styling, references to the 1990's are common.  It fuses electric pastels with new colored metals and has more unisex

 

  After the lecture, press had the chance to meet with brands and try on styles with the latest trends.  Below are some of my favorites:

 

 

 

All of the MODO styles were beautiful and they nailed several of the talked about trends.  They had pairs with the chic double bar, matte metal frames, and rich indigo and caramel coloring.  Another nice element about these particular glasses is that they're incredibly lightweight and comfortable.  They felt very different then average glasses.

 

 

Judith Leiber is known for its luxurious hand bags, and has since designed a collection of decadent looking eyewear.  For ladies who love to sparkle, Judith Leiber glasses are ideal.  The immaculate rhinestone detailing along the side bar creates a luxe feel and is complimented nicely by the "pain effect" trends that appears on the ear rests.    

 

 

The pieces from TC Charton Asian Fit Eyewear were beautifully crafted.  I loved the unique take on the double bar (above) and the fact that it had been rounded over each lens, instead of left straight across.  Ombre is still trending.  Only, expect to see it with two hard contrasting colors, like TC Charton's black and red style, instead of the traditional dark to light gradation.  

  

 

 

The Kendall and Kylie collection adopts trend upon trend, ultimately creating styles that simply can't miss.   Oversized cat eyes and chunky, angular shapes, combined with the popular "paint effect" speckling and futuristic, ombre like lenses are completely spot on.   

 

These Jonathan Adler styles have a breezy, nautical feel and are available now.  I love big lenses and the striped detailing is adorable.  Perfect for the outdoor BBQs coming up!

 

 

 

 

Tomorrow 4/2 is the last day for the Expo!  Check it out if you haven't already.  For those who already attended, what did you think?  Which were your favorites?