Now I'm Really Mad

Okay - I am about to prove my claims that I am a LADY. Are you ready? Yes, I was brought up by an elegant and demure lady, my beautiful grandmother. We sipped tea with our pinkies out, she funded me to take piano, dance and riding, we went "antiquing", we read stories, we played word games, we gardened, and we spoke perfect English. We overlooked many issues, we were gracious to our guests to the point of treating them like family. We had lobster for dinner every Thursday night and invited hoards of friends and friends of friends to countless dinner/afternoon/birthday/holiday/tea parties. We walked our guests into the house and back to their cars, waving to them from the doorway or the driveway as they drove away. We dressed nicely and we ironed our linens and we lived beautifully.

So now imagine my surprise to be calmly and prettily living my life and realizing how hard life really is. Oh my gosh. I have made mistakes all over the place. This is no Grandma's House. You can't trust anyone and you can't let your guard down. You can't be too nice and you have to endure nasty emails and you have to sign your life away every where you turn. So now my perfectly charming charm is misunderstood, trounced upon, taken advantage of, and used to the betterment of other people's psyche's. Not that I mind the last one, when given freely. I love helping other people, sharing my ideas, and encouraging others to succeed. I've said this before - I refuse to change. However, I have also said that I wanted to leave the Boston Fashion Scene a few times. Ahem. But nice people really pull me back and want me here, so I keep coming back. (Sigh, eyes rolling.) I do not go to fashion events because I am expected, or adored, or that the media eats me up when I arrive. I do not go because people think that fashion is big business and that I will make a lot of money. (Although SOMEDAY I keep predicting that Big Business will meet High Fashion and we will all fall onto our mattresses and make snow angels in all the cash.)

So why do I go? I go because I love it. I love fashion, I love music, I love the models and the designs and the people and the networking. I love that you never know what is going to happen at a fashion show. I love seeing the joy of the designer as he/she watches the looks go down the runway. I love seeing how nervous the beautiful models are and how exhilarated they get when they step back into the dressing room after being on the runway. I love seeing the little things that only another event planner/stylist/model/photographer would see go wrong - straps showing, strings hanging, timing of when the models walk, how slow/fast they are going, and countless, countless other things.

SO. What has me so bothered THIS time about fashion in Boston!!!?? Come just a little closer. So, if I could let go of my lady-ness I would completely spill it to you right here, right now. However, I can't do that. If you are in the know, you will find out eventually. You can always ask me personally and I might tell you. I'm not sure. WWASD? (What Would Ashley Simpson Do?) I was so mortified by yesterday's developments in my little fashion world that I gave up my lovely BFW evening. I was just shaking too hard. Instead I paced the parlor, fuming and pouting because I had to write emails and make phone calls explaining to very lovely people a very awkward (mortifying really) situation that someone put me in. Yes, behind the scenes of these beautiful fantasy fashion events it is a very cut-throat business. You perhaps think I am exaggerating. Ah you poor innocent dear. If I let down my fan and whispered in your ear behind the palm fronds some of the things that I have seen and have had happen to me, you would faint into your pudding.

Ah! The delights of Fashion Week!! Have we impressed you yet?? And even through all of this, this is the BEST Boston Fashion Week we have ever had and you can't miss another moment. (...as I predicted.)

Sunday Night Fashion

 Collection from SG Designs at The State Room

It's a bit disconcerting to have sooo many people out on a Sunday night in Boston. But of course, with Boston Fashion Week, we all rested up to be able to handle the pressure of going out as many nights this week as possible. So last night was no exception of fabulous fun when, just as I arrived on the steps of 60 State Street, a voice called from behind me and it was one of my party, ANDRES AQUINO, just stepping out of a cab. KELSIE MCKENNA, one of our models, also emerged, all legs, from the vehicle. I happened to be on the phone chatting up a storm with model and fashion event manager MARCO RADAKOVIC who joined us later in the evening, as did model TOMMY MOUNTAIN.

We were at the beautiful State Room admiring the stunning views and to enjoy our complimentary VIP tickets from the organizers for SG Fashions (Shana Gall), F.R.E.E. It was actually a really beautiful and skillfully arranged event, from all appearances from the VIP lounge. We sipped pink champagne and enjoyed healthy passed hors d'ouevres while we sat at small, beautifully decorated tables with pretty flower arrangements. Lovely ladies dressed in designer fashions escorted people around to various places and the designer was on hand to greet the guests. As the night wore on, we realized a chance to slip out for dinner. I am definitely feeling my age when the waiter at the restaurant exclaimed to the rafters that "I had no idea you were THAT OLD" upon gaping open-mouthed at my driver's license when carding us for our wine-by-the-glass purchases. Yes, I apparently am and thank you for mentioning it. Upon returning to the show we were immediately escorted to our front row seats. The fashions were quite appropriate to the 20's flapper theme they were designed to replicate, with a strong showing during the first slew of dresses that sported short feathered skirts and sleek bodices, and other interesting pieces that showed a nice vision through the designer's eyes of old meets new. Celebrity DJ from Jamn 94.5 and a moderator from Kiss 108 introduced not only the designer, but an absolutely adorable troupe of Girl Scouts, complete with bouquet of flowers for Shana.

We then hustled over to ROCCA for the installation of the most beautiful collection I've seen yet from Sam Mendoza!! I really had to gush over a few of the pieces, including a mesmerizing white gauzy gown that I swore if I ever got married again, I would scoop up in a second for the special day. The installation was a pretty display which showcased furniture from style setters Mohr and McPherson, with models sitting or standing in beautiful gowns, as well as one interesting piece that had flowy pants and top that definitely carried the theme over well to a more casual look. The girls were draped over chaise lounges, sofas and chairs having a very Fitzgerald moment.

I didn't recognize many people from the industry except for SAM MENDOZA, MICHAEL DE PAOLO, ERICA CORSANO (STUFF MAGAZINE), and ALEX HALL (BOSTON MAGAZINE). The Stuff Magazine after party continued in the bar area of Rocca where we mixed and mingled with a young jet-set, highlighting the fact that I was OLD. My young models flitted and flirted and looked stunning for photographers while I ran to the ladies room to check in the mirror for age spots. Ahh. More Boston Fashion Week to come Tuesday night for me with the upcoming shows for Denise Hajjar and Daniel Hernandez. Can't wait to see what developments arise to challenge the scenes and the senses. And to hopefully survive more blows to the old self esteem.

Fashion Week Starts at Liberty

 iPod photo attempt at Industry 10 event, with model Tommy Mountain

The Liberty Hotel didn't disappoint with the official start of Boston Fashion Week kicking off last night. The night started with me, as per usual, running past my annointed departure hour. I was whipping through shoes, hairbrushes, and belts as I got ready in 20 minutes and jumped in the car for the two-hour drive. Dare I admit that at just a couple of lights, I swear, I swathed on some makeup and actually ended up getting to the Liberty a half hour early. I was meeting one of my models there, the very sultry Tommy Mountain, who is amazing to work with and is my pick for the next top model. As I am developing my focus on model management, I look for models with energy, positive attitude, ability to work hard, gracious and gorgeous, and those who are committed to the job. Tommy Mountain sure has all this, and more!

The above photo really was the mood of the evening - it was sort of shadowy and dark as it often is at Liberty, and totally fun and fabulous. So as I got to this, my first official Boston Fashion Week 2010 event, I decided not to linger in the car, since every one and their brother slowed down to see if I was pulling out or pulling in. I had the third best spot on the street in front of Liberty. So it was just a ten step Amy Long Legs walk to the door. I had a bit of a wait for Tommy to appear at the front door, so I stood in line to get my red wristbands. The woman at the table urged me to get Tommy's "now" to make sure they didn't run out. However, as the night wore on, it kind of became a free for all anyway, with parties mixing up and people moving all around the hotel. I was a tad disappointed the event was on the 5th floor. This is a hard floor to manage. There's balconies, hidden rooms, and way too much space to cover. But we did our best to hit the scene.


During our Aussie-style walk-about, starting in the elevator and continuing at every turn, I introduced Tommy to a slew of hot local designers including PRAJJE, SAM MENDOZA, SAMUEL VARTAN, NIRVA, JEFF LAHENS (ECC STYLE) and JONATHON JOSEPH PETERS. We also saw from afar NARA PAZ on location. We got to pose for major local fashion and party photographers including ARCHEE and STUFF MAGAZINE, as well as interviewed by DIRTY WATER TV (NECN). There were so many industry heavy hitters at the event, but back to my original thought, it was hard to get to everyone. We missed seeing JAY CALDERIN and the other hosts of the party, who were certainly spotted by others, including Fashion Boston's ALEXANDRA HALL. Not as many models were there as I had thought would be but we did meet a few and danced with a few and generally had a groovy time. Music was provided by the ever cool Liberty house DJ MICHAEL SAVANT.



Tonight (Saturday) I am home, but I'll be stepping it up tomorrow at The State Room with SG Fashions at 6:30 then at 8pm we'll check out Sam Mendoza's installation at Rocca and party the night away with the Stuff Magazine after party goers. What I'm looking forward to is more networking and to see some of the fashions that the designers have been busy working on all summer. It will be interesting to see if there is growth in the talent, any common themes that the designers will portray, and especially to note the model and other industry talent to compare to previous years. This is certainly the year that, at all appearances, fashion in Boston is making it's most important debut.

Boston Fashion Week - Insight to the Week

September 22, 2010 - After a 5 years in the fashion industry in Boston, I have come to know many of the people who work in this small square footage of a town. The fashion industry, in itself, is very competitive. Not only that, event planning has always been extremely competitive. With so many events and absolutely no way to know if ten other events are happening on the same night, its a true free-for-all.

So, as I look over the Boston Fashion Week schedule, as well as all my notes, which include my own personal biases I'm not ashamed to admit, and my Facebook and email invites, I have to be pretty selective. My motherly duties do fall into place as well but if you need to know what are the best of the best, I am happy to suggest. So, without further ado, I will list those events here that I will attempt to visit, starting as early as TONIGHT!! This is not the end all and be all for events, there are many more events listed at the official Boston Fashion Week website, so please check it out as well.

Tonight (Sept 22) - Splash - 9pm. - Champagne Model Party - I won't be there but hotty Tommy Mountain will represent as well as a host of Boston's most beautiful people. Around 11pm, this bar/cafe/poolside lounge turns into a really awesome Euro dance party. The other night, incredible live DJ music started around 10pm and after an hour I couldn't stand it anymore and started to bop the shoulders a little and shake the hips a lot and within moments, the whole place was dancing. Then for fresh air we headed up to the rooftop and had animated conversations about fashion and Miami and New York and the night just got cooler and cooler in so many ways.

Thursday - Liberty - 9pm. - Anything that Katie Archembault at Liberty gets her hands around is an instant hit. The New Society Ball just screams "I have to be there!" (I may not be there in person, but you should be!!)

Friday -  Liberty - 9pm. - CLOSED

Saturday - Four Seasons Hotel - 7pm - CLOSED

Sunday - The State Room - 6:30pm - I am kind of excited to see the F.R.E.E. Show. Firstly, the STATE ROOM! Coolest venue in Boston. Secondly, my good friend and associate Iva Nicole is a part of this show. She is a true professional. Thirdly, I got such a nice email inviting me to come as a VIP that of course I couldn't help but feel even more inclined to love it.

Monday - Copley Place - Lunchtime - Okay, I'm a sucker for Copley Place. It's just Boston's most beautiful shopping mecca, hands down. I'll be interested to see what's in the box lunch from Legal Seafood. I'm not much of a mall person, but because of the great people at Copley, I think I'll take a peek.The lunchtime shows are going on all week. Oo!

Monday - W Hotel Boston - 8-10pm - CLOSED

Tuesday - Fairmont Copley Plaza - 6-8pm - I am dying to see Denise Hajjar's fashion show. She has been in the local fashion industry longer than anyone in Boston (not that she looks a day over 29). Plus, anything at the Fairmont Copley Plaza is so grand.

Tuesday - Venu - 8-10pm - Under De-Construction, another Iva Nicole event. I met Daniel Hernandez in Providence during Style Week and it is so exciting to see him again, here, in Boston, doing a show for Boston Fashion Week! Hooray! He is so sweet. I am only about nice people, amazing clothes, and cool Venu's. 

(Wednesday - Night off? Or pick anything and give it a try!)

Thursday - Shreve, Crump and Lowe - 5:30-8pm - ECC Style has a real soft spot in my heart. Jeff Lahens, co-founder, was the first believer when I was trying my ADD hardest to promote fashion in Boston about 6 years ago. Jeff (and ever-the-gentleman partner Sean Harris) has been a real fixture in Boston fashion.

Thursday - L'elite - 6-8pm - Practicing my ability to be at two places at once, I'll be checking out my Amee Models at L'elite, showcasing latest couture designs from Europe and the U.S.

Thursday - Liberty - after 9pm - Liberty Thursday Night Fashionably Late series is a must attend for all those in the fashion industry. Samuel Vartan is another Boston Fashion fixture. Love him!!!


(Friday night off? Or, pick anything and give it a try!) 

Saturday, Oct. 2 - Calderwood Pavilion - 7:30(ish)-10pm - Baku Sunset has brought to Boston an elegant, upscale European style fashion scene. Love this group - I feel like I am in good hands with these fashion event planners. Want to see some of the Amee Model Management models? They will all be there!
TICKETS FOR STYLE DREAMS

Splash!

September 18, 2010 - Boston's hottest models partied it up at Splash last night. Great music, great ambiance. Flitting from model casting room to dance floor to the upstairs lounge - I aaaaalmost thought I was already in South Beach!

AMEE MODEL MANAGEMENT

September 14, 2010 - Welcome to AMEE MODEL MANAGEMENT, where "It's All About Mee!!" Amee Model Management is designed to encompass all aspects of model management including scouting, training, promotion and offering experience through fashion shows, photo shoots and personal introductions to fashion industry professionals.

Okay - enough of the formal stuff! I will take you by the hand, brainstorm with you about what you want in this industry, and help in any way I can. I'll offer tips here on my blog, but I can promise that working with me in person is so much more fun. I'm about to get back to my roots in New York and start focusing on my own thing. Network, network, network. And what we all want to do - make some money!

I'll start writing my Boston Sophisticate blogs here so that I can ensure that I am not moving ever again. Or, maybe I should start saying New York Sophisticate? Hmm. Thinking about it!

Looking forward to continuing the dream!

Kisses,

Amy
The Boston Sophisticate