Chapman Couture

The Vagabond Who Stole My Words (with style, of course)

2009-11-27T01:03:00.001-08:00

Hi all,

Thank you all for reading! As you may have noticed, I haven't had any new posts for quite a while. Since I made the move to NYC, in fact.

That is because in addition to my internship at the St. John Knits showroom, I worked as a fashion publicist for Scallywag and Vagabond, a thought-provoking, socially-savvy online-based magazine. As a fashion publicist, I was thrown right into the mix of the hectic-crazy-insanity that we in NYC like to call fashion week.

Anyway, point of the information conveyed above: All my time, effort and (small amount of) writing talent has been (happily) dedicated to Scallywag and Vagabond. With Scallywag and Vagabond, I interviewed Charlize Theron, covered fashion shows, black-tie balls, art gallery openings, photography exhibits, and of course, your regular every-night parties.

Feel free to check out Scallywag and Vagabond and search for my articles... but a word to the wise... NYC brews quite a strong and steamy cup of tea, sip to quick and you'll be burned... so be sure to stir your tea slowly and read Scallywag and Vagabond at your own risk ;)

www.scallywagandvagabond.com

The Right Side of the Velvet Rope

2009-08-17T10:34:00.000-07:00

So since my arrival in New York City 43 days ago, I've stayed in for a grand total of 3 nights.

If you love going out, NYC is the place to do it! The city really never sleeps; clubs and bars stay open until 4:00 a.m. and the best parties really don't get started till 1:00 a.m. or 2:00 a.m. Dinners start at 10:00 p.m. and if you get to a club at 11:00 p.m., you're far too early.

The city offers something for everyone. Come to NYC and I guarantee you'll never be bored. You can eat an incredible dinner, go on a gondola ride through central park, watch the sun set over the Hudson from a rooftop bar, have exotic drinks at a random dive bar, sing karaoke, attend a slam poetry session, see a live band play, dance your heart out at the latest "hot-spot" club and party with celebrities, all in one night! How can I promise this? Simple: I've done it!

The city of New York is an incredible and eclectic place. If you know the right spots, you'll be sure to meet a wide array of unique individuals who will greatly enhance and expand your world of interests. Also, come to NYC and you will never be bored again. If you're doing it right, you'll be so busy having after-work cocktails during happy hour, grabbing power lunches with friends, going on dinner dates, attending pre-parties, going to clubs, exploring dive bars, attending after-parties, and jet-setting to the Hamptons for weekend adventures that you won't have a second to catch your breath, let alone even think about boredom!

In the next few posts I'll write personal reviews of the all the venues I've been to, post links to other good reviews I've read, share some helpful tips as to how to schmooze your way past long lines and give ya'll a guide to New York City to ensure that when you come here, you'll be living it up the right way!

keep it classy
xo
alissa

Michelle Obama said it Best

2009-07-24T11:43:00.000-07:00

First Lady Michelle Obama became the "honorary patron"for the 10th anniversary of the Smithsonian’s Cooper-Hewitt National Design Awards. At the event, Obama stunned the audience with not only her style, but with her wise words.

While dressed in a spectacular bold yellow Michael Kors skirtsuit paired with lizard-skin pumps, Obama said, “What I love about design is the artistic and scientific complexity that becomes useful — a laptop, a bridge, an outfit — all drawn from a thousand wells of inspiration yet grounded in the basic principles of math and science."

I simply wanted to share this quote, which I saw in today's issue of WWD, with you all. For those of you who have read my blog for a while now, you are well aware that I view fashion as more than just clothing. The quote above encompasses how I feel about fashion and why I love it. I thought Michelle Obama's words were inspiring and wanted to pass this little piece of inspiration to you all.

keep it classy
xo
alissa

A New Look in a New City!

2009-07-16T12:55:00.000-07:00

So there are only a handful of people in the entire world that I fully and whole-heartedly trust with my hair. And lucky for me, these people can be found at an adorable salon in NYC!

When I was 14, the first form of modeling I had ever done was actually for a hair show. (For more info about hair shows or to learn how to get involved with them, please read my previous post!) For 14 years, I had the exact same hair cut: long light brown hair, no highlights, no bangs, no style. This all changed when I walked into a casting for a show with Nick Arrojo.

Nick Arrojo and his team are to the hairstyling industry what the great European couture houses are to the fashion industry. They are the industry leaders, the trend-setters, the masters.

For that first show so many years back, Nick cut my hair into a short, cute, fashion-forward bob. The head colorist for the Arrojo team, James, added some red and gold tones. Since then, my hair has been a mix of wild styles matched with some vibrant colors, from all ends of the color spectrum.

All colors except blonde, that is. So naturally, since I am in a new city, I decided I need a new look! After just five days of being in the city, I walked into the Arrojo studio and walked out as a blonde.

For those of you who want a change, I urge you to also walk into the Arrojo studio. The stylists are innovative, friendly and full of personality. In fact, due to the energy exuded by the stylists, the salon itself seems to be bustling with a special kind of creative energy.

In the world of hairstyling, Nick Arrojo (photographed below) is a celebrity. He transforms women's looks weekly on the TLC's hit show, What Not to Wear, taught the art of hair coloring to Queer Eye's Kyan Douglas, and has a clientèle list that includes celebrities.

Lina (photographed above) is a master stylist on the Arrojo team. She cut my hair six months ago with the New Shag, an innovative cut that the Arrojo studio developed. The cut was done so well that even six months later, it looks great! In addition to working as part of the Arrojo team, Lina styles for high fashion runway shows, celebrities at the Sundance Film Festival and has been named as a top NYC hair stylist by Allure Magazine. Her fashion knowledge, combined with her warm personality, make her a great person to go to when seeking advice for a new look.

The Arrojo team will always have a place in my heart. They have transformed my look twice, once so many years ago when I was 14 with a boring hairstyle, and now when I wanted to venture into being a blonde. I hold the team in the highest regard and them my best recommendation!

To read Lina's feature in Allure, click on the following link: http://www.allure.com/directory/new_york_city/hair/cuts

keep it classy
xo
alissa

A Little Secret Revealed

2009-07-15T09:16:00.000-07:00

For those of you who know me, you know that I embrace change and like to shake things up every now and then. This attitude, along with an inborn drive to stand out from the crowd, has led me to change my hair cut/color about once a month for the past few years.

If you are like me and love to spice up your look often, but don't like the toll it takes on your wallet, I'll share a little model secret with ya: hair shows.

The hairstyling industry is an interesting and unique one: each year top stylists develop new looks and set the trends in hair. Much like fashion, after the top stylists showcase their new looks, a new hairstyle trend develops that is based on the creations of the masters.

In order to showcase these new looks, the top hairstylists need models. Doing a show like this is not only fun, but you walk away with a whole new fashion-forward look that could cost up to $600+ in a nice salon. The only catch: you can't have any reservations with your hair & have to be open to everything and anything!

If you aren't looking for a drastic change but are looking to freshen up your look, I would recommend doing a demonstration seminar. Many of the top salons often hold small demonstration seminars where they cut or color a model's hair in front of an audience. These shows are more casual and the model can set some boundaries about what can and cannot be done. Most of the top salons hold a show like this about once or twice a month, doing one is a great way to save some money and spice up your look a little!

If you are interested in this, look up professional salons that hold seminars in your area! My recommendations: Arrojo, Wella, Sebastian, Vidal Sassoon, The Studio

keep it classy
xo
alissa

The Front Row

2009-07-11T17:09:00.000-07:00

So for those of you who were unable to attend the fabulous European couture weeks that took place these past few weeks, pour yourselves a glass of nice champagne, forget your work worries and relax while I take you on a front-row adventure ;)

As the great couture houses showcased their Fall 2009 collections, the past few weeks in Europe have been bustling with beautiful models, trend-setting fashionistas, front-row starlets, and of course, the designers themselves.

Because there are so so many designers to cover and no words can really describe true fashion, in this post, I'll simply let the fashion speak for itself.

My favorite looks from a few of my favorite collections:

Armani:

Jean Paul Gaultier:

Prada:
Miu Miu:

Valentino:

Givenchy:

Lanvin:
Christian Lacroix:

Chanel:
Dior:

keep it classy
xo
alissa

To my Wonderful Blog-Readers:

2009-07-08T20:03:00.000-07:00

My deepest apologies for not having any new posts for the past few days.

I have been crazy-busy packing for NYC && since my arrival in the big city, I haven't even had a moment to catch my breath, let alone catch up with the virtual world.

Unfortunately, I'm on my way out as I write this, so this post will be short & sweet, I basically just wanted to let ya'll know that I'm devoting my entire Saturday morning/afternoon to this blog! So look for many, many new posts soon!

For those of you who may have missed the WWD articles covering the recent European fashion shows, I'll give you some highlights. In addition, I'll write a bit about what its like to work in a high-fashion showroom on 5th avenue, how to look business-style sexy chic on a low budget, and I'll write a bit about some cool places I've been so far.

So please, check back soon!

Till then, keep it classy! ;)

alissa

My Artistic Love Affair

2009-06-30T06:04:00.000-07:00

After waking up much too early in the morning from a sleepless night spent tossing and turning, I have come to the conclusion that art is all I need.

Art has the ability to make you see the beauty in the world when you feel like there may be none left. Art has the ability to speak the absolute truth, without whispering a word. Art has the ability to evoke emotions that you never thought you were able to feel.

To me, art is passion, spice, and true love. Art embodies a love that will never go un-requited, a love that will never cause pain, a love that has stood the test of time. Art is like the perfect man; one who can be exciting and spontaneous while at the same time be calm and comforting, one who has grace, strength and eloquence, one who is always there for you, and one who can make you feel beautiful.

Like all affairs, I have a love-hate relationship with art. Some art fills me with such joy, that it makes my head spin and I instantly swoon. Some fills me with confusion, sorrow or anger. Still other art, no matter how hard it tries, just simply doesn't catch my eye and I lose all interest and instantly start scanning the room for a better piece to spend my time with.

Because I currently need a little cheer to brighten my day, I'll focus only on my all-time artistic love: Impressionism.

The Sex and the City fans out there will understand this: Impressionism is my "Mr. Big." Impressionism is ever-suave, romantic, and breaks all of the rules. I'll admit it, I'm totally, undeniably and deliriously head-over-heels for this daring "Mr. Big" of mine.

You see, in the 1860's, the early impressionists were the bad-boys of the art world. They broke all the rules of academic painting. They painted realistic scenes of modern life en plein air rather than in a studio. They used short, bold strokes that captured the essence of the subjects rather than the details, giving the paintings a romantic, dream-like feel.

These paintings are some of my favorites:

Claude Monet, The Artist's Garden at Argenteuil. 1873

The painting above is my absolute dream house. The painting below is my dream garden (sunflowers are my favorites!)

Claude Monet, Garden at Vetheuil. 1881

Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Promenade. 1882

James Tissot, The Bridesmaid. 1883-85

James Tissot, The Reception. 1883

Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Dance in the City. 1882

Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Luncheon. 1881

James Tissot, Jeune Femme en Bateau. 1870.

Camille Pissarro, Boulevard Montmartre. 1897

For those of you non art-obsessed folk, I urge you to also spark a love affair with art. Next time the world brings you down, take a day off from work, forget your mundane everyday responsibilities, and take yourself on a date to an art museum. Wander the halls and let the legendary images whisper their legacies and lend some inspiration to you.

keep it classy
xo
alissa

Remembering a King

2009-06-25T22:11:00.000-07:00

Michael Jackson was best known as the "King of Pop," however, he was much more than that. Michael Jackson was the king of dance. Michael Jackson was the king of style. Michael Jackson was the king of "cool," and his death marks the end of an era.

Michael Jackson always stood out from other artists not only because of his talent, but because of his cutting-edge style. When remembering his life and career, one cannot help but be in awe of his fashion-forward outfits.

Looking through photos from Jackson's career, one can clearly see that Jackson was always in the forefront of the fashion scene. His style shows more than just his creativity, it shows that he was not afraid to stand out. It shows that Jackson was not afraid to express himself freely. It shows that he was not afraid to take a stand and be different, and this is something that we can all admire.

You see... to me, fashion is more than just what we wear. Fashion is a statement of who we are, what we believe in. Fashion is art, an art that we personally parade on the streets on a daily basis. Michael Jackson's fashion is one that we can pay homage to and emulate, not just because of the clothes, but because of the individuality and uniqueness that the clothes represent.

Although often outrageous, Jackson made his style undeniably his own. His outfits inspired the eras during which he lived, and will continue to inspire leaders in the fashion scene for years to come.

As a child star, Michael Jackson owned the "bell-bottoms and an afro" look and was one of the key influencers in driving this style into an international trend.

In the 1970's, Jackson continued the bell-bottom look, but spiced it up with fringed shirts and platform shoes. His creative combination quickly caught on and became the staple outfit for the 70's. To pay homage to this look and borrow a bit Jackson's creativity today, try loose-fitting shirts paired with a suede vest.

Jackson's debut as an adult artist with the album "Off the Wall" brought a sleeker look to the scene. Remembering Jackson in this era brings sights of tuxedo jackets, pegged pants, black shoes and stark white socks to mind. Ever suave, this look exemplified Jackson's confidence. To add a retro Michael Jackson twist to your wardrobe, try a black suit with a slightly-unbuttoned collared white shirt. Top it off with shiny black shoes and a fedora hat and you're set.

Although he was in the forefront of the fashion scene his whole life, Michael Jackson's style is best remembered with the debut of "Thriller." This album took fashion to a new level. His signature red leather jacket with its zippered details, tight black parachute pants, mirrored aviator sunglasses, and of course, signature white sequined glove, encompassed the spirit of the 80's. To echo this look today, sport aviators with a custom-fit leather jacket.

By paying homage to Michael Jackson's style, we ensure that his vibrant spirit will never be forgotten.

xo
alissa

Honoring Farrah Fawcett: An Icon and Inspiration

2009-06-25T16:02:00.000-07:00

Today, the world lost one of its leading ladies, Farrah Fawcett.

Farrah was not only an accomplished actress, she was an icon. Her legendary looks, paired with her bright personality, inspired millions. She was a true trend-setter, her hairstyle alone became an international sensation. A "Farrah Do" was the staple across cultures for years.

Farrah's photos and films will remain a timeless inspiration for artists and women worldwide. With her talent, gorgeous smile and boisterous hair, Farrah influenced a decade of fashion and will never forgotten.

The world will miss Farrah's grace on screen and dynamic photos as we grieve the loss of a legend.

xo
alissa

Tatyana Peter: Classic Style with a Modern Twist

2009-06-24T18:43:00.000-07:00

It all started with a dream. A dream conceived miles away in a small town by Mount Elbrus in the region of Caucasus and realized in America. A dream to create couture for the everyday woman. A dream inspired by the women for whom the dresses are designed. A dream to have an international high fashion forum in Los Angeles.

With devotion, hard work and fashionable flair, Tatyana Peter has made this dream a reality. In business since she was born, Tatyana’s whole life has been dedicated to fashion.Her affinity for elegant, classic yet cutting-edge style has carried her designs across international borders, into royal castles, on red carpets, to presidential inaugurations, to the Emmys, the Oscars, onto television shows, and into the movies.

Designer Tatyana Peter with Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger

With First Lady of California Marie Shriver

With Actor Rob Lowe

With Windy Bunch and Christine Devine

With Donaldo Monroy and legendary author Geraldine Saunders

Tatyana has two enchanting boutiques, located in Beverly Hills and Huntington Beach. Although the boutiques are beautiful, what really makes them special are the countless elegant, innovative, leading-edge dresses which line the walls.

Tatyana designs her dresses with passion and care. She pairs original looks and creative cuts with high-quality fabric and seamless stitching. Always keeping a lady-like form in mind, she creates her dresses to flatter femininity. Tatyana believes that “every woman deserves her princess night” and designs spectacular dresses to bring out the royalty in us all.

When she is not designing dresses for the everyday woman, Tatyana is designing for real royalty. As Princess Lilly Lawrence’s personal designer, Tatyana adds vivacious style to Princess Lilly’s royal wardrobe.

Tatyana Peter with Princess Lilly Lawrence

Tatyana’s line is a favorite among actresses, signers, dancers, producers, politicians and celebrities. She is the costume designer for the upcoming film, “The Innocent Love of a Butterfly.” Director Phillip Durand said, “Tatyana’s designs are so feminine, so sensual and so creative that they make an artist dream. Her costumes bring grace and elegance to the screen.”

Writer, director and actor Philippe Durand and leading actress Monica Serene Garnich in Tatyana Peter Couture

Monica Serene Garnich in another couture costume gown for the film

According to Monica Serene Garnich, the leading actress in Durand’s film, Tatyana Peter’s designs are “classy, spirited and vibrant. Her designs fit great and make you feel beautiful.” Garnich says that Tatyana Peter’s elaborate designs helped set the scene and put the ‘magic’ in on-screen magical moments.

Monica Serene Garnich in Tatyana Peter Couture

Tatyana Peter personally hand-makes each gown. Women across southern California come to Tatyana Peter to get their dream dress made. A typical visit to Tatyana Peter’s boutique includes a personalized styling session, where the dress is designed, followed by a fitting. After just three to four more visits, Tatyana Peter’s clients go home with a personalized couture gown.

Tatyana Peter Couture fashion show at Princess Lilly Lawrence's famous Castle Kashan in Malibu:

For information on how to purchase an original, specially-fitted, or ready-to-wear piece from Tatyana Peter Couture, please e-mail me for more information at alissalentz@gmail.com.

Also, to get a behind-the-scenes sneak peak at the fashion show photos featured above, go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIL5eGqN8sE

If you want to see more behind-the-scenes action, check out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arTSIAp9Amo

And: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arTSIAp9Amo

And: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmxzn6hg9Nw

keep it classy
xo
alissa

A Modern "Princess" with a Sense of Style

2009-06-24T00:39:00.000-07:00

Honestly, I can’t believe I’m about to write something positive about Paris Hilton.

Regardless of her personal choices && her notorious “claim to fame,” I gotta hand it to her.. she sure knows how to carry herself.

Despite often-horrendous press reviews, Paris exudes confidence and that, paired with a great sense of style, is what keeps the cameras flashing.

I recently had to get my wisdom teeth out (yes, I realize this rite of passage is occurring rather late in my life.. I’ve been putting it off cause I was terrified of the procedure.) Anyway, due to my enlarged chipmunk cheeks, I was trapped inside my house with no outlets besides this blog && my television set, which on a rare occasion, was actually turned on.

The point of that story—to explain to ya’ll why on earth I was watching Paris’ latest horrible show.. My New BFF.

I was simply appalled at the sheer ridiculousness of the subject matter. However, despite my rather strong dislike for the show, I’m not here to waste my time, or yours, to review the desperate attempts that people will steep to in order to grasp their fifteen minutes of fame.

Rather—I’m here to review what they wear while they make these attempts ;)

Honestly, the contestants on the show really need to step it up a notch. Not only are they on public television, but they are competing to be the best friend of a known stylista.. with that knowledge, don’t you think they’d try a little harder to look camera-ready, or at the very least, presentable?

Maybe the producers of the show asked them to dress so badly in order to make Paris look better. Now if that’s the case, then the plan was effective, cause no matter how much we all hate to admit it, Paris looks damn good on that show.

Although her style is a little too pink & frilly for my taste, she wears it well. For all the girly-girls out there who love lace, frills, and of course, all shades of pink, if you’re able to wear it in a fashion-forward way like Paris, I might just be able to resist from puking.

For example, I would normally say that any girl who pairs a light pink dress with a pair of hot-pink heels should go back to the 3rd grade, however, the cool rhinestones on the dress, the funky frill, and the bow really pull the outfit together.

This is actually the dress that inspired me to write a post about Paris’ style. I LOVE this dress. Its classy, sexy and fun! Also, I’m totally obsessed with the 1920’s, and LOVE flapper dresses.. this dress echoes the 20’s style without looking like something out of a costume shop. It’s a 21^st century twist on a classic 1920’s look.

Paris Hilton.. a woman of class and elegance?? It’s a wonder how much the correct clothes can change a person’s appearance.

And as if to prove my prior point.. I came across this photo right after the prior one. This is more in-line with the usual image that comes to mind when I think of Paris Hilton.. too much pink, oversized, tacky plastic hoops and a skin-tight dress, that although probably cost hundreds, if not thousands, looks incredibly cheap.

keep it classy
xo
alissa

Washington D.C: The Capitol of Nightlife

2009-06-22T11:58:00.000-07:00

So for my second "city life" review, I thought it would make sense to write about the place that I've most recently traveled to: Washington D.C.

Honestly, I was taken by surprise at the culture, class && cool party scene found in this city. I'll admit, I expected the city to be full of old politicians with graying hair and permanent frowns etched on their faces with wrinkles.

However, this is so not the case! On the contrary, D.C. is full of attractive, goal-oriented young men && women who live by the motto, "work hard, play harder."

The city is bustling with nightlife. There are over 150 bars, all in centralized locations making it easy to walk from one place to the next. Go out in Dupont Circle or Chinatown && you'll be sure to run into a cool party or two.

Also, the metro system is one of the nation's best so its easy to get from one area to the next. The best part about it: trains run till midnight on weeknights and till 3:00 a.m. on weekends.

According to my friends who live out in D.C., bars, not clubs, are the way to go. There are a handful of clubs in D.C., and although I didn't get to check them out while I was there, I didn't feel like I was missing out on anything. However, if you are a fan of the club scene, check out Lima, the city's hot spot of the moment.

My favorite bar that I went out to was Rocketbar, in Chinatown. The place is huge, with three bars and two large rooms. The drinks are moderately-priced, the bartenders are chill, the flat-screens are always tuned to sports && the venue has tons of pool tables.

Oh && for those of you who like to sing, or as in my case, just like to publicly embarrass yourselves, some of the bars in D.C. have great karaoke nights, one of which I was lucky enough to witness during my stay.

While there, I stayed just outside D.C. in the city of Arlington at the Marriott hotel. Just a side note, if anyone was planning on staying there, don't. The service was horrible, the rooms were overpriced.. go to the Hampton Inn next door instead, which has better rooms && amazing service for 1/3 of the price.

No matter where you stay, D.C. really is a must-visit for anyone between 21 and 32.

keep it classy
xo
alissa

Sex and the City Chic

2009-06-22T01:52:00.001-07:00

On a whim a couple of weeks ago, I decided to just pick up & move to NYC for the rest of the summer.

Now, when I told people about my decision, most just called me crazy. I'll admit, my decision was spur-of-the-moment and may have been influenced by one too many glasses of good wine, but my mind was made up.

Four days after I decided to move to NYC (without knowing a single soul in the whole city && without a place to live,) I landed the internship of my dreams, so I decided it was fate for me to go!

Starting June 7th, I'll be interning at the St. John Knits showroom on 5th Avenue. To me, St. John encompasses the true meaning of class, grace and sophistication. The high quality fabric and unique blend of rayon and wool results in an amazing fit for any shape. St. John pieces are classic and timeless, perfect for any occasion!

Also, their website has a cool social networking site.. if you are a fan of the line, join the St. John community && friend me =)

The link is: http://www.sjk.com/community

A few of my favorite St. John images..

Marie Gray, the original designer and founder of St. John, in classic St. John attire!

The adventurous advertising featuring the bold & beautiful Kelly Gray, Marie Gray's daughter

Angelina Jolie for St. John

My favorite image from the most recent campaign

keep it classy
xo
alissa

Walnut Creek: The Best-Kept Secret of the Bay

2009-06-22T01:44:00.000-07:00

In this blog, I'll write about the places I've been && the cities I've seen. I'll give you the inside scoop of the best places to go in each city & leave a few tips of what to wear there, of course ;)

I figured I should start with the city I know best, my hometown of Walnut Creek, CA.

For those of you non-Bay Area-ins, Walnut Creek is located about 40 min east of San Francisco.

Yes, it is a typical suburb, but a suburb with a booming shopping/restaurant industry, with an expanding nightlife as well.

In fact, my city friends often come to Walnut Creek to shop, get lunch and just to "escape the city noise" for a while.

With stores like Juicy Couture, Betsy Johnson, BCBG, Coach and, of course, Tiffany's, the Walnut Creek shopping scene is getting noticed. And the best part about it- its not a mall, but rather a cute outdoor shopping plaza where one can go to just enjoy the non-city polluted air, people watch and window shop.

Many of the restaurants in Broadway plaza are European-style, with outdoor sitting areas facing the street. One restaurant, Va de Vi, encompasses this European feel with a French cuisine and gorgeous sitting area. In true European style, Va de Vi is small, and its best seating is outdoors.

The owners converted a side alley into a gorgeous oasis, with relaxing fountains and flowers. However, the prime seating is in the back. The back area features a circular garden, with about 15 tables clustered around a gorgeous oak tree. On the outer ring of the circle, separated from the tables by a hedge of flowers, are benches. This is the perfect place to steal a romantic moment with a significant other, or just relax && digest before hitting the shops!

When Va de Vi first opened in 2005, Michael Bauer from the SF Chronicle wrote, “San Francisco restaurants should be very nervous. Restaurants like Va de Vi not only keep customers on the east side of the bay, but when it's cool and foggy, what could be better than taking a 35 minute drive to dine and shop in sunshine?”

His words ring true today—not only about Va de Vi, but about Walnut Creek in general. The city has grown from just a “cute, quaint little suburb” to a city worthy of notification.

One word of advice as far as fashion.. if you plan on spending the day downtown Walnut Creek, step up your style a notch. Walnut Creekers like to look good when we go downtown. Of course, we never look like we’re trying too hard, jeans and cute fashion-forward top, or a light summer dress paired with a nice pair of heels and matching purse will usually suffice.

keep it classy
xo
alissa

H&M: An Oldie but a Goodie

2009-06-21T23:25:00.000-07:00

So by now we've all heard about H&M && have shopped there so frequently that its lost any of its new-on-the-fashion-scene edge. However, after pigeonholing the store into being "too plain" or "too mainstream" or "trying too hard," I re-discovered its value today.

For fathers day, my family treated my dad to a nice lunch at a cute wine bar/bistro in Walnut Creek (which I will review in a later post about the city). Afterwords, we decided to take my dad on a much-needed and long, long-awaited shopping spree.

Since it was right next to the restaurant, H&M was the first place we went. I'll admit, I entered the store expecting to find nothing but cheap fabric with ugly prints, but quickly took back my negative thoughts. Lining the walls were cool dresses, nice tops && cute skirts, all with bright red tags proclaiming their extra-low prices ($10 for a purse, $15 for a top, I even snagged a great hat for just $3!).

For you men reading this blog (not many I presume), there were some AMAZING deals. For the gals, the fabric used to manufacture the clothing in the aforementioned deals was slightly on the cheap end, but this was not the case for the men, and the deals were even sweeter. I'm pretty sure my dad and brother doubled their wardrobes in this one visit. There were polos, shirts and button-downs for $10, nice pants for $30 and a few stunning jackets for just $60.

Besides the low prices, H&M's public relations initiatives caught my eye. H&M is making a colorful splash on the scene with its "Fashion Against AIDS" campaign. With bold, funky, avant-garde shirts proclaiming "Girls just wanna have safe sex" and "Life is too short, have SEX BE SAFE," this campaign is sure to cause quite a stir on the fashion scene.

Personally, I value what H&M is doing. Our generation, the young ones.. the bloggers.. the constantly connected.. are the ones who will make a change. We value BOLD. We value COLOR. We understand that the best way to get something done is to SHOUT until everyone is listening. This campaign resonates with us, and maybe with it, we'll be one step closer to making a real impact in the fight against AIDS.

The shirt I mentioned, with artist Cyndi Lauper, who is a participant in the campaign and designed the shirt above. The second shirt I mentioned, with Estelle, another participating artisit in the shirt that she designed. Yelle, another participating artisit, in her shirt. This one is one of my favorites from the collection. Dita Von Teese in her design. I absolutely adore this one! Katy Perry in a magazine spread promoting Fashion Against AIDS, in the shirt she designed.

As you probably guessed from my photo captions, the campaign involves pop culture through the use of popular artists such as the ones featured above. Each artist designs a collection for Fashion Against AIDS, to be sold at H&M stores. The campaign is very interactive. On the website, you can listen to the artists' music, create you own music video to be featured on youtube, create/download your own ringtone, create a very contemporary and artistic avatar, and of course, share this all with friends though the use of social media!

Check it out at: http://www.hm.com/us/fashion/fashionagainstaids__faa2009.nhtml#/faa2009/

If you want to shop online, H&M's site is a cool place to do it. You can upload a photo, enter your measurements.. basically create a mini virtual-world version of yourself && see how clothes look on you before you purchase!

Check that out at: http://www.hm.com/us/fashion/dressingroom__dressingroom.nhtml

keep it classy
xo
alissa

A taste of my experiences in the SF fashion industry..

2009-06-20T16:22:00.001-07:00

Photoshoot for Ford Models

Behind the scenes peak at a photoshoot.. this one was for the Decepcion fashion week look-book.

Out at DJ Donovan's annual "Best-Dressed in SF" party at Slide

A photoshoot just for fun with KG (KGphotography.com)

Out at Ruby Sky with some of the other girls from the agency!

Out on the town with Steve Urkel hahaha (thats him.. 30 years later.. still kinda geeky though!)

Alissa

High Heels && Little Black Dresses

2009-06-20T15:45:00.001-07:00

Staying true to the saying "a picture is worth a thousand words," I thought the best way to share my fashion-industry experience is to simply show it!

Attending one of Donovan's fabulous fashion-forward parties at Slide, with friends and designer Jason Christopher Peters.

Backstage at the annual Oscar de la Renta show for the Keep Lake Tahoe Blue Foundation.

The annual "Five Designers and a Poodle" show for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Don't be deceived though, that poodle walked ME down the runway!

Showcasing the "Birds of Paradise" gown by Colleen Quen Couture. This dress was featured on America's Next Top Model!

xo
Alissa

The Beautiful Board of Chapman Couture

2009-06-20T14:56:00.000-07:00

As I mentioned in my very first post, this blog began as a public relations initiative for Chapman Couture, a professional-development fashion club which I am the president of. In the midst of discussing fashion, art and entertainment, I will occasionally mention the ongoings of Chapman Couture.

In this post, I would like to introduce the amazing board of Chapman Couture. These girls are the backbone of the organization, without them, Chapman Couture would not exist!

Some of these girls will also be adding content to this blog, so watch for their signatures on some of the posts!

Caitlin, Membership V.P.

Desiree, Event Designer

Emily, Event Coordinator Co-Chair

Camille, Event Coordinator Co-Chair

Chelsea, Fundraising/Philanthropy Chair

Jessica, Creative Director

Thania, Public Relations V.P.

Lizzie, Vice President

A little indroduction

2009-06-20T14:31:00.000-07:00

I'll admit, I'm a bit of a newbie to this whole blog thing. I follow blogs, leave comments and post photos, but this is my first time creating a whole new original one!

I guess I should start with an introduction, and tell you why I'm qualified to write about fashion, art and life in general.

I've been in the fashion industry since I was 14, when I worked as a model in the SF Bay Area (which is where I grew up). I worked as a model until I was 18, which is when I left the wonderful city of San Francisco to attend Chapman University in Orange.

As a 14 year-old model, I dove headfirst into the diverse, eclectic and eccentric world of fashion. Working in San Francisco taught me to appreciate art and view fashion as an artistic expression, which will be the primary subject/purpose of this blog.

At Chapman, I'm pursuing a dual degree in Business Marketing and Public Relations and Advertising, with a minor in Communication Studies. It can be quite a load at times, but I balance out my schoolwork with my involvement on campus. My idea to start this blog actually originated as a public relations initiative for Chapman Couture, a professional-development fashion club which I am the president of. However, although I will occasionally blog about Chapman Couture on-goings, I'll use this blog primarily to reveal the tips, tricks and secrets that I've picked up about the fashion industry through my seven years of working in it.

xo
Alissa