Bunny Paige Spiked Heart in Cirque Du Soleil - Seeing my Spiked Heart come to life in Cirque Du Soleil’s new live action show R.U.N was such a surreal experience.

Cleveland's own Dan Houseman (https://www.instagram.com/___petrichor/) was the executive producer for this season's NYFW: Street Fashion Week (http://streetfashionweek.net/) shows taking place this Saturday the 16th in SOHO (https://www.galvanize.com/campuses/new-york).  Dan and his partner Lauren have been producers on two runway productions with one of the industries top show producers and have also produced a handful of public and private fashion presentations at NYFW.  This will be Dan's first time as an executive producer - stepping up his game with a mission to show the world that the real street wear movement is taking place right here, handmade in Cleveland, Ohio.

The show will consist 13 emerging streetwear designers each with a complete and distinct collection.  Award winning videographers and film producers Tots Film Production (International Film Festival participants and the recipient of the 2019 BBB Spark Award and 2017 OEA Best Filmmaker) will be documenting the entire trip and live streaming the show through various social media platforms.

Cleveland's Jevon Terrance's (https://www.jevonterance.com/) NEON TOKYO collection will have 30 brilliant looks split over two shows - all worn by models from Cleveland, accessorized by brands from Cleveland, and styled by our very own celebrity stylist Cara Stover.  Two jewelry designers,  Lauren Tatum of Bunny Paige (https://www.bunnypaige.com/) and Deanna Dionne of Cleveland Street Glass (https://clevelandstreetglass.com/) will represent Cleveland.  Bunny Paige was conceived during Lauren's time living in Asia - her iconic and instantly recognizable wearable art drew its inspiration from the vibrant street art of South Korea and Japan.  Making her NYFW debut is Deanna Dionne of Cleveland Street Glass - her contemporary art jewelry is literally made from shattered glass and miscellaneous remnants from car break-ins.

This isn't just about Cleveland though.  There is a much bigger picture here.  The entire staff of Street Fashion Week, its producers, creative director, and staff have a humanitarian and philanthropic goal.  Lead by creative and artistic director Naomi Alabi, some of the proceeds from the show will help solidify SFW's relationship with emerging markets in developing nations  - helping to ensure fair-trade and proper wages, safe working conditions, and access to educational material.  While we would love to have everything "made in America," that just isn't always economically feasible - especially in the fashion industry.  It should be our responsibility and moral imperative to ensure that we can consume, guilt free, and to know we are doing our very best to ensure safe working conditions & fair compensation - to know who makes our clothes and to know that we are helping families prosper and businesses to flourish.  In the end we all win.

A number of celebrity VIP guests have been confirmed and Keremih, Post Malone, Karrueche Tran, to "Rosa Acosta, Christine Devine, Malik Yusef are rumored to have RSVPd.  There will be a street-art contest open to the public the day before the show the winning art to be  displayed in the show. Digital projectors, VR, and a display of sneakers will reinforce the very essence of street-style.  Finally, a diverse pop up shop will let the public and buyers have a closer, hands-on look - providing designers the opportunity to show and sell both past and present seasons looks.

 

In my previous post, Making A Magazine Cover & Editorial | Marie Claire Malaysia October Couture Issue I covered our trip from Central Park to Battery Park to get the perfect shots for the couture issue of Marie Claire Malaysia - but the fun didn't stop there.

Day 2 whisked us across Brooklyn Bridge to the cobblestone streets of the trendy Dumbo  neighborhood where art galleries and tech startups have taken over the warehouses that were once home to early 20th century industrial America.

Dumbo is a beautiful clash of old world meets the new century which made it the perfect vibrant backdrop to shoot spring and resort looks.

As much as I love fall's ubiquitous sweater weather staples of leather and little black booties, I long for breezy and carefree spring fashion year round. This photo shoot I got to play with my idea of dream couture, fresh off the international runways.

One of my favorite looks was from Chanel's Grecian inspired cruise line. We shot this flowy gown on a slice of beach front paradise we found amidst the sprawling urban chaos of Brooklyn.

A sandy beach and crashing waves with a gorgeous view of New York City in the background? If I ever disappear one day you'll know exactly where to find me.

Fendi's bright-pink jacquard pleated midi skirt spoke to my girly punk rock soul. We paired it with their multicolor silk bomber jacket and black ankle boots for an unexpected twist. This was hands down my favorite look to style. I actually found myself running down the street from the cafe we had turned in to our makeshift dressing room - shout out to One Girl Cookies - you all were amazing! - just to make sure I was on set when it was time to shoot this look. Love!

Thanks to our amazing and crazy talented team we captured almost a dozen looks and still had time to feast on delicious Sweetgreen salads and catch an Uber back to Manhattan before sundown. All in a day's work.

Fashion isn't easy but it's our job to make it look effortless. Often times it means very (very) long days with long stretches of time before you get to see the final results. It's been months since our back-to-back shoot. Right now I'm sitting here writing this while sipping a hot cup of tea in the dead of winter looking back at a time before the world even knew what a bomb cyclone was. Seeing these pictures and remembering those 14 hour days fills me with a kind of energy that makes me so excited to do it all again.
I'm in love with this world. Or maybe I'm addicted.
Either way, I've never been more excited to go back to New York as I am right now. This February we'll be producing a show for New York Fashion Week. Thinking about the chaos and excitement and utter exhaustion that comes with cramming months of work into a couple of days of presentation is exhilarating. I'm so ready for it.

In fact, I'm already thinking about what I'm going to wear.

Check out the full spread in this month's issue of Marie Claire Malaysia. 

 

Credits:
Model:Gabby Westbrook
Styling: Azza Arifk
Producer: Ilaria Niccolini
Showroom Coordination: FTL Moda, NYC
Makeup: Christyna Kay
Hair: Gianluca Mandelli
Photographer: Élio Nogueira
Videographer: Irene Cacciarini
Assistant to the Videographer: Eleonora Grieco
Assistant to the Producer: Esther Lee
Production Assistants: Lauren Tatum & Dan Houseman

In September I went to New York for fashion week. In addition to starting a movement in the heart of New York's fashion district, like you do, I also got to work on two issues of Marie Claire Malaysia.

The October issue is all about timeless couture against a New York City backdrop - a romantic concept that had me fully immersed in every fashion fantasy I've ever had. The editorial featured fresh off the runway looks from all the major players, from Dior to Elie Saab. For a fashionphile like me it was heaven.

Glossy magazines on newsstands make their covers and editorials look effortless but the behind-the-scenes is 14+ hour days in 90 degree heat while carrying heavy couture gowns across Central Park and then cramming a crew of people in an Uber across town to Battery Park just in time for magic hour.

It takes a team to create a beautiful editorial. It takes a family to love every second of the hard work and dedication it takes to create beauty and that's when true art is born. I'm so fortunate to of found an art family in FTL Moda and I'm so proud and honored to be a part of that. Together we created something magical and it doesn't stop there.

Credits:
Model: Ling Tan
Styling: Azza Arifk 
Producer: Ilaria Niccolini 
Showroom Coordination: FTL Moda, NYC 
Makeup: Victor Noble 
Hair: Gianluca Mandelli 
Photographer: Elio Nogueira
Videographer: Irene Cacciarini 
Assistant to the Videographer: Eleonora Grieco 
Assistant to the Producer: Esther Lee 
Production Assistants: Lauren Tatum & Dan Houseman

I teamed up with Alternative Press Magazine to create this one-of-a-kind, LIMITED EDITION, Bunny Paige Spiked Heart Enamel Pin.

What does fashion mean to you?

To me it means making a personal statement about your identity to the world. Who you are. What you believe. What's important to you. What we wear projects who we are to the world without having to say a word.

This year New York Fashion Week became a global platform where art and personal expression took on social and political issues. Designers and attendees alike wore their hearts and voices on their sleeves, sometimes literally, making a visual statement that transcended beyond the realm of a typical Fashion Week.

This September marked my third time attending New York Fashion Week and it was hands down my favorite Fashion Week to date. And it wasn't just because of the couture.

FTL Moda

FTL Moda is an international fashion firm and  production company with showrooms in New York, Milan, and Berlin. Founded in 2000 by Italian-American producer Ilaria Niccolini, the  company has become known for its focus on artistry and producing iconic editorials and some of the most innovative fashion shows that the industry has ever seen.

I first met the FTL Moda team in February 2017 when I attended their groundbreaking, all digital fashion presentation featuring virtual reality technology by Samsung. I became obsessed. Not only was the show breathtaking and inspiring, we were personally greeted at the door and escorted to the VIP lounge by Ilaria herself who immediately treated us like old friends - a true rarity in the fashion industry. We had an instant connection over our mutual love of the artistry and passion that goes into creating clothing, couture, and accessories. Needless to say, when FTL Moda asked me to help assist on their production for September's Fashion Week I booked my flight immediately.

#FashionStatement

For September's Fashion Week presentation Ilaria knew she wanted to do something different. Inspired by the idea that fashion was created to be enjoyed by the people and not just an elite few, Ilaria set out to create "a movement led by integrity, fighting injustice, breaking boundaries, promoting diversity and cultural change." She set out to create a #FashionStatement.

On the first day of New York Fashion Week we took the the streets armed with dozens of ordinary people who volunteered to be part of our movement and embrace our fashion protest. We marched down 7th Avenue dressed in individually altered white coveralls and posed with signs that shared our message with the world. We are FTL Moda. We are fashion. We want to see real change in the fashion world. This is our fashion statement. People stopped and asked us what we were all about in in turn we shared our message with them. Some strangers even took a pair of coveralls joined our movement on the spot. It was such a cool and spontaneous experience that invoked the true passion and grassroots movement that should drive modern fashion.

Planning for February New York Fashion Week started as soon as September's show was over and I can't give you details but it's going to be spectacular. Going from a spectator to a production assistant has been a surreal ride with no end in sight. I can't wait to share it with all of you.

It's official!

I'm SO excited to announce that Bunny Paige will have work shown, displayed and sold at New York Fashion Week 2017! 

Keep an eye out for the official press release!

I was fortunate to have pieces from my jewelry brand Bunny Paige show at New York Fashion Week 2016!  A special thank you to Kevin Johnn for providing such a rare and magnificent opportunity! This was an incredibly amazing experience I will never forget and I'd love to share it with you!

Every crystal and rhinestone on earth gets its beauty by how well it is cut. No matter what material the rhinestone is made of whether that acrylic, resin, glass, or natural crystal — a precision cut means more facets which allows for more light to be dispersed throughout the stone. This creates the rich colors, brilliance, and even the sparkle we covet from high quality crystal.

 

Cut and quality where two things a young Daniel Swarovski learned a lot about working as an apprentice in his father's North Bohemia glass processing factory. With its countrysides abundant in natural resources North Bohemia was already well known for producing its infamous Czech glass and crystal which was displayed in palaces all over Europe and sought after by the wealthy. However, everything was still being produced laboriously by hand which made cutting super fine detail impossible.

 

When he was 21, Swarovski first had the idea of using a machine to grind crystal stones to perfection while visiting the "First Electrical Exhibition" in Vienna. He worked countless days and nights until he had built a prototype machine and in 1892, nine years later, he filed for a patent for the world's very first electric crystal cutting machine.

 

Swarovski's glass cutting machine marked a whole new era of crystal and defined the innovative spirit that the company would become known for. It was then that Daniel Swarovski laid out the vision he had for this brand; to create a "diamond" a for every woman by producing the highest quality and most precisely cut crystal stone the world has ever seen.

 

In 2014, Swarovski took a huge leap forward in its tradition of innovation with its release of the celestial-inspired Xirius flat back crystal. Named after the brightest star in the galaxy, the Xirius crystal uses an exclusive high-precision cutting technique to produce an intricate star cut that produces rich color and extraordinary sparkle. Not only can the unrivaled radiance and clarity of the Xirius crystal be seen with the naked eye, it has also been scientifically proven to surpass the current market standard of quality.

 

Fueled by the innovative spirit of its founder the Swarovski brand has continued to lead the way in creating new and innovative way to cut and treat crystal and redefined the very meaning of luxury. The Xirius crystal represents over hundred years of ingenuity and determination taking us one step closer to seeing Daniel Swarovski's dream of creating diamonds become a reality.

 

"Our heritage is a heart felt obligation to continuously refine crystal manufacturing. With the Xirius family inspired by the brightest star in the sky, we created a sparkling tool box for creative minds all over the world. The sophisticated and multi-layered cut makes each crystal a revolution in itself."
- Markus Langes-Swarovski, great-grandson of Daniel Swarovski

The space is constantly evolving and I look forward to presenting something new and exciting every month. Come check out my ever changing gallery!

It's no secret that I love Rebelicious Magazine. Armed with the tagline "for girly girls in a brutal world", the UK based alternative fashion mag aims to showcase just how diverse and engaging the world of alternative fashion can be. This month I'm so excited and honored to announce that Bunny Paige is their brand of the month

This month Bunny Paige was featured in the fashion section of Rebelicious Magazine's August issue. The full four page spread features a full interview covering everything from what inspires me to future plans for Bunny Paige.

Rebelicious is a UK based alternative fashion magazine that aims to provide a platform for alternative fashion companies and independent designers to show just how diverse and engaging the alternative world is. Their tagline is "For Girly Girls In A Brutal World" which sums up Bunny Paige beautifully.

You can get your very own print copy of Issue #24 or you can check it out for free online!
View Online: http://bit.ly/Rebelicious_Issue24
Digital Download (smartphone/tablet/desktop friendly): http://bit.ly/RebeliciousIssue24Digi
Print Edition: http://bit.ly/RebeliciousIssue24_Print