Fashionista University: Learn to Be a Designer!!

My wonderful designer friends, Kathlin and Courtney, are offering an amazing opportunity for girls looking to learn about everything fashion! Their Fashionista University is the chance for any young lady to learn the ropes about being the next big fashion designer. Since I have a big mouth (and I love them), I am sharing this opportunity with the world! If you know someone who is in or around NYC, this is a fabulous chance....

Have you dreamed of being a part of the Fabulous World of Fashion?

Fashionista Universtiy is for anyone who wants to be a future fashionista!

Go beyond "Project Runway" and the latest issue of "Teen Vogue" to the heart of the Garment District in NYC and experience fashion in the real world! Fashionista University is the first program of its kind to offer a new type of "hands on" fashion experience that offers a multitude of programs and classes taught by real live fashion experts including nationally known Fashion Designers Kathlin Argiro and Courtney Zellmer and Public Relations Guru Gwen Wunderlich!

The program is offered to junior high through college-aged students - leaving no Fashionista behind. This is an opportunity unlike any other that will help students lay the foundation for their futures. With unforgettable experiences - only made possible by industry insiders - students will learn things that they never imagined possible from the BEST in the business. Students will emerge from these classes with a sense of confidence that will give them the edge they need to make it in uber-competitive world of Fashion.

A GREAT GIFT FOR THE HOLIDAYS!!!

Sign-up starting now at

www.fashionistauniversity.com or call 212-268-8774.

Sat., Jan. 16th-March 6th 11am-2pm Fashion Design 101 Session

Sat., Jan. 16th- March 6th 2:30pm-5:30pm PR Prep101 Session

REGISTRATION: $600 a session (or $500 each if signed up for both)

Each Session limited to 25 students- Supplies Extra Registration Ending Jan. 8th, 2010
***Please note no class on Feb. 13th, 2010 due to President's Day

FASHION DESIGN 101: Hosted by designers Kathlin Argiro and Courtney Zellmer (www.kathlinargiro.com) founders of Kathlin Argiro a womens special ocassion company since 1997. Learn first-hand what it takes to design a collection from start to finish, from getting inspired to sketching a fashion model, students will learning about fabrics and how to use them, merchandising and styling a collection, and presenting it. The designers will even give you the inside scoop on where designers go for all their fashion finds!! Get ready for Glamour, Glitz and Red Carpet Couture.

PR PREP 101: Hosted by Gwen Wunderlich of Wunderlich Inc.(www.wunderlichinc.com) can help you begin your journey here! Her expertise, based upon her years of experience working in Public Relations and even starting her own public relations company from the ground up, will give you an inside look into how to become an "it" publicist-where celebrities not only want you, but they need you! Gwen's class will be focused on the necessity of being connected-where you can meet the needs of your client, and often times, go above and beyond.

www.FashionistaUniversity.com

Help Me Pick My New Headshot!!!!

I was lucky enough to work with Amy Fletcher last week and have some new headshots taken. Since I have had my "long hair" (I fully admit they are extensions) for a year now, I think it is about time! I walk into auditions and hand them a headshot with my chopped 'do and they always look thoroughly confused. Usually they have already seen my website and webseries and my hair is completely different in everything you look at! The greatest part is I am about to make my hair shoulder length after the new year.....:) As a final note, I know that some of these look very similar, but the differences are enough that I need your help!!!








PHOTO ONE: I am so accessible, stylish and fun:)

PHOTO TWO: Ah, this is my sexy look and mischievous look. Is it working?:)

PHOTO THREE: I am a bit more business up front, yet there has to be a party following me in the back......






















PHOTO FOUR: A proper headshot, I am sweet (at least I appear to be:) and "the girl next door".















PHOTO FIVE: Another "sexy" shot, I little bit of cleavage never hurt anyone's chances. My only fear is I kind of look like I have a pole up my tush.

Hanukah Party Fashion Show!

I love going to my friend's Michael and Red's annual Hanukah party. While everyone is busy throwing Christmas or holiday soirees, Michael and Red just go straight for Hanukah Harry and whip up some FABULOUS latkes (that is potato pancake for those of you that don't speak Hanukah).

In addition to knowing how to throw a lovely cocktail party, Michael and Red are also some of my most fantastically fashionable friends. This comes along with having other fantastically fashionable friends. All of this combined means that we ended up having a fashion show while we ate large quantities of latkes and drank champagne. As Adam Sandler says, "8 crazy nights!". Well, our fashion show Hanukah party was a good example.

For those of you that are unfamiliar, this is a latke. It is fried heaven. Literally you fry up shredded potatoes into yummy pancakes. Adding apple sauce or sour cream is the most traditional way to eat it. I added a side of lox (smoked salmon) just to make it extra Jewish:)


Michael and Red even went all out and had Pixie sticks and Dr. Brown's soda! This is a big deal to me. Pixie sticks are a happy memory from childhood and are not just hanging around at any old store. They had to search for these. I think it was worth the struggle. And Dr. Brown's is a staple of any Jewish deli. The funny part is you really cannot find this brand anywhere else. If you have never tried it, today is your lucky day because I am introducing it to you! Try the cream soda, you will just die.


Now back to the fashion show.... How much do you love this picture? This is Red's best photo shoot pose... I think she has a new career in her future:) This is the top of a vintage suit that she picked up. We all loved it so much because it reminded us of what was cool back when we had our respective bar/bat-mitzvah's. This is around 12 or 13 and represents you becoming an adult. So much Jewish knowledge for you today! The point is that all of us had our lovely bar and bat-mitzvah's in the early 90's and this is exactly what was cool. Lots of big puffy shoulders. Oy, you should see my crazy bat-mitzvah dress. The best part is that this is cool again. I love it.




I know I look kind of scary in this picture, but the sweater is to die for. Rachel started pulling out her Bubby's (grandma's) vintage clothing and we all went nuts. This is her cardigan with pink motif's. It is grandma chic.
















This is Dom, one of our other fabulous friends. I was in love with her ruffled green dress and earthy necklace (a gift from Rachel). She topped it all off with her Chanel boots and brown tights. Who knew earthy chic could work so well at a Hanukah party?!?

The finale of the night's fashion show was this awesome holiday sweater. She was suppose to be going to an "Ugly Christmas sweater" party following our Hanukah party, but the recession proof side of her would not actually buy an ugly sweater. Instead, she purchased a cute vintage sweater at a thrift store and added her own version of ugly. Jingle bells strategically placed on her nipples. Classic.

Overall, Michael and Red's Hanukah party fashion show was a smashing success! I always knew I looked forward to this time of year for a reason.....

Fur: A Faux Pas or Just Awesome!

This is awesome. Is this chick serious? Seriously foxy. Get it, get it... Foxy!!! I am so funny. Alright, enough "adult" humor (as in cheesy), let's get down to business. This is insane and I am not quite sure what set of eyes to look at. Even if you live in Alaska this is not cool. I mean, it is cold, but you do not need to actually WEAR the animal! No matter whether you love or hate fur, we should ALL hate this.

In actuality, I do love fur. Sorry PETA. I know it is wrong and mean, but it looks so damn good and feels so damn warm! Why be good when being bad literally feels so great! There are levels of fur that are unacceptable (example at left), but using fur as an accessory is perfectly acceptable and looks very stylish. Think hats, scarves, earmuffs... You get the idea.

All of these girls are doing it, so why not become part of the "cool" crowd? I can hear PETA tearing me a new one right now.... I am half kidding, save the animals! Or wear them stylishly.... Your choice:) I do love this ode to Russian chic with a big fur hat. Clearly you have to be very secure in your style to pull off something like this. Either you rock this in the backwoods because you are so freakin' cold it doesn't matter what you wear or you pair it with a very chic and fashionable outfit and look like you just walked off a runway. Again, your choice. I am not making judgments here:) (Yea, right).




You could also be the girl next door who just wants a little spice for her winter look. Choose earmuffs, they are fun and you are not draping yourself in animal. Look at how happy this model is in her fun fur earmuffs and wrap scarf? You too can be this happy:)




Then, of course, there is always up-town chic... Never to be messed with! Fur can simply be the most fabulous thing on the planet when done right! The stylist's over at Harper's Bazzar proved this perfectly with these completely expensive ensembles topped off with Jackie O inspired fab. I want to be them. Ok, maybe just for an afternoon... All of that sophistication and class would mess with my crazy and loud personality. The cracks would start to show very quickly... You can dress up the girl, but you can't take her out... for long:)

Photo courtesy of Alaskakraft.com
Photo courtesy of Furgirldir.com
Photo courtesy of Macys.com
Photo courtesy of Harper's Bazaar

Dana-Maxx Charity Event

Yesterday evening I did my mitzvah (good deed) for the holiday season. I worked, as a fabulous stylist, at a charity event benefiting the Women's Funding Network. See, I am not only a fashionable young lady, but I am going to heaven for my good work as well:) These are definitely two positives I have working for me, we will discuss my negatives at another time....

Along with several other fashionable stylists, I was there to chat it up with attendees and make sure they picked the right pieces from the Dana-Maxx collection. If you were about to question the name tags, that last sentence should have answered you:) Dana-Maxx (yes, that is her real name. Awesome.) is the designer who hosted the event. Decked out in a blue dress of her own design, she too is going to heaven for her good deeds and fashionable choices. We are taking a mini-van together and inviting all other fashionable and charitable ladies to join:)

So back to the event, there was a team of hair and make-up people making each and every model fabulous. Don't they look fabulous?:) For the first half of the event, the models were walking amongst the guests showing off the Dana-Maxx collection. Next up was a runway show with her holiday pieces.

The lovely hostesses of the party, Jordan and Megan from Non-Society.com, were as comfortable on a microphone as I am! That is saying a lot... The girls MC'ed the fashion show and showed off different Dana-Maxx looks. They had double duty as models and hostesses!

All in all it was a fun evening and we helped to raise money for a good cause. Come one, come all and join me in my stylish mini-van up to heaven...

Winter Warm without the Bulk!

I received a great question yesterday, how do you look hot in the winter without emulating the state puff marshmallow man? Easily...

This is a fabulous daytime chic look. It is appropriate for SO many occasions including work and play (of course this depends on your job and the type of "playing" you will be doing:). It has a "I am not even trying" feel to it which is what makes it so cool. Pairing a dress with tights and boots is an easy and quick way to make more use out of a large portion of your wardrobe. Don't store away those dresses when it gets cold outside! Go and buy some tights:) I wear two pairs when it really gets cold for twice the protection. Plus, you can use one plain pair and one textured pair for funk. I love sharing my tricks!




Another great idea for winter warmth without the bulk, is layering a thin long-sleeve t-shirt underneath your bigger sweaters. Using a short sleeve sweater on top, as this model is showing, is a great change from the "typical" way of layering. It adds depth and creativity to a really accessible daytime look.







When picking out a winter coat, don't choose the most bulky and heavy one! I want you to be warm, but I want the world to know that you still have a body under there. Choose a style that has a cinched belt to give you a waist. This coat also has a bell skirt for the bottom half so it give you lots of room to pile on clothing underneath. I love the big fur collar because it only makes your waist look even smaller!!!




Finally, my favorite winter go-to look. Leggings and a longer sweater will be any gal's best friend, no matter what your age! For the more mature woman, choose a longer style sweater, leggings are still appropriate. You must pair this look with taller boots. It is not only important style wise, but your legs will be freezing otherwise! I also would add a pair of tights underneath your leggings just to make sure you are nice and toasty.

So there you have it, all of the ideas for cozy, comfy winter ensembles without all of the bulk. You are now chic and fabulous... at least until the spring:)

Photo one: Courtesy of Flikr.com
Photo two: Courtesy of loveitorhateit.com
Photo three: Balticnordic.com
Photo four: macys.com

Over the Knee Boots: Can You Pull it Off???

Which one of these is not like the others? Come on, you can do it! You remember this little challenge from your grammar school days.... Let me give you a hint, two of these women should realize that although they are hot, this boot style is for a "less mature" woman. Sorry gals.

Rihanna hits the nail on the head by vamping up this cute and simple sweater dress. By pairing together these two pieces, she is keeping it sexy yet appropriate. She pulls in a very big trend right now, the over the knee boot, while keeping the look grounded.

And then there are the other two. Mariah Carey always causes my fashion brain to hurt. She just can't accept that curves can be beautiful when they are not completely being hugged by spandex material. Adding a pair of "hooker" boots only puts this already over-the-top look, more over-the-top. This outfit would be best worn by a 20 year old girl who is about to go out to the club. Not by an almost 40 year old woman in broad daylight. It is time to put away the spandex dear. You are a beautiful woman that does not need to have it all hanging out even if that is what you consider "your style". That is not a style, it is actually known as your late teens and 20's.... A time that is over:(

Now there is a bit more hope for J. Lo. I still think that she gets it right most of the time, but there are a few slip ups here and there. Mostly, she is now 40 and it is time for her to reflect that. Her thighs are more in shape then they have ever been, but unfortunately that does not mean that they should be wearing thigh high boots. I have been asked if there is a cut-off age for this trend and my simple answer is yes. Anyone over 35 probably should pack this possiblity up along with their spandex clothing. Hot or not, age appropriate clothing is a big plus in my book. THIS DOES NOT MEAN THAT YOU SHOULD NOT STILL BE SEXY. This just means that certain trends are not appropriate for you anymore.

For those of you that reflect Rihanna more than Mariah and J. Lo, here are two options for you. First we have the very pricey Christian Louboutins, totally hot, totally expensive. If you can pay this price, well then I am totally impressed and I want to be friends with you:) If not, you have a less expensive option that you can totally rock. Either way, this look will be here for a few seasons so it is worth investing in a pair. Choose high heels for a flashier version, but you can completely wear flat ones during the day with a longer sweater and leggings. Have fun, be sexy and remember that Julia Roberts in "Pretty Women" is not the only hooker who can wear hooker boots.

Photo courtesy of whosdatingwho.com
Christian Louboutin contente over the knee boots: $1995.00
Lucky Brand "Gwen" over the knee boots: $239.00

A Shout Out for Rihanna: American Music Awards FAB

I will be the first to admit that Rihanna has gone a bit crazy with her choices in fashion lately. I will follow that statement by reminding myself (and you) that she is an artist and fashion is an extension of that. But sometimes it really is just nuts.

The dress is nuts.... In the most fabulously amazing way. Holy crapola. This Marchesa dress is truly a piece of art. It is editorial high-end fashion at it's best and there is barely anyone in Hollywood who could seriously pull this off. That is until Rihanna put it on her hot little body. She has the edge and the fashion chutzpah to rock this to its fullest potential. This dress screams, go big or go home!

There also could not have been a more perfect event to wear this frock to. The AMA's land somewhere in between the Grammy's and the MTV music awards in terms of fashion and class. You wanna put on your party dress, but it shouldn't really be a gown. You also probably shouldn't be wearing a full blown leather jumpsuit of any kind... Save that for Kurt Loder.

So good job Rihanna, you killed it. I am sure receiving props from my Sass N Style blog was the recognition you were looking for when you chose this dress. Your welcome:)

Holiday Twist: Suit Up and Leave Your Party Dress at Home!

I know, I know, I have already chatted about Angelina Jolie's Akris white suit. It was so good though, that it was worth another mention. Not just Angelina's beautiful ensemble, but the white suit in general.

Holiday party season is upon us and I am looking for the anti-cocktail dress. How many party dresses can one girl own? Don't answer that, you might scare yourself.

A great option in these chillier winter months is a tuxedo. The age-old winter problem with a dress is that your legs are freezing and you have to find a layering piece to go with your look. Now you have covered up your cute new dress! Of course I love the idea of a classic black women's tux, but have you ever considered winter white? Well you should!

Even Bianca Jagger has done it. She went white and looked uber-chic. Ok, the Colonel Sanders style tie is a bit much, but hell, it is Bianca Jagger!

You may be asking, "All white in winter? Isn't it past Labor Day?" The answer is yes and yes. If it is just too much for you, try a cream tuxedo instead. It softens the bright element, but still has the same dramatic affect. You will stand out... In a good way!



If you are lucky enough to be in a warmer part of the world during this holiday season, change up your idea of a tuxedo. Emma Roberts shows that pants are not always a must when choosing a sophisticated white suit. She is still portraying a classic, yet sexy ideal. Add black tights and black pumps to funk up this concept and wear it in colder weather. Slightly alternative, a little bit funky, totally awesome.





Now although I do believe that this model should have opted for a shirt, the suit does speak for itself. When has a bra and necklace counted for a layering piece? I strongly promote a white suit for a nice change from the party dress, but in addition, it is a great foundation staple! You not only get an amazing white suit, but you get separates. You can really utilize a white blazer and white pants because of the multiple options for styling. The best part, it is seasonless! Yes ladies, you can wear this anytime of the year and to multiple occasions. Dress it up, dress it down, make it what you want it to be. The white suit is a must for all wardrobes, and of course, holiday parties!!!

The Bridget Fit wide-leg pant: $49.50
Boyfriend jacket in seasonless stretch: $108.00

Personal Style: Think Outside of the (Gift) Box!

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Ah, it is that lovely time of year again when we get to spend our hard earned cash on lots and lots of gifts for those we love. It gives me a warm, fuzzy feeling inside. Thinking about what to get everybody (I have 8 days of Hanukah, oy vey) can often times hurt my brain. I like to be creative and different, but sometimes a leopard snuggie just seems like such a good idea. It is simple, it is easy and the people look so cozy in the commercials.

Ok seriously, am I really going to buy a damn snuggie for anyone ever? Hell no. Go put on your bathrobe backwards and call it a day. I am not spending my hard earned cash on a re-vamped creation that has been around for years. Who the heck is buying those things anyway?????????

So here comes the plug... Wait for it..... Pause for anticipation....... That's right folks, I am the most creative and interesting gift you could possibly give! Am I being full of myself? Kind of, but I am laughing because I am so ridiculous so it is worth it:) Seriously though, I have had many a husband and a wife thank their significant other for doing something different and thinking outside of the box. They get to live like a celebrity by having an expert save them from the overwhelming strife that getting dressed, not to mention shopping, can cause. Plus the gift giver usually thanks me because they never have to hear their partner or friend complain that they have "nothing to wear" ever again! With a look book filled with up to 40 outfits, it is hard to say you don't own anything and you don't have anything to put on.....

So go on, be creative! Bring my style tips home by having myself or a Sass N Style expert show you that personal style should not be that difficult! At least it isn't when you hire one of us......:)

Feel free to contact me at info@amysalinger.net.