Mermaid Parade 2017

This year was my first ever Mermaid Parade! I had so much fun attending with my friend Charlotte and some friends. It might also be the first time I've ever actually shown up to a party wearing LESS glitter than everyone else! Seriously, this is one of the most glittery events I've ever seen!

Below are some pictures from the parade. Have you ever been?

NYFW... A View from Size 14

There's a certain magic in the air that permeates New York City every night... whether you're in Chinatown, wobbling on heels to try a new club, or rocking a sparkly dress in Soho, there's something about New York at night that will always be special. During New York Fashion Week? It's even more magical.

This is my third NYFW, and the excitement has certainly not worn off. Despite the fact that I think NYFW functioned more smoothly when it was centralized at the Lincoln Center, it's still awesome. And perhaps the best trend I've noticed in my years attending is that NYFW seems to becoming slowly more inclusive.

This year, I saw many people of color on runways. I saw a large amount of people of color in the front rows at shows, as designers, and as prized guests. I saw models with bigger busts, and hips. And butts! The shows at Art Hearts paid special tribute to Madeline Stuart, the world's first professional adult model with Down's Syndrome. It was an exciting time to observe fashion, truly... but there's still room for improvement.

*The chairs at some of the shows are so tiny that an average sized adult woman has a hard time fitting on them without spilling over into her neighbor.

*We still don't see enough models (American) sizes 6-12 on runways, a middle ground that is neither "model-size" nor "plus-size," but right in the middle, where most American women are

*Speaking of sizes 6-12, we don't see enough CLOTHES in high fashion for women in that size group. Many women with money to spend on beautiful clothes are between those sizes, and they feel left out. Tim Gunn recently wrote an excellent piece about this.

*There's still not enough makeup and hair care choices for Black models with natural hair or darker skin tones. This is improving every year, thankfully, but I still hear from many models who have to bring their own makeup, or help hairstylists with tips on what to do with their natural hair.


A huge HUGE thank you to Georgine for her celebratory, effervescent, New York City inspired show. Huge thank you to Fashion Istanbul for their amazing shows. Thanks to Art Hearts for the Charles and Ron show especially (exquisite!) and to Note, Trompeloeil, Cliff Bar, Boxed Water, Allegresse 24 Carat Skincare, and everyone else who provided gifts in the swag bags!

Charles and Ron finale: https://youtu.be/2cuzZR8ashE

Kendry Bird Lands in NYC!

I have arrived in NYC for New York Fashion Week. A very busy schedule of shows lies ahead, but I will do my best to document lots and share with you!

Make sure you're following me on Instagram @kendralsaunders and on Twitter as well: @kendrybird

Tomorrow the madness begins!

Check In With Kendry Bird

Just went on a scouting trip to NYC to look for a room. Along the way, I also attended a rooftop party at Top the Standard, which was amazing... disco balls, dancing, delicious drinks, and a hot tub! So fun. I can't wait to move to NYC <3

 

 

 

Mind-Bogglingly Summer-Proof Must-Haves

I'm not a creature of fire and sand, that's for certain, though I sometimes dress up like Khaleesi. For as long as I can remember, I've always been drawn to autumn and winter, to cool temperatures and icy, ghostly bodies of water. (This really shows up in my novel, The Unlove Spell, dropping next June).

But no one can live in autumn paradise all 12 months of the year, no matter how hard one tries (and this one has tried). Sometimes it's going to be hot, sweaty, and uncomfortable. For me especially, a person who is a frenetic ball of energy and movement and walking and fidgeting, things can get pretty runny in the hot months. Eyeliner smudges waaay beyond that sexy smoky look, lipstick melts down my chin, and foundation turns into a streaky mess. Don't even get me started on raccoon eyes from errant mascara!

As a makeup lover, though, and someone who finds most of my physical artistic outlet through the color palettes of a great new trio of sparkly eye shadows, I have put in years of searching for the elusive unicorn of makeup-- sweat, heat, and watery-eyes resistant beauty supplies.

You can save yourself the years of struggle, though, by checking out these tested and proven recs:

*EYELINER

(Kat Von D TattooLiner)

I'm not sure how to explain how obsessed I am with this eyeliner. I bought it after hearing good reviews and being pleased with the Kat Von D Tattoo Concealer, but I feared that it might fall prey to the great watery-eyes debacle, just like every other eyeliner I've tried through the years. It's a liquid, which also made me a bit nervous at first, since my hands aren't the most steady.

Surprise, surprise, this eyeliner glides on smooth, it's easy to apply and, most importantly, IT STAYS IN ITS DAMN PLACE! Listen, if you don't believe me, check this out-- I applied this eyeliner at 8am on a hot May morning in New York City this year, from the third floor of my sketchy, AC-less Chinatown hotel room. I wore it through an 8 hour queue on the blazing NYC sidewalks to see my favorite band, Muse, in a tiny venue. I wore it from the front row of aforementioned Muse concert, through guitar solos and space-jam-rock-goodness. I wore it later that night with friends. I wore it even later that night when I metMatt Bellamy, my greatest creative hero (and inspiration for a character in another upcoming book, Dating an Alien Pop Star). I wore it through 1am drinks at a little pub that night. I wore it on a very long, winding and surreal walk back to Chinatown.

It stayed on. This stuff is an actual miracle. Buy three of them. I've talked at least 4 of my friends into buying the stuff, because it is the BEST LIQUID EYELINER THERE IS. It is Matt Bellamy proof.

(Matt Bellamy proof? WOW! That's powerful! Look at those eyes!)

*MASCARA

(Benefit RollerLash)

Similar in levels of excitement to the Kat Von D eyeliner, the Roller Lash mascara has changed my life so much that I've stopped at least three strangers in Sephora when I saw them eyeing mascara, and told them to get this stuff. It is that good.

A very sweet Benefit lady demo-d it on me and I bought it on the spot. I have short, light lashes with no natural curl. As I mentioned before, my eyes are watery and my tears are, apparently, made of some chemical that must have been cooked up by the government or aliens, because it breaks down even the strongest waterproof 'scara. Not so with Roller Lash!

To be fair, I still curl my lashes when I wear this mascara, because there's nothing a fancy wand can do for some of us straight/short lashed people, but that doesn't matter. Once it's on, my lashes look long, beautiful, and they STAY that way throughout the day. I had given up on mascara years ago and would only wear it for very very very special occasions, but this has converted me to the mascara revolution. I'll be buying another one soon, because I've already almost killed this one off.

Plus the packaging is cute.

 

Oh, and... a side by side comparison of with/without Roller Lash.

*CONCEALER

(Kat Von D Lock ItConcealer)

I know many women have trouble finding a concealer that matches their skin tone and I am certainly among them. I'm so pale that the beauty market seems to think that there's no reason to make concealer/foundation for people who are clearly dead or English, but unlike most dead and/or English people, I still break out like a teenager even in my late 20s.

The Kat Von D concealer comes in a variety of shades, and the lightest one actually works for ghostly white people! I will say, there are not nearly as many choices in this line for folks with darker skin, unfortunately, but I hope they will add more shades! The coverage is just right, and it stays put, sun and sweat be damned. I'm obsessed. And just the tiniest dot in the world goes a very, very, very long way.

*SPARKLY EYE SHADOW

(Urban DecayMoondust Shadows, $20 each)

I'm a huge fan of glitter, to the point that I used to be called “Glitter Whore” among internet friends, back in the good old messageboard days. I would probably eat glitter if it was possible. (They make edible glitter for cakes, right? Yum)

But in the summer, eye shadow tends to crease and get yucky or make the valiant Hobbit-worthy journey from the safety of the Shire (my upper lid) to Sauron's backyard (below my eye). And if there's glitter in it? Good God, call Gandalf, because you're going to need him.

Thanks to Urban Decay, that doesn't have to be true any longer. Urban Decay makes the most magical eye shadows on the planet, the sparkly, beautiful, and long lasting Moondust colors. In the past, I would layer a bunch of different eye shadows from here and there and everywhere, hoping for the best, but Urban Decay has simplified my eye shadow process. Between their Asphyxia, Intergalactic, and Cosmic, I have a small arsenal of beautiful, diverse looks available at all times. They layer great with other eye shadows, and they make sure to keep to their designated area.

I hope that you summer haters (and lovers) can get some useful tips from this. Please let me know your opinions if you've tried any of these products or have some you'd like to add to the list! Good luck in the heat, babes, and make sure to hydrate while you're applying that fierce liquid eyeliner for your night out at the best concert ever.

Alexander Pope Talks Project Runway, McQueen and How to Survive in NYC

Project Runway has brought a lot of colorful people to the world's biggest stage (television!) but some of them remain in the memory longer than others. Alexander Pope, Season 12's flame-haired avant-garde king, is one of those people.

I had the pleasure of chatting with him during a fun evening in New York City recently, at which time he reminded me that it was *my* fault that we hadn't already conducted this interview (oops). Alexander has a wicked sense of humor and an insider's view of Broadway and the more playful and extreme side of fashion.

Here now is that interview I've promised everyone for so long...

 

First of all, this is a longtime coming—my mistake! But here we are finally. We all know you showed some gorgeous and unusual pieces on Project Runway (Season 12) but not as many people know that you made a decoy collection for the show’s NYFW finale show. You’ve said the “glamping” challenge was your inspiration, but can you tell us more about how that came out in your collection?

Well it really came down to the fact that that challenge was my favorite of them all and I really wanted to continue with that theme. The silhouette of the trees really stuck with me throughout the whole season. So when I was chosen to do a decoy collection I just thought what a perfect chance to continue with it, and the thought of having more than 8 hours to design something really interested me.

http://www.alexanderapope.com/new-york-fashion-week-summerspring-2014  (Alexander's runway show)**

Your hair is amazing and a memorable part of your public persona. When did you find this look and was it inspired by anything?

I've had interesting and vibrantly colored hair since I hit puberty in 1885, but this style has been my go to style for awhile now and I tend to go back and forth from red to blonde. I am a child of the 80's and New Romantic has been a lasting influence with me since then, so I think that's where it comes from.

1885? Well, next time we'll have to talk about your face cream, then, because it's certainly working! What are you working on now?

Broadway still beckons! I just wrapped up making some of the costumes for Aladdin, worked on some regional ballets, made some very cool costumes for the circus and am filling reorders for shows like Lion King, Pippin, Wicked etc... now I'm starting the new Marvel Universe show that will be touring this summer, including all the famous Marvel superheroes now owned by Disney.

Is there anyone from your season of Project Runway that you’d VOLUNTARILY collaborate with?

 I'd collaborate with the majority of them, the real question is would they collaborate with ME??

What’s your best advice for curvier fashionistas that want to look great? 

I think the one mistake that curvier women make when dressing themselves is not buying clothes that fit properly. I constantly see people, men and women(!) wearing clothes too big or too small. I don't care what the trend is at that moment, ill-fitting clothing is never in style.

That's probably some of the best advice all of us could follow! As someone who lives in NYC and knows where to find a delicious lamb burger, among many other things, what’s your best survival tip for someone visiting the city for the first time?

I guess I was a little obsessed with the famous Breslin Lamb burger that night, but that's what several martinis do to me!

Don't go to Times Square. That place is a bloody zoo! Haahaa... I suggest making friends with a local and do what they do. This city is amazing and has a billion things to do besides the typical tourist traps. It is the best place in the country to have the BEST food. DON'T go to big chain restaurants while you're here.

There are thousands of delicious restaurants to eat from here.

Pick one....

Oh and also don't get mugged or murdered.

Don't get mugged or murdered- check! We recently talked a bit about your feelings about Alexander McQueen since Sarah Burton took over. Can you share some of your thoughts on the state of the house with us?

As far as my limited knowledge goes, I think the state of their house is doing well without the boss. I think Ms. Burton is doing a good job, all things considered with that devastatingly harsh blow, and I can tell why she was Heir McQueen's #1. But that said, no one will ever be him and the new collections have a more soft and subtle flair. I can tell a woman designs for them now.

What’s the best way for your fans to keep up with what you’re doing? 

With my Facebook (AlexanderPope) and Twitter (@AlexanderAPope). I try to update those as often as I can. But remember, I can't always share what I'm working on at the moment...

What’s your current favorite…
Store or online store? 

I don't have one at the moment. I need to find someplace new to shop...
Song or album?
I'm feeling the as-of-yet unreleased Royksopp & Robyn collaboration “Do it Again”.
Item of clothing or accessory?
I love me some pointed shoes. They will always be in style in my eyes.

Thank you, Alexander!

My NYC Adventures with Dom Streater

GoBank was kind enough to offer a shopping trip for 2 to NYC as a contest prize, following Project Runway Season 12. I won! Seeing as I never win anything and want to move to NYC in September, AND love Project Runway, this was a perfect contest to win.

We arrived at JFK airport and were taken to our hotel in true celebrity style by way of a Boston Coach car. The Ace Hotel, situated in Midtown, was hip and fun from the very beginning, thanks to a huge lobby, music-related flourishes, a fun staff and spacious, comfortable rooms. (And the pillows? Heavenly!)

My sister Brittany was my companion on the trip. We left our bags with the hotel staff and breezed directly out into the city with Dom Streater (Project Runway S12 winner) and her lovely publicist Courtney. We visited a fancy boutique in SoHo just to look at the pretty designer clothes, and then hit up H&M for some serious (reasonably-priced) shopping. Dom and I eyeballed a crazy sparkly sequin skirt and ended up both buying one! #sequinskirtsisters forever.

That night, Dom and I hung out at our wonderful hotel with Karen Batts and Alexander Pope, talking Alexander McQueen, fashion and New York City. So much fun! 

In the morning, we journeyed into the city once again to OKTV studios so Dom could tape an interview. It was amazing, since I’m working on a book right now called Dating an Alien Pop Star, a sexy rom-com about Griffin and Dev, two aliens from a politically and environmentally troubled planet who come to our world with very little knowledge about our ways other than what they learned from a wayward E! News signal. Their mission is to pretend to be the most influential people on our planet— English pop stars, of course!—and gain the help of a powerful secret society.

Getting to attend a real TV taping and see the behind the scenes action was very cool and helpful and I found that I’d described it very accurately in Dating an Alien Pop Star! And to add to that unexpected research, the paparazzi showed up outside our hotel the next day while we were waiting for our car, and I got to see first-hand what they’re like. (They were waiting for Taylor Swift to leave our hotel).

After a yummy and impromptu lunch, Dom and Courtney and I had to say goodbye, and I headed off for a bit more shopping and a night in the city with my sister. We visited Organika, home of the most delicious gnocchi ever, and Big Gay Ice Cream, both places I’ve visited multiple times for their delicious offerings, then hit up Chelsea Market and walked part of the High Line in the dark. So beautiful! After all that, we headed back to Times Square and, finally, back to our hotel. I was happy to put on my robe and snuggle in the comfy hotel bed to watch some bad TV and get some sleep!

In the morning I visited Ann Taylor in hopes of snagging one of Kate Hudson’s LBD capsule collection dresses. Success! Everyone at the store was super nice and let me buy my dress early, even though they weren’t officially going on sale until that night. It’s such a gorgeous dress, but I’ll save news of that for another post!

All in all, it was an incredible time. Thank you so much to GoBank, to Project Runway, to Dom Streater and to the Ace Hotel for making it such a great trip. I’m including the mini documentary I filmed during the trip, so enjoy!

More about the Kate Hudson dress soon…

                                                               (Look, the paparazzi!)

Signs...

(Found this sign in Chinatown. Perfection.)

Dmitry Sholokhov: Game of Thrones, Daft Punk and a Daring New Collection

Sexy. Daring. Insanely unique. All of these words describe Dmitry Sholokhov’s Spring/Summer 2014 collection, which he calls a ‘transition’ collection.

New York City-based Dmitry Sholokhov, of Project Runway fame, has slowly been building his fashion empire for many years before his appearance on the reality television show.  He’s created luxurious dresses, trousers and shirts and has long played with cutouts, sheer material and fringe details. When he was formally introduced to the world via Project Runway, he debuted a tasteful perspective on cocktail dresses and other pieces that fit perfectly in a working woman’s closet.

Now, though, with more than a year of whirlwind international recognition under his belt, Dmitry has created a collection that is daring, exciting and different from anything he’s shown the world before.

The SS2014 collection first sashayed into the world at Panama Fashion Week in late 2013, complete with dresses made for warrior queens, a menswear inspired black jacket worn as a top (with nothing underneath!) and a gold jacket with fabulous fringe sleeves. Perhaps most surprisingly, though, the collection includes splashes of delicate cotton candy pink and blue denim. While these two polarized styles might clash in less capable hands, here they connect, one after another, as if telling a story of a family of sisters. The common thread, of course, is the designer.

 (A dress made for the warrior party-girl princess in all of us)

_______

In person, Dmitry is both gracious and graceful, standing a little taller than everyone else and possessing an old-world charm in manner and speech. At once professional and keenly intelligent, he’s also able to surprise you with a quick sense of disarming humor when least expected. He’s a conversationalist who truly knows a little about everything… from pop culture (Grumpy Cat! Game of Thrones!) to worldwide travel (Russia, Europe, dreamy beach locales) to spiritualism and beyond.

And he designs clothes that can be worn with confidence by women of a variety of sizes.

When I first met Dmitry for his Lord & Taylor presentation, the line of fans waiting to meet him all shared a similar palpable excitement to meet the designer. At Book Expo America 2013, when he was gracious enough to join me for a brief appearance, he was met around every corner with delight from fans who wanted to say hello or snap a picture. Dmitry’s fans are a varied lot, covering every corner of our little planet, but they’re also a creative lot, making gif images of some of his quips from Project Runway and fanart that pops up on Tumblr, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. He’s inspired fan accounts on almost every social media platform, both because of his incredible talent for fashion and his affable personality.

I had the pleasure of catching up with Dmitry recently, to talk about his SS2014 collection. Read on to learn more about his inspiration, how you can purchase your own Dmitry Sholokhov piece, his least favorite Game of Thrones character and his love for Daft Punk…

It’s great to chat with you again, Dmitry. It’s been almost a year since I had you as a guest on my radio show. A lot has happened with you since then!  You showed your beautiful Spring 2014 collection at Panama Fashion Week, unleashing some really exciting new shapes on the world. You’ve said that Game of Thrones had a bit of an influence on you for this collection, and I can see some definite Daenerys-worthy pieces in it. Can you tell us how the show inspired you?

Hi Kendra, it’s always a pleasure! Yes, a lot happened since I won PR. I had an amazing and very busy year.

Panama was a great experience. I was invited to show my latest collection as VIP international guest designer.

The show was a great success. It turns out I have a lot of fans in Central and Latin America as well.

I love Game of Thrones, and the show was a starting point for my latest collection. I was inspired by the historic costumes with the fairytale flavor to them. And I wanted to create a collection that is wearable but special. I love what I did. I think the collection is modern, young and cool with the historic twist to it. And most important, it’s wearable!

Of course, many of your fans wanted me to ask you if you have a favorite character or characters from Game of Thrones!

I am obsessed with pretty much everyone; no big fan of Joffrey though!)

Oh God, right! Joffrey is only one of the most despicable characters in TV history. Okay, but we have to talk about that fabulous gold jacket. It has some definite Dmitry elements, with the fringe on the sleeves, but it’s got this fabulous punch of gold color. Why did you choose gold for that jacket?

Gold is making its way back in fashion and it’s such a statement color. Love it! And I think it’s always a challenge to create something loud but not tacky. As for the fringe, now all of a sudden everyone is doing fringe and it’s very much in style. But I never get tired of it, and I think you will see more fringe from me in the future.)

The front cutout (in some of the dresses) is a daring and very sexy move! Were you intentionally creating a sexy silhouette in this collection?

I think this collection was a bit of a transition from old me to new me. It’s important to constantly reinvent yourself but never lose your aesthetic authenticity. Artistic expression is always a reflection of who we are at the moment.

On your website (www.dmitrysholokhov.com) you have your O. Jen collection up for sale, including a lot of luxe statement pieces like faux fur jackets, dresses and extraordinary trousers.  Will your Spring 2014 collection be up for sale as well?

The Spring 2014 collection is available for special orders only.

                        (You could steal the throne, raise dragons AND look amazing with this dress)

Your art student fan Maki wanted me to say that you’ve been an inspiration to her, and ask if you’ll do another fan meet and greet at some point?

Hi Maki!) I will definitely do a fan meeting in the future, perhaps when I show my next collection in NY during MBFW.

                                  (Possibly the sexiest menswear-inspired jacket I've ever seen)

Of course your fans should keep up with you on twitter and Instagram (both @dmitrysholokhov) as well as facebook. But where should they expect to see you next? Runway shows, cover of Vogue, maybe sitting on the Iron Throne with your own direwolf?

I am in the process of building Dmitry Sholokhov brand and taking it to the next level. The best way to see all the latest updates is by following me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and dmitrysholokhov.com.

I am pretty sure that you will see me everywhere sooner rather than later. Not sure about the Iron Throne, but you never know!)  

Well, someone’s got to take the Iron Throne away from Joffrey!

                                             (Fan art by Slake Saunders... yes, my sister.)

Finally, what’s your current….

*Song you can’t stop listening to?

Can’t control myself when I hear Get Lucky by Daft Punk

*Book you can’t put down?

Need to find one!

*Favorite item of clothing or accessory?

My leather pants and YSL boots

Daft Punk, great choice! Can't stop listening to that one, either! Thank you so much for stopping by! 

Like Dmitry on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dmitry.sholokhov

Twitter: @dmitrysholokhov

Instagram: @dmitrysholokhov

Order your own Dmitry Sholokhov dress from his SS2014 collection through his website: http://dmitrysholokhov.com/contact

Dmitry fan tumblr: http://all-about-dmitry.tumblr.com/ 

Listen to my April 2013 interview with Dmitry: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zcGvBxiiQ9k

And check out some shots of my own Dmitry dress making its big appearance at BEA: http://kendralsaunders.com/BEA2013.html

**Note: All photographs in this post are courtesy/property of Dmitry Sholokhov.