Backstage Q&A with Model Aminata Niaria

{St. John}

New York Fashion Week Fall 2011

I kept spotting Aminata backstage (and on the runway) throughout this fashion week at St. John, Lela Rose, Badgely Mischka, and more, and by her welcoming smile and cheery personality, I thought she would be great to for an exclusive interview at PrettyCoveted. Little did I know, since she was so modest, that she is already big time! Style.com just wrote an article, listing her as number one in their "Dream Girls: the models who made it big this season" feature.

Here's the backstage interview with the perennially sweet Aminata Niaria, backstage at the Lela Rose show.

Where are you from?

Senegal originally, but I'm French. I've lived in New York City for two-and-a-half years now.

How old are you?

20

How many shows have you done so far this season?

I just did two in Miami, and flew in yesterday, had a fitting, and I'm on the runway today! I will have more, but still am not sure of my schedule yet! My agency (IMG) has been very good to me, pulling me to do better shows from others.

What is your favorite thing about being a model?

My favorite thing is that I am the first one to wear the clothes, the first one to see them before they come available months later. I also love that we (models) are like actresses, taking on the personality of the clothes.

When you were a little girl, what did you want to grow up to be?

A lawyer.

What do you love most about fashion?

I love everything about fashion!

Who are your favorite designers?

I love Rodarte, Givenchy, Lanvin, Ralph Lauren -- I just really love clothes.

{Carolina Herrera Fall '11}

{Lela Rose Fall '11}

{Vena Cava Fall '11}

-Julia DiNardo, Fashion Pulse Daily

*(Images via style & Julia 0f Fashion Pulse Daily)

Golden Girls

I'm livin' my life like it's golden
Livin' my life like it's golden
Livin' my life like it's golden, golden,
Livin' my life like it's golden
Livin' my life like it's golden, golden

Golden by Jill Scott is one of my favorite tunes and reminds me to treasure everyday...

Oscar de la Renta

Diane von Furstenberg

Badgley Mischka

Tibi

That sentiment must have been on the minds of some of falls most celebrated designers. How about you? Are you living your life like it's golden?

Contributed by TonyaSE

Photos by WWD

Rachel Roy Fall 2011

The early morning backstage scene was certainly a bit of a frenzied one, with Bobbi Brown herself putting the finishing touches on makeup while being interviewed for The Today Show, Ted Gibson checking hair, and the models rapidly lining up for the collection's photos prior to the presentation. For Fall 2011 Rachel Roy once again continued with her capsule collection of trench coats, this time done in denim instead of khaki fabric, and so meticulously draped, cut, and worked, that one had to do a double-take to realize that the material at hand really was the traditional workman's fabric of denim. Found in eight different styles, some of the descriptions for the fabrication used fanciful words such as "Japenese denim," "laquered denim" and "raw cut pleated denim."

Rachel talked about the hustle and bustle of life, and how as she has become increasingly busy, how effortless chic, i.e. trench coats and this collection, just felt right, for the woman on the go. Intarsia knits, ruffled cardigans, charmeuse dresses, and peplum jackets are certainly strong pieces to live on their own, and work other basics, existing in the wardrobe already, into the look. Kudos to Rachel Roy, for understanding her customer, and instead of catering to the season's trends, listening to what she really needs.

{Backstage via Fashion Pulse Daily}

-Julia DiNardo, Fashion Pulse Daily

*(Images via style & Fashion Pulse Daily}

Cotton Candy...

Who doesn't love cotton candy? Admittedly, I'm not a huge fan of the fair {being hurled uncontrollably in the air & dropped hundreds of feet - not my idea of fun}, and cotton candy is a bit too sweet for me, but I think it's so pretty to look at.

The rooms below that I found on one of my fave blogs Coco Kelley remind me of this childhood treat. They're both light, pink and pretty - just like that huge swirl of cloud-shaped sugar.

As you may have figured out by now, I like to play creative games from time to time. Like the one where I use lovely spaces as inspiration for wardrobe pieces {reference here & here}. These 2 rooms are perrrrfect for that game. Kind of a "Room To Runway". Here's what I came up with:

Room #1:

{Philosophy Fall '11}

{Isaac Mizrahi Fall '11}

Room #2:

{Marc Jacobs Spr '11}

{Marc Jacobs Spr '11}

Fun right? I think it's a good thing to play around a little.

And I happen to love these spaces. {Pink isn't always an easy color to pull off in a room, but this works.}

Me likey! So tell me Dear Ones - likey too?...

L.P.S.,

Carla

*(Images via Coco Kelley & elle)

Music to my ears...

Melodie Monrose is modeling's newest "It Girl" & I love her!

She's a gorgeous beauty from the french isle of Martinique & she's this week's Unconventional Muse.

Her's is the classic tale of being plucked from the streets of her hometown on one day & planted on the runway of Paris & New York just days after - literally! This self-professed bookworm loves all-things-typical of an 18 yr old: hanging with friends, eating, shopping, seeing movies & museum hopping.

I think she's pretty terrific. Just have a look at her model card from Wilhelmina Models below...

...Stunning!...

So whether she's being prepped for beauty at Gucci...

...or walking the Spring runway at Philip Lim 3.1...

{Adorbs}

...or test shooting for her agency...

...she's fantastic & definitely "One To Watch".

So what say you? Love her too?...

L.P.S.,

Carla

*(Images via here & here)

Fade to Black

The fall 2011 runways are dripping with opulence, cascades of ruffles and luxurious fur.

But what I love most is that all that black was awash with vibrant color to brighten up those endless gray winter days.

3.1 Philip Lam
Carolina Herrara

Victoria Beckham

So when this summer comes to an end...the days get shorter and shorter and the leaves begin to fall reach for the falls brightest colors to keep the winter blues at bay.

Contributed by TonyaSE

photos by WWD

Fall 2011 Wrap-Up...

I love this time of year when the shows debut their pics for the next season. With spring on the horizon, everyone's looking forward to something fresh & new. A futuristic look ahead to fall is no exception. {After all, it'll be here before you know it.}

As far as Fall 2011 goes, here's what I'm seeing that's popping up so far as major trends:

Shades of Grey

Fur Trim & Collars

Blush Tones

Electric Blue

Plaid & Printed Pants

So there it is. What do you think? Which trend are you really diggin' so far?...

L.P.S.,

Carla

*(Images via elle & style - styled by Moi!)

Take a Peek...

Backstage that is.

Isn't it fun to see all the hoopla that happens backstage at a fashion show? With Fall '11 NYFW taking over, I can't help but to search for the pics that come out of all of those 'behind-the-scenes' places. I love these pics I found.

Take a look with me:

...Standing around looking gorge...

...Fall's looking soooo pretty. Love these bright colors for face...

...O.M.G. LOVE!!! How pretty?!...

...Looking forward to this beautiful something...

...Again, O.M.G. Love these pieces. The green & gold in these necklaces & cuffs are amazing!...

...How fun?!!! Love these quirky but beautiful necklaces...

See, 'peeping' isn't so bad after all. Just make sure you're upfront about it.

L.P.S.,

Carla

*(Images via Full Frontal Fashion)

Love is in the hair...

I t's Valentine's Day Loves.

While there's no shortage of beautiful people & lovely couple-type things around to feature, I thought it'd be fun to show a little NYFW love with some interesting hair shots. The picture above is so strikingly beautiful. {Seeing lots a grey with pops of brilliant color. Love the hot pink. More to come soon...}

...Of course, billows of wavy curls always work...

...But these crazy photos from Gaultier Couture are well, crazy. I love them though. Not that anyone would dare exit their home donning such a look, but they certainly do make for interesting conversation.

And you have to admit, the pictures are so pretty!

At any rate, enjoy this off beat Valentine's post. And Happy Love Day!!

L.P.S.,

Carla

*(Images via Full Frontal Fashion & Go backstage)

It's Here!!

New York Fashion Week, Fall 2011, of course!

So excited to see what all those creative geniuses come up with.

Up today: BCBG Max Azria, Richard Chai, Luca Luca, Mara Hoffman, and Christian Siriano to name a few.

I'll definitely check in with my report on all of the fantastical-ness.

Until then, have a gaze at these amazing Oscar de la Renta images.

The vision of loveliness below should, for sure, get you in the mood.

L.P.S.,

Carla

*(Images via here)

And Then There Was One...

What a monumental moment in Fashion history!

The day Beverly Johnson landed the most coveted cover of all time - the VOGUE cover - in 1974, everything changed {for the better}. That's exactly why she's this 'Monday's Unconventional Muse'. Beverly was, and still is, absolutely striking. I mean, her face cannot be denied. With February being Black History Month, I thought it'd be fun to share some vintage {and historic} images of this Beauty.

After gracing the cover of Vogue as their first Black model, she went on to show her face on many more of our beloved glossies.

Have a look below...

{LOVE this Cosmo cover!}

Beverly even showed up on album covers.

I'm insane for this image of her below! The hair, makeup and wardrobe are perfection. Quintessentially '70s!!

I love taking a trip down memory lane, especially when there's good fashion and inspiring images to linger over. There's so many amazing, beautiful women of color that have paved the way for us all. I feel honored to be able to present any one of them to you. Hope this in a small way enlightens you, entertains you, and encourages you to chart new ground.

Happy Monday!

L.P.S.,

Carla

*(Images via unknown)