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)

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}

Monique Pean

Showing jewelry during New York Fashion Week is always a challenge, however CFDA/VOGUE Fahion Funder winner Monique Péan had no trouble drawing the eye upwards toward her beautiful baubles from The Ahe Collection, a line inspired by a trip to French Polynesia. Taking a cue from aquatic life, Péan created jewelry of both big and small pieces of largely necklaces and some bracelets of both ancient and newer materials. Combining shells, fossilized woolly mammoth, walrus ivory, 18 carat recycled gold, sustainable mother of pearl, and conflict and devastation-free diamonds, the designer proved that beautiful creations can also be sustainable, eco-conscious, and philanthropic, as a portion of sales go to charity as well as Péan using local artisans to hand craft her designs. A favorite of the designer's was a large, white necklace (pictured) that included slivers of diamonds carefully worked in.

Contributed by: Julia DiNardo of fashionpulsedaily

*(Images Via Elle.com)

Get Entrenched for Spring 2011

In a collection displayed on both mannequins and live models, Rachel Roy showed a lineup of largely upbeat-hued wovens. Some silk, sateen, and metallic threads worked their way into a very wearable collection, with some of the jewel-toned garments being shown in monochromatic styling. Roy dedicated nine pieces for Spring 2011 on the trenchcoat, which can be worn both as over coats and as dresses. With an eye for feminine detailing and precise cuts, Roy artfully placed strings, buttons, larger than life ruffles, belts, epaulets, and rouched sleeves on the trench coats, all in the traditional khaki hue. After viewing the collection, there was just one thing on my mind: "Do I really have wait until Spring 2011 to get one of these trenches?"

Contributed by: Julia DiNardo of fashionpulsedaily

*(Images Via Elle.com)

Fantastic Voyage

A journey through space and time is what Tracy Reese offered up for Spring 2011, with a myriad of prints, crisp colors, and practical cuts that make one yearn for both a resort getaway to wear them to, but also the opportunity for a fabulous roof deck cocktail party that would be equally as appropriate. Accessorized with over sized round translucent sunglasses and floppy hats injected a vintage '70s flavor into the collection, however it still captured the perfect balance between retro and modern without going in too much of a costumey direction. Dresses in shades of burnt orange and a slightly muted cobalt blue most certainly stole the show, however Reese also offered up incredible pieces in slate, cream, beige, and taupe. A favorite from the collection was a cream-colored apron dress with pockets and slightly curved-in straps -- a look that will work with almost any figure and skin tone.

Contributed by: Julia DiNardo of fashionpulsedaily

*(Images Via Elle.com)

Fashionpulse.com creator graces our little corner of the web

To bring you a real taste of NYFW we wanted to find an amazing fashion insider so we asked none other than fashion writer and fashionpulse.com creator, Julia DiNardi, to help us out - and low and behold she agreed ! Julia has taken over Pretty Coveted this week and will be providing a look at the fall trends and a behind the scenes peek at all the action.

A bit about Julia…
With a keen eye for the latest trends, newest designers, hottest products, industry buzz, and more, fashion industry veteran Julia DiNardo follows the beat of fashion while simultaneously uncovering affordable, stylish options. DiNardo, a Pittsburgh native and New York City resident, has covered New York and LA Fashion Weeks for the past seven years while penning articles for a myriad of publications, including Clear, Primo, Redbook, and GQ Magazines, AM New York, The New York Sun, BagSnob.com, CoutureSnob.com, Sheckys.com, BussBuss.com, StyleList.com, and her own site, FashionPulseDaily.com.

We leave you in her ultra stylish hands!

Rachel Roy's Nomadic Adventure for Fall 2010

Julia was able to capture a few shots from behind the scenes at Rachel Roy, one of our favorite designers. Roy's fall collection was inspired by nomadic adventures of North Africa and their colorful spice markets, mosaic tapestry florals and Moraccan military details.

Rachel describe's her design inspiration

Contributed by Julia DiNardo