NY Couture Fashion Week Experience

"Haute Couture should be fun, foolish, and almost unwearable"-Christian Lacroix [French fashion designer]

This past Friday, February 18th, I had the opportunity to go see one of the shows for New York Couture Fashion Week at the famous Waldorf Astoria hotel in NYC. This was my first time going to anything like this and I'm very grateful to Fransisco Romeo, editor of Hombre magazine, for inviting me to come see the show with him. Fransisco and I met this past December to do a few test shoots for his magazine--still a work in progress. I wore a black and white striped mini dress with one sleeve to the Couture show but unfortunately I DIDN'T bring my CAMERA!!!! My only regret of the night and huge mistake. I could of taken my own photos of the show and video :-( What was I thinking? The only things on my mind were getting to the show on time and anticipation of what I was about to witness. Fortunately Fransisco took some photos from that night; hopefully I'll get some of those to post on this entry!

Walking in to the Waldorf Astoria for the first time was an experience in itself; I felt like I was in another world. Once Fransisco and I made our way to the grand ballroom to see the show; I was in complete shock and awe of what was going on before my eyes. It was everything I expected and more. The fashionable music playing to the beat of the models runway steps and flowing bodies, the detailed colored lights displayed in sequenced arrays on the walls, the flashing light bulbs constantly shooting off from photographers and press, and an indescribable air to the entire scene that only exists in the world of fashion. We saw famous Lebanese fashion designer Hadi Katra's collection which consisted of bridal wear, couture fashion and ready-to-wear fashions. His designs were some of the most unique fashions I've seen thus far. I was literally on the edge of my seat the entire time, and for the first time in...probably ever, maintained perfect posture while sitting.

To get a visual of Hadi's design we saw that night, check out this photo collection from a photographer who was also there @ flickr

I didn't want the show to end. I was absorbing every single thing going on around me. Every detail, every design, outfit, model, people in the crowd...there's an art form to all of it. Its more than obvious to me that average people typically show a lack of appreciation, respect and understanding towards this world aka models and the fashion industry. Here's my two cents: seeing as I'm pursuing a career in modeling, I DO appreciate, respect and understand the industry. I know and understand why the models are super skinny, very tall, and very unique looking. It is not only a requirement for them to look that way but it is also a major part in the art of fashion. The clothes simply wouldn't flow the way they're supposed to if it weren't for these statuesque-slim women and men. I don't mean to sound harsh or offend, but if a 5'4" woman who wasn't...skinny...was walking down the runway in those outfits...it would destroy the art of fashion and never properly convey the message of the designers collection. That's the God honest truth, accept it or don't, just don't knock the models for their physique. They're not hired to be role models or display the average woman. Fashion shows aren't about the average!

Studying the bone structure and physical appearance of the models was amazing for me. Comparing one models walk with another was also really fun and entertaining. I had a few favorites in the show ;-) Seeing those super long legs dominate the runway was incredible. Watching the show just added more fuel to my ever-growing fire of desire to be up on that runway with them. I felt totally in my element surrounded by girls my height and taller. The ending of the show was beautiful and bittersweet because now I have to wait till September to see another one just like it!

Fransisco and I hung around for a while after the show to talk with some people he knew. He took a few pictures of me standing on the runway. I must say I felt like I was on someone else's territory but at least I looked like a model up there ;-) We saw the whole back stage area and the wardrobe/make up room...so surreal. I was just imagining how chaotic it was only a few moments earlier when the show was still going on. A lot of models were still hanging out as well and chatting with the stylists. I was lucky enough to meet the producer of the entire Couture show (thanks to Fransisco)! We then proceeded to another room where the red carpet was set up for the designers to take photos with their models. After that we headed over to the after party a few blocks away on 35th street. It wasn't your typical fashion show after party...compared to the last one I went to for Vogue magazine for NY fashion week September 2010. This after party was more low key and actually served food that models were actually eating! What a concept! It wasn't at your typical Manhattan night club with people drinking and crazy music (although those are fun too). I met some models, made some contacts, met new people and had a great time.

Needless to say I can't WAIT for my next fashion/model fix! I need to be surrounded by this as much as possible. Here's a video I found on YouTube from the show that night; its not a video of Hadi Katra's collection (couldn't find one of it!) but it takes place in the same room and shows the red carpet scene as well. The featured designer is Mireille Dagher.

Virgo's that Bewilder: Heidi Montag

And now for my newest blog segment: Virgo's that Bewilder. Any time I hear about a person who is of Virgo blood that doesn't seem to truly radiate *Virgo* or would otherwise go completely under my Virgo radar; I'm going to blog about said Virgo and why they seem off as Virgo's. I feel this is a subject only Virgo's would be interested in writing about or discussing, so this may come off as boring or stupid to other zodiac signs, but to this I say: pish posh.

Virgo's that Bewilder me are those born under our awesome star sign that do not accurately portray what Virgo's are. A few months back, Baby Virgo brought it to my attention that HEIDI MONTAG is a VIRGO! When she told me this, and once I confirmed her date of birth via Google (September 15th 1986...a day after me & Baby Virgo's birthday...too close for comfort!), I was in Virg-shock. My immediate reaction was, "WHAT? SHE'S a VIRGO?" It truly threw me for a loop. How could Heidi Montag possibly be a Virgo? She's an attention addict, always wants (or wanted) the spotlight on her, and is consumed with vanity--all characteristics which most Virgo's do not posses. Oh and lets not forget that her husband, Spencer Pratt, is a Leo (explains everything about him). I won't hold that against her though, since she's not your typical Virgo, plus Spencer's insanity is highly entertaining in my opinion. I actually like them as a couple and think they're perfect for each other.

I'm not a fan of The Hills, however I've watched a few episodes in the past just to see what all the Heidi & Spencer hype was about. While watching those episodes, not knowing that Heidi is a Virgo, it never picked up on my Virgo radar that she could be a Virgo. Seeing her on television interviews also didn't convey anything obviously Virgo-like, EXCEPT for the fact that she's a perfectionist, which is one of our main traits. I'd say the only Virgo traits she portrays is being a perfectionist, loving fashion and dressing well, neat physical appearance, and loyalty to her husband.

I do feel empathy for her as a fellow Virgo because of the extremes she went through to achieve "perfection" and then ended up regretting all the plastic surgery she had done. Virgo's are their own worst critics. There's nothing you can tell a Virgo about themselves that they don't already know. It must of drove her Virgo mind insane to nit-pick away at herself and decide on what parts of her body needed to be re-done. That kind of mental torture is something a Virgo mind is often subjected to on a daily basis; constantly scrutinizing every little detail about yourself and doing whatever it takes to perfect whatever it is you think is out of order. I'm totally OCD about how my hair looks so I can't even imagine what it would be like to be Heidi as a Virgo who wants her whole entire physical appearance altered. Being a "plastic" Virgo is so opposite of our natural Earth sign tendencies...when I think Virgo in a physical sense I think of naturally good-looking people...don't mean to toot our Virgo horns on that one but its the truth I'm being blunt. I saw an interview she did a few months ago about what  life is like for her now and how much her lifestyle has changed...and it was really sad. Yeah yeah yeah I sound lame for feeling bad for Heidi but whatever she's only human and she is a Virgo so I can't not feel for her. It seems like all those surgeries and the amount of crazy fame she got so quickly had finally brought her back to *Earth* and she's now thinking clearly in Virgo terms.

That's all for now about Virgo's that Bewilder...till the next time when I come across a Virgo that's incognito...stay true to your Virgo roots people xoxoxo.

February Virgo of the Month: Wiz Khalifa

  Proud to announce that my choice for February Virgo of the Month is, what I consider, hip hop's newest pick of the litter rapper: Wiz Khalifa. Before I write anything about Wiz let me just inform all readers that I'm pretty much always the last to know about what's going on with the hip hop scene and today's music in general. I just don't follow it and I hate the radio, main stream music tv channels, and flat out don't pay attention to the "whose who" of todays musicians--UNLESS you are so fucking awesome that you fly over the radar of lame and do such a great job of not sucking that I, Mama Virgo, end up hearing about you and genuinely start to like you (aka YOU WIZ!). This doesn't mean that I think I'm like some higher person that once you have my approval you've hit a fan base so untouchable that you're now *officially cool,* I'm just sayin' for me to actually LIKE, NOTICE, and follow up on new artists is very rare. 

"Fly solo"

                                                                     "Black & Guido"
Back to Wiz. His birthday is September 8th 1987 (yay we're the same age!) and he is so *Mama Virgo Approved* its ridiculous. His clothing style is impeccable; if I were a dude I'd rock the same wardrobe. Just from Google-imaging him I already want to look up where he buys his clothes. He hit it big with his single "Black & Yellow," which I didn't even know was a song until Jersey Shore's Vinny Gaudagnino re-made it into a parody called "Black & Guido." Hearing Vinny's version was the first time I recognized it was from "Black & Yellow." So for me to find out about Wiz Khalifa only because I love Vinny and Jersey Shore THAT much was so cool. Vinny's version is hilarious and one of my all-time favorite songs now. I had only previously heard a small clip of "Black & Yellow" on a commercial for ringtones and didn't pay any mind to it. Once I YouTubed Wiz Khalifa and listened to his actual music I was blown away simply by the fact that, here's a *new* rapper, from MY generation, that doesn't suck!!!!! I fell in love with his song "Fly Solo" and have been listening to it almost on daily basis since first hearing it. Thanks to Twitter I found out that Wiz is indeed a Virgo. He was listed as one of the famous Virgo hip hop artists @TheDailyVirgo's Twitter page.

My younger sister is always the first person to tease me about how I'm completely out of the loop with todays music and hip hop artists. She seems to know about all these artists years or months before the rest of the world does; she's a die-hard hip hop fan. In the past I've gone to her for new music to listen to, and whatever is new to me is old news to her, so if she reads this blog she's probably going to say to herself, "Wow what a fucking dumb ass how did she not know who Wiz Khalifa is?" All I have to say is, musically I'm stuck in the 90's ok?! (And 80's, 60's, 70's, 50's...) lol.

Wiz's real name should win an award for most original: Cameron Jibril Thomaz...what the hell is that? I don't know, but its dope. He put a mixtape out in 2010 called Kush and Orange Juice; that title alone gives him more bonus points...and really makes me want some OJ. I could tell you more details about his music career but instead you can just look all that up on Wikipedia so I don't have to repeat it on here (lol). I'm just going to highlight all the *Virgo* things about him in my blog since I'm not a music reporter. Wiz has the classic Virgo facial structure and intricate tattoos that are very detail-oriented which I heart. Maybe one day I'll be lucky enough to see all of his tatts because my Virgo brain would have a field day looking at all the detailed art work. The lyrics to his songs are also very Virgo-like. To me, he just emits Virgo essence a lot more than other Virgo rappers (not to say that the other's aren't just as Virgo--he just happens to showcase it all physically and lyrically in a way that sets him apart from the rest). One of my most favorite rappers ever, Ludacris, is also a Virgo and was my first *Virgo Rapper Love* even before I knew he was a Virgo.

Then there's the fact that Wiz just so happens to love Amber Rose as much as I do ;) ::sigh:: they are perfect together. I don't know the details about their relationship (obviously...) but from what I do know and have seen via media pictures, Mama Virgo likes very much :) I LOVE Amber Rose!! She has everything the classic Virgo would be attracted to: sick wardrobe, neat and intriguing appearance, visually stimulating in a very original way, beauty and kick ass persona. It doesn't surprise me Wiz would kick it with her and vise-versa. Serious upgrade from when she dated Kanye West. Please Google-image her if you don't know who I'm talking about, your eyes will not be disappointed. Ok enough about my love for them as a couple and my obsession with Amber Rose. I'm very happy and honored that Wiz Khalifa is on Team Virgo. He's just one more amazing Virgo to add to the never-ending list of greatness.

If you're a hip hop fan and want to read one of the most excellent music blogs that would have actual music info and keeps you up to date on the "what's what" in the hip hop world, check out my boy Kevin Casey's website at Kevin Casey Music. He's guaranteed to know what he's talking about but hasn't written a blog about Wiz yet [that I know of]...but I think I'm going to suggest that he does after writing this entry haha.

Stay tuned fellow Virgo's (and non-Virgo's too :-) for next months featured Virgo <3