Nuvany Nice

Adieu for now....

Tue, 08 Mar 2011 21:16:00 +0000

This will be my last entry here on Nuvany Nice, I've decided to close this chapter of blogging for now. I've thoroughly enjoyed this experience all of the people I've met & friendships I've created, truly priceless. I'm sure this will not be the end of my online presence I'm just taking a break to regroup, refocus & reinvent! I can not thank you all enough for embarking on this journey with me, I will miss all of you dearly. I think I will keep the blog up for now but will delete my tumblr, twitter & fb accounts shortly. If you would like to get in contact with me you can always drop me an email at nuvanynice@gmail.com. Again thank you from the bottom of my heart, until we meet again!

Be Back Soon....

Wed, 16 Feb 2011 12:48:00 +0000

My apologies for being mia, NYFW FW11 is almost over & posts will resume a bit more frequently after tomorrow. Hope your all well!

D.I.Y Queens: Virgo LA

Fri, 14 Jan 2011 14:51:00 +0000

If your like me you conjure up massive D.I.Y ideas but never get around to completing them or even starting them for that matter,don't judge me if you can't relate ;). But that's where the lovely duo from Boos and Besito come in! Remember the dope line of accessories they started a while back, well now the ladies have opened their very own brick and mortar -Virgo in downtown LA! I know I don't live in LA either, I've never even been but have always held on to the hopes of one day visiting just to experience Virgo in real time. But alas thanks to the inter webs Alejandra and Rana have launched the Virgo Etsy shop(what would the world be without Etsy). Yes, now we outsiders of LA are able to get a mini taste of what Virgo has to offer. From their D.I.Y studded vests, Ipad sleeves, and my fav the cut-out shoulder vintage shirts, I think this will hold me over until I'm able to book a flight to the west side! So join me as we collectively give thanks to the ladies for thinking of we outsiders, just do me a favor since I put you on PLEASE DON'T BUY THE STUDDED JACKET I WILL DIE IF I DON'T HAVE IT AND THEN I WON'T BE ABLE TO BLOG ANYMORE BECAUSE I'LL BE GONE THX!!!

Tie Me Up: Turban

Mon, 10 Jan 2011 16:24:00 +0000

Ahhhh my day is off to a chaotic start, but just wanting to check in & say a brief hello to all of my wonderful readers! Monday's can be a bit crabby for me, but not too long ago I came across Inny Vinny's Turban Tieying(say that fast 3 times) video tutorial & it kind of made my day! Shes always been a huge supporter & her blog is pretty dope as well! I took a few stabs at it, but am working on perfecting it for NYFW. Yes, so do visit her blog & I hope your Monday is a little better than mine!

Azede Jean-Pierre

Tue, 04 Jan 2011 14:27:00 +0000

Happy New Year & belated Christmas to those that celebrate! I enjoyed the holidays immensely visiting with family & looking forward to what this new year will bring. I've been doing a lot of shopping lately & the only reason I don't feel guilty, everything I bought was on massive sale including the new top I received from emerging designer Azede Jean-Pierre. I was first introduced to Haitian born Azede Jean-Pierre through photographer Kwesi Abbensetts FB page, he posted a link to her SS/11 collection. This young lady embodies fresh talent & a perspective that the industry needs. Her craftsmanship is impeccable, she has a vision, & she's strategically building her brand in Atlanta. Over the holidays she auctioned a sample top from her SS/10 collection that I absolutely fell in love with. So I bid & I won!!! Since landing on the Newcomer front page, a blog where Azede chronicles her journey as an emerging designer all I can think about is how appropriate she would be for the CFDA Incubator program. In due time I'm sure if she doesn't surpass that expectation, which I'm sure she will. Attention to details can be such a great quality to posess as a designer & I'll let you all see what I'm talking about if you click here. I'm so happy to be acquainted with Azede & am beyond anxious for what she's cooking up! Oh & I borrowed the photo above from Azede's blog,thx! Can't wait to rock the top during NYFW ;).

Garderob Fall/Winter 2011

Tue, 30 Nov 2010 15:15:00 +0000

Based in Bulgaria, the ladies from Garderob are offering up a minimal well constructed collection for A/W 11. We've featured the trio before & love the progression we are seeing in their designs.

Garderob is putting Bulgaria on the fashion map with their casual feminine looks this season. They chose a nice range of muted pastel colors with additions of dark denim & army green to compliment the structured shapes. The pleated detailed used on the denim pants & skirts add a contrasting element of exaggeration to the simple silk blouses.

All of the pieces are extremely wearable & interchangeable, the camel cape being one of my favorite picks. The ladies have done an exceptional job creating a well edited collection that clearly conveys a consistent theme. To view more from the collection & for a list of their stockist visit their site here.

All, Well One Of The Things Ebony Wants For Christmas

Mon, 29 Nov 2010 14:23:00 +0000

Clare Vivier Messenger Bag spotted via Stylebite today!

More Goodness From Ouxu Cheng

Sun, 21 Nov 2010 19:13:00 +0000

No this is not a "Makeup" blog per se, but what I am passionate about here at Nuvany Nice is supporting independent creatives! Whether it be featuring the dopest underground female MC, an ill young graphic designer fresh out of Pratt, or that next budding fashion designer on the other side of the globe, my motto "support indie" is the basis of this blog relating to fashion.culture.art.

Ouxu is no stranger to the blog she's been featured here & here, I feel like she's becoming a regular acutally ;)! Well that's good news, because she's back with another insanely simple makeup tutorial. I'm bias, but I think she's the best because of her ability to make applying makeup look so easy something that I'm sure can be daunting to not just me! And this time, she's giving us a simple list of Basic Makeup 101 rules to always follow. Are you dying to find out what they are, well then click on over to her tumblr page & trust for all you newcomers to the world of makeup you will & can thank me later!

Tumblr...

Fri, 05 Nov 2010 20:04:00 +0000

This image from Black Lily's front page makes me want to start a tumblr...

My Fall Essentials

Fri, 05 Nov 2010 13:38:00 +0000

1.Hyden Hoo Ami Pant
2.Marais Maryjane Bow Flat
3.Black Lily Egypt Bag
4.Comme des Garcons Shiny Dot Wallet
5.Bimba y Lola Fur Coat
6.Dolce Vita Mica Dress
7.Black Lily Eliana Fringe Scarf
8.Black Lily Enigma Hat
9.On Your Feet Wisconsin Boot
10.Agate Necklace With Crystal

Blog Love: Into The Gloss by Emily Weiss

Fri, 29 Oct 2010 21:02:00 +0000

Everyone has a blog these days, or in some way shape or form it seems is associated with blogging! So when I discover or should I say stumble onto blogs that are new to me & have that all around it factor, it makes me giddy like a child.

Long gone are the days of being creative with blogging, setting yourself apart, creating a niche for yourself, its really hard to find in abundance like when I first started blogging. But don't fret there are still blogs out there that meet this criteria like former Teen Vogue intern Emily Weiss's blog Into The Gloss. Emily gives an insider's view on all things beauty related in the fashion industry, interviewing/featuring creatives behind the scenes & getting the scoop from some of our favorite figures in fashion like editors, stylists, & folks that we should know about. I'm all about highlighting unseen/heard talent, so I can't get enough of her blog. Its always great to read first-hand reviews on new beauty products before giving them a try as well. I hope you get into the gloss as much as I do daily!

Into The Gloss

NYFW: Mataano Spring 2011

Thu, 28 Oct 2010 15:03:00 +0000

Ayaan & Idyl Mohallim are no novice to the fashion industry. The Somali bred twin-sister design duo honed & nurtured their craft remarkably at iconic houses like Jill Stuart & Betsey Johnson before launching Mataano in 2008. During NYFW, I took a moment to chat with the sisters during their S/S 11 presentation at MOBiA(Museum of Biblical Art)just a few steps from Lincoln Center!

For Spring we wanted less color, more of a minimal look. After a brief hiatus to work on restructuring the brand, the duo have reemerged in their fourth season with a diverse collection of separates & dresses infusing elements from the late 50's-early 60's like high waist shorts, pencil skirts & corset tops in a neutral color palette desert blossom-dusty rose,salmon,light blue.

It was nice to see parts of the collection displayed throughout the museum on mannequins, but I was able to get a better vision of the fit on the lovely models they cast for the presentation. The construction was immaculate(the line is produced in New York city!) and 99% of the collection was made from silk blends like printed organza, chiffon & silk shantung. There were a few pieces that stood out, but one of my favorites was a beautiful ivory corset romper(pictured above) made from chiffon & elastic which yielded a ruched look! The entire collection was relevant and yet so innovative.

The duo really want to convey a message beyond just making beautiful well constructed clothing. When I asked them to describe the type of woman they design for, their response was very inspiring and riveting. We are that women when we look in the mirror, multi cultural, bilingual, understand and appreciates diff cultures, loves to travel, read, that New York woman which is everywhere.

Our conversation extended way beyond design, they were extremely open about their journey as a whole thus far. We want to continue being artists, but also be commercially viable figuring out what sells etc. They had no reservations and were honest about their struggles creating and sustaining the brand, virtually wearing every hat for their business. As for their goals for Mataano in the future, we want to be more eco friendly, be intl. and think bigger. We are open to whoever is open to us, we definitely want to grow.

Designers Ayaan & Idyl Mohallim
We are a voice of a generation of women who are independent and beautiful from Africa showing a different aesthetic of Africa because there is more than one viewpoint!

To learn more about Mataano & to view the entire collection visit www.mataano.com

Manimal Fall/Winter 10: Alaskan Winter

Tue, 19 Oct 2010 13:12:00 +0000

Drawing inspiration from Inuit images & iconic rock band Guns & Roses, Manimal designer Kristen Lombardi is back with an edgy lineup of footwear & accessories for fall!

Here at Nuvany Nice we are avid lovers of all things designer Kristen Lombardi conceptualizes over at Manimal Studios, each season her innate creativity evolves to another level! Fall introduces an assortment of mocs in red,toast,turquoise made from a heavier leather to weather the seasons elements. Shapes and symbols seen throughout the collection are directly influenced by masks & totem pole art of the indigenous Inuit people.

It's always fascinating to see what Menagerie Kristen creates from leftover scraps. Beautiful knotted necklaces combining suede and leather scraps, canvas and leather totes & pouches, and my fav the adjustable leather tie belt!

Event: Toronto Fashion Week Rachel Mara SS 11 Show

Fri, 15 Oct 2010 12:09:00 +0000

Finally: My Meeting With Thiago Santos

Thu, 14 Oct 2010 16:22:00 +0000

During this past NYFW I had one of the most exciting experiences of my life, meeting Brazilian born model Thiago Santos. If you follow this blog then you know the severe fandom I have for Thiago, but after our meeting I can sincerely say it has turned to admiration (& not only because I am about 10 yrs. his senior either). I was able to talk with him for about an hour, picking his brain asking all of the questions that I had mentally prepared in anticipation of this day & he enthusiastically answered every one. He was such a pleasure to talk with, so open and down to earth. One of the main things that I took away from our conversation was the unwavering moral foundation that he bases his life upon. It was apparent that he is extremely focused & that all of the lures & temptations of this industry are not able to sway him in anyway! You can see a few more pics. I took below & be sure to follow his new blog Thiago's Notebook!

Geneticboi x The Haute Pursuit

Thu, 30 Sep 2010 13:12:00 +0000

My dear friend Quan Mai aka Geneticboi has done it again! During NYFW he collaborated on a shoot entitled Calm Chaos with top fashion blogger Vanessa Hong of The Haute Pursuit. I had the pleasure of being on set for the last leg of the shoot in China Town & it was nothing short of magic to watch these two creatives in action. This was my first time meeting Vanessa & what a memorable experience it was. We had the chance to sit & converse extensively about blogging, fashion & life in general. She shared a wealth of information with me that I am beyond grateful to have learned. Quan continues to amaze me, his ability to work with virtually nothing & to create masterpieces is an attestation to his incredible raw talent. I recently assisted on a shoot for a famous recording artist & let me tell you all of the resources they had at their disposal could not even come close to what I've seen Quan produce with nothing but his creative mind(peep the credits he does it all!!!). I think the industry is lacking somewhat the essence of what fashion really is, creativity that evolves consistently. Here's to Quan & his journey to the top, the whole world will know sooner than later!

CLICK HERE TO VIEW CALM CHAOS

NYFW S/S 11 Street Style

Wed, 15 Sep 2010 15:59:00 +0000

Tomorrow ends NYFW SS 2011 shows at Lincoln Center. Each season there is one thing that I always look forward to the most, taking street style photos. I have to say this year all around, I wasn't inspired much from the shows to the folks I saw on the streets. Needless to say I tried my best to capture a bit of NYFW style for you to see. Lots of wooden heels,blazers,tribal accessories,stripes to name a few. I've put together a slide-show with about 50 pics., please comment & let me know which ones are your fave!

NYFW S/S 11 Day 2 The Sartorialist

Sat, 11 Sep 2010 13:34:00 +0000

View the originial post on The Sartorialist

Hey here checking in! NYFW is underway & its been great so far, although I do have to say I haven't been wowed by any of the collections I've seen & one of the shows I attended was the worst I've ever seen in my life.

After attending the Mara Hoffman show on Thursday, as I was walking down the street I felt a tap on my shoulder. When I turned around it was famed Street Style Photographer Scott Schuman. I was totally speechless at first as he proceeded to ask if he could take my photo. I think I responded something like Scott stop playin?. I was baffled that on all days he would choose today to take my pic, I thought I looked a hot TRYING TOO HARD mess! Just wanted to say thanks to Scott & stay tuned for more upcoming NYFW updates here on Nuvany Nice!

Photo taken by me

NYFW S/S 2011 Begins

Wed, 08 Sep 2010 21:09:00 +0000

Dress,Lace Cardigan, Eyeglasses, Bracelets, Watch:Target,Leather Bucket Bag:Gap,Belt:Vintage,Shoes:Pour La Victoire

Hey NYFW is here, officially today but it started unofficially yesterday for me with the CFDA Fashion Incubator. Let's get all of the good stuff out to the way. This will be my 3rd season covering shows on behalf of She Breathes, you can follow my tweets on twitter via @fashiontwktweets & you can check my coverage over at She Breathes!

You can also stay in tune with my coverage for Nuvany Nice here on the blog & on twitter @NuvanyNice. Anything in particular you're looking forward to seeing this season? I'm still just as excited as I was my first season covering NYFW, its so thrilling & inspiring to say the least! Very anxious to see how the new transition to Lincoln Center will be as well. Oh yeah I almost forgot, tomorrow evening is FNO (Fashion Night Out)! Sadly I have yet to even began to map out a plan, I've been swamped with other things. But here are two events so far that I am going to try & swing by you should to if your in the area, make sure you continue to support indie designers that's what we're all about here at Nuvany Nice!

Happy NYFW week lovelies, let the festivities begin or should I say mayhem nah its more of a joyous occasion in my book ;)!

Fashion's Night Out
Rebel Chic NYC Trunk Show
at Selima's Optique
07 Bond St.
Friday Sept. 10th,2010
7-10pm
cocktails,music, shopping what more could you ask for?

Other Designers include- Selima Optique, Staerk, CoCo & Breezy, Vagabond NYC, MSG New York, Amanda Browder, Brooklyn Heavy Metal and Do You Love Me

Fall Styling with Fashion Blogger Bryan Boy

Tue, 07 Sep 2010 14:52:00 +0000

Greetings! Hope all is well with everyone and you enjoyed your holiday weekend here stateside ;). Excuse the blog appearance, I'm changing things around a bit(AGAIN) so bear with me. I received so many great responses of what you would like to see more here at Nuvany Nice via the F-Troupe giveaway, thank you sooo much. I'm genuinely taking into consideration every response and will make my best effort to deliver!

Lets start off with these two great styling tutorials by top Fashion Blogger Bryan Boy. Mega retailer HM collaborated with the Fashionisto to compile a few looks for both men and women that are suitable for the upcoming fall season. Please comment and let me know if you enjoyed the videos!

Provider Denmark: Leather & Silk

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 11:21:00 +0000

See more here

Grinding: Nikki NTU

Mon, 23 Aug 2010 02:15:00 +0000

(Photo by King Texas)

1. Name/Alias: Nikki NTU

2.Where are you from/ Where do you currently live?: Brooklyn, NYC

3. Where did/do you go to school and your major?: I attend Fordham University. I major in African and African American Studies.

4. What is your Grind? I'm best known as an emcee, writer, musician, teaching artist, facilitator, and speaker.

5. How did you get into what you're doing now?: I had a love for writing and speaking at a young age. I started rhyming when I was a teen and got into artist development and workshop facilitation around the same time through a mentor of mine. It just grew from there.

6. When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?: My mom brainwashed me into thinking I wanted to be an Entertainment Lawyer for most of my childhood, ha! But I always loved writing and drawing. I grew up around that creative environment and got to see a lot of that lifestyle so I knew whatever I would be it would have something to do with expression and cultivation.

7. What are some contributing factors that shaped the life you live now?: Being around folks who push beyond their limitations has been a great influence. Having the opportunity to be exposed to what the world has to offer and understanding how I can contribute.

8. Any specific people that mentored or helped guide you to your current path?:Absolutely. Toni Blackman for one. She was key in me being and doing what I do today.

9. What motivates you?: Other artists. Being around them, speaking with them, enjoying their vibe. Learning about artists and figures who've come before me and the things they faced. I think learning or experiencing inspires me in general. Seeing what is missing and working to fill that gap.

10. Your favorite author and why?: That's a hard one... Right now I'm on D.J. Conway and Ra Un Nefer Amen. Subject wise, they are some of the best. But when it comes to tone, Pierre Stephen Robert Payne brings so much heat to a his writing.

11. What are 3 goals you want to achieve within the next year?: Hmmmm.....
1. Tour 2. Have my organization up and running 3. Map out a space and place of my own where I can put roots

12. One person that continuously inspires you and why?: It's hard to pick one...I'd really have to say MeLo-X. I've always admired his ability to keep moving. His vision and work ethic is crazy. I just sit back sometimes and smile. Gives me a great sense of pride.

13. 3 Indie brands you LOVE to rock?: ALIEN, Vane NYC, Open Ceremony (if my pockets are right), and though I don't have any pieces yet, I stumbled on Loza Maleombho, which I think is a really fly brand.

14. What annoys you the most?: Ha! Constant sneezing and coughing! I can't STAND it! Sounds like they can't breathe and then I feel like I can't breathe and then we're both weezin'. And it's nasty. Get ya immune system up mang!

15. Your best quality?: My sincerity. From anger to complete joy it's always raw passion. Sometimes a jerk...but always honest.

Check out Nikki's blog & download her latest EP Medulla Dinner, its wicked ya'll!

Paper Goods: Tam+Sam

Mon, 16 Aug 2010 11:37:00 +0000

Writing is something I've always enjoyed but with the popularity of the internet/email, like everyone else I've opted to put down the pen & paper and type my thoughts away. But sometimes you just want to go back to the basics and indulge conventionally! One of my favorite blogger duo's Tam + Sam have a really cute line of paper goods ByNous, that feature simple but original designs like their mascot Little Miss X(who by the way I am in <3 with). Why not send a thank-you letter or drop a note to that friend you've lost touch with via snail mail on some snazzy stationary! I'm motivated to try and re-incorporate this past-time back into my routine & hope that you are too. Please visit Tam + Sam blog to be visually stimulated daily & don't forget to check out their ByNous Etsy shop to purchase their line of paper goods!

Giveaway: F-Troupe Flats

Mon, 09 Aug 2010 12:12:00 +0000

****AND THE WINNER IS NOTORIOUS SPINKS!!! THANKS TO EVERYONE THAT ENTERED LOOK OUT FOR NEW GIVEAWAYS COMING SOON!!!!****

Haven't done a giveaway in a while here at Nuvany Nice, so here's one for ya! Yessss these are the F-Troupe flats that I bragged about in a previous post, but I left out one important fact I CAN'T FIT THEM! I'm not going to lie, I WILL bind my feet like the geisha's did to squeeze into a pair of shoes but I've tried & they are just a bit too snug! And since I love & appreciate my readers immensely, I've decided to give one lucky reader/visitor a chance to win these F-Troupe flats.

To Enter:

Leave a comment telling me what you would like to see here at Nuvany Nice, that's it! Please don't forget to provide your email address in the appropriate field.

Giveaway starts today Aug. 09, 2010 & ends Aug. 23, 2010

Deets: F-Troupe Flats Brand New In Box sz.40/9 value $150

Retweet the giveaway on Twitter for an extra entry!

P.S. JOIN NUVANY NICE ON FB & TWITTER IF YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY!!!!!!!!!

Candids: Brazilian Model Thiago Santos <3

Wed, 04 Aug 2010 10:53:00 +0000

{All photos & video via The Fashion Spot}