May 1st was super busy as I was on WJAL in DC for ABC 7/ Channel 8, Let's Talk Live talking about mom style and more right before Mother's Day! Then hours later I taped fun segments with ABC 2's The List in Baltimore about 5 Pregnancy Style 101 Items! I think with so many celebs and friends having babies, we all need to be educated about rocking this sense of style and doing it in a way that they look their best! Check out the segment - I appear around the 1:24 mark!

This post is definitely one that I love sharing as an Accessories Expert and the Co-Founder/Creative Director of Shoe Week! Kinky Boots is a musical that hit Broadway and focuses on shoes! When a son inherits his father's show factory which is heading for bankruptcy and yet he still wants to maintain the legacy of the business, inspiration has to strike somewhere. It's found in an entertainer that needs phenomenal and sturdy stilettos! Together the two work together to turn the business around and to learn an ultimate lesson about people truly working together and not focusing on perceptions of one another! Of course, this show is all about fab music, dancing and more in this brand new musical! Friday, the windows for Kinky Boots debuted at Lord & Taylor and yesterday, there were in store performances by Cyndi Lauper, Harvey Fierstein as well as the rest of the cast from Kinky Boots! Check out some images and of course I had to pop by the windows to see it for myself!

As you know from one of yesterday's post, Paul and I spent the weekend in Philly and my second and only full day in the city of Brotherly Love had a lot of activity thanks to a fab itinerary by the Philly Tourism Board. Roll over the images to check out some of the museums I headed to, boutiques as well as Marathon and Red Owl Tavern!

It's no secret that one of my favorite designers is Aiisha who has a flare for the dramatic mixed with an edge and a sense of whimsy. I have worn her collection and love the couture quality of each garment and they are a must have within my personal collection. In fact, one of her fabulous pieces was included within Shoe Week's inaugural NYFW show last Sept! Aiisha has launched a new high end ready to wear collection that will be available in August of this year and it is absolutely stunning! This new line's debut collection is titled as 'Mirror' and she launched it at the Infiniti Centre this week in Dubai as well as with a video that has a number of celebrities sharing what Style means to them and Aiisha makes an appearance as well. The Mirror collection sees women as having 2 sides and being able to represent both through great design. Within the video, each women shares her sides including Beauty Expert and TV Presenter Joelle Mardinian, singer Asmaa Lmnawar and TV Presenter Mohamad Abu Obeid. Bollywood actor Arjan Bajwa and designer of the collection, Aiisha Ramadan also make an appearance within this video. See the collection and of course this post will be updated with images from the show as well.

Last week, I headed to Charleston Fashion Week as my client, EXPATRIATE, reached out for me to style the footwear that would be included within her show. Of course, this was exciting as it was a great way to include Shoe Week within her runway show experience. I completed her look with United Nude which is known for their architectural style. Above you can catch two of my favorite looks from the collection (see more looks from her show with images by Glenn Bernette). In addition, to purchasing these fab heels online, for those who where in Charleston that were asking, you can find them at Harleston Shoes (check them out on Pinterest as well as on their Facebook page).

Charleston Fashion Week is a show that has taken place over the past seasons that not only shows established designers but emerging designers as well. It was amazing to hear that EXPATRIATE's designer and founder, Kita Nolley, received a lot of praise from Fern Mallis herself about the fabrication and the construction of her line. As runway shows are always chaotic and since it was such a quick trip, I had a little Q&A with Kita, an Atlanta based designer that takes everyone on a number of destinations with her collection.

When and why did you decide to create EXPATRIATE?

I decided to create EXPATRIATE when I was in grad school at Savannah College of Art & Design. I always knew that I wanted to have my own line, but I was never sure how far I could take it. It wasn’t until after I spent some time working in London for British fashion house, Zoe Jordan, that I knew for sure I had the necessary skill set to grow my own business. That was my first realistic taste of what it takes to run a successful luxury label. I learned a lot about operations and the business end of fashion and I loved it.

How do you begin designing your line (do you do a storyboard, do you do inspiration trips etc)?

Honestly, it’s different every time. Usually, I’m inspired by something I learned or saw while traveling. Other times I’m inspired by art, something that I read, or even a certain fabric that I came across. From that initial inspiration, I create a mood board. The process of creating the mood board usually helps me clarify my vision. I usually start creating rough sketches after I’ve created a mood board and am clear on the direction.

Why are you excited to be part of Charleston Fashion Week and how do you think it will benefit you by participating within this event?

I’m excited to be part of Charleston Fashion Week for tons of reasons, but mostly because it’s the perfect launching pad for new designers. The event gets a tremendous amount of media coverage and is a gathering place for fashion industry professionals. Not only am I gaining invaluable experience in creating runway shows, but I’m also getting a chance to rub elbows with industry insiders and tastemakers.

Where would you love to see EXPATRIATE sold?

I would love to see the line in major department store like Saks or Harrods one day. I’m a huge fan of the boutique shopping experience, so right now we’re focusing on getting the line in fashion forward, well-curated boutiques – both stateside and international.

What fashion icons would you like to see wearing EXPATRIATE?

I’d like to see ALL fashion icons wearing EXPATRIATE :-) The clothing is made to fit a wide range of body-types beautifully. Of course, seeing one of my garments on celebrity or fashion icon would be phenomenal…but to see everyday women in EXPATRIATE would be a dream come true.

What does EXPATRIATE offer within its line that is different than other lines that are currently out there?

The sleek, dressy separates are designed to mix and match. I strive to provide a woman with bold signature pieces that she can easily incorporate into her wardrobe. The garments are designed to mix well together without one piece overwhelming the other. However, each garment can stand alone as a signature piece when paired with items from outside of the collection. EXPATRIATE’s unique mixture of bold patterns and classic tailoring provides polished, easy-to-wear clothes for the modern woman.

Will EXPATRIATE take on additional categories such as accessories, shoes, handbags etc?

Expanding into additional categories is definitely a major goal for the line. I definitely have plans to expand into handbags and menswear in the near future. Shoes and other accessories are long-term goals.

Where can we expect to see EXPATRIATE next in terms of shows, tradeshows, etc?

We’re working on our next runway show for the Spring/Summer 2014 collection. I’ve received an exciting invitation to possibly show on an international runway in September, but it’s still very early in the discussion. We’re also planning to show the SS14 collection in Atlanta in September or early October.

On your Kickstarter site, we saw images of a doll wearing your EXPATRIATE Tuxedo - which we love, do you create a miniature for each item in your line?

The doll was an interesting exercise that I plan to incorporate into my design process going forward. One of my professors suggested I do this exercise to help visualize the collection. The purpose was to see a signature look from the collection in to use as a tool when explain my vision for the collection to others. It worked so well, that I think I’ll always create the signature look for the doll first. It really helps you see the silhouette and catch any design flaws early in the process. It’s a fantastic brainstorming tool, and it’s much more efficient (in terms of time and money) than mocking-up the garments in full scale.

How have you grown from your Fall 13 collection (which the bow tie is so cute and I love the menswear influence that comes into portions of the line from this collection making me think of Katherine Hepburn) versus what you have designed for Spring 14?

Since the FW13 collection was the inaugural collection for EXPATRIATE, it was extremely important to me to create a collection that was a true representation of who I am as a designer and a person. The collection reflects and honors my cultural heritage: African and American. It also gives a big nod to my love for menswear and classic tailoring.

Spring ’14 will also feature tailored looks, but it will be lighter, more romantic, a little less structured and slightly more feminine. I’m still in the discovery process for the Spring collection, but I know I want it to have a more delicate touch.

What else would you like to share about EXPATRIATE and where can the line be purchased?

We’re in the process of sampling two different factories. It’s very important that we partner with the right manufacturer for the line. Though this is a time consuming process, I am confident that the end result will be a high quality product that has the right fit, finishing, and details. For now, sales inquiries can be made via our website or by contacting sales@expatriateclothing.com.

What can we expect from Spring 14 from you and as your line does focus on destinations, what area will you transport us to next?

Close your eyes and imagine you’re standing in the middle of an energetic street market. Your senses are excited by the delicious smells, sounds, and the electricity in the air. You open your eyes and you see beautiful people, vivid colors, and amazing architecture. You’ve journeyed to Morocco. The Spring/Summer 2014 collection is called “Destination: Marrakech.”

My tech is pretty important to me no matter where I go but during NYFW it's such an essential that I double check to make sure that I have everything. Although I'm so fortunate to live a few streets away from Lincoln Center (one of the areas that NYFW takes place), I can't bank on being able to swing by my apartment when I'm off to shows, presentations, gifting suites and so much more. So I ensure that everything is not only fashionable but I can run my office from anywhere and still hang out with my girls as we touch base between sushi and cocktails (love TB'ing with Raijean, my sister, Makeda, Kitty and more).

So to stay fab and connected, I suggest the following! Like many my iPad allows me to do a number of things from staying on schedule, taking notes, taking some pics etc. Keep it fab by including it in my Linea Pelle (love that they are sponsoring me this season and that you will see me rocking their bags, belts and of course my case) Dylan Croco iPad Case. I'm not an orange girl per se but it's Paul's fave color and I love rocking hues that he loves seeing. I love the Go Smart Stylus which allows me to work on my iPad without using my fingers and to accurately selecting what needs to be done. As I never know when I'm traveling, my passport is always on hand and I enclose it in a vibrant holder by Lodis. All of this can fit into my Bottega Veneta bag which is a fab hobo in a caramel color.

My key accessory is a scarf and I love this one by Guess that works well with a number of looks or if there is a slight chill in some of the presentation areas. I am a huge fan of sunglasses and love this retro oversized pair by Miu Miu. Since I love to do touchups or to build upon a look, I always bring a few more cosmetic items than normal and this cosmetic case maintains a great pop of color by Givenchy cosmetic case. Finally, it's all about a fab wallet as you'll be pulling it out a number of times for whatever reason - no need to stop accessorizing, love this one by Alexander McQueen.

UPDATE: We have a special giveaway for our bloggers - Go Smart Stylus wants to give 4 of their fab instruments away! To enter to win, you must leave a comment below that includes your name, your blog and your Twitter handle. 4 winners will be selected to receive the Go Smart Stylus which allows you to navigate your tablet! We will announce a winner on Feb 7th (the first day of NYFW FW2013).

Karl Lagerfeld brings us into another world yet again with his next collection. As we hit mid week, why not enjoy fab images from Chanel's SS2013 Haute Couture collection which consisted of smoky eyed looks which was created by Peter Philips, the brand's Global Creative Director for makeup. The look consisted of mesh lashes and graphite pigments that were smudged to present a goth like day after look to the overall presentation. Hair stylist, Sam McKnight continued to add drama with exaggerated and oversized up dos.

Yesterday, Milan Menswear Fashion Week FW2013 ended yesterday (Berlin Mercedes Benz Fashion Week starts today and we'll be following designers within this schedule over the next few days). Typically, Wed focuses on menswear and today, we're showcasing a huge focus on suiting and outerwear from the house of Versace! A number of signature pieces, textures and of course accessories hit the runway.

Tonight, The People's Choice Awards had a number of celebs hitting the red carpet and I had to choose my favorites! I love when the carpets have fabulous white dresses on them. Taylor Swift looked phenomenal in this classic Ralph Lauren plunging dress accented with turquoise earrings was the perfect touch. Ellen Pompeo looks fabulous in this long white bohemian maxidress by Lanvin which I could see being such a versatile piece to wear for a number of things such as a night out, a day of shopping and on a rooftop in Miami. Rumor Willis looks phenomenal in her black and silver Alice + Olivia dress (we had posted about the green version of this dress during the holiday season) which has just the perfect amount of sparkle. Finally Nikki Deloach has this fabulous dress that makes me think of Audrey Hepburn (we'll update with the designer).

London Collections Men continues into its final day. With the winter coming upon us, we're looking for vibrant color and we found it with Orlebar Brown which launched six uears ago via Adam Brown, a photographer! He conceived this line which creates tailored swimwear for men! What a great alternative to what's out there in the marketplace and this season which looks at FW2013 is not only retro (this very Art Deco and everything I love about Miami as the collection is broken out into 3 areas: Miami Nights, Poolside Decadence and Beach Frivolity) but fun with it's yellows, red and a hint of mint! With a mix of printed shorts, blazers, oversized bags and more - we're ready ot jump on a cruise to really embrace this look. Who doesn't love bringing in that Miami sense no matter where you're off to or just popping it in to the overall look?

We released our Holiday Gift Guide last month and earlier this month we had our Last Minute Guide and of course, we had to bring in a few more items so this is our updated, Last Minute Holiday Gift Guide. We review fabulous spirits such as Greenhook Ginsmiths, we still have opportunities to anyone who is a new visitor to Shobha's FiDi location, can receive a free treatment - details within this guide and so much more. We have giveaways for a fun panty pack for 5 winners with Affinitas Intimates and a pair of headsets we're giving away thanks to Sol Republic. We know that guys love rocking fun socks to showcase this essential accessory and we're glad to include Zoraab as we know that conversational socks are all the rage with our guys! We introduce you to a decadent 24K gold beauty products from OroGold Cosmetics - plus we tease you with some history although you will love the beauty round up coming later this week.. We have videos that will be deployed over the next few days as well as fun tips on decorating as we have fab information from Balsam Hill and Treetopia.

We have been a fan of Linea Pelle for years and now you can win this fab bag known as the Jesse Speedy which is perfect for the fall and all the holiday events that you will be heading to as 2012 quickly comes to a close! We love the ease of this bag and how it also can dress up your look while carrying everything that you need (meaning that you'll have to pass on some items that we carry as our necessities such as our laptops - it's about having the important items so you can have a great time).

We're making it super easy to enter simply click here to join Linea Pelle's list which will not only give you an instant code on something you may have your eye on now as well as to keep you looped into sample sales, product launches etc BUT ALSO make sure that you TWEET and FOLLOW @LineaPelle and @KittenLounge to say where you will #RockJesse and a winner will be announced on Mon, Dec 3rd by Team Kitten Lounge.

Salma Hayek Interview

Nicholas Kirkwood wins the Accessory Designer Award presented by Susie Bick

The British Fashion Awards took place last night to honor the most influential people in fashion today and celebrate the reputation and development of British fashion! Enjoy an interview with Salma Hayek as well as see Nicholas Kirkwood receive his award for Accessories Designer. Read below for the entire list of winners.

British Style Award : Alexa Chung

Emerging Talent Award- Read - to - Wear: JW Anderson

Emerging Talent Award - Accessories: Sophie Hulme

Emerging Talent Award- Menswear: Jonathan Saunders

Red Carpet Award : Roksanda Ilincic

New Establishment Award: Erdem

Accessories Designer: Nicholas Kirkwood

Designer Brand: Stella McCartney

Isabella Blow Award for Fashion Creator: Professor Louise Wilson

Model of the Year: Cara Delevingne

Menswear Designer: Kim Jones

Designer of the Year: Stella McCartney