Tag Time!

First things first, darlings! The winner of CC's Runway Rundown Bohemia Design Boot Giveaway is the lovely Ashley of Jinx! And the winner of CC's Chickdowntown.com Missoni Scarf Giveaway is the fabulous Erika of Cafe Fashionista ~ congrats to you both!

CC was recently tagged by the lovely Tamera of Tamera's Take with the Versatile Blogger Award. Thank you, darling! Here goes:

Rules

1. Thank and link back to the person who gave you the award.

2. Share 7 things about yourself.

3. Answer 10 questions.

4. Pass it along to 7 blogs you've recently discovered and enjoy.

5. Leave your recipients a note, telling them about the award.

7 Things about CC:

1. I am a yoga and Pilates instructor.

2. I am the eldest of five siblings.

3. My feet are size 11.

4. I was a lawyer and a teacher before becoming a blogger.

5. My favorite city is New York; I lived there for six years.

6. I'm addicted to Starbucks quadruple lattes.

7. My record in Scrabble is 434 points.

1. Why did you create this blog?

Couture Carrie began as a logical extension of my own personal style and trendspotting sketchbook. About three years ago, I decided to start sharing my ideas with my Fellow Fashionistas in the blogosphere.

2. What kind of blogs do you follow?

I read primarily fashion blogs, but I also follow a few foodie and architectural sites.

3. Favorite makeup brand?

NARS

4. Favorite clothing brand?

La Petite Salope (now called La Petite S*****)

5. Your indispensable makeup product?

Perricone No Foundation Foundation

6. Favorite color?

Purple

7. Favorite perfume?

Hanae Mori

8. Favorite film?

Elf

9. What country would you like to visit and why?

I would love to go back to Italy someday and visit Milan... it is the one city I skipped on my last trip and I am quite remiss!

10. Would you rather forget to put mascara on one eye or forget blush on one side of your face?

The former, I guess...

7 Blogs CC loves:

Fashion Snag

Cafe Fashionista

O'Style

Gorgeous Glam

Delight by Design

Fashion Lolita

Fashion Moment

Congrats, darlings, and have fun doing this tag!

xoxox,

CC

P.S. Please check out CC's guest post on Fashion Court ~ "If I had a Black Card..."

Factory by Erik Hart Dress Giveaway!

Darlings, CC is gleaming with pride to introduce you to American Designer, Artist and Musician Erik Hart and his stellar collection, Factory by Erik Hart. Factory focuses on Hart's aesthetic, an exercise in balancing the tension created between contrasts and duality, the dichotomy of androgyny and femininity, high and low, vulnerability and confidence, restraint and excess. The collection draws from a base of soft tailoring, feminine silhouettes, minimalist sophistication paired with street sensibilites, and a keen eye for contruction and quality. CC hopes you enjoy these Factory by Erik Hart pieces!
At top left: Open Back Dress; this and next three at shopbop.com.
Cowl Neck Racer Back Dress.
Tank Dress with Fringe.
Long Sleeve Scoop Neck Top.
Fabulous news, darlings! CC and Erik Hart have this stunning graphic print Factory dress to give away to one lucky CC reader!
One Week Contest: To enter, simply visit the Factory Collection, select your favorite piece from the Holiday Resort (HR) Collection, and mention it in the comments section of this post.
A winner will be chosen via random.org on Wednesday, December 22, 2010. Happy browsing, and good luck!
xoxox,
CC

P.S. You can also shop Factory by Erik Hart online at Saks and Revolve!
P.P.S. Be sure to check out Erik Hart's blog as well!

Model selection for fashion week

China International Fashion Week opens next week. Designers are fully immersed in choosing the models for their big shows. About a hundred new faces are expected to appear on the Beijing runway.Over three hundred male models from 28 agencies turned up at the audition for this year's China International Fashion Week. 60 survived the selection process. But designers still complain of a scarcity of well-trained male models.

Competition among female models is even more fierce. Many new comers came from afar, in hopes of establishing their careers on this international platform.

This year many hopeful came from outside China.Wu Song, vice manager of "Models' Line" Agency Company, said, "It is cut-throat competition. If 30 models are needed, hundreds come for the audition."

Experts also note that China's booming fashion industry is contributing to fierce international competition in the model industry.

The 2008 China International Fashion Week kicks off next Tuesday at the Beijing Hotel.

Source : CCTV.com

Designer Spotlight: Peter Soronen

A big thank you to Michele for turning CC on to Peter Soronen, the fabulous designer known as the “corset king”.
Here are some of his designs:
Peter Soronen’s gowns are coveted for their form-fitting style.
Soronen has dressed numerous celebs and the First Lady, too!
What do you think of these dresses, darlings?
xoxox,
CC

P.S. Check out an interview of CC by Fellow Fashionista Tuesdai here!

CC loves Stefano Marcantonio Handbags!

CC recently had the pleasure of meeting luxury handbag designer Stefano Marcantonio, and CC is certain that you will be as thrilled by the exquisite craftsmanship of his bags as she is!
Each piece is handmade by master craftsmen in Milan, in one of the oldest and most revered factories in Italy.
Mr. Marcantonio’s debut collection features 15 pieces in different exotic skins.
Enjoy, darlings!
A1423
A1424
A1417
A1420
A1422

For more information, and for New York bloggers interested in attending an exclusive party to fete Mr. Marcantonio on December 15, 2009, please email info@stefanomarcantonio.com.

Which is your favorite Stefano Marcantonio masterpiece, darling?
Visit the website here.

xoxox,
CC

CC presents…

An Exclusive Interview with Designer Leon Curry of Ellie Owen!
CC: Your Fall Collection is entitled “The Bail-out”. Please explain.
LC: Well, while I was designing this collection and in the process of officially starting my business, every time I turned on the t.v. it was “Recession, Depression, in this economic time”…on and on. I thought this is not a good time to start a business. I had to bail myself out of that mind state and just forge on and have faith. So the “The Bail-out” is more of an emotional thing, and some of those emotions came out through the collection.

CC: Where and how were you trained? Did you always know you wanted to be a Designer?
LC: I always knew I wanted to do something where I could create and own my own time. I hate to admit it but I am a political science major. Over the years I have taught myself to sew and about the apparel industry and have been blessed to run across people who are willing to help.

CC: Your pieces are exquisitely wrought. What unique materials did you use in this collection?
LC: Well this collection I had a lot of fun with the fabrics. If it felt right, I used it. Everything from a heavy cotton linen to make a coat, to metal mesh to make a lingerie inspired dress. The metal was the hardest to work with because I had to cut every piece on a straight line but make it fit around the curves of the body.

CC: Who are your favorite Designers and primary style influences?
LC: I really do look up to Yves Saint Laurent. The man himself was so stylish and what he did for women’s wear is something I can only dream of. One thing I have wanted to do forever was pose nude like he did for his own fragrance ad. I think that is so awesome and such a statement. That picture is iconic. I don’t even think most people realize that that is Yves Saint Laurent in the picture. I love movement in clothing and love it when a very nonchalant woman is walking down the street with a confident swagger and fabric flowing around her.

CC: Where are you from and where is your Atelier?
LC: I am from Key West, Florida. Currently my Atelier is located in a small town in North Florida but I plan on relocating to New York. I have never lived in a big city so when I visit I find myself talking to people in the subways and crossing the street without a game plan.

CC: How do you envision women wearing your clothes . . . casual or dress?
LC: The Ellie Owen woman views clothing like costumes and everyday she ventures into the world she plays a certain role. Ellie Own is meant to mix and match. They are pieces though bold, are meant to be worn in a variety of ways. I could see the button down dress being worn with a pair of skinny jeans, platform heels and a motorcycle jacket, or the leather tank dress being tucked in to baggy pleated dress slacks. What is fashion without style? So I would say both.

CC: Do you intend to sell your Spiked Leggings and other fabulous pieces in stores, and if so, where and when can we buy them?
LC: I do intend to sell them in stores and hopefully they will be on racks in the fall. The right buyer will come along and not be scared to stock my spiked leggings because I know girls will not be scared to wear them. Unfortunately my budget is not big enough to go to trade shows so I spend all of my days contacting buyers. It is stressful but I am hopeful and I know God didn’t bring me this far to leave me. So any buyers out there want something that is going to fly of the racks contact me at contact@ellie-owen.com. Lol (shameless plug).

CC: Does the modern woman need “armor”?
LC: Today’s woman does need armor. She needs to be armed with class, confidence, education, and a little bit of sex appeal. Being raised by a single mother who had her own unique sense of style really helped me develop a mix of edgy strong femininity in my pieces. Today’s woman should also know that fashion does not only apply to clothing.

CC: How do you envision your business evolving in the coming seasons?
LC: Ellie Owen is a coming of age story, and as women get to know her they will find out that Ellie Lives in them. I see Ellie Owen being sold everywhere. I envision steady growth and creativity oozing from everywhere.

CC: Is there anything else you’d like Couture Carrie readers to know about yourself or Ellie Owen?
LC: I want people to know I have been living a double life. By day I am a student of political science and by night I have been everything from a touring stylist with a music group, a tailor, a show producer on and on. This mix has created Ellie Owen, and if Ellie breaks through this industry please believe she is there to stay lol. Also my name is Leon. L.E.O.N = Ellie Owen.

CC: The name is pure genius, as is your collection! Thank you, Leon, and best of luck!

Read more about Ellie Owen here, darlings, and keep an eye out for this star on the rise! In the comments, please tell CC what you think of the Ellie Owen design aesthetic and Leon's philosophy!