NYFW David Tlale

I was honored to be capture David Tlale's presentation at NYFW, as he's a native of Johannesburg, South Africa, and I grew up in Botswana, living there for 10 years, so my support for anything African comes from a solid place in my childhood heart.

Major props go out to his collection, which was a remarkable vision of a modern Africa.

David Tlale says of his work:

"We showcased a very urban Africa. The collection exuded elegance and sophistication. I called it “Transcendence,” because I wanted to show a migration from the “perceived” Africa to a more modern and transcendental work that goes through and beyond cultural nuances and the delivery of that work to the global consumer.”

I briefly met Dr. Precious Motsepe who is a well known figure in South Africa and the US, as director of African Fashion International and the head of Motseppe Foundation; and she was enamoured with the the collection, as was everyone else I overheard at the presentation...

NYFW Alice + Olivia SS 2013 Backstage + Presentation

I was thrilled to be invited to shoot Alice + Olivia backstage and presentation at NYFW.

I have never fallen so in love with color as I did at this presentation. Everything was just gorgeous, from the skillfully applied makeup (I am a huge fan of this Stila product) to the sleek low pony-tails and of course, the colorful, perfectly fitting, 50's inspired collection. The energy backstage was contagious, not to mention how fun it was to see Kelly Bensimon give interviews and snapping photos with her iPhone.

Another highlight for me was meeting Jamie Beck (From Me To You) who I've admired for a long time. She was really sweet and I literally died when THIS was taken.

I also had a chance to meet Kelly (The Glamourai), Rebecca (Rebecca Prus) and Kim (J'Adore Couture) all of whom were as lovely as one could imagine. Then my new fashion week friend Chris (TheTinyTieRant) and I hightailed it outta there for more shows!

So here, in a bit of gritty photojournalistic style...I hope you enjoy.

NYFW Norisol Ferrari RTW SS 2013

This was one of my favorite shows I went to at NYFW. Sitting in front row might have had something to do with it. Possibly. But truly, Norisol Ferrari's SS 2013 collection. inspired by iconic film actresses like Munroe, Hayworth, Fontaine, Kelly and Garbo, was an ode to feminine curves and ageless grace.

Speaking of which, Ferrari had a wonderful group of seasoned models walk down the runway: Carmen Dell 'Orefice, 81, Carol Alt, 51, Alva Chinn, 57 and Karen Bjornson, 58, all of whom worked those perfectly tailored dresses like there was no tomorrow.

And in my mind, I saw the whole thing in silhouettes and shadows.

NYFW Erickson Beamon SS2013

Karen Erickson and Vicki Beamon showed their SS 2013 collection in a spectator style presentation, with an "audience" seated on bleachers decked out in bold Erickson Beamon jewelry. Female models clad in lingerie-esque gowns and woven sweaters wore brilliant geometric necklaces and were carted along by well-coiffed-Converse-wearing male models.

NYFW: SEEN: George Kotsiopoulos at Tracy Reese

There wasn't a fuller house than at Tracy Reese's show.

I literally got there (from Boston) as the show was starting and was rushed in by security, so there was zero room in the press pit (where I was invited to shoot), and my resulting vantage point was less than ideal.

Still, it gave me a chance to actually enjoy the show: spectacular tribal-ly green prints, side-parted hair and chem-lab glasses, and afterward, a spotting of George Kotsiopoulos!

Boston: David Yurman at Lux Bond & Green + GIVEAWAY!

Last week, my sister, niece and I were excited to check out the unveiling of David Yurman's Fall 2012 Collection at Lux Bond & Green. The line will only be available for purchase in September, so it was nice to get a sneak peek. Thank you to Shauna, Sheryl, Trevor, Judy and Denise and everyone at Lux Bond & Green for the invitation and for graciously assisting us in trying out all the beautiful David Yurman jewellery!

It was lovely to see some of my favourite Boston Bloggers: Julie, Khatu, Lani and Hannah and I got to meet Amanda, Chelsea and Shauna's sister Kasey, for the first time, while we "tweeted" it up amongst champagne and cupcakes. Tweeting pays off people, look what Amanda and I won!

Thank you to my sis who took all the photos of me (in my favourite cobalt dress)!

I'm happy to announce that Lux Bond & Green would like to give one lucky reader of Hogger & Co. a $75 gift card for Lux Bond & Green!

To enter, simply follow the instructions below!

Contest ends at 12:01am EST Monday June 25, 2012 

A winner will be picked at random! Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Miami: What to Pack

Off to Miami for a few days! I'm looking forward to photographing ArtWalk and WallPeople2012 while I'm there and am so excited to meet up with Elizabeth who's been incredible with sending me restaurant suggestions and an extensive list of things to do!

To Miami HEAT, baby!

Miami: What to Pack by hoggerandco featuring a white shirt dress

Boston: Zoora Shoot!

We had a twirly good time shooting the Zoora Capsule Collection last week, here are some highlights.

Thank you Aubrie for having me capture this collection and Rachel, you were a treat to shoot!

Boston: Zoora Shoot, Teaser

Had a ball with Aubrie and Rachel at yesterday's shoot for Zoora's Capsule Collection, which we saw at the Liberty Hotel not long ago. We shot at the very cool Mass Challenge space at One Marina Park Drive in Boston.

Here's a sneak peek of the shoot. Be sure to check out Zoora's Capsule Collection for custom Spring looks for under $100!

Boston: DressCode Boston

Had a blast attending Dresscode Boston's Spring showcase at the Intercontinental in Boston. The show featured brands from local faves: Stel's, Unifrom Boston, Ball and Buck and Drinkwater's Cambridge, and was hosted by men's style curator Jeff Lahens. I'm so excited about Dresscode Boston and JL Men's' new logo, which is from Jeff Lahens' Boston Fashion Week show, which I was so honoured to shoot.

Some Instagrams from the evening.

Boston: Zoora Capsule Collection

Last night Zoora had a capsule collection show at The Liberty Hotel for their Fashionably Late series, in Boston.

A beautiful collection of designer items (custom piece all under $100) made the walk around the gorgeous hotel that used to be The Charles St. Jail. 

It was nice to hang out with some blogger faves, the coolest couple we know, Kate and Jack, from Union Jack Creative, Danielle from Story of Style and Helena from The Honey Flower Girl, who you've also seen here.

Happy St. Paddy's Day!

How about wearing MINT for St. Paddy's Day, for taking in the parade in Southie? Or drinking green beer in a hidden Irish pub in Boston?

Whatever you end up doing, enjoy the weekend!

Happy St. Paddy's Day!

Happy St. Paddy's Day by hoggerco featuring clear aviator sunglasses

New York Fashion Week: Prete & Bruno

Prete & Bruno was my final NYFW show, and one where I wasn't in the pit, which was a nice change. The Trendy Dwarf and I had a great vantage point of the whole collection. I absolutely loved all the black, golds and greens. One couldn't tell by it's flawless execution, what trouble they had in putting on the show. Everything was classic and elegant, right up to the beautiful chignons created by Vince Smith. And those shoes.

To round up New York Fashion Week, for me, in one word: exhilarating.

Looking forward to next season!

New York Fashion Week: SEEN: Rachel Zoe

I died when I caught sight of Rachel Zoe coming out of the DVF Show with Rodger Berman and the rest of their crew. Bananas.

New York Fashion Week: Tracy Reese

I was invited to shoot the Tracy Reese show at New York Fashion Week and it was an incredible adrenaline rush!

The pit was packed. And although most of the photographers were friendly, there were some that could have been nicer.

One photographer was standing on his box which was on it's side. Hardcore. In fact, at one point I was even given a boost so that I could shoot from above. I was literally sitting on top of the backdrop at NYFW, y'all. Of course I was asked to come down, even though some of the photographers cheered me on and were telling me to hang on to the lighting rigs!

It was an awesome experience and not to mention such a fantastic show! Brightly coloured and lively! Orange and golds, and combinations to die for. Bowler hats, anyone? I'll take two.

Tracy Reese is the best. Thank you for the opportunity to capture your collection!

New York Fashion Week: SEEN: Christina K. Pierce

Look who I ran into in the tent at NYFW?

Christina from Christina K.Pierce Boutique in Boston. Looking stunning in a deep green dress from Lily and Migs Fall 2012 and kickin' it in sparkly Argentinian Paruolo heels.

(Via Instagram)

New York Fashion Week: The Tent

The Mecedes Benz Fashion Week tent at the Lincoln Center is a fairly iconic venue for a lot of the shows that take place during Fashion Week in NYC. Here, a glimpse into the "tent".

New York Fashion Week: Emilio Cavallini

We all have a pair of Emilio Cavallini's in our hosiery drawers, don't we?

Emilio Cavallini's box show was a sensual display of sexy leg and body wear presented with a screening of a short film, "Risqué Business at the Florence Excelsior Hotel". Both presentations of the show had the models donning intricate and dramatic hosiery with little or no added clothing. In exquistely crafted black lace, fishnet, stripes and animal prints, the line is a salute to the 1950s pin-ups, giving women a dramatic new way to show off their gams.

Risky business, indeed. 

New York Fashion Week: SEEN: Clarence de Vil

DIY designer extraordinaire, and wearing a jacket created by post-its!

New York Fashion Week: Bibhu Mohapatra

I was honoured to be invited to attend my first New York Fashion Week and even more excited to cover some of my favourite fashion designers!

One being Bibhu Mohapatra, who we saw in Boston not too long ago. Attending his Fall 2012 show was a major highlight for me and his collection inspired by 20th century opera was absolutely breathtaking. There was an incredible display of sumptuous fabrics, sculptural fur, and delightful pops of red from within muted ivories, all immecably crafted. The models all wore custom created Zoya nail polish, red on the left hand and nude on the right, as an ode to Bibhu's mother who used to wear red on her left hand and went sans polish on the right, as it's customary to eat with the right hand. The positive energy backstage was palpable as everyone, including me, wanted to congratulate the designer on the success of his first NYFW runway show.