Boston: Neiman Marcus, Forevermark by Maria Canale

I was delighted to capture the spirit of Neiman Marcus's Forevermark Diamond Collection designed by Maria Canale. With over 30 years of design experience, 20 of which was spent designing for Tiffany & Co., Canale has created many remarkable and recognizable collections. Needless to say, she is no stranger to 'romancing the stone'.

Luxurious is an understatement for these elegant and BRILLIANT baubles, but the true mark of a good diamond is where it comes from. Forevermark diamonds are sourced responsibly under fair practices from a small number of mines located in various countries including Botswana, where I grew up!

The line of rings, necklaces and earrings is the first collaboration between Canale and Forevermark for Neiman Marcus. Join me, along with Corinne Grousbeck, Katherine Chapman, Laura Rehnert, Gwenn Snider, Jeannie Blasberg and more for a night of champagne and diamonds galore!

Models are Adriana and Claire who I last photographed at Zac Posen!

NYC: Paul Mayer Spring 2013

While in NYC a few days ago, I got to take in Paul Mayer's Spring 2013 collection of cuter than cute ballet flats and sneaker style shoes, all in Mayer's signature soft and flexible leathers with adorale prints and cut-outs, some with adjustable bows (love!).

Meeting Paul was a highlight, and tasting his delicious "Titou's Gazpacho" was a true delight; the recipe of which is also available in his latest lookbook, that combines the designer's pretty shoes with his own recipes!

If I'd had more time, I could have spent the rest of the day there!

"Our shoes are modern classics. They’re an addiction. They are truly forever timeless."
----Paul Mayer

BFW 2012: The Launch, Mark Cordell, Emily Muller, Candice Wu

Here's a recap of Sundays shows at Boston Fashion Week's The Tent.

All photographs by Amy Connolly for Hogger & Co.

The Launch:
The Launch showcases up-n-coming local fashion design graduates who have been selected as the "new designer to watch". This year, the designers selected were Achk Kombana, Jennifer Miller, Danielle Fernandes, Rei Hyun Lee and Tatiana Cuevo, each with very unique styles.

Achk Kombana

Jennifer Miller

 

Danielle Fernandes

 

Rei Hyun Lee

Tatiana Cuevo

Mark Cordell

Next up was Mark Cordell's Tru Fiction collection: edgy and rebellious and with lips painted in half smiles reminescent of the Joker. Playful, daring and androgneous.

Emily Muller

Emily Muller is another designer I met here, and her collection is ultra feminine, flowy and beautiful.

Candice Wu

With hair piled high in birds nests, the models rocked the runway in leather, chains, a bit of tweed and a sprinkling of badass.

BFW 2012: Maria Victoria

I first met Victoria Dominguez-Bagu of Maria Victoria Designs at a night of style for Zoora, and fell in love with her simple yet chic and wearable styles, since. Bagu's show at Boston Fashion Week was no different, the upbeat vibe of the collection, with patterns, stripes and golds inspired by the "sunsets at sea" paired beautifully with jewelry by Magdalena Stokalska.

First, play this tune (although it doesn't do any justice to DJ Mario's beats that evening!), and then, scroll through the photos imagining yourself on the ocean on a beautiful summer's eve...

BFW 2012: Luke Aaron

By far, the most glamorous and magical of all the shows I attended at Boston Fashion Week. Luke Aaron started off with pretty and ended with ethereal. Pleated peplums, cinched waists and flattering muted florals in chiffon and tulle, the entire show was an ode to old-fashioned elegance without being stuffy. Gowns were draped into orgiami shapes (the collection was inspired by the arts of Japan) and pleated into flattering silhouettes. Adding to that was the debut of Aaron's Fleet Street bag, a well-structured and lady-like accessory.

Certainly, Luke Aaron is one to keep your "peacock eye" on.

Scroll down for more, including Jay Calderin, Founder of Boston Fashion Week with Boston darling Marilyn Riseman. Directors of Dynasty Modelling Agency, Joe and Gin Freeman were also in attendance.

A highlight for me was chatting with Marilyn, Jane Conway Caspe and Elisha Daniels before the show and I'm so flattered that they loved the way my hair was styled that night! (thanks to Sarah for the Instagram; and who's also caught in the last photo).

BFW 2012: Avni

Avni's SS2013 collection was inspired by purity and spirtuality and the philosophies behind designer Hussein Chalayan's work. The show started with a dramatic drum performance, which may have been intended to take place during the runway show, had the tent been bigger. Avni showcased lots of neutral, layered pieces in silks, cottons and satins with styling by Christina K. Pierce adding an element of the designer's Indian roots, with forehead jewelry pieces and bindis. Once again, we see braids, this time long and over the shoulder.

BFW 2012: Grace Kim, gKIM Studio

Grace Kim showed prowess in her gKIM Studio RTW collection of clean and contemporary silhouettes. The runway show, complete with 1930s inspired blonde wigs, showcased lightweight frocks and swing coats; all classic looks with modern finesses that could be worn by a current day Ginger Rogers. To that, I say, well done Grace Kim!

Here, some of my favorites.

NYFW: SEEN: Rachel Zoe

Bananas! Remember this?

NYFW Bibhu Mohapatra SS2013

I am a huge fan of Bibhu's, from the first time meeting him to February's New York Fashion Week and to SS2013, he just keeps getting better! Love the cuts of the beautiful dresses and how flattering it appears for a woman's body.

The hair just tied everything together (braids, again!) and LOVED the little green marks at the base of the neck!

Here are my favorites from his show and a little backstage visit afterwards (with my new friends Anjali - who really needs to start a blog - and Marlene, the Fashionable Dentist).

BFW 2012: Firas Yousif

Thanks to Amy, who's been covering some of Boston Fashion Week for Hogger & Co., we get up close and personal with Firas Yousif and his cocktail frocks to asian-inspired dresses to bridal gowns! Happy to see the gorgeous Jane Conway Caspe make an appearance on the runway, looking glamorous as ever, just like she did at the Zac Posen appearance at Neimans last year.

BFW 2012: Sam Mendoza

Last night in Boston, the first set of runway shows at the tent at the Mandarin Hotel in Boston took place and I was happy to have Amy Connolly from Creative Soul Spectrum cover the shows for me. (We recently met Amy in a Style Profile, here).

Mendoza's show sporting casual yet chic neutrals with flouncy skirts and heads piled high in braids (which we saw a lot of at NYFW) took to the stage. Visit CSSpectrum for more Boston Fashion Week coverage of Mendoza's show and thank you Amy for shooting for Hogger & Co.!

Boston: Neiman Marcus, CUSP Launch

Neiman Marcus recently launched CUSP, at Copley Place. All of Neiman Marcus' contemporary departments have been revamped into modern, young and hip sections within each store. Carrying designers such as Alice + Olivia, DVF, Rag & Bone, A. L. C., Theory and Alexander Wang, to name a few, the concept is to provide a boutique feel that's fresh and updated.

Last week's launch was hosted by three of Boston's fashionable bloggers, Lissy (A Girl in Boston), Lani (Mon Petite Chou Chou) and Erika (Radiant Republic). Each of them styled a model in three different looks but it was at time easy to pick out who styled who. I was pleased to capture the festivities!

Hair styling by Jeffrey Lyle Salon // Catering by Broadway Gourmet // Models: Marie Wu, Jessica Clements, Olivia Guiny, Sarah Hodge, Kara Benghanem // DJ - Liz Ladoux

In keeping with the fresh new concept, it was recently announced that NM is looking for A Blogger on the CUSP, are you the one?

BFW: Christina K. Pierce Shows

Last night in Boston Christina K. Pierce put on an amazing evening of runway shows, featuring a presentation by Shape of Birds and runway shows by Launch by Susan Young (who we met earlier at New York Fashion week), Ruch Designs and Lily and Migs.

It was a hugely successful event and more can be seen on my Instagram feed here (@hoggerandco)!

Thank you for the invitation Christina and congrats to everyone involved, for starting Boston Fashion week off with a bang!

NYFW Made in NY: Launch By Susan Young

Rooftop fashion show? Where do I sign up? Thanks to Christina K. Pierce, I had the opportunity to check out the fabulous Launch by Susan Young after this happened. Christina is a stylist extraordinaire and the mastermind behind Christina K. Pierce a Boutique Fashion Agency on Newbury in Boston.

Come join us for an evening of splendor atop the beautiful Empire Hotel Rooftop in NYC, with high profile guests including Boston's own Marilyn Riseman whom we've met before and former Real Housewives of New York City stars Alex McCord and Simon van Kempen.

Models: Tia, Kyra, Michaela, Laura, Fiona, Elena, Emily, Jaylee, Alexandra Elena B. // Jewelry by Mira Sadi of Ottomon Chic // Handbags by Jacki Easlick // Alice Alan Shoes

Tonight for Boston Fashion Week Christina K. Pierce is presenting an evening of runway shows featuring Launch by Susan Young, Lily & Migs, Ruch Designs, and Shape of Birds!

Boston: Neiman Marcus, Gemma Kahng

I was thrilled to photograph Gemma Kahng's appearance at Neiman Marcus in Boston last night. What a fabulous lady she is! It's the second coming for this incredible designer, and I am so happy for her!

Join me for an evening of glitz and glamour as only Neiman Marcus can do...

 

Maggie Inc. Models Jade + Shaina

Catering by Broadway Gourmet