Josie's House of Style

EVA Cocktail Party.....Downtown NYC

5/11

Last night I accompanied my good friend, blogger and fashion writer Glenn Belverio, to an intimate cocktail party at the boutique EVA on Bowery in downtown NYC. The boutique is known for carrying directional, emerging designers and yesterday celebrated the unveiling of a new installation by the art and design collaborative ffiXXed, based in Shenzen, China. A few pictures from the evening...

I couldn't stop trying these sunglasses on. You know when you're really attracted to something and want so badly for it be right for you, but no matter how many different times you look at it on yourself, there's just something about it that's off (I'm sure you've all dated someone like this)? Well, such was the case here. They had a thick half frame design with steel at the top—so cool. "You need them for your trip to Spain," Glenn insisted. But no dice. They just weren't quite my steez. I highly recommend them to anyone who likes big black shades, though. They're by a company called Cast and they're available on EVA's website here.

The style is called Goodnight Flamingo.

Always a perfect date, Glenn Belverio and moi.

"The Dandy's New York" Photo Exhibit Opening Reception, Dorian Grey Gallery, NYC

2/11
This past Tuesday I went to the opening reception of "The Dandy's New York" photo exhibit by photographer Molua Muldown and multi‐media artist Lisa Pan at the Dorian Grey Gallery in New York's East Village. The show's subject: famed dandy, Patrick McDonald. The exhibit features a series of portraits, mixed-media collages and Patrick's own poetry taken over the course of 10 years.
Honestly, I'm surprised a show like this hasn't happened sooner. Patrick has been a muse and model for many in the fashion and art worlds since he arrived in New York in the late '70s. This show is a testament to him being one of—if not THE—most celebrated and recognized dandy's today and it definitely left me wanting to know more.
The exhibit is up until March 4.

The one and only, Patrick McDonald

Photographer, Molua Muldow

Lauren Ezersky

Italo Portesani and fashion illustrator extraordinaire, Bil Donovan

Laren Stover

Paisley Dalton

Ronald Jackson

My wonderful date, Glenn Belverio, enjoying a martini before the show.

This is my favorite photo from the show. A intimate glimpse of Patrick, sans makeup (and still looking fabulous), in bed at home.

On the subject of Dandyism, I stumbled upon a great blog called The Dandy Portraits, which features lovely photos of Patrick at his home in New York. Check it out!

Red Tails Movie Premiere, Ziegfeld Theater...NYC

1/14/12

Last Tuesday I went to the New York premiere of George Lucas's new film, Red Tails—a story about the first all African-American aerial combat unit, known as the Tuskegee Airmen, during WW II—at the Ziegfeld Theater. The film is directed by Anthony Hemingway and stars Cuba Gooding Jr., Terrence Howard, Nate Parker, David Oyelowa and Elijah Kelley. The cast also includes recording artist, Ne-Yo, whose music I love.
Following the premiere was the afterparty at Gotham Hall, DJ'd by my personal favorite, Crazy Legs of the Rock Steady Crew.

On the red carpet: Crazy Legs and yours truly.

Inside the Ziegfeld Theater, after the movie, George Lucas, director Anthony Hemingway and the film's cast applauded the original remaining Tuskegee Airmen, who were sitting in the audience. (That's Ne-Yo in the red trench.)

The afterparty at Gotham Hall.

Actor, Terrence Howard. (Yes, he's as handsome in person as he is on screen.)

Crazy Legs doing his thing. They had him DJing on a balcony two stories above the party, which made for a spectacular view.

Another gorgeous view: A guest's spiked Christian Louboutin pumps.

A very special thank you to the lovely Norma Garcia-Muro, director of international marketing for Lucasfilm and hubby, Andrew Muro. For being the backbone of this enormous event, Norma was nothing but calm, cool and collected. God I love that!

The movie is out in theaters on January 20th. Check it out!

New Year's Eve Eve in Times Square, NYC...

12/31/11

Last night I went to a Broadway show a block away from Times Square. Since I've never done New Year's Eve there—and am pretty sure I'd never want to—I was still curious about what kind of mob scene was congregating on the eve of the 'big eve.' As expected, it was total craziness! Nice to see everyone so excited about tonight's festivities, though, so I hope they enjoy. Like most of you, I'll be watching the ball drop from TV.

Wishing everyone a fabulous 2012. Here's to a happy and healthy new year!

Fashion's Night Out, NYC

9/10

I love Fashion's Night Out. It's the kick-off of New York Fashion Week and the city's shops and streets are alive and celebrating, giving everyone an excuse to splurge in the name of fashion and to support the economy. This year, I headed uptown with my girls, Danielle Saxe and stylist, Robyn Fernandes to indulge in the festivities. Our first stop: Guissepe Zanotti, one of my favorite shoe designers, on Madison Avenue. To our surprise, Mr. Zanotti himself was at the boutique! I was even lucky enough to get some one-on-one time with him, find out what his top 3 favorite shoes were in the collection and have him help me pick out a pair for myself. The icing on the cake? He signed them for me!

Me with the one-and-only shoe designer, Giuseppe Zanotti after he signed my newly purchased shoe.

Giuseppe (yeah, we're on a first name basis now...) as he was helping me find the right shoe.

And The Winner Is: I finally decided on going with this black and pink satin platform (one of Giuseppe's favorites, too).

A guests spiked shoes.

The lovely, Robyn Fernandes.

Our next stop was the Lanvin store, where former mega-model, Iman and Elle magazine's, Joe Zee hosted a dance-off based on Lanvin's fall ad campaign directed by Steven Miesel. Click here to check it out.

Here, some of the contestants battling it out.

Judges, choreographer, Sheryl Murakami and pro basketball player, Dwyane Wade showed off their moves, too.

Joe Zee

Iman and Joe Zee present one of the prizes: A "Lanvin heart's FNO" clutch. Winners also received huge trophies, as seen here on the left.

The competition's first place winners.

Model, Karen Elson, who you can catch showing off her moves in the Lavin fall ad. She looked absolutely stunning in her all-lace outfit.

We couldn't help it—Robyn and I just had to get a picture with the beautiful (and incredibly ageless), Iman...

...and with Joe Zee.

Our last stop of the evening, Dolce & Gabbana, where we just missed surprise guests, Justin Beiber and Usher. O'well, at least we avoided the mob of fans outside.

Inside, stylists guests.