Fashion's Night Out

In 2008, the world stood still when 3 major financial institutions in the United States – Lehman Brothers, Frannie Mae and even AIG- collapsed and declared bankruptcy. Wall Street was left [and is still] in shambles; and, New York’s economy especially the fashion industry wasn’t looking too good. A year after, CFDA and Vogue decided to do something to help and support the industry by figuring a way to encourage consumers to shop thus giving birth to Fashion’s Night Out.

Fashion’s Night Out started as an initiative to help support the fashion industry in New York that has soon expanded all over the world. In 2010, a year after it first launched, FNO was celebrated in more 10 countries such as Australia, Italy, Spain and Portugal with more and more participating stores and designers every year! With free booze, food and tons of celebrity sightings, I think it is safe to say that FNO instantly became a phenomenon.

Since I got here in New York, I decided to join the phenomena and I now consider it one of my favorite holidays. This year was no exception. This time around my friend and I decided to hit up 5th Avenue first then SoHo and I'm glad we did.

In 5th avenue, I saw the Fashion First Aid truck parked in front of Tiffany's that offered free makeovers and fashion touch ups. There was no line yet so I was lucky enough to be there before all the chaos happened. I got a free touch up and I even had the chance to see Cynthia Rowley first hand!

Also outside Tiffany's were these two gorgeous men giving around cake pops with the word "LOVE" on them which was absolutely perfect. What's not to love?

Next stop in 5th Avenue was Bergdoft's where I saw Michael Kors from their window. They were giving him an award for his longevity in the industry which I think is well deserved. Congrats!

In SoHo, we stopped by the Guess by Marciano store and we saw this model there. We don't really know who exactly she is but we took a picture of her nonetheless. Lol here name is Heidi something.

From a model I don't know to a model I know perfectly well, I saw Chanel Iman in Topshop. She looked like a normal girl when we saw her. She even looked lost! I would not have known it was her if I hadn't looked closely. She's the sweetest most adorable model ever and I was so happy to have met her.

To top of the night, my friend and I were able to get a free ride on the Barbie double decker bus that was going around the city. Not to mention, they were also giving out free Barbies and Vogue's September issue! I have never ridden a double decker before so it was really an experience I'm gonna remember.

K

Before I forget, also spotted in Topshop that night was none other than Ms. Coco Rocha dancing up a storm.

Beauty Editor for a Day

One of the most charming and interesting fashion personalities, in my opinion, is Eva Chen - the beauty editor of Teen Vogue. Her tweets are witty and her Tumblr posts make me so envious of her job. She gets free makeup from the top companies like MAC, Chanel, or Dior. Her story is quite amazing, too - she was working on her premed degree when she realized that she wanted to be in fashion after she took on a magazine internship. A story that sounds quite familiar to me.

Following her on all her social networks - and seeing her in person! - made me appreciate makeup. Before I thought only clothes were interesting but after seeing her posts, I've come to realize that makeup is a science and an art form as well. This led me to other beauty blogs such as Into the Gloss and The Beauty Department. Coincidentally, I now also write for CollegeFashionista UK as their beauty columnist. Alas, all this beauty talk made me want to keep my own makeup collection as well.

Every day, I follow a personal makeup routine - a routine which now causes me to stay in the bathroom for more than 30 minutes! Laborious but hey, it's a ton of fun! This is what I do:

Step 1: MAC's studio finish concealer. Perfect for blemishes!

Step 2: MAC's moisture cover for those dark circles

Step 3: Maybelline's shine free face powder to control oil and to give the skin a silky smooth texture

Step 4: MAC's powder blush in Margin Frost shade for a bronze look

Step 5: Chanel's quadra eye shadow and an eye lash curler

Step 6: Lips time! Caudalie's lip conditioner, Chanel's Rouge Coco lipstick, MAC's sweetie lipstick, and Chanel's lip gloss - not all at the same time, of course.

FINALLY: Marc Jacobs perfume for that signature, ladylike fragrance!

Playing with makeup is a ton of fun because you get to experiment with different shades, colors, and products! But it's definitely not easy being a makeup artist. Like I said, it's actually a science - which is exactly why I want to go to makeup school. There's so much you can do!

D

Ladureé

I love travelling and one of my dream destinations is Paris. I know some people say it’s cliché and I totally get them for I was once one of them. It wasn’t until I attended Teen Vogue Fashion University last year when I started fantasizing about Paris once again. I kept hearing from Vera Wang and Jason Wu themselves about how Paris inspired them and it made me want what they had. I want to be inspired by it all. Unfortunately, I have never been to Paris and I don’t think I will be going anytime soon so when I heard that Ladureé opened up their first store outside of Paris in New York, I just knew I had to check it out myself.

Ladureé is considered to be where the famous macaroon came from almost 60 years ago. The very first Ladureé store opened near the Place de la Concorde in 1862 and the rest as they say is history. Ever since the Holder Group took charge of the institution, they have transformed Ladureé into an even greater phenomenon with the goal of introducing the Ladureé name to the rest of the world’s main capital and what better place to establish their first US store than in New York.

Located at the posh Upper East Side, the store looks exactly what you expect it to be and more- whimsical and chic. Everything in the store is shipped from Paris, which explains the FedEx truck parked outside the store. They don’t make the macaroons here. Nope. They are shipped by boat overnight from Paris to be sold the same day it arrives so you can guarantee that they are as fresh as they can be considering they come all the way from Paris.

The line extended towards the next store and I had to wait in line for more than 30 minutes but it was worth the wait. The macaroons weren’t too sweet nor were they too soft. They were just right and each bite was just pure heaven. Not to be outdone by the macaroons, the other jams and chocolates they were selling were also worth a try. If that still doesn't entice you in trying it, just look at the packaging. If you get 6 macaroons, you can get them in this box that is absolutely adorable. It's so chic. So French. So...stylish. Oh, is there anything these French can't do?

From macaroons, candies to even candles, Ladureé is definitely a place worth stopping by. Not only will you be transported to Paris but you will also get to enjoy all the delectable things they have to offer. They are located along Madison Avenue between 71st and 72nd street and each macaroon is worth $2.70. I know it seems pricey but it's way cheaper than a plane ticket straight to Charles de Gaulle.

K

Stylish Fascinator: Deanne

I wrote this once: I love fashion so much that I study it. I take it all in and saturate its essence. I break it down like a science and then build it up again to justify its beauty.

Fashion, by the untrained eye, is usually measured by labels, magazines, and clothes. Throughout the years though I have gained enough experience for me to realize that it is an art form. Being a designer, editor, or stylist is no joke; it's not something that one can easily do in spite of what the media portrays them to be - attention-seeking, money-chasing, superficial individuals.

Are they really though? Only the truly knowledgeable in fashion know that they are not.

Because these people are not in love with fashion. They are in love with style. Just like I am.

Carol Edgarian wrote an article for W Magazine in which she said, "Style is a manner of doing something, of living." Ever since I fell in love with the industry, I have always made sure that I resonate style more than I do resonate fashion. And let me tell you this: it is one of the things  that I enjoy doing most in life. The simple pleasure of getting up in the morning and deciding how I am going to translate who I am excites me.

This isn't going to be just another fashion blog. This is an extension - a stylish extension - of who we are.

Stylish Fascinator: Katrine

When I was little, my mom would love to dress me up and pretend that I was a model. She would take pictures of me and I would walk around the house like I had a purpose. Now that I’m an adult, I would like to think that I still do the same- walk with a purpose whenever I dress up and that’s almost everyday. Dressing up for me isn’t a chore or a hobby, it’s just part of who I am now. I don’t dress up for the sake of dressing up. I dress up because that’s just me. Everything I wear is just an extension of who I am and how I perceive the world around me.

The bags, the shoes, the shiny expensive and cheap things....those are some of the things around me that fascinate me. From the most over the top to the simplest things, I am amazed with what the world has to offer and through this blog, I wish share it all with you. So look around you and enjoy life! You'll be amazed at how much it will..well...amaze you!

Katrine

Our Brainchild

Stylish Fascinators is a brainchild of Katrine Alcantara and Deanne Banares.

This is where the fashion action happens: Bryant Park

FASCINATORS is defined as: one who fascinates. We are fascinated by the world and all the beauty that is concretized in every form - fashion, style, art, culture, food, and design. And as much as we are fascinated, we also hope to fascinate others with who we are and what we can offer on an entirely STYLISH level.

This blog is an extension of our thoughts - our thoughts on fashion, beauty, food, and travel. We hope to share with others what we experience.

But this blog also serves as a linkage between two different cities - New York and Manila. Two very contrasting but also very similar worlds where one can find inspiration in the most unexpected places.

At the Teen Vogue Fashion University opening held in Juicy Couture , Madison Ave, NYC

We hope to show that even if we come from different time zones, we can still connect and share with each other and the rest of the world what pulsates our hearts.

We are the fascinators of the world and we do it with style.

This is where the dream lies - Conde Nast!