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Zaskia Sungkar Brings Exquisite Handcrafted Designs to CFW

Zaskia Sungkar fashion show at Couture Fashion Week NYFamed Indonesian designer Zaskia Sungkar will show her latest collection at Couture Fashion Week New York in her premiere appearance at the prestigious event. The fashion show will be held at 4:00 pm on Saturday February 14, 2015 in the Broadway Ballroom of the Crowne Plaza Times Square Manhattan, 1605 Broadway, in the heart of the Big Apple.

Zaskia Sungkar is a well-known celebrity in the world of Indonesian entertainment, film and television. After establishing her career in the entertainment industry, she discovered her other passion: fashion. She has gone on to pursue her love of fashion with the launch of her signature Zaskia Sungkar label. Zaskia Sungkar boutiques can be found in a number of cities in Indonesia and neighboring countries.

For her debut at Couture Fashion Week in New York, Zaskia Sungkar will present her latest collection entitled “Mandalika”, inspired by the grace and beauty of Princess Mandalika, a mythical character from legends told in Nusa Tenggara Barat, a province in Indonesia.

Zaskia Sungkar’s designs use only the finest handmade fabrics, both woven fabrics and the famous songket brocade fabrics native to Nusa Tenggara Barat. These exquisite and intricate fabrics are made by hand with a special wooden tool requiring exceptional skill and labor by the artisan weavers. It can take around a month to make a piece of fabric 3 meters (about 10 feet) long, and the total processing time can be about 3 months, depending on the color details and pattern or motif of the fabric.

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FashionUnited is a One-Stop-Shop Platform

FashionUnitedFashionUnited, the independent international B2B fashion platform, is always striving for more fun and efficiency in fashion. The recently revamped FashionUnited.com is a one-stop-shop platform where visitors can find the latest fashion news, a career center, an events calendar, various trade statistics, employer branding pages and more. Globally active, the website reaches more than 1.6 million industry professionals per month.

FashionUnited believes that sharing is caring. The FashionUnited Network is where fashion professionals can connect, discuss and share ideas. The Fashion Education Network gives future fashion professionals all the information they need while taking their first steps in the fashion world.
Besides fun and efficiency, the Fashion United team likes convenience. Therefore fashion professionals can browse their local website in their native language, without getting lost in translation. Did you know that the online B2B fashion platform is already active in more than 25 countries?

Recently, FashionUnited got a new website look that has been adapted to all FashionUnited pages. Get a taste of fashion, visit FashionUnited.com and enjoy the new look.

Fashion United is a valued partner of Couture Fashion Week.

Sophisticated Menswear Designs from Catou by Berny Martin at CFW

Catou by Berny Martin Fashion Show at Couture Fashion Week NYIndianapolis-based designer Berny Martin will present the latest menswear collection for his Catou label at Couture Fashion Week New York. The fashion show will be held at 8:00 pm on Friday February 13, 2015 in the Broadway Ballroom of the Crowne Plaza Times Square Manhattan, 1605 Broadway.

Berny Martin is the founder and designer of Catou, an internationally recognized line of men’s and women’s professional wear launched in 2002. Mr. Martin developed an interest in fashion and clothing at a young age, and created his first collection and held his first fashion show while in college. Catou is named after the designer’s grandmother, Elizabeth Catou Loiseau, who raised him and encouraged his creative and artistic talents.

Edgy and elegant, flirty and sophisticated, Catou designs make a statement. Drawing from designer’s travel experiences as well as his studies in college and at FIT (Fashion Institute of Technology in New York), Catou provides its customers with sophisticated and ageless fashion.

“I design with a creativity that extends beyond conventional fashion to offer an unique look,” says Berny Martin. “I create pieces with the customer in mind, paying attention to detail to guarantee well-made clothing that compliments its wearer.”

Catou has been featured on BET and MTV, as well as in such publications as Source Magazine, Indianapolis Monthly, Indianapolis Star, Indianapolis Woman, Indianapolis Business Journal, Bella Magazine, Miss Universe Magazine, Power Magazine (Atlanta), Fashion Manuscript, and Focus Magazine (Louisville). Mr. Martin was recognized by the United Nations Association of Young Professionals in 2009, as well as being named Menswear Fashion Designer in the Midwest by FGI (Fashion Group International). Catou designs have been shown at Paris Fashion Week, New York Emerge Fashion Week, Brooklyn Fashion Week, Chicago Fashion Week and the African Travel Association Fashion Show.

In 2006 Berny Martin founded Midwest Fashion Week when he saw a need for a Midwestern outlet to showcase a range of gifted local and international designers, as well as the talents of stylists, photographers and models. Time Magazine recently featured Midwest Fashion Week as the leading fashion week in the Midwest. MFW has developed to include smaller private events held throughout the year including fashion seminars, trunk shows featuring local designers and runway fashion shows. Mr. Martin and his team have raised over $500,000 during the events to support nonprofits through partnerships with organizations such as the Indianapolis Colts, Indy 500, Coca Cola, Vitamin Water, and Indiana University North Hospital, just to name a few.

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Beyond the Fashion Show

BeyDancers Ryan Raffloer and Hanna Sverdlovond the fashion show, there is art, music, dance and enchantment at “Gotham Nights” by Andres Aquino. Don’t miss the spectacle! Saturday February 14, 2015 at 8:00 pm, followed by the Valentine’s Ball. The highly-anticipated show will include an exclusive performance by the crowd-thrilling, high energy, dance duo of Ryan Raffloer and Hanna Sverdlov.

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Award-Winning Designer Luis Machicao Returns to Couture Fashion Week

Luis Machicao fashion show at Couture Fashion Week NYIn his fifth appearance at Couture Fashion Week New York, award-winning designer Luis Machicao will show his latest collection on the runway at 6:00 pm on Friday February 13, 2015. The highly-anticipated fashion show will be held in the Broadway Ballroom of the Crowne Plaza Times Square Manhattan, 1605 Broadway, at the “Crossroads of the World”.

A native of Peru, now based in Charlotte, North Carolina, Luis Machicao has shown his collections at fashion shows around the world since 1991. He was commissioned by the President and First Lady of Peru to serve as a style ambassador in view of his stellar career and impeccable taste. He has dressed Latin American presidents, celebrities and socialites, including television and theater personalities, and he has designed for 16 motion pictures worldwide. His public persona and designs have been featured in some 240 magazines including Southern Living, South Park Magazine, Society Magazine and Vanidades, the Spanish language version of Vanity Fair.

After presenting his Spring 2014 Collection at New York’s Couture Fashion Week, Mr. Machicao won the coveted “Best Designer” award in Paris at Tiffany Fashion Week, making him the most high profile designer from Charlotte, and the only one showing in the world’s fashion capital.

Mr. Machicao recently launched his own fragrance line for men and women.

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Emerging Fashion Design Star Rashad Calhoun Brings Uplifting Collection to CFW

Rashad Calhoun fashion show at Couture Fashion Week NYEmerging design star Rashad Calhoun will present his latest collection for his Dahsar by Rashad label on the Couture Fashion Week New York runway during the prestigious event’s 21st season. The fashion show will be held at 8:00 pm on Friday February 13, 2015 in the Broadway Ballroom of the Crowne Plaza Times Square Manhattan, 1605 Broadway in the heart of the city.

A self-taught designer, Rashad Calhound is a native of Chester, Pennsylvania who started creating his distinctive fashions at age 13. He launched his Dahsar by Rashad label in 2007, catering to women of diverse ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, including prominent socialites and reality stars. Among his clientele are reality stars Syleena Johnson and Lil’ Mo (TV One’s hit show R & B Divas), and Diamond Strawberry (Love and Hip Hop New York), as well as Rain Pryor (daughter of legendary comedian Richard Pryor), and Mike McCluney (Day 26, formerly of MTV’s Making the Band). Mr. Calhoun has been requested to style singer Brittany Holmes for the Grammy Awards in February 2015. His designs have been featured in such publications as Vibe, 10 and Amina.

In 2013 Mr. Calhoun gained national recognition in the fashion world for his trending designs when he was invited to be part of New York Fashion Week’s “The Black Collection”. He went on to show his designs during Paris Fashion Week in 2014, and he will again show in Paris in 2015.

Through his designs, Rashad Calhoun aims to inspire his contemporaries and future generations to be themselves, celebrate their uniqueness, and not conform to the masses. In February 2015 Mr. Calhoun is embarking on his “Blood on The Runway” tour starting during Couture Fashion Week in New York, and set to travel throughout various cities in the United States. “Blood on The Runway” means blood, sweat and tears, which is meant to inspire the younger generation to be fearless and express themselves as individuals.

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Moroccan Design Star Meriem Belkhayat To Show at Couture Fashion Week

Meriem Belkhayat fashion show at Couture Fashion Week NYMoroccan design star Meriem Belkhayat will present her latest collection on the runway at the upcoming Couture Fashion Week event in New York City. The fashion show will be held at 6:00 pm on Saturday February 14, 2015 in the Broadway Ballroom of the Crowne Plaza Times Square Manhattan, in the heart of the Big Apple.

Considered to be one of the most celebrated Kaftan designers in Morocco and the Arab World, Meriem Belkhayat’s exquisite designs are masterpieces that embody Moroccan authenticity and elegance with a modern flair. Her creations sparkle with glamour, and all her collections are hand made, produced with the finest fabrics and crystals.

Meriem Belkhayat was born into a family of artists: her father is a famous singer and her mother is a Kaftan designer. Her mother’s couture atelier used to be in her family home, and Ms. Belkhayat grew up in an artistic environment. She found it hard to imagine her future “without needles, scissors, colors, and all things related to fashion in general.”

Ms. Belkhayat has dressed many Moroccan and Arab celebrities and royalty, which has brought much attention to her brand. However, her hard work, creativity and dedication to detail are the secrets to her continued and growing success. Since 2011, she has shown her beautiful creations annually at the Marrakech Caftan Fashion Show, one of the most prestigious events in the traditional Moroccan haute couture scene, where she is one of the most highly anticipated designers.

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Designer Alve’ Alexander’s Brilliant Creations Ready to Shine at CFW

Alvertis Alexander fashion show at Couture Fashion Week NYDesigner Alvertis Alve’ Alexander will show her latest collection at the upcoming 21st season of Couture Fashion Week in New York City. The runway show will be held at 8:00 pm on Friday February 13, 2015 in the Broadway Ballroom of the Crowne Plaza Times Square Manhattan, at the “Crossroads of the World”.

A native of Texas, Alvertis Alve’ Alexander was introduced to the New York entertainment industry in 1997, has become a successful actress, model, playwright, director and designer. Her love of fashion design developed at an early age while watching her mother sew, and in 2003, Ms. Alexander launched her own clothing line.

Ms. Alexander often uses her vacations as fabric hunts, seeking just the right materials to cater to her clients’ sexy yet playful personas. Her distinctive designs are a little bit country, a little bit city and her design inspiration comes from her vivid imagination and the world around her. She is passionate about designing for the fashion-conscious and confident woman, bringing out the best in every client’s silhouette while surpassing today’s trends.

Recently, Ms. Alexander designed a kimono for actress Kiki Haynes of Tyler Perry’s hit television series, For Better or Worse. Her clientele includes Gerard McCleod (SGIB Magazine), Nynne (H-Town R&B Singer), Deekyshaleel Entertainment Group, 50/50 Music Group, Carla C. Tucker (MTV), and Kawand Crawford (Trouble Records), to name just a few.

Alve’ Alexander has presented her designs on runways at important events in Germany, Hawaii, Los Angeles, Houston, Atlanta and New York including Season’s Greetings from XM & Friends Fashion Show; Runway Rhythms Fashion Show; The Heritage Fashion Walk for Charity; The Music, Fashions & Spirit of the 70’s … A Tribute to “American Gangster”; Fastbreak Fashion Showcase – 2011 NBA All-Star Weekend in Los Angeles; “Miami Splash: Dive Into Fashion” Swimwear Showcase, and several events with Xpozure Modeling Talent Management.

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Baqash Wilson Set to Show Latest Impeccable Menswear Designs at CFW

Baqash Wilson fashion show at Couture Fashion Week NYDallas-based designer Baqash Wilson will make his first appearance at Couture Fashion Week New York with the presentation of his latest menswear collection for his Konjo International label. The fashion show will be held at 8:00 pm on Friday February 13, 2015 in the Broadway Ballroom of the Crowne Plaza Times Square Manhattan, in the heart of the city.

Baqash Wilson is the winner of several national design awards including the first New Day Designer of the Year, Canadian Club Designers Showcase and Golden Designer Award. He has served as a costume designer for local productions of Dream Girls, The Wiz, Evita and several others. He has shown his menswear collections at South Africa Fashion Week which was featured on FTV, as well as at fashion events in in Tanzania, Kenya, Nigeria, Ethiopia and the United States. Mr. Wilson also has professional experience in the cosmetics industry, where his work as a make-up artist has appeared on numerous magazine covers and editorial features.

As a fashion designer, Mr. Wilson has prepared young women competing in top international beauty pageants including Miss World and Miss Universe for more than 20 years, and presently holds the license in Ethiopia for Miss World, Miss International, Miss Intercontinental and Top Model of the World and in the US Virgin Islands for Miss International and Top Model of the World. He launched Konjo International as a non-profit organization that allows him to leverage his vast experience in the fashion and beauty industries to help motivate young people worldwide looking to to enter international competitions or launch their careers as emerging fashion designers.

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Designer Elcy Cortorreal Brings Latest Elegant Collection to the CFW Runway

Elcy Cortorreal fashion show at Couture Fashion Week NYNew York-based designer Elcy Cortorreal will present her latest collection of womenswear during the upcoming Couture Fashion Week event in New York City. The highly-anticipated runway show will be held at 6:00 pm on Sunday February 15, 2015 in the Broadway Ballroom of the Crowne Plaza Times Square Manhattan.

A native of the Dominican Republic, Elcy Cortorreal discovered her passion for fashion design and painting at a young age. She graduated from Laie Fashion Design School, and went on to study at the renowned Altos de Chavon design academy where she perfected her craft.

Ms. Cortorreal has shown her designs at important fashion events in the Dominican Republic, garnering enthusiastic reviews from experts in the fashion industry. She became a pioneer in launching fashion shows in regions of the Dominican Republic where they had never been held before, including the first-ever fashion show held at the Pinar Dorado Hotel in Jarabacoa, a fast-growing tourist region.

Since 2006, Ms. Cortorreal has worked in the United States with a number of established designers, including fellow Dominican and fashion legend Oscar de la Renta. Her wealth of experience has contributed to the perfection of her own unique style and her vision of offering her clients a variety of products of optimum quality. She launched her own label in 2009 with the mission of restoring fashion creativity through designs that blend the classic and the modern.

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