The Black Dress Traveler

Brazil It Up: Sexy & Stylish Fashions by Ana Maria

Don't waste your time debating this simple fact: everyone loves a Brazilian girl. For us non Brazilian divas, this universal truth can cause fits of jealousy that no amount of potent capirinhas can cure. But thank goodness that Brazilian bombshell and designer Ana Maria Macedo shared a bit of that South American je ne sais quoi at her first fashion show in the United States. This red-hot catwalk was staged at Tavern on the Green in September 2008.

As a little girl Ana use to spend much of her time in Brazil designing clothes for her dolls. These childhood playmates were such an important inspiration to Ana as a designer that many of her current fashion designs are named after them. Ana's professional career in fashion began as a top fitting and showroom model for renowned Brazilian fashion designers. Ana's sexy and  "wrinkle-free" designs came to life while she was traveling the globe working as an Elite model. Sexy and stylish celebrities like Vanessa Williams choose Ana's designs for instant glamour without the fuss.

The NY fashion show featured Ana's signature dress style, Mara, worn in many different ways. Ana said, "Comfort and versatility is my main focus when designing my collections.  My designs come to life when worn by a woman who is not afraid to let her clothes speak for herself.  I want my clients to exude confidence and feel as if they are taking flight while wearing my designs."

Dahlings, the right dress has the power to change your attitude, so get dolled up in one of Ana Maria's vibrant and sexy dresses to awaken your inner femme fatale.  Obrigada, Ana Maria!

For more information and to shop, visit www.anamariastore.com.

Target Does It Again: Bullseye Bodegas in NYC

You can't escape it - even Martians know that Fashion Week is in full swing in New York City. The runway extravaganzas are fun to attend but can leave even the most devoted fashionista occasionally stomping her Louboutins in frustration since you can't get into the shows without an invitation and the darn clothes aren't available until next season. You want your fashion and you want it now! Voila - Target to the rescue!

 

The fashion-forward and wallet-friendly folks at Target present 4 days of shopping at 4 different temporary locations in Manhattan called Bullseye Bodegas. Shop the Bodegas for chic deals in home, fashion, accessories and beauty from their roster of design partners including an exclusive preview of Anya Hindmarch. Other labels include Jemma Kidd, Liz Lange, Napoleon Perdis, Sonia Kashuk, and many more. 

 

Event Dates: Friday, September 12 - Monday, September 15. The 4 locations are in Midtown, Union Square, SoHo and West Broadway East Village.

 

Happy Shopping! Click here for more details.

 

Finally! Diane von Furstenberg Saves Project Runway

Season 5 of Project Runway has been so tepid and flat. Like a divine chocolate soufflé that has gone pfft! The ingredients are all there but the thrill is gone! Or is it? I should have known that the diva of dresses, the pasha of prints, the one and only Diane von Furstenberg was the Wonder Woman needed to rescue Project Runway. Last night, we finally saw real clothes crafted from luxurious fabrics and no ridiculous garments constructed from auto parts.

Von Furstenberg granted the contestants access to the inner sanctum of her fabric sample room in the Meatpacking District. The challenge: create a look for her new collection inspired by Marlene Dietrich's character in A Foreign Affair.  Sexy, sultry, intercontinental, a femme fatale with a talent for espionage. The prize: the winning look would be produced by DVF and sold exclusively to American Express cardholders.

In an effort to impress von Furstenberg, many of the designers attempted to create multi-layered looks inspired by DVF's collection.  Several succeeded and the pairings of elegant gowns with tiny jackets were chic and wearable. You will have to visit the Project Runway website to find out who won and who got aufed but here are the looks I liked the best.Thank you Diane for rejuvenating Project Runway. I hope Heidi and the gang can keep it up.