Bay Area Fashionista

Cojo reveals the hottest trends from the red carpet for the holiday season: exclusive interview

 in General Fashion / Men's Fashion / Shopping / Trends  tagged celebrity style / cojo / fall 2011 / holidays 2011 / interviews / marshalls / men / red carpet style / tjmaxx / winter 2012 by

Cojo took time out of his busy schedule on Thursday to talk to me about this season’s hottest trends which have come straight off the red carpet; and according to Cojo, “The red carpet has become the ultimate runway.” What celebrities have been wearing on the red carpet translates well into reality.

Cathy: The holidays seem to be approaching so quickly this year! What do you see as the biggest fashion trends this holiday season?

Cojo: The tux jacket. Tuxedo jackets are everywhere in L.A., and we are seeing them in gabardine with satin piping. Tuxedo jackets are being worn with jeans and with dresses. In fact, I just saw some at TJMaxxand at Marshalls. They have tuxedo jackets from huge designers you would see at luxury department stores. The tuxedo jacket is so versatile and easy to wear; it is a great way to update a dress from last year. In fact, I have seen Sarah Jessica Parker and Gwenyth Paltrow wearing tuxedo jackets.

Faux fur is huge this year; emphasis on FAUX. Incredible faux fur vests and faux chinchilla are huge. This season is all about decadent luxury. Faux fur can easily be dressed up or down. I have also seen incredible faux fur at TJMaxx and Marshalls.

Cathy: One of the challenges in staying fashionable during the winter season is the weather. How do you recommend staying fashionable and warm during the rain or snow this holiday season?

Cojo: It’s not about utility anymore. You can look just as fashionable in the rain or snow as you can any day of the year. Throw on boots, cardigans, cable knit sweaters. It’s important to have a winter coat that is in a cheerful, beautiful color such as bright pink/fushia. There are so many rain boots in incredible colors out there as well. There is no reason to have boring rain boots.

Cathy: Leg coverings are a huge trend right now. How do you recommend wearing this trend?

Cojo: Tights are everywhere, there is tights fever. There is a move away from wearing leggings and into wearing tights. Tights are also a practical and great way to cover up and look great at the same time.

Cathy: Some holiday events call for “festive casual” attire. How would you recommend dressing for this type of event?

Cojo: For festive casual, I would say wear layers and accessories. Keep the dress simple and add sparkles and accessories. Add a bejeweled clutch and a chunky necklace. Keep the wardrobe simple and make a statement with accessories. Scarves, bangles-they can make the outfit pop. Statement earrings and giant earrings are huge this season. We are used to celebrities such as Michelle Williams keeping it clean and understated; now we are seeing the same celebrities wearing statement accessories. TJMaxx and Marshalls have a huge selection of statement accessories.

Cathy: What trends are you seeing for men this holiday season?

Cojo: There is a resurgence of preppy formal. We are seeing bow ties and a move away from black. No more “Mad Men” looks. Men can update their look with a bow tie that has polka dots and they can also add finishing pieces such as a pocket square with polka dots. It’s all about accessories. We are also seeing a lot of burgundy and red this season for men. There is also a lot of mixing high and low together; it’s street cred with a hipper edge. I just got a plaid tie at TJMaxx for $9.99, and I wear it with my designer navy suit. It’s fun to wear bright bow ties and pocket squares this season.

Cojo: George Clooney and Hugh Jackman are the epitome of modern elegance. They are well dressed men.

Cathy: There are men out there who don’t like wearing a tux for formal events. What alternative do these men have for formal attire?

Cojo: To pass for formal, they need a black or navy suit. They need to add very dressy finishing’s. A silk or satin tie, formal cuff links with faux diamonds, patent leather shoes; formal finishing’s and a fancy tie will raise the level to formal.

Cathy: What is one style tip you give your clients that you would like to share with our readers?

Cojo: Quality. One well-made thing is better than fifty cheap things. Look for investment pieces. I love TJMaxx and Marshalls because they give accessibility to big designers with the best cuts, fabrics and drape; at affordable prices. Shop wisely.

*Special THANK YOU to Cojo for taking the time out of his busy schedule to talk about the current trends and share his style secrets with us. THANK YOU!

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Exclusive interview with Project Runway’s Mondo Guerra

 in General Fashion  tagged art / charity / hiv/aids / interior design / interviews / living positive by design / mondo guerra / project runway by

Mondo Guerra took time out of his busy schedule to speak with me about a recent fundraiser in San Francisco for DIFFA where he designed a tabletop installation with ten San Francisco State University students and also to talk about all of the amazing work he does with fellow “Project Runway” alumni Jack Mackenroth. Mondo Guerra is an inspiration and I loved hearing how passionate he is about helping others who suffer from HIV and to also hear his passion about his collection.

Below is a copy of my interview which I originally published on Examiner.com for my Celebrity Charity Events column. 
Mondo Guerra was in San Francisco this week to reveal a tabletop installation he designed with the help of ten San Francisco State University interior design students for DIFFA’s “Dining By Design” fundraiser. The well-loved “Project Runway” alum, and upcoming contestant on “Project Runway All Stars,” took some time out of his busy schedule to speak with me today about designing an amazing, one-of-a-kind tabletop installation, and about his tireless work with fellow “Project Runway” alum Jack Mackenroth for “Living Positive By Design.”

Mondo Guerra said “The table I designed represents life, it looks dreary, sad, and its spooky-it’s where life’s journey has taken me. But then in the middle of the table there is a jar vase with a single marigold which symbolizes hope and gives life.” While Mondo Guerra enjoyed taking on the challenge of interior design-especially since the project was for charity, he admitted he felt “out of his element” and also admitted he will not become an interior designer anytime soon; he definitely prefers designing apparel.

Becoming an advocate for HIV/AIDS was a natural move for Mondo Guerra. After coming out on national television during “Project Runway” and telling the world about being HIV positive, Guerra received such a positive response from fans that he felt a responsibility to become an advocate for living healthy and smart with HIV/AIDS.

Before “Project Runway,” Mondo Guerra had not been proactive, or acting responsible enough about monitoring his health and keeping an open dialogue with his doctor. It is easy for people to forget to take their medication, so Mondo Guerra works hard to spread the word that in order to “live the longest time possible and the happiest life possible,” it is important for people to remember to take their medication and to keep an open dialogue with their doctors. Mondo Guerra also reminds everyone how important it is to pay attention to health issues that come with age, such as watching cholesterol levels, bone density and more.

Mondo Guerra has become a role model not only for those who are HIV positive, but for anyone who feels passionate about a cause and would like to become an advocate for the HIV/AIDS cause. When asked what advice he could give an aspiring advocate, Mondo Guerra stated “anything that you are passionate about or that falls into your lap, you should talk about . . . you can get involved by continued conversations, constant dialogue, and by keeping HIV/AIDS on the radar. Talking about something you’re passionate about, that makes an advocate.”

Mondo Guerra has been working extremely hard for the “Living By Design” campaign and he has also been busy filming “Project Runway All Stars” which premieres in January, 2012. Fans of the designers’ collections can expect to see his next line in the fall of 2012. Mondo Guerra also has a new collection of tee-shirts which will debut on his website, lovemondotrasho.com on Friday, November 18, 2011. The new tee-shirts will be special edition and benefit a charity organization in Denver, Colorado.

For more information about the work Monday Guerra and fellow “Project Runway” alum Jack Mackenroth are doing for “Living Positive By Design,” please visit livingpositvebydesign.org.

To learn more about DIFFA or the Bay Area Design Industry Foundation Fighting AIDS, please visitdiffasf.org
*Special THANK YOU to Mondo Guerra for taking time out of his busy schedule to speak with me about the inspirational work he does for HIV/AIDS as well as his life in fashion.

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Resort 2012 Fashion Trends

 in Color Trends / General Fashion / Handbags / Jewelry / Shoes / Trends  tagged florals / neon / resort 2012 / wedges by

As resort 2012 begins to roll onto store shelves, Fashionistas everywhere are getting a sneak peek into what will be hot for spring 2012. Some of resort 2012’s biggest trends are also going to be hot for spring 2012; why not get a jump start on the new trends!

Bold, Bright, Neon Colors: The color trend continues and resort 2012 is bringing every shade under the rainbow to the forefront in bright, bold and neon hues in order to allow everyone to get noticed. Neutrals step aside, tis’ the season to be bold!

Floral Prints: Prints are huge for spring 2012 and are making their presence known early on in the resort collection. Floral prints are presenting themselves in a variety of forms including, but not limited to, painterly, small flowers, colorful and splashy flowers and of course, classic florals reminiscent of Laura Ashley in the 1980’s.

The High Neckline: One of the biggest trends appearing in the resort collections is the high neckline. Over the past few seasons necklines have varied; without one particular neckline capturing the attention of the fashion world. Resort 2012 brings a new neckline front and center; literally 

The neckline dominating the resort 2012 attire is a high neckline in the form of a crew-neck or boat-neck. While v-necks, cowl-necks and asymmetrical necklines are still fabulous for resort, the high neckline is instantly becoming the ultimate neckline for the season. The perfect high neckline starts right at the collarbone and appears on a body-conscious silhouette.

The Colored Handbag: Step aside boring black bag! While colorful handbags have been hot since last spring, the bright accessory is stepping things up a notch for resort 2012 and spring 2012. Pick your favorite color and you’re in like Flynn; literally!

The Bright Shoe: It is only natural that bright, bold and neon hued shoes step front and center for the resort 2012 season, after all, the handbags natural competitor for “Most Fabulous” is the shoe. The brighter the shoe, the hotter it is. Look for color blocking and shockingly bright colors. Tis’ the season to bring your best foot forward!

The Wedge Sandal: It’s baaaaaa-aaack! That’s right; your eyes are working correctly. While the wedge sandal took a hiatus a year or two back, they crept back into fashion in spring 2011 and are taking the resort 2012 world by storm. Wedges are being shown in cork, rope (espadrille), stacked wood, covered leather and some designers, such as Valentino, are even embellishing their wedges with rocker-chic studs. Love it!

Resort 2012 is a great time in the shopping calendar to snap up a few items for the warm weather months; or an exotic vacation during the cold winter season to a warmer location. When choosing items from the resort 2012 collections, look for styles which look good on, that you cannot live without and which will easily carry into spring 2012; happy shopping and stay fabulous 

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