interviews

Mondo Guerra helps in the fight against HIV and launches new collections: exclusive interview

 in General Fashion / Men's Fashion  tagged charity / hiv/aids / interviews / mondo guerra by

Mondo Guerra is working hard; harder than most people work. Not only is Mondo Guerra working on the launch of his new capsule collection at Neiman Marcus and a new collection of eyewear for “SEE Eyewear,” he is also a judge for “Project Runway” season 10, a costume designer for Denver’s current stage production of “Legally Blonde” and he is on a large-scale media tour to promote his new campaign in partnership with Merck “Project I Design” which is helping HIV patients around the globe.

Winner of “Project Runway All Stars,” Mondo Guerra is a highly sought-after designer who is not letting his career interfere with his passion for helping in the fight against HIV/AIDS. While on a media tour to help promote his new HIV awareness campaign “I Design,” Mondo Guerra took some time out of his extremely busy schedule to talk to me about his work in the fight against HIV, his new capsule collection for Neiman Marcus and his new eyewear collection at “SEE Eyewear.”

“A patient needs to know to ask questions.” Mondo Guerra explains. His new campaign in partnership with Merck, “I Design” is aimed at helping HIV patients properly prepare for their doctor visits and maintain an open dialogue with their physicians in order to receive the right treatment for their health. The “I Design” campaign encourages HIV patients to write down every side effect, non-HIV health issues and any questions they may have, the night before their doctors appointments in order to ensure they are talking to their doctor about every aspect of their health. This open communication will in turn help HIV patients live longer, happier lives.

Mondo Guerra’s campaign, “I Design,” includes an interactive website ProjectIDesign.com which conveys an easy message, a checklist for patients and also a creative aspect. The creative portion of the website allows visitors to design and share a textile online which is inspired by what they have been going through with the disease and life in general. To help promote the campaign, Mondo Guerra has been speaking to leaders in the HIV community and talking to people from a grassroots level in order to get the word out and help patients tailor their treatments.

When Mondo Guerra is not helping the world fight HIV, he is working; and working hard! Mondo Guerra has an exciting capsule collection coming out in late fall at Neiman Marcus. The contemporary line will include separates which “can be introduced into a wardrobe; you don’t need to buy the whole outfit.” We can look forward to pattern on pattern, bright colors and a collection which is “more refined, more quiet” than what we have seen from the designer in the past while still being “very Mondo.”

In addition to launching his capsule line at Neiman Marcus, Mondo Guerra is also launching an eyewear line spring of 2013 at “SEE Eyewear” which will be unisex. Mondo Guerra is excited about the eyewear launch “this is the first eyewear collection for me, I’m taking creative risks . . . the collection will include prescription glasses and sunglasses; it’s very well-rounded.”  The glasses and sunglasses will transition well from male to female and will appeal to everybody. (author’s note: Since I wear glasses myself, I have to add that I am really excited this collection and can’t wait for its’ launch!)

To learn more about “Project I Design,” please visit ProjectIDesign.com. To keep up on all the fabulous work Mondo Guerra does in the fight against HIV, his upcoming collections, his appearance as a judge for “Project Runway” season 10 and his costume designs for “Legally Blonde” in Denver, please “like” Mondo Guerra on Facebook, follow him on Twitter and visit his website at MondoGuerra.com

*Special THANK YOU to Mondo Guerra for taking the time to speak with me about his work for HIV and his new, upcoming collections. 

i (43)

AkzoNobel ColourFutures declares Terra Cotta Rose the International color of 2012

 in Color Trends / General Fashion / Trends  tagged akzonobel / color of the year / interviews / red / spring 2012 by

There are many color experts in the marketplace who conduct a thourough analysis of trends and predict which colors will be hot during any given year. Every year fashion magazines, news outlets and bloggers pick up on the “color of the year” as declared by global color experts. While we talked about Pantone’s color of the year, Tangerine Tango for 2012 in December, AkzoNobel has released their color for 2012, which happens to be Terra Cotta Rose.

AkzoNobel was the first company to begin declaring a “Color of The Year” back in 2003 when the company put together ColourFutures and predicted the “IT” color for 2004. For 2012, AkzoNobel has declared Terra Cotta Rose the color of 2012, which is a warm reddish-pink hue.

While AkzoNobel’s colors tend to be found in paints and fabrications used in interior design, the spaces we live in are also a reflection of who we are and our lifestyles. This is why the hot interior design color for 2012 can also be found in the fashion industry. Shades of red have already been spotted in pre-fall 2012 collections which designers and brands such as Alice + Olivia and Rachel Zoe have released through photographs to the general public. Shades of red have also been spotted alongside orange hues on store shelves for the spring 2012 season; proving that red is an important color for 2012.

Terra Cotta Rose is a warm, pinkish-red which can easily blend with warm and cool colors; making it an easy color to work with when it comes to creating the perfect color blocked ensemble for spring or summer. The warm hue is also a great transitional color from spring into fall; making it a smart investment color.

*Special THANK YOU to Barbara from AkzoNobel for taking the time to speak with me about the intricate process of gathering color experts from around the globe to meet and discuss current color trends. The meeting involves twenty global experts who discuss color trends in their region. The meeting determines which colors will be hot for the following year on a worldwide scale. To see the full report, please visitcolourfutures.us

red

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!

cojo_highres