interviews

Interview with Kimora Lee Simmons

 in General Fashion  tagged celebrity style / charity / interviews / kimora lee simmons by

I had the honor of interviewing Kimora Lee Simmons last week regarding the fabulous work she is doing around the country in conjunction with Bounty in order to help keep American classrooms clean. Kimora Lee Simmons took the time to speak with me just minutes before going into North St. Francois High School in Bonne Terre, Missouri in order to unveil the classroom she designed. The designer classroom was part of the $50,000 make-over sweepstakes offered by Bounty through the “We Love Our School” campaign.

The “We Love Our School” campaign gave parents the chance to enter their children’s school into a sweepstakes for a grand prize designer make-over worth $50,000. The sweepstakes was part of the national “Make a Clean Difference” campaign by Bounty and Kimora Lee Simmons where schools can receive a free cleaning kit filled with cleaning supplies in order to help keep classrooms clean.

The average teacher spends $500-$600 per year, out of his/her own pocket for classroom cleaning supplies. The “Make A Clean Difference” campaign is raising awareness for the need for cleaning supplies in the classroom.

The “We Love Our School” campaign winner, St. Francois High School in Bonne Terre, Missouri enjoyed having their art room make over by Kimora Lee Simmons who not only designed the classroom to be organized and practical for learning, she added “fabulosity” to the learning environment.

To read my interview article, please visit examiner.com.

To learn more about the work Bounty is doing to keep American classrooms clean, please visit bountytowels.com.

To follow Kimora Lee Simmons, please visit kls.com or her Twitter account, @OfficialKimora.

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Exclusive interview with Bunny Fayne of Circle & Square

 in Bay Area Fashion / General Fashion / Handbags / Jewelry / Local Designers / Shopping  tagged circle and square sf / interviews / online shops by

Bunny Fayne is the founder of Circle & Square; which happens to be one of the hottest boutiques in San Francisco. Circle & Square, which is located on tony Presidio street in San Francisco, offers new and emerging designers which are highly sought after by celebrities and Fashionistas alike.  Circle & Square also happens to have been the winner of the 2011 Bay List “Women’s Accessories” category! Bunny took the time to talk to me and share with our readers her inspiration and forward-thinking vision.

Cathy: What inspired you to open a shop dedicated to new designers?

Bunny: In no particular order…A respectable fear of failure. The desire to use whatever gift I have for seeing unique ways to interpret individual style. The breaking of rules is a very liberating thing, it allows you to make mistakes…the talent… comes in knowing which ones to use. And lastly… I’m a little crazy.

Cathy: What do you feel the must-have trend for summer is this year?

Bunny: Lace, Patchwork Designs, Chokers, Bibs, Big Earrings, Cuffs, Clutches, Shoulder Bags,Gemstones, Jewelry with Quotes, Retro to Minimalist.

Cathy: What have you found to be the hottest selling style this season for jewelry and for handbags?

Bunny: In Handbags: Fringe, Tribal, Stripes, Bucket Bags. In Jewelry: Drop Earrings, Bold Cocktail Rings, Statement Necklaces, anything with Feathers….Birds Beware!

Cathy: Is there one color that customers are flocking to this season?

Bunny: We live in San Francisco so Black Rules…but vivid jewel tones: Emerald, Rubies, Amethyst, Sapphire, going from water colors to desert. Metallic is Huge.

Cathy: What types of items do you have in-store that are not featured online?

Bunny: Prive Cashmere Vests, they are “Haut Eco” since they are parts of previously committed elements that are redesigned and Neckpieces made of 100% Egyptian Cotton, miniature curios, woven together to create a beautiful Necklace – Did I mention Pearls?

Cathy: How do you find so many amazing emerging designers?

Bunny: Various and sundry sources i.e. Fashion Indie, SFIndie, trade magazines such as Accessories, WWD, Schools, The Academy of Art, Fidm, going to student shows and constantly asking and reading everything pertinent to it! Always searching and listening. And of course, Bay Area Fashionista!

Cathy: Do you have designers that are high in demand from your customers?

Bunny: Without question: Susana Speidel, Adriana Castro, Aki Kano, Dareen Hakim, Jeanine Payer and David Heston.

Cathy: Do you have anything you would like people to know about Circle and Square that I haven’t touched on?

Bunny: I have such a warm spot in my heart for this Store…it takes on the personality traits of each person who shares that love for it. If the Store were a person…it would be described as possessing great Flair, Intelligence, Character, Charm, Independence, Style, but mostly… a Sense of Humor. We laugh a lot around here. “Living your Passion is what makes you Authentic”.

Circle & Square has a website where shoppers can find some of the latest and hottest items of the season. Shoppers can also order over the phone if an item they are looking for is in-store and not online. To learn more about Circle & Square, please visit circleandsquaresf.com. 

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Photo: Bunny Fayne-Founder of Circle & Square

Photo courtesy of Circle & Square

Olivia + Joy handbag designer Blanca Lesser

 in General Fashion / Handbags  tagged interviews / olivia + joy / spring 2011 by

Olivia + Joy is a hot handbag design brand created by Blanca Lesser. The line of handbags is animal-friendly and incorporates on-trend designs without the logo and the high price. I had the honor of interviewing Blanca Lesser on Monday April 18, 2011 and I instantly found her passion for bringing high style and quality to the consumer at an affordable price to be inspirational.

Blanca Lesser strives to create on-trend designs that will withstand the test of time in both style and quality. The best part? All of her handbag designs are under $100! Her amazing designs such as the Perfection Satchel for $88 and the Bella Zip Cross Body for $68 incorporate all of the handbag runway trends while making the styles practical for everyday use.

To learn more about Olivia + Joy, please visit Blanca Lesser’s website at oliviaandjoy.com.

To read my full interview published on Examiner.com, please click here.

*Special Thank You to Blanca Lesser for taking the time out of her busy schedule to speak with me. Her designs are amazing and her passion for creating “The Look for Less” is inspirational.

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