I’ll admit, I’m a bit of an addict…to shoes. Perhaps like many other women, my closet is filled with a myriad of different footwear – flats, sandals, sneakers, wedges and the list goes on and on. To be honest, it seems to be an addiction that won’t be ending any time soon.

Recently, the women of MIXXI – Nikki Tran, Ann Shimasaki and Evelyn Nguyen – have come up with a smart solution for this: shoe clips. Fashion-forward, fun and eclectic, MIXXI was even featured in this year’s Emmy gift bags. Check out our interview with the women of MIXXI as well as our own product review!

Courtesy of MyMixxi.com

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What if you were wrongfully accused for a crime you did not commit, and you have exhausted every possible means to clear your name, but to no avail?  This is the story that filmmakers Marty Syjunco and Michael Collins tell in their award-winning documentary, Give Up Tomorrow, based on the story of Paco Larrañaga.

A riveting tale (no matter whose “side” you find yourself on), Give Up Tomorrow is a gloriously produced film, bringing the relatively unknown story of Paco and the Chiong sisters to light.  Receiving praise from numerous film festivals, including the Tribeca Film Festival in New York, Give Up Tomorrow is a must-see.

Get an insight into the makings behind the film in our interview with one of the film’s makers, Marty Syjuco.

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In August, the 2012 London Olympic Games gave many Asians athletes an international platform to demonstrate their physical prowess. Last month, a different group of Asians were put on the spotlight. A new season of Fashion Week took over New York and I was there to soak it all in all while getting first-hand looks at the creativity of numerous Asian designers inside or outside the tents. Check out four Asian designers or brands that were at this season’s New York Fashion Week.

Gavin Rajah

The South African-born designer debuted his Spring 2013 collection as one of the five designers featured at the Arise African Icons fashion collective, held in Lincoln Center. From sparkly pink shorts to the gold dresses, Gavin Rajah stayed true to his opulent designs as even his headgear were luxurious like the gold visors. [Image Courtesy: Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week]

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With the crowd snaked around the corner at the Landmark Nuart on a Friday night, the anticipation was building for filmmaker Linda Goldstein Knowlton and the line of people who consisted of many families with young Asian daughters that came to see the opening of the documentary, Somewhere Between.  This film is a personal journey that follows the lives of four teen girls who were adopted from China and raised by Caucasian families in different parts of the U.S.  Unlike many documentaries, the director took the POV directly from the girls, as no one could tell the story better than each of these remarkably strong and courageous gals.

“I am making this film for everyone. For the girls, so they can see their experiences in connection with each other, and for everyone who grapples with issues of race, culture, identity, and being ‘different’,” explains Knowlton.

Enter Jenna, Haley, Ann and Jenni – four girls who have unique yet different tales to tell about their adoption and fitting in with their family and society, their struggles with identity and their curiosity with the possible search for their biological families.  You’ll see their strengths and weaknesses and how being adopted into a Caucasian family has affected their perspective on being American.

This film is currently screening across multiple cities in the U.S., from the east coast to the west coast. Check out their website for current dates and locations – www.somewherebetweenmovie.com.  And take tissues, no, grab a box because there will be tears of joy and excitement.

When it comes to being a fashionista, we all know that maintaining style and fabulousness involves money. We all seek unique pieces, and most of the time we convince ourselves that it’s well worth the money. One would say, “$200 rainboots? Yeah, it’ll rain for sure. I need this.” With the economy the way it is these days, we are all rationalizing our budgets and pinching our pennies. What if there was an alternative to all of this? What if you could buy yourself a high quality, one-of-a-kind piece of clothing piece that’s affordable? You must think I’m bluffing! But look no further, I just found the site. An up and coming business called Sketch Street, this online store is where you can submit fashion sketches and have them come to real life! Based in London and recognized worldwide, Sketch Street is a new kind of style that us fashionista’s would love. With the wonderful opportunity of chatting with the founders of Sketch Street, check out this profile feature on the company and the owners, Widelia Liu and Anthony Chan! 

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After gaining millions of views and over 200, 000 subscribers on YouTube and fans in various countries including Australia, Canada, and the Philippines, Filipino-American acoustic singer Joseph Vincent is releasing his debut album Blue Skies on October 16^th.  JV has performed twice on the Ellen DeGeneres Show and was named Australia’s Star Central Magazine’s “YouTube Artist of the Year” in 2009. Fans may have already heard a few tracks featured on the album that include If You Stay and S.A.D (Single Awareness Day), but now can finally listen to JV’s first full-length debut album, all songs written by him. We recently caught up with the 22-year-old, who has been preparing for the album release as well as his 27-city US tour this Fall.

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A balcony view of the crowd at the 3rd Annual Plate by Plate Tasting Benefit for Project by Project San Francisco. The event took place at the Bently Reserve and marked the 15th anniversary for Project by Project nationally (photo: Nicole Abalde).

Back in July, Audrey told you all about Plate by Plate in Los Angeles and in August, we previewed the annual tasting benefit in San Francisco. The time has come and passed, and this year’s event by the Bay fulfilled its promise of bringing together a terrific crowd to enjoy the company of each other, support the community, and of course, devour plenty of delicious tiny dishes!

The 3rd Annual Plate by Plate Tasting Benefit organized by the San Francisco chapter of Project by Project took place on September 22 at the spacious and gorgeous Bently Reserve near the Embarcadero Center. The evening attracted some hundred of finely dressed attendees to socialize and enjoy three rooms of food samples, desserts, and liquor. Actual Rafiq, Redstickman, Speakeasy Ray, and Big Sloppy of The Ambient Mafia provided the sounds for the event, and a silent auction for some fun items was also in place.

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The dimmed open space of The Conga Room at L.A. Live enveloped the bustling mixed crowd of fashionable patrons and photographers as they all waited for the show to start. Past the host and the bar stood an abundantly spacious stage bearing the designer’s name “Sue Wong” and where the source of the alluring red light seemed to be coming from. It definitely set the tone of the Spring ’13 Collection: the anxious onlookers were about to step into a dramatic show of mystery, exoticism, sentience, and the perplexing beauty of nature.

Continue reading for more details & pictures!

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On September 13, Amsterdam hosted its first ever Vogue Fashion’s Night Out. Fashionistas from across the Netherlands and beyond gathered at De Bijenkorf and P.C. Hooftstraat for cocktails, goodie bags, and of course, shameless shopping.

Amsterdam is known for a number of things, mainly marijuana and prostitution. Little do people know that the city has a bustling design and fashion industry as well. Vogue Nederland launched earlier this year, becoming the nineteenth and newest addition to the brand’s global empire. Editor-in-Chief Karin Swerink inaugurated FNO Amsterdam at De Bijenkorf, the premiere department store of the Netherlands, with Dutch supermodels Ymre Stiekema and Dewi Driegen at her side. The evening kicked off with a fashion show curated by stylist and fashion editor Saskia van Langevelde. Celebrity Dutch designers Bibi van der Velden, JANTAMINIAU, Iris van Herpen, Erik Frenken and Marga Weimans all made guest appearances at De Bijenkorf as well.

The party continued at P.C. Hooftstraat, the “Fifth Avenue” of Amsterdam. Located outside of the city center, shoppers were transported by the latest models of Mercedes Benz and replicas of the iconic yellow New York City taxi. The highlight of the night was a meet and greet with Amsterdam-based designers Viktor & Rolf who posed for photos in a larger-than-life Vogue Magazine backdrop.

And what would FNO be without some freebies? I couldn’t resist getting my make up done at the Dior counter in De Bijenkorf. With a 40 euro purchase, I received free rhinestone false lashes which I received compliments on all night long. I also snagged free Dior eye cream, Boss by Hugo Boss perfume, and a Jimmy Choo compact mirror, not to mention lots of tasty cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. Amsterdam’s debut Fashion’s Night Out closed on a sweet note with a performance by Belgian singing sensation Selah Sue.

Ever wonder who makes important creative decisions for major department stores, such as Bloomingdale’s; and do you ever wonder what his/her advice and sense on fashion are? Lucky for you, your speculation ends today. We tracked down Bloomingdale’s Senior Vice President of Creative at Bloomingdales.com, Sophia Tang, and had her answer questions that every woman should know the answers to – especially when it comes to your closets.

Get to know Tang’s insight on must haves and the way she would go about dressing for fall for various occasions by continuing to read. 

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