Spring Forward | Spring Refresh with Material Wrld!

Hello everyone!

I thought by March I would stop talking about the snow BUT noooo! NYC was hit with snow, rain, then snow this week. Maybe this is mother nature's way of telling us it's finally over after this week... I truly hope so, people are starting to crack! If you are like me, you are home staying cozy, window shopping online since the snow and ice still run the streets.   

Bringing up the topic of shopping, check  out my new partnership with Material Wrld. What is Material Wrld? Material Wrld is a designer fashion trade-in service that is changing the way people buy and sell clothing. Shoppers can trade in fashions they are no longer wearing for credit to shop new at popular retailers like Bloomingdales, Saks and Shopbop. Genius, isn't it?!

Here's my advice to you, yes it's winter outside but Spring is coming! Why not do yourself a favor and  refresh your spring wardrobe by trading-in luxury fashions at MaterialWrld.com? It's time to clean out that closet anyway, truly a no brainer:

o Material Wrld’s innovative trade-in service makes it seamless to constantly refresh your closet and make space for new clothing

o Promote conscious consumption by trading in gently worn luxury clothing and handbags in exchange for new items at your favorite retailers (view our accepted brand list here)

o Offline resale is a hassle. Consignment and thrift stores require in-person drop offs with low payout and no price transparency – Material Wrld’s innovative online trade-in service is simple, fast, FREE and fun. Plus, we offer FREE valet pick-up for NYC residents (minimum of 10 trade-in items required).

o Immediate Gratification: Unlike consigning, MW customers get paid instantly via gift cards. No more waiting until items sell!

o Convenient: Unlike marketplace listings, MW takes care of listing, photography, pricing and shipping!

o Make An Impact: we match 10% of each gift card offer as a contribution a charity of your choice. 

To sum up everything I just wrote, it's a win-win for everyone.  As a gift to you guys, use code: AKOSUAH512 for an extra $25 for your first trade, just sign up and see how rad Material Wrld is!

Happy Shopping!

Kosi

Kos' NYFW Fall 2015 Recap: Day 1

Hi guys!

NYC has been a tundra and only a few things can bring people out of it: NYFW.  I was pretty amazed how many people I saw in Lincoln Center, Meatpacking District.. everywhere ha ha. According to a newly released analysis by the New York City Economic Development Corporation, fashion shows, big-spending celebrity clients and lavish parties generate an annual economic impact of $887 million. 

More than 230,000 people attend the February and September shows that unveil the coming season's designs, packing into hotels and restaurants and yielding an estimated $532 million in direct visitor spending.  NYFW economic benefit tops the annual U.S. Open tennis tournament, which generates about $800 million, the 2014 Super Bowl in New Jersey that generated about $550 million and the New York City Marathon that generates $340 million. Can we say, way to go for the Fashionistas ha ha!

My first day was actually a few days before NYFW officially started. Target and the CFDA celebrated their ongoing partnership and the {FASHION INCUBATOR} accessories designers’ fall 2015 collections with an intimate cocktail party in New York City.   {FASHION INCUBATOR} is a program for emerging fashion designers in New York City operated by the prestigious Council of Fashion Designers of America. 

Participating brands included A PEACE TREATY, Dezso by Sara Beltrán, Emanuela Duca, Gemma Redux, Grey Ant, Isa Tapia, KARA and SANG A.  "Style and design is everything to Target. Sometimes you want to celebrate that through a collaboration or everytday product and sometimes we just want to empower great design by doing things like tonight's accessory showcase" says Noria Morales, director of design partnerships for Target.

E! News Correspondent and Marie Claire Editor Zanna Roberts Rassi, love her!

E! News Correspondent and Marie Claire Editor Zanna Roberts Rassi, love her!

Fast-forward to a few days later and I was in the midst of NYFW madness bright and early! My first show was Mongol.  Darkness filled the stage sounds of a Mongolian morin khuur filled the speakers. A Mongolian musician, and later in the performance, a hip-hop singer, opened the Mongol Fall/Winter 2015 collection by Bayarmaa Bayarkhuu with an electrifying performance. First starting with slow sounds, the music quickly transformed into a full-blown, hip-hop sound which later showed was the core inspiration behind the collection: combining old with the new.

My next stop was Zimmermann.  My love for this collection grows each season! Designer Nicky Zimmerman's inspiration was the glamorous dinner parties her parents used to host and the feeling of excitement behind the occasion.  It makes perfect sense, there is an art to dressing for the right occasion.  Fun hues such has teal and mustard made a bold statement.  The oversized geometric prints, maxi dresses, and thigh-high splits were a personal fav of mine. Zimmermann understands the modern gal. She wants to be feminine, not too edgy, but always dressed for the occasion. Well done! 

After an amazing lunch at the Standard Grill, I ended up at The Top of the Standard to view Rubin & Chappelle's Fall 2015 collection.  The city views were the perfect backdrop to a very strong collection, that took traditional Scottish references: argyles, plaid, pleats and made it modern for 2015.  The collection can be worn in LA as well as NYC.

My last stop was cashmere collection Naadam.  If you haven't heard about Naadam Cashmere, you will this year. Naadam is a socially conscious cashmere garment brand based in NYC and partnering with herders in Mongolia.  “It is about creating a high-quality product for the men and women who travel, who are passionate, who are creative and can appreciate the value here,” said cofounder Matt Scanlan.  The presentation was a work of art as candles and chandeliers lit up the space.  The models were the best cast I have seen in a show in a very long time. Each look along with the model told a story.  Effortless luxury and comfort is best to describe the Fall/Winter 2015 collection, muted colors such as grey, cream, camel were mixed with different textures and lengths. Splashes of red were a great touch. 

Photo Feb 13, 7 45 25 PM.jpg

Whew! What a day but so much fun, and it's only one week. I am grateful to get the opportunity to attend and share my experience.  Thank you! Stay tuned for more updates!

xo

Kosi