CHECK IT OUT!!

SPOTLIGHT ON

This summer I have the greatest opportunity to work with one of the best up and coming jewelry designers in all of New York, Alzerina Gomes. Her jewelry is so elegant and beautiful and individually designed for each client, which she does by drawing inspiration from their own personal style and sensibilities.

Alzerina was born in the islands of Cabo Verde to a well-known clothing designer, Josepha Gomes. Alzerina was very much influenced by the land, the people, the fashion, and the strong women in her life. At the young age of 14 she was able to create her first clothing collection, under the guidance of her mother. At the age 14, Alzerina was designing clothes for some of the most prominent artists, musicians, and actors who resided in the Cape Verdean Islands.

At the age of 20, Alzerina moved to Paris France where she began her modeling career. Among the time she was in France she was able to work with Rosemarie Le Gallais, Creative Director of Daniel Swarovski Paris at the time. At the age of 28 she moved to New York and currently resides in Manhattan. Since the 90's she has been splitting her time between France, Cape Verde, and New York. Although known for her jewelry, Alzerina also has a very couture bejeweled line of lingerie and bathing suits. I warn you, they are made for the woman that wants to stand out and is fashionably bold. Some of the pieces are made with thin chains embedded with colorful Swarovski crystals. Samantha Cole, singer and Playboy “Babe of the Month” model, ranks among her stars that wear her pieces.

Alzerina believes that each woman is unique and that their jewelry should be the same. All her pieces reflect modern aesthetics with traditional elegance. She has 6 collections that all offer something different. Her favorite collection in 2011 is the Couture collection. If I had to describe that collection in one word, the word would be sexy. The most popular collection though would have to be The City. The City is glam, and gives off a very old school Hollywood look. Many of the pieces in The City collection can be wore multiple ways as well, and that is an attractive element for the consumer. If I had to describe her other collections in one word I would have to say Signature is elegant, Bridal is regal, Alzi is refreshing, and Ready to Wear is classic

Alzerina has gained a huge following in the past few years. Some of her jewelry has been seen and purchased by Tracy Bergman on the set of “The Young and the Restless”, Carol Siva of Chanel 12 News, actress Kathryn Winnick of ‘Bones’, and Rosanna Scotto of Channel 5 News. Alzerina also has recently started designing an exclusive collection for Phoebe Cates for her boutique, Blue Tree, on Madison Avenue.

Alzerina's jewelry can be purchased online at alzerina.com and/or at the following New York boutiques: Plaza Beauty at The Plaza Hotel, Warren Tricomi Salon, Blue Tree, Gytha and House of Savoia



Take a look at some of her beautiful pieces of work from her collections.

Alzerina Gomes

 

Alzerina's jewelry can be purchased online at alzerina.com and/or at the following New York boutiques: Plaza Beauty at The Plaza Hotel, Warren Tricomi Salon, Blue Tree, Gytha and House of Savoia.

If you are interested in featuring Alzerina in a magazine, tv show, movie, article, and etc please email info@alzerina.com

SPRING STYLE

LET'S HERE IT FOR THE BOYS

Let's take a moment to reminisce on Deniece William's song "Let's Hear it for the Boys" from the great movie Footloose. Ok but really let's give the boys a hand because this spring season one of the top trends is men's wear. So ladies let's go rummage through the men's in our lives closets.

The men's wear look has been seen on many designers’ collections this spring. So let's try on a pair of lace-up oxfords to start, then a button down with a pair of either wide leg trousers or even a slim fit pair. If you want to stay casual then try a pair of slouchy "boyfriend" jeans. To top the look off, try an oversized sweater or a blazer. If you are the more adventurous type then try a tie, a fedora, or bowler hat. 

So ladies let's take a second ladies and let's give the boys a hand because this style has been around for decades but with some of the best designers in the fashion game today this look has become the key to looking sexy and sophisticated. These are some of my favorite pieces and looks when it comes to Men's Wear for Women.

SPOTLIGHT ON

A Diamond in the Rough

On the busy streets of Blue Hill Ave in Massachusetts lies a treasure that is too often over looked. Amongst the blur of cars and buses that fly by and the bustle and hustle of people getting to where they need to go, many people miss out on this fortune. Across from Franklin Park Zoo and off Columbia Road lies this diamond. Like many beautiful gems and stones, there is always one that, when compared to others, shines brighter than the rest. This jewel on Blue Hill Ave is the store Threadz.

I know many are probably surprised that I am referring to a store as a diamond or a treasure but in the world of fashion and retail a simple white T, a pair of Jordan’s, a oversized Coach bag or even a simple little black dress is seen as a treasure to some. Like artwork or jewelry, fashion pieces are seen as a body of work that someone buys in order to add to their “collection”. Threadz is a clothing store that not only prides itself on having exclusive brands, items, styles, and sizes, but also its customer service.

Threadz is a “one stop shop” for masculine fashion. At Threadz, the sales associates are like your personal stylist because right when you walk in the doors, you are their main focus or priority. They are there to assist their guests and help them with their fashion needs. They pride themselves on the fact that they can give a guest a whole outfit from head to toe, so that they don’t need to go anywhere else. Threadz knows that many people don’t want to have to travel to 2 or more stores to get their “whole outfit”, so Threadz tries to make that happen for all their guests.

With exclusive merchandise, Threadz is incomparable to other retail stores. With elite designers, variety of sizes and distinctive styles, Threadz gives the guest many choices of merchandise to choose from, but if you see what you want, the store recommends getting it right away, because it might not be there tomorrow. Many people love shopping at Threadz because with the exclusiveness of the sizes and styles, maybe one or two people would own that item. So a guest could literally say “I am the only person who has this”, and they would be right. When it comes to fashion, two people don’t want to be caught wearing the same thing at the same event, so by shopping at Threadz you eliminate that chance of that happening to you.

Like I mentioned before there is no other store that offers, exclusive pieces, great customer service, and a sense of comfort like Threadz does. With two store clerks greeting you as you come in, you get the attention you need. With a friendly security guard at the front of the store welcoming you in, you get a feeling of relief or protection if ever needed. Threadz has a small boutique vibe which allows for better guest service. With the music and videos playing throughout the store you get more in the mood to go out.

I had the opportunity to interview Rodney Kornegay, one of the store managers, about this great store. Here is Casuna Connection’s Exclusive Interview with Threadz…

CC: Threadz Boston, a men’s upscale, urban boutique, is located at 614 Blue Hill Ave, Boston MA. When did the store open?

RK: Threadz hit the scene on July 3^rd, 2010 and we will be celebrating our one year anniversary this coming July.

CC: Now Hip Zepi was in this location for 14 years, what do you think will make Threadz thrive?

RK: Threadz gives the best personal customer service. We care about our customers and try to make sure we know what they want. Threadz is not your typical hip hop shop. We cater to local sneaker fiends and at the same time offer high end exclusive brands to the locals who like to stay one step ahead of the fashion game.

CC: What does the name, Thredz, refer too?

RK: Threadz refers to a needle and thread.

CC: Being in the inner city and being a store that offers higher end exclusive brands, do you find you get a lot of positive customer traffic?

RK: Even being in the inner city the traffic here is great. Even though we are in the inner city, kids and adults will save the money to even get one item here, especially those that want to stay current in the trends.

CC: What makes Threadz different from regular retail clothing stores and higher end retail clothing stores?

RK: Regular retail clothing stores lack the exclusiveness of higher end stores. We have brands that other stores don’t have as well. Higher end retail stores don’t usually carry higher sizes, but here we have 4x shirts and 42 and 44 waist pants. Our customer service can’t be compared as well, we are here to service our guests and give them the best service.

CC: Now everyone loves a sale, especially at the holidays. Does Threadz ever have sales and do you offer exclusive deals, especially on Black Friday?

RK: We usually don’t have sales because with our products, we move through them really fast. If you shop with us we always recommend to our customers that if you see something you like you should buy it because it might not be here tomorrow.

CC: Now with your exclusive brands, you must service some very important or famous people, is that the case?

RK: Well famous is relevant to who thinks someone is famous. A kid in the neighborhood could be famous, or a rapper could be famous to some. We give the same service we would to anyone who comes through the doors. We do have clients that come from all over New England, and some are in fact actors, djs, singers, and rappers.

CC: Where do you see Threadz in the future?

RK: Threadz will expand in many different ways. In the next 6 months we plan to do commercials, online magazine interviews, a email list of our products that will be sent to customers, and so much more.

CC: What are some of the brands that are in the store?

RK: We have ROCKSMITH, Sabit NYC, DOLO Brand, and so many others. You have to come in and check out our stuff.

CC: What advice can you give to those that want to make it in the fashion industry?

RK: You need to collaborate. Many people have different clothing lines and ideas but you need to work together and make your dreams come reality.

SPOTLIGHT ON...

Adriana Fontes Lobo

If you don’t know her name now, you should get familiar real quick. This young lady is an up and coming model in the Boston area. With a body that could stop traffic, Adriana could easily be the next model, or super model, that the world has been waiting for. With her mile long legs, and a waist that could make any girl who walks on the runway envious, Adriana not only has the body but the face and personality to match. Her face is not easily forgotten and when she walks into any room she captures the eyes and attention of everyone. Her face could be easily seen on commercials or ads for Cover Girl or Maybelline. There are many models that have the typical body and look, but Adriana’s personality shines through. With her care free attitude and great sense of humor Adriana is someone any photographer or designer would love to work with. She looks amazing in about almost anything and knows how to work the runway.

In my interview with Adriana she opens up about her fashion sense, her beauty secrets and her care free go for it attitude. Adriana makes her own fashion rules and uses inspiration from designers, celebrities, and magazines like InStyle, Vogue, Teen Vogue, W Magazine, Marie Claire, Glamour, Elle, Cosmopolitan, Allure and many more sitting on today’s shelves. She is not a copycat in any means, but like many designers and celebrities, she takes their great ideas and fashion sense and makes it her own. This is my interview with Adriana Fontes Lobo.

CC) When did your fashion sense/style become apparent to you and at what age did you start modeling?
AL) My fashion sense was apparent at the age of 16. I knew that I had a passion for fashion and when I looked through magazines like InStyle, Vogue, Teen Vogue, W Magazine, and so many others I would just get a sense of excitement. I looked at the models and said I could easily do that and so I went for it.

CC) If you had to describe your style what would it be?
AL) My style is Classic Punk. With living in Boston, especially in an urban community and being Cape Verdean, many are always surprised that I am not wearing the “typical” urban fashion that young teens are wearing. I like to stand out and do what makes me happy and wear what makes me comfortable.

CC) If people were to make fun of your style or say that you’re trying to hard what would you say?
AL) I first would ignore them. Why do I have to defend who I am or what my style is to anyone? I am not a rock star in anyway but my look can give people the impression that i am. I like to add a modern edge to my outfits by wearing leather jackets or boots. I also like to accessorize with metal pieces, zippers, gauges, and chains. I’m not afraid to mix punk with feminine pieces like skirts and dresses. I defiantly wear lots and lots of black. Are people going to say I am gothic? They might but who cares, black to me is classic and it has become my go to color.

CC) When it comes to fashion, what quote or saying do you live by?
AL) My favorite fashion quote is Yves Saint Laurent’s quote "Fashion fades, style is eternal."

CC) Who is your favorite fashion icon?
AL) My favorite fashion icon today is Agyness Deyn

 CC) When you get up in the morning what is the first thing you think of when you are about to get dressed?
AL) The first thing I think about when I get dressed in the morning is, what’s the weather like today?

CC) What is the worst thing you have ever worn, and when you look back you are like wtf?
AL) Anything with flip flops.

CC) If everyone in the world stopped wearing clothes and birthday suits were the style how would you stand out from the rest?
AL) I would have to say my legs would make me stand out because they are so long.

CC) If you only could take one piece of clothing, or accessory with you on a long trip what would it be?
AL) It would be my combat boots.

CC) Favorite stores to shop at?
AL) My favorite stores to shop at are H&M, Goodwill, and consignment boutiques.

CC) Favorite piece of clothing, shoe, or jewelry?
AL) It would have to be my black leg warmers and my bullet bracelet

CC) What is your least favorite trend this coming spring/summer and your must have item?
AL) A Foxtail keychain

CC) If you could buy something you really wanted what would it be?
AL) I would buy every pair of Dr Martens

CC) You used to have that long hair no care, but now you have that short hair, but i got flare....why the drastic change?
AL) Yes I did have that "long hair don’t care" but I didn’t want to hassle with complicated hairstyles, so  I shaved it off....myself!

CC) How do you keep your skin looking great?
AL) Coco butter products is key for my skin. I never go a day without some.

CC) What is your must have makeup or hair product?
AL) My must have makeup is Mac Eye Shadow Velvet Black Tied and my favorite hair product is Pantene's texture sculpting wax.

CC) What is your must have item when you go out?
AL) I have to have chapstick. You can’t have dry chapped lips.

CC) In order to live a long and healthy fashionable life what do you do to stay in shape?
AL) This is really bad to say but I only do crunches because I love to show off my abs and I am naturally thin.

CC) Many guys must think you are beautiful, what grabs your attention?
AL) The first thing that grabs my attention is a guys’ style.

CC) What would be your dream job if you couldn’t model or act?
AL) It would have to be a zoo keeper because I love animals

CC) What’s your favorite song on your iPod at the moment?
AL) Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way”. That song is amazing and her message I believe is so true. God makes us all in his special way.

Check out this gorgeous young lady that will be ripping runways and standing out in ads very soon.

To contact Adriana Fontes Lobo...

photofene93@aim.com

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