Pratt 2012 Fashion Show & Fern Mallis Tribute

On April 26, Pratt Institute's 2012 Student Fashion Show was held at Center548 in Chelsea. 

The night began with a video tribute to fashion luminary, Fern Mallis, the 2012 Pratt Fashion Show lifetime achievement award honoree. The tribute captured the thoughts of many prominent designers on Mallis' career, her deep impact on the fashion industry, and their hopes for her future endeavors. Designer Jeffery Banks felt the award was more aptly titled a "half-life achievement award" because he wouldn't dare encourage any thoughts of retirement. "There is so much more that we are going to see from Fern," said Banks. "There's so many worlds that she hasn't explored yet." 

honoree Fern Mallis, Calvin Klein, and fashion show guests enjoying the show

The iconic Calvin Klein presented the lifetime achievement award. While Mallis undoubtedly shone in an attention getting red midi-dress that evening, she was by no means the only star of the night. The lights went down and models began strutting down an X-shaped runway; the audience was then privy to inspiring collections from 17 of Pratt's most talented graduating seniors- the future class of fashion. After the showcase, the night culminated with a cocktail reception at the Dream Hotel where guests had a chance to mingle with the young designers and Mallis.

Me, Fern Mallis, blogger Keily Hernandez, and O Magazine editor Abbe Wright

You can see all of the looks presented at Pratt's Annual Student Fashion show here.

What do you think of the looks pictured above??? Do you have any favorite pieces? What is the craziest thing you are willing to wear in public? Leave your comments below.


xX Helene

H&M 20% coupon... time to go shopping!!!

H&M seems to have so much lust-worthy stuff lately... maybe enough to break the budget. Thankfully, I found a coupon so you won't deplete your savings account on a shopping binge. Until April 22, there is a printable 20 percent off coupon valid for any item in H&M stores. I don't believe you have to actually print the coupon out- whenever I use coupons at H&M, I simply show them on my iPhone. You might also want to checkout this post about student discounts. 

Are there any pieces from H&M that you're drooling over? 

xX Helene

How to Get your Hair Done for Free or Really Cheap at an Upscale Salon

Model/singer/dj Solange Knowles' career received a major boost when she cut off her relaxed hair and went natural

Brooklynite, Nicole Tommasini, recently asked where she could get a haircut in NYC without the ridiculously expensive price-tag. I suggested she peruse the craigslist beauty services section for FREE or low cost salon training classes by students. "I'm too psycho about my hair to have a student do it" gushed Nicole. 

I laughed at Nicole’s response, but knew it echoed the sentiment of a society that places tremendous value on our hair. Hair as beauty. Hair as self-expression. Hair as accessory. Hair as political statement. Hair as safety net. Hair as man attracter (or repeller). Hair as art. The list goes on and on. 


While the right hairdo can work wonders, a bad haircut can spell disaster for your social life, self-image, and even your professional career. No wonder so many women don't trust students to do something so important as their hair! They believe students are inexperienced people who just started learning a skill… and that is pretty accurate for many hair salons and beauty schools. 


However, at top notch salons students are often people who have been doing hair for years, and now are at the culmination of a mastery level class. These stylists are the PhD's of the hair dressing world; your haircut is essentially their chance to defend their dissertation. That said, there is only a minuscule chance they will f*ck it up.

Most people leave the salon feeling like a rock-star. Bostonian, Chrissy Carroll said “I’ve never walked out from a free appointment unhappy!” She often gets free hair coloring and cuts at salon training classes listed on Craigslist. "I've gotten to go to super ritzy salons with well trained stylists that have worked in other places but are learning the new salon's methods” said Chrissy.

How to get your hair done at an upscale salon for FREE or really cheap:

1. Visit Craigslist.org for your city or town
2. Click on the Beauty Services section (as I have marked in red in the picture above)
3. Keyword search what you are looking for. Some common keywords to look for are
• hair model                                      
• free haircut
• hair color model
• free blowout
• training class
• free hair color
4. Email or call to set-up your appointment. 
5. Keep in mind that stylists are looking to do the exact thing that is specified in the post. If it says they are looking to for someone for a pixie cut, don’t expect to come in for face-framing layers. 
6. Follow whatever instructions they give you. Certain salons require you come in for a consultation beforehand, others will want you to send a picture or description of your current hair. 
7. Be on time. Reliability helps when you want to be added to the salon's mailing list and invited back. 
8. Thank your stylist and tip if the salon allows it. Some don't allow the stylists to take any money whatsoever.
9. Enjoy your posh, new hairdo!

Where do you get your hair done? Or do you do-it-yourself? Let me know if you find anything as a result of this post. Leave your comments below.


xX Helene