Belle Parish Runway Show

Denise Richards escorts a young model

When Fashion Week rolls around, the focus is on the latest looks for woman's ready-to-wear. It would be easy for a line of children's clothing to take a backseat to the adult's and become an after-thought. Belle Parish overcame the hectic noise of Fashion Week and become a memorable, fun show that had a little for everyone at the Elle Style360 series.

I know from having my own daughter that finding stylish, unique, age-appropriate classic clothing can be difficult. Ali Landry, former Miss USA, model and actress discovered this same problem after having her own daughter. Along with like-minded friend and partner, Annie Kate Pons, the two Southerners set out to start the Belle Parish line.

Ali Landry

So just how do you go about having a runway show when the models are from infants to five or six years old? Their solution was to recruit other mothers (and one father) to escort the little girls up and down the runway. Notable escorts included Ali Landry herself, Denise Richards and Alex McCord. Kids being kids, there were fun moments as the models strayed a bit from the usual catwalk routine; an occasional stop along the way, a little coercion, kisses blown to Mom and even a young sleeping model couldn't stop the show from being an enjoyable success. 

The Southern-inspired outfits were lovely, practical and well above what parent's would find in the typical homogenized big-box stores. The Belle Parish website can be found at www.belleparish.com

Alex McCord

Ali and Annie have done such a wonderful job with the Belle Parish line for little ladies, perhaps they will become inspired to fill the even deeper sartorial void that exists for little boys. We can only hope.

These two stole the show as they sashayed down the runway to the soundtrack from Annie. 

To see the slideshow of the entire line plus a few bonus images, visit my Belle Parish Gallery

NY Fashion Week: Random Images, The Final Act

I admit it, it's far easier to just post images than write. Perhaps I've been a bit lazy for the last week while recovering from NYFW. On the other hand, I got some interesting shots throughout the week, some good... others just a little odd. I'll be back to writing shortly enough and have a lot of material to work with. In the interim, here's the final take on NYFW random images. Enjoy!

Public Relations professional Sabrina Chapman and designer Sally Wu moments before the beginning of the Sally Wu's Act 1 runway show.

Getting prepared backstage.

Founder of Secret's Of The Modeling World (somw.org), Rogelio Castillo at the SOMW cocktail party, celebrating the end of a busy NYFW.

The beautiful Zhanna Ved who was featured in the December 5, 2009 issue of the NYS.

A farewell to Bryant Park. The long-time venue with its sprawling tents bid adieu as this was the final season. In September, the Spring show will be held at Lincoln Center (home of the NYC Ballet, Opera, Philharmonic, etc.) so as to have more space. Due to the size and time constraints of the tents there has been a steady increase in recent years of shows held elsewhere. Time will tell if the move is worth it. In the interim, Bryant Park will be missed.

NY Fashion Week: Random Images, Act III

The question is... can you pick which one is my favorite of this group?

NY Fashion Week ~ Random Images, Act II

If you enjoy people-watching, Fashion Week is one-stop shopping. Fashionista's, at least self-proclaimed ones flock to the shows. This is in large part, the fashion industry crowd. Media, journalists, designers, buyers and yes, bloggers. As for their look- some are great, others... not so much. One moment your filled with hope as you see someone so well put together and the next your shaking your head wondering, "Did they really think that looked good when they went out this morning?". These are, after-all, the movers and shakers of the fashion world. Often bold, rarely dull. Enjoy!

NY Fashion Week~ Random Images, Act I

What a busy week its been! Running like a mad-man from one event to the next trying not to miss anything (of which I wasn't always successful), I have some wonderful stories to share. Since I don't have an editor pushing me for deadline, I have a number of images that don't fit into my stories but shouldn't go to waste. Some of the sights of NYFW, Act I:

For Love & Lemons Runway Show

Gillian Mahin and Laura Hall of For Love & Lemons made their New York Fashion Week debut today. Their collection of leggings and bodysuits were edgy and original while their dresses, cardi's, cami's, tanks and wraps were impressive, sexy, wearable and illustrated tremendous potential for this design duo from L.A.. I'm looking forward to an expanded line and future shows to see their progress.

Here are a few images from their show. Their entire collection can be viewed at www.forloveandlemons.com.