FFAWN

Designer Catherine Malandrino has been quietly supporting a myriad of local and national charities from both a personal and corporate perspective, some of which are:

Adelphi NY Statewide Breast Cancer Hotline and Support Program

Africa Foundation

American Cancer Society/ French Cancer Society

Amaryllis Farm Equine Rescue & Sanctuary

Art of Elysium

A Time for Peace

Cancer 101

Chelsea Art Museum

City of Hope

DIFFA

Eric Trump Foundation

Hearts of Gold

Heather on Earth

New York Junior League

New Yorkers for Children

Ovarian Cancer Research Fund

Parrish Art Museum

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

Southampton Hospital Foundation

Stray from the Heart

UJA-Federation

United Jewish Community / Jewish Federation of Las Vegas

W Girls NYC

Though she has given attention to all those charities and foundations requesting her personal or corporate involvement, and will continue to do so, Catherine has never felt 100% profoundly committed. That was until her very great friend, the R&B soul singer Mary J. Blige, spoke to her of the foundation she was working on along with her business partner Steve Stout: FFAWN.

The Foundation For the Advancement of Women Now! has been formed by Mary J. Blige to inspire women from all walks of life to gain the confidence and skills they need to reach their individual potential. The foundation's key words are EMPOWERMENT - ENCOURAGEMENT - EDUCATION, words that fit very well into the world of Catherine Malandrino.

Through the Malandrino high-end collection and her eponymous contemporary label Catherine Malandrino, Catherine uses as codes the idea of empowering women through her fashions to have confidence in the sensual nature of their femininity encouraging them to follow the strengths of their heart in going through life passionately.

This new found symbiotic relationship with FFAWN has Catherine Malandrino fully dedicated to their cause of women empowerment. Beginning with her joining its board of directors with other dynamic personalities such as Jada Pinkett-Smith and Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter to creating the visual identity of FFAWN with a uniquely designed logo, she will be fully involved in the expansion of this inspiring organization. And beginning with the Fall/Winter 2010 New York Fashion Week in February, a roll-out of collaborations with FFAWN will occur.

For more information, please visit the official FFAWN website at www.FFAWN.org.

Spring Forecast: Fresh, Wearable, On Trend - Levi’s(R)

If you passed by 18 Wooster St. in New York last Thursday, you might have caught a glimpse of the future – as envisioned by the Levi's® brand design team.

The brand took over the Levi's® Photography Workshop for the night to host its spring 2011 press preview. On hand were invited editors, bloggers and stylists – 350 in all – to see first what'll soon be seen in stores and, of course, on the streets around the world.

This wasn't your father's fashion preview.

Rather than using a runway, the event showcased the new, key men's and women's spring looks with live models – six male and six female – in a static presentation.

In other words, the models stood around in great Levi's® product, looking both cool and hot at the same time.

It's harder than it looks, I think.

Three models wearing Levi's® Curve ID jeans were also part of the preview. Plus the fashionistas got their first taste of Levi's® new Water<Less collection, which arrives in stores in January.

British rockers, The Duke Spirit, played what was described as a powerful and energetic set for the guests. They even introduced a brand-new song, Procession, available for free download here.

Okay. Not quite free. It'll cost you your email address.

Bloggers were all over the preview in posts that followed the event. Here are a couple of my favorites:

Denim Hunt: "Levi's does a phenomenal job of reminding people of their workwear heritage. With that said, you have to give credit to the design team for honoring their past, but always looking ahead and being progressive."

Denim Blog's Renee Sykes: "Overall, the new line was fresh, wearable, and right on trend for spring. The space was beautiful, and Levi's threw a fantastic party. Two thumbs up for the iconic denim brand!"

And what's a fashion blog post without...pics??? Enjoy.

Just added - Sephora!

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