LAFW

What is LAFW?  Los Angeles Fashion Week .

So this past Saturday I attended a fashion show at Ace Gallery with a friend Tehelah Lisett, a fellow fashion lover.  It was my first time going to a fashion show I wasn't working in, showing in or associated with.  I felt kind of weird at first as I wondered the crowded white halls of Ace Gallery, while I waited to meet up with Telelah.  I never actually have a chance to take in the sites and energy of a fashion show/ event before.  I felt like I had a serious staring problem! (lol)  I was seriously lost in a sea of fashion.  Lots of hits and misses in style all around me.  Every time I saw an accessory or shoes I liked I wanted to say, "Love those", like I actually do when I'm out and about.  Only this time, there were to many all around me, I felt like I was in that scene from A Night At The Roxbury, where the dude is surround by good looking girls and he's trying to hit on all of them..."What's up.....What's up...what's up...what's up, what's up, what's up"

As a designer, I've been asked why would I attend another designer's fashion show.  Why not?  The energy is amazing, why not be surrounded by other people who love fashion as much as you do.  Plus, I do have friends who are fashion designer's themselves and love to attend their shows.

Where's Waldo?  (pic via remyfox)

Jen Awad Fashion Show

One of my favorite parts of attending LAFW events is catching up with friends and fellow bloggers.

Laurie B and I

Well...tomorrow is my big night for LAFW.  My Spring/ Summer 2012 collection will hit the runway with dance and color.  I look forward to seeing many of you there! And let's hope I don't fall when I walk the runway.  Yes! I dread this at EVERY show! 

Details for Melissa Velia at Project Ethos, LAFW! CLICK HERE

Xoxo Loves!

See you in Vegas!

Upcoming in my world, Las Vegas Fashion Show!!!  I still can't believe this is all happening.  Totally out of the blue and completely blessed. My biggest thank you goes out to Milka Von Rhedey, Founder and CEO of Fashion Week Las Vegas, LLC for this amazing opportunity.

My runway show will be covered in color and gold.  From both my labels M.Velia and Melissa Velia to new spring accessories exclusively from my slowly expanding accessory line.  Plus my show will open with a little surprise! I'm really hoping to video blog this whole experience but I'm having a little trouble with my new camera.  Hopefully I'll have it up soon, so stay tuned!!

CLICK HERE for all the fashion show details!  See you in Vegas!!!!

One more thank you, to my family and friends for always supporting this little girls dream who grew up to dream even bigger! Love you!

Oh Shoot!

"Oh shoot, I'm sick!"

Good Lord, what a weekend.  Who would of known that I'd be super sick this whole weekend.  And I'm not just talking little cold.  I had a full on fever, earache and all!  It was so not pretty but once again in my world....the show must go on and so it did.

"Beauty Is" contest winner, Alyssa

Can you tell I felt like crap?!  Ummm..yes.  Anyways, so I shot part 1 of my Spring/ Summer 2012 look book on Sunday.  Although I was sick, I still had a good time with the girls.  There's something about hanging out with women of all ages, on a project, under pressure and jokes all around.  Couldn't have done it without them.  And if your wondering why I'm doing Alyssa's make-up up top, it's because I am the "jack of all trades, master of a few".  Yes, I was designer, make-up artist, hair stylist and photographer.  I know your wondering why I do it all? That's because, honey.... I can't pay for it all.  So I take the skills I've got and run with them.  Here are the behind the scenes and sneak peek at my S/S 2012 look book.

This lovely make-up case was gifted to me from SOHO Beauty. It totally fit all my make-up and accessories perfectly.

(pics from the day before)

The sweetest gals.

Good times!

Spring/ Summer 2012 Look Book Preview

How hot are those heels?  Well, they could be yours!  These lovely heels will go to one lucky size 8 gal who enters the "Sole Society Giveaway", which starts Christmas day.  So be on the look out for my post "My Sole Mate"

Till the next post, Darlins!  Merry Christmas!

It's All New

Hello Darlins!

I've been quit busy these past couple of weeks, therefore neglecting my poor little blog.  So much is happening in my world right now, it's hard to keep up with everything.  The past two weeks I've been working on Spring 2012 that I will not be sharing till the end of this year.  Since I'm not doing a fashion show this October, I decided not to show and tell till the Spring photo shoot.  The photo shoot that some lucky gal will be featured in from the "Beauty Is" Contest.

I've also been working on some accessories, that I couldn't help but launch a bit early.  The official launch and full collection of my accessory line will not be coming out till Spring 2012.  Which will included, earrings, necklaces, bracelets, rings, hair pieces and belts.  AND maybe, all be doing some handbags too.  Lord only knows.

Really didn't want to be model but I just had to show you how awesome these babies are.  Every time I wear them out, ladies stop and ask me where I got them. What do I say? MelissaVelia. (hehe)  No, I don't tell that it's me.

Also new to my label is my gift collection, which I decided to do out of the blue and has become a hit with fashion students and office fashionista alike.

Clients will be able to shop all of the above and more in person this Friday at EmergeLA.  I'm really looking forward to this event, love the music, love art and of course fashion.

I'll be giving away a pair of my new earrings plus 40% off coupons to a select few, so I hope to see some of you there.

My plate is pretty full next month, so much so I had to miss a cologne junket where I could've interviewed Paul Walker! Yeah my kids come first, had a parent meeting that night.  Also next month, Project Ethos, a friends fashion show, LAFW, son's 4th birthday, son's field trip, church function, and of course more designing (Spring 2012 & Fall 2012).

Am I BCBG, Busy Crazy Blessed Gal. (I know, I'm a nerd)

Beautiful Mission

So if you haven't read it yet or seen the BEAUTY IS contest.
I am currently hosting a little contest for my Spring 2012 Collection Campaign called "Beauty Is Contest".  The contest goes as follows:

  ::HOW TO ENTER::
 Email your photo to m.velia@melissavelia.com or upload it on to our FaceBook Page at www.facebook.com/DesignerMelissaVelia, include your name & a sentence that begins with "Beauty is..." describing what beauty is to you. All images will be uploaded to our "Beauty Is Contest" album on our Facebook page. *You must be between the ages of 18 and 35 to enter. Any size, any height, any race. For beauty is truly with-in. *No professional or provocative photos please, they will not be accepted. *Ladies only. All photos must be in by September 14th.
Contest starts September 15th and will end promptly on October 15th.

::HOW TO WIN::
 In order to win, you must have the must "like"s (votes) under your picture on our Facebook page.
In order to vote or to get votes, it's as easy as 1,2,3.
1. "Like" our fan page www.facebook.com/DesignerMelissaVelia (this is required to vote)
2. "Like" the photo of the person you'd like to vote for. (feel free to vote for yourself too).
3. Spread the word! Don't be Shy! Share! Ask friends and family to vote for you. (remember you can use the @symbol in front of DesignerMelissaVelia to share our page)

::WHAT YOU WIN::
 First place WINNER will receive a full make-over on the day of the shoot. A complete photo shoot, PLUS one of your photos in our Spring 2012 Ad Campaign. Second place winner, will receive a lovely piece from the Spring 2012 collection! Winners will be announced on October 17th on our website & our Facebook page.

My purpose or mission behind this contest is to really show the world that beauty is not necessarily model material. A size 0-2, taller then 5'9", smooth skin and a slick figure.  As you might have already noticed, the models that represent my collections are mostly a size 4 with curves.  Please don't get me wrong, I've worked with some beautiful models that were a size 0-2 and very thin. I'm just trying to say that they are not the ONLY ones who should be defined as beauty and fashion.  Especially fashion!  For fashion is beauty in itself.  Sometimes, a piece of clothing can make a woman feel more beautiful then any super model.  For some women it's their wedding dress, for others it's their maternity tunic, other's it's a designer top and for some...it's a piece of clothing, period. 

I'm truly looking forward to seeing who wins this contest and showing you all, what "Beauty Is".  If you would like to enter, there's still time.  After September 14th, the contest's doors close and voting begins.  And if you don't enter, I hope you take the time to vote at least.

Have a fabulous week, lovelies!