New York Fashion Week used to be all about exclusivity, but recently many events have become open to the public!

Saturday, September 11^th: Joonbug.com will be hosting STYLE360’s kickoff party at Griffin.

ATTENTION SBS Readers: You can actually buy tickets to this cool event DJed by Sam Ronson here:

CLICK: Joonbug.com event The-Griffin-NYC-Fashion-Week-Spring-2011

On Thursday August 26th truly creative, passionate, and talented dancers expressed an array of human emotion through performance at Symphony Space. "Impressions: An Evening of Dance" featured members of the much applauded Complexions Contemporary Ballet. The event included works by YouTube Sensation Chaz Buzan, Amber Perkins from Amber Perkins School of the Arts, as well as many other talented choreographers. Each Impression piece was dedicated to someone the dance community has lost to cancer or who is currently battling the disease. Portions of the proceeds went directly to The American Cancer Society and Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.

A quick glance at a few of the performances...

• Dance was used as communication between body and soul in My Body is a Cage and Brother in Arms, both choreographed by Roni Blak-McGarry.
• A beautiful body, clarity of line, and graciousness of spirit, were seen all three peformances: dancer/choreographer Jason Luks, The Dedication choreographed by Chaz Buzan, and Cold Water choreographed by Joelle Casentino.

• Fire, intellegence, and expression of feeling were seen in Dena'h Gregory– choreographed by TOKYO aka Kevin Inouye.
• Joelle Cosentino and James Kinney displayed shameless curiosity and raw passion in The Fusion.
• The dynamic Souls of the Ship, choreographed by Casey Castellano, created a group movement  to stir the senses and evoke emotions from the audience.
• Innocent first love was well expressed in I'll Be Seeing You and Unravel– both choreographed by Amber Perkins.

Watching these amazing performances reminded me of an eloquent statement by Martha Graham, "Dance is the hidden language of the soul expressed through magnificance of the human body." After an event like this one, I couldn't have said it better myself.

image* www.symphonyspace.org

As soon as Labor Day arrives, I shall part with my white clothing and transition into neutral colors and stock my wardrobe with my beloved Faux Fur. The humidity shall cease, the winds will be picking up, and I know that Fall is approaching. Finally, we can cleanse our closets of zebra stripes and hot pink leopard spot prints and embrace, yet another, PETA-friendly trend... hopefully they'll know the difference and keep the lid on the red paint.

I’m not one to promote real fur, and the fact that faux fur is a cheaper alternative to actual fur, makes it logical to include a few pieces in your closet for autumn. It costs a fraction of what real mink or fox may cost, and it looks fab..

Since the 90’s, faux fur production has improved; now the synthetic material can be dyed, to look more authentic to actual animal fur. If you are the sort to stand out, then flaunt your fauxness. If you're not, but still want a bit of an edge, go for the faux fur that has a subtle color tint, no need to look like a Muppet.

Custo Barcelona has produced a gorgeous and reversible, let me repeat, reversible faux fur coat. Being declared “glamorous on one side, vintage on the other”, available in hunter green or burgundy. In addition to this already fantastic piece, the coat is machine-washable, allowing you to take a break from you dry cleaner. Yet another advantage of faux fur.

Whether it be an entire coat or just a fur trim, the texture of faux fur is a perfect contrast to this season's fall fabrics. Indulge on a timeless piece,consider it an investment. For over a century, fur- as well as faux fur, has been considered  . Thus, with a faux fur accent piece, you save the lives of several furry and save money... I say- Double your pleasure, double the fun.

So I have a confession, I have a girl crush on Alexa Chung, but yet again who doesn't? Since she launched her television show on MTV back in 2009, the way she dressed along with her music taste made me feel as if we were soul sisters. Plus, I was glad that there was a British invasion in the States finally. This past April, I attended an Arctic Monkeys concert. After hours of lounging outside a bar late at night, I heard, "Alexa Chung! Alexa Chung!" As fast as possible I ripped off my dark sunglasses, looked to my left, and BAM. I catch a glimpse of Ms. Chung's lengthy legs. Yes, this is a pathetic story, but in the end I also met Alex (the lucky man who is dating Chung) and Matt from the Arctic Monkeys. That was definitely the best night of my life thus far.

Back to Alexa Chung. She has earned the title of being an "it-girl" with the perfect indie closet of short shorts and wedges to make us fashionistas green with envy. Mulberry has marketed off of Chung's fame coming out with the "Alexa" bag; a cross-body bag in buffalo leather with a golden buckle. Yours for $1,150. Yes, I admit it is a wonderful multi-purpose bag (also coming in various colors), but my goodness the price is a tad too much. Either way it is a wonderful praise towards Alexa for having a bag named after her– for the others that have a Mulberry dedicated to them are of the Royal Family.

Becoming even more fashion oriented as of June 2009, Chung was made a contributing editor of British Vogue and is currently in the works of creating a fashion line with Madewell.The line was inspired by the 60's with short shorts and tea dresses; the skirts are belted, vintage themed leather shoes, and knee-high socks that add a darling flair to many an outfit. This laid-back collection is bound to get the buzz it deserves with affordable prices and simple but "well-made" designs.

image1* www.whatsonxiamen.com

image2* www.netaporter.com

image3* www.refinery29.com

Eat Pray Love! No, I'm not talking about the new movie. But that's exactly what we did Wednesday night at Las Chicas Locas. We ate delicious Mexican cuisine. We prayed that we wouldn't get too full, so we can eat even more. And we absolutely loved it! The restaurant tasting was prepared by 2 Star Michelin Chef Christopher Lee.

The delectable, and quite generous tasting, included almost everything from the menu. We started with warm freshly-made tortilla chips and dips made with choice of Mexican cheese, fresh guacamole, white bean or beef pozole. For the main course we started with carne asada quesadillas and arros frito con frijoies (both meat dishes with fried egg and chile sauces), seasoned vegetables (avocado, pear and cilantro vinaigrette), and grilled prawn skewers. The house specialties included yummy tacos filled with either grilled steak, carnitas with roasted pineapple, or crispy pescado with cole slaw.

My absolute favorites were the whilte bean dip (smoked paprika, extra virgin olive oil, roasted garlic), carnitas with roasted pineapple and cilantro tacos, and churrasco (roasted garlic and sangria chimichurri). And did I mention cocktails? It was quite a pleasant surprise. I had an amazing watermelon margarita, both sweet and salty, and not too heavy on alcohol.

Las Chicas Locas is very casual yet young hip bar and lounge. It charms its guests with a candlelit space, soft couches, and intimate atmosphere– which is perfect for a quite dinner date, meeting few friends for happy hour, or gatherings to celebrate almost any non-formal occasion.

Las Chicas Locas offers breakfast, tapas dinner and high-quality (extremely delicious) tequilas. For dinner, prices for dips and snacks range between $6 and $12.  Prices for house specialties range between $12 and $16.  And prices for desserts?...Priceless! Okay maybe not, but still reasonably priced for no more than $7.

Las Chicas Locas located in the heart of Chelsea, at 160 West 25th Street, New York, NY 10001 (between 6 and 7 avenue). For more information call: 212-337-8301.

WNBA player Cappie Pondexter and partner Lisa Smith-Craig_­ pulled from the hottest of the hot at 4 Season Style Management’s styling presentation at the super stylish Eventi Hotel last Wednesday night.  The combination of  WNBA stars and other key players like model hostess Jessica White and accessory designers Coco & Breezy made the night an eccentric and edgy grouping of all things cool.

The fashion presentation was so cohesive that many members of the press (excluding SBS) were wrong in believing that the pieces were originally designed by the unstoppable duo themselves. Pondexter and Smith-Craig did an excellent job styling the models with a wardrobe selection pulled from a variety of collections including Alexander Wang, Mary-Kate and Ashley’s The ROW and Elizabeth + James. Pondexter and Smith-Craig emphasize the need to consider clothing for the athletically sexy body type of the average female athlete. Pondexter stressed the difficult task to dress these specifics in the high-glam couture she admires.

Smith-Craig, working behind the scenes while still looking awesome, pulled from their favorite top designers of today while maintaining their cohesive sexy, grungy and dark aesthetic evident from the music choice to the models (including the seriously sexy Shaun Ross). After speaking with Pondexter and Smith-Craig, it became excitingly apparent that all this is just the beginning. They hope to design and launch their own line in the future but not before Pondexter plays a little more basketball– and look amazing while doing it! Overall it was a great night and I was pleasantly surprised at the level of sophistication in stylistic choices. Good luck with everything 4 Season Style!

image* Jessica White and Cappie Pondexter www.gettyimages.com

Tuesday night August 10th- What does one expect on a night out in meatpacking? Popular club...check. DJ...check. Throngs of the well dressed...check. Young philanthropists raising $18,000 for cancer research...check mate.

The Cancer Research Institute is a non-profit organization committed to the research and advancement of immunology by top notch medical professionals and Nobel prize laureates. CRI Young Philanthropists are a dazzling group of young professionals dedicated to cancer treatment, control, and prevention through philanthropic giving and volunteer efforts. In an act to fortify the CRI's mission, Young Philanthropists teamed up with swanky co-host Tenjune and put on a very successful 3rd annual Midsummer Social.

With an open bar, delicious cupcake tower, and other tasty treats– 250 guests drank, noshed, danced, and chatted amongst friends all while raising money for a good cause. The prize table (full of goodies for the lucky winners) included:

• Bumble and Bumble product basket
• Arbitrage shirt and tie
• Ralph Lauren throw

• Coach purse
• Weeklong timeshare at a resort in Cabo San Lucas
• Signed sports jersey
• Broadway show tickets
• Style session with celebrity stylist Lauren Rae Levy

All proceeds went directly to CRI to help advance their noble efforts in the fight against cancer. For more information on how to get involved or read up on some of the fantastic strides made by the Cancer Research Institute– please click here.

Yes it is currently August. Yes, Fashion Week starts September 9th. It may be one month away, but in a blink of an eye Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week will hit New York city like a perfectly styled twister.

Fashion Week is an exciting opportunity for designers to showcase their collections on one of the biggest international platforms in the world. Fashion insiders, media outlets, fellow colleagues, and hungry consumers get first glimpses of mouthwatering new looks.

With a change of venue (Lincoln Center), Scene B Seen will be in the trenches of fashion week to cover some of your favorite designers and new up and comers. What are the new trends for Spring 2011? The new must have? Over arching themes? Stay Tuned!

image* www.secondcitystyle.typepad.com

Monday, August 2nd: Both sparkling in gold lamé, the Double Happiness girls pulled off nothing less than the usual glamour that follows them from their home town in San Diego, California. 

Stephanie Wells, jewelry maker and author , and sister, Alisa Rottenberg, Director of Daisy Mae Public Relations, played fab hostesses to a fun and flirty event celebrating Double Happiness Jewelry and The Earring Style Book by Wells.

As I two-stepped it to the 80's / Western music around the room to view the collection and snack on the delicious Carousel Cupcakes, I found the contemporary jewelry to be well-crafted, tastefully designed and full of personality. My favorite piece: a single studded long blue velvet necklace draped with chains, pictured below.

City chic appeared to be the motif of the evening outfitted with cran-vodkas provided by NadaRed Vodka and the girl-glamour décor provided by the Norwood Club. In fact, I was honestly tricked by a stylized faux Warhol painting thinking it was Edie but realized it was only Lindsay Lohan with two black eyes on a hot pink background. From the hairy lamps and oversized plush couches, to the handmade chandelier earrings and turquoise-fragmented rope necklaces, the event was super cohesive and a ton of fun!

*photo 1: Alisa Rottenberg, Ralph Lauren Model- Christopher Collins, and Stephanie Wells

July 24th kicked off the Mercedes-Benz Bridgehampton Polo Classic. For six consecutive Saturdays, the sport's greatest equestrian athletes will compete for coveted prizes and trophies. Many locals, celebrities, and public figures will flock to take a look-see at one of the Hampton's most traditional gatherings. Here is a quick rundown of some of the swanky tents that will be set up throughout the Classic.

Swagg Lounge- Invited guests can enjoy a sneak peek at the Swagg mobile application that allows consumers to purchase, redeem, and/or exchange gift cards. This app will be formally introduced to the public during the holiday season. Reality stars Khourtney Kardashian, Bethenny Frankel, Jill and Bobby Zarin, Countess LuAnn de Lesseps, Kelly Killoren Bensimon, Ramona Singer, as well as Dina and Carline Manzo, were seen perusing the lounge. Also spotted in the tent, NBA all-star Chris Bosh.

Ralph Lauren- The official retailer has an on site shop with fragrances and apparel readily available for purchase. Ralph Lauren sponsors the Black Watch Polo team who is participating in this year's match. Guests can also enter to win a personal polo lesson with athlete and model Nacho Figueras.

A portion of the proceeds from the six week event will go to the South Fork Breast Cancer Coalition.

Scheduled games are from 4:00-6:00pm every Saturday until August 28th.
For a more info click here

image 1* guestofaguest.com