Craig Green Fall 2016 Menswear

Nothing lasts forever, especially clothing, something that Craig Green addressed for Fall 2016. The pieces that are seemingly held together with grommets and laces imply evidence of temporary fashion. They can be torn away. Removed. In contrast, the opening look and others like, appear to serve as armor. Strapped in for protection. Thoughts and ideas are the foundation of creativity and I love when fashion embraces the concept. Thank you Craig Green!

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CHRISTOPHER KANE Pre-Fall 2016

I've been a Christopher Kane fan for a while. [Love his menswear too!] For pre-fall 2016 he has produced such an elegant collection. Kane has a modern sensibility and approach to fashion design, using neon, edgy elements, embellishments and graphics paired with classic silhouettes. Ruffles, sequins, wicked talent and [Kering resources] make Christopher Kane pre-fall very very desirable.

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Jason Derulo + Daphne Joy Bring the BLING to the People's Choice Awards

Couple Wears A Million Dollars Worth of Diamonds to The People's Choice Awards

All eyes were on Jason Derulo and model, Daphne Joy, as they made their first public appearance as a couple, at the 42nd People's Choice Awards.

The two polarized the carpet, captivating all with their iced out, designer looks. Derulo in a black, tailored suit and Joy, in a white, floor-length Willfredo Gerardo gown and both were draped in diamonds.

Jason had his jeweler, Gabe Jacobs of Rafaello & Co., fly in from NYC just to bring him his custom bling.

The "Get Ugly" singer, wore a rose yellow gold, Rolex Sky-Dweller covered in diamonds accompanied by a diamond nail bracelet (valued at $350,000), but it was his Shredz model girlfriend that stole the show. Daphne wore five (5) white gold diamond tennis bracelets, a pair of 4 carat diamond studs and three (3) diamond rings (valued at $600,000). How's that for looking like a million bucks?

Rafaello & Co. is the largest private jewelry store in the heart of New York City's, Diamond District. They are known as "the jewelers to the stars" and their clientele includes everyone from Alicia Keys, Kate Upton, Khloe Kardashian, Swizz Beatz, Rihanna and JayZ. They are also the official jewelers to Roc Nation and create custom pendants for all of their athletes and artists. Led by Gabriel Jacobs, Rafaello's team of jewelers consistently raise the bar when it comes to custom design, luxury jewelry and quality diamonds.

(Center photo above) Jason Derulo, Daphne Joy with jeweler Gabe Jacob.

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ROCHAS Pre-Fall 2016

Rochas is all about giving women modern attitude for Pre-Fall 2016. Creative director Alessandro Dell'Acqua took a relaxed approach without compromising the fine tailoring and "feel" of couture that the label is known for. There was a masculine cut to some of the pieces, especially coats, but always balanced with something very sumptuous and/or feminine. From day looks to evening wear, relaxed or not, the collection has an overall elegance which makes it so very appealing.

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KICK OFF THE NEW YEAR RIGHT WITH THE PERFECT GENTLEMAN LIVE

*This event has been cancelled!*

Men everywhere can cross one off their resolution list with The Perfect Gentleman LIVE, the U.K.’s highly acclaimed master class series, that will give them a chance to gain the gentleman's advantage in romance, business and life. Taught by leading lifestyle experts, this two-day comprehensive series of interactive seminars is guaranteed to empower and encourage them to be gentlemen in their daily lives. The Perfect Gentleman is kicking off their master class series tour in Atlanta on January 23rd, 2016. As people are starting to think about their New Year’s resolutions, we thought this would be a great fit for those thinking about brushing up on their style, grooming skills, or looking to impress that special someone with fun interactive workshops and events. The founder Zach Falconer-Garfield is known for giving great fashion tips and tricks to men all around the world.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit http://www.theperfectgentleman.tv.

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Top 10 Adventure Travel Trends for 2016

Top 2016 Adventure Travel Trends & Tips From Exodus Travels

Forecasts peg the jungles of India, Cecil the lion’s legacy, advice for workaholics & more... Exodus Travels is poised to lead the way into a new era of travel that is quickly becoming defined by an adventurous spirit, a search for locals-only experiences and a willingness to brave the unexplored. With 42 years of experience and tours in over 100 destinations around the globe, Exodus’ globetrotting experts always have their fingers on the pulse of what’s next.

From country comebacks to blockbuster jet-setting, here are Exodus’ top 10 adventure travel trends & tips for 2016:

1. The Cecil Effect - African Conservation Safaris

Last year’s global outcry over the killing of Cecil the lion has put the fate of wildlife tourism under the microscope. Exodus anticipates Botswana will see a rise in bookings, with safari-seekers choosing to spend their tourism dollars in this southern African country, which has made a serious commitment to wildlife and environmental preservation. If a chance to spot the Big 5 wasn’t reason enough to go, Botswana celebrates 50 years of Independence in 2016.

2. Jet-Setting – The Jungle Book

From Indiana Jones to the Hobbit, the biggest Hollywood hits always motivate travelers to jet-set to exotic new locales. India’s jungles and animals will steal the show in 2016 with the release of a new adaption of Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book. With a star-studded cast of Bill Murray, Idris Elba, Scarlett Johansson, Christopher Walken and Lupita Nyong’o, India’s tiger and safari parks are destined to be one of the year’s travel blockbusters.

3. Unveiling The Treasures Of Iran

With Mahmoud Ahmadinejad out of the political picture and travel sanctions lifted in 2015, Iran has recaptured the attention of globetrotters who’ve been waiting to tick it off their bucket list. The world’s finest Persian architecture and historic sites, bustling bazaars, artistic masterpieces, mind-blowing cuisine and hospitality steeped in ancient traditions promise an extraordinary adventure.

4. Extreme Wellness Holidays – Not For Wimps

Forget about yoga, spa and wellness retreats, 2016’s travellers are asking for rigorous, physically demanding and mentally challenging adventures that focus on extreme biking and trekking. Exodus has seen a huge spike in bookings that take the ‘wellness concept’ to a whole new level with full force adrenaline expeditions, such as biking in remote Madagascar and the Alpine Cols of the Tour de France or climbing volcanoes’ in Indonesia and the Three Peaks of Ladakh.

5. Time Off For Travel = ROI

Workaholics, listen up. Studies show that employees who regularly take overseas vacations are more energized, creative and ultimately more productive in the workplace. Some companies, like LinkedIn, are even offering unlimited vacation policies as a way of encouraging its passport-ready staff to seek new challenges, find inspiration and reduce burnout.

6. Cuba Calling

In 1961, the U.S. severed its relationship with Cuba and pursued a covert operation to overthrow the Castro regime. Fast forward 54 years later and the two nations have agreed to normalize ties. Remember there’s more to this Caribbean archipelago than palm fringed beaches, colonial architecture, classic cars, and mojitos. In 2016, Exodus draws the curtain back with new experiences like staying with local families, Hemingway haunts, the limestone karsts of Vinales Valley and caves linked to the 1962 Missile Crisis.

7. Eastern Europe’s Road Less Traveled

Europe buffs are moving further east to uncover a welcome refuge from the well-trodden paths of Italy, France, Croatia and Switzerland and to immerse themselves in a collision of ‘east meets west’ cultures. Cycle through Romania’s rolling hills, gaze wide-eyed at Bosnian architecture or test the waters in Slovenia with a week of whitewater rafting, canyoning and mountain biking on the banks of the Soca River.

8. Rise of the FST (Female Solo Traveler)

Women travelers have tipped the tourism scales in the last couple years and Exodus saw a huge 40% increase in their number of female solo travelers in 2015, a trend that is gaining momentum in 2016 because of social media and the added safety provided by experiential group travel. P.S. Exodus’ solo tours do not have a single supplement and upgrades to private rooms are available for as little as $20 a night.

9. Self-Guided + Stress-Free

With so much to absorb whilst seeing the world, it’s sometimes best to take it all at your own stride. Independent travelers can now have it all: the seamlessness of an organized tour combined with the privacy, freedom and flexibility of a self-guided trip. Set your own agenda while someone else worries about the bag transfers, where to sleep and the always important 24/7 support. Exodus has seen a spike in bookings that combine the carefree ease of guided group travel with the independence of going it alone.

10. Winter Travel

As mercury levels drop and the snow starts falling, travelers are opting out of fly and flop beach vacations and, instead, taking advantage of the smaller crowds, cheaper rates and unique thrill-seeking activities, like snowshoeing, northern lights, ski touring and dogsledding, that the winter season offers.

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Happy New Year 2016!

I have a pretty optimistic approach to life. Always have. That feeling is always magnified this time of year. "Letting Go" will be my mantra in 2016. I've been embracing the concept for a long while but after turning fifty last November, I decided it's time to put into practice the act of letting go. It's a mindset, that's all.

 This is not a New Year's resolution nor is it meant to foster negativity. Instead, it's all about personal happiness, fulfillment and quality of life. Sure, there will always be some level of stress surrounding us, i.e. work, traffic... but we are the architects of our lives and we're in control of how much influence others have on it. We often try to make others "happy" at the expense of our's. It's OKAY to say "NO."

So I've just shared something personal. But it is something that is within my reach and will make me a happier, better person. What will make you happy? How will you attain it? Make. It. Happen.

[Professionally] I've been laying the groundwork for exciting projects and events in 2016. Expect more content on fashionado this year in fashion, music, art and personal opinion. I'm loving my job as an adjunct professor in fashion at the Art Institute of Atlanta and I'm eager to see where this takes me - for sure NYFW and Charleston Fashion Week! And finally, but certainly not least, Doggies on the Catwalk 2016! Last year's event set the tone with our upscale move to The Shops Buckhead and this year's event, slated for early June, promises to be even more fabulous!

I wish everyone a very happy, healthy and loving new year!

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