The Fashion Institute of Technology – Class of 2012

Clad in smiles more sparkly than their 5 inch stilettos and bejeweled graduation caps, the Fashion Institute of Technology Class of 2012, proudly (and fabulously) received their hard-earned degrees at Manhattan’s Jacob Javits Center North building on Tuesday, May 22^nd. Bringing together friends, family members, and iconic fashion industry professionals, it was inspirational,informative and filled with whole-hearted humor.

Over 4,000 graduates gathered to celebrate the culmination of four plus years of rigorous fashion industry training, which includes not only in-depth fashion-related curriculum, but also a full-breadth of liberal arts coursework. Suffice it to say, the Fashion Institute of Technology develops not only its students’ creative skills, but also their business savvy: essential traits for any individual entering the competitive fashion world. As Honorary Degree recipient Carolina Herrera (named “Fashion’s First Lady” by FIT’s President Dr. Joyce F. Brown) stated, the “fashion industry [is] not just glamorous, it’s difficult and hard work.”

The students themselves can tell you from experience that this is the case. In addition to 18 units of coursework, many students juggled internships and employment. The institute encourages students to find what truly inspires them, nurturing their interests through a vast array of degree options. These range from broad majors such as Fine Art to more specific focuses like Cosmetic and Fragrance Marketing and Home Products Development. In total 45 majors and 5 schools make up the Fashion Institute of Technology. During the second ceremony (held at 3:30 PM) founder and CEO of Smart Design, Davin Stowell, addressed the importance of this variety, endorsing the development of universal products and purposeful design. Passion, creativity, a shared core curriculum, and the endurance for “organized chaos” (as put by the President of the FIT Student Association, Samantha Ann Kloeckener) unite these future leaders of the fashion industry.

Addressing the students during the 10:30 AM ceremony, FIT graduate and Founder/Executive Chairman of Bare Escentuals Leslie A. Blodgett exemplified the type of tenacious individual that emerges from the Fashion Institute of Technology. Blodgett spoke about the importance of passion and perseverance and the dedication that led her to success. From a very young age, Blodgett was drawn to make-up and fashion. When she was denied acceptance to FIT, due to a lack of cosmetic industry experience, she sought employment at Bloomingdale’s where she worked in cosmetic commission-based sales. Ultimately, she got into FIT’s Cosmetics and Fragrance Marketing Program and went on to found Bare Escentuals, which distributes the award-winning skincare line bareMinerals. In 2006 and 2009, Blodgett was honored by Cosmetic Executive Women for her work and achievement in the industry.

The FIT class of 2012 understands what it means to be (as Leslie A. Blodgett put it) “crazy excited” about what you do. In these challenging economic times passion and perseverance are key. Today, more than 4,000 students took their first step into the real world of fashion, joining the company of such distinguished fashion industry leaders and FIT alumni as Nina Garcia, Michael Kors and Calvin Klein. Samantha Ann Kloeckener, President of the FIT Student Association, closed her remarks heartening her peers not to be just “somebody …[she] used to know,” but to commit to the unique creative visions that make them such an asset to the world of fashion.­– Dale Padelford & Giana DeYoung

Photography by: Jerry Speier (Courtesy of the Fashion Institute of Technology)

(Source: zinkmagazine.com)

UPGRADE BELOW THE BELT: Jake Joseph’s Trouser Boxer Makes the Brief Man Take a Second Look

Men’s underwear aficionado Jake Joseph has given the traditional cotton boxer a much-needed makeover. Joseph’s trouser boxers — made entirely of men’s cotton shirting that grows softer and better with every wash — are upgraded with two snap button closures, a seamless rear and side venting to reduce the bunching that normally occurs when worn under jeans or fitted pants. “I wanted to create underwear that lasts and is constructed with the same attention to detail given to outerwear,” Joseph said.

Born and raised in Houston, Texas, Joseph later moved to Austin where he graduated from the University of Texas. Joseph combines his business savvy background with a hands-on design approach in developing the look and detailing of his underwear. His fine quality skivvies have captured the attention of high-end stores. The Jake Joseph collection is currently offered through luxury retailers such as Neiman Marcus and the Ritz-Carlton Spa, as well as trendy California hotspots: Fred Segal and American Rag Cie, among others. Available in classic colors, pinstripes and ginghams, Jake Joseph trouser boxers are a great addition to your underwear drawer and the perfect gift for Father’s Day! View styles, stockists and shop online at: www.JakeJosephCo.com. — Rashad Webb

 CUCKOO FOR CUCU: ARTIST CUCU DIAMANTES’ BIG SCREEN REVEAL

Photographed by MARK SELIGER Styled by LISA JARVIS and OMAR ALEXANDER

“For eleven days, I only slept three hours, but the adrenaline of love, of passion, of doing something that really fulfills you and gives you a purpose [was worth it],” says Cuban singer CuCu Diamantes of her new film Amor Crónico.

A self-proclaimed student in the class of “Life,” Diamantes is no stranger to the spotlight. She cofounded the Grammy-nominated Latin outfit Yerba Buena before releasing her solo album Cuculand (also Grammy nominated) in 2009. Today she is the star and focus of a movie that’s as much as a love story as it is a biography. Amor Crónico, which first debuted at this year’s South by Southwest festival in Austin, follows Diamantes and her return to her Cuban roots after living in New York City for 20 years.

Diamantes curious excitement, on-screen and off, is as contagious as it is awe-inspiring. A free spirit who lets life take its course, she’s an artist in the true sense of the word. But unlike most bound for greatness, she refuses to take any of the credit. “This movie was a total collaboration,” she says. Diamantes attributes the movie’s success to the crew’s ability to work as a team. But her glowing reviews don’t stop there. Of producer Sarah Green (well known for films such as Frida and The Tree Of Life), she says, “She is a very special woman and one of the smartest women I have ever met.”

Teamwork and support are two things Diamantes takes very seriously. Although she’d be hesitant to describe herself as a feminist, she sees beauty in women working together. “I love to meet women who support women.”

For Diamantes, Amor Crónico marks a new beginning — a new solo album is in the works and the film world is calling. As for reuniting Yerba Buena, it’s safe to say the door isn’t closed, but she’s not banking on a comeback tour just yet. “They are on their own path, and we understand that. I think when the right time comes, we can do it.”

In the meantime, Diamantes knows what’s truly important when all is said and done: “Love, love, love is the most important thing to have, because everything else you work for.” — Stephanie Laichi

(Source: zinkmagazine.com)

THINK Z!NK! Special Thanks to

Agnieszka Chabros

Andrew Kruse

Tiziano Manzoni - FOTOTM

Elena Jasic

Manny Roman

AmaZ!NK work!

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MIND OVER BATTER: Jane Bernard’s Intuitive Guide to Eating

I started writing about intuition to re-connect with passion because somehow it slipped off my radar during turbulent living. Passion feels like freedom and I was feeling trapped.  As a “love-child” from the late 60’s, freedom’s not just another word to me.

It was time to walk on the razors edge of living without getting cut. Thinking intuitively is the liberty of an open mind. It feels like a quiet inner sense of direction, a surge of gentle energy bubbling, being in sync with yourself.

I decided to think with my senses and feel with my mind and began to eat, drink, smell and breathe life differently. Tuning in to our feelings is the best way to learn and stay in the present. Our intuition takes what we’re experiencing and pushes it up a notch so that colors are brighter, textures are hotter and the way is open. My degree in Philosophy and long standing habit of Zen meditation armed me for this crash course in amazement.

Sensual eating turned out to be a short cut to intuitive thinking. Being around food made it easy to tap in with my subconscious. It reset my point of view; searching for passion, I discovered intuition. I learned being true to myself connects with an uncanny completion of my most private desires. I realized I am able to maintain an open mind by acknowledging my freedom to choose what feels right. Zoning into one’s body subconciosuly, includes seeing, smelling and tasting what feels good with every bite.

When eating intuitively, savor the flavor and take it in slowly. Taste food as if it’s your last meal. It’s second nature to discover pleasure and satisfaction with your senses. You only fail when you give up. Pause, make eye contact and notice your surroundings. Thinking fully with your faculties feels vibrant. Never underestimate the power of your visceral connection.

Starving or forcing yourself to eat certain foods at certain times kills passion. Dieting is bad for your libido. It makes you tense up when you see something you like and trains you to ignore signals from within. Your body is the source of your pleasure, strength and health. Why would you ignore it?

Instead of focusing on self-control and dieting when eating, use the sensory connection with your priorities and personal boundaries. It’s easy, there are no rules about what to eat. Instead, choose what you want and enjoy it thoroughly.

In eating, as with most things in life, you will find there’s always a good option and sense of passion when you keep your mind open. Things change all the time.  Be open to the excitement and connect with the sum of your potential. It’s always available.

Be sure to catch Jane Bernard’s May 23rd talk on intuitive eating at The James Beard Foundation as part of their Enlightened Eaters series. The event will be held at The Beard House, 167 West 12th Street, New York, NY, 12PM EST.

(Source: zinkmagazine.com)

 C2-MTL: Montreal’s Newest Creative Commerce Conference

Joining the conversation – that was the theme at this year’s first C2-MTL conference held in Montreal last week. It was a place where some of the world’s top innovators, creators and entrepreneurs came to talk about the two “C’s”: Commerce and Creativity.

The four day conference was jam-packed with outstanding and inspiring speakers. Keynotes ranged from the likes of Sid Lee’s Bertrand Cesvet, Cirque de Soleil’s President Daniel Lamarre and Director of Creation Jean-François Bouchard, Fast Company’s Editor Robert Safian, all the way to former Walt Disney Chairman and CEO Michael Eisner, Moment Factory’s Founder and Creative Director Sakchin Bessette, DreamWorks Animation Director Jennifer Yuh Nelson and legendary filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola. The complete list of orators was long and powerful. Each offered unique and interesting answers to our daily questions: What’s next? How to overcome challenging obstacles? How to collaborate with competitors? How to stay creative? How to create long lasting interactive experiences?

There was no shortage of talent from the audience either — entrepreneurs from around the world came to learn, participate and exchange experiences and challenges. Attendees were able to tweet questions to a panel of journalists who delivered the questions to each speaker at the end of their presentation. Live video footage of each conference was available on televisions all across the C2 site, which made joining the conversation more accessible.

Having followed this exciting conference the full four days, my advice for future and current entrepreneurs is to save your pennies to attend. C2-MTL is not a conference to miss and promises to get larger and better each year. It’s changing the way conferences are made and challenging how we think. C2Mtl.com – Stephanie Laichi

(Source: zinkmagazine.com)

ISLAND RENEWAL: A Hawaiian Boutique Hotel Gives Guests the Royal Treatment

Walk through the doors of Hotel Renew, and the name’s meaning instantly becomes apparent. The lobby’s calming, Zen-infused décor welcomes you as warmly as the staff who offer cold lemongrass scented towels and chilled pineapple juice at check-in. Located on the Hawaiian island of Oahu in beautiful Waikiki just steps from the beach, Hotel Renew’s 72 guestrooms boast the chicness of a 5-star resort — at nowhere near the price — proving that luxury is a all about details. Each room features modern furnishings and an energy-conscious lighting system with “bright,” “night” and “just right” settings stationed at the door and bedside (as innovative as it is efficient). A black pebble stone rests atop a stack of extra towels, and spa-like white robes become a welcome retreat after a long day out. Guests can grab a quick morning bite with the hotel’s continental breakfast, served in the lobby bar, and then ride some Pacific waves with complimentary boogie boards. While lacking the restaurant, spa and swimming pool seen at many of the larger properties along the Waikiki strip, this hotel’s commitment to service makes one thing perfectly clear — you don’t need a lot of perks in order to be renewed.  HotelRenew.com  — Rashad Webb

(Source: zinkmagazine.com)

Velvet Speakeasy

Welcome to Velvet Speakeasy. Situated below the upscale Auberge Saint-Gabriel restaurant in Old Montreal, Quebec is a long, dark candlelit corridor leading you to a stonewalled room unlike anything you’ve seen in this city before. Reminiscent of a London speakeasy or New York prohibition-era bar, this historic building built in 1754 has kept its luxuriously haunting feel, making this trendy underground nightclub the perfect place for people to release their inhibitions and lose themselves to what the night has to offer.

Expect to encounter a lot of great music here. This venue is a weekly meeting spot for some of the best in local underground and established electronic DJs, as well as high caliber international DJ artists. In addition to the good vibes, you may easily get carried away with the attractive wait staff too. If you wish to enjoy their cocktail services and the music from a private party perspective, be sure to connect with their party specialist Head Promoter DL Jones — known for hosting some of Montreal’s most lavish parties that never disappoint.

Advice for first-timers: come dressed to impress. This is a place that frequents some of the best-looking and best-dressed people in the city; a place called home to all fashion divas, hipsters, designers and artists. Without feeling too pretentious, this is a place to see and be seen, in style.

Perhaps it’s the fire from the hundreds of romantic, wax-dripping candles or the thick smoke that swims around the dancing bodies that instantly enthralls you upon arrival into a world of lust, scandal and that je ne sais quoi anything goes liberating feeling. Maybe it’s the historic stone architecture and its earthly smell or the bumping vibes that enchant. Or maybe you’ve just had one too many tasty cocktails. Whatever it is, you’re sure to enjoy an evening of great drinks and nightlife in this tucked away Montreal basement. VelvetSpeakeasy.ca — Stephanie Laichi

(Source: zinkmagazine.com)

Special Thank to

Jesper Hammarbäck

Ružica Puśkaś

Sebastian Lang

Joshua Alexandre Haines

AmaZ!NK work!

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