Fashiona

Yesterday, Fashiona had every intention of going to Saks to meet the lovely Shoshanna…but she had an allergy attack worthy of a 30 minute Zyrtec infomercial…she elected to protect the women and children and stay home to recover.

Fashiona took her meds, ate a cookie (just one),tucked herself in bed ridiculously early, and woke up just as early, perhaps the reason she absentmindedly left her wallet at home.  Still  a much better start than her   disastrous Friday the 13th in February.

Back to Fashion:

While Fashiona was gallivanting in Atlanta, Paris was wrapping up their Fall 2009 Fashion Week.  The French ALWAYS put on a good show…fashion and otherwise.

Leave it  to the Parisians to show  real crystal glass slippers…like the ones in Cinderella (the cartoon version was first movie that Fashiona ever went to).

Maison Martin Margiela, the ultra reclusive designer who is Belgian (like Hercule Poirot) but shows in Paris has been rumored to be leaving his post and has been reportedly  less involved in the daily design functions.

Whether there is truth the rumor or not…Fashiona loves his calling card.

Photo Credit: Dominique Maitre

Pretty…even prettier in size 39 or 7 1/2…Got that Fairy Godmother?

So Fashiona and Topaz were out on the town last night, dressed to the nines…their destination the Katra Lounge for Roxie’s Masquerade Ball.

Fashiona trekked across Brooklyn to Dina’s to get ready…why well not. Two hours later… gowns professionally steamed,  make-up and lashes expertly applied and Dina our resident über stylist snapping pictures…the glam dolls then ease into a cab and are whisked away to the lower East Side.

Fashiona, feline in more ways than one,prefers to observe a room before she pounces…

However, Ms.Topaz emboldened by her red lipstick…dove right in, chatting up the opera singer.

Lucia Palmieri, a soprano soloist,amazed the crowd with songs from the Phantom of the Opera.

Fashiona learned while interviewing Lucia after her performance, that she worked as a cook and actually owned her own restaurant before a fateful meeting landed her in Julliard and singing with New York Grand Opera.  Just as Fashiona found Roxie through Craig’s List, so did Lucia and decided to lend her voice to help raise Roxie raise money for her volunteer efforts.

Lights, camera, flash and repeat……

Many pictures and a few fancy foo foo sandwiches later…Roxana Colorado arrived… and looked absolutely FANTABULOUS. Fashiona loved her look (Eva Longeria meets WestSide Story) right down to the fire engine red peep toe pumps.

Once center stage, Roxana spun a tale of a single mother leaving her homeland with her children and  coming to New York City, learning English and putting herself through school…a story repeated by many immigrants from all parts of the world.  Well…this woman was Roxana’s mother…and by the story’s end our hearts were a-flutter. Roxana, second generation New Yorker, is very cognizant of her mother’s bold courage and struggle found a way to give back.

In April, Miss Roxana is going to Peru to work in an orphanage…talk about a party with a purpose.

Bon Voyage Roxie

~ Fashiona thanks you for allowing her to share this journey with you.

Fashiona was absolutely elated that the stars really took last night seriously and went for  elegance… Southern Belles  everywhere are rejoicing.

Even repeat fashion offenders Lisa Rinna (who still needs to ease up cease with the collagen injections)

and Tilda Swinton looked better than usual in a beige draped blouse and black satin skirt, both by Lanvin.

  She went the vintage route

Taraji P. Henson

Fashiona was okay with this  navy one-shoulder gown by Georges Chakra

Fashiona has decided that fashion shows are like weddings.  Often exorbitant amounts of money is spent, nerves are frayed, pounds are lost(if you are lucky)…all for a few blissful moments in the spotlight.

Fashiona met up with Dina Yassin (an uber-fabulous stylist) to see Alexandre’s show.  While waiting in line, Dina is snapping pictures and Fashiona is analyzing the Barbie shrine and is completely captivated for a minute(maybe two, she has a short attention span).

Shown in black and white bathing suit the first Barbie wore in 1959. (Xinhua/AFP Photo)

No sooner than Dina and Fashiona arrive, this angry Brazilian queenie man was snapping his neck and fingers like in the Madonna Vogue video.  Pepé (not his real name) got all extra crispy because he was late and not allowed in the show.  His argument was that he was from Rio de Janiero and came all this way to see the show.  

Now Fashiona, who is not always the most prompt…is on time when it is absolutely necessary (flights, port calls, weddings, funerals, fashion shows).

Finally Pepé  exhausted from yapping away, sashayed away….never to be seen again…till next year. 

Ladies and Gentlemen, this scene is possibly repeated season in and season out with every designer and every show and yet they are jam packed…always.