By Stacy Harshman

Andarina Designs was just coming together.  Inspired by a set of antique glass swizzle sticks, I had been working everyday, designing lamps and chandeliers that threw beams of light through rods of colored glass.

I told my good friend Marcy Clark how excited I was about starting my company.  After watching Marcy conceive of and launch Women’s Mafia, and attending fantastic Women’s Mafia and Yellow Sky Agency events for years, I told Marcy that within a couple of months, I’d be ready to let her plan the launch for Andarina Designs.

But Marcy had another idea.  She suggested I design the lighting for The Women’s Mafia and EngieStyle fashion presentation and launch party “Once Upon A Time” which would benefit a cause I love, the MillionTreesNYC project.  Marcy said she would love to see some of my pieces hung right over the runway.  I was thrilled!  And Engie’s first collection, Rouge et Noir was done in a palette that seemed just right beside my first collection’s rich jewel tones.  Oh, just one thing: the event was only two weeks away!

I called my brilliant design consultant, Roseanne Percivalle, and we stayed up late into the night making sketches.  We would need a lot of glass and each rod must be flame worked by hand before being kiln-cured.

Luckily I had just agreed to a collaboration with the ladies of the Bead Project at Urban Glass.  One of my glass instructors at Urban Glass, Laurie Korowitz, heads up this non-profit project, which teaches talented women glass-working skills.  My project would be their first paid gig!  As a brand new glass artist, I was thrilled to become a part of the community and to meet such a fun group of women.  We had already devised a work schedule but, with fingers crossed, I called Laurie to ask if we could…well… triple the amount we had planned to pump out over the next week.

I was still nervous so I wanted to consult with a stage lighting expert.  Serendipity, in the form of my amazing friend and neighbor Sven Henry Nelson led me to Derek Van Heel, and Derek soon made clear just how much light we needed, and his input changed our vision completely. Somehow, we found ourselves working on an eighteen by four foot, jewel-toned chandelier.

Engie is a new designer like me, so I knew how incredibly important it was to flatter her designs and make sure this event went off like a rocket ship.  With just over a week to make it happen, I decided to bring in Tinc Design and Production Company.

At 1am the night before the event, Sven and I were hip-deep in bundles of glass rods, meticulously counted and sorted by color.  We had pieces of perforated stainless steel hung on sawhorses in my dining room– we were still tinkering around with color placement!  The actual, massive piece had to be assembled on site the day of the show, and taken down right after!

We made runs between Union Square Ballroom and Brooklyn to pick up still-warm glass rods as Laurie and the Bead Project ladies worked right up until the last minute. I left them just enough time to get glammed-up and attend the show.
I was beyond happy with how the chandelier turned out. We were all pretty proud of ourselves!   As Marcy says, “a large group of women getting together is, in and of itself, a powerful thing.”  Working with the ladies of the Bead Project, I found that to be very true.   As much as I value getting to see my ideas become a reality and getting my company off the ground, I cherish the experience of collaboration even more.  I feel fated and lucky to work with Marcy, Women’s Mafia, EngieStyle, and the Bead Project.  It seemed like the bigger my ideas and plans got, the more perfect people showed up with the perfect skill set, at the perfect time.

Andarina Designs fits into a larger dream of mine.  I like to say it’s a feast with a seat for everyone at the table.

www.andarinadesigns.com
www.engiestyle.com
www.womensmafia.com
www.yellowskyagency.com
www.milliontreesnyc.org
www.2D-3Ddesign.com (Rosanne Percivalle)
www.derekvanheel.com
www.tincproductions.com

All pictures of the EngieStyle 2011 Collection “Rouge et Noir”.

A few years ago a friend, who has happily been in a long term relationship for nearly ten years, was listening to me complain about not understanding the man I was dating, not feeling that things were moving forward and feeling overall confused about how to proceed. She told me straight: you need to take this class called “Celebrating Men, Satisfying Women.” She then proceeded to tell me some of the surprising things she had learned from the course – such as that shiny hair is one of the most attractive things about women to men (really?!?) or that men who are ready for a serious commitment can tell just by looking at a woman, literally, if she has most of the qualities that would make her a good mate and partner (don’t worry, you can learn to embody them more often!). I have been eager to take her first course ever since then, and finally signed up for it this May 26th and 27th in Tarrytown.

To prep for the course I interviewed the industrious, brilliant and insightful Alison Armstrong about some of the insights she has gained in her 20 years of researching men and women. Enjoy and sign up for a class or buy one of her books today! I read Making Sense of Men: A Woman’s Guide to a Lifetime of Love, Care and Attention from All Men in one sitting and my life will never be the same.

Women’s Mafia: A lot of New York women are always complaining that the men here don’t want to commit, they seem to be interminable bachelors. What can women look for to spot the non-phobic ones, or the ones that have zeroed-in on them?

Alison Armstrong: The thing they need to know is there are times when a man’s willingness to commit is not personal.  There are stages in a man’s life when a marriage commitment is not a possibility.  It is like trying to load the Halo video game program without enough memory on your computer.  Marriage is the biggest commitment a man can make next to fatherhood.  His life has to be in a particular place before he is going to be able to make a commitment.  That is regardless of how much he loves a woman.  Women think: “If he loved me more he would marry me.”  That is a mistake.

There is another side where a man’s willingness to commit is personal.  When I have asked men “Do you want to be married?” almost all say yes.  It is always followed by “When I meet the right person,” “If I meet the right person,” or “Hopefully, I’ll meet the right person.”  There are things that women do all the time that convince men that they are the wrong person – such as emasculating men all the time without even knowing it.

Women just dive in and hope that things will work, our desire is that strong.  The idea that men don’t want to get married is a myth.  It is just that what it takes for men to get married is different.  Men are much more realistic about marriage and what it takes to be happy in the long term.  If a man doesn’t want to marry you, then he is paying attention to something that is probably important: do you share the same values, do you give each other what you most need, and can you make each other happy?

Men have this idea that if two people can’t give each other what they need, they shouldn’t be together.  This idea is strange to women who go without what they need someone who can’t give them what they need.  Men actually honor what they need.

WM: There is a lot of debate in the post-feminist era about who should be picking up the check at the end of dinner, and how to handle it – how can a modern woman best handle this without emasculating her date? What should the expectations be in the 21st century?

AA: In talking to men, it is all about who initiates the date. If he asks you out on a date, then he expects to pay for it.  If you ask him out on a date, then you should expect to pay for it and be thrilled if he offers.  If it is a meet-up, then expect to go dutch.  If he offers to pay for it, then be appreciative and thankful.

If you are on a 3rd or 4th date and you are clear you want to keep seeing each other, then men say that if a women offers to pay they see it as a sign that she is more interested in a partnership than in taking them for what they’ve got.  There are many men whose values are they should always pay.  If a woman is with a man like that, then she needs to be willing to accept the kind of dates that he can afford to take her on.

WM: You write about the downward spiral in your book “Making Sense of Men” and how once a woman feels insecure, self-doubt and complaining can begin running a relationship and it can be very hard to get it back on track. Is there a way to begin to move in an upward spiral again?

AA: Creating an upward spiral — where the energy between you keeps growing and you are progressively more satisfied — requires maintaining in yourself the 4 most attractive qualities in women: Self-Confidence, Authenticity, Passion and Receptivity. Unfortunately, these are some of the most difficult qualities for women to maintain in relationships with men. Because, by not understanding men’s motivations, we interpret too many things as evidence that they don’t love us and our self-confidence takes a hit. And because we’ve become lousy at Receiving — we’re too busy proving we can do everything ourselves to let me take care of us.  These are two qualities that we directly address in our workshops.

WM: Many of us date people from different cultures, and even different countries. Are the essentials of men’s behavior the same across different cultures?

AA: We’ve had women in Celebrating Men, Satisfying Women from cultures around the world.  They report the distinctions we make and the tools we provide work equally well with their men.  They make slight variations for translating the words we give them and then they are good to go.

WM: It must be challenging to run a large organization, travel regularly, lead full-day workshops and nourish yourself and your relationships. Any tips for myself and the many other budding CEO’s in the Women’s Mafia?

AA: As uncomfortable as it may be, you have to confront that you have a limited amount of time and energy and spend it wisely.  Pay careful attention to what you’re willing to be accountable for and let men shoulder more.  Accountability is one of the biggest gifts men can give women — because it doesn’t wear them out the way it wears us out.  They are capable and competent problem solvers.  If women spend more time defining the problem and letting others provide for them their heart’s desire, we’ll all be happier and healthier.

PAX Programs Incorporated
(800) 418-9924
www.understandmen.com

By Rene Melchor

It is a rainy day in New York City and I am on my way to the studio of Matt Singer. For those who don’t know who Matt Singer is, he was the former designer of the Jack Spade label. Mr. Singer began working with the founder of Jack Spade,  Andy Spade (husband of designer, Kate Spade and brother to David spade the actor) in 1999, after they met working at an ad agency. Together they developed the idea to create a brand and the label for Jack Spade was born. Mr. Singer’s responsibilities were to create the infamous canvas bags and a line of clothing as well as kids toys. When Andy Spade sold the company Matt made the decision to go on his own and create his own label. The collection is available at Project N0.8 boutique in the ACE Hotel in New York City and stores in San Francisco, Tokyo and at www.mattsinger.net.

WM:   What gave you the inspiration to start your own line of cloth and accessories??
MS:   I wanted to live my own American dream.  It is something that we all want, whether it is a restaurant or a nail salon. Having my own business allows me to be creative. Some of the objects that I create become an art object to me.

WM:   What is the philosophy of your design??
MS:   It is a classical American idea, my brand is very friendly and casual, not pretentious or inspirational to a yacht club or polo club. I enjoy working with a good shirt maker, I want to provide the best Oxford shirt, the best button-down shirt and the best canvas bag. That is when my real personality comes out in my design.

WM:   Describe the materials that you like to work with??
MS:   I like to work with canvas because it is a material that ages well. The cotton Oxford shirts I like are made in the U.S.A by local shirt makers who have a generational tradition for making shirts and take pride in using high quality materials for production. That is why my shirts are more expensive than other products manufactured in places like Asia.

WM:   Tell me about the logos in your cloth and bags??
MS:   There is the solar system designed like a game and there is Mr. Ratty Pants inspired by the many rats on my street and a chapter in a book by writer David Sedaris in which he describes rats in the streets of NYC. But if you look close at Mr. Ratty Pants he is holding a cell phone and eating a piece of cheese. He is a total NYC multitasked rat. Then there are the three dogs, inspired by the Soviet experiments to send animals into space.  In the belts you see a gorilla getting weighed and he is angry for being seen. The logos again are my personality coming out in my brand. I like story telling through the product.

WM:   What is the idea of vintage watches??
MS:   I love watches and my dad gave me my first vintage watch when I was in college. That inspired me to collect vintage watches.

WM:   What is the inspiration for the bags??
MS:    I like military bags and a great utility bag by the military is good inspiration. Also L.L.Bean has been creating products that are of high durability and quality like their classic boat and tote canvas bag.

WM:     Tell me about Project Selima??
MS:    I had approached Selima (the eye wear designer) when I was working for Jack Spade to invite her to do a project with me but it never happened. When I went on my own I contacted her again and we both got involved with a project for an artist magazine called The Thing. We got involved with author Jonathan Lethem in an issue entitled the “Chaldron Optical System” and was related to his novel Chronic City. The project consisted of a pair of clear glasses with text on both of the arms in a case. I really enjoyed working with Selima, she is a lovely person.

WM:   How are you different from Jack Spade??
MS:   Everything is different for Jack Spade from when I started. The company was sold and now they have a seasonal collection. I think that I don’t want to make bags that change in style every season. My designs are trace dent and unisex any one can wear them: boys and girls. My world is not the fashion world; I don’t aspire to show in Bryant Park and have fashion shows under a tent.

“It’s a story that sounds almost too incredible—the kind you’d eavesdrop in on at a restaurant. ‘The worst job I ever had,’ is how actress Jayne Amelia Larson describes being a chauffeur in Beverly Hills. Not just an ordinary chauffeur. But a driver for vacationing Saudi royalty.” – Memphis Commercial Appeal

Enjoy our exclusive Q&A with Jayne Amelia Larson below and book tickets ASAP for her March 29th and 30th performances at Galapagos before they sell out!

WM: Your play Driving The Saudi’s plays on some heavy themes regarding the subjugation of women, how has the experience changed or informed your view in terms of American pop culture?
JAL: I was struck by the fact that all the young Saudi women (as well as most of the African, Arab, and Pilipino servants of the family) are obsessed with American pop culture. They know all the top songs, newest fashions, latest limited edition sneakers, what new movie is out (always PG-13 or lower, they’re not allowed to see R movies) and who’s starring in it, the name of Paris Hilton’s favorite accessory dog (her Chihuahua Tinkerbell), etcetera. At home in their own country, they can’t explore and experiment the way we’re free to do here and they just absorb as much of our culture as they can. Their life at home is so terribly confining, no movie cinemas, no concerts, no plays, nothing that’s a shared experience.  It’s made me look with a new appreciation of how we live—being exposed to the creation of new things every day and the freedom to be the creator as well. We have so many choices and so much opportunity. Recently a 13 year-old Saudi girl was sentenced to 90 lashes in front of her classmates for being caught with a mobile camera phone in school. Phones are forbidden in the girls’ schools because it’s one the few ways young men and women can communicate. They share pictures and music and ideas, just like kids do here but they get whipped for it. And in the USA we celebrate Lady Gaga… thank goodness.

WM: In addition to being an actress, you are also a very talented a writer, how do you manage wearing both hats at the same time on a project like this?
JAL: These days, almost everybody I know is a hyphenate and does 2 or 3 or 20 things well and of course sometimes other things not so well—that’s one of the dangers of trying to do everything, so I am trying to keep it to a minimum. I started DTS as a non-fiction writing project and focused on the textual content as I did the necessary background research to better understand and depict my observations during the job. Later in the process, I realized I should consider performing it (as opposed to publishing it); then the writing changed to a more dramatic format and I started culling the visuals that would eventually comprise the multi-media components of the piece. Then I started re-writing, and re-writing, and re-writing some more. When performing the piece now, I resist the temptation to add new material right before I go on (unless it’s straight from a breaking news story). I did that at the beginning and it was too hard, I never knew what came next and I felt like I was on a terrifying ride with no idea how to ground myself as an actor. I don’t let that happen anymore and I believe my performance is probably much better as a result. I do, however, want to learn magic like my producer, Patrick Terry, so I can add that to my repertoire.

WM: How does your background in production development, affect your work as a writer/performer?
JAL: I know a good story when I see one and know that the power of a compelling story drives all good theater and film. My experience in development allowed for a free creative process. I’ve workshopped the play several times in many different settings including universities and theaters so I’ve received a broad base of response on what works and what doesn’t. Also, film development and production makes you a good collaborator—you simply can’t make a movie on your own, and I think that has probably made my play better by helping me to be open to input from others during the development process.

WM: When did you realize you could make your passion your career?
JAL: Luckily, I can’t separate the two or I would probably have gotten out of the business a long time ago. To be any kind of artist, whether it’s in film or fashion or food, requires great focus and concentration and then a helluva lotta luck and then maybe you can do what you want, sometimes. I love what I do and I am so glad that I’m able to do it.  I remember a teacher in grad school warning us to get out of the business if there was any doubt in our minds that it wasn’t absolutely what we HAD to do. I have to do this and I love it.

WM: Outside of the industry, what inspires you and keeps you energized?
JAL: My home base is Santa Monica and like everybody at the beach I do a lot of yoga and ride my bike whenever I can. I even won a snappy new ensemble from a favorite local yoga apparel shop because I’m on my bike so much. It’s the only prize I’ve ever won in all my life so I’m pretty pleased. I’m taking an ongoing writing course at Santa Monica College with a renowned writing guru, Jim Krusoe. He’s a generous and discerning professor and I like the structure of being forced to submit pages every week… makes you humble and productive at the same time.

WM: What can the Women’s Mafia make happen for you?
JAL: The interesting people who contribute and belong to the Women’s Mafia inspire me and I want them all to come to my next show on Monday March 29 and Tuesday March 30 at Galapagos Art Space in DUMBO. DRIVING THE SAUDIS always provokes a lot of cultural exchange and I have Q&As after each show so I can hear what people have to say. I hope everybody stays and chats!

www.drivingthesaudis.info

Monday March 29
Tuesday March 30
shows at 8pm
tix $15 @ www.smarttix.com
Galapagos Art Space
16 Main Street
DUMBO Brooklyn
www.galapagosartspace.com

“The story explores conceptions and misconceptions of beauty; it describes the challenges and expansion of my own world-view and ingrained Western beliefs; and it is a story that provokes cultural dialogue and exchange. Ultimately, it is an exploration of the subjugation of women in society—theirs as well as ours, and my complicity in that role.” – Jayne Amelia Larson
“It’s a story that sounds almost too incredible—the kind you’d eavesdrop in on at a restaurant. ‘The worst job I ever had,’ is how actress Jayne Amelia Larson describes being a chauffeur in Beverly Hills. Not just an ordinary chauffeur. But a driver for vacationing Saudi royalty. Larson turned her eye-opening ordeal into a biting solo performance piece called “Driving the Saudis,” …. partly a comedic recollection of being part of a 50-person detail of drivers who were to accommodate a major Saudi Arabian princess, seven additional family members and dozens of friends, nannies, secretaries and servants. Larson takes on the personas of her most memorable passengers: a teenage royal who insists on cranking up the stereo, a cigarette-smoking hairdresser on a gambling binge, and the self-important assistants who send her shopping for 27 bottles of hair remover. Behind the humor, however, is sharp social commentary that should leave every audience member questioning their car’s fuel efficiency.”- Memphis Commercial Appeal

Shauntele Richardson is one of the winners of our “Are You Runway Ready?” contest and was featured in our Fall/Winter 2010 Fashion Show at Tela Design Studio. Her line Shauntelé is deliciously feminine, luxuriously well-made, perfectly tailored and quite modern.

From her first design internship at Nikka to her experience tailoring for the likes of Jessica Simpson and Judy Reyes, Shauntele has developed a style ushering in a new phase of appreciation for the female form. The lines are flattering yet concealing as she strives to highlight a woman’s very best assets. Jorge Ramon, former fashion editor of Teen People, has called her collection “newsworthy,” while women in the know, such as Ivanka Trump, are taking note of this new fashion gem.

Enjoy our Q&A with Shauntele below and contact her to order from her Spring or Fall Collections!
Q: Where did you learn to design and how has your aesthetic evolved over time?
A: That’s the first question?! Of course I think I’m expected to name FIT or Parsons as an alma mater but the truth is that I’ve only taken one illustration class and one sewing course. The rest is self taught through internships, past work experience as well as guidance from family and friends. I pick up any little fragment of knowledge, continue collecting it and depositing in into a mental reservoir I carry with me everyday. As I persist my aesthetic becomes more true to the woman I see myself becoming: a wife,  a mother, an entrepreneur, a voice in the community. All of those roles are so common amongst all women, it comes across in my silhouettes that i am designing for them and I am confident in the direction I am headed.

Q: You are mostly a one woman show, how do you handle it all?
A: I have a lot of people rooting for me to make it and so willing to give of their own talents without pause. Honestly and gratitude, coupled with an almost unwavering loyalty, has equipped me with an unimaginable, invisible “line of credit” amongst my colleagues of the garment district. In my earlier days, assistants doubled as models and day jobs became a cover for my designer alter ego. I would stay absurdly late at the office to print everything from lookbooks to garment tags. I think the more I have to do the quicker my mind works to make it happen, in theory anyway. Besides, I have to handle it, I’ve got something to prove.

Q: When did you realize you could make your passion your career? Is designing in your blood?
A: When I saw someone making an awful mess of their own fashion label, I thought to myself I see what they are doing wrong and it takes less time to do it right. I began seeking out people in the fashion industry who were sincere, helpful and humble. I knew that fashion could be more than superficial, it could be extremely intellectual and empowering. In the end all I want is for a garment to enhance a person’s mood, their appearance and their confidence. The women in my family used to make all their own clothes and still recount wonderful stories of them stepping into a dance as a trio of sisters with the best outfits in the place. The mental image of the creativity, class and fun they must’ve had is something that always keeps me inspired.

Q: What energizes you? Where do you go to find new inspiration when designing a
new collection?
A: It almost never begins with a visual inspiration. First I seek out the music. In my head the the melodies begin to suggest bodies and colors. I later come across an artist like Tamara de Lempicka or Henri Rosseau who appear to embody the visual aesthetic of a song or genre I’ve recently discovered. In my teenage years I wanted to be a singer and would always put together outfits to help the audience understand me as an artist. Even till this day I want my appearance to give people a clear understanding of who I am. A picture is worth a thousand words, so why should we be afraid for people to judge us by our appearance?

Q: You are sponsored by the Garment Industry Development Corp with a space in Showroom New York, because you make your clothes in New York’s garment industry. Why do you feel it is important that the Garment Industry remain in Manhattan?
A: Showroom New York has played a huge role in my collection over the past year. The designers that make up the collective are dedicated to seeing one another succeed and we make it happen by sharing our resources, criticism and encouragement. It would be impossible for us to do so if the Garment District became spread out over the 5 boroughs because zoning laws are forcing manufacturers out. I’ve had to do a lot with very little formal training, the pattern-makers and seamstresses who have supported me since my eager intern days are invaluable to me. They see my vision as well as expand it. Innovation is what happens when ideas are thrust into the air making the atmosphere fertile for a surprise, a movement. Right now fashion is stale, but at Showroom New York there is so much to taste. People are looking for something new and we are what’s new.

Q: Lastly, and please don’t be shy, what can the Women’s Mafia make happen for you?
A: As if I wasn’t already fawning over Women’s Mafia and how great your approach is to supporting new talent. First, you can get me a tape of your awesome appearance on NBC. Second I think Women’s Mafia can help forge a solid connection to women who’ve been seeking out the aesthetic that Shauntele represents which is elegant with just the right bit of sexy to get a room buzzing.

Tricia Williams of Food Matters NYC is a culinary nutritionist who has developed a new initiative called the Early Childhood Palate Development Program. This program is designed to metabolically program children on a cellular level to seek out healthy, whole foods. My youngest sibling is 13 and he still hates his vegetables. I wonder if it works on adolescent teens… I will have to see, because the program can start with children as young as six months. Through this program, Williams takes parents through the aisles of the market showcasing the benefits of locally grown, organic, and seasonal foods. She understands that exposing kids to fresh, organic foods will prevent obesity, disease and promote emotional, physical and intellectual health. Let’s pepper Williams with a few questions and better understand this program.

Women’s Mafia: What inspired you to cook?

Tricia Williams: I used to make pasta with my grandma. In my previous life I was a pastry and restaurant chef; now I’m a holistic chef and counselor. My current work with families was inspired by the birth of my first child.

WM: Was healthy eating and proper nutrition always a goal when cooking, or did you secretly put taste and customer satisfaction first, or was it the perfect combination?

TW: Sometimes it was about making food that wasn’t necessary healthy. Later in my career I combined my interest in healthy food with my work. Healthy food should just be perceived as food; often times healthy dishes are unapproachable to the average person, like a raw kale and carrot salad. Coming from a background and having the sensibilities of a traditional chef helped me bridge the gap to make healthy foods approachable, enjoyable, and delicious.

WM: I see your first child inspired the Early Childhood Palate Development Program. What then, did you specifically aim to achieve?

TW: Just to get kids off of unhealthy foods. I wanted to prevent the physical, emotional and behavioral issues kids with bad eating habits suffer. Just look at the childhood obesity rate! By the time a child reaches age 4 they have developed food patterns and issues. It’s much easier to train a child into maintaining healthy eating habits at an earlier age.

WM: If parents cannot afford your program, what would you say to them in order to help their children develop better eating habits?

TW: Always start with the thought, “Fresh is the best.”  Stay away from processed and packaged foods. Keep yourself and your family as close to whole, natural foods as possible.

WM: How do you see this program prominently affecting NYC children?

TW: I work with kids all the time. I have a child whose favorite food is Edamame (soybeans). He will put down chocolate for the healthy choice; it almost becomes ritual. If we push this type of healthy snacking over junk food, it will last. With childhood problems like asthma on the rise, it’s best for parents to shift their mindsets. I’ve noticed many parents slowly transitioning, which is great!

WM: If the City approached you about possibly becoming a part of School Food-New York City Department of Education, would you concede and help this large system rewire its mainframe?

TW: I absolutely would!!

WM: Have you ever considered doing that?

TW: I have, but within the private school system. I am slowly working my way into the public school system. It varies with each school and Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) program.

WM: What about women?

TW: Recently my counseling and private chef services have been supporting women with fertility issues. It’s a unique experience to catch them at the right moment in their life. I also work with women throughout their pregnancies. As a culinary nutritionist I prepare health supportive meals. I get them on diets, such as Elimination Diets. This can remove dairy, sugar, soy, etc. I get them off of the bad stuff. It takes small steps. Less plastic, more glass. Changing small things in their environment impacts their fertility.

WM: What can the Women’s Mafia make happen for you?

TW: I would like to spread my message to a broader audience. I constantly hear that children are “picky eaters.” The choices from kids’ menus to packaged goods influence these choices. If children start the Early Childhood Palate Development Program at a young age they can become better eaters. It is about taking the right steps to get there. Think of the health problems we could prevent!

For More Information Visit www.FoodMattersNYC.com Get your children, yourself, and others on the smart track to eating right. With the issue of childhood obesity (and obesity in general) and the new sugar tax, signing up for the Palate Development Program may be a very good idea!

Meet Thalia Michel, one of our makeup artists for “Leather & Lace”. I have known her for years. She even showed me how to put on my make-up for prom. I think that was the first time I ever wore the stuff. Thalia is a woman who loves bright colors and is not afraid to show it. Her love for make-up began in high school and she has been freelancing for about ten years now. She is a MAC Certified Makeup Artist and Product Specialist. She has started her makeup artistry business and has been busy working on models, designers, and artists like Fantasia. Thalia believes in the three B’s: Everyone should have their face Beat with Brushes while enhancing their Beauty.

Women’s Mafia: You loved make-up in high school, but what specifically called you to do make-up professionally?

Thalia Michel: Well, I used to wear make-up and got so many compliments. I decided to try doing my friend’s faces and it all started from there.

WM: Ten years is a long time to be in the business, what do you think is the best part?

TM: The best part is the before and after. Sometimes I amaze myself. I love the feeling I get when a bride sees their face after I am finished. It makes my job so worthwhile.

WM: What are you favorite products to use, besides MAC of course?

TM: I love MAC but, Smashbox, Nars, and Urban Decay are some of my favorites.

WM: What type of client do you like to work with the most? Actor, artist, model, etc.

TM: Brides then models. With a bride I can be part of their special day and enhance their beauty. With a model I can be creative and edgy.

WM: Tell me a little about your makeup artistry business.

TM: Well, it is still in the works but so far I have been able to make a name for myself and get clients to keep coming back. I really love what I do.

WM: What was it like working backstage at the Women’s Mafia Leather & Lace Fashion Show?

TM: Working backstage at Women’s Mafia Leather & Lace Fashion Show was a wonderful experience. I loved the rush and working with all the gorgeous models.

WM: What can the Women’s Mafia make happen for you?

TM: I am hoping that Women’s Mafia can give me some exposure. I am ready to take over the world with my knowledge of make-up.

To reach Thalia, contact her at TMichel@khny.com or 917-673-1397

At our Women’s Mafia Fashion Show & Fashion Week Kick-Off Event on February 9th we were lucky enough to share with our guests a lovely new find – sustainable, bio-dynamic wine from Doña Paula Winery, a great new event partner of ours. The wine was delicious and we love that it was in sync with our venue (Tela Design Studio is known for their Organics line).

We were fortunate enough to get to interview Edgardo Del Popolo, Doña Paula’s Head Viticulturalist and Operations Manager. He shed light on making great wine and maximizing your enjoyment of fine wine. Enjoy our TALENT profile with Edgardo below!

Women’s Mafia: You are noted for using sustainable agriculture in you vineyards. This has been proven to be good for the environment. It is also, I suspect, good for the quality of the wine. Can you expand on this?

Edgardo Del Popolo: Sustainability is Doña Paula’s way to work hand in hand with the environment and allows us to express the nature through the wines we make. The attributes of wine that come from sustainable vineyards can’t always be tasted, it’s like an interpretation of an artist’s work, you will enjoy it more if you are able to understand it.

If you can play with the natural resources without being aggressive and giving back to the environment what you are receiving from it, like a self-sufficient circle, you will realize how easy is to keep everything in control without using chemical products or inorganic fertilizers.

WM: When did you realize you could make your passion your career? Or was a life without making wine non-negotiable?
EP: My grandparents and uncles came to Argentina from Europe and worked in the vineyards. As a child I was able to watch and learn from them, observing that as their only way of life and being happy doing it.

Years later, I realized that being a professional I would be able to add more precision to my natural born observation and I decided to study viticulture and enology. Now, I could not imagine myself involved in a different activity unrelated to vines and wines.

WM: What is special about Argentina that makes wine from this country so exceptional?
EP: The climate, soil and people are exceptional. Our climate is one of the few continental climates in the world of wine, influenced by the altitude.  With 360 days of sun in a year, warm days and cold nights are ideal to create the best quality grapes. Additionally, the combination of Argentina’s specific type of soil and the pure snowmelt from the Andes creates the perfect marriage that finally ends in the best wines.

In Addition, The heritage of Argentina’s European immigrants along with its culture of making and drinking wine adds to the success of the wine.

WM: Several of your wines have won awards; do you have a personal favorite?
EP: It’s hard to choose just one. I like the Sauvignon Blanc Los Cardos from our vineyards in Uco Valley in Mendoza, because it’s one of the best examples on how to make a beautiful wine in a challenging climate. Additionally, I love our Doña Paula Seleccion de Bodega Malbec with its blend of the best malbec grapes coming from our oldest vineyards.

WM: As part of your work, you have participated in many wine conferences and seminars. Do you have any suggestions for someone who would like to learn more about wine appreciation?
EP : I suggest attending the tasting events offered by wine schools, wine magazines or local wine shops. Additionally, taking wine courses and being a member of wine societies and clubs similar to those organized by Decanter Magazine will also help to increase an individual’s appreciation for wine.
One great idea is to organize an at home tasting with friends. Purchase wines from different regions, varietals and styles and provide information from the Internet. (producer, region, varietals…) Of course if it’s possible to make a trip to a wine region, a winery tour is essential.

Doña Paula Winery

by Daniel Saynt, Editor-In-Chief