I always enjoy attending Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in New York and have consistently for the past several seasons, but never before have I been so moved as I was on September 8, 2011 at the South Courtyard at Lincoln Center. As I was in between shows (I just saw Richard Chai’s Spring 2012 collection) I discovered there was a presentation by the nonprofit Fatigues to Fabulous.

Amy Winehouse is best known for the single “Rehab.” Winehouse’s distinctive, yet retro style is mimicked by young female soul singers today; and her short-lived career has made a huge impact deeming her another young legend.

Distribution shouldn’t be hard, but it is a confusing process for most independent filmmakers. For the part 1 of our distribution series, I interviewed Jerome Coushon creator of THE SECRETS TO DISTRIBUTION. This interview focuses on distributing your independent film via DVD sales and rentals and Netflix. Watch the interview.

In a world where money and profit seem to rule, Red Agency LA has a refreshing concept and has become a whole new breed of agencies representing only the socially conscious. What does that mean? Companies that have a mindset to help the environment, promote healthy habits, and/or deliver a positive message. Founder Natalie Chase has made it her mission to help change the world one client at a time.

The Maria H. swimwear collection showed at XEX Nihonbashi, Tokyo Japan. The collection was colorful consisting of tunics, minis, jumpsuits and mostly all the swimwear was styled with a sexy attitude and fierce smiles . . . check out the stiletto platforms and retro frizzed out hair! Love the 40’s inspired hats, which made for a seamless theme.

Held February 22, 2011, the designs of Triumph showed at the Show Space London, England United Kingdom during London Fashion Week. Photo by Ferdaus Shamin (WireImage).

Chechy Benedetti launched the Colombian swimwear label Pitahaya Swimsuits in 2006. A native of Cartagena, Benedetti has a passion for travel, which inspires her designs. Pitahaya Swimsuits Spring/Summer 2011 showed its collection styled with jewelry designs by Fernando Rodriguez Naranjo during the Cancun Moda Nextel 2010 Fashion Show at Le Blanc Spa Resort on November 20, 2010 in Cancun, Mexico.

“Regardless of where we live, we’re all at the mercy of Mother Nature, but we can choose to work with her as our spirits can unite for the benefit of good and brotherhood. In these times of economic strife, I am inspired and impressed as to how much the American people have stepped forward to help. How can I not be proud to be a Japanese man living in the United States?” –Shin Koyamada

It’s one thing when someone else books for you, but since I am an artist and I have a business edge, I want to make sure that everything is taken care of. And maybe I should let somebody else do that, but there have been times when someone else has done it for me and I walked in, and things weren’t as comfortable as I would have wanted them to be. So now I just take that little extra time I have and I make sure that everything is in order from A-Z.

I’m the regular key artist for EM&CO fashion shows . . . that’s been such a wonderful experience. I also work with a lot of private clients during award season, mostly corporate for studios and the major networks. I’m currently doing a web series (that I’m not allowed to talk about), and putting together my first ever “group shoot” for aspiring makeup artists, hair stylists, and models.