2018 Holiday Gift Ideas!

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It’s the most wonderful time of the year, yes, the holiday season. Time to eat, drink, enjoy some wonderful family time and buy holiday gifts for your loved ones, or yourself. Here are few unique recommendations from us

A CUSTOM TAILORED SUIT by MOHAN CUSTOM TAILORS: You have to agree that any man looks great in a well fitting suit. Now a custom tailored is not a luxury item only for the riches. With Mohan’s Custom Tailors, you can get a custom tailored suit starting at just few hundred dollars. And they have some amazing holiday special deals as well. This will be a gift to last for years!

SKATEBOARDS by BEASTIE BOARDS: You may not be feeling the urge to spend a few hundred dollars and may not need a suit. How about a skateboard? Even if you are not a skateboarding enthusiasts, these beautiful skateboards adored by beautiful art, will make a great and unique decoration piece for any wall. A unique gift for that unique person in your life!

  • Designer Glasses and Mugs by ROOT7: We all need and use mugs and glasses, but why not get something really unique and special? They have many cool things but her are 2 specific suggestions that I loved.

    • Shots of Himalayan salt. Yes, you can do your shots in shot glasses made of Himalayan salt.

    • Root 7 Geo Glasses are unique geometrical shapes and great quality. Forget about boring round glasses, try something geometric and unique!

    • Your morning cup of coffee will feel even better with a colorful Ombre Mug. It also feels really good to hold, seriously!

While we are talking about mugs, this cute color changing UNICORN mug is just adorable. For kids or for yourself!

Keep an eye here for more gift suggestions to be coming in upcoming days/weeks.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Tickets on Sale for Works & Process, the Performing-Arts Series at the Guggenheim - Fall 2016 Season

Highlights: Operatic Adaptations of It's a Wonderful Life by Jake Heggie and Breaking the Waves by Missy Mazzoli
Steppenwolf: The Fundamentals by Erika Sheffer
The Metropolitan Opera: L'Amour de Loin by Kaija Saariaho
Peter & the Wolf with Isaac Mizrahi
Works & Process Commission: Jodi Melnick with Sara Mearns, Jared Angle, and Gretchen Smith

Works & Process at the Guggenheim is pleased to announce its fall 2016 season. Since 1984 the performing-arts series has championed new works and offered audiences unprecedented access to leading creators and performers. Each intimate program blends performance with stimulating conversation with the creators, and takes place in the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum's Frank Lloyd Wright-designed, 285-seat Peter B. Lewis Theater. Described by the New York Times as "an exceptional opportunity to understand something of the creative process," Works & Process is produced by founder Mary Sharp Cronson. A season preview video is available and further details can be found at worksandprocess.org.

Lead funding for Works & Process is provided by The Florence Gould Foundation and The Christian Humann Foundation and is supported in part by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council. 

Fall 2016 Season Schedule
Opera Philadelphia
Breaking the Waves by Missy Mazzoli
Monday, September 12, 7:30 pm
Composer Missy Mazzoli and librettist Royce Vavrek's chamber opera Breaking the Waves, based on Lars von Trier's 1996 Academy Award-nominated film of the same name, tells the story of a couple's sacrificial love. Prior to the world premiere, cast members perform excerpts, and Mazzoli and Vavrek discuss their creative process.

Kate Weare Company
Marksman
Sunday, September 18, 7:30 pm
Choreographer Kate Weare's newest work, a sextet with an original score by saxophonist Curtis Robert Macdonald, zeroes in on our ability to precisely intuit one another with senses remote from modern consciousness yet imperative to our survival. Dancers perform excerpts from the new piece prior to its premiere at the Joyce Theater in New York. Weare and Macdonald participate in a moderated discussion before the Joyce premiere. 

Steppenwolf
The Fundamentals by Erika Sheffer
Monday, September 26, 7:30 pm
A Steppenwolf commission, The Fundamentals explores America's corporate culture through its main character, Millie, a resourceful young mother and housekeeper at a New York luxury hotel. When an opportunity in management gives her the chance to leave her blue-collar life behind, she is faced with how much, and who, she is willing to sacrifice. Cast members perform excerpts, and playwright Erika Sheffer and director Yasen Peyankov provide a behind-the-scenes look at the play's production. 

Carnegie Hall
Steve Reich 80th Birthday
Sunday, October 8, 7:30 pm
Preview Carnegie Hall's Steve Reich 80th Birthday celebration. Prior to its world premiere on November 1, Ensemble Signal conducted by Brad Lubman will perform excerpts from Reich's new work Pulse, Signal will also perform Quartet, a work scored for two pianos and two vibraphones. The program culminates with video excerpts from Three Tales, a ground breaking video opera by Reich and Beryl Korot. Reich and Korot will participate in a moderated discussion with Stuart Comer, MoMA chief curator of media and performance art. Pulse is co-commissioned by Carnegie Hall.

MCC Theater
Ride the Cyclone by Jacob Richmond and Brooke Maxwell
Sunday, October 16, 7:30 pm
Prior to the New York premiere of Ride the Cyclone,creators Jacob Richmond and Brooke Maxwell and director Rachel Rockwell discuss the quirky musical that follows six teenagers whose lives are tragically interrupted aboard a roller coaster ride that promises a prize like no other. Excerpts will be performed. 

Works & Process Commission Encore
Commedia dell'arte by John Zorn
Sunday, October 23, 9 pm
American composer and musical pioneer John Zorn returns with Commedia dell'arte, a suite of five miniatures inspired by the dell'arte characters Harlequin, Colombina, Scaramouche, Pulcinella, and Pierrot. Zorn participates in a moderated discussion.


Rules Of The Game by Jonah Bokaer and Daniel Arsham
Monday, October 31, 7:30 pm
Choreographer Jonah Bokaer and scenographer Daniel Arsham's largest collaboration yet, Rules Of The Game is a new multidisciplinary work for eight dancers. It features an original score composed by Pharrell Williams, arranged and conducted by David Campbell and recorded by the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. Bokaer discusses the collaboration, and excerpts are performed before the New York premiere at Brooklyn Academy of Music's Next Wave Festival. 
Enter via the ramp at 88th St and 5th Ave. 

Houston Grand Opera
It's a Wonderful Life by Jake Heggie and Gene Scheer
Sunday, November 6, 7:30 pm
Houston Grand Opera artistic and music director Patrick Summers, composer Jake Heggie, and librettist Gene Scheer discuss Heggie and Scheer's It's a Wonderful Life-an opera based in part on the timeless film It's a Wonderful Life* (1946) and Philip Van Doren Stern's short story The Greatest Gift (1943). Excerpts will be performed prior to the world premiere. 
*The opera adaptation is by permission of Paramount Licensing, Inc and co-commissioned by San Francisco Opera. 

The Metropolitan Opera
L'Amour de Loin by Kaija Saariaho
Monday, November 7, 7:30 pm
Excerpts from Finnish composer Kaija Saariaho's breakthrough opera L'Amour de Loin are performed prior to the Met Opera premiere in a new production by Robert Lepage. Peter Gelb, General Manager, Metropolitan Opera, willmoderate a discussion with Saariaho and the creative team. 

Works & Process Commission
Jodi Melnick with Sara Mearns, Jared Angle and Gretchen Smith
Sunday, November 13, 3* and 7:30 pm
Monday, November 14, 7:30 pm
See the culmination of choreographer Jodi Melnick's Works & Process residency with dancers Sara Mearns, Jared Angle, and Gretchen Smith. Melnick's work weaves dance, spoken text, and moderated discussion with Claudia La Rocco. The performance features live music for harpsichord by composer György Ligeti, violin by composer Heinrich Biber,and newly commissioned music by Robert Boston. 
*Enter via the ramp at 88th St and 5th Ave. 

Nederlands Dans Theater with Sol León and Paul Lightfoot
Tuesday, November 15, 7:30 pm
Preview Nederlands Dans Theater's New York City Center season with excerpts from choreographic works by Sol León and Paul Lightfoot, Marco Goecke, and Crystal Pite. León and Lightfoot will participate in a moderated discussion. 
Enter via the ramp at 88th St and 5th Ave. 


Juilliard Dance
New Dances with John Heginbotham, Katarzyna Skarpetowska, Pam Tanowitz, and Matthew Neenan
Sunday, November 20, 7:30 pm
Excerpts of new works by four innovative choreographers-John Heginbotham; Katarzyna Skarpetowska; Pam Tanowitz; and Matthew Neenan- are performed by Juilliard Dance students prior to their premieres. Artistic director Lawrence Rhodesdiscusses the creative process with the choreographers. 

Peter & the Wolf with Isaac Mizrahi
December 3, 4, 10, 11, 2:30 pm and 4 pm
December 9, 5 pm and 6:30 pm
Isaac Mizrahi narrates Sergei Prokofiev's charming children's classic as Brad Lubman conducts Ensemble Signal, and a cast performs choreography by John Heginbotham, bringing the 30-minute story to life for the young and young at heart. 
For children 5 and up. 
Premium front-row ticket: $100/$90 Friends of Works & Process and Guggenheim members
Enter via the ramp at 88th St and 5th Ave. 

Holiday Concert
Sunday and Monday, December 18 and 19, 7 pm
In what has become a revered annual tradition, Vox Vocal Ensemble, led by George Steel, fills the museum's iconic rotunda with the joyous sounds of holiday music. 
The museum closes at 5:45 pm and reopens at 6:45 pm for the concert. 
Floor seating: $40, $35 Friends of Works & Process and Guggenheim members
Ramp standing: $20, $15 Friends of Works & Process and Guggenheim members 

Location:
Peter B. Lewis Theater, unless otherwise noted
Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum
1071 Fifth Avenue at 89th Street
Subway: 4, 5, 6 train to 86th Street
Bus: M1, M2, M3, or M4 bus on Madison or Fifth Avenue

Tickets:
$40, $35 Friends of Works & Process and Guggenheim Members, unless otherwise noted.
$10 student rush tickets available one hour prior to each performance if space allows (for students under 25 with valid ID). 
For the box office call 212 423 3575, Mon-Fri, 1-5 pm, or visit worksandprocess.org.

The Art of Shaving Launched The Morris Park Collection with Olivia Palermo and Johannes Huebl

The Art of Shaving debuted The Morris Park Collection with Johannes Huebl and Olivia Palermo in New York City last night. Todd Brisky, Managing Director of The Art of Shaving, introduced guests to The Morris Park Collection while highlighting the new razors’ smooth handling, bold style and superior performance. The evening featured a look at rare 1950s and 1960s vintage cars that inspired The Morris Park Collection. Throughout the night, The Art of Shaving Master Barbers’ demonstrated how to achieve key grooming styles using the Morris Park Collection razor and 4 Elements of the Perfect Shave. Attendees indulged in passed bites inspired by the three razor colors – Signal Red, Royal Blue and British Racing Green - as they experienced the sleek race cars and sporty shaving collection.

Special guests Johannes Huebl and Olivia Palermo previewed the cars while mingling amongst guests and discussing key grooming tips with The Art of Shaving Master Barbers. Johannes, dressed in a crisp blazer with navy pants, and Olivia, in a black tuxedo dress, mirrored the contemporary elegance of The Morris Park Collection.

Johannes Huebl and Olivia Palermo explained, “The Morris Park Collection combines the look of a classic car with a modern design in three bright, eye-catching colors. We love the racecar-themed names, which are a fashion-forward twist to incorporate into a daily grooming routine.” 

As a fixture on men’s fashion pages, Johannes continued, “The Morris Park Collection is a very fashionable and cool grooming collection of razors, fun for every Gentleman who prefers the proper wet shave."

The Morris Park Collection 

The Art of Shaving introduces The Morris Park Collection, a new line of razors inspired by New York’s historic Morris Park race track. Displaying smooth handling and bold style, The Art of Shaving Morris Park Collection razors bring a sleek, bright design into gentlemen’s bathrooms to start their mornings stylishly.

Exclusively designed by The Art of Shaving, the world’s leading premium shave brand, each Morris Park Collection razor features a bright and superior design to create an exceptional shaving experience. Choose from three signature vintage racing colors – Signal Red, Royal Blue or British Racing Green. Each razor is lacquered in a striking high-gloss finish and accented with distinct chrome accents and inlaid detailing. A lightweight and balanced handle is marked with clean lines and a crisp white racing stripe, elegantly merging the razor’s timeless race car inspiration with a modern, cutting-edge appearance.

The Morris Park Collection is a continuation of The Art of Shaving’s long-standing relationship with New York, which have been intertwined since the first Art of Shaving stores flourished on the city’s concrete streets in 1996. Taking its influence from the classic cars that first raced at Morris Park in Bronx, New York during the early twentieth century, the Morris Park Collection mirrors their vivid colors, fine craftsmanship and sporty, yet elegant, look.

Similar to the previous Chelsea and Lexington Collections, the Morris Park Collection extends The Art of Shaving’s Heritage Collection series. Each Heritage Collection echoes the voice and character of New York’s most dynamic neighborhoods, landmarks and streets. To elevate one’s daily shaving ritual, pair the Morris Park Collection razors with The Art of Shaving’s pre-shave, shaving and after-shave products to experience a unique and individual take on the 4 Elements of The Perfect Shave. The Morris Park Collection razor fits with all Gillette Fusion and Fusion ProGlide blades. 

  • The Art of Shaving

Founded in 1996, The Art of Shaving is considered one of the world’s leading premium shaving brands with its essential oil based grooming products, high-end shaving instruments, and a growing retail chain dedicated to men’s shaving. The Art of Shaving has trademarked its wet shaving system “The 4 Elements of the Perfect Shave” – Prepare, Lather Up!, Shave, and Moisturize – and is recognized as one of the best-selling men’s brands at high-end department stores. What started from one small store in Manhattan has evolved into an extensive collection of male-focused luxury retail shops across the country – over half of which boast Barber Spas; a unique masculine service concept that combines traditional barber services with essential oil facial treatments. Today, The Art of Shaving shops are found in over 140 self-named locations across the US. The Art of Shaving is sold online atwww.TheArtofShaving.com and at fine retailers online stores such as Nordstrom.com, Bloomingdales.com, Sephora.com, Neiman Marcus, Barneys New York, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Macy’s. 

The Morris Park Collection is available at The Art of Shaving boutiques and www.theartofshaving.com, and retails for $60.

Through June 22nd, purchase a Morris Park Collection Razor with any Mid-Size Kit for $95.

*** SOME EXTRA FASION HIGHLIGHTS:

Olivia was wearing-

  • Dress: Black tuxedo dress by Tibi
  • Shoes: Pink caged heels by Schutz
  • Bracelets: Matching embellished cuffs by Miriam Haskell
  • Purse: Black clutch by Hayward

Photo Credit: Ben Draper Photography

Domingo Zapata’s three one-of-a-kind, hand-painted pieces to be auctioned!

Recently, Stacey Bendet hosted a private dinner party to celebrate the Alice + Olivia and Domingo Zapata CFDA Capsule collection. The collaboration with the CFDA got launched on Tuesday, April 28th at the dinner party.

***

Attendees Included

Stacey Bendet, Domingo Zapata, Princess Eugenie York Lisa Smilor, Diane von Furstenberg, Juliette Lewis, Jennifer Morrison, Mary Louise Parker, Kelly Rutherford, Diana Picasso, Ashley Smith, Tali Lennox, Rachel Roy, Abby Elliott, Gigi Burris, Sara Sophie Flicker, Sabine Heller, Kyle Hotchkiss Carone, Ian Jones, Sean Macpherson, Lola Schnabel, Brandi Garnett, SZA, Chelsea Leyland, Amirah Kassem, Cleo Wade, Phoebe Stephens, Annete Stephens

Music by Alix Brown

***

Famous Artist Domingo Zapata’s three one-of-a-kind, beautifully hand-painted pieces to be auctioned for CFDA

***

For the first CFDA capsule collection, Stacey Bendet has partnered with celebrated artist Domingo Zapata. The collection will be available for purchase at the end of April at all alice + olivia stores and other retail partners.

Each year, alice + olivia will work with a new artist to create a one-of-a-kind piece to be auctioned off with 100% of proceeds going to the CFDA. Versions of this item will then be featured in a capsule collection available at all alice + olivia by Stacey Bendet stores and other retail partners with 50% of the proceeds donated to the CFDA.

Stacey Bendet, CEO and Creative Director of alice + olivia, says,“This partnership is exciting for me as it is very reflective of my brand and our continued collaboration with artists. It is also wonderful to be able to raise funds for the CFDA, in their ongoing support of our industry and its new talent.”

Steven Kolb, CEO of the CFDA says, “Stacey Bendet has been a valued member of the CFDA for a long time and we could not be more appreciative for her work to help us in our cause to advance up-and-coming fashion designers. The extraordinary support we will be receiving from the brand thanks to this initiative is invaluable to our organization.”

The alice + olivia x Domingo Zapata capsule collection consists of three pieces:

  • a gown $898,
  • floor-length skirt $598 and
  • a mini dress $298,

Each in a beautiful print rendered from a mural painted by Domingo Zapata.

“As an artist, my purpose is to share with the world those things that speak to my heart”, says Domingo Zapata. A few hundred pieces of each style will be produced and sold at all freestanding alice + olivia stores nationwide. The pieces will be available for presale Wednesday April 29th onwww.aliceandolivia.com/CFDA.

The collaboration with the CFDA got launched on Tuesday, April 28th at a dinner hosted by Stacey Bendet and Domingo Zapata. Additionally, Paddle8 will be auctioning off one of a kind pieces including a gown and floor-length skirt, both hand painted and signed by Zapata. An alice + olivia custom two-piece skirt and leather bustier with piping in print painted by Zapata will be up for auction as well. All proceeds will go to the CFDA. 

 Additionally, Paddle8 will be auctioning off one of a kind pieces including a gown and floor-length skirt, both hand painted and signed by Zapata. An alice + olivia custom two-piece skirt and leather bustier with piping in print painted by Zapata will be up for auction as well. All proceeds will go to the CFDA.

For more details on auction, visit: www.paddle8.com/auctions/aliceandolivia 

Special thanks to: BOMBAY SAPPHIRE® and BOMBAY SAPPHIRE® East Gin, MARTINI® Prosecco, GREY GOOSE® Vodka, Robert Mondavi Private Selection and Peroni Nastro Azzurro.

Nail Art: New Trends to Follow

The new fashion mania has unusual trends for spring 2015...

In the past few years nail art has become a mandatory fashion whim, that can very elegantly substitute jewellery. When shaking hands, when waving adieu, ladies’ ten fingers are always at the forefront of interaction with others, and their decorations somehow point out the personality of the girl wearing the nail art.

This spring dictates three musts in the use of Vernis à Onglese: simplicity, lightness and refinement. Patterns and colors are accepted, although black and white are the hippest shades. Natural colors, like old-rose, beige or pastel tints are highly recommendable. Even more so, the nude effect. For the summertime ladies can run wild adopting some gold and silver, as long as the length of the nail is moderate with a rounded shape. Stilettos are out!

New York’s latest Fashion Week had proclaimed gangsta nail art - with dazzling gems or delicate pearl - as the new mania for the hot season. The over-the-top-graffiti-inspired nail decorations however seem to clash with a more recent fashion debate, where the Big Apple and the City of Angels collide on what nail art to adopt. New Yorkers prefer solid colors, whereas Californians enjoy all kinds of creative patterns, especially those inspired by nature, evoking flowers or fruits. A trait to which both coasts seem to comply to, is the Reverse French Manicure, where a contrasting color to the main varnish is placed on the bezel near zone cuticle rather than on the tip of the nail. 

Los Angeles is more celebrity driven as opposed to the fashion driven New York, nevertheless this new nail art trend has been flaunted at red carpets in both cities. The Half-Moon Manicure seems to please all, for the edgy elegant way it uses the negative space, creating an orderly extravagant chic look.

Street Fashion comes from flea markets

Flea markets in New York can be a revelation to create your own fashion style...

Are you addicted to the vintage look? I am! If you are too I’ll take you on a journey through the hippest flea markets in New York, to grasp that alluring shabby chic street fashion look.

When you mention flea markets some people, obscured by prejudice, might twitch their noses. But bare in mind that besides helping the environment through sustainable fashion you are also digging for pieces that belong to a historical tradition of tailoring, that gave major focus to the choice of materials and manufacturing, before Made in China took over.

Uptown girls won’t miss a hike through GreenFlea, located at Columbus Avenue between West 76th 77th Streets, which flaunts a history of more than quarter of a century and is the darling market of the nerdiest vintage freaks. 

Hell’s Kitchen is the place to get hell of a street fashion look! Just walk around West 39th Street between 9th & 10th Avenues and you will find a triad of markets, where you can get all your mid-century modern items.

If you leave Manhattan, the Brooklyn Borough can be full of surprises. One Hanson Place gathers hundreds of vendors every weekend selling antique, vintage clothing, arts and crafts by local designers. On 70 Seventh Street you can roam about  during the weekend at Artists & Fleas, co-founded by Amy Abrams and Ronen Glimer, which can be found not only in Williamsburg but also in Chelsea. Here you’ll find anything, from accessories to eccentric home decor.

Staying in the Chelsea neighborhood I must mention by beloved Garage Market which unfortunately has closed and succumbed to New York real estate, since the building that hosted the indoor parking garage is to be torn down for new constructions. But just a few blocks away from 12 West 25th Street, the outdoor market will take over, just remember you have to pay 1$ for entrance.

The list can go on, but if you get these covered you are on the right track to being one of those City bargain hunters, who knows how to find the best deals for cool street fashion.

FTL Moda brings disabled models on the catwalk

FTL Moda, headed by Antonio Urzí, made history when it participated for the first time to the New York Fashion Week, featuring the first ever male amputee – Jack Eyers, a British personal trainer – to catwalk for the runway.

Antonio Urzí, who worked for Armani, Versace and has designed costumes for Lady Gaga, Beyoncé, Rihanna and Britney Spears gathers differently abled models from all over the world to represent the new collections of topnotch fashion designers.

Models in wheelchairs and crutches truly revolutionize the fashion world which has inflicted on all of us unattainable beauty references, that even conventional abled people have difficulty attaining. The Italian expression “The world is beautiful because it is diversified” seems to be the essence of FTL Moda, who brings on the catwalk a variety of human beings, each one equipped with a unique beauty. 

The show that was presented in the Big Apple was in collaboration with Fondazione Vertical – an Italian foundation, that supports research to find a cure for spinal cord injuries. The collection, titled “FTL Moda Loving You” featured leather and metal materials with a heavy use of gold and silver body paint.

The Italian show producer Ilaria Niccolini explains how it has been fulfilling for her , both professionally and on a human level, to completely embrace diversity: “It is a very significant moment in my fashion career. This opportunity finally opens the most recognized runways in the world to these beautiful talents, ready to show that disability is very often just a mental state by performing on the runway next  to some of the best models on the scene.”

This epitomizes how beauty is all about feeling comfortable within our bodies. It’s a mental state we project on others. If we feel gorgeous, those surrounding us will perceive us as such, despite our limbs and shapes may be different from the ones of the masses.

Montgomery. Re-invention.

Fashion designer Montgomery is relaunching her brand.  Her fashion forward work received the Vidal Sassoon Award for Style in 1995 and the Absolute Vodka Style Award in 1999.  

Her ring-a-ding spin on style has been photographed the world over with a Japanese cult following that encompasses all generations. Sixty year old grandmothers share their collectables with their four year old granddaughters.

Montgomery's stylish store once called Harlem home but the aggressive gentrification placed the artist in a situation that almost found her, and her collections, homeless.

The voluminous inspiration found in that store is best summed up by style legend Andre Leon Talley: "What's great about Montgomery is that it is exactly what it is: a specialty dress shop in the old-fashioned sense.  Go there for a full-skirted Dorothy Dandridge dinner dress -- hello Halle Berry? with a Schiaparelli-pink Salvador Dali lipstick print."

2014: Walking pass the Studio Museum of Harlem a collection of one-of-a-kind Collage jewelry (sold in the museum store) caught myNewYorkeye and that's how this creative exchange began.

She's one of three Harlem designers that have generously offered to style me for my Hollywood/Oscar/ESSENCE 7th annual Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon and celebrity one on one interview adventure.

myNewYorkeye: What should we call you?

Montgomery: My name Montgomery Harris but I like to go by Montgomery.

web-link montgomeryboutique.com

myNewYorkeye: So that would make your FaceBook just Montgomery.

Montgomery: Correct and my occupation is designer.

myNewYorkeye: I understand that a generous percentage of your sales, inside the Studio Museum of Harlem goes to that organization?  True and if so, why?

Montgomery: True.  It's part of  an organization that I feel is amazing.  It allows me to give back to the community of Harlem were I grew up.  The same applies when those pieces are purchased on-line.

myNewYorkeye: Your favorite creations?

Montgomery: My favorite creations is  Jolinda, the family group of which baby girl, is a third generation and the Toad Skin print collection.

myNewYorkeye: I'm working on a book called "failure?" which is a collection of real life stories about people who "failed" until they "didn't," asking the question what is "failure?"

So, you know the question.

Montgomery: Failure (to me) was closing my business in Harlem and almost becoming homeless.  To follow my dream of being a designer, artist, I sacrificed...everything.  And now....

I'll answer that for Montgomery since the emotion stirred in her like a cyclone,rendering her temporarily speechless. 

And now comes a phenomenal-Montgomery-reinvention. 

Follow my Hollywood road trip @lapacazome