PUBLISHED ARTICLES

The continuous film strip of vibrant scenes dancing through your mind’s eye; gallivanting on wild adventures as if experiencing it firsthand; familiar and unknown faces sprinkled throughout; exhilarating secret desires played out that you may unknowingly had or that you’ve been processing through in your waking hours; or on the flip side, those horrible images that leave you trembling in fear, reliving what happened, anticipating what could happen, or seeing what will happen. The complexities of our mind, dreaming, and brilliance at work. However, our dreaming is not only for those moments of nightly unconscious and subconscious reboots and rehashing; but rather, we get the pleasure of dreaming during daylight as well.

It’s that time again – my favorite time of year is here. The sound of bells and carols that ring announcement and joy; the delicious aromas of evergreen, cinnamon, and freshly baked delights; the bedazzling warmth of lights glistening everywhere you go; the excitement and love lighting up my daughter’s eyes as we share these precious moments together; the laughter and bonds of friends; the helping hands and kindness of people. That sweet moment when the all the world is dark and asleep, and I get to sit beside the glowing tree full of wonder and gratitude, to remember, reflect and cherish the greatest gift that has been given to us by the Creator – to be at peace and walk into our real and authentic selves. 

The Oxford Dictionary describes metamorphosis as the process of transformation from an immature form to an adult form in two or more distinct stages; a change of the form or nature of a thing into a completely different one, by natural or supernatural means. Merriam Webster defines it as a change of physical form, structure, or substance especially by supernatural means. What does it mean to you? Where have you meta morphed in your life? Can you put your finger on it? Can you pinpoint where it happened and exactly how it happened? It can be a mutation, a transformation, a rebirth. When we think of metamorphosis, we instantly think of a caterpillar undergoing metamorphosis into a beautiful butterfly. Or a frog, moving through its stages from egg, tadpole, to eventually a frog. While this term scientifically only pertains to insects and amphibians, and is not used towards humans as we are fully formed in our mother’s womb, I beg to differ that we can’t experience metamorphosis in our life.

Tonight’s the night. It’s finally here! The week we’ve all been waiting for. As I dab some color on my face, delicately line my eyes and layer my lash intensity mascara on lash by lash, I feel the familiar giddy feelings in my body; the feelings you can hardly contain – getting all dolled up, ready for a momentous night out on the town, filled with hope and joy knowing it’s gonna be a good night. Those feelings that we get when we’re about to go out with the love of our life, so full of passion and expectation. I slip into my Zuhair Murad dress and buckle my Jimmy Choos, slather some glossy red lipstick on, and take a final look in the mirror before I step into my night of possibility and dreams. My mind races and excitement stirs within me in deep anticipation of the fairy tale and adventure that awaits me at Fort Lauderdale Fashion Week, filled with allure and bedazzlement.

While living in the fast lane of Formula 1, one such iconic luxury motorsport beauty has expanded into another lane: the fashion circuit. Ferrari, the global name known for sophisticated luxury at incredible speeds, has stepped onto the runway in their fashion debut with their Spring Ready-to-Wear and Menswear 2022 collection. Winning 31 championships and starting first in line 251 times, Ferrari did not fail to please once again. Designed by Rocco Iannone, this 52 look collection was held on the Ferrari assembly line in Maranello, Italy where its roots have been growing since 1947. With a desire to enlarge their audience and bring more young generations and women in, the collection was born. In order to serve this increased base, the collection will range in sizes XXXS to XXXL which allows for every body type to fit perfectly into a Ferrari piece.

On a clear day with blue skies, under “The Red Gateway” a mesmerizing collection strides down the corridor. This season, the Louis Vuitton Resort 2022 collection is revealed through film at Axe Majeur, an urban landscape created by Israeli artist Dani Karavan just outside of Paris. From the very first moment, you’re thrust into flight, navigating through the terrain and red geometric framework, as the first look comes into view. Strutting to the beat of Reflektor by Arcade Fire, each model walks the journey – down the two-mile-long elongated footbridge, over the reflective stage surrounded by a basin pool, and up the steps in a crescendo of floating on endless clouds through concrete columns. With his lifetime interest in the convergence of architecture and fashion, Creative Director Nicolas Ghesquière found the perfect architectural and grandiose site to present his collection film.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN DESIGNING FOR?

I think – well, I graduated when I was 20, I think almost thirty years.

Dana: Okay, wonderful.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT DESIGNING?

I like the creativity. I like that you can do your own idea and project it to others. I have to think at the same time what other people are expecting and design something I like also. Then I have the challenge also - I have to decide how to please people, because it's not about me. You know what I mean?

Dana: Oh yes absolutely.

SO, YOU ALWAYS WANTED TO BE A DESIGNER?

No (laughing), I wanted you to be a lawyer actually. I graduated high school when I was 15 because I was gifted, and my mom and my brother suggested that I do something while I get a little older, something fun I like. I always liked design as well, playing with dolls, doing little dresses for dolls. And my mom was a seamstress, so I grew up with my mom doing dresses and everything, so then I was into it, but it was not my goal. So when I started I was in love and I gave up on being a lawyer, so then I moved to design and did the whole thing there for years, and then other courses to complete the career.

This season, we got to sit down and spend some time with our cover fashion designer, Lis Castella, and get the inside scoop of her day to day inspirations, routines, and favorites. Lis knows how important it is to take care of her face and skin, so applying 110 SPF sun protection on her face everyday starts her routine, and follows with a selection of dermatology products. For the rest of her delicate skin, she uses natural oil. Not only do European and Asian style trends inspire her, but also keep her in tune with what's going on in the industry, and gives her ideas of how to design her next pieces. She really enjoys their lead in colors, silhouettes and textures. In our fully encompassed lives, home is where the heart is they say. In Lis' home, she loves having candles with a soft smell, like ocean lavender, and decorating with favor purses and shades. Get to know Lis more like we did with checking out some of her other favorite items.

Delicious pieces fit for the long summer days that will take you into fall. For water and sand or strolling through the resort. Some shimmer and shine, and some corset action. Celebrating with attire that we've all been craving to wear again. And those to finish it off - a stunning pair of mismatched earrings or the bite of a panther.

Sequins & Metallics - Dance fever disco-esque

Fringe - Just a swish for a bit of accent

Bralette & Crop Matches - The perfect revamp with a midi skirt or wide leg pants

Crochet & Netting - Add a layer for some extra drama

Cutouts - A little peek-a-boo here and there

Puffy Sleeves - A little volume never hurt anyone

Wrap Around Heels - One more time for some extra sizzle

What a magical time when Spring is in the air, a time when we move out of the hibernation and solitude of winter, to a world transforming with bursts of brilliant colors, the sweet scents of dainty flowers, the sunshine gently warming the atmosphere, and the buzz of twitterpated creatures flittering about. Such a beautiful time of renewal, and not unlike our world today. With the extra-long hibernation and isolation of lockdowns, this pleasant shift of seasons has sprung hope and a freshness of life to our lives. The pain and stress of a world gone mad, one begins to breathe again as the ice on our hearts begin to thaw and melt.

Revealing a bold new direction, the Dolce & Gabbana Fall 2021 Ready-to-Wear collection was a nostalgic reminiscence and technicolor explosion of the futuristic cyberpunk of the 90’s, amalgamated with the bionic digital world of today. With the compelling endurance of Gen Z’s demand for a throwback to the houses’ 90’s era, Dolce & Gabbana finally gave them what they desired; a return to its past with “Barbie World” Aqua, the iconic “90’s Fashion” and “90’s Supermodel”, all wrapped up in an augmented reality extravaganza. In collaboration with the Instituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Dolce & Gabbana utilized multifunctional humanoid robots layered in chains, pearls and purses, to sashay down the runway alongside the models.

Creative Director of French fashion house Schiaparelli, Daniel Roseberry, did not fail to shock and allure us with his Fall 2021 Ready-to-Wear collection. He has certainly carried on the legacy of Elsa Schiaparelli of always being risky, extravagant, exuberant and unexpected. Like Elsa, Roseberry was inspired by her fascination of the anatomy, and displays his exploration of it through creating pieces that are bold and an unapologetic celebration of one’s body. While this surreal, provocative collection magnified body parts with precise anatomical details, it was strikingly elegant and dramatic. With a color palette of black, white and gold, and minimal silhouettes of trench coats, sweaters and tweed blazers, it’s in the embellished details that hit the cord.

How did you get in the music industry?

I DJ’d private events for friends while going to college and realized that I could make a living while having fun and doing what I love.

Did you always know you wanted to be a DJ?

No, but since I was about 8 years old, I’ve had a vision of myself on a stage, holding a microphone in front of a crowd. 

How long have you been a DJ for?

I’ve been DJing for about 3 years. 

What’s your take on the music scene in South Florida? Do you see it shifting?

It is so diverse in South Florida. I don’t necessarily see it shifting. Within a 20-mile radius, someone could really experience a great variety of music and genres. 

FLLFW: Krisztina, it's so great to talk with you today, and have you model for the ad campaign for our fashion week coming up in July. I am thrilled to be able to talk with you and get to know you more, and have our readers get to know you too.

How long have you been modeling for?

Thank you so much for having me. It's really nice to give back to the community and be a part of this awesome thing. I’ve known everyone for a while, so it's really nice to work with your friends and people that you know. So, I've been modeling over 22 years.

FLLFW: That's wonderful, wow.

Krisztina: There was some time I was on and off when I was traveling and family things. You know just personal things, but on and off, it's been 22 years.

From death to life, despair to hope, regret to fulfilled dreams. It’s always a pleasure to hear stories of transformation, the gallant victory of one daring and courageous individual bursting through despite all opposition. And it’s even better when this transformation not only changes the life of the one individual, but also radiates a series of ripples bringing lasting impacts to the lives of others as well. It reminds me of watching all the different genres of film. The best movies are always based on true stories, where the protagonist perseveres through every trial and storm, defeating their giants, and coming through to the other side triumphant and stronger. It was one such story that came across my desk – a story of friendship, dreams and restoration that would become the teal vintage bus of CIRCA2020MAC.

Water. Not only is it an absolute essential resource for mankind, but also is the precious and beautiful scape that makes up our exquisite ecosystem here in the state of Florida. The fragility of this magnificent spance of blue lies within our hands, and it must be taken care of. The actions and decisions of the human race have had detrimental effects on every species of the oceans, from microscopic to mammoth, and further extending to the land we dwell on. Within our fingertips, lies the delicate food chain. From commercial fishing practices, fishing materials and the mountains of trash we have collected, these waters are showing the effects of these practices. As stewards of the Earth and its resources, and water covering 75% of the planet, it’s up to us to slow the effects.

If someone had told you all that this year would hold and all that we would experience, you wouldn’t have believed it. On this roller coaster year of bouncing between turmoil, shock, bewilderment, isolation, grief and reflection, I have found myself, along with so many of you, saying “What?! Is this for real? This can’t be happening”. We’ve been in this altered reality where one day you’re going through life taking care of all your responsibilities, and then all of a sudden it hits you like a ton of bricks and the weight of all that has transpired and the effect of all the cracks in the world hits you square in the face.

Like the polarity that the world is experiencing, we see this daily juxtaposition played out in the Spring 2021 Ready-to-Wear shows around the world – everything from apocalyptic sectors to dreamy escapism.

We’re taken from the depths of a battlefield, through cozy comfort, to the fantastical imagination of glitz, glitter and the above and beyond. Designers have been further stretched into thinking outside the box to best display their new collection during the Covid world. This Spring took a phygital structure, where some were physical and some were digital. A feast of delight ensued with outdoor, socially spaced picnics, the most beautiful mini show, the invisible body, paper dolls, the use of videos, greens screens, their own video game, and jumping through the time travel portal.

How long have you been a lifestyle blogger and influencer for?

I have been a blogger for 4 years.

What do you love about being an influencer?

I love the opportunity to connect with new people in the Instagram world that have become my friends. I also love to work with amazing brands. Instagram has become the channel to make me able to inspire others to work for their dreams.

Did you always want to be an influencer? What brought you to become one?

It did not cross my mind to become an influencer, but it started when I moved to Atlanta, Georgia. I did not have any friends and I felt it was the best way to connect with people who had the same passion.

With the passing away of 2020 (and a sigh of relief), our thoughts are centered on the new year and the coming opportunities. At this time of year, we get to reflect on what this last year held and what we want the next year to look like. We start the annual clock all over again; we start the new year with a clean slate so full of possibilities – new doors, dreams, goals and a renewed reminder that we can choose what areas we would like to shift into, where to grow and improve, and what goals we want to accomplish.

So let’s design your year and your life. What do you want this next year to look like? What do you want to accomplish? What level do you want to be at? How do you want your style to change this next year? How do you want to look and feel about yourself? And how do you want to influence, inspire and impact others?

How long have you been taking pictures?

I’ve been taking pictures for almost ten years, and creating images for about six years. I’ve been passionate about photography ever since I got my hands on my first Polaroid camera when I was about 8 years old. Being able to capture a moment in time was something that really inspired me, harnessing my talents to refine and perfect an image really attracted me. Since then I have found my calling in fashion photography

Was being a photographer a lifelong dream, or a path you stumbled upon?

A career as a professional photographer is thrilling and innovative. My soulful creativity would seek a means of expression which made me realize its time to pick up a camera. This drove me to choosing photography as a career. I harness this creative drive within me through the lens!

As one’s fingers softly flips through the pages of a magazine, you glance at the page of editors and begin to ponder about their work. In no time at all, you are pulled into their creative vision in their fashion spreads and writings - a fantastical picture and story painted just for you. Still yet another night, you are sitting in the first row at a fashion show being whisked away into the magical world of the designer; the energy, the power, and vibrancy pulsing through you, through a production that is so perfectly produced and runs like clockwork. And while we may see the finished work, the one behind it, is how it came to be. Without the dynamic editors and fashion show producers, these stories and worlds that we are transported to would not exist.