The Quest for "it"

Usher The Fragrance is Gaining Ground

                                              Hey!

Looks like Usher the fragrance has really taken off. The  onslaught of recent scents for women, created by celebs, has reached an all time high this fall.  Which is why The Quest for "it" has been in constant touch with friends Larry Zarsky and Robert Levin of the Icon Group (see photo at left).   The Icon Group  (recent dinner guests of Usher while he was in town) are behind much of pop superstars licensing.  The Icon Group gave us TONS of valuable tidbits on Usher's recent Fragrance Launch Party at Cipriani, including a rundown from WWD, mentions in AM New York, and of course reports from sister blogs:
Mediatakeout.com, Invademycloset.com, Brownsista.com and of course online news outlets such as Channel4.com and even a video on Forbes.com Video Network.

Of course as promised, the official word on Usher's fragrances is -- both are outselling the fragrances of many of his colleagues right about now. At left is a second EXCLUSIVE photo we took from Usher's recent appearance for the fragrance at Macy's Herald Square in New York.

Usher for Women is a luscious, fruity, floral scent. The fragrance is ultra-feminine and sexy. She is secure, mysterious, and addictive.   Usher for Men is a fresh, woody, musk scent. The fragrance is cool confidence - whether sophisticated and relaxed in a leather jacket and jeans, or a gentlemen in a black tuxedo.  Usher for both men and women were made available nationwide as of September 2007.

*photo by The Quest for "it"

The Sweet Sounds of Success that Come from Making Books Sing

Have the hustle and bustle of September got you CRAZED?  We too were CRAZED at The Quest for "it", giddy  like school children on their first day of school, when we attended The Back to School Ball on September 15th.  Yes, it was just two weeks ago that the Making Books Sing Back To School Ball hit the venue of New York City's Runway.  The Back To School Ball,*** the brainchild of Development (Individual Giving) & Marketing Communications Manager Kimberly Wilson was a smashing success.

Nearly 200 guests including New York City teachers, teaching artists, and other young professionals enjoyed cocktails served by Russian Imperia Vodka models, light fare by Whole Foods Market, and desserts by Sweet Virgo Desserts, while listening to the well-crafted selections of the goddess-like DJ Reborn. Each guest received a Kenneth Cole gift bag with materials from sponsors including the latest issue of GOTHAM Magazine (the premiere sponsor), and special gift bag of gourmet tomato sauce by DelGrosso Foods. The first benefit co-chaired by the Making Books Sing Crew raised nearly $3,000 to support
Making Books Sing Education Program -- incorporating arts education with a focus on literacy, social studies, and theatre arts.

The Quest for "it" was fast at work snapping pics, and speaking with attendees from New York City's academic community, such as James Martin, a private school teacher at the newly established Middle School for Marketing and Legal Studies (East Flatbush, Brooklyn).  Mr. Martin, who had received his invite to attend the event from a colleague, shared his experiences on being a teacher, as well as his thoughts on the value of school uniforms as a means of fostering pride and increased self-esteem in his students.  In regards to the event itself he remarked,   "Making Books Sing adds a creative side to things, I have no problem spending a few hundred dollars on raffle tickets as Making Books Sing helps deprived kids."

Before leaving we grabbed a few tasty mini-cupcakes, courtesy of Sweet Virgo, as we spoke with  with Co-Founder and Executive Director Debra Sue Lorenzen, who was excited about all of the new events to come on behalf of Making Books Sing. The majority of the events will include special live performances, and will greatly involve the children directly.  We were saddened to hear that we missed the special guest of the evening, writer/public speaker turned politician Kevin Powell, but look forward to more from Making Books Sing come Spring.

***-Back to School Ball is the first annual event set up to fund the efforts of  Making Books Sing--the children's theater and arts education organization.

Denim is the Choice of Hollywood's Most Fashionable Couple

Hi!

There's no stopping America's love for denim, and there's definitely no stopping the celebs love for denim. As we mere mortals scout out the hottest in designer denim, no doubt to look our very, very best, celebs like Victoria Beckham and husband David Beckham rock these denim looks with ease. Victoria Beckham is shown here wearing DVB Denim while David Beckham prefers PRPS. 

Hmmm...couples that wear denim together....never mind!

;)

FIRST LOOK PHOTO: Usher's Personal Appearance at Macy's Herald Square

Hello,

The Quest for "it" was on official business tonight at the suggestion of friends Larry Zarsky and Robert Levin of the Icon Group.  We didn't make Usher's very swank fragrance launch at Cipriani's this past Tuesday night, but we did snap this EXCLUSIVE photo at Usher's personal appearance TONIGHT at Macy's Herald Square.  Look for the post with a bit more detail on both Usher's mens and womens fragrances shortly.

Grammy award winning pop superstar Usher

*photo by The Quest for "it"

Mya, Mya, Mya at The Terrace Magazine Launch

Hey!       

Odd, a night out type piece was  never what I    intended,   but it   seems that Wednesday, September 19 th  is definitely worth mentioning!  What am I  talking  about?    Well,  after  leaving Soho's WEEN  event this  chick on the quest headed  over  to West Chelsea's Pink Elephant for a little unofficial reporting.  No, I was not asked to cover the Terrace Magazine Launch -- (where exactly was Claude Grunitzky?) -- this was just pure socializing...well socializing by way of getting in an extended visit with R&B Singer Mya.

After entering a VERY PACKED Pink Elephant, and watching major New York Movers and Shakers including Bethann Model Management's Bethann Hardison whiz by, I  made my way over to the bar.  It was about 9:45 pm (the event began at 9:00 pm) and well, nearly 30-45 minutes later after specialty NaVan martinis, I was ready for more MYA! Where was she? Not sure, but I was let into the roped off VIP after incidentally texting the club's manager, David Cohen.  Where was he? after all, I rarely ever make it to Pink Elephant--where was my personalized greeting? ONLY KIDDING! I digress...anyway, the girl heading up VIP let me in and I waited with my now almost turned over 20 oz. NaVan martini with other VIP partiers.  Soon a small entourage came in and swooped right into the first banquette, which happened to be exactly where I was standing! It was Mya! Notably she was with her manager, Kevin Columbus who had earlier approved my interview with her for WEEN, and the cover model of Terrace Magazine.

I am keeping this one short--YEAH RIGHT!  In a nutshell, I was fortunate enough to sit at the table with the above entourage and snap the above pic of Mya (10:30 pm or so) who now was wearing a sexy purple cut-out look.  I was also fortunate enough to confirm that in addition to Mya, manager Kevin Columbus also rep.'s Magic Johnson Enterprises among others.  As their arrival was late in the evening and there was not much time, the DJ played Mya's former hit Like Whoa, Mya and co-cover model Victoria Britto (see photo above) conversed and laughed; Kevin Columbus mentioned that he was hungry and longed for a good meal, and then...the lights were turned on and the party was OVER!!!!  This chick on the quest ended up exiting with the small entourage who entered a large white SUV that awaited them at the entrance of Pink Elephant.

What? You were expecting JUICY GOSSIP of some sort?... that's it...there's nothing more... oh! other than the fact that I was truly inspired by Mya's poise, grace and ability to have fun without getting hammered like so many celeb chicks out there in the nightlife ... H-E-L-L-O.

Hopefully, I'll see her out again soon!

*photo by The Quest for "it"

WEEN Launch Rises to the Occasion: Celebs & Industry Execs Unite

                                                   Hi!

It has been 1 week to the day since the WEEN (Women in Entertainment Empowerment Network) launch event took place at Soho's Bo Concept.    The launch which officially began at 7:30 pm on Wednesday, September 19th with a pink carpet saw a number of big name celebs, entrepreneurs, industry insiders, and supporters***  of WEEN  -- an umbrella organization of the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network.  WEEN's 4 Founding Members and Senior  Advisory Board-- Valeisha Butterfield, Lauren Lake, Kristi Henderson, Sabrina Thompson, as well as Sylvia Rhone were present for the kick off event along with R&B Singer Mya, among others.

Founded by women in the entertainment industry committed to supporting, promoting, and defending the positive, balanced portrayal of women in entertainment, and in society, the WEEN network consists of women and men dedicated to improving the quality of life of women throughout the world. The Quest for "it" spoke with superstar R&B Singer Mya who very eloquently stated in regards to WEEN's mission, "there's a lot of negative images in entertainment as a whole, and that there just needs to be a balance; being a female is many different things--sensuality, intellect, nurturing, passion, goal setting, career, women, influence...it's not just one-dimensional.  So creating a balanced image of what is positive when it comes to women is very, very healthy...I really appreciate that factor."

Bo Concept was near capacity most of the evening, and as we surveyed the crowd for other attendees willing to share their thoughts on what being a WEEN member means, or if they were going to join, we found Designer Zulema Griffin formerly of Project Runway (Season 2).  Ms. Griffin had recently completed a runway show for her Spring 2008 collection now viewable on Style.com, and is poised to become a member of WEEN based on the empowering synergy and feeling of sisterhood which permeated the room.

It has been awhile since The Quest for "it" had to be torn away from an event, but the night was young, and there was yet another appointment to be met, an event to attend.  Before exiting, introductions were made to a few male guests which included Dr. Benjamin Chavis, a leader of the Hip-Hop Summit.  Lastly, Hellos were said to Uptown Magazine Publisher Jostlyn Taylor, as well as Tina Lee, Media & Events CEO, and President Bettina Lee--both soon to be members.

Check back for more on WEEN and its activities in future posts--it is a "must join" for any chick on the quest.

***- celebs, entrepreneurs and industry insiders both men and women filled the furniture showroom and included: HSAN Chairman Russell Simmons, HSAN President/CEO Dr. Benjamin Chavis,Warner Brothers VP Kevin Liles, Palestinian Rapper Belly, Power 105's Eygpt, Hot 97 Raqiyah Mays and DJ Cocoa Chanelle,  Producers LIL X  and Bryan Michael Cox, Miss Universe Rachel Smith, Celebrity Styleaholic Najwa Moses etc.

Usher Fragrance in a Mag. Near You!

                                               Hey There!

Usher--the fragrance is out! OK, so maybe you knew that already.  Perhaps you've already opened the scented insert in your favorite magazine and experienced the fragrance that is well...USHER.  So, uh...for all those who have not, apparently there is plenty of time. What am I talking about? Usher has a major media launch plan that is already under way. You can catch the new fragrance via scented strip in the following mags right now: Vibe, Entertainment Weekly, Vogue, Blender and Maxim. It's available via Liquitouch Scented inserts (whatever that means) in: Cosmopolitan, In Style and GQ.  Look for future scent strips in Cosmo Girl, Oprah, Latina, Essence and Stuff in October, and then a re-cap with some of the original mags listed above in December.

Haven't sniffed the fragrance yet, but we are smelling the lingering scent of MONEY that this deal is sure to bring...and it's smelling pretty SWEET! Can  you feel the love?

;)

Mercedes Benz SPR 2008 Fashion Week Wrap II: EXCLUSIVE SPR 08--Hottest Runway Looks

Hey There!

Attending the shows during Fashion Week is not a right, but a privilege, and if you are one of the lucky few to see the fashions first hand right as they come down the runway, then count yourself lucky. Then too, there are so many shows no one could possibly see them ALL. To follow are some of the best Spring '08 Couture looks from the many, many, MANY shows of this season's greatest designers.

left to right: Diane Von Furstenberg,Diane Von Furstenberg, Carlos Miele, Marc Bouwer, Carolina Herrerra, J. Mendel, Marc Bouwer

    

Mercedes Benz SPR 2008 Fashion Week Wrap I: EXCLUSIVE Q & A with Fashion & Style Expert Robert Verdi @ Lacoste

                               Hello,

As always Fashion Week reporting is comprised of several elements often the most exciting element is the celebrity interview.  Particularly exciting are celeb EXCLUSIVES with Fashion and  Style experts--hint, hint.  This season while doing pre-show backstage reporting at Lacoste, I spoke with Fashion and Style expert Robert Verdi.  Fortunately, he shared his thoughts on Lacoste, and why Lacoste is so immensely popular in the United States.  Robert is currently back in New York working on various projects, and promised to keep The Quest for "it" up on it all as it happens. 

I'm sure you've been to Lacoste before, but what's different about this show from some of the other shows that you go to? I think what's different about this show is it's a very  sportswear driven company that comes out of France.  A lot of sportswear comes from the US. There's something interesting about Lacoste; they cut from a European mind, it's a little trimmer a little slimmer. The details have a little more risk--sometimes the pants on the guys are a little more cropped then you would find from an American Retailer; the shirt maybe a little more fitted, the V in the V-Neck a little deeper.

In contrast to American Sportswear?  Lacoste has a subtlety that reflects a different sense of casual dressing that is not rooted in the American standard. However, there is an Americanized vision to it. I love seeing the basics that get re-invented at Lacoste season after season.

Examples? Well, how they take a polo shirt and make it into a sleeveless, floor-length dress. To take something that's really familiar to a person that they may have owned at one time or still have in their closet...they (Lacoste) can create a fresh new twist, a fresh new version season after season.

*please note that the above interview in its entirety will be available via audio as part of the Luxe Life Reports (Sirius) shortly.

Going Live on Net-A-Porter Today:Jonathan Saunders, Burberry, Luella, Anna Sui

Hey There!

Here is a selection of new accessories going live on Net-A-Porter today 09.20.07...

Jonathan Saunders: Afton Ombre Dress; Burberry: Awsworth packaway trench ; Luella: Chelsea fitted shirt; Anna Sui: Faux Fur Leopard Coat  and more...scroll over each item for Designer name and name of corresponding clothing.