My Top 5: 2013 Moments

Top 5: Nicaragua Diseña 2013

so much work, drama, talent, and fun. one of my favorite projects and a growing design incubator that will surely keep getting bigger and better each year. 

Top 4: Shantall Lacayo

this year we participated in events and meetings in Panama, Dominican Republic, New York, Mexico and obviously Nicaragua. it will take many more years to get to where we want to go...we are constantly inspired by Karl Lagerfeld's insatiable drive of ever changing work and in my case, women like Jenna Lyons and Aliza Licht inspire me to stay focused.

Top 3: Pre-Fall 2014 - Chanel

Honestly, I don't understand the negative hoopla around this collection. I don't identify myself as a potential Chanel customer but I appreciate the Cowboy/Indian inspiration and their outrageous set. I'm sure I can find a budget friendly high neck prairie blouse somewhere...

Top 2: Queen B

All hail 'Yonce and her dope album.
'Nuf said.




TOP 1: Me, Myself, and I

Despite losing my best friend to a drunk driver in New York in July. I returned to NY with a heavy heart in August after ND13 for SL's first NY show. While my bff's mom and brother wished me well, they also wished me safety. I was afraid and felt alone. But I kept my head up and worked hard - because I know she would have wanted that. She never wanted me to give up - more over, be happy. And NY in some twisted way made me happy. The hustle & lights motivate me to keep going and shine on - from the quick steps New Yorkers take everyday to and from work in chilling weather, to running along the Hudson and leaving it all behind for a drink or two at happy hour at the irish pub next to the office building. I have no doubt I'm built to make it in NY but I can't stop to think, Family First. Although, I was offered a temp job late Sept. and was given the chance to experience food, wine and spirits public relations - I'll be taking my talents to South Beach to be closer to home & family. I live and love my life but I love my family even more. 2013 gave me strength .... I wonder what I'll get in 2014.

Internship: Shantall Lacayo PR intern - Nicaragua

Buscamos una pasante temporal en Managua, Nicaragua para el 15 noviembre 2013 - 30 noviembre 2013. La persona asistirá nuestra Gerente de Relaciones Públicas, Alicia Rivas vía email y Skype, ya que ella se encuentra en NY. La persona también asistirá el equipo Shantall Lacayo en Nicaragua para 2 eventos especiales.

Responsabilidades:

- coordinación de eventos, pasarelas, casting de modelos, conferencia de prensa

- coordinación de medios, lista de invitados VIP, 

- crear nota de prensa, alerta de medios, lista de contactos, avisos, kits de prensa,

- revisar el estilo, ortografía y redacción de cualquier documento que se requiera para la marca

- agendar reuniones de briefing

- agendar entrevistas de Shantall Lacayo

- buscar alianzas comerciales, patrocinios o cualquier trato que pueda beneficiar a las marcas 

Requisitos:

- estudiante o profesional en comunicación, relaciones publicas, mercadeo, periodismo

- interés en moda, diseño, eventos especiales

- excelente redacción y comprensión de lectura

- conocimiento del ingles (preferible)

- conocimiento de Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, Google Docs

- contactos con los medios nacionales (preferible)
- gusto por trabajar en equipo

- capacidad de socialización

- capacidad para tener conversaciones directas

- ser una persona segura, organizada, positiva, detallista, respetuosa que trabaje bien bajo presión

Enviar:

- Curriculum Vitae (CV): 1 hoja en formato PDF *

- Carta de Presentación: 2 párrafos en el cuerpo del email explicando porque serias perfecto para esta pasantía. También incluir tus 3 revistas preferidas, 3 blogs preferidos y 3 diseñadores preferidos *

·      El CV de mas de 1 hoja y la carta de presentación de mas de 2 párrafos no serán revisados!

·       Email: rrpp@shantalllacayo.com

Update: Life of PR Girl

sorry, i've been mad busy since like june. i moved to nicaragua for a few months to help out for nicaragua disena and the project was a hit! lots of drama, new designers, new press and designer friends and much more. nd13 was probably one of the most exhausting but satisfying projects i've ever been a part of. handling ever single contact for general info to late designer arrivals hours before their show and model cancellations. no one has a clue but nicaragua HAS design and model talent. dear buyers, you need to plan a trip to nicaragua, perhaps for nd14.

i've also been meaning to share a little shopping. nd13 was the place to be for unique pieces. my mom snagged a geo designs necklace by Georgina Vargas and i picked up these earrings by Karla Castillo. KC presented a small collection titled Oceanica. the details of my earrings are beyond real - they were created with the beach sand and stones found on the pacific shoreline..to be specific at Poneloya beach. another favorite (but not a purchase) was the turtle bracelet; check it out on her fan page and look book album. her oceanica collection was inspired by the ocean's depth, animals, textures and coral reef colors.

felicidades KC! sigue adelante!!

Fotografia: Silvio Balladares

Collection: Oceanica

Designer: Karla Castillo

Nationality: Nicaragua

and now i am back in ny. hustlin and trying to get a new pr / social media gig. thank God, i found an apartment in record time - 3 days. and was able to dedicate myself to the 2nd august project, shantall's debut in ny. shout out to latina magazine, iman cosmetics and my friends for supporting the event we were a part of. and now its post event time. pitching day n night, trying to get editors to see shantall's ss14 work for future stories. dear editors, why don't we try something new...like supporting real emerging designers. designers who are struggling and trying to make a name for themselves. i don't think prada or versace need more covers or spreads. perhaps, your research team should scout undiscovered talent so these designers can keep things going for a possible buyer meeting. it's not easy to meet with buyers if you are 'no one', pay to be a part of trade shows and produce mass production especially with this new 'buyer/consignment' trend. small boutiques and online stores aren't buying but they want to change our collections fabric for their potential clients and for us to have merchandise. how is a designer going to have merchandise, if NO money is coming in. so, help these designers land opportunities with your "Must Have" or "Get to Know this Emerging Designer" features. press gets the word out to stylists, celebs, and potential real buyers. i'm sure LV will continue to buy ad space, so i'm sure you can manage to include emerging designers. just sayin.

- anyways - the ss14 look book we created is by far the best we have ever created. it's a little booklet that opens up like a train map (however not as gigantic as the nyc mta map). props to the model, miss teen, rebecca and our photographer, erick monterrosa; who made it happen. check out the ss14 look book on the shantall lacayo facebook fan page.

Modelo: Rebecca Bonilla
Fotografia: Erick Monterrosa
Cabello y Maquillaje: Carlos Corrales
Estilista: Gabriel Moncayo
Asistente: Magdalena Navarro
Direccion Artisitica: Shantall Lacayo
Local: Hotel Dario, Granada, Nicaragua

NewsWorthy: Nicaragua Diseña 2013

i gotta give it to my assistant last year, Andrea. working ND really does kick your ass and we are at 3 weeks from the event. from press release writing, casting models, tv interviews, designer meetings, updating social media, answering 200 emails a day from prospective models, artists, sponsors - all while making sure my other clients and main boss, Shantall are also being taken care of. 

still don't know what Nicaragua Diseña is? in short, it is a design incubator sponsored by the Nicaraguan Tourism Board (INTUR) that showcases emerging designers. The Shantall Lacayo team works along INTUR as consultants. 

how does it work? it's a mix of CFDA Fashion Fund except we don't give awards or 100K - Trade Shows except you don't pay for an exhibition space - and MILK MADE NYC, you don't pay for runway, beauty, model production and at the end of the day it all starts with a designer application. Creative Artists (fashion, photographers, architects, culinary, interior design, accessories, innovative objects, etc etc) send their portfolios and the ND team selects the most innovative and fresh talent in Nicaragua. Not only can Nicaraguans apply but Nicaraguan residents as well.

last year, I worked ND12 (pilot event) from NYC but this year, I decided to come back home since it was such a hit and an incredible experience.

so far, the highlight of ND13 has been calling the applicants and telling them they were selected. their happiness melted my heart.

don't miss Nicaragua Diseña 2013 this Saturday, August 3rd and Sunday, 4th!

Equipo casting de modelos Nicaragua Diseña 2013!

Gracias a todos los talentos Nicas que llegaron e hicieron su mejor esfuerzo, NUNCA dejen de seguir sus suenos.

Karla Cuadra eventos #CMC #INTUR Shantall Lacayo - Diseño, Moda y Arte Textil team!

Gracias por la foto Diego! — with Silvio Rodriguez Chamorro, Alicia Beatrice, Gabriel Ruiz, Karla Cuadra, Alex Miller and Kelvik Pineda.

Producción: Instituto Nicaraguense de Turismo INTUR y Shantall Lacayo - Diseño, Moda y Arte Textil
Modelos: Jonieth O'Neill & Andres Molina
Fotografía: Erick Monterrosa Fotografía
Maquillaje: Alejandro Ayon
Peinado: Max Salon | carlos corrales
Diseño Gráfico: Gabriel Ruiz

Behind the Scenes:

Fashion Week: Dominican Republic

fashion week DR was pretty fun CAUSE it was right on the beach (crystal clear water, beautiful white Caribbean sand - sigh) and at an all inclusive hotel. too bad we got super sick though. we only enjoyed a couple celebratory piña coladas before and after the show n hit the sack like at 11 pm because we were 3 hours away from the airport and we had to get up at 6am. we were basically in n out of DR n went to no after parties. according to our driver, the real party people were the models who ended up in the pool. no thanks. 

3 days, 2 nights.

it was one of the most stress free shows we've ever worked on. peasy easy. all the models and additional designers were running around the backstage like crazy chickens, while we took our time and dressed the models. 

PROPS to the hair and makeup team. so far, the best hair and makeup team we have worked with. everything was absolutely flawless.

in 2013, we have so far conquered Macro Fest (Panama) and Fashion Week (DR) and we have more to come...ohhhh yeahhhh!

Places: MET Museum: Punk: Chaos to Couture

Sunday Funday at the MET with Shantall and Nazira. Although we got there at 4:30 (MET closes at 5:30 on Sundays) we were able to enjoy the short exhibition. Compared to the Prada / Schararelli and McQueen exhibit this one had few captions, therefore we were able to enjoy it at a faster pace and in 45 minutes. The Prada / Schararelli and McQueen exhibits took me 2 hours to complete. Punk: Chaos to Couture boasted Vivienne Westwood, McQueen, Givenchy, Gianni Versace, Yohi Yamamoto and Maison Martin Margiela to name a few. My favorite hallway was definitely the 'Hardware' hall featuring Dolce and Gabbana and Gianni Versace.

Photo Via: Olivia Palermo blog

The Met's spring 2013 Costume Institute exhibition, PUNK: Chaos to Couture, will examine punk's impact on high fashion from the movement's birth in the early 1970s through its continuing influence today. Featuring approximately one hundred designs for men and women, the exhibition will include original punk garments and recent, directional fashion to illustrate how haute couture and ready-to-wear borrow punk's visual symbols. (information via www.metmuseum.org)

Photos Below via my secret iphone because 'no photos are allowed' ugh. however, i used no flash, so calm down.

True Life: I am a PR Girl

so in case you are new to this blog or noticed my beatricecatchesfashion.blogspot missing - i wanted to share my story once again as i am going through another career changing move. 

< i decided to delete beatricecatchesfashion.blogspot because i wanted to bring beatriceitaliana back and reincorporate my stories. the reason i like to share my story although sometimes it might be too personal, is because i do receive emails asking for fashion school and public relations information and advice. sometimes i might cut the person off and immediately say 'that's not exactly advice you are asking for but PR consulting instead and i charge for that'. however, most of the time it's general information n i am glad to help. just like the way i rely on nycprgirls.com for pr advice or explanations. > 

back in 2009 i decided to pursue a masters in fashion management at Polimoda.

and since 2010 i've been in and out of new york with a couple fashion public relations and freelance jobs under my belt.

however, the one name i've kept since 2011 is PR Manager or as the cool girls says, PR girl.

i started as a social media intern and quickly took over everything for emerging Nicaraguan designer, Shantall Lacayo. and it all started with an email to her personal facebook page on how i could help her and her brand. i had been following her brand since i was maybe 15 years old but after her stint on PRLA i knew i had to take her before anyone could.

and there we are. slowly but steadily making it in the business of fashion. this week alone in new york, we have conquered press, media and buyer interviews - oh! and fashion week at Dominican Republic. we have worked in Argentina, Nicaragua, NY, DR, Panama and our goal is set on Mexico and Miami next year.

perhaps on my own, its been tough. i've interviewed for the best PR firms, luxury brands, and independent designers but have only been able to secure freelance positions because i have "too much" fashion public relations experience or lack best friend media contacts (when in reality my pitching is awesome). but let me focus on the good - i don't want to rant on fashion or pr or the ny labor experience in today's post. - my point is. although it's been tough, i've hustled, gained experience in retail, customer relations and communications AND been through it all with Shantall.

we have made our brand presence known through international press and social media and even college seminars. i recently found out, a university in Nicaragua has used us as an example for their public relations students and i am beyond words. i don't doubt my work at all but it feels like a pat on the back and someone saying "u did good, u did really good".

being a PR girl is definitely tough. that's why i believe i am one in the making. i am truly proud of all my work and of the designer i work with on a daily basis. she motivates me to keep believing in my dream NY PR girl job and i motivate her to keep reaching for the stars. i don't want to let her go because i know we are both going places and we would definitely like to go together in order to be as influential as Oscar de la Renta and Erika Bearman.

thank you shantall lacayo!

[cheers]

here's to us conquering the fashion of business together. 

follow us on twitter ;)

@shantalllacayo | @aliciabeatrice

Shantall Lacayo FW13 lookbook

Shantall Lacayo's FW 2013 lookbook is out!

Check out her facebook fan page and/or website to view the complete collection.

VIVA TALENTO NICA!

Personal Style: The Bow-Tie

I am not a personal fashion style blogger but every once and a while I like sharing my poorly edited personal style looks jajajajajjajaja. In this case, my new bow tie from the Forever 21 men's section and sheep sweater from Old Navy (tooooo cute!). The bow-tie is probably my favorite men's accessory and thanks to Masculin Feminin looks we girls are now pulling it off - the bow-tie has now crossed the border, become unisex and will not only be seen on Mr. Alber Elbaz of Lanvin, suave basketball players in shiny suits or delectable Chuck Bass (oooooooooooo0h Chuck!)

are you ready to cross-over?

Alber Elbaz | Lanvin | Creative Director

Chuck Bass | Gossip Girl

Darren Criss | Glee

photo via Street FSN blog

photo via lookbook.nu

photo via lookbook.nu

photo via lookbook.nu

photo via lookbook.nu

my look inspired by Holiday Style by Gayle ( J Crew Fashion Director )

black blouse with leather detail - Shantall Lacayo
gray sheep sweater - old navy
crystal statement necklace - J Crew
bow tie - forever 21 mens

Looks We Love | J Crew Holiday Style by Gayle