Divas, Divas Everywhere!

Greetings Fashionistas!

Today I would like to ponder the question, what is a diva?  In my mind being a diva means owning your ability to walk into the room and command attention.  It is about feeling confident and having the belief that nothing and no one can make you feel bad about being exactly who you are.  I can honestly say that after spending a night in the company of hundreds of divas while attending Divalicious 3, I love that term more than ever to describe charismatic and dynamic women who know their worth! 

Laura Furtado, Owner and Operator of Diva Girl Fitness

ANTM Live was honoured to be a part of this fantastic event organized by Diva Girl Fitness http://divagirl-inc.com/ and Shop Socials http://www.shopsocials.com/.  It was a fun and fanciful evening with terrific vendors, a fashion show, as well as dancing and fitness demonstrations. Diva Girl owner, Laura Furtado and Shop social founder, Tamika Auwai welcomed the ANTM Live Next Fresh Face Competition with open arms and helped us to launch our first set of auditions!

                         

Me and Stacey

The night started off with my getting dolled up in a spectacular one-shouldered Badgley Mischka from Rent Frock Repeat (RFR) http://www.rentfrockrepeat.com/!  

Our ANTM Live show manager, Stacey, also joined me and wore an eye-catching David Meister.  Thanks to RFR founders, Lisa and Kristy for helping us get glam! 

Our official photography and Next Fresh Face competition partner, NTM studios http://www.nexttopmodelstudios.com/, brought their charming staff in full force to help us find beautiful aspiring models and we are very pleased to announce that we had an amazing response!  Take a look at some of the incredible people who are on their way to possibly becoming the ANTM Live Next Fresh Face!

Our official talent agency sponsor, True Colours Modelling and Talent http://www.truecolourstalent.com/ will be giving away two one-year modelling contracts to one female and one male winner!  Thanks also to our other competition sponsors:

Niko Cosmetics, Donna Dolphy Hair, Fordham PR, Diva Girl Fitness and Shop Socials.

We can’t wait to see who will be competing in the finals next May at ANTM Live!  Watch for all the details about live audition venues and don’t miss your chance to become the ANTM Live Next Fresh Face!

It is free to apply, so make sure you enter today! www.ANTMLivetoronto.com

Watch out next week when I profile another one of our fantastic exhibitors!

Until Next Time My Glamazons!

Cecilia J

  

Rent Frock Repeat - Releasing Your Inner Runway

I recently had the distinct pleasure of sitting down with the incredible founders of Rent Frock Repeat http://www.rentfrockrepeat.com/, an innovative dress rental service that gives any woman the ability to be glamorous at a fraction of the cost.  Rent Frock Repeat was born when CEO, Lisa Delorme and President, Kristy Wieber couldn’t decide what to wear to a wedding and didn’t want to spend a lot of money buying new dresses.  They happened upon a dress rental service but were dismayed to find out they only delivered in the U.S.  After a year of intense research, and hours spent looking into logistics, shipping, and putting together a business plan, these friends turned business partners launched Rent Frock Repeat and have been receiving great response ever since!

CEO Lisa Delorme, Me and President Kristy Wieber

In watching these two dynamic women together, there is no doubt why Rent Frock Repeat works - they both understand the business of fashion and believe passionately that each woman deserves to have her ‘Cinderella Moment’.  What girl doesn’t want to feel special and beautiful?  Rent Frock Repeat prides itself on the fact that although we all want to invest in our wardrobe, not all women can afford a $6,000 designer gown.  And let’s face it, don’t we all want to be the belle of the ball and not have to worry about showing up at a function risking that someone else might be wearing that very same dress? 



Robert Rodriguez Black Label Braided Fringe Dress



Bibhu Mohapatra Graphite Silk Charmeuse Dress with Bow

The dresses and gowns available through this distinctive on-line service make the impossible possible by giving the chance for anyone to wear a once-in-a-lifetime dress, look fabulous in it and return it, only to come back and rent another spectacular piece the next time. 

Lisa and Kristy see that customers are renting everything from more casual day pieces, to extravagant evening wear.  Many women are attached to one particular frock and can’t get enough of renting it multiple times.  The good news is that those who are genuinely unwilling to part with a dress have the opportunity to possibly purchase that dress at any of Rent Frock Repeat’s trunk shows where they sell off dresses that are no longer in the on-line rotation to their customers.  These trunk shows also give you an opportunity to try on new arrivals that are not yet available to the public and allow you to pre-order them before inventory runs out!

Lisa is wearing a Tracy Reese Sour Shingles Silk Peasant Dress
Pictured on the mannequin - Shoshanna Monet Floral Silk Faux Wrap Dress

Lisa and Kristy spend quality time buying from showrooms, attending fashion weeks and purchasing looks right off the runway.  They investigate the trends, but also stick to classic pieces that will never go out of style.  Whether it is black tie or gala, sparkly or laid back and fun, Rent Frock Repeat has it all for every occasion.

What’s more, Lisa and Kristy are making efforts to heavily support Canadian designers and have purchased looks from the likes of the famed David Dixon http://rentfrockrepeat.com/products/v-neck-navy-stretch-satin-sleeveless-dress , as well as dresses from the stunning LOVAS collection. http://rentfrockrepeat.com/products/nude-and-metallic-v-neck-chiffon-and-paillettes-dress  They are keeping their eyes out for new and upcoming homegrown talent and will continue to build their Canadian design stock.

Other popular designers include U.S. bred Christian Siriano, http://rentfrockrepeat.com/products/antique-sequin-one-shoulder-dress whose garments are not available in Canada and the talented David Meister http://rentfrockrepeat.com/products/deep-royal-one-shoulder-dress-with-beaded-detail whose blue one shouldered dress was the first rental and worn by the editor of Wedding Bells magazine.

Christian Cota Origami Fold Silk Dress with Plunging Back

Sizes currently range from 0 – 16, however  Lisa and Kristy are looking at trying to source out designers for plus size women, as well as stylish maternity wear.  There have been great demands for their service and they recognize the importance of considering women of all sizes when it comes to being glamorous.  There is a convenient measurement tool that allows women to truly find the best size for their body and just in case, customers can order an additional dress in a size up or down, depending on their needs.  Each rental comes in the mail with a fit kit that includes double sided tape and deodorant remover.  Once you are done wearing the frock, you simply send it back in the envelope provided and that dress is dry cleaned and ready for the next fashionista!

I can’t think of an easier way to dress up, without dressing down your wallet!  If I were you I would hurry and register for Rent Frock Repeat so you don’t miss out on their specialized trunk shows, deals and news about up and coming arrivals.  Only those on the mailing list will get the inside scoop!  http://rentfrockrepeat.com/signup?p=/login

Look out for Rent Frock Repeat at ANTM Live next May!!! They will be creating a spectacular fashion destination on our show floor!  You won't want to miss it! 

A big THANK YOU to the incredibly warm and sweet Lisa Delorme and Kristy Wieber for opening up their Rent Frock Repeat closet for ANTM Live Toronto!  Until Next Time My Glamazons!

Cecilia J