¡Olé! and Fabuloso!!


In my last post, I recapped the event I hosted last week in Chicago's Macy's On State Street event which was a HUGE success. So, this past weekend, I flew to San Jose California, to do my second Macy's event Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month and Honoring Carlos Santana as "Icon of Style"at Santa Clara's Westfield Valley Fair Center/Mall Macy's. I've hosted several events at this Macy's, most recently one celebrating Brazil, so I was excited to be back!


For this latest event, I was invited to be part of the Panel Discussion on Latino Style and didn't have to host the event. Less pressure on me for not having the hosting responsibilities (Yeayy!). Joining me on this panel would be Nayzeth Carillo, of Nayzeth Beverly Hills; bi-lingual fashion blogger and fashion girl about town Flor de Maria Rivera, and musician Rolando Morales, who would later be performing for the Macy's audience and shoppers. Our host for the day was to be the fabulous Lizzie Bermudez, Pop Culture Contributor for ABC-SF Channel 7's "7Live".


Soon after I arrived for my panel discussion/event, Macy's informed me that Lizzie Bermudez--the actual host, was stuck in traffic and might be delayed and therefore, I would have to be the host--at the last minute (literally!). Forget that previous statement about not having the hostin' pressures (LOL!)...


Well..."Done and Done" as they say! I quickly got the "script", did a quick "take a breathe" and then it was "show time"!




There were over 100 people in the audience attending this fab event at Macy's Valley Fair in Santa Clara/San Jose. The event began with a great Spanish dance and music presentation by Caminos Flamencos:

Castanets and Flamenco Ruffles: "Caminos Flamencos" opens the Macy's Hispanic Heritage Event at Macy's Westfield Valley Fair Santa Clara/San Jose--They did such a wonderful job getting the audience ready for a Latino-inspired event. I don't know if it was the singing, the guitar playing, or those Sevillana costumes, but I almost wanted to throw on a peineta/mantilla and jump up on stage and join them! After their performance, it was time for my hosting duties, honoring Carlos Santana as Macy's Icon of Style and moderating the panel discussion on his influence on style, Hispanic Culture, music, as well as taking Latina Fashion:





I had such fun hosting this FABULOSO event and moderating a great panel discussion on Latino Style and its influence in all facets of society. I think the crowd also loved it. After we finished the panel talk and fashion presentation, then it was time for meet-and-greet with the audience and taking some photos (yes, for Facebook, Twitter). Caterers soon began bringing out Latino-inspired hors d'oeuvres and juice drinks. Yes, kids, there was FREE FOOD!

I heard the mini empanadas were deliciosas! And while shoppers shopped, enjoyed the food and drinks, the event ended with some great live music from Rolando Morales and his band. At one point I even got into the "Latino Flavor", doing some salsa dancing with one of my co-panelists, the lovely Nayzeth. Thank goodness, there are NO PHOTOS or video of that. I think. 


All in all, a very fun event once again at Macy's, celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month and Carlos Santana. I can't wait to return to Macy's Westfield Santa Clara/San Jose to hopefully host another great event! Adios for now!

Viva CHICAGO!


Last week, I flew to Chicago, to host a wonderful event for Macy's. This month, Macy's is having all these great in-store events celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month as well as honoring Carlos Santana as an "Icon of Style".  

Macy's On State Street Chicago called and asked if I could be part of the store's celebration and host their festivities and well, it was a quick "Si!". It also happened to be Latino Fashion Week in Chicago--and they were one of the sponsors of the event--so this fabulous event was part of the events on the Latino Fashion Week Chicago calendar.


I flew into Chicago the night before and checked in to the very chic Park Hyatt Chicago. My room was very nice--sleek and well-appointed. What I also loved most was the Eames leather lounger--chair and ottoman in my room. It retails for about $5,000 (I know!) so, needless to say, I almost slept THERE!


The next morning, I had some time to waste and so, naturally, I went SHOPPING! The Park Hyatt is fortunately (or unfortunately to my bank account) next to the Water Tower and one block from the "Magnificent Mile"/Michigan Avenue and some of the best shopping IN THE WORLD (Darn you Park Hyatt!). I headed to TopShop, Zara and Sephora to do some retail damage, and on the way, I loved seeing the...



And this great window display at the Benetton store in The Shops at North Bridge on Michigan Avenue--The white creations are by students of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) sponsored by Marie Claire and United Colors of Benetton. I thought the designs were very creative and beautifully avant-garde.

Soon, it was time to get ready for my Macy's Event Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month at the Macy's On State Street Chicago. I was so excited to be the "Host with the Most" and be part of it...


Vanidades Magazine was also a co-sponsor. LOVE Vanidades. As a young boy back in Venezuela--where I was raised (dreaming of becoming a successful fashion designer), I remember flipping through my mommy's Vanidades looking at all the fashion and being very inspired.

There were over 200 RSVP's and from what I heard, many more also showed up!! (LOVE you Chicago!). So, all the seats were taken and then it was "standing room only". I was so happy to see several friends of mine--who live in the Chicago area and came out to the event. I was extra excited to see a Project Runway alumn, designer Peach Carr (who you will see in the new Season 2 of Project Runway All Stars) also come out and support my event. Besides honoring Carlos Santana, there was a great panel discussion on Latino Style, Fashion and much more with Vanidades Editor-in-Chief Jacqueline Blanco, Leanne Violette designer for Carlos by Carlos Santana Footwear and Diego Rocha, Chicago-based accessories designer and former contestant on Season 1 Project Accessories. I also presented a fashion show featuring clothes from Macy's and accessorized with shoes, boots, purses, from the Carlos by Carlos Santana collection.




The panelists of the Panel Discussion on Latina Fashion and Style at this event included Diego Rocha (above photo)--from Lifetime Network's Project Accessory, as well as...

Leanne Violette, designer for Carlos by Carlos Santana Footwear (far right) with Cesar Rolon Jr. (far left), CEO of Imagen Marketing Consultants and Arabel Alva Rosales (second from left) Co-Founder and Principal of Latino Fashion Week and Nick Verreos--Macy's On State Street Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month and Carlos Santana event

And our other panelist was Jacqueline Blanco (far right), Editor-in-Chief of Vanidades Magazine--seen here with Cesar Rolon Jr. (far left), Nick Verreos, and Arabel Alva Rosales (second from left)--Macy's On State Street Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month and Carlos Santana event




Thank You and GRACIAS Chicago and Macy's ON State Street and the FABULOSO audience...for a GREAT event!!! I can't wait to come back to Chicago and be with my Latinos and Latinas!!!

Click HERE for more fun photos of the event from Gozamos.com

Latino Fab!!

It's OCTOBER and Macy's is celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month this month--and I am excited to be part of it! I'm so honored to announce that I will be hosting TWO FABULOSO events--one in Chicago on October 10th and one in Santa Clara/San Jose on October 13th---to honor Hispanic Heritage Month. In case you didn't realize, I speak Español, was raised in Caracas Venezuela and I am half-Panamanian (my mommy!)...so I am very proud to be part of these events. 


Next week on Wednesday October 10, I am hosting the first of these events at the Macy's State Street Chicago store. Then three days later--on Saturday October 13, I will fly to San Jose, to host an event at Macy's Valley Fair in Santa Clara. 


Each event will highlight Hispanic Heritage Month, and honor Carlos Santana as "Icon of Style". We will also have fun panel discussions as well as fashion show presentations, refreshments, Latin-inspired drinks and hors d'oeuvres and MUCHO MUCHO MAS!

Don't Miss It and hope to see you...in CHICAGO and/or San Jose!

Here are the DETAILS:


CHICAGO--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What:
-Join Macy's, Vanidades and Latino Fashion Week, "In Conversation" with our panel of experts for a discussion on Carlos Santanas influence in the music and fashion world hosted by Project Runway Season 2 Contestant, Nick Verreos!
-Plus, meet our guest panelists: Leanne Violette, designer of Carlos by Carlos Santana footwear, Jacqueline Blanco, editor and chief of Vanidades magazine and Diego Rocha, Project Accessories Season 1 Designer!
-After the panel enjoy live music by Jose Cornier, light Latin-inspired refreshments and, with any Carlos by Carlos Santana $50 purchase or more made during the event, receive a copy of Santana's newest album "Shape Shifter" and limited-edition key-chain

Where: Macy's on State Street
             111 North State Street, Chicago IL 60602
             4th Floor, Dress Department

When: Wednesday, October 10th 5:30pm

RSVP: Seating is limited so call 1-800-329-8667


SAN JOSE---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What: 
-Join Macy's as we honor our 2012 icon of style, Carlos Santana.
-Join us and Vanidades magazine "In Conversation" with Fashion Designer and Alum Nick Verreos; TV host, stylist and founder of flordemariafashion.com, Flor de Maria Rivera; TV host and actress Nayzeth Carrillo; musician and composer Rolando Morales, moderated by Emmy Award Winning TV Host and Reporter Lizzie Bermudez for a panel discussion on Carlos Santana's influence in the music and fashion world.
-Catch live performances by Rolando Morales and Caminos Flamencos while enjoying Latin inspired hors d'oeuvres. Plus, with any Carlos by Carlos Santana purchase of $50 or more, receive a copy of Santana's newest album "Shape Shifter" and a limited edition key-chain!

Where: Macy's Valley Fair
              2801 Stevens Creek Boulevard
              Santa Clara, CA 95050
              Impulse Department, 2nd Floor

When: Saturday October 13th 2pm

RSVP: Call (408) 248-4451 for more info. or just SHOW UP!