THE BIRTHDAY POST

Yesterday I celebrated my 23rd birthday, surrounded by my absolute favorite New York friends - which I consider the greatest gift of all! We drank champagne until the sun set on the rooftop bar of Le Bain @ The Standard. Perfection.

As a birthday indulgence, I got a fabulous calgel manicure at Sakura nail salon & spa. I went for something in between Lady Macbeth blood-dipped hands and ruby red slippers. As I work with my hands every day, I can barely keep a manicure for a minute, but supposedly these last for a month...so far so good.

I received an entirely too generous gift of the newest issue of Visionaire art directed by Riccardo Tisci. For me, Tisci is the most inspirational mind in the fashion world right now, and I am constantly looking back at his work for Givenchy and discovering new points of genius. I consider his curated copy of A Magazine to be something of an aesthetic bible, and had lusted over his edition of Visionaire since its release...but had never even imagined owning it. Truly an I-am-not-worthy type of moment - I promise a full post on this breathtaking book very soon.

These beautiful McQ leggings were also fabulous gift, and pretty much epitomize everything I love about legwear. Fluid yet geometric, symmetrical and patterned by negative space. They will soon become a dear staple of wardrobe, and I'm almost tempted to buy the matching top...

Worn with shirt by Acne, and boots by Ann Demeulemeester

HURRICANE PREP STILL LIFE

1. XL bottle of cheap wine (does one ever need an excuse?)
2. Nutella
3. Necklace harnesses & plenty of other work to finish, which had been my original weekend plan even before us New Yorkers were grounded
4. Dr Martens patent "Dee Boots", just in case I need to go outdoors in the rain
5. iPad 2 - which I bought four days ago, but have been too busy to have even turned it on yet. I would love recommendations for fun/useful iPad apps, because as of right now I have no idea where to begin.

THINGS I'VE BEEN PLANNING ON BLOGGING ABOUT

1. Givenchy SS09 skirt purchased from Yoox.com


2. Gestuz leather leggings with ribbed insets from Asos


3. The new issue of Interview Magazine, specifically the editorial "Strict" photographed by Mert & Marcus, styled by Karl Templar


4. PVC miniskirt, to become part of my wardrobe of 'basics', purchased at a sex shop


5. New & improved (and taller) platform sandals to replace the ones which I have worn down to the ground - from Dolce Vita

NIGHTCLUBBIN'

(Tank - Rick Owens / Bustier Bra - Theyskens Theory / Skirt - Givenchy / Boots - Minimarket / Bag - Margiela)

On a whim, decided to venture into Manhattan for a business-free night (little did I know I'd be talking leather into the early morning) and ended up running into some of my favorite people in New York, thanks to my friend LadyFag's party underneath the Chelsea Hotel, "Clubber Down Disco". There's nothing quite like celebrating a crazy week with more tropical vodka shots than I can count on one hand...

LadyFag wears the "Gemini Harness" from my Fall collection, which will appear for sale online during the first week of September (her tank is Gareth Pugh).

No one makes me want long wavy locks quite like Tre Knight & William Graper

ZANA BAYNE X LADY GAGA X YOU AND I

Yesterday at 1pm, I got an email from Patricia of Gagafashionland with the subject line of "first leaks - yours?" and the above image attached. It took a few seconds for me to register that the straps of leather adorning Lady Gaga were indeed the piece that I had custom made last month for the exact purpose of this video. I think my choice reaction words were "oh fuck". By 2:20pm the entire video had leaked onto Perezhilton, and sure enough there were my harness again...and again...all eight of her dancers wore the custom harnesses as well. It was a surreal moment, then a proud one, and then I got back to work on the orders and samples I needed to finish in the studio. Just another day at the office (still trying not to freak out!).

ZANA BAYNE FALL/WINTER 2011 LOOKBOOK & VIDEO

With much excitement & pride, I present to you my lookbook & video for the Fall & Winter 2011 collection of accessories for Zana Bayne Leather.

Zana Bayne Leather FW/11 from Char Alfonzo on Vimeo.

PHOTOGRAPHY: CHAR ALFONZO
STYLING: RAUL GUERRERO
HAIR: WESLEY O'MEARA
MAKEUP: TIFFANY PATTON
MODELS: EDUARDO CALERO & ELIZA DOUGLAS @ RE:QUEST
STYLING ASSISTANCE: ADRIAN MANUEL
PHOTOGRAPHY ASSISTANCE: LUIS PIÑA