Style and Substance

Allison

2012-01-25T16:49:00.000-08:00

Model - Allison Harvard

Shot For Malan Breton

Press Release below

***

This season at New York Fashion week, in association with Style 360, in partnership with ELLE, and BeautiControl. Malan Breton will present his Fall 2012 Collection, a benefit for Susan G Komen for the Cure.A collection of lavish silks, the softest in merino wools, Cashmere, and pure cottons. This season the collection is inspired by the hero within, the beauty of ones inner strength and elegance. A multimedia presentation, Malan Breton Collection showings have always been the talk of fashion week for incorporating theatrical elements. This season some of those elements will include multimedia telecom technology, As designed by George Lyter who has worked with such performers as Jody Watley, Cece Peniston and others.Celebrities like Allison Harvard (Americas Next Top Model), Irina Pantaeva ( Chanel, Lagerfeld), LiliasWhite( Tony award winner), and more TBA will be included in the looks of this runway show.The soft classic silhouettes of Malan Breton Collection and his newest collection Fantome Malan Breton,will be challenged by strong and supple accessories

Sometimes it's just magic...

2012-01-16T17:08:00.000-08:00

Model - Alyssa Young of Major
MUA & Hair - Orietta Leva
Designs - Loris Diran
Assistant - Larry Wiener

Shot at Theater Lab

Momo Falana Valentine Sale Shot

2012-01-08T17:29:00.000-08:00

Model - Faye Brandt

Camera Test

2012-01-08T09:24:00.000-08:00

Model - Yan

The Birthday Gift

2011-11-25T21:50:00.001-08:00

Faye Brandt - Model

Valkyrie Magrow - Hair and Makeup

Malan Breton - Dress

What To Do With Four Facinators

2011-07-31T16:06:00.000-07:00

Model - Carly from Ikon
Facinators - Ellen Christine Millinery
MUA and Hair - Orietta Leva

Yan

2011-06-29T21:13:00.000-07:00

Been a long time since I shot something "fetishy"...

MUA - Orietta Leva
Model and Stylist - Yan
Latex Corset - Vex

Dress - Latex And Lovers
Facinator - ZX Latex
Shoes - Pleasers

More Ellen Christine

2011-06-20T19:43:00.000-07:00

Model - Chris Wendel

Makeup and Hair - Cassidy Renee Boch
Styling and Bowtie - Geraldine Laiz
Hat - Ellen Christine Millinery
Suit - Malan Breton

Model - Faye Muse Brandt
Hair and Makeup - Cassidy Renee Boch
Stylist - Geraldine Laiz
Hat - Ellen Christine Millinery
Dress - Trina Turk

Ellen Christine

2011-06-20T19:36:00.000-07:00

Models - Chris Wendel and Faye Muse Brandt
Hair and Makeup - Cassidy Renee Boch
Styling - Geraldine Laiz
Jacket - Buckler
Shirt - Malan Breton
Dress - Manuel De La Cruz
Hat - Ellen Christine Millinery

Loris Diran

2011-06-07T14:42:00.000-07:00

Model - Ely Turrietta of Direct
Make Up And Hair - Alice
Designs and Styling - Loris Diran

Hillary Flowers Pickup Shoot

2011-06-01T05:39:00.000-07:00

Model - Tatiana Chernyshova Styling - Hillary Flowers Designs - Dress; Get In Tosch, Jewelry - Elyse Lauryne.
Available at the Hillary Flowers Collective Boutique

Momo Falana Spring 2011 Lookbook

2011-05-01T00:01:00.000-07:00

Design - Momo Falana
Stylist - Seth Friedermann, Momo Falana
Hair and Makeup - Kayla Jo
Models - Faye Brandt & Kayla Jo

Momo Falana Spring 2011 Lookbook

2011-04-21T17:45:00.000-07:00

I remember how everyone gasped when Faye came out in this dress. She really did look so amazingly elegant, ephemeral and regal in it. Excellent job by Kayla on the makeup and Seth, Mike, and Maureen on styling this, and of course Faye by just being amazing in it :)

As a Coda, here is what the designer said on seeing this shot;
"Did I design this or am I dreaming.....you really make our collection come to life..."

Design - Momo Falana
Stylist - Seth Friedermann, Momo Falana
Hair and Makeup - Kayla Jo
Model - Faye Brandt

Model Test

2011-04-21T08:33:00.000-07:00

Model - Juanita
MUA - Orietta Leva

Melissa

2011-04-20T21:35:00.001-07:00

Model - Melissa J Daniels MUA - Orietta Leva

Model Test

2011-04-19T15:51:00.000-07:00

Model - Sara P of Ikon Models

Momo Falana Spring 2011

2011-04-19T15:48:00.000-07:00

Design - Momo Falana Stylists - Seth Friedermann, Momo Falana Hair and Makeup - Kayla Jo Models - Faye Brandt, Kayla Jo, Lenka

Bridal Market

2011-04-19T15:26:00.000-07:00

Amsale Fall/Winter 2011 Bridal Collection.
Designed by Amsale Aberra.
Photo - Sandy Ramirez / Totally Cool ®

Loris Diran Deluxe Lookbook SS2011

2011-04-02T06:24:00.000-07:00

Model - Ely Turrietta of Direct
Make Up And Hair - John Henry of Dex
Designs and Styling - Loris Diran
Shot in The Bowery

At The Met

2011-02-15T19:15:00.000-08:00

I AM Irving Penn

Lead shot from the Ellen Christine Milliner FW 2011 Diva Collection of hats Look Book.

Model - Faye Brandt
Hat - Ellen Christine Milliner

Presentation held at The Metropolitan Opera House at Lincoln Center

All In A Muse's Life

2010-12-13T19:19:00.000-08:00

Model - Faye Brandt
Dress - Momo Falana

New York Chocolate Show

2010-11-14T10:26:00.000-08:00

Steampunk Dynamic Flow Equations

2010-11-09T20:23:00.000-08:00

Designer - Dangerous Mathematicians
MUA and Hair - Staci Freeman
Model - Faye Brandt
Hat - Ellen Christine Millnery

A Dangerous Mathematician

2010-11-09T20:20:00.000-08:00

Designer - Dangerous Mathematicians
MUA and Hair - Staci Freeman
Model - Faye Brandt

Buy My Book

2010-10-29T23:57:00.001-07:00

Natural Nudes by Sandy Ramirez | Make Your Own Book

One Last Shot.....

2010-08-27T16:21:00.000-07:00

Another beauty shot of Faye. This was shortly after Cassidy finished her make up and a collection of Japanese tourist took the time to pose with Faye... Hair and Makeup - Cassidy Renee Boch

More Faye

2010-08-22T22:34:00.001-07:00

My favorite shot of Faye from yesterday. The angelic, innocent and vulnerable look on her face here is just so powerful. It draws you in IMHO. Hair and makeup done wonderfully by Cassidy Renee Boch.

Beauty Shot

2010-08-21T11:50:00.001-07:00

This morning I did a model test with a wonderful young woman - Faye Brandt. We started with a few Beauty shots after Cassidy Renee Boch had finished up doing her make up and hair. Here she is :)

Everyone meet Faye - Faye meet everyone!

Pamela Test

2010-07-30T20:52:00.000-07:00

I met Pamela through my friend Loris Diran. She asked me if would mind taking a few photos of her, so I more than happily obliged....

Paparrazi

2010-05-26T20:02:00.000-07:00

Some more of the test with Rose from the 15th. Here in this shot, I'm using a much harder flash (much like my recent Momo shots). Why the hard flash? Well I really want that "Studio 54" paparazzi look from the late 70's/Early 80's - that or Wegee! Granted running around with a Speed Graphic is another thing entirely!

Model - Rose P
Stylist - Seth F
MUA & Hair - Staci F
Dress - Sohung Designs

Johanna Part Duex

2010-05-20T03:45:00.000-07:00

One more from my testing with Johanna.....

Latex Rose

2010-05-16T01:35:00.000-07:00

A long time ago I made my living shooting what was euphemistically called "fantasy wear". Basically corsets, and the sort of stuff you see in fetish clubs and such. Personally I myself am not in "the lifestyle", but two things from that community captured my imagination aesthetically; corsets and latex of the "second skin" variety. I have for some time been wanting to shoot some of those items again, but more as modern fashion than someone shooting their fetish.

After some discussions with my regular stylist, here is what I came up with....

Model - Rose P
Stylist - Seth F
MUA & Hair - Staci F

Johanna

2010-03-24T20:57:00.001-07:00

Today I did a little testing....This is Johanna, who I shot when she came from Nigeria long ago....We've been wanting to shoot again together and today we did. Here she is in a fantastic little dress by Momo Falana :) Styling by Michael Lublin of Momo Falana.

Dangerous Mathematicians

2010-03-08T18:26:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I did a very stylized look book for Dangerous Mathematicians...

This shot was lit to give the flat feel of a Sear's portrait, the Omni Light above Ayana's head a prop to make the entire thing feel like a set. Shot at DM's new boutique over at 394 Atlantic Ave, in Brooklyn.

Another shot from yesterday, done with a bit more dramatic lighting. The model is named Jenn. She's actually a science teacher! A real scientist type in dressed in a very nice Dangerous Mathematicians custom suit.

Designs - Karen Patwa, THE Dangerous Mathematician
Models - Jenn Dickman, Ayana Barber, and Staci Freeman
Hair and Make Up - Staci Freeman

http://www.dangerousmathematicians.com

Loris Diran Look Book FW 2010

2010-02-20T19:20:00.000-08:00

And finally what a look book shot looks like. A look book is basically a catalog sent directly to buyers for major retail chains. They are usually done in one of two ways, either on a plain white seamless (the most common type), or in an "editorial" manner, much like a story in a fashion magazine, or advert. Loris Diran's Fall 2010 collection is based on the sirens of the silent screen and the film "Sunset Boulevard" directed by Billy Wilder. "We didn't need dialouge, we had faces!" Shot Backstage at the Loris Diran Runway show.

Light Test

2010-02-20T18:59:00.000-08:00

One of the things one does when shooting in RAW for say a look book, is to shoot a white card test shot for later work in post process. Here we see a model (don't know what his name is right now) holding my balance target.

I usually take an initial reading with a colorimeter and dial that into the camera, the card being a CYA thing. To be honest it was difference of 25 kelvin between the meter and the eyedropper in the RAW converter.

Shot backstage at the Loris Diran FW2010 show.

Nini

2010-01-29T02:11:00.000-08:00

Nini Molnar had flown in from Hungary this week to be seen by various agencies. I met her via Marni Lustig. Here we placed her in a dress by Supima winner Gina De Silva (who happened to beat out my favorite pair of twins, but I digress). Styling Seth Friedermann, make up and hair by Staci Freeman.

2009-12-26T03:02:00.001-08:00

Just a quick update. You'll notice that I changed the title of this blog. Doing street interviews just wasn't my thing (I hate transcribing shit) so instead this will just be stuff from various model tests and fashion shoots I do. Hope you folks enjoy it.

Dean

2009-12-25T00:03:00.000-08:00

I met Dean backstage a few seasons ago at Malan Breton's runway show in Bryant Park. Dean is one of the good people that I know. He recently asked me if I would take a few photos of himself. I was more than happy to agree. I love shooting, and this was the best way for me to spend Christmas Eve.

Model - Dean Modah
Hair and Makeup - Jordana

40's Glamour

2009-10-20T18:20:00.001-07:00

Designer - Angelo Lambrou
Hair - Naoko
MUA - Yuriko
Stylist - Seth F
Model Sietzka of Fenton Moon Media

Sarah B of Code Model Management

2009-10-08T00:45:00.000-07:00

Requiem

2009-10-07T19:56:00.000-07:00

He was the greatest of us all...

Goodbye Irving Penn....

Kate Moss as photographed by Irving Penn

Irving Penn
Grandmaster of Photography
June 16th, 1917 - October 7th, 2009

Deborah Lyons and Misha NoNoo

2009-09-09T21:23:00.000-07:00

It's Fashion Week! Yes the semi annual gathering of buyers, press, fashionistas, and other sundry glitteratti here in New York. Today I had the fine pleasure of attending the Presentation in SoHo of NoNoo Lyons new line of jackets for Spring 2010.

NoNoo Lyons were recently featured in the July issue of W Magazine as one of the New Guard of fashion designers are among this season's breakout stars. You, my faithful readers, may recall the interview I did with Deborah Lyons in February, were we discussed her line of shoes. Today I got to spend another five minutes with Deborah and Misha NoNoo...

5MW - Tell me a little about your Design Philosophy and your jackets?

Misha NoNoo - We feel that jackets are the ultimate accessory. It's the kind of thing that you can wear or change your jacket and wear anything underneath and have a basic wardrobe. It plays the perfect part in your wardrobe and it's something we didn't have before.

Deborah Lyons - Our inspiration for this season was pinup girls from Coney Island, hence the pinup calendar that is our look book for the season and the girls in the very short shorts. We started this based on "What Is Missing From Our Wardrobes". It's very difficult to find good jackets, with great tailoring at a good price, and that is what we are trying to do.

5MW - You mentioned that the collection was inspired by the Pinup Girls of Coney Island. Where did you find the materials to realize this?

DL - All the materials are sourced in Europe. There are French tweeds that come from the same mills that produce the Chanel tweeds. There is Italian cotton and other luxury European fabrics, but everything is designed and made in Manhattan, and we get certain thing done in Brooklyn.

We have a real New York Story. Mischa and I are expatriates, who moved here a few years ago, so we thought we would just bring it to our new home.

5MW - Are you still designing shoes?

DL - Yes! All the girls are wearing my shoes. I have my new shoes (collection) out there right now. They were all made in Italy, and the inspiration was James Bond.

5MW - How did the story in W Magazine about NoNoo Lyons come about?

DL - Sheer Luck. They met us and really loved our collection. They have been extremely good to us. We were the newest designers in a group of new designers. It was very exciting for us, as it was the first time we had done anything like that. It was really amazing, and a real honor, and a great bit of good luck.

Alphaville

2009-08-31T00:31:00.000-07:00

Stylist - Seth F
Make Up - Yuriko S
Model - Sarah B of Code Model Management

Shot on The High Line in Manhattan

Sweet Lolita on Crosby Street

2009-08-24T22:55:00.000-07:00

"Lolita Fashion (ロリータ・ファッション, Rorīta fasshon?) is a fashion subculture in Japan that is primarily influenced by Victorian clothing as well as costumes from the Rococo period. Lolita has made this into a unique fashion by adding gothic and original design elements to the look. From this, Lolita fashion has evolved into several different sub styles and has created a devoted subculture in Japan. The Lolita look consists primarily of a knee length skirt or dress, headdress, blouse, petticoat, knee high socks or stockings and rocking horse or high heel/platform shoes" - From Wikipedia

For more information, just follow the link...

Lolita Fashion

Sachika

2009-08-21T21:02:00.000-07:00

Designers To-Nya (on the left) and To-Tam Ton-Nu of Sachika. This was taken after I finished shooting the new line of jewelry they had designed.

Dangerous Mathematics

2009-08-09T00:27:00.001-07:00

Model - Emillian Duran
Styling and Designs - Karen of Dangerous Mathematicians
Hair and Makeup - Staci Freeman

Dress Appropriately

2009-07-29T20:11:00.000-07:00

Model - Estella
Agency - Red
Stylist - Seth Friedermann
Hair and Makeup - Staci Freeman
Location - Bouley

Design - Saan•Saan

Design - Momo Falana

Sachika

2009-05-28T21:52:00.001-07:00

One of the benefits of living in NYC is the fact you get to see the work of a lot of up and coming designers. One such label is Sachika, run by twin sisters To-Tam and To-Nya Ton-Nu. I met the Twins earlier this year at Fashion Week, did a short interview with them and marveled at the simple, yet elegant dresses that they wore each day.

About two weeks ago I had the honor of being asked by them to cover one of their shows, a capsule collection of resort wear. After meeting with them backstage and taking a few shots of the goings on, I set up for the show.

I wasn't expecting much, but what came out surprised me.

What I loved most was the deceptively simple design of the dresses, reminiscent of what Halston did in the 70's. Simple silhouettes accented with geometric trims and cuts (much like Halston did) all executed in very comfortable silk jersey (again much like Halston). But to say these accouterments were some copy or homage to Halston would be a disservice to these two young ladies. What I saw was original and quite wearable. I especially loved the updated conceptualization of the empire waist employed in the collection, and the very sporty feel. If the small group of buyers (along with the sponsorship of Tag Heuer) are any indication, I expect to see these two very soon again at Fashion Week, though instead of standing in line for a show, they be walking down the runway taking bows after their own show.

April 5th - Carolina Herrera

2009-04-06T23:30:00.001-07:00

March 30th, 2009 - 6th Ave and West 10th - The Soap Man

2009-04-04T04:30:00.000-07:00

March 29th, 2009

2009-03-30T21:15:00.000-07:00

Designer Peter Som and assistant at Starbucks on the corner of West 15th and 9th Ave.

March 27th, 2009 - Leopard Print, Vespas, and a Rude Boy

2009-03-27T19:50:00.000-07:00

Meatpacking District March 15th, 2009

2009-03-22T22:33:00.000-07:00

Gotta love those shoes....

Designer Notes...

2009-03-15T23:13:00.000-07:00

Designer Adam Lippes sent me a thank you note and a free article of clothing for a review and interview I did for modaCycle. Here is what he wrote....

"Hi Sandy,

What an amazing review. I can't tell you how much I appreciate your support.

It all started with this tee-shirt. I hope you'll love it.

Best

A"

Five Minutes With Alex McCord

2009-03-15T13:18:00.001-07:00

While at New York Fashion Week, I had the happy chance of meeting one Alex McCord of Bravo's Real Housewives of New York...

5M – Tell me a little about the show.

AM – The show follows originally five, now six women in it's second season running around New York City. Working, playing, raising their kids and having a good time doing it.

5M – What Brings you to Fashion Week?

AM – I am in love with clothes, and actually it's rare that you are catching me alone. My husband and I both love clothes and usually go to shows together. It's kind of funny, we were laughing at ourselves that maybe one of these days we would see Cho Cheng together. Last season I couldn't go but he did, this season he couldn't go but I did. Between the two of us we cover it.

5M – Are you a traditional housewife, or do you have a separate career?

AM – I work full time in visual merchandizing, and have a very very fast paced career, but once I get home with my two boys, I try to leave that all behind and be present for them and being their mom.

5M – Do watch reality TV?

AM – Well, I'll tell you what. Before doing the first season of our show last year, I had seen five minutes of an episode of The Bachelor years ago, and flipped by American Idol once. Other than that I had not watched reality TV at all and no clue what I was in for and the same with my husband; we had no idea. We were amazed at how invested everyone became about the in's and out's of our lives. To that end when we filmed season two, we an effort to make sure every single thing we filmed was something true that we would do in our everyday lives. Certainly there were times in season one where the people putting the show together would ask us to do things that were a little off the wall and necessarily do in real life. What they do with that I have no idea, but we are going to, as they say on Bravo, “Watch What Happens”.

5M – How many runway shows have you seen this season?

AM – Hardly any unfortunately. It's been a crazy time for me at work, with a lot going on. Also our show premiers tonight, so we been doing press for that so I have not been to as many shows as I like. I've got to see Walter and Monarchy. Last week I got to see Keith Listner's presentation and there several I'm sorry I missed. I wanted to see Matthew Williamson's show today, but we were doing press for the show and couldn't come over. Hopefully in September I'll have more time.

5M – What past trend do you miss the most?

AM – I have to say that I don't stick to the trends. I pick what I like. I like draping, really interesting fabrics and textures, and a little bit of the unusual. Things you wouldn't expect, like feathers and jeans.

March 7th, 2009

2009-03-07T20:28:00.000-08:00

My journey took me from Essex and Delancey to 5th Ave and East 59th Street. It was the first warm day of the year in New York, just a week after a heavy snow. With the weather approaching 70 degrees at times, the drab grays of Winter began to show the colors of Spring.

This is Mike. Mike is the co-designer and co-owner of Momo Falana's. He also plays drums and guitar. The rest are just random folks I ran into....

5 Minutes With Rosemary Ponzo

2009-03-07T19:26:00.001-08:00

While enjoying one of the new McCafe Lattes, I had the chance to talk with fashionista and stylist Rosemary Ponzo. Rosemary (a native New Yorker) has styled various film and television productions for folks ranging from Sam Raimi to the History Channel. With camera, and coffee in hand, and of course after disavowing all connections to The New York Post (wonder what Alexander Hamilton thinks of what Rupert Murdoch has done to his newspaper...) and introducing her to Charles of modaCycle, I began asking her a few short questions.

5MW – I always see you every Fashion Week dressed...

RP – Over The Top? (Laughs)

5MW – Yes. Why do you dress the way you do?

RP – I dress this way to inspire folks to buy more fashion. If more people bought fashion, the economy would get better. I love clothes. I want to inspire more folks to shop and to think about how they present themselves.

5MW – Who is your favorite designer of all time?

RP - Bob Mackey! He gave us all more glitter, glamour, and razzle dazzle. He was all about making women beautiful and glamourous, especially with his gowns.

5MW – What is the moment you most remember of your many seasons attending NY Fashion Week?

RP – Meeting Paris Hilton. She is such a sweet girl in person. At the time she was engaged and showed me her diamond ring. It was huge. What amazed me was she would show up at each show in a different dress. Her secret to that was she had a van parked by Bryant Park, with an entire wardrobe and stylists. Between each show she would change into another dress. That inspired me to do the same, but I don't have a van and have to run home between shows.

Style and Substance

Allison

Sometimes it's just magic...

Momo Falana Valentine Sale Shot

Camera Test

The Birthday Gift

What To Do With Four Facinators

Yan

More Ellen Christine

Ellen Christine

Loris Diran

Hillary Flowers Pickup Shoot

Momo Falana Spring 2011 Lookbook

Momo Falana Spring 2011 Lookbook

Model Test

Melissa

Model Test

Momo Falana Spring 2011

Bridal Market

Loris Diran Deluxe Lookbook SS2011

At The Met

All In A Muse's Life

New York Chocolate Show

Steampunk Dynamic Flow Equations

A Dangerous Mathematician

Buy My Book

One Last Shot.....

More Faye

Beauty Shot

This morning I did a model test with a wonderful young woman - Faye Brandt. We started with a few Beauty shots after Cassidy Renee Boch had finished up doing her make up and hair. Here she is :)Everyone meet Faye - Faye meet everyone!

Pamela Test

Paparrazi

Johanna Part Duex

Latex Rose

Johanna

Dangerous Mathematicians

Loris Diran Look Book FW 2010

Light Test

Nini

Nini Molnar had flown in from Hungary this week to be seen by various agencies. I met her via Marni Lustig. Here we placed her in a dress by Supima winner Gina De Silva (who happened to beat out my favorite pair of twins, but I digress). Styling Seth Friedermann, make up and hair by Staci Freeman.

Dean

40's Glamour

Sarah B of Code Model Management

Requiem

Deborah Lyons and Misha NoNoo

Alphaville

Sweet Lolita on Crosby Street

Sachika

Dangerous Mathematics

Dress Appropriately

Sachika

April 5th - Carolina Herrera

March 30th, 2009 - 6th Ave and West 10th - The Soap Man

March 29th, 2009

March 27th, 2009 - Leopard Print, Vespas, and a Rude Boy

Meatpacking District March 15th, 2009

Designer Notes...

Five Minutes With Alex McCord

March 7th, 2009

5 Minutes With Rosemary Ponzo

This morning I did a model test with a wonderful young woman - Faye Brandt. We started with a few Beauty shots after Cassidy Renee Boch had finished up doing her make up and hair. Here she is :)

Everyone meet Faye - Faye meet everyone!