Nigel Barker |

NEW YORK FASHION WEEK SHOWS US THE MONEY!

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Posted on March 2, 2012 by theravireport

New York Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Fall 2012 Collection may have come and gone, but the strong economic impact that it left on the city of New York, will be lingering on for a while folks!

Featuring some of the world’s most amazing styles and designs created by ingenious and renowned fashion designers, worn by stunning models and witnessed by the most influential personalities from the world of fashion, raked in close to $865 million dollars into the Big Apple according to the Economic Development Corporation (EDC). In 2007, New York Fashion Week generated close to $773 million…ah…you do the math folks!

Stunning models welcomed guests to exhibitor booths

Cha-ching!!

Thousands of visitors, celebrities and international media were drawn to Fashion Week that took place at the recently at the majestic world-famous Lincoln Center in Manhattan. Fancy shows, sexy models, after parties, restaurants, hotels, venues, shopping and party after party brought almost a billion dollars into the city- all in the name of fashion. Wow!

The biannual event attracted over 200 designers including Derek Lam, Diane von Furstenberg, Michael Kors, Vera Wang, Marc Jacobs and thousands upon thousands of devoted fashion fans, photographers, fashion bloggers, writers, reporters and beautiful people who love to get a first hand look at what a new design season will be offering.

Designer Brandon Sun speaking to the press after his show

The Ravi Report was lucky enough to attend acclaimed designer Brandon Sun’s collection called “The Silent Assassins” which included sexy models wearing creations inspired by Kong Fu movies that Sun watched during his childhood. “It’s a combination of elegance and grace but no signs of violence,” the designer told reporters as they watched his styles created with knits, fur and leather awake the room.

New York Fashion Week is also a great place to meet and connect with some of the most captivating and influential people in the world.

“I saved all year just to be able to come to New York Fashion Week,” said a gorgeous tall blond with stunning features visiting from California who could have easily passed for a supermodel.

Popular fashion blogger Shea Marie(r) and friend smile for The Ravi Report

“You meet all kinds of people from the fashion world and if you want to connect with them or network, this is the place to do it,” said a ravishing tall brunette with striking crystal blue eyes who had flown in from London for FW.

Going inside Fashion Week Headquarters was like stepping into a world just belonging to beauty and glitz. Alluring promotion models everyone ( I swear folks, products just seem to move WAY quicker when gorgeous girls represent them), diamonds and emerald jewelry displayed in miniature curios laced along the entrances to shows and luxurious 2012 Mercedes-Benz cars exhibited as invited guests and press made their way to the shows.

Naeem Khan’s gowns along with video showing him creating the gowns, was a main attraction for guests

Gifted designer Naeem Khan, whose bewitching and enchanting dresses and gowns have been worn by celebrities including First Lady Michelle Obama, Beyonce, Taylor Swift and Penelope Cruz received the 2012 “Mercedes-Benz Presents Title”, a prestigious honor given to a designer that has exemplified passion, talent and dedication to their craft while showing the use of high quality materials, unique style and innovation design. Hundreds of people flocked around to a visually stunning display of Khan’s latest handcrafted and beaded sequenced gowns displayed among an exquisite 2012 Mercedes-Benz that blended in very well with Khan’s designs.

Diamonds and pearls from Circa Jewelry were part of the glamorous week of fashions

Creative inspiration was clearly seen at the DHL Carrier booth where clever “gowns” made out of DHL “fabric” displaying innovation at its very best! Ah Lady Gaga, you need any ideas for your next tour?

The pioneer behind FW and the person who ran it for almost a decade, Fern Mallis was as usual being mobbed by fans and the media. She knows everyone and everyone knows her! Her SiriusXM radio show “Fashion Insiders With Fern Mallis” is hugely popular with the masses. The savvy business woman is also launching a new line of jewelry called “Ferns Finds” which she says are inspired from her trips around the world including India and Africa. Btw, Mallis is very popular in the Indian fashion industry.

The She Knows team poses with Toni Braxton, Nigel Barker and Michael Costello for The Ravi Report

In terms of fashion events, there were too many to attend but I did manage to go to a few impressive ones. SheKnows.com and their “SheKnows Where The Other Sock Went” campaign for autism was one of the best fashion parties I have ever been to folks. Hosted by world-famous photographer, author and celebrity judge Nigel Barker, six-time Grammy Award-winning Toni Braxton and talented designer Project Runway designer Michael Costello, all joined forces to raise awareness and funds for Autism Speaks, the world’s largest autism and science advocacy organization. Braxton’s youngest son was diagnosed with autism in 2003.

Designer Michael Costello’s sock gown created for Toni Braxton was hit!

The party took place at the well-known hot spot Gary’s Loft in Manhattan and was full of some of the most elegant people you will ever see who came to support autism. The highlight of the evening was to see couture gowns made out of socks! That’s right folks! Designer Costello was asked to create a couture gown made from hundreds of pairs of socks for Braxton and what a great job he did!

“I love seeing a flowing, amazing gown on a woman and I loved the challenge of creating one from socks!” Costello said during the party to reporters.

For more information please visit www.sheknows.com and www.sheknowswherestheothersockwent.com for updated information on this amazing campaign and how you can help in bringing continued awareness to autism.

Renowned artist Jordan Betten and beautiful wife Sue Bae pose for The Ravi Report

Another fashion party was for the pre-launch Twelv Magazine fashion party at Hotel Gansevoort in the Meatpacking area in NYC. Gorgeous models, famous artists, designers and Fashion Week executives attended the classy and elegant affair. The party, co-hosted by acclaimed artist Jordan Betten and his beautiful wife Sue Bae Betten, mingled among the crowed of models and creative geniuses. The Editor in Chief of Hissa Igarashi is planning on building a school for children in Africa once the magazine becomes profitable.

For more info on the magazine, please visit www.twelvmagazine.com for updates in the world of beauty and fashion.

The journey continues…and a fashionable one at that!

Ravi

United Nations Combines Culture and Wildlife in “Shared Destiny” Photo Exhibit.

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Posted on July 6, 2009 by theravireport

The UN welcomes culture & art together through wildlife photographs

Picture this. A room full of beautiful people. Some dressed elegantly in exotic and traditional outfits while others are in trademark & stylish Chanel black cocktail dresses lingering among the most amazing photos of wildlife in the world.

A diverse array of guests attended the “Shared Destiny” opening at the UN Headquarters

Let me first start off by saying this is one captivating photo exhibit that you are not going to want to miss. Seriously folks. Make your way to the United Nations Headquarters before July 12 to see one of the most amazing wildlife exhibits you will ever see on this side of the east coast. Filled with images from Africa and the Arctic, two of the world’s most famous photographers have come together to bring awareness in help protecting animals around the world.

The Harp seal smiles for Nigel Barker.

Internationally known celebrity, photographer & personal friendNigel Barker along with acclaimed author and gifted photographer Luo Hong collaborated together with the United Nations to bring a thought provoking photographic exhibition called “Shared Destiny: Wildlife from Africa to the Arctic.”

It is an EXCELLENT photo exhibit showcasing some of the most beautiful and innocent animals in the world.

The Ravi Report attended the opening reception on World Environment Day a few weeks ago along with hundreds of well wishers and fans of the photographers who waited months for the exhibit to open.

Bollywood Icon Amitabh Bachchan being honored at the UN as Goodwill Ambassador

As an international journalist & producer, I’ve been covering and attending cultural events at the United Nations for several years and I always have learned so much more about the world from meeting different groups of people. In 2005 when Bollywood iconic movie legend Amitabh Bachchan was given the honor of Goodwill Ambassador, I was there front row and center watching the special moment that brought India and the UN together through Bollywood.

This exhibit was no different. It brought countries together through the lenses of Barker and Hong. Both individuals have been admired and respected for years for their work so this exhibit was just an extention of their talents. I spoke to a few guests who have been following the careers of Barker and Hong and they said that they were quite familiar with their work and their passion for the preservation of wildlife.

Gifted photgrapher Luo Hong being interviewed by the foreign & UN press

In a full blown art gallery type of display, the show depicts some of most intimate moments of the beautiful seals, penguins, polar bears, giraffes and other wildlife that Barker and Hong captured on their expedition. The collaborated efforts from two of the world’s most sought after photographers was much more than just an exhibit, it was more of bringing together culture, international dialogue and the importance of preservation of wildlife around the world.

Giraffes from the African wildlife by Luo Hong

“I am so happy to see that people from all over the world have come to see this” said a stunning Indian lady admiring the photos while fixing her silk sari standing next to the foreign press interviewing Hong.

Both Barker and Hong sent out a very important message with their work through the help of the United Nations – that safety, respectability and environmental protection of animals is something that we can all help in preserving making it a safer planet for these beautiful creatures to live on. That message came across loud and clear with many of the guests who also felt the same sentiments echoed in the exhibition.

“I can’t believe anyone would want to harm these beautiful animals” said one concerned guest who was familiar with both photographers work through their careers.

World famous lensman Nigel Barker smiles for The Ravi Report

Another guest who had followed Barker and his work with the seals through the Humane Society last year, said that she and others were interested in how these animals are being treated and in what way could she and her friends get involved in trying to help bring awareness to the issue of saving the wildlife.

“I have always loved animals and totally understand and appreciate what Barker and Hong are doing with their work and dedication to animals. ” she commented.

“Shared Destiny: Wildlife From Africa to the Arctic” exhibit runs through July 12, 2009. The location of the show the United Nations Headquarters Visitors Entrance on 46st and 1st Avenue. It’s free to the public. A MUST SEE FOLKS!! Make this part of your summer things to do list.

The Journey continues…

Ravi

SPECIAL NY EVENT COVERAGE: Nigel Barker Captures The Heart of Haiti Through His Lens

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Posted on January 20, 2009 by theravireport

For those that don’t know Nigel Barker well, there is really only one thing that you need to know about him-the man cares. Period. Plain and simple. Be it to help select America’s Next Top Model where Barker serves as a judge for several seasons or as a humanitarian, trying to save the seals from being butchered or bringing awareness to the severe living conditions of the people of Haiti, the multi- talented photographer, celebrity judge and world famous lensman just cares about people and humanity no matter what.

Nigel Barker and beautiful wife Cristen Chen at Edeyo charity event at Milk Studios.

Nigel Barker and beautiful wife Christen Chen at Edeyo charity event at Milk Studios.

That’s why it was no surprise to see over 800 people on January 8 attend the glamorous charity event unveiling Nigel’s newest exhibit “Hait:Hunger & Hope“at the prestigious and world famous Milk Studios in NY. (www.milkstudios.com). Nigel along with his stunning wife Christen celebrated with friends, guests & celebrities who came to support and view Nigel’s thought provoking photos from his recent trip to Haiti, a place where poverty is as common as a yellow cab in Manhattan. The charity event raised thousands of dollars as the beautiful people of NY came in droves and braved the bitter cold to help the celebrity photographer celebrate his new exhibit which ran until January 13.

The exhibit took guests inside the world of many Haitians desparate for change

The exhibit took guests inside the world of many Haitians hopeful for change.

The event was to benefit “Edeyo” (www.edeyo.org) an NY based organization that helps raise money for improvised children in Haiti. The benefit was attended by many well known people from the fashion, arts, music and business industries that came to support the well loved photographer. Nigel and his group travelled to Haiti last year during the food riots and documented what he saw with exclusive photographs and a film. The pictures were on display throughout the studio in larger than life sized prints, featuring some of the most beautiful children and people from Haiti I have ever seen. Barker captured the essence of how the Haitians live and how much they are in need of help from others. The daily struggles, the hardships and the glimmer of hope in the eyes of the children, were all captured by Nigel in his journey to Haiti.

Edeyo’s founder Unik Ernest and friends pose for The Ravi Report

I have known Nigel for years and when he wants to do something, he gets it done. He is very supportive of many organizations and continues to bring awareness to serious issues through his ability as a top lensman by capturing the essence of the subject matter from anywhere in the world he travels to. He tells a story through his camera, a special talent that only a few have and can utilize effectively.

From the Nigel Barker “Haiti: Hunger & Hope” collection.

For more information, do check out www.edeyo.org for a complete look at Nigel’s amazing work and how you can help the people of Haiti have a better life.

Ravi

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