Monday, December 28, 2009
How to do Fergie's Sexy Fishtail Braid Look
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Dakota Fanning is a Fan of Di Manno Designs Accessories
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Christian City Church, C3, Another Place to be Inspired
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Peter Shankman's (with HARO) Speech at New York Entrepreneur Week
Friday, November 13, 2009
Fashion Group International's Presentation and Panel Discussion with Donna Karan as Moderator
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Saks Fifth Avenue Event, Live the Life You Love
Beth Schoenfeldt, one of the owners of Collective-E spoke as the business and start up advisor, hence the reason I was there! The other speakers were Alyson D'Anna as a career coach, Karine Bakhoum as the entertaining and food expert and Brad Berkowitz as the love and relationship expert.
The theme was for single women , encouraging them that they can start up a business alone, they can cook gourmet meals for themselves, a reminder of what to be careful of in the work place as a single woman and advice on where to go if you are single to meet a guy.
Beth spoke about taking advantage of the extra time you have when you are single, because once you have children, if you intend to do so, your life changes and you will not have the extra time off to get more work in. She also reminded us to "start with the end in mind," meaning to know where you want your business to end up, even if you don't have a a business plan, and to start thinking of whether selling your business may or may not be an option, but just knowing gives you peace of mind and will help you to grow your business effectively with that strategy, whatever that may be. She also said it helps when an entrepreneur is "hungry," which translates to not waiting or depending on a man to come along and start or support your business. We women can do it on our own! And from what she has seen, entrepreneurs end up being more successful when they are "hungry!"
Alyson spoke about being single in the workplace and being conscious of the consequences of getting romantically involved with your boss and/or co workers. She also spoke about the importance of having a mentor. She sees that men tend to have mentors more than women and she encourages women to go out and find a mentor because they can be very instrumental in the success of your business.
Karine spoke about a few different delicious recipes that don't take long to make, but reminded us that frozen dinners aren't the best thing for us to be putting into our bodies! She encouraged us to treat our self and that we can buy single portions at the grocery store, so if we feel like a filet mignon, buy a filet mignon, stick a potato in the oven, make a simple salad on the side and have a gourmet meal, even if it is only you eating! We should be cooking gourmet for ourselves while single, because we are number one! She also commented, if you have a dinner party, maybe you will not want to go with the filet mignon for a party of 8!
Brad spoke about trying new things, not to become creature of habits, because that sometimes is the reason of why single women are not meeting men. Don't always go to the same restaurant and if a guy doesn't call within a few days, he is not interested, move on, don't dwell and analyze! He reminded us, if there is a game in the evening, good guess that a lot of men will be there watching the game, find a friend, go to a bar to watch the game and your chances of meeting Mr. Right will be better than you just staying in watching TV by yourself!
In the picture above is Sherri Langburt, founder of Single Edition, Beth Schoenfeldt, owner of Collective-E, Sabina Ptacin, also owner of Collective-E and Red Branch PR and me. By the way, I am wearing a Black Brass Studded Di Manno Designs Wrist Cuff with the outfit, even though you can't see it in the picture, it is on the other wrist!
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Di Manno Designs Wrist Cuffs Featured on WPIX 11 Morning News
Today Di Manno Designs Black Silver Studded and Black Large Crystal and White Brass Studded Wrist Cuff and Black Silver Studded Headband were featured on WPIX 11 Morning News! To think that not even 2 years ago I was just thinking of the concept and today I was watching them on TV. What a great feeling! The segment, hosted by Michelle Madhok, founder of She Finds.com and Tamsen Fadal of WPIX 11, was about vampire-inspired items for Halloween. Tamsen pointed out that Di Manno Designs cuffs are not only for women, they are for men too. "Vampy" accessories are in this season with shows and movies out like Twilight and Vampire Diaries. Michelle mentions that "Vamp" is probably in due to the history of Vampires and the romanticism associated with them.
Other items featured were: Just Bubbly soap, Michele Baratta necklace, Jules Smith necklace, Luna Twilight makeup, 2Enlight10 clutch and DayNa Decker candle. Congrats to all the companies that appeared on TV and to Sabina Ptacin of Collective-E who worked hard to help make this happen. You rock Sabina!
Friday, October 23, 2009
Di Manno Designs Accessories Are Not Only for the Young
Monday, October 12, 2009
Interview with Justin Brown with AArrow Advertising
Friday, October 9, 2009
Di Manno Designs White Large Crystal Wristband Appears on America's Got Talent
Friday, October 2, 2009
Seize Sur Vingt Store Opening party at Their New 78 Greene Street Location in Soho Sponsored by Rolling Stone
Monday, September 21, 2009
Justin Brown with Aarrow Advertising Spinning Di Manno Designs sign, NYC Fashion Week
Justin Brown with Aarrow Advertising was seen spinning this Di Manno Designs sign in front of the Mercedes Benz fashion tent in Bryant Park during Sept fashion week in NYC.
This type of marketing is known as guerilla marketing and can be very effective to market a company, especially in a heavily populated location like this one in NYC with a fashion event going on at the same time! On one side of the sign was a Di Manno Designs ponytail holder picture and on the other side was a Di Manno Designs headband and wrist cuff shot with my logo on both sides. I am wearing a Di Manno Designs black brass studded headband and matching wristband in this picture and Justin is wearing his favorite Di Manno Designs accessory, the white large crystal wristband.
Aarrow Advertising is the world's largest guerilla marketing franchise, which was launched in 2002. The famous "Aarrow Sign Spinners" perform in many different US cities as well as different countries around the world. Justin Brown in this picture and video was Di Manno Designs sign spinner. At every red traffic light, he would run out into the street and spin the sign, showing us all his tricks he has learned over the years. He is great!:)
I like the fact that this form of advertising reaches so many people in such a short period of time.
I also like that it immediately grabs peoples' attention and is unique and memorable. I think people tend to remember this type of marketing, because it is so visual and different than the traditional flier hand outs in the streets. Be sure to watch the video clip below and stay tuned for an interview with Justin....
Renaissance Hotel Launch Party, NYC
Monday, September 14, 2009
Plaza Too and Prada Party, NYC Fashion Week
It is September again in NYC, which in the fashion world means everyone is gearing up for Sept fashion week in NYC! On Thursday, Sept 10th, my first stop was at the Plaza Too retail store in the West Village at 571 Hudson Street. Thomas Mendes, founder of Plaza Too hosted "Another Fashion Night Out Party." My friend Walt met me there and I enjoyed complimentary champagne as well as meeting some cool people. If you are looking for sexy shoes and handbags head here!
After Plaza Too, we made a pit stop at a Chinese restaurant to eat and then headed to another fashion party at the Prada store in Soho. We got there perfect timing, right before the group Rapture performed! This was my first time seeing them live. I was impressed, they are great live and their music is upbeat and fun! Lots of people in the front row were dancing including me.:)
In the picture above I am wearing a Di Manno Designs Black Croc Wrist Cuff with a Ralph Lauren Black Croc belt.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Di Manno Designs Accessory Idea for Audrina Patridge and AnnaLynne McCord Shows that Studded Wrist Cuffs Are In
Saturday, August 22, 2009
In Style Says: Keep Your Summer Ponytail
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Headbands are in for Fall says She Finds
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
JC Penney Store Opening Event in NYC
Friday, July 31, 2009 JC Penney made a big splash in NYC unveiling their new and first flagship store in Greeley Square. All day there was a runway set up outside across the street from the store, where they had fashion shows of their latest trends, trivia and give aways.
Jorge Ramon, NYC celebrity stylist hosted the fashion shows on the runway. He styled all the models that were in the fashion show and announced all the outfits on the models who walked the runway showing all the latest styles from JC Penney and designers. Great job Jorge! You can currently check out Jorge on a show called The Look on mun2 network and also as a judge on SiTV's Model Latina.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
How to Wear a Fishtail Braid Style
Friday, July 24, 2009
Di Manno Designs in the very begginning...
My mother, Carmela Di Manno (in this pic) played a big role in helping me make my first few samples to give to my manufacturer. My aunt, Giuseppina Capraro also helped out, as she was spending Easter 2008 with us at my mom and dad's new home in South Carolina. I brought the leathers and python skin home with the strongest elastic bands I could find and they helped me to make samples.
A little history:
They both came to America from Cassino Italy when they were in their mid 20's. My mom worked for Dittrich Furs in Detroit MI for over 30 years managing a shop of seamstresses, who were all mostly Sicilian with a couple of Greeks thrown in there! lol I actually worked at Dittrich's for a little bit one summer when I was home from school. I helped out in the Shipping Department, packing boxes and storing fur coats. My sister and I used to go visit my mom at work sometimes when we were little. I used to love hopping on the rolling racks, going for little rides around the shop. I also used to like hiding in the long fur coats! lol Seems so silly, but looking back, I realize that without even knowing it then, my time spent there helped me to distinguish between different fabrics and furs, which I never expected to use, but the knowledge now is appreciated with my company! Also, I think with my trips to visit family in Rome and growing up with 2 full blooded Italians, (My dad is from Rome, Italy), I was always around good quality Italian clothing, leather and fabrics which made me appreciate good quality clothing and accessories from an early age. Being 100% Italian, I think "good fashion" tends to be instilled in you! I always loved wearing my mom's old outfits and my dad's old hats. I actually still enjoy wearing them! I always look forward going to Italy to check out the new fashions!
My aunt cooked at an elementary school in Woodhaven and on the side would make dresses for people. She actually made many of my dresses for parties and graduation. It was fun, I was able to design my own dress and she would make it exactly how I asked. She is great! I was so proud of my high school graduation outfit because it was unique, exactly what I wanted and I knew I wouldn't have the problem of showing up to a party with the same dress on as someone else since this was not sold in the stores! It was a creme silk half top that crossed in a V in the front and flowy creme silk pants to match. I paired it with a gold belt. Thanks Zia Giuseppina for all of my dresses growing up!:)
So with the both of them who are blessed in the sewing department, we cut and stitched the samples together, some by hand and some with the help of a sewing machine. Thanks ladies! :) I felt lucky to have them to help because I would not have been able to do it on my own. Of course I could have paid someone, but it is special to know that my family played an important role in the making of the Di Manno Designs prototype.
I am so thankful to have my mom and dad in my life. They are the greatest, most generous and loving parents I know. They have supported me unconditionally in all of my endeavors. My mom is the first person I call when I want advice or an opinion on making a business decision. She is wise and I am thankful she is here to help me with my company. She has never given bad advice so I value what she says very strongly. Everyone who knows me personally, knows I am a "daddy's girl" so Giuseppe (my dad in this pic) and I do not have the serious talks too much, but I absolutely love him to pieces and adore just being around him to hang and to laugh. They do say laughing is good for the soul:)
My mom is right...my ambition comes from her and my silly goofy side comes from my dad. I wouldn't have it any other way. Thanks for the wisdom and strength mom and dad thanks for the laughs and all the joy!
Love them!
Monday, July 13, 2009
Kristen Winnicki, friend and also part of Di Manno Designs support team
Hi,
Just wanted to write a blog post about a close friend of mine, Kristen Winnicki who has been in my life for a few years now on a weekly basis. I wanted her in my Di Manno Designs group shot, but unfortunately, she wasn't able to make my shoot date, she was on vacation.
Kristen and I met working a trade show together years ago for Tru Fitness. We bonded over 3 days, 8 hours a day, switching every 15 minutes either on a tread mill or in a stretch cage where we had to demonstrate different types of stretches with guys crowding around the cage trying to see if they could look up our work out shorts! lol We had no idea what we signed up for! We thought we were just going to have to demonstrate the equipment, but after 3 full days of working out, we were both about to fall over!
We kept in touch after the show and started to hang out. We are known as the Thursday happy hour girls. We love going out early and getting home early! Kristen has offered me valuable advice on Di Manno Designs. I always look for her thoughts and opinions on decisions I make because she is an entrepreneur herself. She used to co own a hat company that had celebrity clientele and now she does work as a spokesmodel and is looking to start another company soon.
She is a breath of fresh air to talk to with her positive nature and intelligent mind. She has offered me great insight on all my marketing materials and web site. She also stopped by Henri Bendel when I was doing a trunk show there to help me out for a little while for free! That's a great friend! Kristen is also the person who introduced me to Collective-E, the entrepreneur group that I am part of, which has been so inspiring and so helpful. She took me to their launch party, where I joined the group! Thanks Kristen for all your support. Love you:)
PS Kristen's favorite pony is the Python Pony
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
The Meaning Behind the Di Manno Designs Group Shot
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Ponytail Hairstyles
That's it for now. Feel free to suggest any other ideas!
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Mojito Monday at Avenue sponsored by Bacardi
So this Monday I brought some of my friends to the new hot spot Avenue on 10th Avenue and 17th St. There was a complimentary bar at a private event. Lester Carter, Nightlife Marketing Manager of Empire Merchants invited me and asked me to also invite my friends, so I did!