Franovik's Green Couture for the Women of the Roundtable

The evening started at 1:30pm for us, It was raining so we had to park in front to take everything down; understand the designers need to get there earlier because we have clothes to take down, pull out of bags and set up for the models once they arrive.

So we got to the Signature Grand, and Miss Terri welcomed us with a great BIG Smile, as she normally does to everyone visiting The Grand.

We were told where to go and as we are heading there, Miss Polly Wilkie-President of the Prestige Club, walks in with three of our models, hugs and kisses are usually the welcome between models and designers.

As we start to move, I see another model, key model actually, It's Aubrey and her mother Diane; I drop my stuff and run over to them, almost running into the glass door.... can you imagine, "Blooper" running into the door.

I love these women and they also drove down from Naples so extra attention is taken to my peeps!!! As we walk in, we are instructed that we have the suite with three (3) rooms and a bigger smile is put on my face.

We get to the suite and I start assigning areas; one was for hair, another for makeup and the other for changing, and we still have the welcoming area.  

I walk out and see Linda, our service manager. Linda wants to make sure everything is okay , I needed stools which we got super fast and then agreed to what time food was going to be served.

Food was amazing, we had all kinds of wraps, fruits, cheeses and drinks. So the girls, parents, hair designers, make up designers and Francisco pigged out. I on the other hand, could not partake cause I was running around, but I managed to taste three(3) grapes.

The photographers started arriving, Beatriz Stilwell was the first. She is one of the photographers I use at photo shoots. She invited a few others in her photography group. Second to arrive was the official event Photographer, Suzanne Barton, she photographed everything and everyone; what a classy lady. The other photographers came in, among them Phoenix and Michael Wright, a few others which I did not catch their names.  Then Univision, NBC and Tropix TV.

We were interviewed the fabulous Andrea Chediak from Univision in Spanish and Nick from Tropix in English.

NO events goes without a hitch, and there were a few;  lighting was one, sound was another and visual was the other. It all got taken care of, so no further complaints.

 I will tell you the runway was spectacular, it was exactly what I wanted.  I was going in and out of the ballroom, my sponsors coming in. The first to show her pretty face was Kathy Nunez, CEO & Make Up Artist of Face Future-KN Cosmetics came in first to set up.

Kathy had to work fast because she was in charge of three other MUA's and we were using her products, so it was up to her Mom (Diana) and Son (Sean) to take care of the sponsor table. They look very cute behind the table...Then it was Yenny Machado, Owner and President of Yenny Fashions jewelry.

Yenny had so much stuff she could have filled 3 additional tables, WOW, great stuff. Following Yenny was Latoya Edwards, President and distributor of OrganoGold coffee. The coffee was wonderful;  you know South Floridians and coffee-it's a love affair that expands decades, if not centuries, so she was a big hit.

Following Latoya came Celinda, owner of Linda's Fashion Shoes. Linda Fashion Shoes provided shoes for all the girls, they brought 120 pairs of shoes-all linked to the colors of our dresses. They had the end table and as I understand, they all had some sales, nothing to brag about but something, something.

As the night progressed, we were interviewed by Univision, NBC, Sun Sentinel, Tropix TV, Lifestyles Publications, Ciudad Weston Newspaper, Natural Awakenings, Latin Connection, among others.

The Suite also became photo and interview heaven; Media came in, all the girls were there along with hair, Ola Wilkerson-CEO of Illusion's Hair Boutique, Schacle Powell  and Beatric Jean.  Makeup, Kathy Nunez-CEO of Face Future-KN Cosmetics, Evy Maquillaje, Kristine Kelly and staff makeup artists.

We are pulled away again to the ballroom, where I meet up with Miss Kandee G, MC of the event to go over the fashion show, garment description and how we were going to start the program.

I opened the show and introduced Kandee G, after she taking the walk down the runway, since we made her dress as well. So the fashion show begins, 20 girls strutting their stuff to DIVA. It's an upbeat song that talks about DIVAS, just the right song for my models, ALL DIVAS (Jana, Aubrey, Lauren, Karen, Lydia, Nina, Paige, Kiara, Christine, Andrea, Gaby, Fernanda, Giselle, Karen P, Karina, Marina, Meily, Taylor, Arianna, and Cindy) not in that order.  Lauren opened the show and Jana closed the show.

So the show was over, it took 16 minutes start to finish. I ended the show with remarks and thank you's; I'm sure I forgot so many people. I tried to remember as much as I could but I was really tired. I asked Kathy, Ola, and Shay to come up to be acknowledged and made them walk the runway too.

I went back to suite, to put all the dresses in bags and try to see all my models before they left. Most of them were gone, the few that stayed had parents and they picked up as well.

We were quite hungry and went to eat something and drove Yenny, jewelry designer home to Miami Beach. The day turned into 12 hours, we got to the Signature Grand at 1:30pm and got home the following day at 1:30am.

I'm very happy everything turned out ok, now it's waiting for pictures from the photographers.  I can't wait, trust I'm dying here, you see I'm spoiled;  I work with many photographers but there are two (2) photographers (Don Seidman and Simon Soong) that give me pictures disc's as we leave the event.   

Anyway, I will only have to wait a few more hours, Suzanne Barton is preparing a picture disc which I will pick up tomorrow. Christopher, my production Director did happen to take a few pictures and they are the ones you are seeing here.....

You see someone is always looking out...Thank you to everyone that took part in some shape or form. I wanted to mention a few others: NUVO Sparkling Vodka, Ethereal Management, Hip Chick, Keel Magazine, Ginette Bover, Latin Connection Magazine, Beatriz Stilwell, Carmen Goodman, among others.  

A special thanks to Polly WIlkie of the Prestige Club and the Doris Muscarella, President and event planner of the Women of the Roundtable.

Viktor Franovik

www.franovik.com

A Queen's Passing...We will miss you!

ELEMENTS OF GREEN 2012

Franovik does it again for Elements of Green, our fashion show division. The Women of the Roundtable, a 501c3 company directed by Doris Muscarella, fundraises for a great cause; Women of the Rountable and Franovik Designs unite forces to raise funds for the Prestige Club.

Join us at the Signature Grand in Davie on July 12. Sponsorship opportunities available.

Thank you,

Viktor Franovik

CONGRATULATIONS LUDUS ATHLETICS VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT

March 31 - April 1, 2012: Lummus Park, SouthBeach hosted the 2012 LUDUS Athletics ModelBeachVolleyball Tournament.

This was my first time going but this event is done every year, (I believe in different cities but I could be wrong) featuring the top modeling agencies in Miami to benefit a national or international charity.

This year it was "models4water", www.models4water.org, Drink. Live.Thrive.

The organization was founded by Heide Lindgren and Georgie Badiel for the purpose of providing clean water to developing countries, starting with Burkina Faso, Georgie's homeland.

Through partnerships with fellow fashion models, the organization aims to increase international awareness and raise funds surrounding the most basic human need and right: Clean Water.

This is a cause Franovik Designs and Models&Designers Magazine would like to be part of.

We had the honor to be part of this very important tournament.

We have worked with models that played in the tournament. We kept to the sidelines cheering for all the agencies; the top two that went to the finals were Elite Model Management and Runways Talent Group.

The weather was amazing, typical South Florida weather, sunny and a soft beach breeze. The aroma of sun tan lotion all over the place, you had to be there.

Sponsors of the event were there to cheer and show their products, from flavored vitamin water to vehicles. The VIP area well stocked with drinks, food and comfortable sitting areas. We had a blast!!

Obviously, the highlight of the day were all the beautiful models, both male and female, fighting for the esteemed trophy. After all was said and done, Runways Talent Group won!!! Congratulations.

We want to thank the event producers for inviting us; we can't wait til next year....who knows the tournament could be a Fashion Designers volleyball tournament (Hint, Hint).

Check out their websites www.modelbeachvolleyball.com and www.models4water.org and make a donation for this great cause.

Stay tuned to my websites for other pictures I took ath the event.

Victor M. Vega
President & Editor in
Chief
Models&Designers Magazine
www.modelsanddesigners.com

OUR CELEBS AND DRUG ABUSE

Is it me or does anyone else see and are upset with drug abuse? We have lost too many of our favorite performers to prescription drugs, alcohol and overdosing! That's a deadly combination. Can we do something about this?

Just recently, we lost Whitney Houston to this ill. The Ultimate Pop Diva!

I, like many others, were waiting for an All Time come back. 2009 was a partial come back and I was counting and praying for a come back album and performance.

I think fondly of those first albums, anthem ballads, dance songs, movie themes and gospel hymns.

What's wrong with people, Jesus, they have everything; the career, the fame, the money, the love from their fans and the WORLD. Is that not enough? Is the pain so bad that they can't get the help they need without taking the easy way out and taking prescription drugs.

Whatever happened to will power and just saying no.

I remember some time ago, when my former husband (the love of my life)  broke up with me, I was devastated and got into a shady lifestyle although it was when I was most Beautiful.

I went to the gym and beach everyday, worked on myself and my tan and got into prostituted myself and heavy into drugs until one day, I looked in the mirror and said STOP.

So I stopped cold turkey and life moved on. I realize everyone is different and take things differently but I had to love myself enough to say I'm worth it. And I'm not saying I'm better than anyone, cause I'm not but I was put on this earth because I have something to say, something to prove, a purpose that has to be fulfilled before I perish.

These performers had things to say, things to prove, their purpose in life which for all other, was to spread joy to the world with their gift of song, dance and film.

I am going to miss Whitney, as I will Amy, Michael and all those that have lost their lives to overdosing on drugs and alcohol.  

Let's toy with this idea, What if physicians took more time to sit down with their patients, in this case, Entertainers and discuss their medical needs instead of writing a prescription. What if your physician wrote you a referral for a physiological evaluation prior too writing a script. What if your physician evaluated your mindset before writing a script. What a concept to care.

I am not blaming the physician at all, it is much fault of the patient too but if we took a little more time to evaluate and had a medical professional (mandatory) like CNA, an LPN or maybe even an RN by their side, they'd still be here.

I'm just saying......

Viktor

CONGRATULATIONS LEILA LOPEZ FROM ANGOLA, MISS UNIVERSE 2011

Another year, 60th anniversary..Congrads Miss Universe Organization!!!! Now let's dish about this year show. Brazil, What Happened? It was boring, I was expecting more, more and more!!! It was tame, again, What Happened BRAZIL? It was kinda odd this year...I heard MUO had a new Director, Donald come back!!! My opinion and personal observations.

I have grown up with Miss Universe and have seen all the changes and crowns..One of them is obviously killing me, most of the previous winners have won in white gowns, the last couple of years they have won in colors: reds, yellows, blues, all we need now is someone to win in black....This year at least the top ten had white, although not the prettiest gowns.  

Another thing, we did not see the scores of the judges, instead we got the fans/viewers. I wanted to see how Amelia was voting. If we are going to rate and/or grade the girls, those points should mean something. By my calculations, their were some delegates in the top 10 that should not have been there. So why show points if their not going to be used.

In the past, correct me if I am wrong but I believe the top ten were asked a question to feel them out and get their impressions; then right after the top 5 were announced, again correct me if I am wrong.

Like last year I saw less time with the girls and more time about the sponsors and the entertainment; which by the way was a little lame....Also what happened to the costumes? As a designer, I want to see my creation on the stage, good or bad, I was short changed. So we saw the top 10 costumes, I wanted to see all 89.

Okay, at least they kept the crown, i could not bare with another crown change.....Every year they change the crown, I was getting used too Mikimoto and boom the crown is changed. How about going back to the original big bulky crown that everyone knew just by a quick glimpse.

The bathing suits were okay, i expected to see more skin..DUH, it's BRAZIL. 

I love pageants especially Miss Universe, can't we go back to basics, elegance and really probe women's minds and not the popularity of controversy. 



OMG, did this become a bitchen session, I forgot to congratulate Leila for her victory, first time Angola wins!!!


Blessings darling.....Call me...


Viktor Franovik
(Photo courtesy of Miss Universe Organization) Happy 60th!!!

A FASHION WITH A CAUSE

ALSO NEED MODELS (FEMALE & MALE) TF. MEDIA EXPOSURE, PHOTOS, HAIR AND MAKE UP AT THE EVENT. FOR MORE INFO CONTACT: VIKTOR FRANOVIK-INFO@FRANOVIK.COM. JOIN US.....