The new ad campaign is just about to land in all the fashion magazines, but here’s your glimpse at the first 2 images.  (You can click the shots to make them full screen).  BTW… I taught Zoolander everything he knows!  ;-)

Bringing together the bold prints of a bygone era, with the limitless possibilities of the jet-age, ATTITUDE Jay Manuel Spring/Summer 2012 collection seamlessly infuses the privilege of world travel with the notion that it is inclusive for every woman. With the understated elegance of an inspired destination mixed with the rich diversity that can be found there…will you be ready to take the journey?

All credit has to be shared with my team – Tara Gill is one of  the  most highly sought after Canadian models working today!  She’s a dream to work with and prankster to boot!  Oscar James “worked” the hair (and weave),  George Antonopoulos styled himself silly, and Vincent Oquendo knows how beat a face (if you don’t know what that means…. look it up)!

The man behind the lens, Troy Word is my partner in crime and such a talented photographer… he knows how to “light” within an inch of his life!

We all had so much fun that day…. and yes, ate too much carrot cake!  Check out the behind the scene shots below.

                          

Here’s a list of prizes for those who come and attend in person:

First 50 audience members to check in will get Nicki’s Pink Friday CD
Raffle for:
(2) Tickets to an Upcoming Tour Date and Meet & Greet with Nicki before the show
(2) iPod Shuffles
(10) Pink Friday CD’s
And other prizes!

SHOW DATE & LOCATION:
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Nokia Plaza LA Live
800 W. Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90015

SCHEDULE:
5:00pm-6:30pm – Audience Check In at the Event Deck
6:45pm – All Audience to Report to the Audience Load
at Nokia Theatre, Entrance on Chick Hearn Court
7:00pm-8:00pm – Pre-Show
8:00pm-9:30pm – Show

AUDIENCE CHECK IN INFORMATION:
Please report to the Event Deck at LA Live on the roof of the West Parking Garage for audience check-in between 5:00-6:30pm. Here you will receive your wristband for admission into the event and sign a Likeness Release.

From there, the audience coordinators will direct you accordingly to the Audience Load In at Nokia Theatre. During your free time before the 6:45pm call time at the main stage,we encourage you to enjoy one of the many dining experiences that LA Live has to offer. Please visit the LA Live website for more information. http://www.lalive.com/eat/eat.

Please report back to Audience Load In by 6:45pm for the audience pre-show. Then, stick around for the AMERICA’S NEXT TOP MODEL FASHION SHOW AND JUDGING with a Special Celebrity Guest! Spread the word and tell your friends and family!

RSVP: ANTMALLSTARS1@gmail.com

                          

I’m super excited, nervous and grateful to welcome you to the world of ATTITUDE Jay Manuel.

My inaugural Fall/Winter 2011 Collection will be unveiled at LG Fashion Week in Toronto, Canada on Wednesday, March 30^th, 2011 at 8:30 p.m. and new collections will be presented twice yearly.

The show will be streamed live on the web and I’ll post the link soon so you all can be a part of the fashion show and festivities!  Within the next 12 months, I plan to bring the entire line to the US… I’ll keep you posted on where it will be retailed and when!

ATTITUDE Jay Manuel Fall/Winter 2011 Collection brings together modern interpretations of the sophisticated silhouette from the early 60s with the luxury and textures of the 70s.  Designed for the stylish woman on the go, highlights of the collection include flattering shapes such as wide legged trousers, sleek pencil skirts, fashion-forward suiting that transitions from office to evening and seamed dresses for the fashion conscious.  Versatility and impeccable tailoring are paramount; the fashionably current collection ranges in size from 0-18.  The Fall/Winter 2011 color palette – inspired by Morocco – consists of slate, cognac, peacock, marine, raspberry and black, accented by stylized animal prints.

I’m thrilled to be working with Sears Canada to make fashion accessible for all women who love to be beautiful!  Throughout my career I’ve traveled the world, working with designers and creative visionaries in the fashion business, learning the art of women’s design. A good fit and draping fabric was something I learned at an early age, as my grandfather was a respected tailor. The time is right to return home to Canada and bring all my worldly inspirations to a fashion line that empowers women.

Here’s the official press release

I will be previewing the collection to the press in two weeks…. So stay tuned! Keep checking my blog and twitter @MrJayManuel for updates.

                          

You know me, I’ll try and tweet as much as I can on Wednesdays… it’s always good to talk with you and hear what you think!

With the SAG Awards there’s definitely lots to talk about.  My fab fav was Tina Fey, just ‘cause she dared to go outside her comfort zone and give us all a little sumthing, sumthing!  Her red Oscar de le Renta was stunning!  Honorable mention goes to my other girls rocking red Mila Kunis in Alexander McQueen and Julianna Margulies in Yves Saint Laurent.

I don’t like to criticize because fashion is so subjective, but I will say – I wasn’t crazy about Winona Ryder showing up in what looked to be someone’s wedding dress.  It was in fact from Alberta Ferretti’s Spring 2011 Bridal Collection!!!  It’s my “really??” of the week! Winona, work those assets … you are a fashion maven … I feel it!

Sao Paulo Fashion Week … if you haven’t heard, Model Lea T walked the runway at Alexandre Herchcovitch’s show … turns out Lea T was a he … and stole the show! Enough said …

Gillette Venus announced this week that Jennifer Lopez will be their first Global Ambassador.  As the face of Venus, she will help reveal “The Goddess In Every Woman” and launch new philanthropic effort dedicated To Female Empowerment Through Education.  Go JLo, anything that empowers women gets full support from yours truly!

Chanel’s new favorite gal Blake Lively tops AskMen’s Annual List of the year’s most Desirable Women.  Others making the list are Mila Kunis, Sofia Vergara, Selita Ebanks, Miranda Kerr, Cheryl Cole, Scarlett Johansson, Katy Perry, Anne Hathaway and Jessica Pare.  What do you think?  Who should have made the list?

Vanity Fairs 17^th Annual Hollywood Issue is out this week.  I always look forward to these cover composite shots because they aren’t easy shoots to do, trust.  This one doesn’t disappoint.  Love the 30s feel.  The shot was photographed by Norman Jean Roy.  The Front of the Fold features Oscar Co-Hosts Anne Hathaway and James Franco, along with Ryan Reynolds and Jake Gyllenhall.  In addition, the “IT” GROUP includes Jesse Eisenberg, Jennifer Lawrence, Noomi Rapace, Anthony Mackie, Olivia Wilde, Mila Kunis, Joseph Gorden-Levitt, Andrew Garfield, Rashida Jones, Garrett Hedland and Robert Duvall.  Love it! Kudos to all involved.

Kate Moss was in the headlines this week as well.  It was announced she’ll be the new face of Dior Beauty Addict lipstick line.  Watch for the ads this May!

And lastly, New York MB Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2011 kicks off this Thursday … who is attending shows?  Whose collections are you most excited to see?

Fashionista Does Care:  www.operationsmile.org simply because everyone deserves a perfect smile!

That’s a wrap, everybody!

                          

Emporio Armani Ads: Seeing the two new ad campaigns for Emporio Armani with Megan Fox and Rafael Nadal is enough to keep me going to the gym everyday!  

Material Girl gets new “Model”.  Taylor Momsen out.  Kelly Osbourne in.  Is this a good thing?

Christian Dior on the Runway this week: Stunning!  OMG!  A flashback to 40s and 50s silhouettes … a classic film moment for sure!

Jimmy Choo relaunches Men’s Footwear: I think I speak for most male fashionistas when I say, “Welcome Back!”. The line will feature “dress shoes, moccasins, casual biker boots, sneakers and evening slippers”.  Moccasins … really???

Lady Gaga Fragrance announced: And it will smell of “blood and semen” apparently.  What no raw meat?

Elie Saab on the Runway this week: Heaven!  It’s as simple as that.

Manolo Blahnik: Look who is coming out with a jewelry line.  When you think of Manolo, does your mind go to your favorite episode of “Sex and the City”.  Me, too!  Always puts a smile on my face!

Valentino on the Runway this week: The collection this week was a bit of a snooze … what did you think?  Talk amongst yourselves.

My “Fashionista Does Care” of the Week: www.littledressesforafrica.org -lets get involved!

                          

Recently I tweeted that I was cooking my Mom’s Tandoori Chicken.  I had a huge response to post the recipe… so here it is!

Tandoori Chicken is super easy to make, healthy (especially if you use skinless, boneless, organic chicken thighs like I do) and always a hit when you have people over.  If you have the time, try and visit a local Indian spice shop to stock up on all the essential spices for this dish.

Enjoy… and let me know how your version turns out.  Remember you can always add a little more spice here and there to change it up.  My Mom does that all the time.  ;-)

Makes 1 Kg. (about 2.2 lbs) of chicken

SPICE MIXTURE:

2 Tbs. masala ( I prefer to use tandoori masala)

about 1 Tbs. cumin

about 1 Tbs. coriander

about 1/2 tsp. chili powder (in a pinch, cayenne or dried chillies will do). Careful, you don’t want the chicken too hot.)

1 tsp. turmeric

1 Tbs. crushed garlic

1 Tbs. crushed ginger

2 tbs. veg. oil

1 -2 tsp. garam masala (optional)

juice of 1/2 lemon

1.5  cups plain yogurt

In a large sealable plastic bag, mix all the spices, ginger, garlic, oil and lemon juice to a paste.  Then, add yogurt. If the mixture looks dry, add more yogurt.  Finally, add the chicken and mix well.  Marinade overnight, or at least 18 hours (the chicken in its marinade can be frozen. Defrost in the fridge).  Remove chicken from the marinade (discard the marinade) Bake at 400 for 30 minutes or grill.

                          

I really love being in a classic suit and tie (as oppose to crazy outfits)!  For those who know me, I love Tom Ford suits and that’s what I’m wearing in this story!  I hope you enjoy the read (you can download the full size story in the press section of my website or click on the thumbnails below to open larger).

All the photography was shot by my good friend Mike Rosenthal .

Leave a comment, I’d love to know what you think.

                          

Will you make a difference and help stop child exploitation? VISIT WEBSITE HERE

                          

What did you think?  I’d love to know your thoughts.

If  you haven’t seen… have a look:
view Alejandro video here