Fashion Week Update

From Barbie to Bendel

Joanna Mastroianni launched her signature collection with a fashion forward vision of the modern women. An American designer, her career started at the age of ten, creating dress ensembles for her Barbie dolls and marketing them to neighborhood girlfriends. While still a student at F.I.T, Joanna's vision and passion for beautiful fashion raised the attention of Henry Bendel, giving her a first order. So you could say Joanna went from Barbie to Bendel....

Her black matte jersey illusion dress, from her very first collection, made it into two movies; worn by Michelle Pheiffer in Tequila Sunrise and by Melanie Griffith in Bonfire of the Vanities.

"It has been my philosophy to create beautiful, unique garments that are wearable, collectable and of the moment, at any moment," says Mastroianni. "It is couture and ready-to-wear, made in New York".

Joanna Mastroiani's audience is global, dressing some of Hollywood's elite: Alicia Keys, Eva Longoria, Beyonce, Padma Lakshmi and Carol Alt. From the Academy, Tony, and Grammy awards, to dressing Sara Jessica Parker, Cynthia Nixon and Kristin Davis for Sex and the City 2.

Joanna's designs have been featured editorially in the leading international fashion titles such as Vogue, Elle, Harpers Bazaar, W, Cosmopolitan, Ebony, and Glamour.

Joanna Mastroianni collection will be seen Sunday, February 10 5PM / L.C. STUDIO

Twenty-eight years experience as a Professional Model, Director and Producer in the Performing Arts. Produced and directed new works, held national casting calls for models and actors, negotiated contracts and collaborated with artists to build dynamic team-oriented events in theatre, dance and fashion. Maryellen has personally worked as a full figured fashion and runway model and is a renowned 'fit' model who has worked with labels found on clothing racks in stores nationwide. She also has experience conducting national programs on cultural diversity and self esteem for young people which include modeling workshops for young men and women and has worked as a judge for regional and national modeling and performing arts competition. Maryellen also serves the not-for-profit community as the Artistic Director of ArtsCare,( www.ArtsCareus.org) and is an advocate for implementing health and wellness programming in schools, community centers, senior centers and alternative spaces. Maryellen has also been responsible for the fiscal management, social media awareness, creative production and artistic management of companies, projects, runway shows and other fashion events nationwide.