Galina Couture and NY Fashion Week

As the newest host for Fashion News Live, and my first time reporting at New York Fashion Week the pressure is on to get an 8 day wardrobe together that will not only be a channel stopper but that will make a lasting impression on celebs, designers, and viewers alike. I am a fashion FREAK and totally live to accessorize. So when my friend Pamela told me about Scottsdale couture designer Galina Couture who teaches Costume Design at Arizona State University and designs costumes for Dancing with the Stars, I knew I had to go and take a look at her one of a kind, over the top pieces. Having just picked up my Vintage GLAM ROCK ballgown from Angela Johnson for the Emmy’s, I was a little worried, thinking, what if I find something else I like for the Emmy’s. My daughter Ellie and I went tearing into her studio, and immediately fell in love with Galina herself, a French creative genius. Ellie and I started whipping through her racks squealing at all the vintage, feathers, leather over the top creations including a ballgown made completely out of pink bras, for a breast cancer charity event. I tore off my clothes, and started trying things on…first of all a bustier made out of men’s ties (probably 40 or so) in red and blue that fit like a corset on top, with the ties streaming 360 degrees around and sweeping the floor. It looked so amazing with my own skinny jeans, yet she gave me a black skirt that could also work underneath. Next I poured myself into a hourglass fitting tight long skirt with lace and ribbon detailing, and huge feather plumes accenting the bottom. The matching bustier with a leather halter tie fit like a glove, and I felt transformed into an Oscar Nominee. I was so overcome with emotion, that I started channeling French as Ellie looked out bewildered. Galina expertly did a few alterations, and sent it off with me to consider for the Emmy’s. Since I am going to be a contestant in the local Dancing with the Stars charity competition benefiting the kidney foundation in January and Galina is also the costume designer, we decided we need to move her studio to my Lip, Lash, and Flash Lounge in Kierland. One swoop, and I had a new wardrobe, friend, business partner, and was completely fluent in French. The thought of having someone so fabulous, creative, and under the same roof is enough to make me levitate. As Ellie and I left the studio, we were speechless.   We sat across from each other over dinner, and Ellie said, “I can just cry right now” to which I said, “I could just throw myself into the street.” True creative bliss!