Style Spotlight: Miami's Pin Up Paparazzo is Front Page News.

When Italian director, Federico Fellini coined the term "paparazzo" to describe the pesky almost insect-like photographers that buzz about in his film, La Dolce Vita, there was one leading lady he didn't take into consideration- Miami's own, Logan Fazio, aka The Pin Up Paparazzo. 

Known on the field and on the set for her trademark bikinis, Fazio is easy on the eye and talented to boot. Most celebrities shudder at the idea of being photographed; but, when it comes to the Pin Up Paparazzo, most become star struck when they get a glimpse of the beauty behind the lens (just ask new dad Simon Cowell). 

It wasn't easy to pin down this busy chick. Between frolicking with Sports Illustrated models and getting down and dirty in a mostly male marked career, Fazio is making headlines and front page news! 

Something tells me getting dressed for work is hardly a challenge when you have such a fun and colorful wardrobe of swimsuits to choose from (her swimsuit shots put some Victoria Secret models to shame! Find out why The Pinup Paparazzo is our Style Spotlight Star this week! 

FSF: How did you get started? 
LF: Well I've always been an art lover so in college I majored in studio art with a concentration in photography. When I got out of college, I did a lot of event photography like parties, weddings, and art openings. My love of music brought me into the world of concert photography, which eventually lead to red carpet photography. Throughout all of this, I was still waiting tables to make ends meet, and wasn't really making money off my photography. Then I realized that after a red carpet event, the next day the celebrity would end up being photographed on the beach, and those pictures would run in all the magazines and on blogs. So for about five years now I have been shooting celebs on the beach!


FSF: How did u come up with pin up paparazzo concept?
LF:  The original concept was actually something I considered to be performance art and was based on society's obsession with fame and what fame actually is. I felt like after doing this for so many years, I knew what a "good story" would be and I felt like a "hot paparazzo" would be a good story. I also knew the guys would photograph me if I showed up to work in a bikini. So I thought about it for a really long time and one day I just did it. The guys looked at me funny at first, just because I usually dress like them in a t-shirt and cargo shorts, but they all took a few pictures, and then later that day I was also photographed with Lenny Kravitz in the same outfit. The next day, The Daily Mail ran a huge story on "The Pin-Up Paparazzo" and my phone didn't stop ringing for a week. So I did it, I proved that anyone could become "famous" and I figured it was finished and I made my point after getting on "Daily Mail". That was in the beginning of December and I've been doing all types of interviews ever since! Besides being a commentary on fame, it's also been a huge confidence booster for me! It's made my life and my job more fun, I'm always messing around with different looks and fashion, I meet people on the job who have seen me on TV and want to take pictures with me, and I've brought a little bit of positivity to a job that many people look at as a very negative thing (paparazzi). So the whole project has really had many different outcomes for me, and all positive so far! Now I'm not embarrassed or ashamed to tell my friends or family that I'm a paparazzi, because that is who I am right now, and I'm glad I came out of the closet, so to speak ;)

FSF: Favorite thing to shoot? 
LF: A-listers in bikinis. Sunsets. Palm trees. Clouds. Old ladies. Weird people. Things in cities I've never been to before.

FSF: Favorite spot in Miami?
LF:  I love Miami. So many cool things to see and explore. The Beach, Wynwood, Upper East Side, Midtown, Downtown, Coral Gables, Coconut Grove, I love it all. I love old hotels, new hotels, architecture, art, nature, and fashion, especially vintage. Miami has it all.

FSF:Your idea of a perfect day?
LF: Such a broad question. On Saturday I went to PAMM for the first time. It was amazing both outside and inside. Then afterward I went to Lost and Found for a burrito, and then I cruised through Wynwood during Art Walk. That was a pretty good day. I also love riding my bike around Miami Beach on a Sunday, especially if it's not too hot and when the Lincoln Road Antique Market is happening. Pretty basic stuff. Another answer to that could be exploring a cave in Belize or snorkeling in Thailand.

FSF: Favorite moment in your career so far? 
LF: Well I have so many fun stories and paparazzi adventures, enough to write a book one day. But if I'm being snarky, and I am, I'd say the day I signed the papers on my dream condo, or possibly the day in the future when I quit paparazzi work and move on to something even bigger and better.

FSF: What do the male paparazzi think/say when you out snap them and get all the attention on the playing field?
LF: As long as I stay out of their way when we're shooting, they're fine :) and they certainly don't mind when my name shows up on their monthly statements, even if it only pays for parking or lunch ;)

FSF: How do you pick your "looks" when you're out on the job?LF: I like to try do do "beach fashion" or "beachwear" instead of just a plain old bikini. So a vintage top and a bikini bottom is cool, or some fun accessories like great sunglasses or colorful jewelry. I'm really into tropical prints like hibiscus flowers or banana leaves. I like the idea of jumpers. Bright colors. I feel like the world of fashion has really opened up to me recently. I've actually only recently realized that putting on fun things makes me feel good and enjoy life more. What took me so long?

Want to learn more about The Pin Up Paparazzo? Check her out on Instagram @LoganFazio and on her Facebook Page www.facebook.com/paparazzilogan

In Style, 

Kat  

Style Spotlight: How Two Wedding Obsessed Friends are Bringing Budget Friendly Luxury to Blushing Brides

Hello my freshly squeezed fashionistas!

I am very excited to launch a weekly style spotlight on local movers and shakers in the South Florida area that are making fashion forward headlines and bringing their dreams to the masses. With time, I hope to expand not only within beauty and fashion, but also into the food and nightlife scene that continues to make waves in the growing metropolis of Miami. 

I couldn't have done my first spotlight without a little help from my friends. Literally. It gives me great pleasure to get to talk to two very dear friends, who left their day jobs, took their vision of luxury bridal consignment, and made it into a booming reality of over 300 dresses. And what bride doesn't love a good deal on a name brand wedding dress? 

I sat down with Viviana and Jenise, Co-founders of La Vie En Blanc, to dish on all things budget, brides, and their big day! 

FSF: First off, I love the fact that I'm interviewing two of my dearest friends, so this is going to be fun right off the bat! How are you guys doing? I always picture you guys drowning in a sea of wedding dresses. Am I right? 

LVEB: Thanks so much for taking the time to get to know us a little better - well, at least the La Vie En Blanc side of us. We're actually doing great! Your imagination is fairly accurate. We feel fortunate to be doing something we love and are so passionate about. We joke that we bleed white. 

FSF: Walk me through a typical work day at LVEB. What does it look like? 

LVEB: Well it's hectic and we love it.  Between meeting with brides shopping our collection and visiting bridal shops and individual consignors to pick up gowns, we keep pretty busy.  We respond daily to brides looking for specific designer gowns and hoping we have it for less. There are the visits to luxury properties throughout South Florida to plan our upcoming trunk shows.  We also manage to squeeze in some champagne and mani/pedi meetings which are definitely our favorite! 

FSF: How many dresses are currently in your inventory? 

LVEB: At any given point, we have about 300 bridal gowns on hand. And on top of that, we have a collection of veils, accessories and special occasion gowns too.

FSF: Alright, so before we go any further, lets talk about how LVEB was born. How did bridal consignment come about? And why bridal consignment? 

LVEB: We had both been in half a dozen weddings and planned our own weddings knowing the pain of that "wedding budget". We realized there was a void in the South Florida bridal market. There were brides compromising on some aspect of their dream wedding to have an out-of-budget designer gown they just had to have.  We knew if we could get these gowns for less, brides would line up for them! And we'd also be helping past brides who had invested so much to get some money back or help bridal shops who were stuck with samples make room for their new collections.  It was always important to us that a bride wouldn't miss out on the luxurious experience of buying her wedding dress. And that's really what we love most about La Vie En Blanc - we provide a luxury experience for all brides, regardless of the their budget.

FSF: What do you say to potential brides who might be hesitant about purchasing a consigned dress? 

LVEB: It's so important to us that brides are 100% sure when they say yes to the dress! Some brides may be hesitant to buy a dress that's not being ordered directly from the designer for them, but once they see the condition of our gowns and the savings they are getting by shopping La Vie En Blanc, they are quickly believers! Who wouldn't be when you are getting a Vera Wang or Pronovias in new or like-new condition for a fraction of the price!

FSF: I feel like for me, consigning a wedding dress is a no brainer. Most wedding dresses don't get reused or passed down like many brides like to think. Do you often come across brides that have a hard time letting go of dresses? 

LVEB: When brides contact us, they are usually looking to clear up some space in their closet or maybe pay off a credit card! We encourage brides to keep at least one thing they wore on their wedding day - maybe a veil or a headpiece - something that can be passed down in the family. But most girls realize that every bride wants her own dress shopping experience, so it's not too hard to let the bridal gown go. 

FSF: What bridal trends are we seeing for 2014? In your opinion, what is one thing that every bride should have on her big day? 

LVEB: That's two questions! We are seeing delicate laces, daring necklines, illusion backs, vintage inspirations, romantic looks ... But we also see brides who hold true to classic traditional styles. That's the beauty of what we do - when a bride walks into La Vie En Blanc, it is our goal to get to know her style so that we can help her find the most important dress she will ever wear without breaking her entire budget. 

There's one thing that every bride should have on her big day and that never ever goes out of style - that's a radiant  smile - It's the one day in a woman's life where she truly sets the tone for the entire day.  The look on a bride's face when she walks down the aisle or has her first dance is really the most memorable thing she can wear.  Every bride should feel her most beautiful on her big day. 

FSF: Do you have a favorite dress? It's like asking you to pick a favorite kid, but you have to have one! 

A: Yea, it is a lot like asking a mom if she has a favorite child! Honestly, we love so many of our gowns. We love to play the game of "which gown would we wear if we were getting married now" ... and the answer changes every week! There are so many beautiful and breathtaking gowns plus trends and styles are constantly evolving. That's the beauty of fashion and bridal couture. Right now, we are really loving Jenny Packham and Monique Lhuillier is always on our list.  

FSF: Did you anticipate the success of LVEB when you first started? What are you most proud of? 

LVEB: We always believed in the concept. We also really believe in each other! Most of all, we are fairly certain we have someone up there watching over us every day.  We're proud of a few things, but the most humbling is the overwhelming response from brides and their referrals. We help one bride find her dream dress at a fraction of the price, then she sends her friends and they send their friends. It's a reflection of how satisfied our brides feel when they leave La Vie En Blanc. We can't think of a better measure of customer satisfaction than a bride who is willing to endorse us and send her loved ones to have the same amazing experience she had. It's actually quite flattering! 

FSF: You're friends and business partners. Do you almost feel like you're married after spending so much time together? Finish each other's sentences? 

LVEB: Something like that, yes! It's such a blessing to find a business partner who you trust and respect. Because it is like we are married in a way! We were friends before partners - but never had we imagined we'd be this close. We rely on each other very much. And we definitely have a newfound respect for each other. For us, communication is so important. We really don't hold back; we constantly use each other as a source of inspiration and motivation. What we are able to create and achieve when we are working together increases exponentially! 

FSF: Looking back on both your wedding days, anything you would do different now that you have even more of an inside scoop of the booming bridal industry? 

LVEB: Yes! Buy a reloved gown!!! I always say, "I could have bought new appliances for my new house or taken another vacation as newlyweds."

** FOR MORE INFORMATION ON LVEB, VISIT THEIR WEBSITE AT WWW.VIEENBLANC.COM. FOLLOW THEM ON INSTAGRAM AT @VIEENBLANC. #LAVIEENBLANC **

In Style, 

Kat

Welcome to Miami.

Paying homage to my hometown with this woven bracelet I found at Genius Jones in Wynwood. 

We're taking it slow, Miami and I, since my heart belongs to NYC. But we're reconnecting like old friends and I kind of like it. Just don't try to make it out with me. That'll be weird. 

In Style, 

Kat 

White Girls CAN Jump.

Here's a double dose of big hair and jumpsuits. 

I love the way this aztec print jumpsuit fits on my frame. I like the ruffled strapless cut that shows off my collarbone. And I like how the legs on the suit go from the right amount of looseness to tailored at the ankles. This cut works really well with cute sandals, like these gold gladiator ones I picked out. If the legs were wider, I would have opted for a wedge or even a platform heel. 

I belted it right at the waist to break up the pattern as to not cause dizziness. 

On Me:

Jumpsuit- Forever 21
Bib necklace- Forever 21
Gold sandals- Enzo Angiolini 
Braided belt- Forever 21

Hair by: Emiliano (Warren Tricomi Salon at the W Hotel)

In Style, 

Kat

And the Arm Candy keeps Getting Sweeter.

Every bracelet tells a story. 

And just when I think I can't house a new addition on this very unevenly tanned arm, the bracelets part like the Red Sea and make room for one more of their kind - Like this circular zodiac gold stunner by Gorjana & Griffin. It's my sign- Aquarius. 

What makes this bracelet extra special, is that it was a gift from my 'Best Friend Since 2000'. Like two silly boy band tweens, Javy and I have exchanged countless friendship bracelets, pendants, and fat jokes. And that's why I love him so much. 

In Style, 

Kat

One Person's Trash is Another Fashionista's Gain.

I've never met a closet I couldn't conquer. Call me neurotic or obsessive compulsive, but helping friends clean out, organize, and coordinate their disheveled frocks into something that makes sense is my guilty pleasure. The only payment I require besides orderly bliss, is a bottle of wine and my pick of any discarded garb from the 'No' pile. 

Such was the case with this secret garden inspired linen blazer.  I walked away with this floral find after cleaning one of my dearest friends' closet (she was one of the most rewarding closets I ever had the pleasure of bringing back to life, which translates to four garbage bags of donations).  It is such a fun piece that can go high or low. I love the way it flows with this lace skirt, a black and white graphic tee and my moto boots. I mean, these boots should might as well be sewn to my feet, Peter Pan style. I added this fierce heavy gold necklace and my quilted Chanel handbag as my bad ass accessories. 

Some other outfit ideas with this blazer off the top of my head: 
- paired with leather leggings and a solid colored muscle tee.
- over a lace ivory short, midi, or maxi dress
- jean short with black opaque tights, a white tank, and a leopard scarf

On Me:

Floral linen blazer- Urban Outfitters
Graphic tee- Forever 21
Lace skirt- Ann Taylor
Boots- Steve Madden
Gold necklace- Zara
Handbag- Chanel

In Style,

Kat

A Starry Affair!

Well, va va voom, Mrs. Buccio! I could not WAIT to wear this Kate Young for Target one shoulder gown. The ruffled bow on the shoulder is all sorts of amazing and just screams, "POW! In your face!" The black and white star print gives the gown a classic finish. 

Let's talk hair because a dress like this needs an equally stellar updo and who better than Emiliano at Warren Tricomi at the W South Beach to create this hair-raising bouffant. It was the epitome of glam. I kept the makeup simple with a red lip and minimal eyeliner. 

The snakeskin handbag is from a Vintage store in New Orleans. The art deco chandelier earrings are from J.Crew and a gift from Coco. The five inch heels are Guess. And thankfully, I still have all my toes (I think). 

On Me:

Dress- Kate Young for TARGET
heels- Guess
bag- vintage
earrings- J.Crew 

In Style, 

Kat