What has been your favorite stone as of late? 

Bismuth crystal.  We don’t technically get to work with it because it’s too brittle, but we take natural pieces of it, slice it up and refine it, cast it in brass and then plate it with PVD titanium that is hit with a laser to create the same multicolored, psychedelic feel that the natural stone has.  I’m officially obsessed.

Where’s the most fascinating place you’ve found your raw materials?

Arusha, Tanzania.  Rajasthan in India is a close second.

If you could accessorize 3 runway shows this coming Fashion Week, whose would they be?

Peter Som, rag & bone, Chris Benz. All totally different but would be so fun.

The collaboration with fellow CFDA incubatee Bibhu Mohapatra resulted in glorious iridescence.

Among the precocious pissants are designers Joseph Altuzarra, Alexander Wang, Chris Benz, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen and Pamela Love; musicians Adele, Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber, Katy Perry, Rihanna and most of the Young Money roster — Lil Wayne, Drake and Nicki Minaj; actors Chloe Moretz, Jennifer Lawrence and Community‘s Donald Glover; and hiding out in the media category is Tavi Gevinson. And while Jaden Smith made the cut, his hair-whipping, fireball-throwing sister, Willow, is nowhere to be seen. Other notable exclusions include Glee‘s leading ladies Lea Michele and Chris Colfer, as well as tween fashionistas Elle Fanning and Hailee Steinfeld. Guess they weren’t being disruptive enough.

Click through the gallery for some of the kids making waves while I pass out in a pool of my own vomit. [Forbes]

Adele, 23

Joseph Altuzarra, 28

Chris Benz, 29

Justin Bieber, 17

Drake, 25

Lady Gaga, 25

Tavi Gevinson, 15

Donald Glover, 28

Wiz Khalifa, 24

Jennifer Lawrence, 21

Pamela Love, 29

Bruno Mars, 26

Nicki Minaj, 29

Chloe Moretz, 14

Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, 25

Katy Perry, 27

Vladimir Restoin-Roitfeld, 27

Rihanna, 23

Jaden Smith,13

Esperanza Spalding, 27

Taylor Swift, 22

Alexander Wang, 28

Lil Wayne, 28

Florence Welch, 25

Nina Garcia, Tinsley Mortimer, Derek Warburton, Charlotte Ronson, Chris Benz and CNN“s Alina Cho were among the well-appointed attendees, while liquor sponsor Domaine de Canton kept the ballers well lubricated with a host of refreshing cocktails. Bill Cunningham donned his best — and in all likeliness, only — tuxedo to capture the scene, including the 20th Annual Holiday Train Show. Calling it a”Train Show” is a bit of an understatement since the Garden’s Enid A. Haupt Conservatory was turned into a miniature train town, featuring the most stunning scaled-to-size architecture I’ve seen since Barbie‘s Dream Italian Villa.

Besides an excuse to dress up and be fabulous, the Wonderland Ball also supports the Garden’s world-renowned Children’s Education programs, allowing children of all ages, particularly underserved children in the Bronx, an opportunity to learn about nature in engaging ways through workshops and hands-on activities. While it may sound like a very serious and somber affair, the night was a blast, particularly after the DJ took to the turntables. There’s nothing quite like seeing a stately woman in a feathered gown shaking her tail-feather to LMFAO.

Click through the gallery for images from the Winter Wonderland Ball — courtesy of Patrick McMullan and Will Raggozino — and try your hand at Domaine de Canton’s signature cocktails with these handy recipes:

Etlingera

1 ounce of Domaine de Canton topped with Champagne. (served in a champagne flute and Garnished with a Wild Hibiscus flower)

“The Winter Gold Rush”

1.5 Ounces of Domaine de Canton

1 ounce of Makers 46

Half ounce of fresh lemon juice

(Shaken and strained into a martini glass and garnished with a luxardo cherry)

“The White Orchid”

Equal parts (1 ounce ) of Domaine de Canton, Belvedere Citrus Vodka, White Cranberry juice. ( Shaken and strained into a rocks glass over fresh ice. Garnished with a white orchid flower )

Domaine de Canton

Atmosphere

Domaine de Canton cocktails

Atmosphere

The prather epic train show Photo - Patrick McMullan/PatrickMcMullan.com

Dance-mosphere

Train town Photo - Patrick McMullan/PatrickMcMullan.com

Jennifer Creel

Julia Moore, Nina Garcia, Nathalie Kaplan

Nina Garcia

Cristina Greeven Cuomo, Alina Cho

Chris Cuomo, Cristina Greeven Cuomo

Tinsley Mortimer

Photo - Patrick McMullan/PatrickMcMullan.com

Photo - Patrick McMullan/PatrickMcMullan.com

Nina Garcia, Bettina Zihlka, Tinsley Mortimer

Dance-mosphere

Photo - Patrick McMullan/PatrickMcMullan.com

Photo - Patrick McMullan/PatrickMcMullan.com

Charlotte Ronson, Ali Wise

Nick Brown, Dalia Oberlander

Darryl Robinson

Derek Warburton

Photo - Patrick McMullan/PatrickMcMullan.com

Meredith Melling Burke Photo - Patrick McMullan/PatrickMcMullan.com

Photo - Patrick McMullan/PatrickMcMullan.com

Thomas Farley, Lori Lengua, Darryl Robinson Photo - Patrick McMullan/PatrickMcMullan.com

Atmosphere

Diane Kendal used MAC to create these bright orange pouts at Jason Wu, reminiscent of “Fifties and Nineties pop art inspired by the artist KAWS.” Photo via Style.com.

- Speaking of schooling the children, Condé Nast UK is opening up the Condé Nast College of Fashion and Design in London come next September. I’m hoping André Leon Talley will teach a class on haberdashery and great-capes.[Styleite]

- Hey tranny, it’s tranny. Andrej Pejic channels famous Warholian tranny Candy Darling in Chris Benz‘s spring 2012 collection. [Fashionista]

- While everyone was consumed with whatever was happening on Tuesday in and around the Tents — days have just blended together by this point — Michelle Obama was holding court at the White House for the 2011 National Design Awards. [Telegraph]

- Scientists recently discovered a diamond star of 10 billion trillion trillion carats. I’m thinking of a platinum setting. [BBC]

- And it’s a sad day in retail. Borders is closing. #fuckoffkindle [Racked]

Click through all the pages to see our Labor Day getaway essentials, and your weekender will be light as air.

I’m Lauren, your resident NYC dweller, crazed shopaholic and blogger from Diary of a Fashion Addict.com. Join me as we explore this week’s best online sample sales, NYC street deals, exclusive discount codes from your favorite designers and more. Like what you see and want more of it?! Check back with us every Tuesday, and visit my blog www.diaryofafashionaddict.com for even more sales, shopping tips and style inspiration.

Deal for a Day:

Love vintage style handbags but can’t shake the fakes from Ebay? Guaranteed authentic vintage Chanel sale from Billion Dollar Babes, June 23.

For an invite: email Lauren@diaryofafashionaddict.com

Discount Code DL:

Get amazing bang for your buck on lust-worthy designers like Suno, Chris Benz, Theory & more from Hampden Clothing via Refinery29 Reserves:

Spend $125, get $250 value

Spend $250, get $500 value

Spend $500, get $1000 value

***bonus: you even get a VIP card with a 25% coupon for your next purchase @ Hampden Clothing!

AND, Sense of Fashion has offered a FashionIndie exclusive discount! Place your first order with this high fashion designers direct to consumers, socially based site, and get 15% off with the code: 5W15J

Sale on Sale:

Just yesterday, Net-A-Porter launched their International Spring sale with up to 70% off! I shouldn’t have to say more…. But I will:

Marchesa, Lavin & Alexander McQueen evening gowns, Herve Leger bandage dresses, Roberto Cavalli serpent jewelry, Alaia waist cinchers, Jil Sander “Market” bags, Miu Miu clutches and wooden platforms, Nancy Gonzalez crocodile iPad cases, Helmut Lang leather & shearling…. should I go on????

Real Life NY Sample Sale:

Are you a bride to be?? Then you’ve probably read every bridal magazine this year and fantasized about those designer gowns that you thought only Kim Kardashian can afford to go with her absurd 20-carat engagement ring.

Well I’ve got major news for you: owning your own Oscar de la Renta bridal gown is so close you can taste it. I mean that- just a 45 minute trip from NYC @ the Woodbury Commons Premium Outlets. Get up to 70% the bridal collection for one week only- you won’t want to miss this.

Oscar de la Renta Bridal Sample Sale:

When: 6/23-6/29

Where: Woodbury Commons Premium Outlets

415 Red Apple Court

Central Valley, NY (845) 928-4000

Th- W (10-9)

The Male Sale:

Yves Saint Laurent, Calvin Klein & Ralph Lauren had a baby, and they named him Simon Spurr. 2010 CDFA Menswear award nominee and winner of the Vogue Fund award- you know this guy has some serious English chops.

Ladies- tell your boyfriends, tell your dads, spread the news… the Spring collections are on super deep discount from his 2011 ready-to-wear line Simon Spurr and his denim collection Spurr. #FOMO

Simon Spurr Sample Sale:

When: 6/20-6/23

Where: 210 11^th Ave., near 24^th st. Suit 903

M-Th (10-6)

Bonus: The City Steal

***Not one, but two NYC deals so awesome I couldn’t exclude them from this weeks feature.

Love the Hamptons? Got some extra cash, but no time? Then this Urban Daddy deal is probably for you. Hurry fast to catch the last few hours of this awesome opportunity to charter a Seaplane from Fly The Whale. Leave from East 23rd & the East River and 30 minutes later, you’re $339 less richer, but at least you can laugh at everyone sitting in bumper to bumper on the LIE.

Another hot Urban Daddy deal for ya! Have you ever wanted to share a romantic night under the stars with someone listening to Shakespeare? You better hurry up- there will only be a few hours left by the time you read this. Get VIP seating a 2 free drinks for $145 via Urban Daddy.

For tickets and showtimes visit the official website HERE.

For more Steals and Deals, go to DiaryofaFashionAddict.com and look HERE for more and HERE for men’s.

If you are over winter and already looking forward to all the things that spring and summer bring, then get started with these three trends for the warmer months of this new year.

A drastic change from the bright and often neon colors that we saw this time last year, neutrals ran the runways. Designers like Erin Fetherston and Nina Ricci used a very soft color palette throughout their collections, so expect to see these simple colors around for awhile this year.

Max Azria’s and Marc Jacobs’ collections for the spring both incorporated cut-out designs. This peek-a-boo trend gives a very subtle sexy feel to an outfit. It also leaves room for a great layering effect when these cut-outs are worn above other pieces.

From brightly colored to more natural—feathers were seen in many designers’ collections. Chris Benz had a few pieces that featured multicolored feathers, while Chado Ralph Rucci used the feathers in a more elegant shade. Feathers can give a great and playful texture to an outfit. They can also be used to make a statement, like Chris Benz’ feather skirt seen here

Chris Benz’s Spring 2010 collection was a mish mosh of everything that could have possible put on the catwalk (without the actual catwalk): sequins, ruffles, print, mesh, sashes, color blocks and much much more!

Thanks Fashionista

Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen have been added to the Council of Fashion Designers of America’s list of America’s most renowned designers. Joining over 350 clothing and accessories geniuses, the Olsen twins have finally crossed the line from celebrity designer to an established brand. We knew it would happen, putting them in first place on our ten best celebrity designers list. Congratulations are in order for Alexander Wang, Jason Wu and Chris Benz too!

SOURCE: My Fashion Life

Chris Benz just hit my happy spot (oh, tickles).

He was caught looking like the perfect fashion bum, rocking two different colored shoes at the premiere of He’s Just Not That Into You. I think I officially have a bit of fashion week inspiration. I’m throwing out left and rights as I speak!!!

(Personally though, I would have gone with a full black shoe and a gold, or something more spruced up so he wouldn’t look like a total Adam Sandler. He kind of looks like he wasn’t supposed to be at the premiere, but then Aniston was all like “come over here and make me a baby” and he was like, “okay, but can I drop off my groceries” and she was like “no mothachucka”. So he posed and then realized he had two different shoes on, right?)

Fashionista just clued us into an exclusive one day Chris Benz sample sale. It’s taking place at the Tribeca Grand. It’s over at 5pm. Get there now.

Thanks Fashionista.

Chris Benz

Giambattista Valli

House of Diehl

Phillip Lim

Rag and Bone

Rogan

Elettra Wiedemann may be the daughter of Isabella Rossellini, BFF of Chris Benz, and a biomedical engineering student who has also recently founded JustOneFrickinDay.com, an organization that (among other projects) is raising funds to build the first solar-powered hospital in Kigutu, Burundi. Co-founded by James Marshall, the Burundi Solar Project has enlisted Chris Benz, House of Diehl, Rogan, Rag & Bone, 3.1 Phillip Lim, and Giambattista Valli to each create an energy-inspired, limited edition t-shirt to be sold at JustOneFrickinDay.com.

The t-shirts, all made from 100% organic cotton, are available in men’s and women’s one size fits all and will sell for $60 each.  There are only 100 available in each style, and each is numbered.  A simpler style by House of Diehl, which served as creative consultants for the project, is also available for $30.

Keep reading on FashionWeekDaily

Doo-Ri Chung

Zac Posen

Peter Som

WWD has reported that fur is no longer “relegated to designers of a certain age, the fur industry is relying on a cast of fresh faces, including Peter Som, Chris Benz, Doo-Ri Chung and Zac Posen, to help woo new customers.” I never realized that there was an age requirement for the use of fur but I guess I understand that fur requires a ‘mature’ taste.

The question remains; are fur sales down? Are young designers being asked to revamp the fur industry in order to sell more animal skins? According to an old article on Fabsugar, “despite a dip in fur sales last year, customers are currently more interested in smaller fur pieces like stoles and hats.” I guess we’ll see what happens next season.

Indie favorite, shopbop.com got the chance to sit with Benz on his collections, inspirations, and New York’s influence on his design.

shopbop: You consistently choose bold colors for your collections. What’s the inspiration behind your color palette?

Chris Benz: I really can’t say. I just try to use colors that feel right to me. There’s no mystery or mathematics to it, it just materializes for me. In that way, color is one of the best parts about design for me!

sb: Your stoop obviously plays a big role in your New York experience. How does it influence your designs?

CB: A stoop is such a New York manifest. It really is about seeing the street, and in my case, a very funny mix of West Village neighbors and drag queens. It’s about seeing people today, seeing how they are layering, seeing how real clothes are worn. I think there is a great decompression when you can sit and watch people, which helps alleviate the vacuum of fashion.

 For the full interview visit Shopbop.com