CRAVE CRUSH the urban girl's blog to all that you CRAVE

We CRAVE Couture!

January 29, 2010 by Cristina S. | Comments (0)

Coco Chanel once said that a woman should be two things: classy and fabulous.  What better way to look your best than getting glitzed up in a new frock?  Check out some of the designers that we CRAVE right now to find something unique, ultra chic, and gaining in the couture fashion scene.  Because it’s now fashion week in Amsterdam, we give you fresh information straight from the catwalk  from our very own fashionista Isrid van Geuns. She’s noting down every little detail for you and you can follow her blog for more info. Check out these inspiring designs and concepts that allow you to look your best in a way that showcases your own individual style.

Jessica Joyce

Jessica Joyce is renowned for her sophisticated but distinctive designs; The smooth, sleek flows of her pieces are as visually stunning to see as they are to wear. Comfort meets fashion at Jessica Joyce. Wrap yourself in styles that will make you feel cool inside and look feminine outside.

Denise Esser

Denise Esser graduated in 2009 at the Gerrit Rietveld Academy. Her graduation portfolio is here to admire. This fashion week she amazed us with her “Future Perfect” Designs. In her collection Denise used the transformations between hard and soft and impressed the audience with her sculptured almost sci-fi looks.

And Beyond

And Beyond of designers Jolanda van den Broek and Brigitte Hendrix communicates through shape and printdesign. The collections are a reflection on the ‘zeitgeist’. A remarkable aspect is the immer present rough edge in an ‘unheimliches’ and allienated reality. The avangardistic And Beyond reacts on the present time and uses fashion as their medium to evoke emotion.

Mada van Gaans

The collections of Mada van Gaans are often inspired by an idyllic world and myths around female figures. Elements out of nature and influences from traditional craftsmanship from other cultures are important to her. Her designs are feminine, young, elegant, chique, fluid, detailed and made with refined fabrics. Mada’s fascination for nature roots from Wapserveen, a countryside village in Drenthe where she grew up between fields and forests.

NŌN BY KIM

NŌN by KIM redefines the wardrobe from a no nōnsense, post-modern perspective. Her designs are constructed from a combination of her fascinations. Fueled by a love for abstraction, the daily beauty in details, listing to structured chaotic sound and watching slow stories unfold, she starts to deconstruct patterns. Mutating them into garments, together they form a new layered silhouette defined by fine body conscious materials and a moderate use of colours.

Claudia Sträter

Fashion should always accentuate your personality and leave plenty of room for individual interpretation.
Women who wear Claudia Sträter clothes are self-confident.
They are active, dynamic and busy, both in their professional and in their private lives. To them, quality and functionality are a matter of course.

Marijke Krabbenbos – your ideas generator

January 25, 2010 by Cristina S. | Comments (0)

Marijke Krabbenbos: ”Ideas are my cup of tea. No consultancy, no execution, just ideas.”

Are you in a desperate need of a fresh idea for your company? We are extremely excited to present you Marijke Krabbenbos from the IdeaCompany. She gives you just that! Her company provides people and organizations with ideas. In personal brainstorm sessions she does the idea generation for you, in group brainstorm sessions and innovation processes she acts as a process facilitator. She also provides trainings on brainstorming and creative thinking. “Ideas are my cup of tea. No consultancy, no execution, just ideas.” says Marijke.

Some of her concepts she invented are turned into a business, like the network Bites & Business and the websites zaaltjeszoeker.nl and werkplekzoeker.nl.

How would you describe your business in exactly three adjectives?
inspirational, vibrant, creative

What are your most popular products or services?
Personal brainstorm sessions of 1,5 h. The customer brings up a question, I  am the idea machine that instantly generates ideas.

People may be surprised to know…
That I used to work for banks

What or who inspired you to start your business?
I was inspired by the discovery of my talent “instantly generating ideas” and decided to turn it into a business. I created my own profession.

Who is your role model or mentor?
I use many different people as a sparring partner, depending on the ideas or concepts I’m working on.

How do you spend your free time?
I spend my free time with my family (I have 2 young children) and my friends. Or I read.

Where is your favorite place to go with your girlfriends?
I enjoy the city life of Amsterdam, the theater, the bars and coffehouses or dinner parties at home.

Follow this featured entrepreness on twitter.

Stephanie Ward – Networking Musts!

January 22, 2010 by Cristina S. | Comments (0)

See what our featured entrepreness has to say about networking. She’s our Stephanie Ward, genius in networking and a rock star in connecting people:

** Stephanie Ward is the Marketing Coach for Entrepreneurs who want to set their profits on fire! Grab your FREE copy of the special report ‘7 Steps to Attract More Clients in Less Time’ plus business building tips, at:http://www.fireflycoaching.com.

Madelène A.J. Spaan – your original event planner

January 19, 2010 by Cristina S. | Comments (1)

… but I do have a magic feeling…And it gives me butterflies…Madelène A.J. Spaan

Do you want to throw an event for your company that your stuff will remember all year long?  Do you need to turn the presentation of annual results into something creative and exciting? &Madelene is here for you! She will carry everything the client entrusts her to as if  it were her own business!

Madelène Spaan thinks, advises, organizes, supports, produces and directs.
She conducts a creative agency providing great ideas for events and incentives but also delivers results when it comes to sales driven consultancy or projectmanagement of your event.

How would you describe your business in exactly three adjectives?
To the Point, Excellence, Original

What are your most popular products or services?
Events and consultancy/projectmanagement

People may be surprised to know…
I am a huge Dolly Parton fan!

What or who inspired you to start your business?
Dolly Parton and the belief I could service my clients better not working for a boss anymore.

Who is your role model or mentor?
I have several that I like to keep for myself

What business mistake have you made that you will not repeat?
None so far!

How do you spend your free time?
With my family and friends, walking on the beach and enjoying life!

What is your indulgence?
Good food!

Where is your favorite place to go with your girlfriends?
Amsterdam city center!

Inside Scoop: What you missed at this month’s CRAVE buzz party

January 16, 2010 by Cristina S. | Comments (4)

On a cold winter night, gals from all over this great city came to the Amsterdam CRAVE Book Buzz Party to celebrate the launching of the manifesto of all the best shops, salons and services owned by women in Amsterdam! Fenje en Sara Ververowner hosted the event at their enchanting Tea Bar on Haarlemmerdijk 71 and served us with their nice organic tea from all over the world. Many of the wonderful, innovative women who will be featured in the book were there.

There were fabulous cupcakes from Lily’s Cupcakes owners Cecile Wijdenes and Angelie Kaag. Perfect and bite sized they were a hit!

Laughter filled the air as business owners found new friends in like minded women throughout the evening. Meaningful connections were made during the three hour party – that’s the reason we do CRAVE events! Conversations bubbled as the ladies were looking through Chicago Crave books. What a gift to be inspired by all the incomparable tastemakers in other international cities and know that Amsterdam has just as many talented and wonderful women!

We’ve met:

Sarah Loughran from SphereDesign

Zena Hockley from Timessence

Faye Cossar from Juxtaposition

Shirley Tol from Shizo

Marjon Boonstra and Caroline Karreman from Coburo

Marilien Romme from Bone Coaching

Colleen Geske from Swap and the City

Silvia Chirinos

Melody Roos from M2bphotography

Monica O’Brien from Vanrossem

Franny Blauwendraat from Van Soest

Danielle Wanders from Het Praktijkbureau

Sandra Rijling from Rijling Merkstrategie

Become a Fan of our Facebook Page too see all the photos from the event!

Best of Amsterdam’s Boutique {After Holiday} Designer Bargains

January 15, 2010 by Cristina S. | Comments (1)

The holiday season may be over, but the season of sales has just begun. Here are some of the most CRAVE - worthy stores to get great deals on designer duds.

Beauregard

The Beauregard is a fast growing international fashion accessories brand.The design is continuously in step with the latest vibes and fashion trends. Women are proud to show their original Beauregard. Beauregard is creating happiness and makes a woman proud of herself. Hurry over and scoop up loads of ultra-luxe designer pieces while they’re still 50% off!

Dutchies

Dutchies mixes timeless and classical moods with modern elements. A female, colourful and wearable collection in which quality and exclusiveness play an important role. All bags are made from higstanding quality leather and suede in a limited edition of maximum 20 bags. Right now the boutique is having a 50% off sale.

The Darling

In the Darling you feel like a kid in a candy store! Our collection is mixed with vintage, design, and unique. They are all affordable and consists of clothing brands, shoes, jewelry and other accessories; The candy store feeling on top and experience, bring sugar sweet cupcakes that make you into temptation!

Donna Fiera

At Donna Fiera you will fing exclusive clothing and accessories of all different kinds and labs. Labels that are known and labels of new upcoming designers into the fashionworld. Donna Fiera invites you for a warm and personal advise and to experience the totally refreshing, colorful collection of Donna Fiera. Currently, there’s a 50% off sale going on select clothing and scarves.

Become Indispensable and Unforgettable: Interview with Blanca Vergara

January 12, 2010 by Cristina S. | Comments (0)

Heart centered entrepreneurs, are you tired of settling for less than you want in your business? I’ve got great news! Blanca Vergara specializes in authenticity based prosperity. In fact, she developed her own blueprint for you to stand apart form the crowd, owning what you were born to do. Ready for a breakthrough?

How would you describe your business in exactly three adjectives?
Passionate, Authentic, Prosperous

What are your most popular products or services?
Becoming Indispensable and Unforgettable Mastery Program, Stand Apart from the Crowd Owning What You Were Born to Do

People may be surprised to know…
65% of my blood is Aztec

What or who inspired you to start your business?
My father, he’s my ultimate inspiration of entrepreneurial courage and creativity

Who is your role model or mentor?
Lisa Sasevich, the best influence any heart centered entrepreneur could have in his/her life

What business mistake have you made that you will not repeat?
Compromise my life calling for reasonable (limiting) beliefs

How do you spend your free time?
Creativity: I love painting, cooking and writing
Intimacy: I love to enjoy my loved ones: my partner, my family and my friends.

What is your indulgence?
I love food! Cooking and eating are my favorite indulgence!

Where is your favorite place to go with your girlfriends?
The Lloyd Hotel. I love their beauty and of course their food.

We are proud to feature Blanca Vergara in the first edition of the CRAVE Amsterdam Guide, coming to Amsterdam very soon!

Follow Blanca Vergara on Twitter or read her insightful updates on her blog.