ALL THAT JAZZ

Going to hear jazz in New York is one of those can’t-miss city experiences, whether it’s at a tiny club in the West Village like Smalls or a much grander space like Jazz at Lincoln Center further uptown.

That’s why I was thoroughly impressed when I met this week’s muse, Cate Wafer, and her fiancé, JD, who decided to throw their wedding reception at the latter venue. How sophisticated – and quintessentially New York! To get their guests in a New York state of mind, my team and I created a truly unique save-the-date resembling newsprint. The faux daily was chock-full of information for the guests, from the details of the wedding to a long list of only-in-New-York activities. The invitation that followed was a more formal affair and included an envelope lined with a lush flower pattern and gold foil details throughout. See all the fabulous details for yourselves, below.

For even more city glamour, check out this week’s Get the Look, filled with all kinds of items that sparkle in the night. Plus, I’m privileged to welcome to this issue Delfeayo Marsalis (yes, of that Marsalis family), a jazz legend and trombonist who’s sharing with us his Fabulous Finds. Event designer David Stark and photographer Brian Dorsey – two creative wonders who helped turn Cate and JD’s wedding into an unforgettable evening – round out this week’s amazing roster of experts. Read on and be inspired!

The Creative Team

• Photography: Brian Dorsey Studios
• Hair Styling: Elizabeth Pazmino
• Makeup: Heidi Evora-Santiago for Damali NYC
• Fashion: Angel Sanchez
• Jewelry: Talia Don Designs

CECI’S IDEA BOOK

THE CREATIVE TEAM

BRIAN DORSEY STUDIOS
One of the leading photographers in the lifestyle wedding movement, Brian is a master at capturing the beauty and joy of life. His methods combine photojournalistic unobtrusiveness with a playful sense of leadership. The result is an eclectic blend of lifestyle images that are remarkably stunning as well as natural. Like his images, his subjects appear vibrant and full of personality and joy. His clients love his passion, energy and fun visionary style, while his professionalism and technical capabilities have made him the darling of luxury event planners worldwide.
www.briandorseystudios.com
info@briandorseystudios.com
212.227.6772

ELIZABETH PAZMINO, HAIR STYLIST
Elizabeth Pazmino, a high-end hair and make-up artist based in New York City, was born in Ecuador and raised in New York. Her work in the family business in designing custom head pieces and veils for brides has focused her passion for hair and make-up. Working with prestigious clients such as Lauren Weisberger’s author of “The Devil Wears Prada” has enriched her creative side to accomplish a picture-perfect look for brides. Her main focus has been to achieve a captivating result for every bride who requires a different and unique look on their wedding day. For the past three seasons she has worked in Couture Fashion Shows on creative make-up looks for designers such as Andres Aquino, Sushma Patel, Indashio, Soucha Mlihigue, and many more.
ndldesigns@aol.com

HEIDI EVORA-SANTIAGO FOR DAMALI NYC
Heidi Evora-Santiago, founder and creative director of Damali NYC, is a veteran makeup artist with more than 15 years of experience in the beauty business. Her once strictly-mobile beauty services have evolved into one of the most sought-after agencies for bridal beauty in New York and Palm Beach. Damali NYC has quickly become a favorite among New York’s most beauty-conscious women, providing services that include eyelash extensions, nail care and all-organic facials. Heidi splits her time between New York and South Florida and continues to offer services for her private, corporate and bridal clientele while striving to direct Damali NYC to new heights.
www.damalinyc.com
212.604.4441

ANGEL SANCHEZ
Angel Sanchez developed an appreciation for fashion at a young age while surrounding himself with dress forms and fabrics in his mother’s Venezuelan atelier. It wasn’t until 1987, after two years as an architect that Sanchez returned to his fashion design roots. He quickly rose to fame throughout Latin America, and expanded internationally in 1997, when the company headquartered in New York City. In 1999, Sanchez debuted his bridal collection in the United States and presented his evening collection during New York Fashion Week at Bryant Park. Today, Sanchez is renowned worldwide for his bridal and evening wear designs. His designs are architectural, contemporary, and feminine; they always include a touch of drama.
www.angelsanchezusa.com

TALIA DON DESIGNS
Since starting her own jewelry line, Talia Don Designs, more than five years ago, the Newton, Massachusetts designer believes that women should always be able to feel and look beautiful. Talia’s philosophy, ”make every day beautiful” is visible in all of her creations. Many of these creations have already been featured in numerous regional and national magazines, including Boston magazine, Modern Bride, Boston Common and many more. Talia’s fashionable necklaces, bracelets and earrings are all handcrafted with the highest attention to detail and superb quality. Her designs are created using an immense array of materials, including fresh water pearls, semi-precious stones, Swarovski crystals and precious metals such as sterling silver and gold.
www.jewelrybytalia.com

AMATRINE STONE EARRINGS

V SHAPED NECKLACE

MYSTIC TOPAZ LARIAT

1. IN THE PRESS
   Think different and turn your save-the-dates into anything you can imagine. Cate and JD chose a design that resembled a newspaper (various prices, cecinewyork.com)!

2. STAR SEARCH
   Decorate the mantle with a true conversation-starter: these Foldable Star Sculptures by John Kostick ($22-$160, dwr.com).

3. MOOD MUSIC
   Looking for a classic introduction to jazz? Kind of Blue by the legendary Miles Davis ($6.99, amazon.com) is a sure bet.

4. GRAY MATTER
   Create a dramatic nighttime look using Nars’ Duo Eyeshadow in Paris ($34, barneys.com).

5. MAGICAL MINERAL
   Bring on the wow factor with these architectural Grey Quartz Shield Earrings from Alexis Bittar ($225, alexisbittar.com).

6. CITY SNAPS
   Enjoy iconic city views from the recent past in Picturing New York: Photographs from The Museum of Modern Art ($39.95, momastore.org).

7. METALLIC BOND
   Say it with sparkle by accessorizing with Sondra Roberts’ mesh clutch ($198, bloomingdales.com).

8. SKY HIGH
   This foot-long metal sculpture ($40, thelibraryshop.org) is a great way to celebrate the magnificence of the Empire State Building. A great gift for Deco dreamers!

9. GOLDEN LIVING
   Michael Kors’ metallic heels ($895, zappos.com) add instant urban glamour.

10. ELECTRIC IMPACT
    Strikingly simple, Naeem Khan’s beaded chiffon gown (naeemkhan.com) makes a super-elegant statement.

NEWSPAPER-INSPIRED SAVE-THE-DATES
by Ceci Johnson
Inspired by the fashion industry’s must-read Women’s Wear Daily and the iconic New York Times, my team and I created a fabulous save-the-date that presented everything our couple Cate & JD love about the city. Each section shared fun details in a clever way to get the couple’s guests excited about their upcoming nuptials in the city that never sleeps. Included was a map of Manhattan and colorful icons highlighting their go-to hot spots, from restaurants, hotels, shops and walking tours. Each recommendation even had a short description and a reason they loved it – such great personalization! From the engagement story to the weather, it was all there. Feast your eyes below.

Be inspired by Cate & JD’s sophisticated New York City wedding

Invitations by Ceci New York

CATE DVORNICKY
Make sure to schedule time for yourselves on your wedding day! You’ll want to get the pictures you love, mingle with guests, and just soak it all in – this is your day so take those extra few moments to really relax and enjoy it!

A note for other Ceci brides: make sure you frame your invitation suite! Ceci personalizes every suite to your style and taste and the results are absolutely gorgeous. We had a good friend of ours frame our wedding invitation as our wedding gift and it now hangs in our apartment. We look at it all the time – and since it was so personalized, it fits the style of our apartment perfectly and is a fun addition that all of our guests love to check out!

What It’s Like to Be a Ceci Bride:
Ceci is amazing! From top to bottom – the save-the-dates, invitations, accessories – everything was over the top! Our guests are STILL talking about how beautiful our invitation suite was. Ceci worked with us to make sure that every detail was exactly what we wanted, and everything turned out even more beautiful than we imagined!

View Cate & JD’s wedding invitations and photos in Our Muse

DAVID STARK, DAVID STARK DESIGN AND PRODUCTION
David Stark is a renowned New York-based event producer as well as President and Creative Director of David Stark Design and Production. This full-service event design and planning firm is celebrated for the innovative, imaginative events it creates for a wide range of high-wattage celebrity clients as well as high-visibility fund-raising galas for the nation’s most elite not-for-profit organizations. David and his work are often featured in various publications, design-focused blogs and he is asked to serve as a guest expert on his décor, party planning, holiday decorating and home planting projects for a range of television shows.

“I most admire people who think beyond what has been done before. They’re not afraid to take risks and shape our future through innovation. David Stark belongs to this special group. Working with him, you can be confident that you’re in some of the best hands creatively and professionally. David and his wonderful team will raise your event to an exceptional new level!” - CECI JOHNSON

Tips for Wedding Event Design by David Stark, David Stark Design and Production

1. Innovate the conventional moments: The escort card table can be a place of delight and surprise – we look at every conventional moment of a party as an opportunity for innovation. Instead of simply laying the seating cards out on a table, we create a stage set for the evening to unfold in style. For a recent sports-themed fete, foam fingers magically balanced the seating assignments with a wink and a smile, setting the tone for the evening’s festivities.

2. Party favors: Wrangle your place card to play double duty as a party favor. For an outdoor baby shower in Los Angeles, each place setting featured a fancifully chic wooden elephant sporting each guest’s name on its back. The elephant spoke to the mom’s baby theme with sophistication, and the object itself was so beautiful, the guests were thrilled to take a little souvenir of the day.

3. Centerpieces: Make a centerpiece that is a conversation starter. We adore flowers; they are our first love and passion. But there are many events where an evocative icebreaker is needed to get conversation flowing at the table. We recently created multi-level still lifes of glass bell jars, magnifying glasses and nature specimens for the NRDC Gala at the Museum of Natural History to shine the spotlight on the evening’ s theme.

4. Raise up the décor: What do you see when a room fills up with 250, 500, or even 1000 people? Make sure that the décor is visible when the room is packed. The trick? Raise the décor up, up, up! There are intimate details that are about being up close and personal, and there are broader strokes that are about distance. We strive to balance both, as we did in the giant, optical NEXT sculpture we created for the American Friends of the Israel Museum’s gala at Cipriani 42nd Street.

5. Simplicity: Simplicity is just as powerful as complexity. Sometimes a setting does not require a lot of stuff. A braid of garden foliage was just enough to enhance this gorgeous horse barn at a recent wedding.

Discover more on David Stark Design and Production

BRIAN DORSEY, BRIAN DORSEY STUDIOS
One of the leading photographers in the lifestyle wedding movement, Brian is a master at capturing the beauty and joy of life. His methods combine photojournalistic unobtrusiveness with a playful sense of leadership. The result is an eclectic blend of lifestyle images that are remarkably stunning as well as natural. Like his images, his subjects appear vibrant and full of personality and joy. His clients love his passion, energy and fun visionary style, while his professionalism and technical capabilities have made him the darling of luxury event planners worldwide.

“Equal parts talent and personality, Brian Dorsey brings to the table that perfect combination of skills you need to actually enjoy getting your picture taken. His knowledge of the camera has no limits. He is the master at capturing those fleeting moments on the fly – no matter the location. City streets or indoors, Brian knows how to take a beautiful picture. Quick on his feet and his detailed eye always “on”, you can rest assured that you’re not only going to love the way your pictures come out but you will have fun while it’s happening.” - CECI JOHNSON

5 Expert Tips to Make Sure You Love Your Wedding Photographs
by Brian Dorsey, Brian Dorsey Studios

1. Look for personality in the photographs: Do the people seem alive? Can you tell what they are like (not from the clothes they are wearing, but from the expressions on their faces and their body language)? I want to see personality. A good photograph should tell me more about the subject’s personality than the photographer’s.

2. Evaluate the photographer, not the event: Remember you’re evaluating the photographer, not the events the photographer shot. I find myself falling into this trap too. I see photographs of beautiful details and think, “Great shot!” Then I remind myself that I’m really more excited by the details themselves, not the photographer’s skills. Keep in mind you are hiring the person who takes the pictures, not the event or gown designer or the shoot stylist.

3. Beware the editorial shoot: Many photographers include images from editorial bridal shoots in their wedding portfolios. A seven-hour shoot with models, assistants and a team of stylists tells you little about what the photographer will capture for you alone in the hectic rush of your actual wedding day.

4. Watch for event similarity: Picking a photographer who has beautiful images of a couple standing backlit in a field of wheat at sunset doesn’t help you determine if they would be right for your formal city wedding at night. Evaluate the style of the images from events that are similar to yours.

5. The photographer as a person: This is the person who is with you more than anyone else (except your spouse) on your wedding day so who they are as a person is important. You want an artist, a technician, a dynamic leader of people, a fly on the wall, a sympathetic ear, someone who understands the wedding formalities of many cultures and can tell you what to do if you need it, someone who can tie a bow tie, someone sensitive but capable of rolling with the punches, a psychologist, and a friend. It’s tough to find it all in one person. But they’re out there.

Discover more on Brian Dorsey Studios

Cate & JD’s Dream Team

• Invitations: Ceci New York
• Dress: J’Aton from Mark Ingram
• Shoes: Valentino
• Hair: Susanna Burns
• Makeup: Cat Serra-Garcia
• Bridesmaid Dresses: J.Crew
• Venue: Jazz at Lincoln Center
• Music: Mike Herman Band – Hank Lane
• Photographer: Brian Dorsey Studios
• Florist: David Stark Design
• Planner: Sofia Crokos Events
• Event Design: Great Performances
• Cake: Ron Ben-Israel Cakes
• Videographer: Films by Francesco

Use this palette as a stepping stone toward creating your own dream event.
Click on the color swatches to see how the colors come to life at a real event or discover more inspiring color stories now.

Jazz at Lincoln Center, New York, New York

Dramatically perched over Columbus Circle with sweeping views of Central Park and the Manhattan skyline, this versatile and spacious venue is a jazz-inspired celebration of flexibility, equally comfortable showcasing dance, theater, opera, film and symphony.

It features two magnificent performing arts arenas, Rose Theater and The Allen Room; an intimate jazz club, Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola; our expansive Atrium with floor to ceiling windows overlooking Central Park; two multi-purpose meeting rooms in the Irene Diamond Education Center, and our fully equipped Recording Studio.

Jazz at Lincoln Center’s home for the performing arts, Frederick P. Rose Hall, is a study in flexibility and elegance, and…

“..a sparkling addition to the city’s landscape”
- The New York Times

Discover more on Jazz at Lincoln Center, New York, New York

CECI JOHNSON ON THE KNOT LIVE!
by Ceci Johnson
Recently, The Knot Live paid us a visit at our design studio and asked me to share the hottest trends in wedding invitations. I chose to highlight three: laser cutting, foil stamping and custom-converted envelopes.

I was particularly excited to be able to offer a rare glimpse into the production side of our work (meaning the stuff that happens in the press room that no one ever sees). A lot of times these details get overlooked because people underestimate how much time and energy goes into producing these designs.

Take, for example, a custom-converted envelope. Each sheet of paper is printed, die cut, folded, then glued together by hand by one of our skilled technicians! As you’ll see in the video below, these are no ordinary envelopes – each one is hand made to order for our clients. Enjoy this very special inside look and stay tuned for more cool things happening in the world of invitation design!

Hot Wedding Stationery Trends by Ceci Johnson of Ceci New York

View this video on The Knot

This Week’s Guest Editor: Delfeayo Marsalis

I am giddy with excitement to introduce to you this week’s guest editor and fabulous friend, the jazz trombonist and producer extraordinaire Delfeayo Marsalis. I met Delfeayo when my husband and I were visiting New Orleans and saw him perform at the famous Snug Harbor jazz club. Since that day, we’ve kept in touch and Alan and I always try to see his performances when he visits New York City (I’ve included a list of his touring schedule below so you, too, can check him out – it’s a must!). He lives and breathes jazz, growing up in a legendary family of jazz musicians led by his talented pianist father Ellis Marsalis. Lucky for us, Delfeayo took a break from his performing and shared with us what he’s digging now. I don’t know about you, but after reading this I desperately want to try that crab. Might have to hop on the next plane to L.A.!

1. Paul Smith Bright Polka Dot Socks ($35) and BOSS Orange Check Socks ($13)
   I love bright colors and patterns, especially when it comes to socks! I always look online for unique footgear. These polka dot socks are the bomb, but if they’re too far out the box, the Boss check socks make a strong statement as well.

2. Whirley Pop Stove Top Popcorn Popper ($25.99)
   It doesn’t take as long as you might suspect to pop popcorn the old-fashioned way and the taste is simply UNBELIEVABLE compared to microwaving. If you entertain guests or want to spend great family time together, the Whirley Pop is a must! Accessories would be Pop Secret popping corn, Orville Redenbacher’s buttery flavored oil, and Kernel Season’s seasoning (Nacho Cheddar, White Cheddar, Caramel and Jalapeno are favs).

3. Zojirushi VE Hybrid Water Boiler & Warmer CV-DSC40 ($162.98)
   I traveled to Japan many times with legendary jazz musician Elvin Jones. There was always hot water and green tea in the hotel rooms, so I figured the Japanese were on to something. If you use tap water, you’ll have to buy cleaning tablets, but I only use filtered water, so it’s never needed cleaning in 8 years!

4. Red Apple
   “An apple a day keeps the doctor away!” It’s an old cliché, but an 80-year-old guy who teaches yoga and is in great shape recently reminded me of the powers of Eve’s food of choice. (Yes, apples got a bum rap on that one.) Since giving up fast food a few years ago, I find that apples give me more energy and a better disposition! I prefer the small or medium reds.

5. Dungeness Crab with Black Bean Sauce at ABC or CBS Seafood, Los Angeles
   My obsession with crab goes back to my youth when my Aunt Marguerite used to remove the meat from the shell for me… ah, how I miss those days! I love the black bean sauce recipe so much that if I have a layover at LAX I have a friend pick one up and bring it to me. If you can buy live crab, make a deal with your local Chinese restaurant and chances are they can make it up for you! (Lobster isn’t bad, either.)

6. Cole Haan Air Franklin Wingtip Oxford ($178) or Monroe Penny ($198)
   Cole Haan has the greatest collection of unique shoes online. Since adding the Nike Air technology, these shoes look professional and stylish while taking it easy on your feet. The penny loafers are great for airport security lines or to spice up your wardrobe and impress the fellas in the band!

7. Le Crueset 12″ Cast Iron Skillet ($155)
   In 2004, I put our microwave on the side of the curb and haven’t had one in the house since. What a relief! Food tastes so much better and nutritious, it’s remarkable. You do have to clean the skillet, but that’s a fair trade-off for the rewards.

8. Precor Elliptical ($2999)
   I don’t feel guilty about watching TV while I’m on the elliptical. It’s the best way to work out the arms, legs and abs. All it takes to stay in shape is 30-45 minutes, 3-5 days a week. The key is to use it, so I plan to work out when I want to watch specific TV shows.

9. Tumi Vapor Large Trip Carrying Case ($645)
   This item is a must for any frequent traveler. Tumi has other great designs as well and this case is sturdy, extremely lightweight and easy to navigate. The medium case is equally impressive if you want the set.

10. Ellis Marsalis Trio (Blue Note) ($49.95)
    Once you hear this one, you’ll understand! Great for any occasion.

Discover more on Delfeayo Marsalis, and get more details on his upcoming shows

Purchase his music now on Amazon.com!

Delfeayo Marsalis – Upcoming Shows

In next week’s issue: Paper Personality

Sign up for CeciStyle now!

BEAUTY BRANDING

Ever dreamed of starting your own product line? If so, what would your packaging look like? Would it be glamorous? Playful? Modern?

To show you just how thrilling the creative process of building a brand can be, I’m excited to introduce to you an inspiring woman and the must-have new skincare line she just launched. Businesswoman and attorney Mally Steves Chakola was experimenting with skincare ingredients when she discovered the power of rose hip seed oil to leave skin super smooth and hydrated. So she built M. Steves, a collection of five highly effective, multitasking face products – from moisturizer to anti-aging serum – to harness the oil’s potential.

After sitting down with Mally and looking at inspiration boards, studying the competitive landscape and going through many rounds of sketches – see the step-by-step process here – we chose a unique design that really makes the line stand out. See for yourself and let Mally and me know if you agree!

M. Steves products are so elegant, you’ll want to leave them lying around the vanity – they make the perfect present for everyone from brides to mothers (don’t forget, Sunday is Mother’s Day!). And if you happen to need even more pampering gift ideas, check out this week’s Get the Look, plus Mally’s inspirational picks in Fabulous Finds. As for all you moms out there, be sure to take time out this weekend to recharge and indulge. You deserve it!

P.S. CeciStyle Insider alert: all readers receive an exclusive 25% off all M. Steves products! Get shopping and use the code CECISTYLE when checking out!

Photography by Helga Schaefer Photography.

1. BEAUTY FIRST
   The Ceci New York team understands that strong packaging design, like the one we created for new skincare line M. Steves, makes a big impact (cecinewyork.com).

2. DROPPING IN
   Do nighttime glamour the modern way with Chan Luu’s silver and onyx earrings ($75, net-a-porter.com).

3. THE EYES HAVE IT
   Make a standout statement in Prada’s Modern Cateye Sunglasses, framed in chic white ($310, saksfifthavenue.com).

4. IT’S A CINCH
   Alaïa’s perforated leather belt does a stylish job of whittling the waist ($2,035, net-a-porter.com).

5. MIRROR, MIRROR
   This Crystal Hand Mirror ($19.95, zgallerie.com) adds old-school elegance to your getting-ready routine.

6. CROSSING OVER
   A shoe with just the right amount of bling, Badgley Mischka’s Gelsey sandals ($255, zappos.com) are all about big-night glamour.

7. BLOOM DESIGN
   Bring a dash of pretty to cocktail hour by serving drinks in these Marchesa by Lenox Painted Camellia glasses ($60 each, bloomingdales.com).

8. TECH SUPPORT
   Wrap your iPhone 4 in modern lace with Dolce & Gabbana’s PVC-coated case ($275, net-a-porter.com).

9. SILVER LINING
   Skip the sterling jewelry and go for Deborah Lippmann’s Stardust Nail Lacquer ($16, neimanmarcus.com) on your fingertips instead.

10. LACE HEAVEN
    This lace and tulle dress from Collette Dinnigan (collettedinnigan.com) bestows both feminine charm and irresistible sex appeal.

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH NEW SKINCARE DESIGNER MALLY STEVES CHAKOLA OF M. STEVES
by Ceci Johnson
This week I’m mixing it up a bit by featuring a special Q&A with Mally Steves Chakola of M. Steves, the new skincare line for the modern woman. I am so happy for Mally and her incredible accomplishment of launching M. Steves. I also couldn’t be more thrilled that she chose us to help her design the line and bring her vision to life! You know I have a soft spot for women in business, and nothing makes me happier than to see a woman succeed by following her dreams.

I personally have been using her skincare products for a couple of months now and can honestly tell you they really work! It must be the special ingredient, rose hip seed oil, because my skin has never looked so good. Even my husband and random women I’ve met out at recent cocktail parties have commented! And this is coming from a girl who has never received a compliment on her skin. So I take it as a sign it’s working!

I recently sat down with Mally and asked her some questions I had about her collection. Here are her very illuminating answers!

Exclusive Interview with New Skincare Designer Mally Steves Chakola of M. Steves

Ceci: It has been so fun collaborating with you on the design of M. Steves, but I don’t know if I ever asked you why you started a skincare line?

Mally: The dream of creating a skincare line that actually lived up to everything I was looking for was something that was always in the back of my mind, but it wasn’t until I saw the power of rose hip seed oil (RHSO) for myself that I was actually inspired to do it. I already had a successful career as a businesswoman and corporate attorney, but I loved beauty and was always searching for the perfect skincare line. To me that meant multi-tasking products that were effective and luxurious, and were easy to incorporate into my busy lifestyle. M. Steves is everything I wanted in a skincare line and I’m so thrilled to be sharing it.

Ceci: Tell me about the active ingredient in all your products, rose hip seed oil, and how you realized it was so powerful?

Mally: It’s an amazing and very powerful ingredient derived from the seeds of rose bushes native to the Andes in South America. I have heard it called “youth in a bottle” because of its skin rejuvenating and anti-aging properties. I love that it’s an extremely lightweight and dry oil, but rich in natural compounds that are essential to healthy skin, including unsaturated fatty acids linolenic, linoleic and oleic acids (Omegas 3, 6 and 9) and vitamins that help to repair and maintain the skin, giving it a smooth and nourished feeling.

Ceci: How did you decide to use RHSO in your products?

Mally: I accidentally “discovered” it when I picked it up at a health food store thinking it was regular rose oil. I had been mixing it into a few products as part of a business project, absentmindedly wiping the excess on a prominent, 18-year old keloid scar on my left leg that was a vestige of a near-fatal car accident, and was amazed when I realized the discoloration was dramatically reduced and the raised surface appeared smaller. Since then, I’ve done extensive research on scientific studies on RHSO and their findings and I’m more convinced than ever it’s a unique and powerful ingredient to keep the skin looking and feeling healthy.

Ceci: Why is M. Steves so great for brides?

Mally: Because all brides are busy, stressed and still want great skin on their wedding day! I created the M. Steves line to be simple to understand and have effective products that can multi-task. And all of my products are designed to address the past, present and future signs of aging while nourishing the skin, so the result is glowing, smooth skin. Camera-ready!

Plus, in the craziness of planning a wedding, I also hope that using M. Steves is a pleasurable time-out experience that gives brides a few minutes to focus on themselves each day (without being too much of a time commitment). I spent a lot of time considering the look of the packaging, the natural scent and the texture, so the products feel like an elegant spa ritual each time you use them.

Ceci: I know I just started using it and love it, but what kind of woman uses M. Steves?

Mally: M. Steves is skincare for the modern woman, so my ideal consumer is passionate about every aspect of her life and strives to be the best woman she can be. Taking care of herself is a priority, and she wants everything around her to look, feel and work beautifully.

Ceci: What kind of skincare regimen would you recommend to someone before a big event?

Mally: I’ve created five products in the M. Steves line to provide multi-benefit solutions for all skin types. They’re simple to use and effective, so it’s an easy regimen to recommend. The core product is the Power-Packed Ultra Nourishing Boost, an anti-aging and multi-use beauty oil that can be used alone or added to “boost” the benefits of any of the other products. You skin will look healthier, smoother and more nourished with regular use. The RHSO Power-Packed Purifying Cleanser and the RHSO Power-Packed Multi-Benefit Moisturizer can be used twice a day to keep skin clean, nourished and firm. The RHSO Power-Packed Anti-Aging Serum immediately reduces the appearance of fine lines and provides a healthy-looking glow to the skin. It even works as a great base for extending the lasting power of your makeup. Once a week or so, I would recommend my RHSO Power-Packed Reviving Exfoliator since it functions as an all-in-one spa service, incorporating the benefits of a mask, scrub and peel in a single product.

Ceci: What inspires you?

Mally: I’m truly inspired by beauty in the world around me, and I love to travel and seek out new experiences. My family and friends live all over the world as well so I am blessed to receive advice and ideas from different perspectives and cultures. It’s one of the reasons incorporating global ingredients into M. Steves was so important to me. Rose hip seed oil is the foundation of my line, but I’ve used the top ingredients from around the world in M. Steves to make it the best it can be. More than anything I can’t wait to help other women feel inspired and beautiful by sharing my products!

Learn more about M. Steves

MALLY STEVES CHAKOLA OF M. STEVES
Make sure you love it. If you look at your potential new brand designs and don’t connect with the feeling, concept, style, brand name or color palette, be honest with yourself and your designer. Don’t be afraid to make changes by investing time and money as necessary. After all, you will be looking at your design every single day, many times over, so love it!

What It’s Like to Be a Ceci Client:
I had a strong idea of my brand logo and complementary design concepts, but the Ceci team worked with me to deliver even more than I was envisioning. Our combined efforts throughout the creation of my skincare business resulted in brand consistency as we evolved M. Steves across many mediums, including printed assets, product packaging, event materials, and web-based platforms. The Ceci team was enthusiastic, creative, on-point, and timely. They helped me to conceptualize and execute as M. Steves transitioned from a sketched idea to a luxury skincare brand.

View M. Steves’s Logo, Promotional Materials, Packaging, and Website