New York Fashion Week is the highly anticipated holiday for fashionistas where style-savvy residents can mingle with celebrities, party at champagne-studded extravaganzas, and watch upcoming trends come to life on the catwalk. For this year, the statuesque muses of designers will do more than strike a pose. Not only will patrons discover what’s in, but they’ll also party with runway models as they spin the hottest tracks from Hip-Hop to electro-rock. To discover the best in fashion and nightlife, head to Fifth Avenue for the Museum of Sex where modern pinups will strut their stuff and the most gorgeous DJs from around the globe will use music to transport visitors to Wonderland.
“We are DJs for the crowd,” describes PC Miller, Managing Director of STADJ, the first company in the United States to scout, train, and represent female model/DJs or “MDJs.” Her husband, Music Director Edan, is known as DJ E.M., a 20-year veteran of the nightlife music scene who is famous for training over 600 students as co-founder of several DJ schools in Israel. Today, the husband and wife team are giving models the chance to jumpstart some of the most exclusive parties. “This has been a long time coming,” states Miller. “We aren’t the only model/DJ group, but are the first in America to organize the concept into a new entertainment category.” Launched in July 2008, STADJ trains fashion models into becoming professional DJs with no fee. Once models develop their own style with Edan’s hands-on approach for up to five strenuous months, they then headline some of New York City’s top venues, including Mansion, Irving Plaza, and Hudson Terrace. “The DJ scene is male-dominated, so we're proving to be a pretty controversial idea,” she explains, “for providing a highly visible vehicle geared to bringing a lot more female talent, starting with models, to the scene over time. And what better way to dominate a crowd than through music?”
The trend of models entertaining patrons with their looks and musical skills is becoming a major must-have for parties, making STADJ sought after by clients, such as Betsey Johnson and David LaChappelle, to play for crowds as large as 3,000. “We’re very proud that even during this economic environment, we’re able to create work for DJs,” says Miller. For New York Fashion Week, the many women of STADJ will give a grim city life as they headline emerging designer Michelle Scott aka DJ ChelleBomb and her first dancewear/nightlife collection Wonderland at MoSex.
Paying tribute to 50’s fetish model Bettie Page, Scott’s playful collection incorporates vinyl, all things boudoir, and a touch of retro sexiness. Wonderland promises to channel the pinup princess with jewel-toned pleather, lace, and satin. Inspired by Christian Dior’s Pairisian showrooms, the salon-style spot vignettes will be performed by 11 fellow MDJS in three galleries. Patrons will not only witness Scott’s designs, but also celebrate the late Page, music, fashion, and sex all in one night. “Scott’s Wonderland couture is the first of its kind to be seen in New York Fashion Week,” boasts Miller. “MoSex is the first museum to also be involved, and then we have the first American MDJ group headlining, so it’s a night of many firsts, especially for women.”
To RSVP for STADJ Presents Fall 2009 NY Fashion Week Showcase, click here. After the showcase, don't forget to check out the Wonderland Fashion Show Official After Party at Empire Hotel Ultra Lounge. However, if you happen to be the only one who misses out on these exclusive events, see the MDJs in action on March 1st, when STADJ Sundays Rock at Mr. West Lounge will make its grand premiere as an all-new model/DJ residency.
Latinas, if you have what it takes to be an MDJ, then check out STADJ's official site.
