Retailer Hightlight: United Apparel Liquidators

If you haven’t been to United Apparel Liquidators (UAL) located at 2918 West End Avenue, you need to grab your girlfriends, your Kate Spade pocketbook, and get there now. UAL offers high-end designer duds for men and women at grossly slashed prices- 70 – 90% off daily. For example, you could score a $6,000 Valentino gowns priced at $800 or $480 Marc Jacobs shoes for $79. With a rotation of name-brand merchandise this little store is always crammed packed with goods, so you do have to dig for a while. However, the assistants are always very helpful, guiding you around the store and letting you know about the hottest deals and designs. Here is what people are saying about UAL:


“If you have some time to dig, crawl, and sift through cramped and unorganized racks....it can certainly be worth it. Trust me; it's worth the effort because you can find deals that the fashion industry doesn't want you to know about. It can be our little secret.” – Marcia M.

“Best shopping in Nashville, bar none. You definitely have to visit often to take advantage of the continual shipments of amazing stuff (and to start figuring out where everything is located around the store!), but I almost never leave empty-handed or with an empty wallet. You can find everything from up-and-coming designers to the most established high-end labels. It's gotten to be a fun hobby of mine to spot the exact same clothing or shoes at the other boutiques and stores in town that I've seen or purchased at UAL for literally fractions of the prices.” –Kate S.

“HOLY MOTHER OF DESIGNER BARGAINS!! Do you remember the feeling when you were a kid and you walked into a toy store for the first time - so much to see your heart raced and your head started spinning? THAT'S how I felt when I walked into UAL for the first time yesterday. Thanks to the wonderful yelpers I checked this place out - and like within the first 10 minutes I already had 50 dresses to try on.” –Rahel K.

“Labels such as Jimmy Choo (seriously? heels for $150!!!!!!), Balenciaga, Velvet, Black Opal, Hollywould, Michael Kors, and MANY others live there. Here's the kicker--they really ARE like 70-90% off (I'm not kidding about the Jimmy Choos...probably $650 shoes at $150--can't beat that with a stick!)” –Robin R.

“The sales people are nice. It caught me off guard to have such cheery, nice people offering to bring me tons of stuff, since I'm used to sifting through racks of musty old clothing at Goodwill and such, but the service is certainly very... friendly. While most of the stuff is very affordable, they also have the more couture stuff, perfect for very formal events or when you have money to spend on a truly designer dress. At the least, it's fun stuff to look at.” –Emma L.

Quotes from http://www.yelp.com/biz/united-apparel-liquidators-nashville.

Spring Symphony Fashion Show Designer Announced: Marchesa

Sure, April 26, 2011 may seem like an eternity away, but make sure to mark your calendars for the Nashville Symphony’s annual spring fashion show. The Shermerhorn Symphony Center has previously featured fashion heavy-hitters such as Monique Lhuillier and Isaac Mizrahi. (I had the opportunity to be invited to the Isaac Mizrahi fashion show and it was unbelievable!!) This year the New York-based designers Georgina Chapman and Keren Craig’s high-end fashion label Marchesa’s Fall 2011 collection will be featured. The incoming Symphony Orchestra League Board President Sadhna Williams announced that Janet Bentz andJohnna Watson will chair the 2011 event. According to the Nashville Scene ABC News Correspondent Deborah Roberts, a reporter on 20/20 and substitute news anchor for Good Morning America will emcee the event. The featured band has yet to be announced. Below is an inside shot of the Shermerhorn Symphony Center and looks from Marchesa's Spring/Summer 2009 collection.

photo from www.thelobby.com/city/nashville/

photos from http://www.wgsn.com/members/catwalks/shows/cw2008aug05_085610?view=Standard&report=33&page=1

Samurai Hair Care - Cute Packaging Found Online

Found this in my travels in cyber space. Just love it. Not sure who designed it, but simply love the identity and packaging. It's simple and pretty and I would be happy to have it on my shower shelf.

Casting Call: Couture Magazine Cover Girl

Online based Couture Magazine is looking for their next cover girl. The following is an excerpt from their website:


We are looking for a Couture Cover Girl! Send us an email with your best Cover Girl photo. Be sure you have the photographer's permission to submit the photo. This competition is open to females ages 18 and up! In the email describe in 400 words or less why we should pick you to be Couture's Cover Girl. Submissions that make it through round one will be displayed in Couture Fashion Magazine and open to the public to vote for their favorite! Only one entry per person. Send all emails to Contact@CoutureFashionMag.com. The winner will be selected to be on a Couture cover in 2010. Good Luck!

Retailer Highlight: Sevier Skirts

I’ve heard of Mary-Kay parties, Tupperware parties, sushi parties, and even book parties. But a skirt party? The Nashville-based company, Sevier Skirts, has established and grown their business doing just that!

Producing over 6,000 custom made skirts annually, Sevier Skirts “takes classic, timeless, styles that women have grown to love and embellishes them with gorgeous and unique fabrics”. The company purchases their fabrics from New York City’s top fabric houses who also sell to names as Marc Jacobs, Ralph Lauren, Oscar de la Renta, Chanel, and Cynthia Rowley. Skirts range from $100 to $200.

So, where do the skirt parties come in? According to their website, “Skirts are most commonly sold at "skirt parties" in which a group of friends gather together at a hostess' home”. The parties require a host and a minimum of 10 to 12 guests; usually they are held on weeknights from 5:30 to 9:00 pm. Hosts also receive a 10% discount of the total party sales.

Sevier Skirts has been featured on local NEWS stations and was recognized as the 2010 Entrepreneur of the Year by the city paper.

Find out more about Sevier Skirts here.

photo credit: sevier skirts website

Diamond Star Halo Vintage sale: August 30 - 31, 2010.

Libby Callaway, former fashion editor of the New York Times, has an eclectic collection of unique thrift and antique finds housed at Fanny’s House of Music (1101 Holly Street). Since 2005 Callaway has been selling merchandise from her Diamond Star Halo Vintage collection to thrifty and fashion-conscious men and women of Nashville. And now through August 31st everything is 40% off. Make sure to take advantage of this opportunity and adorn yourself in some hip threads!

Haute Swapping for a Cause: September 18, 2010

On September 18th join Nashville fashionistas for a day of shopping at Haute Swapping for a Cause.


Haute Swapping for a Cause is an alternative way to "thrift" shop and support the community. Individuals get together and swap items from their closet, participate in the Haute Lounge and silent auction while raising money for a local non-profit organization.

Proceeds from the event will benefit the Second Harvest Food Bank and runs from 5-10 pm, at Velocity in the Gulch. Haute Swapping has partnered with Sephora, Cherubim Ink, Emeri Pink Moscato, and Vitamin Water Zero.

Click here to purchase tickets.

nD Festival: September 22 - 25, 2010

The nD Festival to benefit the Belcourt Theatre will take place Wednesday, September 22 through Sunday, September 26, 2010. Events include Whiskey & Wine Wednesday, Supper, Song & Cinema, Patron & Sponsor Party, Mimosas, Marys and a Movie, and the EnD fashion show. A detailed event list can be seen on the Belcourt’s website and below. Ticket prices vary per event but general admission costs $175 and for Belcourt members $150. Those tickets can be purchased here.


This fashion event will showcase the latest designs from fashion heavy hitters Alabama Chanin, Billy Reid, and Imogene + Willie. The festival also includes stylish boutique preview events.

“We are thrilled to bring together such incredible talent and art forms for this very special event that benefits the Belcourt Theatre,” says Holly Hoffman Bryant, nD Festival chair. “Our guests will see the best in independent fashion – wonderfully talented jewelry and clothing designers – as well as a silent auction and lots of fun. The nD Festival is Nashville’s fashion event of the year.”

“The Belcourt Theatre, known for presenting the best in independent films and so much more, is the ideal home for nD Festival,” says Libby Callaway, nD Festival fashion chair and former fashion editor of the New York Post. “Fashion takes many cues from cutting edge films, and THE EnD fashion show features some of the best in local and regional fashion talent.”

According to sources, Nashville’s most fashionable crowd will gather at the Belcourt Theatre Sunday, September 26 from 5 to 8 pm for the EnD fashion show. The evening begins with a silent auction that includes Southwest Airlines tickets, travel packages to Chicago, Washington DC and the Gulf Coast, beautiful jewelry, fashion and much more. Showcasing the true indie spirit of the festival, the fashion show artfully combines runway fashion with live indie music by the PawnShop kings. “Reality” models—real customers of the brands—will walk the Belcourt runways and give audiences a close-up look at fresh fashion. Inspiring documentaries by producer Loree Gold will give thoughtful insight on each designer’s work.

Throughout the evening, guests will enjoy an incredible variety of food by Nashville Originals and an open bar featuring specialty drinks compliments of Horizon Wine and Spirits, Barefoot Wines & Bubbly and Starr Hill Brewery. Patron-level ticket holders will enjoy exclusive VIP reserved seating.

Information regarding the event and tickets can be purchased here. This is an event not to be missed.

FESTIVAL PASSES

Includes admission to ALL events and IS transferable

General Admission: $175.00

Belcourt Members: $150.00


WEDNESDAY, September 22

Event: Whiskey & Wine Wednesday

Location: Billy Reid & H. Audrey

and The Cosmetic Market, The HILL CENTER, Green Hills

Time: 5:30pm-7:30pm

Cost: $10


THURSDAY, September 23

Event: Supper, Song & Cinema

Location: Imogene + Willie’s on 12S

Time: 5:00pm until ?

Cost: FREE, donations accepted.

Film: The Wild One, starring Marlon Brando

(thanks to Tom Wills for providing this from his personal collection)


FRIDAY, September 24

Event: All Access Patron & Sponsor Party

showcasing PROJECT ARTISAN Jewelers - Debe Dohrer,

Many Will See, and Plum Vintage Jewelry.

Location: Zeitgeist, then Opening movie at The Belcourt Theatre

Time: 5:30pm-7:00pm

Cost: For Patron Level and Sponsors ONLY

Film: Jacques Tati's M. Hulot's Holiday

(part of a nationwide tour courtesy of the French Embassy NYC & Janus Films)

Music: Joshua Payne, Babel Music Artist


SATURDAY, September 25

Event: Mimosas, Marys and a Movie

Location: Belcourt Theatre

Time: 11:00am for light brunch by Provence Bakery & Cafe, Movie at Noon

Cost: $20 Belcourt Members / $25 for Non-Members.

Film: Jacques Tati's Jour de Fete

(part of a nationwide tour courtesy of the French Embassy NYC & Janus Films)

Music: Robby Hecht, Babel Music Artist


SUNDAY, September 26

Event: THE EnD FASHION SHOW

Location: Belcourt Theatre

Time: 5:00pm-8:00pm

Cost: Patrons/All Access (all events & VIP Seating)

$150 Belcourt Members/$175 non-Members.

A Splash of Style Fashion and Jewelry Show: September 25, 2010

The Splash of Style Fashion and Jewelry Show will be held Saturday, September 25, 2010 at the Inspiration Centre (2286 Rosa Park Blvd.) in Nashville, TN. No details were available concerning fashion or jewelry designers to be featured, but according to the website, “this event will be a fun fashionable networking event”. Doors open at 7:00 pm and the show begins at 7:30 pm. Finger foods and wine will be served and admission costs $22.


Unlike most local fashion events, this one is adults only. The Splash of Style website specifies no kids are allowed and a dress code will be enforced; men and women are to be “neat and clean looking”, outfitted in business casual or formal dress.

Tickets can be purchased here.

Fashion Week Nashville: September 8 - 11, 2010

After being postponed once, Fashion Week Nashville is back. Schedule to take place September 8 through September 11, 2010. The week will include runway shows, a VIP Soiree at The Red House, a Fashion Night, and a Night Out of shopping events.


The VIP Soiree will be held Wednesday, September 8 and costs $25 to attend. Guests will sip wine, be treated to hors d’oeuvres, and get a sneak-peek chance to preview collections.

The fashion runway show will be held Saturday, September 11, 2010 and costs $10 to attend. Although womenswear, menswear, and childrenswear will be showcased, featured designers include Axiom Labeled Collection, Gent Menswear, God's Princess, and Liz Alig and Mission Savvy.

A portion of the proceeds are to benefit Middle Tennessee flood victims.

Information regarding Fashion Week Nashville can be found here.

Nashville Fashion Blog

Here we go...

Strumpet and Pink Lingerie - Her Rich Attire Creeps Rustling to her Knees

I'm intrigued and fascinated by the marketing of this brand. It's so simple and carefully edited. The products themselves are divine and really need very little to promote them, except a great bottom underneath. The vintage "unfinished" and deconstructed styling of the range is simply beautiful and bang on trend.

A seductive and glamorous approach to lingerie marketing too. The models are not retouched, rounded, and ivory skinned, with a voyeuristic, anonymous feel - you can't tell who the model is, so the product and the beautiful, fair skinned behind, becomes the heroine.

Fifi

 Key Lime

Garden of Delights

 Bow Peep

 Hunting Through The Ruffles

Willow

Black Swan

Garden of Delights

Dress Shirt

Rosette Cheeks

Strumpet & Pink, founded in 2002 by Lisa Z Morgan and Melanie Probert, focus on limited-edition handmade knickers, using pure silk, satin, chiffon, and crepe. Morgan and Probert say of their creations (source The Lingerie Post): “Our prime concern; how does a woman actually feel when she wears one of our creations. It is this experience that makes our knickers beautiful. Strumpet & Pink achieve this by embodying the sensibilities of the flower i.e beauty, fragility, sexuality and joy and combining these with the sensuous qualities of pure silk crepe, satin, chiffon and tulle. The knickers are cut on the bias in such a way as to trace and disclose the contours of the female form. Our knickers brim with contradictions; they feel beautiful, sensuous, humorous, naïve, sexual, confident and playful. Each pair holds a discovery…”

Available at Glamorous Amorous

Modern Chinoisie Style Painting - Kathe Fraga

 La Vie En Rose © Kathe Fraga

"Imagine you’re strolling down a fabulous old street in the heart of Paris and you spy a wonderful decades-old mansion, sooty with age and covered with gargoyles and window boxes overflowing with lavender, roses, honeysuckle. You stop to admire but then, out of the corner of your eye you see a big black wrecking ball about to smash the building down. 'Noooo,' you cry as you clutch your Lulu Guinness handbag and rush in, determined to save the age-old hand-decorated plastered panel walls."

Dans Le Jardin © Kathe Fraga

Evocative of the hand-painted, timeworn walls of a grand old Parisian mansion, the paintings in Kathe Fraga's French Wallpaper Series resemble aged decorative fresco panels adorned with  birds and flowers, vines and leaves in a modern Chinoiserie style.

Graga's beautifully vintage yet modern art is inspired by vintage silky kimonos, hand-worked embroidery, lacquered little boxes, blocked wallpaper and panels from years ago, distressed with age, revealing a soft loveliness still…you’ll see layered colours peeking out behind one another—pinks, blues, lavender—speckles of gold, a wisp of glitter. Look for a small shy heart. A nestle of lovebirds. A French phrase. Each piece meant to be seen as part of a larger scene that’s been hidden away…until now.

 Les Chansons de les Fleurs © Kathe Fraga

Toujours Ensemble © Kathe Fraga

  La Belle Saison © Kathe Fraga

Les Fleurs de L'Ile © Kathe Fraga

Kathe's next show opens on September 4 at Museo Gallery in Langley, Washington. 

Don't miss out on one of these exquisite original works by an exceptional painter!