Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Brides Against Breast Cancer - Tour of Gowns: September 11, 2010


I can’t say that bridal events thrill me. The idea of being dragged through an exposition center filled with poofy gowns, bad djs, over-priced catering, and Sandals vacations isn’t exactly how I want to spend my Saturday. Maybe I’ve got the always-the-bridesmaid-but-never-the-bride syndrome, but I’m just not a fan. HOWEVER, when it comes to charity events and breast cancer awareness, I am always on board.


The Vanderbilt Breast Center One Hundred Oaks is partnering with Brides Against Breast Cancer during their Nationwide Tour of Gowns. The event will take place September 11 – 13th at the Nashville Airport Marriott. A schedule of events is listed below.

This charity wedding gown sale will feature hundreds of name brand and designer wedding gowns donated by designers, retailers, manufacturers and some individuals with prices at $199 and up. Sponsored with twesa and the Marriott, sales will benefit the educational programs and wish grant funds of Making Memories Breast Cancer Foundation.

VIP Night
Saturday, September 11 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM
$30 Brides, $15 Guests
Includes good, drinks, first opportunity to preview and purchase gowns and gift bags.

General Sale
Sunday, September 12 from Noon – 8 PM
Monday, September 13 from 11 AM – 7 PM
Free admission.


images from http://www.wedding-day.us/wedding_dress_pictures/wedding_dress_9.jpg

Naked Without Us in Knoxville: September 3, 2010

The fashion rock fest Naked Without Us is expanding its horizons and will have its first show in Knoxville, TN tomorrow. The following is an excerpt from MetroMix Nashville:

Nashville's fashion and rock show Naked Without Us will be coming to orange country for a show benefiting the Boys and Girl's Club of The Tennessee Valley. Knoxville venue 90 Proof will be hosting the Naked Without Us show on Friday, Sept. 3, showcasing Nashville's music and fashion during the first Vols home game weekend.


The show will include a variety of designers and music acts. Nashville-based bands Space Capone, Loose Cougar, Born Empty and The Worsties along with DJ Nu-Mark from Jurassic 5. Naked Without Us will feature a local opener from Knoxville.

Fashion designers Valentine Valentine, Courtney Button, Only50 and Broke Shipley will have their clothes modeled on stage with the performing musicians, for a simultaneous fashion show/rock concert experience.

Knoxville-based boutiques Elle Boutique and Obligato Boutique will be highlighted in the show along with their models and designs.

Naked Without Us' Billy Gimmill wants the fashion-rock blend event to be a community-driven experience that showcases Nashville talent to a new crowd and brings Knoxville's local talent together.

A portion of the proceeds from the show will go to The Boys and Girls Club of The Tennessee Valley. The proceeds will benefit the art and education programs for underprivileged youth. Naked Without Us is being promoted by UT's Kappa Delta sorority, and 10% of their money raised will go back to The Boys and Girls Club.

The show will be kicking off Friday at 9 p.m. with a $10 cover at the door, $7 with student I.D. Naked Without Us is an 18-and-up event. Come early and enter to win a chance to score tickets to the football game the following night.


Image from http://nashville.metromix.com/content_image/full/1183238/560/370



Tuesday, August 31, 2010

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.


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.


Monday, August 30, 2010

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