Wear What When

Slideshow: Zebra Club Fashion Show at Piano Bash

What Zebra Club has to say about fall fashion.

Posted by: Allie Oosta on Oct 04, 2011 at 01:00PM 0 Comments

Photo: Carmen Daneshmandi

SLIDESHOW: The point of view for fall as presented by Zebra Club during the recent Bellevue Fashion Week. Ladies, get a bow tie.

View Slideshow » Photo: Carmen Daneshmandi

SLIDESHOW: The point of view for fall as presented by Zebra Club during the recent Bellevue Fashion Week. Ladies, get a bow tie.

View Slideshow » Photo: Carmen Daneshmandi

Zebra Club stylists were free with their references, mixing workwear with prep gear. And it’s pretty Seattle after all; we have plenty of brainy outdoorsmen around here.

View Slideshow » Photo: Carmen Daneshmandi

Here’s an example of earthy tribal prints taking on the club scene.

View Slideshow » Photo: Carmen Daneshmandi

A sassy model dances with a performer from Don’t Talk to the Cops at the end of the runway.

View Slideshow » Photo: Carmen Daneshmandi

Camo cool.

View Slideshow » Photo: Carmen Daneshmandi

Hear that? It’s a statement necklace. The pants have something to say, too, and it’s: “Mom jeans are It for fall.”

View Slideshow » Photo: Carmen Daneshmandi

If the club were in the woods, she’d be there.

If you were in Bellevue last Friday night (September 30), you might have felt like you had landed in a transcontinental time warp where grunge-era outerwear was in a mashup with African safari colors and ‘80s abstract designs with prep references. If you had been wondering what to wear in Seattle this fall, the Zebra Club runway show during Bellevue Fashion Week would have pointed you toward Seattle staples (plaid shirts—mix ’em with stripes!—and big cozy sweaters), animal and camo prints, oversized metallic jewelry, and bowties (we’re talking to you, ladies).

Held inside the Eastside’s piano bar, Piano Bash, the show was soundtracked by different performers, including Seattle-based hip-hop trio The Physics, which gave the evening an urban lounge vibe with moments of otherworldly nightclub madness. At one point one of the performance duos, Don’t Talk to the Cops, danced for so long on stage that the models couldn’t get on to the runway.

The slideshow here puts you next to us in the media section. Be sure to check the details: shirts buttoned all the way to the top (’80s nerd chic, for men and women), earthy textiles and ethnic prints mixed with nighttime moods and apparel, fishtail braids (7 Salon did the hair), statement-making necklaces, and lots of plaid.

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Tags: Bellevue, Seattle Fashion Show, Fall Fashion 2011

Molly Mesnick x Pure Barre

Free introductory class at Pure Barre in Bellevue. The Bachelor’s wife will be there.

Posted by: Laura Cassidy on Sep 28, 2011 at 06:00AM 2 Comments

The locally based star of The Bachelor wants you to meet her at Pure Barre in Bellevue.

Where: Pure Barre Bellevue

What: Been curious about the combo of ballet and pilates and weight training in those Pure Barre exercise classes? Been curious about what makes a girl comfortable with falling in love on a television reality show competition?

Knock a couple of queries off your list in one evening by taking advantage of Pure Barre Bellevue’s free, 30-minute introduction class with owner Sami Sweeny and The Bachelor’s Bellevue-based Molly Mesnick.

Afterwards, fuel up on gratis Kind Bars, shop the newest collections from Stella and Dot and Lululemon, and chat with Sweeny about your workout plans.

When: Wednesday, October 5 from 7 to 9. Space is limited; call 425-462-7474 or email bellevue @ purebarre.com to reserve your space at the barre.

(Fine print: Event is first come basis; only valid for new students. Complimentary parking in Elements garage.)

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Tags: Reality TV, Bellevue, Health and Beauty

Bellevue Fashion Week

The three events you need to know about, and how to fill in the rest of the picture.

Posted by: Seattle Met Staff on Sep 19, 2011 at 07:30AM 1 Comments

Bellevue Fashion Week at the Bellevue Collection starts on September 28 and runs through October 2.

Like fashion weeks in New York, London, Paris, Milan, Sydney, and wherever else (okay, maybe not exactly like, since those events are built around debuting collections for the next big season), Bellevue Fashion Week is a tangle of shopping events, trunk shows, styling opportunities, runway events, and more.

Here, we’re breaking out the three things you most need to know about, and leaving you to access the Bellevue Fashion Week listings to figure out what else suits your interests and availability. (Don’t miss the complementary in-store events—scroll all the way thru the previous link—if you want in on the action, but are hoping to put all your dough toward your own wardrobe. Hey, it’s understandable.)

1. Wednesday September 28; Girl Power Hour’s Fourth Anniversary
Each year during BFW, the networkers and good time gals of Girl Power Hour throw a birthday bash. And they invite the dudes. This year’s festivities include a live fashion presentation, a try-it-on beauty bar, swag bags, and lots of meeting and greeting. Ladies and gentlemen, you may get your tickets via the GPH website.

2. Thursday September 29; Nordstrom’s Fall Fashion Show
Missed Designer Preview? Don’t miss this. The BFW Nordstrom show puts fall fashion on the runway, and then in post-show boutiques for easy and immediate access. This show benefits the Detlef Schrempf Foundation; grab tickets via their site.

3. Saturday Oct. 1; the main event: Front Row Fashion presented by Vogue
The magazine you love to love brings fall trends from the shops to the runway. Get inspired and see how to style all the looks you’ve got your eyes on. Proceeds benefit the Moyer Foundation; there are two ticket price levels; “all access” or VIP comes with special offers at stores like Aritzia and Zebra Club. Go to Brown Paper tickets to purchase them.

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Tags: Bellevue, Seattle Fashion Show, Fall Fashion 2011

Sale: Shops at the Bravern

Posted by: Annie Rose Favreau on Jun 27, 2011 at 10:00AM 0 Comments

Photo: Terry Richardson

This could be you in your new Jimmy Choos.

Where: Shops at the Bravern

What: The Bravern is hosting a cluster of sales that might coincide nicely with your warm weather wardrobe needs (or, okay, desires). Here’s a rundown:

Spring and summer stilettos and sandals at Jimmy Choo are 30 percent off.

All men’s suits are 30 percent off at David Lawrence,

Storewide savings on select pieces from the various men’s and women’s spring and summer collections at Salvatore Ferragamo (until July 10)

The end-of-season sale at Karen Millen means half-off savings on many warm weather dresses, skirts, and tops.

Take 30 to 50 percent off on lingerie, legwear, and more at Wolford.

Browse Italian-made classic styles for women at Piazza Sempione and score 40 percent discounts on select items.

When: Now, through June 30 unless otherwise noted.

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Tags: Bellevue, Bravern, Sales and Discounts

Tim Gunn in Bellevue

So you think you’re a model? Here’s how to make it work on May 7 at a Gunn-hosted Bellevue Square fashion show.

Posted by: Katie Ormsby on Apr 25, 2011 at 07:00AM 0 Comments

Tim Gunn hosts a fashion show at Lucky Brand Jeans in Bellevue. Not pictured: You, among the runway models.

Somehow, between mentoring on Project Runway, serving as Liz Claibornes’ chief creative officer, preparing to host a new makeover show, calling out Anna Wintour’s behavior, and fighting fashion crimes as a comic book superhero, Tim Gunn made room in his schedule to come to Bellevue, hosting a runway show for Lucky Brand Jeans in Bellevue Square’s Center Court.

You can catch it on May 7 at 1pm. The event is free and open to the public.

Or, you can walk it. Both professional models and regular folks will walk the runway. There’s an open casting call from 4 to 7 on May 4 and 5 at the Bellevue Square Lucky store. Just bring your beautiful self—sales associates will have all of the paperwork on hand.

Even if you’re not into public fashion parades, there’s an opportunity to get face time with the style guru.

Shoppers who spend at least $100 at the mall’s Lucky shop get their picture taken with Mr. Gunn and receive a signed copy of his new memoir-meets-etiquette book, Gunn’s Golden Rules: Life’s Little Lessons for Making it Work. You must shop between May 1 and 7; and bring your receipt to the show.

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Tags: Bellevue, Seattle Fashion Show, Bellevue Square

Silhouettes of Style: A Royal Affair

An April 29 Bellevue Collection fashion show supports the arts while celebrating Kate Middleton’s style.

Posted by: Katie Ormsby on Apr 18, 2011 at 08:15AM 0 Comments

Photo: usmagazine.com

Act Two’s upcoming fashion show celebrates Kate Middleton’s style. And while we may not know what her official title will be just yet, Middleton is certainly a blossoming trendsetter. The sapphire blue Issa dress she wore for the engagement press conference sold out in one day.

Even if you just judged magazine covers (People, Us Weekly, even Newsweek), you’d have to say there’s a pretty widespread case of royal wedding fever in the air. So assuming you don’t live under a rock, you know there’s a pretty big event set for April 29.

But the folks at Bellevue’s Act Two Guild are anticipating a week from this Friday for slightly different reasons. The organization’s third annual fashion show and luncheon just happens to fall on Kate and Will’s big day. The Brit’s event was scheduled after the Bellevue one, so they went with it. Subtitling the “Silhouettes of Style” with A Royal Affair, event chair Michele Phillips-Baransky says the theme ‘offers us an elegant backdrop to bring women together to enjoy fashion, raise money for [the arts], and celebrate.’

The show is at the Bellevue Westin and will highlight spring trends, including the ’70s thing and the perennial return of the nautical look. Runway styles come from shops inside the Bellevue Collection: Report, Road, Zebra Club, to name a few.

While we’re not sure that Kate rocks wide-leg flairs or the classic Breton striped shirt, she’s certainly got the eye of the fashion world. Karl Lagerfeld just publicly named her best feature and Brit Vogue‘s editor made recommendations on her wedding dress choice. The current edition of that mag spends a page comparing London’s two favorite Kates, Le Middleton to Le Moss.

Fittingly, a special segment of the Bellevue Collection show is devoted to Miss Middleton’s style—expect loads of posh hats and headpieces along with classic, understated UK prep.

Tickets are $125 and benefit the Tateuchi Center, a downtown Bellevue performing arts center targeted to open in 2014. The show begins at 11; tickets are available at the Act Two Guild website.

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Tags: Bellevue, Seattle Fashion Show, Fundraiser, The Royal Wedding

Virtual Reality: Cecil + Edith

The life and times of a Bellevue gal’s online boutique, via a slideshow.

Posted by: Malika Ritchie on Feb 28, 2011 at 08:00AM 2 Comments

SLIDESHOW: For Cecil + Edith, Armour repurposes grain sacks and quality leather. ‘I love how they have a useful history. When they become market bags, they’ll live on to have a useful future.’

View Slideshow » Illustration:

SLIDESHOW: For Cecil + Edith, Armour repurposes grain sacks and quality leather. ‘I love how they have a useful history. When they become market bags, they’ll live on to have a useful future.’

View Slideshow » Illustration:

Armour opened her Esty shop in March of 2010. She said she opened up when she realized her penchant for sewing had ‘surpassed the number of friends and family [she] had to force [her] handmade gifts upon.’ Depending on the piece and her sewing mojo, each bag takes about three to four days to complete. Well, for the most part. ‘A leather tote I am currently working on has taking me about three weeks to complete not because it’s so hard, but because I keep getting sidetracked by certain Canadian home improvement shows.’

View Slideshow » Illustration:

Armour’s collection of raw materials.

View Slideshow » Illustration:

On unlikely tools: ‘My favorite tool, believe it or not, is the common band-aid. I wrap it around certain fingers to keep that heavy-duty nylon thread from tearing into my skin. It seems sad to throw away grain sack fabric that has survived for over 70 years so as much as possible, I try to use my scraps. This one has found a use as my needle holder.’

View Slideshow » Illustration:

When defining success, Armour says, “My business is still in its infancy. Any little thing that goes well is a success. Did I make something I like? That’s a success. Did someone heart my shop today? Another success. Did someone make an inquiry? There’s another. Did someone make a purchase? That’s another. All these little successes make me feel like things are moving in the right direction.”

View Slideshow » Illustration:

Armour also makes leather bags. ‘When I first discovered I could sew with leather, I was so excited that I lost a lot of sleep over it.’ For this Etsian, there’s nothing like the real thing. ‘I’m inspired by the feel of the good stuff in my hands. If I’m going to spend hours working on something, I don’t want to waste my efforts on cheap fabric or fake leather. It’s got to be the best I can get my hands on.’

View Slideshow » Illustration:

Armor’s business is named after her grandparents. Of one in particular she says, ’She’s extra-conscious about trying to do things right. I’d hate to let the family down.’ Part of doing things right is packaging and wrapping the bags in a thoughtful and careful manner.

View Slideshow » Illustration:

‘My boys and I spend a lot of time walking around,’ says Armour, shown here with one of the little guys. ‘The colors of nature inform a lot of my work as does the desire to tread lightly upon it by using and repurposing found objects.’

Taiwan native and Bellevue resident Joanna Armour calls an Esty shop known as Cecil + Edith her workplace. There, among other things, she makes leather-handled market bags by repurposing old rice bags.

‘It began because I was hoarding this collection of vintage grain sacks,’ says Armour. ‘I always imagine them riding on someone’s shoulder to the farmer’s market and being filled with organic produce and flowers. I love that they live on to have a useful future.’

Find out more about Armour’s process and the history behind her shopping bags in the slideshow.

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Tags: Bellevue, Eastside, Etsy.com, Seattle Etsy, Virtual Reality

Video II: Hermès Festival of Crafts

In which an iconic Hermès scarf comes to brilliant life at the Bravern.

Posted by: Laura Cassidy on Feb 25, 2011 at 03:00PM 0 Comments

This just in: More coverage of the Hermès Festival of Crafts at the Bravern.

In this video you’ll see the silkscreen artisans wash color and texture over silk until a pattern emerges, and along with it, one of the brand’s iconic scarves. At the media preview, we were all in a zen-like trance as we watched the process. Not even the dull chemical aroma of the paint prompted us to move along.

I think part of it was the French accent.

Hermes Festival of Crafts: The Scarf from Seattle Met on Vimeo.

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Tags: Bellevue, Bravern, Hermes Festival of Crafts

Video I: Hermès Festival of Crafts

Watch imported artisans from the iconic brand demonstrate their craft at the Bravern in Bellevue.

Posted by: Laura Cassidy on Feb 25, 2011 at 07:30AM 0 Comments

Earlier this week we told you about the opportunity to view artisans working to craft fine Hermès products at the Bravern. Today we have Joshua Guerci’s video to show you.

The exhibit, which includes ten craftspeople visiting from France, runs through Monday, February 28. It’s free. Don’t speak French? No problem. Translators are on hand to serve as an open doorway between you and the artisans.

Hermès Artisans at the Festival of Crafts: Saddles, Gloves and Ties from Seattle Met on Vimeo.

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Tags: Bellevue, Bravern, Hermes Festival of Crafts

Hermès Artisans at the Festival of Crafts

French craftsmen and women demonstrate the traditional handiwork behind iconic designer accessories at the Bravern in Bellevue.

Posted by: Sarah Hirsch on Feb 22, 2011 at 07:00AM 5 Comments

Photo: Hermes

February 23-28: Watch skilled Hermès artisans create the brand’s iconic pieces at the Bravern in Bellevue.

Raise your hand if you’ve sometimes wondered why luxury products and designer accessories are so expensive. It’s okay — no judgments here. Until you see the hand-sewn stitches or feel raised leather details, it’s natural to wonder about value and cachet.

Though Hermès’s Festival of Crafts doesn’t overtly aim to school you on hours spent creating the iconic Birkin bag in order to justify its price point, we’re thinking that after witnessing the company’s artisans do leather making demonstrations, silk engraving on those famed scarves, and jewelry detailing, you’ll come away with a deeper understanding of couture collections, traditional techniques vs. factory work, luxury brands, and the merit of handmade goods.

The French fashion house, which began as a workshop specializing in fine leather harnesses and saddles in 1837, kicks off this interactive exhibit of craft and artisans in Bellevue. After a week at the Bravern, the craftspeople and their work go to Chicago and Washington D.C. before heading abroad.

The demos and exhibition are free and open to the public; they take place in Suite 115, across from Jimmy Choo and Louis Vuitton. The work will be on display beginning tomorrow, Wednesday, February 23 through Monday, February 28, from 11 to 6 each day.

UPDATEStay tuned for a sneak-peek video from the media preview; we’ll post it here in the next 24 hours. Looks like it’ll take us a bit longer than that. Soon, though, I promise, and well worth it — the exhibit was really great. -Laura

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Tags: Bellevue, Bravern, Hermes Festival of Crafts

BAM Celebrates Contemporary Fiber Art

The Mysterious Content of Softness exhibit explores the transformative power of fiber.

Posted by: Sarah Hirsch on Feb 08, 2011 at 08:00AM 0 Comments

Slideshow: Preview a few of the pieces to be featured at BAM’s fiber art exhibit.

This artist: Diem Chau, “Bound”
Porcelain plate, organza, cotton fabric & thread

Photo: Courtesy of the artist

View Slideshow » Illustration:

Slideshow: Preview a few of the pieces to be featured at BAM’s fiber art exhibit.

This artist: Diem Chau, “Bound”
Porcelain plate, organza, cotton fabric & thread

Photo: Courtesy of the artist

View Slideshow » Illustration:

Diem Chau, “Empty Hand”
Porcelain plate, organza & thread

Photo: Courtesy of the artist

View Slideshow » Illustration:

Lauren DiCioccio, “Two Dollar Bill”
Hand-embroidery on cotton

Photo: Ben Premeaux

View Slideshow » Illustration:

James Gobel, “Someday You Will Find Me”
Felt, yarn and acrylic on canvas

Photo: Courtesy of the artist

View Slideshow » Illustration:

Rock Hushka, Salve
Embroidered cotton (modified bullion stitch and seed stitch) mounted on linen

Photo: Courtesy of the artist

Most women and many men know the importance of a strong piece of clothing; a wardrobe piece that makes the wearer feel confident, pulled-together, and yes, maybe even transformed. Sure, like Lady Gaga in a lobster-themed ensemble or Bjork and her swan, but many of the other non-wildlife encumbered things we pull on on a daily basis have a metamorphosing power.

Between the more dramatic transformations of the couture and red carpet scenes and the kitschy, hipster popularity of knitting and crochet, the Bellevue Arts Museum’s Mysterious Content of Softness, looks at the connection the human body has to fiber-based products by presenting sculptures, installations, and crafts that incorporate fabric, thread, and other soft (or once soft) filaments into art. What results is a study not just of clothing and personal identity, but also gender identity and the fragility of life.

The show is up now and runs through June 26.

Of the 11 national and international artists in the show, Stefano Catalani, curator of the exhibit, says: ‘They were chosen for their emotional response to and understanding of fiber’s potential for capturing the fluidity of life.’

That 11 includes a local: Diem Chau, fine artist and Urban Craft Uprising participant, will discuss her past and present work — which includes a bizarre and wonderful combination of porcelain plates and silk thread — in a free lecture March 4 at 6:30.

See the slideshow here for a preview of The Mysterious Content of Softness.

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Tags: Bellevue, Locally Made, Visual Art, Bellevue Arts Museum, Fiber Art

Datebook: Pro Sports Club and High Maintenance Salon

Look good and feel good in Bellevue and on Capitol Hill.

Posted by: Laura Cassidy on Feb 02, 2011 at 07:30AM 0 Comments

The days after the post-holiday emotional hangover and before the pre-spring return to real life (read: right now) are kind of a calm before the storm. Probably especially if you’re planning a summer wedding. Chances are good that the last few weeks have been kind of mellow — but the kind of mellow that’s manic and anxious around the edges; mellow, with the knowledge that busy is about to get as busy as busy gets.

Wedding Wednesday blog posts will bear that out. We’re about to enter a month-long-plus extravaganza of boutique wedding events, planning-polozas, and meet-the-vendors love-ins. Please stay tuned and ensure that your personal devices are equipped with an efficient calendar app.

Before all that begins, you might consider making some time to look and feel good. There are a few special events around town that, while not specially geared toward the soon-to-be-married, are perfect for those pondering Big Day looks and needing pre-Big Day relaxing, detoxifying, and otherwise strengthening treatments.

So here goes.

Pro Sports Club
FEBRUARY 9 from 2 to 5: The Eastside’s mammoth fitness and spa city-within-a-city hosts celebrity hairstylist Ronnie Stam, whose client list includes Christy Turlington, Helena Christensen, Paulina Porizkova, Naomi Cambell, Kate Moss, Tyra Banks, and Steven Tyler, Stam appears on behalf of Oribe, the stylist with the bold-face name whose products have been next-big-thing big nationwide and in the Northwest since 2009. At the Pro Sports Club event, Stam will consult with you about your ‘do, but you have to make an appointment. Note: It’s a consult only; you’d then book time with the spa’s styling team, now led by French-import creative director Jerome Charles. To reserve some time with Ronnie Stam, call the club at 425-895-6565.

High Maintenance Salon
UNTIL VALENTINE’S DAY: The Capitol Hill spa and skin boutique wrapped up three beautifying packages designed to work as Valentine’s Day gifts. We propose you give one to yourself, thereby road-testing the waxing, facial, or glow treatments that most interests you. Call 206-322-6939 for more information.

FEBRUARY 13 from 11 to 12:30: You might also consider dropping by the salon to get the skinny on SuperNatural Energy Balls, a brand new Seattle-made raw, organic chocolate-based superfood that tastes great (I know, I eat them) and promotes all manner of good stuff in your body. Founder and creator Sadee Whip will be at High Maintenance talking about the 30-Day Chocolate Challenge, designed for weight loss, energy gain, and overall health.

And, if you just want to get outta Dodge with the one you love before the next few months take on a fever pitch, check out our awesome list of romantic Northwest getaways.

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Tags: Bellevue, Capitol Hill, Seattle Hair Salon, Seattle Health Spa