Wear What When

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

Trunk Show: Akris and Peter Cohen at Neiman Marcus and Mario’s

Posted by: Laura Cassidy on May 31, 2011 at 07:00AM 0 Comments

From Akris’s fall 2011 line; see it at Neiman Marcus on June 6 and 7.

Where: Mario’s

What: Preview next fall’s looks by Peter Cohen, known for 25 years of restraint and essentials.

When: June 1 and 2 from 10 to 5; the Los Angeles-based designer himself will be there on June 2

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Where: Neiman Marcus

What: Trunk show featuring looks from Akris’s fall 2011 line. Think artful minimalism in shades of sable, mustard, and the Seattle sky (gray, that is).

When: June 6 and 7 from 11 to 4

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Tags: Neiman Marcus, Bravern, Mario's, Seattle Trunk Show

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

What’s Your Take On… Studded Ugg boots?

Jimmy Choo + Ugg Boot capsule collection is on tour now.

Posted by: Laura Cassidy on Sep 24, 2010 at 08:00AM 4 Comments

Kind of wondering how those studs would hold up in the snow.

Where: Jimmy Choo at the Bravern

What: You either love them or hate them. There’s no real in-between. And there’s certainly nothing sexy about them, which is why it takes a minute to ingest the news that Jimmy Choo’s Tamara Mellon took on a capsule collection of Ugg Boots for fall/winter.

‘Other than Jimmy Choo, UGG Australia is really the only other footwear I have in my wardrobe,’ says Mellon. ‘I wear it at home in New York, on holiday in Malibu, and as an essential travel accessory. We are delighted to have created a special capsule that captures the best of both brands — the legendary comfort of UGG with the spirit of Jimmy Choo.’

And that’s where it begins to make sense, huh? If you spent all day in these# you might be looking for something like this by dinnertime. And hey, the high heelers have teamed up with Hunter, too. Kinda makes you wonder what’s next … Doc Marten? Timberland? Crocs??

Jimmy Choo’s Ugg collection includes a charcoal diamond Donegal cable knit, cream and black zebra prints, natural leopard prints, printed metallics, and studs, fringe, gold grommets, rivets, and other blingy details. They go for between $595 and $795.

The companies are only distributing them within their own stores, and they’re expecting such a great response that they’ve sent the boots out on a world tour so that customers can pre-order them. Can you feel it? The line is in your area as we speak, but only for a limited time. You can try the collection out now in Bellevue, and order and pay for them — they’ll be on your feet after October 21.

When: Now through Monday September 27

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Tags: Eastside, Shoes, Bravern, What's Your Take On...

Sale: DNA 2050

Discounted denim, drinks, and bites from Wild Ginger

Posted by: Amanda LaPlante on Jul 13, 2010 at 08:00AM 0 Comments

At DNA2050: Jean Shop tie-dyed denim (regularly $409) and suede vest by Torn ($398) oughtta be hot items at the sale

Where: DNA 2050 at the Bravern

What: Discounted denim, drinks, and pan-Asian bites. Take 20 percent off men’s and women’s denim by True Religion, Paige Premium, PRPS and more. Other items – dresses, tops, and accessories (like jewelry from Nicole Richie’s House of Harlow 1960) – will be marked down 10 percent. Want sips and apps to go with that? A cash bar and complimentary snacks will be on hand, and the first 50 purchases get two drink tickets and waived cover to the Eastside shopping center’s Wild Summer Nights.

Wild Summer Nights? Yeah, in which a five dollar cover (proceeds benefit Hopelink) gets you a cozy seat by the outdoor fireplace and signature drinks and appetizers from the nearby Wild Ginger.

When: Thursday, July 15 from 5:30-10

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Tags: Bellevue, Bravern, Spring/Summer sale 2010, DNA2050, Wild Ginger, Jean Shop, Wild Summer Nights

Critical Mass

Bravern vendors gang up for big sales through the end of June.

Posted by: Laura Cassidy on Jun 11, 2010 at 10:00PM 0 Comments

We thought you should know what’s up at Bellevue’s empire of luxury style this month:

+You can save 30 percenton select spring/summer shoes at Jimmy Choo.

+At DNA 2050, you’ll get the same 30 percent savings on select denim and other apparel items.

+The folks at Salvatore Ferragamo would like you take 35-40 percent off select spring merchandise and ready-to-wear.

+The Wolford spring/summer sale starts today (June 11); expect savings throughout the shop—and expect zebra-striped leggings.

+And finally, David Lawrence is offering 20-50 percent off select mens and womens clothing.

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Tags: Accessories, Eastside, Shoes, Bravern, Seattle Menswear, Spring/Summer sale 2010

Spring Cleaning IV: Shape Up

Posted by: Laura Cassidy on May 21, 2010 at 09:00AM 0 Comments

Look better … snarling?

Would-be strongman types and wannabe lady lifters (just looking to get in shape before summer gets here? you should listen in, too): As of Wednesday May 19, David Barton Gym at the Bravern is temporarily waving enrollment fees.

If you join up before May 27, you’ll be doing so at a savings of $400.

Still not sure? Buff bodies in upper management positions are throwing in a free personal training session or workout to those seriously considering the offer.

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Tags: Bravern, Health and Beauty, Spring Cleaning

Save the Date: Ken Downing at the Bravern

Want a personal shopping assistant, or just a fashionably good time? May 7 at Neiman Marcus.

Posted by: Laura Cassidy on May 03, 2010 at 08:00AM 0 Comments

Photo: Adam Sinding

Ken Downing at the Neiman Marcus opening gala in September

When shoppers around Bellevue and Seattle heard that Neiman Marcus was coming to town, one thing many of us wondered was what that would mean in terms of social and shopping events, parties, and fashion shows. Nordstrom does their Designer Preview event each summer, the general inquiry began, what will NM bring to the scene?

Over the last eight months or so, we’ve mixed and mingled at the answers to that question - that is, there was the Zac Posen show, the game night and in-store shopping event, and Roberta Armani’s recent visit, complete with a luncheon and a runway show. (To name a few.) As NM’s fashion director, Ken Downing, told me, these kinds of intimate and high-profile events are how the store gets to know its customers better, and how it reveals itself to the community at large.

To get to know Downing himself a little better, plan on being at Neiman Marcus on Friday May 7 at 6p to meet the Burien native and get a little inside style advice from one of fashion’s front-row big players. Downing will present a spring/summer trend show and then roam the racks with shoppers to talk fit and function, color, drape, body shape, and more.

Downing recently told me about a similar event that he co-hosted with Donna Karan and mentioned that he and the designer were popping in and out of dressing rooms like they were your oldest friends. Sounds like fun to me.

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Tags: Eastside, Neiman Marcus, Bravern, Seattle Fashion Show

Price Range: $230

What would you pay for Piazza Sempione’s luxurious marine knot necklace?

Posted by: Laura Cassidy on Apr 22, 2010 at 08:00AM 0 Comments

Slideshow: Piazza Sempione’s cotton, metal, and polyester marine knot necklace ($230), shown with complementary long necklace in wood, silk, and cotton ($560)

View Slideshow » Illustration:

Slideshow: Piazza Sempione’s cotton, metal, and polyester marine knot necklace ($230), shown with complementary long necklace in wood, silk, and cotton ($560)

View Slideshow » Illustration:

Could you go down to the Ballard docks and have some old salt whip up something similar? Doubt it.

View Slideshow » Illustration:

Love how it fits in to spring/summer’s nautical trends.

View Slideshow » Illustration:

Detail of the additional piece; kind of has something of the sea in it, doesn’t it?

Not to harp on a trend, but man that whole soft science of accessorizing, huh?

In this installment of Price Range we look at Piazza Sempione’s marine knot necklace, which manages to hit the nautical trend and the soft sculpture trend while appearing not at all flash-in-the-pan but classic, modern, and just plain fresh. If you’ve got $230 earmarked for the accessories department, consider tying on the grosgrain ribbons at either end of this so-Seattle statement piece.

This season’s collection from the Milanese label, housed stateside at the Bravern, is made up of nuanced neutrals and bright corals; an exchange of textured linens (even in shoes) and painterly and graphic prints in silhouettes from slouchy to streamlined yield looks that feel organic but serious—as if your office were buoyed to your yacht.

Now doesn’t that sound nice?

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Tags: Accessories, Bravern, Price Range

Save the Date: Shopping for Kids

Tory Burch shopping event at the Bravern April 22

Posted by: Laura Cassidy on Apr 05, 2010 at 07:45AM 1 Comments

A look from Tory Burch Spring/Summer 2010

Look down at your feet.

Are you wearing Reva flats? If so, you’re probably a pretty hardcore Tory Burch fan and you might like to mark April 22 on your social calendar.

If not, you may be in the market for a pair of those iconic T-logo’ed slip-ons, in which case you might also save the date for Moms Night out at Tory Burch for Seattle Children’s Hospital.

From 6 to 9 on April 22, you can take 10% off all full-price merchandise, knowing that 10% of the evening’s sales will be donated to the Phil Smart Sr. Guild of Children’s Hospital benefiting rehabilitation medicine. Shoppers can also enter to win a $500 Tory Burch bag that evening.

Sweetening the pot are bites from Wink Cupcakes and style advice from Tiffany Wendel.

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Tags: Bravern, Fundraiser