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Archive for the ‘Fashion’ Category

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House of Donshey

In Designers, Events, Fashion on September 14, 2011 at 9:36 am

Dolly Donshey

As every fashionista knows, no outfit is complete without accessorizing. That is exactly what Tampa Bay Fashion Week featured designer, Dolly Donshey, creates. From unique hats to a jewelry collection launched earlier this month, her work can best be described as one-of-a-kind wearable art.

Piece from Fall 2011 Lola Collection

Dolly Donshey began her career studying under the renowned Jan Wutkowski, alumni of the Melbourne School of Millinery in Australia. This is when Dolly discovered her passion for hat making and designing which eventually led to the establishment of House of Donshey Custom Millinery in January 2009.

Dolly Donshey Headpieces

Upon completion of her first full collection, Dolly began to heavily promote her inventive hat lines while working towards the goal of becoming Florida’s number one milliner and introducing her designs around the world. Since debuting, her designs have been featured on Fox 13 as well as in several local and regional fashion shows and magazine publications.

We look forward to seeing Dolly Donshey’s unique pieces on the runway as her Fall 2012 “Cycles” collection premieres on September 23rd at Tampa Bay Fashion Week.

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Renee Scarborough of Two Coconuts

In Designers, Fashion on September 13, 2011 at 1:40 am

Join us as we welcome Renee Scarborough, owner of Two Coconuts, to Tampa Bay Fashion Week 2011!

Two Coconuts brings sophistication and comfort to all your swim wear and resort wear. Renee, a native of St. Pete, understood how uncomfortable and ill-fitting swimsuits could be, because of this she began creating her own designs for herself. Soon her friends began asking for swim suits and sun dresses for themselves, bringing to life Two Coconuts Swimwear. For 15 years, Renee has been creating her custom swim wear that can be worn by all women. Two Coconuts has a wide selection of swim suits, from bikinis, tankinis and one pieces, with tons of prints to choose from!

Renee’s debut at Fashion Week will surely take the audience back to their summer days on the beach with her beautiful designs of swim wear and sun dresses!

~Yolanda, Stylista Friends

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Model Behavior Cocktail Reception

In Events, Fashion on September 12, 2011 at 1:32 pm

Element Downtown Tampa

Tampa Bay Fashion Week 2011 is almost here and that means it’s almost time for the Model Behavior Cocktail Reception. On Wednesday, September 21,  from 6-9pm we will be celebrating Tampa Bay Fashion Week’s signature mixer event at Element Luxury Hi-Rise Apartments on 808 N. Franklin Street in Downtown Tampa. Join us and meet Cambria spokesperson Cheryl Tiegs – the iconic supermodel who has graced the pages of magazines such as Vogue, Glamour, Elle and Sports Illustrated.

Cheryl Tiegs

Mix and mingle with Fashion Week sponsors, designers, models and the fashion glitterati. Snag a photo opportunity with one of the featured models or designers while enjoying hors d’oeuvres, a complimentary bar and an amazing view of downtown. You may even walk away the recipient of a fabulous raffle prize. The Model Behavior Cocktail Reception is an event that you won’t want to miss!

Visit http://fashionweektampabay2011-autohome.eventbrite.com/ to purchase tickets before the big night.

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Join us at FNO Tampa Bay!

In Events, Fashion on September 8, 2011 at 3:21 pm

Hey Tampa Bay fashionistas – are you going to Fashion’s Night Out this Thursday, Sept. 8? Trust us, you don’t want to miss it! International Plaza and Bay Street is pulling all the stops by celebrating their ten-year anniversary with Fashion’s Night Out Tampa Bay. It’ll be an evening of fashion shows, hot music, new fall fashion collections, cool red carpet photos, dining, giveaways and after parties throughout International Plaza and participating stores and restaurants. So many things happening in one fun, shopping event – What to do first? Where to go?  What to wear tonight!?

There’s certainly plenty to get into before Tampa Bay Fashion Week and we want you to join us in all of the fashion fun! We hope to see you at FNO Tampa Bay as we shop-til-we-drop!

Here are some of the juicy details:

DEPARTMENT STORES

Neiman Marcus
Showcasing exclusive trunk shows from designers including Christian Louboutin and John Hardy, as well as a Lipstick Lounge and Beauty Bar where make-up artists from the world’s most renowned brands will be sharing complimentary tips and secrets. Enjoy sips and DJ beats.

Dillard’s
Meet fashion icons (designers from Adrianna Papell, Jessica Simpson, Tahari ASL and more) at Dillard’s fashion shows at 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., as well as a Cosmetics Trend Show at 6:30. There will be hors d’oeuvres, entertainment, gift with purchases and sweeps worth over $5,000 in prizes.

Nordstrom
Come celebrate fashion’s biggest block party as Nordstrom rolls out the red carpet for a night of fun and fashion with friends. Enjoy refreshments, yummy treats and check out the stylist lounge debuting the latest trends and beauty tips of the season.

DINING

Pelagia Trattoria
Dine on special $35 prix fixe menu with your choice of salad, entrée and dessert.

Brio Tuscan Grille
A $35 prix fixe menu along with $2.95 Tuscan Tasters and $5 martini’s will be available for shoppers from 3-7 p.m. and 9 p.m. to close.

Ocean Prime
Enjoy a free FNO Smoking Cosmo martini and special $39 three-course menu. The Lexus Limo from Bay Street Valet will provide shoppers with complimentary round-trip transportation.

The Capital Grille
Receive a free signature Stoli Doli martini sample with the FNO three-course menu for only $39. Choose a soup or salad, entrée, accompaniment and dessert.

ENTERTAINMENT

Runway Fashion Show by Dillard’s 
Watch runway fashion shows by Dillard’s from 6 to 7:30pm. Meet reps of some of the hottest fashion houses and some of the hottest designers including Adrianna Papell and Jessica Simpson.

Lipstick Lounge and Beauty Bar by Neiman Marcus
Complimentary touch-ups and make-up expertise

INTERNATIONAL PLAZA’S FREE GIFT WITH PURCHASE

Just make a purchase of $500 or more in one day of shopping at International Plaza to receive this exclusive signature gold-tone clutch with a detachable gold, cross body chain. Gift also includes a voucher valued at $100, good for two (2) best available tickets to any Florida Orchestra concert during the 2011/2012 season (some restrictions may apply).

FASHION’S NIGHT OUT SWAG

Is it possible to look fabulous in a t-shirt? Totally! Especially when we’re talking about the official Fashion’s Night Out t-shirt. Check out the rest of the FNO collection at Neiman Marcus: here. Totally getting the white FNO t-shirt!

For more information about participating stores, live performances and entertainment, visit http://www.shopinternationalplaza.com/fno

Oh, and by the way, in the spirit of all things shopping ~ we’re going to be having a sale, too! From 5pm-11:55pm this evening, you can purchase tickets to the Tampa Bay Fashion Week runway shows for only $30!! FOR ONE NIGHT ONLY! Limited number of tickets will be released for this price and last year we sold out! Set your timers and get ready here.

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TBFW 2011 Model Casting

In Events, Fashion on September 2, 2011 at 9:51 am

Can you believe it’s the end of summer? And Fashion Week Tampa Bay 2011 is around the corner!? Only a few more weeks to go! In the meantime, we’ve been working hard towards making this year’s fashion event the best one yet – and it certainly will be!

Our model casting call was just two Saturdays ago at the Art Institute of Tampa. More than 100 models came out to strut their stuff… and based on their fierce walk and gorgeous look, the designers chose who would walk in their runway show on September 23rd. Here are some behind-the-scenes pictures of the model casting call:

Congrats to the models who were selected! Can’t wait to see you walk the runway on Sept 23rd! Selected or not-selected this year: You are all fabulous and we hope to see you again soon!


Sizzling Summer Accessories

In Fashion, Trends on August 24, 2011 at 4:15 pm

From work to weekends, weddings to wine tastings, accessories add the finishing touch to any ensemble. The right accessories make a simple outfit pop and (hopefully) compliment a loud look. With so many options for the summer, how do you decide which to choose?

Hats

#1 – DKNY Raffia Crochet Brim Floppy Hat

#2 – Forever 21 Diamond Weave Fedora

#3 – J. Crew Panama Hat

Totes

#4 – Kate Spade Hinkley Karen in Ochre

#5 – Tory Burch Foundation Sisal Tote

#6 – Kate Spade Flicker Bon Shopper

Eyewear  (All 100% UV Protection)

#7 – Michael Kors Ludlow Sunglasses

#8 – Diane von Furstenberg Beet Sunglasses

#9 – Michael Kors Paros Sunglasses

 

Belts

#10 – H&M Triple Belt Set

#11 – Forever 21 Leatherette Skinny Belt

Beaded Jewelry

#12 – Mixit Gem Necklace

#13 – Forever 21 Oval Filigree Bracelet

#14 – Forever 21 Ganesha Hinge Bracelet

#15 – MNG by Mango Beaded Magnetic Bracelet

Which accessories can you absolutely not live without this summer?

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Make Fashion History with PURE Haus!

In Designers, Events, Fashion, Updates on August 5, 2011 at 10:38 am

Want to be a part of Tampa Bay fashion history? Then help us make this cool new project a reality – PURE Haus, the first ever Pop Up Retail Experience for Tampa Bay shoppers!

Designers will come together to create the pop-up store for Tampa Bay fashion consumers. With your help, we’ll be able to make it a reality!

Here are the details that we’ve put together to better explain PURE Haus:

WHAT: PURE (Pop-Up Retail Experience) Haus

WHO: Local Bay Area Designers including: Ivanka Ska, Essence Flowers, Kimberly Hendrix, Dali Hernandez, Dolly Donshey and more! Click here to watch a video on why YOU should get involved.

WHEN: Pledge deadline is August 19th. Pop-up slated to open in September or December for 30 days only.

WHERE: Our dream location is International Plaza

WHY: Because Tampa Bay has style that needs to be seen! Plus, you get free stuff with every donation and there is NO LOSS to you. Your pledge is only accepted if we make our goal. If we don’t, your credit card is never charged. If we do make our goal, you get a cool item for your pledge and get to shop some of Tampa Bay’s best designers!

Every pledge of $10 or more will receive their name on the pledge wall and be a part of Tampa Bay fashion history!

HOW: Click here to make your pledge donation.

We must meet the fundraising goal of $18,000 in order to cover the costs of the pop-up store project. If 700 people contribute $25, we’ve reached our goal!

Join us in this collaborative project and help to give local designers a retail outlet to grow their brand and customer base in the community, bringing them together in one place. Every little bit helps so get involved… and make fashion history!

~This blog was contributed in part by Holly (fellow FWTB Organizer).

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How A Stylish Mom Matches Her Baby

In Fashion on August 1, 2011 at 10:45 am

Last Saturday, the Fashion Week Tampa Bay organizers met up at Kaleisia Tea Lounge. While discussing juicy details about this year’s event, the newest and most adorable member of the TBFW team joined us! Her name is Adele.

Arcadia, Tampa Bay Fashion Week Committee Member recently had a precious baby girl named, Adele. Arcadia may be one of the busiest new moms in Tampa Bay, but she isn’t too preoccupied to put together stylish outfits. Among them – a stylish mommy and daughter set. I loved how they weren’t wearing identical outfits, but were matching by wearing the same color scheme, fabric material and clothing detail. It inspired me to write a post all about mommy and baby fashion. The following are stylish mom and baby matching looks from Old navy, all of which are affordable and adorable.

Baby Girl Outfits

Stylish mom look matching her baby girl

Baby Boy Outfits

Stylish mom look matching the baby boy

This stylish mom look matches well with both the baby girl and boy outfits.

How would or do you – if you’re a new mom – dress stylishly with your baby? What are your guidelines when putting together a stylish baby mama look?

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Savage Beauty

In Designers, Events, Fashion on July 27, 2011 at 9:41 am

My summer visit to New York City could not have been complete without stopping by the second floor of The Metropolitan Museum of Art – aka “The Met” – to tour Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty. All organized by Curator Andrew Bolton and Harold Koda, both of The Costume Institute, along with assistance from his former fashion show production designers. Close to 200 ensembles and accessories from the Alexander McQueen Archive in London, Givenchy Archive in Paris as well as private collections, were grouped according to McQueen’s Romantic fixations.

Lines for the exhibit can reach up to an hour – more than worth the wait, although I was lucky enough to only stand by about half of that. Once inside, the packed crowd moved along surprisingly smoothly from room to room. The tour began by setting the tone with two mannequins who, like the theme of many of his collections, were polar opposites. On the left, a dress of red and black ostrich feathers adorned with red painted glass medical slides. On the right, a striped and varnished razor-clam shell dress, both from the VOSS, spring/summer 2001 collection.

Onto “The Romantic Mind,” showing McQueen’s signature “bumster” design – pants so low that they revealed, yes, the mannequin’s bum! Accessories such as shoes in the shape of a mutated spine, butterflies and headpieces all inspired by Edgar Allan Poe were displayed next in the “Cabinet of Curiosities.” The video in this room was such a unique element capturing Alexander McQueen’s ability to turn a runway into an artful performance. One of the most intriguing was a white dress worn by Shalom Harlow in the spring 1999 show, along with a video of the dress being spray painted black and yellow on the runway.

Romantic Gothic & The Cabinet of Curiosities

The atmosphere of each room kept perfectly in tune with the all of the pieces and music. In a proud, regal tribute to his Scottish roots, were McQueen’s first tartan designs.

Romantic Nationalism

The exhibit went on to show “Romantic Primitivism,” the focus of McQueen’s first post-grad runway collection, complete with horsehair and antelope horns. While beautiful: definitely not for the faint of heart. Difficult to choose, but my favorite gallery may have been the “Romantic Exoticism” – think Asian-inspired silhouettes, silk and previously fresh flowers.

Romantic Exoticism

The journey ended with “Romantic Naturalism,” by far the most wearable pieces for us everyday fashionistas and Alexander McQueen’s last fully materialized collection before his February 2010 death. Included were dresses and leggings in vibrant, earthy colors accompanied by outrageously high heels – the same heels worn and made famous by Lady Gaga.

Romantic Naturalism

Overall, The Met was a great way to start my weekend in the city with the most unique designer collection I have ever had the pleasure of seeing. Words really cannot do the exhibition justice, it is a must see for anyone visiting the city before August 7th!  If you can’t make it to New York, the Met store’s website has plenty of fashionable souvenirs.

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Summer Party Picks

In Fashion, Trends on July 20, 2011 at 9:40 am

‘Tis the season for picnics, barbecues and an array of outdoor festivities. Of course we all want to be comfortable amid the heatwaves of summer, without sacrificing style. The goal is to put together a low key look that doesn’t echo “trying too hard.” Choose casual, effortless pieces and bring them to live with fun accessories or a hint of print. With food, mother nature and fruity drinks nearby I try to steer clear of white. Other neutrals and light shades, plus a good sunscreen will keep the scorching to a minimum. Here are my staples:

  •  Top: A loose, flirty tank or tee in either a solid or print. Sound easy? It is! Find a style that works for you and don’t be afraid to mix patterns.
  • Shorts: The possibilities are endless with denim, cotton, linen and chino fabrics. This is the perfect occasion to play with prints or try cargos for a stylish alternate to denim. Just be sure your pair works for sitting on grass, benches and so on.
  • Dress: You can’t go wrong with a solid, but prints are huge this season. My favorite prints are floral and Ikat. Before stepping out, confirm your dress passes the infamous “sit test.”
  • Shoes: Flat sandals are a safe, comfortable choice. Kick it up a notch with espadrilles or other wedges, but avoid shoes that will sink into the ground or get slippery soles when the inevitable summer downpour starts, i.e., stilettos.
  • Purse: A lightweight tote or crossbody with a large strap that you can slip over your shoulder when grabbing food and other goodies.
  • Lightweight Cover Up: Pieces that are linen or light cotton like an open cardigan, blazer or bolero that you can toss in your tote.
Flirty Brights Mixed & Matched

Indira Ikat & Rumi Dresses

Neutrals & Patterns

Mix, match and accessorize and you’re ready to go! What are some of your essential party pieces for the summer?