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Thursday, February 10, 2011
Features New York Fashion Week Fall 2011: BCBG Max Azira
Posted By Kimberly Lawson on Thu, Feb 10, 2011 at 4:10 PM
New York Fashion Week kicked off today, showcasing the fall 2011 designs of the top creatives in the industry.
Here are some of my favorite looks from the runway show of BCBG Max Azira.
Notice the sparing use of sheers. Sheer material is very suggestive, and Max and Lubov Azira use it to accent the legs and add sexiness, not cheesiness. In addition, the intricate angles and layers give the outfits texture, which is a big deal for the fall.
To see more images from the BCBG Max Azira show, check out NYMag.com's The Cut.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Features / Events Frock Shop makes stop in NoDa this weekend
Posted By Kimberly Lawson on Wed, Feb 9, 2011 at 12:48 PM
The first time I heard about the Frock Shop, I tried Googling its physical address. Nothing.
"We are a traveling trunk show," says Caroline Cook, owner. "It’s all resale, kind of a consignment concept, but we don’t have a brick and mortar shop."
Hmm. Interesting.
Since its inception in April 2010, the Frock Shop has hosted seven trunk shows, offering clothing, accessories, shoes and more, in various spaces, from businesses like Reaching Design and Saavy & Co. to private homes as far away as Union County. In partnering with various local businesses, cross-promoting is key, giving exposure to Frock Shop, whatever space is hosting the trunk show and any other business that is involved. At the last event, 75 to 100 people showed up.
"It’s definitely festive," Cook says. "We certainly do take over a space. I have anywhere from six to eight racks of clothing, and it really runs the gamut. It’s name-brand, it’s vintage, it’s designer. About 90 percent of it is resale. Most of the clothing, accessories, shoes are priced from $5 to $50. They’re in excellent condition. It’s a great way to score a pair of Diesel jeans for $30."
What's allowed Cook to offer such low prices is simply that she doesn't have the overhead of a brick and mortar shop. In addition, as she chooses the pieces she will add to her inventory (a sampling pictured below), she keeps in mind her consumers.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Features Live review: 4th Annual Runway for the Ballet
Posted By Lauren Blake on Mon, Feb 7, 2011 at 5:06 PM
THE DEAL: 4th Annual Runway For The Ballet: A glimpse of spring on the runway from Neiman Marcus.
THE GOOD: Ballet and fashion were at their finest this weekend Uptown. The crew at the North Carolina Dance Theatre certainly know a little something about effortless style, on and off stage. The event was a smooth mixture of fresh spring looks and ballet, brought to the runway by the company’s own dancers. From feminine florals to chic bohemian looks, the runway was graced by one head to toe masterpiece to another. A few spring trends for the ladies to watch out for include chunky gold accessories, leg-lengthening bone colored shoes, “spring” leather (whether it’s a mini dress or messenger bag) and bright shades of coral. As emcee, style maven T. Strong said, “Coral is the new black this season.” And gentleman, it looks like women aren’t the only ones who need to freshen up their wardrobe for spring. Popular looks for men this season: white boat shoes, casual white pants paired with neutral sport jackets, and pops of blue and other brights in long button down shirts. Time to start shopping, boys! Perhaps one of the best looks from the show was a floor length silk coral dress, with a scoop neck and back. Thank goodness for fashonistas, the groundhog predicted an early spring. It’s only a matter of time before we slip out of our sweaters and leggings into the bold fabrics and colors of spring 2011!
THE BAD: Disclaimer: Falling in love with designer collections at Neiman Marcus could result in serious injury to credit card accounts.
THE VERDICT: An inspiring and artistic event, for both lovers of fashion and dance. It is, without a doubt, a must-attend annual Charlotte event.
Some random photos, courtesy of NC Dance Theatre.
Friday, February 4, 2011
Sales Pre-game shopping on East Boulevard
Posted By Kimberly Lawson on Fri, Feb 4, 2011 at 10:23 AM
Flyer courtesy of ScoopCharlotte.com. Click here for more info!
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Events Upcoming: Runway for the Ballet
Posted By Anita Overcash on Wed, Feb 2, 2011 at 5:10 PM
(photo by Peter Zay)
Spring is just around the corner, which means it's time to start worrying about the wardrobe. Luckily, folks attending North Carolina Dance Theatre's Runway for the Ballet on Saturday will get a peek at a roundup of some of the spring's high-fashion trends, as selected by Neiman Marcus. In its fourth year, this shindig — benefiting NC Dance Theatre — is also slated to feature hors d'oeuvres (from Dean & Deluca) and vignettes from NCDT's Innovative Works.
$30-$45
Feb. 5, 3 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.
The Patricia McBride & Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux Center for Dance
701 N. Tryon St.
704-372-0101.
Purchase tickets here.
Shop Talk Whimsical wonders: Elle VJ Boutique
Posted By Kimberly Lawson on Wed, Feb 2, 2011 at 4:52 PM
Tucked away in a corner of NoDa — the Hart Witzen Gallery on 36th Street, to be exact — is Elle VJ, a boutique that offers flirty party dresses and classy cocktail attire for the chic Charlotte woman. After a year in business, Elle VJ was honored in December at the Queen City Awards and won the 2010 Boutique of the Year award.
Recently, we checked out the loft-style boutique (now complete with a makeup styling station and offering designs from a local jeweler) and interviewed owner LaVonndra Johnson. Johnson, who has worked in event planning in the past, is a wardrobe stylist and also a partner with the magazine Cinhte.
Creative Loafing: How did you find your niche in this market?
LaVonndra Johnson: I would find myself going to the mall and piecing outfits together. I realized there wasn’t really one centralized place that you can go that only caters to party dresses and cocktail dresses, so that’s kind of how I got my niche. It's been great; I really like it because I’m able to service a particular type of woman. I know that when she comes in, whether she is going to a club event or a social function, she wants something that’s going to be comfortable, yet sexy but still showcase the true essence of a lady.
What sets your boutique apart from other locally owned boutiques?
I think mine is different, because of course, there is the factor of personal service. Typically, when the boutique is open, I’m always here so I’m usually the one that greets you. I think people really like that I’m here — I’m selling the service so I’m here providing the service as well, so that definitely makes me unique.
Also, the styling aspect of the business, because typically when someone comes in and looks at something or is interested in something, I’ll do a quick style assessment. I'll ask, "What is your style? Are you a colorful type or are you very shy and laid-back?" Or if they pick a dress, I’ll say, "Well, what did you think you were going to wear it with, what type of shoes or what type of accessories?"
Often in that conversation, whether they buy all the pieces from me or just the dress, I can put that outfit together for them. When they get home, it's not as complicated and they're not sitting there with 10 pairs of shoes, trying to decide what works and what doesn’t.
Do the styles that you're offering here reflect your own personal taste?
They really do. Some of them are more conservative, some of them are a little more bold. I’m the type who dresses by how I feel, so I may have a day where I’m in somewhat of a quiet mood, so I tone it down. And then I may have that day where I’m just flirty and whimsical and pretty much anything goes. Essentially, all the pieces do reflect my style. I don’t carry or offer anything that I wouldn’t wear myself — I’m just a firm believer in that. I won’t sell a person something that I wouldn't put myself in.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Features Valentine's Day gift ideas for the fellas
Posted By Lauren Blake on Tue, Feb 1, 2011 at 3:57 PM
Worried about finding the perfect gift for your guy? Don't be stupid, Cupid. Five local shops have that special gift to land the arrow on his heart.
For the music lover: Lunchbox Records (1419-A Central Ave.; 704-331-0788)
Records, CDs and more. And, if you don't know what artist is his pick of the week, a gift certificate is always a safe bet.
"Music is the key to many good men's hearts. Music makes us feel good, remember fun times, or can tell someone how you really feel in a way you can't express that lasts forever. Lunchbox Records has tons of CDs and LPs to make your sweetie feel special and show how much you care and get them." — Owner, Scott Wishart
For the well-groomed guy: NoDa Nail Salon. (2424 N. Davidson St; 704-909-7518)
(photo courtesy of NoDa Nail Salon)
A Man-i-cure! A romantic gift for the man in your life who requires a little R&R.
"The perfect gift this Valentine's Day for the man in your life is a 'man-i-cure.' With day-to-day intense manual activity — whether its landscaping, lifting weights, sales or mechanics — a manicure will provide personal care and attention focusing on nail-shaping, callus elimination and to top it off a relaxation hand massage to help relieve tension build up." — Owner Wanda Belk
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All About Style: Checking out the new Blush Boutique
A visit to the South End boutique yields great finds for women.
