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fashion week guest southern fashion bloggers

New Orleans Fashion Week Runway Shows

If things have seemed a little slow lately ’round these parts it is because I am still catching my breath from two back to back fashion weeks here in New Orleans. In order to cover both I got a little help from none other than Rebekah Apotre of 504 Stitches. Rebekah and I tag teamed NOLA Fashion Week to attend as many events as possible. You can read my notes from the fashion bloggers panel at the Southern Fashion Bloggers site if you are inclined. Below are her thoughts on the Friday runway shows.






I’m a girl who LOVES fashion. So much so, that instead of  a boy fashion was my first love. Well that and the September Issue of Vogue.  Every Autumn when that heavy, designer laden issue hits the newsstands I’m there, waiting to crack that spine and linger over the pages while fragrance fills the air from all those perfume ads.

I hope this helps you understand that I felt really lucky to sit in for Christy for NOLA Fashion Week. She got to go to the woods and I got to sit in a beautiful vaulted ceiling room and watch the fall collections from this year’s roster of designers.  









For me, it’s all about mix n match designer, handmade, thrifted, indie designs and  being able to wear a piece for several seasons so I lean towards great tailored jackets, pretty dresses, and unusual or statement jewlery to well, make a statement. 

Here are my personal favorite picks from the shows I attended on Friday which I selected for three reasons:
– the pieces are either classic or statement pieces
 – they will be wearable seasons from now
– they will mix into your current wardrobe

 


Bold but delicate gold peices made me rethink my preference for silver jewlery.  Lots of darker metals and mixing of textures.

LVF Design





HeavyMetal Jewlery



Nelson + Little 


Of course anything from Cocodri can happily find its home in my closet and were one of the few designers that had something for men as well as women.  



I’m a fan of a hard working bag that holds lots of stuff and still looks good. I feel Kay-LA ‘s bag will be able to handle my cross city bike trips and more elegant endeavours like girls night out..


Now on to the clothes…

Ottilie Broadman is the woman behind her New Orleans based luxury fashion label of the same name.  She opened up Friday’s shows with her line of office wear- tailored & feminine with accents of fur – I kind of want to work in an office  just so i can wear clothes like hers!

I love this jacket:


She also showed a number of short dresses which I think will look great over leggings which will make this little dress adorable for outside the office too.




 I think these dresses from Nire are great on their own and I’m a fan of layering dresses over skinny jeans or leggings when it gets cooler. 

 



The most incredible part of my day at NOLA Fashion week was meeting fellow bloggers, hanging out with friends & twitter friends who I’ve only “met” online. There is a wellspring of talent, ideas and creativity here in the city. I can’t wait to see what the next round of fashion weeks brings to the city and you can be sure that I’ll continue to fuel my love of fashion by continuing to watch the NOLA fashion scene as well as work on as many creative projects with local friends as possible!




Rebekah Apotre is a blogger, crafty sewing teacher and cheese lover currently crushing on all things NOLA. You can find out more about her here:

504stitches.com
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Twitter: slowsouthstyle Facebook: Slow Southern Style
Categories
fashion week new orleans

NOLA Fashion Week Schedule

 

With one fashion week already in full swing everyone is now gearing up for the next run of events with NOLA Fashion Week March 21st-26th. What makes this week (err next week) different from this week (as in the one happening now) are the educational workshops for budding designers, networking events, and invite only runway shows.

Many of the events held during the week will have a daytime event followed by meetups in the evenings so if you can’t make the workshops there are other networking events you can attend.

Design by Coco Bourgeoisie

I’m happy to report that I’ve teamed up with Rebekah of 504 Stitches to help bring four days of coverage to Slow Southern Style. I will be attending the Wednesday and Thursday night parties and she will be covering the runway shows on Friday and Saturday on behalf of Slow Southern Style. Which events are you planning on attending?

Monday, March 21st

Evening: Paris Parker presents The Art of Style- Artist Sarah Ashley Longshore will have her Anna Wintour Collection on display to view with other fashionable attendees.

At: LePhare, 523 Gravier St.
7pm-11pm / Benefiting Friends of City Park through JT AWEAR

TUESDAY, MARCH 22

Day: Kids Fashion Day-  Children centered dress up day

At: Louisiana Children’s Museum, 420 Julia St.
10:30am-2:30pm / Benefiting Louisiana Children’s Museum

Evening: NOLAFW’s Night on the Town- New Orleans’ boutiques and shops open their doors to the fashion industry

At: Various Venues
5pm-9pm / Benefiting the sp[OIL]ed Campaign

Design by Coco Bourgeoisie

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23

Day: Production, Marketing and Styling Workshops

At: LePhare, 523 Gravier St.
10am-4pm

Evening: Industry Engaged Cocktails- happy hour event brings tenured individuals and up and comers alike  with Seema Sudan of liaMolly playing host.

At: Capdeville, 520 Capdeville St.
5pm-8pm / Benefiting Covenant House through JT AWEAR

Design by Coco Bourgeoisie

THURSDAY, MARCH 24

Day: Production, Marketing and Styling Workshops
At: LePhare, 523 Gravier St.
10am-4pm

Evening: NOLA Tidbits presents Digital Media and Local Fashion

At:  Martine Chaisson Gallery, 727 Camp St.
6:30pm-11pm

FRIDAY, MARCH 25

Day: 4 Runway Shows | 2 Accessory Presentations

At:  Ogden Museum, 925 Camp St.
11am-7pm

Evening: Amelie G Magazine presentsTri-Coastal Fashion-

 Enjoy cocktails and small plates,  hosted by Madeline Von Froomer & Chrissie Miller of the East Coast, Leah Bauer of the West Coast, and Elsa Brodmann of the Gulf Coast.

At: Ste. Marie, 930 Poydras St.
8pm-1am / Benefiting Coastal Restoration through JT AWEAR

SATURDAY, MARCH 26

Day: 6 Runway Shows

At: Ogden Museum, 925 Camp St.
11am-7pm

Evening: Scene Magazine presents NOLAFW Wrap Party.

At: Eiffel Society, 2040 St. Charles Ave.
9pm-1am / Benefiting NOLAFW Fall 2011

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Categories
designers fashion week

Alicia Zenobia- Right at home in New Orleans

The fact that New Orleans has three fashion weeks in 2011 is testament to the untapped talent this city has to offer. When you think of southern based designers proper pearls often come to mind but Alicia Zenobia has a different aesthetic that remains out of the ordinary yet fits right in. Having won this year’s Alegria Fashion Show she has already proven herself here in the Big Easy. I asked Alicia to describe her background and how she keeps one step ahead of the pack.
Designer: Alicia Zenobia
I came to New Orleans on a whim, to work on a collection for my line, Autonomous Clothing, for four months. When I realized I was in an artist’s paradise, I never went back to New York, where I had been living and working in the fashion industry for 5 years. I come from a sculptural background, having studied sculpture at RISD (I got my fashion chops at FIT afterwards). I wanted to make art three dimensionally, because I felt that it was more tangible to viewers. I got into fashion to be even more accessible to viewers both as participants and spectators. Just about everyone wears clothes…or as I like to say, everyone wears a costume every day.
Designer: Alicia Zenobia
There’s a certain satisfaction out of making the wearer feel exquisitely stunning, while entertaining onlookers with a visual spectacular. That being said, most of my work is loud, geared for the outgoing, and brings the underground to the forground. Ironically, I think I try to make the people who wear my clothes look as naked as they possibly can, without feeling self conscious…in fact actively making them feel empowered by their sassiness. I’ve had so many models who were initially nervous to wear anything too risque, come back after a show or a shoot feeling like the finest thing that ever walked the earth. And everyone around them is in agreeance.
Grecian Goddess Maxi Gown, one size fits all
I come a little from the left with my look and stylings, but it’s just because I’m constantly seeking to create something that isn’t just rehashed shit. I want to stun people, at least a little. I want to entertain! I want people to want to look at the infinite possibility of creativity. I want people to realize that they’ve got something to offer, that everyone’s got sexy in them, that they can be whatever character they want in the play that is their lives.

Also, in a more practical way, I don’t see the point in making a garment similar to one you could pick up at Forever21 for 20 bucks. Let them buy the thing for 20 bux, not the $150+ that I’d have to charge to make a one of a kind piece that, for all practical purposes, could be from Forever21. I want to make something that makes the wearer stand out, not blend in.

Exquisite Feather Hat/Headpiece, one size fits most
Catch Alicia competing for the top designer award at Fashion Week New Orleans tonight at the Sugar Mill. Her clothes are available for purchase via  Autonomous Clothing.
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Categories
events fashion week

Fashion Week New Orleans Schedule

For those of you living in New Orleans you may have heard about the three fashion weeks taking place  over the course of four weeks. While one has already passed I’d like to share the schedule for Fashion Week New Orleans, which is taking place this week. Over the course of four days there will be one kick off party followed by three nights filled with looks  from local designers and boutiques and each night will benefit a different local charity. The crown jewel of the week is the top designer competition in which the winner will receive trunk shows and a 90 day stint for their line at Hemline Boutique. It’s all taking place at The Sugar Mill, located at 1101 Convention Center Blvd.

Follow Fashion Week New Orleans on Facebook and Twitter to keep up with all of the events.

Tuesday, March 15th

Complimentary admission for all VIP pass holders Mixer at Twist

Wednesday, March 16th

Angellic Wedding Dress with handmade fabric feathers, Size 4 to 6
Top Design Contestant Alicia Zenobia of Autonomous Clothing

Top Designer Competition featuring Alicia Zenobia, Anthony Ryan Auld, Ashley Gunkel, Brennan Manuel, Carolina Gallop, Emily Riche, Esther Rose, Michelle Beatty, Molly Stackhouse, The Transportation Revolution

Boutique Runway Shows:

Swap
Lola
Buffalo Exchange
Lili Vintage Boutique
Frederick’s of Hollywood Swimsuit Collection – Limited Edition
Hemline


Thursday, March 17th


Righteous Fur
Howlpop
Spring Boutique
Dirty Coast
Prima Donna’s Closet
Indigo
Voluptuous Vixen
Loretta Jane By Kelli Cooper
Giggleberries
Belle Couture
Branch Out
Baby Bump
Red Carpet
Style Lab worn by NOLA Firefighters
Lissy
Greene Serene
Total Woman
Brinkman’s
House of Lounge
Cutting Edge Diva by John Joseph Delgadillo



Friday, March 18th


Top Design Finalists


Fairy Fashions
All About Me
Wish
Langford Market
Angelique
Attitude by Design by Lisa Bourgeois
Xiomara del Carmen
Fleur de Paris
Banana Republic
Brooks Brothers
BCBG MaxAzria
Jean Therapy
SELVAGGIOdesigns by Meghann Harney
Mixon by Anna Mixon of Miami
Kano Branon
Saks Fifth Avenue



And next up… Fashion Week NOLA schedule from #LAisthenewLA will be announced later on this week.

Twitter: slowsouthstyle Facebook: Slow Southern Style
Categories
fashion week new orleans

New Orleans Fashion Week Preview at Republic

A lot of you have heard about the multiple fashion weeks invading New Orleans in the next month, and many of you have e-mailed me inquiring about them.  Last weekend I attended the NOLA Fashion Week Preview at Republic as a member of the press. This is my recap of the night.

First and foremost I had a great time running into some old friends and new ones alike. Dorothy and I have become not only fashion partners in crime but impromptu Freret Street advocates so I’m always happy to get face time with her.

Some of the featured labels of the evening were Ottilie Brodmann, Jolie & Elizabeth, Sophomore, and Architecture by Matthew Arthur to name a few. I recognized most of the designers being represented but enjoyed learning of a few new ones as well.
Not gonna lie, I roll with a pretty fabulous group of talented individuals. Apparently I also like to hang with a bunch of shorties, minus Joey. Hey when you’re 5’1 literally looking up at people is hard work, better to stick to our own kind!
While Republic wasn’t packed it seemed everyone in attendance was curious as to what this particular fashion week will entail. I couldn’t help but think of Dexter when I saw that saran wrapped couch. Speaking of I need to catch up on the next season! Oh yea and that artfully placed pile of hangers? Yea, looks like my mess of a closet, just not so strategically placed.
Love this girl, Sarah Dewey of Jolie & Elizabeth. We’ve been helping each other out from the start! I fully endorse anything these girls do. Sarah and Jolie will be conducting a workshop at fashion week for budding designers. They’ve been wildly successful thus far and I love helping them in any way that I can.
So what are you looking forward to the most out of fashion week? How many events are you planning on attending?
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Categories
alabama designers events fashion week

Fashion Week

Alabama Chanin’s Spring 2010 collection  is currently up for perusal on style.com
I love the easy feeling of this collection. These are (soon to be) old favorites that can be layered into an existing wardrobe and worn season after season.
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All images via style.com

Twitter: slowsouthstyle Facebook: Slow Southern Style