Events

3rd Annual Atwood-Winnebago Winter Festival
When: December 5, 5–9 p.m.
Where: Particpating Atwood-area businesses like Absolutely Art, bad dog frida, Bunky’s Café, Café Zoma, Milio’s, Sugar Shack Records, Tex Tubb’s Taco Palace and more.
Details: Explore over twenty businesses in the Winnebago-Atwood neighborhood. Live music, free samples and door prize drawings will also be available!
More information: winnatwood.org

Holiday Jewelry Preview–Recession Beater Prices
When: November 15–26
Where: Fanny Garver Gallery, 230 State St.
Details: Handmade gold and silver jewelry, freshwater pearls and more will be in-store. With prices between $25–$250, prices are just right.
More information: 256-6755. fannygarvergallery.com

Indocara 3rd Anniversary Party
When: November 20–23
Where: Indocara, 540 W. Washington Ave.
Details: Have you been to Indocara? If you still haven’t gone, here’s your chance to check out this modern global furnishings wonderland. New items have just arrived! Celebration events throughout the day on November 20 include Cha Cha tea and cookies from 2–4 p.m., and a cheese and wine reception from 4–8 p.m.
More information: 251-7711. indocara.com

Premiere Couture Prom Sneak Peek Party
When: November 23
Where: Premiere Couture, 1921 Monroe St.
Details: For those attending Prom here’s a chance to check out the hot styles for 2009. Rate each design as “hot” or “not.” Snacks and prizes will be there, and one lucky girl will win a free prom dress. If Mom attends, she’ll receive a free gift, too. Pre-register for the 1 p.m., 3 p.m. or 5 p.m. time slot.
More information: email info@premierecouture.com to pre-register. 255-1921. href="http://www.Premierecouture.blogspot.com" target="new">premierecouture.blogspot.com

Ebony Fashion Fair
When: December 7, 8–10:30 p.m.
Where: Monona Terrace Convention Center, 1 John Nolen Dr.
Details: A fashion show you don’t want to miss: I attended last year and was totally wowed. This New York-style fashion show showcases the hottest designers in fashion today, like Roberto Cavalli, Anna Sui, Missoni, Vivienne Westwood and more. Proceeds from the event benefit The Madison Links Annual Student Recognition and Scholarship Program.
More information: Madison Links: 277-8548. ebonyfashionfair.com

Fashion Show Photos

Imagine: the house lights are dim, the excitement is palpable and the house music is bumping. Show attendees are wearing their best: lipstick-red pumps, bubble dresses and designer denim. As the show begins, beautiful, lithe models strut their stuff on the runway modeling the latest from Oscar de la Renta, Christian Lacroix, Bill Blass, Carolina Herrera and more.
Nope, I wasn't at New York Fashion Week; I attended the fabulous Ebony Fashion Fair this past weekend right here in Madison. The "world's largest traveling fashion show" celebrated its fiftieth anniversary this year.
Besides showcasing fashion giants like Roberto Cavalli and Dolce & Gabbana, the show had a greater purpose, too: to serve as a fundraiser for the Madison Metropolitan Chapter of The Links. This worldwide nonprofit, service-based volunteer organization strives to "enriching, sustaining and ensuring the culture and economic survival of African Americans and other persons of African ancestry." Since the Madison chapter's inception in 1985, The Links have awarded over $100,000 in scholarships to Madison youth.
A good cause and good clothing? I'm in!

Hot trends I saw:
Metallics, glitz and glamour. Fantastic sequin-encrusted minidresses, a disco-shine sequin jumpsuit and a ladylike golden coat were all here.



Fur. Models were covered from head to toe—literally—in all kinds of furs. Models sported fur-trimmed cuffs on coats, a mink shrug and floor-length coats.

Animal prints. Lions and tigers and—well, OK not bears—but animals of all stripes were represented. Check out the three lovely models clad in their fashion-forward animal-print frocks.

Plaid. Plaid was the ticket in wide-leg pants, duster coats and jumpers. Many of the outfits were very matchy-matchy (i.e.: a plaid coat with matching shift dress underneath), and therefore more suited to the runway than the realway. So use just one of these plaid pieces to jazz up an outfit.

Tailored, polished looks. Check out the black belted cardigan with wide-leg pants or the elegant Grecian-inspired white shift dress with metallic accents.


Brights. The runway was an abundance of rich color: chartreuse, mustard yellow, apple red and of course, this striped, full-skirted frock. Outfits also mixed and matched colors like a mustard-yellow trench and fringed dress paired with shiny red pumps and a vibrant plum pleated shirt (paired with gray pants) and minidress.




The new swimsuit. Swimsuits were given the full-fashion treatment in metallics, stripes and animal prints. Paired with elegant caftans and wrap dresses, these pieces were practically outfits.

Embellished denim. Sequins and embroidery dressed up this wardrobe standby and made it more evening-worthy. With casual becoming more of the norm these days, I'm not surprised.
Finally, check out Elizabeth Wewerka (owner of Lady Moxie) and myself with our "posse" of male models...ha ha. These gentlemen modeled in the fashion show. Bottom photo courtesy of mandophotography.com