Wisconsin Fashion Week: Fresh Face Winner

First of all, read my take on Wisconsin Fashion Week, below this post …

I also wanted to congratulate Fresh Face Model Competition winner Paige Butler for her outstanding job on the runway. Part of Butler's appeal (and I say this because I saw her in Friday and Saturday's shows) is that one could see her in many looks—from edgy (like at the streetwear event) to casual (as shown in the photo here from Saturday's show, taken by photographer Timothy Hughes). Models that can show a wide range of looks from haute couture all the way to catalog work can do quite well in their career because they can adjust their look to each client.

Butler has a strong walk and a beautiful face. Part of what can distract me during a show is the model's walk—if they don't have it just right, it can easily detract the onlooker from the fashion. Also a model's facial expression is huge—sometimes in an effort to look—as Tyra so beautifully puts it—fierce, a model can end up looking angry. A neutral expression is usually best.

I don't pretend to be a model, so hey, this is why I don't model, right :)? Nice job, Paige!

P.S.: I want that dress she's wearing, from Sable & Sky. It's really cute.

Wisconsin Fashion Week: A Recap

"I just don't get Bottega Veneta this season." No, I didn't hear that line spoken at Wisconsin Fashion Week, and yes, I really did read that line recently in The New York Times Style section (a stylist said that in an article and it made me laugh. Haha!)

Yes folks, Wisconsin Fashion Week has come and gone and most of you might be wondering: How did it go? It might not have been the Bryant Park crowd in their Marc Jacobs garb (discussing Bottega Veneta this season) and Valentino handbags, but our own fashion week went very well, thank you. Here's my take on this fashionable fiesta of events ...



Menswear, Stylista Competition, Womenswear Trend and Womenswear Premium Shows
Saturday at Overture Center was a veritable buffet of fashion: men's and women's looks were showcased throughout an all-day "Style District."

Saturday's midday menswear show featured fashions by Jazzman--and I must say, the sight of beautiful men didn't hurt the eyes, either! The male models were polished and did a nice job of showcasing the clothing. I wish that more local stores were represented--but then again, there's not much selection for LOCAL menswear! Perhaps next year more stores will get involved.

The Stylista Competition was quite innovative and I wasn't sure what to expect. The show actually quite reminded me of the Hair Affair event held recently at Overture—models were styled with a full hair and makeup look, complete with a coordinating outfit.

The looks were more avant-garde/artsy than actual looks to wear out and about. After all, wearing white body paint with glitter on it might not be something one would wear out to the grocery store! Rosalee Eichstedt and Headlines Salon won the competition in the clothing and hair categories while Indulge Spa won for makeup. (See their creative looks in the slideshow!) By the way, I was a judge in the Fresh Faces Model Competition as well as for the Stylista Competition, and it was great fun to be a part of the events representing the magazine.

Nighttime brought my favorite part--womenswear! The night was split up into two parts: a trend portion, which showcased youthful, edgier and more affordable lines. The premium portion, held later, was a mix of evening/special-occasion wear, handmade frocks and pricier brands and stores.

Some notable collections:
Maverick Clothing by Kayla Garland was an edgier line—looks were layered, and black and red was the dominant color theme. Most of the looks were worn with ripped leggings and featured recycled elements in the clothing. Models sported faux-hawks and red lips.

Vintage S.E.X.Y. was cute, using recycled/vintage looks to make new looks—like a cowgirl outfit with a plaid shirt and denim skirt.

Fred Boutique from Milwaukee sells celebrity-inspired fashions for affordable prices and their collection was put together quite nicely: models had beautiful jewelry to go with each look and fun, colorful shoes.

Daria Karaseva and Premiere Couture showed special-occasion dresses. Karaseva's were constructed of silks and taffetas; Premiere Couture can't be beat in their selection of gorgeous wedding dresses in lace and silk.

Jessica Catherine's (whose things I always love) line was cocktail dresses constructed of dupioni silk, all perfectly ladylike with a touch of sex appeal. She favors a streamlined silhouette that shows off a woman's curves—but incorporates a fun detail in each dress. That might be a yellow chiffon ruffle down the front of a navy halter dress or a chiffon multicolored scarf stitched on to a navy strapless dress. Her last two looks (amazingly!) were wedding dresses—both for the fashion-forward bride. The first was a strapless column dress of white dupioni that transitioned into a fitted cascading chiffon ruffle skirt—a gorgeous silhouette. The second was a white dupioni halter dress with an A-line skirt that was gathered in beautiful folds randomly throughout the skirt. One could see the dresses in color on a celebrity at an awards ceremony. I'm just saying :)!

J LaMore and Twigs both put on impressive shows that were incredibly polished and cohesive—these were two of my favorites.
LaMore's show started with an amazing performance by Native American Art Shegonee and his daughter. The performance kicked off LaMore's themed collection of boho/tribal looks in everything from maxidresses to rompers. Models strutted down the runway with genuine Native American artifacts like bows and arrows, drums and more. All of the artifacts were borrowed from Katy's American Indian Arts.

Twigs' look was South Beach prep mixed with touches of tribal influences as well. That meant bright, vibrant prints, safari looks and metallic touches in shoes, jewelry and handbags.
I was especially impressed by Twigs' show because they did what big-name designers when they show their lines during Fashion Week: transition looks in a way that they flow seamlessly together. It's hard to explain here, but that usually means the designer shows looks in order from casual to eveningwear, all the while tying each outfit strategically together so it flows into the next look. For example, Prada might show an wool trenchcoat, followed by a wool skirt suit followed by a wool jumper—each look ties strategically into the next. And yet the looks are differentiated by a pop of color or something else that sets it apart. I thought Twigs did this nicely.

I hope that Wisconsin Fashion Week can thrive next year and become an even better event with more attendance. Saturday's daytime menswear show was sparsely attended so perhaps grouping all of the shows (mens- and womenswear) together might work, or showing menswear on a different day of the week might up the attendance. Like I said, who can't resist looking at the beautiful men?! More people should get in on that!

But seriously, Kristi Moe did a good thing for the Wisconsin fashion community by bringing together people that care about fashion, like to have a good time—and more importantly, want to host an exciting celebration in a city that's typically known for the Farmers' Market and the state Capitol. We might not be evaluating the latest in Bottega Veneta's spring/summer 2010 collection like the editors of Vogue do at Bryant Park—but hey, we can still have a little fun with fashion, too.

Wisconsin Fashion Week: A Recap Continued ...

Streetwear & Emerging Designers Runway Show
This event was held at 345 West Washington, in between the under-construction Hyatt Place and the Capitol West condos. The venue was supposed to convey "urban"--and I think it was a unique place to show off young and/or emerging designers. Designers included UW–Madison's Textile and Apparel Student Associated (TASA), Internal Construction, N.E.W.D. Clothing and Sconnie Nation. If you click on the slideshow you can see what was shown.

My favorite collection was Internal Construction, the line designed by Becky Heller and Jessica Neumann. Pieces were fun and sassy rompers, perfect for a day-to-night look. And that's exactly what the two were going for--pieces that could be worn while biking to work or school but are still dressy enough to wear out at night. I liked the gray/black romper shown last in the show--unfortunately my photo is not great of that piece, but I assure you, it was cute!

One of the strengths of their collection was the total look--Heller and Neumann clearly paid close attention to detail. Each model sported colorful eye shades or stripes of bright, colorful makeup along with leggings in colors like fuschia, sheer black, silver and yellow. In sum, their collection looked pulled-together and fresh, unlike anything I've ever seen.

Some of the TASA students showed some strong looks as well--the fanciful Carrie Bradshaw-esque tutu dress was cute, along with the more conceptual black and white dress with structured skirt and the yellow/white dress whose skirt looked like it was composed of curled ribbons (see slideshow).

Sconnie Nation surprised me with their fresh, breezy collection of T-shirts, sweatshirts, long-sleeve Ts and underwear. Models wore retro-look plastic sunglasses and walked in pairs of guys and gals (I only have one photo of Sconnie Nation in the slideshow).

Other collections had hits and misses--I recall at least one dress that was cut so high it showed, um, the model's behind—which isn't the most flattering look! :) Tim Gunn would have certainly reprimanded said designer for allowing a model to go down the runway showing her goodies off!

Overall the event was fun and represented the look that executive producer Kristi Moe was no doubt going for--fun, youthful and cutting-edge. I think that more work could be done in pulling together an even more cohesive event--the collections (to me) didn't so much say "streetwear" as they did "new emerging talent," so perhaps if this event is held next year the event could showcase strictly streetwear or just the emerging talent.

Events

Bop’s Stock Up on Summer Essentials sale
When: May 21–May 24
Where: Bop, 222 W. Gorham St.
Details: Quick—think beach. Er, I guess in our case, think a cool lake on a hot summer day. And what does one need lakeside? A cute swimsuit, sandals and sunglasses, of course! Look no further than Bop—whose summer essentials sale means thirty percent off sandals, swim and sunglasses from Thursday, May 21 to Sunday, May 24. (Photos: Brett Sandler purple bikini and Vix black bikini both available at the store, images courtesy of Bop.)
More info: Bop, 222 W. Gorham St. 255-2570. (In-store sale only)

Wisconsin Fashion Week Fashion Fridays
When: May 22, 7 p.m.
Where: 345 W. Washington Ave.
Details: View a runway show focusing on streetwear and emerging designers. Students from UW–Madison’s Textile and Apparel Student Association will showcase their designs as well as Internal Construction, N.E.W.D. Clothing and Sconnie Nation.
More info: www.wisconsinfashionweek.com

Wisconsin Fashion Week Fashion Fridays and Style District
When: May 23, 12:30–9:30 p.m.
Where: Overture Center, 201 State St.
Details: This all-day “style district” features a menswear show (male models sporting Jazzman), Stylista competition (makeup artists, hairstylists and fashion stylists style models and battle for who comes out with the best look) and three women’s runway shows at night—trend, premium and a Go Red for Women show with live auction at the end.
More info: wisconsinfashionweek.com

Stylemaker Q&A: Kristi Moe on Wisconsin Fashion Week

Let's play a little word association. What do you think of when hear the term "fashion week"? Do you carry a mental image of Anna Wintour, editor of Vogue, wearing her signature dark shades, sitting in the front row of Marc Jacobs? Or perhaps leggy fashion editors sporting all- black ensembles (leather leggings, oversize tank and Alexander Wang blazer—don't forget the fierce, teetering, five-inch YSL platforms!) hanging out at cocktail parties? Let's not forget the ravishing models lounging backstage, sipping Champagne...

Kristi Moe (left), executive producer of Wisconsin Fashion Week, nixes these connotations for our own fashion extravaganza, Wisconsin Fashion Week (May 19-23), right here in Madison. "Inclusion" is a word I hear her repeat throughout our interview—and with good reason, because the week is aiming to attract all different audiences who dig fashion—from guys to gals, young and old and those of all different abilities.

Read on for what next week has in store—and rest assured, you can wear last season's pumps. I won't tell.

What was the original impetus behind you starting Madison Fashion Week, Fashion Fridays and, eventually, Wisconsin Fashion Week?
My original concept came out of a freelance client I had. I suggested they do a runway show—but when I started looking into it, I realized there isn’t a consistent, well-run, fashion show here besides ones for nonprofits and whatnot—which are great, too.
But from a PR background that’s what motivated me to get into it. I’m a non-biased player and I can work with all of these people and help all that are involved. It’s a very neat position to be in.

Clearly, Fashion Week has changed—most noticeably with the name change from Madison Fashion Week to this year’s Wisconsin Fashion Week. What other changes will event-goers notice?
This year it’s a lot more collaborative and on a much larger scale. It’s more than just my vision; it’s a community-involved event. It’s much more high profile too—we’re stepping it up by having [the Saturday runway shows] at Overture Center.
We brought in the Fashion Council. My expertise is not in photography or modeling. So the people in the Fashion Council give me recommendations because they have expertise in those areas. For example, Adam Perkins is great with photography. He understands the language and is great with networking with other photographers.

As executive producer, what does your role entail?
Well, the Fashion Council is really good at taking things off of my to-do list. All of them are people with part- or full-time jobs, too, so they help out when they can. But I’m still really involved in pretty much every event that’s going on.
One of my friends joked that my title should be diva, but I don’t want that title! It sounds negative (laughs).

How is Wisconsin Fashion Week different from, say, New York or L.A. Fashion Week?
It’s really for the ordinary Jane who won’t get an invite to New York or L.A. Fashion Week. We’re focused on the “now” and it’s much more about the experience; women can feel like a celebrity in their own town and become their own fashion icon. Fashion is what you make it, and here’s a reason to for you to express yourself.
Also, there will be mini-boutiques at Overture for before and after the runway shows where people can shop. If people like what they see in the show, they could literally buy it and wear it out that night!

How is an event of this scale able to go on in these economic times?
It’s very grassroots—it’s because of the sponsors it’s able to go on. It’s different from last year from a participant standpoint, too. There are a lot more designers this year—they’ve really come out of the woodwork! It’s much more balanced with boutiques and designers.
There are probably over one hundred people involved in Wisconsin Fashion Week. The models and photographers are doing this for free for the experience. It’s just really a good way to get everyone in this industry connected.

Can you describe some of the events going on throughout the week?
The avant-garde show (Tuesday) isn’t necessarily retail-ready collections (Ed’s note: In other words, the show will feature fashions that are more conceptual/artistic).
The Fashion For All Abilities show (Wednesday) is really inclusion from a modeling perspective. It also emphasizes how important it is from a business perspective to cater to those with special needs.
Friday is urban wear/streetwear. It emphasizes the youth culture, and it’s not necessarily mainstream.
The Stylista show is Saturday during the day and has hairstylists, makeup artists and fashion stylists compete and prep models in a live competition.
Saturday’s shows [menswear and women’s wear] are much more mainstream. At 6 p.m. is the [women’s] trend show, which [has fashions with] a better price point and would attract possibly a younger market.
The 8:30 p.m. show [features fashions with] a higher price point.
After that is the Go Red for Women auction, which will feature models of all ages, including older models.
[In total] the shows will have men, women, old, young, plus-size, different body types and different abilities.

What event are you most excited about?
Friday—as long as it doesn’t rain! (laughs) It’s in the courtyard at 345 West Washington. It’s more entertainment-focused. Two groups are coming up here from Chicago: Ivy League, who sing a song called “Pose” that’s all about modeling. Project Mayhem is a hip-hop group that’s into the Ralph Lauren subculture.

Who do you see attending Fashion Week events?
Women ages twenty-five to fifty-five is really what we’re targeting. Last year’s event was much more youth-focused; this year will be more of a mainstream crowd. Mom can come with her daughter or girls can do a girls’ day out.

How did you find your models?
We did a tour in Madison, Chicago and Milwaukee. It really reaffirmed what talent we have. There was one really great model, a fifteen-year-old, who just signed with the Rock Agency two months ago. I was really excited to see her—she’s someone new and hopefully through Fashion Week someone might want to book her for photo shoots with stores or designers.
We received a lot of great applications—it was hard to say no! But it was important they were able to take direction from us, and confidence was another huge thing.

What have been the challenges of putting on this week?
The sheer size—there’s a lot of detail that goes into a high-quality event.
The economic environment being what it is, sponsorships have been a challenge. But we’ve been well received by people. People get excited about this because they know it’s for them.
Despite the economy, though, participation from the designers and retailers has been overwhelming—they realize the value of being able to connect with their customers.

How would you describe the Midwest’s fashion sensibility?
We’re much more about how fashion fits our lives. Internal Construction (Ed’s note: Internal Construction is a line is by Jessica Neumann and Becky Heller and composed of versatile one-piece garments) is a good example. Biking to work and still looking cute—that’s our strength in fashion, and we bring something different.

What’s the next step for Wisconsin Fashion Week?
It would be great to reach outside of Madison, perhaps more to Milwaukee, incorporating more designers and stores in different cities in Wisconsin. There is so much more to be discovered. The events could possibly be more inclusive to different areas, to get more participation and interest. An event needs to have the community involved, and that’s why we’ve been able to grow.

What impression would you like people to leave these events with?
I want them to be entertained. I’d like people to think about shopping locally. I’d like them to know that a dress that’s tailored and designed for them is within their budget—they could get a custom-designed dress for $100!

So planning Fashion Fridays and Wisconsin Fashion Week is your full-time gig, right?
Yes, it is. So it’s really a great opportunity for me at this level—it’s something new and creative. There are risks involved and going into it. I knew what the risks were, but I really wanted to do it. If it doesn’t work out I always have a backup plan for myself, but I wanted to do this.

Wisconsin Fashion Week, May 19-23, various locations. Tickets: $50/week pass, $30/week student pass. For more information on Wisconsin Fashion Week please visit wisconsinfashionweek.com

Events: Sales, Food, Fashion Shows and More!

Local Microbrew, Wine, and Artisan Cheese Tasting PLUS Weekend Sale at Indocara
When: Friday, May 8th, 5–9 p.m.
Where: Indocara, 540 W. Washington Ave.
Details: Ummmmm, who doesn’t like local brews, cheeses and wines? That’s what I thought. Quaff brews from Ale Asylum, Capital Brewery, Great Dane Pub & Brewing Co., New Glarus Brewing Company and sip wines from Wollersheim Winery. Plus taste local artisan cheese from Metcalfe’s Sentry. Other participating businesses include: Mosaic, Ellieflower, Bella Designs, Indus Beads, Jessica Catherine Designs, Renaissance and Cha Cha Tea.
The sale runs through Sunday, May 10 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Receive up to seventy percent off.
More info: RSVP for party to: events@indocara.com (Please include in email names of attendees for entry list. Space is limited to 200). 251-7711. indocara.com

Atticus One-Year Anniversary Sale
When: Until Saturday, May 9
Where: 18 N. Carroll St.
Details: Atticus is all grown up! Come and celebrate the store’s milestone—spend $125, get $25 off; spend $250 and get $50 off; and spend $500 and get $100 off on your purchase.
More info: 204-9001. atticusshop.com

World Fair Trade Day
When: May 9, 10 a.m.–9 p.m.
Where: Fair Indigo, 570 N. Midvale Blvd.
Details: Fair trade has long been a buzzword in retail—paying people fair wages and helping promote ecological practices just makes sense. On May 9, Fair Indigo is donating 100 PERCENT of its sales that day in honor of World Fair Trade Day—fifty percent will go to a local school and fifty percent to the Fair Indigo Foundation. The Foundation “is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to improving educational opportunities in the developing countries where Fair Indigo factories are located,” per a press release. World Fair Trade Day is the second Saturday in May and is organized by the International Fair Trade Association across seventy countries. It focuses on trading fairly with millions of producers.
More info: 661-7662. fairindigo.com

Flux Fashion Show
When: May 9, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Where: Monona Terrace, 1 John Nolen Dr.
Details: Every year the School of Human Ecology at UW–Madison sends off promising young design students looking to make their mark in the sartorial world—like a junior Karl Lagerfeld, or perhaps a younger Donna Karan. See their work at this show.
More info: flux2009@mail.sohe.wisc.edu or 262-4897.

HospiceCare Thrift Store Fashion Show
When: Monday, May 18, 5:30–8 p.m.
Where: HospiceCare Thrift Store, 122 Junction Rd.
Details: For those that have attended this event in the past, you know what fabulous outfits are featured—using thrift store fashions! Check out beautiful dresses, accessories, menswear and more. Cost is $15/person.
More info: 833-4556

Wisconsin Fashion Week
Where: Various locations
When: May 19–23
Details: A series of fashionable events including: runway shows, workshops, parties and more for the fashionista (is there a male word for fashionista?? Who knows) in all of us. More on this event in an upcoming blog.
More info: wisconsinfashionweek.com