The Fashion Week battle is now over and after months of negotiations New York and London have finally agreed to move up the dates for their September fashion shows. Originally the dates for New York, London and Italy's fashion weeks were scheduled to overlap forcing buyers and editors to pick and choose what shows they would attend. NY Fashion Week will now be held Sept. 6th-13th, followed by London Fashion Week Sept. 14th-18th, then Milan's Fashion Week Sept. 19th-25th and finally Paris Fashion week with shows Sept. 26th-Oct. 3rd.
Jan 30, 2012
Fashion Week Schedule Finalized
The Fashion Week battle is now over and after months of negotiations New York and London have finally agreed to move up the dates for their September fashion shows. Originally the dates for New York, London and Italy's fashion weeks were scheduled to overlap forcing buyers and editors to pick and choose what shows they would attend. NY Fashion Week will now be held Sept. 6th-13th, followed by London Fashion Week Sept. 14th-18th, then Milan's Fashion Week Sept. 19th-25th and finally Paris Fashion week with shows Sept. 26th-Oct. 3rd.
Seattle's Crowning Glory: Mane Blow Dry Bar
Earlier this month Mane Blow Dry Bar sauntered in to take it's place among the top players in Seattle's growing blow dry bar market. Located Downtown in the Grand Hyatt, Mane is on a mission to give guests the great hair day they've been dreaming about while providing a fun and relaxing experience that rivals big city blow dry bars in New York and L.A.
The experience starts with a few moments to unwind in the lounge while sipping on a complimentary beverage and leafing through fashion magazines. Guests can choose sparkling water, hot tea, or even a signature Mane Mocktail: Fever-Tree on the rocks with a squirt of lime. (It tastes just like Gin & Tonic!) After being summoned to the shampoo bar the stylist wraps my shoulders and neck in a warm towel and uses organic Argon oil to gently massage my scalp while the hair is dry, and then continues for an additional 5 minutes to massage the scalp while the hair is wet. You'll feel completely relaxed as you drift into a state of zen with your feet propped up on the footrest and the stress of the day melting away. Following the massage the stylist will shampoo and condition the hair exclusively using Neuma, a line of organic beauty products. Then it's off to the "mane event"- the blow dry and style session.
Guests can choose from 5 "Mane Looks": the "Au Natural" an everyday style with a little bit of oompf, the "Wave to your Fans" (the most popular), the "Up Down Diva" (a half-up style), the "Straight to the Point" (pin straight including a finish with a flat iron), and the "Va Va Voom" (major curl paired with extreme volume). I opt for the "Au Natural" because I like when stylists work their magic armed with only a blow dryer and a traditional round brush.
The style philosophy at Mane is to achieve volume through a quality blow dry instead of trying to work volume back into the hair with product later. This is the key to getting the maximum number of days possible out of a professional blow out and it's the technique that sets Mane apart from other blow dry bars in the city. "We focus on achieving root lift from the drying process," says Co-Owner Kate Winquist.
Mane blow outs are $35 and in 45 minutes (or less) you'll emerge feeling relaxed and rejuvenated with a fabulous head of hair. Beauty addicts will also want to check out Mane's great menu of add-on's including the MANE touch, a 10-minute scalp massage for $10, the MANE Tame, a deep conditioning treatment for $20, and even the MANE makeover, the glam treatment for lips and eyes for only $20, or the full face for $35.
A great blow dry and style needs to last so we asked MANE co-owner Kate Winquist to share some of her fave tips on extending the life of a great blow dry. # 1 - Try Neuma's Style Extender- This product is sold at MANE and works to extend style by refreshing hair between washing without leaving product build-up and flakes behind. Mist Neuma's Style Extender on the roots of dry hair, give it a quick blast of heat from your hair dryer and style as usual. The product works to cleanse the scalp and soak up oil at the roots to give users an additional 1-2 days of wear without the need for a wash.
# 2- Use a Silk Scarf at Night- Wrap hair in a silk scarf before you go to sleep. Silk diminishes the scalp's natural production of oils and can extend a blowout an extra day or two.
#3- Make sure to Clean your Brush- Extending the life of your blow out at home can sometimes be as simple as cleaning your usual brush to avoid adding extra oil and product into the hair.
#4- Pack an Umbrella- "I'm surprised by how few women in Seattle use an umbrella," says Kate, "If it's raining outside, hair needs to be protected or the rain will wash away any beautiful blowout." No umbrella? No problem. Mane also sells retro-rain hats for just such an occasion.
# 5- Wear a Shower Cap- Speaking of ruining a great blow dry with water. Your morning shower can be your blow out's worst enemy if you don't protect your hair from getting wet. Wrap your hair in a loose bun on top of your head and cover with a shower cap before getting in to avoid a frizzy style meltdown.
717 Pine St.
Seattle, WA 98101
206.352.6263
On Twitter @ManeBlowDryBar
Jan 20, 2012
Top 5 Spring Jewelry Trends
I'm the girl who wears jewelry to the gym. It's true. I can't part with my accessories and I literally never (ever) leave the house without earrings. Even when I travel I pack a mini jewelry box so that I can merchandise my accessories on the vanity table when I reach my destination. So in honor of jewelry junkies everywhere, here's a guide on how to incorporate Spring 2012's top fashion trends into your jewelry wardrobe.
The first trend I'm digging when it comes to spring fashion is the Black & White Trend. Whether you're drawn to black or prefer to proclaim your innocence in white, both colors are in for spring, especially when worn together. Tap into this trend with jewelry pieces that combine both colors. A black diamond cocktail ring, black and white pearl earrings or even chandelier earrings that incorporate black and white diamonds are the perfect way to play up this trend. 
The next trend that's making the rounds this spring: fabulous florals. From bold prints to romantic garden party colors the floral trend is "in" this season and it's super easy to make this look work for you when it comes to accessories. Pair your florals with colorful cocktail rings, pendants and flower-inspired earrings that play up the colors in your flower power print. 
Another big trend for spring is yellow. From pastel to neon, yellow is spring's ray of sunshine and could be spring's new neutral. Whether your completely committed to it or you prefer to tone it down, yellow jewelry can warm up your skin tone and add some much needed color to your spring wardrobe. 
The tribal trend is on it's way out but the global trend continues to evolve. Part 70's glam + part urban safari this trend includes wooden jewelry, gold bangles, exotic necklaces, and statement earrings with ethnic-inspired details. Although not exactly practical for my everyday life- I love a serious stack of gold bangles. 
White-On-White is another major trend for spring and it's certainly not for the faint of heart (or for anyone who is afraid of getting dirty.) As the mother of a toddler I have to admit- I love this trend but for practical reasons I probably can't wear it from head to toe. Instead, I'll partake in this trend by adorning myself with white pearl earrings, bracelets and maybe even a pearl statement ring.
No matter what trend you decide to try this spring, have fun with it! Play with color, texture and most importantly wear something that makes you feel fabulous!
Jan 13, 2012
Zumiez Wraps Another Epic 100k Event
Zumiez employees who sold over $100k in the past year received the all-expense paid trip to Key Stone, Colorado as a "Thank You" for their dedication and hard work. This year's 100k theme was the "Mall Olympics" set in the pinnacle era of mall culture: 1988-1992. Zumiez employees showed up in full 80's and 90's costumes repping their regions and districts as is customary for this event. The scene was a mix of extreme outfits inspired by The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, Saved by the Bell, Motley Crüe and tacky infomercials that made the rounds in the early 90's.
Highlights from the 100k Award ceremony held on Tuesday evening included a pair of baby white Bengal tiger cubs, music by electronic artist Skrillex, 80's pop artist Tiffany performing her hit single "I think we're alone now", a pretty legit Mr. T look-alike and music by an 80's hair metal cover band.
The top salesman of the year was Isaiah Beltran of store 010 in Santa Clara, California. Selling just shy of $700k he set a new sales record for the company and was lavishly rewarded with prizes including an all expense paid trip to board with professional industry snowboarders, a visit to Rob Dyrdek's Fantasy Factory (as seen on MTV), a tour of Neffs headquarters in Los Angeles, a custom snowboard, signed original artwork presented by Obey's Shephard Fairey, and a surprise "Thank You" on stage from rapper Lil Wayne. But of course, the biggest surprise for the 22-year old sales kid came when he was awarded a 2012 black Dodge Charger fully customized by KR3W.
The Zumiez 100k event also served as a platform for MTV's Rob Dyrdek to announce that he would be buying back Alien Workshop from Burton Snowboards who bought the skate brand nearly 4 years ago.
Congrats to Zumiez for producing such an amazing event unlike anything in the industry to recognize the people who who make it happen: the sales people on the floor who work hard to live the culture and sell the brand. For more info on Zumiez please visit www.zumiez.com. You can also follow Zumiez on Twitter @Zumiez.
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Zumiez is a Washington-based retailer with over 400+ stores throughout the U.S. and Canada. The first Zumiez store made it's debut in 1978 in the Northgate Mall and since then the company has grown to become one of the leading action sports retailers in the country specializing in apparel, footwear and hardgoods for skate and snow. Company goals for 2012 include driving comp store sales, adding new stores at a rate of 8-10% per year (domestically), continuing to drive e-commerce sales, and focusing on growth initiatives.Jan 12, 2012
Seattle FGI gets Back to Business
Last night Seattle's Chapter of Fashion Group International conducted it's official voting process to appoint several new members to the Board of Directors. The slate included Jaclyn Reiner of 24 Seven to take the position of Social Media Director, Julia Ryan of The Art Institute of Seattle for the Programming role, and Jan Klier of All Klier Photography for the position of Regional Director.
Over the past year while serving as Regional Director I've had the opportunity to work along side a very special group of industry professionals including Mayna Sgaramella of Closet Fly, Theresa Olson of the UW Retail Management Program, Danielle Bortone-Holt of Brick House Photography and Jan Klier of All Klier Photography. These individuals shared my vision for putting Seattle FGI back on the map by streamlining operations in an effort to get back to the business of fashion. They worked countless hours to help execute the initiatives set forth by the group and continue to remain dedicated to the mission of the organization.
In addition to the volunteer hours worked by the Board of Directors, the progress made in the past year would not have been possible without the leadership of a strong team of advisors to the board including Vivian Miller-Rahl, Pat Nugent and Rose Dennis. They each spent valuable time working with the board to help strategize ways to move the group forward. They were also the ones working behind the scenes to open doors, make introductions and bring back seasoned members of the Fashion industry who had been part of FGI in the past.
During the past year FGI brought back the monthly Members-Only Newsletter featuring Member Spotlights, exclusive discounts and fashion news. We also added a second edition of the newsletter that goes out to a general public featuring FGI events, member news and fashion industry stories that are relevant to the Seattle market. For the first time in many years we also brought back the Olive J. Smith scholarship fund to students participating in the UW Fashion Certificate program. Another big development for Seattle's FGI chapter was renewing our commitment to support the YWCA's Dress for Success Program by helping to sponsor the 9th Annual Closet Treasures sale.
Our biggest accomplishment in 2011 was bringing back business programming that was relevant to the Seattle fashion industry. In addition to the semi-annual trend events, programming highlights for the year included a special Retail & E-Commerce event featuring Bag, Borrow or Steal, Eddie Bauer, Indochino and Zeitgeist Research. We also hosted an intimate Members-Only event featuring the President of Supima Cotton, Jesse Curlee and secured a special FGI meet & greet with Diane Von Furstenberg at the Bellevue Nordstrom store.
It's been an honor serving as the Regional Director for Seattle's Chapter of Fashion Group International. I've enjoyed working with such a great fashion industry-focused non-profit organization and I look forward to seeing what the newly appointed Board of Directors has in store for 2012! Thanks for the memories!
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For more information on FGI please visit fgi.org. Follow Seattle FGI on Twitter @Seattlefgi. For questions on membership or other general inquiries please email Seattlefgi@gmail.com.
Career Advice from a Fashion Industry Insider
I’ve worked my way up through the retail chain, into the corporate office and behind-the-scenes at premier fashion events. Here’s a summary of my fashion advice, lessons learned and biggest tips to breaking into the industry.Network
There are so many good reasons why networking should be a high priority on your list. It’s free, it’s a great way to get to know others in the industry, a great way to collaborate with others on future projects and it’s a great way to find out about potential job opportunities. If you’re really serious about networking then you may want to consider joining fashion industry networking groups like Fashion Group International. The Seattle chapter is looking for new members with high energy now!
Get Experience
No amount of classroom work can prepare you for the real world so it’s important that you supplement what you are learning in school with real work experience in the fashion industry. If you’ve never worked in retail now is the time to get a part-time job. It’s hard to grasp the concept of retail management, merchandising and personal selling if you have never had to actually do any of these things. I can also tell you that most corporate office employees have worked on the sales floor at one point or another so do yourself a favor and gain that entry-level experience now so that it won’t hold you back later.
Work Hard
For some people this may go without saying but for others this may be a new concept. You can’t just skate by in this industry without rolling up your sleeves and working hard, so whether it’s putting in time studying for you classes or working a part-time job to gain experience in the field, work hard. A solid work ethic goes a long way in this industry and high levels of integrity will not go unrewarded. The fashion industry is tough, it can chew you up and spit you out and you have to be strong enough to get right back up and keep going. It often requires long hours, working in multiple time zones, and working to make the impossible happen, so if you’re not prepared to work hard, this may not be the industry for you.
Specialize
Find something you are good at and stick to it. People that claim to be good at “everything” are delusional. The truth is, everyone has a specialty and it’s important that you find yours now so that you can practice, develop your skills and find a niche.
Volunteer
Volunteering is another great way to gain experience so if you enjoy fashion industry events like fashion shows, consider volunteering to help out. This is a great way for you to see behind-the-scenes at your favorite events, network with event producers and add to your fashion resume.
Find a Mentor
I wouldn’t be where I am today if I didn’t have strong, intelligent women to guide me along the way and that’s why I suggest finding a mentor who can help you navigate your path to success. A good mentor can give you advice about where to start, what moves to make and what mistakes to avoid.
Do an Internship
At many fashion schools internships are required for graduation but if they are not, consider doing one anyway. They are invaluable and can help you break into the industry upon graduation. I’ve had many interns help out at my current company and we have hired at least half a dozen of them to work for us full-time upon graduation. If you meet someone at a fashion industry event who’s working in a field you are interested in, ask them if they hire interns. Most companies won’t turn down free help. On a side note, if you do decide to pursue an internship, work hard and make yourself shine. Everything you say and do will be remembered and it’s important to be on point and professional no matter how casual the work environment appears to be. It always surprises me when interns flake out, show up late, don’t show up at all or have an attitude problem when asked to do a task. It may be unpaid work but it’s allowing you to gain insight into a potential career path and the company you work for may just extend a job offer when you are done with school. So work hard and stay on good terms with the company you intern for.
Stay on Top of Industry Trends
If you’re going into the fashion industry then it’s important you stay on top of what’s going on. There are numerous sites that compile industry news like Women’s Wear Daily, DNR and WGSN so make sure you check in and keep yourself in the know. You can also check out Style.com, Ny Mag’s Fashion Section, or the New York Times Style Section which comes out every Thursday and Sunday.
Clean up your Image
If you’re all over the web on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and other social networking sites, consider cleaning up your image. Prospective employers can easily search the web for additional information about you and your chances to getting a job offer will significantly narrow if there are drunk pictures of you and your friends all over the Internet. My advice? Keep it classy, and if you don’t, at least set your profiles to private.
The best advice I can give you is that if you work hard and set goals, you can achieve anything. Good luck!
Still have questions? Feel free to drop me a line at Sydneylovesfashion@gmail.com.
Jan 10, 2012
Zumiez Kicks off Annual 100k Event
Last night Zumiez kicked off it's annual 100k event in Key Stone, Colorado. The Everett, Washington based retailer flew more than 1100+ store employees and over 50+ members of the home office staff to snowboard and celebrate another great year of strong sales. Employees who sold over $100,000 in the past year received the all-expense paid trip as a reward for their hard work. A welcome party was held for attendees last night and was followed by a day of snowboarding (today). The 2 day event will conclude this evening with the Grand Finale/ Awards ceremony that will no doubt include special guest appearances and lavish prizes from many of the action sports brands carried by the retailer. Stay tuned! More details (and pics) to follow.
Jan 6, 2012
Pantone Kicks off Color of the Year Campaign
Seattle Fashion Group member and Executive Director of the Pantone Color Institute Leatrice Eiseman is everywhere these days. Just weeks after launching her new book Pantone: The 20th Century in Color she unveiled the 2012 Pantone color of the year: Tangerine Tango. Yesterday a Q&A with the color guru was even featured in The New York Times. In the interview Leatrice describes this year's spirited reddish-orange color as exactly what we need to "recharge and move forward.”
The Color of the Year buzz will continue this spring when Pantone partners with Sephora to debut a limited-edition make-up line. Scheduled to launch in April of 2012 the line will include color of lips, cheeks, eyes and nails. Price points will range from $18-80.
Pantone: The 20th Century in Color book was even featured in Oprah's Holiday Gift guide. Congrats Leatrice! You've got a best-seller on your hands! The book is available now in select retailers and online at Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble.com.
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