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UPDATE: Jamie Thorn Jewelry has been added to the mix - now we will have 9 local designers for your shopping pleasure!
A networking group of men and women in the fashion industry
Bring a friend and kick back, relax and start your holiday gift shopping! A portion of all proceeds will benefit breast cancer awareness and research.
The owner of Duque Salon & Spa is a breast cancer survivor and has generously offered us their space for the evening. They will be providing mini spa services at Duque and consultations with a makeup artist at their cosmetic studio next door, Shimmer Beauty Bar. The first 30 people in the door will get a great bag of swag! There are also some amazing raffle prizes that we will give away throughout the evening, including spa/salon services and a set of lash extensions worth over $125! There will be other specials on all services during the event - if you feel the need to indulge.
We have several vendors who will be selling jewelry, candles, spa products and great gift items for you and all those on your list. If you feel so inclined, please also bring some nibbles or a beverage to share while you shop. This event is open to anyone...so bring a girlfriend or forward this event to anyone you wish!
Duque Salon & Shimmer Beauty Bar are located right at the bell tower in old Ballard.
www.duquesalon.com
2009 has been a difficult year
Entrepreneurs have had to be resilient and resourceful, nimble and creative. It has been especially challenging for independent boutiques and shops. Our neighborhoods are populated with fabulous, unique and interesting businesses that create the personality and character we love. We have lost many of our favorites all over the region and we are at risk of losing more in 2010.
I am increasingly convinced that collaboration is the best model for success in business and life. As women, we practice that quality instinctively. Our Ladies Who Launch community is blessed to include some of the most generous and passionate women with which I have ever had the privilege to be associated...and I am hoping all of you would like the opportunity to show the world (at least, our corner of it) what brilliant, committed and passionate women can achieve.
"Survival isn't a solo act"
What are you willing to do?
If you are a retail shop, would you spend 2 hours at a meeting to collaborate?
If you have a product to sell, would you do a trunk show or a 'pop-up' shop?
If you are a PR Diva, would you help with Press Releases and Media attention?
If you are a Marketing Guru, would you design an Event Template?
If you are an Event Planner, would you give advice and counsel?
If you are an artist or entertainer, would you be available for an Event?
If you are in the media, would you talk or write about this effort?
If you are a lady who's launching, would you show up and support us?
Sign up now, come to the meeting, offer your suggestions, bring your ideas, support us and collaborate!
So, why am I doing this?
I love retail...30 years at an entrepreneurial department store, many years as a retail coach consulting with entrepreneurs. I have friends and clients who are passionate about their businesses. Several incidents occurred in the last month that got me thinking that "someone should do something about this!"
My To-Do list has included "join the 3/50 project - post on site and FB" since July. At the end of October I went to the site, signed up and started reading. Cinda Baxter's question to retailers hit me between the eyes.
"So, do you want to be around a year from now?"
I was shocked! Then I stopped to consider. What could I do to make a significant difference. I knew that I had a platform and forum to start the conversation and get the word out. I started pounding the pavement, visiting shops, inviting them to attend our meeting on Tuesday, November 24 and now I am hoping that you will feel the same way I do.
I could put this passion and energy to work for a charitable cause, I have done so in the past and will again in the future. I guess it all boils down to 'I Love Retail', it's like a virus for me, it's in my blood and I want it to be vital, healthy, vibrant and fun again! It's theater and drama and dynamic and exciting when it is done well...and so many places I love do it brilliantly.
Some of my friends have said that they "are tired of not shopping". Nothing has changed for them, they are among the 90% still employed, still have credit cards, still have dinner out and spa appointments. But some where along the line, they stopped shopping and started feeling like they needed to do the 'patriotic' thing and follow Suze Orman's advice. I almost came through the television to throttle her last year when she said "stop spending! start saving!" It's good advice, but everything in moderation folks! I actually had someone tell me it was unfashionable to shop!
I believe that even if you have to buy less, you should spend local.
Local business spins the wheels of the economy. It is where the jobs are generated, the sale tax revenue comes from, it creates the neighborhoods. Let's share the love a little this next year and keep our purchases local.
And if you can't attend, please sign up for the 3/50 project and support us by putting your local shops and favorite Boutiques on your Holiday Shopping List!
Thanks for listening,
Linda
Act 1
The Incredible True Story
Catch Me If You Can is inspired by the real life story of teenage con man Frank Abagnale who lived the high life during the swinging ‘60s by successfully posing as a Pan Am pilot, a doctor, and lawyer while passing millions of dollars in forged checks. David Armstrong will recount Frank’s amazing journey and bring us up-to-date on Frank’s true crime adventures on both sides of the law.
Special Guest – Ken Kirkpatrick, President of US BANK
Act 2
Meet the Dream Team
Catch Me If You Can’s creative team is an extraordinary collection of Tony Award-winning artists. Songwriters Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman (Hairspray), playwright Terrence McNally (The Full Monty), director Jack O’Brien (Hairspray), choreographer Jerry Mitchell (Hairspray, Legally Blonde), musical director John McDaniel and legendary costume designer Bob Mackie will give you an inside look into their creative process and show us how a Broadway musical is conceived and created – from page to stage!
Act 3
Meet the Stars
Catch Me If You Can features a remarkable company of actors from New York and Seattle and led by some of Broadway’s brightest lights. Meet three of our show’s leading men: Tony Award-winning star Norbert Leo Butz, exciting Broadway newcomer Aaron Tveit and Broadway and television star Tom Wopat. You will also be the first audience anywhere to hear songs from the brilliant ‘60s pop-infused score!
Featuring Musical Performances by Marc Shaiman, Norbert Leo Butz, Aaron Tveit and Tom Wopat.
Fire Up at Spit Fire! Come to SPITFIRE for a fun night of Fun, Fashion, and Entertainment all for a cause!
The event will be produced by Little Black Dress Events and Productions benefiting the Puget Sound Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, formerly known as The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, aka Komen. This is an organization supporting breast cancer research, education, and support services.
Since its inception in 1982, Komen worldwide has raised over $1 billion for research, education and health services, making it the largest breast cancer charity in the world. Today, the Komen organization is recognized as the leading catalyst in the fight against breast cancer, with more than 100,000 volunteers working in a network of 125 U.S. and international affiliates.
When: Sunday May 31, 2009 at 5pm to 9pm ~ Fashion Show begins at 6 pm
Where: Spitfire 2219 4th Ave Seattle, WA 98121 ~ (206) 441-7966
"Bras for a Cause" Event
"Bras for a Cause" will bring the Seattle community together for a fulfilling night showcasing fashionable bras all in support for the Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
Don't miss your chance to be a part of this exciting and entertaining event with a fashion show featuring bras designed by a variety of designers and individuals. They will be decorative in wild and wacky ways in order to raise money for the Komen foundation. The event will also feature a silent and live auction.
Guests will have a chance to win wonderful prizes and be entered into drawings while enjoying fabulous food and drinks from the SPITFIRE.
Bring your friends and enjoy yourself for an evening of fashion and entertainment – a great night out!
Little Black Dress Events and Productions will roll out the PINK carpet for over 400+guests in order to raise money for this year's beneficiary, the Puget Sound Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
Event Overview
Bras for a Cause is all about celebrating the Seattle style, showcasing fabulous designed bras, as well as merchandise from supporting retailers in the fashion community, while raising support for breast cancer awareness.
Fashion is everywhere and our mission is to remind everyone from all walks of life that their vision of beauty is a work of art through vendors, fashion, entertainment, trends, and a cause.
Our goal is to generate excitement for the Seattle Fashion scene and help support local businesses while throwing a fantastic party in the spirit of giving back.
Girl Power Hour Hosts Exclusive Professional Networking Event ‘Recessionista' at Alchemy Collections in Seattle
Thursday, April 16, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Girl Power Hour, Seattle’s premier woman’s professional networking experience, hosts the final installment of a special 4-part series called The Power Of Focused Intention with guest speaker and author Jill Keto who will offer money saving tips and discussing her book Don't Get Caught with Your Skirt Down.
Girl Power Hour occurs the third Thursday of every month for young professional women to connect and share ideas at stylish venues across town. Each event explores an empowerment theme, boasts an inspirational guest speaker and a charity connection. Girl Power Hour also offers a fun, friendly environment, swag bags, door prizes and cocktail specials.
When: Thursday, April 16, 2009 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Where: Alchemy Collection 2029 Second Avenue Seattle, WA 98121
This very special, exclusive event will host only 150 women - first come, first serve. Tickets are $25.00 online at www.girlpowerhour.com
Enjoy complimentary food and drink provided by Gourmondo, Pearl Vodka and Propel Water. The first 50 women will receive swag bags and the 50 to sign up will receive either an eyebrow consultation and wax or a 5 minute massage at the event from Radiance Medispa.
Girl Power Hour will also hold a mini-"swap" hosted by Urban Fashion Network and invite attendees to bring one viably fashionable accessory for this fun and free activity.
Washington CASH (Community Alliance for Self Help), a non-profit that helps small businesses get the funding they need is the charitable partner for this event.
NEW YORK —— Supima's second Competition for Emerging Designers is the lead story in this week's "Chic Report" on industry leader Fashion Week Daily.
Here, in a story headlined "Cotton Chic" and illustrated with a huge photo (at right) of Thommy Douglass's scarf-neck Supima gown, is what Meg Prossnitz had to say in her "Runway Fever" column: It could have been a Project Runway challenge: aspiring designers must create a complete collection using only cotton. But last night’s event at Gotham Hall was no reality tv show–it was the second annual Supima Competition for Emerging Designers. Preparation began last November, when designer hopefuls went to the Thompson Hotel armed with portfolios and prepared to face a panel of judges including Parsons professor and Costume Institute fellowship holder Lisa Santandrea. The 21 finalists selected who showed at the event were Astrid Brucker, Nikki Demoneris, Victor De Souza, Thommy Douglass, Andrew C. Dyrdahl, Ari Harris, Yin Ting Huang, Lina Gatineau-Elder, Marie Jdo, Nicole Jimenez, Kimenna, Lisa Lau, Katya Leonovich, Albert Lopez, Christine Mayes, Anna McCraney, Karen Sabag, Kurt Smith, Courtney Yates, and Prizy Sebastian.
Innovative interpretations of these traditional fabrics won awards, such as Andrew Dyrdahl, who took home the prize for best knit design for his jersey long-sleeved gown with a corset made of Supima cotton and denim (”I love the contrast of soft and rigid,” the designer explained) and a voluminous maroon ballskirt of shirting paried with a saffron jersey crop top. “I really like to do eveningwear out of non-traditional fabrics. Anyone can take amazing fabric and make a beautiful dress out of it, but to take an ordinary fabric and make something extraordinary is much more of a challenge.” Kimenna, winner of best in show, cited the architecture of Antonio Gaudi as the inspiration for her designs. Argentinian Victor de Souza, who took home the prize for best execution in denim, cited his inspiration as “Reworked classics.” He lived up to the notion with a beige evening gown that we never would have guessed was made of denim.
Supima VP of marketing Buxton Midyette stressed the versatility of the fabric. “It’s all about rethinking why luxury denim is just in jeans and why super strong knits are only in t-shirts, why shirting only ends up in shirting. There’s potential for so much more than that. The runway is no longer just the domain of taffeta, organza, and silks.” Judging from the innovative designs the new crop of designers sent down the runway, prepare to be blown away.