Seattle FGI Members Meeting

It's time for the Members Meeting which will be held on January 15th at 24/7 in downtown Seattle at 1525 4th Ave. FGI Members & Non Members are welcome! Members please arrive @ 6pm & non members please arrive @ 7pm. Food & Wine will be served.

$15.00 for members
$25.00 for non-members

Please RSVP via the Evite!

Check your inboxes for the Proxy which was sent today.

See you soon!

7 Life Saving Tips on Shopping Black Friday and Beyond

Here are some shopping tips from FGI Member Mayna Sgaramella!
As a Wardrobe Consultant, I do a lot of personal shopping with my clients. But many people will be fighting the crowds on their own this holiday season. So here are some much needed tips on how to shop smart during the rush:

1. Know what you want. Ah, the key to all things in life. Well, you'd be surprised at how many people don't shop with a list during the holidays. Even with a list, things can get confusing. So, cozy up with some hot tea and spend a good hour looking up gifts in store catalogs, online, and in magazines. This will inspire you to create a list for all those on your list and it will give you ideas for yourself!

2. Research sales. Days before you plan to shop (like today), go online, look at advertisements in the paper, and call the store. Many associates are willing put items aside for you if you know what you want and call before the day of the sale. Ask if they do pre-sales where you buy the item over the phone at the sale price and just pick it up the day of the sale. You can even ask for the store manager and get his/her tips on shopping in their store.

3. Shop with a list. Don't just write down what you're getting, but also write down where you're going to buy it, the phone number of the store, and the store's special hours of operation (ask me about creating a spreadsheet of local stores tailored to your shopping needs). Treat it like efficient grocery shopping or running errands; start with the store where you can get the most checked off your list (a department store for example), and map out your route in regards to traffic or rush hour.

4. Keep a map of the mall with you before you shop in order to plan out parking, elevators (if you have kids in strollers), and restaurants (because you will get hungry). Use valet parking if it is available. It will be worth the money rather than waiting in traffic.

5. Set a time limit. Give yourself a couple hours in one large store, then hit a couple smaller shops and take a break. Keep a few snacks in your purse and drape it around your body for more hands free movement, but leave your coat in the car.

6. Start early and wear comfortable shoes. There are few ways to avoid long lines during this time of year, but go with a partner who will stand in line while you shop or hire a professional shopper who will shop for you. Try to beat the crowds by shopping during slow times, usually around store opening, late afternoon, or dinner time.

7. Be Flexible. Sometimes, that perfect gift you had in mind for your friend is just not available or is sold out. If you can keep the intention and meaning behind the gift, it will be easier to let go of the material aspect of it and you'll save yourself some unnecessary stress. Remember to shop online if you get in a jam. More info on online shopping and tips for saving money during the holidays in December's Newsletter!

Good luck! Fashionably Yours, Mayna Sgaramella of Closet Fly, LLC

Cashmere Wrappings Trunk show for FGI & Friends ~ December 10th

'Cashmere Wrappings' trunk show for Fashion Group International & friends.

Wednesday December 10th, 4-8PM @ Patricia Nugent Textiles Studio 2153 8th Avenue West, Seattle, WA.

RSVP via email so we can plan wine service accordingly! ...and please bring a friend.

CHEERS TO YOU....it's CASHMERE SEASON!

Betsy Balch ~ CASHMERE Wrappings ~ 206.719.7339
betsy@cashmerewrappings.com
www.cashmerewrappings.com

December 4th Networking Event

The Fashion Group International and Urban Fashion Network would love to invite you to Clutch (1212 4th Avenue), Seattle's only handbag boutique for a fantastic networking event.

We will be hearing from Clutch owner, Kimberly Arrington, and she will also be extending a 20% discount for the evening.

Champagne, wine, and desserts will be provided.

This event is complimentary for all FGI and UFN members, but guests/non-members will need to pay $35.00 for entry.

The evite can be viewed here! Please RSVP via the Evite.

November Networking Event

Tonight was our November networking event which was hosted by Pat Nugent at her business Patricia Nugent Textiles in Queen Anne.

We had a really nice turnout of about 30 members and guests. Thanks to all of you who came, we look forward to seeing you all again real soon!!

The details of the event were:

Come for an evening of Networking and A Trend Report by Pat Nugent. Pat's archive of Vintage and Antique textiles, hand painted original designs and wallpapers date from 1790 to 1970. It is from these designs that Pat will select examples to illustrate textile design trends for 2009 and 2010. She will cover trends for women's, men's and children's apparel and home textile design. With the belief that "Beauty comes from all Ages" we will see designs that are over one hundred years old yet apply to the trends we will be wearing next year!

Patricia Nugent Textile is located in a Cottage, the first house south of West McGraw Street on the west side of 8th Avenue West. This event is complimentary for all members, but guests/non-members need to pay $35.00 for entry.

I snapped several pictures so those of you who couldn't make it could check it out as well. Here they are!

Our next event will be December 4th at Clutch in downtown Seattle. Watch your inbox for the evite! Make sure to add seattlefgi@gmail.com to your address book so our emails don't end up in your spam box. :)

If you would be interested in hosting a networking event at your business just let us know!!

See you soon!

EcoLavish: An Eco-Conscious Fashion Show

This fall fashion show showcases local designers who are eco-conscious and ecolavish!

Please join us on Saturday, 10/25 at 8pm for the fashion show and reception. Tickets are only $10 at the door.

For details visit www.halfpastlavish.com
Location: Great Hall at the Fremont Abbey 4272 Fremont Ave N, Seattle, WA

Stop on by to show your support to board member Courtney Russell!

Need Something to do Tomorrow Night?

You’re invited to FACE, an evening of wine, art, and fashion from Barney’s New York and benefits Sunflower Children Foundation.

October 9, 2008 ~ 7 pm – 10 pm at Herban Feast at SoDo Park (3200 1st Avenue South
Seattle, Washington 98134)

Tickets are from $85 - $200. Purchase Tickets Here

FYI...

There is still a little time (and still some places available) to register for the UW Extension class "Developing an Independent Fashion Line". Class starts on October 6th and registration closes on Thursday October 2nd!

Upcoming Event You May Be Interested In!

The 6th Annual Closet Treasures Sale is coming up on October 17th - 18th, click on the image for all the details!



















Make An Impact:
Help Women Thrive
In Work and In Life

Whether it's through a donation, a sponsorship or shopping our sale, we value your continued support of Dress For Success® Seattle, a program of the YWCA.

Because of you, we are able to help thousands of women in our local area each year. Just some of the ways you can contribute now include:

· Be a sponsor
· Shop the sale
· Spread the word

For more information contact:
Monique Smith
Program Manager
msmith@ywcaworks.org
206.461.4474.

Seattle FGI News & Notes

If your a member of Seattle FGI we'd like to add news and notes on you to the blog... so here goes...

1. Members, Luly Yang and Rose Dennis, would personally like to invite you to attend Luly's annual couture and client fashion show to benefit Camp Korey. To make your reservation, you can call 425.844.3131 or email aberland@campkorey.org.
"We promise that you will find her new collection to be modern, classic, romantic and of course, beautiful. We look forward to seeing you on Friday, October 10 at 6pm". (Invite information will be emailed to members so check your inbox's!)

2. Salvationware by jme will be showing at Portland Fashion Week on Sunday October 12th and Seattle's (which has now been postponed until April). Plus, jme was one of the 5 winners of Seattle Magazine's Seamless in Seattle contest! Congrats!

3. RSVP for the November Networking event here.

If you have News & Notes please send them in and we'll get them posted. It's ok to share what you've been doing, so go on and do it already! ;)

Upcoming Networking Events

We will be having a networking event on November 12th and December 4th. Stay tuned for updates on where these events will be held.

We'll be sending out an Evite (watch your inboxes!) and putting the details up on the Seattle FGI website and this blog.

FGI International's Night of Stars 2008

On Thursday October 23rd in NY, FGI will be holding their spectacular Night of Stars event. If you are interested in going you can purchase tickets here.

Dinner at Monir's

Tonight Monir, our fabulous Regional Director, treated the board, several past regional directors and visiting FGI Regional Directors from the East Coast and the West Coat to a traditional Persian dinner... Belly dancer included!! She opened up her amazing home and did all the cooking herself - you should have seen the spread. I haven't eaten so well in I don't know how long!!

Thank you Monir for your hospitality!

Margaret Hayes, the FGI president of ALL of FGI was there too - she is visiting from NY for the dinner and the conference tomorrow downtown. She was a delight to meet and had lots of great information for those of who who are newer to the group.

Here are a few pictures from the evening. (My pictures begin when the belly dancer arrived... I missed photos of dinner and all the networking beforehand.)

Tomorrow is the FGI conference; info will be posted - check back later!

Welcome to FGI Seattle!

The Fashion Group International is a global, non-profit, professional organization with 5000 members in the fashion industry including apparel, accessories, beauty and home.

The FGI mission is to be the pre-eminent authority on the business of fashion and design and to help its members become more effective in their careers. To do this, FGI provides insights on major trends in person, online and in print; access to business professionals and a gateway to the influence fashion plays in the marketplace.

This blog is all about the Seattle chapter, it's events, pictures, meetings, and much more!

If you are interested in membership or just more information please check out the FGI website or feel free to contact me with any questions.