FGI Member, Luly Yang's Annual Couture Show

Save the Date!

Fashion First is Just Two Days Away!

FGI Members & Friends,

This past weekend I was, again, inspired by the fashion show presented by the students from the Bunka Women's Fashion University in Japan. I've attended the show every year since I moved out here. Each year is a visual treat and gets my creative juices flowing! Seattle is lucky to get to see this production, and it is all thanks to FGI Member Hisako Nakaya at Seattle Central Community College. She has been bringing the group back to Seattle for the last 9 years. Thanks Hisako!

Although you might've missed the Bunka Show, you still have time to get your tickets for Fashion First. One of Seattle's premiere Fashion Show's. For those of us who wish we were in NYC at Fashion Week right now, this is exactly what you are looking for. For tickets and details go to http://fashionfirst.ipower.com/.

If you go, let us know what your favorite collection or trend for the Fall is!

Cheers,

Courtney Russell
Regional Director
FGI Seattle

9th Bunka Women’s University Annual Fashion Show

Bunka Women's University is located in Tokyo, Japan, and this is the 9th year that the USA International Homestay Program in Seattle has hosted this great show.

Where: Broadway Performance Hall 1625 Broadway, Seattle , WA 98122

When: Saturday, September 11^th 1:00 PM & 3:00 PM

Bunka Women’s University students are responsible for all stages of the show; designing, making, modeling plus stage preparation, lighting and developing the program.

Admission is FREE, however, seating is limited. Please contact us for reservation at 425-483-5974, or bunkafashionshow10@yahoo.com. (Please indicate which show you would like to reserve for -1pm or 3pm).

Fashion's Night Out and Fall for Fashion

BIG weekend for shoppers and fashion fans.

Kick off your weekend right with Fashion's Night Out, an event taking place in cities across the globe celebrating all things fashion! You can celebrate at both The Bellevue Collection and The Shops at The Bravern!

The Bellevue Collection has 70 stores participating in this year's FNO with major in store promotions and discounts, DJ's, giveaways, champagne, cupcakes and more! The first 200 guests to check in at Guest Services at Center Court at Bellevue Square after 7pm will receive a stylish wristlet! You can also enter to win a $1000 Bellevue Collection gift certificate! How perfect would that be for developing that oh-so-stunning fall wardrobe you're planning!

The Shops at the Bravern have an entire weekend of fashion, food, and fun (my favorite three F's!) planned! This Fall for Fashion weekend Tonight (and the rest of the weekend) you can celebrate Fashion's Night Out at The Shops with fashion shows, trunk shows, live entertainment, cocktails, discounts on your shopping needs and a lot more!

Sunday, there will be a Fashion brunch and silent auction at Wild Ginger to benefit Sunflower Children.

A full schedule for tonight and the rest of the weekend can be found at their website: http://www.thebravern.com/fall/ .

More info about Fashion's Night Out can be found at http://www.fashionsnightout.com/

FGI's Regional Director

The lovely Courtney Russell is the new Regional Director for Seattle Fashion Group International and was recently interviewed by CRAVE about her other career with her company Half Past Lavish Event Productions:

"Planning a lavish soiree? Turn to event planning, coordinating, and production experts Half Past Lavish!

From breath-taking venues to creating unforgettable emories, Half Past Lavish is there every step of the way to create your dream event! The HPL team brings an eclectic, sophisticated, and unique spin to every event they produce. They are dedicated to every client. They plan stylish soirees- from business meetings to baby yoga! And today Courtney Russell, founder and publisher, shares with CRAVEhow her journey led her to find her “glass slipper of a career”, and how Half Past Lavish has evolved!"

To find out more about your Regional Director, check out the rest of the article with the deets on her background, the inspiration behind Half Past Lavish and more!

And don't forget to mark your calendars, Half Past Lavish has just announced the 3rd EcoLavish Fashion Show on November 11th 2010 and Herban Feast SODO Park (tix can be purchased here!)

CRAVE is the urban girl's guide for the who, what, when and where of Seattle and most definitely a site to checkout when you are craving something fabulous in the city!

TCM Models: A Boutique Approach

TCM Models has been around for 31 years (since 1979!) and has been a major industry player for both models and actors in the Pacific Northwest. Taking on a select 400 models and 100 talent, TCM uses a self proclaimed “boutique” approach to the business to encourage the personalized development of quality skills in their models and talent. They do this in an effort to provide their clients with assets, not challenges in working with TCM models/talent. That rocks!

Terri C. Morgan is the founder and director of TCM models. She is also a former model herself giving her the unique experience to see the industry from both sides: that of the model/talent and that of the agency. What an advantage that must give!

"I have been very fortunate to have enjoyed the modeling world from an insider's viewpoint allowing me to share my experiences and successes with new models and talent. I love this industry and I want to pass along all of its rewards and opportunities." - Terri C. Morgan

TCM has recently launched a blog! The TCM Models Blog really extends that idea of the “boutique” approach, featuring some of their models right on the blog! What a great way to get the models more exposure! They also post about fashion related events in the Seattle area so no one will have to miss a single one! I know I’ll be checking back in with TCM Models blog for the scoop.

Recap of the Front Row Fashion Show with Courtney & Sydney

The Bellevue Collection presented their annual Fashion Week presented by Vogue. Our Regional Director, Courtney Russell, and Board Member, Sydney Mintle, of Styled.Seattle and CRAVE, were taking notes while our new Membership Chair, Danielle Bortone-Holt, of Brick House Photography, and Board Member Mike Adams, also a photographer, were shooting the show.



We chatted with Courtney and Sydney (pictured above) to get their thoughts on this season's trend and the show, in general.

Q: What was your favorite section? why?

Sydney: "Animal Magnetism" was my favorite! I'm really looking forward to wearing leopard prints this fall!

Courtney: I liked "Fur and Feathers" more than I thought I would, but I think my favorite collection was "American Sportswear." I'm loving the infusion of Mad Men inspired looks!

Q: What was a hit?

Courtney: My top three would be really high boots or really low ankle boots paired with colored tights, gem tones - teal, eggplant, ruby paired with camel, gray and black, and the hats - I loved the hats!

Sydney: There were lots of hits! I loved the faux fur vests paired with skinny belts, the color spectrum of tights paired with skirts and dresses, and the menswear trousers.

Q: What was a miss?

Sydney: I didn't notice any misses. Although some of the male models were wearing high water pants and it was obviously not planned that way.

Courtney: I agree about the pants...it was distracting to see on the runway, but we know they pull the show together in a week! I was hoping for a different look to come down the runway with the "Sweater Girls" collection than what was presented, but although it was not what I was expecting it was done well.

Q: What one fashion trend will you be sure to have in your wardrobe this year?

Courtney: I have some great pieces that I think are still going to work this Fall (colored tights, ankle boots, a dark purple/eggplant dress I love), that I want to pair with some of those sleek hats or mile high boots.

Sydney: Something military inspired like a khaki trench coat paired with a suede ankle boot.

Q: Thank you to you both for sharing your thoughts from the show. Any other thoughts about this year's Front Row Fashion Show presented by Vogue at The Bellevue Collection?

Sydney: It was fun, and I was happy to see such a packed house ready and willing to celebrate fall fashion!
Courtney: It was a lot of fun, I agree. I'm so glad Vogue continues to support The Bellevue Collection Fashion Week. It's important for our industry up here in the Pacific Northwest.

Photos Courtesy of Brick House Photography