Saturday, February 27th – 4 to 8 pm

Here’s how it works:  All the stores will have a punch card ready for you. Use the card to collect a punch from all thirteen participating businesses listed below. Fill out your name and contact information and enter to win one of two gift baskets worth over $300. The first 200 guests receive a FREE gift bag – check it out !

Drop your card off at Cobblestone. Winners will be announced at 8 pm. GO RED !!!

Your "Go Red" FREE Gift

Grand Prize Gift Basket

PARTICIPATING BUSINESSES :

- Muse the Boutique                       – Hop Scotch

- Clothing Matters                          – L.A.M.B

- Cobblestone                                   – Making Thyme Kitchen

- David & Bathsheba                       – Nest

- Global Infusion                             – Peninsula Trading

- Pink Blvd                                          – YT Galleria

- Yours Truly

Claudia Petrelli, Miss MI USA - Lindsey Tycholiz and Emily Richett - Entertainment Host in Grand Rapids, MI

Claudia Petrelli, Emily Richett

Emily Richett wearing the “Celebrity Dress” – an original Claudia Petrelli gown made of 100% recyclable paper

John Lauri - director, cinematographer and host of Starring You! posing at Starring You Party with Emily Richett

Claudia Petrelli, John Lauri and Emily Richett

On the Red Carpet - arriving at Starring You!

Emily Richett – Fox 17′s Entertainment host – wore an original Claudia Petrelli paper gown at the Grand Rapids Oscar Party. 100% recyclable – the gown was made entirely of newspaper, magazines and tissue paper

Emily Richett of Fox 17 in Claudia Petrelli and Tommy Allen - local artist and lifestyle editor - at the Grand Rapids Oscar Party

Claudia Petrelli and Emily Richett at the After Party

Claudia is a truly artistic person and a very musically inclined; she studied musicology at the Bucharest Conservatory of Music where she graduated with honors with a Bachelor’s degree in Musicology and and Associate’s degree in Classical Guitar; she also studied for 10 years classical piano and guitar, performing and participating in national contests and shows.

Claudia’s love for fashion began in her childhood when she was sewing clothes for dolls and early teens when she started to alter and make her own clothes. Though she wanted to pursue her dream in the fashion industry her family encouraged her to study the Art of Musicology. Shortly after she graduated she came to the U.S where she received an adjunct professor position and Grand Valley State University in the music department teaching a World Music class; also she decided to go back to school and follow her dream as a future fashion designer.

I came to a point in my life when I ask myself what’s the next step as far as fashion goes? because I look around and I can see that the fashion industry reached a point where inventing a new trend or clothing concept is almost impossible for me to see.
How easy is for a designer to come up with something original now days? what is that inspire them to create patterns, fabrics, distinct cuts? recently I read a fashion design textbook where it talked about how to get inspired and at the end of the chapter the theme was to go to a local museum spend a few hours take notes on what you see and then find your theme, and so I did; but then I had a curiosity and I wanted to see how fashion was twenty years ago or a century ago? what was a designer’s inspiration two centuries ago when most people walked to work? many factors can influent a clothing collection: culture, religion, technology are some of them. I also noticed that the 80’s and the early 90’s is the last fashion time period that has originality; everything after is a reinvention of the past trends.

What is a reinvented classic style?

In our case a classic style of a garment or a design is something recognized over a period of time to have the highest quality not greatly subject to changes in fashion. A reinvented classic style is a style that has classic essentials (cuts, shapes) combined with modern elements. Often we see pictorials when models or celebrities wear a classic outfit – a suit from the 60’s for example – riding the latest motorcycle type to advertise for; or wearing pearls with your pj’s – the message? classic never goes out of style.

The following pictures show how photographers did a photo shoot based on the classic style emphasised with contrasting elements.

Beyonce Knowels adopted a chic masculine style by adding a tie and a felt hat to a Calvin Klein suit with high-waisted pants. I like the lose button down shirt and the the hair. The jacket though, would have looked better if it had more buttons to cover the tie that is tucked in the pants (big NO); also the cuff links must be in the same line with the sleeve’s buttons - I like symmetry

Justin Timberlake photographed in a black classic tuxedo. Fashionista, Kim Verbeck for Exclusive Artist/Lancome Men kept the basics of a classic tuxedo: satin hat, black bow, pleated white shirt, and an elegant silver head cane all stilled up with military boots. Great look!

Stylist Marie-Amelie Sauve chose an interesting combination of fabrics. Giselle Bundchen is pictured in a slightly masculine allure: pleated front classic cut pants with a matching hat and belt, the tweed trench with fur sleeves and the massive necklace gives a modern look to the classic look. I like how the stylist played with a bunch of fabrics; the trench gives a kick to the whole outfit.

In this photo shoot I like how the idea of an Elvis Presley look is slightly feminized with accessories - massive rings, ruffled collar with pearls attached on; the belt gives a feminine note to the whole outfit. I like the shoes that the stylist chose - it reminds me of tap dancing. The haircut and the wide shirt sleeves are the key of the whole outfit.

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week

What is Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, Where? When? Who? and Why?

MBFW is one of the world’s premier fashion events that happens twice a year in New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Berlin.  The fall shows are held the previous winter (February) and  the spring shows are held the previous late summer (September) of that collection’s year.

The most recent show was in September ’08  presenting the latest trends for Spring ’09. The shows are sponsored by Mercedes-Benz so that is why they go by Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. People who attend these events are journalists, editors, celebrities etc etc and every Fashion Week show is an invitation-only event.

History:

Fashion Week is produced by 7th on Sixth, which was originally formed by the Council of Fashion Designers of America in 1993, then acquired by IMG – a lifestyle and sports marketing and management firm – in 2001.

I did my homework and I browsed through all my favorite designers collections. Here are some pictures from MB Fashion Week – New York – Spring ’09

Zheng Luo

Nicole Miller

Nicole Miller

Nanette Lepore

Nanette Lepore

HERVÉ LÉGER by MAX AZRIA

HERVÉ LÉGER by MAX AZRIA

HERVÉ LÉGER by MAX AZRIA

HERVÉ LÉGER by MAX AZRIA

Aurelio Costarella

Aurelio Costarella

Aurelio Costarella

Here are a few swimsuits straight from the catwalk presented  at MB Fashion Week Miami for Summer 09

Shop at: www.swimwearboutique.com , http://www.lulifama.com/ ,

http://www.everythingbutwater.com/, http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/Entry.jsp

ANK by Mirla Sabino

Syla by Sylvie Cachay

Luli Fama

Diesel

Vix Swimwear

Vix Swimwear

No I didn’t go to Copenhagen but I wish I could go. Why Copenhagen?  Well, first of all is part of Europe and we all know that fashion was born there. Copenhagen is the largest city and the capital of Denmark and most of the greatest  fashion events are happening in Copenhagen now. Plus their weather is similar to our Michigan weather -  cold to very cold winters and short summers.

Click on the picture below and you’ll see what’s hot for this winter.