Shop Garment District Runway Side Lines

Let me open with… It is always a pleasure to work with Phoenix Fashion Week. Brian, Abbei, Lauren, Melissa, Christina, and many more. You are a team of true professionals. Congratulations, last night was a blast!

It was my first time to attend Phoenix Fashion Week’s Shop Garment District event. In addition to offering exclusive clientele access to designer clothing, the affair also showcased a preview of Spring 2014 looks by the 12 Emerging Designers as well as served as a platform for the Top 40 Model of the Year finalists’ Runway Challenge.

The competitions did not disappoint the literally, jam-packed crowd in Studio 3D, as the contenders arrived at their best. The models confidently strutted down the ramp and struck a pose or 2, rocking the designers’ upcoming collection. Needless to say, fashionistas and papparazis are wowed!

I will let the stills and videos do the talking. Here’s a view of last night’s fashion show from the side lines…front row that is =)

Dolcessa

Click here for Dolcessa video

Doux Belle

Click here for Doux Belle video

d.p.c.

Click here for d.p.c. video

Gentry

Click here for Gentry video

Herbert Victoria

Click here for Herbert Victoria video

Ja'ire International Couture

Click here for Ja'ire video

LINDEN

Click here for LINDEN video

Loin Cloth LA

 Click here for Loin Cloth LA video

Medium Apparel

Click here for Medium Apparel video

Michelle Hebert

Click here for Michelle Hebert video

Proverbs by Efua

Click here for Proverbs by Efua video

Trang Nguyen

Click here for Trang Nguyen video

There you have it!  Meet the designers behind these wonderful creations in my previous blog - Revealed! Phoenix Fashion Week Candidates for Designer of the Year 2013.  We'll find out the winner on the 9th Annual Phoenix Fashion Week, to be held at Talking Stick Resort on October 1st - 5th 2013.  Also at the same affair, the 2013 Male and Female Models of the Year will be announced.

See you then! Get your tickets! Get your FASH-on and happy styling!

XOXO,

Sheila

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-eY3E8zdfJE

Buyers Market

July and August are not only the busiest time for Back to School supplies, it is also hectic for fashion retailers looking to find the hottest trend for the following year’s Spring Collection.

Procuring for small businesses is quite different from large department stores approach.  Boutiques have more flexible schedule often placing their commodity orders in smaller quantities closer to the season that they are purchasing for thus towards the end of the season’s buying calendar which is when items are marked down.

Typically, huge department stores get the first pick of next season’s hot trend as they tend to adhere to strict buying schedule driven by the scale of order thus requiring a longer lead-time.

This means that the clothes that will make you and I look good in Spring 2014, have already been designed and is well in production for the big stores!

It is important for the merchandisers to keep their eyes and fashion sense open for future innovations and new inspirations as they frequent runway events, trade shows and conventions, like Magic, in order to stay ahead of the curve.   As a huge fashion mecca, Magic is a great platform that bridges designers and retailers… we’ve all seen Prabal Gurung-Target and Lagerfield-H&M collaborations.

Speaking of which, one of Magic’s Breakthrough Designer in 2012 was Marian “Happy” Villanueva Andrada, who is only in her early 20’s. She also won the 2012 Miami Beach International Fashion Week Designer of the Year award. Happy is an all-around Filipina designer with creations boasting complicated architecture and geometric prints and shapes, ranging from bridal and evening gowns, to costume and avante-garde cocktail wears, to RTW and corporate wear. Staying true to her culture, Happy uses traditional earth friendly fabrics like “jusi” or Pineapple fibers, bamboo, as well as water lilies. Her client roster includes local celebrity figures as well as global runways and several international glossy magazines.

If you are not impressed yet, Happy is also an accomplished stylist and a successful entrepreneur.  In partnership with her sister Viva, Happy owns a concept gallery in Quezon City called F*Art (yes, you read it right!), a catchy name that stands for Fashion and Art.  F*Art is a haven for fashionistas and artists, with clothes and accessories boutique on the 1^st floor, and an art gallery on the 2^nd floor. Furthermore, services like piercing, tattoo and hair art styling can also be arranged by appointment.  F*Art is definitely another must shop destination for next year’s Philippine trip!

While the real Magic will holds it’s convention in Las Vegas this month, come join the “Shop Garment District” event at Studio 3D, 1625 E. Jefferson St., Phoenix AZ 85034 on Friday, August 9^th, 2013, 7:00 p.m. for a local mini Magic-like experience. Register here for free access.  I will be covering the event, hope to see you there!

Dare to be different, get your FASH on and happy styling!

You may also follow @ChasingSheila on twitter, instagram and pinterest


XOXO,

Sheila