Fashion Week Cleve: Runway Show Recap

By Abby and Elle

Ten designers participated in FWC’s runway show and black-tie gala on Saturday, May 12. You’ll see some of each designer’s work below, so you won’t feel like you missed too much by not attending.

We love that Cleveland is emerging as a fashion hot spot; we don’t love that FWC appears to be poorly organized. Doors opened 45 minutes late because no one thought to buy black plastic plates for the food. Huh? After eight years of running this event, plates haven’t landed on the checklist? And why wasn’t that the caterer’s job anyway? FWC volunteers had to scramble through downtown looking for 3,000 plates. Not that they needed that many. There wasn’t that much food, and what there was didn’t last long.

In reading through the “official program” for FWC, we couldn’t help but notice a complete disregard of graphic design standards. Who runs black text right over color photos? Yep, right over them, like a runaway train. The copy couldn’t have looked right or been legible on a computer screen, let alone a printer’s proof. Seriously?

Our final big complaint is with the runway. Why was it not elevated? We sat only a few rows back and had to keep standing to see the bottom half of the models. Again, this was the ninth year of the event, so we’re not compelled to be overly forgiving.

A lack of regard for important details will not help Cleveland make a name for itself in the world of fashion, unless of course the name is Wanna Be.

The Goodwill fashion event, which we blogged about, was expertly run. And 2012 was its second year. Kudos to them.

We’re confident next year’s FWC runway event will be better. Darn near perfect even.

Long v-neck top with ribbon tie and four-square cardigan by Barbara Rubright Wearables. Photo: Stephen Travarca

See Barbara Rubright Wearables up close this fall at two Cleveland fashion events; check her website for details. Photo: Stephen Travarca

Hot, red and perfect for summer, by Andrea Howell, Tidal Cool Creations. Photo: Stephen Travarca

The red waistband makes this simple dress pop, by Andrea Howell, Tidal Cool Creations. Photo: Stephen Travarca

The ruffled neck is a showstopper! By Erica Woodmore, Contained Expression. Photo: Stephen Travarca

By Erica Woodmore, Contained Expression. Photo: Stephen Travarca

We’re unsure about the fabric streaming from the back though…. By Erica Woodmore, Contained Expression. Photo: Stephen Travarca

The lovely mix of soft colors and fabric makes this a super-feminine dress. Lotty by Lotty Lewis. Photo: Stephen Travarca

This gold corset ensemble gives a nod to the Wild West. Lotty by Lotty Lewis. Photo: Stephen Travarca

The rich pattern and color give this daring ensemble cred. Lotty by Lotty Lewis. Photo: Stephen Travarca

She’s the belle of the ball in this red chiffon dress. Lotty by Lotty Lewis. Photo: Stephen Travarca

Ruffles, lace and flowers adorn this beauty. Lotty by Lotty Lewis. Photo: Stephen Travarca

The asymmetrical hemline adds to the feminine flair of this dress. Lotty by Lotty Lewis. Photo: Stephen Travarca

Lotty by Lotty Lewis. Photo: Stephen Travarca

Tufts of tulle accent the bottom of this mermaid gown. Lotty by Lotty Lewis. Photo: Stephen Travarca

This one made us crave rainbow sherbet. Lotty by Lotty Lewis. Photo: Stephen Travarca

Love the lacing on the back. Lotty by Lotty Lewis. Photo: Stephen Travarca

Seriously, those shoes match perfectly! Becca Nation, Knotty Girl Designs. Photo: Stephen Travarca

Sweet and sexy. Becca Nation, Knotty Girl Designs. Photo: Stephen Travarca

Not the dress — the shoes! Even the audience is in awe. Becca Nation, Knotty Girl Designs. Photo: Stephen Travarca

This Knotty Girl design sports a religious emblem. Becca Nation, Knotty Girl Designs. Photo: Stephen Travarca

Paying homage to her hometown of Pittsburgh. Becca Nation, Knotty Girl Designs. Photo: Stephen Travarca

The entire ensemble — lace-up boots, fishnet hose, knit and feather dress and feather headpiece — just works. Becca Nation, Knotty Girl Designs. Photo: Stephen Travarca

Love the lines in this, and the red in the cut-out shoulder blouse is repeated in the zipper of the geometric skirt and the shoe heel. F. Christine Mapondera, Sireka Couture. Photo: Stephen Travarca

Satin gown, by Angie Williams, Annie Ruth 8. Photo: Stephen Travarca

The patch of ruffles adds character to this dress, perfect for a day of sailing. Jamie Powell, out of the Motor City. Photo: Stephen Travarca

Feathers, leather, netting and more. Love the bold look! Melanya Hovsepyan Tovmasyan. Photo: Stephen Travarca

Made ever more captivating with its slightly-off-the-shoulder style. Trista L. Grieder, Profig Designs. Photo: Stephen Travarca

We want this dress. Trista L. Grieder, Profig Designs. Photo: Stephen Travarca

The deep red roses and headpiece emphasize the bold statement this dress makes. Trista L. Grieder, Profig Designs. Photo: Stephen Travarca

Lacing up the back — sold! Trista L. Grieder, Profig Designs. Photo: Stephen Travarca

Not a model, but she could be! We met the nicest people, like Megan Nicholls, at the event. Photo: Stephen Travarca

More stunning event guests: Love the hats! Photo: Stephen Travarca

Sunny and Abby. Photo: Stephen Travarca

Clothing as Art

By Abby and Elle

Fashion Week Cleveland’s recent Glam Jam festival brought together music, art, design and fashion, in one venue, on one night. And oh what a night! Enjoy.

That girl’s on fire! By Amanda’s Elaborate Eyes. Photo: Stephen Travarca

If you’re wondering if those jeans are painted on, the answer is yes. By Amanda’s Elaborate Eyes and Imaginastic Body Painting. Photo: Stephen Travarca

Body Painting by Imaginastic Body Painting. Photo: Stephen Travarca

Do painted hose get runs? I think not! By Imaginastic Body Painting. Photo: Stephen Travarca

Occupy Glam Jam. Photo: Stephen Travarca

Fashion as art. Photo: Stephen Travarca

Design by Miche Mozaix. Photo: Stephen Travarca

All the colors work perfectly together. Photo: Stephen Travarca

Design by Nickole Portwood and Kole Steele. Photo: Stephen Travarca

Design by Nickole Portwood and Kole Steele; Photo: Stephen Travarca

And the rear view. Photo: Stephen Travarca

Primitive yet sophisticated. Photo: Stephen Travarca

Danielle Stennett and Stephanie Cole: Metal and Textile Jewelry. Photo: Stephen Travarca

Design by Nickole Portwood and Kole Steele; Photo: Stephen Travarca

Design by Lisette Hazan; Photo: Stephen Travarca

A few of my favorite things: the color grey, boots, tights. Design by Lisette Hazan. Photo: Stephen Travarca

She’s in fightin’ mode in that little purple number and heels. Design by Lisette Hazan. Photo: Stephen Travarca

Design by Lisette Hazan. Photo: Stephen Travarca

Here comes the bride. Photo: Stephen Travarca

All dressed in white — balloons. Photo: Stephen Travarca

Rats! She married a clown. Design by Ronnie Fowler. Photo: Stephen Travarca

Dressed

By Abby and Elle

Somehow we missed Dressed at the Cleveland International Film Festival in 2011, but we were lucky enough to catch it at the Cleveland Museum of Art last week as part of Fashion Week Cleveland.

From left: Sunny, David, Elle, Nary and Abby

Dressed is the name of a documentary, directed and produced by David Swajeski, about Nary Manivong, a young New York-based fashion designer originally from Columbus, Ohio. The twist to Nary’s story is that when he was 14, he and his twin brother and two younger siblings came home from school to find all their belongings on the lawn. Worse yet, their parents were gone. Nary and his siblings had been abandoned, left to live on the streets.

Despite the odds, Nary didn’t give up on his dream — inspired by a Vogue magazine he’d found — of working in New York as a fashion designer. While Dressed doesn’t give up all the details, the film does a fair job of chronicling Nary’s struggle from homelessness to a start in the fashion biz. We were struck by the roadblocks he had to overcome — one after another — that would have caused a lesser man to toss in the towel.

We met Nary and David in person at the Fashion Week Cleveland gala the following evening. We expected Nary to be stylishly dressed (he was), and contrary to most expectations, he was very friendly and humble.

White shirtdress from the NAHM spring collection

Nary recently teamed with Ally Hilfiger, daughter of Tommy Hilfiger, to create NAHM, which translates into “water” in Laotian (Nary’s parents are from Laos). The name also comprises the designers’ initials.

You can read more about Nary in the New York Times 2010 piece “Designing Against the Odds.”

Much success and happiness to you, Nary.

Good Style Fashion Show: You Should Have Been There!

By Abby and Elle

Wow. What a show! Before we even get to the fashions (photos below!), can we just tell you how elegant the entire evening was? This was the second year for the Goodwill Good Style Fashion Show, and they know how to host a party.

The Cleveland Botanical Garden was a lovely setting for a fashion show. Guests — and our guess is there were a couple hundred — feasted on a seemingly endless supply of heavy hors d’ouvres (risotto cakes, grilled veggies, dried fruit, cheese and crackers — there was meat stuff, too, but we’re vegetarians, so we didn’t care) and dark-chocolate covered strawberries, perfectly paired for us with a refreshing glass of Pinot Grigio. We resisted bidding on any of the jewelry and other items in the silent auction, but not for lack of interest or appeal.

First up for the runway show was the Ursuline College “Merchandised” Goodwill Garments, where students in the college’s fashion design program bought items from Goodwill and matched them with items they already had or purchased elsewhere. Next on the catwalk were the inspirations from three Cleveland-area fashion bloggers, each of whom were given $100 to spend at Goodwill and challenged to come up with as many outfits as they could. Finally, the Ursuline fashion students showed off their “redesigned” Goodwill garments, items they bought and then turned into something else — sometimes completely different.

We not only had a terrific night out, but we also learned that Goodwill is all about helping thousands of people in the community develop employment and life skills. Through its retail stores, the organization diverted more than 22 million pounds of clothing from landfills and gave $100,000 worth of merchandise to needy families through its voucher program in 2011.  Dang stylish, if we don’t say so ourselves.

We were so inspired by the show and the array of frugal fashions that we’ve challenged ourselves to find at least two complete outfits for less than $40 at Goodwill in the coming month. What a great way to support a great organization. Be sure to check back to our blog to see what fashion ideas we come up with. Oh, and enjoy our picks from the show:

Ursuline student Jodi Scimone’s combo of Eddie Bauer tweed skirt, yellow floral pattern blouse with built-in tie collar (total cost $25) (Photo: Stephen Travarca)

Ursuline student Kianna Coggins paired a black lace shirt with a black yoke skirt, adding gold earrings (total cost $25) (Photo: Stephen Travarca)

Fashion blogger Lauren Pfieffer’s combo featuring polka dot dress and tan leather backpack (total cost $12) (Photo: Stephen Travarca)

Ursuline student Tanisha Ramsey coupled a Limited black mini with an aqua princess-seamed blouse, adding a vintage paisley scarf and black sunglasses (total cost $25) (Photo: Stephen Travarca)

Ursuline student Susan Hayley Fox’s redesign of a little black dress with satin detachable peplum (total cost $20) (Photo: Stephen Travarca)

Ursuline student Erica Williams paired this Banana Republic black sweater and boot-cut stretch satin pants with a black and white houndstooth blazer and lilac scarf (total cost $23) (Photo: Stephen Travarca)

Fashion blogger Lauren Pfieffer’s creation featuring girlie blouse, plaid circle skirt and ’60s snakeskin purse (total cost $14) (Photo: Stephen Travarca)

Two thumbs up: Ursuline student Brittany Mendez transformed a black dress sequined with Swarovski crystals into a gorgeous top (Photo: Stephen Travarca)

Fashion blogger Lauren Pfieffer’s combo of dainty floral dress and basketweave clutch (Dress: $6) (Photo: Stephen Travarca)

Ursuline student Melinda Arko modeling chic day outfit with a custom-made belt with a rhinestone clasp (total cost $24) (Photo: Stephen Travarca)

This gets our vote: Ursuline student Jacqueline Hutchinson created this stunner from men’s shirts (total cost $25) (Photo: Stephen Travarca)

Back view of Ursuline student Jacqueline Hutchinson’s creation. How about those boots?! (Photo: Stephen Travarca)

Good Style Show guest Bethany, who is excited that Cleveland is getting a fashion scene, crafted this stunning top herself (Photo: Stephen Travarca)

Good Style Fashion Show

By Abby

Stylish Goodwill find

What does Goodwill know about fashion? Well you might not know but Goodwill puts on a fashion show every year.  I spoke with Robyn Steinmetz, Marketing Manager at Goodwill Industries of Greater Cleveland & East Central Ohio, who said, “Our team was looking for a ‘feature event’ to hold in the Cleveland area that would truly highlight the amazing merchandise that you can find in a Goodwill store.” Goodwill works in tandem with Ursuline fashion design students to take thrift finds and turn them into runway-worthy pieces.

But, again, what does Goodwill know about fashion? It’s in the name of their show: Good Style. Love that, and here’s why: Style is different than fashion. Style is something that develops from the inside and then shows on the outside. Fashion, on the other hand, can be bought. Style is the ability to eye an item and know you’ll look — and feel — great in it. And because you look and feel great, you present yourself with confidence. That’s style. Fashion is about trends, which can translate into often wearing things that really don’t suit your body or perhaps your personality. Just because Goodwill sells second-hand items, doesn’t mean it’s not jampacked with style. It’s all in what you choose and how you put it together; to wit, the Ralph Lauren short-sleeved turtleneck and a Tapemeasure open-knit top, both found at the same time at a local Goodwill. The look is completed with silk scarf with an Asian-influenced print.

Even though “fashion” is in the name of our blog, what we’re really talking about is style. We’ll be attending the Good Style Fashion Show this Thursday, May 3. Afterward we’ll share how it went and all the great items we saw.

Win Free Tix to Fashion Week Cleve!

By Abby and Elle

We’re having our first blogger giveaway, and YOU could win free tickets to two Fashion Week Cleveland events! Here’s what winners receive:

• Two tickets to the GlamJam festival on Saturday, May 5
• Two VIP tickets to the Runway Shows on Saturday, May 12

Winners are asked to take photos at the events and write a quick summary, which will be posted here, on Abby and Elle’s Upstairs Fashion blog.

Entry Rules

You have three ways of entering into the drawing, two of which can be done daily for additional entries. You do not need to participate in all three ways.

• In the comment section below, post the reason why you should receive VIP treatment at Cleveland’s Fashion Week. By posting a comment, you earn one entry in the giveaway!
• Follow @CLE_Fashion Week and @abbyandelle on Twitter, and then post this tweet: “I just entered @abbyandelle’s blogger giveaway contest for a chance to win free tickets to @CLE_FashionWeek & you can too!  Enter here: http://wp.me/p29I9L-ai.  Earn one entry for following @abbyandelle and @CLE_FashionWeek, and one entry every time you post that tweet (one entry per day maximum).
• Post a picture of yourself on Twitter wearing your most fashionable outfit and include this tweet: “@CLE_FashionWeek and @abbyandelle, I love this outfit because [INSERT YOUR REASON WHY]”  By posting a picture on Twitter, you earn another entry to the contest (one entry per day maximum).

The contest runs through April 21. Start posting your comments, get tweeting and Good Luck!