So, I made the (last-minute) decision to pack up and head to NYC for the IFB Evolving Influence Conference, and figured I might as well stay for the Fashion’s Night Out festivities. You know, to support the economy and such.

I’ve been working on the new issue of the magazine seemingly non-stop for the past few weeks, so I could use a fun break…though covering the events actually means more work…ah, well. I plan to have a good ‘n fancy time!

Who else is going? Let’s hook up! And most importantly–what should I wear?

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I’ve really been slacking on this whole blogging thing lately. Every now and then, it feels like my life is better as my own, no sharing necessary. It’s nice to be able to keep things close to the vest, though frankly, things have been a bit boring.

Let’s see:

I spent last Sunday running up and down Main Street like a crazy person during Second Sunday in OTR. After taking hundreds of pictures, chatting up vendors and shop owners, and trying to eat as much as possible (a favorite pastime), I was sweaty and exhausted.

Then I had a meeting.

I’m working on another magazine project, and we met at a cafe to discuss the mock-up I’d created and a bunch of other logistical issues. I was pleased to discover that I know stuff! Have you ever been surprised/impressed at how much you know concerning a particular issue or skill? I’m really getting into this custom publishing thing…

After the meeting, I walked outside to hop on my bike and finally go home, and my bike was…gone. The cable lock was still there, dangling innocently from the meter. The combination was fully locked, yet no bike in sight.

I was pissed.

The bike wasn’t one of those cutesy riding-around-in-a-full-skirt-with-a-basket-of-flowers-while-the-Sartorialist-takes-your-picture deals, either. It was a full-on Schwinn man’s mountain bike, all rough and tough and perfect for riding around the ‘hood.

I walked my tired self home, abandoned bike lock in hand, ready to start swingin’ and take out whoever might’ve taken my bike.  Trust, I was ready to do serious damage to somebody’s cranium. Now I just feel silly for not locking it more securely, though that still doesn’t give anyone the right to steal. Lesson learned.

For my fellow ride or die biznitches, here’s how you should lock your bike:

The more you know *sweeps arm in rainbow motion*

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Last Friday evening I hit the Purple People Bridge with Style Sample magazine photography assistant Brandy for Cincy Chic’s Red Pink and Blue event. It was much bigger this year, and I ran into a few familiar faces.

Jewelry sponsor Serket Jewelry had tons of gorgeous pieces, including a substantial collection of statement necklaces. I’m dreaming of wearing 6-7 at a time, like ancient Egyptian pectorals.

DJ Storm Bennett kept everyone entertained (he’s obvs. a ham for the camera–he struck a pose as soon as he saw my lens pointed at him), and I finally met Kasmira of What I Wore Today, who was wearing a really cute vintage-y looking dress and belt.

We had the chance to go “backstage” (back-bridge?) before the show to see the clothes, meet the models, and chat with the hair and makeup artists. I ran into two friends from Cincinnati Fashion Week–Nathan was coordinating and styling the show, and Nicole gathered the survivor models and hair team for photos and introductions.

Breast cancer, diabetes, and heart health warriors and their physicians.

Around 9, the sky turned dusky, the music pumped up, and the show started!

The models had to walk a looong way in some pretty precarious footwear, but everyone looked lovely in their ALK Fashion dresses.

Thanks to Amy at Cincy Chic for a great event for, not one, but three great causes!

Images: Tamia, Brandy K.

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In my blogging absence, I forgot to tell you about an opportunity to win tickets to this Friday’s Red, Pink, and Blue (RPB) event! RPB is a combination fashion show/fundraiser that benefits heart health (red), breast health (pink), and diabetes health (blue). If you recall, I attended last year and had an absolute blast.

To win, all you have to do is leave a comment on this post. Don’t be afraid to tell me which stylish red, pink, or blue outfit you’d wear. I got all excited and made a collage with some of my picks, just in case you, um… forgot…what those colors look like. Yeah.

I’ll randomly choose and notify the winners this Thursday.  Remember, this takes place in Cincinnati/NKY, so you should probably be in the area to win. Dur.

And if you need help choosing what to wear…well, you know who to call!

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My plans for this weekend include a rooftop celebration at a friend’s condo, my cousin’s graduation party, and judging dogs in dressed in drag.

What are your plans?

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Last week, I headed over to LPK (which is housed in a gorgeous historical building, by the way) for a talk called Memo from 2015: What the Future Wants from Designers. The event was sponsored by the Cincinnati AIGA and led by adorably baby-faced-but-apparently-brilliant LPK trend analyst Brian Meyers.

Call me shallow (you’d be right), but I’m much more likely to listen to an analysis of future trends from someone who looks straight out of a photo on The Sartorialist. And I have to say I was floored when he referenced Comme des Garcons and Nicolas Ghesquiere in practically the same breath. Finally, someone who speaks my language!

Brian started off by telling us a bit about how the LPK team distills socio-cultural trends into specific “future states”—Star Trek-ish* versions of the future—and the necessity of designing for those possible worlds now, instead of getting stuck in the present and playing catch-up later.

Future States

Simplistic slowdown: Slower experiences; higher emotional engagement

Curate & collect: Living highly selective and purposeful lives

Maker culture: The producer and consumer are the same person. In this case, designers will need to distinguish their value as people are more apt to do things on their own (e.g. create a magazine, even if you don’t really know what you’re doing)

Embracing the ugly: Palates adjust to accept and appreciate the amateur aesthetic

Death and destruction: Damage and desolation as art

Computers as competition: Humans vs our increasingly intelligent robotic rivals

Images: Wit + Delight, lauren gaudart, etsy, ffffound

I noticed distinct correlations between several of the states mentioned. For instance, being selective (Curate and collect) takes time and energy (Simplistic slowdown) in order to sort through the rabble for things that are personally meaningful. In a Maker culture, people are more apt to embrace something they’ve made (ugly as it may be), due to the emotional attachment formed during the creation process.

Backlash

Most of the trends are clearly a backlash against the 24/7, always-busy nature of the web. People are growing tired of the constant stream of information, ideas, and imagery thrown at them via social networks and digital media. We’re already seeing a proliferation of hand-crafted goods and clean and simple design.

The point: designers need to learn how to create imagery and experiences that are engaging to the people living in those worlds. Now.

It was an interesting talk.

What do you think the future holds? So you see those changes starting to take place now?

*I’m kind of a Trekkie. Add that to the list of things you never asked and didn’t really care to know about me.

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While browsing CincyChic one day, I came across the information for the Red Pink and Blue fashion show. Red Pink and Blue was developed by Candace of Art of the Spa to raise awareness and educate women about common women’s health issues–specifically heart health (red), breast health (pink), and diabetes (blue). A fashion show, you say? I’m there!

Fellow blogger Tina of Florida Girl Meets the Midwest and I decided to hit the event together. Amy, the Editor-in-Chief of Cincy Chic, was kind enough (and adorable in her long pink dress and matching earrings) to give us a behind-the-scenes tour!

Joalerie, mes amies
After plying us with some tasty pomegranate vino (thanks Amy!), Amy led us over to the gorgeous silver jewelry glinting in the sunlight at Lisa Robin Jewelry. I spoke to Lisa for a bit about her background in management and marketing consulting and experience in interior design, which means she’s got both the business and creative sides covered.

Believe it or not, Lisa’s signature design was inspired by a door she saw in Florence while on a trip to Italy last year! The combination of classic patterns forged in silver and accented with pale semi-precious stones gives off a subtly alluring medieval princess-meets-wood nymph vibe.  I’m already picturing multi-layered necklaces and bracelets worn with thigh high boots and clouds of lavender chiffon for fall. Think Isabel Marant meets Princess Aurora.

True Survivor
While we were standing there chatting, Amy introduced us to Jamie, a breast cancer survivor who would be modeling a custom-made dress in the show’s finale. Jamie owns Fusion Studio, a fitness and personal training studio in Newport and Jamie is buff. Seriously, I sucked in my stomach and silently vowed to do more push-ups after we talked about her amazing story (she was pregnant when she was diagnosed) of strength and survival.

Kiss and Makeup
We moved on to the makeup counter where the ladies from Saks were handing certificates for free consultations. I need to do that stat–I’ve promised myself that I’d learn out how to properly wear red lipstick without looking like a cracked-out circus clown.

So, ho.
We moved on to the “dressing room” where all of the models were hanging out and spoke to Amy Maynard of Soho, the local boutique providing the looks for the show. The shop itself has been around for 12 years, but former IT Consultant and restaurant manager Amy has only owned Soho for three months.

It’s actually a great story: she was in the shop trying to find an outfit to wear to the Chelsea Handler show, and overheard the former owner lamenting about selling the boutique. Amy immediately decided that she would buy Soho! She promptly put down the dress she was trying on and bought the entire shop instead! How cool is that?

Tina and I have already made plans to commandeer the boutique for a welcome-to-the-hood shopping party. I’ll keep you updated.

Do you need some more coochy?
Tina wanted to stop by the Pure Romance booth to say hi to Tisa, and the big “private dancer pole” box on the table caught my eye. Hmmmm…it is supposed to be good exercise (I heard)!  Tisa is funny and friendly and chatted us up about everything from pole dancing to her hometown in Florida.

Tina was musing about the viability of a Pure Romance bachelorette party (she’s getting married in September) when I overheard Tisa speaking to another customer:

“Oh, do you need some more coochy?”

Wide-eyed and open-mouthed, I gaped at Tina, trying not to panic. What? You can get more? How do you know you’re running out in the first place? How low is my supply?

Thankfully, it turns out Coochy is a body shaving cream that can be purchased via Tisa’s site, sexinthecincy.com. Whew! Had me worried there…

The show must go on (the bridge)
Finally, we headed over to the Purple People Bridge and sat down to watch the fashion show at the end of what has to be one of the best outdoor runways ever.  As the models sashayed down the looong catwalk (they were wearing heels, poor things!) we pointed out the pieces we liked and I tried to take pictures, but it was dark and the lighting on the bridge wasn’t really photo friendly.

Runway images by Kate Messer Photography

There were some really cute -pieces, though–I can definitely see wearing the black jumpsuit with an armful of bangles and dramatic gold earrings, hair pulled back in an assymetrical bun and a slash of deep coral lipstick. Very 80′s YSL. ETA: I just found out that the custom-made caftans the survivors wore are available on eBay!

After the show ended, we thanked Amy and met the darling Linda, the editor of Cincy Chic. There was an after party for the event at Havana Martini, but we were too pooped to attend. However, I will be there for the Past & Present fashion show coming up at the end of July!

Big thanks to everyone who participated in the show and supported not one, but three worthy causes!

Read these, too:
Runway Fashion: Cruise Control
Fashion Math
Wear it Now: Fall 2009

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