Rockin' fashion

Rock ‘n’ roll and fashion. These two things go together like bread and butter. Lucky for those of us in the Kansas City area, we get to see the two worlds collide in an amazing way. By combining local designers and musicians, you get the ultimate live experience of the Rock N’ Roll Fashion Show.

The event will be held at the Crosstown Station on April 23. The show was originated by Clay Perkins, with the help of co-producer/photographer Joshua Ferdinand and fashion coordinator Christian Micheal. The Rock N’ Roll Fashion Show’s first event was in February 2009, and the show continues to put local artists in the spotlight.

“Our purpose is to let local artists get exposure they would never receive normally,” Perkins says. “We mesh live music with fashion in one high energy show. We want to give these artists an opportunity to showcase their work, and we give them a platform in which to do it.”

This year, three local bands and six local designers will take the stage. The bands include Audiovox, The Roman Numerals and The Beautiful Bodies. The threads that will rock the runway will be provided by Hemline, La di da, Method, Chanel Hawkins, Envolve Boutique and Nikki Grant Boutique.

“We wanted to make sure that people know that the Rock N Fashion Show will not disappear or fall to the wayside,” Perkins says. “We have always been about giving a platform to local artists, and the response from the previous shows was so overwhelming that we felt like we need to continue to go out and build line ups that would continue to prove that we are the one and only original fashion show that mixes music with fashion in Kansas City.”

It’s not just the bands and designers who are locals. All parties involved, from models to make-up to photographers, are from the Kansas City area. This allows a wider range of local talent to be showcased.

To get the word out, the creators of the Rock N’ Roll Fashion Show have turned to social media sites such as Tumblr, Facebook, Twitter and Myspace. They have also put out a couple of promo posters and videos featuring members of the bands and clothing from the designers.

For a couple extra bucks people may attend an after party. The Rock N’ Roll Fashion show has set another date lined up for Nov. 12.

Tickets will be available at the door the night of the event. For more information about the Rock N’ Roll Fashion Show, visit http://www.myspace.com/rock_n_fashion or follow on Twitter at http://twitter.com/#!/Rock_N_Fashion.
View the promo video here: http://vimeo.com/21468286

Environmentally friendly fashion

We see it everywhere. Slogans like “going-green” or “eco-friendly” bombard us in the media today. It is no secret that the idea of becoming environmentally aware has become a growing social concern all over the world. Going green isn’t just about the car you drive or your recycling habits, it’s also about the clothes you wear and products you use.

There are many fashion-related businesses in the Kansas City area that claim to be eco friendly. From jewelry and clothing designers to day spas and hair salons, going green and remaining stylish is a viable option for those of us in the Kansas City metro.

“We look to nature’s cycles for inspiration, both in the jewelry designs and in the daily activities at the workshop,” says Kylie Earlene Grater of Early Jewelry. “We focus on recycling and purchasing recycled materials, minimizing waste and supporting local resources and companies that think the way we do.”
Early Jewelry, located in Lawrence not only uses recycled metals and plastics, it also uses natural items such as animal bones, feathers and stones. Grater says that growing up on a farm in rural Kansas greatly influenced her aesthetic and pushed her toward eco-friendly design.

“The simplicity of rural life, the changing of the weather, and the cycles of planting and harvesting have all influenced my approach to creating jewelry,” Grater says.

There are also many fashion designers who have begun to use organic fabrics, second-hand clothing and accessories and recycled materials in an attempt to be eco-friendly. Because the market for organic fabrics has grown in recent years, it is more readily available and the price has gone down. This has made acquiring eco-friendly clothing a viable option to just about everyone.

So what makes fabrics organic? First, the seed must be cultivated naturally, with minimal impact on the environment. Also, all raw materials must be raised without chemical fertilizers or aids, and genetically modified seed cannot be considered green. Growers are also certified by third-party organizations and are inspected to make sure they are up to national and industry standards.

One local designer, Janay Andrews of Janay A. Handmade, has not only created an eco-friendly clothing line, she has begun to specialize in eco-friendly bridal-wear. Andrews creates anything from ring-bearer’s pillows to garters to wedding gowns themselves all in an eco-friendly fashion.

Janay A. Handmade, located on 31st Street in Kansas City, launched in 2005. Andrew’s business has progressively grown, recently attaining the Bride’s Choice Award ’11 from Wedding Wire. Andrews is also a co-founder of Wedding Hive, a bridal collective here in Kansas City.

“We strive to be green in all ways possible: We use the most beautiful vintage and organic materials we can find,” says Andrews, “we breathe new life into used materials for the most creative recycling we can conjure.”

Many of Andrews’ pieces embody these words. For instance, one of Andrews’ pieces is a ring bearer’s pillow that is made from an antique quilt. Andrews also uses vegetable-based dyes, factory-refused batting and many recycled fabrics such as old curtains.

“Many of our gowns are made of organic cotton with eco-friendly ribbon made from recycled plastic water bottles,” Andrews explains. “Girls can also bring in heirloom jewelry and incorporate that into the design.” Because no one wants to be the “cookie-cutter” bride on her wedding, the customization at Janay A. Handmade makes eco-friendly design even more fun and interesting.

Being eco-friendly and fashionable goes farther than your clothing and accessories. Day spas and hair salons also have made an effort to become green. One salon in particular is Studio Salon 39 located in the Crossroads Art District.

“As a green salon, we’re committed to organic living and creativity,” says Gemy Vinson- Chiarizio, founder of Studio Salon 39. Becoming a green salon and spa was not an easy task for Studio Salon 39. Because most products in the industry are not certified green, it took the salon some time to figure out what worked best.

“I realized that most professional beauty products were no ‘cleaner’ than mainstream products,” Vinson-Chiarizio said. “I felt very let down by the industry that I loved so much.”

It took a year of researching, but the salon finally found a professional product line that was organic. From this point forward, Eufora became the new staple line for Studio Salon 39.

“The entire bottle, including the label, is used from recycled products,” Vinson-Chiarizio says. The salon also began using European hair color because it is plant-based and uses fewer petrolatums than the average dye.

Just like the Eufora product line, which is green in every aspect, Studio Salon 39 has worked to be green in every way possible.

“We started recycling in the salon, which was challenging since it is normally not offered to businesses as part of the trash service,” Vinson-Chiarizio says. “To help cut down on our waste, we began a salon-wide recycling program.” Because recycling is not a normal option for businesses in the area, the employees took turns taking the recyclables to a nearby drop site.

“That was very eye opening,” Vinson-Chiarizio says. “We went from four huge bags of trash a week to one small bag. We also began to offer our recycling customers a discount; those who bring in empty product bottles receive a 10 percent discount on their retail purchases.” This incentive is not only a nice perk to customers, it may influence them to begin recycling themselves.

The employees of Studio Salon 39 have adjusted and also have made an effort to become even greener. They installed water-saving fixtures, solar shades and replaced inefficient appliances with new energy saving ones. All of these things make Studio Salon 39 one of the greenest salons in town.

Being green about your fashion does not mean you have to travel long distances or sacrifice your fashion sense. With many businesses in the Kansas City metro area dedicated to being green, it makes your search that much easier. Not only will you be contributing to the environment, you also will be contributing to local businesses and designers.


If you’re interested in any of these businesses, links to all their websites are listed below:
http://earlyjewelry.com/
http://www.janay-a.com/
http://www.studio39salon.com/

Princess Diana: A fashion icon

One of the most famous, most iconic dresses in the history of the modern world is the bridal gown of the late Princess Diana. Now, in an exhibit at the Union Station, the bridal gown along with other designer dresses, tiaras, jewels and other possessions are available to be seen by the public.

Diana’s wedding gown, which is now 30 years old, is the centerpiece of the exhibit. The dress is enclosed in a large glass case to accommodate its 25-foot train and the accompaniment of the flower girl’s dress. The gown is a sight to behold with intricate beading on the bodice and a veil to match. While a train of that size would be completely unfeasible to most, Diana showed some practicality in her shoe selection, choosing white flats with a small kitten-heel.
Large images of Diana wearing the monumental dress surround the display, allowing you get a life-sized visual of what it would have been like to be present at the wedding. The whole display has a larger-than-life feel; what one might expect to feel when in the presence of such an important piece of fashion history.

With all the recent talk of Princess Diana’s dress, there has been an increased amount of speculation about the dress Kate Middleton will don for her wedding ceremony. There have been leaks of possible designs although there has been no official word yet. Middleton and Prince William are set to wed at the end of next month.
The designer gowns shown at the exhibit showed that although Diana was royalty, she was also a real woman. Her dress size ranged from a size 4 to a size 14 throughout her life. She also had a wide range when it came to her taste in style. Many of her dresses were ultra-chic but she also owned many traditional pieces. She wore dresses of heavy, rich velvet, gorgeous gowns suited for a future queen. But then, after her divorce from Prince Charles, she slipped into something sexy, favoring cocktail dresses by Versace.

In addition to her wardrobe, Diana’s jewels were something out of a fairy tale. Many of Diana’s rings, necklaces and tiaras encrusted with the sparkling diamonds and smooth pearls were on display. Each piece of jewelry in her collection was exquisite and just being in the presence of such expensive jewels is any girl’s fantasy.

Besides all of the fashion-related items on display several of Diana’s personal items were also at the exhibit. Things like Christmas cards, autographed wedding photos and other knick-knacks give insight into Diana’s personality. This gives the viewer the opportunity not only to see the glamorous side of Diana’s life, but also the more personal side.

The exhibit opened March 4 and will remain in Kansas City until June 12. This is the last stop the exhibit will make in the United States, so go while you can. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster as well as the Union Station box office.

Jewelry with a "soul"

Kansas City has many up-and-coming jewelry designers. Among these designers is Susan Mayer, creator of 74 Harley Street. By day, Mayer may seem like your average stay-at-home mom. But by night she is an artist, repurposing any damaged, old-fashioned or vintage jewelry she can get her hands on and revamping it into something modern and beautiful. One of the most unique elements of Mayer’s designs is a taste of nostalgia, or “soul,” that is present in her work.

It is easy to walk into any mainstream jewelry store in the mall and buy a mass-produced, trendy piece of jewelry that will likely be out of fashion within the year. But by updating classic, vintage pieces, Mayer is able to create one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces that withstand the test of time.

“I design jewelry with vintage pieces – I love to add my own voice to these gorgeous old pieces, most of which aren't necessarily fashionable now the way they were intended to be worn,” Mayer said, “I give them new life and make them fun to wear. Plus, my stuff works day to night...great with a tee and jeans or dressed up for a party or gala. So fun!”

The diversity in her work is obvious, and each of her designs can be worn for more than one occasion. What makes her work so interesting is that her pieces always contain something different. Whether it is a mother-of-pearl brooch, an old pocket watch, or a skeleton key, there is something to tickle any vintage jewelry junkie’s fancy.

“I get inspiration everywhere, especially out when I'm shopping for pieces,” Mayer said. “I see a piece and I either know right away what I want to do with it, or I hold on to it for months before it hits me. My mom's got a great eye, and we collaborate a lot.”

When it came to the idea of 74 Harley Street, Mayer didn’t know what to do with it right away. Instead, Mayer held on to the idea for quite some time before it materialized into the business it is today.

“74 Harley Street started several years ago as a creative endeavor on a different level,” Mayer said. ”Then I took a break to be a mom.” One of the most influential times of Mayer’s life was the time she spent in London.
“What didn't I do there?” Mayer said when asked about her life in London. “Jewelry...boy, if I did then what I do now, just imagine the goodies I could've picked up! I was living in Chicago and working at a marketing agency. I transferred to the London office and lived at 74 Harley Street. After several years, I had my first son there and realized I wanted to be a full-time mom and move closer to family.”

After her time in London, Mayer moved to the Kansas City area where she had three more children and fulfilled her need to be a full-time mom. But, the idea of her own jewelry line stayed with her as well as the memories of London’s vibrant fashion world. Mayer refers to her flat in London as her “lucky charm,” which is why she named her line after it. Within the past three years Mayer has worked hard to establish 74 Harley Street as a reality.

“I feel like I have a point of view I can translate into jewelry, and I love creating something that I can wear and enjoy, Mayer said. “I've gotten a great response, and that feeds my creativity. I’m currently in several boutiques in Kansas City and I hope to continue to grow the business and expand regionally.”

Mayer’s jewelry has also been featured in local magazines such as KC Weddings, Spaces Magazine, Flourish!, and KC Star Magazine. Even with 74 Harley Street growing in popularity, Mayer continues to make her family her priority.

“My four boys keep me busy,” Mayer said. “Obviously, my days are too busy to sit and work, but when the house is quiet, usually after bedtime, I get out all of my goodies and get to work. It usually takes me a couple of hours of piddling around until the creative juices flow. I love it, so I enjoy the time I spend on it.” And Mayer’s love for her work shows. In addition to her line of jewelry, Mayer also creates custom jewelry, updates family heirlooms and creates personal pieces for brides. These are the kinds of special services that cannot be found just anywhere.

Mayer’s family-oriented personality has not only affected her path in life, it has also had a profound effect on her jewelry design. Even from the time she was a young girl she held dear to her the things her family passed on to her. This is why Mayer believes every piece of old jewelry has something to say.

“I've always been sentimental about stuff in general; anything my family gave me, I kept and cherished,” Mayer said. “It's like these things have soul. And that's how I feel about these vintage jewelry pieces. They have a story, a history. I've always had a passion for jewelry, love the classic and statement pieces, but I try to stay outside of the trendy. The two passions have finally crossed paths, it's great!”

Mayer has big hopes for the future of 74 Harley Street. Her ultimate goal is to be a regional competitor. But Mayer will not let this change her jewelry. She is dedicated to maintaining the personal touch and vintage feel that has made her designs so unique. Most important, Mayer wants her jewelry to continue to have “soul,” the element of Mayer’s jewelry that could never be mass-produced.
For more information or to purchase a piece by Susan Mayer, visit www.74harleystreet.com.

The Garment District celebrates Its’ one year anniversary

The Garment District Celebrates Its One Year Anniversary
This Thursday, Feb. 24, will be the one-year-anniversary of the Garment District Boutique. With discounts on clothing, giveaways, VIP goodies and personal styling sessions, The Garment District is celebrating their anniversary in style.

Located in the Power & Light District at 1350 Main St., The Garment District brings the work of many local designers and regional retailers to one place. It is a collective of nine boutiques, and in a three-story building, it’s almost like a shopping mall. In the center of everything is a large concrete bar where guests can mingle. It has a lofty feel, with wooden floors, large windows and stone accent walls. Here, people can check out new collections, purchase clothing, or just chill.

“The Power & Light District was already a destination from an entertainment perspective; now it’s a destination for the entire weekend,” said Randall Schneck, the general manager of the Garment District Boutique. Indeed with tons of designer clothing and a bar inside, the Garment District is a one-stop-shop. Designers represented at the Garment District include: Label, Two Chic Boulevard, Denim Couture, City Girl Boutique, Reign, Imagery, Christian Michael and Zani Guggleman, to name just a few.

“We have accessories for as low as $5, and clothing starts at $25,” said Schneck. With prices ranging from $5 to $500, there is going to be something to match just about anyone’s wallet. And if you want the full experience, the Garment District offers a unique “personal shopping” experience. This entails a full makeover with the assistance of a stylist and complimentary drinks, of course.

“It’s a different concept, certainly unusual for downtown,” Schneck said. But, this “different concept” has fit in well with its counterparts in the Power & Light District. In addition to its normal business hours, the Garment District holds “Fashion Fridays,” similar to First Fridays in the art district, on the third Friday of every month. During these events, people can view various established and up-and-coming designer’s collections. This keeps the public up to date on what local designers are doing and keeps fashion alive in Kansas City.

After World War I, Kansas City’s Garment District was booming. During the 1940s fashion was so prominent in Kansas City that one out of every seven women in the U.S. purchased clothing that was made in Kansas City. Thousands of women in Kansas City were employed in the fashion industry during that time, and it was the second largest employer in the area. The new Garment District Boutique is paying homage to Kansas City’s rich fashion history.


A full list of events for this week are as follows:
February 23rd 3pm – 7pm Happy hour including specialty drinks and 15% off your entire purchase
February 24th 7pm – 9pm The 1 year Anniversary Galla with a VIP after party at Mosaic Lounge
February 27th 12pm – 6pm Hangover party featuring Bloody Mary specials

West 18th Street Fashion Show prepares for another year

Contrary to popular belief, you do not have to live in New York, Paris or Milan to become a noticed fashion designer. The West 18th Street Fashion Show is an annual event here in Kansas City that gives local designers a chance to showcase their work. Named after the street that has become one of the largest fashion and art hubs in Kansas City, the West 18th Street Fashion Show has grown greatly in popularity since its beginnings in 2001.

“Every year the stage gets longer, every year there's better designers and the crowds get bigger,” says Davin Watne of Dig It Panties, “Each year the bar is set higher than the year before.” With only 18 designers from the Kansas City metro area chosen to participate from a sea of applicants, it is a complete showcase of Kansas City's finest designers.

“The show has grown so much over the past 10 years, I'm glad to be a part of it,” says Liz Peters, a local designer. “The show has become really exciting.” With turnouts increasing each year, there is no doubt that the West 18th Street Fashion Show will continue to be a success.

“I think the show is great for the community because it brings a lot of unknown designers to the public of Kansas City,” says Meagan Stracy, a local designer and participant in 2010's show. Along with the designers, local jewelry designers, make up artists, and models also get to shine at the event.

The community also shows its support for the event. Businesses within the Kansas City community fund the entire event while the merchants of West 18th Street host it. During the event, West 18th Street between Wyandotte and Baltimore avenues is shut down. Notably, Birdies Panties and Swim Boutique, located on West 18th Street, have taken the lead on hosting the event.

Although the event is held in June, the producers of the West 18th Street Fashion Show are hard at work planning the event for this year. The team of producers consists of experienced professionals in event planning as well as local designers and business owners who have been around since the West 18th Street Fashion Show's infancy.

It was announced Feb. 10 that the theme for this year's fashion show will be “Summer in Spain.” Each designer must use this theme as a reference for the lines they produce. Past themes have included “Summer in Space,” “Summer at Sea” and “A Summer in Wonderland.”

The 2011 show is to be held on June 11 at 8 p.m. There is an open call for all designers interested in being part of this year's show. All submissions must be in by 7 p.m. March 7. For more information about how to register or how to buy tickets for the event visit the West 18th Street Fashion Show's blog at: http://westeighteenthstreet.com/blog/.