Scenes from Raleigh Fashion Week & Strut ‘09
Congratulations to all of the Raleigh Fashion Week contributors (organizers, entertainers, designers, hair and makeup artists, sponsors, civic organizations and volunteers). Events like these keep Raleigh and the surrounding areas on the map and contribute to the success and positive growth of local talent and businesses.
If you didn’t make it this year, you’re in luck! I shot some video and talked to some of the folks who make this event a success!
Please check out some of the scenes that I shot during Raleigh Fashion Week 2009.
Enjoy video at: Raleigh Fashion Week Video
RFW not on CNN…yet…
NC is the fashion industry’s next boomtown! Textiles are important to North Carolina residents, where the textile industry is 3x the size of the apparel industry. North Carolina ranks fourth in the nation in apparel employment, and remains the largest textile employer in the United States. For fashion merchandising and marketing students, North Carolina’s textile industry provides a healthy background for the state’s export business.
This is why NC Resident’s support of Raleigh Fashion Week is so important.
Last night was emerging artists night which featured NC State’s School of Design and Textiles students.
Today’s fashion expo at the Raleigh Convention Center will give you an inside look at makeup, hair, and fashion in the area…
Tonight’s fashion show will feature Women’s and Men’s formal wear with CELEBRITY models that you don’t want to miss!!
For more information stop into the Convention Center today or visit www.strut09.com
Easy Way to Sharpen Your Window Shopping Technique
The recession has many of us buying a lot less lately, but that doesn’t mean we can’t look at all of the pretty things…How else are we going to prepare ourselves to shop once the economy starts to turns upward again?
I recommend sharpening that shopping eye by dropping in on some of the fabulous fashion week events set to begin this Thursday in downtown Raleigh!
Today, I met with Tracie Fitch at TheShoppingMemo.com this morning. While we both agree that saving money is “chic” these days, we wouldn’t think to miss the chance to check out the latest in Raleigh fashion while supporting local designers and beauty industry talent during Raleigh Fashion Week.
We’ve decided to divide our time shooting video, taking pictures and providing up to the minute twitter and blog updates on Raleigh’s fashion scene.
If you’re anything like us then you won’t want to miss the events which begin at The Plaza Condominiums at 2 p.m. this Thursday, May 14.
Runway shows start each night at 9:00pm, but there are plenty of activities taking place even before the models hit the catwalk. You can:
Visit the Raleigh Fashion Week Expo, where fashion-forward businesses will share their health, fashion and beauty talents…
Bid on silent auction items to benefit Interact and Susan G. Komen for the Cure NC Triangle Affiliate…
Stop by The Plaza Condominiums booth to register to win a night at the most fashionable place to live in the Triangle!
Think of it this way…if you want to stay recessionista chic there are a ton of great reasons to pop into Raleigh Fashion Week to meet local designers and beauty professionals who can hook you up on a budget.
It’s more convenient since you don’t have to travel very far.
It cost less to you (for gas in your car) and the environment (pollution in the environment from all that shipping).
And buying local allows you to support local folks, which helps build up your community stay connected.
More info? For a full schedule of events and to order fashion show tickets visit www.strut09.com
Food, frocks and fun-taking Raleigh by storm
There will be no dull moment in Raleigh this May. Thousands are expected to flock to downtown Raleigh to celebrate the best in local dining, fashion, talent and living.
The second annual Triangle Restaurant Week will kicks off on Monday, May 11. Later in the week and into the weekend, area restaurateurs will share center stage with three other events: Artsplosure, Raleigh Fashion Week, and the Downtown Raleigh Home Tour.
This may not be New York’s restaurant or fashion week, but local models aren’t taking the catwalk to get noticed by Vogue, and designers aren’t auditioning for Heidi Klum.
The purpose of this string of events is to provide an outlet for local businesses, talent and artists to showcase their work and present an opportunity for residents to come together and celebrate the entertainment, culinary treasures, and talent right in our backyard.
These events are promoting harmony between the community and local businesses, allowing talent to gain feedback and more experience.
Itching for a sneak peak of the festivities?
I’ve just received word that Raleigh Fashion Week organizers will be stopping traffic at the Plaza Condominiums between the Oxford Gastropub and the Courthouse on Fayetteville St. in downtown Raleigh tomorrow (Friday, May 1st) at NOON (Sharp!).
Fashion is in BLOOM in Cary
So, stop putting off your spring cleaning and get to clearing out that closet full of the so-last-year spring fashions and get ready for one of the best seasons in spring stylehistory.
This Friday, I’ll be participating in The Shopping Memo’s “Launch Party” with the help of event planning guru, Lola32, and hosted by Cute Buttons Gift & Paper Boutique, in conjunction with: Martin and Mary’s, Rik’kel Hair Studio, The Royal Secret Boutique & Havana Grill in Cary.
The Launch Party take place from 4 – 8 p.m. at 312. W. Chatham St, Cary, NC 27511, Chocolate Smiles Village in Cary and YOU’RE INVITED!
Sound fabulously yummy?
That’s because it is!
The event will be complete with Fashion Shows, Trunk Shows, Sweets and Treats, Food, Music, Champagne, Mini Manicures, Make-Up Demonstrations, Complimentary Chair Massages, Spectacular Giveaways, Shopping, Fun and much more!
Additionally, thanks to my friend Allison Leggett (fellow Peace College graduate) and her boutique’s (The Pink Alli) mission to support breast cancer efforts, donations will be accepted and a portion of all donations received will benefit The Pretty in Pink Foundation – a local charity that provides financial resources for uninsured and underinsured breast cancer patients with limited financial means. Penny Lauricella, executive director of The Pretty in Pink Foundation, will be there working with The Shopping Memo to help create breast cancer awareness.
So what are you waiting for?
Mark your clean those closets, mark your calendars, grab your “spring sisters” and hop on over to this FREE spring soiree.
You can R.S.V.P via email at info@theshoppingmemo.com or you can contact Tracie at 919.278.8715 or Alison at 919.462.9618 or just come out and enjoy a girls nite out!
See you there!
Get Pink for Paws: Look good while doing good
This Friday night, join me for “PINK FOR PAWS,” an evening of beauty and refreshment hosted by Blades Studio and The Mosquito Nightclub to benefit the Wake SPCA.
Enjoy your favorite music and beverages, while receiving free consultations with the area’s top hair stylist and make up artist, Alex Blades. The evening will feature beauty, fashion, swag, raffle prizes and more!
Not only will you see the latest in high fashion and beauty but you will be able to learn more about the Wake SPCA’s mission to protect,shelter and promote adoption of homeless animals; to provide education about responsible pet ownership; and to reduce pet overpopulation through spay/neuter programs. From 9-11 p.m. 100% of the proceeds from the door will go to the Wake SPCA.
PINK FOR PAWS
For more information please contact:
Blades Studio- Hair make up at 910-381-6908 or alecksblades@yahoo.com
Additional Details:
Friday, April 10, 2009 at 9:00pm
End Time:
Saturday, April 11, 2009 at 2:00am
Location:
The Mosquito Nightclub
311 S Harrington St.
Raleigh, NC
Lost Boys of Southern Sudan inspire hope for the future
Today, I attended a moving lecture given by Sudanese “Lost Boys” Samuel Anei (Co-Founder of the Lost Boys Rebuilding Southern Sudan Foundation) and Joseph Akoon at Meredith College in Raleigh.
Meredith students have been studying the country of Sudan and viewed a film depicting the Lost Boys’ escape from civil war and their difficult journey to freedom.
I had the chance to chat with the professor leading Global Studies efforts at Meredith College, Dr. Deborah Tippett. I also got to talk with 3 Meredith College Seniors: Kate Jones, Paige Whitfield and Nina Chandra.
Is the barter system making a comeback?
How many times have you heard someone say, “I wish we could just go back to a barter system…?”
Well, it seems that wish is now being granted.
Today, CNN reported that while consumer spending is down, people are still getting what they want through good old fashioned bartering. Businesses and even individuals are regularly swapping services and products–online.
Imagine the possibilities! I could post a local advertisement at MyNC.com Classifieds to trade my dishwasher for your stove. A gym manager could offer to swap a membership in return for a new laptop for her business on a website like U-exchange. Students can swap books and CD’s on sites like Swaptree.
In this economy, we’re likely to try anything to get what we need to maintain our quality of like. While I don’t actually know anyone who is trying any of these bartering methods, I wonder how easy or how difficult it could be?
To learn more about this growing practice CNN recommend’s visiting the International Reciprocal Trade Association.
It’s certainly something to think about and maybe even consider…wanna trade?
Raleigh’s good eatin’ will be featured on The Travel Channel tomorrow!
Me, Adam Richman, Lori and Patrick
I got to not only meet this lover of food, but I got to sit down and chat with him. Check out the video at: http://jcoscia.myncblogs.com/2009/01/29/good-food-good-times-and-great-company-at-the-pit-restaurant/
I can’t wait to hear what he had to say about the Tar Heel state, the food and to see if my friends and I made the final cut of the show when it airs tomorrow night (Wednesday) on The Travel Channel’s “Man v. Food” at 10 E/P.
In the meantime, check out his vlog to hear how he thought eastern Carolina BBQ compared to what he calls “traditional” BBQ and what he thinks about eating late-night “drunk college student” grub…when you’re not a drunk college student…http://www.travelchannel.com/Video_&_Photos/Video_Detail?lineupId=3826925001
Remember: We’re no good to anyone if we don’t survive this
overworked workforce during the recession
I thought about something a colleague said to me a few weeks ago…Clearly sick; coughing, sneezing, etc. I advised this co-worker to “go home!” But this dedicated employee said, “No way!” I was reminded that no one can afford to take any time off. Job security isn’t a guarantee right now. Staff count is lower, the amount of work stays the same. If you aren’t at work, you could be next out the door! Point taken.
As businesses slash jobs and people struggle with unemployment, those who are fortunate enough to stay employed are grappling with fear, frustration and, of course, more work. Employees are faced with doing more with less.
If you’re like me, you probably spend between eight to twelve hours a day at work. As layoffs and furloughs take place we are all trying to figure out how the remaining employees are going to do all the work that everybody was doing to begin with.
Deadlines don’t change. Just because an employee is cut or doesn’t come to work on a furlough day doesn’t mean that someone else picks up the slack. It just means that there will be more work to do before they leave or more work “piled up” when they return from their furlough days.
This kind of stress could be a killer…literally…In Japan, workaholism was so common in the ’80s that workers sometimes dropped dead at their desks from “karoshi” (death by overwork).
As the late author of “Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff — At Work,” Richard Carlson,said, “Being Dead Is Bad for Business.”
If you’ve dodged layoffs or gotten furloughed instead. So far, so good. Turn that stress and extra work into an opportunity to gain some new work experiences but remember to take care of yourself, be mindful of your personal health and your personal life.
You’re no good to anyone if you’re stressed, sick — or worse…
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