Dado

Fashion & Freaks

It's THAT time of year!!

FALL. FASHION. FREAKS. Fall fashion freaks.

But that's not all, folks. Nope. Hold on to your seats, September is so full, it's spilling over into October.  Check out these awesome events, worth amping up the wardrobe for the evening (need some wardrobe assistance??? shameless plug…call me!! www.andreabonawitzstyling.com):

Sept 12th 
FROM THE GROUND (Greentopia Fashion Show)
Time for fashion freaks to make there way out of hibernation and the perfect way to start out the season is at this year's eery, "Alice-in-Wonderland meets Pans Labyrinth" style From the Ground fashion show. For newbies on the Rochester scene, From the Ground is the fashion element at the Greentopia Festival in downtown Rochester.






(NOTE: To read more about the show, check out my FIRST EVER print article in the (585)Magazine September/October Issue!! In it, I feature the unique partnership between the show's founders, Shawn and Athi, just plain good people intent on pushing the boundaries of creativity and community building.) Look for me in the front row!!

ROCPROM (Also, Sept 12th...you can make an appearance after the Fashion Show.)
A new event, an excuse to dress up, a place to be seen with other cool people willing to spend 50/ticket to dance the night away at a not-so-exclusive, "exclusive" Strathallan event.
Why the dry wit?? Because the invitation says "invite only," but has a credit card/paypal option for anyone to purchase tickets. Oh, marketing.
Why is it really worth checking out?? the sponsors are the new kids in town and seem to be pretty likable hosts-  (585) Magazine, Pour Coffee Parlor, and Candidly.

Sept 12th and 13th
GREENTOPIA ECOFEST



Sept 27th 
DADO 5 YR ANNIVERSARY FASHION SHOW
DRESS UP for this one- it's a taste of the NYC runway vibe hosted for and by Rochester socialites galore. (Thank God Dalida is so down-to earth!) Dado has done a KNOCKOUT job putting together her fashion show fundraisers, proceeds of which go to the Wilmot Cancer Center. Read more about her story in my latest blog.
So bummed! I be away for this milestone show. Thankfully it is bc I am hosting a special hair (hair fashion & education) show in Poughkeepsie with my co-workers. I will be a guest artist for THE FIRST TIME, educating for Goldwell Hair Color!! Wish me luck.)



October 14th-18th
FASHION WEEK OF ROCHESTER
For all my criticism, here is the bottom line: there is still only one group coordinating "Fashion Week" in Rochester…and I can't help but attend in a city with an Fashion and Beauty Industry that is so damn limited! 6 Nights, 6 Events…you have to at least go to ONE. I'm looking forward to the Saturday night show, hosted in the recently renovated Midtown Tunnel. (Message me if you want to join!)



I will be sure to update this post, as more events get added. This is just scratching the surface! 
Let me know what you think of the show(s)!
WHICH ONES are your favorite THIS YEAR?



Spot Light: The Woman Behind Dado

A couple weeks ago I was commissioned to write a Fashion Preview on Dado Boutique's Spring 2014 Fashion Show for a local publication. Incidentally, I learned that the woman behind this $209,000 (and growing) fundraiser fashion show is the dynamic force that keeps her clients coming back for more. Meet, Dalida "Dado" Atallah, owner and operator of local, high-end women's boutique, Dado.

A view from the back of Dado's latest location.
Originally opened on Park Ave, Dado moved to Brighton in 2011.

Atallah self proclaims to hate personal feature stories, but I could not help bragging about her a bit. Let me tell it to you simply.

The facts:

  • Attalah opened Dado in 2007, backed by a small $25,000 loan and no former experience in Fashion or Merchandising. 
  • Atallah hosted her first free fashion show fundraiser for clients in 2009.  
  • In total, the Dado Spring and Fall fashion shows have raised over $209,000 in proceeds for the Wilmot Cancer Center. 
  • The Fall 2014 Dado Fashion Show had unprecedented attendance of 700 people and raised $36,000, catapulting Dado into a "legit" fashion show scene status. 
  • The primary marketing strategy for Dado is word of mouth. 
Talk about a grass roots effort. What drives this 40-some-odd-year-old dynamo? She acknowledges her customer when she states, "It has always been the number one objective of the whole show for the customer to have a good time." 

She admits that people come to the show for all kinds of reasons with merely twenty percent or so of those attending being actual customers,  but ultimately it is the customer that drives her business and her ideas. "It's all about building a relationship," says Attalah of customer service. 
Dado model poses at the Spring 2014 Fashion Show, displaying hair byThe Spa at Del Monte . 

Known for providing trendy clothes, targeted to the over thirty, fashionably chic and affluent population, Atallah resists the industry standard of using uber young, shapeless, tall models. Rather, with a grateful nod to her shoppers, Atallah sends actual customers down the runway. Of this decision, she comments, "Since when was fashion only for twenty-year-olds? Twenty-year-olds don't even have the money to afford this fashion."

Atallah directs models backstage, between runway walk and photo-ops  at the Spring 2014 Fashion Show.







On the Town: Two Events

Each Fall Rochester has it's own twist on Fashion Week with two events worth penciling into your calendar.

Dado's Fall Fashion Show

Dado's Fall/Winter fashion show is TOMORROW and Tuesday night at Good Luck restaurant at 8pm. Formerly a one night affair, this shows increasing interest and attendance. While the retail clothing is the star of the show, other highlights include Jewelry by Mann's Jeweler's and a guest performance by Rochester City Ballet. Proceeds benefit the Wilmot Cancer Center. Tickets available at Dado Boutique...currently standing room only tickets available. 






A three day event called "Fashion Week" in honor of the International Fashion week happening each September. Rochester's version consists of a Thursday night boutique crawl and three fashion shows. It boasts collaboration among local boutiques, retailers, salons, and accessory designers. Note: must buy tickets in advance for the fashion shows. This year's events take place October 14th, 15th, and 16th. Ticket locations below. 



Panache Vintage & Finer Consignment
(585) 473-5343

... 2 Chic Boutique
(585) 271-6111

The Center for Youth
(585) 271-7670

Suzanne's Distinctive Fashions
(585) 383-1810

Scott Miller Pittsford Location
(585) 264-9940

Scott Miller Webster Location
(585) 264 9940

 (photo from my personal collection)
 

Rochester: Fashion Flash

Dear readers,

First off, my apologies for falling off the face of the earth this summer. I have been focusing energies on a fashion/beauty photographic project about to be wrapped up. (Images coming soon!) I am back and in business.

If it's any consolation, the fashion mood is JUST shifting now, as it always takes AMPLE time for Rochester to AMP up. But, never fear! Fashion is in the sweet smelling air of fall!


~andrea

Two major upcoming events will be defining style this season.


Fashion "Week" of Rochester

Rochester's first ever Fashion Week has been declared for Sept 30-Oct 2. More of a expose week-end, it boasts of a 3 day foray into what Rochester has to offer: a boutique crawl through 14 of the area's locally owned and operated destination stores; The Art of Fashion, a still modeled fashion show at Four Walls Art Gallery; and the weekend culminates with The Height of Fashion, a live runway show hosted by Rochester's own Memorial Art Gallery. This sounds built for success.

One criticism: scheduling for this event was not clearly defined online or in print until a mere 3 weeks before the event. Even the local area stores selling tickets were not updated with details before/at the point when tickets arrived. For the sake if fashion aficionados awaiting in anticipation, get your info out there sooner!
 
Eye Candy hosts during Fashion Week's Boutique Crawl Thurs, Sept 30th.
 

Dado Fall Fashion Show


Dado kicks off it's third bi-annual fashion show October 19 at Good Luck, with a preview of fall/winter samples to salivate over. Don't fix what ain't broke seems to be the theme, as jewelry shown remains to be by Mann's and Futurpointe performs at intermission for the second time consecutively. New to the mix and will be hair (and makeup?) by Rock, Paper, Scissors Salon, an up-and-coming salon in the area salon circuit. One can't help but wonder why Scott Miller pulled out of Dado's fall/winter preview to do Fashion Week of Rochester...makes for a slight sense of competition. But, who are we kidding, here? Rochester's scene is just burgeoning such that the reality is beaucoup room for growth. 

Ok, ladies and gents- get dapper, get set and GO!

Dado Fall Fashion Show- Tues, Oct 19th. The third bi-annual show slated to be a success. 

Spring Style Notes

Spring is soon upon us and it is the ideal time to shop. New inventory is pouring in and if you like a steal, then cleverly mix up some winter clearance into your spring wardrobe.

andrea's spring must-haves

denim leggings



This is the new rage. Trendy and comfortable, you can't go wrong. Occasionally referred to as jeggings, jean leggings look best paired with tunic length shirts.

All of the prominent denim companies have a version of this trend; so, GO find your favorite pair!














  



 (above, top: Joe's denim from shopbop.com, available in Rochester at A Step Apart; above, bottom: H&M leggings available at H&M retailers)


shirt dress/men's dress shirt

There's nothing sexier than getting out of bed and throwing on your boyfriend's rumpled button up. New takes on this style range from ultra feminine, body forming to loose and literal.

Which ever direction you steer, make sure your shirt is long enough to graze your cheekline (down below) and pair it with your new denim leggings!




andrea's pick:
Matt shirtdress by Jack by BBDakota, above,  keeps it structured and girly by hugging the natural waist. Available at Thread in Rochester.

jumper/romper/playsuit

Love your legs?? Show them off in a cutesy romper. Here's the key: WEAR with wedges/espadrilles to keep those sunkissed limbs looking toned.


Hate your legs?? Buy a full romper that draws attention to your arms. Problem solved.


The point is, buy a romper this Spring!!




andrea's picks:
Lucca Couture Jumper, above left, available at Urban Oufitters
Dolce Vita Romper, below right, with peekaboo lace back   available at shopbop.com (Dolce Vita sold at Dado of Rochester)


 
 (above left, Floral Playsuit available at topshop.com)

hidden wedges 


Hidden wedges are spectacular. They give the allusion of wearing a flat while still adding height and tone to the leg- perfect when wearing a romper. Best of all, they are comfortable to walk in. This may be fashion's best kept secret, as they are not easy to find. 

andrea's pick: 
Molly Classic by 80%20, above, available online at Amazon.com
 
(Note: any hidden wedges by 80%20 are amazing, although it is difficult to find retailers in this area. I use http://www.8020nyc.com/ to find styles first, and then the site will direct you to online retailers where you can purchase.)

 
(above, Aldo hidden wedge booties available at all Aldo locations)