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?

Fashion FAIL: Fashion Week of Rochester

This year I was giving it that chance... you know that moment, when you are pretty sure that you need to break up with someone, but you think of all the things you tell yourself that you have in common and say, "Ok, one more chance." The longer you've been together, the harder it is to break up.

It finally happened for me.

http://www.fashionweekofrochester.org

I wanted to believe in Fashion Week of Rochester (FWR). Why? Because I believe in the Fashion Industry. I believe in reaching each client, in making fashion both fun as well as functional. I want everyone to experience that spark of excitement that happens when you see yourself from a different point of view. Fashion can be dress-ups for grown ups. But, it's more than that. It is empowering. When your image tells the world who you are, and you will be, you are no longer pretending. You are focused and you are directing your own path, rather than anyone else telling you who you should be. Fashion can be a barometer for the economy and the mood of society; it can be a source for inspiration.

I wanted to believe in Fashion Week Of Rochester because I believe in Fashion. I also like to celebrate small businesses that deserve our business. And, finally, I wanted to part take in the excitement of the fall season, while supporting a good cause.

But, I just couldn't take it anymore. From the very beginning I felt torn by the name "Fashion Week of Rochester" because it implies that it is some sort of parallel to the world re-knowned "Fashion Week." We live in New York State, just hours away from one of the world capitals of Fashion, NYC. It's a bit of an exaggeration to assume the name "Fashion Week of Rochester". I suggest a name change to the likes of "Boutique Fashion Week," "East Side Fashion Showcase," or "Small Business Fashion Week". ANY of the latter would be more accurate, as FWR is showcasing primarily readymade, retail available in stores NOW, rather then forecasting future trends and collections.

But, aside from the name, the experience of Saturday night's Fashion on Franklin show (at the Temple Building) was bewildering...and embarrassing. From the moment we arrived, things seemed less than spectacular. It was raining. We asked for directions to the restrooms, to freshen up. The venue had no restrooms and we were asked to step back outside into the rain to use a dolled up porta-potty. When we finally got to our seats, there was confusion all over the place due to the awful choice to set seating up in columns, rather than rows. ANYONE that bought tickets with a guest was seated in front of or behind their guest. By the time many had finally acquired drinks from the understaffed, over crowded bar, the seating confusion led to a massive amount of $55 ticket holders never actually finding or taking their seats before or after the show began.

ON each seat sat a "swag bag" full or Reed Eye Associates supplies...and nothing more. Really? THIS is a fashion show? There wasn't ANYTHING else even remotely related to fashion that could have gone into that bag... not even a complimentary drink ticket. Completely disorganized, disappointing, and bewildering.

No hate to the dj when I say that the runway music choices felt outdated, like some middle age idea of what is/was "cool". Thankfully, one could tell that any music before/after the pre-determined catwalk tracks was left to the dj's better taste.

The show began without announcement and ended without much closure. The last designer of the night, Artistix, channeled the energy of a Metalcore striptease with 90s throwback denim, which was like getting splashed with cold water after the lack-luster musical choices and bag lady chic of the previous designers. I was not ready for my eyes to be bruised by a portly old rocker, stripping down to his bare, tatto-ed glory. Please, no more....this was when it got really good.

Our venerable East District council woman, Elaine Spaull, had the unfortunate quote of the night, "And now we know that we can help homeless children AND look good while doing it!" Oh, Elaine. Was it worth it to please that drunken east side audience? Is that what gets you the votes?

I had purchased a double glass of wine so that I wouldn't have to go back to the god-awful bar. I left before I was through with the first half. Cool Venue. Neat idea to "bring fashion to the masses." Poorly executed.

When all is said an done, you want to make fashion accessible to people by helping them understand how to utilize it as a tool. The Saturday night showing of FWR just made fashion seem silly and pointless. It was certainly dress-up for grown ups, presented with less than excellent organization or taste. But in that way that makes you wonder, "What was the point of all this again?"  As this event develops, will it become further and further away from what the Fashion Industry really is? Do I keep hoping that next year it will get better?

Should I cut my losses now or keep holding on?

It's that awkward moment when you know a break up is inevitable. Fashion Week of Rochester, we had some good times, but you're not representing the fashion industry well. It's over between us. Better luck next year.

What to Know Before the Show

Lately, my clients have been interested in going to Fashion events in Rochester and the biggest question seems to be, "What is it like?" This usually means is, "What should I expect? Can anybody go? Will I feel out of place? What should I wear?"

The thing that separates the International Fashion Week that takes place in NYC, Londan, Milan and Paris from Rochester fashion events is being "fashion forward" as a opposed to fashion of the now. Our local events revolve around retailers showing off their current seasonal stock. During International Fashion Week, designers are previewing their collections a year in advance for retailers (buyers) to purchase. This means that the Fall Collections shown in Milan will be the styles that we begin to purchase and see in Rochester Boutiques in Fall 2012.


As tomorrow night is the kickoff to Fashion Week of Rochester with a Boutique Crawl, I am here to answer your questions.  


What should I expect? 


Lots of people, a lot of ladies traveling from boutique to boutique dressed sharply but not too fancy to be getting in and out of the car. Boutiques will have their best foot forward with a spread of wine and some cheese or fruit. Most likely, there will be local models milling about the store wearing the merchandise. 


At fashion shows, expect people to look sassy, be drinking a decent amount and be viewing upcoming displays of the vendor's merchandise for the season.Often there is a mini-performance during intermission.

Can Anybody go? Will I Feel Out of Place?


Anybody can go to the boutique crawl. Anybody can go to fashion shows, typically, although tickets should be purchased in advance. Feeling out of place is all about YOUR attitude. Go in a sassy outfit with a pep in your step and you will blend right in. 


What should I wear?

This is an excuse to look fabulous with no holds barred. Go for it. Dress up as much as you want. I suggest starting the outfit out right with some spectacular shoes and building your look from there. Just keep in mind that Rochester weather can be finicky! Bring an umbrella.




WARNING: Do not go in Jeans, a t-shirt and sneakers. You will look frumptastic and be casually dismissed immediately. I hate to sound superficial, but c'mon. It's a fashion event. Take some pride in yourself!