Saturday

This Saturday was a crazy crazy day- but in a great way. It started off with me checking my email to find out that I am a finalist for Denver's Fashion Group International Rising Star Award. Just to be a finalist is awesome, but you better believe I'm going to build an amazing portfolio because I want to win! I don't do things halfway. Now I have to sew even faster so that I can do a couple photo shoots before the judges panel in July.

After shipping a dress order at the post office, I picked up last week's Westword and casually thumbed through it in the car. Then, my eye caught the mention of my name on one of the first pages. My first reaction was that Kenny Be had made up a name and it happened to be my name, but then I looked at the picture and realized it was supposed to be me! He had rendered one of my dresses on a Rockies player to create "Colorado Frockies". It is hilarious! In the color version, he changed the color of the dress from yellow and red to grey and blue, which I'm not thrilled about, but I do understand the reasoning.



Then, at night, I went to The Fabric Lab to see a collection of Star Trek jewelry that made me wish I was a Trekkie. They were absolutely adorable, definitely check them out while they are still on display.

Let me end this blog with this note: My 2009 Signature Collection is being released August 15th. There will be fancy food and drinks and a full runway show with some of the prettiest dresses I've ever created. Please save the date and I'll write more about it in a bit.

Beads, 303, and Westword

Friday night's Bead for Life show went wonderfully. The models were so professional and looked absolutely beautiful. The hair stylists at Tuana wove strings of beads through their hair for an African-inspired look. Getting to look at and touch the beads was interesting because they feel just like regular beads even though they are made from paper. I don't have any more fashion shows coming up in the next few weeks, which leaves me time to prepare for some July events.



First, 303 Magazine decided that they would like the featured designers from the July edition to put on a fashion show for the release party. I'm very excited for this, but also scared because they want 15 pieces from each designer and I only have 3.5 outfits done. I'll get it done somehow though.

The evening of July 4th is the Block Party down at Colfax and St. Paul. My mother and I will join many other local crafters/designers to showcase and sell our creations in the Rock Bar parking lot. Come get the first dibs at our new feather headband line and at my clearance dresses!


Another event is with the Denver Art Museum's Untitled event for July. The plan is to have local designers come and compete with each other to create the best outfit under 10 minutes with only the items given to us. There will be plenty of designer trash talking, so it will be super fun.

I have some more events coming up, including the release of my 2009 Signature Collection in August, but I will write about those when I have more details.

One last thing- I went to the Westword Music Showcase Saturday and was thrilled at how great it was. I saw some of my favorite local bands and got to see a few that may be some of my new favorites. My favorite set of the day was Bela Karoli! Here is a playlist of songs that inspired me to design throughout May:

Early June updates

The end of May was spent working long into the nights creating new clothing for my shoot with 303 Magazine, so naturally, my time spent online was limited. In true Melissa fashion though, the days after have been just as busy. I have enrolled in a business class, been placing Etsy orders, and have begun creation of my 2010 Signature Line to be released August 15th. I have also been planning several photo shoots to build up my portfolio. Here is a bit of an update of what I had/have going on this week:

May 31st- 303 Shoot featuring local designers. I posed with my model Christy, makeup artist Katelyn Simkins, and 3rd Avenue Salon stylist Vered in a super snazzy office space. Watch out for the July issue to see the spread! We looked super fancy.

June 2nd- Ice cream themed photo shoot with photographer Ashton Ray Hansen, makeup artist Katelyn Simkins, and models Carleen and Megan featuring two pieces from my Spring 2009 collection.


June 12th- Beads For Life Fashion Show

Runway for Life, an evening of African fashion, music and entertainment set for June 12, is the latest in a series of fundraisers benefiting Bead for Life. The organization offers impoverished Ugandan women a chance to receive health care, housing and education with profits from the sale of jewelry they make from recycled paper. In recent years, more than 200 Bead for Life parties have been hosted in Denver-area homes and offices; this party is a chance to meet, mingle and raise money in a bigger setting. Doors open 7 p.m.; show at 8 p.m.; music to follow. Cluster Studios, 3881 Steele St.; Tickets are $15 ($20 at the door); or $25 for VIPs; call 303-554-5901. Beadforlife.org


June 12th- DAVA

Outdoor Fashion Show organized by Brandi Shigley from Fashion Denver
Friday June 12th at 7pm, featuring 7 local fashion designers during the East End Arts District Summer Artwalk (www.eastendartsdistrict.org)

Downtown Aurora Visual Arts (DAVA)
1405 Florence St
Aurora CO 80010
Mon-Fri: 11:00 am-5:00 pm or by appointment
303.367.5886
http://davarts.org


June 13th- Art Opening at The Fabric Lab

City Folk Art by Zshanna Kristoff 7-10 PM