The Randall Park Mall – A Great American Shopping Mall Laid To Rest

Randall Park Mall was once the biggest…

Architectural Afterlife

A dusty pay phone hangs from its metal cord amongst the massive heap of destruction surrounding it. As I stood centered within this impressive, eerily quiet structure, all I could wonder was “where has all of the life gone?”

In 1976 the world’s largest shopping mall would open its doors for the first time to shoppers from around the country. Cars packed the mall’s parking lot from front to back in every direction, at parts even stretching to lots across the street while hurried shoppers took part rushing around the beauty of a brand new piece to the puzzle of the “American Dream.” 33 years later, either the cat would end up stealing this piece or someone would spill water on it.

2,000,000 square feet made up this once monumental shopping center where they would come to hold concerts, holiday events and much more. Teens would hang out, men proposed…

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Eyeglass Designer Start Up Officially Opens Offices in Cincinnati

Todays fun tidbit of news found on the net an eyeglass design firm and retailer is relocated into Cincinnati. Frameri glasses are specialized in that you can easily snap your lenses in and out switching from one trendy frame to the next. Truly making your eye glasses an accessory you can swap out on the fly to go with your outfit. The website is easy to navigate and you can even either thru your webcam or a picture “try on” frames to see how they’ll look against your own face. Or if you don’t want to see yourself wearing them there is a model that will model them for you. Browsing thru the ladies catalog while the style shapes are limiting (only downside so far I can see) the various colors and patterns that the plastic frames come in are abundant. 

Frameri also had to build a web site where customers can try on glasses virtually and submit their prescriptions to the startup. The company is now shipping and the turnaround time for customers is 7-14 days. The ultimate goal is 3-5 days. A pair of frames is $100, and lenses are another $100.

Sounds like a great deal! You will have to know your measurements for fitting the glasses and they do throughly explain how to do the measurements on your own or you can ask your eye doctor to take them or even the local optical center – Walmart for example. 

Source – Cincinnati.Com

Very exciting to see they have decided to come to Ohio!

Here’s an example of what I looked like trying on their their software a frame set that I thought was really neat and would work. Maybe not so much so now! Don’t mind the absence of make up was a quick snapshot to see how the software truly works. 

Virtual Try On of glasses from the Frameli website…Style Aerial in Cobalt Blue

A mini-wrap up review of Fashion Week Cleveland.

This year was different then the others – even the energy felt different. But, not negatively it was a great evening that many were smiling, laughing, joking, applauding and truly enjoying the show. Cocktail hour kicked off the evening as guests greeted one another, chatted amongst themselves and enjoyed the historical beauty of the old arcade that has been refurbished beautifully.

I took 889 – whoa. I was apparently quite snap happy sadly I haven’t gotten to sort through the photographs yet. The designers had great collections this year and the crowd enjoyed every moment of it. The roar of laughter and applause when the children walked the runway strutting their outfits (and literally the one young lady had a strut very well mastered) was very welcome. All in all the gentleman next to me in what I would suspect easily his youthful 70s summed it up quite well during his commentary at the end of the show “classy display of youthful American young wear by designers with a bright future”.  I agree! I will share photographs very soon!

Congratulations to Fashion Week Cleveland on their successful 10 years and look forward to supporting them in years to come!

Friday Feature…Designers of Fashion Week Cleveland.

As we approach the Final Runway for Fashion Week Cleveland we take a brief glimpse of selections the designers have posted online that may hint towards their runway collections.

 

Jamie Seel – Columbus, Ohio

Jamie Seel – Sneak Peak Via her Instagram

 

 

Jae Jarrell – Chicago, Illinois (native of Cleveland)

Jae Jarrell – Source: Facebook: Collections Album

Stephanie Nunn – Cleveland, Ohio

Knitwear Designer Stephanie Dunn in a photo showcasing her work for the Cleveland Plain Dealer

 

 

Jazmine Fischer – Akron, Ohio

Jazmine Fischer – Akron

Tina Hughes – Columbus, Ohio

Tina Marie – Spring 2014 Collection

Patrick T. Cooper – Atlanta, Georgia 

Patrick T. Cooper – SS2015

 

Berny Martin – Indianapolis, Indiana

 

 

Mallory Blaha – Bridal wear

Mallory Blaha

 

Pictures were not found for the following designers online – contact me if anyone has pictures and can update the post:
Mary Ann Carandang – Columbus, Ohio – Children’s Wear
Kelli Raes – Womenwear

Wordless Wednesday…….Upcoming: Fashion Week Cleveland

OhioFashionista.com is continued proud blog media supporters of Fashion Week Cleveland…Join them this week for continued educational events and the Grand Finale on Saturday!

 

To follow them on social media, see the list below:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/clevelandfashionweek 
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CLE_FashionWeek
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/fashionweekclev 
Instagram: http://instagram.com/fashionweekcle 

 

No Risk, No Reward

Here’s a great blog by a classmate of mine that took a great job opportunity in a very far away land. It’s not fashion related but there is a great lesson here of conquering your fears and taking life by the horns.

The Emerald Brewer

The question I’m asked almost daily is “why’d you do it?” To which I usually reply “do what?.” Although I know what they’re inferring — Ireland sucks and America is great; why would you leave?
See, one thing you should know about the Irish is that they are very pessimistic as a whole. Whether it’s about the weather, the economy, the government, or the country itself, they are always down on themselves. I find it almost irritating. It’s a beautiful country crammed with more history and scenery than  anywhere  I’ve ever been before. And this leads me to the very point of this post, and an answer to their question.

“Why’d you do it?”

Well, to be honest, I’ve never done anything or gone anywhere. Sure, I’ve been to a few places back in the States, but not many. I can probably count on one hand all the different States I’ve been too…

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2014: Prom Dress and Accessories…Distribution Drive in Massillon

Are you still looking for that perfect and affordable ensemble for Prom for yourself or even for your daughter? Or are you finding yourself to have a closet full of dresses that need to be positively “re-homed”…look no further!  Kimberly Lehman of Love, Laughter and Elegance has an event this weekend on April 26th that fits your needs. She is taking donations and also appointments for those that are needing outfitted for their upcoming prom. (Sorry donations ended the 20th but stay tuned for future events)

When & Where:  Saturday, April 26th, 7-9pm at Shiloh Baptist Church at 1111 3rd St SE Massillon, Ohio

Find the event on Facebook, here: Love, Laughter & Elegance – Prom Dress Drive – April 26th  from 7-9pm

For more details contact Kimberly Lehman:  330-313-6030

 

Two for Tuesday the Kardashians…Oscar 2014 Fashions

Kim Kardashian in a Celia Kritharioti ball gown for the Oscars 2014 Viewing Party hosted by Elton John in LA

I generally don’t hop on the Kardashian bandwagon especially having never seen their shows and just knowing very little about them in general except for what TMZ reports. But, I do know I was rather impressed with her choice of dress for the 22nd Annual Elton John AIDS Foundation’s Oscar Viewing Party in LA on March 2nd.

While it’s very deep in the cleavage the dress is very form fitting and actually makes her look “normal” – she has been known to wear some quite interesting outfits in the past but this dress she definitely gets a thumbs up. Not sure if it was speed hemmed however or what happened but I don’t like how you can also see the hemline across the bottom in some areas and not even necessarily too prominent in this photo but I think seamstresses need to be more attentive to the fabric type they are using – my only criticism here.

However, on the flip side I think her siblings should of shared stylists with her as they were outshined. Khloe looks like she is trying out for a red velveted Morticia Addams role and Kourtney reminds me of something cute a pre-schooler may be dressed in for pre-school graduation. I know I may not share the same opinions as some but, regardless I am definitely found to be among the majority that think Kim K knocked this one out of the park this year.

Khloe Kardashian, Kourtney Kardashian and Kim Kardashian attend the 22nd Annual Elton John AIDS Foundation’s Oscar Viewing Party on March 2, 2014 in LA

“Cleveland has no fashion industry.”

Recently at a fashion event a designer that showcased afterwards told me “Cleveland has no fashion industry.” I can honestly say after trying to in a few quick words prove the designer wrong that I have stewed on these words since. Sometimes vocally to other professionals that I know in fashion, and sometimes to myself especially when I see other local designers or small to large businesses trying to make it in the fashion industry. To me the fashion industry is all encompassing whether it’s from resale, design, boutique or even the farmer that has wool producing animals with a small shop to sell their goods (sometimes even handmade).

In the past I have researched quite extensively “where has our fashion industry gone” and I came up with – no where. It’s is still here and “loud and proud.” It may not be in the large garment factories we had at one point along the Erie shores but I spied years ago in downtown Akron a bridal garment operation that is ran by Vera Wang Luxe in Canal Place. There are many designers with shops throughout Cleveland also – just have to look for it (or search my blog many have been featured!). There are even some factories still that have made local press when their employees go on strike for better wages – such as the Hugo Boss factory in Brooklyn. Those are just a few quick examples – so instead of going to the Walmarts, Targets or even the mall to buy your clothing go to a local clothier or boutique. A short list if you are in Cleveland check out communities such as Coventry Village or in Akron their are also many areas including Hudson, Highland Square or just the various downtown Akron retailers.

But, we have lost a lot of our garment industry and for historical perspective I am including a timeline of sorts found on the Cleveland Retail Commissions webpage that lists many of the great textile businesses we have lost and what Cleveland neighborhood they were in. The fashion industry is not dead in Ohio or today more specifically the Northern Ohio area I specify. It is all in your own perspective and how you utilize it and take advantage of it.

Tonight – 7pm at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Cleveland

IN THE DARK: Wearable Technology with Light
January 30, 2014 / 7:00pm

FREE for MOCA Members & university students w/ valid ID
$8 Non-members

In partnership with the Cleveland Institute of Art

http://mocacleveland.org/programs/dark-wearable-technology-light

Here is an excerpt from an article the Cleveland Plain Dealer published about the event online:

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Fashion meets technology at an avant-garde fashion exhibit and competition called “In the Dark,” which debuts at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 30 at theMuseum of Contemporary Art (11400 Euclid Ave.) in Cleveland and travels to three other venues around town during the next few months.

Students from Cleveland Institute of Art and Case Western Reserve University School of Engineering are working to create three innovative designs that merge art and technology with light.

The competitors have been working on their innovative, wearable designs since October. Guests will be able to choose their favorites at each venue (scroll down for details). Those results will play a role in the final judging in April.

“My design draws from centuries of European styles and fabric techniques,” CIA sculpture sophomore Graham Baldwin says of his piece, titled “Compendium.”

        Baldwin is incorporating 3-D printing, which he says can be difficult when dealing with multiple pieces that must             be correctly aligned. “The elbows were printed 13 times until the shape and design worked most effectively,” he             says.

CIA students Katie David, Jarrod Davis and Leah Yochman and CWRU student Zach Lerner teamed up to create what they call “H20 Glow.” The group says that the garment uses clear tubes with blacklight LEDs to expose the luminescent properties of tonic water.

The third entry, titled “Pulse,” is by CIA students Ben Horvat, Eric Payne and Marcy Kniss and CWRU student Ray Krajci. The group says the piece is a flowing garment that combines chic elegance with motion sensor light technology.

Tickets for Thursday’s event at MOCA, the first showing of the competition, are free for museum members and students (with valid ID), and $8 for nonmembers. Go tomocacleveland.org to purchase. As part of the design process, students will continue to revise their garments after each of the first three exhibits. The final judging will take place in April at the fourth venue.