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

 

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“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.

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Suedesays – Launchs across northeastern Ohio!

Who remembers Suede from Project Runway? Of course you do!

Suede is a Kent State Fashion School alumni and this week is embarking on a promo tour in the Kent and Hudson areas for his line of fabrics and patterns at Jo-Ann Fabrics.

Join in on the fun!

Details for where to be when:

Feb 1 – in store event at Jo-Ann Stores Flagship store – Hudson, Ohio. 5:30PM – 7:30 PM

Feb 2- Free Fashion Show, Meet and Greet – Kent State University Fashion School. Show times 1 pm and 3:30 PM.

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Get a start on spring shopping with President’s Day sales!

I’m not sure about the rest of you but seeing this snow melt makes me just want to get out and head full bore into spring.  Well, with President’s Day right around the corner I love to take in all the sales going on – this is truly probably when I personally take advantage of all the various handbag discounts!

To take away some of the guessing game as to where is what on sale I found some websites I would like to share:

– Macy’s coupon:  http://akimages.crossmediaservices.com/listingimages/Retailers/macys/Coupons/31141_102.pdf
– Daddy o Deals:  http://www.daddyodeals.com/phpBB/presidents-day-2011-sales-and-deals-t188682.html
– SlickDeals:  http://slickdeals.net/localdeals/cleveland/

If you see any other sales post in the comments or send an email to editor@ohiofashionista.com! Happy shopping!

Image from Free Clipart…

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Dried flowers…at Kent’s Farmers Market

Not sure how many of you are tired of the snow yet, but I am!  And while fresh flowers are nice I also am one to enjoy a bouquet of friend flowers and even make great accents in hair.

This farmers market is in Kent with all sorts of vendors, below is a ‘poster’ for the event, click on the poster to follow a link to their website.

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Cleveland: ARTscape2010 – Shopping at the MOCA

A trip to the MOCA is always an extra special treat, but a trip to the MOCA to go shopping is a bonus!  This weekend make sure you take time to head on over there and not just peruse the galleries but also support local and national artists.

November 19, Friday, 4:30pm–9pm
Member’s Preview (non-member entry fee is $5)

November 20, Saturday, 11am–5pm
Free and open to the public

Local artists include:  JACKIE ADAMANY handbags  – Blue Orchid Handbags – B. FATICA JEWELRY, Barbara Fatica jewelry – SUSAN BASE jewelry – KIM BAXTER jewelry – BLOBBYFARM, Maria Lynn plush toys – ANNE MARIE CHAGNON jewelry – FELIX CAROLE DICAIRE jewelry – LAURA DeANNA jewelry – ELSAN JEWELRY DESIGN, Sandra Curry jewelry – JAK FIGLER jewelry – BRANDON HOLSCHUH jewelry – EMILY JOYCE jewelry – ZENIA LIS jewelry – GENO LUKETIC ceramics – JESSICA MALONEY prints – KATIE MARKS jewelry – CELESTE MARTIN jewelry – MODERN PIXIE, Judy Crighton jewelry – PURLYGIRL KNITS, Jill Wieder knitwear – RED i JEWELRY, Susan Scaparotti jewelry – DEBRA ROSEN jewelry – GAI RUSSO jewelry – ELLEN SCHMIDT jewlry – KATE SNOW prints – SQUIRT & SKOOTCH, Kendall Embrescia and Mandi Rinkelman greeting cards – STUDIO ST. MARIE, Lee St. Marie hats, hair accessories – SUPERINDUSTRIALLOVE, Dan Pongallo greeting cards – TIED UP AND TOUSLED, Kate Rutter hair accessories – KELLY VOGT jewelry – DEBORAH WOOLFORK jewelry – JEFF YOST paintings – STEPHEN YUSKO metal

National artists include:  Y.AZUMA jewelry – ITALCA scarves – LORI LEAVITT jewelry – MICKEY LYNN jewelry – MELISSA JOY MANNING jewelry – REBECCA NORMAN jewelry – NOTED gifts – JEANINE PAYER jewelry – ROOST ornaments – SAIKAI sculpture – STILL LIFE ornaments – SWEETBELLA sculpture – VELVET RAPTOR cards, journals

Artists feel free to leave your site links in the comments!

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Columbus’ the Bag Lady Blog

I will be in Dayton next week, which somehow led me to The Dispatches feature blog page roll call and well that’s my addiction spending a good hour or so reading through local blogs.  I came across “The Bag Lady” – for those in Columbus this blog is such an invaluable treat!

It’s not just food, but there is fashion and clothing too – check out her tabs down the side!  Wished I live closer, but I highly recommend this blog to Columbus area fashionistas!

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Columbus: Kickoff Fashion Week Columbus at VooDoo Denim Lounge

When:  Monday, October 11th   —  7:30pm – 9:30pm

Where:  VooDoo Denim Lounge /  780 N High St Columbus, OH 43215 (SHORT NORTH)

Tickets:  $10 each – purchased at VooDoo Denim Lounge or online which includes an alcohol drink ticket (adults only)

Come on out and learned about the latest denim trends that will take us into 2011! Live Models, Cocktails, Denim Giveaways, Special promotions and live LOCAL entertainment from The Main Street Gospel.

Some profits will be donated towards Fashion Week Columbus.

More details on Facebook.

Schedule of events for Fashion Week Columbus, here.

*all ages are welcome, IDs will be checked prior to drink tickets being distributed.

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Fashion News: 5 Below = 3 Grand Openings this Weekend

I’ll be honest never heard of this store, still todays news came out that there would be a grand opening in Columbus which I then noticed there is also 2 other grand openings slated this week also in Aurora and Fairlawn.

The many grand openings for the Philadelphia based company throughout the states is spurred by the $26 billion dollar investment by Boston company Advent International and other investors.

While digging for some opinions on what other bloggers have said about the 5 Below stores and trying to find out if it’s just another Dots which has been in the area for well over 20 years at least.

Quote from the Store Front Blog/Syracuse.com:

“We have thousands of items that are trend-right, quality-right and everything kids want from $1 to $5,” said Tom Vellios, co-founder and chief executive officer of Five Below. “We price it so they can buy a lot with their allowance money.”

Dear Readers – have you visited a Five Below yet?   What did you think, what was your favorite find?  Leave us a comment with what you think!

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Special Feature: Men’s Top 5 Picks

A change of pace today – having had the opportunity to talk to large groups of guy friends that have been over watching the NBA finals and now coming up the World Cup games I asked them what could they not live without.  While there was some debate these are the top 5 that they agreed on:

5.  Wrist Watch:  A wrist watch is very important, and the guys specify not a sports watch unless getting ready to go play sports or in a hurry and forget to switch.  Collectively they agree pulling a cell phone out of a pocket whenever curious for the time makes one look anxious during either a date, work meeting, or anything that may feel as if time was dragging.  A quick glance at the wrist can look very non-obvious and not put others on edge.

                           

4.  Chewing Gum:  This one cracked me up they all instantly started debating which flavor was the best but I think they in the end agreed that cinnamon would be the worst and a spearment or Juicy Fruit is the best.  Especially if one is a smoker it is always nice to not approach strangers or coworkers with a smokers breath.  Just don’t forget to mind how you chew!

    

3.  Shoes:  A variety of shoes – whether spending a large budget or not keeping a good looking variety is crucial to these guys everything from the airport pair that makes airport travel easier to the pair that comes out on special occassions either a wedding or funeral.  “A lot of money doesn’t need to be spent, but if you do buy inexpensive don’t hesitate to get rid of the shoes when they start looking back and aren’t mendable.” 

         

 2.  Vintage-like T-Shirts or Polos:  Comfort is everything whether displaying your favorite band, sports team or just a fun vintage looking cotton shirt that is comfortable at the same time.  Some favorite stores to find such tees at:  Old Navy, Spencers, American Eagle – and many others.

        

1.  Scents:  Cologne/Body Wash:  First opinions are many times formed on how a person may smell whether it be from the scent of their body wash or cologne.  “Subtle and sensual, a fragrance should be an aura that surrounds us.  Giorgio Armani”

         

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