Fashion Night Out Indianapolis

CDFA

The fashion world waits in anticipation all year for Fashion Night Out. The Indianapolis fashion community is bursting at the seams and our Fashion Night Out continues to grow with the fashion movement. All over the city of Indianapolis tonight, retailers will open their doors fueling the fashion fires that burns within the shopaholic and showcase hot new fall trends, food samplings, and maybe a live band or two.

Here is a link to the Fashion Night Out website to direct you to retailers taking part in tonight's Fashion Night Out festivites.

http://www.fashionsnightout.com/fno/outside-nyc

The Green Dress That Made The Day!



When Julia first told me about helping out with the Pike Prom Closet, I was excited. We had just finished with a job that took a lot of time and effort. I was looking for a small break, but I was ready to jump at the bit to help these young girls go to prom.

I never went to prom. The cost and boyfriend drama prevented me from attending the most special day in a woman's life; well besides marriage. I know you've heard the urban legends, you miss prom and you miss a piece of your life. I know how these girls feel, so I felt it was my duty to make sure our dress drive was a success. I pulled out my bag of tricks and stayed on my knees praying for the last two months.

All the praying and worrying was well worth it, especially in our third hour. A young lady named Allysa came to visit us with her mother and sister. They had been walking the Broad Ripple strip for some time and finally found us. Allysa was decked out in her soccer clothes. Her mom said she had been playing all day, but wanted to take the time out to look for a dress for prom. The six of us dug in all of our donations both at the shop and in Julia's car, and picked out some perfect picks for Allysa. Allysa tried every dress, but when she stepped out in this green rhinestone encrusted ombre dress, the tears just flowed. Six women standing in the middle of the street crying; watching a mother see her baby as a grown woman. This green dress made all the phone calls and emails, all the mean people, and all the headaches worth it! We made a new friend that day and we are waiting for prom pictures from Allysa next week.

I would like to thank all of our sponsors. First, I want to thank Max at Radio NOW 100.9, who switched their schedule around just to be apart of this great event. I want to thank Rain Boutique's Brittney, for allowing us to set up at her shop. Even though she was going through a rough morning, she stayed and allowed us to hang out with her all day. I want to thank Ms. Lizz of HairaPalooza, not only because she's the best stylist in the world, (I'm partial because she tends to my healthy locks) but because she donated $60 in hair services. I want to thank Joanne of Blessed Haven Ministries, who donated a $25 Visa Gift card. To the PR people at HotBox Pizza and Bazbeaux, who donated more than enough door prizes and lunch for our guests. We were worried at first, because no one stepped up to say they would donate any services to help these ladies but it ended up better than we expected. All of our sponsors are special people who strive to help our community, and for this we want to say...Thank You! We wouldn't have been able to do what we do without you.

This is the reason why I love working for Aesthetic Design Style House. I love my co-workers and I love that we all care about the same things...we all want to see those tears of joy on a mother's face. It makes it all worth it.

Transformations Fashion Show

Friday night, I saw an awesome show. Transformations is an annual show designed and produced by Catherine Fritsch for DivaFest.

Fristch speaking with the audience

 Fritsch is owner and designer of Mercurious Designs and Sweet Revenge Lingerie. She has 18 years experience in designing, pattern making and sewing services. In my book, she is the one of  the gurus of design AND she is one of the most humble and nicest person you will ever meet. She's also one of our clients at Aesthetic Design Style.

In the Transformation show, Fritsch takes off the wall objects, like styrofoam from bean bag chair and balloons, to make modern Victorian pieces. Models were supplied by LModelz Modeling Agency. Makeup was done by our own Julia Rutland and Christopher Thompson of Re-Creations and Kathy Moberly of faces by klm. Hair styling was provided by Geneva Hair Studio and jewelry by Cheeky Couture.

  

I was excited all week about this show. Here are a few of my favorite.

To find out more about Catherine Fritsch or Sweet Revenge Lingerie, go to her website.

Be a Part of Your Own Clique: Interview with Tiffiany Gilstrap-Scott

Tiffiany Gilstrap-Scott of Clique Da Cour

I was so lucky to meet Tiffiany Gilstrap-Scott last week for the first time. She is such a talented person. It's very rare you find a genuinely nice individual. Read her interview and you'll see what I mean. 

Introduce Yourself

My name is Tiffiany Gilstrap-Scott. I was born and raised in a small town in Indiana. I have a bachelors' degree in Merchandising and Design from Academy of Design and Technology in Tampa, FL. I just moved back here about 7 months ago. I love to design and also play soccer; its' still a fun past time for me. I work two jobs other than designing. People call me crazy all the time, why do you work so much. My answer is you have to work hard to get your dreams. No one is ever going to hand you something you have to be persistent and work through the rough spots to get to the prize lol :).

Where are you from?
I grew up in Tipton, Indiana.
How long have you been designing?
I have been doing this a long time. My mother and grandmother both taught me at a very young age how to crochet and sew. I remember sitting on my grandmothers lap teaching me how to sew my baby doll clothes . It's just something I just always did. I used to make some of my dresses for school growing up as a kid and special event I had. I just loved having something that I know no one else would. There is nothing worse than showing up somewhere where the girl is wearing the exact same dress as you. Thank heavens that has never happened to be, but it has happened to people I know. It's an awful thing.
When did you start Clique Da Cour?
Well it was part of a school project actually in high school and I just been fine tuning it ever since. I really started getting into it when I was in college. I know it was something I wanted to keep pursuing and I figured I better start soon and just keep building on as I go along. You're never finished; it is always an on going process to keep bettering yourself as you get older and learn more things along the way. I always tell people you can never know everything in your line of work there is always something to be learned to better yourself not only as a businesswomen but as a person too.

Clique Da Cour (retail $95)

  What inspired you to start Clique Da Cour?
I would have to say a good part of it was from my grandfather Dennis Gilstrap; which is no longer with us. He was a very successful business man. He started a company with his partner Henry known as {the} Val corporation. It was a retail establishment with hardline and softline products. He sold it several years ago, but he also owned a warehouse several apartment complexes along with buying houses and flipping them for profit or renting them out. He was always in a business venture and always trying to get to the next step and conquer something else. He was very persistent and never stopped working. I hope to one day be as successful as he was.
What sets Clique Da Cour apart from other lines?
I try to make each piece different. I want someone to appreciate the time and effort. I not only want it to look good on but also be visual appealing and someone go wow you really made this yourself. We try and make each piece unique to set us apart, its not something you could go in a department store and but off the shelf.

"Sugar" Feed Bag Clutch (retail $15 and up) Designs may vary

Who are your influences?
My mother Angie, my grandfather Dennis, and my grandmother Georgia.
What is your favorite piece?I don't think I have one! As long as what I make for someone and they appreciate it and love it; that's all I ask. That's the best reward I can get.

Sloutch Beanie on Etsy (retail $12)

What are your price points?
I would say they're from anywhere to $15 to couple hundred but that is for a gown. I do want everyone to enjoy my pieces. I didn't grow up with a lot of money and I do want people feel that they can afford my clothes. You don't have to live in a mansion to get designer wares.
 

Who do you prefer: Independent or Mainstream designers?
Independent designers!!! I do like some mainstream, but its getting to the point where anyone with money can design. As long as you have a big enough checkbook you just pay people to do everything for you. There are some mainstream designers that went to school for design and worked their butts off to get to where they are today and I applaud them for that. We all know its not easy. Now we got all these people that are just getting into just to make money and to most independent designers it means more to us than just money its something we put our blood, sweat and tears into; doing what we love. Most independent designers are an artist {and} the business person, they do it all from production to the end product and then sell it for a profit. 

Any other special projects you want to share with our readers?

I am going to be entering into a competition called Indy Fashion Time (IFT). I am really excited about it. You comprise three looks which one of them is avant garde. I have some great ideas and starting to get started as we speak. It's coming May 31st to June 4th, 2011. The final competition is being held at the State Fairgrounds.

Clique Da Cour (retail $ 80)

Take a look at more pieces from Tiffiany and Clique Da Cour on her website and her Etsy page.

Indiana Fashionista Meetup Luncheon

On Saturday, January 8, Aesthetic Design Style was happy to be in the company of some key players in the Indiana fashion industry. The Indiana Fashionista Meetup Luncheon brought fashion bloggers, designers and photographers together to network and share tips of the business.

The luncheon, planned by Leah Barr of Circle City Style, included attendees from Indianapolis and Bloomington; bloggers and photographers. Others in attendance were Michael Trace from Michael Trace Photography, Crystal Hammon and Emily Lytle-Painter from Dresses Her Days Vintage, Jessica Quirk from What I Wore, freelance fashion writer Erica Sagon, Truen James creative director of  the House of 5th clothing label and treasurer of Indianapolis Fashion Collective, Christy Pastore founder of the online magazine Fashion Wrap Up, Chelsea Kouns model and the 2011 face of Fashion Wrap Up, Kaitlyn Elyse Fashion Wrap Up stylist, owner and creator of T. Party Clothing, photographer David Van Deman and Janelle Cissell from Ruby Leonne.

Held at Cafe Django, owned by Barr's uncle, we laughed and talked shop. Aesthetic Design Style hopes to work with all attendees in the near future.  We are very thankful to Barr for setting the luncheon up and can't wait for more activities and networking opportunites in the near future.

Kaitlyn Elise of Fashion Wrap Up & T. Party Clothing and Truen James of House of 5th & Indianapolis Fashion Collective

Leah Barr of Circle City Style, Christy Pastore and Chelsea Kouns of Fashion Wrap Up

Crystal Hammons and Emily Lytle-Painter of Dressed Her Days Vintage

Truen James

Julia of Aesthetic Design Style, Jessica Quirk of What I Wore and freelance fashionista Erica Sagon

The ladies of Fashion Wrap Up

Julia and Jessica

Hurrah for Indianapolis: Number Five in the Top 25 Shopping Cities

Forbes Magazine released an article featuring it's top 25 best shopping cities last week. Indianapolis ranked fifth on the list, beating major metropolitan areas like New York and Chicago. Perhaps the rest of the country sees the prize us fellow Hoosiers ignore. According to Forbes, Indianapolis houses 5,955 retail locations and 18 shopping centers. Add on the seven percent sales tax, and Indianapolis is considered a major jewel in the retail economy.

But what makes Indianapolis so great? Is it our big box retailing or our independent and local shopping finds? There are many local retailers, within the Indianapolis and surrounding areas, that offer better selection, price and quality than its mainstream counterparts. We couldn't feature all of them, but here are a few gems that can't go unoticed.

Fountain Square: IndySwank (photo pulled from IndySwank FB page) Journey down Virginia Avenue and you find the Fountain Square district. In the heart of Fountain Square you can find one of the creme de la creme of  vintage boutiques, IndySwank. IndySwank features vintage items and handcrafted works from many of Indianapolis' fashion designers. IndySwank's address is 1043 Virginia Ave #4 here in Indianapolis.

Castleton: Butterfly Consignment (photo pulled from Butterfly Consignment's Facebook page) Butterfly has been opened for a year, but has already made its mark on retail here in the Circle City. The shop sells gently used, new and handmade goods. It's your one stop shop for clothing, jewelry and body care items. Butterfly Consignment is located on 6697 E. 82nd St. in the Castleton Village Shopping Plaza.

Broad Ripple: Rain Boutique (photo pulled from Rain Boutique's FB page) Rain Boutique is a place where California and Indianapolis meet. Owned by two longtime friends, Mesha Cabbell and Brittany Manning, the store specializes in denim, handbags, standard and plus size clothing. Rain opened up a second store in California in December 2009. Rain is located at 839 E. Westfield Blvd in the heart of Broad Ripple.

Downtown: Silver in the City (photo pulled from Silver in the City's website) On Massachusetts Avenue you will find a gift store that will WOW your senses. Open since 2000, Silver in the City was voted best local gift store four times. It shares space with its sister store, Home in the City. You can't walk out of this store empty handed. Silver and Home in the City is located at 434 Massachusetts Ave in Downtown Indianapolis.


Let's try to push Indianapolis to number one on Forbes' list next year. Make sure you support your local boutiques too.

Summer MUST Haves from Wickedly Chic

Summer is officially here! Our friends at Wickedly Chic have put out yet another award worthy Summer Shopping Guide!!!

Looking for the perfect summer accessories, spa products, or gifts? Go no further than Wickedly Chic's Summer Shopping Guide running through July 12.

A selection of the hottest independent businesses are ready for you with fabulous and unique merchandise. Let your fingers do the walking (and shopping) and order without hassle.

Sizzling Hot Businesses in the Summer Shopping Guide Include:

Samara Botane (aromatic apothecary)

Lisa Lebow Designs (handmade and inspirational jewelry designs)

Hawaiian Bath & Body (natural skincare made in Hawaii)

Oak Ridge Candles (natural soy wax candles)

Golden Pony (hot off the runway fashion)

Magnapods (organize & store your cosmetics)

Support independent businesses on Wickedly Chic as well as right here in Indianapolis!

Until Then: "The point of living and of being an optimist, is to be foolish enough to believe the best is yet to come." ~Peter Ustinov