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?

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!