Join in on the fashion fun in Denver the first Tuesday of every month- network, promote, and mingle! Each month Red Drinks features a variety of individuals and businesses in the Denver fashion scene: fashion designers, photographers, make up artists, hair stylists, model agencies, fabric retailers, local boutiques, stylists, and models. Step up to the open mic to introduce yourself to the community and promote an event!

Tuesday, September 6th: Style Sessions
Double Daughters Salotto
1632 Market Street
Denver CO 80202
5:30pm – 8:30 pm

September 6th Style Session: A panel discussion with three local stylists: Nathalia Fairbault, Lauren Vitale, and Tina Gill. Learn how these ladies came to their work, styling tips, and most of all, meet and connect with those who help the fashion needy.

Red Drinks Denver- Uniting all this fashion and style in Denver…encouraging growth, creativity, and professionalism among the fashion and style communities with a really kick ass red drink happy hour.

Partners: Fashion Group International | Double Daughters Salotto | SEE Eyewear
Awesome local creatives and red drink drinkers!

Packing for a trip, whether it is for business or pleasure, can be time consuming and not the most fun part of traveling. Follow these tips to ensure you have everything you need when you arrive at your destination!

• The most important item in your wardrobe when you are traveling is your shoes. Make sure to “break in” any new shoes prior to taking them on a trip. Refrain from wearing shoes multiple days in a row. Know what activities you will be doing each day and plan your outfits around what shoes you will be wearing.

• To get the most out of your travel wardrobe and save space in your suitcase, repeat a basic/classic pair of bottoms (pants, shorts, skirts) 2-3 times per week. Mix and match with a variety of tanks, blouses, sweaters, and jackets.

• Pack an evening bag or clutch for going out at night. It will be a nice change from your heavy “day” purse.

• Only pack what you will need for your stay but take a “go to” outfit in addition. This is a favorite outfit that when you have 5 minutes to get ready you reach for every time.

• Make a checklist of basic items you need for every trip and keep it in your luggage to refer to each time you travel. Items may include: toiletries, camera, phone chargers, etc.

• Plan each day of outfits including accessories, undergarments, shoes, and outerwear so you don’t forget anything.

• Check the weather of your destination frequently! And, if you need help with what to wear – check out wearevertheweather.com!

Follow your heart to VOWS! Join Denver’s finest wedding collective for an open house just in time for Valentine’s Day. This free event is open to the public featuring a French-inspired flower market so you can pick up a little something for your sweetie!

VOWS | we do.
1810 Blake Street | Suite 200
Saturday, February 12
3-6 pm

{open house} – stop and smell the flowers, meet the wedding professionals, enjoy complimentary champagne and dessert! All engaged couples are encouraged to stop by and see what the possibilities are as you plan the wedding of your dreams. For more information, please visit vowsweddingcollective.com.

champagne + sweet treats + flowers = love

worthwhile style | denver bridal stylist

Celebrate First Friday in style by joining Denver dreamer/doer Brandi Shigley as she celebraties 11 years as an entrepreneur, 7 years as owner and operator of Fashion Denver as well as 1 year in the current Fashion Denver showroom space.

Friday, February 4th | 6-10 pm
Fashion Denver
1070 Bannock Street
Denver CO 80204

The Anniversary Bash will include:
• A meet and greet with featured local designers
• Color consultations with Fashion Denver friend Tina Gill
• Mini manicures from Tootsie’s and nail art from Dani
• Live music at 8 PM by Leslie Brown
• Local Denver designer fashion show
• DJ JD and DJ K-nee of the fabulous So What show on KUVO

Free and open to the public, the event offers a great glimpse into the ways in which Fashion Denver supports local designers and businesses through consulting, workshops, showroom space, and spectacular events!

Photo by Wyndell Callaway | Models Annette and Zale | Clothing by Studio Yoshida, Rae Marie & Natalee Moldenhauer

Pampered Passions Fine Lingerie prides themselves in providing a safe environment to make all women, regardless of age or body type, feel confident and beautiful. It is this philosophy that formed their slogan “Nurturing the Female Spirit”. It is such a huge part of who they are as a business that it is even painted on the wall in the boutique, offering a gentle reminder to everyone who enters.

Pampered Passions Fine Lingerie, located at I-25 and County Line Road, offers an amazing selection of bras, panties, sleepwear, robes, and all types of lingerie including plus-size and bridal. In addition to a great selection, they also have specialty bra fitters on staff including five mastectomy specialists, and offer complimentary bra fittings. According to Alicia Vargo, owner of Pampered Passions Fine Lingerie, size is NOT what matters. “It’s the fit, brand, care, and how it makes you feel that truly makes a difference in how a bra works for you.” They carry a variety of brands, sizes, and fits and have a great range of prices.

One of their many specialties is helping women with breast cancer. They offer a full range of mastectomy services with professional, certified mastectomy fitters, top-of-the-line breast forms, post-op camisoles and bras. Plus, they can sew a pocket into almost any kind of lingerie. Pampered Passions Fine Lingerie breast cancer clients find they can feel beautiful at whatever stage of their journey they are in. “It’s my calling to nurture everyone I meet and take the time to truly care about each and every person – customers, employees and all!” says Vargo. “That is the secret to our success – we do our best to make every person that graces our lives feel special.”

In Addition to being an active advocate for breast cancer survivors, Vargo actively works with underprivileged women in the community and is a self-proclaimed “feel good junkie.” Throughout the year, she partners with Dress for Success to fit disadvantaged women with new bras in Denver, Colorado Springs, Seattle and New York. For more information on Alicia Vargo or to learn tips from one of the pros, check out her articles as the Intimate Apparel Examiner.

Sometimes we need a little extra boost to feel confident, sexy, and worthwhile. The next time you need that boost, go to Pampered Passions Fine Lingerie and nurture your female spirit.

Join me and Pampered Passions Fine Lingerie for a His and Hers Event Thursday, Jan 27th at 5pm to find the perfect gift for Valentine’s Day.
More Info

To kick off the new year with a creative bang and get a start on making your passions and creativity come to life, join Brandi Shigley for her upcoming workshop on Wednesday, January 26th, 2011 from 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm at the Fashion Denver showroom located at 1070 Bannock Street in Denver.

Brandi Shigley (dreamer, doer, entrepreneur, fashionista, networker, speaker, auctioneer, and singer) of Fashion Denver will be sharing her passion, enthusiasm, love and joy of her experience as an entreprenuer. The “Do What You Love, Love What You Do” workshops are offered throughout the year to help local designers, emerging artists, and small business owners take their passions and turn them into a business. In this workshop, you will learn about topics including brand identity development, marketing, creating your space, planning events, and more.

The knowledge Shigley brings stems from her own experience as an entreprenuer. Starting with her own passion for fashion, her hobby of creating hanbags quickly turned into a business at the age of 23. Her line, b.shigley designs, has greaced multiple boutiques in a variety of locations including Paris, London, New York, Chicago, Denver, San Francisco and San Diego. Since then, she has started her own business development company, b.23 productions, Fashion Denver, and is the lead singer in the Denver-based band b.sous.

As a semi-retired handbag designer, she learned the ins and outs, ups and downs of being an independent designer and wanted to take those lessons to help other designers build their businesses. “I love being in a position where I can support and promote our local Denver talent. It’s everywhere!! I feel very passionate about what I do and I love walking into my place of work, being surrounded by talent every single day,” says Shigley.

Shigley is as unique as Fashion Denver. With her individual style that she calls an eclectic mix of vintage, thrift, local, or whatever strikes her mood that day, she is sure to make a statement everywhere she goes. She is bubbly, full of life, creative, whimsical, interesting, and outgoing and her personal style perfectly reflects who she is. Shigley says, “One of my favorite outfits is my summertime activity outfit. It consists of a cotton halter tank dress that’s a bright red. I wear it with short blue leggings with buttons on the sides and my Addidas World Collection sneakers. I love this outfit because it makes me feel like a super hero and I can dance, ride my bike, roller skate, and do lots of activities in it while feeling sassy.”

For more information or to sign up for the workshop, visit the Fashion Denver Showroom at 1070 Bannock Street or go to www.fashiondenver.com.

Continue reading on Examiner.com: Fashion Denver’s Brandi Shigley shares her expertise

Trends come and go, but your style and how you feel in your clothing can last forever. Only buy clothing that you love, that fits you like a glove, and that you feel amazing in. Many trends each season don’t carry over well to everyday life–look for classic twists on trendy items to incorporate into your wardrobe.

Biker: Leather pants, motorcycle boots, buckles, and subtle padding or quilting on leather jackets.

Trend: Biker | Photo: fashionising.com | Designer: Burberry

Do:
+Mix and match traditional and trend to make this style work for your wardrobe. Try a classic piece such as a crisp white or trench coat style shirt with a pair of leather pants–perfect to add a little “edge” to your look.
+Add a belt at your natural waist. It is a great way to accentuate an hour-glass figure or creating an illusion of one if you have a straighter figure.
+Invest in a great motorcycle jacket with simple details. It will never go out of style and is a great addition to anyone’s wardrobe.

Don’t:
+Wear all things “biker” at once. Keep it simple and wear one or two things with edgier details.
+Invest in a pair of leather pants. Think about the cost-per-wear and if the purchase is worthwhile.

1970’s: A cleaner, crisper take on peasant blouses, wide-legged trousers, flowing dresses and floor-grazing skirts.

Trend: 70′s | Photo: elle.com | Designer: Chloé

Do:
+Wear wide-leg trousers with pointed toe heels. This look will elongate the line of your leg making you appear taller, longer and leaner.
+Mix flowy peasant style blouses with fitted pants and skirts. Keep it simple on the bottom if you wear a top with a lot of volume.
+Invest in trousers in a classic print such as a herringbone or a neutral color in a 3-season wool. You will be able to wear them almost year round and will mix and match with variety of blouses already existing in your wardrobe.

Don’t:
+Wear a floor-grazing skirt if you are petite. It will swallow you up and make you appear shorter and wider.
+Wear high-waisted trousers if your trouble area is your tummy. A high rise pant will accentuate a bigger belly.
+Wear a voluminous blouse with a voluminous bottom. Too much fabric on the top and bottom will make you appear larger than you actually are.

Prints: Large florals, geometrics, wild animal and color blocking.

Trend: Prints | Photo: elle.com | Designer: Loewe

Do:
+Match the size of the print to your size. Larger prints will drown a petite woman, while small prints will look extremely miniature on a larger woman.
+Mix in prints with your existing wardrobe. Try a floral print cami under a cardigan to add a touch of feminity.
+Wear colors suited for you. If you are unsure what is best for you, repeat a color that naturally exists such as your eye or hair color–these will always be flattering on you.

Don’t:
+Mix too many prints at once. Let one print be the “star” of the show and wear the other patterns as supporting actors.
+Wear an all-over print dress by itself. Break up a busy pattern with a solid colored belt at the waist.

Sheer Dresses and Skirts: Peek-a-boo details, flowy feminine fabrics and a touch of sexiness.

Trend: Sheer | Photo: elle.com | Designer: Alberta Ferretti

Do:
+Layer pieces. Add slips underneath sheer dresses and blazers over sexy tanks to create a put-together look that isn’t too revealing but is still sexy.
+Shop at lingerie stores. You will find a great selection of items that will not only work for the bedroom, but for an evening out as well. Plus, you will be able to find undergarments that work well with sheer clothing.
+Add accessories. Wearing a belt, necklace and earrings will complete the look and help your outfit look less like lingerie.

Don’t:
+Wear sheer items to the office. Save the sexiness for an evening out.
+Carry a huge purse. A small clutch will go much better with the elegance of a sheer dress.

Tip from the Pro: Invest in classic clothing and add trendier items such as accessories, shoes, and handbags to update your look for a fraction of the cost of buying an entire new wardrobe each season.

worthwhile style | denver personal stylist

This blog post was written in collaboration with Katie Anilionis – a special thanks to her for all her hard work!

How to look great without breaking the bank:

+ Accessorize. Accessories are great for taking a classic, traditional outfit and updating it instantly for a look that is more stylish and current. Accessories add layers, texture, detail, shine and interest to any outfit. Plus, adding accessories to your current wardrobe can cost a lot less than buying new clothing and are a great way to express your personal style.

+ Check out InStyle’s Hottest Accessories Under $100

+ Use what you have. Start with your existing wardrobe and try creating new outfits out of what you already own. Reorganize your closet, choose one piece that you absolutely love and pair it with different pieces including shoes and jewelry. Repeat. Write down your new outfits so you can easily reference them when you feel you have nothing to wear.

How to find great deals:

+ Do your homework. Online shopping is a great way to score some sweet deals on clothing, shoes, handbags, and accessories. To save time and money, go to local shops and try on what you’re looking for and then search online for sites that carry that same item but have it marked down or offer a coupon. You will know exactly what size and color you want prior to ordering and won’t have to worry about making any returns.

+ Comb the sale racks. You may even find that one item you loved a few weeks back but weren’t willing to pay full price. Department stores put their items on sale at the end of each season and it’s a great time to find serious savings.

+ Check out discount retailers. Large stores (TJ Maxx, Ross, Nordstrom Rack, Loehmans, etc.) carry designer labels and offer them for at least half of regular price.

Save vs. Splurge:

+ Invest in classic clothing. Save up for pieces that will never go out of style. Higher end, well-made clothing such as a black blazer, a pencil skirt, a little black dress or an A-line skirt in a neutral color can last you for years to come.

+ You can easily update these pieces with fun and exciting accessories such as necklaces, earrings, bracelets, shoes and handbags at a fraction of the cost of buying new trendy items each season.

+Think about cost per wear. Splurge on items you will wear a lot. Really stop and think about how many times in a year you plan on wearing what you’re buying. For example, if you need a dress for a fancy event and it is $300 and you only plan on wearing once a year the cost per wear = $300. If you find a pair of $200 jeans that fit you like a glove and will wear them 200 times, the cost per wear = $1.
**(And as far as jeans go, if you do find that perfect pair- BUY THEM! If you can afford to buy two pairs- do! One to wear with flats and one to wear with heels.)

+ Only buy things you love. Splurge or save up for clothing that makes you feel amazing. Don’t waste your money on things you are luke warm about or that you fidget with or because it’s on sale. How many items do you have hanging in your wardrobe currently that still have the tags on them? It’s usually because they don’t feel right or they don’t go with anything else but it was such a great deal you couldn’t pass it up.

Tips from the Pro:

+ Every new purchase should relate back to at least two items in your existing wardrobe. You can create multiple outfits by combining new and old items and avoid “stand alone” pieces that don’t go with anything else.

+ Look through a magazine and find a few pictures of outfits that you really like and count the pieces they are wearing including shoes, handbag, and accessories. You will find that they have at least five or more pieces: pants, shirt, shoes, belt, necklace, earrings, jacket, etc. Most photos in magazines look put-together and effortless at the same time. Adding accessories to a basic outfit can help you achieve this look.

worthwhile style | Denver Personal Stylist

When buying shirts off-the-rack, most men have trouble finding dress shirts to fit them properly in all areas of their bodies. You have two measurements to go by, the neck and the sleeve length, and maybe have an option of fit. Guys that are 5’8 and under look like they’re wearing a dress when they wear their shirt out and many men have a hard time find sleeves long enough without adding extra material in the body.

You have a few of options to find a shirt that fits you perfectly.

1. Buying a shirt off-the-rack and taking it to a tailor. Dress shirts are one of the easiest clothing items to alter because they have so many seams. Look for a shirt that fits you in the shoulders and neck and make sure the sleeves are long enough. Launder your shirt prior to taking it in to account for any shrinkage. Expect to pay $18-$30 to have the sides taken in to fit your body.

2. Buying a custom shirt. Typically, custom shirts can start at a minimum of $300 and can cost upwards of $1000, depending on the material and tailoring.

3. Try a J. Hilburn custom shirt. They are a men’s clothier based in Dallas TX and offer custom shirts made just for you by taking 10 measurements to ensure a breathtaking fit. Their shirts are made from 100% fine Italian cotton, start at $79, and compare to dress shirts offered at Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus. Plus, you get to pick all the details such as material, cuff, collar, placket, pleats, stitching and fit to make the shirt truly yours.

As a Style Adviser for J. Hilburn, I am a little biased, I admit. However, the fit speaks for itself. All of my clients have been so pleased with their custom shirts. Most of them have ordered multiple shirts after seeing and feeling the difference of a shirt that was actually made just for them.

The following are a few of the comments made after trying on their shirt for the first time:
“Wow! I’ve never had a shirt fit me so perfectly before!”
“I am totally getting lucky in this shirt!”
“Finally, a shirt I can wear untucked and not feel like I am wearing a dress.”
“Dang, I look GOOD!”

For more information about J. Hilburn or to find a Style Adviser near you, check out JHilburn.com.

worthwhile style | denver personal stylist

I recently put on an event in Boulder, “How to look hot and stay cool for Summer” featuring dresses, shoes, and accessories from Common Era and how to wear them for day and evening. As I left Denver for Boulder, I realized two of my tires were dangerously low. So, decked out in a halter dress, I pulled into a gas station and filled them up!

I even had a very nice gentleman stop and ask me if I needed any help! I’m pretty sure the dress helped with that offer and I definitely stayed nice and cool!

worthwhile style | denver personal stylist