2011 Fashion Trend Report

One of my favorite things about the design process is trend reporting.  With 2010 drawing near to the close (can you believe it!?) we've had a lot of conversations lately with journalists and others about trends for the upcoming year.  Spring 2011 is starting to draw to a close for us here in the studio and Fall 2011 is getting the finishing touches, so it seemed fitting to share a preview of next year with you....I think it's going to be a great one!

Open publication - Free publishing

Finding a Better Tomorrow - With DVLP and The Denver Rescue Mission

CREATE. INSPIRE. EVOLVE.

One of my dear friends, Rustin Coburn, is heading up this great effort for the benefit of the Denver Rescue Mission (which is another organization doing such wonderful work here in Denver).  Please support their efforts to help the homeless!

Finding A Better Tomorrow

DVLP and BC Surf and Sport team up to help keep the homeless of Denver warm If you live, work, or spend any time in downtown Denver you have driven through the cross streets of Lawrence, Park Ave, and Broadway where the triangle of Eddie Maestas Park sits. Many people will tell you that this is where homelessness in Denver begins….and hopefully will end. Five years ago, Major Hickenlooper started the “Road Home” campaign, with the goal of providing every homeless person in Denver a home, health care and a job. With a tough economy, we are not quite here yet.

However, it is encouraging to see local businesses coming together to help give back. This November local clothing brand DVLP, with the help of BC Surf and Sport (which currently has five Colorado retail locations) will be having a clothing run for the homeless people of Denver Colorado. The two local companies are asking that people drop off a bag of clothing at any of the Boulder or Denver BC Surf and Sport locations. They can also drop them off directly at the DVLP Headquarters in downtown Denver. In exchange for donating a bag of clothing, you will receive a special limited edition shirt designed by DVLP Co-founder Rustin Coburn, and 15% off your next purchase from BC Surf and Sport (only applicable for clothing or shoes purchased at the time of drop-off. The 15% is also not combinable with other discounts).

So get out there, and don’t be shy. The clothing will be dropped off at the Denver Rescue Mission
on November 22nd. Between their four locations Denver Rescue can house 1,000 people per night,
and last year they served 770,000 meals. They have specifically requested that the most needed
items are new socks and under garments, but your used pants, hats, shirts, and jackets are also
welcome.

DVLP Clothing is also giving people the opportunity to participate in this meaningful cause even if they do not have the time or extra clothes. The company will be selling the limited edition t-shirt online at  http://www.dvlpclothing.com/, and $5.00 of each shirt purchased will go directly to the Denver

Rescue Mission and helping to get the homeless of Denver off the streets. Go online, to their EXCLUSIVLE SOLD section, and the shirt is titled “A Better Tomorrow”.

CREATE. INSPIRE. EVOLVE.

DETAILS:

Drop of Deadline:
November 20th. 2010

Locations:

DVLP Clothing
360 Walnut st.
Denver, CO. 80205
Phone:: 303.296.3336

BC Surf (Littleton)
303-972-1300
8501 W. BOWLES AVENUE
LITTLETON, CO 80123

BC Surf (Boulder)
303-440-6030
1600 28TH STREET
BOULDER, CO 80301

BC Surf (Broomfield)
720-887-2444
1 WEST FLATIRONS CIRCLE #408
BROOMFIELD, CO 80021

BC Surf (Park Meadows)
303-768-8908
8678 PARK MEADOWS CENTER DR
LONETREE, CO 80124

To Participate Further:
($5.00 of each shirt goes to Denver Rescue Mission)
http://www.dvlpclothing.com/
EXCLUSIVELY SOLD section
Look for the “A Better Tomorrow” t-shirt

Extras:
Denver Rescue Mission has requested new socks and underwear.
Old/used Jackets, hats, shirts, and pants are also welcome

Introducing BelaBlu, a new moderate price offering from LamanBlu

BelaBlu is the newest collection from the LamanBlu™ company. It is a fun collection of everyday basics offered at a moderate price point.

Spring 2011 brings more than just flowers for the LamanBlu™ company, it brings a new offering in BelaBlu. The new lower priced label from LamanBlu™ brings a moderate offering to the LamanBlu™ family. BelaBlu has the same fit and quality as the LamanBlu collection, but is simpler with fewer embellishments and scaled back detailing from their signature line. BelaBlu brings fun and bright mix and match prints in a soft matte jersey capsule collection of dresses and separates.

“We’re excited to bring BelaBlu to our customers,” says Holli Gibson, designer for LamanBlu. “Our goal with this capsule collection is to offer our styling at a more accessible price point so that we really can dress a child for most anything they need in a day – from a playdate at the park to a day out with mom to a special event.”

BelaBlu is offered in infant, toddler and child sizes from 6 months to child size 7. Dresses are $17 and $19 wholesale. Tops are $14 and $15 wholesale and Bottoms are $12 and $13 wholesale. The bright prints are merchandised to mix and match for an eye-catching presentation on the sales floor and include many photographic florals for this Spring/Summer 2011 season, an important trend first presented in the LamanBlu collection. They include photographic rose prints in both lime green and bright pink, a carnation tie dye print in blue as well as a blue/green circle dot, a photo realistic butterfly print and a Pucci inspired electric floral in multiple colors anchored by tangerine. As always from LamanBlu, everything in the collection is machine wash and dry for easy care.

LamanBlu to Participate in “Fashion Passion”, a Benefit for the Women and Children of Pakistan

This November 2nd charity event at Pinehurst Country Club is produced by FGI of Denver and the Women’s Development Association (WDA).


Fashion Group International of Denver (FGI of Denver) is honored to announce Fashion Passion, a Luncheon, Runway Show and Boutique on November 2, 2010, to benefit the Women’s Development Association’s (WDA) education and training program in the ghettoes of Lahore, Pakistan. The magnitude of the impact of educating one indigent woman in her country is best said by Josna Azim of the WDA project in Pakistan, "to educate a man is to educate a person, but to educate a woman is to educate a family, and, ultimately, a nation." WDA’s Aroona Shahrukh, from Lahore, Pakistan, will be our guest speaker and Colorado’s favorite, Molly Hughes, is the Honorary Chair.

Join FGI, WDA, LamanBlu and other local designers in eradicating illiteracy among the poorest of poor and support the WDA Promise: One Woman, One Year, On Hundred Dollars, which is the amount needed to sponsor one person for a year.

Holiday apparel, accessories and jewelry from 15 Colorado designers will be featured on the runway and available for guests shopping pleasure in the Boutique before and after the luncheon. Runway models will be showcasing stunning Holiday Designs created specifically for this event. Pakistani dresses and accessories will be displayed for viewing enjoyment and purchase. Show your Fashion Passion and get a head start on your holiday shopping. A portion of your shopping spree will be given to WDA’s mission!

“We are honored to be participating in this event,” says Holli Gibson, designer for LamanBlu. “We have a passion for supporting women and children everywhere and FGI and WDA are planning such a special day for everyone involved.”

This charity event is open to the public and will begin at 11:00 AM at the beautiful Pinehurst Country Club. Tickets include the Luncheon, Runway Show and Fashion Boutique. Prices are $40 per person, or $75 for VIP Runway Seating. Advanced registration is required through www.BlackTie-Colorado.com , keyword:fgiwda. A portion of the ticket is tax-deductible. In addition, donation envelopes will be available at the tables to support the WDA Promise. Can’t attend but want to contribute? Blacktie-Colorado.com has a link just for you! Thank you from the grateful women and children of Lahore.

WDA is a non-governmental 501c3 organization based in Greenwood Village, Colorado. The mission of WDA is to help educate, train and support women and children in third world nations through literacy, basic mathematics and health education, vocational training and economic development opportunities. WDA began working in Pakistan in 2000 and has educated over 3,000 women and children to date. This program is on-going and produces marked improvement in approximately 400 women and 150 children per year.

FGI of Denver, winner of the coveted Special Event Award for RISING STAR2009 FASHION BY DESIGN Runway Gala, in which LamanBlu won the Rising Star Award,  is the premiere authority on Fashion in Colorado. The FGI members who will be featured on the Runway are:

Holli Gibson / LamanBlu, Brooks, Ltd,  Maggie Burns,  Eulanda Sanders,  Andrea Li, Carol Engel-Enright, Melissa May,  Natalee Moldenhauer, Samantha Larkins, Gino Velardi, Rustin Coburn / DVLP,  Susan Ware, Stephanie Ohnmacht, Lisa Ramfjord Elstun and Wendy Weil.

Additional members on display in the boutique are Enuma Duhu and Gabriela Martinez.

Wow - What a great day for fashion, building connections and helping others!

For any of you industry folks who missed the FACE event at the Denver Art Museum yesterday, you missed a lot!  Carol Engel-Enright was responsible for putting on the most wonderful event for Fashion Group of Denver.  The audience consisted of fashion students, professionals and those inspired to be designers with no formal training.  The day consisted of expert panel discussions on various aspects of the fashion business from samples to production to marketing.  There was also a keynote speech by Lady Soule, who designs the Frock line of dresses for Tracy Reese and a talk on social media by Sean Carasso from Falling Whistles.  The day ended with a juried fashion show by both local students and professionals.

The judging for the show took place last Wednesday, and I was honored to be a judge.  The submissions from both the students and professionals were great and Cynthia Petrus produced an amazing show with all the garments inspired by "FACE" and in the color story of red, black and white.

I can't say enough good things about Lady Soule, who brought some of her Fall 2010 Frock collection to present to the crowd and held a live interview led by Suzanne Brown of The Denver Post.  Lady talked about her inspiration, her design process and her work with Tracy Reese as well as answered questions from the audience.  She was a delight and stayed long after the event to talk with guests.  I was fortunate enough to be one of those who got to spend time with her after the event and am happy to now call her a friend.

Another inspiring talk was by Sean Carasso from Falling Whistles.  You have to check out the story - http://www.fallingwhistles.com/splash/index.php  Sean has to be one of the nicest guys and most inspiring speakers I've heard.  His cause is compelling and heartwrenching - but uplifiting as well, because you can so easily get involved and particiapte for change, for the children of Congo. 

Perhaps the most unique thing about the day was both seasoned veterans and novices in the industry coming together, to learn from each other, to help each other, to connect with each other.  This is a truly unique setting in the fashion industry - it's a great story of community - of coming together to better the industry as a whole - to raise up a new generation of fashion experts - to build the business of fashion in Colorado.  If the first FACE event was any indication of what's to come in this town - we'll be one to watch for sure!

FACE to expand fashion industry in Colorado

FACE to expand fashion industry in Colorado

Fashion Group International’s FACE (Fashion and Creative Enterprises) Business Symposium provides Colorado designers, entrepreneurs, product developers, and artists in apparel, accessories and creative products an opportunity to connect and grow businesses locally.

(DENVER, Co.)- For one-day fashion, design and style will be combined to showcase creative talent and business opportunity throughout Colorado. In the world of fashion, there are numerous designers and aspiring artists that need a kick-start to get recognition for their designs. As part of the Denver based Fashion Group International, FACE (Fashion And Creative Enterprises) Business Symposium connects Colorado businesses and local talent. Fashion Group International is a global, non-profit, professional organization with over 5000 members in the fashion industry including apparel, accessories, beauty and home.

FACE provides a format for creative businesses to share resources, ideas, and networks to expand entrepreneurial opportunities in Colorado. Fashion Group International of Denver presents this premier event to offer valuable and innovative business insight into emerging trends in product development, merchandising, and marketing. Panels of fashion industry experts from Colorado will discuss sample development, materials and supplies, local manufacturing, marketing, media, and retail.

The keynote speaker for FACE is Lady Soule, head designer of Frock by Tracy Reese from New York City. Lady studied fashion design at Colorado State University and Fashion Institute of Technology. She has designed for Tracy Reese for the last 8 years and has been instrumental in helping the business grow to a $13 million leading fashion company.

Speaking on the power of social media and networking is Sean Carasso, founder of Falling Whistles. Sean was a grassroots organizer against violence in his youth. He then traveled the world as a personal assistant experiencing the life of luxury. Determined to connect luxury with helping others, Sean traveled to South Africa with TOMS Shoes. While in the Congo, he wrote Falling Whistles and developed a marketing campaign recently featured at the PROJECT Trade Show in Las Vegas.

A juried design competition will provide an exciting finale to the day with a professional runway show. The “Create It with Altitude” design competition will feature designs inspired by red, black and white colors and FACE. This competition is open for day or street wear, evening or special event, jewelry or clothing accessories, or creative product in professional and student categories.

FACE will be held on October 9, 2010 at the Denver Art Museum from 10A.M. to 4P.M. Register for this event

at www.blacktie-colorado.com, event code: FGIface. Costs for the event, including lunch and finale runway fashion show, is $60 for guests, $40 for F.G.I. members, and $30 for students. Fashion Group International of Denver hopes to expand fashion and creative enterprises and grow business locally in Colorado.

For Event or Design Competition Information Contact:

Carol Enright, FACE Chair, 303-517-2583, carol.engel-enright@colostate.edu

LamanBlu Releases the Runway Video for its Spring/Summer 2011 Collection

Finding inspiration in a world of flowers… LamanBlu releases its Spring/Summer 2011 Runway Show Video, inspired by the joy of summer and the flowers of spring.

Graphic 3D floral prints and bright colors are the trademark look for the SS2011 collection which consisted of twirly spring dresses and smart separates.

Exhibiting a fun and elegant collection, Gibson’s attention to details caught the eye of the audience, which included buyers, parents and other high profile guests.

Holli Gibson first created the LamanBlu label in 2008. Her original premise was to create eco-friendly classically beautiful clothing for little girls. She has stayed true to the vision creating beautiful, wearable dresses and sportswear inspired by nature and leading trends in both the children’s and women’s industry.

Gibson feels that children should be dressed beautifully, no matter what their activity and that dressing beautifully shouldn’t hamper their play and exploration of their world. Such is the reason a significant part of the collection is in lycra infused knits. “Because every little girl is really a princess inside,” says Gibson, “and princesses climb trees and run fast and hang upside down on the jungle gym!”

A versatile designer, Gibson likes to experiment with color and is her flair for it never more evident than in this collection. She incorporates a coordinated range of custom prints and color combinations and plays with pretty, girly silhouettes. Dresses all have great twirl quality. Layering dresses, skirts, twirly skorts and hip length tops with leggings and flowy capris allow for plenty of playability and occasion options.

LamanBlu continues its offering of designer quality bamboo knits and has added a new designer weight cotton/lycra knit to its collection as a sharper price point option. Sizes are 6mos – 6x. As always, the LamanBlu collection is easy care for the busy family, with the entire line being machine wash and dry, and ironing is optional. Gibson’s extensive merchandising experience is evident in the collection as buyers have options of selecting the color stories to fit their customer base, from vibrant punchy contrasting colors to more delicate classic color stories all anchored in the color of the season, a bright white.

To view the video, visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUc3MpOEa7c
To schedule an appointment to view the collection, contact LamanBlu at 720-837-1452 or info@lamanblu.com