What a Great Casting Call!

We had such a great time yesterday at the LamanBlu casting call for Fashion Fest 2010. dNote proved to be such a great place to hold our event and the Baby Boogie started toward the end of our model tryouts so many of the kids stayed and played instruments and danced on the stage! (dNote also serves some of the best pizza I've had in a long time!)

Downtown Toys & Games graciously provided coloring and other activities for the kids so there was plenty to do during the entire event.

I'd like to thank our models and their parents most of all. All of the girls were so beautiful and we had so much fun trying on clothes and learning how to walk on stage (and of course, doing lots and lots of twirling). Some of the girls had previous modeling experience, for some, this was their first time doing anything like this. The pros took the newbies under their wing and showed them what to do. And since we had so many ages, the older girls spent time helping the little ones and making sure they were safe up on the stage. It was very heartwarming to see kids helping kids.

We even had a few local stars of the stage turn out - here's a clip from one of these talented girls:

Stay tuned for more information about the upcoming Fashion Fest!

Fashion Fest 2010 Casting Call

We're having a Kids Casting Call for Fashion Fest 2010 this upcoming weekend, June 27th from 1:00pm - 4:00pm at DNote in Olde Town Arvada, CO. We are inviting little girls ages 2-7 (sizes 2T-6x) to come for fun! We will be trying on clothing for the upcoming Fashion Fest Runway show and practicing our runway walking.

DNote is located at 7519 Grandview Ave., Arvada, CO 80010 (http://www.dnote.us/). We will be having our casting call during their "Baby Boogie" where kids come to enjoy music, both by listening to it, playing with it and danceing to it (and modeling to it in this case). Come make some new friends and see old ones.

The fashion show will be during Fashion Fest 2010, July 31st, 2010. It is a family event with shopping, food and entertainment during the afternoon, culminating in a Runway Fashion Show in the evening. The day starts 4:00pm on the square in Olde Town Arvada.

Downtown Toys and Games (www.downtowntoysandgames.com) is sponsoring our casting call and there will be giveaways as part of the event!

Come and bring your friends for a fun filled day of music, toys and of course, fashion!

LamanBlu Launches Cruise/Resort – Just in time for a Beach Vacation!

LamanBlu has just released its first collection for the cruise/resort season. The collection is entitled “Beachcomber” and is an inspired find for a beach holiday to wash away the winter blues.

“Seaside family holidays provide inspiration for this nautical story, as old, over-exposed photographs remind us of happier care-free times. Recycled nautical elements add authenticity…Natural fabrics with slubby irregularities such as linen and linen blends are important and add a lived-in feel.” (Trend Bible Kids)

Varying colors of blue and white, along with a custom watercolor seahorse print form the basis of LamanBlu’s first Cruise/Resort collection. “I love family holidays at the shore and am always inspired by the sense of wonder they promote, my kids and my own. The beach and the ocean are full of awe-inspiring wonder.” Says Holli Gibson, designer for LamanBlu.

White and pink sand, Caribbean waters so blue they make your soul ache to explore beneath them. And the eternal hunt for seahorses, those elusive gentle creatures hidden in the reef that hold you spellbound. What better beachwear than washed linen in Dutch and sun faded colors. “We’re using inspired finds from the beach, including natural shell buttons and rope trim.”, says Gibson. The colors are translucent and a reminder of being castaway on a desert island. Fabrics are crinkled and cool to the touch. The garments have a feeling of linear aesthetics to strike the right balance. Details and finishings are perfect reminders of a demure and prim gentility. Harking back to Victorian vintage, with haute couture precision and radiant elegance. Nothing is left to chance, nothing is vague, everything is pretty, harmonious and graceful. A revival of the finest which is enchanting and precious.

Why linen for kids? The finest 100% linen is one of the purest cloths there is. It is light and comfortable, and has a coolness and absorbency that make it ideal for sunny days. It is an ideal fabric for children's sensitive skins and especially good for those with skin conditions, such as allergies and eczema, because it has a natural pH balance. Linen is very environmentally friendly. It comes from flax and every part of the plant is used. The finest fibers are used to make linen fabrics and the by-products are used to make everything from oil to cattle feed to bank notes and fiber board. Waste is minimal and any chemicals used are always fully treated before disposal. And as always, fabrics in the LamanBlu line are machine washable and dryable, and ironing is optional, including linen.

LamanBlu Spring/Summer 2011 Preview

Spring / Summer 2011 Preview

We thought you'd like to see some preview shots from the Spring/Summer 2011 Collection. Don't the girls look fresh and lovely?! They're proving out our mantra - for a child, every day is an occasion.

Spring 2011 Sneak Peek

We did our first photo shoot yesterday for Spring/Summer 2011. We found a beautiful park and the girls ran an played and had a tea party and chased butterflies and blew bubbles. They were wonderful and we all had such a good time!

Flowers and flowing hair ruled the day. Little girls all have such natural beauty and they sure showed it off. Beautifully dressed and playing, running, with a giant game of ring-around-the-rosie thrown in. Shoes and hair barettes were graciously provided by Bear Feet, based in Texas.

FGI Denver Captures Major Award at International New York Conference - LamanBlu is the Rising Star

SHINING STAR IN THE FASHION UNIVERSE

Susanne Taylor, FGI District 4 Director and winner of the Entrepreneur of the Year Award; Scottie Taylor Iverson, FGI of Denver Regional Director and chair of RISING STAR; Nathalia Fairbault, FGI of Denver program chair and NY conference attendee; Jan Top, FGI of Denver program chair and NY conference attendee; Carol Engel-Enright, business development chair, Career Day chair and NY conference attendee with Margaret Hayes, president of Fashion Group International, NY headquarters

Fashion Group International of Denver won the coveted Special Event Award for RISING STAR 2009, Fashion By Design Runway Gala at the recent international conference in New York. The awards banquet was held at the famed Cosmopolitan Club and was a particularly sweet culmination for the Denver contingent after the first full day of meetings and presentations held at Conde Naste. This was a wonderful surprise to be shared with a large, talented and passionate committee,” said Iverson. “ I am so proud of the individuals I chose. We all poured our hearts into RISING STAR and it showed! Since the judges weren’t at the event, the package compiled for competition had to be comprehensive as though they had attended.

My background in marketing and winning some national advertising awards helped with the daunting task. It’s all about relationships and we were told that one of the factors that put us on top was the number of sponsors and partners we garnered for the fundraiser for which we are so grateful. Denver is often overlooked in the world of fashion. We have proven that we have lifestyle and style.”

About RISING STAR: Signature event of Fashion Group International of Denver held every other year to salute new and emerging designers throughout Colorado in order to raise funds for fashion scholarships and educational outreach programs,

Venue: The exquisite showroom at Mercedes-Benz of Westminster with a 55’ runway in the west wing

Components: Kickoff party with 150 attendees and a wait list; red carpet entry, Starlight Lounge with live entertainment and special cuisine for sponsors, VIPs, category winners and media; silent auction; Academy Awards -style presentation of trophies on stage for category winners whose designs would be on the runway and sponsor gifts; fashion show with professional models, awarding of The Rising Star of the Year to Holli Gibson, LamanBlu, children’s clothing

Re-branding: naming the event, logo for the event, consistent use of images including an illustration of the last Rising Star’s evening gown (Gino Velardi – designer) by artist Jim Howard and three models in a Mercedes-Benz of Westminster convertible reaching for the stars

Innovations (all about stars): Save The Date cards attached to “star” shaped chocolate brownie lollipops, special fashion show at Outlets of Colorado Shopping Extravaganza highlighting fashions from category winners; professionally designed invitations, ads, souvenir program and collateral materials; awarding the first ever Lifetime Achievement Award to “Star Legend” David Jacobs, founder of Spyder Active Sports based in Boulder and including Spyder fashions on the runway; signature drink – “sparkling star” created by Occasions By Sandy; proclamations from two mayors; Saks Fifth Avenue display window on the valet circle at Cherry Creek Shopping Center; Star Spangled Banner sung by Nancy Fitzgerald to open the show; multi media presentation throughout created by Tommy Collier; progressive food stations and runway seating rather than tables; stage a presentation of a $2,500 scholarship to CSU by Kenneth King Foundation

Judging: Project Runway meets Academy Awards - Two layers of competition patterned after the New York format with a distinguished panel completing the final judging. Top three companies (BornFit, DVLP Clothing and LamanBlu) on stage for announcing of the winner for 2009. The 11 category winners were selected by criteria to evaluate their portfolios of current and past designs in addition to publicity and industry experience. Before a panel of distinguished judges, those winners continued with interviews and samples of product. Samples were assessed with regard to fashion trends, cohesive collections, construction and marketability. Further assessments were scored as to marketing strategies, distribution channels and business viability. Some companies already enjoy international distribution. Judges were charged with finding the designer who would have a nationally recognized brand within five years.

Of Interest: One of the most well known designers chosen as New York’s Rising Star in recent years is Tory Burch.

Category Winners: Women’s Sportswear -Julie Hill and Lisa Welch of BornFit, Women’s Dress – Stephanie Ohnmacht of Smooch, Art Wearables – Susan Kiely of Women With A Cause, Custom Design – Maureen deHaan of Denver Couture, Active Wear/ Outdoor Wear – Phoebe Stapleton of Sierra Designs, Urban/Street Wear – Rustin Coburn and Noah Price of DVLP Clothing, Children’s Wear – Holli Gibson of LamanBlu, Accessories- Eulanda Saunders of Yo-San Studio, Jewelry – Andrea Li of Andrea Li Designs, Retail – Mona Lucero of Mona Lucero and Interior Design – Jeanne Connolly of Vintage Renewal

Committee (All Star Cast): Jan Top, Debra Pain, Peggy Ziglin, Gino Velardi, Cynthia Petrus, Carol Engel-Enright Lisa Elstun, Nathalia Faribault, Evelyn Stephens, Jim Howard, Susan Ware, Stephen Replin, Vicky Nolan, Lenora Chavez, Lauren Vitalie, Cindy Mackin, Patty Spivack, Melissa Oster, Lisa Wax, Donna Kelly, Keri Christiansen, Janet Wagner and Jo Frank

Sponsors: Platinum Star – Mercedes-Benz of Westminster

Gold Star – Outlets of Colorado

Partners: Occasions By Sandy, Newberry Bothers Greenhouse & Florist, Saks Fifth Avenue, Moet & Chandon, Applejack Wine & Spirits, Beverage Distributors Pinnacle Division, The Villager Newspaper, Donna Kelly Beauty, Posh Salon, Balistreri Winery, Breckenridge Brewery, Starbucks, oogave, Chocolate Discoveries, Tommy Collier, Live Entertainment by David Christie

Caterer/Sponsor/ Partner: Occasions By Sandy

Graphic Designer: Stu Wyatt Productions

Printers: MIDO, Print Pointe

Support by: Blacktie-Colorado.com, The Denver Post-Suzanne Brown, The Villager Newspaper, Denver a la Mode, Mile High Sports Radio – Live with Lisa, Denver Magazine, Denver Woman Magazine, 9News- Colorado & Company, 303 Magazine, Denver Daily News, KKHI Radio, FGI Student Chapter at CSU

“The Fashion Group International of Denver’s Rising Star Awards bi-annual fashion gala is a phenomenal arena in which to compete for our city’s emerging design talent! It’s an incredible opportunity to showcase their businesses, share their vision and to contribute to the creative essence of Denver and Colorado. It was my sincere pleasure to be part of the steering committee for RISING STAR 2009.” --Cynthia Petrus

Saks Fifth Avenue, PR/Fashion Director; RISING STAR Show Producer; former Regional Director FGI Denver and FGI Cleveland

Fashion Group International is a global nonprofit organization with 5,000 members sharing worldwide expertise – professionals who move the fashion industries…apparel, accessories, beauty and the home. The FGI mission is to be the pre-eminent authority on the business of fashion and design and to help the members become more effective in their professional lives. Districts include: Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Columbus, Indianapolis, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., Atlanta, Kansas City, North Florida, St. Louis, South Florida (includes Miami), Los Angeles, Palm Springs, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, Columbia, Toronto, London, Paris, Mexico City, Sydney, Tokyo, Seoul and of course – New York. Denver is in District 4 Southwest that also includes Arizona, Dallas, Houston and San Antonio.