Are you ready to Fall for Fashion? This Bird is more than ready to embrace the incoming autumn days, but still enjoy the pleasantly cool evenings, much like the one we recently had last Friday, during The Bravern's Fall for Fashion event to benefit the nationwide Fashion's Night Out charity event that lasted through the weekend. I was able to head over on Friday night, for the opening night celebration. It was a nice way to end a long week. So this Bird preened her feathers, which is to say, changed out of the eternal sweatpants and sweatshirt that I'm usually rocking as I sit all day behind a computer and got all presentable-like for the Jaunty masses. What, you think a sweatpants/sweatshirt combo wouldn't quite be chic enough for a fashion event??

I was lucky to have my good friend Ms. Radish and Rose along for the ride, a lovely smart cookie who can identify the details of quality tailoring, track down the best hamburger in town, while balancing a glass of bubbly in hand. We managed to sidle into the bar at John Howie Steak for one of their a-ma-zing burgers during their equally a-ma-zing happy hour, which was a good fortification for the walking about we did, perusing every store through The Bravern that caught our eye. We were ooh-ed and ahh-ed by the beautiful tailored coats and holiday dresses at Karen Millen. We also couldn't help but marvel at the lovely tailoring at Chanel in Neiman Marcus; the attention to detail in the construction of one of their signature jackets is truly inspiring!

Lately I've been less interested in looking at the of-the-moment trends and just identifying the things that continually catch my eye. We all have our own classic details that we love, and strangely enough, the things I gravitated towards as a child -- soft, touchable textures and bright, sparkles of color -- are still what attracts my eye now, but in different, hopefully more sophisticated ways. I liked seeing the little vintage-inspired faux fur tie-on collars and I immediately head towards beautiful brocade or printed fabrics; I feel like this almost primal instinct for a tactile and visually experience will never change. I mainly just enjoyed an evening with a friend who has an appreciation for the beauty in all things, and it becomes like a wonderful game, trying to spot all the little details that might get missed amidst the excitement and glamour of a big night. And yes, a hamburger with champagne doesn't hurt either.

Jaunty Fine Print: photos by Denise Sakaki and Ms Radish and Rose 

 

Jaunty survey time - and a chance to win a $100 gift card to The Bravern in Bellevue! It's been a few months since Bellevue's newest retail neighbor moved in, and I think we've had enough time to get to know The Bravern, knock on their door to borrow a cup of sugar, and take in their retail experience. I know this Bird has especially enjoyed the dining options as well as several favorite stores being that much closer to her Eastside backyard. But what about you, Jaunty Readers? Your opinion counts, as The Bravern is looking for a few good men and women to let their voices be heard in a survey they're conducting, to see what people enjoy about the shopping experience and what could use improvement. Don't be shy, you deserve to a chance to be heard, and as a bonus, if you enter your email address to this survey, you'll have a chance to win a $100 gift card to The Bravern. They're accepting survey input until this Monday, the 25th, so don't wait to fill out the survey and be entered for the gift card!

Jaunty Fine Print/Credits: Photos by Denise Sakaki and sponsored content brought to you by CSM

 

This Bird's been aflutter all week and wanted to share just a short peep about the new shopping/restaurant center, The Bravern. Per the Neiman Marcus preview post, I had promised to do a recap of the overall tour. We were given a sneak peek at the shops prior to the grand opening weekend, and several of the stores were still getting their final touches, as were the restaurants. It's amazing what a few days can do, as the whole complex looked completely finished upon returning over the weekend. The Magpie was treated to an evening event, after the grand opening crowds had gone, and had a chance to leisurely wander the floors again. In the calm of night, the structure felt like a sleeping giant, with the soft glow of finished storefront windows bathing the walkways in light. It had been filled with people only hours before. I confess to a strange, jaunty love of walking through an empty space that is normally full of crowds. A bewitching hour, indeed, being able to quietly commune with the displays and quietly admire all the pretty baubles.

I could wax poetic over the luxury brands that now reside in Bellevue, and the fact that we now have an Anthropologie within a few minutes' drive from work (danger!), but the Magpie would instead rather say that it was the invisible things that impressed her the most. Having seen the construction crews working so hard only days before, still hanging signs and finishing up the facades and interiors, stores with no shelves, much less the merchandise to place on them -- so many people worked amazingly hard to give everything a proper finish. Having seen the "before" stage, and then being able to see the "after" state in such a quick turnaround, the people who worked on these stores and got them up and running deserve a Jaunty nod.

A most magical and fortunate event came the Jaunty Magpie's way -- this Bird was allowed access to a new Babylon within the Eastside lands of Bellevue. On the eve of its opening, Neiman Marcus opened its sparkling doors and provided a guided tour of their new store in The Bravern, a European-inspired luxe retail haven, whose opening has been eagerly awaited for several years. The opportunity to wander the floors of Neiman Marcus, along with other shops throughout The Bravern, made the Magpie aflutter with excitement and eager to share all her jaunty finds.



Founded in 1907, Neiman Marcus has earned the venerable reputation as a specialty department store, offering unique and luxurious pieces by upscale fashion designers. Since the 1960s, they were known for their annual Fantasy Gifts, a particularly extravagant item that is featured in their holiday catalog, including such must-have gifts as "his" and "hers" hot air balloons or a private concert with Elton John. Such distinction carries over to each department store, as it's carefully designed to represent both the Neiman Marcus brand, but also reflect its surroundings. The Pacific Northwest influenced an aesthetic that ran throughout the three floors of the new Bellevue store. Natural materials that included the asymmetric elegance of weathered boughs, a matchstick layering of branches, the gentle curve of a leaf -- the whole environment was tactile and inviting to the Northwest sensibilities. This theme incorporated well with the Neiman Marcus brand image of a butterfly, a visual key that is used throughout all their national stores. Their in-house restaurant and bar, Mariposa, means "butterfly" in Spanish, a theme that has carried them through the 1950s. Walking through the Bellevue store, one really does feel like they step out a different creature, invigorated with a sense of stylish inspiration.



Strolling the couture floor was like Alice stepping through the Looking Glass and discovering a new, exceptionally well-dressed world. Designer pieces that a Bird could only dream of seeing beyond the pages of fashion magazines were brought to life in the individual boutique sections given to each designer. Names like Escada, Giorgio Armani, Prada, and Chanel were suddenly made real. One dared not touch the items, in fear they would somehow disappear. Speaking with our guide of the tour, it was mentioned that British label, Eskandar, was newly added to the couture roster, adding yet another Pacific Northwestern-friendly note with their soft, rich sweaters.



At the foot of the escalators hangs a waterfall of translucent, silver-flecked strands of the Neiman Marcus butterflies. Nearby is an impressive modern art-like display known as the Marni Spider. Much like the spider awaiting the flutter of a stray butterfly, this spider is a modern, sculptural solution of showcasing pieces by Italian label Marni, and the designing minds behind this high concept method of presentation. The long silver arms curve down, organic shaped hangers dripping an array of the artsy, feminine pieces that have made Marni a fashion favorite for over a decade.



This appreciation for aesthetic punctuates every aspect of their retail spaces. For the Bellevue store, over 160 pieces of original art from local artists were chosen to decorate the spaces and halls throughout the store's three floors. Driven by the theme of recycled materials, their in-house curator carefully selected pieces that would appeal to the local desire for sustainability, while still creating a serene and distinctively Northwestern atmosphere. Organic shapes, layering of paints and mixed media, the art all had a theme of both human and natural touches. It was like walking through a museum. One of the artists, Dale Lindman, was on-hand to talk about his piece, Inside Passage, that is displayed downstairs, near the cosmetics department. Its palette reflects the muted and understated tonal qualities of the local weather, with a bright strip of colors down the center, as if to imply the spark of creativity that becomes a necessity in our gray-filled days.



Speaking of bright, the children's department is a little nook of sunshine. It was too adorable not to include at least a few photos. The clothing racks are designed to be smaller and accessible to children and vintage toys and smartly dressed mannequins abound. A playhouse made of cardboard is set to the side to encourage the little ones to decorate while they are surrounded with color and sparkle. Who says shopping for kid's clothes has to be boring?



An oasis from the brightness and pop of the children's department, the beauty and fragrance departments are a treat for the senses. Familiar cosmetic and perfume labels abound, but there were some exclusive scents from Creed and items from the Prada Beauty line that would not be found with other retailers. There is an in-house spa that was like finding a little hidden bungalow of calm. While I don't know if it can alleviate retail guilt, I'm sure a relaxing massage couldn't hurt.



Of course this Magpie loves all things sparkly, so the minaudiere collection by Judith Leiber immediately drew my eyes in, pulling me away from all the other selections in their handbag department. I particularly loved the Ganesha minaudiere featured under glass. Other shapes included a parrot, fruit, a dolphin, and other three dimensional bejeweled creations, but this one was so exquisite, it truly made my jaunty heart skip a beat.



More sparkle led this Bird to the jewelry department. Like a glittering Versailles, the pristine cases of glass housed gorgeous adornments and timepieces. Corner cases featured curved sculptures with jewelry draped over their forms. A soft, spherical theme ran throughout the space, with blown-glass baubles hanging from the ceiling and bubbly forms within the display cases. It felt like the magical glass elevator from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, where one need only make a wish and it could transport you anywhere.



Near the entrance to the bar and restaurant, Mariposa, one passes through the menagerie of luxurious finery for the home. Displays of formal table settings, servingware, and gilded items of all sorts were up for admiring upon shelves and tables. The tablescapes set up to show collections in a finished placesetting were a sight to behold. The multicolored chandeliers were particularly gaze-worthy. The color palette of the department warm and inviting, which was a welcoming presence amid the formal pieces.



Always saving the best for last, this Bird lingered in the holy alcove of the shoe department. It was as if they knew the Jaunty Magpie would be there, having set up an elegant nest theme of twig-like sculptural elements throughout the floor. This Bird truly felt like she had come home to roost. Chatting with other tour guests, we were giddy with excitement over the jewel-like shoes displayed on the dark wood pedestals. Dear Santa, this Bird has been ever so good this year... The collection of Louboutins were a sight to behold. Like discovering the lost mines of King Solomon, the bejeweled, satin and leather treasures all sat bathed in perfect lighting, in pristine displays. Housed in a truly perfect salon of stylish luxury, this Bird is already planning another visit with these lovely gems in the Neiman Marcus crown.



A sincere and Jaunty Merci! to The Bravern and the Neiman Marcus team for organizing and leading the press tour, allowing this Bird to join the rest of the fancy flock to view the new store before it officially opens. Special thanks to artist Dale Lindman for providing a photo of his piece, the Inside Passage. Look for an upcoming post about The Bravern shop preview very soon, as well as a post in the foodie big-sister blog, Wasabi Prime, featuring the new restaurants opening. Stay Jaunty!