Is it possible to wear your heart on your sleeve (or anywhere else) all year round? As you know, Valentine's Day is this week, although we've been inundated with heart-shaped Everything since January. Is there a way to celebrate the love without everything looking like a heart-shaped mess? The Magpie is here to save the day with some sweet, smart heart-themed jewelry that makes you feel like a Valentine 365 days a year.

Nordstrom GQ Menswear Collection - Bellevue Fashion Week

When you see runway shows, the majority of the looks are all for women, but what about the fellas? Doesn't a Jaunty Gentleman deserve to feel stylish and be a fashionable standout?? Nordstrom and GQ Magazine was the match made in heaven at this year's Bellevue Fashion Week. For the last few years, the Nordstrom show has always been one of my favorites, putting some really beautiful ready-to-wear looks together, reminding you that you don't have to do haute couture to make a statement. This year, they made the bold choice to go with nearly all menswear (as you can see from this shot of the final runway lap, there were a few ladies in the mix!). This was a great decision, not just for bolstering the spirits of fashionable fellows wanting inspiration, but for this annual fashion week as a whole, mixing things up and showing that style is not owned by any single person or gender, it's an expression we can all participate in.

The Birdy's all aflutter -- there's a busy week ahead, because my-oh-my, it's time for Fashion Week in Bellevue again! It's a sign that the year is truly flying, because it seems last year's shows were not that long ago. And perhaps that's just a reflection of fashion itself -- it moves fast, it's unrelenting, and beauty can truly be fierce.

It's probably the most dangerous runway show of Fashion Week at the Bellevue Collection -- as in, dangerous to your wallet, but friendly to a closet needing something new and fabulous. The annual Nordstrom Fall 2012 Fashion Runway Show is the most interactive runway event for the now 5 day-long fashion event that takes over downtown Bellevue every autumn. The runway showcases curated looks and pieces from various designers, but you also have the chance to "shop the show" with an ad hoc accessories and makeup boutique that's set up before and after the show. That's always the marvelous danger of attending this event, I've had more than enough moments of temptation where that McQueen scarf wouldn't seem as indulgent as getting a whole outfit, or just that one beautiful clutch from Marc Jacobs wouldn't hurt -- I don't need to heat my house when I have something stylish to keep me warm! I think the overly generous pours of wine and cocktails probably add to that mentality, but I'm all about mixing business with pleasure. Hey, it's serious business when you want to upgrade a wardrobe!

But it's not all glitz and glam, those sky-high platform heels are supporting a purpose behind this show, namely the Detlef Schrempf Foundation. They do impressive work to provide assistance and support for organizations who provide care and assistance to families throughout the Northwest. They've been with the Nordstrom runway show every year, and they highlight a different group who will be the beneficiary of the evening's proceeds. It brings more awareness to smaller organizations that may not have the resources to become a household name -- yet. This year's show supported the Bellevue Youth Theatre, a fantastic group of volunteers who mentor children of all ages towards getting involved in the performing arts, and they put on regular shows. Every child is involved, they have a part to play and I know from personal experience how wonderful this group is because I have a friends whose children have been involved for many years and the kids LOVE IT. It's absolutely changing lives and introducing the arts to those at a young age, which is about as Jaunty as it gets. Even more exciting, the proceeds from the Nordstrom show will only further along the BYT's major project of getting a new, larger theater over in the Crossroasds neighborhood. If you get a chance to see a BYT performance, please do, and it's something to definitely get your kids involved in, if they want to be a part of the arts. 

Of course you're saying: what about the runway show?! Consistently a beautiful show of clothes every year, Nordstrom choose pieces that are mindful of trends, but definitely suited to fit the audience. These are wearable combinations of pieces, for both men and women, ranging from special occasion to office attire. It's a way of seeing clothing that you would normally find hanging on a rack and instead putting them on full display to reiterate that age-old saying: Just Try It On! 

These certainly aren't all the outfits, but they're some of my favorites. I've got more shows to photograph and share, so keep coming back for more photos from this year's Bellevue Fashion Week!

Milly: smart, quirky and with a nod to retro styles. Very feminine, but not girly. There were gorgeous pieces with prints and intense color. 


Vince: beautiful warm fall hues in simple styles. Sweater knits with leather make for a nice contrast, and even the all-leather look can be feminine. 


Kelly Werstler: artful combinations of textures and patterns to build an outfit. Love the layering of contrasting prints, and colored tights peeking through a leather cut-out skirt. 


Marc by Marc Jacobs: geek graduated to hipster. The pieces are darling and can be worn separately -- and no, skinny jeans and artsy glasses are not required.


Rachel Zoe: ladylike and classic with a bit of disco glam. Nicely polished looks that go from power lunch to cocktail hour. 


Billy Reid: relaxed style doesn't have to just mean jeans and a t-shirt. Mixing materials and jackets galore for a nicely finished, put-together look. 


Elizabeth and James: add a little rock n' roll to your wardrobe. Small details like leather gloves or studded shoulder patches on a sweater balance out a soft look. 


Haute Hippie: unleash your inner rockstar goddess. Bold prints and patterns, their pieces aren't for the style-shy. Sky-high boots and heels are a must.  


Haute Hippie: clearly a Magpie favorite, the evening looks range from sweet to full-on golden goddess.  


Theyskens' Theory: simple, but bold. Mixing materials and textures to create contrast and wearable pieces ranging from day to night. 


Tory Burch: it's fun to be a girl. Not totally stuck in a MadMen episode, but with a nod to vintage, the pieces modernize classic looks by mixing materials and a streamlined fit.  


Rag and Bone: casual with a touch of quirkiness. Taking everyday outfits and having one special item, like a bold color, unique pattern, or mixing patterns on classic separates.


Diane Von Furstenberg: a stylish lady who will never be out of fashion. Feminine and fun-to-wear pieces, these are outfits that celebrate what it means to be a woman.


Diane Von Furstenberg: cocktail dresses that are never boring, and wave the Jaunty banner that sparkly, shiny things will never, ever go out of style!


Jaunty Fine Print: photography by Denise Sakaki, designers listed above

Tis the season for The Bellevue Collection Fashion Week! One of the big shows to kick off the multi-day celebration of fall and winter fashion is the Nordstrom Fall Runway Show. The Birdy was sad not to see them grace the runway last year, but was really excited when they announced they would do a show for 2011. This show features clothing lines handpicked from Nordstrom's wide range of designer collections and typically features regional favorites and often times has more of an edgier look. It's also one of the better pre-show parties to people-watch, as the best trends to see aren't always on the runway, but what people are wearing for a special night out. Just like in previous years, Nordstrom and the Detlef Schrempf Foundation worked together to make the event a benefit to target a specific charity, and this year's beneficiary was the Bellevue Youth Theatre, which I can say from personal experience, is a great organization to support. I have friends whose children have been involved in plays, it's a theatre group that encourages childrens' involvement in the arts, all the kids get parts and play a role in the performance, building that sense of teamwork and community.

But on to the nitty-gritty -- there were several looks and trends being showcased, and despite snapping away at everything, I wanted to show some of the trend highlights, as well as personal Jaunty Magpie favorites. Overall, I thought the show was curated for looks that would fit what Eastside shoppers would buy and wear; they didn't go as over the top as I'd hoped, not that I was expecting a Lady Gaga meat dress, but I appreciate a show that takes a few daring chances to inspire style versus following fashion trends. I think these are all very wearable looks, and I purposely didn't show a lot of the all-black looks that weighed down the more fun and vibrant pieces. For this runway show review, I wanted to take out the wardrobe safety nets and show only the things that make people excited about making a look stand out.

Bright Color: (from left to right) Diane Von Furstenberg, Haute Hippie, Rag and Bone, Marc by Marc Jacobs


Stripes and Pattern: (from left to right) Elizabeth and James, Rag and Bone, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Robert Rodriguez 


Sequins and Metallics: (from left to right) Diane Von Furstenberg, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Haute Hippie, Haute Hippie


Long Hemlines and Dresses: (from left to right) Haute Hippie, Haute Hippie, Marc by Marc Jacobs


Fur: (from left to right) Marc by Marc Jacobs, Haute Hippie, Millly, Elizabeth and James

Dressing in Leather: (from left to right) Vince for all three looks

Sartorial Menswear: (from left to right) Marc by Marc Jacobs, Hugo Boss, Rag and Bone

On to my personal favorites! I love a bold mix of color, pattern and fabric textures, and these were the three looks that got me the most excited: (from left to right) Milly, Marc by Marc Jacobs for last two

Of course I love sparkle, so these were some of the best ways of making an outfit shine, for both day and night, using different amounts of metallics and sequins: (from left to right) Mily, Vince, Milly


I go between feeling girly and wanting to be ladylike, and these different looks are like a time travel wonderland! Disco chic, classic-meets-futuristic, and bohemian rocker princess: (from left to right) Halston Heritage, Robert Rodriguez, Haute Hippie


Jaunty Fine Print: photos by Denise Sakaki

The Birdie was introduced to a truly divine dress by Chanel recently, while perusing the lovely things at the flagship Nordstrom in downtown Seattle. I didn't have my camera handy, but that couldn't keep the Magpie from taking a mental snapshot and putting pen to paper to capture this dreamy vision of tweedy heaven mixed with delicate fringe and feathers.  

A perfect balance of ladylike and girly, for the stylish Birds who love the combination of textures and materials. Much thanks to the equally lovely Sanda Belaire, Nordstrom's expert stylist whose keen eye for detail brought this dress to my attention to fully "ooh" and "aahhh" it with delight, while inspiring this little scribble!


Jaunty Fine Print: drawing by Denise Sakaki, as inspired by Chanel dress

 

This nutty Bird actually had a dream about fall recently. Walking along a path, my eye was caught by this small, young tree whose green leaves were beginning to show the signs of a bright orange and yellow burst of fall color. I was giddy with anticipation and almost a little disappointed to wake up and see the lovely green trees in our backyard, still lush with verdant summer. In the immortal words of Homer (Simpson, that is): Doh!

Last month's Nordstrom Anniversary Sale probably didn't help matters much, when they were showing off all these lovely cold weather goodies that we probably can't wear for at least another month or so. The thing that caught my Jaunty eye were the continuance of lovely details on fitted jackets, making them ever so lovely and ladylike. A mix of textures, from nubby woven materials to soft leather, and the detail work of ruffles, unfinished edges or metal accents like delicate chains -- it all makes this Bird as happy as seeing the leaves change colors on trees. I'm not saying summer needs to make a hasty retreat, but when the autumn comes, you can bet this Birdie will be first in line to welcome its return. Pictured from Nordstrom are: {1} Hinge Victoriana ruffle collar jacket, {2} Rubbish military knit jacket, {3} Halogen crop collarless jacket.


Jaunty Fine Print: photos from Nordstrom catalog

 

The next time you look at a fashionable boot, a bejeweled shoe, a dainty mule, or even a stiletto heel, think of Beth Levine. An American shoe designer that pioneered many of the construction and aesthetic aspects of modern fashion footwear from the 1940s through the 1970s, Levine's name has sadly been forgotten while European designer names like Manolo and Louboutin sit firmly at the forefront of people's minds when they think of high-end shoe design. The Bellevue Arts Museum (BAM) has a new exhibit that will undoubtedly reintroduce Beth Levine's name into our memory bank of stylemakers and educate over America's own history as the home of many shoe design innovations.

On view from February 18th through June 6th, Beth Levine: First Lady of Shoes will have its only U.S. visit at BAM, displaying an extensive collection of vintage originals of Levine's design, as well as drawings, ads and other rare paperwork that document this amazing career in fashion. Co-curator and personal friend of Levine, designer Helene Verin was on-hand for the exhibit's preview night to give a detailed retrospective of Beth Levine's life and career as a true vanguard of shoe design, breaking down gender barriers and becoming one of the most celebrated female designers of her time. Wearing a silver and vinyl pair of Levine's shoes from her own collection, Verin listed the impressive list of celebrities and politicians that Beth Levine worked with to get her shoes on their feet. Celebrities like Cher and Barbara Streisand, and White House royalty including Jacqueline Kennedy, had all come to Beth Levine to create shoes that were both fashion-forward and (gasp!) comfortable. In our modern time of sky-high sculptural heels that threaten to defy the forces of nature, Levine took on shoe design from both an artistic and pragmatic perspective, as she had the understanding that the shoes needed to be as wearable as they were beautiful. She would test her designs personally, making sure the shoes that left the Levine factory could stand up to a busy day of walking around.

One of her most notable construction innovations was the Spring-o-lator, a discreet device built within the shoe to keep the foot from slipping out in backless/mule designs. Levine also had the vision to take the humble workboot and make it form-fitting, feminine, and truly show off a woman's natural assets. We take the fashionable boot for granted, but at the time, it was such a unique fashion statement that it inspired Nancy Sinatra's unforgettable "These Boots Were Made for Walking" song in the 1960s. The accolades and pop cultural references were of course flattering, but Levine remained an artist dedicated to her craft. The museum exhibit showcased an impressive array of conceptual shoes made with different materials like paper, AstroTurf, and her early forays into the vinyl and lucite "invisible" shoes. Her work is an inspiration, as it shows such a wide array of ideas, all beautiful, whimsical and experimental, constantly thinking of ways to deconstruct the shoe and reexamine the way a foot interacted with it.

Looking through today's department stores or recent fashion magazine spreads, it's easy to see Beth Levine's influence over shoe design as a whole. People who may not be familiar with her name have still had her artistry touch their lives, whether it's a rhinestone-decorated shoe or the perfect pair of knee-high boots that hug the leg in all the right places. She understood the nature of fashion, as the famous saying for Levine shoes was that they were, "ones that nobody needed, but everybody wanted." Her design truly sung the music of the fashion-forward soul, and now it's thankfully on display until June for many to become better acquainted with her name and her contributions to the delights that decorate our feet.

Much Jaunty thanks to the Bellevue Arts Museum for hosting this exhibit, as well as to Nordstrom, in their support of the musuem and helping to bring treasured collections like these to the Pacific Northwest.

Jaunty Fine Print: Photo of Beth Levine, 1999, by Bruce Weber; Anemone d' Orsay, designed by Beth Levine, 1959, pink suede d'Orsay with lavender plastic flower ornament, courtesy Helene Verin, photo by David Hamsley; photo of exhibit by Denise Sakaki

 

The house lights dim, a hush blankets the crowd. A blitz of color and light appear from the background and a booming sound of percussive beats and electronica fills the air. Tall, lithe models walk along the u-shaped catwalk, swaying in step to the music with focused stares towards a faraway place. The proverbial curtain has risen on the modern theater of Nordstrom's Fall 2009 Runway Show. Let the drama begin.

The French popularized salons in the 17th and 18th centuries, creating public spheres of intellectual and cultural gatherings, as well as showings of art. It was a place to see what ideas were presented as much as it was a place to be seen, and the fashion catwalks of our 21st century continue to keep that flame alive. The Bellevue Collection's Fashion Week presented yet another dazzling event on Wednesday night, with Nordstrom unveiling pieces from the fall 2009 collections from ten designers, including: Vince, Boss Orange, Elizabeth & James, Milly, Rag & Bone, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Leifsdottir, Haute Hippie, Boss Black, and Diane von Furstenburg.

Runway shows exemplify why fashion is exciting. The music, the excitement of the crowd, the clothing itself -- it's truly an expression of the mind's concept of style, fully realized in a physical form. It is performance art, rooted in emotion and aesthetic. A glint of light off a silvery sequin or the subtle sheen of hammered silk against a moving form are amplified in the public sphere of music, rhythmn and an eager audience. The heightened senses elevate the experience far beyond wandering through a department store.

Overall, the show presented a wide display of very wearable styles. Nothing too avant-garde or wild, which is respectful of the audience -- most people want to be inspired off the rack and not try to decipher a conceptual or absurd menagerie straight out of Derelicte, Mugatu's arcane collection from the movie Zoolander. This was a show to elevate everyday and evening wear, influencing people towards thinking smarter and making intelligent choices.



The presence of layering has been apparent across the fashion board, and the menswear of Boss Orange and Marc by Marc Jacobs really exemplified the visual interest of incorporating a variety of materials (knits, silks, leather) in smart combinations and slim-fit silhouettes. These looks stood out in comparison to looks from Rag & Bone, which went for safer pairings of loose, casual pieces, which seemed dull in comparison to the more bold choices. The womens' clothing of Rag & Bone were more compelling, with confident tailoring and sleek layering that did not add extra heft to the outfits, while maintaining their urbane look.

Hipster-nerd chic appeared in several collections -- thick-rimmed glasses were worn by several of the models, adding a distinctive but purposeful edge to looks. This particular accessory has been making the rounds of late, both on and off the runways. While more visual decor than visual aid, it's a fashion prop that is both delightfully self-aware, and with a sense of Pacific Northwest humor this Bird can appreciate.



Similar combinations of materials and detail were present throughout women's pieces in the collections: refined silks and crushed faux furs from Elizabeth & James, chunky-tweedy coats woven with metallic thread and crisp ruffles from Milly. A tactile presence appeared on several items, ranging from soft and feathered bohemia to rock and roll metal hardware. Women of course have the delightful dilemma of a wide array of options for clothing styles, and the variety of textiles and fit made it clear that in this season, individuality is celebrated, and there is an encouragement to break rules and wear pieces that can span seasons. The presence of tights and leggings continued their reign, giving summer sandals a second life as autumn footwear options, and grounding the silky, diaphanous pieces from Haute Hippie for layered outfits in winter's chill.


Not that this Bird likes to play favorites... but she will. The collections that were most vibrant and full of stylish life were the pieces from Leifsdottir and Haute Hippie. With their graphic bold prints and vintage flourishes, Leifsdottir is like the smart, romantic art student who dreams of strolling the rain-soaked streets of Paris, and Haute Hippie is the free-spirited socialite who spends as much time in London as she does New York, swathed in a dramatic swirl of fur, feathers and sequins to herald her comings and goings. The fashion show crowd definitely gave Diane von Furstenburg's pieces the most audible support of cheers, especially the final tah-dah piece of a black and white 60s style paillette dress, but Leifsdottir and Haute Hippie were the ones that truly stole this Bird's jaunty heart.

Not to forget the real show of the night -- watching over five hundred of the Eastside's elite, dressed in their finery, showing off their fashion sense in the wide expanse of the Hyatt Regency's Wintergarden wing. It was an interesting thing to see that the runway looks were not much different from what the guests were wearing, as the style mood was bold and intrepid. Even the young children in attendance were adorned in their precocious best, as if they stepped straight from a page of The Sartorialist. People wove about the displays of items from Nordstrom, laid out on tables and pedestals like rare art. Colorblocked cashmere scarves with butter-soft leather gloves folded over each one like delicate hands, pumps and boots set up along tables like scupltures -- an appropriate decor that was both aesthetic and available for purchase. Observing all the beautifully-dressed guests inhabit the space, it was hard not to expect someone to break into song, and everyone suddenly step in time to a number reminiscent of the Ascot Race Day sequence in George Cukor's film, My Fair Lady.

The most fashionable thing about the evening was of course the $35,000 raised to benefit the Detlef Schrempf Foundation. Now in its fourth year, the Nordstrom runway show has proven yet again that fashion and goodwill are a most stylish pairing, indeed. Great thanks to Nordstrom for putting on an exciting show and raising awareness for a worthy cause.