Local and not-so-local fashion, beauty, and design trends
Style CouncilAnnual 2012
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12/06/1219 Days of Cool Gifting—Local, for realWhen it comes to shopping in Buffalo—or any other major city, really—a hot topic is the idea of big box versus local. Those fighting the good fight in hopes of changing the fabric of our local retail community have been hitting the pavement especially hard this holiday season. Buffalo First, City Dining Cards, and Visit Buffalo Niagara are among the few that are going non-stop until everyone, quite frankly, “gets it.” But why, might you ask? First and foremost, when we buy from local stores, the impact it has on our local economy is notable, with cash spent on goods circulating within our community three times rather than one (or even zero) times, as is the case when purchases are made at chains. Plus, important issues such as community and... |
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11/09/12C4MA: Buffalo fashion takes a step forwardIt's not often that I would find reason to blog about fashion. While I adore fashion when it comes to its historical significance and social impact, I myself am not a very fashionable person. But nothing would stop me from attending Mass Appeal (now known as Cause for Mass Appeal), produced by Buffalo's premiere fashion maven and all around style queen, Erin Habes. If you don't recognize her name, I'll ask you to pay closer attention to our local scene, as what was once a city clad in (at best) casual wear and (at worst) zoombas, Buffalo's fashion world is now coming into its own. A growing number of small boutiques selling limited quantities of the latest designer wear (no, not the stuff you find at the mallplex) and shops showcasing homespun threads created... |
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11/01/12Spree Style with Erin Habes: Get ready for Cause for Mass AppealShopping is on our minds; with the holidays right around the corner we look to local boutiques for the latest trends. Supporting local shop owners is a vital part of keeping our vibrant community alive. These individuals have put their economic lives on the line to bring you creative retail and some of the best products available. All the cool kids are doing it, so make sure you shop local this season. Embracing this message, the Elmwood Village encourages Buffalo to “Get ready for Cause for Mass Appeal”, kicking it off with a shopping extravaganza tonight from 5-8pm. Purchase an Elmwood Village wristband for $10 and receive an exclusive 10% off at participating boutiques and salons. Let me paint the picture for you: Not only will you be strolling from store to... |
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10/30/12Spree Style with Erin Habes: Sandy survival tipsCabin fever? Hurricane Sandy has us all in the palm of her hand. Not only have you memorized everyone’s Facebook status and finished watching the fourth season of “Breaking Bad”, but now you’re addicted to the HBO series “Girls.” It’s time to go beyond the rain and bring on the Internet surfing extravaganza. Step 1: Shop on National and local retailers are surely taking advantage of the hurricane frenzy, with a blink of an eye Modern/ Nostalgia was offering 15% off all sweaters until Saturday and American Apparel just sent out a “Sandy Sale” email offering 20% off if you live in the hardest hit states. (Brilliant marketing might I add.) Though national sales might be sweet, let’s face it, taking... |
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08/27/12Spree Style with Erin Habes: 10 Style Statements for Fall 2012Fall ’12 styles are popping up all around us, and retail stores are full of rich jewel-tones and spicy neutrals. Designers have given us fall direction, and now it’s our turn to bring it to the streets. From a spicy spectrum of color to the retro 60s-inspired vibe, military to menswear with a feminine twist, bejeweled studs to cozy, cuddly sweaters—allow your wardrobe to elevate your everyday. The ingredients are simple … a few good eggs (trends) and the results will be stellar. I’ve boiled down the best and most bank account-worthy, so allow me to guide you fashion lovers with our hot list of ten top style "statements." 1. 60s couture Jil Sander Cotton candy colors mixed with neutrals elevate a vintage vibe... |
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06/26/12Spree Style with Erin Habes: Wedding coolUse wedding blogs wisely—but use them. |
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06/14/12Spree Style with Erin Habes: Clutter! with Buffalo's Indie MarketThe Indie Gods have shined down upon us! Back by popular demand, Clutter, a curated indie market, is setting up shop outside for a change. This weekend they will take over Big Orbit Gallery’s parking lot, which offers the perfect backdrop for this urban bazaar. It always features one-of-a kind pieces of jewelry, artwork, vintage clothing/furniture, and accessories galore. So get ready to peruse some of the finest local vendors handpicked by the happy curator of Clutter, Vanessa Ron. This isn’t junk, people. Walking through the aisles is like hitting the mother lode. The last Clutter I attended, I felt this mad rush of “Oh my gosh, I need to get this and this … right now. Abby, can I borrow money?” The pure “clutter” factor... |
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05/18/12Spree Style with Erin Habes: Fashion Dolls come to lifeCanadian shoppers, come one, come all! |
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05/02/12Spree style with Erin Habes: Refresh, Revive, RejuvenateApril showers might bring May flowers to your garden, but this season the floral trend is popping up everywhere. Not only will your wardrobe be blooming, but this Thursday night grab your girls and peep Buffalo’s creative beauty and fashion scene. Buffalo Spree magazine presents “Refresh, Revive, Rejuvenate”, a truly radiant approach to bringing the Beauty Book to life. The lush environment of Buffalo’s Botanical Gardens offers the perfect backdrop for a fresh new philosophy on beauty, fashion, and creative ideas. This viewpoint will reveal itself throughout the garden space with avant-garde fashion creations while the environment is taken into ultimate consideration. As local designers take hold of the awe-inspiring gardens, they will unleash... |
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04/20/12Spree Style with Erin Habes: Runway 5.0 sneak peeksRunway 5.0 takes place tomorrow night. Below are sneak peaks from some of the senior designers. “Synthesis: the combining of separate elements to form a coherent whole, offering new, unexpected combinations that can confront opposites. A transformational balance is created that ignites cooperation within two or more substances.” After working on Runway for five years, the theme of Synthesis epitomizes what the event has become. The culmination of a year-long collaboration between Buffalo State College students, faculty, industry, and community, Runway involves hundreds of volunteers working towards one common goal. Students hustle all semester, perfecting and learning their craft, whether it be on the design or production side of the runway.... Posted at 08:52 AM | Permalink | Comments: 1 |
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03/13/12Spree Style with Erin Habes: Fashion StarFashion. Turn to the left. Fashion. Turn to the right. It's alive and for the world to see on NBC this week, with the debut of Fashion Star, a reality TV show that mashes the likes of Project Runway and Design Star, with huge money and reputations at stake. The competition goes “real world”, as three major retailers battle it out to win the select garments, which quickly lead to production and instant availability. Filmed six months ago and stamped top secret, the winning pieces, soon to be viewed by millions, will be available to the masses in stores the next day! With a wide range of high profile retailers bidding (Macy’s, H&M and Saks Fifth Avenue) the limited edition product hitting the shelves will surely create retail frenzy. Think... |
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03/02/12Spree Style with Erin Habes: Work it“Style is a way to say who you are without having to speak.” -Rachel Zoe The buzz of fashion is in the air, with New York and Milan Fashion Weeks fresh on our minds. It’s hard not to think about how it effects our own hometown mix of creative individuals. Over the past few years, I can comfortably say there has been a growing fashion scene in Buffalo, one that is fueled by the daily online fashion feeds. How could we not be taking notes, with every blog flooding us with imagery and exposing us to everything from runway glam shots and crazy backstage pics to magazine editors sharing what nail color they chose to wear that day. The urge to follow designers on Instagram and Twitter has opened a world of sharing the coveted front row seat, all with... |
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02/23/12Spree Style with Erin Habes: Balancing your digital connectionShare it, pin it, like it, Tweet it. I’m pretty social media savvy, but I have been holding out on the indulgence of Pinterest, until now. Why might you ask? Well how many social media outlets can one truly have? If you really think about it, it is overwhelming. Though everything serves a purpose and living a “digital life” is the wave of today and the future, embedded in our culture in every way. My thought process on social media and “sharing” is simple, and boils down to a few factors I am going to share with you to help you maintain your sanity. First off, you must give up one social media obsession for another. Balancing your life and how much time you spend on Facebook and other avenues needs to become a conscious decision. Everyone’s... Posted at 05:00 AM | Permalink | Comments: 1 |
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02/09/12Spree Style with Erin Habes: Just screen print itA new year brings a fresh outlook, and with it the urge to learn new things, try different foods, and travel to faraway places. As my thirties begin to take hold, I’ve decided to start a bucket list of fun, attainable, and affordable gems that will surely bring joy to my everyday life. I like to think of all these new and exciting adventures as a way to add to my personal repertoire of “super powers”. A trip to the Western New York Book Arts Center provided me with the perfect x-ray vision view into the art world I’ve been craving. How do you screen print? The secrets were revealed in a beginner level “Screen Printing 101” class, which was split up over two weeks for maximum creative production. I resisted shopping for a week and saved up the... |
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02/03/12Spree Style with Erin Habes: Syllabus 101Class is in session and students have returned to their respective cathedrals of learning in our Queen City. The winter break was smooth and easy, with mild weather and sun-filled days. Sure enough, leave it to Mother Nature to envelope the new semester with an Arctic tundra affect. It's hard enough managing a new schedule and waking up early for those 8:00 a.m. classes. The students must bus it or park miles away from campus. They schlep between dorms and classroom buildings, constantly exposed to the elements. Many are clueless as to how to stay warm while remaning stylish (and on budget). Ramen noodles or a winter jacket? How about both. With warm winter woes, retailers are in a serious sale mode. Take advantage of the good deals and build your wardrobe with some smart... |
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01/26/12Spree Style with Erin Habes: Style profile on Molly HoeltkeOnce upon a time there was a fashion stylist who traveled the world and acquired all the right amount of style while living in New York, Atlanta and Italy. Working in the production world, she loved styling. She eventually earned a marketing degree. Just as her appreciation and passion for vintage grew through the years, so did her fascination with fashion and she soon landed back in Buffalo where her own creative hustle continued to blossom. A sustainable fashion collection was born. Called Once Vintage, it is a “carefully currated selection of one-of-a-kind vintage pieces as well as hand-made updated vintage re-constructions”. Vintage clothing is a part of our past and Once Vintage says it best. “Vintage buys are meant to carefully context our life... |
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01/20/12Spree Style with Erin Habes: From red carpet to real lifeThe Golden Globe Awards are always my favorite when it comes to the red carpet. It’s really the first time we get to see the noteworthy trends the stars are wearing from the spring/summer New York and Milan shows. Emerging colors, silhouettes, hair, makeup, and accessories are on display—and who could forget about the gossip! The best and worst dressed list is always a fun convo at the water cooler (or on Facebook), but how do we translate what we see on the stars into our own real fashion lives? Indulge a little and use the Golden Globe as inspiration for your winter wardrobe. I’ve made it easy by breaking down the major trends: nudes, headbands, black & white and neon brights. Each can add a breath of fresh air to your winter darks, so take these... |
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01/13/12Spree Style with Erin Habes: Tangerine TangoA fiery dream |
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01/09/12Spree Style with Erin Habes: Surface EnhancementBreaking free of that stereotypical granny look, there is a new appreciation for embroidery gaining momentum in fashion this year. A crafty, colorful, homemade sense is driving this continuing trend of unique surfaces with a creatively crafted appeal. Shade Rich botanical embellishments are elevating a simple lampshade. Pillows and throws are blooming with fancy florals. An important trend that is spilling into the home interior world, embroidered pieces are showcasing whimsical patterns and adding character and texture to any home. Skirt Recently, on fashion runways, the technique of layering and mixing embroidery motifs has been prominent. Whether it's an appliqué detail on a shirt or an embroidery pattern on your favorite... |
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01/05/12Spree Style with Erin Habes: A bejeweled New YearThis season it’s all about size and quantity in the jewelry department. Style-cognoscenti will rock it with polished metal adornments, opulent gemstones, and standout-in-a-crowd statement pieces. If you possess ornamental souvenirs from far-flung destinations, toss them on your neck, fingers, and shoulders with abandonment. 2012 brings out the jewelry junky in all of us, with an A-list lineup of trends. Looking to the streets of Spring '12 fashion week and the rest of the world we see a treasure-trove of some of the best dressed wrists, necks and fingers we've observed in a longtime. Pack on the personality pendants, over-sized neckwear, shoulder dusters, and piles and piles of bracelets and rings. Prepare for a full-on bauble-battle by checking out some of... |
