Brrr!'s Grand Launch at Neiman Marcus - Atlanta
A Big Congrats to Co-Founders Tosha Hays & Mary-Cathryn Kolb of Brrr! for their recent grand launch event this past Thursday, September 24 at Neiman Marcus – Atlanta! Former Spanx executives Tosha Hays (CIO) and Mary-Cathryn Kolb (CEO) are the co-founders of the new innovative fashion brand called Brrr! Brrr! is a brilliant new technology invented and designed by Tosha Hayes that is scientifically made of cooling fabrics which makes it cooling to the touch and refreshingly cool when put on. On www.brrr.com, you will see a plethora of fashionably-witty items for sale such as the Coolwrap, CoolNester, CoolClutch, and more. Since their debut in 2014, the two ladies have received an enormous response from their growing fans of Brrr! and done astonishingly well with their eCommerce sales.
To date, and with great excitement, Hays and Kolb have expanded their brilliant company from mere online sales to the high-end department store, Neiman Marcus – Atlanta! Anyone who has had an opportunity to sit down with these ladies and hear their story would be totally proud to know that Brrr! is now getting the platform and exposure it deserves to catapult the brand to its next level. This brings us to the Fall Preview Collection Launch at Neiman's... The event commenced on the evening of September 24, 2015 around 6PM EST and from the initial entry into the department store passing Fragrances, the sounds of the crowd mingling in the center of the first floor instantly got my attention.
Let me just say that the turn-out for the event was super! The center of Neiman Marcus' 1st Floor was inundated with a host of people dressed in their best; creating an ambiance of sheer expectation and respect for the brand, the founders and their accomplishment. As the guests browsed the mannequins wearing the new Brrr! Neiman's Collection and the racks laced in fresh cool Brrr! styles, there were cocktails, bites and Brrr! shopping all taking place simultaneously. People gathered around the Brrreeze Machine to witness the Powered by Air™ and science behind Brrr! technology; and how all of that works. Tosha and Mary-Cathryn, both elegantly adorned in Brrr!, along with their families and guests got a chance to converse and meet the co-founders along with checking out the new designs for the Brrr! fall collection.
Finally, the highlight of the event was at hand – The fall preview fashion show! As the models gracefully made there way down the aisle, we got to see first-hand the versatility of Brrr! and how it's not only fashion-forward, but also practical. Mary-Cathryn shared how they intentionally wanted their clothing to be the canvas of their customer's day and to be relevant clothing to be optionally dressed up or casually worn depending on what scene you're involved in. During the show, we got glimpses of several new collection items for their collection which was collaborated with other elegant brands according to Neiman Marcus' 10 Trends of the season. Simply put, Tosha Hays and Mary-Cathryn Kolb have really out-done themselves and we are excited to see the other things the brand will reveal in the very near future. Congrats again Ladies!
Check out some of the looks from the collection and images from the event - Courtesy of Lindsay Abarca Photography
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The 8th Annual Kingdomwood Christian Film Festival - Buckhead, Atlanta
Just a little over two months away and The Kingdomwood Christian Film Festival returns! On October 1 - 4, 2015 in Buckhead, Atlanta, The Kingdomwood Christian Film Festival (KCFF) will showcase an array of Christian-based films from independent filmmakers that demonstrate and inspire Christian morals and way of life. KCFF screens a mix of short-films, full-length features, documentaries and offers interactive workshops regarding industry trends in faith-based film-making and production. Their aim along with spreading the message of hope and faith through relevant film-making, also is to help to “give back to the Christian community, in hopes to grown local and state-wide congregations.” With the growing number of Christian films in this industry, it is absolutely amazing to have an outlet by which these indie artists and their actors can have their movies celebrated on a larger scale.
Not only do guests of the KCFF event get an opportunity to learn more about the importance of these new discoveries with Christian film production, but more importantly, this will provide an opportunity to network and build a community of like-minded professionals for greater impact in the world. The lineup for the KCFF week of events includes a Red Carpet Premiere featuring 4 of this year’s movie winner selections, a meet and greet celebrity panel, and networking meet and greets with the official KCFF musicians, gMovies team and more. All events will be held at the Buckhead Embassy Suites.
For more information, please visit www.kingdomwood.com
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Prelude to Jeffrey Fashion Cares 2015 - Atlanta, Georgia
Photo courtesy: Tomas Espinoza Photography
Just two weeks away, the annual and most celebrated fashion event in Atlanta takes place: Jeffrey Fashion Cares 2015! This highly anticipated event marks the 25th Anniversary of Jeffrey Atlanta | New York and will be held on the evening of Monday, August 31, 2015 at Phipps Plaza.
Jeffrey Fashion Cares founded by renown Fashion Retailer Jeffrey Kalinsky, will again focus its fundraising efforts for the benefit of Susan G. Komen Greater Atlanta and the Atlanta AIDS Fund (AAF). A recent press release by the 2015 co-chairs, Lila Hertz, Jeffrey McQuithy and Louise Sams previews further details into the high-energy event. Details of which include a sneak peek into some of the luxurious items that will be featured in the silent and live auction, the location, after-party and more. On the runway, guests will see high-end looks from a plethora of the stated top designers:
photo courtesy: Ben Rose Photography
Balenciaga
Manolo Blahnik
Celine
Christian Dior
Givenchy
Landon
Christian Louboutin
Saint Laurent Paris
Valentino
Dries Van Noten
From the growing success of Jeffrey Fashion Cares over the years, we can undoubtedly expect yet another successful turn-out at this year's event. The vision and execution of merging high fashion with the breast cancer and AIDS benefit is one that everyone simply wants to be a part of. The proof is in the pudding! Last year, $700,000 was raised in this effort. People both local and otherwise take great pride in sharing this prime moment and anniversary with such an influential gentleman of style, Mr. Jeffrey Kalinsky.
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The Inside on Joe's Custom Clothier - Fine Bespoke Suits & Haberdashery
So who would have ever figured that such an elite and well-traveled connoisseur of fine men's garments and I worked in the same building? To my surprise, Mr. Joseph Hinton AKA Joe, a native of Sierra Leone, haberdasher and creative bespoke tailor was just 3 floors away from me! One day at work, a colleague casually mentioned to me that there was a gentleman in the building whom she thought Dress Like A Gent ™ should definitely spotlight on the blog. She briefed me on many of his accomplishments in the world of custom suit-making, tailoring and fashion merchandising. Without hesitation, I knew that I needed to meet him to find out more.
Upon entering into his shop and workspace, I was instantly drawn to this standing mannequin just ahead of me dressed in a well-fitted, heather grey, black & cream plaid 2-button blazer. The blazer was complimented by a custom-made orange and white checkered dress shirt with a solid orange flower lapel and royal blue necktie with polo-style stripes. Oh! And not to forget the contrasting lavender pocket square trimmed in fuchsia! Joe mentioned that he planned to wear this custom ensemble to the upcoming MAGIC event in New York. MAGIC is the world's largest fashion marketplace and trade show showcasing the latest in apparel, footwear, accessories and manufacturing.
Not only has Joe participated in MAGIC for years, but he also brings to fashion couture a wealth of experience including but not limited to nationwide fashion panel discussions, as well as experience in trade shows, fashion events, showrooms and more. Since youth, Joe has been diligent to cultivate his passion for tailoring and bespoke designs as he apprenticed under a major tailor in Sierra Leone who endorsed his gift; leading into the launching of his own brand, Joe's Custom Clothiers. In regards to tailoring, Joe very modestly has a wide range of regular clients who visit his business location throughout the week inluding trending celebrity personalities Jidenna and Janelle Monae. The level of detail, elegance and choice fabrics combined with contrasting patterns and textures is Joe's speciality. As a result, he has become one of the most sought after tailors for inumerous special events, Red Carpet events, weddings, and VIP soirées.
With over 30 years of business experience and international exposure, Joe has received several notable accolades including the 1992 Best Designer Award in Atlanta. Joe's Custom Clothiers also offers custom neckties, bowties, lapels, brooches, underwear, dress socks and more.
Here are three key reasons Joe lists on his site that you should own your own custom suit:
Distinctive choices of style and design that separate you from others.
Body measurements are taken, where the end result is customized fit beyond compare.
Exceptional fabric quality provides timeless endurance that lasts for over ten years.
For more info, please visit http://www.joescustomclothier.com/
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The Frye Company’s Private Preview and Grand Opening – Atlanta, GA.
On Thursday, August 6, 2015, The Frye Company hosted a private preview of their new Atlanta flagship store in the stunning Jamestown-style Ponce City Market. Several guests in the media in collaboration with the Caren West Public Relations Team, gathered to get an inside peek of the majestic 4,000 square foot store and The Frye Company’s latest collection pieces. Dress Like A Gent™ participated in this preview to the store’s grand opening that evening and was instantly amazed at how detailed and classy the store’s set up was. The layout of this store was simply breath taking. My first observation upon walking through the doors was the smell of fresh leather that created a sort of instant appreciation for the brand itself. I mean it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know that there is a difference between something called “leather” that is only partially made of leather and something that is 100% authentic genuine leather.
In fact, one of the leather messenger bags that caught my attention in the men’s section was a distressed indigo-blue stained leather. Upon speaking to one of the store rep’s, she informed me that the cool thing about this bag is that it was made of pull-up leather which if scratched, can simply be rubbed out using their signature leather oil and conditioner. This store has it all - From handbags to leather accessories, to camo-style leather sneakers and boots. This is the company’s 5th location to ever open in the U.S. and the level of detail that they put into building this store goes to show that they take no short cuts in making sure that their new home fits the brand’s long-standing reputation and trademark. Even some of the stools that were in the store were made of a thick roll of 100% heather grey felt embodying the brand’s history of fabricating their products in line with pure American artisanship.
My favorite structure in the store was the grand “chandelier” made of 7,000 leather straps holding Frye's signature harness rings. It was an attention grabber that kept engaging my eye while walking throughout the store. Along with a walkthrough of the store, the guests were graced with bites and beverages sponsored by Wild Haven and Farm to Ladie who will soon be featured in Ponce City’s Market’s Central Food Hall. In short, this housewarming preview to the Frye Company’s new location was one that I am glad to have been a part of as we Atlantans gladly celebrate the company’s successful future and growth.
The Frye Company’s Grand Opening commenced this morning and will be opened today from 10AM to 9PM. They are located at The Ponce City Market at 75 Ponce de Leon Ave NE Atlanta, GA 30308, Ste. #E178. For more information, call 404.685.FRYE (3793) or visit www.thefryecompany.com.
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Alliance Française Presents... Bastille Day 2015
On the pinnacle of the Nelson Mullins Law building located at Atlantic Station, the Alliance Française d’Atlanta hosted a most unforgettable and elegant Soirée Blanche Bastille Day Celebration and fundraiser with members, invites and business sponsors present.
Every year, in celebration of France’s July 14th Independence Day aka Jour de la Bastille, the Alliance Française d’Atlanta hosts an all white party and fundraiser that, this year, managed to raise over 40K. AF is by no means a rookie when it comes to hosting major cultural events in the city as they have been doing so for over a decade now. This, being my first year participating in the Bastille Day celebration with AF was from beginning to end, an absolute treasure that I will never disremember. Speaking with other guests at the event including one of the volunteers, Mr. Dasef Weems who has participated for many years, he states that this is by far his favorite event and that most everyone's most common reaction of the event always goes reverts to this one thing: "The view is super classy and perfect for a classy event". Classy indeed, it was! The look of everyone dressed uniformly in their fine white ensembles really created an ambiance of anticipation and respect for this annual Bastille Day event.
The first thing that I remember upon getting off the elevator was hearing the sounds of the acoustic instrumentalists resounding in the hallway. Musicians Keith Cooper and Donald Rogers were playing their hearts out on the guitar and provided the perfect background music for this caliber of an event. This year’s Bastille Celebration featured a wide host of sponsors and support including but not limited to: The Atlantan, Dyptique, l'Occitane, UPS, Le Jardin Français, Trinity Productions, Dior and Anne Fontaine. And the food selection absolutely wowed us!
There were two exclusive rooms that quickly filled up with guests. One of which had a king's buffet of some of the most common French cuisine items such as coq at vin, smoked salmon, ratatouille, vegetable crudités and more. The second room held an array of delectable French-Inspired deserts such as Macaroons as well as other creamy, quick-bite sweets. There was also a silent auction that took place during the course of the night, which worked very favorably toward raising funds for the benefit. All proceeds go toward the year-round educational and cultural programs organized and hosted by the Alliance Française d’Atlanta.
As the evening progressed and the announcement came for the guests to move toward the outdoor terrace for the opening of the fashion show, there seemed to be a general sense of anticipation to see these handpicked models strut down the catwalk in their all white elegant Anne Fontaine ensembles. The rooftop stage and seating was lined up flawlessly to accommodate the on-lookers as the music began to play. One by one, these stunning ladies walked down the catwalk with total confidence and poise representing the Anne Fontaine brand as if it were their own. There were applauds and gazes of fascination throughout the course of the show. Needless to say, their makeup was perfectly done by The 2015 Bastille Day Soirée with Alliance Française exclusive Dior events stafffrom out of Phipps Plaza’s Sax 5th Avenue.
As the event came to a closing and people began to wind down, there was a gradual growing of people borrowing that same terrace runway to dance the night away! When you see the LIVE rose gold sunset at a view like the one we saw on the Nelson Mullins rooftop with the amazing skyline of Atlanta, you can't help but want to take advantage of every moment dancing and enjoying each otherspresence. Simply put, this event was nothing less that remarkable! Another huge félicitations to AF for putting together yet another winning event! Soirée Blanche was held on the evening of a beautiful Saturday, July 18, 2015.
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Men of the Cloth Exclusive Screening & Panel Discussion: Atlanta, Georgia
Tonight, Thursday, June 25, 2015 at 7:30pm at Lefont Sandy Springs in Atlanta, Georgia, Atlanta Fashion Incubator (AFI) will host an exclusive screening of Men of the Cloth including followed by a panel discussion.
Men of the Cloth is an invigorating documentary about three Italian tailors who over the course of eleven years, have mastered the artistry of bespoke clothing and design. This highly anticipated international film by Director, Vicki Vasilopoulos is a must-see as she aims to demonstrate the essence of preserving creative bespoke fashion.
Check out the trailer and details below for more:
WHAT: Men of the Cloth, Film Screening and Panel Discussion
WHEN: Thursday, June 25, 2015 (7:30 – 9:35PM)
WHERE: Lefont Sandy Spring - 5920 Roswell Rd, Suite c-103, Atlanta GA 30342
WEBSITE: http://menoftheclothfilm.com/
Tickets are available online at https://www.tugg.com/events/20681
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