Girls’ Getaway 2018: Bellevue Collection Fashion Week


Let’s be honest: When it comes to fashion shows and red carpet events, Bellevue Collection’s Fashion Week is truly head & shoulders above the rest. And this year was no exception!  From designer meet & greets, to platters of fresh macaroons wafting through the crowd, to a famous artist giving out personalized caricatures, everything about Bellevue Collection Fashion Week 2018 was done to perfection.

bellevue fashion week runway show

Our crew of adventurers consisted of 15 fashion-loving Boise women, all ready to explore, wine, dine, and shop till we dropped! On day one, we hit the ground running with a VIP party at Nordstrom.

But first things first: lunch at the new Bento Grill, where chef Tom Douglas crafted a unique dining experience that melds gourmet Asian cuisine with take-out-buffet efficiency.

Debbie Evy, a brilliant stylist from Nordstrom’s Collections department, showed us how to select our dish, then customize each step to create the perfect bento box experience. Top off lunch with a blended mango sake shake, and you’re in for a fabulous afternoon!

nordstrom bellevue bento stylespygirl
nordstrom bellevue bento stylespygirl
nordstrom bellevue bento stylespygirl
 
Next stop: Nordstrom’s Designer department for champagne and shopping! Debbie and her crew brought in new fall pieces from Gucci, Prada, Louie Vuitton, and more to tantalize our couture-craving crew.

While models displayed how to style this season’s scrumptious Chloe sweater dresses and vibrant Tory Burch jackets, makeup artists from Trish McEvoy primped and pampered our travel-weary faces.

On the lower level, hair stylists had style-&-go stations ready to plump, smooth, curl, and tame our tresses!   With our Nordstrom treasures and beauty swag-bags in hand, we dashed back to our rooms at the Westin Bellevue for a quick clothing change…

And then off to the show!

The Independent Designer Runway Show is one of my all-time favorite events! In the past, designers from around the Pacific Northwest have competed for a coveted top spot, cash prize, editorial coverage in Seattle Met Magazine, and the opportunity to display their looks in Bellevue Square.

This year, instead of fledgling designers, the Collection graced us with a special show that brought back past winners to compete in a best-of-the-best runway throw-down!

Flip through the slideshow to be inspired by looks from:  
DEVONATION by Devon Yan
LOURDES é EVA by Nore Suárez
Cute Like Mad by Jeanette Svensk Li
Poppyseed by Rebekah Adams
Valentina & Valenti’s by Milena Natanov
Deyonte’ Weather Collection by Deyonte’ Weather
Chany Venturini by Maria Venturini

[Best_Wordpress_Gallery id=”18″ gal_title=”Independent Designer Runway Show 2″]

Runway photos thanks to Denise Vasecka,
jewelry designer at Unigon Specialties 

At the end of the show, audience members casted their votes, and the winner was…  

Cute Like Mad by Jeanette Svensk Li!

Congratulations Ms. Svensk Li!!!   And congratulations to the Bellevue Collection for another superb and inspiring independent designer runway show! Can’t wait for the next one!!!

XOXO,
Tanya

Fashion Week at the Bellevue Collection, Day 3!

rachel zoe bellevue fashion week stylespygirl

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shoes of prey stylespygirl

Day three began with a very special project: we all converged on Nordstrom in Bellevue Square, and had a party designing our own shoes!!!  Yes, totally and for real! Nordstrom has this new program called Shoes of Prey, where you sit down at an iPad and peruse through hundreds of example shoe styles, from flats to boots to sky-high platform heels. When you find something that inspires you, you click on it and begin to build.shoes of prey stylespygirl

What height of heel do you want? What color do you want the heel to be on the underside? What kind of material do you want the sole to be? Lace up, or ankle strap? I have to admit, it was almost overwhelming. So many options!shoes of prey stylespygirl

shoes of prey stylespygirlAmmo’s fun & creative style, in progress!

shoes of prey stylespygirlWhew! Special thanks to Nordstrom Bellevue for hosting us, and for the yummy lattes from their cafe while we shoe designed! Can’t wait to see our creative choices show up in the mailbox. ❤

Next stop: Hair & Makeup! The Bellevue Collection was packed with beauty stations throughout the lower level of the mall, with stylists from dozens of hair & makeup shops – everyone from Sephora to Nordstrom had specialists ready to assist us in quick updos and makeup perks-ups! shoes of prey stylespygirlshoes of prey stylespygirlbellevue fashion week stylespygirlbellevue fashion week stylespygirlBabes!

After getting beautified, we got ready to rock the evening’s Fashion Show: the Posh Party Trend Show with RACHEL ZOE!!! Yeah, pretty excited. This just keeps getting better & better!!!

bellevue fashion week stylespygirlFrom left: Me, Jody, Beth, Rishon, Angie, Christina, Cassie, Leticia, Danielle, Ashley, Allison, Brenda, & Ammo

bellevue fashion week stylespygirlbellevue fashion week stylespygirlbellevue fashion week stylespygirlbellevue fashion week stylespygirlPosh party girls love pictures!!! Words can’t even begin to describe how thrilled we are to be here! 😀

bellevue fashion week stylespygirl
Loved meeting up with fellow bloggers & fashion babes from around the Seattle/Bellevue area!

bellevue fashion week stylespygirlSqueeeee, she was going to sit right in front of meeeee! She stood & hosted instead, but this fell off her seat so I’M KEEPING IT! 😉 Shh, don’t tell.

rachel zoe bellevue fashion week stylespygirlAnd then she came out… And I might have screamed just a little.
rachel zoe bellevue fashion week stylespygirlThe unparalleled Rachel Zoe, talking about Fall Fashion trends and how Pacific Northwesterners are lucky because they get to wear her favorite fashion piece almost year-round: a jacket! She told us that fall is her favorite season, one which she would love to design for year-round, and forget spring. She said, “Fall is so much better! You get to wear beanies and more clothes… I think I’m moving to Bellevue.”

bellevue fashion week stylespygirlOn with the show! Trending: Glam Rock. Fringe, buckles, leather, sexy shoes, metallic heels, dark colors.

bellevue fashion week stylespygirlDark Romance: Velvet, pointy heels, sheer fabrics, patterned tights, crosses, white blouses, and lace, lace, lace!!!

bellevue fashion week rachel zoeGood Twill: Grey on grey, tweed, twill, checks, black & white, tailored but cozy

bellevue fashion week rachel zoeMore Good Twill looks. Capes & long jackets!

bellevue fashion week rachel zoeTouch of Luxe: Furs/faux furs, glitter, brooches, shiny dresses, metallic fabrics, lots of white

bellevue fashion week rachel zoeFinale

The biggest standout trends to me were: Ankle boots with metal heels, 70’s bohemian looks are sticking around, capes, long coats, belted coats (think 80’s style), shearling on everything, thigh-high suede boots, 60’s style color blocking, patterned stockings, lace, and lots and lots of grey.

Whew, this is just day 3! Day 4, Saturday Sept. 26th is the MAJOR day, with two shows and some up close & personal time with Rachel Zoe Stay tuned! 😀

XOXO,
Tanya

>>> Click here to jump to the BIG FINALE of Bellevue Fashion Week!

Fashion Week at the Bellevue Collection, Day 2!

shopping bellevue fashion week

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Ammophotog shopping bellevue fashion week 3Brenda perusing the racks, while I try on shoes, in Absolutely Fabulous

Day Two of our Bellevue Fashion Week trip was all about SHOPPING!!! Some of our crew grabbed an Uber to downtown Seattle, while the rest of us stayed Eastside. Just a hop, skip, and a jump up to Kirkland, WA, where we found the BEST vintage & designer resale shops, OMG! There’s an entire walking street of fabulous boutiques, all along Lake St. and Park Lane, by the waterfront. We loved Ragamoffyn‘s and Absolutely Fabulous in particular, snatching up treasures from vintage Prada bags to new Chanel sunnies! We only had a few hours to power shop, but all agreed we’d love to come back and spend DAYS here!

shopping bellevue fashion week 3My Betsey Johnson Booties. Thanks, Angie!!!

shopping bellevue fashion week 1Ammo, Danielle, and Cassie refueling at Cactus Restaurant

 Next, we went to a SHOPPING PARTY at Intermix, a really cool shop in Bellevue Square packed with gorgeous & luxurious clothes, shoes, and accessories…

shopping bellevue fashion week

shopping bellevue fashion weekThe staff gave us a cool demo on currently trending fashions in the Pacific Northwest, and served us champagne and hor d’oeuvres! Thank you Intermix, we really enjoyed our time with you!

shopping bellevue fashion weekAshley Barkley, rad wardrobe stylist & spokesmodel for H&M! Follow her on Instagram and Snapchat: @ashleyt.barkley

 shopping bellevue fashion weekGorgeous #girlbosses Jody and Rishon, admiring the jewelry

shopping bellevue fashion weekFabulous Beth, the power shopper! Love her style. ❤

After all that shopping we dumped our bags at the hotel and headed to 13 Coins, a new Bellevue branch of an amazing downtown Seattle upscale gourmet restaurant!13 coins bellevue fashion week stylespygirlThanks for hosting our group in your gorgeous Gold Room, 13 Coins!

And thus ended day two of our fabulous Fashion Week adventure. Next up: Day Three, with more shopping and FASHION RUNWAY SHOWS!!!
XOXO,
Tanya

>>>> Read about our exciting Day Three of the Fashion Week Adventure here!