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

Bellevue Fashion Week Girls’ Getaway 2018

bellevue fashion week runway show

bellevue fashion week runway show
Photo by @ammophotog

Bellevue Fashion Week 2018

September 20-23, 2018
Fashion shows, dining, exploring, shopping, and more!

Stay: Bellevue Westin Hotel

Explore: Bellevue, Downtown Seattle, Kirkland Waterfront

Trip Cost: Approximately $705 plus meals and shopping

Up Front Cost: $375 to secure your spot

Itinerary:

Thursday, Sept 20th:

Arrival day

Free time to explore & shop Bellevue Square and The Shops at Bravern

Private Designer Fashion Show at Nordstrom

Bellevue Collection Fashion Show: Independent Designer Runway Show

Group Dinner: Din Tai Fung 

Cocktails: Ascend, 36th Floor elevated views

 

 

Friday, Sept 21st

Downtown Seattle Exploration

Options include: Pike Place Market, the waterfront Great Wheel, Underground Tour, shopping

Sailboat tour of the Puget Sound

Dinner: The Pink Door

Cocktails: The Nest rooftop bar

 

 

Saturday, Sept. 22nd

Kirkland Waterfont Exploration

Options include: Couture & vintage resale shopping, beachfront sightseeing

Lunch Volterra Italian restaurant

Bellevue Collection Fashion Show: The Collective

Fashion Week After-Party & Girls’ Night Out!

 

 

Sunday, Sept. 23rd

Brunch together – Eques in the Hyatt Hotel

Free time to explore and shop

Pack up and depart for home

 

*Some details are subject to change, like restaurant choices, if in the moment a different option becomes necessary. 

 

Cost Breakdown and Additions:

Westin Hotel – Special reduced rate, room w/ two queen beds is $220/night ($660 + tax.)
If two want to share a room, that’s $110 per person, per night ($330 each plus tax.)
If four ladies want to share a room, that’s $55 per night per person ($165 each plus tax.)

 

Bellevue Collection Fashion Week – $250 for seats, two shows. Drink tickets, front-row reserved seats and VIP when available.

 

Admin fee – $125, for my planning time, fashion week coordination, and on-trip responsibilities, incl. driving.

 

Shuttle Service – Limo and group shuttle Friday and Saturday, approx $80/person

 

Meals – Not included. Reservations will be made for scheduled group events, but how much you eat/spend is up to you!

 

Up-Front Payment required to secure your spot: $375 due Aug. 1st.
Additional costs like meals, hotel, etc. will be pay-as-you-go. 
Airfare and airport transportation are not included.

 

ARE YOU IN????
Message me on Instagram or Facebook for the direct payment link,
and/or if you have any questions!

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Vancouver BC Addition

Photo via tourismvancouver.com

~ Optional for anyone who would like to add 1 day and 1 location to your adventure!
~ Fly Boise to Vancouver BC on Wednesday, Sept. 19th, early morning.

Goal: Explore Downtown Vancouver’s Gastown and Pacific Center! At the edge of fashion in the heart of downtown, CF Pacific Centre is Vancouver’s premier shopping destination featuring Holt Renfrew, Nordstrom, Harry Rosen, AllSaints, kate spade new york, Ted Baker London, Michael Kors, Hollister, Sephora, Apple, Browns Shoes, the Four Seasons Hotel and so much more. Gastown is Vancouver’s emerging hipster neighborhood, packed with cafes, shops, and artsy curiosities. 

Dine: Reflections Rooftop Garden Terrace. Combining downtown Vancouver’s vibrant energy with the tranquility of the outdoors, Reflections: The Garden Terrace offers a variety of light tapas-inspired dishes in a sophisticated outdoor bar and lounge setting.

Stay: Overnight in hotel or AirBnB, to be determined.

Cost: Approx $50-100 for transportation and train ticket, plus additional costs for hotel stay and meals.

IMPORTANT NOTE: If you are choosing this option, please let me know as soon as possible, so I can secure hotel and train reservations and get group prices put together!

THIS TRIP ADDITION REQUIRES A VALID US PASSPORT!

 

Bellevue Fashion Week Finale with Rachel Zoe!

fashion week rachel zoe

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day at Bellevue Fashion Week was better than the one before, and by Day 4 we were all in a state of high expectation, and to be honest, a little light-headed from the fabulous-ness of it all! On our last day in Bellevue, we started with breakfast and a little shopping, then around 1pm met up at Bellevue Square for a special Fashion Forcast presentation with RACHEL ZOE. See those seats? Yup, front two rows, just for our
#StyleSpyGirlPosse! We were so stoked!!

fashion week rachel zoeCara Crowley & Rachel Zoe on stage… And that’s us, front 2 rows on the right!

fashion week rachel zoeReady for some Fall trend predictions?

fashion week rachel zoeRachel and Vogue’s Events Director Cara Crowley shared their Fall Fashion forecast, hitting all the major trends like Bohemian prints, moto jackets, shearling trim outerwear, fringe, long coats, and more!fashion week rachel zoefashion week rachel zoeWhen Cara asked Rachel “What is the one trend you think people should try and incorporate into their wardrobes, if they are on a tight budget?” Rachel responded, “Grey. It’s such a major color right now, and it’s so versatile you can do a ton with it.”

fashion week rachel zoeRachel was SO much fun, and a wealth of style information. I asked her if the “No white after Labor Day rule could be over and done with for good,” and she responded, “It’s definitely OVER! I love wearing white, all year round!” There it is, folks – the official word from global stylist pro Rachel Zoe. Now stop giving me nasty looks when I wear white jeans in January!

fashion week rachel zoeRachel was totally fab, and we enjoyed the presentation. Bye for now, Ms. Zoe! See you at the Vogue Fashion Show in the evening!

But then things got…

                                                              Even…

BETTER!

fashion week rachel zoeTA-DA!!!

Sorry the pic above is a little grainy, but we got a surprise meet & greet with the fabulous fashion maven herself, Rachel Zoe! We were dying! Seriously!!! Here are a few more…

fashion week rachel zoefashion week with rachel zoe??? Thank you Bellevue Collection (esp Anna & Gillian!), and the Vogue crew for creating this incredible moment for us!!! ???

~~~~

trips as button~~~

And now, on with the Fashion Show…

fashion week rachel zoeMy outfit: Dress by Rooney Mae Couture (Boise designer) / Chain Collar Necklace by BCBG / Handbag by Zac Posen (thank you Angie!)

Front row, just feet from Rachel Zoe (so basically she’s the one taking this photo – just kidding! No, we’re totally BFF’s with her by this point.)

fashion week rachel zoeCara Crowley emceed the show… And that blonde head right above the word blonde is Rachel Zoe! See, I said we were close, ha ha. 😉

fashion week rachel zoeHOTTEST ticket in town – let the show begin!

finale fashion week rachel zoefashion week rachel zoeNo! We’re having TOO much fun! Squeeee!!!!

fashion week rachel zoeTotally NOT stalking! Just had to get this shot of Ammo with Rachel Zoe… Up top… Cute redhead with the gorgeous smile! 😉

 finale fashion week rachel zoe

finale fashion week rachel zoefinale fashion week rachel zoefinale fashion week rachel zoeThat look, above, is me totally NOT freaking out because Rachel just gave me a little Hello smile and head nod from across the aisle. Wassup, oh amazing woman who is the inspiration behind every self-made fashion business woman on the planet? Yeah you… Thank you Rachel Zoe.

And then, after the show ended, our #girlposse hopped up on the stage and had a blast taking photos together, because it was our last night and the next day we’d all have to return to “real life.” 😉

finale fashion week rachel zoe finale fashion week rachel zoeMe and Ammophotog, our amazing and talented team photographer!

fashion weekAllison, Cassie, Angie

fashion week cara crowleyMe and Vogue Events Director Cara Crowley. She’s fabulous!

ashley and ammoAshley and Ammo

fashion week rachel zoe stylespygirlMe and H&M Spokesmodel Ashley T. Barkley – follow her awesome social media feed on Insta!

fashion week rachel zoe stylespygirlCassie and Brenda

fashion week rachel zoe stylespygirlMe and the rad babes from Intermix, where we had a great shopping party two days before!

Whew, what a wild night! We stayed out late, made the most of every minute, and had a wonderful time. HUGE thanks to the Bellevue Collection for throwing such a posh, elegant, classy, AMAZING fashion week!!! We loved every minute of it, and can’t wait to come back again next year!!!

XOXO,
Tanya

Join the #StyleSpyGirlPosse for ladies-only fashion & shopping trips around the USA, and beyond!
Click the button below for info on upcoming getaway packages.

trips as button

Fashion Week at the Bellevue Collection, Day 3!

rachel zoe bellevue fashion week stylespygirl

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by Ammophotog

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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by
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!

Fashion Week at the Bellevue Collection, Day 1!

stylespygirltravelposse-2

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by
ammophotog

This week I had the thrilling privilege to gather a group of gorgeous ladies and fly over to Bellevue, WA for the 10th Anniversary of Fashion Week at the Bellevue Collection! We got off to a slow start at the Boise airport, thanks to some flight delays, but had fun getting to  know each other and chatting about all the fashion shows coming up… and the shopping we couldn’t wait to do!fashion week stylespygirl ammophotogfashion week stylespygirl ammophotog~Cassie, Leticia, and Brenda~

DSC00758~ Ashley, Allison, Christina~

DSC00759On the plane at last – woohoo! Seven of our crew of 12…

DSC00772Babes at Sea-Tac!

DSC00781First stop: champagne and lunch at Pearl!

DSC00784DSC00786#StyleSpyGirlTravelPosse!

DSC00788Swags bags and goodies in our hotel suite, courtesy of the Bellevue Collection ❤

DSC00823Pre-party with these fab dolls, waiting for the Independent Designer Runway Show

DSC00804~ Lovely Christina!~DSC00806~ Rad babes Ashley, Jody, & Beth ~

DSC00812
Our fab fashion photog, the always-styling Ammophotog!

DSC00820

DSC00807~ Allison, Christina, Danielle ~

DSC00840Let the show begin! Eight local designers have worked hard to produce their fashion lines, competing for a panel of judges PLUS the coveted audience vote!

DSC00908Daniel Ressa | danielressa.com

DSC00990RO2 by Rana Ottaviani

DSC01002wRO2 by Rana Ottaviani

DSC01037Dream Dresses by PMN | Phuong Nguyen

DSC01034

Finale

DSC01039Varsha Agarwal, with model | varshaagarwal.com

DSC01041Victoria Postolit By Victoria Postolit, with model | victoriapostolit.com

DSC01043Daniel Ressa by Daniel Ressa, with model | danielressa.com (I want his finale plaid Grunge dress – so chic!!)

DSC01044Blufur by Iris Klein | blufur.com

DSC01046Dawson & Deveraux by Sophia Karen, with model | dawson-deveraux.com

DSC01047Cute Like Mad by Jeannette Svenski Li, with model | cutelikemad.com

DSC01048RO2 by Rana Ottaviani | ro2designstudio.com

DSC01053Announcing the Winner of the People’s Choice award, Varsha Agarwal

DSC01063The grand prize winner of IDRS, Phuong Nguyen of Dream Dresses. Congratulations, Phuong!

DSC01068

fashion week stylespygirl ammophotog

Had fun representing Boise style, in my own plaid dress by the very talented Treasure Valley designer Retro Hunny. Got tons of compliments on this lovely piece, with lots of requests for photos, so I figured it deserved a turn on the runway! 😉 Love it, Retro Hunny!!

Stay tuned tomorrow for more Fashion Week photos, including the Posh Party Runway Show hosted by RACHEL ZOE!!!

XOXO,
Tanya

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>>>>> Click here to jump to Day Two at Fashion Week, for more fun & adventure!