So this invitation (pictured) arrived at the paper yesterday. As I read through the evening's festivities, my reactions were as follows:
Invite: $200 per person will get you cocktails, wine and hors d'oeuvres at the Conrad. Guests are instructed to wear their jeans and "all the bling you can muster."
Gabrielle's brain: OK, I like wearing jewelry with my jeans, but 200 big ones seems a little steep for a blue jeans-clad event, especially if there's no dinner being served
Invite: It benefits the Indy Family Foundation and the Women's Fund of Central Indiana
Gabrielle's brain: Well, that's good. I like my expensive events to be for a good cause. But, um, why does the invitation have a topless girl on it and why does she appear to be slapping her own booty? That doesn't seem to be very family oriented, or Women's Fun oriented, for that matter.
I'll bet the Conrad didn't know the invite was gonna look like the flyer to hip hop night at the strip club. (I have it on good authority they didn't.)
Are people actually going to arrive topless? Will there be topless girls there slapping their own booties? I'm confused.
Invite: Wednesday, May 26 at 8 p.m. Space is limited. RSVP to Heather Carpenter at 402-6478 if you'd like to attend.
So, has anyone attended this event before? Do you plan to attend? Fill me in! I won't be able to make it, but it seems like I'll be missing out.
I've been a Dove Beauty Bar girl my whole life. It's pretty boring, as soaps go, no scent or color. But I like it because it cleanses, it moisturizes and doesn't make me break out.
So I've never ventured into the realm of homemade soaps. They're beautiful, and I always sniff them at craft shows and whatnot, but I don't really use it. Prior to Monday I only owned one bar, something I set on the sink to make the bathroom prettier for company.
But Misty Al-Eryani, creator of Curat handcrafted soaps, insisted I try hers. She's lovely, and I was touched by how she'd followed (via Facebook) my appendectomy recovery, so I agreed.
And I'm hooked.
I've got "Creation" in my shower right now, "a scent of lavender and blush roses, kissed with the sweetness of mixed bell pepper seeds." It smells clean and light like the description promises but the best part is the poppy seeds. The little nubbies gently exfoliate, in fact it feels so much like a good-ol' back scratch I find myself lathering for way longer than I need to.
Like the packaging? So do I. Al-Eryani singes the edge of that paper herself, and she's got the thumb calluses to prove it.
At only $5 a bar I recommend buying one or several. curatclean.com
Besides the clever name (Wear is the Art) I don't really know anything about this event. In fact, the only reason I learned of its existence was because a number of cool people were "attending" on Facebook.
But if the awesome newspaper dress in the picture is any evidence of what's in store, should be pretty great.
I'm always interested to see how an artist dresses a body without the constraints of actually constructing a functional garment.
Glamour's Ask a Stylist App is, and I don't use this phrase often, 'da bomb.
The app store is full of useless apps or ones that you think you'll use but never do (yeah, Stylish Girl ended up as one of those). But Ask a Stylist has a true purpose.
You send a photo of yourself to a stylist, and they respond minutes later (seriously, it's lightning fast) with their opinion. You can send one picture or a combination of two for those situations when you just can't choose.
These people are available for your fashion consultant slave-ship 24/7. There aren't a lot of jobs I'd be willing to work the night shift for, but trust me this is one of them.
So I decided to test it out today by sneaking off to the ladies room at the IBJ and awkwardly taking a photo of my outfit. I decided to ask Meghan (I chose her because she looked like the most stylish herself) the same question I asked myself when I got dressed this morning:
"Is my blue top paired with white pants and red top-stitching too patriotic?"
And her response was surprisingly comprehensive, and made me feel good in what I'm wearing. Crazy, huh? Here's what she said:
"Red, white and blue is a classic color combo! But with the subtlety of the red top stitching, this look is more nautical (one of spring's big trends) than...uh..revolutionary. Don't worry--no one will mistake your stylish ensemble for 4th of July garb."
Thanks, Meghan!
I only have two complaints.
it was pretty tough to photograph my own outfit. Instead of being able to ask Meghan about my whole look, including shoes, I had to choose one element. I am grateful, however, that my head isn't in the shot. Without seeing me, Meghan can make a more objective judgment of the clothing alone.
I'd prefer it if I could have a conversation about the outfit instead of only getting one stab at it with a single question. Like when Meghan responded she's OK with the red top-stitching, I would've liked asking which shoes look better, the leather flip flops or the patent leather Naughty Monkeys?
Have any of you tried it?
And for the record, I supply this service via text to my close gal-pals all the time. If you'd like my wardrobe advice, feel free to tweet at me @Haute_heartland. I'm happy to help.
By now you've probably noticed my blog header changed mysteriously during the night. (Or you will now.)
Nathan Zarse of The Lodge in Irvington is the talent behind the overhaul of my former header, which was my sad attempt at homemade graphic design using the Blogger template and Google images.
I want to thank all of my readers for their continued support and for showing me this blog is indeed a worthwhile effort, worthy of a more polished look.
Thursday the IMA opened its new textiles exhibit, "Body Unbound," for a private preview in honor of its new affiliate group, Fashion Arts Society. The exhibit opened to the public today.
In addition to the new acquisitions on display (lots of Jean Paul Gaultier, Moschino and Issey Miyake) the textiles gallery itself has changed its clothes, if you will. Read about the face-lift in Petra Slinkard's IMA blog post here and about the mannequin preparation here.
The new placement of rectangular risers in place of their curvy predecessors moves the space seamlessly into the next decade. The curvy platforms were appropriate for a fashion gallery I guess, since their fluid, feminine shape lent itself well to the inherent whimsy of fashion and its history. But the boxy risers seem to get more down to business, distracting less from the clothing themselves, and allowing for clothing of different lengths to be displayed at different heights.
The mannequins were painted to complement each individual garment, the hues meant to mimic actual skin tones but not replicate them exactly. Focusing on the mannequins to add color to the exhibit rather than attracting attention to the walls was a great idea, since my eye never strayed from the garments or their little blurbs. In fact I had to look back at the photos to make sure I was right about the walls being white.
The clothes themselves are spectacular. Even though most of them were more than a decade old or older, each piece is completely current in its own right, and that's the point of the exhibit. The designers represented were thinking far before their time, sartorially speaking, both in the way the garments fit and the overall silhouette. My favorite, by far, was the black jersey Jean Paul Gaultier piece (pictured) with long serpentine sleeves and a train that can be gathered around the waist to create a bubble skirt. The garment was born in the early 90's (when I was still learning to color in the lines) but I could put it on today and look like I bought it yesterday, right off the runway.
Of course there are some odd things, as is expected in a contemporary clothing exhibit, but even those are awe-inspiring and beautiful to look at. For example, the blazer meant to look like a man's chest, and the Versace bondage-esque attire (think lots of straps and patent leather).
See for yourself, in the photos from the event below.
If you're interested in joining FAS, you can join here
Three years ago Simon Malls started Simon Fashion Now in the Texas market as a way to showcase merchandise from stores people might not otherwise shop from. Next Friday and Saturday, the now-traveling event will make its first stop in Indianapolis at the Keystone Fashion mall. With two days of fashion shows that combine the shopping centers' retailers, the idea is there's something for everyone going down the runway.
It's not a ticketed event, rather anyone walking by can take a seat and enjoy the show.
"It's all about accessibility," said Jacque Ellis, assistant VP of corporate special events at Simon Property Group, "a lot of times fashion events can seems exclusive and intimidating. This is completely the opposite."
Simon hopes people will see something on the runway and then go to the store to purchase it. Really, it's an excellent idea. I mean, I wish I could see everything on a model instead of on a hanger. And since the shows don't take place in the actual stores, there's no real pressure to buy.
Saturday will feature Style Wars, a collaboration between Simon and The Art Institute of Indiana, in which fashion students will enter their work to compete for a monetary prize. Yours truly is a judge, so stop by and say hello!
The complete schedule of events is below:
FRIDAY, APRIL 16 6-9 p.m. A fun night of complimentary pampering, sampling, product demonstrations and more throughout the mall featuring: Nordstrom, Aqua Aesthetic Studio, The Art Institute of Indianapolis, Aveda, Bare Escentuals, The Body Shop, BOSE, David & Mary Salon Spa, Dunkin’ Donuts, Flirt Salon & Spa, Indiana Vodka, Indianapolis Monthly and The Studio Photography, Maggiano’s Little Italy, Massage by Auriel, MCL Restaurant and Bakery, Massage Envy, Muzique Boutique, P.F. Chang’s China Bistro, Paradise Bakery & Café, Raleigh Limited, Restoration Hardware, Sephora, Solstice, St.Vincent Foundation, Sullivan’s Steakhouse, Winslow Plastic Surgery, Woodhouse Day Spa,
6 - 7:55 p.m. The Runway Giveaway - Every hour someone walks off with a prize. Register every hour from 6:00 p.m. to 7:55 p.m. for a chance to win fabulous prizes like a Saks Fifth Avenue prize package valued at $350. See entry form for complete contest rules and regulations.
6 - 8 p.m. Meet Smiley from Z99.5 WZPL
6 - 9 p.m. Silent Auction Benefiting the St.Vincent Foundation and Simon Youth Foundation Bid on fabulous items from Saks Fifth Avenue, Bare Escentuals, The Cheesecake Factory, and more. All proceeds benefit the St.Vincent Foundation and Simon Youth Foundation.
7 p.m. Runway Fashion Show. Up close and fashionable! Spring’s hottest looks hit the runway in this runway event featuring: Raleigh Limited, Banana Republic, Marmi, Caché, Cole Haan, Tommy Bahama, Faith Boutique, Emporium, Solstice
8 p.m. Runway Fashion Show featuring: Lucky Brand, Arden B., Gap, GapBody, White House | Black Market, bebe. Runway make-up by Sephora, and model hair styled by Aveda.
SATURDAY, APRIL 17 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Style Wars. Cheer on students from The Art Institute of Indianapolis in this fierce design competition featuring special guest judges Gabrielle Poshadlo, style columnist for the Indianapolis Business Journal and fashion blogger; Megan Fernandez, special projects editor for Indianapolis Monthly; Andi Hauser, co-host of the new IndyStyle show on WISH-TV; and emcee Deborah Honeycutt from WFMS. Designing from 10:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Judging at 12:30 p.m.
12 - 2 p.m. WFMS 99.5 Remote, meet WFMS’ Mimi Pearce and register to win great prizes
12 - 4:55 p.m. The Runway Giveaway - Every hour someone walks off with a prize. Register every hour from noon to 4:55 p.m. for a chance to win prizes like a $250 American Express Simon Giftcard. Terms and conditions apply. See entry form for details.
1 p.m. Saks Fifth Avenue Runway Fashion Show
2 p.m. Nordstrom Runway Fashion Show
2:30 p.m. Bobbie’s Color Class with Simon Fashion Now’s Style Expert, Bobbie Thomas. Get inspired this season with color. Bobbie explains what hues are best for you as well as what colors will make you stand out, not be washed out. Take her color quiz for a chance to win great prizes
3:30 p.m. Ready, Set, Style! with Simon Fashion Now’s Style Expert, Bobbie Thomas. There is more than one way to wear a dress. Step into Bobbie’s shoes and get ready to play “Ready, Set, Style”! Bobbie shares her style and accessory tips, plus provides chances to win fashionable prizes!
4 p.m. Gap Runway Fashion Show. Find the perfect look for spring in Gap’s runway fashion show featuring babyGap, Gap, GapBody, GapKids, and Gap Maternity.
5 p.m. Runway Fashion Show featuring Bachrach, Chico’s, Brooks Brothers, Coldwater Creek, Talbots,
Runway make-up by Saks Fifth Avenue, and model hair styled by Aveda.
Update: view photos from the event on the slide show below: Photos courtesy of Simon Fashion Now
The neon white rabbit outside its namesake club is like a beacon of malfeasance. "Come down the rabbit hole," says the burning white light. "It's time to play."
I instantly took a shine to the speakeasy feeling I got, sitting there at a tiny lounge table staring at a black stage. A bowl of half-stale snack mix and a near-dead candle set the perfect mood for what I was sure would be a parade of torn fishnet stockings and red lipstick. Awesome. Any girl with a scrap of vintage in her closet is into that kind of thing, trust me.
This show doesn't quite scratch that pinup girl itch, but it could get there.
Once upon a time I think there was a clear distinction between a cabaret, a burlesque show and a seedy circus side show. But nowadays, when it comes to an act involving a scantily clad broad, I think Cole Porter said it best. Anything goes.
Which is why I had no idea what to expect when I attended the debut performance of The White Rabbit Cabaret.
I'd only been to one other cabaret, at a dark little swatch of a club in Hollywood, where the near-naked girls writhed on poles affixed to the ceiling and a raunchy-looking band (Eminem meets Stray Cats) wheezed in the background. There was fringe, there was vintage lace and the air wreaked of filthy desperation and retro sex. 'Twas utterly divine.
In Fountain Square I knew I wasn't getting Liza Minelli (thank goodness) and I was fairly certain Naptown lacks the pool of struggling actresses for the writhing Vargas girls, so I had a completely open mind. The Web site is adorable, complete with cunning nicknames for each performer and a fabricated bio to match.
My vote? A for effort.
The clown emcee is the best part, and his makeup (think painted-on 5 o'clock shadow) is classic. His slightly shabby plaid pants and matching vest make him look just sleazy enough to be sleeping with all the dancers, but he's way to happy. The mime is a bore.
The girls' costumes never get more risque' than a stocking-clad thigh and the belly dancer looked like she learned from watching You Tube a coupla times.
The act with a trapeze swing hanging from the ceiling shows real promise. As soon as Alabaster Betty learns a few more tricks on that baby, she'll be the shining star.
Scarlet Charlotte's straight jacket dance is interesting too, but since most of it is done on the floor, I'm pretty sure only the front row got to see the best bits. Just a thought for next time...I'd also like to see something like what Bridget Fonda wore in that "Rough Magic" movie. Something like this.
All in all this act is just a few bunny dips and a pair of vintage titty tassels away from something really special. Can't wait for the next one.
So this invitation (pictured) arrived at the paper yesterday.
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