Fashion First 2008

Fashion First has come a long way from the 2004 at the Bada Lounge on First Avenue. This year we are happy to announce that the night of the event we raised over $36,000 for The Starlight Starbright Children's Foundation! The evening was a great success and we want to thank everyone who turned out to support the fashion community in Seattle!


Before we set on sights on the 2009 show we want to take a moment to thank everyone who helped make our show this year possible including Seattle Magazine, News Talk 710 Kiro, Seven, Spektor Dental, The Wax Bar, The Belltown Business Association, Gourmondo Catering, Rock N Wood, Skyy Spirits, Peroni, Dr. J. Timothy Heffernan, Queen Anne Dispatch, Rytek Grafx, The Art Institute of Seattle, Gruvbox, Seattle Picks, Crave Party, Revelry, Stirrings, Urban Fashion Network, MAC Cosmetics, Mycloset.com, Menage a Trios, Dry Soda, Chat with Women, D List, Spa Scotta, Where Magazine, Grand Event Rentals, Movin 92.5, Brooke and Monte from The Ladies Room on 92.5, Totally Tabletops, and of course all of our fabulous retailers and designers.

We also want to thank all of our celebrity models who rocked the runway including Sean McGowan, John Curley, Ron Upshaw, Don O'Neill, Keith Askenasi, John Spear, James Zachondi, Evan Carter, RR, Gaard Swanson, Arik Korman, Dan Bugge, Randall Morris, Jeff Nelson, and the beautiful Josie Bissett who modeled our finale dress (pictured).

Thank you again to everyone who helped make our 5th Annual Fashion Show a success! Keep in touch with us by checking our blog for upcoming fashion events and by signing up for our mailing list at www.fashionfirstseattle.com

Photos from the event can be found at http://www.teamphotogenic.com/ph/ev.asp?eid=8745 or at http://www.iamnotafashionphotographer.com/

* Photo of Josie Bissett courtesy of David Gallo.

Get ready to put Fashion First!

We are so excited to extend an invitation for you to join us for our 5th Annual Runway show!!! Tickets are selling fast so be sure to get yours today!

We've got an amazing list of celebrity models who will grace our runway with their presence including:

Ron Upshaw & Don O’Neill – The Ron & Don Show, News Talk 710 KIRO

Jeff Nelson – former Seattle Mariner, New York Yankee and American League All-Star

John Curley – Evening Magazine, KING 5

Gaard Swanson – Sports Director, KIRO 7 Eyewitness News

Arik Korman – The Bob Rivers Show, 102.5 KZOK

Rick Robertson, ‘Double R’ – The BJ Shea Morning Experience, 99.9 KISW

Keith Askenasi – Inaugural Publisher, Seattle magazine

James Zachodni & Evan Carter – Editor-in-Chief & Editorial Director, D List magazine

Dan Bugge – Owner, Matt’s in the Market

John Spear – Senior Account Executive, Seattle Magazine


We also have a fabulous line-up of designers and boutiques including:

La Ree
Opal
Tatters
Sway & Cake
Marqsmen
The Finerie
Canopy Blue
Ragamoffyn's
Petaline.net
Illi
Clutch
Rocco E Dante
Alhambra
Marilyn Berg
WCM Belts
Rock Star Jewelry

Plus a finale dress by the design students at The Art Institute of Seattle AND an entire set sponsored by Mycloset.com featuring the winners of the SEAMLESS IN SEATTLE design competition!!!!

Tickets are on sale at all participating boutiques and online at www.ticketleap.com

This year's show also includes a LIVE and SILENT auction with proceeds benefiting The Starlight Starbright Children's Foundation of Washington and an after-party with LIVE music by Gruvbox. Get your ticket today!

Fashion First July Events

:::Fashion First Events:::

July 2-16th- Spa Scotta is kicking off summer with a huge sale featuring 30%-75% off all select items. Fun travel bags, dresses and jewelry will also be discounted for this fantastic sale. The sale starts on July 2nd and ends on July 16th. (www.spascotta.com)

July 10th- Canopy Blue's Summer Sale will be held July 10th from 3-6 pm. The sale will feature discounts of 30-60% off select items. The celebration will also include an exclusive Fashion First kick-off celebration with ticket sales and event information. www.canopyblue.com/

July 11 & 12- *Featured Event* Tatters on Mercer Island welcomes the Aimee g Trunk Show on July 11th and 12th from 10am to 5pm. Aimee will be making a personal appearance to show her new line for Fall/Winter 2008. The event will also feature an exclusive look at the August 7th FashionFirst Runway Show complete with ticket sales and event information. This event can't be missed! www.tattersmi.com/

July 19th-Opal is having a Fashion First in-store event on July 19th at their Seattle location. 2121 Terry Ave., Suite 100.Seattle, WA 98121. Come shop the sale and pick up your tickets to Fashion First! For more info check out opalboutique.blogspot.com

July 19th- Join Spa Scotta as they welcome beauty maven Erin Orden to their store! Come learn the real reasons why mineral makeup is a must-have in your cosmetics bag and receive a free gift with purchase during the event. Come ready to have a good time! Champagne will be served! www.spascotta.com

July 24th- *Featured Event* La Ree will be having an AMAZING trunk show on July 24th from 11am-4pm featuring "12th St." Cynthia Vincent. The collection constists of little girls clothes sizes newborn to girls size 14. For more info check out www.lareeboutique.com

July 26th- Join Spa Scotta from 12-2pm as they welcome Lisa Francoise, the genius behind Sweet Beauty Gourmet Skincare. Nibble on free trade Divine Chocolate and try the fabulous Sweet Beauty products which feature the highest quality ingredients found in nature to moisturize, heal and protect your body, senses and soul. Beauty Bar participants will be entered to win a fabulous gift basket courtesy of Sweet Beauty. For more info visit www.spascotta.com

Opal Summer Sale!

Opal (one of our fabulous Fashion First boutiques) is having a Summer Kick-Off Sale!

20% off your entire purchase & 50% off select merchandise

Sale all day Wednesday, June 25th from 5:30 – 9

Beer and wine will be served

Check out one of the 3 Opal Locations:

• 17887 Redmond Way, Suite 110 Redmond, WA 98052; 425-882-0970
• 2121 Terry Ave, Suite 100 Seattle, WA 98121; 206621-8202
• 15117 Main Street, B102 Mill Creek, WA 98012; 425-379-6315

The Ultimate Color Tour

For Immediate Release

Fashion First is back for it’s 5th Annual Runway Show
“The Ultimate Color Tour”

May 5th, 2008 - Seattle, WA – Fashion First, Seattle’s largest boutique runway show, announced today that tickets are now available for the fashion event of the year, Thursday August 7th at the South Lake Union Naval Reserve Station. Tickets to the 5th annual show are available for purchase at fashionfirstseattle.com, ticketleap.com and all participating boutiques. A portion of the proceeds from this event will go to the 2008 benefit partner, The Starlight Starbright Children’s Foundation of Washington. The annual showcase will include the area’s most fashion-forward boutiques and designers, including La Ree, Tatters, Ragamoffyn’s, Sway & Cake, MARQSMEN, Clutch, Petaline.net, Alhambra, The Finerie, Canopy Blue, WCM Belts, Opal, Marilyn Berg and Illi, all set to present the must-have looks for fall 2008.

“This year’s Fashion First show is all about color, fun, rock & roll and a really great party vibe,” said Fashion First Executive Producer and founder Joan Kelly. “The 5th annual show is called the Ultimate Color Tour because this year’s fall fashions throw back to the really bright and edgy looks of the ‘70s and ‘80s, and I want the show to embody the bold and colorful energy of that era.”

“The Starlight Foundation is thrilled to be the benefit partner of Fashion First and we are looking forward to a successful and lasting relationship,” said Steve McGraw, Executive Director of the Starlight Starbright Children’s Foundation of Washington.

Tickets
Ultra Glam VIP
$1000 – Tickets include end-of-runway seating, valet parking, deluxe VIP goodie bag and access to the catered VIP Lounge

Ultra VIP
$500 – Tickets include center front row seating, complimentary valet parking, luxe VIP goodie bag and access to the catered VIP Lounge

VIP Front Row
$350 - Tickets include front row seating, valet parking, VIP goodie bag and access to the catered VIP lounge

VIP Seating
$150 – Tickets include premiere seating, valet parking and access to the complimentary catered VIP lounge

General Admission
$40 – Standing room only. Get a lot of fashion for a little price.


2008 Fashion First Sponsors
Presented by The Belltown Business Association, Seattle magazine, News Talk 710 KIRO, PONCHO, SKYY Vodka, Peroni, SEVEN, The Wax Bar, Gourmondo Catering, The Art Institute of Seattle, Dr. Wendy Spektor, Queen Anne Mail & Dispatch, Rock ’N’ Wood, Dr. J. Timothy Heffernan, Seattle Picks, Spa Scotta, Stirrings, D List Magazine, Where Magazine, Gruvbox, The Urban Fashion Network, Revelery, Chat with Women, Zino Society, Movin’ 92.5, Dry Soda, Crave Party, Magnotti Design, Rytek Grafx, PR Matters and Joan & Jared Events.


Fashion First
The annual Fashion First boutique runway show brings Seattle together for the most exciting night of fashion in the Northwest. Fashion retailers, designers, stylists, educators, students, interior designers and members of the media attend each year to preview designer and specialty store trends for the upcoming fall season. The goal of Fashion First has always been to get Seattleites excited about fashion and to give the area’s smaller boutiques a chance to participate in a fabulous event. Joan & Jared Events roll out the red carpet for over 1,000 guests to throw a spectacular party and raise and awareness for Fashion First’s benefit partner, the Starlight Starbright Children’s Foundation of Washington. Fashion First will forever be dedicated to the honor and memory of Jared Seegmiller, who was passionate about the industry and cared deeply for the visibility and vitality of the boutiques that support the Seattle fashion arena.


The Starlight Starbright Children’s Foundation of Washington
Starlight Starbright Children’s Foundation is a non-profit organization providing education, entertainment and family events that improve the quality of life for children with chronic and life threatening medical conditions before, during and after treatment. Starlight Starbright Washington touches the lives of over 6,000 children and their families each month, serving the entire state of Washington with offices in Redmond and Spokane.

Crave Sample Sale

Crowds Rave for Crave's Spring Market Sale


Last Sunday’s Crave Spring Sale could be heard before you entered; a bouncing pulse that lured ladies to the entrance—creating the perfect mood to shop!
Near the entrance lay a paradise of apothecary quality lotions and potions, a fresh scent to the venue that added to the luxurious aura of everyone in the room. Making the way around, a gentleman(one of only a couple in the room!) hands out passes for 3 free training sessions at a women focused gym…there is motivation in FREE! There were selections of handbags from Clutch in real leather, not the anticipated PVC something or other, a great selection however, make that a mental note for next years spring must have bag!! There are the girls from Fashion First, selling tickets to the August 7th show and noticeably enjoying the music. Farther down, in comfortable territory of sheer tops and some designer pieces, a silvered linen cropped jacket caches the eye of a shopper, she notices the Kors label and smiles, then darts to a quilted black A-line skirt. The next rack is better than the last! Shoes were slightly at a minimum, though had exquisite prices—add that information to next years on going mental note...
The loop of vendors proves to be exhilarating to the masses, girls everywhere hand over cash and cards (don't fret, yes, you can use plastic!), stashing their new wares into the new handbag they bought down the aisle. From organic cotton to leather, rhinestones to dog sweaters, hand soap to necklaces, all under one roof--brilliant!
The afternoon was lush and pretty, sparing no expense and leaving no sense un-worked. Nice work CRAVE team, keep it coming...wish lists are already big for 2009. See you then!

-Stacy
Fashion First 2008 Team

Goodbye to a Fashion Legend : We love you YSL!

I had already planned on seeing the fashion documentary on YSL in Seattle tonight, but it wasn’t until I arrived at the screening that I was informed of the passing of Yves St. Laurent overnight in Paris. YSL was an amazing haute couture designer, famous for taking over House of Dior at the age of 21. He is one of the most influential designers of his time and will be remembered along with iconic fashion designers like Coco Chanel and Balenciaga for his contributions to the fashion industry as we know it.

It’s only right that we pay homage tonight to an amazing man who gave us the fabulous quote, "Fashion Fades. Style Remains"….and so will your memory YSL. We love you.

Yves St. Laurent
August 1, 1936- June 1, 2008

-Sydney
Fashion First
Associate Producer