Fashion Seen

On a breezy, beautiful evening last week, a few hundred people descended upon the relatively new Aloft Hotel Downtown for Life 3, a benefit fashion show for the AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin. Invited by my friends at Falcon, a fabulous boutique in the Third Ward, I brought along my 83-year-old mother, Audrey, for the evening’s festivities. For a $50 donation, we received VIP treatment with front row seats, a private bar and a goodie bag! The fashionably modern hotel patio itself was a perfect fit for the event and reminded me of a chic Los Angeles venue, right here in Milwaukee. Who knew?

Lots of stylish folks from all walks of life came out to support the show, the boutiques involved and, of course, to help raise money for those less fortunate than themselves. While waiting for the show to begin, I ducked backstage to get a sneak peek at the clothing, makeup and the models being featured. I knew quite a few of the models and stylists who generously donate their time for these types of things and wanted to give them a proper personal shout out. Leaving Audrey to fend for herself seated near a garment rack of gorgeous clothing from Falcon, I made the rounds of the room. With my trusty little HD Video camera, I focused on capturing an on-the-fly interview with Michael Weiss and Katy Haynes, the primary makeup artists for the show, as well as document the pre-show milieu. (See video of backstage chaos.) Talented and inventive hair dresser extraordinaire Joseph and his team, all from Neroli Salon and Spa, made sure the models looked picture perfect for the lenses of top-flight photographers like Michael Sutton (www.michaelsutton.info)and Rafal Krolik (www.sevillemedia.com).

Along with Falcon, which showed the most recent collection from designer Vivienne Tam, Luci, Lounge and White Star menswear paraded their youthful, casual ensembles for the appreciative crowd. Herewith, my take on the looks presented. 

Falcon started the show with the premiere in Milwaukee of Ms. Tam’s new collection. Inspired by butterflies, the dresses were full of bright colorful prints, some that looked like “Rorschach” test patterns, and others that had pockets and elaborately done hand-sewn adornment. With the dresses and sequined sparkly jackets, the couture creator once again pulled out all the stops. Owner Gina Frakes let me know the designer’s signature bag dreamed up for HP is available exclusively at the store. Exactly six years ago, I had the pleasure of doing hair with Bumble&Bumble editorial stylist Dennis Lanni and his team at Olympus Fashion Week in NYC for Vivienne’s spectacular runway presentation. Loved her frocks then. Still love 'em now!

White Star menswear on Water proved that looking great is not just the realm of the ladies. Modern men like to get their fashion on as well, and owner Clai Greene knows what they like. Everything from V-neck sweaters, vests and walking shorts to jeans and T-shirts kept the show realistic and accessible. The men who were in attendance, I must note, have obviously taken cues from Mr. Greene’s suggestions.

Luci, a women’s boutique, also owned by Greene, (next door to his men’s store) showed quite a few of one-shoulder dresses (trend alert!) in bright tones with unique details such as shirring at the bodice and gathered seaming. Colorful, pretty, flattering and hip just about sums up his choices for these must-have clothes.

Lounge Boutique, also on Water Street, is yet another one of Downtown’s shopping destinations for the hip and trendy. Quirky, football-inspired jersey tee’s mingled with long skirts and distressed denim kept everything well-grounded. Statement bags were also in evidence. All in all, some interesting fashion pairings were shown by owner Motiya Lopez. Who needs Carrie from “Sex and the City" when this downtown style stop already has these great quirky fashion ideas?

My mom, who graduated from high school in 1943, thought that most of the fashions were pretty and marveled at how the girls were able to navigate the steps and varying textures of the concrete patio with their sky-high heels! She did comment that some of the dresses seemed a tad short for her taste and wondered aloud during the show, “What on earth do they wear under there? They must not ever bend over!” I think she missed the idea that these girls probably don’t bend over, and she is clueless to the invention of the thong or Spanx for that matter! With the show over, we mingled with the glittering good-looking crowd on our way out to the valet stand, and she exclaimed, “Everyone is so interesting and nice!” You know what? They were, and it just goes to show that great fashion, style and true beauty comes from the inside out.

With the crescent moon in view against the clear navy blue sky, we made our plans to go to McDonald’s for a “twist cone,” as she calls it. I simply can’t help but be proud to get the word out on another wonderful fashion event in my favorite, fashionable, city by the lake Milwaukee.

Be sure to check out street fashion, neighborhood by neighborhood, as I check out the scene in Gallery Night Style 2: Riverwest!