Couture for a cause. Fashion in Motion

by Tess Dixon

Friday night’s Couture For a Cause fashion show at Plaza Bowl not only was a success, but really captured the electrifying vibe that’s going around the local fashion scene. The show was a high-heeled, dressed-up hullabaloo, but relaxed enough to fit in comfortably at Richmond’s favorite duckpin bowling establishment. As some of the city’s most ubiquitous girls-about-town hit the runway, attendees listened to 50s classics and looked on from crayon-colored booths.

The show featured ladies’ clothing by Shabby Apple, an online boutique that manages to produce designs that strike the perfect balance between jaw-droppingly unique and classically practical. Glamorous party dresses with details like oversized collars, ruffles, and tucking stood out equally in black as in green and blue jewel tones. Shabby Apple takes the concept of the little black dress and reinforces why this wardrobe staple never gets boring. Several dresses they featured were also very stylish while remaining structured and office-ready. Silhouettes were predominantly hourglass, rather than favoring rail-thin waifs only (as the recent trends with tent dresses have done). Most impressively, these pieces have a very current feel, but unlike throwaway fads, they have the ability to remain reliable occupants of the closet for years to come.

Rumors Boutique outfitted the gentlemen with selections from their own store and Exile, choosing button-ups and vests for a polished, wintry look. Casey Longyear, co-owner of Rumors, commented on the ease of throwing together the menswear. “I think people forget about it or don’t think to look for vintage there, but she really has a lot,” she said, speaking of the availability of vintage mens’ shirts at Exile. The men made dapper companions for the elegantly dressed ladies in their used fashions.

Instead of the usual beer and french fries, the concession area was laden with a truly top-notch feast. Champagne Taste Catering provided a slew of fantastic snacks: asparagus, spring rolls, shrimp, artichoke cheese dip, and various sweets including cannolis. Several guests commented on the abundance and quality of food, as well as the lavish cocktails being mixed at an adjacent table. Live music also contributed to the overall festivity, as Wrenn Magnum entertained with his spot-on rockabilly tunes.

And all this glitz was piled on to benefit Unitus, an organization that provides microloans to impoverished women in India. “Shabby Apple, which is a women-owned and operated company, believes in women empowerment and wants to help as much as they can with the lives of other women. With that being said, they decided to donate a percentage of every dress sale to help alleviate global poverty worldwide for women and their families. Each of our dresses that are purchased come with a unique hang tag with a micro-credit success story,” said Natalie Oddenino, Marketing Manager for Shabby Apple. “As for the fashion show, we thought that this would be yet another perfect opportunity to raise money for Unitus and women around the world. We realized that every company that is participating in the show (expect for the venue space) is women-owned and also have similar beliefs as Shabby Apple.”

This event isn’t the first charity event thrown by Richmond fashionistas, and judging by the momentum adding up with local boutiques, bands, designers, and friends willing to put in some effort to make a difference, it won’t be the last. Couture For a Cause was presented by Community Chest RVA, a new group that books and promotes events at Plaza Bowl. Several bowling lanes have ben closed off to make space for a stage, dancefloor, runway, or what-have-you, and their recent series of successful events will likely be followed with more of the same. With the promise of a new multi-purpose venue in town and people energetic enough to arrange and attend events, it woudn’t be too optimistic to say that these folks are working toward something bigger.

Classic looks for the everyday woman provided by ShabbyApple. Shoes provided by Plaza bowl. Cute pose provided by model.

Sorry Catherine but Talia is looking amazing in this pic.

Make it work

RUNNIN SH*t

WRIR's favorite dj Mary Claire gives the models music to strut to.

Whats a fashion show without an Elvis impersonator

I love a man in a vest and button up shirt.

Mckenzie from Need runs over to show his support.

Dressed to impress Jeff from Dean Lee and the Unwanted Guest and Maggie From Pilgrims with Strangers (on left) Two classic Holiday dresses from ShabbyApple.

Fashion shows cant exist without the help of amazing talented girls behind the scenes

Urge Magazine... WHAT WHAT REBECKAH IS A GODDDDDDDDDDDDDD

Proud to be an Obamite

After hours of waiting in line to cast my vote I walked out of the voting center with a feeling of accomplishment and a "I voted sticker" on my chest. I had an abnormal amount of fear and excitement building inside of me and I couldn't wait for the votes to be counted.

To celebrate the election Casey and I had an election show. This Bike is a Pipebomb headlined and we waited anxiously to find out what the future had in store for us. I have always expected the worst and hoped for the best when it comes to most things in my life. But I felt I needed this. I felt the country needed this.

Bands played and I ran back and forth from Village Cafe looking at CNN news. Checking reports on my phone as well as online. I thought well if Obama doesn't win If Va votes Democratic I at least have something to hold onto. I ordered a shot of whiskey and I sat at the bar. VA VOTES BLUE>>>> i run as fast as i can to the store. I yell VA voted DEMOCRATIC>. the band plays on louder. I ran back to Village Cafe. They said. OBAMA ELECTED PRESIDENT.

I paused. then I ran back in the store. OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA. I got to tell a room full of people that Obama got elected. I couldn't stop crying. I could barely think.

I felt something building inside my heart. I didn't know what it was. Others felt something inside their hearts as well. It was pride. Pride. Pride. Pride.

The band was screaming and drums were beating tears were flying, and then we started to run. We ran down broad street yelling YES YES YES WE DID IT. I jumped on Ward Taft's shoulders (owner of chop suey books) and I viewed hundreds of people Black , White, Spanish, Asian ,Indian, young and old celebrating together. The cops nicely sat outside their cars making sure everyone was okay. And it felt like we were all one. The city strolled to the capital walking for hours cheering until the sun came up. I love Virginia. I love Politics. I love Obama. I LOVE AMERICA> I LOVE AMERICA.

i love the guy doing the O hands

you can vote however you like.... you can vote however you like.....

-marshe

Richmond street style: October

Autumn colors grace the streets of Richmond. Head to toe perfection

nice guys finish first. Flannel with a well fitted vest. Good job boys. Nerd fantasy accomplished

simple yet pulled together american apparelesque

Aenaes Aenaes Aeness.. always looking so good..

recession is near shop local. the decline of western civilization

When I was a young girl I dreamed of one day making it in the big world. One day I would find my niche and I would open up my own business. Be my own boss.

So I moved to this enchanted place called Richmond Virginia where the streets were still made of cobblestone and I could walk into a bar where everyone knew my name. I could spend a restless Sunday going into independent shops in carytown then catch brunch at a mom and pops little diner. Those days are becoming few and far between. With the economy spanking America the way it is. I watch my favorite bars, shops, galleries and restaurants put up their going out of business signs.

I've always had so much pride for the fan district keeping out major business. But how long will it be before there is a taco bell on campus. When will a H&M or Forever21 move across the street from my boutique. When will Ikea and Walmart open up on VCU campus. And when will Fridays and Olive Garden put all of our diners out of business. These are the days approaching. We are IN A RECESSION. why isn't anyone talking about it. Have you noticed how impossible it is to find a job. Have you noticed how high unemployment is. Do you realize how high gas is. This is a reality. Why is it not on the covers of all the newspapers. How can people care so much about what is happening in the rest of the world and care so little about what is happening in their own home. RECESSION is not near it is here.

recession

Casey and I work over 80 hours a week to keep our store open. And we are proud of it. We have amazing customers who refuse to let us do bad. So thank you so much. But time is ticking and lots of people need help. Supplement 4 things you do a week with independent business. It may be a little less convenient but you know where your money is going. And its right back into the city. Here are some suggestions.

CHOP SUEY BOOKS over Barnes and nobles

CROSSROADS COFFEE or ROSTOVS over Starbucks (and if you go to Starbucks you should know better)

PLAN 9 or Rumors records over Amazon (that is right there are no more record shops in Richmond... because everyone stopped going to record shops a long time ago)

Hospitality, EuroTrash, Henry, Ftwrks, Need, Rumors over Forever 21, American Apparel, H&M and urban outfitters

821 cafe over fast food

Strawberry st cafe, Nicks, Ellwoods or the Farmers Market over Ukrops and Kroger

House of Lukaya over 10,000 villages.

Fan Video over netflix and blockbuster

It would be that simple to save Richmond Small business. Even when it comes to buying gas. Stop going to 7-11!!!! that money does not go back into the city. It doesn't. Its that clear. And its really that simple. Just wait until it hits you.

goodbye, nonesuch, acacia,bogarts,jumpin j's, Ukrops,Movie Gallery, Good-bye art supply store on broad. Nancy Raygun, Poesis, Le Petite France and the list goes on and on.....

Marshe'

"The economy is getting worse, according to 79 percent of small-business owners polled in the survey. That's up from 71 percent last month and reverses a previous decline. Even more worrisome is that while the number of businesses experiencing cash-flow problems had also fallen in May, it has increased now, from 39 percent to 42 percent."

"This country needs and will hit rock bottom in the near future and then we will open our eyes to bringing back manufacturing and a sense of pride and patriotism to the country that was founded by our relatives.

Importing, Immigration, Job creation, Health care and rising prices for fuel, groceries and health costs are key concerns for our politicians and society to take a very serious look at in the very near future.

Matthew Bandyk from usnews.com

I AM SO ANGRY AND I AM 24. why isnt anyone else angry..... why isnt anyone angry.

A Society In Which No Tear Is Shed is Inconceivably Mediocre…

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=NZD2VOGK

Another brilliant soul lost to suicide. I found this 16 year old Brazilian artist on Emusic today and I was transformed to my youth. Memories of Leonard Cohen, Bright Eyes, Belle and Sebastion come quickly when you listen to these heart felt songs written out of love and depression. -Marshe

"I know what it's like to be left out when all your friends try the new hip suicide thing," sang young Brazilian songwriter Yonlu — AKA Vinicius Gageiro Marques — in what became the first track of a remarkable posthumous debut assembled from music the 16-year-old left behind after himself committing suicide in 2006. ("Yonlu" was the screen name Marques used on the songwriters’ bulletin board where he posted several of these tracks). Some of the songs on this surprisingly uplifting collection — notably "I Know What It's Like," "Luana (Mêcanica Celeste Aplicada)," and "Waterfall" — stand up with the best Brazilian popular music on record. Others are obviously the work of a young experimentalist who had yet to find his voice and, in a very real sense, died trying.

Several tunes on A Society in Which No Tear Is Shed... address suicide directly, though usually with a deceptive, self-mocking wink. "I'll tell you why I wanna die," Yonlu sings of his latest romantic failure in "Humiliations"; he cries wolf again in the strangely literal "Suicide," which concludes, "Now my suicide is lit by the sunset/ It's pretty sad if you ask me." Indeed. As artistically precocious as he was emotionally fragile, Yonlu sounds more mature and confident in Portuguese — check out his suave cover of Vitor Ramil's "Estrela, Estrela" and "Luana (Mêcanica Celeste Aplicada)," a lush tropicalia-infused nod to sweet American teenage pop circa 1956 or so — than singing in his self-taught English. At his best, Yonlu combines the cerebral sophistication of tropicalia star Caetano Veloso with the tragic fragility of Nick Drake. Yet judging by the rough edits and musique concréte of tracks like "The Boy and the Tiger" and "Q-Tip," Yonlu had plenty of room to grow as a sonic scientist. His wordless crooning in "Waterfall" is guaranteed to blend brilliantly with Panda Bear on your next heartbreak-inspired mixtape.

Repeat offenders in Richmond

I usually see this doll walking down the streets of Harrison with vibrant bright colors, big 60's Sunglasses and a huge smile on her face. She looks just as vibrant in this fashion forward Lamixx detachable hooded overall and innocent vintage lace shirt. Lace stockings are a hard look to rock but paired with simple colors it gives her outfit an edge that reflects her personality. Ebony I give you two winks and a twirl

Some people know they look good. I'm pretty certain this guy is one of those people. Just look at that belt. It is fierce. Dark denim jeans with a simple cross necklace. Shades to block the haters and a sweater Kanye West wishes he owned.

If this girl isn't the lead for a hipster punk band I don't know what is wrong with Richmond. I am loving these tights with the big framed glasses. A mouth full of braces and a body covered with style.

Lady Gaga watch out. This girl has stolen your style and your attitude. Every sassy girl needs a pair of glasses that reads DIVA APPROACHING. Jump suits with rhinestones are so sexy.

Azia psychology major at VCU is a no hassle kind of girl. 70's vintage leather boots and a bright purple pencil skirt show off her flirty figure while her belt and cardigan lets you know shes all business. The scarf and bag show off her personal style and I am a huge fan of it girl. Work it.

I swear I thought Lisa Bonet's daughter Zoe walked into my store the other day. This girl is a unicorn. I was almost afraid to look her in the eyes. Some people have a style other people have an essence. She is bohemian, she is free, she is earthy, she is sweet. She reminds of a throw back to the late 70's. Wear your soul on the outside.

Adrian 16 years old and a style that rivals people twice his age. Seriously when did people in highschool start dressing good. All we had in my high school was American eagle. Fake vampires and wanna be oi punks.

I love a man in pink. I love it. I love it. Put a vest on and you immedietly have style.. You don't even have to button it up. Black shoes. Black vest. Black pants. Don't mind the shirt this boys got a dark side hes willing to share.

-marshe

The Center Of Richmond: Rumors and surrounding areas

So as your elected leader of awesomeness I've decided to rename the part of town I am located in. The new name we came up with is THE CENTER!!!!!!!!!

We had a bunch of horrible names to choose from but I thought about my favorite places around the world and nothing beats going to the Center in Ghent. Clearly Rumors is the greatest place to go in Richmond. We are located in the heart of VCU. The center of creativity and independent business. We have 821 cafe, Harrison st cafe, Exile, Bunny Hop, Crossroads coffee, the Czar, the Camel, The Anderson Gallery, Panda Veg, Empire, Mojo's, 534 and the list goes on. This area has been famous for years and its our turn to make the next few years memorable. I need 100 percent participation in the transformation of this much needed area. So when you are headed down here call it the Center.

attitude. Serious fly attitude.Empire waist pea coats are usually only worn in blues and blacks. Nothing makes a statement like a bright yellow and red coat and a distinguised pair of glasses.

Spring Blues

I guess it is mandatory for every cute girl in Richmond to have a dirty pair of brown boots. Bre is wearing her own line Breconstructed that we sell at Rumors.

Remember when the ground was covered with snow two days ago. I love Global Warming.

-marshe