Milwaukee Fashion

If you are attending Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in NYC, check out http://insidethetents.com. A hangout for bloggers to report their scoops and thoughts during the melee! The cool thing is, this was assembled in part by Gift Girl, which includes Jean Voute Pratt, our style workshop speaker.

We here at Solessence had been fashioning a very similar plan for Milwaukee Fashion Week, so if you are with the media, come on over and stay a while. We've got a dedicated spot where you can put up your feet and get your story out. Our spot will be a little more intimate to be sure, but the goal is to keep everyone excited and informed. Hopefully we'll see a few updates from JVP there as well!

Remember, for New York, check out Inside The Tents. For Milwaukee, keep posted at Fashion Week website, www.fashionbythelake.com

Looking for Wisconsin coverage on Milwaukee Fashion Week? The following have stories coming out for the September and/or October issues:

Exclusively Yours Hardcopy
Wisconsin Trails Hardcopy
Sheperd Express Hardcopy
brava Magazine
Madison Magazine
OnMilwaukee.com
Milwaukee Magazine by Ford Models
Magazine SOHO Hardcopy
(October cover)
FashionableMilwaukee.com


That doesn't include additional coverage on our speakers. Thanks to all of the publications for your focus on the local stories making national/international news!

Martha Stewart (R) and Courtney Hazlett(L) of MSNBC at White House Correspondant Dinner. Ms. Hazlett is wearing a Gilles Montezin gown.

On October 3rd, Milwaukee Fashion Week launches with a fabulous cast and collection of clothing, including the midwest premiere of couture designer Gilles Montezin.

We hope by then it doesn't look fashionably late.

That is because in the next two weeks, one of Gilles' gowns will be flown into Milwaukee for an early preview, and carefully displayed at the Pfister Hotel Boutique B'Lou.

But wait, there is more. YOU will have a chance to bid on this creation that is being completed this very week. Can you imagine the thrill of being able to say you own a dress by this designer? And that you saw his collection first hand? And...you actually met? Imagine sharing that tidbit again in the spring when "Confessions of a Shopaholic" comes out. Oh yes, revel in all your hand-stitched, custom-fitted glory.

While that is all good and fun, Mr. Montezin's reasons were altruistic. He approached Milwaukee Fashion Week founder Hillary Fry with a request to make a gown specifically for The Hummingbird Foundation. "Gilles said that causes for women and children were very dear to his heart, and he wanted to be able to make an impact for the charity. This is a beautiful gift on so many different levels: The tangible dress, the joy of the person with the winning bid, and the benefits for the charity.

The gown would normally fetch between $5,000 - $10,000, and all auction proceeds go toward hummingbirdproject.org to benefit Thembalethu Children's Home in South Africa (one of two charities benefiting from this event).

Milwaukee Fashion Week launches October 3, 2008. Limited tickets are available now at www.fashionbythelake.com

Peter Kent, Buenos Aires - Luxury Leather Handbags at Milwaukee Fashion Week 2008

BelAlvear LLC is pleased to announce the official introduction of Peter Kent Luxury Leather handbags made in Argentina to the Midwestern United States during Milwaukee Fashion Week Oct. 03. – 06. 2008.

Peter Kent from Buenos Aires, Argentina, a luxury maker of leather handbags, accessories was founded in 1972 by Hector Neer, who continues to run the company to date. The brand is centered around 3 pillars:

Creating classic designs with a modern twist
Utilizing the most luxurious leathers and suedes available and
Employing the best craftsmen to realize the Peter Kent vision

While leather handbags have always been the main focus of Peter Kent's vision, the company also designs stylish and colorful small leather goods including wallets, passport holders, change purses, and watch and jewelry boxes. In addition. Peter Kent produces several collections per year, which incorporate Peter Kent's classic look with current fashion styles. As Peter Kent does not produce in large volume, the result is one of the most luxurious and unique collections of leather handbags and accessories. At present Peter Kent owns stores in the most fashionable areas in Buenos Aires and is sold throughout selected high-end boutiques around the world.
Peter Kent Handbags reflect:

Country Club Living
Elegant Life Style
Casual Elegance

The consumer promise is top quality, delicate design and functionality.

In the USA Peter Kent is currently only being sold in selected exclusive boutiques. in Arizona, Texas, Illinois, Massachusetts , Pennsylvania and Washington. According to Hermann Plank, president of BelAlvear and Peter Kent USA representative, the response to the Peter Kent collection has been fantastic. The customers love the minimalistic design combined with the exceptional quality and smoothness of the leather and the beautiful hardware. We started importing them in January of 2007 after we found this “treasure” during a vacation in Buenos Aires in September 2006. My wife fell in love with the bags and already on the way back to Scottsdale she was constantly asked about the bags she carried. A phone call later with the designer in Buenos Aires opened the door to start importing the bags and after the first introduction in March during a charity event the signature bag of Peter Kent called Baulito or Bamboo Box, the original design is from 15 years ago, the bag was featured already in several Phoenix magazines (see picture 1112) .

In November of 2007 Peter Kent had his first big appearance at Phoenix Fashion Week and has since participated in numerous fashion shows and charity events. As of last week BelAlvear is pleased to announce, that Peter Kent has been selected to participate in Phoenix Fashion Week 2008 (Oct. 01. – 04) and Milwaukee Fashion Week Oct. 03. – 06. 2008. Some of the highlights will be the addition of a complete line of evening bags featuring Swarovski crystals.

Key to the continued success will be to grow the brand organically, as Peter Kent does not mass produce and rather designs “limited editions”. Price range from $ 370 to $ 1,500.

The company name BelAlvear is a combination of Bel (beauty) and Alvear – the Avenida Alvear in Buenos Aires, is the equivalent to the Rodeo Drive in LA..”
For more information and where to buy please contact

BelAlvear LLC
Hermann Plank
28150 N. Alma School Pkwy
Ste 103/155
Scottsdale, AZ 85262
Phone: 480-704-3273 Fax: 480-699-7198

shop online www.mypeterkent.com handbags@belalvear.com

Husar's House of Fine Diamonds has donated an artist signed vase from Romania for silent auction during Milwaukee Fashion Week. The item, with a value of $415, will be auctioned, with proceeds going to choosen charity Bucketworks.org

Announcing a special performance during Milwaukee Fashion Week: pianist Andrew Axelrod

Did you know Milwaukee Fashion Week benefits charities?

Bucketworks, billing as "The world's first health club for the brain" is a fascinating organization located in Milwaukee. Check them out: http://www.bucketworks.org/

The Hummingbird Foundation supports groups with bloom-where-planted mentalities looking to move beyond surviving to thriving. Current work is with Thembalethu Welfare Society in Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa. Check out www.hummingbirdproject.org

Check back as we begin highlighting Midwest designers for Milwaukee Fashion Week. We are uncovering an amazing and varied lineup!

Welcome to a sneak preview of Nick Waraska of Wounded Line. His edgy and inspiring clothing 'exemplifies the metaphor for the beauty that can be found when embracing imperfections and overcoming whatever "wounds" you.' He is half of a design team with Susan Waraksa, his mother, who creates jewelry that tells the same story as the clothing line. You don't want to miss this collection.