catwalk for kids

“We’re firemen in stilettos,” according to handbag designer and Catwalk for Kids founder Mary Norton. “We’re putting out emergencies.” Mary started her charity events in her hometown of Charleston and chose Richmond for the first of many cities in its international expansion. Held in the RVA Fashion Week Finale tent, the event was a luncheon, fashion show, auction and concert benefiting the Children’s Hospital of Richmond Pediatric Cardiology Division.

Check out the full post on GayRVA.com.

fashion week uncorked recap

My first set of Richmond Fashion Week photos are up on GayRVA.com! I'm very excited to be sharing my photos on such a great website and the coverage of Fashion Week was even part of their weekly email. (I'm kind of a big deal.) I've posted just a few below but please check out lots more great looks on GayRVA!

The event was held The Wine Loft, a venue I had been to only once before since I rarely venture out to Short Pump (particularly for drinking occasions. Safety first!) Local jewelry designer Chelsea Nicolas of Stitch and Knot joined eco-friendly designer Kelley Farlow of Lo.K'elle Collective and Schwarzchild Jewelers came together in a jewelry-focused fashion display.

[Currently local designer Chelsea Nicolas]

I got the chance to sit down with Chelsea briefly before the show began. I actually asked to snap a photo of her outfit before I even knew she was a featured designer. Isn't she adorable? A native of Raleigh she went to school at Savannah College of Art and Design. She studied Fibers there, but has put combined her fibers expertise with a concentration in jewelry. Chelsea is a temporary resident of Richmond and lives in Shockoe Bottom, which she feels gets an undeserved bad rap, in a converted Civil War warehouse. You can shop Stitch and Knot here on Etsy.

[Model wearing Chelsea Nicolas]

[Model wearing Lo.K'elle Collective]

Like my own jewelry, Kelley Farlow makes each piece individually. Lo.Kelle Collective is an "eco-friendly company that offers elegantly hand-crafted jewelry and other accessories" with materials sources from thrift stores. The bracelet seen on this model was on of my favorites shown on Tuesday and you can shop online at lokelleco.com.

[Model wearing Schwarzchild Jewelers]

Schwarzchild Jewelers rounded out the night with three models. Their fine jewelry was often smaller, so the images don't show up as well but I loved the ring this model is wearing. Shop online or at several Richmond locations.

See more from all three designers and images of the party at The Wine Loft on GayRVA.com.

fashion week uncorked

Last night I went to the Richmond Fashion Week's Uncorked event, cosponsored with Downtown Short Pump, at The Wine Loft. While I was sad to miss the great events this weekend, I luckily was back in time for this jewelry themed event. A full write up and pictures will be up soon on gayrva.com. I'll be sure to tweet and post to let you know when it's ready.

[Do I look appropriately fashionable?]

I'm wearing: H&M dress; vintage belt, purse and bracelet; necklace from my own line; brown tights and boots. Picking outfits for each day has been half the fun, though I haven't finalized my look for tonight yet.

[Four of the models]

fashion for a cause

Tonight I went to Fashion for a Cause, held by GayRVA as part of their Fun for the Cause benefit for The Fan Free Clinic. It was the first fashion show part of Richmond Fashion Week, which kicks off next weekend. I have to miss the first weekend of shows for work, but am excited to make it to many of them. Here are some of my pictures from tonight's show...

[The wonderful opening act]

[There were actually several men, but few of my pictures of them turned out well.]

[This skirt is one of my favorite pieces from the show.]