Sorry for the blog interruption, folks. We had some technical difficulties. Apparently the computer had a tiff with one of our more headstrong yaks. Now back to our regularly scheduled program….
This summer, we had the honor of showing some of our designs at Mercedez-Benz Fashion Week in Berlin. In July, our head of design Keena Fletcher spent the week styling models, hobnobbing with Heidi Klum (slight exaggeration), and seeing the sites. Here is Keena’s style file:
I used a long strand of pearls from Hazel and Marie, to create a new Shokay necklace.
DAY 1: Touch down
As soon as I touched down it was work, work, work. Unfortunately, I missed the first show that our looks were featured in for Grazia Deutsch (Germany). But I quickly got started assembling two styles for our other shows that week. First stop, the Cozy Collections showroom. Our distributor Audrey Heppner displays our products in such a lovely way amongst her gorgeous cushions. (One of my new favorite products is her herbal neck pillow.) After I stopped gushing, we got to work.
I highlighted the casual feel of the fine cotton and yak cardigan twinset with a pair of Bonjour driving hand warmers. This really added to the subtle glamor of this outfit.
DAY 2: Styling for the Runway
With only a guestamation of our models’ size beforehand, I found that I had overestimated their flesh and bone ratio! Nonetheless, the fitting ran efficiently and I was able to secure a spot in the Grazia Magazine show and two at GREEN Showroom! For one of the GREEN Showroom styles, I paired a Shokay Kalarisis sweater set with a Nuomi black sequined dress that I rolled into a skirt. I paired it with our very popular 100% Yak Chain Link necklace, and strung a Hazel and Marie 1,2,3, or 4 pearl necklace through it. For the Grazia Magazine Runway, we paired a Nuomi silk jersey top, and silk printed shorts with two Chain Link necklaces, highlighting the color from the print.
This look was finished with our Bowline knitted bag and really looked put together (if I do say so myself).
DAY 3: GREEN Showroom Fashion Show
Showtime! I loved being involved with the preparations–from hair and makeup to final pinning. I was very pleased with how our looks were modeled. I also admired the other designers and their creative interpretation of socially sustainable and eco-friendly fashion. For the rest of the day I visited the Premium Show–a tradeshow that presents contemporary labels that are popular throughout Germany and Scandinavia. From Mikalsky to Escada, brands showed off their S/S 2012 and Resort looks. It was great to see People Tree there. Like us, they work to support livelihoods and alleviate poverty.
A Shokay original at the Cozy Creations showroom
DAY 4: Silk PR Agency & Blogger/Stylist Sean St. Lewis
These movers and shakers support Shokay’s expansion in Germany. Our dedicated distributor Audrey has put together a team of people that are excited to back the brand and our work. We brainstormed how to showcase our Spring 2012 pieces for upcoming trade shows and press releases. It was a (good) overload of inspiration and confidence that Shokay is going in the right direction. Later that day I visited the elaborate Urban Tradeshow Berlin’s Bread and Butter Supershow. From Tommy Hilfiger’s swim tank adorned with blonde models to True Religion’s oversized Buddha, it was a smorgasbord of fashion eye candy complete with DJs.
Touring Berlin by boat
DAY 5: Touring Old Berlin
For my last day, Audrey talked me into doing the touristy sightseeing yacht tour (I refused to spend a day on a double-decker bus.) The boat tour gave me a break from the frenetic fashion scene and let me soak up what I love most about the city—the old architecture and museums. It just so happened that Nefertiti (the ancient Egyptian fashionista herself) was in Berlin and on display, so this was a treat too.
Until next year, Berlin!
