Local Designer Series: Project Runway Alum Char Glover Talks TV and New Collection

Charketa “Char” Glover has always had a keen eye for thinking outside of the box – she was even voted weirdest dresser in high school. She went to school for cosmetology, but traded in her makeup brushes for sewing needles and has been at it ever since. She’s made custom pieces for women all over the world, along with celebrities such as Michelle Williams, Keyshia Cole and Angela Simmons – just to name a few. She’s a Detroit-native but she’s known globally as one of the top four finalists on Project Runway Season 13, showing her spring/summer collection at New York Fashion Week. Read more about Char, her line Chargrels Couture and her time on the show in our interview below.

DG3: Tell us a little about yourself and how you got into the fashion world?

Char Glover: I was born and raised in Detroit, Started out as a cosmetologist, then became a fashion designer. My grandmother was a fashion designer, so I guess it’s just in my blood.

DG3: Congratulations on Project Runway! What was the experience like?

CG: Thank you! It was a great experience; it was more than I could have hoped for, and a little bumpy at times, but overall super cool. It was challenging yet rewarding, and I learned a lot about myself as a person as well as a designer. It was one of the best experiences in my life so far.

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DG3: How long had you been designing before the show?

CG: I would say a little over 10 years.

DG3: Why did you want to be on Project Runway?

CG: As a viewer of the show I was excited! I thought it would be a chance for me to be challenged, as well as experience something new, and also it would be a good opportunity to expand my brand.

DG3: Can you think of any funny stories that didn't happen on camera that you can share?

CG: I had on a skirt that needed to be taken in at the waist a little bit, so I asked Kini to alter it for me, but it was during filming so we tried to hide from the cameras, and I covered myself up with fabric. It was so funny – we were trying to rush and hide from the cameras. They eventually caught us. Thank God they didn't air it!

DG3: You showed your collection at Walk Fashion Show recently and it was great! What was the inspiration behind the collection? 

CG: Thank you! I'm known for my bold patterns and prints so for this collection I wanted to go with solid colors, and decided to make it cohesive with monochromatic looks from head to toe. I used oversize hoods to tie the looks together.

DG3: If you could be lead designer for any of the well-known fashion houses, which would it be and what direction would you take with the collection?

CG: Maybe Chanel. I would like to put a NEW spin on their classic jacket... Mix it up a little.

DG3: What does your workspace look like?

CG: It’s small and quaint; I try and keep it neat and free from clutter. I have a vision board I keep over my desk and it’s one of my favorite things in my studio.

DG3: How do you take your coffee?

CG: With cream and loads of sugarrrrrrrr.

DG3: Zac Posen or Michael Kors?

CG: Zac Posen. 


DG3: Christian Sirirano or Rami Kashou?

CG: Christian Siranio; he is my favorite Project Runway alumni.

Wear It’s At: Holiday Party Dressing

Alright, Christmas is six days away and you have all of your shopping done (and if you don’t, we have some gift ideas here, here, here and here) but nothing to wear for the holiday’s festivities. Don’t fret! While shopping your closet is always a good idea (seriously, find your favorite dress, Google the style of it and you will find so many different ways to wear it), sometimes you just want something new. The dresses below are great options for holiday parties, a New Year’s Eve night out and many other winter gatherings that will take place before the snow melts.

1. Kate Spade Bow Back Fit and Flare Dress, $428, Kate Spade, 248.458.2025.

This dress is the perfect party dress – exactly what Kate Spade is known for.

2. Club Monaco Clodia Leather Dress, $369, Club Monaco, 248.649.2665.

This blended-wool, fully lined dress will keep you warm and give you some edge with leather accents.

3. Topshop Velvet Wrap Front Jumpsuit, $80, Nordstrom, metro Detroit locations.

We know, we know, it’s not a dress, but this is such a great party outfit, we had to add it to the list.

4. Leifsdottir Water Garden Dress, $198, Antrhopologie, metro Detroit locations.

A jewel-toned dress that is conservative enough for a holiday dinner with the in-laws and so fun, you can even wear it out for New Year’s Eve. (Different crowds call for an outfit repeat, are we right?

5. Fitted Dress, $50, H&M, metro Detroit locations.

If your family keeps things a little more casual around the holidays, this fitted t-shirt dress will do the trick!

6. Velvet Deep V Mini Dress, $48, Rococo, 248.449.8066 & 248.792.5810.

This dress will keep your arms warm and let you show off your legs when everyone is normally bundled up.

Do It: This Weekend’s Fashion, Beauty and Style Events that Are Not To Be Missed

Image From City Bird

City Bird’s 5th Anniversary and Expansion Celebration | Thursday, December 18

Celebrate five years of City Bird and the conclusion of its exciting expansion from 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursday. The shop has been reinvented with about 50 percent more floor area, new displays and even more products to shop. Enjoy refreshments and check out the holiday ornaments, including the limited edition 2014 Detroit ornament that will be released at the event.

City Bird is located at 460 W. Canfield, in Detroit.

Alex and Ani Grand Opening | Thursday, December 18

Alex and Ani has brought its positive energy to Birmingham’s shopping district with its second location in Michigan. The store opened at the end of November but is celebrating with a grand opening party from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday. Bites, drinks and complimentary gifts to the first 20 people will be available so make sure to RSVP at rsvp@alexandani.com and get there early.

Alex and Ani is located at 150 W. Maple Road, in Birmingham.

FGI Holiday Party | Thursday, December 18

Join Fashion Group International Detroit for a holiday party to meet the new FGI board and see what’s planned for the New Year at Presence II Production Gallery of Decorative Arts and Design. A meet and greet will take place from 7:30 to 8 p.m., followed by a short presentation of Detroit FGI and then networking. More information about FGI can be found at www.fgi.org. Please RSVP to Cynthia@lamaide.com.

Presence II Production Gallery of Decorative Arts and Design is located at 1274 Library St. #A1, in Detroit.

D:hive’s Farewell Party | Thursday, December 18

Help celebrate D:hive’s past three years with food, drinks and last words from 5 to 8 p.m. at the D:hive Farewell Party. A special toast will take pace at 6 p.m. and guests will get a sneak peek into what’s happening with Detroit Experience Factory and Build Institute. A hands-on window display will be available for guests to share their vision for the city.

D:hive is located at 1253 Woodward Ave., in Detroit.

‘Twas Ladies Night Before Christmas | Thursday, December 18

Local brand Alchemy Detroit will be available to shop from 5 to 9 p.m. at Lola Ryan in Plymouth, so grab your girlfriends and get a gift for yourself!

Lola Ryan is located at 550 Forest Ave., in Plymouth.

Last Minute Shopping Extravaganza | Saturday, December 20 & Sunday, December 21

Meghan Marion is hosting a last-minute shopping extravaganza from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Enjoy special gifting promotions, including but not limited to 20% of sweaters, accessories and jackets and complimentary gift-wrapping for your purchases.

Meghan Marion is located at 405 S. Main St., in Royal Oak.

Playground Detroit Holiday Party & Art Fundraiser| Sunday, December 21

Playground Detroit, in cooperation with Detroit By Design, is celebrating the season with an annual art supplies fundraiser party at Jam Handy. Enjoy an art auction featuring local artists and a surprise musical guest for a special holiday performance. Donations of anything including construction paper, glue, masking tape and felt tip pens are welcome; for a full list, go to https://www.facebook.com/events/1506193316312721/. The supplies will be donated to Detroit Community High School, located in the Birghtmoor Neighborhood of Detroit.

Jam Handy is located at 2900 E. Grand Blvd., in Detroit

Wear It’s At: Confidant Cuffables

Make a statement this holiday season with a beautiful bracelet. Ornate cuffs are an effortless way to accessorize an outfit, and you don’t have to make sure someone is home to clasp anything for you.

1. Heavenly Honies The Detroit Cuff ™, $55, City Bird, 313.831.9146.

Detroit always makes a statement, so why not wear it on your wrist?

2. LuxDanglez Cuff, $120, LuxDanglez, 248.835.6895.

These cuffs are so versatile, they can be worn on your wrist or ankle and they will keep your extremities a bit warmer, too.

3. Oscar de la Renta Golden Coral Branch Bracelet, $375, Neiman Marcus, 248.643.3300.

Pair it with a long-sleeved cocktail dress and everyone will be talking about what’s on your arm.

4. Chloe Erika Cuff Bracelet, $630, Saks Fifth Avenue, 248.643.9000.

This is a prominent bracelet for a woman with minimalist style.

5. Konstantin Square Emrpess Cuff, $118, Anthropologie, metro Detroit locations.

An interesting piece that is neutral, stackable and can be worn with anything.

6. The Diana Blake Collection Cuff, Price Available Upon Request, The Diana Blake Collection, 248.225.9020.

An interesting cuff that is locally made; this piece should be worn by itself in order to exceed its full accessorizing potential.

7. Ann Taylor Brilliant Beetle Cuffs, $60, Ann Taylor, metro Detroit locations.

Nobody loves an insect on her wrist unless it’s this brilliant beetle.

Industry Spotlight: Student-Run Magazine Reaches Larger Audience

Founded in 1999 at the University of Michigan, SHEI started out as an Asian pop culture magazine with the first few issues consisting of mostly article-based material and little photography. Since then, it has evolved and become more fashion focused. In 2013, SHEI was inducted into the University’s Student Publications Department as the first new student publication in more than 25 years and was named one of StyleCaster’s top 15 college fashion publications. DG3 spoke with Anna Fuller, the current Editor in Chief of SHEI Magazine, to see what all the fuss is about.

Let’s start with the five Ws:

• Who is the audience?

College-aged students, young professionals interested in fashion and popular culture, people of all ages who appreciate artfully done photography and well-written journalism.

• What does it cover?

Each issue has a theme. For example, the most recent was "The Movement Issue." The shoots/articles were on topics such as fabric movement, day to night looks, music movements, up and coming designers/brands, physical movement, etc. In general, our magazine covers current fashion trends, articles on local and national topics including music, social trends and popular culture movements.

• Where can it be purchased?

We sell our magazine locally, at SHEI-sponsored events and at our office on campus. We started selling the magazine online, but we are currently working on revamping the website. Our goal for the coming months is to get five businesses or retailers near campus to sell the magazine in-store. 

• When does it come out?

We produce two issues per academic year—the first comes out in December, the second in May. 

• Why do people read it?

People read SHEI Magazine because the University of Michigan does not have any fashion-based programs, therefore there is a large gap in resources available for students to access high-fashion content. Our staff consists of almost 150 students. Readers in the Ann Arbor community are stunned to find out that our publication is 100% student run. The quality and content of each magazine is timelessly beautiful. 

DG3: Tell us about SHEI and your role with the magazine.

Anna Fuller: We have nine departments, each consisting of between 10-30 members: photo, fashion, literature, graphic design, finance, sales, marketing, public relations and web. Creative, branding and business are executive positions, along with EIC.

Most board positions are one-year terms. My term is from May 2014-May 2015. Prior to EIC I held two executive positions, Fashion Editor (Sophomore year) and Brand Development Director (junior year). My freshman year I was a fashion team member and I had the opportunity to be the head fashion assistant for SHEIfest, our end of year fashion show.

From the departments I listed above (9 teams), any student is welcome to join any team they want, no experience necessary, though we do have an application. I loved being on the fashion team and being Fashion Editor because I love being on set for shoots, styling models and working with the creative team. 

People are mislead when they hear "fashion magazine". Students think they don't have anything to contribute if they are not "fashionable" but that is not the case. Because we are completely student run we need people with all different skills, from photography and graphic design, to sales and finance. I like to say "there is a place for everyone at SHEI!"

DG3: Can people outside the university setting to get the magazine?

AF: The magazine will be available online in 2015. As a new student publication, all our finance must be done through the University, so we are working on getting all the kinks out on the business end.

DG3: What does a typical issue look like?

AF: Each issue usually has six photo shoots (6-12 page spreads) and six feature articles (500-1,000 words). We work with many of the local retailers and salons to outfit models and provide hair/makeup. We've also worked with regional/national businesses, including Shinola, CAT Footwear, Hush Puppies, The Vintage Twin, and we have plans for expanding our network to more high-end retailers. Our website does more local features—street style, store highlights, best-dressed students, restaurant reviews, etc.

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DG3: What are you trying to provide to your audience with the magazine?

AF: As mentioned, the University of Michigan does not have a fashion program and Ann Arbor has less of that big-city feel where new styles flourish, like New York or even Chicago. SHEI provides the community with an outlet for fashion, innovation, creativity and self-expression.

DG3: You mentioned that StyleCaster named SHEI one of the top 15 college fashion publications. Congratulations! Tell me a little about that and how it's helped SHEI.

AF: I'm not sure how StyleCaster made their selection of magazines, we weren't even notified until someone saw it online. The recognition has been great for SHEI—our online presence is expanding every day—we have more web viewers than ever before! I've also done interviews with Her Campus and College Fashionista that has given SHEI a lot of additional press coverage. 

DG3: Does SHEI's website have a blog and if so, how has that helped the magazine?

AF: We are in the process of relaunching our website and transferring from a blog-formatted layout to one that is more user friendly and organized based on content and subject. Our marketing and PR teams this year have been rock stars on our social media outlets—Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Snapchat and Tumblr. We have built a strong team of writers, photographers and stylists to add new content to the website everyday. I'm really impressed by how much our online presence has grown in the past year. 

DG3: Can you tell me anything else about SHEI that I might have missed?

AF: Only current U of M students are on the SHEI Magazine Staff (including our models) – that's what makes us so unique! In addition to two magazines per academic year, SHEI hosts a number of events, such as The State Street Fashion Show—in partnership with the State Street Association of Ann Arbor, Launch Parties for each new issue, SHEIFest (fashion show), Our Annual Charity event, and the Lily Grace Cosmetics Fall Fashion Preview.

Do It: This Weekend’s Fashion, Beauty and Style Events that Are Not To Be Missed

This weekend is chock-full of fun and fashionable things to do, so if you’re itching to hit the town, these events will keep you busy!

Stylish Scarves DIY Demo | Thursday, December 11 & Saturday, December 13

Instead of buying loved ones gifts for the holidays, how about making them? Learn how to make a variety of styles of beautiful scarves at the Stylish Scarves DIY Demo at Haberman Fabrics. The classes run at 7 p.m. on Thursday, December 11 and at noon on Saturday, December 13. Enjoy 20% off silk- or polyester-printed fabrics and enter to win a $20 gift card. For more information visit www.habermanfabrics.com.

Haberman Fabrics is located at 905 S. Main St., in Royal Oak.

Willys x Mason Shaker Holiday Cocktail Party | Thursday, December 11

Sip a holiday cocktail and shop for gifts at Willys Detroit from 6 to 8 p.m. Don’t miss the Rosemary Maple Bourbon Sour by Eric Prum from Brooklyn-based W + P Designs. For more information, visit www.willysdetroit.com.

Willy’s Detroit is located at 441 W. Canfield, in Detroit.

NEIdeas People’s Choice SOUP | Thursday, December 11

Want to help make two business owners’ ideas a reality? Stop by Detroit SOUP: NEIdeas Edition to take part in the People’s Choice Awards. Businesses will have the opportunity to pitch their ideas for growth, the live audience will cast the final paper votes and the two winners will be revealed, winning $10,000. Doors for the event open at 6 p.m., proposals are at 7 p.m. and dinner will be served around 8 p.m. To view the ideas, visit www.neideasdetroit.org.

Detroit SOUP is located at 2900 E. Grand Blvd., in Detroit.

Holiday Merriment & Makers Market | Friday, December 12

Eat, drink and be merry from 5 to 10 p.m. at Ponyride’s Holiday Merriment & Makers Market that will showcase more than 60 vendors selling jewelry, art, glass, mixed media and more. Anthology Coffee, Slows BBQ, Sister Pie and other local eateries will be onsite to fuel the holiday shoppers. Don’t miss out on shopping local brands such as Detroit Denim, Smith Shop, Branded by Detroit, The Dirt Label, Beard Balm and many others. More information can be found at www.ponyride.org.

Ponyride is located at 1401 Vermont St., in Detroit.

SantaCon Royal Oak| Saturday, December 13

The 2nd Annual Santa Pub Crawl is back from 1 to 6 p.m. in downtown Royal Oak. Holiday-themed attire is encouraged but not required, so pull out those ugly sweaters and jingle bells to really celebrate the season. Tickets are available at all participating bars on the day of the event for $15 and include a Santa hat, a lanyard that allows you $3 drink and shot specials, and then three entries into the drawing for prizes. Don’t forget to enter to win Resolution Ball Tickets at Red Fox, $50 Uber.com credit at Pronto and Motor City Gala Tickets at Andiamo. Toy collections and a portion of the proceeds will benefit The Boys & Girls Clubs of Oakland and Macomb Counties. More information and the list of participating bars can be found at www.santaconroyaloak.com.

Be Merry in Motown | Saturday, December 13

Ann Arbor residents, this is for you! Take the Shinola shuttle to the Midtown Detroit shopping district and visit neighborhood shops, including Shinola, Willys Detroit, Run Detroit, Nest, City Bird, Hugh, Nora, Cass Corridog, Source Booksellers and many more. Grab a bite to eat at Traffic Jam, La Feria, Motor City Brewery and other local restaurants. The shuttle runs to and from the Pioneer High School Park & Ride lot (on the corner of Stadium Blvd. and Main St.) and the Midtown Detroit Shinola store. Departures from Ann Arbor and Detroit are from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The Rub Down Grand Opening Celebration | Saturday, December 13

RUBBED is celebrating the grand opening of its sandwich shop from 7 p.m. to 12 a.m. on Saturday. This quick-service sandwich and charcuterie shop will stuff you full of the finest meats and cheeses. Tickets are $20 available at www.rubbedindetroit.com. If you can’t make it to the grand opening event, make sure to attend RUBBED After Dark, the restaurant’s monthly dinner series.

RUBBED is located at 2015 Michigan Ave., in Detroit

Big Holiday Biergarten @ the Fisher | Saturday, December 13

Stop by the Big Holiday Biergarten from 2 to 8 p.m. at the Fisher Building in support of the restoration of historic Big Head floats from The Parade Company’s Thanksgiving Parade, which are on display now through January. This family-friendly celebration will feature local beer, music, snacks, activities for kids of all ages, holiday shopping and tours of the Fisher.

The Fisher is located at 3011 W. Grand Blvd., in Detroit

Tour at the Guardian Building | Saturday, December 13

Tour Detroit’s 1929 Wirt Rowland-designed architectural masterpiece from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. The tour begins inside Pure Detroit (located inside the building), and tourists will learn about the building and see first hand design and detail. Conducted by Historic Preservationist and Urban Planner Michael Boettcher, this tour is free and open to the public and photography is allowed.

Guardian Building is located at 500 Griswold St., in Detroit.

Metro Times Detroit Mercantile Company Merry Market | Saturday, December 13 & Sunday, December 14

Join The Detroit Mercantile Company and 40 local crafters, artists and specialty vendors for the Metro Times Detroit Mercantile Company Merry Market. Holiday beverages will be available for purchase in addition to local food trucks and vendors. Admission is free and market hours are from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.

Detroit Mercantile Company is located at 3434 Russell St., in Detroit.

Oh, Shop It: Luxury Consignment Boutique Adds New Store in Birmingham

Closet NV has opened a second location! Before the ladies of Closet NV started to sell clothes via brick and mortar, owners Lisa Rosenberg and Robin Bloom first sold items on Ebay for family and friends. “We knew in our hearts that we someday would want to open a luxury designer consignment store, thus came Closet NV,” says Robin. “It was truly a natural fit for the both of us with our knowledge of retail and beautiful designer items.”

DG3 visited the new boutique after a lunch meeting down the street and it was a magical shopping trip. The tops and bottoms are sorted by sizes (great for shoppers who would rather not dig around to find something they might like then realize it’s not the right size), the dresses are clustered by occasion, and handbags and jewelry are plentiful throughout the space.

If you haven’t stopped in yet, or even if you have, Closet NV is having a grand opening at the Birmingham store on Wednesday, January 14. Time and details are still in the works so make sure to ‘like’ Closet NV on Facebook to stay up to date on the particulars of the event. We caught up with Lisa and Robin to learn a little more about their genius idea and talk designer goods:

DG3: You mentioned that all of your items are certified. What does that mean?

Closet NV: We ensure that all of our merchandise is authentic. We have taken classes and worked with different companies that will authenticate our merchandise. We currently utilize a company that will go through a number of protocols and procedures to ensure that the merchandise we receive is genuine. We take pride in being an upscale resale store that houses and sells only veritable merchandise. That is our promise to our loyal shoppers. 

DG3: When people are looking to buy designer handbags, jewelry or apparel online, what are a few things they should look for to keep from getting cheated?

CNV: It is extremely important to know who you are buying from - make sure it is a reputable buyer who would stand behind their goods and also familiarize yourself with the designer and their product. 

DG3: What are the three biggest things to look for when determining if a handbag is real or fake?

CNV: There are more than three things I would look for when it comes to a counterfeit handbag versus an authentic one. I would pay attention to the zipper, the stitching, the material it is made out of, how the logo/ monogram/ designer name is reflected and, of course, the serial number. 

DG3: When it comes to people bringing in items to sell on consignment, what is the most popular designer brand around the metro Detroit area?

CNV: Honestly, there is really not just ONE popular brand. A good deal of Lululemon for active wear, Chanel, Louis Vuitton and Gucci for leather goods, and when it comes to clothing, we see a good amount of Vince, Dolce and Gabbana, Eileen Fisher, Tory Burch and St. Johns. North Face, Burberry and Moncler are popular outerwear items. David Yurman, John Hardy, Chanel and Tory Burch are just a small handful of designer jewelry that comes through our doors as well. 

DG3: When it comes to the shoppers, what are the most desired designer brands around the metro Detroit area?

CNV: Lululemon for everyday wear, Tory Burch and Chanel handbags, Christian Louboutin shoes, and when it comes to clothing it truly varies.

DG3: Anything else you'd like to share about real/fake designer goods?

CNV: We cannot stress enough to know whom you are buying from. We recommend if you have the opportunity, to look and feel the designer item in person, versus buying online blindly. Make sure the owner will stand behind the merchandise and the well being of the customer is at the forefront of their business model. 

Oh, Shop It: The Somerset Collection CityLoft Opens in New Detroit Location

Located near the back of the First National Building in Detroit, the Somerset Collection CityLoft has taken up residence and brought more than 30 retailers with it. With stores including The Lego Store, 7 For All Mankind, Aveda and The Detroit Shoppe, it is truly one-stop shopping for you, family and friends.

“[CityLoft] is a great addition to a lot of the retail that is coming in downtown Detroit,” said Dan Mullen, vice president of development, Bedrock Real Estate Services.

This year, CityLoft is offering a new promotion; shoppers who spend $25 or more receive a $5 gift card to spend within the First National Building at its different shops. Make a day of it by doing a little shopping, grabbing lunch and then heading to Campus Martius for some holiday fun.

The shops will be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday until December 23. The First National Building is located at 660 Woodward Ave., in Detroit.

Do It: This Weekend’s Fashion, Beauty and Style Events that Are Not To Be Missed

This weekend is chock-full of fun and fashionable things to do, so if you’re itching to hit the town, these events will keep you busy!

Detroit Young Professionals Annual Holiday Party | Thursday, December 4

Celebrate the holiday season, network and get some holiday shopping done at the DYP Annual Holiday Party at 7 p.m. hosted by Willy’s Detroit and Shinola. Enjoy complimentary snacks and hors d’oeuvres, free engraving for all purchases at both stores and free entrance into raffles for great presents for family and friends (or yourself). Limited parking will be available at Traffic Jam and Snug parking lot for $5. Admission is $10 for DYP members and $20 for non-members and tickets are available at www.eventbrite.com. Proceeds from the event will benefit DYP’s Adopt-a-Child participation. More information can be found at www.detroityp.com.

Willy’s Detroit and Shinola are located at 441 W. Canfield St., in Detroit.

Empowerment Plan’s Annual Event | Thursday, December 4

It’s winter, which means The Empowerment Plan team is busy making coats for those in need. It’s also the perfect time to support their efforts at their Annual Event. Music from DJ Thornstryker and Stevie Soul & Omar will enhance the fab atmosphere at One Woodward as guests enjoy small plates and libations from local vendors including Slow’s BBQ, Wright & Co., Townhouse and more. One-of-a-kind coats from talented artists will be auctioned off. Tickets are available at www.neptix.com/events/9558 or at the door. Complimentary valet parking is available on Griswold Street.

One Woodward is located at 1 Woodward, in Detroit.

Shops and Pops | Thursday, December 4

Grab your girlfriends and enjoy a champagne and shopping event from 5 to 10 p.m. in Downtown Royal Oak. Black the Salon, Dolce Moda, Gayle’s Chocolates, Saffron and Meghan Marion are just a few of the many participating retailers offering specials, discounts and activities for holiday shoppers. And don’t forget to stop by Café Muse, Fifth Avenue, Pronto!, Rock on Third and Town Tavern to get your sips of champagne throughout the night. Tickets are $10 and will get you three samples of champagne. Purchase your tickets here.

December Dances | Friday, December 5

Spend a fabulous evening with Eisenhower Dance for its annual December celebration of innovative dance at Seligman Performing Arts Center. See the latest premiere dances including a new premiere from Edgar Zendejas, a collaborative work from Laurie Eisenhower and Stephanie Pizzo and revival of Brandenburg Concerto by Laurie Eisenhower. Tickets are $18, $14 for seniors and $10 for students. Tickets can be purchased here.

The Seligman Performing Arts Center is located at 22305 W 13 Mile Road, in Beverly Hills.

42nd Annual Noel Night | Saturday, December 6

Noel Night is back and will take place from 5 to 10 p.m. in Midtown Detroit. The DIA, Michigan Science Center, Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, the Detroit Historical Museum and Detroit Public Library will open their doors free of charge. Activities will be happening all night including horse-drawn carriage rides, holiday shopping, family craft activities and performances by 200 area music, theatre and dance groups. The evening will culminate with a community sing-along on Woodward Avenue led by the Salvation Army Band. Shuttle service is offered between participating venues. For more information, visit www.noelnight.org.

2014 Detroit Urban Craft Fair | Saturday, December 6 and Sunday, December 7

The 9th Annual Detroit Urban Craft Fair returns at the masonic Temple in Detroit. The largest and longest running indie craft fair showcases more than 100 local and national vendors selling one-of-a-kind handmade goods. Listen to your favorite records and sip hot cocoa while you browse jewelry, photography, ceramics, gift wrapping services, children’s items, unique home goods and so much more. The fair is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. More information can be found at www.detroiturbancraftfair.com.

Detroit Masonic Temple is located at 500 Temple St., in Detroit.

Holiday Boutique Event | Sunday, December 7

Stop by Lamia & Lamia for its 3rd Annual Holiday Boutique Event. The salon is transformed into a shopping dream featuring new merchandise, beautiful gift wrapping and a glass of wine.

Lamia & Lamia is located 19653 Mack Ave., in Grosse Pointe Woods.