Do It: This Weekend's Style, Beauty and Fashion Events That are Not to Be Missed

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

Photo from: DITNB

Detroit Hustle Author Visits Ferndale Library | Thursday, February 2
Author/reporter Amy Haimerl moved to Detroit with her husband after being priced-out of their Brooklyn neighborhood. They bought an abandoned house in need of refurbishment on Van Dyke Place in the West Village. Her newly released memoir, "Detroit Hustle," chronicles her and her husband's DIY efforts to turn the dilapidated home into a truly dynamic home for themselves. At the Ferndale Library from 6:30 to 8 p.m., you can join Amy as she discusses the book and the amazing comeback Detroit has made. She will also be signing copies of the book.

The Ferndale Library is located at 222 E. 9 Mile Rd., in Ferndale.

Detroit Legacy Ball | Friday, February 3
In honor of Black History Month, Detroit will host its annual Detroit Legacy Ball at The Roostertail. From 7 to 9:30 p.m., help celebrate local scholarship recipients and community awardees. The first Legacy Ball was held in Grand Rapids nine years ago and has since expanded to Kalamazoo and Detroit. Throughout these three communities more than $70,000 have been awarded in student scholarships and to local non-profits.

The Roostertail is located at 100 Marquette Dr., in Detroit.

Alchemy Detroit Trunk Show | Saturday, February 4 and Sunday, February 5
Born in Detroit, Alchemy prides itself on designs that integrate perfectly with a modern lifestyle and allows women to celebrate their individuality. The collection delivers a discerning attention to detail and was reimagined for hardworking career women, domestic warriors, young professionals and mature matriarchs. Alchemy's trunk show will be held at Detroit is the New Black.

Detroit is the New Black is located at 1426 Woodward Ave., in Detroit.

Mixology Fundamentals | Saturday, February 4
The Sugar House will be offering a two hour mixology class, which is a condensed version of what the bartenders have to take before they work there. You will discuss liquors, liqueurs, ingredients and tools to make mixed drinks. You'll then get the chance to make three drinks, which will cover a wide variety of techniques like shaking, stirring and straining. You must be 21 years old to take this class, and you can purchase tickets here.

The Sugar House is located at 2130 Michigan Ave., in Detroit.

Uptown Toast | Saturday, February 4
From 4 to 8 p,m., stop by the Livernois "Pop Up" Shop and treat yourself Uptown Toast's monthly wine social. You'll be able to do business with their great, artisan vendors and sample wines from around the world. With a $10 donation, you'll get a wristband so you can come and go as you please. This gives you a chance to explore the rest of Livernois Avenue!

The Livernois "Pop Up" Shop is located at 19410 Livernois Ave., in Detroit.

Do It: This Weekend's Style, Beauty and Fashion Events That are Not to Be Missed

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

Image from Alchemy Detroit

Alchemy Detroit Sip n' Shop | Thursday, September 15
At this awesome event, you'll meet the founder and designer of Alchemy Detroit, Shelley L. Van Riper, while shopping the hometown brand. You'll also enjoy complimentary drinks and snacks, and you could win an Alchemy tee. This will be taking place at LOLA RYAN and will be from 5 to 9 p.m.

LOLA RYAN is located at 550 Forest Ave. (inside Westchester Square Mall), in Plymouth.

After Dark: Superheroes and Comics | Thursday, September 15
Love superheroes and comics? Come out to the Michigan Science Center for an awesome event featuring a comic book pop-up shop and a heroes in the sky planetarium show. This is a 21+ event, and there will be a cash bar available. Tickets are $15 at the door and online, and doors open at 6 p.m.

The Michigan Science Center is located at 5020 John R St., in Detroit.

Parktoberfest! Downtown Detroit's Oktoberfest Celebration | Friday, September 16
The 2nd annual Parktoberfest is returning to Downtown Detroit at Campus Martius Park. This is a two day even featuring an impressive selection of craft and Oktoberfest beers, live performances, friendly competitions, a kids zone, pumpkin carving and more! For a full schedule and more information, click here.

Campus Martius Park is located at 800 Woodward Ave., in Detroit.

DIY Street Fair | Friday, September 16 through Sunday, September 18
The annual Ferndale DIY Street Fair is back for a fun-filled weekend! There will be craft beer, wine and cocktails, music, artists, creators, makers and crafters, food trucks, a kids zone and so much more. There is something for everyone. For more information, click here. This will be taking place on the east side of Woodward between East 9 Mile Rd and East Troy St behind WAB and The Emory.

Fall Fashion Pop-Up | Saturday, September 17
Join Styleshack, Robyn Coden from Dim Sum and Doughnuts and Blo Blow Dry Bar in Dowtown Birmingham for a one day only fall shopping and beauty event. All products are from amazing local boutiques. You'll be able to bring in gently worn clothing to donate to local charities and be entered to in a raffle.

This will be held at 135 N. Old Woodward Ave., in Birmingham.

The Lantern Fest: Detroit | Saturday, September 17
At The Lantern Fest, thousands of people join together with lanterns for an unforgettable experience. There will be music, dancing, s'mores, and of course, when the time is right, everyone will light the sky with their highest hopes, deepest regrets and biggest dreams.This will be taking place at the Auto City Speedway. For more information and tickets, click here.

Auto City Speedway is located at 10205 N. Saginaw Rd., in Clio.

The International Fuller Women Festival | Saturday, September 17
Come out to this free outdoor celebration of the vibrant, beautiful plus community at the Charles H. Wright Museum. There will be live performances, incredible vendors and resources to help you live a more fulfilled life. This is part of a full weekend of events. For more information, click here.

The Charles H. Wright Museum is located at 315 E. Warren Ave., in Detroit.

Do It: Vote For Local Makers in Martha Stewart's American Made Competition

Detroit has an abundance of talent when it comes to professionals that created a way of life through quality craftsmanship and unique goods. American Made is a competition that is looking to shine a spotlight on these local artists, entrepreneurs, and designers to promote local shopping and improving local communities. We are in a time where local businesses are starting to be sought out more so than a mini-mall and we couldn’t be more excited. This competition is a phenomenal way to bring light to the bustling, developing city of Detroit and all the talent within. 

Every year, Martha Stewart Living celebrates these small-business owners, designers, and entrepreneurs in the world of food, style, design, and handmade goods by featuring them in an American Made Awards. Local designers and makers such as Detroit Denim, Co., Alchemy Detroit, Owen & Abby, Joseph Wesley Black Tea, Bon Bon Bon, Smith Shop, Firebrand Candle Company, and Lazlo are nominated and go through a selection process. Public voting has started for the Audience Choice Award Winner, and voting continues until 12 a.m. on October 19, with the winner announced on October 23, 2015. Visit the website now to cast your vote for some of the best local designers and creators around, and help support local businesses!

Pashon Murray of Detroit Dirt was the 2014 Food Winner, and Murray wants to become an engine for the urban waste recovery movement by repurposing waste to rebuild Detroit and this competition helped her do that. Since winning this award Detroit Dirt has really built a name for itself. The publicity from this competition really jumpstarted the business and led it to grow over the past year. By going online and voting for local designers and creators we can spread awareness of the overflowing fountain of talent in metro Detroit. Visit the American Made website to cast your vote.

Local Designer is a 2015 Martha Stewart American Made Nominee

For a few years now, Martha Stewart has spotlighted, supported and celebrated handmade goods from around the country with the Martha Stewart American Made competition. This year, Detroit's very own Alchemy Detroit is a 2015 Martha Stewart American Made nominee, and the voting begins Monday, September 21!

Image from Alchemy Detroit

"From Detroit to Des Moines, Spokane to St. Louis, people are choosing Main Street over mini-malls—supporting the local and the handmade," says the people of Martha Stewart American Made, and we have to agree with them.

Alchemy Detroit is a menswear-inspired brand for women started in 2013, creating classic blazers, t shirts and scarves for women who have that kind of style, or want something chic to wear in the workplace. Shelley Van Riper of Alchemy Detroit currently works out of an at-home office and space in her husband's warehouse (lucky lady!).

Image from Alchemy Detroit

"Born in Detroit, Alchemy stands for personal originality and ingenuity," says Shelley, when asked about what American Made means to her. "Alchemy allows women to celebrate their unique individuality by striving to offer timeless garments made from the highest quality fabrics and an emphasis on detailed American craftsmanship."

Nominees of the 2015 Martha Stewart American Made competition will be reviewed and judged by the editors of Martha Stewart Living magazine, and an audience vote. The winners will be announced October 23, 2015, and will win a trip for two to New York to attend the American Made Event at Martha Stewart Living headquarters, $10,000 to help grow the business and a chance to be featured on the American Made Market.

Image from Alchemy Detroit

Past Audience Choice award winners include Chase Allen of The Iron Fish by Chase Allen in Daufuskie Island, S.C., in 2014, Mary Kowal & Leo Kowal of SVGCUTS in St. Charles, Ill., in 2013 and Brian Howell of The Bee Man Candle Company in Canastota, N.Y., in 2012.

For more information about Alchemy Detroit and Martha Stewart American Made Awards, go to Martha Stewart's website. Don't forget to mark your calendars to vote for our local designer!

Local Designer Series: Shelley Van Riper Reinvents Classic Apparel with Alchemy Detroit

Shelley Van Riper went to school for fashion, but ended up in the corporate world working in an office setting that had her searching high and low for classic, professional apparel. While she made do with what she could find, her constant search had fueled the fire to get back to her first love and actually create what she was looking for. Shelley left the corporate world, but always kept it as inspiration, and Alchemy Detroit was born.

DG3: Congratulations on your very recent launch of Alchemy Detroit. Tell us about your collection, yourself and why you wanted to start Alchemy Detroit.

Alchemy Detroit: Thank you! As a DG3 member, I’m excited to share my story and hope that it inspires others to follow their passion. The inaugural collection is about getting back to basics, complementary pieces that fit seamlessly into your existing wardrobe – blazers that are on trend, but are timeless, the most amazing jersey tees that work for every body type, and the softest of scarves that have you covered in every season.

I didn’t follow the traditional path to starting a label. In 1990 I enrolled at Eastern Michigan University (EMU) as a fashion design major, but left after one year to finish at Wayne State University (WSU). At EMU, I was advised that if I wanted to make it in fashion, I really needed to move to NYC, LA or at least Chicago. Having never left Michigan before, I really didn’t have the wherewithal to make the move and switched my major to Psychology. After graduating from WSU in 1994, I earned a Master of Public Administration from Oakland University in 1997. I’d spend the next 20 years in corporate America in various roles in government affairs, philanthropy, business planning and strategy.

Throughout the years, I was constantly on the hunt for wardrobe staples: black blazers, white work shirts, you know, the basics that a young professional woman would wear to work but could also be paired with jeans or even shorts. While Alchemy Detroit or the spirit of it has been in my heart for decades, it wasn’t until I turned 40 that I finally felt I could transition on every level. I spent roughly a year planning things out and doing research and then I basically took my savings, a small SBA loan, and a loan from my husband, Craig, to start the company in January of 2014.

Alchemy Detroit was started to provide quality American made luxury basics. I am committed to manufacturing here in Michigan and source raw materials from some of the best suppliers in the world, whether cashmere from Italy or custom brass buttons from the renowned Waterbury Button Company in Connecticut.

DG3: You sell blazers, tees and scarves; why only those products? Do you plan on expanding?

AD: It was my very role in corporate that fueled my passion for design. I’d been wearing suits since my early 20s. What I always found lacking were classic and timeless wardrobe staples that would carry me from season to season. My biggest pain points were blazers, layering tees and basic white work shirts.

For Spring/Summer, we have short sleeve versions of all of our tees, again, in black, white and gray. Warm-weather blazers will remain focused on basic colors like black, white and navy in stretch cotton blends. And while blazers, tees and scarves will remain core to the line, there is a clear path for expansion that is thoughtful and relevant. For example, we all need the perfect sweater, the elusive white shirt, a lounge pant and a killer skirt. 

DG3: What has been your toughest hurdle to cross when it comes to launching a new line, and if you have overcome it, how did you do that?

AD: There are two hurdles that immediately come to mind. First and foremost, lack of financing in the form of grants or loans. While I have invested personal assets, it was not nearly enough to launch the label. I had a very difficult time getting a SBA loan as well and ultimately, had to seek private investment. There are millions of dollars coming into Michigan for tech but I found investment dollars nonexistent for someone starting a label. I thought I had a sound fiscal plan to launch but I do think I underestimated the sheer amount of capital required to do this and do it right. Finding fashion label mentors is also another big challenge.

The second hurdle has been manufacturing. I am committed to manufacturing in Michigan, but as of today, the resources do not exist, especially for my blazers. There are so many changes that occur in the process; from pattern making, sample making, fittings and production, you really need to be boots on the ground during that entire process. I have had to use resources in New York and Chicago and it has cost me valuable time and money. I’m still looking to find pattern makers, sample makers, fit models, digitizers and graders, here, in Michigan, to not only support my business, but to provide work for those like me who want maintain Michigan as their personal and professional home.

DG3: What's the worst advice you received while trying to start your line?

AD: By far, the worst advice I received was to drop Detroit from my name. This mostly came from people in NY stating that no one in NY, LA or anywhere else would be interested in anything from Detroit. This was well before places like Shinola and John Varvatos started shining a light on all of the positive things happening in Detroit. I don’t hear it as much anymore, but it did give me pause. However, in the end, Detroit is the core of what Alchemy is about – being born and raised in Detroit impacted me in immeasurable ways and to drop that from the name would be like dropping my identity. I’m so happy that I didn’t listen to the Detroit naysayers.

DG3: If you could give any advice to someone starting his/her own line, what would you say?

AD: Have a really sound financial plan, research everything, ask for help and make sure you have a business plan that can really tell your story. What makes your label unique? Why would someone want to buy your product? Be able to passionately and confidently tell that story. Lastly, surround yourself with people who actually want you to succeed because there are many moments when you are frustrated or feeling defeated and you really need objective voices to keep you on point and moving forward.

DG3: What fashion trend do you despise and why?

AD: I think the most natural and interesting thing a woman can do is to be herself and let her wardrobe be a reflection of her own sense of style. When you are comfortable in what you are wearing, it trumps any trend. Alternatively, when I see women trying too hard to wear what everyone else is wearing. It shows and not in a good way. For me, the balance has always been about making good choices and seeking quality pieces that can blend the old and the new; items that are made really well but don’t broadcast labels. 

DG3: Right now, and no cheating, what are the contents of your purse?

AD: Makeup bag, wallet, checkbook, keys, coupons and probably receipts. I hate receipts and I typically throw them into my handbag and just end up cluttering my purse!

DG3: Manolo Blahnik or Christian Louboutin?

AD: Louboutins…all day long.

DG3: A-line or pencil skirts?

AD: I’m so not a skirt person…at all! But, if you made me choose, historically, it would be a pencil skirt, but I think if you can find the right cut and drape of an a-line skirt, it can be extremely flattering for all body types.