Do It: This Weekend's Style, Beauty and Fashion 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!

West Elm Presents A Night Out with Pink Pump | Thursday, March 31

Enjoy a Night Out With PINK PUMP benefitting yours truly (DGG!) and Award-Winning Interior Designer Barbara Johnson of Walls of Virtue from 5 to 8 p.m. at West Elm. Guests will be able to mix and mingle with the local fashion and interior design community while perusing Pink Pump's women's clothing and accessories and talk to Barbara Johnson about her projects. While networking and shopping, enjoy spirits and vegan bites provided by Platinum Chef Catering. Special guest Miss Waterford Gabrielle Graham, will be on site to chat and shop West Elm's Hot Spring specials with you. Please RSVP at PinkPumpEvents@gurupr.us. West Elm is located at 215 W Maple Rd., in Birmingham.

West Elm is located at 215 W. Maple Rd., in Birmingham.

Coffee and Conversation: Karen Dumas | Friday, April 1

Hang out, grab a cup of complimentary coffee and talk with Karen Dumas about the New Detroit, and how it’s shaping our future from 8 to 10 a.m. at Will Leather Goods. Karen Dumas is a communications professional, media personality, public speaker, and entrepreneur who was also the former Chief of Communications & External Affairs for Mayor Dave Bing. This event is free and open to the public.

Will Leather Goods is located at 4120 2^nd Ave., in Detroit.

First Class Committee Release Party: Spring/Summer 2016 Collection | Friday, April 1

First Class Committee, a men's streetwear brand that was started in Austin, TX and has recently moved to Detroit (the DGG Fashion Incubator, to be exact!), is having a Spring/Summer 2016 collection release party from 8 to 10 p.m. at Assemble sound. All artists are welcome to come mix and mingle at one of Detroit's hottest spots, while sipping on a specialty cocktail and watching the First Class Committee fashion show. Come out, support your local artist, network, and have a great night. 

Assemble Sound is located at 2300 17^th St., in Detroit.

2nd Annual Power Moves Networking Brunch | Saturday, April 2

Connect with women in entrepreneurship during the 2^nd Annual Power Moves Networking Brunch from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Garden Theater. This event aims to motivate, inspire, and provide professional guidance for all women looking to pave their career pathway. Start your morning off with a delicious and get a chance to win raffle gifts, browse awesome vendors and more. Learn from keynote speaker Crystal Cole, get your questions answered with a Power Panel Q&A and receive that extra push to get out of your comfort zone and climb that ladder of success. Tickets for the event are $40 and can be found on Eventbrite. 

The Garden Theater is located at 3929 Woodward Ave., Detroit.

5 Year Anniversary Party | Saturday, April 2

Stop by Hips Resale Boutique between 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. to help celebrate its 5 year anniversary. Refreshments will be available all day, and guests will have the chance to win a bike, no purchase necessary, but the winner will be chosen at the event and must be present to win.

Hips Resale Boutique is located at 10 S Main St., in Clawson. 

Cafe 78 - oui BROKE | Sunday, April 3

The oui BROKE thrift shop will be set up at Cafe 78 this Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Peruse the collection of items normally only available online.

Cafe 78 is located at 4454 Woodward Ave., in Detroit.

On The Town: West Elm Presents a Night Out with Pink Pump

Enjoy a Night Out With PINK PUMP benefitting yours truly (DGG!) and Award-Winning Interior Designer Barbara Johnson of Walls of Virtue from 5 to 8 p.m. at West Elm. Guests will be able to mix and mingle with the local fashion and interior design community while perusing Pink Pump's women's clothing and accessories and talk to Barbara Johnson about her projects.

While networking and shopping, enjoy spirits and vegan bites provided by Platinum Chef Catering. Special guest Miss Waterford Gabrielle Graham, will be on site to chat and shop West Elm's Hot Spring specials with you.

Please RSVP at PinkPumpEvents@gurupr.us. West Elm is located at 215 W Maple Rd., in Birmingham.

On The Town: Hair and Beauty Show to Benefit DGG

The 3^rd Annual Posh Deux Hair, Fashion & Makeup show is happening at 7 p.m. on Saturday, April 23, and we are honored to be the beneficiary of this year's event.

Founded by Maya Mitchell and Jennifer Elayne, this event was developed to provide a platform for designers, artists and stylists to showcase their creativity in Detroit. Attendees will have the chance to see fashion and beauty professionals showcase new work, and be able to network with local professionals.Like we said, a portion of the proceeds for the ticket sales will go to Detroit Garment Group and the hair, makeup and fashion will be fresh, so don't miss out! 

Tickets are on sale and can be purchased on the website, or by emailing lindsey@detroitgarmentgroup.org. Electric Studio is located 51 Harper Ave., in Detroit. Hope to see you there!

Frame Your Face Presents the Art of Giving (And You're Invited!)

The Art of Giving, presented by Frame Your Face is in its 7th year, and Detroit Garment Group has been lucky enough to be chosen as the beneficiaries for this year's event. The evening will start and end at the incredibly chic Stand Gastro Bistro in Birmingham on Thursday, May 26.

The evening will be comprised of fashion, art and fun - exactly what every fashionable evening entails. Guests will be able to browse auction items and take part in live-action paint play with the coveted paint-by-numbers pop-art canvas.

All proceeds for the event will go directly to DGG and help us to continue to run all of our programming, which you can learn about on our website, if you don't already know. Tickets for Art of Giving will be available on April 15 at www.detroitgarmentgroup.org, so stay tuned!

On The Town: Biggest Sale of the Year - Don't Miss Out

A few days ago, something magical happened. The lovely ladies at Neiman Marcus informed DGG that they were one of seven stores to receive a special consolidation package of Fall/Winter merchandise from across the country. Not only will Neiman Marcus Troy have brands like Azzedine Alaïa, Balmain, Victoria Beckham, Christian Dior and more available for purchase, but everything will be up to 70% off. Sale merchandise across different departments, including Couture, Designer Sportswear, Men's Clothing, Ladies Shoes, CUSP and Dress Collections will be included in the sale.

To celebrate the occasion, NM Troy is having a special sale from 6 to 9 p.m., on Thursday, January 21 with 10% of the proceeds going to DGG. There will be drinks, shopping and a contest. Here are the contest the rules:

1. Participants must create a "Wear It's At" post. If you're not familiar with that department on the blog, it's all about creating outfits around a specific trend. The trend for this contest is Chic Shopping. What we are looking for is an outfit that is comfortable enough to wear shopping all day, yet seriously chic.
2. All you need to do is create one look using the merchandise at Neiman Marcus. You can do that by putting together one outfit either online using images from the NM website, photo shopping it together and submitting to lindsey@detroitgarmentgroup.org by 1/18/16, OR putting together an outfit at the event on 1/21/16 and either sending to that same email address or tagging/direct messaging it on Instagram to @detroitgarmentgroup. 
3. All participants must be present at the consolidation event to be eligible to win. At the registration table, there will be a list to sign if you have entered or are planning on styling an outfit to submit at the event.
4. One winner will get his or her outfit posted on DGG's blog Style Factory, and win a Martinis & Manolos night. Details below.

Because this sale is so big, we'll be posting pictures over the next couple of weeks of items and outfits to start getting everyone excited about the event. Don't forget to follow DGG on Instagram for a behind-the-scenes look of the arrival of the consolidation merchandise and the preparation of it for shoppers with a NM Troy Instagram takeover. NM Troy will document it all to give you a sneak peak of what has arrived and how it's going to be merchandised. It's going to be crazy, so if you're not following us on Instagram already, we would highly suggest you follow @detroitgarmentgroup now.

These will be the deepest discounts of the season, so you're not going to want to miss it. Any questions about the event or contest can be directed to Lindsey at lindsey@detroitgarmentgroup.org. Please RSVP for the event by calling 248.816.3413 or sending an email to rsvptroy@neimanmarcus.com.

Industry Spotlight: Local Entrepreneur is on a Mission to Clothe the World

Farmington Hills native, Mallory Brown, has started a clothing line that she hopes will help clothe the world, and so far, she's on the right track. Taking monthly visits to countries you may not have even heard of, she uses her clothing line to help those who can't help themselves. She is a jet setter with a crazy schedule, but we were lucky enough to grab her attention for a short interview. Learn about World Clothes Line, and see how you can help with just a small purchase.

Image from Mallory Brown

DGG: Tell us about yourself, Mallory.

Mallory Brown: I’m a social entrepreneur, humanitarian activist, and adventure traveler. I’m 29 years old, and my closest friends call me Mal. I’m originally from Farmington Hills and currently live in Ferndale. My goal is to inspire everyday people to give back and think globally. I run my own philanthropic campaigns around the world to offer direct, creative, and meaningful ways to make a difference. 

DGG: Tell us about World Clothes Line.

MB: World Clothes Line is an apparel brand with a philanthropic mission - to clothe the world. We sell casual clothes, t-shirts, sweatshirts, and sweatpants, designed to reflect different countries and cultures of the world. I design all the merchandise, and sell it on WCL’s online retail store. Our ‘buy one, give one mission' matches every item sold with an equivalent item for someone in need. You buy. We give. Together, we clothe the world. 

DGG: What's one of the most rewarding part about World Clothes Line?

MB: My company is truly my passion. WCL was inspired by my personal travels and the desperate need of clothing I witnessed around the world. I wanted to harness the power of consumer purchases in order to give back to those who need it most. I put my heart into the brand and everything it represents. It’s amazing to see the incredible response from my customers and the true value my clothing brings to people in need. 

Image from Mallory Brown

DGG: Tell us one of your favorite or most inspiring stories that you have experienced.

MB: I give away every item of clothing personally. I travel (yep, I actually go!) to orphanages, villages, refugee camps, and homeless shelters around the world to distribute clothes. I’ve met thousands of people in need, and a few faces with always stay with me. A 13-year old boy named Yohannas in Ethiopia followed me around for 3 days. An elderly woman named Mama Maria in Kenya lived in a mud hut and was probably the poorest person I’ve ever met. I cried myself to sleep after meeting her. In Indonesia, I clothed an impoverished island and was known as the “tshirt girl”.  In Haiti, I saw boys wearing WCL clothes weeks after I had met them.  They loved their new clothes so much and wore them every day. All those moments are so powerful and push me to work harder, give more, and think bigger.

DGG: Where have you gotten to travel to do your work?

MB: World Clothes Line has delivered clothes in 17 countries around the world. From Peru to Cambodia to Haiti to Tanzania. Domestically, I work often in Detroit and have also given in rural Kentucky. My absolute favorite country is Ethiopia. People often ask if I will ever slow down, but the more I travel, the more places I want to give!

DGG: Tell us about your success in raising a lot of money so quickly. What's your secret?

MB: In 2015, I became the first ever ambassador for CrowdRise, the largest crowdfunding platform for good. I’m the director of the 24-Hour Impact Project, running flash fundraisers around the world.  So far, in 2015, I’ve run 5 campaigns in 6 countries and raised over $110,000 for causes that touch my heart. I emotionally connect my followers to the cause and show immediate results from their donation. I hope that donors feel as if they are on the ground with me. Emotion and immediacy = my secret formula.

Image from Mallory Brown

DGG: How can people help out, and follow along with your journey?

MB: Purchase an item from World Clothes Line’s online retail store. You’ll give an item to someone in need around the world: www.WorldClothesLine.com. For CrowdRise, watch my campaigns at www.crowdrise.com/impactproject, or follow me on social media @travelmal.

DGG: How do you take your coffee?

MB: I love flavored coffee black, or black coffee with flavored creamer.

DGG: Describe your style.

MB: Bohemian chic. I love earth tones and accessories (I always wear a million bracelets).  I’m a travel girl, and I dress in comfortable layers, so I’m always ready for an adventure.

DGG: Warby Parker or TOMS?  

MB: Both, but TOMS will always have my heart.

DGG: Crewneck sweatshirts or hooded sweatshirts?  

MB: Crew neck. Especially this one: http://www.worldclothesline.com/Shop/Product.aspx?CatalogItemID=1859.

Image from Mallory Brown

Oh, Shop It: Jewelry for a Cause

Jewelry for a Cause was started in 2008 by Jessica Mindich as a way to design and create affordable and fashionable pieces of jewelry to be sold at a profit to raise money for various schools and charity organizations. Now, the company has expanded its mission to work with artisans from all over the world, helping them to create sustainable lives for their families through their craft. Jewelry for a Cause is responsible for more than $400,000 of philanthropy dollars to worthy causes and JFAC has thrown Detroit into the mix.

One of Jewelry for a Cause’s collections is The Caliber Collection, which includes bangles and cuffs created with serial numbers and metal from the bullet casings of illegal guns that were taken off the street. Each piece is marked with the serial number from a gun seized at a crime scene by the Detroit Police Department. According to the company, “The result is a series of pieces that embody the gun’s transformation from a destructive weapon to a powerful symbol of renewal. Jewelry for a Cause proudly donates a portion of the proceeds from each sale to gun buyback programs in American cities. The name Caliber was chosen for its two meanings; the caliber of a gun and how the caliber of a city is raised when illegal guns are taken off its streets.”

For more information or to shop Jewelry for a Cause, visit www.jewelryforacause.net or call 888.997.JFAC.