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!

Photo by Olga Gamburg

How To Become a Marketing Rockstar! | Wednesday, October 14
Build Institute has partnered with marketing and branding expert, Chris Grindem, for an insider’s advice workshop all about branding, communications, and marketing from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Build Institute. If you're a small business owner or you aspire to be, this workshop is absolutely perfect for you. You will learn how to innovate, update, and stay ahead of the competition by engaging customers and building strong brand awareness. With topics such as increasing market share, targeting new customers, converting customers into loyal users, and increasing sales, this lecture will be very helpful to any entrepreneurs who wish to learn ways to grow their business. Tickets can be purchased at Build for $35.

Build Institute is located at 2701 Bagley Ave., in Detroit.


FashionSpeak 2015 | Thursday, October 15
It’s FINALLY time for FashionSpeak! We could not be more excited for this event or everything you’re going to learn while attending the conference. Join us for Michigan’s only fashion industry conference to be a part of five 70-minute workshops about career discovery, how to make more money, learning what it really takes to open a store, and how to get from idea to I did it. If that’s not enough, we are lucky enough to be able to have Kevan Hall as this years keynote speaker! FashionSpeak is from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. with a continental breakfast, lunch, after party, and a gift bag. Tickets are $40 and are still available for purchase on Eventbrite. FashionSpeak is the highlight of the year and with all the planning and preparation it takes, this wouldn’t be possible without the help of our sponsors Taubman, Opportunity Detroit, Meijer, TDIC, Kenwal Steel, HOUR Detroit, AFB Hospitality Group, Bistro 82, Sabrage, Buddy’s Pizzeria, Zim’s Vodka, On the Dunes, US. Foods, Emerald City Designs, FYT, Reel Clever Films, M1 Gear, Brew Detroit, b2 Consulting, First Merit Bank, Wrapped in Love, and Ke Event Designs. Come see what all the talk is about!

FashionSpeak will be held at One Woodward Ave., in Detroit.


Gena Conti Trunk Show and Mixer | Thursday, October 15
Hair Lab Detroit welcomes Gena Conti Millinery for a one-of-a-kind trunk show experience at 5 p.m. Gena Conti has been creating custom millinery hats since 1992. Her passion and creativity has sparked a match with her hats and she has found a loyal following that has led her to hold trunk shows at Nordstrom, and have celebrities around the country wearing her hats. Stop by for cocktails, light bites, and professional advise on “hat how-tos” from both Gena Conti as well as from award winning stylists from Hair Lab Detroit. Pick up your new favorite accessory, and learn the art of hats while networking with other professionals in the Detroit area.

Hair Lab Detroit is located at 1274 Library St. Suite 1C, in Detroit.


Key to the Cure Charity Shopping Weekend | Thursday, October 15
Saks Fifth Avenue is teaming up with Game on Cancer- Henry Rod Health for an awesome weekend event to raise money and cancer awareness. Featuring tasty bites from local restaurants, live music, custom cocktails, makeup, and fashion galore, the event kicks off with general admission at 6:30, so put on that black dress and get ready for a girl’s night out. Jason Wu has designed this year’s limited edition t-shirt benefiting Game on Cancer and will be for sale at the event. Tickets for this event are $75 and available for purchase if you call 313.874.4039. Get all the girls together to support a great cause and have a night of fashion that you’ll surely remember.

Saks Fifth Avenue in Somerset Collection is located at 2901 W Big Beaver Rd., in Troy.


WBA 3rd Friday - Fall Festival & Chili Trail | Friday, October 16
Fall is officially upon us, and what screams fall more than a festival to appreciate the colors and warming up with a bowl of chili? Bring the whole family for an evening of hayrides, pony rides, the Wyandotte Farmers Market, live entertainment by Pete “Big Dog” Fetters, tasty fall treats, beer, and face painting. For only $15 you can take part in the 1st Annual Chili Trail, and the $15 ticket includes a commemorative bowl and 10 sampling tokens so you can taste all the different chilies from your favorite local restaurants. The festival beings at 5 p.m. and runs until 9 p.m., so don’t miss out!

This festival is held at 3200 Biddle Ave., in Wyandotte.

Open City - 10 Years: 10 Years of Change with Model D | Monday, October 19
Open City prides itself on being a forum for all of the aspiring and established small business owners in Detroit. This is where you can learn, network, and exchange information to grow and develop your business. This event, from 6 to 8 p.m., has partnered with Model D’s 10 years of change and will cover how Detroit’s small business community has grown and changed over the past few years. The panel includes Dave Mancini of Supino’s Pizzeria, Jackie Victor of Avalon Breads, and Nefertiti Harris of Textures by Nefertiti and Tarot and Tea. The event is free, and open to the public.

Cliff Bell's is located at 2030 Park Ave., in Detroit.

FashionSpeak 2015: A Closer Look at Sponsor Kenwal Steel

Another sponsor we are so excited to have on board is Kenwal Steel! Kenwal Steel is one of North America’s largest full-service steel centers that specialize in difficult, deep drawn applications that require expertise in order to correctly produce your part. This company produces parts for the automotive industry, electronics, appliances, and other major equipment. We especially bonded with Kenwal Steel over their appetite for excellence and making their name known in the industry. Even though Kenwal Steel isn’t directly linked to the world of fashion, we created this outfit inspired by the steel industry and Kenwal’s products.

1. Miss Selfridge Strapless Jumpsuit, $90, Lord & Taylor, metro Detroit locations.

2. Shoulder Bagm $15 H&M, metro Detroit locations.

3. Isa Arfen Wrap Around Jacket, $825, Neimans Marcus, Somerset Collection.

4. Diamond Chandlier Earrings, $2258, Macy's, metro Detroit locations.

5. Stuwart Weitzman Stripmall Sandal, $485, Neiman Marcus Somerset Collection

FashionSpeak 2015: A Closer Look at Sponsor TDIC

We are very excited to highlight another one of our sponsors, Tom D’Andreta Industrial Coverings (TDIC). TDIC has a mission to make the best protective covers for robotic and other industrial applications, and has expanded the industrial covering uses to include painting, finishing, assembly, and more. Much like the changing world of fashion, TDIC is constantly adapting to the changing needs of the customers and industries. TDIC is known to be an extremely professional, quality, and supportive company and we couldn’t be more excited to have the CEO Mark D’Andreta as the Vice President of DGG.

TDIC is all about innovation and creativity, two traits we strive for in the fashion industry. Demonstrating their innovative ideas and willingness to help other companies, they sponsored The Power of One, Solar Car Project and have donated protective components for the vehicle as well as presentation and storage car covers. This completely solar car is nearly finished and will be leaving soon for a coast-to-coast journey across North America! We have designed an outfit that is entirely inspired by both TDIC and the solar powered car they are sponsoring.

While TDIC isn’t necessarily producing buttons, zippers, and fabric, D’Andreta has still immersed himself in the world of fashion by not only becoming a member of the DGG board, but by donating machinery to the Industrial Sewing Certificate Program at HFC M-TEC. As if that generous contribution wasn’t enough, he has helped with the curriculum of the Industrial Sewing Program, and has been a FashionSpeak sponsor in the past. TDIC is a phenomenal company full of cutting edge products and we are so grateful to have such an asset on board!

1. Excursion Quilted Down Vest, $120, J. Crew, metro Detroit locations.
2. Wilfred Garrand Sweater, $85, Aritzia, Somerset Collection.
3. Marc Jacobs Screw Hook Stud Earrings, $48, Nordstrom, metro Detroit locations.
4. AEO Super Stretch Jegging, $40, American Eagle, metro Detroit locations.
5. Plaid and Sweater-Lined Foldover Combat Boots, $48, Charlotte Russe, metro Detroit locations.
6. Tory Burch Leather Turnlock Bracelet, $68, Nordstrom, metro Detroit locations.

FashionSpeak 2015: A Closer Look at Presenting Sponsor Taubman

Image from Tuabman

Taubman is our presenting sponsor, and we couldn’t be more excited to have the company back on board three years in a row. Taubman is a worldwide corporation owning 21 malls and outlet malls in the United States and five currently in development in Asia. This company was founded in 1950 by a real estate developer, A. Alfred Taubman. Since its founding, it has built a strong reputation for creating fantastic retail environments such as Twelve Oaks mall and Great Lakes Crossing Outlets. With local headquarters, in Bloomfield Hills, Taubman was very excited to get on board, and this year, they will presenting a workshop titled, "What Does It Really Take To Open A Store?".

Before you come to FashionSpeak (tickets can be found on Eventbrite), we wanted to tell you a little about our biggest supporter, so you have a good background of the company, and list a few of the its accomplishments. Over the years, Taubman established itself with premiere malls and has gained a ton of respect. Recently, it has won the 2015 Best and Brightest Company to work for in metro Detroit, as well as the 2014 Vision Innovation Value Achievement and Best-of-the-Best Awards in Development and Design. 

Image from Tuabman

After winning an award centered on innovation, it only seemed fitting the announcement of the company's next venture across the world to Asia. Not one, but five different locations throughout Asia are currently in development, and are set to be an unparalleled shopping experience with an immersive environment and scenery similar to Times Square and Beverly Hills. 

           

Growth and expansion is not the only thing on which Taubmen has its focus, they also have a strong hand in the local community. Besides assisting in making FashionSpeak what it is, Taubman helps cancer patients by 'wrapping them in love.' Taubman centers donate care packages including fashion wraps and headscarves to women getting treatments at the Karmanos Cancer Institute. They also donated time and money to Detroit's Osborn neighborhood to help beautify the area, and opened funds to the school library, which is now equipped with computers, tablets, 3D printers, and webcams.

Image from Tuabman

Taubman has grown over the past 65 years to become such a powerful enterprise that never lost track of their core values of helping the community grow and develop. We are extremely lucky to have a company such as this support us. Next time you're at a Taubman mall, know that you're shopping a mall that gives back to the community. And what could be better than that?