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!

Fashion D. Fined Exhibit Opening Event | Friday, September 11

Come celebrate the past, present, and future of Detroit fashion Friday, from 6 to 9 p.m., and enjoy drinks, appetizers, pop-up shops, and more. Dive into the rich history of Detroit designers such as John Varvatos, Rebel Nell Jewelry, Anna Sui, and many more. Dress your best to mix, mingle, and witness the interactive experience that is fashion and watch as this exhibit comes to life. General admission tickets are $40, and includes food, two drink tickets, and live entertainment. If you are a member of the Detroit Historical Society tickets are $20. Tickets can be purchased directly from the Detroit Historical Society webpage. Creative cocktail attire required.

The Fashion D. Fined Exhibit Opening Event will be held at the Detroit Historical Museum, located at 5401 Woodward Ave., in Detroit.

Official 38^th Annual Dally in the Alley | Saturday, September 12

This all-day event is one of the most looked forward to events in the city. Whether you go for the great music, amazing cuisine, or just the fact that it’s for a great cause, Dally in the Alley is going to be an unforgettable day. The North Cass Community Union is a proud sponsor of this event with proceeds going to help the NCUU projects to improve the quality of life for people who live and work in the city. Support a fantastic cause while listening to bands such as BevLove, James Linck, Cold Men Young, Bonehead, and many more. Do you want to be more interactive at this event? If so, go to the Ann Kennedy Community Stage and take part in speed painting, yoga, slam poetry, and more. There is truly something for everyone at this event.

Dally in the Alley is held between Forest Ave. and Hancock St. with entrances on both Forest Ave. and 2^nd Ave., in Detroit.

Smiling After Dally | Saturday, September 12

If you didn’t get enough at Dally in the Alley, join us for Smiling After Dally! When Cold Men Youg finishes their set on the Forest Stage, come on over to The Baltimore Gallery where the festivities continue. This venue will be bursting with amazing art from Phil Fresh, tasty snacks, and games. Enjoy your night with even more musical performances from Indigo Black, Lokye, DJ Dash, to only name a few. Doors open at 10 and it’s only $5 to keep the party going all night. Sip at your leisure, appreciate some art, enjoy the good food, and let Detroit show you all it has to offer.

Smiling After Dally will be held at the Baltimore Gallery, located at 314 E Baltimore St., in Detroit.

Hamtramck Bike Tour | Saturday, September 12

Wheels roll at 1:00 this Saturday! Start the tour at the Wheelhouse Detroit and ride 15 miles through the growing, diverse neighborhood of Hamtramck. Learn about the historic, multi-cultural, and artsy angles of Hamtramck while enjoying the last bit of warm weather. You will also be able to stop at Café 1923 to enjoy a delicious treat. This tour is 15 miles of leisurely biking and is $25 if you supply the bike and $35 if you are using a rental. For more information and purchasing tickets, please visit the Wheelhouse Detroit webpage.

The Hamtramck Bike Tour will start at the 1340 E. Atwater, located in Detroit. 

Local Designer Series: Designer Moves Back to Michigan to Create and Grow Left-Handed Branded

Scott Tallenger, designer of Left-Handed Branded, is a man who wears many hats, and has left New York to get back to Michigan to wear them! He is self-described as a left-handed, right-brained designer, photographer and skateboarder. Everything from womenswear and menswear, to eclectic film-inspired jewelry fills his collection, and it’s colorful, bold and fun – just as we would imagine his personality to be.

DG3: Tell us about yourself, Scott.

Scott Tallenger: Scott Tallenger aka “The Marquis De Guac,” “Scotty Avocado,” and “Scottstradamus” is a Left-Handed, Right Brained, Resourceful Human (but an HR Nightmare), Digital Immigrant, Retrosexual, Photographer, Skateboarder, Fashion Designer and all around idea guy.

DG3: Tell us about Left-Handed Branded.

ST: Left-Handed Branded is my new name after re-branding in 2015. Short version, I named it after my dominant left hand, which has been a source of inspiration and discrimination my entire life. It is my new umbrella to house all the ideas I am currently developing.

DG3: Why use natural fibers and up-cycled materials?

ST: This combination goes back to my days in Fashion College. I use natural fibers because they are the strongest and most breathable, and my interest in up-cycled materials was originally born out of poverty. I started using them in an Experimental Design Class and never stopped. I was working a lot of Film Production jobs at the time and started collecting film off of cutting room floors. When we had to choose a non-traditional fiber to make a fabric, I chose film. The result was my “Tribute To Norma Desmond Gown.” Over the years, I have expanded the use of 35 mm film into accessories for fashion, and for the home.  Thirty five mm film makes a beautiful window treatment; I call it Modern Stained Glass.

DG3: Where do you sell the collection?

ST: When I was in New York I sold my products at The Shoppe BX, The Artist Market NYC and my 35 mm film bracelets at The Sundance Film Festival. My Michigan marketing has been largely word of mouth from happy customers, but I am currently working on my new website for Left-Handed Branded. If you go please be patient with me, as it is still in the beginning stages, but it IS live! I do have a lot of content yet to upload.

DG3: There seems to be a good amount of clothing/accessory collections being made in Hamtramck. What do you think draws people to that area?

ST: My girlfriend and I were both being priced out of our neighborhoods at the same time last year and we wanted to get under one roof. I grew up here, but I had to sell a New Yorker on Michigan. When I would bring her home with me for family visits, we would always stay with my good friends in Hamtramck. We loved their house and yard, and as luck would have it, when we were looking to move they had just bought the house next door to them and were looking for tenants – the stars aligned. Having been back for 10 months now, I can say personally that I love the international community in which we now live. New York City is still a melting pot, but an expensive one. When they started calling my old neighborhood in the South Bronx “SoBro,” I got out!

DG3: What do you find to be the most inspiring thing about Detroit?

ST: The support for start-ups and small businesses right now is enough to keep me here alone. I was only in New York for six years, but a lot has happened here while I was away, and I am just happy to be back and a part of the change.  Between Entrepreneur Week and just the event programming of The Build Institute alone, I have stayed busy. I am starting the Build Basics Entrepreneurship Program in April.

DG3: Can you give three pieces of advice about starting a clothing collection? 

ST: I have not manufactured clothing since I lived in Los Angeles, and all my productions there were small and self-funded.

1.  Know how to make your own patterns, sew your own samples, etc. People will take you more seriously if you know your shit. I would have never gotten my manufacturer had I not made my own patterns (She told me that!). 

2.  Study what Flint and Tinder has done using crowd-funded Kickstarter campaigns for clothing production.

3.  Find an investor. Easier said than done, but if you meet one looking for talent let me know.

DG3:  Describe your style:

ST: Retrosexual – I design and make all my own pants that are pretty modern, but I like to mix them with vintage shirts, jackets, and accessories. 

DG3: How do you take your coffee?

ST: Light and sweet.

DG3: Menswear trend for women, or the skirts (a la Marc Jacobs) for men?

ST: The menswear trend for women pants down. But I do love Marc Jacobs.

DG3: Karl Lagerfeld or Tom Ford?

ST: Tom Ford

Oh, Shop It: Independent Textiles Business Comes to the Rescue for Upholstry and Vintage Fashion Fixes

Independent textile company William + Bonnie located is located in Hamtramck and focuses on fixing furniture upholstery and vintage clothing repair. The idea sounds so simple, yet they remain pretty mysterious, so when we found out they are having an event this Wednesday (mark your calendars!), we had to find out more.

DG3: How did you get into textiles?  

Sarah Ayers: I actually studied art history and archaeology so I come from a curatorial background. After working in NYC galleries and museums for years I wanted a change and the jump from the art world to textiles was a logical transition – the emphasis on texture, color and aesthetics along with the construction and lines appealed to my appreciation for art in all of its forms.

DG3: How did William + Bonnie get its start, and where did the name come from?

SA: The name actually comes from my Dad's name William, and my Aunt's name Bonnie. I've always wanted to have my own business and loved the idea of tradition and craftsmanship – what better way to capture a solid foundation and tradition than to pay homage to the ones that helped create mine.

DG3: Is everything a custom order or do you have stock available?

SA: Everything I do is custom. One of the favorite parts of my job is the fact that each piece will have a story for its owner and is completely personalized. There's a real romanticism in the idea that a garment or piece of furniture will become part of their memory's landscape.  

DG3: I see on your website that you are featured out Houzz! Love that site. How did that come about?  

SA: Truth be told, I'm not sure. I just kept updating my portfolio and getting reviews, and the next thing I know...

DG3: What do you want to see for William + Bonnie in the next few years?

SA: This summer I am launching fully custom vintage inspired cycling wear, so I would really like to expand on custom vintage inspired pieces. Since I have an affinity for vintage in general, I find that a lot of women (myself included) love the style, but can't find a vintage garment that fits properly. Drawing on my collection of vintage patterns, I am hoping to offer custom pieces in the fabric selection and measurements of each client. Every woman deserves at least one dress that was made for her. Most vintage pieces were homemade, and there is something to say about the timelessness and craftsmanship of a well-constructed, custom garment.

DG3: How do you take your coffee?
SA: Black.  

DG3: If you could have any celebrity wardrobe, whose would it be and why?  

SA: If I were a man I would say John Waters. His pieces are always well tailored with a dash of individuality. I am a sucker for details and there is always an element of his outfit that is sometimes subtle, but changes the entire look. As it is, I would say Audrey Hepburn – always classy, or Marlene Deitrich – glamorous, feminine and tough wrapped into one.  

DG3: Restoration Hardware or Pottery Barn?  

SA: Tough one. Honestly, I don't think I own anything from either of them, but aesthetically I am going with Restoration Hardware.

DG3: Lost and Found Vintage or Chi Chi and the Greek?  

SA: I'm going off the rack with this one and am going to say Tekla in Hamtramck and not just because I do garment work there. Tekla just opened over Labor Day and specializes in men, women and homewares pre-1980's - my weakness.