SPARK 2017: Get to Know Sponsor Allied Printing

As our second annual SPARK fundraiser approaches, (Friday, June 9 at The Baltimore Gallery -- get your tickets here!) we'll be telling you a little about some of our sponsors and other exciting things involved with the fashion fete. Next up, get to sponsor Allied Printing.

Photo c/o Allied Printing website

Located in Ferndale, Allied Printing offers various services and specialties, including Digital Color, POPcolor, Precision Mail and Fulfillment, Perfect Launch, Concierge Services and so much more! To see a full list of services, click here.

Aside from their services and specialties, they are committed to sustainability and helping out with the community. They even have memberships with places like the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, Detroit Regional Chamber, American Market Association and many other places.

They have a few locations in Ferndale, and you can call them at 248-541-0551.

To see everything Allied Printing has to offer, including a blog and social media handles, check out their website.

By Alex Donlin

SPARK 2017: Get to Know Sponsor Northern Capital Insurance

As our second annual SPARK fundraiser approaches, (Friday, June 9 at The Baltimore Gallery -- make sure to get your tickers here!) we'll be telling you a little about some of our sponsors and other exciting things involved with the fashion fete. Next up, get to know sponsor Northern Capital Insurance.

Photo from Northern Capital Insurance

Founded in 1978, Northern Capital Insurance is an independent insurance agency and has been a leader in the industry. Their staff has a combined total of 200 years of experience, with each customer support staff member having at least 10 years of practical industry experience.

They specialize in home, auto, health and life insurance, and specialty products. Some of their specialty products include business and employee coverage, wood products, crane and rigging, recreational vehicle and boat insurance, and other personal insurances.

They have three offices across the Midwest, with their Minnesota office being the main one. You can find them in Michigan at 7640 Dixie Hwy. Ste. 175, in Clarkston. Their number is 248-922-5670.

For more information on all of their insurances and products, visit their website.

By Alex Donlin

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 Major Sponsor, Meijer

We are very excited to give a warm welcome to Meijer, who has come on board as a major sponsor for FashionSpeak! Being a Michigan-based company, we are so grateful for them to really see our potential and help us grow. If you aren't familiar with the retailer, we're ready to school you on all-things Meijer. But mostly its fashion. 

Image from Meijer

Meijer is a Grand Rapids-based retailer with over 200 stores throughout Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois, and it operates on the idea of “one-stop shopping,” so it's more than your typical grocery store. Over the years, Meijer has expanded to include fresh produce, meat departments, pharmacies, and electronics, so it only seems fitting that in the past year Meijer has made tremendous strides in its apparel offerings as well.

Image from Meijer Style

More than just a grocery store, Meijer provides up-to-date fashion that is affordably on-trend. Being that Meijer is known for its great prices and deals, it wanted the Meijer fashion department to fit that same standard, and it wanted to do so fashionably. Meijer has created the Meijer Style Team to find the best fashion at the most affordable prices, and to also create a fashion blog that includes styling tips and tricks on everything offered within the store. With the Meijer Style Team quickly building momentum, we are sure that we will continue to see a chic collection in the apparel section for both men and women.

Image from Meijer Style

This company is so much more than a retailer; Meijer is very dedicated to helping the community in any way possible. You may have heard about their Hunger Action Month, which was this past September. For this whole month, Meijer and Feeding America food banks raised awareness about hunger relief. It has also teamed up with Colgate and TerraCycle to launch the Recycled Playground Challenge. Schools were entered in the eco-friendly contest and the prize was winning a new playground made of recycled material. Schools were entered into the competition by shipping toothbrushes, toothpaste tubes, and dental floss.

Meijer continuously creates a better community for families in need, yet they find a way to make it fun to raise awareness in the process. We couldn’t think of a better sponsor to have on board!

Image from Meijer Style

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?