Recap: Fast Bash 2017

The party of the year has come and gone, but the memories will last forever. For those of you who didn't get a chance to experience Fash Bash, don't fret. There's always next year, and you can live it vicariously through DGG just by reading this post.

This year's theme was punk, and the runway and Fash Bashers did not disappoint. Leather, studs, fish nets were all the rage on the runway but also in the crowd. The soundtrack for the evening was straight out of an 80s time machine in the best possible way and guests were invited to create their own leather key chains complete with studs and stamps.

If you couldn't make it these year, keep your eyes peeled for ticket sales next year. The Founders Junior Council, Neiman Marcus and all of the other sponsors really brought it in 2017, and we can only imagine it getting better from here.

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 c/o Beer and Wine Fest Facebook

StorySLAM with Shinola + The Moth | Thursday, August 3
From 7 to 10 p.m. Marble Bar is hosting StorySLAM with Shinola and The Moth! This StorySLAM will be all about finding your way to making a difference. Prepare a five minute story about creating change, together. This could be about how you hosted a bake sale for charity or helped a friend move. Seating isn't guaranteed and is on a first-come, first-serve basis, so make sure to get their early!

Marble Bar is located at 1501 Holden St., in Detroit.

D-Cyphered Community Opening Party | Thursday, August 3
The DIA is celebrating the opening of their new exhibit, "D-Cyphered: Portraits by Jenny Risher". From 8 to 11 p.m., experience music from Detroit's own Nick Speed, meet some of the hip hop artists featured in the exhibit, and enjoy light snacks, a cash bar and the chance to see the exhibition before it opens to the public. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased here.

The DIA is located at 5200 Woodward Ave., in Detroit.

9th Annual Buy Michigan Now Festival | Friday, August 4 through Sunday, August 6
The Buy Michigan Now Festival is entering its ninth year in Downtown Northville! All weekend come out for tasty treats, a beer and wine garden, street vendors, live music and children's activities - which all highlight Michigan-based businesses and Michigan-made products. Admission and parking are free for the festival. For more information, click here.

Detroit Beer & Wine Fest 2017 | Friday, August 4
Experience 100+ delicious wines and beers from 40+ breweries and wineries at the historic Grand Circus Park from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. - all while celebrating Detroit. For $50 you'll get 15 drink tickets. a commemorative pint glass and a keepsake photo. There are also VIP tickets available for $65, which gets you into the festival an hour early and five extra drink tickets. For more information and to purchase tickets, click here.

Grand Circus Park is located at 1601 Woodward Ave., in Detroit.

2017 Great Lakes VegBash | Saturday, August 5
From noon to 10 p.m., the Washtenaw County Fairgrounds will be home to an incredible amount of vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free food, entertainment on three stages, artists and crafters, Great Lakes regional food entrepreneurs, health and wellness products and services, pet products, and so much more! Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the event, and there is free parking. For more information, click here.

Washtenaw County Fairgrounds are located at 5055 Ann Arbor-Saline Rd., in Ann Arbor.

It Trends: August's Style Board

August marks the end of summer, however, that doesn't mean you need to immediately start wearing Fall clothes. You can have the best of both worlds! Start by wearing denim with frayed hems, this adds an edgy detail to a classic pair of blue jeans. Bohemian dresses are great because they add Fall appeal with darker colors, but you're still staying cool since they're dresses. Mules have been everywhere lately, so get yourself a pair with cool details like embroidery or rough leather. Graphic shirts are great for any time of the year, but graphic tank tops are perfect for the still-hot temps. They're also a great transition piece since they layer well with sweaters and denim jackets. Fun accessories will end your summer on a high note, like the baby blue, cat eye sunglasses and multi-colored, tassel hat.

By Alex Donlin

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 c/o Red Bull House of Art Facebook Event

Sustainable Fashion: An Exhibition and Panel | Thursday, July 27
William & Bonnie is hosting a sustainable fashion exhibition and panel featuring local designers who utilize ethical design practices in their collections. You can check out more details on this event in our previous post here. This event is from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the Detroit Center for Design and Technology.

The Detroit Center for Design and Technology is located at 4219 Woodward Ave., in Detroit.

Great Lakes Food, Art & Music Festival 2017 | Friday, July 28 through Sunday, July 30
The Great Lakes Food, Art and Music Festival is a weekend full of good food, beautiful art and exciting music. Happening at Campus Martius Park, there will be free entry all weekend, and the festival is for all ages. All music is free, and there will be tons of entertainment, including a kids zone, food, art, and music for any and all tastes! To see a full music lineup, click here.

Campus Martius Park is located in Detroit.

Red Bull House of Art Resident Artists Exhibition | Friday, July 28
From 7 to 10 p.m., come out to the Red Bull House of Art for the opening of their resident artists exhibition. This free event features new work from Jose Mertz, Felicia Forte and Steve Kim created during their three month residency.

The Red Bull House of Art is located at 1551 Winder St., in Detroit.

Mo Pop Festival 2017 | Saturday, July 29 through Sunday, July 30
Featuring Foster the People, alt-J, Run the Jewels, Tyler, the Creator, Solange, Phantogram, Vance Joy and many, many more amazing performers, Mo Pop Festival is going down all weekend at West Riverfront Park. For tickets and to see the rest of the lineup, click here.

West Riverfront Park is located at 1801 W. Jefferson Ave., in Detroit.

North End Collective Block Party | Saturday, July 29
The North End Collective will be hosting a block party from 3 to 6 p.m. with tons of food, music and shopping! There will be live music by DJ Rhonda Welsh, and mini chicken and waffles provided by New Center Eatery. The Traveling Pants will have their fashion truck outside the store, and inside the store there will be demonstrations, including Bath Savvy talking about the natural ingredients she uses, Purple Love is creating custom handmade jewelry, and United Front is providing fit consultations. You can reserve your spot for this free event here.

The North End Collective is located at 6513 Woodward Ave., in Detroit.

An Exhibition of Wearable Sculptures by Stargazer | Saturday, July 29
From 7 to 10 p.m. at Popps Packing, celebrate the wearable sculptures created by Levon Milross AKA Stargazer. The unique collection features futuristic garments, headpieces and more, which will be sure to dazzle you and your imagination. The show runs through August 26, and you can visit the gallery on Saturdays from noon to 5 p.m. or by appointment.

Popps Packing is located at 12138 Saint Aubin St., in Hamtramck.

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 c/o Wild Beasts Wild Wine Facebook

48th Annual Ann Arbor Summer Art Fair | Thursday, July 20 through Sunday, July 23
The heart of Ann Arbor will be filled with tons of art all weekend. There will be 375 exhibiting artist booths, art demonstrations and special guests, including the Carr Center Artist-in-Training program. The fair stretches from Downtown Ann Arbor to the campus of University of Michigan. Thursday through Saturday hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday hours are noon to 6 p.m. For more information, click here.

Wild Beasts Wild Wine | Friday, July 21
From 6 to 10 p.m. at the Detroit Zoo, sample wine from more than 40 local and national wineries and vineyards while enjoying all the zoo has to offer. There will also be live music and zookeeper talks. Tickets are $45 in advance and $50 at the door, which includes admission to the zoo and 10 wine-tasting tickets. There are also designated driver ticket for $30, which includes zoo admission and unlimited soft drinks. You can purchase all tickets here.

The Detroit Zoo is located at 8450 W 10 Mile Rd., in Royal Oak.

Friday Night Live: Carmen Lundy | Friday, July 21
Vocalist, multi-instrumentalist and composer Carmen Lundy will be performing music from her latest album, Code Noir, at the DIA's Detroit Film Theatre from 7 to 9 p.m. The album brings together her love of jazz, blues, Brazilian samba, African rhythms and pop. She'll be joined by Patrice Rushen on piano, Ben Williams on bass, Jeff Parker on guitar, Kendrick Scott on drums and Elisabeth Oei on vocals. This event is free.

The DIA is located at 5200 Woodward Ave., in Detroit.

Shelby Flea Market | Saturday, July 22
From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. come out to Whispering Woods Park for art, crafts, homemade goods and tons of other good stuff! This will be like any typical flea market so there will be a variety of items for all different types of people. This is also a free event!

Whispering Woods Park is located at 11000 21 Mile Rd., in Shelby Charter Township.

Barre in the Park | Sunday, July 23
The Daily Method - Birmingham Barre Studio will be hosting a free 45 minute barre class in Booth Park from 11 to 11:45 a.m. Make sure to also check out everything else Birmingham has to offer, like the Birmingham Farmer's Market, before or after class. Please bring your own mat and water.

Booth Park is located at 210 Harmon St., in Birmingham.

Gabriel Hall Pop-Up Experience | Sunday, July 23
Gabriel Hall is hosting their next pop-up event from 6 to 9 p.m.at Nancy Whiskey! There will be tons of food, featuring New Orleans' favorite sandwich -- the Po'Boy. You can choose from shredded chicken, fried catfish or fried green tomato. Be sure to add a side of voodoo fries and check out DJ Skeez on the patio.

Nancy Whiskey is located at 2644 Harrison St., in Detroit.

Do It: Sustainable Fashion Exhibition and Panel

William + Bonnie, a cut and sew workroom located in Hamtramck, is hosting a one night event on July 27 all about sustainable fashion. This includes a fashion show with four local designers who utilize ethical and sustainable design practices in their collections. Following the fashion show, there will be a panel discussion.

Photo c/o Facebook event

The designers that will be featured in the fashion show are Anjali Purohit of Studio Variously, Leslie Ann Pilling of Blank-itti-Blank, Abigail Rist of Haute Cloth, and Nabeela Najjar of Seamstressbee.

The speakers that will be on the panel are Shermane Fouche of Apparel Pattern Services, Anjali Purohit, and Erin Wetzel of Orleans + Winder.

This event is from 6 to 8:30 p.m. and will be held at the LTU Detroit Center for Design and Technology, which is located at 4219 Woodward Ave., in Detroit. This is a free event but donations are encouraged.

By Alex Donlin

Knowledge is Power: The Basics of Starting a Boutique

credit: iprachenko/iStock/GettyImages

If you're looking to open your own clothing store, chances are you've already had experience working in retail for a small or large store. You're knowledgable in the day-to-day processes and procedures, you know all about the current fashion trends and what brings in foot traffic, and you're ready to do it on your terms. 

Skills and experience, however, aren’t the only things that will make a boutique successful. Learning the basic needs of opening and running a boutique is also necessary. A basic knowledge can be a good advantage when it comes to sales.  Here are some of the basics that entrepreneurs should know before opening, running and growing a boutique.

Researching and Planning

Researching and planning can be more fun than boring. This will solidify your goals and dreams for the boutique, and it's a great tool that will help entrepreneurs when tracking the things needed for the boutique. 

There are times that people tend to forget things, so it is important for an entrepreneur to keep track of everything, especially the little details. After researching and planning, an entrepreneur will already have a good vision on what road the boutique will take including the target market, merchandise planning, and store aesthetic. 

Business Plan. This plan must be on the priority list of every entrepreneur. The business plan serves as the record of the plans, strategies, and goals. It is the first key to success. The business plan should include information regarding the financial aspects and operational procedures of the boutique. 

Marketing Plan. There is a lot of competition in the clothing industry, and it is important that startups have a detailed marketing plan that will aid in bringing customers to the boutique properly. It is wise to list the possible marketing strategies that will work for the boutique, and must include the expected amount of expenses for the marketing strategies.

The Right Location

Location, location, location. Choosing a location can be exciting, but is going to be a lot of work figuring out where exactly your customers are going to shop. Is your location home-based? Maybe your'e doing strictly online sales. Or maybe you'd rather go a mobile or brick-and-mortar site. All are important to consider for the success of your boutique.

About the Funding

It is common for startup entrepreneurs to think twice before opening a boutique or business because they lack money necessary to get started. Some entrepreneurs get denied by banks, especially when they are asking for loans. Even if the business has been successfully set up, funding can still be a little tough. 

Bootstrapping, crowdfunding, small business loans, angel investors and venture capital is a great help. There are various ways, and entrepreneurs should just know what fits them or what method they can use considering their financial situation.

Stocking the Right Merchandise

After researching, planning, and funding, it's time for operation. For better operations, the shelves and racks of the boutique should never be empty, so shoppers always have something to look through.

Always stay on top of the latest trends, but make sure you are picking what works best for your customer and prioritize those items on displays. Make sure to consider the season and display the appropriate clothing items. Installing good lighting and a decent fitting room is important, too. Create an inviting and homey vibe by painting neutral colors on the wall.

Author Bio

Stephanie Wheatly is a fashion blogger and an entrepreneur who focuses on business and fashion. Before changing her career, she worked as a legal researcher who enjoys researching about business changes and trends. When she is free, Stephanie usually spends time at home where she can write and relax at her pace.