Nik

Be sure to stop by the Gilt City Pop Up Shop at La Zona Rosa on 4th and Rio Grande, presented as part of Austin Fashion Week. From home goods, to men’s shoes and women’s accessories, the small shop has a surprisingly diverse offering of merchandise. I picked up a fab jacket, a pair of earrings, a professional teeth whitening system and a pair of Dolce & Gabbana tuxedo pants, all for under $200. The shop will be open Friday, May 10th from 10am-5pm.

Fashionably Yours,

Nik

Fashionistas,

Austin Fashion Week is upon us!  I was so impressed with NOIR, the kick off event for AFW ’13 at Brazos Hall, complete with white, pristine table cloths, gleaming candelabras and Austin’s most fashionable, draped in chic black attire.

A decadent three-course dinner was created by Chefs Shawn Cirkiel & Steven Cak of Olive & June, Parkside (a personal favorite) and The Backspace.  Dinner was served with a side of couture, of course, featuring donated clothing by well-known fashion alums such as Gail Chovan, Sarah Parrott and Linda Asaf, to name a few.  Between courses, models stoically descended a small stage and floated down the center aisle, each an ethereal vision adorned in white.

Clothing transitioned from runway to retail in the Blanc Boutique adjacent to the stage.  Also, 100% of the proceeds benefited the Arc of the Capital Area. This was an incredible night of fashion, food and philanthropy, and the best kick off event I’ve attended thus far.

Don’t miss another AFW event- get your tickets here!

Fashionably Yours,

Nik

I asked fellow blogger/attorney April of April Golightly for her take on the best Mother’s Day gifts for this year. April is expecting her first bundle of joy, so she was the perfect mom-to-be to ask about special gifts for one of the most special days of the year. She also asked me to do a guest post for her blog covering fashion for lawyers. Enjoy!

Nik

Guest Post by April Golightly

On Mother’s Day, I normally think of what my mom might like. She does not like flowers or brunch as she has a ton of allergies that prevent her from receiving the normal Mother’s Day gifts. I usually buy her a spa day or anything that I can find in leopard print. I have tried to purchase her purses, but she has her own style and usually does not end up using the ones I choose. I gave her my Louis Vuitton last year and she actually used that for a while.

As a soon to be mother, I am due with my first child on July 15, I am making a Mother’s Day wish list from my point of view this year. Considering that I am in my third trimester, I think I deserve a gift. In fact, I think that all pregnant women deserve at least 4 gifts per pregnancy. One gift for each trimester and then one after the baby is born.

1. The Chic Bag
I have a bag obsession and since it is spring, I would love to carry a new faded jade bag. This one is perfect for a mommy as it can be shoulder bag as well as cross body bag. The hands free option is awesome.

2. The Statement Necklace
When your outfits start to get boring because your weight is fluctuating or you fear that your child will spit up on your Miu Miu top, you can spice things up with a statement necklace. Pick one like this that will go with jeans and a t-shirt, a t-shirt dress, or a basic maxi.

3. The Earrings
If the baby is pulling on your necklace, try a pair of statement earrings instead. Might want to even go clip-on for your ear safety.

4. The Best Flats
My balance is completely off and unless I want to fall, I have to wear flats. I am not kidding…I am the heel queen and could run in most of my shoes. Since the second trimester started, I have fallen twice in heels. To be safe, I am not wearing heels until I have the baby and lose some of this belly. If I am going to wear flats, they have to be fabulous and comfortable. These are awesome. I also went a little crazy at the Tory Burch outlet. The traditional Tory Burch flats do not work for me, but I have wanted a pair for a while. I asked the sales person and she directed me to the most comfortable pairs. Don’t be afraid to ask for what you want.

5. The Custom Necklace
Since I just got married and am sporting new initials, I have been dying to get a necklace with them on it. I would like to get a nameplate of my daughter’s name as well once she is born. Still gotta pick a name!

6. The Trendy Cuff
If you wear no other jewelry as a mother, I think you can rock a nice cuff that does not have any small parts that can be eaten by the baby. This one is so much fun and I want it.

Which Mother’s Day gift do you want?

Fashionistas,

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: I LOVE me some Third Wave Fashion. Always informative, refreshing and relevant, Third Wave delivers the latest in fashion tech. Here are a few TWF events for May.

Fashionably Yours,

Nik

From Third Wave Fashion:

Hey Gorgeous,

It’s almost May, and we have a lot of fun stuff up our sleeves. We’re excited to announce that we’ll be hosting our second San Francisco meetup on May 14th. Hear fashion tech pros speak one-on-one on topics such as funding, customer acquisition, PR, and more. Get your tickets today.

Also in SF, we’re proud to announce that we’re cosponsoring Microsoft’s & Bloomingdale’s Geek 2 Chic Fashion Show on May 15th. Enter discount code “nftebay” to receive $50 off the VIP ticket. Claim your ticket today!  We’re also hosting the after party. You should definitely join us.

Dear Fashionistas,

This just came across my desk.  During Austin Fashion Week, there will be a chance to partake in the shopping experience that is Gilt City, brought to you by Gilt:

For more details on this can’t-miss-shopportunity, click here.

Fashionably Yours,

Nik

Photograph by Natalia Zamarripa, Copyright Thread Conscious 2012

Dear Fashionistas,

I started Thread Conscious in 2009 during law school as a way to continue creative writing while embracing legal writing.  I also wanted to prove to myself that I wasn’t afraid to step forward and put my work out there, so to speak, for public consumption, and even criticism.  Truthfully, at times I was afraid, but determined to defy fear, knowing that fear only results in paralysis disguised as “good judgment.”

For years, my photo was not anywhere on my blog and I hesitated to write about legal issues in the fashion industry, though fashion and law are passions of mine.  It has been a difficult road to get to where I am now, but finally, I can say that I’m more hopeful, committed and excited about the future of Thread Conscious, and what I can accomplish though it.

2012 was a difficult year for me; a loved one passed away and I found myself searching for a deeper spiritual connection with myself, and friends and family close to me.  I read a book that was on my shelf untouched for years, Eckhart Tolle’s  A New Earth, and I found it both profound and familiar, and a source of comfort and inspiration.  I felt stronger, and braver, than I ever had before, and finally knew that great things lay ahead for me.

One of those great things turned out to be presenting “Laws of Fashion,” a Copyright and Trademark Law workshop at the Independent Blogger Conference in New York this year. (Presentation available here.)  For years, I wanted to attend the IFB Conference but was unable to, for one reason or another.  If I had not gathered my courage and contacted Jennine Jacobs, founder of IFB, I would never have had the incredible opportunity to teach fellow fashion bloggers about intellectual property.  I would never have met all the interesting and talented bloggers there, including Jennine, and deepened my professional blogging network.

This year’s amazing IFB Con experience was a catalyst for me.  It made me a believer in dreaming again, knowing that if you set a goal and make a plan, you can achieve some pretty amazing things.  What the IFB experience taught me was that I want more experiences like that in my life.  Experiences full of energy, creativity and excitement, networking, collaborations and authentic connections to others.

I currently serve as the Chair of the Public Relations Committee of the State Bar of Texas’ Intellectual Property Section, and our main purpose is to provide community outreach throughout Texas in the form of IP seminars to artists, photographers, business owners and more.  It’s a wonderful way for me to stay connected to other entrepreneurs and artists (I write, paint, sing and formerly worked for a major record label), give back to my community and have an excuse to talk about IP as much as possible.  Right now, I’m working as a coach with RampCorp, a wonderful program that helps women entrepreneurs start or take their businesses to the next level.  I’ve been inspired by every woman in the program.

Thread Conscious is also a platform for me to write about fashion, food, tech and anything else that interests me and I think will be helpful to others.  I feel fortunate to have stumbled upon fashion blogging, and I’m dedicated to using Thread Conscious in a way that uplifts others.  I’m still figuring out how best to do that, but I know 2013 started out with such promise, and I can’t wait to see what the rest of the year brings.  Thanks for going on this journey with me.  Namaste.

Sincerely,

Nik

Photo Credit: swivelme.com & AFW Blog

Fashionistas,

As you know, Austin Fashion Week is almost here.  My inbox is flooded with the latest updates from AFW, but one of the most exciting is Swivel by FaceCake.  This product utilizes Microsoft Kinect technology and allows you to virtually try on clothing and accessories without ever needing to disrobe.  Once you find an outfit you love, you can save a snapshot and send it to a friend- and who doesn’t love social shopping!  Check out the demo here.

Swivel by FaceCake debuted at Bloomingdales in 2012 during New York Fashion Week.  Austin Fashion Week 2013 will feature not only Swivel by FaceCake, but also Swivel Close-Up, where you can try on makeup, eye-wear, and more.

I’m sure Cher Horowitz would have loved this back in the day…am I dating myself?  As if.

Fashionably Yours,

Nik

April 2013

Photo Credit: Wild Soul

Fusing Fashion & Philanthropy – Wild Soul Sunglasses

It’s not every day that we get to do what we love for a living whilst also being a shining light to those in need. To most, achieving just one of the above would be enough. But not for Marc Battipaglia and Andres S Beker who created philanthropic fashion label Wild Soul Sunglasses in November 2012.

“Wild Soul was created on the premise that there are causes greater than our own that can and must be supported. We are dedicated to giving supporters of Wild Soul a platform to help the causes that are close to their heart.”

Wild Soul‘s range of sunglasses which are all named after untamed animals (the Lion, the Owl, the Elephant, and the Rhino) help customers “be wild” while helping them “fulfil their soul”, giving a portion of each sale to a charity of the customer’s choice. “We decided the best way to succeed was to allow the customer to choose where their money will go.”

Each pair of sunglasses are meticulously crafted after the intricate features of the animal whose name they carry and are available in several rich and earthy colors using quality materials. But it wasn’t always an easy road for Marc and Andres to get their vision off the ground. After meeting in college, the pair became instant friends and knew they both shared a passion for design while incorporating charity and giving back into everything they build.

Manufacturers backing out, website designers who could not accurately portray their vision, delayed and lost shipments, all the while balancing work and law school, were just some of the obstacles that were trying to throw them off track in their quest to fuse fashion & philanthropy. However these hurdles couldn’t stop the duo.

Today, their mornings begin with emails being sent from Argentina, updated tasks lists in New York City, and their days coming to a close with orders from the other side of the world. Marc and Andres’ wilful persistence has shown that passion for a cause can overcome the biggest of hurdles. They have successfully bridged the gap between fashionistas and philanthropists worldwide, affirming that there is a little Wild to everyone’s Soul.

Wild Soul is currently available at Young Republic, discover + shop the world of indie fashion - http://www.youngrepublic.com

IFB Con in New York this February was such an amazing experience.  In the spirit of sharing and networking, I wanted to do a mega blogroll featuring some of the awesome bloggers I met during the Conference.  Please support these super talented writers, stylists, artists and photographers by visiting their sites and also Liking, Following and/or Subscribing!

Boy Bloggers

Hair Extension Geek : Children with Hair Loss/Locks of Love Charity

STYLISHbyDESIGN : Bespoke Suits and Accessories

Bargain Bloggers

Haute on the Spot

The Stylish City

Beauty Bloggers

Because Style Matters

Chic City Life

City Beauty Guide

Dixie Bits

Fancy Francy

Monae Everett

Skinny Purse

WrkITGirl

Traditional Bloggers

Alix Rose

Bare Bones 

Blah Blah Birds

Fresh Jess

Hey Do You by Yvonne Kai

Living After Midnite

Shik Shin

The Right Shoes

Personal Style Bloggers

Closet Fix

Clothes and Fashion by Aminta Iriarte

Emijaa Jaaemil

Street Style Bloggers

Tres Awesome

Specialty Bloggers

DCFunemployment

Sketchbook Closet : Illustrated Style Journal

Style of Sam : Pharmacist who Loves Fashion and Food (Texas Blogger too!)

Truly{Passionate, Stylish, Me} : Fashion and Design Through the Eyes of a Psychologist

Texas Bloggers

Side Smile Style

Vintage Bloggers

Kan’s Kloset

Story Girl Sarah