Summer 2008 Message from Your Regional Directors Here we are more than half-way through another year 2008 - Wow! The FGI Regional Directors Conference in NYC was held in May 2008. About 50 RDs (as we are called) from the U.S. and International chapters, along with FGI leadership, participated in a program titled: Climate of Change. It is the mantra of 2008 change. How it challenges each of us, in our personal lives as well as our professional lives, is clear. To name a few areas: 1) We are electing a new President in 2008, 2) We are paying more for gas than ever before; that affects out economy, our clients, our vendors, our bottom line, 3) We face environmental issues that will determine our future, 4) We are living longer, growing older gracefully, with new challenges 5) We are now embracing electronic and Internet savvy, which demands that we need to learn how to manage communications in new ways that are more relevant. This Climate of Change also heralds a lot of opportunities as we learn to adapt in a new world of uncertainty. What else does this mean for FGI San Diego? The stronger we are, the stronger each of us will be in our professional and personal lives. There is power in numbers and there is power in participation in organizations that keep your interests in mind. We encourage each FGI member to get involved, get engaged, and participate here in San Diego. We depend on members to initiate and support programs that inspire others. FGI will only be relevant, meaningful, and beneficial if membership supports our events and activities as well as provides insights into their needs. ESCONDIDO FASHION WEEK! Jump on board change we want you and we need you! Sherry Bittner and Grace Decker FGI Gives Back Through Fashion Scholarship Program Passport to Style Gives Unique Opportunity to Budding Designers The Style Awards, a scholarship program through FGI- San Diego, has been re-invented to create Passport to Style. The program gives emerging fashion designers an opportunity to showcase their work in local boutiques throughout central San Diego on Sept. 5-13, 2008. In addition to gaining exposure and real-world experience, participants will also have an opportunity to earn thousands of dollars in scholarship monies, in order to continue their education and expand their expertise. (con t. page 4) Project Runway Escondido s Own Ricky Lizalde With Model
Upcoming Events Refer to FGI-SD web site for details on FGI Events August 23rd - Haute with Heart Fashion Show and Luncheon Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina 619-442-5129 x3332 September 5th to 13th Passport to Style FGI Fashion Week Including Student Scholarship Awards Members interested in helping Call Felena Hanson (619) 889-7852 September 18th The Art of Fashion Country Friends at The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe Call (858)756-1192 September 20th - Strut for Sobriety! Westin Horton Plaza For more information Call (619) 670-9880 November 8th - Golden Hangers Awards Gala and Fashion Show Town & Country Convention Center For more information Call (619) 275-4700 Monthly - FGI Focus Don t miss out on the BUZZ! Watch for E-vites Coming Your Way Or Call for more information Felena Hanson 619-889-7852 New Member Profile about. She says; My fashion designs speak to women and empower them to embody the very essence of how style looks. The Lizz Russell Collection wants the mature Woman to find a Lizz Russell design to be that one impressive fashion statement that shows they truly care about their image. For more information on the Lizz Russell Collection Please visit us on line at: www.lizzrussell.com and for further information please contact Lizz Russell directly at 619-750-8778 Lizz Russell The Lizz Russell Collection personifies the belief that Every Woman Should Have Her Own Style, a philosophy Russell imagined years ago and now uses as the signature for her business operation and merchandise offerings. A native of San Diego, Russell has been creating innovative and timeless fashions since a very early age. She believes this has been essential for maintaining stability while leading to a positive framework for success and inspiration. The motto speaks for it s self, Style is what The Lizz Russell Collection is all FGI Retreat It is a tradition at FGI San Diego to have an annual Retreat. This is a workshop where all members are invited to come and share their ideas for what they would like to see FGI do in the coming year. This year about 10 members came for breakfast and brainstorming. Diane York-Goldman was gracious and offered us space to meet at the La Jolla Spa MD. Lunch was planned, but with everyone s busy Saturday schedule we decided to adjourn around noon. If you weren t able to make the retreat, know that we are always open to ideas for events, meetings, and opportunities for FGI.
Members on the Go. Gold Diggers Vista Hills Westgate
Dining by Design Tabletop Event On June 28th, FGI member Olga Krasnoff treated FGI members and guests to a tabletop demonstration on how to dress a dinner party table. Debbie Tremble, President of Nestlife, a boutique on Girard in La Jolla, was generous in offering to host our event in her store. Olga did a step-by-step demonstration, building on a summer sea-side theme, with invitation, menu, center piece, place cards, and all the table settings to make a party and a table memorable. Olga also signed copies of her new book, Dining by Design. Olga s creed: Long after they forget the occasion, they ll remember the setting! Members and guests also browsed the wonderful environment and selection of merchandise at Nestlife. More on Passport to Style. The project connects local consumers by inviting them to pick up a passport, for a $5 donation, at any of the participating boutiques in three central locations: Downtown San Diego/Little Italy, North Park/Uptown, and La Jolla/ Pacific Beach. Passport holders will not only be allowed to vote on each of the Independent designers but will also receive incentives and shopping discounts throughout the week. Consumers will collect a stamp from each boutique they visit, which will be redeemed for valuable raffle and/or drink tickets at the finale event. The Passport to Style finale event will take place at the NTC Promenade at the new Liberty Station on Sunday, September 14 th, from 6:00-9:00pm. This evening will feature the best in art, music, food and fashion. Attendees will enjoy a high energy runway show by the final fashion designers as well as new collections from the top boutiques. The Passport to Style event will draw close to 5,000 consumers throughout the week, making it one of the biggest fashion events in San Diego. San Diego has a lot of ambitious, talented designers. We are excited to give them an opportunity to showcase their work and connect with the local community, says Felena Hanson, FGI board member. The local consumer also gets an opportunity to cast their vote and to help FGI decide who should be the next big name in San Diego fashion. Consumers can go to www.passporttostyle.org to get a sneak peak of the Passport to Style finalists, as well as learn more about participating boutiques and sponsors.
SUPPORT OUR FGI MEMBER ADVERTISERS! Fall 2008 TREND Report For the Fall 2008 Trend Event, we decided to break it into two segments. The first one focused on Apparel, and the second one focused on Accessories. On May 21, 2008 FGI San Diego featured the Fall 2008 Apparel Trend DVD with a guest panel at the Donna Marsh boutique in La Jolla, featuring the looks from the runways of New York, London, Milan and Paris. FGI member Jeffri Salisbury, instructor at FCC, put together a panel to discuss the Trends as they saw them being interpreted for Fall. The panel consisted of new FGI member Tanya McAnear, an instructor at FCC; FGI member Kathie Taylor, instructor at Mesa College and the Art Institute; Jessica Young, (con t. pg 6)
New Member Profile Marie Green Marie Green has been writing her regular column, Fashion Focus with Marie Green, since March 2007 for the Coastal Community Newspapers, (circ. 66,000) which includes the Carmel Valley Leader, The Del Mar Times, Rancho Santa Fe Record and Solana Beach Sun. This, however, is just part of FASHION FOCUS, which launched in 2005. Marie is a stylist that specializes in image consulting. She closely follows trends and makes sure her clients have the opportunity to always look and feel their best. Whether it's editing a wardrobe, organizing a closet or personal shopping, she is always striving to help women who desire to be fashionable achieve their best personal style. Marie has appeared on television, radio, newspapers and magazines in Phoenix, Minneapolis and San Diego. I've had a passion for fashion' since I can remember. My mother was in the fashion industry and started taking me to fashion shows when I was only four years old. As a teen, I modeled in many shows and worked in retail. In adulthood, my skills as a stylist developed. I love working with women and helping them feel great while achieving a fashion forward look, says Marie. Prior to creating FASHION FOCUS, Marie managed her husband's sports marketing company, Dennis Green Sports Marketing. Dennis Green is a 21 year veteran head coach in the NFL and college football. From 1997 to 2002, she had her own marketing and public relations company, Creative Consulting Enterprises. Creative Consulting developed and implemented marketing plans for small businesses and charitable organizations such as the Boys and Girls Club, the Epilepsy Foundation and Special Olympics. Marie graduated from Inver Hills College in Minnesota and worked as a flight attendant for Northwest Airlines for ten years. She has been married to Dennis since 1995 and has two children, Vanessa and Zachary. She has been a volunteer for many organizations, including Boys and Girls Club, Epilepsy Foundation, HOPE Foundation, PACER, Meals on Wheels and St. James Academy. In her free time she enjoys surfing, reading and doing calligraphy. an FCC graduate working at Charlotte Russe; and Erin Ditlow, an image consultant. A crowd of 20 strong had a great preview of what is soon to be in the stores! On June 14, we featured the Fall 2008 Accessory Trend DVD at Stephanie s Shoes in La Jolla. New FGI member Stephanie Whitlock welcomed us to her new boutique - she was just celebrating her 1 year Anniversary! About 15 eager members and guests jammed into Stephanie s and enjoyed the company, the shoes, the accessories and the refreshments while the DVD played in the background. For those of you who missed the Fall 2008 Trend Report, here are a few highlights of what you can expect to see:!" Black is the new Black, the official color of austerity chic!" Retro looks reminiscent of icons from the 40 s, 50 s, 60 s, 70 s and 90 s!" Structure, especially in coats, jackets!" Designer-created unique fabrics and fabrications!" Color after black, purple reigns, followed by all the autumnal shades of orange, yellow, brown and red (con t. page 7)
an FCC graduate working at Charlotte Russe; and Erin Ditlow, an image consultant. A crowd of 20 strong had a great preview of what is soon to be in the stores! Golden Scissors Makes the Cut On June 14, 2008 FGI San Diego featured the Fall 2008 Accessory Trend DVD at Stephanie s Shoes in La Jolla. New FGI member Stephanie Whitlock welcomed San Diego us to Mesa her new College boutique Fashion - she was just Program celebrating presented her 1 year Anniversary! About 15 eager members and guests jammed into the Stephanie s 27 th Annual and enjoyed Golden the Scissors company, Fashion the shoes, the Show accessories & and the refreshments while the DVD played in the background. Awards Gala on May 16, 2008 at the Sheraton Hotel & Marina. The theme for the evening was Jet Set For those of you who missed the Fall 2008 Trend Report, here are few highlights of what you can expect to see: and each segment reflected a city where the movers and shakers play: London, Paris, and New York.!" Black is the new Black, the official color of austerity chic!" Retro looks reminiscent These of icons innovative from the 40 s, scenes 50 s, ran 60 s, the 70 s gamut and 90 s from Daywear coats, to jackets Evening.!" Structure, especially in!" Designer-created unique fabrics and fabrications!" Color after black, purple One reigns, of the followed crowd by pleasers all the autumnal was shades a non-material of orange, yellow, category with dynamic show stopping brown and red!" Prints Winter florals abound!" Embellishment with staples replacing safety garments. pins, lots of feathers, The creative and sequins collections for shine Accessories emphasis on the leg and leg wear; the from necklace; the design the stiletto students pump, often also platformed; wowed the boot in many shapes; the shoulder bag big; and belts, narrow to mid-wide, the bring audience. focus to the waist Michelle Landry wrapped up the event as Guest Designer. Michelle featured her Vintage Inspired Lingerie line, Lucy B. This was very inspiring for the attendees to see first hand a successful 1993 graduate from Mesa College. Students made the Cut by producing this incredible show. San Diego Mesa College has Degrees in Fashion Design and Fashion Merchandising. For more information about this creative program call Professor Andrea Marx at 616.388.2206 Trends..!" Prints Winter florals abound!" Embellishment with staples replacing safety pins, lots of feathers, and sequins for shine Accessories emphasis on the leg and leg wear; the necklace; the stiletto pump, often platformed; the boot in many shapes; the shoulder bag big; and belts, narrow to mid-wide, bring focus to the waist. (more on page 8)
2008 Board Members Regional Directors.Grace Decker & Sherry Bittner Secretary.George Bates Treasurer Chuck Horst Membership Chairs Chrissy Burns Education Chair.Felena Hanson Program Chairs..Donna Steinback Foundation President.Open Nominations Chair.Diana Cavagnaro Hospitality Chair Open Communications Chair..Open Public Relations.Peggy Mathews Student Liaison.Kathy Taylor Newsletter Chair..Diana Cavagnaro Newsletter Editor Judy Thacker More Trends... Friends of Fashion Group Advisory Board Darlene Davies Jeanne Jones Jeanne Lucia Kristi Pieper Bonnie Wright Charlotte Jacobs Joyce Glazer Lael Kovtun Phyllis Parrish Mary G. Walker Yolanda Walther Meade Sally Thornton Newsletter Chair Diana Cavagnaro P.O. Box 711836 San Diego, CA 92171-1836