A few weeks ago, I posted a video of the last time Fashion Not Fear was on runway. It was 2019. You know how people say, “you never know what you have ‘til it’s gone.” I couldn’t agree with that statement any more than I do right now.
This mama is having some serious fashion show withdrawals. Completing a collection and seeing it go down a runway is one of the best feelings I’ve ever experienced. It’s a lot of work. Plus, there are times when I’m up late at night, cursing at the machine and throwing stuff. But it’s always worth it in the end. Always.
According to the latest updates about COVID, it appears that things won’t be anywhere close to being normal until the Fall. Which has me wondering should I wait or do a virtual runway show??
I’ve attended a few virtual shows in recent months. And I really enjoyed them! During one of them I watched in my PJs with a glass of champagne in one hand and baby in the other. With others I viewed, I got dressed up just to make me feel like a part of the occasion. Either way, it was pretty fantastic!
This is where I need your help. Do you think I should do a virtual runway show?? If so, what type of things would you like to see???
2020 has been quite a year! Unfortunately, amongst other things, it led us to not be able to have a runway show. All of the shows that we were scheduled to appear in were cancelled.
But there’s always next year…hopefully!
One thing is for sure, I won’t take for granted being able to participate being in a show. I never realized how much it was missed until the option was no longer there. So, for reminiscing purposes, I wanted to show you the last show we did in 2019.
Take a look at time Fashion Not Fear was put on a runway! You will notice something about their face accessories. Am I a fortune teller or what?? Plus, wait til the end to get all of the outfit details.
Which was your favorite look?? Let me know in the comments…
Have you ever been in the midst of doing something and realized that you are doing EXACTLY what you were meant to be doing?Well, that’s how I felt this past weekend.
The SPIRIT Fashion show was on Saturday, April 6th in Pittsburgh at Carnegie Mellon University.In my last entry of The Life & Times Of A Fearless Entrepreneur, I gave you a small glimpse into everything that I’ve been going through since joining the SPIRIT show this year.
Getting everything together for this show has been one of the hardest things I’ve ever done in my life!No bullshit.I mean, this isn’t the first time I’ve participated in a fashion show.It’s not even the first time I’ve been involved in this particular show.This time was just much harder for various reasons.The main reason being that all of the styles were handcrafted by yours truly.And if something could go wrong, it did!
Before sewing a single thing, I started as I usually do.I sketched out my ideas.But that seemed to be the only thing that panned out prior to the show.It was pretty unbelievable.The first mishap was the lost fabric packages.Which I never found (by the way.)
After countless trips to the fabric store, cutting patterns, and carefully creating 8 designs, I took two extra special packages to be shipped by Priority Mail.This is my shipping process everytime a package goes out.But this time was different.The worker wanted to give me a hard time about everything from the type of tape that used to them not wanting to give me a receipt.He didn’t know who he was trying…obviously.
After winning that battle, I patiently waited for the required two days for them to arrive at the college. On the 3rd day, the tracking number was entered on their website. Out for delivery…it said. I called USPS, held for 68 minutes and the damn phone hung up on me. I immediately called back.The USPS worker answered, after another hour hold. By that time, I was in tears. I’m a gangsta but how much can a girl take?! LOL Anyway, his answer to me was, “We will do an investigation and get back to you within 3 day.”
3 days.Who the hell had 3 days to wait??
That package needed to be there ASAP!In the midst of freaking out on the guy, I received the best email ever.
Hey Kristie,
The packages were delivered yesterday.I will let you know how everything fits!
SPIRIT Design Team
I apologized to Mr. USPS and hang up the phone.
After my apology, I thought I could coast.Working on show deadlines was a thing of the past. That didn’t last long.
Then this happened.
Hi Kristie,
Here are pics of the styles.There were some issues with fittings.
SPIRIT Design Team
“Issues with fittings” was the nice way of saying it.Some dress sleeves didn’t fit.Two of the models couldn’t even slide their skirts up.I was horrified.How could this have happened?Something was wrong with the measurements.For sure.
I headed straight to the fabric store.There was much work to be done!With only 3 days to do it.The only thing I had to do was make two dresses, two skirts, and adjust a skirt set.How hard could it be??
The next three nights were the longest and crankiest days of my life.This madness carried on until 4am on the morning I was scheduled to fly to Pittsburgh.I had to be at the airport at 630, so I was running off fumes by the time the plane hit the friendly skies.
After a safe arrival, I got tried again.First by trying to overcharge me for a rental car and secondly because our hotel room was somehow no longer available.Went to war with both, won, and then hit the town for a bit of a tour.
The next day was showtime!I went to CMU early in the day to meet up with the girls and finally fittings.It was a relief to know that the pieces fit great.
That’s when I knew that all of the madness was worth it.Sleeplessness nights, lost packages, frantic calls and breakdowns. It was all worth it.
#BTS shots
Now you know the steps that lead up to the show.Shots from the runway very soon.Stay tuned!
Did you catch these beauties on the runway?? My mother blessed me with these masks that she did by hand and these aren’t the only ones! She killed the masks the girls are wearing. They are a must see! Big, big, big shoutout to my Mama for doing this!
An announcement was made on our IG page. Did you catch it? Okay, if you didn’t then…read on.
I am excited to announce that Fashion Not Fear will be on the runway at this years SPIRIT Fashion Show! The SPIRIT Fashion Show is the longest running fashion show EVER. It is held each year at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA.
This is their 32nd year and it will be lit (as the kids say)!
This years’ theme is about the journey of introspection. The idea is to express self discovery and rectifying flaws through style. The show will be on Saturday April 6th. And ya’ girl has already been working on this! Seriously, I have lace, thread, chiffon, and needles all over the place.
This will be my third year participating in this event. The first time, it was a mix of dresses, pants, shorts, etc. The second year, was the first time all Fashion Not Fear dresses hit the runway. So, of course I have to kick things up alot.
This year, you will be able to shop directly from the runway. They will be available on bluelabelsboutique.com immediately following the show! If you don’t live in Pittsburgh or surrounding areas, then don’t sweat it. You will be able to livestream the show.
There will be other talented designers in the show. Along with other artists.
9 new Fashion Not Fear dress styles at one time. This will be something that you DON’T WANT TO MISS!
You can get all of the show and ticket info at spiritfashionshow.com. Plus, you already know I will keep you updated here and on IG (@bluelabelsboutique). I can’t wait to show you what I’ve been working on.
Will you be at the show or will you be able to livestream it?? Let me know in the comments…
You’ve watched the livestream, you have seen the sketches; now here is your chance to see pics from the runway.
LaShae Gordon in the Hydrant Top & Skirt | 📸 by Christina Jin
LaShae Gordon in the Hydrant Top & Skirt | 📸 by Kohei Arai
LaShae Gordon in the Hydrant Top & Skirt | 📸 by Tyler Davis
Oluwatobi Ajimoko in the T-Shirt Dress with Fearless Belt 📸 by Kohei Arai
Oluwatobi Ajimoko in the T-Shirt Dress with Fearless Belt📸 by Kohei Arai
Oluwatobi Ajimoko in the T-Shirt Dress with Fearless Belt📸 by Kohei Arai
Njaire Mckoy in the Sheer Hoodie & Reverse Denim Skirt | 📸 by Kohei Arai
Njaire Mckoy in the Sheer Hoodie & Reverse Denim Skirt | 📸 by Kohei Arai
Njaire Mckoy in the Sheer Hoodie & Reverse Denim Skirt | 📸 by Kohei Arai
Lovisa Brandon in the Suspender Dress | 📸 by Kohei Arai
Lovisa Brandon in the Suspender Dress | 📸 by Kohei Arai
Lovisa Brandon in the Suspender Dress | 📸 by Kohei Arai
Bernice Yu in the Floral Top & Skirt Set | 📸 by Kohei Arai
Bernice Yu in the Floral Top & Skirt Set | 📸 by Kohei Arai
Bernice Yu in the Floral Top & Skirt Set | 📸 by Kohei Arai
Now all that’s left is for you to decide what you want because you can shop the collection on May 7th! Let me know what your favorites are in the comments…
Happy First Day Of Spring 2017!! That’s right, Winter is officially over! I am lucky enough to have been enjoying Sunny days for quite some time. You can’t beat Texas weather. But, I know that those of you on other sides of the map (and world) are counting down the days until sunshine shows itself again. You might not feel the change yet, just hold on, she’s coming!
Last week, the announcement was made that BLB will be returning to the SPIRIT Fashion Show this year. We will be styling the CMU students in pieces from our new Spring 2017 Collection. Wouldn’t it nice to get a preview of what styles will be hitting the runway? I thought so too! Here is a sneak peak of three pieces that will be on the runway; April 8, 2017 in Pittsburgh, PA. On the Carnegie Mellon University Campus, of course. Feel free to shop the dresses now, while you still can! You’re welcome. 😉
To The Courts Mini Dress
She’s Gone Hollywood Necklace
Always Royal Skirt
New pieces are added each week, so make sure you check back (enter website) often. Get ticket information for the eventhere. Don’t forget to email me at Kristie@bluelabelsboutique.com, if you want to shop the Style Suite while we are in Pittsburgh.
“Live in fashion not fear” “Fear holds you back, fashion takes you places.”
One of the goals at Fashion Not Fear, is to fuel the fearlessness in you. Being fearlessness makes you feel like you can do anything in the world. And who wouldn’t want to feeling?!
FNF believes one of the best ways to present your fearlessness is through the most universal language, fashion. Being fearless in fashion doesn’t mean that you just throw on anything and walk out of the door. It is more like a state of mind. You wear what makes YOU feel good, styled how YOU like, without a thought of what anyone else thinks about it. Plus, you do it with so much confidence that no one can tell you anything and they won’t even try! Sound like a plan?
Well then check out these 9 tips that will keep you fearless in fashion in 2017:
Fearless Tip #1 – Think twice before buying, if it costs more than $100
No matter the budget, $100 is a nice piece of change. Don’t waste it on something that you’re not completely in love with! Super trendy items won’t be in style next season, possibly next month so don’t waste the money.
Fearless Tip #2 – Thigh high boots make everything look good.
Thigh high boots makes anything look sexy. And sexiness in fashion is definitely for the fearless. Over jeans, with a short skirt, with a maxi skirt…you can’t go wrong. Keep a good pair of thigh highs in your closet.
Fearless Tip #3 – Give your nails the big O
Oval shaped nails are fashion forward and fearless. A manicure is one of the easiest ways to bring on the fearlessness.
Fearless Tip #4 – When in doubt, wear a bold lip color.
Ever had those times when you feel under-dressed or like your outfit is missing something? Slide on some bold lipstick and you will instantly see a difference. Red lips, for instance, take you from casual to glam. It’s the perfect accessory!
Fearless Tip #5 – Remind yourself who you are, so you won’t be waiting for someone else to do it.
Confidence is key to being fearless. But the confidence has to come within and not from others. Look in the mirror to remind yourself, write out daily affirmations…whatever it takes. Value yourself so that others around you will too!
Fearless Tip #6 – Know Your “It” Piece
Find that one garment that always makes you feel and look good. It doesn’t matter what time of month or event. Once you find it (if you haven’t already) put it on whenever you need a bit of a pick me up. There’s nothing like a great outfit to do that trick. For me, it a slinky black jumper. What’s yours?
Fearless Tip #7 – Focus On Your Uniqueness
We were all created to be different. So, why do some people spend so much time trying to be like someone else? Focus on what is unique about you and learn to love it!
Fearless Tip #8 – Wear a bra that makes everything sit in the right place
One of my favorite style tips to share is to wear a good bra. It makes your clothes fit and hang on you better. Plus, nice looking cleavage never hurt anyone.
Fearless Tip #9 – You are more than how many likes or follows you receive.
Social media is a powerful tool that let’s you connect with people all over the world. It is super fun and what was life like without it? But don’t let it be TOO powerful in your life. The amount of likes or follows should not give value or take away any value from your life.
Remember, being fearless doesn’t mean that there aren’t times when you are afraid or feeling less confident. It just means that you are feeling the fear, but doing it anyway! Which tips would you follow in 2017?
If you have been following FNF, then hopefully you know that styling models in Blue Labels Boutique for various runway shows is one of my many talents. 😉
Traveling to different places, meeting new people and spreading the fashion love has been amazing! Our most recent runway show was earlier this year at the Spirit Fashion Show on the Carnegie – Mellon Campus in Pittsburgh, PA. It is one of my favorites, to date.
I am happy to announce that we are back at it! That’s right, beauties. We will be hitting the runway on October 22nd at the Mid- America Center in Council Bluffs, IA. We are in the process of making final outfit selections as we speak. (please excuse the clutter)
Runway shows are more than throwing clothes on a model and telling them to walk. It involves lots of plotting, strategizing, styling, fittings, music, and more. The outfits should convey your message and the models must feel awesome wearing it. Also, the crowd should get style inspiration and feel the need to run shop immediately. There’s alot going on, to say the least.
The theme for this show is to inspire everyday women with work, school, party, and other overall post-worthy OOTDs. Then, how to transition those day looks to night. But before the models can slay the runway, the room must be filled with music that will get everyone dancing in their seats. Which is why the track list is made up of songs like; Work, Trap Queen, and slightly oldie but goodies like Shake It Off by Mariah Carey. I’m dancing just thinking about it!
In true FNF style, we are taking the road trip from Texas to the show in Iowa. Hey, we have special cargo and it has to get there in one piece, right?! Not only that but who wouldn’t love a road trip?! I have found that the scenery from the passenger side of a sedan is much more interesting than flying (depending on your destination.) So, a 14 hour drive will give us plenty of time to take in a few sights. This fashion trip will take us through Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Nebraska/Iowa (the location is pretty much right on the border of both.) I’m so excited to see cities like Tulsa, Witchita & Topeka, and Omaha to name a few. If you live in the area come out to see the show and shop with us. Plus, make sure to follow FNF for behind the scenes info!
Any suggestions on a must see landmark, amazing restaurant, or another pit stop that is worth seeing along the way? Leave a comment and let me know!
