Puttin' on the Ritz: Behind the Scenes with an AFM Model

Call it fate. Call it coincidence. I consider it no small matter that I found myself dressed to the nines in Daisy Buchanan fashion two Sundays ago, mere hours after watching Baz Luhrmann's movie masterpiece, The Great Gatsby. Seeing Carey Mulligan flit from one decadent outfit to another was nothing short of spectacular, but by the time the credits were rolling and I'd drained my champagne glass, I was ready to don some sparkles of my own.

I couldn't have foreseen that my photo shoot the next day would indulge this very craving. The roaring Twenties were all too apparent in Rox + Royalty's latest collection, Modern Gatbsy. Coupled with a fair dose of flapper-approved sequins, fur, and beading, Rox + Royalty's newest pieces also incorporate the studs, spikes and fun-loving vibe that has become the line's edgy signature.

The creation of Annie Weihrauch, Rox + Royalty is a staple in the Columbus fashion scene. Awarded the grand prize at HighBall 2013, the citywide Halloween bonanza, Annie further cemented herself as one of the Capital city's most exciting designers. Her plans for 2014 are just as thrilling. On February 6^th, Rox + Royalty will show at New York Fashion Week – an experience coveted by most any clothing designer.

The photo shoot that ensued for Rox + Royalty's NYFW lookbook was a fabulous fusion of bad-ass grandeur. Reporting for hair and makeup, I was promptly transformed by stylist Marissa Bender with a wavy, slicked-down 'do to compliment my pixie cut. Smoky eyes, rouged cheeks, and maroon lips were next on Marissa's list. From the salon, I toted by model bag and my high spirits to the studio, where I was greeted with an energetic Annie putting the finishing touches on her marvelous pieces.

Under a mass of fabric and hardware, amid glitter, tulle, and chains, I spied fashion glory – a floor length gown with a white bustier bodice, its seams outlined in silver beads to mimic the chrome hued sequins of the cutaway skirt. With so many pieces to outfit us models, I could only hope I'd be chosen for that heavenly creation! It was with much enthusiasm that I skipped to the dressing room a few minutes later after Annie dubbed me the Daisy of the shoot.

I emerged with a huge smile, strapped on a killer pair of heels and bent down as I was adorned with yet more Jazz Age finery. That's right! Rox + Royalty's wears also extend into jewelry and accessories! The feather headband and chunky necklace were just the glitz I needed to complete my look.

Anita (left) and I on set!

Gatsby girls.

As I took in the rest of the room, I realized I wasn't the only model feeling the glamor that day. Everywhere I turned, the other girls were just as entranced with their looks as I was with mine. Taking to the camera, the rapid succession of clicks was accompanied by my unstoppable ponderings. How fabulous would it have been to live in a time when life was about making a statement, whether at teatime or at the city's most exclusive party?

I consider myself lucky to have glimpsed this awesome merger of historically lavish aesthetic made modern. The Lookbook had proven to be a complete success thanks to the grand designs of Rox + Royalty's reigning queen, Annie. Visit the the Rox + Royalty site today get a dose of twinkling Twenties style with that irresistible sass.

Best of luck at NYFW, Annie! In true Rox + Royalty style, we know you'll show 'em who's boss. This debutante is honored to be a part of your journey.

Here is the fabulous result of the shoot, and a peak at Annie's line. 


Photos by Dalong Yang

http://www.roxandroyalty.com/

http://plitzs.com/nycfashionweek/schedule-2/ 

- Michaela Neu

Model and Alt Fashion Blogger

A Retail Orgasm: The Story of One Alternative Fashion Blogger's Shopping Haul

Friday afternoon, after working from 5am-10am (yeah, don’t ask!), I found myself on one of those random missions to Easton Towne Center that we've all tried to accomplish: Do one thing, and get the heck out.

I had only planned to take my foundation back to exchange it for the correct shade. (After all, later on that night I had to attend Columbus' new monthly event called “Fashion & Fame” at Shadowbox Live and I hadn’t had any rest since 4am.) So the plan was to hit the M.A.C counter and promptly leave.

Ha! You know it never works out like we plan.

A voice in in the back of my head demanded, “Go to H&M and look around. You might find a dress on sale to wear tonight.” So I did.

Initially, nothing was really tickling my fancy. I saw one jacket with chains on the shoulders that was really cool -- but it was also full price, so it went back on the rack fairly quickly. Then I started to make my way to the back where the sale items live. And to my surprise, there were two round racks in the middle with a sign above them that read, “50% off.” BINGO, I had action!

As I begin to survey the racks, I saw the tags with stickers on them that read $20, $15, and $7. I thought to myself, “Hmm these aren’t bad at all.”

Then I looked back up at the sign on the top of the rack. “50% off MARKED DOWN prices.” Whaaat?

I asked the sales lady (just to make sure before I got myself all worked up for nothing), “does this sign mean the prices are ALREADY marked 50% off?” She looked at me, smiled like an angel and said, “oh no, it means 50% off THAT price on the sticker on the tag. So if it says, $7.00, it will be $3.50 at the register.”

I swear I went deaf and blind for a minute! I composed myself, looked back at the tags, and said, “So wayment (that's surprised talk for "wait a minute"). You mean to tell me that all of these dresses are only $3.50?”

She politely reiterated, “Yes ma’am, that’s right.” I immediately started scrolling through everything on the rack like I was a contestant on that old show “Supermarket Sweep,” except this was a new show called “H&M Winter Clearance Sweep,” starring ME, and I had to liberate everything great off that rack!

I swept up all the dresses and every blazer in my size and sashayed merrily to the dressing room, both arms laden with clothes. The dressing room attendant looked at me and, seeing I was obviously ready to shop, uttered a statement that was music to my little ears: “You know we have more clearance items in the back of the store, right?”

My outer voice said, "Oh, great! Thank you!" But my inner voice said, "You’ve got to be sh*ttin' me! You mean to tell me there are more $3.50 dresses back there, too? Have I died and gone to retail heaven?!"

I couldn’t believe that all of this could be happening to me. On this day. At this moment. When I had money to spend!

So of course, I stuffed all the items I grabbed from the first two racks into the oversized H&M mesh shopping bag I picked up in the dressing room and made my way to the back of the store. Low and behold, I found pants, shirts, sweaters, skirts, more blazers, jackets, and more dresses. Pants for $7.50, skirts for $2.50, sweaters for $5.00, the list goes on and the prices continue to drop.
 
Okay, so at this point I am literally HIGH: My heart is pounding, my pupils are dilated, my hands are shaking, my anxiety is through the roof, and I am floating through the store in a euphoric trance. I can’t hear anything (except for the voices in my head tallying up my total, $2.50+ $7.50+ $10.00+….) and I don’t see anyone else in the store (except for the people who get in my way -- you know the ones who obviously have a death wish). It’s just me, the sale racks, marked down tags, the 50% off signs, and the clothes... Yes people, my name is Simon'e and I am addicted to retail, sales, and all things fashion.

I tried things on, made my selections, and took them to the register. As I slung my oversized shopping bag full of goodies onto the counter, I confessed, “yeah, sh*t just got real. Please don’t judge me.” My high was lingering but it was wearing off.

Until the cashier said my total in so lovely a voice, it must have been given to her by sweet baby Jesus himself!! “That will be $94.16.”

I felt the adrenaline rush back through my entire body. It was a retail orgasm! (And we all know how hard those are to come by -- amIright, ladies?) Proudly, with a smile from here to the runways of Paris, I swiped my card. I took my receipt and slung my huge bag of Winter Clearance greatness over my shoulder as I floated out of the store looking like Santa Claus on Christmas Eve.

After it was all said and done, I walked away with 15 items:

• 6 pairs of pants
• 4 dresses
• 1 sweater
• 2 jackets
• 2 skirts

For less than $100.00!

Here the beauties are:

The moral of this story is: SHOP OFF-SEASON AND SAVE MONEY!

If you have the patience to wait to purchase items between seasons -- at the end of one season, beginning of the next -- you can really get the most for your money. I know what you’re thinking... “Simon'e, I don’t have time to wait until the end of spring to purchase spring clothes. I need them now!” And you’re absolutely right but if that top is marked $39.50 and it will cost you only $3.50 in a couple of months, isn’t that worth the wait? And the best thing about it is that I just got clothes on winter clearance and it is still winter! I can wear them now and even transition some of them into the upcoming seasons.

With that being said:
Happy clearance hunting and may the fashion force be with you!

 

Here's me with my flushed-cheek, starry-eyed new clothes glow:

 

And here's the cool fashion event where I wore my new look:

 

Written by Simon’e Lightfoot

 

Let the mess begin!

This week the Alternative Fashion Mob had its first meeting with the prospective designers for Alternative Fashion Week 2014, and there was a spectacular turn out. I don't think anyone anticipated there being SO MANY PEOPLE! It seems like just yesterday we were wrapping up a glorious runway finale after a whole week of alternative fashion events for 2013, and I personally can't believe that it's already time to do it again. I. CAN'T. WAIT.

If you haven't checked out last year's finale show, you should really take a peek at This Photo Album Right Here to get an idea of how much awesome is about to happen in April. The picture above is a fantastic reminder that this city really is A Fashion Hub with exceptional talent all around it.

And while we count down the days to Alternative Fashion Week 2014 (April 19th-26th), we're gearing up to cover as much of the behind the scenes as possible here on AFBlog. We've taken on three wonderful contributing writers to help tackle as many things as we can, and there will be A LOT. From designer spotlights and interviews, to tutorials, event coverage, fashion reviews, mood boards, and more! We will have weekly updates to help build your anticipation (and beyond!) of the big event. As always, if there's something particular that you'd like us to cover or write on, please let us know in the comments!