Aftershock London Brings British Style to Galleria Dallas

The Brits switched up its Aftershock London store location when the boutique was reintroduced at the Galleria Dallas earlier this year.  The British boutique has been successful in Dallas for almost two years, which is the only city in the United States to get the Aftershock London experience with a physical store location.  Imran Sheikh, managing partner for the US division, expressed his excitement for the new Aftershock London store at the Galleria.  Bringing the British-based retailer to a shopping center of 200 retailers and a lot of foot traffic is expected to increase its accessibility and visibility in Dallas.  Aftershock London was first introduced to Dallas when its grand opening in 2013 at the Plaza at Preston Center.

Stylist Dawn Mellon and The Fashionistas organization hosted the grand opening party with plenty of shopping and fun.  The display windows were occupied by live model-mannequins showing off some of Aftershock's most glam looks.  Partygoers enjoyed shopping, mingling and cocktails.  For unique eveningwear and accessible daytime glam, go to Aftershock London. 

PS - Dawn is one of the 12 women chosen to participate in Fashion Stars for a Cause this year.  She is raising money to benefit the Suicide and Crisis Center of North Texas.  If you're interested in purchasing a ticket to the event on March 20 or raffle tickets to win a royal dinner and a Belk gift card, please contact her! 

LeeAnne Locken and Yvonne Crum

Lucy Dang Trunk Show and Dawn Mellon's Fall Trends @ Belk

"Feminine and southern."  That's how Dallas-based fashion designer Lucy Dang describes her style.  The ever-so-stylish women in Dallas love Lucy Dang, and so does the rest of the south.  In 2013, she submitted her designs for the Belk Southern Designer Showcase just two days before the deadline and won.  Her modern yet sophisticated evening wear collection has landed at Belk.  Lucy also won the 2013 Texas Next Top Designer competition.  With two big wins, 2013 was an awesome year for Lucy, and I think 2015 will be even better.  Last month, Belk shoppers at the Galleria Dallas were the first ones to pre-order dresses the new spring 2015 line, and meet the designer too.

Yvonne Crum, Charmaine Marshall, Lucy Dang, Alex Small, Lisa Petty.  Photo by Scot Redman

Dallas is the perfect place for Lucy to showcase her designs.  She described Dallas as "charming, warm and sophisticated," which is exactly what's seen in Lucy's clothes.  After designing an elegant, dark collection for fall, Lucy decided to use shades on the other end of the spectrum for her spring collection.  Lucy focused on keeping the new collection bright, airy and exotic and was influenced by Peru. 

Lucy Dang was born to be a designer.  Scarlett O'Hara from Gone with the Wind sparked her interest in fashion at a young age.  According to Lucy, success in the fashion industry depends on perseverance and passion for fashion.  Lucy spent 10 years building fashion industry experience before becoming a fashion designer.  Some of the companies she's worked for are Dillard's, Nicole Miller and Rebecca Taylor.

My favorite dress from Lucy's collection!

Lucy Dang and Lisa Petty

Lucy Dang and Dawn Mellon.  Photo by Scot Redman

Lucy wasn't the only star at Belk that day.  Dawn Mellon, everyone's favorite Savvy Stylist, also shared her secrets to making the most of your fall wardrobe.  The same dress can look completely different with a few tweaks and a little creativity.  I was very impressed with Dawn's picks, as usual!  Belk put on another fabulous event, and stay tuned for more fall and winter events coming soon!  

Belk Galleria Dallas Fall 2014 Preview

Ellen Flowers, Heather Anderson, Cynthia Smoot, Lisa Petty, Dawn Mellon, Alex Small, and Chelsea Hameister

This month, Dallas bloggers got a fall fashion preview at Belk Galleria Dallas.  It's hard to believe that Belk, which opened earlier this spring at the Galleria, is already preparing for the biggest season in fashion: fall!  Belk's Arlene Goldstein, VP of Trend Merchandising and Fashion Direction, gave us a sneak peek into the top fall trends.  Belk is going to have some pretty fierce stuff this fall.  See for yourself when you get the fall catalog in the mail!  Or better yet, visit the Galleria to get the Belk experience in person.  Use this handy list of Top 10 Fall Picks as a guide for your fall shopping.

Women’s Most Wanted

1. Soft Pant

2. Longer Skirt

3. Creative Cardigan

4. Novelty Vest

5. Fashion Sweatshirt

6. Tunic Top

7. Midi Length Sheath

8. Statement Neck

9. Over the Knee Boots

10. Satchel

Jump-start fall shopping right now at Belk Galleria Dallas.  You'll fall in love with their latest fall picks... and sale items.  There's almost always a coupon or an additional percent off.  You've gotta love Belk!

Summary of Style Statements:

Complex Simplicity: ultra-modern message, pattens go graphic, and bold contrasts

His is Hers: quirky coolness with a feminine twist, exotic red color palette exotic

Rebel Rebel: unexpected pairings, passion for plaids, statement necks and cuffs, booties and over-the-knee boots

with Yvonne Crum and Linda Cooper

 All of these beautiful photos were taken by Shana Anderson!

Fashion Stars for a Cause 2014

2014 Fashion Stars for a Cause: Hilary Kennedy, Alex Small, Toni Munoz-Hunt, Antonia Hubert, Britt Harless, Ashley Burghardt, Cynthia Smoot, Robin Brock, Carla Miller, Regina Bruce, Rhonda Marcus.  Not pictured: Janee Hill.  Photo by Danny Campbell

The night we were all waiting for finally happened on March 21.  Friends and supporters of the Suicide and Crisis Center of North Texas convened at the Dallas Country Club to promote suicide prevention.  The first Fashion Stars for a Cause event was a huge, SOLD OUT event.  Hundreds of people from the Dallas fashion and charity community, plus 10 members from my family, were in attendance.  The chic soiree began with the signature Fashion Stars Cocktail and a runway show.  After the 12 Fashion Stars strutted on the runway in Tootsies dresses, Terry Bentley Hill inspired the audience with a message of hope.  All of this was possible because of Yvonne Crum.  She's tirelessly dedicated to important causes, especially the SCC for the past several years.  Her energy and involvement is inspiring.  Thank you, Yvonne for making it happen.  It means so much to me that I was nominated alongside these dynamic, accomplished, and compassionate women.  This was an experience of a lifetime that I'm forever grateful for.  

Fashion Friends: Dawn Mellon, Alex Small, Shona Gilbert, Val Valentine, Cheryl Rochefort Rios, Lisa Petty.  Photo by Danny Campbell

On the runway!  Cynthia Smoot looked stunning in yellow.  Notice Grant, my official photographer, in the right corner.  Photo by Danny Campbell.

It's not too late to buy raffle tickets for a chance to win a Cabo trip - $50 each or 3 for $100.  Remember to mentioned Alex Small when you buy your raffles online!  The winner will be announced on May 24 at the Beverly Drive Polo Cup and Concorso at the Prestonwood Country Club. 

Rhonda Marcus, Alex Small, Regina Bruce. Photo c/o Regina Bruce

Rhonda Marcus, Hilary Kennedy, Ashley Burghardt, Alex Small.  Photo c/o Regina Bruce.

Alex Small and Val Valentine.  Photo by Danny Campbell

The Small Family

Photo by Danny Campbell

Yvonne Crum and Hilary Kennedy.  Photo by Danny Campbell

Photo by Danny Campbell

 Stay tuned to read about Emilie's star experience at the Fashion Stars for a Cause event.  She's very dedicated to her fans!  You know she loves a good runway show...

Louise Murphy (Aunt Lou Lou), Alex Small, Elaine Small (Mom), and Emilie Dufour (fashion model).  Photo by Danny Campbell

Yvonne Crum, Alex Small, Grant Small, Emilie Dufour

Special shout out to these girls!  Caroline and Yvan volunteered to sell a lot of raffle tickets at the event.  And they're graduating from high school this spring... congrats!

Vintage Fashion With Dawn & Lisa: Spring 2014

With Dawn Mellon.  Photo by: Lisa Petty

 The Addison Conference Centre was transformed into a vintage paradise for a weekend-long spring 2014 Dallas Vintage Clothing & Jewelry Show.  Vendors from DFW and around the country brought their best vintage gems for us to buy and admire.   

But the highlight event of the weekend was a speech about fashion through the decades by Dawn Mellon, The Savvy Stylist.  The presentation began with an introduction by the equally-fabulous Lisa Petty, editor-extraordinaire for DFW Style Daily.  Dawn's meticulously styled looks from the 1920s through the 1960s were historically accurate yet were still appealing in modern times.  I could see myself or my friends in a variation of each outfit, which was a fun way to look at fashion history!

Dawn Mellon, Alex Small, Lisa Petty

Shopping followed Dawn's presentation.  Lisa and I sifted through a table of jewelry from Estate Chicago that we agreed we could look through all day long!  This was my first time at the Dallas Vintage Clothing & Jewelry Show, but it certainly won't be my last.  As always, Lisa Petty has the best suggestions!