Holiday Gift Guide: Style Urban Essentials

The holidays are upon us which means that it's time to find the perfect gift for everyone on your list. We're lucky to live in a city that's rich with so many amazing designers, neighborhood boutiques and international brands that help make shopping local a cinch this season. Here's a round-up of our favorite urban style essentials. 

Just as Anna Wintour advises the audience in the movie The September Issue "There's always a way to wear fur", in the Northwest there's always a way to wear cashmere. Made from 100% Mongolian Cashmere this asymmetrical poncho by Issaquah designer Paychi Guh is perfect for crisp Seattle days.

Speaking of cashmere, for a serious splurge you can't go wrong with this gorgeous oblong cashmere coat by Schai. Made in the USA this collarless coat made of 100% cashmere from Italy is fully lined and perfect for fall.

These ombre-inspired glasses from SEE Eyewear are my favorite way to instantly add color to any outfit. Available with clear lenses or a prescription, these glasses are fun to wear and will instantly perk up you entire face. Which really means you can wear them, put your hair in a pony tail and even get away with wearing less make-up. Who knew a pair of glasses could streamline your get ready routine too? Pictured: SEE Eyewear Style #9254.

For under $30 this sleek faux cheetah and white lambskin slim wallet by Jonquil & Mr Black makes a great stocking stuffer. Handmade in Ballard these wallets are perfect for urban living. 

Holiday hopping can be an adventure and if you love discovering something new you'll want to check out the 8telier pop-up shop going on now at Pacific Place. You'll find a host of urban essentials at the shop including leather jackets, knit tops, cozy cardigans and even small home goods like bar soap from local line Blackbird. 

For a great gift on a budget I recommend these booties by Seattle-based Dolce Vita shoes. Priced at $100 flat these suede ankle boots are versatile and have a heel height that is completely manageable, even in the rain. 

And underneath it all every stylish Seattleite needs gorgeous lingerie. Visit Bellefleur Lingerie in Fremont for a beautiful selection of sophisticated and chic lingerie. My personal pick is the Pansy collection by Freya. (Pictured: Freya Pansy Midnight Bra and matching brief)

Like what you see? Please share and stay tuned to Seattle Boutique Blogspot for more #ShopLocal Holiday Gift Guides!

5 Mothers Day Gifts from 5 Local Designers

Mothers Day is less than a week away. If you want to give mom a gift she'll love and support local designers, this list is for you! Take a look at our top local picks for stylish moms in Seattle.

The Open Stitch rectangle popover by Issaquah-based cashmere designer Paychi Guh is a perfect everyday basic for moms who want covet versatile pieces that will remain be part of their wardrobe for many years to come. Available in a latte/ivory colorway as pictured, or navy/grey, this gorgeous top can literally be "popped over" to change the shape of the neckline.

For moms who look to accessories to quickly pull an outfit together, the Casbah earrings by White Space jewelry make a gorgeous gift that she will absolutely love. Made from 14k gold vermeil these earrings are handmade in the USA.  White Space designer Khadijah Fulton's picks for Mothers Day were recently featured in this gift guide round-up by Seattle Met.

The Blanca collection for Spring '14 from designer Cameron Levin is now available at Butch Blum. These black chiffon pants tie at the waist and have a nude stripe detail on the lower leg just above the ankle. Great for working moms who want to look stylish on a summer day at the office, these pants pair perfectly with a silk white tee or tank. Add a blazer to finish the look.

For moms who deserve to be pampered this year, Mere Basics has a special cashmere gift set that is guaranteed to please even the pickiest moms. Made of 100% pure cashmere, the Mere Basics gift set features a cap sleeve short sleeve top and coordinating cashmere shorts, perfect for light-weight layering on a cold day, or lounging around the house.

If the mom on your Mothers Day shopping list loves bold fashion statements, local line Gutanga has the perfect pair of pants that not only look good, they support a great cause too. The entire line is made in the USA and a portion of every sale goes to supporting children's education in Rwanda.

Styled Seattle produces another great issue of Styled Right magazine

Vicci Martinez looks stunning on the cover of this month's Styled Right magazine. Available online, the new issue features style advice from Clinton Kelly, host of TLC's What Not to Wear, Thrifting tips from Evening Magazine's Kim Holcomb, dating advice from Lindzi Cox of The Bachelor, holiday must-haves from the "It List" including White Space jewelry stackable rings and cashmere scarves by Paychi Guh, plus tips on how to thrive this holiday season. Read the full issue online here: http://bit.ly/1e1DRYD. 

Wear Wednesdays at the W Seattle feat. Paychi Guh

Just two weeks after stepping off the runway at the Independent Designer Runway show in Bellevue where she was recognized as one of the top 3 designers in the competition, cashmere designer Paychi Karen Guh will be featured by the W Seattle for the Wear Wednesdays fashion series, Oct. 9th from 5-7pm. The event will include the opportunity for guests to meet the designer, shop the debut fall collection and preview samples from the spring '14 line.

What: Wear Wednesday feat. Paychi Guh

When: Wednesday, Oct. 9th from 5-7pm

Where: W Seattle 1112 Fourth Ave. Seattle, WA 98101

Stay social: Follow the fashion conversation on Twitter @PaychiGuh using the event hashtag #WearWednesdays.

Runway Recap: Indie Designer Runway Show

Indie Designers Kick off Bellevue Fashion Week 

The turnout for Wednesday night's Independent Designer Runway Show to kick off Bellevue Fashion Week was amazing! An overall feeling of excitement filled the air and guests were buzzing about the indie fashion movement happening in our city. The talent of the designers was evident in the cohesiveness of their collections and also by the refinement that clearly went into every garment over the past six months. Back in March a total of 38 designers went through the interview process to participate in the showcase and last night the top 10 finalists had the opportunity to send their collections down the runway. The sold-out crowd consisted of Seattle fashion enthusiasts including members of Fashion Group International, buyers from local stores, fashion editors for Pacific Northwest magazines, wardrobe stylists, fashion fans and even fellow fashion designers in the community coming together to show their support of the fresh talent the city has to offer. The caliber of this year's designers blew me away and their sheer level of talent and creativity cannot be ignored.

Winning the top prize of $5,000 cash and the chance to showcase his line in Bellevue Square during the month of October was Aykut Ozen. His line of handmade leather goods inspired by classic workwear and rock-n-roll are both functional and original.

Designers Erin Roby and Paychi Guh tied for runners-up and each received a prize of $1,000 cash, courtesy of The Bellevue Collection. Erin Roby's collection featured structured silhouettes to create a modern "Northwest" look, while Paychi Guh focused on beautifully draped, architecturally-inspired sweaters, tunics and scarves in pure cashmere.

Crowd-favorites from the evening included the mixed materials and contrasting textures shown in the Wyatt Orr set, the oversized, chunky cashmere scarves shown by Benu Cashmere and the white-on-white looks sent down the runway by Trina Pierre, shown below.

Other designers showcasing their collections at the Independent Designer Runway Show included Corban Harper, Lia Pal, Michael Cepress, and Heather Ellrod. Take the time to get to know these amazing indie designers and buy one of their pieces while you can- soon you'll be telling your friends you "knew them way back when"...

Photo credit: The Bellevue Collection/Jami Davis 

Indie designer Paychi Guh launches debut cashmere collection

Runway Recap: Downtown Seattle Rocks the Runway

Seattle Style Debut

Fall is upon us and it’s time to switch up the wardrobe for proper fall and winter ensembles. From summer sandals to bold… or basic, booties and flirty tanks to cozy sweaters, Downtown Seattle Rocks the Runway Event debuted the hottest trends with a few of our favorite stores and boutiques! From Macy’s to Momo, Seattle’s got it all. Trends are set, but it’s up to you to style and create your unique look!

The Downtown Seattle Rocks the Runway show was bursting with plaid, leather, and layered cozy looks. Cropped ankle pants with modern designs, pencil skirts, and sweaters/sweatshirts were also on the must have list. (HINT: Pair a statement setting pant with your style of bootie and a basic blouse, and your set to strut your stuff in style.)

Playfully Plaid

Plaid rocked the runway with tastefully designed ankle pants, blazers, and blouses. A true plaid piece sets the stage for an on trend and chic outfit perfect for any occasion. You can dress it up with heels and a blouse or take it back with a cute pair of flats and a chic sweater.

Mix and Match Leather

Leather is an absolute essential for fall/winter 2013. Leather paneled pencil skirts, tuxedo pants, and dresses are constantly being paired with and opposite media. Think of this look as a soft/hard look. Taking a Leather paneled skirt, the hard, and pairing that with a soft sweatshirt of your choice, and layering a complimentary tee under, with a pair of super chic booties. The element of soft and hard creates an intriguing outfit versatile enough to go from date to night with the touch of a bold lip!

Love Layers?

Hopefully you do. This season is all about, not just mixing media and patterns, but layering them up as well. As Vera Wang said “layering lends a certain nonchalance”. Creating an effortless look that may cause severe confusion.

How to Layer 101

1. The key is to mix and match colors, textures, lengths, proportions, and cuts.

2. Don’t be afraid to clash styles.
Your options are endless, for example layer a classic T-shirt or blouse with a unbuttoned shirt (denim with studded or detailed collars really compliment this look) on top and now you’ve got something started. The next step is to add one more piece over that, a cardigan, blazer, or vest always does the trick! The final piece to this Layered Look is adding a coat and/or scarf. Once you get the “rules” down this trend really is effortless and will keep you looking your best.

(HINT: “Rolled up sleeves and embellished collars will make you look effortlessly glam & edgy” – Fashion Tag.)

3. Have fun with it! 
Love the look of a leather put don't want it to look too edgy? Pair a leather jacket with an athletic inspired sweatshirt or layer a yummy cashmere sweater with a moto jacket. The key is to mix and match to create a style that is all your own. 

Emerging designer Paychi Guh to host trunk show at Pacific Place

Aimed at women who covet cashmere, Seattle designer Paychi Karen Guh is ready to unveil her new line of luxury knitwear for Fall 2013. Inspired by modern art and architectural form, the Paychi Guh collection features transeasonal cashmere designed to be an everyday essential for women who desire high quality and sophistication. The 10-piece collection made of 100% Mongolian cashmere can be effortlessly styled and worn year-round. In addition to luxurious basics, several pieces from the line can be worn multiple ways based on the wearers styling preferences.  For example, the Two Way Cozy Cardigan (pictured above) can be worn upside down to showcase or downplay the geometric pattern, whereas the Rectangle Popover can be worn sideways to change the shape of the neckline.   Karen pays special attention to the shape of each garment, ensuring that it embodies maximum movement and perpetual style. The use of surface texture to evoke visual interest was a major focal point in the development of the line. Karen found creative ways to incorporate unique geometric patterns into the fabric with the use of specialized stitch techniques. Each piece is luxuriously soft and lightweight, making it perfect for everyday wear and essential for travel.

While wearing cashmere everyday may seem like a splurge, Karen is confident that it is an indulgence women will embrace. "I developed the Paychi Guh collection incorporating simple form, refined texture, modern graphics, and high-quality cashmere.  Each design caters to the independent, creative woman who desires individuality, timeless style, and ultimate comfort,” says Karen. From the Everyday Tunic to the Graphic Scarf, the Paychi Guh collection is perfect for stylish women in search of everyday luxuries that also serve as a modern form of art.

See the collection in person at the first-ever Paychi Guh Trunk Show taking place at Pacific Place June 7th & 8th. In partnership with Hointer, the event will showcase the Fall '13 Paychi Guh collection and give guests the opportunity to meet the designer and pre-order pieces from the line. Find out more at PaychiGuh.com. You can also follow along on Twitter @PaychiGuh. 

11 local designers selected to participate in Bellevue Fashion Week Runway Show

After the careful review of nearly 40 applicants, The Bellevue Collection panel of judges has picked 11 local designers to participate in the 2nd annual Independent Designer Runway Show as part of Bellevue Fashion Week. In partnership with Fashion Group International, the runway show is designed to feature emerging talent in the Seattle market.



Selected Designers

Benu Cashmere by Claire Kim

 Corban Harper by Corban Harper

Erin Roby by Erin Roby

Lastwear Clothing Company by Rowan Rhys

Lia Pal by Liuba Palanciuc

Michael Cepress by Michael Cepress

Ozen Company by Aykut Ozen

Paychi Guh by Paychi Karen Guh

Sarsen by Heather Ellrod

Trina Pierre by Trina Kelly

Wyatt Orr by Liise Wyatt & Karly Orr

Over the next few months, the designers will go through a process of mentorship from the panel in order to edit their collection down to the final pieces that will make their debut on the runway. One of the selected designers will receive a prize package that includes $5,000 in cash to help build their business and a special display in Bellevue Square during the month of October. Last year's winner was local designer Carole McClellan.

A big congratulations to all the designers that were picked! Stay tuned for more coverage from Seattle Boutique Blogspot of the Indie Designer Runway Show!