Jennifer Adams, left, and Kim Milstein, right, meet designer Tory Burch at New York’s 2011 Fashion’s Night Out.
Jennifer Adams and Kimberley Milstein, founders of The Republic of Artists in Warrensville Heights, went to Fashion’s Night Out in New York City two years ago and decided they wanted to bring an awareness for the event to Cleveland.
“We fell in love with the energy of the night and its concept,” Adams said. “We got to meet Tory Burch and loved celebrating fashion in the city. We wanted to bring an awareness for Fashion’s Night Out to Cleveland.”
The Republic of Artists and other local boutiques, artists and stores will participate in Cleveland’s Fashion’s Night Out on Thursday, Sept. 6. Adams said The Republic of Artists will display work from businesses like Arhaus Jewelry, CLE Clothing Co., R. Levine, B. Lux boutique and 19 others in their showroom, 4925 Point Parkway, Warrensville Heights, from 5 to 11 p.m. Artists said they will be on hand to show their work.
The night in Cleveland joins the international Fashion’s Night Out community with its beginnings in New York as the brainchild of American Vogue’s editor-in-chief Anna Wintour. Cleveland and cities around the world will participate in the event that aims to highlight fashion and support retail with events that include designer appearances, celebrity guests, fashion shows and musical performances.
Adams said The Republic of Artists’ event will feature boutiques, independent designers and artisans under one roof, each in its own creative space with fashion as the common thread. Temporary vendors, like boutiques outside the Cleveland area, will have tables set up through September.
JT Thomas, creative director at FashionTV Network LLC., said he plans to interview artists at the event for a documentary. The videographer, who worked for 10 years with the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, has filmed Miami, Los Angeles and New York fashion weeks and will bring his signature red carpet style to The Republic of Artists.
Adams said the event will be “a giant cocktail party,” equipped with three food trucks, drinks and DJ IMPURE on the turntables.
Ryan Haber, founder and CEO of Ryan Haber Collection, will sell his 2012 spring/summer line “Alter Ego.”
Ryan Haber, founder and CEO of Ryan Haber Collection in Cleveland, said he will be displaying his 2012 spring/summer shoe collection “Alter Ego” at The Republic of Artists’ Fashion’s Night Out. The “wild” collection, which will be discounted 50%, includes mint, gold, white, black and metallic colors accented with stud work.
“The Alter Ego collection is all about being open to being yourself,” said Haber. “It says, ‘Express yourselves, ladies.’”
Haber’s shoes have the graced the feet of stars like Carrie Underwood, as his name has been in the mix with shoe icons Jimmy Choo, Louis Vuitton and Sergio Rossi. At Fashion’s Night Out, he plans also to preview his 2013 spring/summer collection, which features neutral shades and big color with leather, suede and other fabrics. Haber said he looks forward to networking with other artists and hopes the event will bring more fashion into Cleveland.
Katie Marks will show her jewelry collection with vintage charms.
“Bedazzler” Katie Marks of Lyndhurst, another designer at The Republic of Artists, will display her jewelry collection, featuring vintage charms in her 12-by-12 foot space at the showroom. Marks is known for embellishments, especially the pink Swarovski-crystal studded microphone she blinged-out for pop star Nicki Minaj for her 2011 Pink Friday tour.
Marks said that although she loves “bedazzling,” she wanted to display her fall collection that allows customers to pick vintage charms she finds around Cleveland and design their own custom necklace, bracelet or earrings. She also said her multifunctional pieces, like a necklace that can be transformed into a bangle, will also be available at the event.
“I love to inspire people to feel creative in purchasing and wearing my work,” Marks said. “It’s a never-ending evolution of creativity.”
Rebecca Levine of R. Levine will display her hand-painted textile work.
Rebecca Levine, a textile print artist who will also display her work at The Republic of Artists, said she plans to focus on accessories. Levine will display her line of hand-painted textiles, including silk scarves and blouses with headbands, earrings and purses. She said she is most excited to show her wrapband, which can be worn as a bracelet, necklace or headband and has a hand-painted silk button.
“The main concept of my pieces is for people to incorporate them into many looks,” Levine said. “It gives them more looks they can do with a basic piece that can change up any outfit.”
Levine plans to display a mixture of silk and wool scarves for fall in addition to her wrapbands at the event.
— Madeleine Winer —
Other Fashion’s Night Out Events
Fashion’s Night Out occurs at various locations in Cleveland and nationwide.
For current event listings and participants visit www.fashionsnightout.com/fno/outside-nyc
Who: Sanity
Where: 8 E. Washington St., Chagrin Falls
Activities: To be announced
Fall Line: Sanity will feature stripes, high and low hems and lots of floral patterns in this year’s fall line, Isabel Pritchett, owner of Sanity, said. Colors like deep purple and burgundy will be abundant in the line as well as leopard print. Pritchett said the store will carry fun boots and heels as well as smoking shoes, a loafer type shoe with a rounder nose.featured in Sanity’s fall line.
Who: Cascade
Where: 13 W. Orange Street, Chagrin Falls
Activities: Cascade boutique will host trunk shows by designer Katherine Doll and Lena Fashion Designs. Customers will also be able to design their own accessory piece and shop Cascade’s fall line. Refreshments will also be available.
Fall Line: Kisha Moran, owner of Cascade boutique, said its fall line will feature international designers like Jane & John and Tricotto and local designers like Art of Cloth and Lena Fashion Designs.