STYLE: ULTRAVIOLET Fashion Show Features Top PGH Designers

In the height of Pittsburgh's 3rd Annual Fashion Week, came Keith Bloom and Donovan Wilburn's ULTRAVIOLET fashion show.  Both experts in fashion and equally creative, the duo set to to produce the most professional, high-end fashion show the city has ever seen - and boy did they live up to it! Set at the new Cavo Lounge in the Strip District, Ultraviolet featured some of Pittsburgh's newest, hottest upcoming clothing lines such as Highway Robbery, Clothes Minded, Chloe Chic Dresses, Boutique la Passarelle, Roberta Weissburg Leathers, Timebomb, Streetheart, and of course the much anticipated line by Keith Bloom - In Bloom.
     Each one of the collections was far from what you would expect from the ordinary Pittsburgh fashion show - there were no fanatical,  re-made jerseys, no black and gold t-shirt dresses or bejeweled team hats, this was a sophisticated and very polished show.  Ultraviolet opened up with darling dresses by Chloe Chic making a slight wink towards retro shapes, Peter Pan collars and feminine allure.  Clothes Minded was refreshing in a sense that it showed a large amount of men's fashion - beautiful boys in oversized t-shirts with intricate shredding and day-glo splattering paired with good ol' blue jeans and cowboy boots - very urban cowboy!  The always classy Boutique la Passarelle oozed modern femininity with hi-lo cut sweaters, a beautiful tweed dress suit, lots of silky textures and plenty of ruffles and floral prints.  Finally, In Bloom by Keith Bloom was an amazing collection that dripped with sexuality and class at the same time - long, sleek lines fit perfectly for the body, sophisticated, clean prints and patters, and an Egyptian-style dress that I just can't stop thinking about!  Bloom and Wilburn both were in great spirits before, during, and after the show, there are the definition the type of team that makes for a great fashion house.  I'm excited to see what they have in store for the future!

Cavo Runway

Chloe Chic Dresses -

Clothes Minded

StreetHeart

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Timebomb

Boutique la Passarelle

Highway Robbery

Roberta Weissburg

In Bloom - A Keith Bloom Collection

STYLE: Girl Power: JAZMEEN brings "The Lady" back for Fall 2012

     Just when I thought summer's boho-futuristic looks - with its flowing sheer skirts and mermaid colored ombre-hair - was going to tragically bleed into the fall/winter season, along came JAZMEEN.  The launch of fashion designer, Jazmin Jackson's line JAZMEEN, promises cleaner silhouettes and a more refined look for the colder seasons.  JAZMEEN's Fall 2012 collection steer's clear of the past season's loose grungy looks and reestablishes a very novel idea - dressing like a lady.

    The Fall 2012 collection is all about old school nostalgia, bold colors and embracing the female figure.  Crayon colored flared pants took the runway with skin tight turtle necks and groovy silk blouses for a sexy retro-working girl vibe. Flirty high-waisted pencil dresses and a charming classic a-lined dress - a la Audrey Hepburn in Funny Face - made a sassy debut for the fall.  The collection is timeless, fun, elegant and sensible for the professional girl.





    Jazmin Jackson, 26, is orginally from Goldsboro, NC.  "living in the country down south pretty much forces you to either have an imagination and make your own adventures, or die of boredom."  Jazmin was taught by her grandmother how to sew and the rest is fashion history! Now she is a powerhouse business woman with her mind focused on quality and originality. In an interview with Jazmin, I found out how passionate she is about her line and how important the cut, style, and feel of the clothing are to the JAZMEEN line. Her next move is an online store!

Jazmin Jackson 

ThePGHLook: How would you describe your line of clothing?

Jazmin Jackson: JAZMEEN designs for the woman who’s not afraid of bold prints and color and enjoys highlighting the silhouette of her womanly figure, all-the-while, maintaining a look that’s timeless.  JAZMEEN is redefining contemporary sophistication for women with curves. I specialize in dresses and pants catered to curvy women of various sizes. I incorporate luxurious fabrics with bold prints and rich colors to flattering lines and silhouettes, focusing on making women feel good about themselves. Sophisticated and youthful, the line embodies self confidence with an effortless vibe. 

TPL: Who or what inspires your collection? 

JJ: 1960s minimalist and 1970s flared and relaxed silhouettes have always struck a chord with me. I love seeing women who are smart and confident dress superbly sharp and I’ve always been more drawn to women whose sex appeal is still very evident while their clothes continue to leave much to the imagination. The cinematic and personal styles of Audrey Hepburn, Dorothy Dandridge, Aaliyah, and of course First Lady Michelle Obama always tickle the fancy of my aesthetic. Graphic art and tribal motifs always inspire me in creating new imprinted fabrics.

TPL:    How do you feel you have evolved as a fashion designer since you began?

JJ: Learning how to pace myself and edit my collection. I have so many ideas that I would love to unfold all at once but as a business woman I’m trying to be wise and build my business at a steady pace. My main priority is making clothes that women enjoy wearing and feel confident in. Whenever I design, I make sure the clothes make a statement in a tasteful manner while flattering the woman.

TPL: What do you see for the future of your line?

JJ: Throwing bi-annual fashion shows and shopping lunches and building my fashion house with in-house pattern makers, seamstresses, and a media team. I would also love to link up with high school student artists in collaboration of creating prints with a portion of profits going toward a scholarship fund to attend college.

TPL: How do you feel about the Pittsburgh fashion scene?

JJ: I’m excited to be a part of the Pittsburgh fashion scene. It’s a new and budding scene compared to many cities in the United States. My line definitely stands out in regards to Pittsburgh fashion, which I feel is heavily focused on artsy and avant garde aesthetics. With JAZMEEN, every-day career women can feel comfortable and confident wearing my clothes for almost any occasion and still feel glamorous and fashion-forward.

F   Visit JAZMEEN's blog: http://jazmeen-style.tumblr.com/

[    Friend JAZMEEN on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/JAZMEEN.Style

STYLE: Sip N' Style - Front Row Monthly Celebrates 1 Year of Style

Pittsburgh's fashion scene has come a long way in the past couple of years, and it wouldn't have come so far without some of the city's style-focused publications.  This past Saturday, the Pittsburgh family of fashion celebrated the one year anniversary of Front Row Monthly magazine! The party was set at the new Bakery Square and began with the Sip N'Style cocktail hour and a trunk show featuring some of the most current and stylish brands such as: StreetHeart, FarESH Brands, Trendy Trousseau, PhiriVon, Crazy Hot Clothes, Young Guns, Fluhme cosmetics, M.A.W, and Bella Vetro.  The party buzzed with excitement as the sounds of Long Time Darlings and Neighbours played in the background! The indoor venue at Bakery Square was transformed into a classy, dimly lit spot where the runway was set up, cocktails were served, and the people mingled!  





The show was an upbeat and colorful display of the local designer's latest achievements! We saw everything from wide-ballooned hemlines, ruffled sleeves, maxi cut dresses, lingerie inspired prints, fruity colors, vintage floral prints, and urban-styled menswear. It was refreshing to see such creative and new things!  It makes me feel proud to be in a city that truly wants to come around as far as style goes - we are no longer the city of jerseys and sweat pants.  We are a city with fresh minds, eager people and friendly partnerships.  It's publications like Front Row Monthly that accentuate this movement and help Pittsburgh grow into it's own skin! Happy Birthday Front Row Monthly!

StreetHeart Trunk Show 

Jess from StreetHeart 

Awesome leggings

Katie Maillis from StreetHeart 

Crazy Hot Clothes 

Eileen French from Revive Marketing Group

....and her awesome shoes! 

Caitlin from Shoptopia.com 

M.A.W. Girls 

Local band Neighbours jammed!

Long Time Darlings also rocked out!

Jace Lumley from PlainT-shirt.com 

Jumbe Phiri of PhiriVon LTD. 

Makayla Wray from M.A.W. 

Fluhme cosmetics girls

Summer Wise from Trendy Trousseau

FarESH Brand 

Young Guns 

Samantha from Bella Vetro

Sabrina Clark (Happy Late B-day!!) 

Gina from Front Row Monthly 

Aaron from Front Row Monthly 

Donovan and Keith Bloom from Front Row Monthly 

** A Very Special Shout-Out to: Revive Marketing Group for all their hard work and dedication towards the making of this beautiful event and Pittsburgh Cares for all their help!**