Hi Elegant Readers,

On Thursday evening, I went to an exclusive St. Louis Fashion Week VIP Blogger Lounge at the Scape Restaurant in the Central West End. My hubby, co-contributor, Jay really did not know what to expect because this was our first time being at a local blogger event. 15 vendors and 50 bloggers were invited to attend this exclusive event.  This was a chance for hubby and I to get to know some of the brands in our local community and get a feel for how they envision their business by collaborating with bloggers.

At events like this I always make sure I have plenty of business cards and press kits handy.

Doors opened at 6pm. Jay and I were a little early so we checked in. I had time to take a picture of this awesome Chihuly artwork that was located in the lobby of the restaurant.  We then walked around for a little bit and then we went back upstairs to attend the event.

Bellestyle
The first vendor that we talked to was Heather Krako of Bellestyle. Heather is a jewelry designer who has designed jewelry for Los Angeles fashion week, St. Louis Fashion Week, Good Morning America, Glamour and many more. She beautiful pieces are in high demand.  She was very informative about her inspirations and how it truly is a joy for her to create because she is a talented artist.  Please look at her jewelry pieces on www.bellestyle.com.

She was so kind that she gave each blogger a free bracelet and a 40% discount on a purchase of any of her items.  I chose this one that has a crown charm as my free bracelet.
I purchase a Arizona Turquoise and  silver necklace that is beautiful and elegant, but oh so chic.

Dimvaloo

Next we talked with Kate Duryea, the owner of the newly opened Dimvaloo Active Living. In her store, she exclusively carries Australia’s Premier Activewear label. I was able to talk to her about the creator of the activewear Lorna Jane and how the fabric doesn’t pill, durable and last for years.

Dimvaloo top and pants to my left

I will definitely look into this line because its a plus to find activewear that is good quality and sustainable.  She was very kind and informative and I am interested in trying out the active wear.

Dimvaloo.com

Soft Surroundings

We stopped at the Soft Surroundings booth and was given coupons and a sample of the Aya Blu fragrance.
I had a my iPad with me so I could show them how I styled a recent post with two skirts from Soft Surroundings. Thank the Lord for having a hotspot it helped so much with showing my blog. They didn’t have any of their clothes at the event, however the latest catalog was available for the taking. 

Soft Surroundings ayablu

Triflare

This company has the American dream written all over it. Andrea Robertson, CEO of Triflare created a company that designs active wear for Triathletes. She recently landed a contract to design the swimsuits for the synchronized swimmers at the 2016 Olympic Games.  She was award a $50,000 arch grant to start up her company and Alive magazine wrote an article about her and her company.  She was so informative about her line and that the company is eighteen months old, so everything write now is so exciting.

Her designs are so cool. When my hubby and I talked with her, she discussed how she works with another designer that use to work at Boeing and specialized in mapping .  Her expertise balances out the designs in a swimsuit. This important part of Triflare can make you look slimmer or give you curves, if you need them, it’s all in mapping. This designer tidbit works across the board to give the illusion of looking slimmer of adding curves if you need them.

Triflare suits

 I work out and would love to get one of this suit. Robertson is working on moving her business to St. Louis and I can’t wait.  I know she is designing mainly for triathletes; but I can see a work out collection in the horizon.

She gave me and the other bloggers who stopped by her display a great bag with a bold pattern, just like her suits.

This post will be in two parts, so stay tuned.