An Evening Of Fashion! April 19, 2012

Pic 1: Leigh’s Laura Mercier Glam Station with Laura Mercier makeup artist Mandi Lehmann and Leigh’s makeup artist Davina Williams. Pic 2:  The Goei Center was the perfect venue!  Pic 3: Our gorgeous models.  Pic 4:  Fitzgerald’s Men Store had the guys looking fab!  Pic 5:  Leigh’s Creative Director and Visual Merchandising Manager Patrick Plank was our fashion show MC.  Pic 6: Scott Ehrhardt worked the crowd.  Pic 7:  Becky Afendoulis Trierweiler looked amazing in this colorful maxi dress.  Pic 8:  We loved what Fitzgerald’s had Emmett Miller III wearing.  Pic 9: Mayor Heartwell looking quite dapper! Pic 10:  Michelle Hoexum….Ralph Lauren Black Label suits you well! Pic 11: Dr. Denice Logan – so chic! Pic 12: Brooke Bonnema sports this season’s great color.  Pic 13:  Riley Norton - cool and casual.  Pic 14:  Brenda Scott shows us the color block trend for spring. Pic 15:  Kudos to our models for a great runway show!  Pic 16:  Behind the scenes: Leigh’s team takes time for a photo opt. L-R Rebecca Wierda, Giovanna Reilly, Pat Klimas-Reinhardt, Lesley Goebel, intern Amanda Morse and Patrick Plank

Leigh’s and Fitzgerald’s Mens Store were pleased to partner with Dwelling Place for There’s No Place Like Home:  An Evening of Fashion and Art to benefit two very important housing communities that assist women facing homelessness and women who are survivors of domestic violence: Liz’s House and Bridge Street Place.     Dwelling Place did an exceptional job securing local celebrities, community leaders and business executives to step out of their normal roles and into the modeling profession for the evening.  We enjoyed working with everyone.  Thank you for wearing our clothes so well – you walked the runway with confidence and looked great!  More thank yous…..to Dwelling Place - thanks for inviting Leigh’s and Fitzgerald’s to be a part of your event, to all the attendees – thank you for helping to make the event successful – you were a wonderful audience, to the Leigh’s and Fitzgerald’s team – well done!   It was a fantastic night!

Pre-Spring Break Party Snapshots March 24, 2012

Pic 1: Giovanna Reilly (with her darling baby bump) and Julie Schultz. Pic 2:  Quinn McIlhargey and Stephanie Telzerow enjoy  butter LONDON polish changes from Davina Williams. Pic 3:  Our favorite DJ…Adrian Butler kept the party hoppin’ with great music.  Pic 4:  Our wonderful GVSU intern, Megan Susterich, took time to interview LA Designer Kevin Hall who was in store for his trunk show.  Pic 5: One of our smallest fashionistas guests, Laura, came ready for a party…love her cute outfit!  And she loved our tiki hut, along with our cabana boy, Bob (aka mannequin Patrick brought out from storage and named Bob for the party!) Pic 6:   Part of Leigh’s fabulous team:  Lesley Goebel, Patrick Plank and Rachel Williams.  Pic 7:  Designer Kevan Hall with our stunning model Gloria. We had so much fun hosting you at our Pre-Spring Break Party! Thank you for stopping by! Our team loves to entertain especially when there’s great fashion involved!  We hope everyone’s suitcases are ready for your spring break getaways.  We loved everything you picked out…cute dresses, the perfect accessories, strappy sandals and beautiful makeup.  You’re going to look fabulous!  Enjoy your vacation!

Fashion Week In New York! February 21, 2012

Pic 1 & 2: Pamella Roland runway show  Pic 3: Deb Wurfel, Patrick Plank, Rebecca Wierda after Pamella Roland show. Pic 4: Patrick, Daniel Vosovic, Rebecca and Deb Pic 5: Douglas Hannant runway show  Pic 6: Hey Deb, what showroom are you in??  Yes, it’s a teaser.  We’ll be sharing what’s on its way for fall….at a later date! Pic 7:  Supermodel Lara Stone  Pic 8:  Rooney Mara – Girl with the Dragon Tatoo Pic 9 & 10:  Calvin Klein runway show Pic 11: Patrick at Yigal Azrouel  Pic 12 & 13:  Rebecca, Deb and Patrick at Havana Alma de Cuba Pic 14:   Time Square with Elmo!

Sorry for the hiatus from blogging….our team has had two amazing trips to New York seeking out the best fall fashion(yes, we are looking at fall ’12 fashion already) for you next September.  So, today, I just bubbled up from being submerged in follow-up paperwork.  As you can tell by the number of pictures, I have had so much to share with you!  Let’s get started….First, Pamella Roland runway show at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week at Lincoln Center….ahhhhhhh.  Pamella (Grand Rapids native Pamella DeVos) turned out an incredible collection for fall.  Inspired by the beautiful Colorado outdoors, she mixed luxurious fabrics and furs for great day looks and, of course,  her signature cocktail dresses and gowns –  all red carpet worthy.  I need one of these in my closet!!!

Next, we met New York Designer Daniel Vosovic….one of the finalist from Project Runway!  I’m sure you already know, but in case some don’t….he’s from East Grand Rapids….now living in NYC.  This is his fifth season with his own collection.  Very refreshing!  Then, we were back to Lincoln Center to view Douglas Hannant’s runway presentation. Beautiful as always!

Thursday afternoon we were waiting for Calvin Klein’s runway show and we had some great celebrity sitings….Supermodel Lara Stone….haven’t heard of her??  She’s one of the top 10 models in the world.  Patrick was holding a fashion magazine and after she walked by us, we looked at the back cover…..Lara Stone…of course!   After Lara…Rooney Mara….you know the lead actress from Girl with the Dragon Tatoo! Yea, saw her!  These were just a couple of our brushes with VIPs at Fashion Week….the shows were lined with celebrities.

I have to admit we have a lot of fun when we are in New York….we work really hard, but we do take time for some giggles!  Such as Patrick sporting the big furry hat.  So, now you can imagine Patrick with hair.  I think you’ll agree, we all like Patrick without the fro!

Need a new restaurant to go to when you’re in New York?  We have a recommendation.  Little tiny Cuban restaurant in Soho called Havana alma de Cuba.  Honestly, I’ve never ventured out and had Cuban cuisine before….I have been missing out all of these years!!!  What took me so long?? One word, “Yum!”  And what an authentic atmosphere.  This definitely feels like a local’s favorite.

Finally, I have to share our Elmo adventure in Time Square as we were walking back to our hotel after our last appointment.  I see Elmo and insist to Deb and Patrick that we have to get our picture taken with him for the blog.   Right?  What a great blog photo!  Elmo is more than accommodating to pose with us….snap, snap, snap of the camera….then Elmo shows me his little sign….”Pictures with Elmo for tips.”  Seriously Elmo, I could have taken a picture of us in Time Square without my Sesame Street friend!  And….Patrick is going to make me tell you….I only had a $10 bill….so Elmo was very happy.  He even giggled like the Tickle Me Elmo that my kids had when they were little.  My recommendation for Time Square photos….stay away from the characters!

Whew….I think I typed that all in one breath.  Thanks for reading!  So, that was a lot on fall….but, let’s live in the moment….we are brimming with amazing spring fashion in store for you right now.  Can’t wait for you to come in and see!

Couture For A Cure…What A Success! October 24, 2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What an amazing night we had last Thursday at Couture for a Cure! This is Leigh’s 6th year partnering with the VanAndel Institute to raise funds for important research and educational opportunities at VAI. The doors opened at 6pm and guests were treated to cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. Suggested attire was cocktail….and there was some fabulous fashion going on with the guests….Grand Rapids stepped it up for this fashion event! Everyone looked amazing! The VanAndel Institute was transformed into a New York style runway – just as you would see during Fashion Week.  We even had to extend the runway because of how many tickets were sold!  This was our most successful Couture for a Cure….most tickets sold and most money raised! The show started off with great fall fashion from Leigh’s. Our models looked fantastic!! Then everyone was treated to a sneak peek of spring. We flew in New York Designer Douglas Hannant to show his spring 2012 collection….love it!!  Thank you to the entire Leigh’s team, our fabulous models (yes, they are all from the area…Grand Rapids has incredible modeling talent), Blue Water Technology, Douglas Hannant, the VanAndel Institute and their team and all of our guests!  Pic 1: Behind the scenes - Ashley Cole, Kelly Millikin, Jacalyn Wood, Patrick Plank.  Pic 2:  Jacalyn Wood and Emma Hall get the nod to pose with Douglas Hannant for the many photographers present.  They looked beautiful in his spring pieces.  Pic 3:  Rebecca Wierda, Douglas Hannant and Carol VanAndel…strike a pose!  Pic 4:  Sam Clark – yes she is a “Ye Ye Girl” (one of the segments for the best of fall at Leigh’s) Pic 5:  Jordan Carson owns the runway. Pic 6:  We love Anna DeBoer modeling all of this rich color!  Pic 7:  Gloria Goya…elegant and gorgeous!  Pic 8:  Ashely Cole shows some great Yigal Azrouel! Pic 9:  Jessica Hilzey…breath-taking in Douglas Hannant.  Pic 10:  Alex Rush…love this look from Douglas!  Pic 11:  Kelly Millikin looked right on trend with this great red tuxedo!

Couture For The Cure Preview October 18, 2011

Thanks to WZZM 13 for having Leigh’s on Take 5 today!  We are looking forward to this Thursday - Leigh’s will be on location at Van Andel Institute for Couture for a Cure!  Tickets are still available at www.vai.org.  This is a New York style fashion show featuring the best of fall fashion from Leigh’s and a very special treat….New York Designer Douglas Hannant will be showing his spring ’12 collection on the runway.  This is my favorite event!  Take 5 helped us promote the event today and we brought our beautiful models, Anna, Sam and Kelly to give a sneak peek of what you might see Thursday night.  Here is the link if you would like to check it out! http://www.wzzm13.com/life/local/programming/take_five/182773/42/VAIs-Couture-for-a-Cure

Fashion’s Night Out Fun! September 13, 2011

Grand Rapids stepped it up and stepped out last Thursday night for Fashion’s Night Out!  We had so much crazy fun…in the name of fashion!  Check out these great images.  Pic 1:  Adrian and Patrick pose with some of our very fashionable guests!  Pic 2:  Giovanna shows some party goers new Tracy Reece.  Pic 3:  DJ Adrian Butler…kept the store hoppin’ with great music!  Pic 4:  Fashion girls!  Pic 5: This is what I mean by steppin’ it up.  Stylish arrivals always get noticed!  Pic 6:  Patrick….our creative mastermind!!

Thanks to everyone who came out for Fashion’s Night Out!  We loved having you in store and appreciate your love of fashion!

Fashion’s Night Out Party At Leigh’s Tonight! September 8, 2011

Esther Bunny April 20, 2011

See our Esther Bunny….that is correct Esther, not Easter.  Esther Bunny visits our store every Easter to make recommendations to our customers on Easter dresses.  Patrick quickly moved all of the dresses to the front of the store so that Esther could have a full assortment to ponder.  Some of her favorites include…RED Valentino, Lela Rose, Chetta B, Muse, Milly, Nanette Lepore, Lafayette 148 & Trina Turk.   Mrs. Bunny has impeccable taste and always makes a fabulous selection.  Stop in and meet Esther….even get a picture with her to show the kids….tell them Esther Bunny knows fashion and helped you pick the perfect dress for Easter!

Pre-Spring Break Party! March 23, 2011

Tomorrow…tomorrow…tomorrow….WE ARE HAVING A PARTY!  Yes, it is our annual Pre-Spring Break Party Thursday, March 24….that I L-O-V-E!  Tax-Free Shopping store wide (excludes trunk show)….even cosmetics.  This is the perfect time to get items to fill up your suitcase for spring break!  We have a DJ starting at noon, food, drinks and more.  What is the more…this could take me an hour to report on everything, but I’ll try to summarize it best I can because I know you don’t have an hour to read it all!  Michael Stars trunk show (They sent in tons of tees, dresses, hats, bags….in the best colors…somebody hold me back!), DL1961 Try ‘em and Buy ‘em Denim Event (Try on a pair, enter to win a $50 Leigh’s gift card.  Buy a pair, enter to win a $100 Leigh’s gift card!), Tom Ford eyewear trunk show (Yes, the entire collection of the hottest sunglasses in the world – ok, maybe, not the world….I’m getting a little excited…but they are so on trend.), Lilly Pulitzer Trunk Show (You should see the cute merchandise they sent in for both women and children.  I already have my name on one of the dresses), Ralph Lauren Black Label Trunk Show (Luxury, luxury, luxury, yet, wearable, wearable, wearable!), Trish McEvoy MakeUp Event (I know I’ve said it before, but their planner is my FAVORITE!  And it’s all tax-free tomorrow!), oh I almost forgot, Gift Cards – everyone gets to pick a gift card (valued at $10, $15, $25, $50 or $100) off of our tiki tree  to use on their purchase tomorrow.   Now the party will only be complete if you are in attendance…..so what’d say….did I make it enticing enough for you to join us?  Great!  See you tomorrow!

Girl’s Night Out At Leigh’s January 5, 2011

Don’t miss our event tomorrow night with Dr. Brad Bengtson!!!  It’s a Girl’s Night Out with lots of fun items for you to take advantage of:  20% off store wide on regular priced merchandise (excluding cosmetics, trunk show merchandise, sale merchandise and prior purchases), be the first to see new markdowns on sale merchandise and event pricing on BOTOX!!  We’ll have yummy refreshments and Dr. Bengtson will be talking about surgical and non-surgical options for facial rejuvenation and cosmetic medicine.  We’d love to have you join us!!  Rsvp to Lesley at 616.942.6300 or Lesley@LeighsFashions.com.  See you tomorrow night!