Giving In Style

Behind the scenes with the Leigh’s team, l-r: Chris Trezciak, Patrick Plank, Natalie Cleary, Leslie Krumpschmid, Lauren Beattie, Katie Oostema, Carly Hanson-Birkhold, Giovanna Reilly, Lynnae Kalawart, Lesley Goebel, Billi Sue Potter back: Jane Hall

Our beautiful models ready to walk the runway, r-l: Anna DeBoer, Alex Rozema, Abbie Strange ,Blair Badge , Emma Hall

The finale of another amazing runway show by Leigh’s!

Leigh’s partnered with the Babies Welfare Guild for their Giving In Style fashion show to raise funds for Camp Blodgett. Camp Blodgett provides educational and camping opportunities to children that might not otherwise have these special summer experiences. It always warms my heart when we can do fashion shows to shine the spotlight on some of our community’s worthwhile organizations that support programs for women and children. Once again, my Leigh’s team put together an outstanding show for our guests. As I watch the different looks come down the runway and the ease of the show, I am reminded how talented our team is! Thanks to The Guild for inviting us to be a part of your event, to our beautiful models, to my team and everyone who attended….what a success the night was and what fun the kids will have this summer at camp!

Fashion Show Success

The Leigh’s team that made it all happen…you’re the BEST! l-r:
Leslie Krumpschmid, Lesley Goebel, Kaitlyn Stone, Patrick Plank, Deb Clark, Lauren Beattie

The red carpet is out and ready for our VIP guests.

Guests decide what silent auction items to bid on.

Leigh’s Glam Station with Laura Mercier makeup artists was a favorite of guests.

Scott and Rebecca Wierda have a fun photo opt in front of the step and repeat.

Some of our littlest models (dressed by Snapdragon Boutique) are ready for the runway.

This darling model was a crowd favorite when she started blowing kisses!

Becky Afendoulis Trierweiler rocked this beautiful maxi by Marchesa Voyage

A sell out crowd at the Goei Center…of course!

Our models stop the show for a “selfie”…..who says only Ellen at The Oscars can have all the fun!

Grand Rapids City Commissioner Walt Gutowski looks quite dapper in his clothing from Fitzgerald’s Men’s Store.

Saralyn Coupe stylishly wears Veronica Beard down the runway.

Artistic Director of the Grand Rapids Ballet Patricia Barker is on point with her Yigal Azrouel suit.

Maeve McInerney and Tim Pietryga are the grand finale and close the show!

What an amazing night Leigh’s had partnering with The Dwelling Place for There’s No Place Like Home Fashion Show. Leigh’s, Fitzgerald’s Men’s Store and Snapdragon Boutique (children’s clothing) styled community leaders (our volunteer models) to raise funds for two important housing communities for women and children who are either homeless or victims of domestic abuse….Liz’s House and The Bridge Street Place. Leigh’s is committed to assisting organizations whose mission is to provide services to women and children and we couldn’t be more proud of being a part of this great event. Thank you to everyone involved in this event and to all our guests who attended…you made this evening such a success!

Hot Party!

  Pic 1: Leigh’s SUPER team l-r:  Judy North, Lesley Goebel, Pat Klimas-Reinhardt, Katie Oostema, Deb Clark Pic 2: Patrick Plank…the SUPER creative mind behind our Hot Party Superman theme! Pic 3 SUPER sassy Clark Kents :  Stacey Lewis and Giovanna Reilly Pic 4: Our SUPER DJ Adrian Butler aka SUPERMAN Pic 5:  Our SUPER cool Tom Ford eyewear rep Bill Selman with Leigh’s Pat Klimas-Reinhardt.

Our Hot Party was hotter than ever this past week, in fact, it was SUPER HOT!  Patrick set the theme of our party around the upcoming Superman movie Man of Steel.   Our Leigh’s team was sporting Clark Kent press badges and glasses and, of course, Superman tees.  How SUPER fun was that?!  Thanks for being a part of our event and all the SUPER fun things we had in store for you.  As you know, we think our customers are SUPER incredible!!

Commitment to Community

Pic 1: Team Leigh’s on site at the Goei Center for the Dwelling Place Fashion Show. Back row l-r: Leslie Krumpschmid, Jacob Cochran, Lesley Goebel, Abi Devins Front row l-r: Deb Clark, Kelly Brown, Rebecca Wierda

Pic 2: Look at this beautiful aspiring model in a darling dress from Snapdragon Boutique…she’s a fashion girl! Pic 3: Michelle Hoexum wears this Ralph Lauren Black Label dress with ease.

Pic 4: Dr. Denise Logan….so glamorous!

Pic 5: Joan Secchia in RED Valentino.

Pic 6: Amanda DeLong rocks out this great little sequin dress and leather jacket by Rachel Zoe.

Kate Spade event at the Grand Rapids Art Museum.

Pic 6: Leigh’s fabulous creative director Patrick Plank introduced the Kendall student fashion show.

Pic 7: This was a sold out event!

Pic 8 & 9: What amazing designs these students created!

Pic 10: Dionne Afihene and Layla Jones….so cool.

Pic 11: Getting ready for the guest speaker from Kate Spade!

Pic 12: Our Kate Spade display at the event compliments of our talented Patrick!

Wow, what a busy week it was at Leigh’s. You are so supportive of our store and we appreciate that with the many choices you have for shopping that you choose to shop locally at Leigh’s. In return, we have always made a commitment to give back to our community. Wednesday evening we had two wonderful events we were involved with.

First, we partnered with Fitzgerald’s men store and Snapdragon children’s boutique for The Dwelling Place “Where Fashion Meets Art” fashion show held at the Goei Center. This event raises money for two of Dwelling Place’s housing communities: Liz’s House and Bridge Street Place. This housing is made available to women and children in need. We enjoyed working with our guest models (leaders in our community) to style them in the hottest fashion trends of the season. We are proud to assist in this event for such a worthwhile cause.

While all of that was happening at the Goei Center, part of our team was at GRAM. There we partnered with Kendall College of Art & Design to sponsor AIGA West Michigan’s Kate Spade event which featured speaker Katia Kuthie, Kate Spade’s Director of Creative Services. Hosted at the Grand Rapids Art Museum it was also the perfect venue for a fashion show that showcased Kendall Fashion Design student’s fashion creations from materials that had former uses and identities. Look at the pictures I’ve included in this post….how crazy talented are these students?! As you know we exclusively carry Kate Spade handbags, apparel and shoes in West Michigan, so it was so exciting to be a part of this event!

Thanks to my entire Leigh’s team for all their efforts in the making of these two very successful events. And thanks to The Dwelling Place and AIGA for giving us the opportunity to be a part of your special evening.

Couture For A Cure 2012

Pic 1:  Behind the scences with our amazing Leigh’s team and our beautiful models.  Pic 2:  What a runway!  Pic 3:  Leigh’s team and runway event specialists: Katie Oostema, Lesley Goebel, Patrick Plank  Pic 4:  Daniel Vosovic with Katie Oostema  Pic 5:  Carol VanAndel with Brooke Hester, 5, of Chapman Ranch Texas.  Brooke Hester has stage four neuroblastoma, a form of cancer, and has made improvements working with the Van Andel Institute. Pic 6:  Anna DeBoer  Pic 7:  Aziza Hines Pic 8:  Ashley Cole  Pic 9:  Just like NYC!  Pic 10:  What a fabulous picture of our models in Daniel Vosovic’s spring ’13 collection. Pic 11:  Love the rich color that is on its way for spring from Daniel!

What an amazing evening! The seventh annual Couture for a Cure in which Leigh’s partners with the Van Andel Institute to raise funds for important cancer research and science education was another success! Our New York style runway presentation at VAI made our 400 guests (Yes, the largest attendance ever!) feel like they were at Fashion Week in Lincoln Center! Due to such a high demand for tickets last year, the runway was lengthened another 55 feet this year to accommodate more guests….and the event still sold out! We opened with showing the best of fall fashion that is currently in store at Leigh’s. The four different segments included: Bond Bombshells, Colorful Characters, Rock-Her and After Dark Divas. Then it was time to take a sneak peek at spring 2013. Leigh’s invited New York designer Daniel Vosovic (Project Runway All-Star Challenge winner) to showcase his spring collection on the runway; stunning color and silhouettes!  Thank you to everyone who attended!  And kudos to my team at Leigh’s; you are all so very talented and I appreciate each of your efforts in making this a fabulous event!

Fashion’s Night Out Fun!

Pic 1: Our amazing Leigh’s team and friends! L-R: Katie Oostema, Adrian Butler, Rachel Douglas, Rachel Williams, Carlye Sutner, Rebecca Wierda, Patrick Plank, Deb Clark, Stacey Seewald, Jacob Cochran Pic 2:  Our creative mastermind – Patrick Plank.  Pic 3: Lesley Goebel and Giovanna Reilly roll out the red carpet for our guests.  Pic 4:  An Italian Party just isn’t complete with out a red Ferrari – compliments of Eileen DeVries!  Pic 5: Ebony Hoskins, Eileen DeVries & Carolyn King Pic 6: Makeup artists Rachel Williams & Rachel Douglas show the latest in fall makeup.  Pic 7:  Photo opt time!  Pic 8: Rebecca Wierda and Adrian Butler….our amazing DJ extraordinaire. Wonder who will win that bout?  Pic 9:  These lovely ladies were in search of Rachel Zoe’s collection….yes, we have it available exclusively in West Michigan.  Pic 10: Great crowd!  Pic 11:  And the limo pulls up with a group of fashionistas! Pic 12:  Thanks Harold Zeigler Grandville for providing these fabulous Italian Fiats for the evening.  Pic 13:  Very stylish!

Thanks to everyone who attended our Fashion’s Night Out “Very Italian” Party yesterday! And, it was a PARTY! Our attendance was the highest it’s ever been with everyone stepping out for the evening in great fashion and shopping for new fall favorites. The energy in our store was contagious and our Leigh’s team had a blast!  We appreciate you including Leigh’s in your FNO plans!

An Evening Of Fashion!

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

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 Event 2010 Big Success!

Pic 1: Guests arriving.  Pic 2: Patrick Plank puts the finishing touches on Jessica Hilsey’s runway look. Pic 3: Our models and the Leigh’s team. Front row:  Anna DeBoer, Diane Teall Back row: Kelly Faran, Jordan Carson, Emma Hall, Sam Clark, Jessica Hilsey, Jane Hall, Lesley Goebel, Megan Knape, Patrick Plank Pic 4: Jordan Carson  Pic 5: Samantha Clark Pic 6: Kelly Faran  Pic 7:  Jessica Hilsey Pic 8: Design 1 model showing Avande Garde hair

We had a great night on Tuesday partnering with Design 1 for Fashion Event 2010 to benefit the DeVos Children’s Hospital.  Leigh’s took the runway showing fabulous fall & winter fashion.  Design 1’s team put together an amazing runway presentation of Rock, Classic, Men, Vintage Glamour & Avant Garde hair styles with fashion from B. Vain Couture out of Saugatuck.  The event raised $25k for the Children’s Hospital!  It was such a fun and festive event!  Thank you to everyone who attended and thanks to my team and the Design 1 team for all the hard work you invested to make this year’s event another success!

Fashion’s Night Out Success!

pic

Pic 1: Cheryl & Paul Haverkate  Pic 2:  Our cosmetic area was buzzing!  Pic 3: DJ Adrian Butler strikes a pose!  Pic 4:  Alison Miller models Sam Edelman’s “Killer Heel.  Pic 5: Patrick Plank, Clarice Drew, Dan Dixon.  Pic 5:  Our beautiful  store at night.  Pic 6:  Our FNO team let’s loose for a fun pic! l-r: Adrian Butler, Lesley Goebel, Mandi Lehman,Rachel, Emily Nurmikko, Patrick Plank, Sam Clark, Stacy Caruso, Rebecca Wierda, Katie Oostema

We had a blast celebrating Fashion’s Night Out this past Friday night!!  Thank you, thank you to everyone who joined us!!  Also, a huge thank you to Adrian Butler for keeping us hoppin’ with great music, Yen Ching for all of the yummy food (I, personally, loved the spring rolls), Sweet Cakes for the darling cupcakes – creative, clever & yummy as always, Stacy & Rachel from Capelli Salon – our customers loved the hair styles you were giving them and Mandi from Laura Mercier – fabulous makeup!  We loved seeing you, our customer and all of the new faces that stopped by to join the party.  I hope you had as much fun as we did!