It’s easy to lose your way in the craziness of Fashion Week and leave shows so overwhelmed by the beauty and style of everything that you just saw, that you can’t even remember what the main looks were, to transfer them back to your own closet. Lucky for you, that’s why I am here! I’ve done the research, watched the shows, studiously took my notes, interviewed all the top style-makers and aficionados, and now have all the answers for you on what is hot for fall and what you simply MUST add to your wardrobe this season. It really couldn’t be any easier – especially considering all of it can be found at The Bellevue Collection.

First up for fall: tights. I saw tights everywhere I went this week – in every shade and every pattern. Under evening dresses, under sweaters, under tunics, under full skirts and pencil skirts. Black lace tights are big for fall, layered under distressed denim cutoffs for an edgy, rocker-chic, style conscious-biker look. Also spotted: tights even worn with open toe strappy, chunky heels. Go out and grab a pair – or ten – this trend is not only going to keep you warm, it’s going to be turning heads everywhere you go.

Coats are one of the fall staples and I saw all kinds this week. Military and marching band-style jackets (check out the military jacket from Bailey44 at Mercer) made a splash this week, as did the Boyfriend blazer. This one is definitely on my must-have list for fall – paired with skinny jeans and plaid shirts from 7 For All Mankind, it’s the perfect casual look. And speaking of boyfriend blazers, the boyfriend jeans are still a hot ticket, and paired with a cozy cashmere cardigan, you will be right on point.

The jacket I saw again and again this week though, was the leather motorcycle jacket. Everyone is doing a version of it this season, and each one is just a little bit different, so you have plenty of options to choose from. Pair it with a bright scarf (or tights!) and a shirt with a little ruffle to soften the edges, and you are good to go!

One of my favorite trends spotted this week was sparkle and sequins. Black is the shade for fall, but it’s anything but basic with all the sparkle and sequin options we spotted (see the boyfriend blazer at Express with studs on the lapels!). I drooled over the blush-toned sequin mini-skirt by Haute Hippie and the black sequin-embellished leggings by Alice and Olivia (both can be found at Nordstrom). Go ahead, add a little sparkle to your wardrobe – you’ll be glad you did. Trust me.

Gloves are another big item for fall. You are probably going to need them anyway once the weather starts getting colder, so why not make them cute? We love the gray suede ones from Anne Taylor. For something with a bit more sass, try the neon pink ones from Lacoste – it will inject a little 80’s into anyone’s wardrobe.

Finally, the last trend that really stuck with us this week was: purple. This regal color was everywhere – from tights to gloves, but our favorite incarnation was in the form of a bubble dress from DSquared (found at David Lawrence). I’m already plotting where I can where it to this holiday season.

A few bits and pieces: lots of one-shouldered, asymmetrical dresses for evening, bold necklaces – especially in gold, and boots, boots, boots. Short booties and over-the-knee, in particular.

Hope this little cheat sheet helps you to sort out what you need for the fall season. I know it helped me – now, off to shop!

I have to say, I am sad to see this week come to a close. It was a busy week, rushing from show to show, but it was also exciting and most importantly, informative. How else was I going to get such a good idea of what my closet needed for the fall season?

All in all, I have to say, I think this year’s Fashion Week was a smashing success. Definitely the best Fashion Week that Bellevue has seen yet. The September Issue was the perfect way to jump-start the week and get all of us fashionistas in the mood. It was one of the best films that I’ve seen all year, and I’m telling everyone I see (this means you!) to go and see it before it’s gone.

Things moved fast and furious after that – from the Nordstrom Fall Fashion Show to a runway showcase of Italian designers hosted by David Lawrence, and an innovative and inspiring show hosted by Lululemon. In between there were dozens of mini-runway shows from stores within The Bellevue Collection, special shopping offers and deals, and more. It was a fashion lover’s (and shopping addict’s) dream come true – I would know! 

And, the new expansion at the Hyatt was the perfect back-drop for all of it. The space was gorgeous – with plenty of intimate seating areas where you could sip your cocktails before (and after!) the shows, and a world-class runway and lights set-up for the shows. Like we said before, look out Bryant Park! Here comes Bellevue Collection Fashion Week!

The final big show, Front Row Fashion, hosted in collaboration with Vogue was the perfect way to finish up the whirlwind six days of fashion. It was talked about all week long – and the crowd was definitely excited when the time for the doors to open finally rolled around. There were looks from every kind of store, for every price point, and for every kind of guy or gal. It might sound cheesy, but there definitely was something for everyone at Fashion Week.

Personally, I can’t wait for Fashion Week to roll around again. In fact, can we do this every week? Congrats on a job well done, and a perfectly executed fashion week, Bellevue Collection, I enjoyed every look.

The Front Row Fashion show – a collaboration between The Bellevue Collection and Vogue, was hands down, the most hotly anticipated show of the week, and I got the chance to be there, front and center, to see what was new for fall. The show, which brought the fall trends, straight from the pages of Vogue to the runway in Bellevue, was completely put together with clothes from stores within The Bellevue Collection.

Held in the new space at the Hyatt, the event was packed. The energy was high, and as I wound my way through the impossibly chic and well-heeled crowd to the hosted bar for my complimentary glass of champagne, I saw many an outfit to-die-for. It was a sea of little black dresses, cute boots and sky-high heels. Teetering on the spiked heels of my own little black booties, I made my way to my seat – right in the middle of the u-shaped runway – and anxiously waited for the show to begin.

Anne Vincent from Vogue welcomed the crowd – complete with compliments on our chic attire – and then it was time for the lights to go down and the show to begin. There were five different looks, or trends, in the show, and the first up was Biker Chic. “Born to Be Wild” blared out of the speakers and my heart sped up in anticipation of the fabulous fashions about to come my way. Fitted leather jackets, great embellished pieces from Haute Hippie (found at Nordstrom), tartan and plaid shirts, distressed denim and booties paraded down the runway with attitude, followed by look number two: Top Coats. I’ve never seen more drool-worthy coats in one place! Some were khaki trenches, some had fur hoods and some were trendy boyfriend jackets, but my favorite was a Cartise white belted coat (with a huge portrait collar) from Papillon. Next up was the look of Ladylike Sophistication, complete with plenty of sheaths and pencil skirts – but most importantly – gloves. Eighties Redux was the next look to hit the runway. There
were plenty of bright colors (lots of neon pink!), booties, tights and sequins – all of my favorite things!

Then, a song from The September Issue kicked in over the loud speakers (the perfect touch if you ask us), and the final look was here: Evening Glam. The spotlights lit up the room, and a procession of one-shouldered, short, black evening looks came down the catwalk. There were also dresses in every shade of the rainbow (a fair number in purple!) and several impeccably dressed men in flawless suits and tuxes.

It was over too soon, but it was definitely one of the high points of this week of fashion – I was enchanted by the show and walked away wanting to order one of everything I saw. And I’m pretty sure that’s the mark of a successful fashion show.

Stay tuned for our fall trends and accessories report coming up!

Tonight marked the beginning of fashion week with the screening of “The September Issue” by R.J. Cutler at Lincoln Square Cinemas, and what a kick-off it was! It was a premiere to rival that of any in L.A. or New York thanks to the press Q&A with R.J. Cutler and swanky after-party at the Hyatt’s latest hot spot, STIR Martini + Raw Bar.

I got giddy just approaching the theatre because this screening came complete with a red carpet, “paparazzi”, and tons of ladies decked out in their cutest and most fashionable – I spotted a fair number of to-die-for Louboutins that would make Ms. Wintour proud. The crowd was absolutely dressed to the nines – I saw plenty of little black cocktail dresses, ruffles and sequins – quite fitting considering the movie we were all about to see.

The theatre was packed to the gills with fashionistas (and even a few men), and after a brief introduction by the charming director himself, R.J. Cutler, our journey through the world of Vogue began. It was, in one word, A-MAZING. The dozens upon dozens of rolling racks of clothes, the shoes, the makeup, the designers…I may have drooled – but just a little bit. The movie keeps up a quick pace, and there is never a dull moment. You are able to catch a glimpse of Vogue’s extraordinary influence on fashion and culture, while also being privy to the collaboration between artists, designers, editors, photographers and creative directors that goes on behind the scenes – something that one could only previously imagine.

It’s probably safe to say that even if you think you know fashion, you don’t really know fashion until you see this film.

The crowd headed for the new STIR Martini + Raw Bar after the credits rolled, to sip Voque-tini’s (rum, triple sec, muddled orange, lemon and cherry, grenadine and Sprite) specially concocted for the celebration, and nosh on tasty hors d-oeuvres.

All in all, I would say that it was the perfect way to kick of Fashion Week and get everyone in the mood. And now, as Anna would say, “fashion is about looking forward”, so it’s on to the next event. Stay tuned!

It’s finally here! Welcome to Fashion Week 09 – presented by none other than The Bellevue Collection – who better?! All of the fashion madness kicks-off tonight with a special screening of The September Issue with director R.J. Cutler. The critically acclaimed documentary goes inside the making of the September issue of Vogue – the biggest, most jam-packed-with-fashion, issue of the year. Personally, I can hardly wait to see the inner workings of Vogue magazine and all of the designers, editors, photographers and creative directors involved in putting together such an iconic publication each and every month. Am I the only one that secretly dreams of having Anna Wintour’s job? Didn’t think so.

But it doesn’t end there. There are six days of fashion events scheduled – today through October 4th – and runway shows are only the beginning. There are in-store events, mini-runway shows, special offers, shopping events and more – it’s a fashion addict’s dream, and I would know! I am already counting down the hours until the Front Row Fashion Show on Saturday, where Vogue will bring their view on all the fall trends, straight off the pages of the magazine, to the runway – from stores at The Bellevue Collection.

And I will be there every step of the way, bringing you back all the news – right here – on the fall fashion trends, what’s hot in accessories for this season, what I saw on the runways and how to wear it in real life, how the movie was (I’m predicting A-MAZING and suggest that you plan on catching it at Lincoln Square this weekend) and of course, where you can find all of the pieces you need for fall – from boots to sweaters. Hint: it’s all in The Bellevue Collection, so it’s not only going to be super easy, but you know that it’s going to be incredible!

So, make sure and check back here throughout the week to keep up to date on what’s been happening, and hear all the behind the scenes info. Fall has officially arrived, and so has Fashion Week 09 – and just in time, I say – because everyone needs to know what they should be wearing this season and where to get it!

First stop: The September Issue screening – details to come!

Ashley Breckel is a local freelance writer, girl about town, and the managing editor of SeattlePicks.com, a free, online magazine about life and style – along with scoops on the latest and greatest restaurants, boutiques, fashion trends, designers, spas, salons and more – to be found in Seattle. It’s the most fun you’ll have in your email inbox every Friday.