We’re
still wearing multiple layers, thigh-high boots and woolen berets. The
question on every warm-blooded Southerner’s mind: “Where’s my sunshine,
y’all?”

With one of the coldest winters in recent memory
still holding on, it’s easy to forget that Spring is right around the
corner. As a reminder that the green carpet will beckon for all the
stylistas’ garden party glory,  aMuse Aristanal Finery is hosting
the first-ever “Haute Hats” Fashion Show next Saturday, March 7th.

It’s not just a matter of what you’ll wear to the Azalea Festival Garden Party or The Junior League’s Kentucky Derby “Mint Julep,”
but what statement you want to make in your hat. No Garden Party look
is complete without a head-turning topper. If you don’t own a hat or
are in search of something custom-made, have no fear. Wilmington’s
favorite milliner Jan Wutkowski, who has trained and taught hat-making all over the world and was chosen as one of the top 30 hat designers in the country by Hat Life Magazine, is not only showcasing her custom creations but bringing in designs from other milliners across the country.

“The theme of the show is elegance with a twist. I want the attendees to
feel like they have stepped into a grand salon, a Parisian couture
house during a time where women came to the milliner to be pampered and
to shop in high style. It’s all about accessories – hats, vintage
jewelry, gloves. There is a sense of elegance and sophistication with a
bit of surprise in the way the models will be presented.”

Jan will not only have hats for women interested in traditional, wide brim
hats but also more avant garde hats with unexpected embellishment.
Europeans have been very influential in the resurgence of the fascinator  or what Jan likes to call “explosions on the head,”- a wonderful mass of color and movement in the form of feathers, jewels,
beading and appliques attached with combs and headbands that has taken
hold with the younger set.

At the event, Jan will also share some tips on finding your “Hattitude” such as:

DRESS OR HAT FIRST?

“My favorite customer selects her hat first and then the dress. She knows
what’s important!  This approach takes longer because it opens the
door to lots more options and decisions regarding color range, shape,
etc. but offers freedom of complete creativity.  If the dress
comes first, we can work from the silhouette, fabric, color and
complementing accessories.

‘FACE’ FACTS:

“In selecting your hat, keep your face shape in mind. Round faces should
steer away from extremely rounded crowns and downturned brims. Square
shapes should avoid boater crowns, and heart shapes should pass on
pixie or pointed crowns.” Women of a smaller stature, in many cases,
should wear a smaller profile hat. However, if a petite woman feels
confident in a larger hat, chances are her personality can carry it.”

THE LOOK:

“A hat should complement the ‘whole look’ of an ensemble. It doesn’t need
to be ‘matchy-matchy’ but should work with your outfit’s colors,
patterns, other accessories and should be proportional to body shape
and height.”

WEAR IT RIGHT:

“For the woman who says she doesn’t look good in hats … either she hasn’t
tried on enough styles to know what does look good on her, or she is
wearing the hat improperly. Many women can put any hat on their head
and look smashing, but some need to work at it to find a becoming
style: Wear the hat forward on the head; don’t wear the hat dead center
of your head, slightly cock it off to the side.”

HAIR: “If you have long hair, pull it back into a low bun or ponytail. Tuck shorter hair behind your ears. You want to keep the focus on your face and your hat.”

GLASSES:

“For women who wear glasses, lighter frames can be more selective in style
of hat, but heavier and darker colored frames will want to stay away
from larger and down-turned brims. A swept-back brim would be perfect,
and perhaps a short brim. Again, try on different styles with your
glasses to see what works for you!”

‘HATTITUDE’:

“Hattitude can certainly make any rules fly right out the window! The woman who
feels good in her hat and is not afraid to be seen in a hat, and enjoys
the attention a hat generates, can pretty much wear whatever she likes.
Hats can be an extension of your personality, allow you to create bold
new attitudes, or even give you a chance to go incognito. Hats are like
punctuation marks – they can be a declarative statement (a period), add
mystery and intrigue (a question mark), or show a playful, fun-filled
side (exclamation point).”

……………..

Make a STATEMENT

with Bordeaux Jewelry

To shop, click HERE.

………………

………………

THE DESSERT DIVAS

Planning a bachelorette shower for a special Bride?  Need a couture cake for a fashionista’s  birthday celebration?

Call The Dessert Divas for a Designer Cake!

Click HERE to contact

The Three Divas

910.399.6276

EYECONIC IMAGES LAUNCH Two world-class photographers Logan Mock-Bunting (whose “National Geographic” cover was featured in the “Fashion Fix” in August) and DJ Struntz have “joined forces.”  Combining their experience in photojournalism, action/sports photography, commercial, editorial, portraiture and weddings, they have launched a collaboration called Eyeconic Images. Two recent accolades: DJ’s photo was just selected  for the cover of Hawaii Skin Diver, one of the biggest Spearfishing magazines while Logan’s photo was chosen as one of Newsweek’s “Visions of a Decade” where one image per month was selected for each year of the aughties to define the decade. In his blog, Logan shares: “The funny thing is, this is not an image I would pick out – it isn’t something that grabs me through composition or emotion or light, it isn’t an image I had to really fight for to get access, and I don’t consider it to be much of a story-teller, compared to many images I know of. But it is a very powerful reminder to one of the odd blessings this job gives: I am given a chance to witness and share history with others. And for that I feel very honored and humbled.” To see more on this dynamic duo, visit www.eyeconicimages.com

MEET: James
+ Dunne’s hot pink mannequin. She used to live at Castle Keep Antiques and came into her hot pink skin during her stint in Costumer William Ivey Long’s magnificent exhibit at Cameron Art Museum.

Help Jess and Shannon name her!

Email
suggestions to: jamesanddunne@gmail.com

WIN IT: Best Name Suggestion WINS -

Drifted Hot Pink Fiberglass
Panel and Black Walnut belt buckle with White Resin Pinline ($49 value)
handmade by local husband and wife team Dan and Lisa Nez.

To see more Drifted Designs, visit www.driftedstore.com

Orton’s Secret Garden: A Wedding & Event Gathering

WILMINGTON

WHO: Orton Plantation Gardens, Reeds Jewelers, Party
Suppliers & Rentals. Designs and floral by: Salt Harbor Designs,
Stellar Events, A Beautiful Event, Kim Fisher Designs, Fiore Fine
Flowers and Fiore Designs. Photography: Millie Holloman
Photography, Bella Rose Photography, Matt McGraw Photography and KMI
Photography. Cakes: Nicki’s Cakes & Flower & Flour. Music:
Active Entertainment, Maura Kropke and Perry Smith. Catering:
A Southern Thyme, Culinary Creations, and Pine Valley Market. Life
Stage Films, The Fisherman’s Wife, Fountaine Bridals, aMuse: artisanal
finery, High Performance Lighting, Harborside Event Rentals and The
Wilmington Trolley Co.

WHAT: Orton’s Secret Garden event has taken the typical “bridal show” a
step further by creating an experience, all while showcasing the best
of the best wedding vendors in this area.

WHEN: Sunday, Feb 28 from 11:00am-4:00pm

WHERE: Orton Plantation Gardens / 9149 Orton Rd. SE, 15 miles over the Cape Fear Bridge

WHY:
Saying “Yes” was only the first step! A lucky bride could win jewelry
from Reeds Jewelers and a FREE WEDDING! Attend the event to register.
More details on www.ortongardens.com

WANNA GO?: Tickets are $9 at the gate. Listen to Z107.5 for your chance to win free tickets!

March 6

aMuse Haute Hats Show

WILMINGTON

WHO:
Milliner Jan Wutkowski’s hats, headpieces and vintage jewelry. Styling
by Jess James.  Hair by Frank Potter of Bangz. Hat Cake by The
Dessert Divas. Floral Design by Island Florals.

WHAT: Vintage
inspired fashion show featuring Milliner Jan Wutkowski’s handmade hats:
the must-have accessory for Azalea Garden Party, Kentucky Derby and
Easter.

Cocktails & canapes included.

WHEN: March 6 / 1:30pm

WHERE: Caffe Phoenix – 9 South Front St. / upstairs dining room / private parking lot

WHY: Learn how to bring out your “hattitude,” style tips for finding the perfect hat for your face shape and personal style.

WANNA GO?: Tickets are $15 in advance / $25 at the door at aMuse (397.9099) or www.hatshatshats.com

March 7

An Evening at the Oscars, presented by the Cucalorus Film Festival

Screen Gems Studio

WILMINGTON

WHO:
Movie lovers!  James + Dunne!  Celebrity Hair Stylist Steven
Ward!  Emcees “Superkiiid” Jonathan Guggenheim and Zach
Hanner!  Bibis Ellison and other Wilmington talent!

WHAT:
The Oscar Party you’ve been waiting for… Watch the Academy Awards at
Hollywood East’s official headquarters: Screen Gems. Giant screens,
delicious food by Port Land Grille, open bar, silent auction, Red
Carpet hostesses James + Dunne, Oscar pool, entertainment and strange
surprises curated by Cucalorus.

WHEN: Sunday, March 7th, 7:30 – 11:00 pm

WHERE: Stage 3, Screen Gems Studios

WHY:
A fundraiser for the Cucalorus Film Festival, Wilmington’s largest and
coolest annual arts event, recently listed in “Top Ten Film Festivalsin the U.S.” by the Brooks Institute and “Top 25 Coolest Festivals in the World” by MovieMaker magazine.  Come see the Oscars in style and rub elbows with a bunch of cool people who love movies!

WANNA GO?: Go to www.cucalorus.org for tickets online and more information.  Our blog, with updates, is at http://cucalorus13.blogspot.com/

DRESS CODE: Hollywood Glam. Dress to Impress! “Style Girl” Jess James and Shannon Dunne of James + Dunne Styling, the night’s Red Carpet Hostesses, are offering a 15% discount to all Cucalorus Film Festival attendees.

March 13

The Fashion Summit of North Carolina

RALEIGH

WHAT:A Fashion Industry Conference for fashion mavens of North Carolina

WHEN: March 13, 2010

WHERE: 4208 Six Forks Rd. Raleigh, NC at The Captrust Tower at North Hills

WHY:
To bring together an innovative and inspiring group of emerging and
professional fashion industry experts to share valuable industry
information and stimulating educational content.  The programming
for the summit consists of a fashion panel including speakers
Rachel  Sutherland, Style Editor for the Charlotte Observer; Reco
Chapple, fashion designer recently featured on BRAVO’s “The Fashion
Show” and Wilmington’s own “Style Girl” Jess James. The summit also
includes fashion education sessions, networking opportunities, and a
fashion showcase.

WANNA GO?: Register for an all inclusive ticket or just for the fashion show and after- party at Solas.  Register at fashionsummitnc.eventbrite.com

or call 919-656-6638.

March 27

Recycle Revival

Legion Stadium

WILMINGTON

WHO: Greater Good Productions and Sponsors: WECT, encore, Green Coast Recycling, WilmingtonYardSales.com, Natural Awakenings Magazine, and Style Swap.

WHAT:
Greater Good Productions & WECT present Recycle Revival, “bringin’ some 2nd-hand salvation to our environment” with a community yard sale, recycled creations from area artists, 2nd hand & vintage fashion, Farmer’s Market, green living vendors, live entertainment, local food & more!

WHERE: Legion Stadium
WHEN: March 27 / 11am – 5pm
WANNA GO?: Free Admission

WHY:
Benefitting the Cape Fear River Watch, PenderWatch, and the North Carolina Coastal Federation and their efforts to keep Southeastern North Carolina clean, healthy and beautiful.