Celebrating 5 Years of Fashion

It is my third year being a part of this amazing event and cause for the local Rochester community. These past three years I have seen tremendous growth in the amount of people who contribute to raise money for The Center for Youth as well as put on an extraordinary Fashion Week. Since it is Fashion Week of Rochester's 5th year why not celebrate it bigger and better than ever? This years Fashion Week in not having 3 but 4 runway shows!

Each night throughout Fashion Week is so unique. They each highlight something that Rochester has to offer. From local boutiques, designers and renovated buildings Rochester's beauty is reflected throughout. This event is so near and dear to my heart not only because myself and the rest of the Fashion Week team plan all year for this but it shows off Rochester in such a creative way. Rochester tends to get a bad rap but I truly believe Rochester is a beautiful city that has a lot to offer. Fashion Week of Rochester proves this by showcasing the communities talent as well as the new and renovated spaces in Rochester.

Fashion Exchange

Tuesday, October 14th

Memorial Art Gallery

500 University Avenue
Rochester, NY 14607

Trade in clothes, accessories, & shoes you no longer need or wear for a new look.

High Tea, High Fashion

Wednesday, October 15th

Sibley Building

25 Franklin Street
Rochester, NY 14604

Models and dogs will grace the runway with both human and doggie fashions amid the Tea Room's original architecture in the Sibley Building.



The Gallery of Fashion
Thursday, October 16th

Merkel Donohue Building

210 South Avenue

Rochester, NY 14604

Art and fashion will collide in the former Merkel Donohue Building. Surrounded by local works of art, models will strut down the raised runway in evening wear and lingerie.

Fashion by the Books

Friday, October 17th

Rundel Memorial Library

115 South Avenue

Rochester, NY14604

Rundel will make history as it sets the backdrop for an intergenerational runway show, featuring twins, children, tweens and "silver foxes" on a European runway.

Fashion Underground

Saturday, October 18th

Midtown Tunnel

Rochester, NY 14604

This runway will be so big, Fashion Week has to take it underground! This is the perfect location to show off the latest in formal evening wear and celebrate the final runway show.

Boutique Crawl

Sunday, October 19th

East Avenue Inn & Suites

384 East Avenue

Rochester, NY 14607

Hop from one boutique to the next. Featuring more than 28 boutiques from around Rochester, Pittsford and Brighton.

All proceeds from Fashion Week of Rochester benefit The Center for Youth.

By coming to these events and runway shows you are helping homeless youth in Rochester. From emergency shelters, street outreach, transitional living, and the Crisis Nursery. For 2014 the goal is to expand this support to establish a new shelter, the New Beginning House, for young men 16-21 years.

Tickets are available for purchase at Wegmans Food Markets.

For more information on Fashion Week of Rochester visit

www.fashionweekofrochester.org

xo,

Ms. Virgo

Meghan Mundy | Fashion Therapist

I got the opportunity to work with Meghan Mundy, a true Rochester fashonista, this past year. Meghan Mundy is one of the three powerhouses behind Rochester Fashion Week. She also does peronsla styling in the city of Rochester. I was able to sit down with Meghan and ask her a few questions.

Meghan, tell us a little about yourself for those who might now know you.

I am married to Michael Mundy for 24 years. I have two daughters, Caitlin Mundy 17 and Tara Mundy 14. I was born and raised in Summit, New Jersey. I worked in fashion in NYC for 20 years before I relocated to Rochester, New York.

How long have you lived in Rochester?

15 years.

How did you get into fashion?

I've always loved fashion from a very early age. I attended Fashion Institute of Technology in NYC and then worked on Madison Avenue.

Tell us briefly about Rochester Fashion Week...How did it get started? How were you asked to be involved?

I was approached while I was working on a Photo Shoot as a stylist. It started as a conversation and then grew beyond my wildest dreams and it is still growing.

Tell us about Meghan Mundy Fashion Therapist, what do you do?

My favorite thing to do is to help women feel beautiful (men too). I love personal shopping and putting outfits together. I love when one of my clients says ,"I would have never thought to wear that together but I love it."

What makes you unique and stands a part from other Rochester fashionistas/stylists?

My philosophy has always been creating style while maintaining value. I was brought up hunting for bargains and I still do this for my clients.

What is your favorite part about styling?

Making people feel good, powerful and attractive.

What is your favorite part about an outfit?

Accessories.

What is your go to outfit?

Pattern trousers, a cashmere sweater, and a fur vest.

Top 5 places to shop:

1. Sakes outlet

2. Zara

3. Foxes

4. Century 21

5. Neiman Marcus

Top 5 brands:

1. Alice + Olivia

2. Free People

3. Da Nang

4. Rachael Zoe

5. Theory

For more information about Meghan Mundy Fashion Therapist visit

www.meghanmundy.com

xo,

Ms. Virgo

Rochester Fashion Week: 3 Days of Fashion

Myself at the Friday Night Fashion Show

Top: Free People Zig Zag Cami + Free People Galloon Lace Halter Bra

I got the luxury of being a part of an amazing three day event to raise money for The Center For Youth this past month. It started about six months ago when I received a Facebook message from Meghan Mundy,  one of three founders of Rochester Fashion Week. She had asked me if I was interested in modeling for  Rochester Fashion Week but I had told her that I was more interested in the behind the scenes of the event. I wanted to know the nuts and bolts of how a fashion show is created and run. 

Behind the scenes of the Saturday Night Fashion Show

Models/Boutique Owners/Designers/Scott Miller Team/Volunteers

I started interning  then soon after assisting Meghan. We started from scratch going through large books filled with models from all over Rochester. We then reached out to these models to see if they were interested in participating in Rochester Fashion Week 2012. Many of the models had participated in the previous two years and were eager to be a part of yet another great event. Now that we had had a list of models to choose from we then reached out to local boutiques and designers. We received the same response from the boutiques and designers. 

Meghan and I began to work out the order that the models would walk in being cautious of quick changes. I soon learned that it takes a lot of time and thinking to put a fashion show together. There were times that it wasn't glamourous and it was frustrating but Meghan had always guided me in saying that once the first show ends you will be so glad that you participated and were a part of an event. 

Saturday Night Fashion Show

Myself with two of the many TuTu Girls (Blake + Brynn Baker)

Before the first show I'm not going to lie I was freaking out a little bit. It started to get chaotic behind stage and I was being asked question after question from models and boutique owners. During the show I was sprinting around in my Jefferey Campbell Perfect-WD like a chicken with my head cut off but I stayed calm and managed to get the job done. Meghan was right! Once the models walked out in their last looks I felt a sense of accomplishment that her and I had worked so hard to complete the fashion aspect of the show and it turned out to be more than I expected.

I really gained a lot of experience from assisting Meghan. I've learned how to overcome obstacles and how to handle things like an adult instead of losing your cool. I gained a lot of work to put into my portfolio being able to design the website for Rochester Fashion Week as well as create the cover and an advertisement for the look book. I sat down with Meghan this past week and was asked to participate in the fourth year of Rochester Fashion Week. I am so excited to start with Meghan and make Fashion Week 2013 greater than last.

Saturday Night Fashion Show

Left: Paige Walton, Model & Intern for Rochester Fashion Week

Middle: Meghan Mundy, Founder of Rochester Fashion Week [Free People Sequin Jumper]

Right: Myself, Tara Virgo [Free People Lace Crop Top + Peppermint Aztec Print Skirt]

Click on the links below...

To Learn More: Rochester Fashion Week

Photographs from the following Fashion Shows: Friday + Saturday + Sunday

xo,
Ms.Virgo

Getting a Flawless Face with Waterlily

After countless times of driving past the small french style boutique, I finally stopped in. My first time at  Waterlily I recieved a tour of the boutique and was fitted for a lip color that I was searching for. The color we chose was Baby Sheer Pink By Trish McEvoy. My experience was so welcoming the first time that I thought I'd go back for another visit.

This time I went to get a makeup application for Rochester Fashion Week. Beth Gamble and her team made me feel welcome and remembered who I was from the previous visit. Owners Beth and Craig Gamble and their employees establish a relationship with their customers. During my visit Beth took the time to educate me about my skin and the products she was using on me. When I left I felt educated and most importantly beautiful.

Before applying my makeup Beth applied a cleanser on my face. Waterlily carries both Institut Esthederm and M.D. Skincare. She also used a special sponge that was soft and gentle on my face but also felt like it was cleaning my face. You can purchase this sponge for only $10.

Beth chose colors from both the Laura Mercier and Trish McEvoy lines that complimented my outfit that I had chosen for Rochester Fashion Week. I was wearing navy knit Free People flared pants along with a colorful knit Free People top.

My eyes had hints of gold and dark blue to pull out the colors from my top. Beth also penciled in my eyebrows. I've had many makeup artists do this in the past and not knowingly make me look like oscar the grouch. They tend to use very dark colors since I have dark features, but Beth used almost a mahogany brown and it made my eyebrows look stunning. She really knew what she was doing.

Waterlily carries Laura Mercier and Trish McEvoy products. Laura Mercier products are to create a flawless face, so that you feel like your makeup is your own skin. Trish McEvoy is known for clear skin that looks its best. She is also known for her Makeup Planner, which is a beauty organizer perfect for any woman on the go.

Trish McEvoy Makeup Planners come in three sizes...small, medium and large. These Makeup Planners hold Makeup Wardrobing Pages. They're mirrored and magnetic to hold the makeup in place and make it easy to change in and out. There is a side zipper pocket to hold makeup essentials and sleeves to hold all your brushes in place. If you are tired of scrambling through your makeup bag or not being able to carry your makeup on the go the Trish McEvoy Makeup Planner is the best way to Simplify, Customize and Organize.

Personally I am always running from place to place and I notice that my makeup tends to break because its being tossed around in a loose bag. By purchasing the Makeup Planner I'll be able to be organized but also keep the lifespan of my makeup. I can't wait to go back to Waterlily to purchase and customize my own Makeup Planner.

Waterlily Spa & Cosmetics Boutique

2383 Monroe Ave

Rochester, NY 14618

(585) 442-5140

xo,
Ms.Virgo

A Sweet Shopping Experience: Peppermint

I've been hearing great things about a new boutique on Park Avenue. I finally stopped in and realized what all the buzz was about. Peppermint is a great small women's fashion boutique with affordable price points. Her accessories are crafty and unique.

Peppermint gives a fresh new look to Park Avenue. Tanvi Asher, owner of Peppermint, started off creating scarves from excess fabric and clutch bags for her line Excessary. The boutique carries Excessary as well as Peppermint. Peppermint is clothing that is designed by Tanvi Asher. 

While shopping at Peppermint I've found functional dresses as well as knit sweaters and tops. I think Peppermint is a great place to shop because she has stuff that is affordable that can be worn casually during the day and dressed up at night.

My first Peppermint item purchased was a paisley print and orange jumper. I wore it to the Sunday show of Rochester Fashion Week. I was able to dress it up with a pair of wedges. It was functional for me during the fashion show allowing me to move freely while looking the part.

I recently purchased the now SOLD OUT

New York State necklace from the artist ByBoe.

Fashion Week of Rochester

Saturday Show

Lace Crop Top: Free People

Aztec Print Skirt: Peppermint

Bracelets For A Cause

These Lily & Laura Bracelets found at Peppermint, are made out of glass beads by women in Nepal. Their mission is to provide fair wages to the women in Nepal, therefore improving the quality of their lives.

Purchase a $5 Peppermint Tote and receive 15% off whatever you can fit into the bag on Tote Tuesdays/Thursdays.

Pictured right are wooden wearables created by The Knotty Owl. Peppermint is hosting a Trunk Show with the new collection from The Knotty Owl. Get a first look at the new collection on Saturday, October 27th from 1-7PM.

Peppermint

121 Park Ave #10
[Entrance on Meigs St.]

Rochester, NY 14607

(585) 466-4396

xo,

Ms.Virgo

Meet Ms.Virgo

Hello future readers,

My name is Tara Virgo (Ms.Virgo). I was born and raised in Rochester, New York. I am an only child, which means I have a pretty unique personality. I am a second year Public Relations & Advertising major with a minor in Web Design at the Rochester Institute of Technology. I started this blog because it was an assignment for my Public Relations Writing class. My idea was to write about fashion in Rochester. I  have an interest in the fashion industry including PR in fashion. I have worked with Meghan Mundy creator of Rochester Fashion Week. I’ve learned from her what it takes to produce a fashion show in the Rochester area. We’ve met with boutiques and designers in Rochester that have concrete names and followings, while we have met others who have just started. It made me want to dig into what Rochester has to offer in the fashion industry for both men and women. Rochester seems to get a bad rap by Rochesterians but as I've gotten older I have grown to love The Flower City and everything it has to offer. My hope is to gain readers that will be interested in my writing as well as gain experience in writing and blogging from this assignment. Please feel free to comment and give me feedback/advice. Maybe this blog will be permanent? We'll soon find out! Thank you for taking the time to read my introductory blog post.

xo,

Ms.Virgo