Birmingham Fashion Week 2015 kicked off exactly one week ago and it was absolutely incredible.  It's amazing being around all of that type of energy.  People that are supporting their friends, family, loved ones... and those of us that are in love with fashion!  Here's my recap and let's start with the designers!

Gunnar Deatherage (Project Runway Seasons 9 & 10; Project Runway All-Stars Season 4)

Michelle Lesniak (Project Runway Season 11 Winner)

Laura Kathleen (Project Runway Season 9; Project Runway All-Stars Season 2)

Marie Oliver

I love seeing designs from the "Emerging Designers".  There is truly some awesome undiscovered talent out there.  I know how hard it is to get a clothing label off the ground.  But I'm wishing these ladies much luck!  Here are my favorites:

Emerging Designer - Leslie Beattie

Emerging Designer - Kayla Sherman

Emerging Designer - Kenya Buchannan

Emerging Designer WINNER - Shan Latris!

I love the local retailer shows.  It's a true representation of our Southern Style here in Birmingham!  These are my two favorites!

Monkee's of Mountain Brook

Fab'rik

 And for the finale, BFW founder Heidi Elnora!

This show was so energetic!

The models walked the runway to Karis Lamb Wilson KILLING IT on her violin. 

I'm not really a traditional wedding gown woman. 

We plan to renew our vows for our silver anniversary and I want something beachy. 

So the gorgeous flowy, godess gowns really struck a cord with me. 

And this was her showstopper.

The pictures just don't even do it justice.  It was simply stunning in person. 

Heidi gave a beautiful speech afterwards about following your dreams no matter how you started out in life.  It was a wonderfully fabulous show and I can't wait until next year!

I've been a sewing fool this week.  I haven't sewn so many things for me in such a close period of time in only God knows when!  But I call this "Stress Free Sewing".  It's always fun being overwhelmed doing something YOU love.  So for the last day of Birmingham Fashion Week, I wanted something else new to wear.  I'd bought this great Tribal Diamond Black and White Stretch Satin Suiting Cotton Fabric -- to satiate my love of black and white and I wanted a printed pair of culottes.

I had previously added Butterick 6183 to my collection when the pattern came out because I thought it was really cute.  And plus, I'm going through a culotte phase.  This is my first time sewing a Lisette pattern.  Even though they're cute, they've never really appealed to my aesthetic until this latest collaboration with Butterick.  I googled, but to no avail I didn't find a review of the pants/culottes.  It seems there is great fondness over the top though.  So, I was literally sewing this unknown, new pattern a couple of hours before I was to put these pants on and go.  I like to live life on the edge.  

This pattern runs small based on my experience with other McCall Pattern Company pants patterns. And I've sewn PLENTY to make that judgement call.  Based on the flat pattern measurements I cut the 16, when I would normally cut a 14 with possible waist and center back adjustments.  It's cut very narrowly, so I'm extremely happy that my fabric had stretch because this pattern has no ease -- whatsoever.  I personally think it would work better for a ponte knit instead of a woven.  And yes, as you see, they sit pretty high at the waist.

I sewed these straight from the envelope.  I didn't add any length, however I didn't cuff mine so that was an extra couple.  This pattern in general doesn't hold a candle to my beloved Vogue 9032.  And I unfortunately regret not using my fabric for that culotte version.  But I wanted something quick and V9032 has a LOT of pieces.  Will I sew this one again?  Definitely not.  Do I recommend it?  Meh... going into it, just be aware that you WILL need to size up.  And if your waist isn't significantly smaller than your hip measurement, you're going to have an issue there as well.  A year ago, this pattern would've been an EPIC failure --  I wouldn't have even gotten the zipper up.  The outcome was pretty mediocre, but I really loved the tribal print of the fabric.  And I added a simple Norma Kamali off-the-shoulder knit top and my beautiful Maasai necklace.

For a Friday night, I decided to go with a little glitz and shine!  I found this awesome piece of sequin fabric at Joanns -- All That Glitters Fabric - Floral Sequins Navy.  I've always had the uncanny ability to walk into a store and put my hands on the most expensive thing in there.  My taste has always exceeded my wallet!  But not this time.  This beautiful piece of fabric that retailed for $30/yd was on sale.  Cha-ching... sold!  I bought it!

There was very little of this fabric left on the bolt.  I was only able to get 1.5 yds.  So I decided a skirt it would be.  I didn't want a plain pencil skirt.  

This fabric has pizzazz and so I needed a pattern of equal value.  I chose Vogue 8711.  I've made it before and I've loved my black version to death!

This pattern was already cut and altered in the size 14.  I still needed to take in the side seams and really cut the waist down.  And I went back and took about an inch off of the length.  These are baby sequins, so they're a lot easier to sew than the larger variety.  I didn't have to remove any from the seam allowance.  My needle chopped right through them with ease.  For my hem, I fused it for a clean and quick finish.  

For my waistband, I used a black ponte knit.  I didn't want to feel the sequins rubbing against my skin.  And I partially lined the skirt with a nylon tricot.  I just used the same method that I would to make a single seam pencil skirt.  I left it much shorter than the skirt because I didn't want it to show while I was sitting down.  I just needed enough coverage for the goodies!

Since the sequins are backed on black mesh, I just naturally paired my navy with black (the top was purchased).  

Thanks for the picture Adrienne!

I'm a fan of this color combo, especially for an evening look. 

So last night was the kickoff of Birmingham Fashion Week.  It's the 5th year that our city has had one and my second time attending.  I went in 2013, and I don't remember why I missed out last year.  But this year, it's a lot better -- especially for us bloggers.

Just like with any other fashion week, bloggers get to apply for media passes and I was selected.  I have absolutely no idea the criteria that is used, other than social media and blog metrics.  But I'm so glad that I have the opportunity to attend and bring you all coverage of our Southern Style!

Previously when I attended, all of the bloggers and press/media/photographers were squeezed in tightly in the photo pit.  Well not this year.  We were seated at the end of the runway.  My feet thanks the organizers.  

And also, it was about 85 degrees yesterday, cooling as the sun set.  But it was warm under that tent with the packed house and hot lights.  So I was able to sit, sip on cold margarita and snap pictures comfortably.  And I'm so glad I chose this outfit that kept me cool.

My top is New Look 6343.

I wanted a simple top.  I love a cut-in shoulder, it's my favorite style of sleeveless to wear.  And if I see this style in a pattern, I guarantee you that I'll buy it.  And plus, I love the cropped curved hem style.

I cut the size 12 and made it straight from the envelope.  I used this textured Bubble Ivory Poly Spandex that I saw in my Hancock.  Even though the pattern suggested a knit, I really liked this stretch woven and I felt it had enough give to work.

I tend to default to black and white so often that I've been on a mission to add more color to my spring/summer wardrobe.  Am I done with black and white?  Heck no...  But for this pair of pants, I went with what is sure to become a TNT pattern for me, Vogue 9032.  This is a pattern that HIGHLY recommend.  You get 3 views:  fitted, loose fitting and loose fitting culottes.  It's worth having.

My fabric is this perfect Malibu Blue Stretch Cotton Twill.  Anytime a pants pattern is fitted like these, I suggest using a stretch woven.  Or a good high-quality ponte or double knit would work also.  The size 14 was already cut and altered with 5 inches of length added from my previous version.  And I didn't have to do anything different this time.  I like for my hems to be crisp, so I always interface them. 

And to top off a great show, I was the winner of a fabulous pair of Salvatore Ferragamo sunglasses!  Pictures from the show to come...