Grand Opening with Toni & Guy!!

Grand Opening Night Recap

Normally, I get to observe and watch from the sidelines at many events unless I'm also working them as well.    In the artist industries it's few and far between the breaks you get when you are passionate about what you do and then even more so about the people you get to serve. In February, I was able to witness some dreams come to a reality as well as also enjoy and partake in celebrations and services from some extremely talented individuals from the valley of the sun.

On February 9th, at 7029 E 1st Ave, Scottsdale, AZ 85251, Toni & Guy Oldtown, operated by Gerry Watkins, hosted their grand opening of their latest Toni & Guy location in conjunction with Fashion Arizona's February Meetup Mixer coordinated by Phoenix Fashion Week. The new Toni & Guy Oldtown location experience includes an open air patio, high ceilings, and a rustic warehouse style and feel.  Guests enjoyed complimentary hor d'oeuvres and drinks, sponsored and provided by Arcadia Farms Cafe.  Lively musical sounds from DJ Frietz filled the atmosphere along with networking, paparazzi, VIP guests, local supporting boutiques, and the Phoenix Fashion Week entourage.  The evening included the stylists and spring trends announcement for the Spring into Style 2017 upcoming fashion show followed by a runway show outside under the moonlight featuring Woman's Touch Apparel Designs.

The bonus of the night was the future opportunity presented to enjoy a visit to Arcadia Farms Cafe for lunch as well as styling service including haircut from Toni & Guy Oldtown, by no other than Gerry Watkins.

************************ Stylist for Spring into Style and their spring trend being hosted at the Jokake Inn at The Phoenician Resort, Scottsdale, Doors open at 6PM.  Tickets available here SpringIntoStyle2017.eventbrite.com 

The Stylists:

• #PHXFWfloral - @AshleyPaigeCollective - Ashley Paige - styling Floral
• #PHXFWtraveler - @FashiontoFitYou - Sarah Parks - styling Traveler
• #PHXFWyellow - @GitanaStyling - Sandra Mateu Yotty - styling Yellow
• #PHXFWpunk - @Parisa__Zahedi - Parisa Zahedi - styling Punk
• #PHXFWmixedprints - @RareScarfVintage - Mitch Phillips - styling Mixed Prints
• #PHXFWstatementsleeves - @StyleStalkersAZ, @ShimeonMattox, @Tekniqs01 - Style Stalkers - styling Statement Sleeves

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Beyond the Grand Opening

Arcadia Farms Cafe is conveniently located just west across the street from the Toni & Guy Oldtown location and the lunchtime experience is to die for.  I love elegant yet quaint feeling type environments and this did not disappoint.  They had outdoor seating available the day I visited and the weather was absolute perfection, just highlighting how even more important location is when considering where you should place your business.  They also house a Arcadia Farms Market and Bakery right next door and I'm sure nothing on th menu will have a bad review. I don't normally eat sandwiches but when there is a baguette involved on the menu, I will always say yes to that.  They happened to have my favorite warm grilled ham with mozzarella cheese.  While waiting an appetizer of Crows Dairy Baked Goat Cheese Dip was devoured.  The service was amazing and the owner even took moments out of their day to make sure the experience was what we expected.  My new lunchtime favorite place to visit hands down.  I'll be back...

Toni & Guy Oldtown is everything you hope a salon to be.  It was welcoming, busy with clients, and staff waiting on you before, during, and after the services.  As I don't normally talk about my one-on-one services experiences I just have to share about this one.  I've been growing my hair out for a long time.  The last year however I've been trying to get it cut to first take advantage of the length but then also wanted to increase the volume.  Most hairstylists are gun shy when it comes to cutting unless you give them clear direction on what length to cut off for fear of doing too much.  I like to live dangerously, however knowing that Gerry Watkins, a master stylist and parter for this salon, was going to cut my hair, I was pretty sure I could trust he would take good care of me.  We consulted about what I wanted, they prepped me and washed my hair and then the decisions were made on the type of cut and style.  My expectations were exceeded and the whole experience was exactly what I had hoped it would be.  I was able to have a friend along that captured some amazing candid photos that really tell the story of the experience.  I'm very serious about my hair the care that I take with it.  So it takes an extra special person to accept the challenge. I felt 100% at ease and comfortable with the choices and know I received not only the right cut but the best style for me.  That's part of what Toni & Guy has a reputation for is for cuts and coloring.  My next visit will definitely be about coloring and getting that refreshed.  Definitely this will become a routine visit as once I find a place that is about quality, I just can't go another way.  

Photo Courtesy of Marina Johnson

Photo Courtesy of Marina Johnson

Photo Courtesy of Marina Johnson

Photo Courtesy of Marina Johnson

Photo Courtesy of Marina Johnson

Sexy, Fashionable, and Breezy!!

By Toy Taylor - supporting writer for Evolution Magazine & Film and Fashion Futures Promotions

Wow! What a night at Phoenix Fashion Week! The energy level continues to rise. Tonight was the second night for our well established designers and our up and coming designers to show their collections and represent what they’re working with.  This year will mark an unprecedented moment as Phoenix Fashion Week has decided to name not only a top female model but a male model as well. Each model will receive a contract with an Arizona agency.  That's awesome! You know many male models will be bringing their A-game to this competition.

Gents
NBMA Photography

Gents
NBMA Photography

JHaus
NBMA Photography

JHaus
NBMA Photography

First up in the lineup for the evening of established designers was Gents.  How would I best describe Gents style?  In one word, sexy.  It was an incredible to see how Gents could turn the simple baseball hat into an attractive sexy stylish baseball hat. Gents displays a sense of humility in their product line. No logos. No labels. No branding of any kind. Complete with sophisticated anonymity Gents baseball caps are the right accessory for the contemporary male. The hats range from baseball style to a scrumptious newsboy that looks great on women, too. Gents rocked the runway collaborating their stylish caps with their soft premium t-shirts. JHaus clothing line is chocked full of denim ranging from deep rich blue hues to lighter hues. These jeans look comfortable and movable. You can feel every bit of the high quality denim JHaus used for this line of denim. JHaus even took it a little old school with an acid wash-looking skinny jean. That brought back some good memories. JHaus showed denim is not only for jeans, but for skirts as well. This fun flirty play with a flair skirt was priceless! It happened to be a windy night so the models could really show off the movement in these adorable skirts.

Paulie Gibson
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Paulie Gibson
NBMA Photography

Bri Seeley
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Bri Seeley
NBMA Photography

Paulie Gibson is a mastermind. His use of somber colors infused with the vibrancy of teal hues made his collection remarkable. Paulie Gibson definitely likes to have fun in creating unique looks that make us do a double take. There is such a mix of classic styles blended perfectly with modern trends that connect it all together. Prints solids stripes polka dots! He leaves no one out. Who can design a mens short jumpsuit and rock the runway with it? Paulie Gibson can! Fantastic collection! Last year she was an up and coming designer, now Bri Seeley 2012 Designer of the Year is an established designer who showed us an outstanding new collection tonight. She is amazing in her use of soft flowing materials that glide with you as you walk. I love everything girly! And this collection gave me just that. The color scheme was incredibly feminine and silky-smooth giving a sense of elegance to her line. Tonight the wind picked up and worked its magic for Bri Seeley. It was almost mesmerizing watching the models strut down that runway in a cool breeze. I felt a sense of the classic 60’s accessorized with today’s modern flair fit for the busy fashionista.  We’re getting ready and can’t wait for what’s in store for the final night of Phoenix Fashion Week at Talking Stick Resort.

In the Desert - Fashion Stars!!!

Entire Photo Collectin for Day 1 of Phoenix Fashion Week by Evolution Magazine - Phoenix and NBMA Photography

Dolcessa
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Dolcessa
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Loin Cloth
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Twinkle, twinkle little star, how I wonder where you are?  …in the middle of the desert and guess what…there are lots of stars literally.  If you are dreaming of seeing fashion and being exposed to styling that stretches the imagination, then Thursday night’s event would have helped to fulfill that desire.  A few years ago, Phoenix Fashion Week didn’t seem so big, but for the last two years there has been significant growth and progression.  Phoenix FashionWeek at Talking Stick 2013 (which is the ninth anniversary of Phoenix FashionWeek) has already far exceeded expectations and I’m sure there had to be some records broken on attendance.  The event so far is nothing short of spectacular.  The established designers Fashion by Robert Black, Shawl Dawls, Black Russian Label, and Project Runway’s Season 12 – Brandon McDonald represented a solid base of eclectic styles, raw and edgy as well as full bodied and flow throughout the fashion presented.

LINDEN
NBMA Photography

Loin Cloth
NBMA Photography

The lineup for Emerging Designers is strong and Thursday night’s opening demonstrated that at all levels.  Dolcessa owned the stage with their strong branding and signature look that is known worldwide and in combination with the accessories from Melis created unique looks that cannot be refuted.  Linden from LA, represented their line well literally.  They came with bold cuts and combination patterned colors and fabrics that represent the modern woman who wants to be unique, comfortable and stand out with a fresh look that does not overstate, but makes a statement “here I am, come get me”.  Loin Cloth represented their colors well in the patch color sets across the shirts and accessories.   They have a quality about them that represents wearable confidence with no fear in being a man’s man.  Medium Apparel shows with their line how to take the streets into your closet and make it comfortable, fashionable, and completely hip.  Their use of brand and messaging make their product multi-dimensional in that you don’t just wear their product, it makes you think and provokes thought in others.  Now that is a statement.  Stay tuned for more as we continue our coverage of Phoenix Fashion Week at Talking Stick Resort October 3 - 5, 2013.

Medium Apparel
NBMA Photography

Medium Apparel
NBMA Photography