Fashion Art Music Exhibition, F.A.M.E. brought a dynamic collaboration of live music, artists, and models to the Women’s Club in downtown San Jose last weekend.

The venue was filled with local venders and boutiques showing unique products and creations. From bow ties and cupcakes, the Women’s Club contained wall-to-wall street-inspired designs.

Live music included master mixes and beats from performers DJ ThuyVu,
DJ Quantum,
DJ Snare, and
TradeMark Krew.

Treatbot, a karaoke ice cream truck, made an appearance outside of the building, where gourmet ice cream was served to those who wanted a sweet break.

Outside of the building, sunshine and summer-like weather greeted painters and onlookers viewing the artist’s developing creations. Alongside the artists was another deejay playing as people of all ages went freestyle and break dancing.

Umbrella Salon was the official hair salon of the night, creating looks for the runway models and prize packages.

As the night neared the end, everyone’s attention veered to the F.A.M.E. finale as models walked the runway in new and recycled clothing by retailer Crossroads Trading Company from Blossom Hill.

Several beautiful models sported spring’s biggest trends of floral prints, stripes, cropped tops, overalls, oversized sun hats, and bright makeup.

“Where is Tina Fey when you need her?” actor Benjamin Bratt replied when asked how it felt to be a maverick. Referring to Fey’s impersonation of Sarah Palin, Bratt instantly hit it off with the sold-out audience in the California Theatre on Thursday, March 4th to conclude the Cinequest Movie Festival.

Bratt spoke after a special showing of La MISSION, a movie that earned him the Maverick Award for his character based on a true story of a San Francisco man, Che Rivera.

In the movie, Bratt delivers a noteworthy performance as a tough, “Machismo” character whose violent behavior disables him from finding a meaningful relationship with those closest to him.

Directed by brother Peter Bratt, La MISSION took place in the Mission district of San Francisco, where the Bratt brothers grew up.

You may recognize the Maverick Spirit Award winner from programs such as Law & Order, The Cleaner, and a favorite of mine, Miss Congeniality.

At 47, Benjamin Bratt is still lookin’ good! Event interviewer (and San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom’s wife) Jennifer Siebel Newsom couldn’t resist his charm.

Bratt accepts the 'Maverick Spirit Award'

Don’t let the gift of ugly sweaters or socks give you the winter blues.  After the tireless effort to act excited for the less-than exciting gifts, you deserve a little self-indulgent gifting. Warm up your winter with the season’s hottest deals in stores and online. These savings usually only come once a year, so grab them while you can!

Therapy

This hidden treasure of a boutique in downtown Campbell is having their Year-End sale beginning January 1^st. The larger-than life sale includes 40% off the entire store! But hurry, because these huge savings will continue while supplies last. This sale is guaranteed to warm you up! For more info and find other locations around the Silicon Valley, click on the above link to Therapy’s website.

Free People

With high-quality and unique, romantic designs, Free people  clothingi is seldom on sale. But, for a limited time, receive %25 off already on-sale items. Try this on for guilt-free shopping!

Victoria’s Secret

Women, indulge in America’s favorite lingerie and loungewea at the semi-annual sale. Save up to 50% on the best bras, underwear and clothing. You can also receive free shipping on orders over $100. Save both in-store and online.

Nordstrom

Men, enjoy your favorite big brands with even bigger markdowns for the Nordstrom Men’s half yearly sale. There are a ton of great items on sale including accessories like watches, wallets, and much more. Women wrap yourselves in winter’s hottest fashion and enjoy up to forty percent off with online winter savings.

Target

Target is having a New Year Home Event, where you can save 10%-40% on all types of home supplies from furniture to décor. These savings end January 23^rd.

Target’s The Great Save Event promises bulk bargains and savings on items from items of all different categories from Apparel to electronics.

Piperlime

The online mega-store brings up to 40% off at their Lime Tag Sale. Save on an array of items from clothes to shoes for men, women, and children. If that isn’t enough, they are offering free shipping and returns!

Gap 

Enjoy up to 40% on select items of Gap’s cozy knit sweaters, plaid blouses and other signature items. These savings will only last as long as their supplies, so get em’ quick!

Sephora

Sephora’s Big Beauty Sale has quality beauty products and tools.  At this event, find your favorite brands like Peter Thomson Roth, Benefit, Bare Escentuals and more.

It’s been a long time coming. As of October 17th, there is a new Nordstrom Rack just in time for some fall shopping.  Located in Oakridge Mall in San Jose. Signs were up city-wide, all month, anticipating the grand opening of the Nordstrom Rack.

As my heart began to race as I entered the new branch of discounted designer merchandise, I was at a halt. And not because I was in awe, but because upon my entrance, I was barely able to physically move.  It may have been because it’s  new, but there were herds of shoppers flooding every isle, making moving from rack to rack take longer than it  took to shop and try-on clothing.

My second time around (two weeks after opening) it was still pretty crowded. However, the crammed environment still bothered me.  Most racks had a very small selection of clothing in any one size, especially mine (a standard small). While one employee told me they get shipments in daily, it looked like a low stock of what had already been there the previous weeks.

Lines for both the dressing rooms and cash registers were wrapped around several surrounding racks both times I was there. The long wait and long line seemed to discourage shoppers form trying clothes on, thus causing doubt about purchases.

I am glad to see a new Nordstrom Rack convenient to San Jose shoppers, and I hope the savings outweigh the distracting high density. I will most likely continue to shop at the Saratoga branch due to the larger store and wider selection. With so much anticipation and hype, it did not meet my expectations. Which store would you prefer to shop?

Rebel riding inspires this line by Tory Burch, with tailored pants tucked into buckled and laced-up riding boots.

The line contains embellishments of bold statement necklaces and gold accents. Burch uses her signature logo medallions.

Various patters such as polka dots and stripes are used as pop-out pieces alongside darker colors and big coats.

Of course, this would not be a fall ‘09 line without liquid leggings. These leggings hold a subtle metallic sheen in them.

Keeping with a darker theme, extras are used— such as black opaque tights, boots and gloves.

The All-American designer puts her best boot forward to execute such a perfect combination of clean-cut garments with a bit of midnight edge.

Sink into BCBG Max Azria’s fall ‘09 with shine and luster. Included are colors like metallics, grays, and blacks. Liquid metallic leggings bring the inner rockstar to ensemles.

In this line, Max Azria maintains the silky champaign colors he is so well known for. Also, the use of silky gray and black accents draw the eye to its unique shape.

The more glam pieces include long velvet dresses and single-shoulder draping. This kind of detail makes this line stand out from the rest!

This line also features the futuristic look of angular shapes. It preserves the fall trend of  straight-edged and exaggerated shoulders.

We love the BCBG Max Azria fall line because it offers head-to-toe glam, and who doesn’t want that?

The Chloé clothing line is among the most wanted for woman with fashionable desire. The fall collection consists of a unique, airy feel with an array of menswear ensembles. Look out men! You’ve got some competition; complete with high-wasted trousers and exaggerated-shoulder blazers.

Much of the clothing features neutral colors, with items of beige and amber. In addition are outfits entirely of blacks and whites. Buttoned-down, and oversized, the gives a safari feel. Trousers are wide and roomy and tightened and cuffed at the bottom. Unlike many designs we see on the runway, the Chloé line looks entirely wearable, in that there are not many outrageous pieces.

While I love to see crazy imaginative garments, I cannot picture myself wearing most clothes straight off the runway. Chloe’s menswear and clean-cut appearance really takes cross-dressing to a wearable state.

Louis Vuitton doesn’t miss a beat this fall, with a ballet-inspired theme. Fashion meets dance in a dark ballet number.  While we are used to the signature “LV” patterns, we are pleased to see a new style come out of the fringe (literally).

Ballet-inspired footwear gives the illusion that one is daintily dancing on their toes. The ballet heels wrap around the ankle and tie in the back, some even lacing up to the knee. Fitted tops and short bubble skirts and dresses add to this look.

This line makes a statement with dark and light outfits and strategically placed bows and lace. Rich hues and bold blacks scream chic. There is lots of frills; big and small, on the clothes, shoes, and accessories. Besides all the new stuff, the line consists of the signature LV logo on accessories.

Even Madonna took a break from adopting children and lifting weights, to model this line. You can see her in the Louis Vuitton ads everywhere now.

Dancer-inspired ensembles can often look cheesy and costume-like, but this fall LV hits exactly the right queue.

Break out those old ruffle-pouf dresses and shoulder padding, because the 1980s are back! Well, according to Marc Jacobs, that is. Never shy of controversial styles, Jacobs brings back the trend often affiliated with embarrassing hair-dos. Who knew this era would be considered fashionable again?

Jacobs vandalizes fall fashion with graffiti-inspired style.  He pairs electric colors with heavy black, and utilizes oversized felt coats, velvet pants and chunky accessories (mainly necklaces).  His designs have an ’80s rock ‘n roll feel, but with a futuristic twist.

Just when you thought the big tease and puffy, bright dress were out of style, Marc Jacobs reminds you that some decades really are inescapable.

Do you think the ’80s can make a comeback, or should it stay in the past?

Attention all fashion followers! I will be following designers as they preview their fall ’09 collection.

That way, you’ll know which trend is good for your style! Already previewing their lines are top designers in Paris, Milan and New York. Get ready for some crazy and outlandish, yet stylish clothing. These trends rock with metallic’s and star studded appeal. After a hot, lazy summer, we will definitely need a little structure in our lives, don’t you think? So, what better way then to follow our guide for what is to come, so you’re in the know!