Tag Archives: Midwest Fashion Week

A Night of Sophisticated Bar Hopping!

Food Meets Fashion is that part of Midwest Fashion Week where a group of us venture to different restaurants and eat a bunch of fashion inspired food and sip on fashion inspired cocktails…rubbing it into the models faces who’ve been starving themselves for the finale runway show the following day. Haha…just kidding! But seriously…

This season we all packed into the Hummer Limo from A Class Act Limo Service …fully stocked with Indiana Vodka of course!  Our first stop was Fujiyama Steakhouse of Japan where the food was prepared right in front of us!  (ps…I wore chop sticks in my hair…I felt it was appropriate for “Food Meets Fashion” HA! …read about my look in my “Look of the Night” blog)

Next we went to Chef Joseph’s at the Connoisseur Room on East Ohio Street in Indy.  Chef Joseph has traveled all around the world learning the art of cuisine.  The food was impeccable and the atmosphere was equally remarkable.  I always love discovering new places!  I don’t think they’ve been open for long. Go check it out!

Libertine was the next stop for some fashion inspired cocktails.  We each ordered our own cocktail from what I thought was an interesting menu…definitely not what I usually see when I’m ordering a drink.  I talked the founder of Midwest Fashion Week, Berny Martin, into ordering Absinthe lol…he’d never had it before ;)

I’m not sure we had room but our last stop for the night was the Winner’s Circle for dessert!  Yum!  As always it was a fun night!  Can’t wait for October’s Midwest Fashion Week!  I wonder where we’ll go and what’ll be on the menu!

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(c) Photos by Casey Photography


Midwest Fashion Week – We Closed it Down!

 

This past Saturday was the finale runway show for Midwest Fashion Week.  DSI (Down Syndrome Indiana) hosted the Design for Change Gala event.  Marlene Haute Couture decided to pull out of the show due to irreconcilable differences so of course I was extremely disappointed she wouldn’t be showing… on top of the fact I would no longer get to model her show stopper dress on the runway!  I contemplated not even walking this year… but you know me…I ended up modeling for Catou and Michael Alan Stein.

My mom and aunt ended up coming out to support.  I made them get up and strut their stuff down the catwalk after the show was over and people were cleaning up.  …Pretty sure we closed the place down!   Lol


You can check out the show and the designers’ collections on Nightlights TV’s website.  All the clips are up for viewing!

P.S.  …I did still get to model Marlene’s show stopper dress…just not on the runway during Midwest Fashion Week.  We did a photo shoot that morning in the garden at the Indianapolis Museum of Art.  The weather was perfect!  I will be writing about it in another blog entry as soon as I get the photos.  …So make sure you’re subscribed to my blog! J


Mission Impossible?

What happens when we fall off the horse?  …We get back on!

If anyone is familiar with the fashion and entertainment biz, you know rejection is inevitable.  But you just have to stay focused, don’t take it personally, get back up, brush yourself off and keep at it!   I can’t tell you how many times in the past three plus years I’ve been rejected in my career.   I’ve tried out twice for America’s Next Top Model…didn’t make it.  (Lots of people keep telling me I should try out…been there done that! haha).   That’s just one example.

Anyway…

So I literally fell off a horse last month! Lol  That blog post is for another day though, sorry!  It’s coming soon, so make sure you’re subscribed to my blog!

While I’ve been rejected maybe more than anyone would like to be rejected …every once in a while, those little steps lead towards something pretty cool and worthwhile!  Sometimes I feel like I’m not going anywhere in my career, but when I look back to where I was when I started to where I am today, I know I’m on the right path and hopefully I keep reaching new heights!

When I first began modeling back in 2008, my first runway show was during Midwest Fashion Week at the Jazz Kitchen in Indy.  I took notice of a local designer’s clothing line.  I really hoped I would be able to model for that designer.  One of my friends ended up getting to model some of that particular designer’s clothes and I didn’t!  I didn’t get picked!  I have to admit, I was kind of jealous and thought maybe I just wasn’t good enough.

Fast forward about three years and now I work on a regular basis with this designer, wearing her clothes on the show I host, Nightlights. When I first met with my now clothing sponsor, Nikki Blaine of Nikki Blaine Couture, I didn’t think she would want to sponsor my wardrobe for the show.  To my surprise… she seemed on board the moment we sat down.  I don’t even think she thought twice about it and was thrilled to provide me with clothing!  She has been nothing but fabulous to work with!  So moral of the story… it doesn’t hurt to ask!  Sometimes things aren’t as impossible as they seem!

(c) Miles Fork

I used to think a career in modeling was unobtainable…and I certainly never thought I’d be doing Nightlights.  But then one day I think it just hit me.  I don’t want to be at the end of my life wondering what I could’ve been…could’ve done.  So I decided it would be worth at least trying.   Looking back, I’ve accomplished more than I ever thought I could.  On days I’m feeling discouraged…I try to focus on that idea.  If I’ve already accomplished more than I ever thought…what more lies ahead?  Just have to keep moving forward…and getting back on the horse.

Video from Nikki Blaine Couture boutique opening on August 6, 2011.
116 N. Main St., Zionsville, IN 46077

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*Special thanks to photographer, Miles Fork, for providing photos of me in Nikki Blaine Couture (as shown above).


A Year of Beers: A Look Back at 2010

Wow! 2010 has been an amazing year for me!  I’d like to say my year started in March when I took a job and sort of moved to Indianapolis on a whim.  I lived in Elkhart, Indiana pretty much my entire life and like most people my age…I was ready to move on!  As a recent graduate of Indiana University, I wasn’t really looking for a full-time steady job.  At the time I was working part-time and also juggling modeling and hosting Nightlights in Michiana.  I have to admit that at the time, my work situation just wasn’t cutting it.

One evening I randomly came across a job posting on …get this…Facebook! (I know.)  The description fit my qualifications almost perfectly!  Well long story short … I got the job.  Then it was time for a serious decision.

Looking back, moving to Indy seems like the obvious choice but at the time it was somewhat a scary idea.  There were so many “uncertainties”.  My main concern was, “what will happen to Nightlights?”  I had invested so much time and energy into helping get Nightlights off the ground – and it was finally starting to be recognized as we experienced a lot of positive feedback.  The last thing I wanted was for Nightlights to end.

We had a serious discussion as my stomach twisted and turned in knots!  After a taking a deep breath and exhaling we decided to brave it and move the show to Indy.  In reality, Indy is a much bigger market with more opportunities…and if Nightlights could work in Michiana, then it could certainly have a high chance of success in Indy.  Plus I figured, if I don’t make this move now, then I never will.  It’s easy to stay in your comfort zone but sometimes in life you have to push yourself.  Here goes nothing…

My 2010 highlights:

Midwest Fashion Week

1)  I ushered in the new move to Indy with modeling in Midwest Fashion Week.  My favorite time of year in the fashion industry!  It’s my favorite show to walk in because it’s such a big deal and the runway is sooo long!  There are usually two shows a year (Spring/Summer and Fall/Winter).  It’s the biggest production in the area as far as runway and fashion are concerned.  Plus I got to walk for three different designers, the most I’ve ever modeled for in one show: Sachika, Gaby Couture and Catou.  And the most outfits too!  The adrenaline rush from having to frantically change looks …running around half-naked backstage and then entering the runway calm, cool and collected like all that didn’t just happen is such a thrill!

2)  I met the fabulous people of Fashion Wrap Up and modeled in my first national campaign for Tavik Swimwear.  Since then, I’ve modeled several other times for their online magazine.  Plus I was named one of the “Midwest’s Most Beautiful” in their December issue.

Tavik Swimwear

custom T.Party t-shirt: "I like to T.Party with Beers"

3)  I scored a jewelry sponsorship with Cheeky Couture.  Get Your Cheeky On!  I also landed my first clothing sponsorship with T.Party T-shirts and received the very first custom-made shirt that read “I like to T.Party with Beers” .

4)  We launched Nightlights in Indy after filming the first couple segments in Broad Ripple at Midtown Grill and the Alley Cat Lounge.  We also implemented the LIVE webcast, something we’d never done before.

5)  Continued juggling Nightlights in Michiana.  Ran our first full-page ad in the Michiana Entertainer magazine …which apparently caused some commotion.  The next time we traveled up to film some more segments in Michiana, people lined up to get my autograph.

signing autographs

6) On that same note, 2010 was the first year I experienced a fan literally running up to me in the street to tell me how much he enjoys watching the show.  I was flattered that he felt so honored to meet me …it was actually kind of weird in a way!  It’s surreal when someone who’s introducing them self is familiar with who I am and I have no clue who they are!

The same kind of thing happened when we did a LIVE feed at Gen Con.  We just moved the show to Indy and someone from Michiana was there, ran up to me …”Are you Amy Beers?” and wanted to get a picture.

Another time I was eating dinner at Sangrias in South Bend.  I thought maybe I was going crazy because I thought I over heard some people sort of whispering at the table next to us and I thought I heard them say “Nightlights”.  They were kind of looking over my way too.  Finally someone spoke up and said, “Hey, are you the Nightlights girl?”  I was glad to know I wasn’t paranoid OR going crazy!

It’s really an odd thing to experience but at the same time I’m happy to know people watch and enjoy the show!  It’s very encouraging!

Catou at Bella Vita

7) I had my first Rehab experience at Bella Vita in Geist when I modeled Catou’s swimwear line.  That was a fun show!  The runway was right over the pool of water.  Fun party afterwards…can’t wait for summer 2011!

Also that summer was my first Moto GP party held at the Kessler Mansion, which I also modeled in.  I felt like I was at one of those high-end parties you see in the movies.  I had just never been to a party like that before.  It had everything:  fire-dancers, an aerialist performing over the pool, go-go dancers, a fashion show, shot girls walking around in body paint, a live drummer drumming along with the DJ, models hanging out in jacuzzis, several bars, not to mention the mansion was so neat to walk through!  Everyone was there!

Moto GP Runway Show

"My Casino Heart"

8.) I got the lead female role in my first music video! I played the part of the temptress in the video My Casino Heart with the band Reaul. (yet to be released)

9) I modeled in a hair show for renowned celebrity hairstylist Nicholas French.  As he was cutting my hair he talked with the audience about how he’s done the hair of royalty.  I think I may have gotten a little emotional over hearing that and I loved the end result!  He kept talking about how he was giving me a sexy cut! I wish I had video of him cutting my hair and talking in his European accent!

Me and Nicholas French

10)  I was named the official spokesmodel for T.Party t-shirts at the runway show debut!  Since, I modeled in the first photo spread T.Party launch for Fashion Wrap Up and also did some product shots for the website.  It’s been a lot of fun working with T.Party.

Kaitlin Elyse of T.Party t-shirts with the ladies of Cheeky Couture Jewelry (Angie & Lisa), Me and another model Lynda

11)  I GOT A LIMO FOR MY BIRTHDAY!

My boyfriend Jason threw me an awesome surprise birthday party!  I was surprised at some of the people who came considering they were coming from Michiana area.  Some of my new friends that I’ve made since moving to Indy were there as well as an old college friend I recently re-connected with.  My sister made it out and my Mom and Aunt of all people even came!  Oh and one of my besties from high school!

I was completely surprised!  We rode to Bartini’s (Indy newest dance club/martini bar) in two limos where we partied all night long VIP style!  There was never a dry moment – we were well taken  care of.  It was nice having the body-guard keeping watch over our area to make sure no one crashed our party.  I felt like a rock star!

What was even more exciting was, I found out that Nightlights will be working with the limo service in the future… which means that I will get to be chauffeured around to some of the Nightlights shoots!   Look for Indy Class Act Limousine service in some of the upcoming episodes!

So that’s been my year, 2010!  I’m glad I made the move to Indy, big things are happening!  I can’t wait to announce the really big news next year! Sorry, I can’t even give you a hint yet but make sure you subscribe to my blog to stay updated!  I’m looking forward to even greater things in the year to come!

Happy New Year! May it be the best year ever!

Now I’m off to go party and try out my new Ninja Blender I got for Christmas! :D

*Cheers!

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Watch last year’s ringing in the New Year with Nightlights at Club Bed in Mishawaka:  http://nightlights.tv/31.shtm


On the Runway…

Someone once told me that the older you get, the more confidence you gain. 

When I was in high school, I was really self conscious about my height.  I didn’t usually wear any kind of heel to school because I hated standing taller than everyone else.  How silly!  I love being tall and wouldn’t trade it for anything!  GIRLS…..embrace what makes you different!  It’s your unique qualities that make you beautiful! 

Marc Wayne Intimates, "Cirque du Fleur" fashion show

 

I’m so happy my dad gave me the tall gene (thanks Dad…and Happy Father’s Day!)  Otherwise…modeling on the Runway would never have been a possibility!  I’m so fortunate to have had so many great experiences and opportunities!  One of my favorite shows that I was a part of was the Marc Wayne Intimates “Cirque du Fleur” fashion show. 

“Cirque du Fleur” was so much fun!  The show took place at the W Hotel in Chicago (one of my favorite cities).  We were escorted around downtown in a really nice limo and taken to Mario Tricoci Hair Salon and Day Spa where we got our hair and makeup done.  We had body guards and everything! 

Below is the video from the show…which I also hosted.  I got to do two things I love…host and model!  Although it was a first for me to host wearing lingerie haha…good times! 

 

More Runway Photos: 


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