Coral is HOT for Summer 2011

As you know, we just participated in a fashion show and one of the major colors in our collection was CORAL.  Coral is the hottest color right now for Summer 2011.  I did a little trend research and above are my findings for both men and women. Coral is everywhere right now.  You will find the color coral in everything from Smashbox lip gloss to polo shirts, to sundresses and beach totes.  The photos are from Jcrew, The Gap and Rice Rafferty.

www.ricerafferty.com

Pay it Forward GIVEAWAY

In honor of Pay it Forward Day we're hosting a Giveaway.  I've seen some lovely giveaways lately, so we felt inspired to join the fun.  We've received some good ripples and we want to send more into the universe.  Positivity and kindness conquers all :)

We're giving away a pair of our Rice Rafferty handmade Dreamsome Golden Copper Paper Mache Earrings ($25 value).

Visualize your dreams coming true with these golden earrings. Painted Gold Paper Mache wrapped in copper wire, dangle as wear them. Light and wearable for your daily routines or for a special evening out. Inspired by spirals and dreamcatchers to invoke positive energy.  Lightweight design makes them easy and fun to wear.

To enter: leave a comment under this blog post with your name, email address, and the city you live in.  NOTE: for this and future giveaways become a blog follower.

One person will be chosen at random.

The Giveaway is now thru May 5, 2011.  All are welcome to participate!

Good luck! 

For our complete collection click below
www.ricerafferty.etsy.com

Roses and Daisies Bridal Veil

Would a rose by any other name still smell as sweet???

Our White Rose and Daisies Bridal Veil is such a fresh and youthful bridal veil alternative.  There are so many options these days for brides.  There's a veil for every bride.  Our veil hangs mid way down the back which gives such a fun and flirty feel.  The veil design can also be a communion veil since it's shorter in length too (as shown above on the little girl - Photo 4).  I wonder what type of veil Kate Middleton will wear on Friday.  What's your guess a long veil, short, bird cage, or a blusher?  Photos by Jessica Elizabeth

For more veil options visit our etsy shop www.ricerafferty.etsy.com

Runway 4.0 Recap

me and mom

Last Saturday was such a busy day!  The months of preparation for Runway 4.0 paid off though.  Everyone did such an amazing job and looked fabulous! 

My mom's clothing collection looked amazing!  My mom had surgery 3 months ago for breast cancer and here she is on stage with her gorgeous collection.  It made me so proud.  She's my hero and the strongest person I've ever known.  She thought I was crazy for suggesting she designed clothing for the fashion show this year, but the idea quickly grew on her and before I knew it we were both researching and gathering concepts for designs.  The doctors think designing was very healing for her and I'd have to agree with them :)

The clothes were made from 100% up cycled denim and vintage 70s psychedelic fabric.  We used up cycled denim by redesigning old blue jeans into fashionable, fun and sexy garments. The designs consist of halter tops, short skirts, a maxi skirt, a denim vest, a dress, and a poncho.  We made bib necklaces made from denim, hand bags from denim pockets, colorful birdcage veils, denim floral pins, and a denim wrist corsage.  The colors were coral and bright green other details included hand beading, embroidery, and silk screened images.

It takes a village to put such a spectacular show together.  Thank you to everyone involved!

Hair by Vanity Salon
Makeup my Michele Mclaughlin at Estee Lauder

If you're interested in some of the designs above please message us
info@ricerafferty.com
or visit www.ricerafferty.etsy.com

The models pictured above are Alicia Faye, Amy Lee Reusch, Anna Hartzell, Emily Wiech Christ, Jennifer Mergenhagen, and Laura Lemke!

Rice Rafferty Trashions

Happy Earth Day!  What have you done to give thanks to the earth?  We at Rice Rafferty often use up cycled materials and try to minimize waste whenever possible.  The photographs above are from the Runway 4.0 Buffalo, NY event at the Pierce Arrow building featuring our dresses made from plastic bags art installation of wearable art - Trashions at the VIP party before the fashion show. We had an installation as well as a performance art piece which really caught a lot of attention.  Special thanks to Crystal and Alicia!

We also donated a $50 basket full of sewing supplies to a lucky Fibers student at Buffalo State College.  We awarded a student who shows great skill in fiber.  Congratulations to Erin Curry!

Hair by Vanity Salon
Makeup by Kristen Legg and Michelle Mclaughlin - Estee Lauder

www.ricerafferty.etsy.com
www.ricerafferty.com 

Make Your Easter Special

Spring is my favorite season!  I wanted to share some images of the things that make Easter extra special. When preparing your food and decorations always remember "devils in the detail." The little details on your table are going to be the most important to really make your holiday unique.  Choose a color scheme and stick to it.

The top photo shows some hard boiled eggs I dyed using rubber bands and dye.  Boil the eggs, wrap the rubber bands around the eggs, and dip them in dye until you've reached your desired color.  It's a really simple way to make a fun, quick pattern - very fashion forward!  Next to the eggs is the famous "butter lamb."  It's so cute.  I always feel bad cutting him. The butter lamb is a big hit in the Buffalo, NY area. I've never heard of them anywhere else.  You can buy them at most grocery stores around Buffalo or for the hardcore Easter fans you can make a trip to the Broadway Market. At the Broadway Market you can buy some chocolate, platcek, pierogies, and kobasa.  Next to the butter lamb are handmade chocolates.  I always make some chocolate using my grandmother's chocolate molds.  It makes me feel closer to loved ones who have died carrying on their traditions.

Spring flowers are beginning to bloom!  A sure sign that warmer weather is on its way.  Easter wouldn't be  complete without the aroma of lilies. 

And of course my favorite part of the holidays is sharing the day with my family, friends, and loved ones.  Hope you found some of my tips helpful. 

HAPPY EASTER!  :-)

Vanity Salon Style Party

When I first walked into Vanity Salon I immediately felt at home.  The wall is lined with antique vanities with oval and rectangle shaped mirrors, a leopard print couch sits in front of the display window, and chandeliers hang from the ceiling.  The decor puts you in the mood for some fun styles!

Vanity Salon located at 1413 Hertel Ave Buffalo, NY 14216 is responsible for the amazing hairstyles for Carol Ann Rice Rafferty's collection in Runway 4.0.  Vanity Salon offers Style Parties for you and your girlfriends!  Enjoy wine, cheese, a fabulous up do, and a lesson on simple ways to style your hair!  Honestly I can't think of a better way to spend an evening out.

The owner, Gina Calamita, invited us to a Style party last Wednesday to practice the looks before the day of the fashion show.  Above are photos from the Style Party.  I was so pleased with them!  The hairstyles were better than I had ever imagined.  I knew I wanted simple, sleek and sophisticated up dos with a vintage flare (kind of 50s with a modern twist), high pony tails, beehives, buns, and side swept curls.  The hairstylists were very fun to work with and they knew the look I was going for immediately.

THANK YOU so much Vanity Salon, Gina Calamita, Mallory Pemberton, and Alexandra Mary Damis!  I'm definitely coming back soon!

To book an appointment at Vanity Salon Call 716.836.4574 / vanityofbflo@gmail.com

Tues & Thurs, 11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Fri, 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Sat, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Designer - Carol Ann Rice Rafferty
Accessories by Rice Rafferty
Marketing Coordinator, Design Consultant, and Fashion Stylist - Kara Rice Rafferty (me)
Styling by Rachel Mancini
Visit www.ricerafferty.com for photos from Runway 4.0 (coming soon)!

Clarence artists participating in Buff State fashion show

This week has been crazy busy getting ready for the Runway 4.0 Fashion Show for Buffalo State College this Saturday!  Wednesday we had a very fun Style Party with wine and cheese at a salon (will post pics soon).  The hairstyles are even better than I imagined.  It was a magical experience to see my ideas come to life.  The models looked absolutely beautiful!  Thursday was rehearsal for the runway.  We worked on our choreography for the show which is more difficult than you would think.  Now it's time to work on the final details before Saturday and get a good sleep tonight. 

Check out the link below about Rice Rafferty in the Clarence Bee (Clarence, NY):

Clarence artists participating in Buff State fashion show

http://www.clarencebee.com/news/2011-04-13/Lifestyles/Clarence_artists_participating_in_Buff_State_fashi.html

Spotlight on Laura

Our model and friend Laura Lemke is such a natural at modeling.  She was in our bridal and ballet photo shoots.  Recently she modeled for a shop in Buffalo on Elmwood Avenue called Splash Panic.  They have really cute items that will keep you cool and fashionable this summer.  I LOVE the look of these pics.  It reminds me of an Urban Outfitters catalog.  She's taking the modeling scene by storm.  You can see her this Saturday at Runway 4.0 modeling for us - Rice Rafferty!  Cheers to Laura!!!  Stay posted photos from the show will be posted!

www.ricerafferty.com
www.ricerafferty.etsy.com

Happy Friday

Ahhh it's my favorite day of the week :)

I wish everyone a relaxing and productive weekend!

I found this photo from style.com - Spring 2011 runway pics.  I love this look very sophisticated, yet casual.  The technique used here to create the lines in the fabric is shibori - it's not tie dye.  Would you wear this style?

Have a great weekend!

Floral Head Piece with Bird Cage Veil

 

It's hard to believe we're already 6 days into April.  I'm beginning to see ducks swimming in local streams and I'm hearing the sound of birds chirping.  Pictured above is our cream Floral Head Piece with Bird Cage Veil.  I just finished the custom bridal veil order I've been working on.  I can't wait to share the photos with you.  It's totally unique and very elegant.  In the mean time I'm prepping everything for the fashion show - working on hair and makeup ideas, booking models, and getting hair appointments.  Runway makeup can be tricky; it's very different from a photo shoot.  It needs to be dramatic enough to be seen from a distance, but not so over the top it looks like a circus face.  Lighting also plays a huge factor.

Have a lovely day everyone!

Photos by Jessica Elizabeth

www.ricerafferty.com
www.ricerafferty.etsy.com

Runway 4.0

Runway 4.0 is just around the corner.  Did you get your tickets yet?  Buffalo, NY has really become quite a fashion center.  Our proximity to Toronto and NYC provide much inspiration.  Buffalo State College also offers a fashion and textile technology program; it's the only baccalaureate program in Western New York.  The program prepares students for employment in the apparel, textile, and fashion industries.

What is the event?  It's a fundraiser fashion show featuring student, alumni, and local designers.  This isn't just like any other fashion show.  The show has Djs, amazing lighting, and graphics.  This is the high fashion event of the year, so you don't want to miss this.

When? April 16 - two shows 4PM and 8:30PM at the Pierce Arrow Building on Elmwood Avenue

My mother's new fashion collection inspired by regeneration, consisting of up cycled denim and psychedelic patterns, will be featured in the show with our Rice Rafferty accessories.  Our "Trashion" show dresses, constructed from plastic bags, will be on display at the VIP party and some models will be wearing them.

www.ricerafferty.com
www.ricerafferty.etsy.com

Rice Rafferty Prom Accessories

Our handmade accessories add such a unique and personal touch for anyone's special occasion.  The big trend for bridal accessories and proms - is one of a kind.  Pictured above are some of our prom accessories - feather fascinator headbands, corsages made from hand dyed and handmade clay roses, feather fascinator hair clip (Black Swan inspired), garters, and pearl necklace with handmade clay rose.  With our accessories you will surely be fashionable and stand out from the crowd.

Photographs by Jessica Elizabeth

www.ricerafferty.com
www.ricerafferty.etsy.com