Join Grand Rapids Art Museum Director Dana Friis-Hansen on Aug. 9 for a lively day trip to the Art Institute of Chicago. Experience a fashionable frolic and a guided group tour of the exhibit Impressionism, Fashion and Modernity, a revealing look at the role of fashion in 80 major paintings by Degas, Manet, Monet, Renoir and Seurat. Art is paired with period costumes, accessories, fashion plates, photographs and popular prints that highlight the vital relationship between fashion and art from the mid-1860s to the mid-1880s. Enjoy lunch and conversation in a private room followed by a visit to the studio and urban loft of fabric artist and performer Nick Cave. “He’s created soundsuits that look like sculptures but can be worn by dancers,” said Membership Coordinator Melissa Bush. Hop aboard the round-trip coach transport starting at 8 a.m. and enjoy light breakfast, evening snacks and wine until return at 8 p.m. Cost is $160 for GRAM members and $185 for non-members. Make your friends wild with jealousy as you romp around in Nick Cave’s dwelling place and observe his eclectic art collection.
Protecting warm fuzzies and simultaneously giving warm fuzzies is Salon Euphoria. The salon’s main focus is to use and sell products that are not tested on animals. Owner Angela Diesel is a huge animal lover, who does a lot of rescue and volunteer work, as well as fosters animals. “I don’t need to endorse anything that hurts another living being when there are other ways,” Diesel said. The salon prides itself on color (heck, the owner has orange hair) and even offers the animal-friendly Schwarzkopf and Pravana hair color lines. Other products include Sexy Hair and the Malibu line that’s 100 percent vegan. Even the full makeup services with Jafra cosmetics forego animal testing. Hit them up on the corner of Walker and Leonard in Grand Rapids in an antique building that’s a sweet mix of modern and vintage with a manhole cover in the sitting area—way cool. The salon offers free consultations so you can pop in and get ideas and inspiration
How do you turn a pair of Banana Republic jeans into a bike rack? Stephanie Johnson, owner of Urban Exchange in Grand Rapids can tell you. She’s throwing her annual Epic Sale Aug. 17 and 18 and everything is $5 (collective gasp here). A portion of the proceeds are donated to the East Fulton Business Association for beautification so things like potted plants can bring a little color to the street and a smile to your face. So, that super cute halter not only enhances your bosom, but puts a little pretty back into the neighborhood. “The quantity of goods that will be sold off is epic—a year’s worth of accumulation of unclaimed goods,” Johnson said. Take my advice and wear leggings and a camisole so you can do some quick fittings on the street. The beautification of you and the city is a win-win.
It’s Girls Night Out with Meribeth VerHulst at Resurrection Life Church in Grandville and Faith & Fashion is the topic. The presentation brings out the practical and spiritual implications of dressing your best. “A lot of women in our faith tend to feel like they should dress dowdy,” VerHulst said. “We live in a visual society and need to present ourselves in a way that draws people to us instead of away from us.” Reflecting your own personality and doing it with modesty and grace is the name of the game and examples of style icons are provided such as Grace Kelly and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. Come for the great food and fellowship and see a makeover unveiling that includes an outfit provided by Younkers Department Store, free hair and makeup application by Matt Flora of Matt Flora Hair and Makeover Studio and image styling from Meribeth VerHulst, a Professional Image Consultant from Yonkers Department Store, not to mention a manicure from Ly’s Nail Salon. The winner of the makeover will be revealed on WZZM “Take 5 and Company’s” Make Me Over with Matt and Meribeth the morning before the event and is also shown off at the event. It all happens Aug. 12 at 7 p.m. Check the Facebook page “Girls Night Out” Faith & Fashion Event.
