Vanessa Minnillo and Kim Weling
Mini cupcakes from Crumbs Bake Shop
Ann Taylor Fall/Holiday
Makeovers by Tarte Cosmetics
Step Up's Raffle and Prizes
Ranjana Khan crystal bib necklace
On Saturday, September 26th, DSW hosted a designer shoe sale for the mind, body and sole at the W Hotel, with proceeds supporting Step Up’s charitable programs. The morning kicked off with a champagne brunch and preview sale.
Vanessa Minnillo was the host and honorary chair, with Gossip Girl’s Kelly Rutherford and Michelle Trachtenberg in attendance and host committee members including Monica Botkier, DSW style expert Bobbie Thomas and Lauren DeCarlo, senior editor of MANHATTAN Magazine.
There were so many incredible shoes to choose from at discounted prices, including Botkier, Decadestwo, Manolo Blahnik, Nanette Lepore, Oscar de la Renta, Sergio Rossi, Stella McCartney, Valentino and more!
Before the brunch let out I wanted to make sure I checked out the activity lounges before it got really crowded. Tarte cosmetics was on hand giving makeovers and free gifts, including their amazing cheekstain in blushing bride (sheer deep plum) and dollface (sheer soft pink shimmer) along with their rise & shine lip stain in mauve. Enjoy 20% off your next purchase at http://www.tarte.com/ with code tartetx.
Fashion sponsor Ann Taylor was there to preview the fall and holiday collections. If you haven’t checked it out yet, I recommend heading over to your local Ann Taylor store. Some of my favorites for fall include the ruffle collar shell and blouse, wool jersey pleated dress and heather double cloth topper coat. Holiday looks are very festive and indulgent, with cashmere, stretch silk charmeuse drape-neck top, cocktail coat, flounced tweed herringbone jacket, long leather gloves, chain and ribbon necklaces and ruffle bags and pumps. Along with grey and black, I love the warm rich colors – teal, plum and red.
Guests were able to strike a pose at the Shoe Are You? DSW display. Orna Skincare was giving revitalizing foot massages and Equinox Fitness Clubs had group classes available.
Vanessa Minnillo was the host and honorary chair, with Gossip Girl’s Kelly Rutherford and Michelle Trachtenberg in attendance and host committee members including Monica Botkier, DSW style expert Bobbie Thomas and Lauren DeCarlo, senior editor of MANHATTAN Magazine.
There were so many incredible shoes to choose from at discounted prices, including Botkier, Decadestwo, Manolo Blahnik, Nanette Lepore, Oscar de la Renta, Sergio Rossi, Stella McCartney, Valentino and more!
Before the brunch let out I wanted to make sure I checked out the activity lounges before it got really crowded. Tarte cosmetics was on hand giving makeovers and free gifts, including their amazing cheekstain in blushing bride (sheer deep plum) and dollface (sheer soft pink shimmer) along with their rise & shine lip stain in mauve. Enjoy 20% off your next purchase at http://www.tarte.com/ with code tartetx.
Fashion sponsor Ann Taylor was there to preview the fall and holiday collections. If you haven’t checked it out yet, I recommend heading over to your local Ann Taylor store. Some of my favorites for fall include the ruffle collar shell and blouse, wool jersey pleated dress and heather double cloth topper coat. Holiday looks are very festive and indulgent, with cashmere, stretch silk charmeuse drape-neck top, cocktail coat, flounced tweed herringbone jacket, long leather gloves, chain and ribbon necklaces and ruffle bags and pumps. Along with grey and black, I love the warm rich colors – teal, plum and red.
Guests were able to strike a pose at the Shoe Are You? DSW display. Orna Skincare was giving revitalizing foot massages and Equinox Fitness Clubs had group classes available.
As I continued to walk around, I was happy to see pop chips and mini cupcakes from Crumbs Bake Shop readily available. All natural Jala Bars were giving out probiotic low fat yogurt and chocolate fudge bars (the fudge bar was fantastic). I made my first walk through so now it was back to shoe shopping…
Since I am a size 5, there weren’t too many shoes available in my size, but I was lucky enough to score a pair of brown, thigh-high suede boots by Chinese Laundry for only $56.25! By mid-afternoon, shoes mere marked down to 25% off. I just wished I had waited another 5 minutes, since shoes then got marked down to 50% off.
I then checked out the room that the brunch was in. There were several different raffles you can enter to win fabulous prizes. The tickets were $25 each or 5 tickets for $100. Some of the prizes included a skincare and makeup box from MAC Cosmetics and Estee Lauder ($500 value), a “Zen Retreat” spa package at La Vie Zen Spa provided by Manhattan Magazine ($660 value), ultimate beauty basket by Alison Brod, including products by Peter Thomas Roth, Elemis, June Jacobs and Stila ($1,000 value), a Swarovski CRYSTALLIZED Divine Rock pendant necklace with $200 worth of gift vouchers ($530 value) and a gorgeous Ranjana Khan crystal bib necklace ($1,200 value).
I really hope DSW partners with Step Up again next year, as this was an incredible and successful event.
I then checked out the room that the brunch was in. There were several different raffles you can enter to win fabulous prizes. The tickets were $25 each or 5 tickets for $100. Some of the prizes included a skincare and makeup box from MAC Cosmetics and Estee Lauder ($500 value), a “Zen Retreat” spa package at La Vie Zen Spa provided by Manhattan Magazine ($660 value), ultimate beauty basket by Alison Brod, including products by Peter Thomas Roth, Elemis, June Jacobs and Stila ($1,000 value), a Swarovski CRYSTALLIZED Divine Rock pendant necklace with $200 worth of gift vouchers ($530 value) and a gorgeous Ranjana Khan crystal bib necklace ($1,200 value).
I really hope DSW partners with Step Up again next year, as this was an incredible and successful event.
- Kim Weling
Step Up Women's Network is a national nonprofit membership organization dedicated to strengthening community resources for women and girls. With chapters in New York City, Los Angeles and Chicago, Step Up has more than 50,000 supporters nationwide. Through teen empowerment programs for underserved girls, women's health education and advocacy, professional mentorship, and social networking opportunities, we educate and activate our members to ensure that women and girls have the tools they need to create a better future.
Step Up Women's Network is a national nonprofit membership organization dedicated to strengthening community resources for women and girls. With chapters in New York City, Los Angeles and Chicago, Step Up has more than 50,000 supporters nationwide. Through teen empowerment programs for underserved girls, women's health education and advocacy, professional mentorship, and social networking opportunities, we educate and activate our members to ensure that women and girls have the tools they need to create a better future.
