On Sept. 12, Hilldale Mall teamed up with Gilda’s Club Madison for the first annual Little Black Dress Affair. The night was full of black dresses, free treats, sweet deals and lots of fashion.
Gilda’s Club Madison is a family-oriented cancer support community. Proceeds from the ticket sales for the event benefited Gilda’s Club, while many businesses also donated a portion of their night’s sales to the organization. Attendees donned little black dresses and sassy shoes for a fun night to help out a good cause.
Hilldale Mall features a wide variety of boutiques, stores and restaurants. Several stores decorated their windows and had specials for the event. Cornblooms, a shoe boutique, honored Audrey Hepburn and her famous Little Black Dress from Breakfast at Tiffany’s by featuring a life-size cutout of Hepburn, blue and diamond accents and, to top it off, cookies decorated like little black dresses. Gigi’s Cupcakes also featured a delicious black dress cupcake for the event.
Upon arrival, guests checked in and received a swag bag full of coupons and deals for Hilldale Mall. People could meet with staff from Gilda’s Club to learn more about the organization. Several stores and places from around the mall set up booths for people to browse and score some free samples. A photo booth was set up for guests to take pictures with a backdrop featuring the Little Black Dress Affair and Gilda’s Club logos – I felt like I was on a runway having my picture taken by paparazzi. Attendees strolled around the mall, stocked up on free sweets, sipped cocktails and, of course, shopped for fall trends.
Luckily, there was a fashion show to help us identify those trends. The show was hosted by Madison’s own Michelle Li of News 3/WISC-TV. Stores in the mall such as Terese Zache Designs, Title Nine, Scoops, Anthropologie, Rupert Cornelius, Lululemon, University Book Store, Pendleton, Maternity Motherhood and Twigs had multiple models displaying their fall trends. Stores also provided shoes, makeup and hair for the show. To end the night, guests shopped, got even more free cosmetic samples and were even given free professional makeup touchups, compliments of Macy’s cosmetics department.
After attending the fashion show, I can say with great confidence the number one fall trend of the year is booties. They are being worn with everything – different colors and heights, heels and no heels – you name it, boots and booties are in. They are very versatile and can be worn with dresses, skirts, leggings or pants. You can dress them up and dress them down. Tall, over the knee boots are one style in particular that are extremely popular. If there’s one must-have item this fall, this is it.
Other popular trends for fall are blazers, big sweaters, vests and jackets that can be layered over other shirts to keep you warm and looking stylish. Scarves are also big, especially infinity scarves and multi-colored ones. Dresses can transition into fall by adding tights and boots, and can be casual or dressy depending on what you pair them with. A big tote bag is a must, to carry everything you need for class, traveling or just going to the gym. Cross body bags are also in, and are easy to throw on and take to class with you. To make your outfit stand out against everyone else’s, you need a statement piece. Add fur, sequins, big necklaces or sweaters in bright, jewel-toned colors to make your outfit pop. Olive green is one of the trendy colors. Adding gold jewelry and accents to these colors will complete the outfit.
Fall can get pretty chilly so I’m glad this year’s trends are all about layers, boots and scarves. I always have such a hard time trying to find a stylish and warm outfit to wear around campus in fall. Now that I know what’s in style, I will plan my wardrobe accordingly, and so can you.
I had a blast at the Little Black Dress Affair event. I met new people, I ate too many sweets, I loaded up on freebies, I took funny pictures with my best friend, I shopped until I dropped and I learned all about this fall’s biggest trends… And all for a great cause! If you missed out this year, be on the lookout for the second annual Little Black Dress Affair next year, you won’t be disappointed.
