YOUNG FASHIONISTAS LOVE THE DESIGN BAR
PLAY SPACE OFFERS GENIUS IDEA FOR KIDS
DESIGNER SELLS HER OWN CLOTHING LINE
BUZZWORTHY
To be considered for Buzzworthy , contact Cindy Schweich Handler at handler @ northjersey . com .
South Orange
YOUNG FASHIONISTAS LOVE THE DESIGN BAR
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Anna Rulnick understands the allure of designing clothes you ’ d want to wear ; as a fashion designer , manager and director , she worked with brands including Urban Outfitters , Sean John and Champion . At her shop , MOD STUDIO , young and fashion-conscious shoppers can experience what it ’ s like to be a clothing designer at the Design Bar , an on-site area where they can personalize items they purchase at the store with trims , patches and other extra touches . MOD Studio , which is celebrating its one-year anniversary , continues to stock locally-owned and organic and sustainable brands , and hosts birthday parties that feature pizza , ice cream and fashion shows .
• 15 Village Plaza , ( 973 ) 913-4655 , shop-modstudio . com
Millburn
PLAY SPACE OFFERS GENIUS IDEA FOR KIDS
The newly opened GENIUS GEMS bills itself as a “ STEM-based play and learn space for kids and adults .” What this means is that elementary school-age kids can interact with the play space ’ s collection of 24,000 magnetic tiles and magnetic interactive light wall , and create their own inventions in the project room . There are classes —“ Girls who Invent ,” “ Friday Build-a-thon ” — and kids 10and older can explore the large array of Cubelets , Ozobots and other hands-on robotics . Parents must stay on the premises with their kids , but here ’ s where the genius comes into play : A parents ’ lounge carries fresh-brewed coffee , snacks and free Wi-Fi , and has an outdoor patio overlooking the main play area . General admission tickets ($ 15 ) are required for both parent and child , and can be purchased with credit cards only ; online reservations for two-hour visits are encouraged . Birthday packages are also available . • 215 Millburn Ave ., ( 862 ) 267-0611 , geniusgems . com
Summit
DESIGNER SELLS HER OWN CLOTHING LINE
Take five industrial sewing machines , a cutting table and a designer with almost 20 years ’ experience in creating womenswear , and the result is the in-house fashion design studio DONNA BETH , run by Donna Beth Friedlander . She is a full-service purveyor of her own line of women ’ s dresses , tops , bottoms , skirts and cardigans . At trunk shows and online , she displays her fun yet classic clothes , which are more often than not knitwear due to the forgiving quality of the fabric . Friedlander meets with clients at her home , and adjusts her designs to fit . She keepsa large inventory of clothes on hand for clients , who find her via word of mouth . “ I ’ m always sewing ,” she says with a laugh . “ I rarely leave the house .” • ( 973 ) 424-7966 , donna @ dbdonnabeth . com , dbdonnabeth . com
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KIDS : COURTESY OF ANNA RULNICK ; DONNA BETH CLOTHES : COURTESY OF DONNA BETH FRIEDLANDER ; GENIUS GEMS : COURTESY OF MELISSA SPECTOR PHOTOGRAPHY
10 BACK TOSCHOOL 2018 MILLBURN & SHORT HILLS MAGAZINE COMPILED BY CINDY SCHWEICH HANDLER