Ville Magazine l Insider Access for City Lifestyle Sept/Oct 2016 / Fashion Issue | Page 9

FROM THE PUBLISHER
Fall is the season for fashion. It’s the time when publications release their
fashion issue with fall fashion trends and pages and pages of runway
shots. However, this is not what you will see in this issue as we have dared
to be different. We decided to focus on the impact fashion makes from
presentation, communication, and all else that relates to it.
Don’t get me wrong; fashion trends are important, but who’s to say they
must be your style for the season? Okay, okay, a lot of people, but trends
are constantly changing. A celebrity or public icon wears something, then
everyone has to have it and designers create a similar look with their own
style. That’s how the first celebrated fashion designer came into history.
Marie-Jeanne Rose Bertin was Marie Antoinette’s dressmaker and her looks
became a huge trend every time the queen would step out in a new design.
She held the torch for the new look until the queen’s dethronement in 1792.
The French had a huge impact on fashion and still do so what better travel
spot to feature for this issue other than Paris.
Music and fashion also go hand and hand. Artists such as Lady Gaga,
Madonna, and Michael Jackson were all recognized for their style and
became a part of fashion history. As new artists and music genres come
out, so does the new looks. Seattle’s own Maiah Manser understands this as
her beautiful voice and fashion sense has not gone unnoticed as seen in our
exclusive interview with her.
Fashion can also bring awareness. It was once considered a luxury to wear
fur coats and jewelry made of ivory. This was until people realized that those
items were supporting the extinction of species. It encouraged poaching
in Africa and Asia, endangering the existence of cheetahs, tigers, lions, and
elephants. This is why I wanted to do a feature on our fashion photoshoot
with these majestic creatures.
We drove six hours to Winston, Oregon, experienced something unforgettable
at Wildlife Safari and drove six hours back in the same day -- and it was worth

it. The cheetahs took my breath away; truly magnificent from the way the
look to the way they walk. The elephant’s, Valerie, was magical. Some may not
know it, but elephants are extremely intelligent and very emotional. They feel
sadness, joy, love, jealousy, fury, grief, compassion and distress. To me, Valerie
looked pretty happy and I think she knew what was going on. Notice how
her head is tilted towards Amberleigh in the cover? I am pretty sure she was
posing as she wrapped her adorable trunk around Amberleigh.
The staff was gracious and extremely helpful. It’s easy to see the passion and
love they have for all the animals, and it’s comforting to know the animals are
in great care. I really want to go back – especially after I heard a rumor that
cheetah cubs are coming .
Some of the dresses used in the shoot were one-of-a-kind pieces by a couple
of our Northwest Fashion Award finalists. All the finalists’ pieces will be
showcased at the 3rd Annual Seattle Style Night along with Northwest
Hairstyling Awards salon hair shows. Beauty is what seals the overall look.
All the NHA finalists’ creations are featured in this issue. Winners will be
announced at the visually exciting event on October 4th at Foundation
Nightclub.
Besides the standard of fashion in relation to clothing, it is also related to how
things are presented. Food and cocktails can be presented in a fashionable
way – just seeing them makes you want to order them.“ Fashion can also be
how we do things uniquely, which is why I included a new section, “Spotlight
On,” that features a Seattleite that has that special something that makes
them standout whether it be in a career, passion, hobby or one-off idea.
This was my goal for this issue – make it stand out and I hope it has achieved
just that. This issue is a personal best for me and the photoshoot is the best
I’ve ever produced. It’s going to be hard to beat, but then again that’s never
stopped me.

Charity Mainville
Photos Jessica Drake - JLD Photography

A special thank you to Wildlife Safari to allowing us to shoot at your amazing park!
FASHION ISSUE l VILLE l 9