Civic Duty Shoes at CLT's SilverFly

Who would have thought that Tyvek - that papery-looking material usually used in FedEx envelopes and home construction- could be so stylish?

But the New Jersey-based brand Civic Duty found a way to be fashion-forward while creating shoes with uppers made entirely of Tyvek.

Designer and brand founder Steven Weinreb said that Tyvek, which is made by DuPont, was an appealing material for his casual footwear line for several reasons:

It’s water-resistant but breathable. Extremely lightweight, yet very durable, and full of unique characteristics such as its ability to be scrunched up (perfect for packing) then “fluffed back up” and be ready to wear, Weinreb said.

Also, because the material takes print very well, it’s great for printing bright colors. (Have you seen the company’s hue of orange? Love.)

Plus, the papery appearance is just fun.

The line has been featured in Oprah’s “O” magazine and has been a hit with a number of customer bases: the trendsetters - who gravitate toward the bright colors - the eco-conscious (the shoes are completely recyclable) and the animal lovers (all styles are entirely vegan), among others.

It looks like patent leather, but is actually a cruelty-free synthetic.

Weinreb started tinkering with Tyvek years ago while working for an international distributor near his home in New Jersey. They were distributing a casual travel shoe in the U.S. and he found himself more interested in the shipping bag than the shoe itself.

The recession ended that job at the close of 2008, he said, and searching for a new one revealed that Weinreb’s age and level of expertise essentially made him unemployable in a market trying to stay afloat.

So his interest in developing Tyvek into shoes was prompted by job necessity and, voila, Civic Duty Shoes was born. The small company got its official start about four years ago and now his line is the one with international distribution.

Weinreb will be at SILVERYFLY at the Metropolitan Friday and Saturday, helping pair people with their perfect shoe.

Civic Duty Shoes founder Steven Weinreb

He’ll bring numerous styles (for men and women) and colors in a variety of sizes for the trunk show. While customers won’t walk out of the store with a new pair, he said, their order will be shipped (likely directly to SILVERFLY) within the week.

Weinreb said he enjoys visiting the stores that carry the shoe line because he values the customer feedback. "It gives me really good insight on what we're doing right, wrong and suggestions customers have and would like to see."

The casual footwear brand is partially known for its trademark argyle strip down the back of the shoe, which made more sense than a large logo typically found on athletic shoes, which Civic Duty shoes are not, he said.

“If you go try to play basketball in them, forget about it,” Weinreb said (with perfect New Jersey phonetics). “It’s not going to happen.”

But just because the shoes aren’t meant to run a 5K in doesn’t mean they’re not comfortable. One thing he hears most often from customers is how surprised they are with the comfort level, as casual sneakers typically don’t offer much arch support, he said.

Real life example? Weinreb said he can walk all over New York City visiting boutiques that carry Civic Duty (we’re talking up to 60 city blocks in a day) and the shoes remain comfortable for hours

Civic Duty Shoes usually retail between $50 and $60, come only in whole sizes and – despite their delicate appearance – have the lifespan of any other shoe, Weinreb said, adding he's had pairs that have lasted more than two years.

“They’ll wear down the same way other sneakers will, but it won’t be the upper that wears out," he said. "The more the rubber hits the pavement, the more it wears away ... It depends on how hard and how often you use them."

At shows such as the one this weekend in Charlotte, Weinreb said, they've invited people to pour water on the shoes or challenge them to "tear the Tyvek," to demonstrate the shoes are much sturdier than expected.

"It's really taken a good bit of education to let the consumer know it's okay to buy these shoes. First thing they think is 'It's paper, it'll tear, it'll disintegrate,'" he said.

"But to have these big macho guys trying to tear this piece of paper, it's kind of fun to watch. Obviously there's a tearing point for everything. It does happen," he said. "But 98 out of 100 people can't do it."

Weinreb said the brand's offerings are growing slowly, typically adding one new style per season. They’re experimenting with messenger bags and backpacks, as well as exploring creative marketing methods to boost brand exposure.

"I'm not enamored with the traditional 'Lets buy a billboard' (approach)," Weinreb said. "I like to try to find other creative ways to do things ... To let people know these are fun, comfortable shoes."

More trunk show details here.

Jeffre Scott + Goldfaden MD = reader giveaways

There’s a special panache that comes with being the one and only.

And starting next week, Charlotte’s Jeffre Scott Apothecary will be the first and only store in the Carolinas to offer products from the Goldfaden MD skincare line.

Scott’s Providence Road store has specialized in elite skincare and cosmetics since it opened in 2006. Prior to owning his shop in Charlotte, Scott’s resume included being a national makeup artist for Chanel and a career in NYC that ranged from buying for Barney’s New York to starting his own retail product management firm.

Jeffre Scott Apothecary will be the first store in the Carolinas to offer Goldfaden skincare.

Needless to say, Scott has stringent criteria for the specialty items that stock his shelves. “We don’t have a lot, but what we have works.”

Goldfaden MD’s tag line of “Physician Strength, Naturally Inspired” hints at a number of attributes: Paraben- and petro-chemical free, 100 -percent vegetarian with no animal testing, hypo-allergenic, etc.
The big selling point: It’s the first natural skincare line (developed by a dermatologist) with physician strength results, according to brand officials. Products retail from $35 to $115.

Since hitting the market in October 2012, Goldfaden MD’s products have been named as faves by a range of magazines, from Self and Harper’s Bazaar UK to Real Simple and Marie Claire.

A lot of promotional material comes through the newsroom, but Scott receives even more product pitches from possible beauty vendors. So I asked Scott what made him want to offer Florida-based Goldfaden products at his store.

“My philosophy is about taking time to find a fit for (the Charlotte) market,” he said. Any potential products that pique his interest must also get a thumbs-up from his staffers and a few trusted clients, he said.

Goldfaden reps also know their core skincare customers: women who are 30-plus, naturally -focused, interested in natural ingredients (but don’t want to compromise efficacy levels or potency), who also want rapid, if not immediate, results.

“She’s the affluent mom who eats healthy, exercises, is fashion/beauty/brand conscious and wants to use products that are both effective and that she feels good about using,” brand reps said.

Scott prides himself on providing customers with an experience: No high-pressure sales tactics, plenty of education about possible products and readily available samples. “So they can walk away and feel confident in their purchase,” he said. “We’ve built that trust with the customer … and (value) cultivating a long-term customer rather than an immediate sale.”

After nearly a year of talks with the company and test runs by some of Scott’s most trusted, Goldfaden MD got rave reviews and the green light for his store.

 “It’s almost like a spa/doctor treatment at home … It’s results-driven,” Scott said, noting locals gave it five stars for component integrity and simplicity.

And Goldfaden reps felt Scott was a perfect fit for their first foray into the Carolinas. “We love Jeffre … It is a luxury niche, knowledgeable apothecary focusing on education and client service.”

It’s one thing for a business owner to talk up their newest product in a sales pitch and entirely another to be so confident you’re offering some for free. Sounds like giveaway time...

Scott provided two new, full-sized Goldfaden MD products: “Bright Eyes” dark circle radiance concentrate ($52 value) and “Wake Up Call” overnight regenerative facial treatment ($80 value).

Want to win?

Before Monday, send me an email with "Goldfaden" in the subject line. Please include which product you'd like to win, the Goldfaden MD attribute you're most excited about, your full name, mailing address and daytime phone number.

Just remember: If you win, you've got to report back with your results. (Bonus point to those who chronicle through photos.)

Want even more?

Jeffre Scott Apothecary will host a two-day event March 14-15 with Lauren Wolk Goldfaden - daughter-in-law of brand founder Dr. Goldfaden - and Lisa Goldfaden, Dr. Goldfaden's daughter.

This will be one of the first events in the store's spring beauty event calendar, featuring a variety of brand creators and experts nearly every weekend from March 8-April 24.

All events have limited availability and require a $75 RSVP (to be applied towards any purchase.) Details and to register: 704-339-0010; sheila@jeffrescott.com.

Stylish and stress-free Saturday

Happy Friday. Here are a couple things going on this weekend that will help make a soggy Saturday a bit more lively...

Appropriate timing

Aveda Institute Charlotte is holding a "Stress-Fix" event today and tomorrow which features a number of goodies that include complimentary Stress Fix rituals, complimentary holiday shampoo and style with any purchase, a free Stress-Fix gift with the purchase of any gift set and more.

If you've never tried their Stress-Fix products, they're quite nice. Heavy on the lavender but surprisingly effective. I won't pretend it cures all ails, but I do carry a roller bottle of the concentrate in my Mary Poppins handbag...

Aveda Institute Charlotte
1520 South Blvd. Ste. 150
(704) 333-9940
www.aisouth.com

Holiday grooming

Gentleman, you've got the opportunity to get some grooming upgrades for free at the new Sport Clips location near the Arboretum.

Located at #1700 8206 Providence Road, this is the sixth location to open in the Charlotte area. Jason McManus, owner of the new store, is a Charlotte-area native that says he's planning to open still another local location in the next 12 months.

The new location opened Thursday and will provide free 20-minute “MVP upgrades” - which include a massaging shampoo, hot-steamed towel treatment and neck and shoulder massage - to all new clients who purchase a haircut service.

McManus said special lighting and massaging chairs in the shampoo area promote relaxation,and you can watch football/basketball/hockey/NASCAR throughout your entire visit. Bonus.

Details: haircutmenarboretumcharlottenc.com, 980-237-3322.

Also on Saturday afternoon, "Style Travels" fashion show:

A group of teen models from Acting Out Studios - a local talent development company - will host a fashion show to benefit Bright Blessings, the local organization that provides birthday and Christmas gifts to homeless children and families in Charlotte.

In lieu of an admission charge, attendees can bring a donation for the children of Bright Blessings.

Organizers hope the fashion show will become an annual tradition that will benefit other local charities and non-profits. Because, as their Facebook page states, "(We're) a group of models who've learned beauty isn't clothing or makeup, but the way we give ourselves to others."

Trends from L.A., London, NYC and Paris will be worn by 16 models starting at 2 p.m. Doors open at 1:30 p.m. at Acting Out Studios, 8154 Ardrey Kell Road, Charlotte. Additional details here.

Enjoy the weekend.

H&M opening goodies

Charlotte's first and highly-anticipated H&M store will open at noon Thursday at Northlake mall, and as if they need to, officials are enticing shoppers with a few freebies.

The first 200 people in line will get a free t-shirt and an "Access to Fashion Pass", valued from $10 to $300, among other promos.


The approximately 26,000 square foot store will offer women's and men's collections, with separate “store within store” sections for accessories, lingerie, sports apparel, maternity and the plus-size line, H&M+. The Northlake location will also carry the children's line, outfitting newborns up to age 8.

The Swedish retailer opens its doors in Charlotte just in time to hype its Holiday 2013 trends, which reportedly include "sequined and embroidered knits, lightweight down jackets, sheer dresses and slim fitted trousers for women; and wool jackets, oxford cotton shirts and tweed trousers for men."

The Northlake store is also one of the H&M locations participating in the American Red Cross’ Holiday Mail for Heroes program, which provides cards and personal messages to troops during the holiday season.

No word yet on when the 17,000 square foot H&M at Carolina Place in Pineville is expected to open, though signage on the storefront announces they've reached the hiring phase.(However, the website only shows positions at the Northlake store.)

Woo Charlotte: Excitement at the mall

I don't want to be a traitor to my generation, but I really hate the mall.

To be clear, I don't hate the stores, they're the reason I end up going. I just want to get what I need and leave.

But there's the mayhem of the parking lots - especially on weekends - and having to remember which entrance is the closest to the store in question, not getting trapped by the kiosk vendors as you power walk through the window shoppers ... It's too much.

With the mall experience in mind, I'm more than excited about the grand opening of Woo Skincare and Cosmetics tomorrow from 4-8 p.m. Photos: Store grand openings.

The store/spa, which had a soft opening Oct. 1, is in the Colony Road Shopping Center on Selwyn and has 1,500 square feet of luxury/niche brands that are usually the siren song of "the mall." (Fortuitous bonus: Blo Blow Dry Bar is Woo's neighbor.)

With a location like that, you could in theory, be in and out again in no time. That is, if you can stop shopping.

Laura Mercier. Bobbi Brown.Trish McEvoy. Nars. Butter London. Bumble and bumble. Those are just a handful of the "pretty" offerings.

When it comes to skincare, Woo has more that a few lines (Darphin, Natura Bisse) that include brands typically only available through doctors, (SkinCeuticals, Dermalogica, Latisse) thanks to medical director Dr. Robert Graper.

Gentlemen, they've got Jack Black, Supersmile whitening systems, St. Tropez products, Tan Towels and more.

But Woo co-owner and Charlotte native Kara Campbell is quick to emphasize the store "caters to all ages, all people, all price points.


"We love to educate the consumer. Our motto here at Woo is 'Everyone leaves happy.'"

The Woo concept is the brainchild of brand founder Woo Caroland, who's resume includes a number of NYC art galleries, Sotheby's and the art department of Vanity Fair.

The first Woo location opened in Nashville's Green Hills area in 1992, the second in Buckhead Atlanta in 2008. It was after visiting that location that Campbell said she and Woo met through a mutual friend.

Campbell also worked for years in NYC: seven years as executive director of Clinique International Cosmetics Division, and seven more leading marketing for Chanel's skincare and cosmetics division, Chanel Beaute, before returning to Charlotte in 2002.

Since meeting Woo, Campbell said, they've been eyeing the Myers Park area as a possible store location for more than two years.

"We knew we wanted to be in this neighborhood," Campbell said. "We wanted to be strategically placed away from the mall, but close enough to Uptown."

The mix of products and brands in the Charlotte location represent the best from both existing Woo locations, Campbell said.
The Atlanta store doesn't carry the Chantecaille (pronounced Shan-tuh-kigh) line, but Charlotte does.
(P.S.- Their holiday "The Diamonds" eye shadow trio is pure heaven. Are you listening, Santa?)

Woo is also the only game in town (and the region) to offer the Tata Harper skincare line, Campbell said, noting the products are organic, 100-percent natural, nontoxic and contain no synthetics such as parabens. "It's extremely effective," Campbell said.

Want more? Woo Charlotte has pro makeup artists and beauty experts that provide spa and salon services such as a range of facials - including Jet Peel, which uses oxygen and saline as an alternative to microdermabrasion - waxing, brow/lash tinting and fake tanning, among others.

10-percent of Wednesday's grand opening profits will be donated to Freedom School Partners.

"We want people who come here to be thrilled they came," Campbell said. "There's no pressure. We want to be a place where everyone would love to get a gift from."

Get friendly with Woo Charlotte on Facebook.

'You're not cheating on your hairdresser'

That's the motto of Blo, a franchise of blow-dry bars with a location slated to open in Charlotte next week. This location will be the first in North Carolina and the 32nd store worldwide.

It's a clever concept. There are no scissors. No coloring. Just washing, drying and styling. $35 will get you one of seven styles from the "menu", which includes polished topknots and fishtail braids, in addition to traditional blowouts.

(Gentlemen, no reason to feel excluded.  A simple head massage is $10 or, the Blo Bro - a 20 minute head massage, wash and style - is $21.)

While many women reserve having their hair done only for special occasions, Blo aims to integrate into daily life. Their website describes how great hair can provide "bulletproof confidence" when it comes to a big meeting at work (they'll be open by 7 a.m.) or for no reason at all.

Blo Charlotte opens Oct. 24 and will accept walk-ins, as well as appointments made online.
During opening weekend (through Oct. 27) blow outs will be $25, with partial proceeds benefiting Pat's Place. Their "Pink Carpet" opening will also feature food and drink.

Want to go?
Blo Charlotte

Colony Road Shops
2850 Selwyn Avenue
Charlotte, NC 28209
704-375-7110
blocharlotte@blomedry.com

I've not been to a Blo location before, but a group of us went to a salon with the same concept while in Atlanta for my stepmom's birthday a few years ago.

My stepmom, Nancy, on the right. 

I won't lie, it was impressive what they got my stick-straight hair to do with only a blow dryer and a flat iron. Even at the end of the second day there was still a lot of volume, so I thought it was money well spent and would likely go again.

More than 48 hours later, the curl was mostly gone, but there was still plenty of body.