The DiVine Distict is located along the Vine Street area of Willoughby between Skiff and Erie, just west of the Historic Downtown Willoughby corridor.

Come and experience art, enjoy the making of art and learn about art! This family friendly event is FREE for event goers!

Artist space is FREE for exhibitors and available now.  All artists must pre-register through My Song Boutique at 440.918.1480 or by email at mysongboutique@gmail.com.

More info at www.thedivinedistrict.com

Runhof sent beautifully elegant looks down the runway. Fluid pieces that have great movement and a feminine edge. I love the use of softer materials and dusty and unexpected color hues!

Elie Saab was my favorite collection of the day! His looks offered timeless sophistication and form flattering silhouettes! I wouldn’t be surprised to see some of these pieces on the red carpet this Fall!

Louis Vuitton gave a nod to the looks of the 1800′s using silhouettes that harken back to a simpler time. As I watched this collection unfold, I couldn’t help but think of the early days of Chanel!

The final day of Paris showed fabulous designs that left me scrambling for today’s “WWTT?” winners. The good news is that just a few looks confused me. These styles were offered by Miu Miu and they land on the “What Were They Thinking?” list only because of the prints and their combinations. The materials reminded me of luxurious fabrics that would more likely be found hanging as window coverings in an old English castle….Who would wear these “tapestries”?

Day 8 gave us a lovely collection by Chanel. A combination of fitted and flirty looks offers a woman options! I love the fluid movement in the softer silhouettes and the gentle color palette used to pop this collection!

Alexander McQueen offered a sublime collection heavily focused on the fur look. I wanted all of the outerwear looks and found the dresses to be fresh and inspired! The styles are perfect for a confident woman with attitude!

The best show for me was Valentino! It was a hard choice, since all the Designers sent wonderful collections down the runway. In true Valentino style, the looks were classic and understated. Using a strong nod toward the look of antique lace, his pieces were elegant, restrained and sophisticated!

Yesterday was an explosion of excitement! I was hard pressed to find anything to offer for the “WWTT?” category. There was only one look that raised my eyebrow and it was offered by Junko Shimada. The silhouette is classic, but the combination of prints left me wondering why the Designer would put these two patterns in the same outfit. Floral and animal print seem to be polar opposites and the color hues compete with each other. Is this lady wild and untamed or is she a dainty flower?

Day 7 gave us several outstanding shows!  My absolute favorite collection was from Leonard! This collection had me wanting every single piece! The Designer showed classic silhouettes with a touch of attitude. This type of look is right up my alley! The collection used a fabulous mix of tailoring and fluidity. Look after look had me riveted and jotting down the style as a “must have” for the Fall season!

A personal favorite Designer of mine is Stella McCartney. She generally captures the essence of a sophisticated woman who enjoys their individuality. As a whole, her collection was “safe” and I was a bit disappointed in the simplicity of it, however, I did love a number of the pieces and found them to be easy additions to any wardrobe. She showed timeless basics that could freshen up any tired closet.

Yves Saint Laurent sent a gorgeous collection down the runway. I love the crop pant that he showed again and again! The fitted collection is figure flattering and the luxurious textiles exemplify a designer outfit! When you wear any of these pieces, you can’t help but feel glamorous, chic and confident!

Today’s “WWTT?” winner earns the prize more for lack of wearability than creativity. I actually liked the “out of the box” designs of Comme de Garcons but can’t visualize any woman walking down the streets in these looks. This is what Haute Couture is all about….innovation! Trying something new and pushing the envelope. While the collection lands on the “What Were They Thinking?” list, I applaud the effort!

Yesterday brought us more well known Designers. First up is Givenchy. This Designer is not my usual favorite as the looks are a little too trendy for my taste, but this collection offered some great styles with serious attitude!

Galliano sent a beautiful collection down the runway. Most of the pieces were strong, classic and elegant. A few looks landed him on the “WWTT?” list, but overall the collection was a stunning mix of old world and modern chic!

Alexis Mabille is an up and coming Designer and one to keep your eyes on! The Designer blends sophisticated style with contemporary trends and offers very wearable pieces for the modern woman!

My favorite collection was by far Andrew Gn! This show was one pleasant surprise after another! The use of timeless silhouettes and hues that highlight the season’s trends offered an amazing selection of posh sophistication! The looks are flattering and wearable for every occasion in your busy life! I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this collection! One word comes to mind…FABULOUS!

The use of shear textiles was a recurring trend in many of the Designers’ shows and for several collections, it was used with restraint, demure elegance and sublime allure. However, there were a few looks that, well to say shocked me, would be an understatement! I’m all about revealing a little skin, enhancing the mystery and drawing attention, but these looks were downright insane! I think the models forgot their undergarments! Ladies, please, if you wear these styles, remember to put on foundations!!!!!

We saw a number of well known Designers show their Fall 2012 RTW collections yesterday and almost all of them find their place on both Sublime and “WWTT?” lists.

The best show overall goes to Gaultier! I was pleasantly surprised by the wearability of this collection. Jean Paul is well known for his more outrageous looks and while he did have one that earns a “What Were They Thinking?” spot, the collection, as a whole, was flattering, unpretentious and sublime. Love, love, love the easy comfort of many of the silhouettes!  The looks were infused with sophistication and attitude. I would definitely wear nearly every piece shown.

An unexpected close second for “Best of the day” is Lanvin. The Designer showed classic styles with a bit of whimsy that doesn’t take fashion too seriously. Many of the looks blended fashion forward chic with girly ruffles and bling! These are the kind of looks that make a bold statement for a confident woman!

Victor & Rolf offered a strong collection with innovative styling. The looks gave us a new twist on old favorites and the show was classic, yet fashion forward.

Now to the fun stuff!  As previously mentioned, many Designers get both kudos and jeers…The “WWTT?” nominees are….Watanabe, Gautier, Lanvin and Westwood. The runners up get praise for overall styling, but each one added a few looks that should have been left on the cutting room floor! Watanabe gave us an orange leopard sack, Gaultier showed us a fur nightmare and Lanvin went overboard with ruffles that looked more like growths than anything else.  Maybe if the appendages were in the same black it could work?….maybe, maybe not!

Vivienne Westwood earns the dubious distinction of winning the top prize for “What Were They Thinking?”. Her collection was schizophrenic to say the least. On one hand, she showed some very cool and dynamic outer wear pieces and on the other, she offered a grouping of absolutely bizarre looks. Therefore, she gets her own category, the “Good, Bad and Hideous!” Take a closer look at the second one in particular….This jumpsuit, I guess you’d call it, has the model wearing the armholes on her legs….WHAT!!!!???? At first glance, I thought the Designer was showing a diaper, but not the case….the reality is even stranger….to say “I’m confused” would be an understatement! Westwood went on to show several looks using this style….maybe she should have stepped back and edited!!!!

Day 4 offered us Christian Dior’s collection and while it was impeccably tailored, the overall feel was a bit tired in my eyes. The collection uses classic silhouettes combined with a “ho hum” color palette. Sure, the Designer showed the dusty hues that are hot for Fall, but if I’m paying this kind of money for a look, I’d better not fade into the background!

Balmain showed a collection that at least evoked an opinion! I did love the cut of many of the looks and found them to be more attention grabbing, but the Designer went a little overboard with embellishments and they just ended up feeling gaudy!

So now, we look at the “What Were They Thinking?” winners of the day and this is the best I could come up with…..sad really…aren’t we in the house of Haute Couture!?

Margiela sent just another “OK” collection down the runway with only a few pieces that made me look twice.  For the life of me, I can’t understand the asymmetrical cut on some of the gowns….hhuuhh!?  I applaud the attempt at innovation, but these dresses look more like the model got into a fight with a pair of gardening shears and guess who won! Did the skirts get caught in the sewing machine and it was too late to remake them?

I must elevate Ann Demeulemeester!!!! Finally…something to write about!!! This is the one collection that actually held my attention!  Overall the collection was innovative and actually showed a point of view… not a point of view that I can see any woman actually wearing, but at least there was one!  The looks were strong, bold and definitely for a woman with attitude! I loved the unexpected nature of the body hugging cutouts and combination of mismatched textiles. I don’t really think that any woman would be seen walking down the streets of Paris donning these looks any time soon, but thank goodness for the attempt! This collection was much more in line with Haute Couture fashion….even though she ends on on the “WWTT?” list, I have to give a round of applause….. Kudos to Ann!

Balenciaga showed a simplistic collection that combines timeless silhouettes with a bit of trend. These pieces are all easy to integrate into any current wardrobe and enhance it for years into the future.

Nina Ricci offered many “basics”, which is always nice, but that’s it, just nice….I couldn’t help but feeling like maybe the creative “well had run dry”.  I did like the classic styles and overall it was a solid collection, but couldn’t shake the feeling that I had seen most of the looks before.

Rounding out the day were the proverbial “What Were they Thinking?” looks.  Frankly, I’m a little disappointed, considering this IS Paris, that nothing screams bizarre! The winners for “WWTT?” are more of a “why bother” than anything else.

Vandevorst showed a dark collection that cloaks a woman in mystery, but not in a good way. The looks were drab, ill fitted and downright boring! I would probably cover my head too, if I was wearing any of these pieces!

Manish Arora sent a train wreck collection down the runway! There were a few looks that did have potential, but overall it reminded me more of Grandma’s table cloths, children’s art projects gone wrong and brightly colored potato sacks. All in all both collections left me underwhelmed!

Barbie Gennarelli’s Gourmet Soap Market offers organic, eco- friendly and hand made soaps, lotions and more! Not only is the product line a “refreshing” change from the norm, but the shop itself is absolutely gorgeous! Barbie has renovated a tired building into an amazing retail space that is welcoming, relaxing and blends old world charm with contemporary style!

The atmosphere is an exhilarating collision of tropical spa and modern chic. The market is bright, cheery and fun and the bouquet of natural aromas is relaxing and calming.  The Gourmet Soap Market offers a comprehensive array of organic soap products from facial bars to laundry flakes. You will find  scented lotions,  allergen free cleansing products and luxurious spa items that are found at high end, world class resorts…all right here in The District!

This is a shopping experience like no other!  No more concerns about parking, as the shop offers ample spaces in the back and easy access from both the street and the rear.  Barbie’s vast knowledge of her products is astounding and her friendly disposition will have you engaged the moment you enter…Make it a point to stop in and check out this fabulous niche shop and be sure to leave yourself plenty of time, as you will find yourself lingering while you discover all the store has to offer !!!!

The all new The Gourmet Soap Market is now relocated to a fabulous new space at 37917 Vine Street in downtown Willoughby’s own DIVINE DISTRICT and parking is free and plentiful!

We specialize in everything handmade together with that tropical resort town shopping experience! Visit us between the hours of 11:45 am and 7 pm tues to friday and until 6pm on Saturdays to experience our shop and relax with us! Our web store is open 24/7 and offers a wonderful customer benefit to ask questions anytime with our online concierge feature. We are here for you!

Read more about the shop and visit March 1st to celebrate the grand opening in the words of the owner herself..Barbie Gennarelli.

“I founded The Gourmet Soap Market, LLC in February of 2010 stepping out of the corporate world to become an entrepeneur and business owner to direct and lead my own company. My passion for working with people and enjoying what I sell together with my strong background in sales, business development and leadership have equipped me with everything I need to grow a fortune 500 company of my own.
Our company value proposition is at the core of our business model and drives every decision we make.
*To focus on the customer and listen to them and learn what they need from us.
*To offer a full menu and pay attention to ingredients and processes of the fine goods we carry and freshly prepare them in small batches.
*To pay attention to the details in the way we prepare, package and present our items. Our gifts are ready to give when you leave our store and extra packaging is not needed.
*To create a relaxing environment to shop like a tropical resort spa shop and to make the online experience equally as positive and focused on the customer with ONLINE CONCIERGE.
*TO give back to the charity of our choice and make a difference. Our philanthropy is animal causes.

In summary, my retail shop is all about bringing together luxury handmade soaps, bath and body care and handmade baby gifts together with that tropical resort town shopping feel. From the moment our guests enter the store and until they leave, we want them to have a relaxing and spa-like experience with us and take in the refreshing scents, the light music and the many store samples all around the shop.

Keep our store in mind for all your gift giving needs! Birthdays, holidays and lifestyle luxury treats that are freshly prepared is our specialty! Come on in now and visit us at www.gourmetsoapmarket.comand treat yourself.

THE GOURMET SOAP MARKET

gourmetsoapmarket.com

A luxury handmade soap and gift basket company.