My Top 10 Tidbits from Brizo Fashion Week 2012
Joann and I have been very blessed to be invited to several product immersion events where we are wined and dined by a manufacturer in order to learn more about their product. I am totally horrified to say that when Brizo came calling, I blew off the email. Oh boy - was that a mistake! Thankfully, they were persistent and I am SO thrilled and honored to be a part of the famous "Blogger 19" for Brizo's Fashion Week in NYC this week.I've learned so much about Brizo this week - I'm impressed beyond words. Here's just a few of my revelations:1. Judd Lord, Director of Industrial Design at Brizo, is a hip, hilarious, high energy creative genius (with a great shoe fetish) who made me laugh out loud during our hours of product R&D discussions. Here's a little taste of what he brings to the table (click the photo to watch the video):
2. Brizo is a proud sponsor of the St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway and has helped raise over $100 million to help end childhood cancer. They have given more than $1million in products and donations just since 2010! I need to figure out how to be a part of this!3. The product development time line for a new Brizo faucet series is 18 months - think about how much trend forecasting that requires to still be current by the time the design is revealed to the marketplace!4. The inspiration for each line is fascinating - the creative teams at Brizo keep a very watchful eye over the fashion runways, automotive and furniture trends and the national gift shows (for textures and finishes). For example, check out the fashion influence of the beautiful RSVP faucet.
Here's the Baliza Faucet. This European traditional series has a nautical flare and was inspired by a lighthouse. Put your hand over the spout - looks like a lighthouse huh? So cool!
5. One of the biggest connections between fashion influence and Brizo's designs is the internationally adored designer (who's not even 30 yet!) Jason Wu. In the after party fireside chat with Jason (yes it was very intimate and yes I was in awe), he told us that all he wanted was a faucet in a little black dress. He knew that Brizo was the one company that could deliver his vision to the marketplace. Listen to this video!
6. How did Jason Wu come up with his logo - Miss Wu the owl? Well, because an owl chants Wuuuu Wuuuu of course!
7. I will always covet my invitation to the Jason Wu Fashion Show debuting his 2013 Spring Line. This creation was my absolute favorite:
The backs were as gorgeous as the fronts.
8. If you can't afford a Jason Wu runway creation or aren't a size 0 model - there's no need to fret! Jason Wu's new "Miss Wu" line is coming exclusively to Nordstrom (prices start at $195) this January! YAY!!!!
9. We were treated to cooking lessons at Sur La Table for the finale to a long day on Wednesday. The menu? Fennel Grilled Swordfish with orange zest, Fresh Fettuccine with Tomatoes and Arugula, Pan Roasted Eggplant with honey, mint and feta and a Blackberry and Balsamic Crostada for dessert. SO MUCH FUN!!!!
10. I always dreamed of being at one of Oprah's shows when she announced it was a "BIG GIVE" day. Well, those Oprah days are over so we had our own Brizo BIG GIVE moment. This SmartTouch, Talo faucet will be gracing my kitchen shortly! Yup, just tap the faucet anywhere with any body part and the water will turn on and off! I'm SO excited!
Thanks again Brizo! What an amazing 3 days of faucets, fashion, friends and fun! It was great to see so many of my designer/blogger friends from across the country and support the talented contributions of Brizo and Jason Wu!