TALENT/SPONSOR UPDATE: Three Thirty Couture

Three Thirty Couture was founded by Nicole Snodgrass in 2009 to fill a much needed gap in Gainesville's fashion circles.

With a likeness to a boutique one would find on 34th Street in New York or in Miami's trendy South Beach; Three Thirty Couture brings a new edginess and style to all of the Gainesville area.

From casual mid town outfits, to a huge selection of cocktail (or evening wear, whatever you think works best) dresses that are sold in very limited quantities to ensure only one other person has the ability to purchase the same item.

If you're looking for something high class without having to pay for it; stop by Three Thirty Couture in the Butler Plaza.

Our First Model Rehearsal

Our first model rehearsal was fantastic! Models practiced and worked on perfecting their walk down the runway for the first time Wednesday night at Sharab Lounge.

Sandra Meza of Sironna (a designer you can catch on this year's runway) was at our rehearsal showing off her beautiful line of new swim wear. Sironna suits are on sale - just in time for this great warm weather and Spring Break, call the neutral7 shop for more details at 352.376.4221.

So after all the hype of me talking about our models - want a chance to finally meet our team?

Come to the Three Thirty Couture's Grand Opening this Wednesday, March 2 to meet and mingle with not only our models but catch some special deals!

Get more information on Three Thirty's Grand Opening and learn more about the owners here.

And for more pictures of our first rehearsals take a look at our full album

Add Three Thirty Couture to your foursquare to-do list.

SPONSOR UPDATE: INsite Magazine

INsite magazine is Gainesville's No. 1 entertainment resource.

The monthly print edition features exclusive profiles on everyone making headlines, from local bands to national celebrities. Regular features include reviews on movies, music, video games and books; fashion, beauty and fitness columns and photo shoots; a complete restaurant and nightlife section; and the most comprehensive events calendar in town.

Their sister website, InsiteGainesville.com, is updated daily with front-row concert pics, behind-the-scenes videos, Gator sports highlights, unmatched giveaways and insider events coverage.

Want to be in the know?

Follow INsite on Twitter @INsiteMagazine for Fashion Week deets and more!

SPONSOR UPDATE: Scissors Salon

Two art students at the University of Florida students started Scissors Hair Salon in 1982.

Since then, the team at Scissors salon has committed to helping you look and feel your best.

Their styling team continually strives to bring you the newest innovations in hair design to help you achieve the look you want.

We welcome them back to another season of Gainesville Fashion Week.

TALENT UPDATE: Jacquelyn Brooks

Jacquelyn Brooks is a fashion designer from Gainesville, FL. Her designs include: bridal, formal, semi-formal gowns and resort wear. She has a B.S in Apparel Design from Florida State University. After graduation, she returned to The Swamp where she opened a design studio across from the University of Florida campus.

Brooks passion is designing women's formalwear. Clients commission Jacquelyn to design their red carpet, formal gowns for the area's premiere social events including: the annual Noche de Gala benefit, Oscar Night at the Hippodrome, STOP Children's Cancer fantasy events, Five Point of Live fundraisers and original bridal gowns.

Brooks has also designed competition gowns for the Miss University of Florida and Miss Gainesville pageants.

She's a strong advocate for community service and has donated her gowns to local charities and silent auctions including The American Heart Association's annual ball and STOP Children's Cancer Holiday Concert.

Her design auctioned in the Cure by Design Fashion Show, supporting cancer research, raised $5000 for the American Cancer Society.

You can see more of Jacquelyn Brooks fantastic work at the Rocket for the Art Black Tie Gala on Friday April 8th.

SPONSOR UPDATE: PhoBooth

PhoBooth began in November of 2008, when owner Jenoa and her brother Taylor attended their uncle's wedding. The happy couple rented a photo booth and they thought this was the best thing in the world! We used it over and over, all night long.

Completely captivated by the idea, Jenoa and Taylor began researching other booths online and realized that most photo booth rental services seemed to charge way too much in relation to the quality they provided. They knew they could offerbetter quality photos (thanks to having a professional photographer in the family) and would figure out pricing as they went along.

The brainstorming began and the scribbled blueprints piled up until they finally came up with a plan that stuck. A month of sewing, hammering and praying the first PhoBooth was completed booth literally minutes before their first event.

Two and a half years later they are at revision five, their best booth yet in terms of visual appearance, setup/teardown time, storage space, printer/photo reliability and guest capacity (however, they are always trying to improve and say stick around booth #6).

We welcome Phobooth back for another season of Gainesville Fashion Week and be sure to get your pics taken at our events with their fun props and costumes!

SPONSOR UPDATE: INsite Magazine

INsite magazine is Gainesville's No. 1 entertainment resource.

The monthly print edition features exclusive profiles on everyone making headlines, from local bands to national celebrities. Regular features include reviews on movies, music, video games and books; fashion, beauty and fitness columns and photo shoots; a complete restaurant and nightlife section; and the most comprehensive events calendar in town.

Their sister website, InsiteGainesville.com, is updated daily with front-row concert pics, behind-the-scenes videos, Gator sports highlights, unmatched giveaways and insider events coverage.

Want to be in the know?

Follow INsite on Twitter @INsiteMagazine for Fashion Week deets and more!

SPONSOR UPDATE: Gator Domino's

Gator Domino’s is your pizza, sandwich and buffalo chicken Headquarters!

They are open late until 4 a.m. and have eight convenient locations. Over 50 percent of Domino’s delivery orders in Gainesville are placed and tracked online using our award-winning website - GatorDominos.com.

Check out their delicious menu and great coupons. You can even place your order days in advance!

Hungry now? Stop by any of their locations and enjoy one a $5 Ready-to-Go lunch, dinner or late night options.

SPONSOR UPDATE: Monster Energy

Monster not only provides the meanest energy supplement on the planet, but a way of life. Their athletes, musicians, employees, distributors and fans live life on the edge.

Monster packs a vicious punch but has a smooth flavor you can really pound down. It’s wicked mega hit that delivers twice the buzz of a regular energy drink.

This year's event is powered by Monster (which is great news since we need as much energy as we can get!).

SPONSOR UPDATE: ZuZu

ZUZU is a hip, stylish, elegant and approachable environment where you can embrace the age-old relationship between the finest food, delicious cocktails and incredible service, all at an excellent value.

In an inspiring and intimate atmosphere, ZUZU brings together the taste of upscale cuisine with the freshest ingredients combined with a wide array of wines and cocktails. They guarantee your senses will be delighted and your palate overwhelmed.

ZUZU also has an ultra-modern lounge, where you can relax with friends and enjoy the live music. Attached to ZUZU, is Jolie Events, a banquet space that seats up to 250.

Join us at Jolie Events on Friday April 8 for the Rocket for the Art Black Tie Gala.

SPONSOR UPDATE: Grooveshark

Grooveshark is the fastest growing on-demand music service in the world and it’s based right here in Gainesville!

With a constantly updated catalog of music provided by our users, artists and labels, Grooveshark aims to give everyone in the world instant access to the music they love.

SPONSOR UPDATE: Absolute Perfection Limousine Service

Absolute Perfection Limousine Service, better known as AP Limo, has been serving Gainesville and surrounding North Central Florida for over 8 years.

With the largest fleet of limousines and chauffeured sedans, AP Limo carries the area's only "On Time Guarantee" backed up with a rare luxury transportation "Low Price Guarantee."

People wonder how any company can do all this and still deliver Absolute Perfection?

Rent a limousine from AP Limo for your next big occasion and find out!

Like AP Limo on Facebook or call 352-538-5466

SPONSOR UPDATE: Spyglass Apartments

Spyglass Apartments is the alternative to cramped college living.

In fact, their slogan is "student living with space to breathe".

At Spyglass Apartments you can choose from 1, 2 or 3 bedroom plans and enjoy other perks like: being on a direct bus route to the UF and SFC campuses, a dog park on site, all the sport and lifestyle amenities you need, the option of furnished apartments and roommate matching and pre-scanning on the Facebook app Roombug. It's pretty darn sweet!

Visit them online

Like them on Facebook

Add them to your foursquare to-do list

(Specials for the mayor and those who take a tour!)

Peep the video below

SPONSOR UPDATE: ALIAKIM

ALIAKIM is a distinctive accessory and clothing line that blends fashion with activism.

ALIAKIM’s pieces uniquely combine cultural icons with high-end fashion elements to artistically raise awareness of current world affairs.

It is their heart felt mission to provide women with clothing and accessories that reflect their activism as much as their exceptional taste. Cosmopolitan women everywhere will have the opportunity to express their social consciousness as sophisticatedly as they express their femininity.

Giving meaning to the term “revolutionary chic” is the intention of this line; to put the “wear” in “awareness” and as a result inspire change.

Three Thirty Couture: Gainesville's newest walk-in closet

Butler Plaza is home to Gainesville’s newest boutique, Three Thirty Couture nestled between Campus Outfitters and Bonefish Grill.

Owner, Nicole Snodgrass has created what she calls a walk-in closet by using closet cabinets, a dark color scheme and footstools scattered throughout the store. The words posh, sleek and sexy-sophisticate flash from the window display.

Three Thirty Couture opened its doors on February 16, 2011. This store is Snodgrass’ first venture in selling her own line. After prior experience in retail, she negotiated with designers out of Los Angeles to create her own line.

Shoppers can expect a cross that boasts the quality of Bebe with prices closer to Forever 21. The most expensive item in the store is $70. The collection ranges from silk dresses to casual wear in vibrant colors. Shiny baubles of jewelry are scattered throughout the store. A line of lingerie is also offered.

Three Thirty has a lounge where customers, and the men that so eagerly accompany them, can enjoy alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. In the future, the boutique will host private shopping expos for groups and individuals. In Snodgrass’ opinion, these two aspects set apart her boutique from the rest.

Snodgrass chose the Gainesville market because there is a huge market of 30K plus girls in the area. They outnumber the shopping choices offered to them. She specifically chose Butler plaza on the basis of convenient parking and heavy foot traffic. With a greek shopping base in mind, she hopes to target customers of Campus Outfitters.

If you missed opening day, be sure to catch up with the boutique and us at the Three Thirty Couture Posh Grand Opening and GFW Model Meet & Greet on March 2 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Add them to your foursquare to-do list

Information on this event can be found here and general store information can be found on its Facebook page or official website.

Regular store hours are from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays.

The UF-BSU Fashion Xclusive 2011

We were super excited to be able to spend our Friday night with the University of Florida's Black Student Union for their Fashion Xclusive Show in honor of Black History Month this month.

For those of you that missed it Fashion X-clusive was on fire!

Audience members flocked the Reitz Union Grand Ballroom and took pictures on our GFW red carpet.

The good looking Fashion Xclusive e-board with some of our committee members.

We want to thank BSU for letting us share the stage with them to speak a little about GFW.

The show was amazing and we even saw one of our models Keyanna McGill take the stage!

Thanks for including us in the FISS weekend festivities and see the full red carpet album here.

GFW participates in ACEL Kickball Charity Tournament

It was so nice to spend a day in the outdoors with our team members and the community! This February the GFW team joined Alachua Country Emerging Leaders (ACEL) for their fifth annual charity kickball tournament.

Neutral 7 joined forces with GFW, young professionals and community leaders at Diamond Sports Park to watch 32 teams compete to win money toward a fantastic abundance of charities.

Of the 32 teams 16 won cash prizes toward the non-profit charity they supported such as The Gainesville Pet Rescue, Big Brothers and Big Sisters, The Arthirtis Foundation, The American Heart Association and March of Dimes just to name a few.

Some of our committee members enjoyed the day outdoors away from our busy office at the neutral7 studio.

GFW & Rocket in Our Town Magazine

Scanning the magazine racks at the grocery store yesterday I noticed something special in the local section.

Grab the Spring 2011 issue of Our Town magazine to see the article on Gainesville Fashion Week and their sub-organization Rocket for the Arts.

Click here to read the article or grab your copy on newsstands now!

This season GFW, LLC launches the non-profit that was created to foster youth art education and more quality art programs in Alachua County.

As I mentioned in the article, I remember that moment when I knew I wanted to make this "media thing" a career - but I'll take it a step further.

I went to school in the West Indies where I did it all: painting in watercolors and acrylics, graphic design with tracings from a light box and guache paints, sketches in charcoal, pastels and ink, ceramics, woodwork, sewing, and pottery. You name it, I was there!

But, there was a defining moment when I made the switch to digital...and ultimately broadcasting and that one teacher (who funny enough was my history teacher/drama teacher/local morning show radio personality) that really pushed my interest.

Here we are, a little more than a decade later. I don't use my hands as much as I'd like..but I still remember our conversations and the classes from my great line up of teachers.

I think an Art Education, in any form, is so important to developing your personality.

We hope that you feel as strongly and make plans to attend the Rocket for the Arts Black Tie Gala on Friday April 9th benefiting the organization with dinner, dancing, a silent auction and a night of great conversation.

~melanie.

Official Model Photo Shoot 2011

We want give props to one of our sponsors, University House on 13th Street, for letting us host the Official Model Photo Shoot at their beautiful clubhouse over the weekend (seriously, this is a really nice place!).

We revealed our 77 hot, new models that made the final cut for the 2011 season.

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The afternoon was full of fun as we mingled with our new model friends!

Domino's Pizza and MONSTER Energy guaranteed we made it in one piece on the picture perfect day.

I mean, who wouldn't wan't to spend their day surrounded by hot models an awesome team like ours? (Just saying).

For more behind the scenes, behind the fashion coverage:

• check out the pictures here
• and on Facebook
• view all our awesome videos
• and see the model headshots and more details on our website!

Have you seen our new video?

Well here it is.

Behind the scenes footage from our 2011 Model Callbacks held last Wednesday at The Vault.

This Sunday, we hold our official 2011 GFW Model tPhoto Shoot, so you will soon see the new faces of GFW2011. We're so excited and impressed with the caliber of talent - it's going to be a great season.

CHECK IT OUT, NOW! and remember you can watch all the action at GFW-TV.

The Casting Diaries III: Model Callbacks

Callbacks 2011 were off the chain this year!

Definitely one of our biggest crowds in three seasons of Gainesville Fashion Week.

Our team now must undergo another difficult task: narrowing down our 136 potential new models....once again, you guys are making this way too hard for us!!

Here's a little inside scoop on what went down at the callbacks:

• As models flooded the doors at the Vault they were assigned a number by our lovely interns into groups of 15 to keep the chaos down to a minimum
• PNM's then strunted their hot stuff down the runway to the beats of DJ Klarc Shepard and Codeman, thanks again guys!
• At the end of the runway were our surprise celebrity judges: athletes Chandler Parsons, Adam Allen, Trey Burton & Steven Wilks
• PNM's then had a second chance to walk, show off their HOT bods and undress for Sironna swimware who was with us last night

Check out more highlights from last night's casting callbacks here and take a look at our GFW 2011 committee.