Collection
what, where, when and why

Here Comes Lillian Lottie Couture
Two tornadoes of couture-clad energy touched down this fall in Old Town, unveiling Lillian Lottie Couture at 7142 E. Fifth Ave. Meghan Lawlor and Jenny Pinto are the dynamic entrepreneurs formally trained in designing bridal/evening wear and accessories. “I chose Old Town because we designed our space to look and feel like an art gallery, so we wanted to be in that type of art environment,” says Lawlor, who began her career in a Paris couture house after studying at the Paris Fashion Institute. Lillian Lottie, named for the ladies’ grandmothers, will feature one-of-a-kind couture pieces made onsite, a selection of semi-custom and select retail dresses as well as tuxedoes for sale, all made in the United States or Canada. “I love the other business owners,” Lawlor says of her Old Town reception. “It’s such a good vibe, and we’re all looking out for each other.” Lillian Lottie plans a grand opening in January. During Scottsdale Fashion Week, several of Lawlor and Pinto’s designs will take to the runway. (Read the Fashion Week preview on page 18 for details.) For more info, visit www.lillianlottiecouture.com.

Festival of Greece
The annual festival of Greece is back at Scottsdale Civic Center, Nov. 7-9, by popular demand. Get your baklava on while enjoying professional (and local) Greek folk dancers, music, cooking classes, pottery classes, and mouthwatering cuisine such as gyros, flaming cheese and souvlaki. Shops inside Scottsdale’s temporary “Grecian Village” feature exquisite iconography, jewelry and other Greek imports. Meanwhile, kids can enjoy the Children’s Olympic Fun Zone, bustling with crafts, games, bouncers and a climbing wall. The event, presented by the Assumption Greek Orthodox Community, was named “Best Annual Festival” by AZ Central. Proceeds benefit the church as well as the Arthritis Foundation, several Valley youth charities, and other good causes. Festival hours are 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday; free admission and parking. For performance schedules and more info, visit www.azgreekfest.com.

 

Mark Nardozi holds a G4 custom “artographed” by the musical artist Moby
Jenny Pinto spent 12 hours beading the stunning yellow dress slated for a Scottsdale Fashion Week runway. Pinto (left) and Meghan Lawlor (right) pose with their model.
Photo by Jim Nissen

Fresh Old Town Farmer’s Market
The Old Town Saturday morning Farmer’s Market is finally here! Peruse seasonal produce, flowers herbs and handmade crafts, 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. every Saturday through May 2009, in the Old Town parking lot on the northwest corner of Brown Avenue and 2nd Street. To get a “taste” of November’s bounty, we asked long-time Arizona grower Bob McClendon what he’ll be bringing to market: apples and pears from Willcox, arugula and other baby-leaf vegetables; turnips; carrots; radishes; beets of all kinds; carrots; local honey; and Medjool dates. Even better, 95 percent of everything McClendon sells is organic. Expect to reap monster cups of basil, cilantro and parsley for only $2. More than 30 vendors will participate, bringing fresh eggs, Asian herbs, a coffee roaster, etc. In January, look for a Sunday Farmer’s Market to sprout in Craftsman’s Court. Partnership plans include cooking demonstrations by students from the Scottsdale Culinary Institute, Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Arts exhibits, and Scottsdale Healthcare screenings. Sunrise Bank is working behind the scenes to make the markets as multilayered and irresistible as possible. For more info, visit www.arizonafarmersmarkets.com.

ArtFest of Scottsdale
Can you believe the crafty white tents are celebrating 15 years among the rolling lawns and sparkling fountains of Scottsdale Civic Center? That’s right, the 15th Annual ArtFest of Scottsdale returns to the center Nov. 22-23, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. This open-air art gallery of work includes sculpture, watercolor, oil, printmaking, bronze, acrylic, fiber, furniture, fashion, and handcrafted jewelry—all created by an amazing array of 200 contemporary artists and fashion and home décor artisans. Featured artists include glass maestro Paul Counts and ceramic whiz Walter Reiss. Of course, the experience wouldn’t be complete without the usual selection of international foods, continuous live music, and an interactive kids’ area. For more info, visit www.888ArtFest.com.

 

Colorful produce by long-time Arizona grower Bob McClendon.
Photo by Sue Berliner, courtesy Sweat Magazine
Meet Z-Coil Inventor
Walk softly and carry a big pen to the Nov. 7-8 celebration of comfortable footwear at D.A. and Ken Carter’s Old Town Z-Coil store, 7085 E. 5th Ave. In recognition of their new Z-Coil Pain Relief Footwear retail location at 835 N. Gilbert Road, the carters have invited the inventor of the renowned shoes, Al Gallegos of Albuquerque, to autograph customers’ footwear and answer questions at both shops. If you’re a stranger to the critically acclaimed tootsie-wear, Z-Coils are specially engineered to relieve foot, leg, and back pain. People swear by them, tears in their eyes and a literal spring in their step. Z-Coil shoes feature a unique conical steel coil in the heel that absorbs up to 50 percent of the impact from walking or running and delivers a 40 percent to 50 percent energy return per stride. The coil works in conjunction with a rigid, built-in orthotic, which protects and cradles the mid-foot, distributing pressure evenly to reduce the occurrence of heel spurs or plantar fasciitis. Take them for a test drive at the store event, featuring prizes and other goodies!
For more info, visit www.zshoestoreetc.com.

D.A. Carter displays the Z-Coil.
Photo by Morgan Bellinger