Sea Star Life, Thoughts on Coastal Decor and Living

The Sea Star Collection to Host Designer Avni Trivedi for StyleNight Newport

Pam Akgun — Mon, 25 Jun 2012 13:51:02 +0000

Local retailers are toasting the event by hosting Style Night Newport on Friday, June 29th (5-8pm) along Bellevue Avenue. Shoppers check in at International Tennis Hall of Fame for a map and get the 411 on special offers (many boutiques will be offering discounts/promotions and refreshments!). The Hotel Viking is the last stop on the fashion trek where shoppers can unwind with refreshments and enter to win Au Courant tickets. What is being dubbed Newport’s fashion event of the summer is coming this Saturday and fashionistas across the region are anxiously awaiting the chance to don their best duds the oceanside fete. Au Courant: An Evening Too Marvelous for Words, unfolds at Ochre Court and will feature eight of New England’s top fashion designers, including Jonathan Joseph Peters, Avni Trviedi, Jessica Abernethy sending their head-turning Resort Collections looks down the runway. While sipping cocktail amid the backdrop of the sea, attendees will be able to see the looks up close and buy directly from the designers. The event, organized by the stellar team behind StyleWeek (Providence/Northeast and Miami), benefits Child & Family. “StyleWeek is thrilled to partner once again with Child & Family for Au Courant,” says StyleWeek founder (and all around amazing gal!) Rosanna Ortiz Sinel. “Newport can expect to see progressive, creative and talented collections on the runway as well as have a personal experience with the designers who have so perfectly made StyleWeek what it is today. We are elated to share this experience with Newport, where art and culture is part of its foundation.”

Child & Family’s Vice President of Institutional Advancement, Keith Tavares, agrees, adding, “Whenever you put the City of Newport together with fashion and style in order to create a social event to benefit families in need, the outcome is bound to be a big success.” For tickets and information, call 401-848-4150 or visit www.childandfamilyri.com.

http://newportstylephile.com/2012/06/25/au-courant-an-evening-too-marvelous-for-words/

It felt right…

Pam Akgun — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 16:32:34 +0000

My initial idea was to create a beautiful website selling coastal home furnishings and gifts including women’s accessories and jewelry. As I sourced out my merchandise, to my delight I loved being around all the beautiful things and was not satisfied to photograph it and put it online. I had already designed the logo, got the site launched, and had great recources to beautiful coastal home furnishings. Wandering around the shops in Newport one unseasonably warm day in early January, I had a wonderful conversation with French glass artist Marianne Spottswood McLean of the Luniverre Gallery at 146 historic Bellevue Avenue. She informed me that the Endless Wave Surf Shop next door was closing it’s doors and moving to an online store only. Interesting that I was going to be only online with The Sea Star Collection, and now wanted to open a brick and mortar store, and this looked like the perfect place to do it! I was also very inspired by the Mystic, CT store called Nest. I even ran into the owner on my Atlanta buying trip…how’s that for karma? I am hoping my store design and layout is as beautiful as Marsha’s at Nest!

The Sea Star Collection to Open in April at 146 Bellevue Avenue in Newport, RI

Pam Akgun — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 16:19:06 +0000

Sea Star opening in April.

Headed off tomorrow to the Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market

Pam Akgun — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 14:06:14 +0000

Trends at the Atlanta Home Furnishings and Gift Market this year.

3 Trends for 2012

Color: Orange Zest Bursts of citrus across every variety of fabric and fit.
Texture: Liquid Silk Smooth, fluid jerseys in vibrant, glossy shades and body-skimming contours.
Detail: Ruffles & Lace Feminine trims, ruffled knits and peplum silhouettes.

We will be seeing these in home furnishing trends as well.

Tomorrow morning I fly to Atlanta to shop the International Home Furnishings & Gift Market to find more great merchandise for The Sea Star Collection. This is the place to see all the new home furnishing trends that will make the Sea Star Collection even better and more exciting. I am looking forward to networking with other retailers and connecting with new suppliers for my business.

Thinking about opening a physical store in Newport to complement my online business. : )

Pam Akgun is the founder of The Sea Star Collection; an online catalog specializing in home décor in the spirit of seaside living. We offer home accessories, gifts, luxury fashion accessories and coastal art. Find us at www.seastarcollection.com

New Year, New Start

Pam Akgun — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 18:17:00 +0000

As the year comes to a close, my thoughts turn toward how I will steer my new online coastal decor catelog business The Sea Star Collection. The initial product mix was selected before the site was launched on 11/11/11. (I know! Lucky, not planned!) I will attempt to stay ahead of what is current in the home furnishings market, but with an eye toward the classic and timeless nautical and coastal styles. I love the yachting genre, and will gear some of my merchandise to those who relate to that lifestyle. I have registered for two home furnishing shows in January. The Atlanta Int’l Gift & Home Furnishings Market and New York International Gift Fair. I am looking forward to the evolution of the products offered at The Sea Star Collection.