Faucets, Fashion and Fun

Posted on Feb 14, 2011Feb14
By 16 Comments
WHAT???????  WAS IT A DREAM??????? BRIZO, A FASHION FORWARD FAUCET COMPANY, 19 DESIGNERS/BLOGGERS FROM ALL OVER THE US AND CANADA, A FASHION SHOW BY JASON WU – ALL IN THE BIG APPLE! Who would have thought that an all-expense-paid invitation from a faucet company (that I didn’t know much about) would turn into one of the most exciting, informative and exhilarating experiences of my design career? Our adventure began with a meet and greet in the hotel. It was wonderful to get to know the 18 other designers and bloggers and many of the Brizo team members. Bright and early at 8 am the following morning, we were all ready to go! We enjoyed hearing from a number of the Brizo team members in the brand and product sessions.  Not only did we learn about their whole design, development and manufacturing process, but we were asked to comment and make suggestions about products that are still on the drawing board. (Our lips are sealed!) Very exciting!

Brian Nobbe, Marketing Director, Brizo

Jai Massela, Senior Channel Marketing Manager, Brizo

Laura Brooks, Senior Brand Manager, Brizo

Judd Lord, Director of Industrial Design, Brizo

Brian Jones, Senior Product Marketing Manager, Kitchen

Mandy Ellington, Product Marketing Manager, Bath

We were then divided up into five groups and launched into the Design Challenge.  Each group was directed to design a bathroom using the concept of biomimicry – using nature’s ideas to solve a human problem. (More on biomimicry in a later post.)  The challenge was to create a bathroom that answered the question: “How does Nature Bathe?” My teammates, Jonathan Legate from Halifax, NS and JB Bartkowiak from Baltimore, MD were wonderful to work with.  We created a gorgeous and functional bathroom that incorporated natural elements such as teak wood, lava stone and tree trunks (and had great fun in the process)!

Left to right: JB Bartkowiak, Jonathan Legate and me

We used the beautiful Brizo Virage line of faucets and accessories as this style was compatible with the feel of our space. We worked for many hours under great time pressures. I felt like I was on a TV design challenge show!

Virage by Brizo

Once our design work was completed the following morning, we all put on our fashion show best, got into the stretch limos and headed to the Jason Wu Fashion Show. What an exciting, novel experience! Not only did I enjoy seeing Jason Wu’s magnificent clothing, but I felt exhilarated by the electric atmosphere, the music, the very chic crowd and seeing an number of fashionistas, for example: Anna Wintour (editor of Vogue), Nina Garcia (Project Runway judge) and Iris Apfel (designer, business woman and fashion icon). (More about the specifics of the fashion show in a future post.) After the show, we were whisked away once again (in stretch limos) to a hip penthouse event space where we sipped our cocktails, ate yummy hors d’oeuvres and had the opportunity to meet the designer himself, Jason Wu. We had our photos taken with the “boy wonder” designer, and we also enjoyed a “fireside” chat with him where he answered many of our questions.

Thrilling to be photographed with Jason Wu! Photo courtesy of Jayme Thornton

Jason Wu with the designers/bloggers! Photo courtesy of Jayme Thornton

I’ve had a couple of days now to think about my experience with Brizo.  Here are some of my thoughts (in no particular order):
  • I appreciated hearing about the inspirations for the various Brizo products, and I enjoyed being involved in the direction of products yet to be released.
  • Travel opens your eyes to new people and new experiences.
  • Getting to know the faces and stories behind the product makes that product come alive.
  • I was impressed with how Brizo was so interested in my opinion. It was truly a collaborative experience.
  • Brizo has separated itself, for me, from other similar products. And, we all like to do business with those we like, trust and know.
  • More companies across the board should value designers like Brizo does. It’s a very smart marketing strategy.
  • Brizo has created a “buzz” that’s still ringing in my ears!
(More about Brizo, their team and the products in future posts.) Thank you so much, Brizo!  You’ve turned me into a raving fan!  And thank you to my new friends from all over the US and Canada – it was a pleasure to share this experience with you!

Filed In: Featured Products, slider, Style and Fashion, Travel

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About Leslie Fine

Leslie Fine is the president of Leslie Fine Interiors, Inc., an award winning, full service residential interior design firm located in Boston, Massachusetts. Leslie is known for her personalized service and hands-on approach with her clients in creating functional and beautiful homes. Leslie’s Blog has a large national and international following, and she enjoys sharing her experiences with interior design and luxury living with her readers.

For more about Leslie, please go to the page.

Comments

  1. Arne Salvesen says:
    February 14, 2011 at 9:17 pm

    Wonderful summary of the whirlwind in NYC. Impressed with Brizo and impressed with all the bloggers. Inspired doesn’t begin to describe the way I felt afterwards.

    Reply
  2. Jonathan Legate says:
    February 14, 2011 at 11:48 pm

    Wonderful post. So fortunate to have gotten to know you.
    All the best,
    JL

    Reply
  3. Leslie says:
    February 15, 2011 at 9:29 am

    Thanks Arne and Jonathan – it was wonderful to meet you both and experience this together!

    Reply
  4. Raina @ If the Lamp Shade Fits says:
    February 15, 2011 at 1:30 pm

    EXCELLENT wrap-up! It was such a pleasure to meet you, Leslie.

    xo,

    Raina

    Reply
  5. Pamela Copeman says:
    February 15, 2011 at 3:37 pm

    Leslie, What a wonderful opportunity from Brizo! They picked a fabulous designer who always makes the most of every event, thank you for sharing it with us~ I can’t wait to hear more~ soon! Pamela C

    Reply
  6. Jai Massela says:
    February 15, 2011 at 5:14 pm

    Leslie – thanks for the fantastic summary. We are so glad you could be a part of our event. Thank you so much for all of your valuable contributions. All the best!
    Jai

    Reply
  7. Carmen Christensen says:
    February 16, 2011 at 9:51 pm

    Leslie – So cool right? What an amazing opportunity and wonderful to meet you, great post – look forward to reading more. Your fellow #brizofw member
    Carmen

    Reply
    • lesliefineint says:
      February 19, 2011 at 4:56 pm

      Hi Carmen – Wonderful to meet you as well! I hope we are able to get together sometime in the near future.

      Reply
  8. Lynda says:
    February 17, 2011 at 2:16 pm

    What an exciting experience – Can’t wait to hear about biomimicry!

    Reply
  9. jb @BuildingMoxie says:
    February 17, 2011 at 2:32 pm

    Leslie you get right to the business of things and beautifully captured. I too was impressed by how much our input mattered and how receptive the team — specifically designers Celine and Judd — were (I thought there was ego in great design) Love your point about trust too — you are much more apt to trust someone as Arne said if you can have a cup of coffee with them … Brilliant! And I know I had my share of coffee. Lovely post — and for the record — I really did like you two — despite how it looks in the photo.. you know — A-Team! *fist bump* and *hugs* jb

    Reply

Trackbacks

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    February 17, 2011 at 5:56 am

    [...] Leslie Fine’s Leslie Fine Interiors Blog: http://blog.lesliefineinteriors.com/slider/faucets-fashion-and-fun/ [...]

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  3. Say Hi to Charlotte | Leslie Fine Interiors says:
    May 23, 2011 at 12:02 pm

    [...] my blog for the last number of months, you may remember that I was fortunate to be invited to New York Fashion Week courtesy of Brizo, the fashion forward faucet company. During the conference with Brizo, we were given “top [...]

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