The big news in local fashion right now is Fashion Week at The Bellevue Collection. From September 26 through 30, downtown Bellevue, with Lincoln Square, Bellevue Place and Bellevue Square at its locus, will be abuzz with reliably well-produced runway shows and fun beauty and trend events, both free and ticketed. 

Many mall retailers, including Bare Escentuals, Sephora, 7 For All Mankind and Aveda, participate with deals, giveaways and samples galore. On Saturday night, September 29, Vogue magazine sponsors a huge show, filled with all sorts of sartorial delights and surprises from participating shops. The night is hosted by Anne Vincent, Vogue’s very chic director of special events, who defines the trends that make their way down the runway. Also on Saturday, Vincent is teaming up with style expert Lawrence Zarian for Fashion Forecast, a complimentary presentation of fall’s hit list of style.

New this year, The Bellevue Collection is introducing an Independent Designer Runway Show on Wednesday, September 26, showcasing some great clothing and accessory designers from the area. This show is sold out, but I’ll be there and will report back on all the goodness.

Other highlights from the week includes the Nordstrom Fall Fashion Show (think Halston Heritage, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Milly), proceeds from which go to the Detlef Schrempf Foundation; the Posh Party Beauty and Trend Show, featuring fall cosmetic trends from Urban Decay and Benefit Cosmetics; and Muse, a hair show by Seven Creative.

This week is no slacker-fest – the style set is serious about what they wear to these to-dos and if you want to hang, you should be too.