Steve Madden at Nordstrom Bellevue Square

VIVAFASHIONISTAS Editor Michelle Elalto Cuneta contacted me to ask if I would be interested in covering an appearance by Steve Madden at Nordstrom Bellevue Square, including an in-person interview before the event.  While some things can be lost in toneless, faceless text/email message exchanges, some things can be hidden, too.  For instance, I was able to seem calm and nonchalant in the email, hoping the schedules were do-able.  Heh.  Do-able?  Cancel & Rearrange with Extreme Prejudice to make it do-able!  Shhhhhhh….  Michelle doesn’t need to know—this is just between us, okay?

Steve Madden is the heart of one of the world’s hottest shoe & lifestyle brands, and my wife’s closet has a disproportionate percentage of his shoes and handbags as proof.  So getting a chance to meet and photograph him at Nordstrom was not to be missed.  The news kept getting better:  the interview would be conducted by VIVAFASHIONISTAS Fashion Editor, Alyssa Cave.  I’ve known Alyssa for years, a gifted model, make-up artist, model director, runway coach & more. She always brings a persistently positive, professional energy to every engagement.

So it was gonna be Team Alyssa & Bret.  Reason enough right there to go anywhere to cover anything on a Saturday afternoon.

Alyssa and I arrived early, and the ever-helpful & professional staff at Nordstrom directed us to the right space and right people so we could check-in.  Steve’s warm & welcoming staff promised to get us in for the one-on-one interview even though things were very busy, and time was an issue. Sure enough, Gabriella made sure we had a few minutes with Steve in the green room before he headed downstairs to meet the crowd.

Alyssa was well-prepared (as usual) and had a great conversation with Steve, who was pleasant, friendly, and very open.  He started the interview with a topic of his own for Alyssa: “Before we start, let’s talk about your shoes!”  He recognized that they were by LA designer Sheikh, a friend of his. “I know him, he’s a great guy!”

Fashion Editor Alyssa Cave with Steve Madden in Nordstrom Bellevue Square’s green room

I got a quick picture of Steve and Alyssa at the end of the interview.

Alyssa with Steve Madden in the green room

Then it was off to the main event which was extremely popular with a huge crowd and fans waiting patiently in the signing/photo lines for their chance to meet Steve.  Nordstrom is a great fashion resource here in the Pacific Northwest, regularly hosting such events.  They had it well organized in concert with Steve’s team.  Julissa Bermudez of the Style Network’s series Empire Girls was on hand to host the event.  For even more images, please visit my Steve Madden gallery.

Steve Madden ready to sign!

Steve Madden with fan

Gabriella (left) and young fans in SM beanies getting SM t-shirts autographed

Gabriella helping with the autographs

The lines went out two separate doors into the mall

Steve with young fans

Steve & the models who reappeared in new clothes & shoes every few minutes during the event

Chelsea modeling during the event

Alyssa finds another design she falls in love with

Steve Madden designs at Nordstrom Bellevue Square

Steve Madden designs at Nordstrom Bellevue Square

Steve Madden designs at Nordstrom Bellevue Square

Steve Madden designs at Nordstrom Bellevue Square

Steve Madden designs at Nordstrom Bellevue Square

Steve Madden designs at Nordstrom Bellevue Square

Steve Madden designs at Nordstrom Bellevue Square

Julissa Bermudez (left), host

Julissa Bermudez (right)

Julissa Bermudez (right)

Julissa Bermudez (right)

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