We customize our vehicles, our homes, even our coffee orders  – why shouldn’t our clothes be any different? Trillium Custom Tailoring and Design has been educating people over the anatomy of a finely-made suit and shirt, and that it’s truly all about the details.

Tucked in a sunny corner on the first floor of Bellevue Place, Trillium has been a Bellevue style secret since 2010. Specializing in customized suits and shirts for both men and women, garments are made based on the client’s specifications and measurements. Entering the shop, natural light flows in from the wall of windows facing downtown, light filtering through the colors of crisp shirts hanging on display, cascading onto rows of fabric swatch books laid out on a long white table. Nicole van der Bogert, the owner of Trillium, greets visitors to her elegant space full of clean lines and modern décor. Examples of finished suits and rows of cloth swatches invite a tactile experience.  A sensory rush to those unaccustomed to the notion of bespoke clothing, Nicole is an assuring presence, making you feel immediately comfortable that you’re in the right hands.

Custom tailoring with keen focus towards client care, Trillium is a product of Nicole van der Bogert’s unique background in finance and fashion.  She grew up with quality garments, her mother a skilled seamstress, creating made-to-fit clothing for the family, passing the art to her children.  Nicole pursued a traditional career in finance but even then, a keen attention to fashion remained.  She became an educated customer from having shirts and suits made in Hong Kong and London, places known for their bespoke garments.  A creative spark and a love of fashion, along with the beloved memory of her stylish mother are what eventually inspired Nicole to open Trillium.

“Old World tailoring with fresh fashion designs in mind,” is how Nicole describes Trillium’s concept. Their fabrics are unique and style-forward, with an impeccable selection of patterns, colors and combinations. Every detail can be considered, from the style of cuff and collar, to the selection of buttons — even the thread that’s used to sew the button. But it’s not meant to be overwhelming. An appointment at Trillium is a personal style consultation, guiding a person at their own pace. Along with fabric swatches and example garments, style cards showing different combinations of outfits assist clients for ideas or picking out looks that best fit their personality. Trillium is an education on learning the benefits of custom clothing, as well as dispelling the notion that it’s an extravagant expense. Shirts start around $160 and suits start at $799, with different tiers of fabric and details, but everything is created to one’s unique measurements. Nicole points out the challenge of attaining that perfect fit, especially with men’s clothing. Suits are sold as a single item in department stores, the blazers and slacks unable to be purchased separately based on size. “People aren’t the same shape,” she says. Shoulder width, lengths of arms, torsos and legs – these proportions vary and people will often opt for something with a bad fit, just to find a wearable size. Custom fit eliminates this and a client is rewarded with a comfortable, long-lasting garment.

Trillium’s process includes measurements and consultations before the garment is ordered. Shirts take 2 to 3 weeks and suits take about 4 weeks. Nicole describes clients who first walked into the shop with no opinion over clothing, but after experiencing a true fit, she’s created many style-educated gentlemen who know their placket from a French cuff. Being a part of the process is creative and the clothing feels a part of them. Nicole’s advice for those considering a custom garment is to keep an open mind for details, and always consider comfort, because it’s an investment piece destined to be a favorite item, worn again and again. “It’s integrated thinking,” Nicole says about building a garment from idea to reality, and because the wearer is involved with every aspect of its creation, the piece reflects the individual, proving the old saying that clothes, do indeed, make the man.

Trillium Custom Tailoring and Design, 10500 NE 8th Street, located in Bellevue Place, 425-454-0292

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Goodwill is accepting donations in a temporary location in Downtown Bellevue at the old Cadillac dealership at NE 10th St & 106th Ave NE. The Goodwill truck will be collecting on Saturday’s & Sunday’s 9 AM – 5 PM. The truck is in the Diamond Parking lot east of Sherman Clay Pianos.

The drop off location will accept reusable clothing, household items and electronics.  The site is not able to accept larger items such as furniture or large appliances.

Previously there was a pickup location at the South Bellevue Park & Ride, but has been gone for the last couple years.

Downtown Bellevue Goodwill donation site:
10447 NE 10th St.
Bellevue, WA 98004

Fisker

Fisker started delivering the Fisker Karma in the 2nd half of 2011. According to the salesperson at the dealership, the network of dealers is about 50 nationwide. The Fisker Karma is a plug-in hybrid, which means that it runs on both electricity and gas. The 4-door sports car gets 20 – 52 mpg according to the EPA.

Pricing starts at $102,000 for the basic model and tops out at $116,000. Customers can also qualify for a $7,500 tax credit on their income taxes when purchasing a Fisker Karma.

The dealership is located in an unexpected space, next door to several restaurants, a massage parlor, a gun store, and other stores within a strip mall. It is not where you typically expect a luxury car dealership to be. The property is a part of the long-term expansion plan for Washington Square. The location has primary visibility on NE 8th St. and a high level of traffic outside, which is likely the reason it was chosen.

Servicing for the vehicles will take place at Lexus of Bellevue.

The dealership is open Monday – Saturday at 10692 NE 8th St., Bellevue, WA, 98004.

In January, several merchants gathered at a meeting to create a collective vision of a unified neighborhood, share business ideas, and discuss ways to connect with the community.

February’s meeting led to the creation of the Uptown Bellevue Twitter account. The merchants also shared ideas for updating the Uptown Bellevue Facebook page and redesigning Uptown’s logo to promote the area as a “place to live, eat, shop — your neighborhood.”

This month’s meeting focused on involving the resident community, organizational structure, and community marketing efforts.

Some of the businesses participating in Uptown include: Flo Japanese Restaurant, ViaVita Café, Del-Teet Furniture, Yuan Spa, and Café Cesura. To learn more about Uptown Bellevue, contact Gloria Ramirez at (425) 443-7649.

[Updated 1:00 PM 1/19/12] Starbucks opened their first new juice store, Evolution Fresh today, Monday 19th. The store is located at The Lodge at Bellevue Square, as we previously reported on March 9th.

Starbucks made the acquisition of Evolution Fresh in October 2011. The Evolution Fresh concept will be expanded to other Seattle area locations, as well as other locations within the US. When executives for Starbucks were interviewed they communicated Evolution Fresh juice is not a “test.”

Evolution Fresh will be made of natural ingredients. This is a dream come true for those with a busy lifestyle that don’t want to sacrifice on ingredients.

Pricing for handmade drinks will be $7.99. Salads will be $8.25 with an additional $2.50 for chicken or steak. Sandwich “bowls” will cost $8.75, and a wrap that will be made with collard greens (no pita here) will cost slightly less at $7.50.

The interiors have white walls, light woods, and marble countertops. The in-store experience includes videos explaining the benefits and options for the food and beverages.

16-Ounce bottles of Evolution Fresh juice will replace the Naked Juice brand, which are currently sold at Starbucks stores. Here are examples of the bottles of juice that will be sold:

• Field of Greens: blends greens, ginger, apple and cucumber
• Coconut Zen: coconut water, pineapple and cucumber

Smoothies will also be available, see the “Smooth Mango” ingredients below:

• Smooth Mango: apple juice, mangoes, papayas and pineapple

The bottles of juice contain 2 to 3 pounds of pressed fruits and vegetables.

One of the most convenient aspects of the new store is that it will offer delivery in Downtown Bellevue at no extra cost by a white-and-green-striped bike.

Evolution Fresh will be open from 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM Monday – Saturday & 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM on Sunday’s.

To view more information on the Evolution Fresh, visit their website.

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Last week, both Moody’s and Standard and Poor’s assigned their highest ratings for Bellevue’s general obligation bonds. The city’s high bond rating allows it to borrow money at lower interest rates.

The City of Bellevue is now preparing to refund the bonds for the remodeling of City Hall, which may bring its average interest rate down from 5.2 percent to about 3.5 percent.

City officials expect the refunding to save the city more than $9 million over the remaining 30 years of the bond.

The buyer has not been revealed, but according to the report the transaction is expected to close by the end of March. Dan Ivanoff, the founder and managing investment partner, said this of the expected buyer, “This is a best-in-class, luxury-type retail buyer, and very entrepreneurial.”

Other interesting notes from the article:

• There are spaces for about 9 additional retail tenants
• According to Ivanoff, sales at the Bravern’s luxury shops were up 50% last year over 2010. Overall shop sales were up 15 % for 2011.
• One of the empty retail locations at The Bravern may be claimed this summer by a Europe-based luxury retailer within the jewelry category.

Kate Spade
Kate Spade, the women’s designer brand that creates handbags, clothing, jewelry, shoes, and more, will open a store in Bellevue Square. The storefront, which is across the way from the Microsoft Store on the 1st level, is covered in their well-known black and white flowered pattern. The store covering states that the store is ‘opening soon.’ Kate Spade will take the place of the old Movado store, which had been temporarily occupied by several stores since its closing in 2010.

Everything But Water
The women’s swimwear designer, Everything But Water, will be opening a store in Bellevue Square in March. The store will feature clothing and accessories made for your sunny vacation, featuring products such as sundresses, cover-ups, jewelry, hats, and more. Their new location will replace Road Apparel on the 2nd floor next to Nordstrom.

Zumiez
Zumiez has temporarily moved their store next to World Wraps on the 2nd floor, while their original store goes under a remodel.

Adventure Kids Playcare

The business will occupy a location at the previously occupied Storables space on Bellevue Way. the 6,100-square-foot space will include an infant and toddler classroom and a pre-school and elementary school age area. The owners said they saw a need for a safe place for parents to drop off their children while visiting downtown Bellevue.

Adventure Kids Playcare will feature a basketball court, climbing wall, and a 2-level play area, as well as arts and crafts throughout the day. A variety of summer camps will also be offered.

Hourly rates will be $11.50 for infants, $9.50 for children (up to 12 years old), and $5 for siblings. The center will be open from 8am to 10pm Monday through Thursday, and from 8am to midnight Friday through Saturday. Reservations are recommended for infants.

Adventure Kids Playcare is licensed by the state and will include a video security system to help monitor the premises.

One Main Street Condominiums sold 2 more of its 57 homes last week. The remaining 10 homes, a variety of 1-bedroom condos, range from 662 to 880 square feet and are priced at $299,900 to $439,900.

These residences feature air conditioning, German-engineered cabinetry, hardwood floors, and garage parking. The location includes a new retailer, the Italian deli Mercato Stellina, on the main level.

In January, Bellevue Towers sold 13 homes, bringing this urban condominium project to 50 percent sold. The remaining homes include studio and 1-bedroom condos priced from the $300,000s, 2-bedroom residences priced from the $600,000s, and penthouses priced from $2 million. The homes range from 807 to 6,398 square feet.

Bellevue Towers offers concierge service and gives residents access to a variety of amenities, including: a 24,000-square-foot urban garden, a private screening room, a large dining room with a terrace and kitchen, a fitness center, a spa and sun deck, and a terrace with a fireplace and barbecue grill.

Readers, what do you like about living in downtown Bellevue?