As the Senior Vice President Fashion Director for Neiman Marcus, Ken Downing lives the life of glamour under the spotlights of runway shows, store appearances, celebrity events, and globe trotting to the world’s most influential fashion destinations.

Downing has worked for Neiman Marcus for 17 years and divides his time between an office in New York and another at the Neiman Marcus Flagship store in Dallas.

Downing will fly to Bellevue on Thursday for the Neiman Marcus Black Tie Gala opening celebration before hopping on a plane to cover Fashion Week in New York, then off to London, Milan and Paris. The new 126,000 square-foot Neiman Marcus store will open at The Shops at The Bravern in Bellevue on September 11.

“I am thrilled to visit the new store in Bellevue because it’s such an exciting place to be right now,” Downing explained. “Neiman Marcus will be in good company. It’s the perfect fit.”

Despite the glitz and glam of the fashion industry, the Pacific Northwest native has stayed true to his own sense of style and West Coast upbringing.

“It’s interesting that people always put the Northwest in a category of ‘not stylish’. I’m from the Northwest and my style helps guide Neiman Marcus,” Downing said. “People here have a very relaxed and elegant style and I think it should be celebrated.”

Downing traces his eye for fashion back to his roots. His grandmother was a talented seamstress and passed the tradition down to his mother. He grew up watching his mother sew. At the age of seven, Downing dug through his mother’s closet and handpicked an outfit for her to wear, from the dress down to the shoes and handbag.

“My mother and father always dressed very chic,” he said. “I honestly can’t remember a time when clothes, and the way people looked, didn’t interest me.”

Downing began honing his craft at Seattle Central College and later went on to get a degree in apparel design from The Fashion Institute of Technology in New York.

“I always had an eye for fashion but my technical skills were lacking,” he explained. “I mean, I would use duck tape to create some of the designs I created for friends back in high school. The training I received taught me the skills I needed to succeed. I learned how to sew everything from a snowsuit to a wedding dress. Please don’t ask me to sew one, but I could,” he said with a laugh.

After graduation, Downing found himself working with window displays in Seattle and then San Francisco. From there, he was hired by Neiman Marcus.

“I have the most amazing job in the world. Getting up in the morning is never a problem because this is my passion. I absolutely adore what I do and have so much respect for Neiman Marcus and the people I work with.”

Downing has made a name for himself among top fashion designers and finds inspiration from the legendary names in fashion to the fresh faced, up-and-comers.

“In this business, you are always heading off to a new adventure. If you work for a particular fashion house, you have the spirit of that house. I get to take the look of every fashion house in the world and interpret it for Neiman Marcus. Fashion is never stagnate, it’s always in a constant forward motion- but then again, so am I.”

The Neiman Marcus Black Tie Gala will take place on Thursday, September 10 with all proceeds benefiting three local charities including; Hopelink, Overlake Hospital Medical Center, and PONCHO.

The Shops at The Bravern Grand Opening Celebration will be open to the public on September 12-13. Sip champagne while perusing this fall’s Jimmy Choo collection or browse the annual beauty event at Neiman Marcus. Stop by Trophy Cupcakes to sample a delicious mini cupcake, then stroll downstairs to enjoy live music by the two outdoor fireplaces.

Savor complimentary Pan-Asian bites in Wild Ginger’s upstairs bar. Take in roving fashion shows featuring the latest fall styles from Anthropologie, Wolford, DNA 2050, Jimmy Choo, Brooks Brothers Country Club, Arthur, Tory Burch and Piazza Sempione.

Or stop by Mariposa for lunch or late afternoon appetizers with friends. And discover the many in-store festivities and promotions – all weekend long.

Wrap up the celebration with an outdoor concert by Robert Cray from 6:30-8 p.m. on Sunday, September 13.

Shopping hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, September 12 and noon – 6 p.m. on Sunday, September 13.

Lindsay Larin can be reached at 425.453.4602.