August 18, 2010

Runway Relief with Nine West

Fashion news to share today: Nine West is taking steps to raise funds and awareness for Fashion Targets Breast Cancer this New York Fashion Week.

Partnering with the CFDA, photographer Nigel Barker, Sony, Omron, Elite, IMG and Marilyn, Nine West’s Runway Relief program will activate top models including Coco Rocha, Jessica White, Michelle Alves and Lisalla Montenegro to participate in the cause.

Participating models will be asked to wear the limited edition Nine West Runway Relief boot, uniquely equipped with an Omron GOSmart Pocket Pedometer (HJ-303) that will track how many steps each model takes while going from castings and fittings to shows and Fashion Week’s hottest parties. Each step taken will equal a donation to Fashion Targets Breast Cancer.




This month (8/31) to kick off the program, famed fashion photographer Nigel Barker will photograph the participating models in an iconic NYC location. The photo shoot will be streamed live on The Nine West Facebook Fan Page and at Modelina.com so be sure to stop by to meet Nigel or to tune in online!

A limited supply of the Runway Relief boot ($199) will be also be available for Nine West Facebook fans exclusively, starting on 8/31.

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This post is courtesy of David James of The Vicarious LifeStyle
August 16, 2010

Glamorama 2010

On Friday, I attended Chicago’s biggest fashion event of the year…Glamorama! It was a night full of fashion, music and philanthropy. The money made from ticket sales goes to the Ronald McDonald Charities of Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana. Fashion and music are always better when they give back, right?!

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The show started out with a video of the Herrick family whose son, Max, had to get a heart transplant at age 2. He then developed lymphoma due to the anti-rejection medication. It was a heartbreaking story but it had a happy ending. Max pulled through and the Ronald McDonald house helped the Herrick family to stay together during their tough times. It was so great to see Eric Hutchinson bring Max on stage…he was so happy!

My blurry picture of Eric Hutchinson & Max Herrick (couldn’t use flash during the show!)

A clearer picture of Max Herrick (courtesy of Amy from www.chicagostylescene.com)

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The show then continued with a variety of dance numbers (including a great mash-up of Madonna hits to promote her new line, Material Girl, sold exclusively at Macy’s) and fashion shows (including Marc Jacobs, Sonia Rykiel, Jean Paul Gaultier and more).

I really enjoyed the dance numbers because I danced for about 15 years of my life and I always loved stuff like this. The music was upbeat, the costumes were fun and it was overall just really entertaining to watch.

The beginning of the Madonna dance performances…how cute are these kids??

Madonna dance performance

Another photo of the Madonna dance performance

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Some other performances included those by Eric Hutchinson and Macy Gray…

Eric Hutchinson performance

Macy Gray performance

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The fashion shows were really interesting to watch because they all had different backdrops and music. It was also interesting to see fashion shows done without an actual runway…and with a stage instead. The models walked in all different ways/directions for each of the shows…some used stairs, some used platforms…it was great to see the creativity!

Designs showed at Glamorama include: Tommy Hilfiger, Jean Paul Gaultier, Sportmax, Hugo Boss, Sonia Rykiel, Just Cavalli, Philosophy di Alberta Ferretti, Marc Jacobs, Issey Miywake, Felina, and 2(X)ist.

Tommy Hilfiger

Jean Paul Gaultier (finale piece)

Hugo Boss (loved the green background!)

Just Cavalli

Marc Jacobs (fabulous finale dress!)

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The end…

Star confetti falling onto the audience

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Although this was the end of the show, it was only the beginning of the night…we still have the after party to get to 🙂 After the show was let out at the Chicago Theater, guests walked over to the 11th floor of Macy’s to attend the after party. There was an amazing white dance floor, vibrant decor, great food and drinks and fabulous people.

Dance floor

Walking into the after party…

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PS. I ran into Rain Hein (runner up of America’s Next Top Model, Cycle 14) in the lobby of the Chicago Theater! Isn’t she gorgeous?!

I’m on the left in Proenza Schouler S/S 2010 and Raina is on the right in a dress made of Office Max supplies…so Project Runway-chic! (Office Max was one of the main sponsors of Glamorama if you were wondering)

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Overall, Glamorama was a successful, fun and glamourous night. It definitely proves that Chicago is a super fashionable city!

Click here for more of my photos from Glamorama (again, I apologize for the blurriness but I did my best without my flash!)

Also check out my friend Amy’s coverage of Glamorama at www.chicagostreetstyle.com

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August 9, 2010

Rachel Zoe “dying” for Fashion

Rachel Zoe is “lit-rally” dying for fashion in the September issue of Harper’s Bazaar. I’m obviously a little biased towards this photoshoot because I am obsessed with Rachel Zoe…but trying to view this from an outside perspective, I still think it’s a great concept and a fabulous shoot. Michael Kors with a shovel and Rachel in a sea of purses? Brian Atwood coming at Rachel with a stiletto? I absolutely love it! Playful and fun yet super creative and quite eye-catching…one of my favorite editorials to date!

…with Brian Atwood

…with Francisco Costa

…with Michael Kors

…with Marc Jacobs

…with Vera Wang

All photos courtesy of www.harpersbazaar.com

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What do you think of this photoshoot? Which pictures are your favorites? I’d love to hear from you!

August 8, 2010

Damen + Division Jewelry

I discovered Damen + Division jewelry on a recent trip to Sofia Vintage. I saw this bracelet [see below] and I was immediately hooked. I obviously bought the bracelet…and I wear it almost everyday!

I knew I had to know more about this new brand, so I decided to check out the website. Here’s how the jewelry collection is described:

Damen + Division jewelry was born in the colorful, glamorous 70’s and 80’s. Rock n’ Roll and Disco culture inspired jewelry companies to create big, bold costume pieces. These statement pieces were the most desirable- the more oversized, the more overstated, the better.

This sounds like the definition of everything I could ever ask for in a piece of jewelry. So, because I am absolutely in love with this jewelry line, I knew I had to interview the woman behind D+D. Meet Chicago-based jewelry designer, Sonia Barrett…

Photo Credit

1. When did you start designing jewelry?

I made my first ring when I was a Sophomore in high school. It was the height of the grunge era, and I took an old ring I got from a thrift shop, chipped out the stone, and replaced it with a cardboard cut out of a sea monkey. I think I sealed it in with clear nail polish.

2. And when did Damen + Division emerge as a brand?

D+D was born in November of 2008.

3. Where do you draw inspiration from when designing your jewelry?

Mainly from the vintage materials I use. Whatever comes in really has a voice, and we try to listen to that. We listen to a lot of 70’s rock in the studio.

4. Are there fashion designers or other jewelry designers you draw inspiration from? If so, who?

I have a huge Kenny Lane collection- his good stuff, and also the schlock he sells to Avon, QVC… I like some of Bittar’s earlier work too. I have an amazing Bittar vermeil ring with a black skull on it I wear at least once a week since I bought it 7 years ago.

5. Why did you choose Chicago to “set up shop”?

No question. Chicago is my home. As a business owner my business should be where I am, not vice versa.

6. Where can Damen + Division be purchased?

Sarca; 710 N. Wabash and Sophia Vintage; 72 E. Oak St. in Chicago

7. What’s next for you and Damen + Division?

I want to do more cufflinks for men- and use butterfly wings!

Photo Credit

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So basically, I am obsessed with Damen + Division jewelry. I am not exaggerating when I say I would like to own every piece. If you take a peak into my jewelry collection, it’s very colorful, bold, vintage/vintage-inspired (specifically from the ’70s)…almost all costume jewelry. This is exactly what D+D is all about. Each piece is unique in its own way which is why this collection is so amazing.

For more about Damen + Division, check out www.damen-division.com

August 4, 2010

Meet Corri McFadden from E Drop Off

Last week I had the pleasure of interviewing Corri McFadden, owner and founder of E Drop Off. If you are not familiar with E Drop Off, they are a Chicago-based company that sells your designer clothing, handbags, jewelry and accessories through eBay. They also take care of all the “dirty work” such as writing the descriptions, taking photos, shipping/handling AND they offer free nationwide pick up…so you don’t have to live in Chicago to be a customer!

I originally met Corri in December when she was still at her Clark Street location. I was immediately impressed with her business. She is very customer service-oriented and you can’t help but love her. She is such a happy, positive and driven woman. What’s not to love?


The inspiration behind E Drop Off…

“It just happened,” Corri explains how E Drop Off came to be. She went to school for fashion design and created a business plan as her senior thesis project to start an eBay store. Immediately after graduation, Corri implemented her business plan and started an eBay store selling “everything from Chanel to electronics.” As her business grew, she decided to stick with what she loves…high-end luxury fashion items. Now, 6 years later, E Drop Off has expanded and recently moved to a new (and quite beautiful) location at 2117 N. Halsted.

Why Chicago…

Chicago actually was not part of Corri’s original plan. She originally went to Kansas State to study crime scene investigation and picked up fashion design on the side for fun (because every FBI agent needs to look good while doing their job, right?) After graduation, she planned on going to New York but timing was unfortunate and 9-11 happened so she landed on Chicago as it was closer to home. I must say, though, I am very glad Corri chose Chicago for her E Drop Off destination because as we all know…I love bringing fashion to Chicago 🙂

The one item E Drop Off has received that just blew your mind…

Get ready for this…a 63 karat Cartier diamond necklace! The way Corri described it…I thought I was going to pass out. I didn’t even see it in person and it made my heart race. Because E Drop Off sells about 700 items a week, it takes a lot for Corri to get blown away by an item…and this necklace can definitely do that to ya!

The one designer you’d like to have lunch with…

Diane Von Furstenberg was Corri’s choice. Why? Well, who wouldn’t? Diane’s “ultimate class and timelessness” was the backing behind Corri’s response…and I couldn’t agree more.

What’s next for Corri and E Drop Off…

E Drop Off’s sister-brand, Influence is currently a blog offering styling tips and fashion updates but soon it will be an e-commerce sight offering discounted designer items. There are some other things “in the works” right now, according to Corri, but new business ventures will be rolling out within the next 6 months. So stay tuned by following both @ShopEDropOff and @ShopInfluence on Twitter and check out their websites www.shopedropoff.com and www.shopinfluence.com.


Along with E Drop Off’s free nationwide pick-up and designer consignment, they offer an array of services to cater to your needs including:

*Closet cleanout—they will send a consultant to help you decide what to keep and what to sell

*Retail overstock consignment—consult retailers, boutique owners and designers regarding overstock inventory for consigned sales

*Try before you buy—if you live in Chicago, you can go to the store and try something on before you put a bid on it

*NEW: Authenticity Guide—E Drop Off has put together an online authenticity guide to point out the differences between real and fake designer items

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Click here for the full video interview (Warning: This video is not edited and the last minute and a half is me talking about how much I love Ginger + Liz nail polish)

See my Personal Style feature on ShopInfluence