Chicago Designers Participate in Oscars Designer Challenge 2011

The “Oscars Designer Challenge 2011” is a competition where nine up-and-coming designers participate to have their original design worn by one of the Awards escorts at the 83rd Academy Awards on Sunday, February 27.  The winner is chosen by a public vote on Oscar.com. The winning designer will be announced during the live Oscar pre-show on ABC on February 27th.

In addition to the voting competition, a special webisode series “Oscars Designer Challenge: Behind the Dress,” hosted by Jay Manuel (America’s Next Top Model), chronicles the competition and allows viewers to get to know each of the designers and their designs.

The competing designers are Miriam Cecilia Carlson, Chicago; James De Colon, Chicago; and Borris Powell, Chicago; Katelyn Bischof, New York; Angela Avanesyan, Los Angeles; Octavio Carlin, Los Angeles; Natalia Romano, Los Angeles; Clay Sadler, Los Angeles; and Zoe Hong, Oakland, California

So support your fellow Chicago designers and VOTE NOW!

Chicago Event: Ted Baker Breakfast + Opening Party

Yesterday morning I attended the media breakfast at the newly opened Ted Baker store in Chicago. This was my first time visiting the Chicago location and I was beyond impressed. I have been in 2 Ted Baker stores previously (New York and LA) and I found it so interesting they really take the time to tailor each store to the city they reside in.

For example, Chicago is the “Windy City” so they included subtle accents of wind throughout the Ted Baker store here in Chicago. How creative is that?! I’ve been a Ted Baker fan for a while now but after attending this media event, I am a Ted Baker SUPER FAN.

Photo Credit

Tomorrow I will be attending the official Ted Baker opening party. After experiencing the wonderful event at the store yesterday, I can’t wait to see what’s in store for the party tomorrow night.

At the media breakfast, I bought a really great Ted Baker piece that I am so excited to wear to the event tomorrow. Here’s a sneak peak…

Once I have a full outfit together, I’ll be sure to tweet and post!

In the mean time, I definitely recommend checking out the new Ted Baker store at 1009 N. Rush Street in Chicago. I know you’ll find something you love!

 

**Update: Here’s a photo of Corri McFadden, owner of eDrop-Off, and I from the Ted Baker opening party

Red Carpet Fashion: 2011 Grammys (Part 2)

If you haven’t yet, check out part 1 of my red carpet commentary from last night’s Grammy Awards.

And now it’s time for part 2…

Julianne Hough in Malandrino

Standard Malandrino silhouette. Love the print. She looks gorgeous. But I expect something a little more “amped up” for the Grammys red carpet.  I also still can’t get over her dating Ryan Seacrest.

 

Katy Perry in Giorgio Armani

Katy, didn’t anyone tell you the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show was in December? You’re a few months too late…

 

Kelly Osbourne in Tadashi Shoji

I wanted to like this because I’ve really been loving Kelly Osbourne lately but that color purple, with ruffles, and a ribbon tie at the waist is just too “high school dance” for me. I think she looks gorgeous but I just don’t love the dress in that color.

 

Kim Kardashian in Kaufman Franco

Legs. Boobs. Sequins. Makeup. It’s a little “showgirly” for me but it’s Kim Kardashian…do we expect anything less?

 

Lea Michele in Emilio Pucci

Lea Michele would have to do something fashionably offensive for me to hate on her look. I would have liked a bolder shoe here but I love the cut of the dress, especially the detail at the waist, and I love that sultry berry color lipgloss. Wish they showed more of her on the Grammys red carpet.

 

Miley Cyrus in Roberto Cavalli

Whoever said that too long of extensions were in? (see Jennifer Lopez ) The dress looks tacky, there’s side boob, there are wayyyyy too many bracelets and it’s wayyyyyy too much with that sparkly dress. And pardon me for being bitchy, but it definitely looks like Miley’s been getting the late night munchies if you catch my drift…

 

Nicki Minaj in Givenchy

The next Gaga. Meaning…she can do no wrong.

 

Nicole Kidman in Jean Paul Gaultier Spring 2011 Couture

Not the biggest Nicole Kidman fan and I probably would have hated this dress on anyone else but the colors, the fit and the silhouette totally work for her. I hate to say it but I really don’t find anything wrong with this look.

 

Rihanna in Jean Paul Gaultier Spring 2011 Couture

Probably one of the riskiest dresses you could wear on the red carpet (which is why I had to provide a side shot as well), Rihanna pulls it off well. What can I say? It literally hits her in the “right spots” to hide what needs to be hidden, and her stylist definitely provided her with the perfect undergarments for this specific dress. A lot of people hated her hair mostly. I kind of loved it though. This dress on this girl at this event…totally works.

 

Selena Gomez in J. Mendel

Pretty dress on a pretty girl. I’d like to see her do something a little edgier or fashion forward for the red carpet. She’s young, she’s gorgeous so why not? But if it’s not her thing, I wouldn’t push it. That’s the type of stuff that sends you to rehab… (cue Lindsay Lohan jokes)

 

Well that’s all for now. Let me know who your best dressed (or worst dressed) picks were for the Grammys. Until next time!

 

Photos from Us Magazine, Just Jared & Huffington Post

 

Red Carpet Fashion: 2011 Grammys (Part 1)

I watched an hour of pre red carpet coverage, 2 hours of [somewhat painful] red carpet coverage and 3 and a half hours of the Grammys [which I enjoy enjoyed 20-30 minutes of] just to admire the fashion in order to prepare myself for this day. And this day is judgment day…so here we go!

Amber Riley in Ema Savahl

This is difficult because I love her, I love the dress, and I think the shoulder ornament attached to the necklace is genius. However, I hate all of this together. I know it’s the Grammys but it’s just too much.

Ciara in Emilio Pucci Spring 2011 RTW

Although I thought this was Beyonce at first glance (maybe because I hadn’t put my glasses on yet) I did recognize almost immediately that this was look 2 from Emilio Pucci Spring 2011 RTW.  I loved this dress on the runway, I do love it on her but I do wish the hair was either shorter or in a funky updo.

 

Dianna Agron in Vivienne Westwood Gold Label

I do appreciate her trying to “edge it up” and really separate her character on Glee with who she really is, but she ultimately failed because she looks like Quinn desperately trying to be edgy. Black dress, black shoes, black bag, black nail polish, black earrings AND a smoky eye…it’s just all wrong.

 

Eva Longorio in Ashi

I can’t decide on this one. First of all, her legs look AMAZING and then I just get distracted. I love the skirt portion of the dress but I wish the top part wasn’t as ruffled but instead, more fitted. It’s all about proportion (especially when you’re petite like her) and the proportions here are just a little off. But hey, it’s Eva Longoria and she’s always gorgeous.

 

Florence Welch in Givenchy Couture Spring 2011

This dress is so her. It’s probably why Kelly Osbourne picked it for her to wear on the pre red carpet edition of Fashion Police, and I’m glad it worked out because I love this on her. This was a stunning collection and I kind of wish Florence wore one of the avant garde head pieces shown with these dresses. That would have left people quite confused, but I can dream though right? Oh FYI I hated the hair…you can’t let your hair air dry straight out of the shower and put on Givenchy Couture. Sorry.

 

Hayley Williams in Jeremy Scott

I think she’s part of some band I don’t listen to however I do appreciate some Jeremy Scott on the red carpet. His collections are always avant garde and always interesting and intriguing so I can’t totally hate on this dress. Judging solely based on the striking red hair, I can see this dress fits her personality so I think it works here. It’s the Grammys, you’re allowed to have fun (unlike the Oscars)…

 

Jennifer Hudson in Versace

I love this dress (even with the “mullet” hemline”) and I think she looks absolutely stunning. The shoes are great, the jewelry is perfect but like Ciara, I am just not loving that center-part, overly flat ironed hair. Otherwise, I have nothing else to say but GORGEOUS! (and I think I might start Weight Watchers)

 

Jennifer Lopez in Emilio Pucci

I am biased because I am not the biggest JLo fan. A lot of people loved this look last night and it appears to be great at a glance, but when you break it down it’s not so great. The dress is amazing, the shoe are out of control (in a good way) and the bag is gorgeous, but it is just way too much silver on one person. The bad hair extensions are also way too Miley Cyrus and I am definitely hating on the hair.

 

Jewel in Pamella Roland

I normally wouldn’t like this dress on anyone else but Jewel seems like a down to earth woman who isn’t all flashy, so I think this look works for her. She’s pregnant and it’s not easy to find a flattering dress when you’re expecting so this totally works. The jewelry, makeup and hair are all spot-on too.

 

Jordin Sparks in Zang Toi

I saw her on the red carpet before I had my glasses on and all I could think of is “What is this large red thing appearing before my very eyes?” I put my glasses on and saw it was Jordin Sparks in an ill-fitting prom dress circa 2003.

 

Keep your eyes peeled for part 2…coming soon!

Photos from Us Magazine & Just Jared

 

Chicago Looks: A Street Style Photo Exhibit

Last Friday I attended the opening of the Chicago Looks street style exhibit at Heaven Gallery in Wicker Park. I am all about showcasing Chicago fashion and this event couldn’t have done it better. I regularly keep up with the Chicago street style blogs but I have never seen them displayed like this.

The exhibit features photos from Chicago Looks, Chicago Street Style Scene, The Midwasteland and Tres Awesome…all amazing Chicago street style blogs.

Here’s a few photos I took at the event:

Amy of Chicago Street Style Scene with her photos

Posing with my photo taken this summer by Amy of Chicago Street Style Scene

A peak at one of the many amazing street style collages

Isa of Chicago Looks

Me & Amy of Chicago Street Style Scene (Photo taken by Isa of Chicago Looks)

Whoever says Chicago isn’t a fashionable city hasn’t attended the Chicago Looks photo exhibit…so get yourself over to Heaven Gallery (1550 N. Milwaukee) and check out these amazing photos. The photo displays will be up until March 7.