French Connection’s British Invasion Contest

French Connection is hosting a British Invasion contest, giving French Connection USA fans the chance to win the ultimate experience in music and style with a trip to see British sensation, Plan B perform live with special guests Bruno Mars and Janelle Monae. Fans will also have the chance to win a shopping spree at the essential destination for British High Street fashion to get the full London style experience.

Full contest prizes include:

·      Roundtrip airfare for two to NYC from May 4th to May 5th, 2011
·      One night at the Renaissance Times Square
·      $1,000 shopping spree at French Connection SoHo
·      Two tickets to the May 4th concert of Plan B/Bruno Mars/Janelle Monae
·      Backstage VIP access and “Meet and Greet” with Plan B at concert

ENTER HERE
All entries must be received by April 25, 2011.

Gilt Groupe Happenings: RED Valentino, Mixed Prints & More

Want to get a preview of the best sales happening this week on Gilt? You’ve come to the right place. Remember, these are for Gilt members only, so JOIN NOW and get shopping!

RED Valentino (4/4)- His name is synonymous with elegance and glamour, and Valentino certainly lives up to his reputation here. Choose from dresses and separates marked by sophisticated silhouettes, a refined color palette, and just enough frill.

Vincent Longo (4/6)- What do A-list beauties Molly Sims, Jennifer Lopez, and Monica Belluci have in common? They have Vincent Longo to thank for the makeup essentials that keep them camera-ready even without their makeup artists by their sides. Here, choose from Hollywood-approved favorites like shadows, lip pencils, glosses, highlighters, and face powders.

Amrita Singh (4/7)- A mastery of new- and old-world design, an Eastern-inspired aesthetic and a penchant for the bold have earned jewelry designer Amrita Singh awards and international recognition. And colorful, chunky baubles are nestled in oversize earrings, rings, and necklaces that are truly one of a kind.

Spring Trend: Mixed Prints (4/8)- Gilt’s last feature in this year’s Spring Trend series, the mixed prints sale is not one to miss! Surprising and unexpected mix and match commands fashionable attention. Find cool, floral, plaids, polka dots, leopard prints with large bangles and statement necklaces.

Glamour’s May 2011 Issue: Ashley Greene, Emma Stone & Freida Pinto

With a collective 14 movies coming out this year, Emma Stone, Ashley Greene and Freida Pinto are about to become the style world’s new obsessions.  Matthias Vriens-McGrath photographed Emma in Los Angeles, Ashley in Baton Rouge, LA and Freida in Paris for Glamour’s May 2011 cover.

EMMA STONE

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D&G dress, Nina Basharova gold bangles with precious gems and Heike Grebenstein Fine Jewelry gold bangle

Emma Stone on the best advice her mother’s ever given her…
“She is the greatest person on earth. She always helps me deal with things as they happen instead of planning them all out ahead of time. But that’s one of 600 billion pieces of advice she’s given me. “

Emma Stone on what she looks for in a guy…
“Honestly, I cannot put a finger on it. One guy could do something that I would find deplorable, and [with] another guy I’d find it charming…. It depends on the person. The one thing that needs to be there is that indefinable spark of sorts. But I’m 22 years old…. I have no idea what I’m talking about. [Laughs.]

Emma Stone on the pressure to be thin in Hollywood…
“You’re a human being, you live once and life is wonderful, so eat the damn red velvet cupcake.”

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Viktor and Rolf dress, Flutter by Jill Golden bangles and Alexander Wang shoes

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Tory Burch cardigan, floral Erdem shorts, Heike Grebenstein Fine Jewelry bangles and Christian Louboutin shoes

FREIDA PINTO

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Bra top and shorts by Peter Som and Louis Vuitton Swarovski rhinestone and resin rings

Freida Pinto on ethnicity in Hollywood…
“I think people are starting to become more color-blind in the industry. Of course, my Indian-ness cannot be ignored. At the same time, if I am being considered for a romantic comedy, I would like if [the script] didn’t try to inject as much ethnicity into the story as possible.”

Freida Pinto on filming in Tunisia when the uprising broke out….
“There was a civil war going on. People were burning down shops and malls; there was killing and bloodshed. I was stuck in this massive hotel with 354 rooms and only six guests. The lights kept shutting down, and there was a 5:00pm curfew. But I wasn’t there by myself: Dev [Patel, her Slumdog costar and current boyfriend] came down to see me. I was so glad I had company.”

Freida Pinto on relationships in Hollywood…
“When a doctor is performing an operation, his mind cannot be somewhere else. And it’s the same with actors. You have to commit yourself mind, body and soul to a project in order to do justice to it. And temptations are rife in this industry, which is why I think it’s important to know yourself before you try to deal with a relationship.”

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Prabal Gurung dress along with a Chopard diamond and white gold bracelet

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Tucker by Gaby Basora bustier and Lela Rose shorts

ASHLEY GREENE

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J.Crew cardigan and Nanette Lepore bikini top and bottom

Ashley Greene on her career post-Twilight…
“It is difficult because people look at you as that character. I want to play a role of a 24-year-old woman, not 17-year-old girls. So I have picked a couple of films like Butter to show that. And it’s perfectly fine not to do anything for a year if I don’t find the right thing.”

Ashley Greene on how it all started at a modeling convention in New York…
“I’m a big believer in “everything happens for a reason.” I’m not saying it wasn’t hard. I lived off Lean Cuisine and had no furniture and shared a bedroom with a girl for a year. I ran up my credit card. But every time I thought, I’m going to fail, something happened that kept me here.”

Ashley Greene on how she avoids the pitfalls of the Hollywood party scene…
“I keep to the ground rules. I’m not going to get drunk at a bar. There are younger girls who look up to me. So I do my best not to stray too far.”

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Dolce & Gabbana dress with a James Colarusso silver necklace

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Marc by Marc Jacobs romper worn with a bracelet and rings by Louis Vuitton

The issue will be available digitally (iPad and Barnes & Noble Nook Color) and newsstands nationwide on April 5.

Photos courtesy of Glamour

Matthew Williamson, Vix Swimwear & The Perfect High Heels

Sorry for my weekend hiatus…I was basking in the sun in Arizona. Now back to reality (which in Chicago is cold, sometimes rain, and always partly cloudy).

The one thing getting me through the week? These amazing sales on Gilt of course! Whether you’re looking for a new pair of shoes, swimsuits for summer, or a new multicolor printed maxi (huge for Spring by the way), Gilt has got you covered.

Vix Swimwear (3/29)– You worked on your bikini bod all winter; now, show it off. Go from pool to party in the versatile, curve-conscious swimsuits, chic cover-ups and vibrant sundresses that rule this collection inspired by the world’s most glamorous beachgoers.

Matthew Williamson (3/30)- These flowered, wispy dresses are detailed with geometric shapes in both subtle and statement-making ways. Pastel pieces are amplified with ruching and intricate beading, which imbues them with a hard, futuristic edge. Rounding it the collection is a complimentary selection of structured jackets in neutrals and muted colors.

The High Heel (3/30)- “I don’t know who invented high heels, but all women owe him a lot.” So spoke sex symbol Marilyn Monroe, and it’s hard to disagree when you see the sky-high stunners on this Gilt sale. From the classic silhouettes to bolder, adorned styles, these high heels will add a kick to all your wardrobe favorites this season.

Foley &  Corinna (3/31) – Foley + Corinna has emerged as a downtown label with New York’s most wanted bags. Part vintage and part modern, these sumptuous leather satchels standout with their own brand of chic yet playful design. Their classic style bag is perfect because you can wear it folded over with a shoulder strap or carry it by the handle…it will be your go-to bag for any season.

Current/Elliott (4/1)– Is there such a thing as owning too many pairs of jeans? Not when designers keep coming up with styles as compelling as these. The skinny jeans have the ideal bunch at the hems, boyfriend jeans sit at just the right spot on the hips, and jeggings come in several styles—including cropped, with an of-the-moment high waist.

Remember, these sales are for GILT MEMBERS only. So JOIN NOW and get shopping!

Premier Episode of ‘So You Wanna Be a Designer’ Reality Fashion Show

Now that the casting for ‘So You Wanna Be a Designer’ is over (see my casting call post for more info), it’s time to watch the show!

Watch creativity, competition and suspense come to life as six aspiring Chicago designers compete to see who is a cut above the rest in the premier of ‘So You Wanna Be a Designer,’ a Kenmore Live Studio online fashion reality show.

The live reality show begins tomorrow  (3/24) as hosted by Debbie Jagel and broadcast on Kenmore’s Facebook page.  This first-of-its-kind reality show will expose six contestants to top designers, stylists and photographers as they learn the inner workings of the fashion business, vying for a grand prize of $20,000 and a Kenmore Elite laundry pair.

Local Chicagoans, fashion fiends and reality buffs are welcome to attend the live broadcast tomorrow night to watch designers add final touches, receive comments and critiques, and ultimately embark on a new challenge to jumpstart their careers.  Head over to the Kenmore Live Studio (678 N. Wells St) tomorrow at 7pm!

For those who cannot attend but want to keep a pulse of the series, visit www.facebook.com/kenmore.