February 25, 2011

Althea Harper Fall 2011 Collection

Althea Harper recently showed her Fall 2011 collection during New York Fashion Week. I absolutely loved her Spring presentation when I attended in September so I couldn’t wait to see what this Project Runway alum had in store for Fall.

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Althea knows what looks good on a feminine figure and she designs her clothes based on what women want to wear. Her collection features body-hugging dresses in all sorts of lengths. Whether you want to work a mini dress for a night out or adapt the knee-length trend seen all over the Fall 2011 runways, Althea’s collection has the dress you’re looking for. She also incorporated stylish separates that can be dressed up or down, worn night and day and can easily be incorporated into any wardrobe.

Althea was inspired by movie stars in the 40s, 50s and 60s with a Sci-Fi twist for her Fall 2011 collection. She says that the woman usually plays the victim so she designed her collection based on the empowerment of the women seen in these movies.

Check out Althea Harper’s Fall 2011 collection below.

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Want more? Watch Althea’s Fall 2011 presentation or visit her website at www.altheaharper.com

Photos courtesy of Althea Harper

February 24, 2011

Chicago in New York: Chicago Streetstyle At New York Fashion Week

My good friend Amy Creyer of Chicago Streetstyle Scene recently flew out to New York to take photos during New York Fashion Week. I could not stop stalking her photos while she was there so I definitely had to get the low-down once she returned.

Amy’s been super busy planning her event at Cynthia Rowley tonight but she was nice enough to share what I was dying to know about her NYFW experience. I promise it’s worth the read…enjoy!

Describe your overall first New York Fashion Week experience…

My first New York Fashion Week was in one word–magical. I got to snap a street style photograph of my absolute favorite celebrity stylist, Brad Goreski (formerly of the Rachel Zoe Project). I ran into him the next day and he invited me to his super-exclusive Fashion Force party inside the Lincoln Center tents at the Mercedes-Benz Star Lounge. Other attendees included Andrew Mukamal, Annabet Duvall, and Vanessa Hudgens. I also had the opportunity to work alongside a few of my favorite New York street style photographers; Eddie Newton of Mr. Newton, Phil Oh of Street Peeper, and Adam Sinding of 21eme Arrondissement. The people I had the opportunity to photograph was insane too; Lindsey Wixson, Hamish Bowles, and Iman were a few of the fashion icons I captured street style images of.

Brad Goreski

What was the highlight of your week?

The highlight of my week was attending the Independent Fashion Bloggers Evolving Influence Conference where I got to meet Proenza Schouler designer Lazaro Hernandez. He is amazing and I am more committed to their brand than ever after getting to meet them in person. Along with partner Jack McCullough, Lazaro gave the keynote speech at the conference. The designers discussed the role of blogging in fashion, how they use street style blogs for inspiration when designing, and how the first fashion blog they ever discovered was Oak Park teenager Tavi Gevinson’s Style Rookie. I had the opportunity to meet Tavi outside of the conference at Milk Studios and snapped a street style photograph of her.

Amy Creyer of Chicago Streetstyle Scene with Proenza Schouler designer Lazaro Hernandez

What was your favorite photo you took during New York Fashion Week?

My favorite photo I took during NYFW was the photograph of Iman and June Ambrose in the plaza at Lincoln Center. I love the composition, the lighting, and the movement of the subjects. I very rarely photograph kinetic motion because it’s much trickier than capturing a posed figure, so I am beyond pleased at how well this photograph turned out.

What were people’s reactions to Chicago street style? Were they surprised to see a Chicago street style photographer in NYC?

People still have misconceptions about Chicago fashion as being boring or mall-brand centered. As a Chicago street style photographer, one of my main goals is to change the way people think about Chicago fashion by publishing photographs of stylish Chicagoans on my website. It’s frustrating to have to constantly battle this stereotype, but I think we’re slowly winning the war.

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Don’t forget to check out Amy’s blog www.chicagostreetstyle.com to see all of her amazing photos from New York Fashion Week and of course her snaps of stylish Chicagoans.

All photos taken from Chicago Streetstyle Scene

February 23, 2011

Bright Handbags, Pucci Prints & Oscars Fashion

There are so many great sales happening this week on Gilt…you are going to have a fabulous shopping-filled week! The best part is, all of these items are 50%-70% off retail price, so you don’t have to feel guilty (or shall I say Gilty? Oh yeah I went there)

Check out my favorite sales happening this week on Gilt…

Marc by Marc Jacobs (2/23)–Shop this collection of stylish, perfect-for-layering separates in bright, unexpected colors with a current take on the “retro” aesthetic. Pick up a blazer and some shorts for an on-trend transition-to-Spring look.

Emilio Pucci (2/24)– This assortment includes separates for day, like embellished wrap dresses and belted jersey tops. Find that a little Pucci goes a long way, in the form of a shift adorned only at the elbows, or that a more-is-more attitude works best, evidenced by a floor-length silk chiffon stunner covered entirely in vivid, colorful swirls.

Oscar Sale (2/25)- Celebrate the Academy Awards in Old-Hollywood style. From gorgeous gowns to show-stopping sparklers, this sale has it all. Get red carpet ready with this highly anticipated sale from Gilt.

Handbags: Brights For Spring (2/26)- Spring is right around the corner with its bright soft colors coming soon. Be prepared to grab a bright Spring bag from your favorite designers like Marc Jacobs, Rebecca Minkoff, and more.

Remember, these sales are for Gilt members only. So join now and get shopping!

February 22, 2011

Proenza Schouler Street Style on Chicago Streetstyle

Amy Creyer of Chicago Streetstyle recently photographed me for her blog in my favorite Proenza Schouler pieces. We both know I love Proenza, so why not show it off? Check out Jena in Proenza Schouler for the full post.

Here’s a few extra pictures from the photoshoot…

Dress: Proenza Schouler. Coat: 245 Saint Honoré. Bag: Proenza Schouler PS1. Tights: Wolford

Top: Proenza Schouler. Shorts: Rag & Bone. Coat: 245 Saint Honoré. Clutch: Alexander McQueen. Tights: Wolford. Shoes: Dolce Vita

Sweater: ADAM. Coat: Vintage (from eDrop-Off). Pants: ADAM. Bag: Proenza Schouler Mini Sac. Shoes: Dolce Vita.

All photos courtesy of Amy from Chicago Streetstyle

February 21, 2011

Chicago Event: Brides, Bubbles & Bliss

Join Chicago bride-to-be and America’s Next Top Model Winner, McKey Sullivan and be inspired about wedding day possibilities at Brides, Bubbles and Bliss! Sip champagne, devour culinary delights, preview couture gowns and meet top wedding vendors. Grooms welcome too.

Guests who purchase a bridal ticket will receive a lux tote bag filled with gifts and incentives from boutique vendors and a raffle entry to “An Evening in Chicago” package which includes: one night at Affinia Chicago Hotel, dinner for two at Top Chef Winner Marcus Samuelsson’s C-House Restaurant, a John Allan’s Chicago groom package and more.

Guests will enjoy entertainment by Style Matters DJs and an exclusive run of show by Vera Wang Chicago and Belle Vie Bridal Couture.

A percentage of the proceeds will benefit Deborah’s Place, a center from homeless women in Chicago.

Check out the event details below…

Location: Gallery 1028 (1028 N. Hooker Street, Chicago)

Date: Thursday, March 3, 2011

Time: 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Tickets:

Bridal ticket – $35 Bridal ticket: includes lux tote bag and one raffle entry (“An Evening in Chicago”).

Guest ticket – $25 Guest ticket: includes admission to event only.

Just for the Girls ticket – $95 Get a package for you, your mom and two friends to attend the event. Includes 1 Bridal ticket and 3 Guest tickets. Bridal ticket includes lux tote bag, and entry into raffle (“An Evening in Chicago” package).

VIP Bridal Ticket – $65 VIP Bridal Ticket: includes a reserved seat for runway show, lux tote bag, and entry into raffle (“An Evening in Chicago” package).

VIP Guest ticket – $45 VIP Guest Ticket: includes event admission and reserved seating for runway show.

Premiere VIP – Bride + 3 Guests – $200 Upgraded reserved seating for Bride & 3 guests: VIP Bridal Ticket (includes lux tote bag, and entry into raffle–“An Evening in Chicago” package for the bride) and 3 VIP Guest tickets. Includes front row lounge seating for the bride and her guests to view the exclusive runway show by Vera Wang Chicago and Belle Vie Bridal Couture. Limited availability.

Visit the official Brides, Bubbles and Bliss website for more information: www.bridesbubblesandbliss.com