Spring Pleats

Whether you like it or not, pleated skirts and dresses are making a comeback for Spring ’12. I’ve owned some pleated pieces here and there but I’ve never wanted more pleats in my life until this season. With various lengths, colors and even prints…there are such great pleated options out right now!

PhotobucketChloe. Prada. Celine. (via Style.com)

Prada Spring ’12 especially blew me away with the pleats because the color combinations were just unbeatable. Let’s be honest, when does Prada NOT kill it? Exactly…

Short skirts, mid-calf dresses, asymmetrical skirts, maxi dresses. Bright, metallic, pastel, neutral. They’re all pleated…and they’re all awesome. Here’s some of my favorites.

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Which pleats will you be wearing this Spring?

Shop The Night Away Chicago

Chicago Shopping, Next Jump and the 900 North Michigan Shops are teaming up to give you the ultimate shopping experience for one night only! More than 20 of the Gold Coast and Magnificent Mile’s best known retailers are featuring one-night-only insider savings of up to 30% off plus VIP treatment — gifts with purchases, cocktails, and more. In addition, the 900 North Michigan Shops are hosting a Beauty Bazaar  featuring complimentary services including make-up applications and hair styling.

Participating stores include:
J.Crew
Michael Kors
Coach
Kate Spade
Scoop NYC
Vince
Exhale Spa
AllSaints
Furla
Levi’s
Juicy Couture
Lacoste
Ted Baker
Jack Spade
Betsey Johnson
Puma
Karen Millen
La Perla
Solstice
Original Penguin
Denim Lounge

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This is all happening on Thursday, April 19 from 5-9pm only. Don’t miss out on the Beauty Bazaar from 5-8pm on level 2 of the 900 North Michigan Shops. You can RSVP here and as always….happy shopping!

Interview With Brad Goreski

Saturday afternoon I attended Brad Goreski’s book signing at Brooks Brothers and scored an interview with him before the event started. He was such a pleasure to talk to and as always…I was obsessed with his outfit. Wearing Black Fleece head-to-toe (except for a killer pair of Louboutins), how can you not love this?

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We started off chatting about Fashion’s Night Out and how I thought it was great he decided to come to Chicago for that stylish evening. That night in September was his first time here and he’s been back a few more times since. He says he loves Chicago now, and enjoys dining at Pump Room and going to Underground. Before our interview he had just finished brunch at Luxbar, which let’s be honest…you can never go wrong. I also told him his boyfriend Gary is one of my favorite people to follow on Twitter…and I’m kind of obsessed with his dogs, who get lots of air time on It’s a Brad Brad World.

So we all know Brad’s a stylist, has his own TV show and has written a book, but do you know his most prized fashion possession or favorite place he’s traveled? Well now you can find out!

What womenswear designer do you wish designed menswear?
Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel. I wore a head-to-toe Chanel outfit once and I wish he did more menswear. I’d also love to wear Jason Wu.

Favorite place you’ve traveled?
Tokyo for fashion. Greece overall. (where he met his long time boyfriend Gary)

If you had to choose a title for your second book, it would be…
Brad to the Bone.

What’s your process for getting dressed?
I start with one key piece and build everything around that. It’s similar for when I’m styling a client, except the key piece doesn’t always end up being the star of the look.

What’s your most prized fashion possession?
Right now I’m loving my Simon Spurr jacket with leather sleeves. It adds a little edge to my outfit.  But my Louis Vuitton duffle has the most sentimental value. 

Brad, I leave you with one question…when am I going to see this Spurr jacket?? It sounds like something I’d be very interested in borrowing.

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Be sure to pick up a copy of Brad’s new book Born To Be Brad on sale now!

My Prized Fashion Possession on Refinery29

When asked the question “whats the most prized possession in your closet?” my answer will always in some way involve Proenza Schouler. When approached with this very question by Refinery29, the first thing that popped into my head was my custom PS1 of course. Since they already covered that, I decided to give them something different…but still Proenza.

So what did I choose?

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Find out  more by reading the full story and check out what other stylish Chicagoans picked as their prized fashion possessions.

Brian Atwood Clutch at the Swarovski Event

I recently received a lovely package from Skirt PR that I absolutely could not wait to open…

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It’s a gorgeous Brian Atwood clutch from his new line of handbags, sold exclusively on Gilt!

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So when I was getting ready for the Swarovski event Tuesday night, I knew I’d be basing my outfit around this amazing bag. All black. Colorful accessories. But nothing to take away from the clutch. So here it goes…

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PhotobucketTop: Kova &  T. Pants: Rag & Bone. Shoes: Proena Schouler. Cuff: Alexis Bittar. Other Bracelets: Stella McCartney, Chan Luu, Dannijo, Nina Nguyen. Rings: Cartier, Dana Rebecca, Avanessi, Gucci.

So off to Swarovski I go! This event was to celebrate the unveiling of an exclusive window installation created by students of the Fashion Body & Garment Master’s Program, mentored by Nick Cave, of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

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How awesome are the windows?!

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It’s not a Chicago fashion event without running into Amy of Chicago Street Style!

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Loving the Brian Atwood clutch on this sweet Swarovski ottoman!

The event was really cool. I love the new windows and let’s be honest…how can you not love being in a store that sparkles?