June 24, 2011

Food Pairings: Maude’s Liquor Bar & Marc Jacobs

As per request of many readers, I have officially decided to incorporate food posts as part of my blog. To put the fashion in ChiCityFashion I created a new category called Food Pairings where I pair each restaurant and meal with a designer. So instead of a complimentary Cabernet or a perfect Pinot Grigio, I choose Prada, Proenza or in this case, Marc Jacobs. So with that said…

After making a reservation over a month ago, I finally had the chance to eat at Maude’s Liquor Bar this week. The ambiance is dark, romantic and sophisticated but with a welcoming laid-back feel. The food is French inspired with a focus on seafood, but with a playful American twist. The menu is perfect for foodies looking for exotic offerings like foie gras, bone marrow, and escargot. Of course there are some simpler items like pomme frites, steak, and mussels.

Photobucket

So what did I eat you may be wondering? Well let me elaborate…

Let's start off with some bone marrow, shall we?

Mussels and fries...you can't beat this combo

Roast Farm Chicken...one of the best chicken dishes I've ever had

Only offering one dessert, it had to be good...Creme Brulee. Dig in!

So, where does Marc Jacobs come into play? He’s the first designer I thought of when I really took in the atmosphere, the restaurant’s aesthetic and the food overall. Marc Jacobs is a well known American designer who is also the creative director for one of the most famous French design houses, Louis Vuitton. His designs are sophisticated and tasteful but always have a subtle playfulness…just like Maude’s.

Marc Jacobs Spring 2011

Louis Vuitton Spring 2011

So wear your favorite Marc Jacobs dress and bring your Louis Vuitton Speedy for a delicious night out at Maude’s.

Runway photos: Style.com

June 6, 2011

Red Carpet Fashion: 2011 MTV Movie Awards

The MTV Movie awards were last night. Overall, they were less painful than I expected. Jason Sudeikis was pretty funny, the fashion was subpar and the backdrop on stage really confused me, but I didn’t mind that 2 hours of my life so I can’t complain.

Let’s get to the stuff that really matters…the red carpet of course.

Amanda Bynes in Hervé Léger

Man did I LOVE Amanda Bynes in her All That days. However, I am so not loving her now…in this getup. I’m all for a bold shoe but these have no business being paired with this dress. I hope this is not the work of a stylist because if it is, they should probably consider another profession.

Brooklyn Decker in No. 21

Short sequin dress and plain black pumps. Boring. Standard.

Elle Faning in Dolce & Gabbana

I like the individual elements and I’m all for mixing prints but I’m just not feeling this. And although this is not the most formal award show, I still find this outfit a little casual for the occasion.

Emma Watson in Marchesa

A little simple for my taste, but she looks really great here. These types of award shows tend to bring out the “trashy” when it comes to celeb style but Emma looks classic and chic here. So refreshing to see a look I don’t hate.

Hailee Steinfeld in Louis Vuitton

She’s been on a great red carpet streak since the SAG awards, but unfortunately….all good things must come to an end. She’s SO adorable and so young…why would she even think about wearing a pantsuit? AND it’s June. Nothing about this outfit says Spring/Summer…nor does it say “I’m 14.”

Jessica Szohr in Alice & Olivia

I never really cared for her story lines in Gossip Girl, nor do I care for this jumpsuit.

Kristen Stewart in Balmain

Let’s start off with this positive…she doesn’t look miserable. So I feel bad dissing her outfit. But let’s be honest…it’s a too-short dress with safety pins. Erica Domesek of PS I Made This could have actually made this. And pointy black pumps? Nine West circa 2006.

Leighton Meester in Balmain

I always want to like her red carpet looks, but I never really do. To be honest, this could have been much worse but I just can’t stop thinking of the JLo disco ball dress (I know there’s many but I mean this one).

Nikki Reed in Heather

I’ve never seen or read Twilight but this looks like Twilight.

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley in Dolce & Gabbana

I’m not the biggest fan of animal print and those shoes look like flat thong sandals at a glance…but overall it’s not terrible. She’s gorgeous so it’s hard for her to look bad, but at the same time…she’s gorgeous so she could have definitely done better.

Selena Gomez in Giambattista Valli

She dresses very sophisticated for her age but I don’t hate it. This is actually a more complex than she usually wears. The overall look is pretty standard though. But of course…she looks gorgeous.

Emma Stone in Bottega Veneta

Let me start off by saying…thank goodness she’s back to this hair color (was not feeling the blonde). Let’s move on by CONGRATULATING EMMA…for not only winning some award in a category I can’t remember (and was probably not that important to begin with) but for being the BEST DRESSED OF THE NIGHT. I absolutely love this dress, and even more on her. Perfect bag. Perfect shoes. Overall perfection!

Mila Kunis in Balmain

If you didn’t watch the awards show, this photo may or may not confuse you. Either way, Mila is yet another celeb wearing Balmain…and unfortunately another miss for me. It’s not that I hate the outfit, because I don’t, but it’s just another “going out” outfit. If you’re going to attend an awards show, especially if you’re presenting, you should try a little harder (even if it’s just MTV).

Photos: Tom & Lorenzo, Just Jared

May 4, 2011

Red Carpet Fashion: 2011 Met Gala (Part 2)

Hope you’ve been keeping up with my Met Gala fashion coverage. If not, see my best dressed picks and part 1 of the red carpet fashion. If you’re all caught up then let’s continue…

Mia Wasikowska in Thakoon

An awkward hemline and boring shoes, but the fit of this dress is stunning. The detailing on the bodice is dramatic enough to make this black dress really stick out. I’ve seen better, but I’ve seen worse.

Mary Kate Olsen in vintage Givenchy Couture

I actually don’t mind the dress…it’s very MKO (vintage and oversized) but the green accessories paired with this red dress? Come on. You can’t help but think, CHRISTMAS. And are those bells sticking out of the necklace and bracelet? This outfit is only appropriate on December 25th (if that).

Leighton Meester in Louis Vuitton

She always means well. Leighton truly thinks she’s making fashionable choices, but unfortunately the styling is always all wrong. From the neck up you’d think she’s wearing a flowing gold strapless gown, and from the neck down you’d think she’s about to start torturing you…with a whip.

Lea Michele in Escada

Lea always looks gorgeous on the red carpet. I will give her that. But this is way too understated for the Met Gala. I know she can do better.

Jennifer Lopez in Gucci

Nothing is working for me here. Pink bag with a pink dress, then red lips, with crazy floral shoulder detailing and that neck wrap…it’s just too much! Sorry JLo…I’d stick to the sequins you’re used to.

Jennifer Hudson in Vera Wang

Waist up is gorgeous. Waist down is a disaster.

Iman in Stella McCartney

The same rules apply to SJP as they do to Iman. You do not criticize, you just admire.

Ginnifer Goodwin in custom Topshop

I really do appreciate what she’s trying to do here. I actually love this dress on its own, I think the shoes are awesome, but the face she’s giving with her odd haircut kind of scares me. I’m not a huge fan of this hair style so it automatically makes me hate this overall look.

Florence Welch in YSL

So angelic. This event is meant for people like Florence Welch. It’s her look, and she owns it.

Eva Mendes in Stella McCartney

Not the biggest fan of a the long sleeve one-shoulder dress, however this one is a gorgeous color and I love the pleating. Eva looks pretty, but it’s now wowing me.

Look out for part 3 coming soon!

Photos: Tom & Lorenzo, The Cut

May 3, 2011

Red Carpet Fashion: 2011 Met Gala (Part 1)

It was so hard for me to choose my best dressed picks from the Met Gala last night because there were so many amazing dresses. This is why I think a follow up post (or 2) is much needed. These ladies were probably getting ready since 10am yesterday, so they deserve a little credit right?

Joy Bryant in Missoni

Joy is such a beautiful woman and I do love her in this Missoni dress (it’s kind of hard for me to hate anything Missoni) but it is a little casual for the Met Gala. I mean, it’s a gala…a long sleeve knit dress simply won’t do.

Kristen Stewart in Proenza Schouler, pictured with the designers Jack McCollough & Lazaro Hernandez

As you all know, I LIVE for Proenza Schouler so I hate to say this…but this just isn’t working for me. I don’t hate the dress but Kristen needs to learn how to work the red carpet. She was getting better but she went right back down hill because she looks miserable here. You’re wearing CUSTOM PROENZA K-Stew…try to look a little happier!

Karolina Kurkova in Jean Paul Gaultier Couture

Never thought I’d find myself loving a “mullet hem” dress paired with lace leggings, but for the Met Gala it totally works. She’s a model so owning a look is her job…and she should get a raise because she is doing all sorts of good for Mr. Gaultier.

Isabel Lucas in Louis Vuitton

I am now sort of regretting not including this in my best dressed post, because the more I look at it the more I love it. The dress is a stunning color, the pleats are perfect, and that headpiece only works for this occasion and I find it quite beautiful. If anyone can find me that exact bag, or something very similar, please inform me immediately…because I must have it.

Crystal Renn in Zac Posen

THIS IS HOW YOU OWN A LOOK ON THE RED CARPET. Stunning.

Anna Dello Russo in Alexander McQueen

This is not what I was expecting from ADR, but I’m not totally hating it. She’s the Lady Gaga of the fashion industry, which is why the egg headpiece couldn’t be more perfect. She can wear anything, and do no wrong.

Taylor Swift in J. Mendel

Dear Taylor, thank you for not wearing your hair in those little girl crimps/curls, thank you for not wearing a short sparkly dress, and thank you for doing something DIFFERENT. I normally wouldn’t love this but it’s a step in the right direction so I must say…I’m impressed.

Zoe Saldana in Calvin Klein

Love this color on her. She always kills it on the red carpet. However, this seems a little casual and safe for the Met Gala. She maybe could have pulled it off with some more statement accessories but the gold necklace is not enough to make the cut.

Sarah Jessica Parker in Alexander McQueen

This dress fits her perfectly. The shoe pairing is a little unconventional which I always appreciate. I was expecting something more extravagant from SJP, but in fashion we are not allowed to criticize SJP so I will leave it at that.

Rihanna in Stella McCartney

I don’t really know what to say here. The dress looks amazing on her and I do love the colored earrings paired with it…but the hair is ruining everything. It’s what I like to call “the dragon braid” and when your hair is FLAMING RED, it’s just too much.