LAUNCH: Driving Fashion Forward in Chicago's North Shore

When you receive an invite to a charitable fashion event that includes a runway show featuring local boutiques and student designers at a Mercedes Benz dealership, curiosity alone will have you requesting to be added to the RSVP list. 

So, when I received a request for attendance to LAUNCH: Driving Fashion Forward, you know exactly what happened.  As part of my invite, I was also asked to be a judge for the student designer competition which would award the winning designer with a $5000 scholarship. Needless to say, I was most certainly looking forward to this event.

The Autohaus Edens dealership in Northbrook hosted the event. We all know Mercedes Benz vehicles practically sell themselves. But it was the warm personal welcome by the dealership's president, Michael Rosengarden, that impressed me and had me adding Autohaus to my list of best car dealers in the Chicagoland area.

While guests shopped local vendors and mingled over cocktails and light bites, I had a chance to meet some of the Columbia College student designers.  

Chloe Flora, Jessica Atkins, Agnes Hamerlik and Samm Mackin

After finding out that Columbia College's Melissa Gamble was their professor and mentor, I knew these students were quite talented and would present impressive designs on the runway. 

The North Shore boutiques were the first to be featured. The list of stores included Jolie Femme, Three Sisters, Shirise Shoes, Bett's and Frances Heffernan; all of which provided the audience with some of the best trends for Spring/Summer (eg. peplum, floral, graphic prints and colorblocking).

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Sarca: Rare Finds Off the Beaten Path [EXCERPT]

Ruthie Davis shoes at Sarca

Although the gems and baubles may grab your attention initially, the racks of clothing will have you in awe. The ample amount of textures - think lace, feather, fur, sequin -  and rich colors will have you wanting to play dress up in the super chic dressing rooms. - Chicago Like A Local

Click here to read my latest article on Chicago Like A Local and find out what makes Sarca one of Chicago's prime shopping destinations.

T-Shirt Alert: Threadless Collaborates with Gap

Yes. That's correct. Chicago's own Threadless has collaborated with mainstream retailer, Gap!

If you're unfamiliar with the brand, Threadless is an online community - with the exception of its two local retail locations - known for providing artists the opportunity to bring their designs to life on t-shirts, backpacks, iPhone cases and more. Users submit their designs, which are then in the hands of the community. Based on votes, Threadless determines if the design will go into production. Artists are compensated and consumers get an ever changing selection of customized merchandise. Brilliant concept, right?

The Threadless + Gap collaboration, which includes designs by international artists from Canada to Indonesia, takes the exact same democratic process and makes it available to an even wider audience. Now, consumers can visit their local Gap store to see the designs up close and try on the super soft cotton tees that will have you wanting to head towards the register with at least two in hand.

Last week, Gap and Threadless hosted a soiree for press to check out the newly-launched collection. Music, food and drinks were in abundance while attendees shopped both the Threadless collection and the new Spring goodies Gap had in store.

I walked away with the Love You and So Into You tees. Both of these have a sentimental theme, which is completely in contrast with the more humorous men's designs I favored: Pyramid Scheme (displays an actual pyramid screaming "Gimme All Your Money!") and Born for the Job (shows a block of cheese holding up a camera while telling his subject to "Say My Name").

Unlike the regular Threadless tees, the Gap collaboration designs are gender specific. So unfortunate. My fingers are crossed that Gap will make each of the designs available to everyone. I mean, a girl could use that Car Audio tee in her life!

Click HERE to view the entire collection. Then, let me know which t-shirt is your personal favorite.


*Threadless + Gap will introduce new shirts in late Spring. Enter your own design(s) to be considered for the next round (submissions close on March 19, 2012).
**Special thanks to Bethany Allen and Threadless for the invite and complimentary t-shirt.

Celebrating Black History Through Fashion: '70s Style Mavens

What better way to kick off this year's Celebrating Black History Through Fashion series than with a photo of my mom (on the far right) with her sisters!

From my mom's high collared dress to my aunt's pinstriped jumpsuit, the Taylor sisters are working it!!

This has always been one of my favorite photos. One, because my mom and aunts represent all shades of brown. And two, because, although they are color coordinated, each sister's individual style shines through. Of course my mom is wearing red - which is still her favorite color to this day.

This photo is also physical proof of where my love for a belted waist and puff sleeves originated.  Thanks, mom.

I absolutely love these women, not only for helping to shape my personal style but for being fabulous inside and out!

Click here to view more "Celebrating Black History Through Fashion". Feel free to submit your  own photos to blackhistory@chitownfashionista.com.

ChiTown Fashionista is in Vegas for MAGIC!

I'm currently in Las Vegas attending the MAGIC trade show! Over 5000 designers and brands are here taking over two convention centers to network with one another and connect with buyers and media.

I'm really looking forward to Launch Pad at WWDMAGIC (20 emerging brands showcasing their collection in a gallery-like setting), FN Platform (a showcase of 100s of footwear brands that I've aptly deemed as "shoe heaven") and Heart of Prêt (30+ European designers looking to gain some shine in the U.S.).

There will also be a slew of runway shows, book signings, seminars and blogger panels...not to mention the 'Dreaming of Chanel' exhibition featuring 16 vintage Chanel dresses.

And all of that equates to a lot of walking. Yes. Cute flats are in tow.

From upcoming trends to the brightest stars in clothing, footwear and accessories, I will be soaking it all in and sharing as much as possible with all of you!

So, you know the drill. Follow me on Twitter (or view my live tweets below) as I navigate the many aisles of MAGIC today and tomorrow.*

*Also follow hashtag #MAGICLV to stay up-to-date on all tweets related to the trade show.

Have you ever been to MAGIC? Do you have tips on the best way to conquer it all? Any specific brands or designers you want me to check out?

My Jason Wu for Target Experience...as seen on Twitter

The Jason Wu for Target collection launched yesterday with much anticipation and excitement amongst the fashion community. Actually, many who don't necessarily stay abreast  of fashion news were enthusiastic about the collection simply based on the adorably captivating Jason Wu + Target commercial. Even my mom said, "can you pick me up one of those cute t-shirts with the cat on it".

As with any designer collaboration, it's serious business for those in the know. Staying up through the wee hours of the night to take advantage of the online sales or getting up extra early to beat the crowds in-store is the normal protocol. Remember my Lanvin for H&M adventure?

Luckily, I was still awake at 2AM on Sunday when the items went up for sale on the Target website. I quickly snatched up the t-shirt for mom and two blouses for myself. I was content with my purchases but still decided to head to the store to see the goods in person.

Of course, I took to Twitter to keep my fellow fashionistas informed. Here's how it went down:

Overall, I was not overly impressed with the clothing. As mentioned in one of my tweets, the jersey shirts and dresses, the trench and the tote were the best finds.* I was told that the quality of the navy poplin dress and the flared black dress were also on par. Needless to say, when my blouses arrive, they will be returned.

Oh well, can't win 'em all.

I know that quality and fabric choice has to be sacrificed to keep prices down. But what do you think? Should the Target designer collaborations focus a little more on quality, even if it means an increase in price? Or do you think cost should remain the priority and Target should continue to cut corners to keep the price as reasonable as possible? I know there is a happy medium. But I'm not sure Target has found it yet.

Let me know your thoughts. And also share what you scored from the collection!

*Since the handbags and scarves were nowhere in sight when I arrived, I can't comment on those.

Leaders 1354: Streetwear At Its Finest [EXCERPT]

"Inside, you will discover the latest – and sometimes the rarest – footwear from mainstream brands such as Nike as well as lesser known, yet equally appealing, names like Amongst Friends.  Clothing designers Play Cloths, Robotic Minds and Chicago’s own Enstrumental, are right at home in this retail space surrounded by graffiti walls and vibrant artwork."

Click HERE to see what else I discovered at Leaders 1354.

LINKING UP: Chic Outerwear; Refinery29's Open-Call Photo Shoot; The Perfect Leopard Pumps; Stylist Ni'ma Ford; Brahmin Handbag Love

Miss Renaissance makes bundling up look SO chic! (click HERE to get some winter-weather inspiration)

Refinery29 is hosting an open-call street style photo shoot! (click HERE to find out how to get snapped by Amy Creyer of Chicago Street Style)

Having to return my new Zanotti shoes means I'm still on the hunt for the perfect leopard pump. Fashion Bananas is certainly on the right track. (click HERE to join me in my animal attraction)

The Sartorialist profiles stylist Ni'ma Ford. (click HERE to learn more about my newfound style crush)

eat.sleep.wear. has me falling in love, again, with Brahmin handbags. (click HERE to see why)

Visit CurrentlyObsessed.me to "Stalk" My Ever-Changing Fashion Obsessions

On any given day, you can find me tweeting or updating the ChiTown Fashionista Facebook page with of-the-moment items I'm currently coveting.

The newly created website, CurrentlyObsessed.me, has made it extremely easy for readers and followers to keep track of my ever-changing obsessions and view them all in one central location!

Not only does CurrentlyObsessed.me allow members to "stalk" my obsessions, but it also links the merchandise directly to the retailer's website, allowing users to purchase the items and receive immediate gratification. You know the fashion consumption enabler in me is especially happy about that!

Once you sign up, you can also create your own page to list all of the items you've grabbed from my profile as well as some of the other bloggers listed on the site.

I add items to my profile almost daily. So, click HERE to check out my latest finds. While you're there, don't forget to hit the "Stalk Me" button in the top right corner (sign up is required to join the site). It will demonstrate your support of my online shopping addiction. And that, my friends, is a good thing.

As you can see, gold jewelry and cobalt blue are prevalent throughout my wishlist. Is there anything particular that you've found yourself obsessing over recently?

Shoppin' and Stylin' at Mr. and Mrs. Digz

A few weeks ago, I was invited to Mr. and Mrs. Digz to check out the store and style looks from their wide variety of merchandise.

With a 4-part store concept (designer vintage, consignment, new and handmade)*, I had a feeling that I would be overwhelmed with choices from which to style our lovely model, Rochelle. And I was indeed correct!

*For more information on the store, click HERE to view my post on Chicago Like A Local

Since this was my first time visiting Mr. and Mrs. Digz, I took a few moments to browse the store and get myself acquainted with the well-edited collection of clothing, jewelry and accessories. I was particularly impressed with the range of sizes that were offered AND the presence of a men's section. It truly is a one-stop shop.

Here are just a few things I discovered during my walkthrough:

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Holiday Gift Ideas from the Chicago Blogger Network

If you're still on the hunt for the perfect gift or looking to add more to your own wish list, check out the Chicago Blogger Network Holiday Gift Guide!

Over 30 local bloggers recommended their "favorite things" this holiday season and it resulted in one of the most impressive gift guides I've seen. It is filled with a variety of unique items, some of which are made by local designers and/or sold in local boutiques.

Yours truly also participated. Can you find my item above?   
hint: My love for this brand started over a year ago.

Click HERE to view the entire gift guide, along with the links to each item and the respective blogger.

Then tell me, which item(s) did you like the most? Which one of your "favorite things" would you add to the list?

Linking UP: Stylish Work Wear; The Perfect Winter Outfit; The New Age Diary; Sound Advice from a Top Fashionpreneur

Refinery29 challenges us to spruce up our work wear. And we're certainly up for it! (Click HERE for a wardrobe boost)

Le Blog de Big Beauty has me dreaming of velvet dresses, ladylike handbags and mirrored brooches. (Click HERE to find out why)

Swa-Rai has discovered the coolest diary on the market! (Click HERE to reignite your childhood journal-keeping days)

Fashionista.com receives great business advice from Rent the Runway's Jenn Hyman. (Click HERE to see why business plans are practically unnecessary)

True Blessyn: Trunk Show Details, Insider Scoop & Behind-The-Scenes Photos

Everyone knows that I love to support emerging designers, especially when they produce quality goods.  Shani Brown, of True Blessyn, is one such designer. After years in the making, True Blessyn is ready to officially launch and will be celebrating with its first trunk show this Saturday!

Before you attend, here are some interesting facts and a bit of insider scoop...

A few months ago, Shani let me bear witness to her Spring 2012 lookbook photo shoot. It was then that I was able to check out the clothing up close, snap behind-the-scenes photos and chat with her about the collection.

Shani has dedicated the collection, entitled Dream Chaser, to women "doing what they have to do to make their dreams a reality". Being from Jamaica has influenced Shani's love for color. And it is certainly a prevalent characteristic throughout her collection.
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The Chicago Blogger Shopping Crawl: Fashion, Fun and Fellowship

(l-r) Andrea, Gabriel, me, Raijean, Dee Dee, Hallie, Patrice, Tabitha, Jen, Elise, Mariposa, Lisa

The Chicago Blogger Shopping Crawl has come and gone.  Yet, I'm still recovering from all the shopping, in-store scavenger hunt missions, Twitter challenges and fun times!

I put my tagline - "the enabler of fashion consumption" - to the test last weekend and passed with flying colors. Everyone left the crawl with tons of bags and lighter wallets. SCORE!

Here's a recap of the day.

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Eddie Bauer: The Blogger Day Styling Event and My Reunion With The Brand

As long as I can remember Eddie Bauer has been synonymous with quality. In my high school days, if you owned an Eddie Bauer backpack or portfolio (remember those?), you were definitely considered as one of the "cool kids". But there was more to it than status. Yes, they cost more than most bags. But we all knew that purchasing an Eddie Bauer meant you could last all four years with the same bag, no problem. It was one of my first examples of the consumer mantra "you get what you pay for".

However, as time went on, Eddie Bauer fell off my radar. I knew it was the best source for down coats - I even blogged about one of their coats 2 years ago - but hadn't made a purchase in years!

So, when I was invited to to attend Eddie Bauer Blogger Day (#EBBloggerDay) and style models in the 2011 Holiday Collection, I jumped at the chance to reconnect with the brand and see what the store had to offer besides outerwear.

Before arriving to the Mag Mile store (600 N. Michigan Avenue), I had a chance to view some digital images of the collection and knew that the quilted leather Military Jacket (shown below) would be a blogger favorite.

But I was determined to use some of the other great pieces in the collection to style our lovely female model, Jade.

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Trendevous at Carson's: An unexpectedly great shopping experience for the department store skeptic

With Autumn in full swing, everyone is looking to update their wardrobes with items that keep them warm while maintaining their sense of style.

So, when Carson's in Yorktown Mall (Lombard, IL) invited me to Trendezvous, their Fall trend show, I was certainly curious to see what this department store had to offer this season.  As a shopper that tends to avoid department stores like the plague, I was highly impressed with the fashion show.  

I already expected the show to consist of items by designers such as Michael Kors, Kenneth Cole, John Bartlett, Victor Alfaro, and the store's newest addition, Vince Camuto. But it was the use of Ford models and the coveted looks created by the Carson's styling team that pleasantly surprised me. The mixing of patterns, the execution of layering and subtle styling choices - like the fur infinity scarf worn off the shoulder - provided the audience with ideas on how to wear the trends this season.

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Shop Lissa for Statement Pieces by Emerging Designers [EXCERPT]

"Style trendsetters will feel right at home here. However, even those who are looking to simply ramp up their look will appreciate [owner] Melissa’s discerning eye for finding clothing and accessories that are fashion-forward yet completely wearable."

Click HERE to read my entire post on Chicago Like A Local.

[Outfit] JCPenney Liz Week "7 Days of Style": Girl Friday

It's been a long time since I've shopped in JC Penney. Although they have great designer collaboration lines with the likes of Nicole Miller, MANGO and Charlotte Ronson, I never make my way to the store.

So, when JCPenney contacted me to shop the Liz Claiborne collection as part of their "7 Days of Style" Liz Week Celebration, I was eager to get there to see what was available and how I could incorporate the items into my existing wardrobe.

Seven bloggers were chosen to represent each day of the week. Being that I was "Friday", I decided to pull together a weekend look that is great for a lunch date or shopping trip with the girls. Plus, each of the items not only work well together, but with numerous other items in my closet.

The Ponte Poncho was a no-brainer. I have a semi-obsession with wearing capes adorned with brooches. This one is particularly special because it's reversible. Navy on one side, brown on the other. Oh, and it has pockets. LOVE!

The Button Front Shirt has a classic look and fit. Not only is it great for the weekend, but it will also work well with a pencil skirt for work.

The Leather Trim Bootcut Jeans are extremely comfortable and have a dark denim wash that's easy to dress up or down.

Of course I had to add some fun accessories! A belt for waist definition, a watch and some bracelets for a mini "arm party" and an oversized bag to hide some of the shopping bags from the hubby. Only kidding...maybe.

BRACELETS: Kenneth Jay Lane (purchased from the Randolph Street Market), Kate Spade
WATCH: Croton
BROOCH: Le Bouton
BELT: J. Crew
HANDBAG: YSL (purchased from Luxury Garage Sale 
SHOES: Maison Martin Margiela


A good high(price)/low(price) mix, don't you think?

To get your hands on the Liz Claiborne collection at JCPenney's expense, click HERE to enter the "7 Days of Style Contest". You could win an all-expense paid trip to NYC, a $1000 Liz Claiborne shopping spree and other fabulous goodies! Be sure to think of me if you win.

Have you visited JCPenney recently? Are you a fan of the Liz Claiborne collection or any of the other designer lines?


Disclosure: JCPenney provided me with a $100 gift card to shop the Liz Claiborne collection. Since I can never stick to a shopping limit, I forked over a little bit of my own money to cover my purchases.

Kokorokoko: The Sartorial Time Machine [Excerpt]

 

"Looking to revisit the days when big hair and oversized earrings reigned supreme and acid wash denim was cool? Then, Kokorokoko [pron: coco-ro-coco] is the place to be!"

Click HERE to read my entire post on Chicago Like A Local.

How (and Why) to Shop TJ Maxx

As a shopper that refuses to pay retail for most items, I practically live in TJ Maxx. On my lunch break or on the weekends, you can find me at a TJ Maxx either in the city or as far out as Naperville. Even when I travel, I try to visit the nearest TJ Maxx before heading back home.

For some, TJ Maxx can be a bit overwhelming because, unlike department stores and boutiques, every section is not organized by designer or color. It takes patience to go through the many racks and shelves but I guarantee that finding a designer treasure at a fraction of retail makes it all worth it.

When TJ Maxx contacted me to take a tour of the State Street store (with a complimentary gift card) and learn more about how the retail locations operate, I jumped at the opportunity. 

Of course, there were quite a few things I wanted to photograph to give you an idea of what you can expect to find there. But this time around I was more focused on providing you with information on how to successfully navigate the store and understand why you should frequent TJ Maxx.

Here's a little bit of what I already knew plus what I discovered during my personal tour (along with a few photos to entice you even more).

HOW:
 

1. Overwhelmed by the rows of racks? Start on the displays that are located in the front of the store and on the outskirts of each section. These displays are organized by designer and size to help ease you into what I like to call " digging in the racks".

2. Pay attention to the "compare at" value on the tag. Not only will this make you even more excited about the bargain you are receiving, this will also help when reasoning with the spouse on how much damage you did. Works like a charm every time.

3. Buy now, think later. Due to the high turnover and limited quantities at TJ Maxx, leaving an item in the store pretty much means it will be gone the next day, or even in the same day.  If you like it, buy it. And if you happen to change your mind, take advantage of  TJ Maxx's extremely accommodating return policy.

4. Shop often because every TJ Maxx (and Marshalls) receives more than 10,000 new items each week

5. Befriend the store manager to stay up to date on when new shipments arise.

6. Purple tags are a label lover's dream. These indicate premium brands such as Prada, Celine and Rachel Roy.

WHY:

1. Items in TJ Maxx are priced up to 60% less than department and specialty stores. Additionally, majority of these items are from the current season. I can actually attest to this since there have been several times where I've scored an item at TJ Maxx and later spotted it at another store at the retail price.

2. The buyers at TJ Maxx are "ultimate treasure hunters". And rightfully so! Unlike department and specialty stores who buy on a cyclical schedule, TJ Maxx and Marshalls buyers travel over 40 weeks a year to over 60 countries to find the best deals on the latest trends. This opportunistic buying explains why each TJ Maxx receives such a large amount of items per week. And with 1700+ stores combined, the buyers also have the ability to negotiate better prices and pass the savings along to customers.

3. You can shop all of the trends in one location. TJ Maxx is going to be well-stocked with the following Fall 2011 trend items:

• capes and ponchos
• faux fur
• leather (from motorcycle jackets to knee high boots)
• outerwear, footwear and handbags in bordeaux, jewel tones and neutrals
• animal prints
• wide leg trousers and jeans.

Being a social media junkie, I was excited to learn that some stores are now on Twitter!

Here are the Chicagoland Twitter accounts:*

twitter.com/tjmaxxfullerton (my favorite lunchtime getaway location)

twitter.com/tjmaxxoakbrook (the best location for high-end designer items)

twitter.com/tjmaxxdownersgr

These store managers actively tweet about their new shipments as well as the designer items they currently have in stock. It's the perfect way to stay informed.

My last piece of advice for shopping TJ Maxx...

Enjoy yourself! A trip to TJ Maxx is hardly ever quick. With so many great items for women, men, children and home, set aside some time to simply enjoy yourself. That's how all the best treasures are found. Just don't buy up all of the good stuff. OK?

Are you a TJ Maxx shopper? Let me know your favorite locations and why.

*If you're not in Chicago and want to find out if your local TJ Maxx is on twitter, visit the store locator page and enter your zip code. The twitter name will be listed with the store, if applicable.

**special thanks to Mikinzie Stuart and TJ Maxx for the tour and gift card.