Style Expose Blog

1/28/2009

Want to Show at Copenhagen Fashion Week?

From Fashionista:
If you like cocktails, fashion and Copenhagen - here's a fun project.

There's a cherry flavored liqueur called Heering and they've come up with six different cocktails: Classic, Romantic, Exotic, Vintage, Dramatic and Rock'n'Roll (the actual recipes are listed on their site).

Whoever makes the best cocktail dress inspired by one of the above drinks gets their own runway show during Copenhagen Fashion Week in the Fall of 2009 - so you'll show your Spring 2010 collection.

To qualify, you must either be in your last year of school or a new designer, as in, you've been designing for one to three years. You must submit a technical drawing, a description of the dress and a description of the fabric along with a current resume. If your design is chosen, you'll be given the money to produce the dress and it will compete on a runway in Singapore at the start of the summer with dresses from fifteen other countries.

If yours wins, book a flight to Denmark.

1/28/2009

Planning on being in New York February 9th?

If you are planning on being in New York during February, read this post from Refinery29 Pipeline:
Thistle & Clover, one of our fave Brooklyn boutiques, is hosting its fifth Open Call for new design talent on February 9th. All you as-yet-undiscovered Wangs and Thakoons out there better hurry and sign up for a half-hour time slot to meet with the buyers and show off your (presumably) fantastic wears. Focusing on local Brooklyn talent, owners Camilla Gale and Rand Niederhoffer are always on the lookout for fresh meat. Their last Open Call netted them the adorable new line Edelweiss by Sarah (by Sarah Seilbach, of recent Daily Candy fame). So round up your portfolios, stitch up those seams, and good luck!!

1/27/2009

The Seldom's 3X3 And Afterparty

Join The Seldom's at three world premiers by three Chicago choreographers at the Dance Center at Columbia College , 1306 S. Michigan Avenue.
Enjoy the performance on these dates:

February 19-21, 2009 at 8:00 pm February 21, 2009 at 7:00 pm February 21, 2009 at 3:00 pm for the Family Dance Matinee

Please call (312) 369-6600 or at colum.edu/dance center to purchase tickets. Ticket prices range from $24.00 — $28.00.

Also check out The Seldom's Afterparty at Underground with a post performance benefit featuring a runway show by designers Lara Miller, Anke Loh, Abigail Glaum-Lathbury, and Moire Conroy.

The afterparty is taking place at The Underground, 56 W. Illinois on Saturday February 21 from 9:00 pm — 11:00 pm.

1/27/2009

Chicago Company Active Endeavors Closes its doors

After closing their stores last year, the e-commerce portion of local company, Active Endeavors, has closed its doors as well.

1/26/2009

Evil Kitty Sample sale on www.evilkitty.net

Check out Evil Kitty's Sample Sale! Prices will start as low as $10. All t-shirts will cost only $20 (regular prices: $32-$42). Other items will be 40-50% off.

The sale will take place on www.evilkitty.net. It starts today and goes through Sun. Feb 8th.

Happy Shopping!

1/21/2009

Beta Boutique Stacked Racks Event this Weekend

Join Beta Boutique on Saturday and Sunday, January 24th and 25th for their CRAZY semi-annual blow out event! Shop with hundreds of other recessionistas scouting for deals you just can't miss.
Browse local designers Sophia Reyes, Heroine Chic and more!
When: January 24th from 10am-6pm and January 25th from 12-5pm
Where: 1552 N. Milwaukee Ave., 2nd floor loft space (between North & Honore, above Levi's store)

1/21/2009

Fashion First Steps Packet

The Fashion First Steps packet is a great way to be introduced to not only our program, but to the fashion industry in general. The link was broken for a few days but it's up again so sign up,login and enjoy!

1/20/2009

LUX Ladies Night Featuring K. Amato

Stop by LUX Ladies Night taking place on Wed., Jan. 28 at Lux Bar. From 6-8, guests will enjoy complimentary cocktails and appetizers, as well as the latest designs from Chicago's own Kristen Amato.

Lux Bar
Upper Level
18 E. Bellevue, Chicago, IL

1/19/2009

Washington Post Has Found Chicago Fashion

Last week, the Washington Post focused in on Chicago fashion and our soon to be first ladies spotlight on it. The article probes, "So what is Chicago style beyond big coats, warm boots and long, flat vowels? Does it even exist?"

The article goes on to quote, "Chicago is not a fashion wasteland as people have come to regard the Midwest. It is very fashion conscious," Byrd-Blaylock says firmly. "They follow the fashion rules more closely. They ask themselves, 'How do we put that together in a way that is sophisticated and not too whimsical?' In New York and L.A. they're more focused on personal style and quirkiness."

Addressing local designers, "Trying to set up a design business outside New York or Los Angeles adds an additional hurdle to an already tough business. But designers here have found both a method and a customer base. Melissa Serpico, for example, found an affordable location on a spotty stretch of North Ashland Street in Wicker Park. In Chicago, she says, 'You either have to start your own business or go elsewhere.'"

Whether you agree with the article or not, Chicago does have its own fashion vibe and it is thriving. One important point addressed, is that we are not trying to be New York. We are Chicago. "All politics might be local, but in Chicago, fashion is, too."

1/14/2009

Serpico Winter Clearance Cocktail Party

Join Serpico for their winter clearance shopping event!

Wool coats, silk dresses, silk jersey tops, cocktail attire, all at least 60% off.

Friday, January 23rd 2pm-8pm
1514 N. Ashland Ave.

1/13/2009

Kate Boggiano Moving Sale

As the Chicago Fashion Incubator closes its inaugural year and the new designers transition in, the first class of designers are moving on. Kate Boggiano is having a HUGE moving sale to celebrate this transition.

Here's how it works: The online moving sale begins January 19th and will run through January 31st, 2009. Everything on the site will be discounted 25-75% including clearance items. Interested customers may sign up for the email list at Kateboggiano.com to be notified of the start of the sale.

Any items left over from the online sale will be available for purchase on Friday, February 6th from 5-8pm and Saturday February 7th from 10am-3pm at the Kate Boggiano studio on the 11th floor of Macy's state Street, 111 N. State Street, Chicago, IL. All merchandise will be under $100.00. The moving sale will be open to the public but RSVP's are mandatory. Please include your name, # of people attending, and where you heard about the event in the body of the email and send it to: sales@kateboggiano.com. Instructions as to how to get to the studio on the 11th floor will be sent back to you.

1/12/2009

Chic Gems and Evolve Intimates Event at Lather Salons

Lather Salon (www.LatherChicago.com) is hosting a Girls Night Out event to benefit PAVE-Promoting Awareness, Victim Empowerment. The event, which will be held at both salon locations, will take place at the Damen Location (4831 N Damen) on Wednesday January 28 and at the Montrose Location (1826 W. Montrose) on Thursday January 29 from 6:30-8:30pm both nights. Ladies will be able to get a complementary consultation for their dream hair color and cut by one of the experts of Lather Salon.

Local designer, Sarah Radford, of Chic Gems, Etc. will feature the latest jewelry designs from her spring collection. Evlove Intimates will give you a chance to custom design your very own lingerie with designer Jenny Dombroski. Guests will enjoy 10% off all of Chic Gems and Evlove Intimates.

Light hourderves , wine, and beer will be served throughout the evening. There will be a raffle to benefit P.A.V.E. Also, look forward to special guest speaker, Angela Rose, from P.A.V.E. http://pavingtheway.net.

1/7/2009

Boutiqueville is in Stitches

Boutiqueville and New City wrote a great article on the Stitches Program this week. Showcasing the talent of our clients and of the rising talent coming out of Chicago, this piece is a great overview of whats to come in Chicago fashion.

1/7/2009

Reyes Your Glass

One of Gen Art's Fresh Faces of 2008, Sophia Reyes is a young designer to watch out for in Chicago. This Parsons grad has completed three collections of fun, flirty dresses. Her design aesthetic combines classic shapes with an interesting twist such as a ruffle bottom, color blocked straps or a racerback. Reyes is inspired by the adventurous woman with a drive for continuous change. Reyes creates that dress that you want hanging in your closet before that big party. Shop the Sophia Reyes line at Studio-808.com, Tangerine and Fuchsia.

1/6/2009

Evil Kitty Sample Sale at Macy's

Chicago Fashion Incubator Designer in Residence, Evil Kitty, is having a sample sale on Saturday, January 10th at Macy's

This huge sale will have pieces starting at just $10! Get their early so you don't miss out on these great deals.

Also, Evil Kitty will be raffling a membership to The Evil Kitty Fan Club, the Evil Kittens, as well as the goody bag that comes with the membership. Doesn't everyone want to be an evil Kitten?

Where: Macy's, 111 N State St.
When: Saturday, January 10th from 12pm-6pm

1/6/2009

Call for Designers: The Athletic Fashion Design Competition

The Little Black Pearl and the Apparel Industry Board present...
The Athletic Fashion Design Competition

A challenge for designers who love a little function in their fashion. $500 prize.

Submit one colored sketch, either footwear, apparel or both on an 8.5 x 11" piece of paper including fabric swatches and a short description of what makes your design innovative. Sketch must be in full color with indication of what materials used by providing swatches.

Submit by JANUARY 10TH AT 5PM. If you have questions, please call 312.836.1041.

For application, please email elise@chicagolandec.org

Submit application to AIBI, Athletic Design Competition, 350 N Orleans St., Ste. 690, Chicago IL 60654

1/5/2009

Get Initiated into The Bride Society

The Bride Society is the Lifestyle Network for Brides, Newlyweds and Happily-Marrieds — a Chicago based, national online bridal planning and romance resource focusing on beauty, fashion, style and romance- www.thebridesociety.com
This boutique site is all about celebrating your beauty and style on the "White Carpet" and beyond. Search their growing assortment of quality vendors and get ideas as you peruse the Bridal and Engagement Diaries and fun editorials. For Newlyweds and Happily-Marrieds, don't forget you can create a special memento of your own wedding day to celebrate, captivate and inspire.

Calling all brides, newlyweds, happily-marrieds & bridal fashion designers:
Now accepting Bridal & Engagement Diary submissions nationwide- email thegirls{at}thebridesociety{dot}com or sign-up on www.thebridesociety.com.

For modeling consideration and potential product reviews in our Brides Gone Style TM online editorial magazine - email thegirls{at}thebridesociety{dot}com or call 773.250.7777.

And once you have joined the bride society, don't forget you will need a great bag for your honeymoon. Try the Honeymoon bag, a cute and affordable, over-sized cotton tote with the "honeymoon bag" logo tactfully written on the outside (proving to be a subtle way to get those special perks from flight attendants and hotel staffers).

1/5/2009

Serpico Post Holiday Sale

Shop the Serpico Post Holiday Sale. Their modern Fall/Winter 08 Collection is now 60% off.

The Serpico Boutique
1514 N Ashland