5 Must Haves for Fall

The Leather jacket

Yes, the bomber is a jacket to keep you warm, but why not pair it with a trendy satin dress? Wear it during cocktail hour with eye-catching heels and bold accessories.

Lovely Floral

Keep the summer feel going with a floral print dress, but in fall’s hottest colors.  A whimsical floral dress can be paired with a great chunky sweater and some cozy tights. One key thing to remember about this outfit: match the sweater to one color in the dress so you don’t look too much like a flower child. Keep it sleek.

Feisty in Leopard

If you are going to buy one trendy piece this fall make sure it is leopard. This print looks best when paired with solid colors.  Leopard is great on cardigans this fall because it can be worn with a cute dress and leggings or just casual with jeans and a tank.

Cargo

One of this season’s “it” colors is olive, making the cargo pant an effortless way to dress on trend. This fall cargo pants can replace your every day jeans. Pair them with fun heals or neat flats to get your desired look.  Cargo pants are coming out in a wide variety of cuts, check out tapered cargo pants that give a flattering and slim fit.

Flare it

Get that desired slimming look with a flared skirt and put it with a body-grabbing blouse. Even a great belt can be added to give the look of that ity-bity waist everyone wants.

Upcoming Events

September is here and there are some great events happening this month!

Zamrie’s Fall 2010 Collection Presented by Chicago Twenty Something

When: September 10^th, 2010

Where: Club Manor (642 N Clark Street Chicago, IL 60654)

What: Start your weekend out with a live fashion show that will be held at the popular club Manor at 11pm with a cocktail hour starting at 10 pm.  The collection is by Ashley Champman, a local designer and Fashion Incubator Graduate.

Official Event Flyer

Sharon Boucher Trunk Show

When: September 11^th, 2010

Where: The Studio (600 W. Cermak, Loft 3b Chicago, IL 60616)

What: For the past 20 years Sharon Boucher has been designing clothing for the sophisticated. On September 11th she will be displaying her new and improved designs.  Come join her and enjoy a night with wine and cheese tastings!

Official Event Flyer

Designer Spotlight – Miriam Cecilia Carlson

Miriam Cecilia Carlson

Miriam Cecilia Carlson

Miriam Cecilia Carlson discovered her love for fashion at a young age and chose to pursue her dream to become a fashion designer by attending Dominican University.

Miriam gained experience as an intern for Zzazz Productions and during her time abroad in Paris where she learned millinery from Jean Paul Gaultier’s milliner and draping techniques from Mme Gres’ seamstresses. These experiences helped her discover her own signature techniques.

Miriam has received many honors and awards. In 2008 she was recognized at Dominican University’s Annual Fashion show for the Best Overall Design. The same year she was chosen to be a part of the Driehause Fashion Show Award of Excellence. In 2009 she won Best Senior Collection at Dominican University. She has also been awarded the Creativity in Fashion award by the Cook County Treasurer. Miriam graduated from Dominican University in May of 2009 Magna Cum Laude.

Miriam began selling her m.c.c. line at Verse Chicago Boutique in 2009. In 2010 she became a Designer in Residence of the Chicago Fashion Incubator. Now a days Miriam is popping up all over Chicago. Just a few weeks ago she walked the red carpet at Macy’s Passport Presents Glamorama 2010 when she designed one of the event’s Office Max supply dresses using only notebooks, brass facets, leather, and a zipper.

Her collections comprise of cocktail dresses, evening dresses, and separates. Miriam’s detailed draping and manipulation of fabric give her pieces her signature look. Her designs look elegant yet effortless. She has something for any woman at any moment in life.

We asked Miriam a few questions. Here is what she had to say!

1. Who are you as a designer?

I grew up occupying my time as a child with sketching girls in ball gowns, staying up late sewing with my mother for 4-H, playing dress up and making Grecian dresses out of sheer curtains. Little did I know that the “girl” I drew would become my classic fashion illustration model, the sewing skills my mother taught me would carry me through college and into producing my own clothing line, and those “curtain dresses” were the beginning of discovering my signature draping technique.  I am now 23 and living a dream that I could never fully admit until now.  I am currently launching my clothing line: miriam cecilia.  I thrive off of working in the city of Chicago and being one of the six Designers in Residents at the Chicago Fashion Incubator.  My family lives out in the country where I am able to escape, breathe, and find my inspiration.

2. What is your inspiration for your line?

I believe that it is the small moments in life that are the ones worth
exploring.  I am drawn to the spontaneous moments found in nature and the simple everyday emotions we feel.  I like to take in the world around me and let the organic moment and natural colors translate into a collection that tells a story. My desire to find meaning in life inspires not only the designs of my garments but also the process of construction.  The development of each new piece is a journey, where I allow the fabric to respond organically to my manipulation.

3. Who is your design muse?

I do not look to people for inspiration… I like to play off of emotions and how they reflect in the natural world.  A snapped branch to me represents a relationship being broken apart or a fern curving into itself demonstrates how people can always come back to each other.  The thick birch forest is my muse, the mist hovering the pasture in the early morning is my muse.

4. What are your upcoming events?

Fashion’s Night Out- September 10th, Macy’s on State St:  miriam cecilia will be showcased where people can place special orders

Italian Expo- September 17, 18, 19, Navy Pier: miriam cecilia will be on display and on the runway for viewers to chose as their favorite

5. How can customers find your line?

Contact miriam@miriamceciliacarlson.com to inquire on a selected garment or a special order.

Here are a few looks from her Fall 2010 collection.

Check out the rest of Miriam’s Fall 2010 collection here.

Emmy Recap

Who was best dressed at the 62nd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards? Here are some of my Hits and Misses.

Hits

(AP Photo/Matt Sayles)

“True Blood’s” Anna Paquin wore this stand out Alexander McQueen dress from the spring collection. She has received a lot of criticism for this dress, but I believe she really pulled it off. It was very flattering on her and really fit for the occasion considering the tough and strong character she plays on “True Blood,” Sookie Stackhouse.

(AP Photo/Matt Sayles)

“Glee’s” Lea Michele looked radiant in the color of the evening, navy. This Oscar de la Renta gown hit her in all the right places and was the perfect combination of fun and sophisticated for the 24 year old. Her Lorraine Schwartz statement necklace was the icing on the cake, and even her dark nail polish really pulled the look together.

(AP Photo/Matt Sayles)

My top pick of the night was the Best Actress in a Miniseries or Movie winner, Claire Danes, from “Temple Grandin” in this stunning Swarovski crystal-encrusted Armani Prive gown. It was simple, yet elegant. Perfect for the Best Actress winner.

Misses

(AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

“Parenthood” star Lauren Graham failed to impress in this Yigal Azrouël dress. The cut, the fit, it was all wrong.

(AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

Christina Hendricks from “Mad Men” was a feathery disaster in this Zac Posen dress.

(AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

Kate Gosselin looked matronly in her Carmen Marc Valvo dress. It was a bit top heavy.

Men’s Pick

photo by Jeff Vespa/WireImage.com

Ryan Kwanten from “True Blood” is my male pick of the evening. He stood out in his plaid double-buttoned suit and stand out patterned red tie. It was refreshing to see this young star in something other than the basic black tux.

Did You Know…

that you can buy Christian Siriano at Payless?

There is nothing I love more than a good deal. Even better is a good deal on designer digs, which is why I am loving Project Runway winner Christian Siriano’s collection for Payless.

Siriano is part of the Fall 2010 Designer Collections at Payless. His collection includes a variety of heels, flats, boots, and bags. Here are a few of my favorites!

Christian Siriano for Payless

Christian Siriano for Payless

Christian Siriano for Payless

To view the entire collection check out the Payless website.

Upcoming Events

www.prettyafrika.com

Mark you calendars fall go-getters!

Start the fall season right by attending the Chicago Jazz Festival featuring Pretty Afrika Designs. The designs being featured will include ornate accessories, and gorgeous jewelry ranging from simple pieces to the must have statement pieces.

When: Saturday, September 4^th and Sunday September 5^th, 2010

Where: Grant Park at the Chicago Jazz Festival

Check out their website for their exclusive pieces.

Recycled Fall Trends

This fall we are seeing a few trends that we have seen before: crossbody bags, jeggings, and gray accessories. These recycled trends have been around for the past few seasons and are becoming more mainstream this season.

Crossbody Bags

Coach MIA LEATHER CONVERTIBLE www.coach.com

This practical style has been around for a few seasons now, but is definitely in full force this fall. Crossbody bags can be found all over town at any price point. The latest crossbody bags are no messenger bags, they come in all shapes, sizes, and styles. Perfect for day or night, these bags keep your hands free and your mind off leaving your bag somewhere. So whether you want something dressy or a bit more casual, there is definitely a crossbody bag out there for you.

Jeggings

www.gap.com

This trend, which first made its appearance in 2009, has gone mainstream. Now everyone from Lauren Conrad to The Gap is selling jeggings. Jeggings are a combination of jeans and leggings which makes them great for pretty much anyone. They are super stretchy and come in all different washes. They tend to have more structure than leggings and come with traditional jean hardware like zippers and pockets. If you have thought twice about this trend give it a second chance this season.

Gray Accessories

www.bananarepublic.com

We first saw this trend last fall. Gray is a great accessory color because it can easily be paired with any other color since it is a neutral. We are seeing gray in tons of shoes and bags. You could also try a great gray belt, hat, or scarf. My favorite way to wear this trend is an eye catching pair of boots. I’m excited to be able to rewear this trend from last year!