Stylist Commentary
Christian Dior’s Haute Couture Collection
On July 5th Dior designer John Galliano opened the fall-winter 2011 haute couture collections in Paris. While this collection is meant for the winter of 2011 all was in bloom on the runway.
The designer chose a floral theme with bright bold colors. Even encasing the models’ heads in colorful cellophane to complete the bouquet of flowers look. Galliano’s creative genius created a garden of couture. The extravagance of the designs were reminiscent of Dior’s past lines from the 1950′s. Especially Christian Dior’s “Tulip Line” from 1953.
The Associated Press described the show as, ” a riotous celebration of what couture, at its best, can be.” There is no denying that.
What do you think of Dior’s latest haute couture collection? Would you wear these looks?
Spotted: Susan Elizabeth Earings!
The chicest meteorologist in Chicago, Ginger Zee, was spotted wearing earrings by Chicago designer Susan Elizabeth. Love these earrings? Find similar styles and more at www.studio-808.com.
Summer Reading
If you still haven’t had the chance to read Kelly Cutrone’s If You Have to Cry Go Outside you must add it to your summer reading list.
The book is both a memoir of Cutrone’s life and a how to guide on following your dreams and starting a career in fashion. She offers advice that only someone in the business could offer. Her life story is eye opening, and as we have come to expect from Cutrone she is honest and blunt. The book is both inspiring and motivating. A must read for any woman regardless of her desire to work in fashion. Simply put, Cutrone wants you to follow your dreams and stop worrying about following the road that has been paved for women since the beginning of time. Instead, create your own path toward your destiny.
Some of the key points she has to offer are:
1. Find your tribe
2. Fake it to make it
3. It’s not a breakdown, it’s a breakthrough
4. The truth hurts
5. Go from worrier to warrior
6. Check your preconcieved notions at the door
7. You are the brand: Normal gets you nowhere
8. If you have to cry, go outside
9. Bitch is not a bad word
Here is one of my favorite lines from the book…
“I want you to fearlessly pursue your dreams and your destiny, conscious that you are not what you do, listening to your inner voice, refusing to let superficial things define you, asking yourself the hard questions about what you believe and what you will serve, fighting the fears in your own mind, and finally, loving other women in the process.” (page 185)
Spring Trends to Crave Right Now!
With seventy degree weather just around the corner spring is in the air! With spring weather comes spring fashion! A few spring trends this year are nude tones, floral prints, and denim.
The color of the season is nude! It can be seen everywhere from shoes to dresses. The great thing about nude this season is that even fair girls like myself can get away with it! The trick is in the shape, color, and accessories. Fit is key in choosing a shape that works for your body type. If the style hits in all the right places it will look just as good as your LBD.
Color is also essential. Those who are fair skined should stay away from nudes with yellow tones. Instead choose nudes with rosey or blue tones like a pale pink. When wearing nude the right accessories are key to really make an outfit pop. Pair a nude top with great dark denim, or accessorize a nude dress with a bright belt. The touch of color will pull the look together and really pop on those who are fair skinned.
Hesitant about going nude? The easiest way to wear this hot trend is through your shoes. Nude pumps are timeless and have a way of making legs look extra long!
Floral is the print of the season. If you are thinking about buying a new spring dress, make sure it is floral. Floral prints are feminine and fun. They can easily be dressed down for the office or dressed up for a special occasion. Even floral accessories are popping up everywhere. Floral printed flats or bags are an easy and fun way to add this trend into your everyday look. For some fun and unique floral dresses check out Chicago designer Jess Audey at http://www.audey.com.
Denim is the hot fabric of the season. It is everywhere! You could literally wear denim head to toe these days with this trend. The great thing about this trend is that everything goes. Bring out those dusty denim vests, denim jackets, denim bags, and denim minis. The best part about denim is that it goes with everything. It is a versatile fabric that can be paired with an array of colors. It is easy to do a touch of denim in a great shoe, or go bold in a denim mini dress, either way this is a really easy trend to follow.
Fashion at the Olympics
From Ralph Lauren to Vera Wang, fashion is everywhere you look at the 21st Winter Olympic games. As usual the U.S. Olympic team was dressed head to toe in Ralph Lauren for the opening ceremony. His jackets and accessories continue to pop up during ceremonies and interviews. Nothing says American quite like Ralph Lauren.
If you want to get your hands on some Olympic gear check out www.ralphlauren.com or the Ralph Lauren store on Michigan Avenue.
Another designer to hit the Olympic scene is Vera Wang. Wang was the designer behind gold medalist Evan Lysacek’s short program costume. The black costume featured feathers from Paris and was a perfect representation for his music choice and choreography.
In regards to what it was like to design Lysacek’s costume Wang explained, “As a designer it’s a huge huge challenge. Hopefully the costume lives up to the choreography.”
Wang, formerly a figure skater herself, has also designed for skaters Nancy Kerrigan and Michelle Kwan. This was her first time designing a men’s costume.
Not only is Wang the mastermind behind Lysacek’s costume, but she is one of his biggest fans. She flew into Vancouver immediately after her fashion show at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York to watch him skate his short program. She was also in attendance when he won gold on Thursday night.
London Calling – Designer Borris Powell Answers
We couldn’t be more thrilled to share some exciting news…Chicago’s own Borris Powell is heading to London to show in fashion week on February 19th!
Borris Powell, known for his signature Red Gown, is the only American designer to show in the ‘A la Mode’ International Catwalk Show in London. A show, which features international and emerging designers, is in it’s 3rd year and also includes designers from New Zealand, Australia, London and Germany.
His Fall 2010 collection called ‘The Rise of an Empress’ is inspired by a recent trip to Rome Italy a few years back.
This collection is rumored to be very rich in color, with a focus wines, grays, greens and golds…and Studio-808 could not be more excited to see what he has up his brilliant sleeve! It’s definitely, Inspired by Beauty and dedicated to Luxury.
For more show information www.lagenevenorthevents.co.uk
February 19, 2010
7:30- 11 pm
Venue:
Charing Cross Hotel
The Strand
London
WC2N 5HX
Erin Gallagher Store Moving – Major Sale!
Attention Recessionista’s!
This might be just the thing to warm up your cold Tuesday morning in Chicago…announcing the Erin Gallagher Moving Sale!
Great news for you – they don’t want to move anything – all jewelry and even some furniture is on sale!
Up to 75% off – limited quantities (sorry no custom)
Starts in store Jan 30th - and online now!!
Erin Gallagher Studio
2034 N. Halsted
Chicago IL
-
Studio-808, Inc. is the brainchild of Erin Creaney, a PR executive with a near-athletic enthusiasm for emerging designers. Finding herself searching the city for great designers with new and different looks, she knew a larger operation was in order. What's more, she felt the world needed to know about the fashion percolating in the Windy City. Thus was born Studio-808.com.










