Black History Feature: Ann Lowe

In honor of February being Black History Month, I will post some Black History features this month.

Ann Lowe, born in 1898 in Clayton, Alabama. She designed the infamous wedding dress worn by Jacqueline Bouvier when she married John F. Kennedy.


Jacqueline Kennedy's wedding dress, an Ann Lowe original

Ms. Lowe was ahead of her time and because she was black, she was not embraced by the fashion world for some time. She was a perfectionist who cared about her craft more than monetary gain.

She designed and sewed for several salons and boutiques. Her name was NOT permitted to be sewn on the labels of any of her creations. Despite designing Jacqueline Bouvier's wedding dress, Ms. Lowe's name was not mentioned in the press. In addition to designing for the future first lady, Ms. Lowe designed for the toast of New York society. Do the names Biddles, Auchinclosses, DuPont, and Rockefeller ring any bells? Old. Money. Her designs were in very high demand but no one knew who she really was. During those times no one would admit to wearing clothes designed by a black woman!

You can learn more about Ann Lowe in The Threads of Time. Many people have never even heard of her which I think is wrong for so many reasons. Her legacy needs to be kept alive!

Unracked w/ Gilt Groupe: Cameron Silver's Red Carpet Secrets

Get your swanky style on for 2011 with Cameron Silver! He dresses Hollywood royalty, and now he reveals the secret to looking good on the red carpet! Thanks to Unracked with Gilt Groupe, the hit web series hosted by Stefani Greenfield, Gilt members are granted exclusive access to must-see interviews with your most coveted fashion and lifestyle icons. Past series include interviews with Molly Sims, Eric Daman and Diane Von Furstenberg.

Enjoy!





For more information:
Gilt Groupe

Chicago Fashion Focus: Designers Past & Present

Last night I attended the kickoff runway show for Chicago Fashion Focus Week. The Chicago Fashion Incubator and Macy's is a year-long program that develops the talent and careers of local designers.

My name on my chair in the press section.

I'll admit that I am not that familiar with local design talent in Chicago so I was pretty excited to see the creations come down the runway.
Here are some of my favorite looks from Designer's Past & Present Runway Show:

KristinHassan.com

I'm a sucker for ruffes and flower details.



Simply gorgeous!



Audey - This was my favorite collection of the night!

I loved the whimsy of Audey's dresses. There was a sweet yet very modern country girl vibe that really spoke to me.  

Kate Boggiano:



Loving the patterned tights. They lend an edge to a pretty tame gathered mini.





AggA B.





Something about the above look was very Katherine Hepburn to me.

Nora del Busto

Donaldo Smith of Killian Gui

Really like the color blockedand untucked shirts!



A man cannot go wrong in a tailored button down shirt, crisp jeans and polished boots!

This was an excellent offering of past and present Chicago Fashion Incubator designers. I'm so proud of Chicago. There is an amazing plethora (I love that word) of fashion talent here and I am so glad that I now know of some local designers.

Do any of the designs appeal to you? Let me know what you think!!

Lanvin for H&M

The above image of four Lanvin for H&M looks just hit the web. If I don't get anything from this collection but the ruffled black dress on the end, I will have sheer joy coursing through my veins and I will dedicate my life to sharing that joy with the world.

What do my fellow fashionistas think about this first look at Lanvin for H&M?

Getting My Anna Wintour On {Chicago Fashion Focus Week}

I am so excited for next week. Chicago Fashion Focus Week begins Monday night with an exclusive invite only kick-off party hosted by the Mayor's Fashion Council. Sadly yours truly isn't on that guest list (yet...) but I am attending some shows, hence the title of this post. I will be getting my Anna Wintour on. Too bad I don't have an Andre Leon Talley-esque partner in crime to accompany me.

Chicago Fashion Focus is our own version of New York Fashion Week. As much as I enjoy NYFW, it will be great to see fashion through the eyes of local designers. For those of you who may not be aware, Chicago is a very fashion forward city. We are not lacking in amazing design talent and stylish people who know how to put it all together.

This will be my first time attending any of the shows as working press. Woo-hoo!! I'll update my blog everyday with pictures and commentary, so check back often. If you're attending the fashion festivities let me know.

Here's where The Stylish Life will be:

• Tuesday, October 19 - Macy’s presents the Chicago Fashion Incubator Designers Past & Present with CS Magazine
• Wednesday, October 20th - Mario, Make Me A Model
• Thursday, October 20 - Dress Code
• Friday, October 21 - The Art of Fashion

Besides the shows, there will be shopping events, parties, and a full day of fashion seminars on Sunday.
Okay, I have a schedule to finalize and outfits to plan!! See ya' later!

For more information:
Fashion Focus 2010 Full Schedule of Events

MATERIAL GIRL COLLECTION UNVEILED AT MACY'S ON STATE STREET {CHICAGO}

 

Material Girl, a line created by Madonna and her daughter Lourdes, will launch at Macy's on State Street at 10 a.m. on August 3.

The anticipation has been building, and now, the public gets to see Madonna’s Material Girl line unveiled for the first time. Hundreds of teenagers are expected to be waiting to see the new fast forward junior collection.

The first 200 customers will receive a $10 Macy’s gift card and a free Material Girl bandeau top. Also, four lucky customers will win a tee-shirt signed by Madonna herself!

Later in the day, shoppers are invited to a dance party. Customers will enjoy fashion, music, refreshments and score a great gift with any $50 Material Girl purchase.

When:
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
10 a.m. – Doors open and gift cards and bandeau tops are distributed
11 a.m. – DJ gives away 4 Madonna autographed tee-shirts
5:30 p.m. – Shopping/Dance party

Where
Macy’s on State Street
Juniors Department, 2nd floor
111 N. State Street
Chicago, IL 60602

Louis Vuitton Fall 2010 Ad Campaign

Check out Louis Vuitton’s Fall 2010 ad. The dresses and styling are 1950s inspired looks. Check out the retro vanities. Of course, I want ALL the bags *mad scientist like laughter*

{Louis Vuitton}

Models: Kristy Turlington, Natalia Vodianova, and Karen Elson
Makeup: Pat McGrath

 
I especially like the ladylike elements – full skirts, cinched waists, demure hair styles, and the gloves. We really need to start a ladylike fashion movement.