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!!

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

Save the Date August 12th – August 18th: Coach Poppy Fragrance Event {Chicago}

 

 

Celebrate the launch of the new Coach Poppy Fragrance at Macy’s State Street Chicago August 12 – 18th and show-off your Coach Poppy style in the exclusive Coach Poppy Photo Booth, with a chance to be featured on Coach’s prestigious Facebook page.

This Summer, Coach introduces its new Poppy Fragrance, the latest addition to the popular Poppy fashion and accessories line. Inspired by the playful nature of the Poppy Girl, the fruity floral gourmand fragrance brings to life a youthful, fresh spirit with just one spritz.

Housed in a girly chic rounded glass bottle and adorned with Poppy’s signature logo, the scent is a must-have accessory and the perfect addition to any Poppy collection this summer. Coach Poppy Fragrance is available for a suggested retail price of $60 for a 1.7 oz bottle.

Come meet the Coach Beauty Team and experience Poppy for yourself. Enjoy free samples, music and be sure to snap a shot in our Coach Poppy Photo Booth. And you never know…you may be famous. Select photos from the Coach Poppy photo booths will be posted to Coach’s Facebook page, www.facebook.com/Coach following the event.

Event Details:
When: August 12–18, 2010
Where: Macy’s State Street Chicago Beauty Department

www.coach.com/poppy-us

Macy’s Giveaway!!!!

 

I have a $50 Macy’s Gift Card for one lucky reader!

No tricks or gimmicks to this giveaway. Just leave a comment detailing what you would buy if you won. That’s all folks, lol!

Deadline to enter is Tuesday, August 3rd at 11:59 p.m. (CST).

A winner will be chosen by Random.org

So what are you waiting for? Leave a comment already!! Good luck!!!

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

A Life of Style: Target & Macy's Retail Therapy

Hello Stylish Ones! How was your weekend? I hope it was time well spent. My weekend was a pretty low key affair with a bit of retail therapy to lift my spirits.

<--- (The boots that forced themselves into my life. left: Bandolino Burke & right: Merona Zandra Flannel Rain Boots)

As some of you know, I am addicted to Target. Everytime I go to Target, I walk out with way more than I intended to buy. This Saturday was no exception. I told myself I was only going in to pick up my prescription and leaving. Yeah right! As soon as I walked inside Target, I was assaulted by a sign "Mossimo Long Sleeve Crewneck Tees $7" Before I knew it I grabbed a cart and tossed in three of the tee shirts. So the Target magnetic pull began and I was leisurely strolling down aisle after aisle. I'm convinced that once I enter any Target store, an invisible magnetic force locks in on me and refuses to let go until I have walked every square inch of the store.

"My name is Kim and I'm a Target addict."

In addition to the tee shirts, I got new rainboots, tights, and some funky argyle socks. Totally forgot about picking up my prescription so I had to go back. Hilarious.

Now on to Macy's. I avoid Macy's at all costs. Marshall Fields was my store and I was heartbroken when Macy's took over the historic State Street Marshall Fields location. Yeah I should probably get over it but I won't and no one can make me. I was on my way home when I got a text from a friend informing me of a great sale on boots and shoes at Macy's. Shopaholic that I am, I met her there. A pair of Bandolino boots twice marked down caught my eye. How could I resist? In addition to the boots being marked down, the sales associate informed me of a 25% off coupon that I could purchase for $5 (the five bucks was going towards a charity to feed the hungry). How could I deny the hungry a meal? I took the bait and the boots.

Now back to job hunting... Toodles!