Link It! It's Fashionable Links from Around The Web, The Week in Chic!

Factio Magazine is giving away a pair of luxurious pants from Dismero (worth $279)! Sign up for free today!

Check out a Whitney-inspired flower headband! Fashion Fille

All eyes are on fashion designer Jason Wu. Check out the look of the day! Fashion Pulse Daily

Fashiontribes shows us how to organize our closets Web 3.0 style Fashiontribes

Michelle Obama's Inaugural looks are already being copied!!! Hip Candy

Runway to Retail checks out the Dry Ice Gala at the MCA, rubbing elbows with Ikram Goldman (the woman behind Michelle Obama's chic style) and Grammy-winner Rufus Wainwright.

Want to find out what the top three moisturizers are to heal that dry, winter skin? The Fashionable Housewife

Support the Race for Life!

Atomic Kitten and Celebrity Master Chef winner, Liz McClarnon, has designed this limited-edition T-shirt (£15.99) to show her excitement about Race for Life 2009!

Race for Life is an event that inspires and encourages women from all backgrounds who have cancer or know loved ones that do. The 5k women-only race began in 1994, and takes place all over the UK. The race helps to raise money for cancer research and women have the choice to walk, jog, or run. The campaign begins around the second week in February and continues through the month of April and the events take place between May and July. Women who may want to donate to the cause and not race are able to do that too. Limited edition t-shirts designed by previous participants are also available to purchase. Those who want to find the event in their specific region can visit the website and enter their postal code for more details. For more information, visit www.raceforlife.org
-Joletha Goodman

We Heart Marlies Dekkers!

David LaChapelle used her famous Spider bra in his photograph, Rihanna rocked one of Dekkers’ designs on the cover of her ‘Good Girl Gone Bad’ album and she just opened her first US boutique at the Plaza Hotel! Dekkers was a part of the last cycle of America's Next Top Model, and she has a fashionably fun fantasy-inspired lingerie line. Yes, Marlies Dekkers is taking the whole world by storm, not just her native Netherlands!

Ranging from riding-gear-gone-risqué, Shakespearean forbidden love, and spider web beading and design, Dekkers' inspirations may be unconventional, but the results of these off beat ideas are undoubtedly fabulous. Whether you're looking for something slinky and seductive to wear on Valentine's Day, or just have a year-round infatuation with lovely lingerie like we do, Dekkers creates daringly imaginative and sexy high-end intimates for every size (she even has an award-winning maternity line!) that are bound to find their way on just about anyone's wish-list.

Marlies Dekkers definitely shows us how it can be Valentine’s Day every day! Now it’s up to us to show our loved-one…
-Chloé van der Wel

Alexander Wang Expands to Men

Alexander Wang is joining the ever growing crew (Matthew Williamson, Roland Mouret, Gareth Pugh, and Christophe Decarnin) of womenswear designers crossing gender lines.“It’s strange that so many designers are doing men’s now, but for us it’s a component that’s always been there. The idea has always been there, I’m just expanding it,” said Wang.

The component being that his women’s clothes are already pretty tomboyish - a kind of reverse Dior Homme - and that the boyfriends of the girls who wear his clothes need their own slouchy tanks, ripped denim shorts and tight leather pants.

Wang’s already rocking the samples while out and about so if you’re desperate for a sneak peek… We can’t tell you where to find him but we can almost guarantee he’ll take next month’s bow in the line and then we can discuss just how much the official collection will vary from his usual baggy t-shirt and skinny jean uniform. The first collection for the boys will be Spring 2010 and is set for release later this year.
-Chloé van der Wel

Runway Home

Take fashion inspiration from the runway and use it at home. The latest styles are not only being represented by clothing, home décor is also on the spring 2009 style bandwagon. These trends run deep into anything from curtains to throw pillows. Turn your favorite designer style into home style with trinkets that are complete look-alikes from the runway. Use Phillip Lim’s graphic black and white patterns as inspiration for pillows, or find his distinguished gold piping vest in the form of a new vase. Custo Barcelona’s colorful prints can be found anywhere in home décor from tea cups to glasses. Makeover your tabletop with dinnerware that emulates high-fashion. Don’t limit yourself, be creative and hop online and get inspired by all the 2009 spring runway looks. With a great fashion season ahead, the home style possibilities are truly endless.
-Jackie Medler

Custo Barcelona
Canopy Racine Chandelier from
Material Possessions

Michael Kors
DIA Rug, IQMatics

3.1 Phillip Lim
Palm Beach Pillow, Jonathan Adler
Custo Barcelona

Caprice Aout, Geneviève Lethu

3.1 Phillip Lim

K.Amato Snowflake Filigree Headband
Versailles Etoile Vase, Jonathan Adler
Cynthia Rowley
Sun Wall Mirror, West Elm
Custo Barcelona
Fire & Light Dinnerware, Material Possessions

Florals for Spring, Groundbreaking...

One of our favorite lines from the Devil Wears Prada just might be coming true. Someone has finally done something different with florals and put them onto tights. We aren't so sure who would look great in the look and think those patters might look better on perhaps a dress (we know, not so groundbreaking), but we have to give them props for trying something a bit different.

Not So Active

It's a sad day for Chicago fashion and retail! Active Endeavors is officially out of business. Those attempting to visit or shop their website will no longer see the massive sale prices, but an official goodbye letter to their customers! Retail problems started in January of '08 when they closed all of their brick-and-mortar locations. They will be truly missed.

MCA’s Dry Ice Gala

About 200 enjoyed an intimate evening on January 24th that began with a cocktail reception in the loading dock of the Museum of Contemporary Art. Guests were offered vodka shots as welcome drinks, before enjoying cocktails and passed hors d’oeuvres such as miniature hot dogs and crab cakes.Taking in the raw space was a tactile experience, as it was transformed by homemade chandeliers creatively hung by rubber bands, pink ambiance lighting and oversized see-through cylinders with electric pink and green wires swirled about inside. Before heading upstairs to the winter wonderland for a lounge-style dinner, guests paraded inside the service elevator that had been wallpapered from floor-to-ceiling with bubble wrap. A fun beginning to the night ahead. The Wolfgang Puck catered dinner featured small bites of comfort food on one of Chicago’s coldest nights. Roasted chestnut soup, truffled mac & cheese (served in tiny individual ramekins),and a miniature chicken potpie were among the treats. After dinner five pieces were auctioned off from artists Olafur Eliasson, Jenny Holzer and Jeff Koons. The highest bidding price went to Eliasson’s Super Star - a stunning prism mobile going for $92,000, while Koons’ Monkey Train sold for $30,000. Following the auction, guests like Ikram Goldman and Mayor Daley were ushered in to hear the star of the night, Grammy-winning singer/songwriter Rufus Wainwright as he sat at his grand piano playing and singing favorites, Cigarettes and Chocolate Milk, Hallelujah (Shrek’s most popular ballad) and California. Revelers left a memorable night at the MCA with warm coffees in hand. Tickets went up to $2,500 for individuals and $35,000 per table. Over $800,000 was raised for MCA programming.
-Melissa Maynard

Lounge-style dinner seating
Photo by Jeremy Lawson

Maya Polsky and Nicholas Bridon
Photo by Jeremy Lawson

Photo by Jeremy Lawson

Photo by Jeremy Lawson

Mrs. Richard M. Daley and Cari Sacks, gala co-chair
Photo by Jeremy Lawson

Cocktail reception ambiance
Photo by Factio Media

Josh and Ikram Goldman
Photo by Factio Media

Rufus Wainwright
Photo by Factio Media

It's the Week in Chic! Fashionable links from around the web!

Miss Illinois Katie Lorenz

Factio Magazine sits down with Miss Illinois to talk about reality show Countdown to the Crown!

Check out the great pieces that Fashion Fille picked up

Fashion Pulse Daily has the scoop and some pics from the Orla Kiely collection for Target, launching in February.

Will Michelle O. be on the cover of Vogue for March? Runway to Retail

The Fashionable Housewife dishes on that fabulous frock Michelle Obama wore by Jason Wu.

Will Mrs. O. cover Vogue?

Is she or is she not? The news about Mrs. Obama gracing the March cover of Vogue leaked through her hairstylist, Johnny Wright. The Daily News reported that Wright styled Michelle's hair for a Vogue cover shoot. Wright's rep hasn't responded to inquiries about this mysterious shoot and a spokesman for Vogue would only say, "We're very interested in working with the First lady." Oh, those never-ending fashion mind games!

It does remind us of Newsweek having a story about Michelle Obama a month and a half ago, which ‘casually’ mentioned she would grace the March issue of Vogue. At the beginning of December a Vogue spokesperson told us nothing had been confirmed and called the Newsweek report "incorrect." But earlier this month favorite Vogue photographer Annie Leibovitz was seen entering the Hay-Adams Hotel where the Obamas stayed before they moved into the White House. Whether we will see Michelle Obama on the March cover or not; it would come as no surprise. Our First Lady has class and a style of her own plus Anna Wintour raised a bundle for the Obama campaign…we’re just saying.
-Chloé van der Wel

Win a Pair of Dismero Pants (Worth $279)!

We're giving away a pair of luxurious pants from Dismero (a value of $279!)! Click here to sign up for free today! Dismero is an ultra luxury boutique in Chicago (at 50 E. Oak Street in the Gold Coast) selling Italian sportswear. Want the best fitting pants now and not in Chicago? Simply shop online at www.dismero.com, otherwise, sign up to win!

50-80% off at Koros Art and Style

It's the End of the season sale at Koros!!! Antik Batik, J4 Denim, Hoss, IRO, Gary Graham, Minden Chan, Sportmax, Transit, Camilla Skovgaard and more...

Koros
1039 W Lake St.
Chicago
312.738.0155
www.korosartandstyle.com

The First Lady Wears Jason Wu

President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama danced their way through 10 official inaugural balls on Tuesday night.

Before the dancing took off, Barack Obama addressed the crowd, which erupted in applause when he entered the room. "First of all, how good-looking is my wife?" Obama joked.

And how good-looking was Michelle Obama, who had kept her choice of a designer and dress style a secret until the moment she entered the dance floor.

The first lady looked gorgeous in a long white gown designed by up-and-coming designer Jason Wu, 26. The gown is made of ivory silk chiffon, embellished with organza and Swarovski crystal rhinestones and silver thread embroidery.

Wu said he intended the gown to stand for everything that she and President Obama are about. "It's about hope. It's about newness," he said. "It's all a little dreamlike, and we're making history, and I wanted to really reflect that." The designer didn't know that she had chosen his gown until her first ball appearance Tuesday night. "It's thrilling. ... For a young designer, I couldn't ask for any more than this"
-Chloé van der Wel

Michelle Obama Wears Isabel Toledo

As our new President Barack Obama takes over office, his wife Michelle shows us how a First Lady is supposed to dress. For her first outfit of Inauguration Day, Mrs. Obama chose a scintillating gold-embossed coat and matching shift-style dress, with diamante neckline. Her ensemble, by one of her favorite designers, Isabel Toledo, was a strong, modern statement.

The big question of today is: what will Mrs. Obama wear tonight? What will her Inaugural ball gown look like? “It is going to shock women across the country,” NBC News’ Savannah Guthrie told TODAY’s Matt Lauer Monday morning. “I am told by a very good source that Michelle Obama has not yet chosen what to wear for the inaugural balls.”

So it seems it’s going to be a surprise for Michelle as well. While we are all waiting to see what the pièce de resistance will be: take a look at some of our favorite looks of our brand-new, classy First Lady and please share your favorite Michelle Obama looks with us!

We also couldn't get enough of Sasha and Malia's coats!

Sasha and Malia

-Chloé van der Wel

Obama's Look at Interior Design

As the Obama family moves into the White House, we will see their style come to life in the form of an official interior designer. They chose the interior decorator Michael Smith, who is from California and has written two books on design. He has decorated for Steven Spielberg and Cindy Crawford. The Obama’s are trying to create a warm and comfortable mood for the White House and feel that Smith can make that happen. When decorating for Malia and Sasha’s room, he is going to be utilizing stores that cater to children. He also plans on using various ideas and designs from other artists and designers. Smith also stated that he wanted to change the paint color of the White House. No one is 100% positive on the direction that the Obama’s and Smith are going to take, but they did mention that the Obama’s residence featured glass fronted bookcases, Asian and African art, and plenty family photos.
-Joletha Goodman

Obama For Fashion!

It's official. We may now refer to Barack Obama as Mr. President!

During the Spring/Summer 2009 runway shows, designers showed their love for Obama -- Stella McCartney even had program notes that included “P.S. Vote Obama!!” – and plenty of designers are continuing to publicly support our new president, especially with the inauguration happening today.

More than 10 American designers have created merchandise to support the festivities as part of the “Runway to Change” initiative. The initiative started during Obama’s campaign with specially designed merchandise from over 25 different designers. With the success of those pieces it was only natural to extend the initiative.

The collectible inauguration pieces include tote bags by Diane von Furstenberg and Tory Burch, T-shirts by Zac Posen, Donna Karan, Juicy Couture, Narciso Rodriguez, Derek Lam, Gerald Matthews, and a scarf by Alexander Wang.

Proceeds from the sale of the items will go to support the costs of the inauguration, which are expected to be around $45 million, like the 2005 inauguration.
-Chloé van der Wel

Tempering the Runway

Temperley London will be missed in the runway show lineup, but unlike others who are bowing out, they have been preparing a full-scale digital presentation of its fall 2009 collection.

Temperley worked with an international creative team of directors, photographers, and video artists, including Milk Studios. The final films will accompany live Temperley London presentations, which will be displayed in each fashion capital.

“From an economic and environmental point of view, it has become more and more difficult to support the constant global travel schedule for fashion sellers, buyers, and press,” said Lars von Bennigsen, CEO of Temperley London. “By employing cutting edge technology and talent, the four seasonal installations will allow us to communicate our brand message and aesthetic to a larger international audience while supporting both economic and environmental challenges.” The first of these presentations will debut during NY Fashion Week, with an installation at Milk Studios.
-Chloé van der Wel

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