Friday, May 29, 2009

Sienna in Chanel

Actress Sienna Miller was spotted going to Anastasia's famous eyebrow salon in Beverly Hills, California today with a cute Chanel t-shirt, rolled-up jeans and black ankle boots.

Romantic Tops Get a Naughty Twist

“Petite Salope” shirt

Somewhere in Paris far, far away is a beautiful atelier called Locher’s. The women’s label specializes in sweet and romantic tops and jewelry…with a naughty twist. Don’t let the delicate embroidery fool you, these clothes are anything buy naïve. Potty-mouthed sayings and phrases are prudently placed along the needlepoint blossoms and birdies. The soft and feminine colors and silhouettes are packed with a whole lot of impudent punch with sayings from “Casse Toi Cherie” (get lost darling) to “Petite Salope” (little slut). The latest from Locher’s is the Vintage Vixen Series of handmade silver-chain necklaces adorned with bad-mannered pendants made of hammered gold, porcelain flowers, and satin and lace ribbons and bows. These innocently pictured charms follow Locher’s signature style with naughty statements that prevent each piece from ever becoming “too sweet”. Check out the never too nice Parisian label at www.lochers.com. Being rude never looked so lovely.
-Jackie Medler






Link it! Fashionable Links from Around the Web! The Week in Chic!

Quinta Trends looks for the perfect coat for the South America winter

Factio Magazine
checks out beauty products from the south of France!

Fashion Fille swerves a little off topic to a rising music star- but, don't worry, he still has excellent style!

Fashion Pulse Daily
picks the four must-haves from the Tracy Feith for Target Collection


RedPoppy Fashion is in love with sparkling cocktail rings in a rainbow of colors, especially ones from M.C.L. by Matthew Campbell Laurenza's ornate line. Angelina inspires

Runway to Retail
with her look from Cannes...Here's how you can steal the style!

French Vogue: A Toutes Jambes - Anja Rubik & Natasha Poly

We just returned from Paris, so when we saw the recent French Vogue June/July issue, we instantly fell back in love and reminisced about our own jaunts all over town. Check out the gorgeous shots of models Anja Rubik and Natasha Poly as they take on the City of Lights.






Thursday, May 28, 2009

Chanel No. 5 & Audrey Tautou

Marilyn Monroe once said that all she wore to bed were “drops of Chanel No. 5” and we believe the pure elegance and glamour of this classic perfume is strong enough to hold its own. And after Nicole Kidman’s short film advertisement, it’s now Audrey Tautou who embodies the fragrance in the newest short film for the company. The Amélie star shows us how a journey from Paris to Istanbul can get romantic based on the iconic scent. The short film is inspired by Coco Chanel’s youth and keeps up with the high standards of advertisement while showing that a modern fairytale can be a reality. Coco once said that a woman who doesn't wear perfume has no future. Let’s see if the magic of this timeless and extremely feminine fragrance will change yours.
- Chloé van der Wel

Check out some of the stills from the film...

Watch the film, click here

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

IADT’s Imagine Fashion Event

On May 21, the International Academy of Design & Technology – Chicago (IADT) produced Imagine 2009 – the school’s 30th annual fashion show. The benefit event took place at the Great Hall at Union Station and was entirely created, produced and presented by students and faculty from different programs of the Academy. Imagine 2009 showcased more than 100 original designs in different categories of avant-garde, cocktail, evening, bridal, ethnic, knitwear and faux fur. A broad range of inspirational designs proved for a great runway show. A percentage of proceeds benefited several charities including the Humane Society, Bridge to Success, The Lynn Sage Foundation and the Sierra Club.
- Chloé van der Wel
Here are some of our favorite looks...


Photos by Alicia Nieto for Factio Media

The Serpico Spring Soirée

Lauren Dimet Waters and Melissa Serpico Kamhaut
Photo: Steve Starr

On May 14th, Chicago’s Second City Style hosted a soirée at Serpico boutique to give fashion fans a chance to see Melissa Serpico Kamhaut’s gorgeous new spring collection. We love Melissa’s collections as they are known for impeccable attention to detail, whether the look is classic or avant-garde. As if this isn’t convincing enough – all the designs are made with beautiful Italian fabrics. DJ Skylar filled the event with music and the fashionable crowd enjoyed drinks and appetizers from Rosebud Prime all while extending their wardrobe. Guests were given a $200 valued goodie bag with every purchase, plus shoppers received 15% off the collection. A portion of the proceeds benefited the Mercy Home for Boys and Girls. Serpico is located on 1514 N. Ashland in Chicago. For more information about Seprico, visit www.serpico-collection.com
- Chloé van der Wel

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Luxury Links from Around the Web - Luxe Links!


Win a bag from Baekgaard Neon and animal print is all the rage right now from Canne to the Hamptons - win this cute bag to tote around this summer.

Angelina inspires Runway to Retail with her look from Cannes...Here's how you can steal the style!

Factio Magazine checks out beauty products from the south of France!

Ferrari Sells for a Record $12.4 Million domesticblog is admiring the top car purchase ever...

The Luxist Guide To Wedding Gifts Luxist interviews NYC Lifestyle Concierge Lora Chio on buying gifts for summer weddings

Angelina Goes to Cannes

Angelina Jolie in Atelier Versace

Bradgelina hit the Cannes red carpet in style last Wednesday for the “Inglorious Bastards” premiere. “None of us have seen the film yet. Quentin’s kept it under wraps, so it’s really nice for us all to see it together tonight,” said Pitt, who plays a Nazi in the much anticipated film that recently wrapped a mere three months ago. Jolie was there supporting her man all the way in a flowing chiffon and tea rose Atelier Versace dress, paired with a matching clutch and satin pumps. The passively colored gown was vamped up Angelina-style with a low v-neckline, high thigh slit, red lips, and sheer fabric construction.

Angelina inspired Runway to Retail…

Inspired by its color and draped bust, this tea rose Zac Posen dress is perfect for a classy cocktail hour. We love the showy knee-length hem because it eliminates the need for a slit. Pair with satiny pumps for the perfect Angelina goes to Cannes inspired look.

The floor-length hem and draping bust-to-shoulder construction of this Thakoon dress creates an Angelina goes to Cannes inspired outfit in white. Pair with painted red lips for a perfect summer cocktail party look.

We love this flowy Roksanda Ilincic dress. The soft color and draped satin construction recreates the femininity of Angelina’s gown. Pair with a matching clutch for your Angelina goes to Cannes inspired look.

Purchase all of these inspiring dresses at NET-A-PORTER.COM

-Jackie Medler

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Au Revoir Chéries!

Au revoir our fabulous readers! We are leaving Amérique and headed on a much needed vacation to Paris and the French Riviera until May 24th! We shall return much more inspired as we intend to live out our vacation like the following video (directed by none other than Sofia Coppola). Don't get us started on her version of Marie Antoinette.Versailles here we come!

See you soon chéries!

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Link it! Fashionable Links from Around the Web! The Week in Chic!

Factio Magazine is giving away a luxury 3-piece set of luggage by Heys USA (Retail Value: $980)

The Fashionable Housewife shows us how to get a Toned Tummy In Just 4 Minutes A Day!

Fashion Fille has yet another totally awesome giveaway. This time, she's giving out free Yeah Yeah Yeah's swag! Enter now to win!

Fashion Pulse Daily
dishes on Almay's eco-friendly mascara, Anna Sui for Target, and more!

Quinta Trends talks with Ricky Gonzales about his fashion brand VMarie.

Latin flavour from Phoenix
RedPoppyFashion reaches fashion heights with some gorgeous platform shoes. brought you you by shopstyle.

Runway To Retail
went to Target's Bullseye Bazaar which attracted buzz and celebs like Private Practice’s Kate Walsh and Gossip Girl co-stars Jessica Szohr and Ed Westwick


The Fashionable Gal
is giving away Jill Mansel's new book "An Offer You Can't Refuse". Enter for a chance to win this book!

Factio Magazine's Spring Issue!

Make sure to check out Factio Magazine's latest print issue for spring! It's always one of our most favorite to produce, especially with it being put out during Art Chicago! We love the mix of combining art and fashion. In this issue, we take a look at local Chicago artists like the incredible Francine Turk and Michael Brucks, and check out the art collection of Paper Magazine’s Peter Davis and see how art inspires designers Adam Lippes, Christian Siriano and Orlando Espinoza. We always look at fashion as art, so we of course can’t forget about the amazing Jack Perno (and his team) who created our fashion photo shoot. They continue to inspire us issue after issue! Find an issue in downtown Chicago! Online, check us out at www.factio-magazine.com. Enjoy and as always, thanks so much for your support! We would like to take a moment to thank our incredible sponsors and advertisers who make it all possible. Check them out!

Dismero [Chic Sportswear from Italy]
The Illinois Institute of Art [fashion design, marketing, interior design and more]
Potawatomi Bingo Casino [What will you do if you win?]
Corzo [Haute Tequila]
Art Chicago [International Fair of Contemporary and Modern Art]
Islands of the World Fashion Week [November 4-8 in Nassau]
Koros [Designer Clothes and Accessories]
4 Art Inc Gallery [Art Gallery, Custom Framing]
Fig Media [DJ, Photo, Video]
Target's Bullseye Baazar [Exclusive 3-day pop up store]
Billion Dollar Babes [luxury sample sales]
Shecky's [traveling sample sales]

Modern Wing Opening Gala

The Modern Wing of the Art Institute is finally open. The Board of Trustees and the Women’s Board of the Art Institute Chicago held an opening gala in the honor of the new wing that increases the museum’s size by one-third, making it the second largest museum in the United States. Unique invitations, designed by Renzo Piano, were sent to Chicago’s most elite, including the Mayor of Chicago and his wife Maggie. Over 1,000 guests dressed to the nines in ballroom attire sipped champagne and cocktails inside the massive rotunda. Later in the evening, guests were escorted down Monroe Street under a tented tunnel to Grant Park. There, guests enjoyed a special dinner, catered by George Jewell, inside a giant glass tent decorated in crystal, silver, and white. Dinner was served under silver lighted orbs, before guests were ushered back to the Modern Wing for dessert.

The Modern Wing was designed by Pritzker award winning architect Renzo Piano over the course of the last decade. The 264,000 sq. ft. building holds the museum’s 20th and 21st century collections of contemporary painting, sculpture, photography, architecture, design, special exhibition areas, an education center, bookstore, and a chic restaurant run by the Levy Group with an even more amazing terrace. The terrace provided excellent views for the evening of the opening gala. The Modern Wing opening gala of the Art Institute costs $100,000 with individual ticket prices for $2,500, Modern Patron table level prices for $25,000, and Modern Benefactor prices for $50,000. The Modern Wing will open for the public May 16.
-Jackie Medler

Our picks for best dressed...

Photos by Christine Scott