London Fashion Week | Spring 2009

London Fashion Week has come upon us, and yes the event has us all jazzed up! London has been synonymous for producing the very best and stunning creations across the country. So for this season, we are really looking forward to seeing who is taking London by storm. To find out more, check out
www.londonfashionweek.co.uk
-Desiree Masiela

Designer Victor Alfaro Hits Stores

Designer Victor Alfaro's fall collection has hit Bon-Ton stores (think Boston Store, Carson Pirie Scott and Younkers) everywhere! We caught up with Alfaro this summer to get a sneak peak look at the new collection (below) and we absolutely loved everything we saw.

For a list of store locations and information, or to shop online, visit www.bonton.com.

Anya Hindmarch for Target

British designer, Anya Hindmarch, has joined forces with Target to bring her limited-edition handbag collection to the US (at a much cheaper price). The collection, Anya Hindmarch for Target, has a great selection of handbags from satchels and shoulder bags to dainty clutches. The color palette includes navys, creams, carbon blacks, and deep chocolate hues. Hindmarch told Vogue UK that she has "always been interested in mixing high end designer pieces with more mass market finds". She believes that "confident women are comfortable, and even proud, of doing this." The stylish bags will be on sale from October 12 through December 26, and can be purchased at Target stores throughout the US and online at Target.com.

Rekindled with Old Navy

Our relationship with Old Navy is complicated. As a kid, it was the forced acquaintance our mothers dragged us to meet for cheap denim and those five-dollar logo tees. In middle school, it became our best friend, and if you didn’t own one of those flag-print tanks you weren’t in. Then as soon as we discovered Banana Republic’s Martin pant, we realized it’s not worth fooling ourselves into thinking we’re all size zeros because Old Navy tells us so, resulting in a nasty breakup.

Then Todd Oldham jumped on board last year, and since then we’ve rekindled the old flame. Oldham is completely rejuvenating Old Navy into a fashionista’s guilty pleasure. The printed halter maxis for summer were featured on every style blog, and yes, we did buy our favorite T-strap sandals at Old Navy.

For Fall, so far, we've seen bright, clean colors on skinny belts, cute blazers, two-toned dresses and slinky cardigans. Gone are the boxy knit sweaters, the unflattering polyester dresses, all those bad habits we shunned Old Navy for.

This could be the beginning of a beautiful love affair.

Shop: oldnavy.com
-Grace Bahk

New York Fashion Week: Spring 2009

Marc Jacobs Spring 2009

Make sure to check out all of our fashion week coverage click here!

The Empress of Fashion - The Duchess

We haven't been this excited about a movie with fashion splendor since Marie Antoinette. The Duchess, set at the end of 18th century, is a heart-wrenching and utterly marvelous masterpiece which promises to be a big hit. The movie concentrates on Lady Georgiana Spencer, (played by Keira Knightley) a young glamorous woman, who at 17 became a political mover and shaker, after marrying the Duke of Devonshire. She became a great success, a fashion icon and was indeed the most fascinating woman of her time. She married into power like Princess Diana who is her direct descendant (she's her great great great great niece) endured a loveless marriage. The parallel between the two women is quite extraordinary. They were both rebellious and of great influence in society and they were much loved by the nation. At the center of the story the movie concentrates on her desperate need for love, fame and notoriety. She was a woman who gained greater importance by using her beauty and charisma to make a name for herself and in turn she was celebrated by everyone. She became famous not only for sense of style, but was also revered like Diana as they were victims of their husband's extra-marital affairs. -Desiree Masiela The Factio team is seeing The Duchess in a private screening in Chicago courtesy of Gilt Groupe and then attending a fab party, so we'll be sure to tell you all about it.

New York Fashion Week: Victoria Beckham

Victoria Beckham has been showing her high-end dresses to media and buyers during New York Fashion Week and may have some interest from Bergdorf Goodman. Their CEO said his store is "taking a hard look" at the line.

Macy's Shoe Diva Sale

Macy’s loves us + we love shoes = one fantastic Shoe Diva event. Fall is the time to put away our flip-flops and hit the stores. Macy’s wants to help us cover-up our toes because Chicago winter is coming, and let’s face it – it’s cold. Find the hottest fall trends by all your favorite shoe brands. Now for the good part, the Shoe Diva Shopping Party is giving customers who buy two or more pairs of shoes a whopping 25% off their entire women’s shoe purchase. The Shoe Diva Party deals extend to all beloved brands such as Calvin Klein, Enzo, and Jessica Simpson. Step out of your house and into Macy’s shoe department this September 10, 2008 through September 13, 2008 for great savings on all the shoes you can fit your feet into.

Let the 2009 runway inspire your purchases...

Shop online at macys.com or at these participating Macy’s Chicago locations:

Macys on State Street
Wednesday, September 10
4th Floor Women's Shoes, 5pm

Macys Water Tower Place
Saturday, September 13
2nd Floor Women's Shoes, 2pm

Macys Woodfield
Saturday, September 13
1st Floor Women's Shoes, 2pm

Macy's Oakbrook
Saturday, September 13
1st Floor Women's Shoes, 2pm

Macy's Northbrook Court
Saturday, September 13
1st Floor Women's Shoes, 2pm

Macy's Old Orchard
Saturday, September 13
1st Floor Women's Shoes, 2pm

Macy's Mayfair
Saturday, September 13
1st Floor Women's Shoes, 2pm
-Jackie Medler

Britney's VMA Appearance

And the winner is…Britney Spears. Looks like Ms. Spears has finally made her much awaited comeback at this years MTV Video Music Awards. Opening the ceremony in a sparkling silver Atelier Versace gown, Britney Spears managed to steal our hearts again and reclaim her title as America’s sweetheart with rekindled grace and charm. Not only was Spears much more cognizant and put together than at last years VMA’s, but this 2008 she was able to take home three awards for her song ‘Piece of Me’ including: Best Female Video, Best Pop Video, and Video of the Year. The surprised singer happily accepted the awards on stage while graciously thanking family and fans. As much as viewers were hoping to see a Britney Spears performance, the singer ultimately made the right choice for her comeback – a short and well thought out appearance topped with sweet sentiments, awards, and a show-stopping Versace dress.
-Jackie Medler

Meet William Rast

As if being singer, songwriter, and actor wasn't enough. Justin Timberlake is now adding designer to his list of ever-growing talents. Timberlake and his co-designer Trace Ayala are bringing 'sexy back'with their first NYC William Rast runway show, which debuted yesterday at New York Fashion Week. Timberlake explained to the Post that his brand stays true to his 'Southern heritage, but in a modern-day setting'. The line features both men's and women's wear and was developed and designed in collaboration with Johan and Marcella Lindeberg of Paris68. Ayala told the Post, "People ask me, 'What makes your shirts different than so-and-so's shirts?' Not one thing. The only thing that makes mine different is the lifestyle we sell. The one we live. It's heritage meets Hollywood."

Ayala went on to say, "I feel like right now we have the DNA of who we are. The past couple seasons we have been struggling. We are two guys, and even though we are from the same place, we have different style,"he says. "But since we created this character, William Rast, it's the fusion of us two, if you put our lives together. It's the sleekness of a Southern gentleman."
-Katherine Mingey

Meet William Rast...