Out with the Old and In with the New!

At Lincoln Center during NYFW for the Spring/Summer 2012 Shows (psst! This was  taken just after  Bill Cunningham took my picture ;D)

I can't believe that it's December 31st, 2011! It's officially the last day of 2011 and as of 12 midnight tonight, we will be welcoming in 2012.

It has been an amazing year for me. 2011 has had its definite ups and downs for me, but reflecting back now I am realizing I've had some pretty big milestones and life changing moments that have happened to me this year:

I got an amazing promotion at work that gives me the opportunity to finally accomplish one of my career goals of travelling more; I started Chi-Style Maven and the amazing response I've received has been so overwhelmingly positive and I'm so thankful; I attended NYFW and got my photo taken by the iconic fashion legend Bill Cunningham (see my post here); I got married and now will be spending the rest of my life with my soul-mate; and I was blessed with the the most beautiful and amazing gift of companionship & loyalty when my husband and I were given our baby Hercules Fonua Terrazas.

For NYE today, my husband and I are taking advice from Glamour.com and will be making it a Cheap Date Night by doing #2: Order delivery and watch your favorite movies on DVD. I will be leaving for Hong Kong on the 3rd of January for 2 weeks and the only option for me this NYE was to ring 2012 with my two fellas.

I hope that you all have some amazing plans planned for tonight. Hopefully you all have taken the moment to reflect back on this year and are ready to welcome in 2012 with open arms. I did want to also take this opportunity and thank you all for the readership support of  Chi-Style Maven and for me.

Happy New Years and Happy Holidays! I wish you all a safe and happy NYE and to all of the great success, accomplishments and celebrations to come in 2012!


xoxo, Chi-Style Maven ;)

Is Comic Con really the next Print Inspiration?

According to Style.com the next evolution of print inspiration is Comic Con.  They are citing Andrea Dellal wearing a comic strip sheath to Art Basel, and Phillip Lim's pre-fall lineup included pieces that featured phrases like "KA-BAM" (which are commonly used phrases in any comic book novel).

Andrea Dellal at an Art Basel Event

Phillip Lim, Pre-Fall 2012 Collection

Lisa Perry by Roy Lichenstein Dresses

What are your thoughts? Do you see yourself drawing inspiration from Comic Con alongside High Street?

1920's Inspiration!

Carey Mulligan on set in Sydney with Tobey Maguire and Leonardo DiCaprio. Right: A film still showing Mulligan and DiCaprio. Photo: Xclusive

It's difficult to say which came first--Baz Luhrmann's announcement that he was re-making The Great Gatsby or fashion's swing towards Twenties style. Either way, I’m enjoying the collision.

The Twenties-themed drop waists and beaded chiffon dresses littered the Spring/Summer 2012 catwalks, appearing at Ralph Lauren, Gucci and Etro to name a few.

Ralph Lauren SP/SU '12

Etro SP/SU '12

Gucci SP/SU '12

Want to start wearing this look now? Check out these gorgeous and glittery picks I've chosen as perfect wear now pieces:

• Anna Sui Embellished Tulle and Lace Dress
• Richard Nicoll Silk Chiffon & Velvet Dress
• Marc Jacobs Metallic Lame Dress
• Miss Selfridge Nude Embellished Dress
• Topshop Gold Beaded Dress 

Is this Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory? Nope, it's Lady Gaga's Workshop!!

Lady Gaga's Workshop at Barney's NY can only be described as a Fashionista's Version of Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory.  There were opulent sweets galore displayed in bigger than life colorful and psychodelic displays. Needless to say I had an amazing time and even snagged the following treats!

Now on to Lady Gaga's Workshop! Check out my pics from my visit:

Lady Gaga's Windows at Barney's NY!

While in NYC this past week I only had a few items on my agenda and a field trip over to Barney's NY to check out Lady Gaga's Workshop was at the top.  I wasn't sure what would be waiting for me to indulge in, but I did know I would not be disappointed.  Once I stepped out of the cab on Madison Ave., I was immediately captivated by the amazing window installations that made you want to go in and experience more!

Will you be be tweeting your wishes and telling it to the constellations?

Are you in the Flat Pack?

Left to right: Marc Jacobs, Haider Ackermann, Christopher Kane and Paul Smith Spring 2012

While the high street and catwalks are still swamped with skyscraper heels, some designers - and a group of celebrity style icons - are fighting for the right to be flat and proud.

The heels-or-flats debate may always divide opinion, but there is no denying that the right flat shoe has become a must-have item for even the most trend-conscious customer, thanks in no small part to the 'Flat Pack' --a host of style-savvy starlets like Kristen Stewart who like to keep their feet quite literally on the ground.

Leader of the Pack is undoubtedly Alexa Chung, the flat shoe's biggest celebrity ambassador and face of Italian plimsoll brand, Superga. If her love of brogues, loafers and pumps wasn't why the public voted her their 'Style Icon' for the second year running at the 2011 British Fashion Awards, then it certainly didn't do her any harm.

Flanking Miss Chung, Flat Pack regular Agyness Deyn's androgynous look has lent itself to lace-ups and boyfriend boots, while Fearne Cotton has lately favored Spatz-inspired loafers and purple Joker-chic treads. Bringing up the rear, Olivia Palermo has taken to stepping out in patent silver Derby shoes, whilst Gwen Stefani, Pixie Lott and Kelly Osbourne have all been leaving the heels at home and earning their Flat Pack stripes. Even rapper Nicki Minaj went against type and put aside her pop star platforms in favor of metallic hi-tops at the recent American Music Awards.

Designers, too, are embracing the fact not every woman is willing, or indeed able, to trot their way through the day, SJP-style, on six-inch spikes, as shown by the array of flats that strolled comfortably down the catwalks of the spring/summer shows.

Christopher Kane's acclaimed collection of flower-speckled shifts and skirts was accompanied by rubber-soled sandals with embroidered and jewel-encrusted straps. Elsewhere, Marc Jacobs showed two-tone loafers in his Twenties-tinged collection and came over a little Sporty Spice with multi-colored hi-tops for his diffusion line. Paul Smith's bright yellow and turquoise loafers were no less colorful than his classic tailoring and Acne's oversized tassels made theirs just as dramatic.

The foremost flat for spring, however, must be Haider Ackermann's brogue-clog hybrid. Presented in all manner of rich colors and intricate prints, there's a broque for every girl.

Expect to see them on the Flat Pack's feet come spring. Will you be joining them?

Amy Winehouse's final Fred Perry collection goes on sale!

To coincide with the release of Amy Winehouse's final album Lioness: Hidden Treasures and in continued support of The Amy Winehouse Foundation; Fred Perry will be releasing a selection of clothes from the singer's last collection for the label today.

The collection will become available exclusively at Fredperry.com. The profits will be donated to the Amy Winehouse Foundation along with a "seasonal" donation to the charity.

A spokesperson for Fred Perry said the collection would reflect "Amy's love of Fifties Americana and Art Deco Miami, the collection features an exclusive print scattered with cadillacs, juke boxes and cat's eye sunglasses in a palette of pink mist, pale blue and black."

I can’t wait! Will you be shopping this collection? I know I’ve got my eye on a few of her rockabilly inspired frocks.

[Chicago Fashion Event] Eclectic Chique Boutique hosts a Dream Chaser!

Join me on Dec.10th for emerging designer Shani Brown's debut of her women's contemporary clothing line True Blessyn. I've had the privilege and the honor of not only meeting this amazing woman first hand, but to browse her collection's look book and these four words immediately came to mind: "I Want It All!!"  

Shani will be showcasing her debut with a trunk show of her Fall 2011 sweatshirt collection as well as a preview of her Spring 2012 collection.  This is all being hosted by the fashion forward and chic Eclectic Chique Boutique.  As if shopping an amazing collection wasn't enough, you can enjoy Dream Chaser cupcakes from the delicious food truck Cupcakes for Courage, a hot cocoa bar, a gift with purchase and a chance to win True Blessyn merchandise.

Chicago Fashionistas & Trend-Setters, you don't want to miss out on this debut.  Not only are you getting a chance to shop for one-of-a-kind super chic pieces, but you will be helping out an amazing charity at the same time.

Hope to see all of you there!