RAD by Rad Hourani I will see you this Fall! xoxo

This cutting edge and fashion forward designer will definitely be missed greatly in a week by none other than, moi (me).  This show was definitely within the 'Top 3' of my must see shows at New York Fashion Week.  Personal obligations are keeping me away from the tents this season but I will definitely see you come this Fall RAD by Rad Hourani!

In the meantime, my new project is trying to figure out how to get my 6'3", 300lb husband to slim down so we can maximize the use of a RAD by Rad Hourani unisex piece...


RAD by Rad Hourani S/S '12 Collection:

[Chicago Fashion Event] GOCA Designs Fundraiser at NV Penthouse Lounge Recap!

Gordana Rasic & Omar Villalobos with a model wearing one of the looks from their F/W '12  collection (Photo Credit: Grace Ajanaku)

This past Friday, January 27th the dynamic design duo, Gordana Rasic & Omar Villalobos, behind the fashion label GOCA Designs held a fundraiser at NV Penthouse Lounge to help make an amazing dream & opportunity become a reality: Show at New York Fashion Week!

Needless to say, I was there in full force to lend my support in helping to get these two tremendously talented individuals to New York Fashion Week.  I was first introduced to GOCA Designs last year in 2011 during Latino Fashion Week. Their amazing use of fabrics, clean lines, and amazing palette of color instantly won me over and I have been a fan ever since.

The fundraiser kicked off with complimentary Hypnotic Honey Champagne, great hors d'oeuvres and a raffle of stellar swag. I was definitely eyeing one of gift baskets but as lady luck would have it, it just wasn't meant to be.

I'm so excited that these two will be showcasing their amazing talent at the Emerge! Show on February 14th in New York (such an amazing day to showcase brilliant fashions that highlight and feature the feminine silhouette).

Keep your eye out for these two Chicago Fashionistas, they are definitely the next big thing!

2012 SAG Awards Best Dressed Recap!

This year's 2012 SAG Awards red carpet had it's normal 'hits' and 'misses'.  Many would cite Kristen Wiig's choice of pairing a Diamond encrusted choker with a pale gray hued Balenciaga halter as the definite 'miss' (although, I didn't find it as horrendously offensive as many of my cohorts-I commend her willingness for trying to step out of her comfort zone).

Initially I wasn't too 'Wowed!' by many of the red carpet looks, but I did absolutely have a handful of favorites.  One actress by far stood out above the rest.  She has been nailing this red carpet season with amazing looks at the People's Choice Awards, the Globes and now here, at the SAG Awards.
*Photo Credit: Fab Sugar

Check out who made my runner-up list as well as who I picked as my 2012 SAG Awards 'Best Dressed':

Amber Heard in Zac Posen

Ariel Winter in Collette Dinningan

Ashlee Simpson in Jenny Packham

Emily Blunt in Oscar de la Renta 

Kelly Osbourne in Badgley Mischka 

Regina King 

Rose Byrne in Elie Saab

Viola Davis in Marchesa

Zoe Salanda in Givenchy

And my personal vote for the 2012 SAG Awards 'Best Dressed' goes to...

Emma Stone! She totally wowed in this amazing Autumn/Winter 2012 Alexander McQueen fit-and-flare gown.  She paired it so perfectly with an intricate gold-handled Alexander McQueen clutch & those amazing ankle-straps. They were the most perfect finishing touches!

Emma Stone in Alexander McQueen (Autumn/Winter '12)

Jean Paul Gaultier pays tribute to Amy Winehouse!

Legendary fashion designer Jean Paul Gaultier paid tribute to late British singer Amy Winehouse during his show at Paris Fashion Week in France on Wednesday, January 25th.  His models copied her iconic look from the beehive, the eye makeup, and even down to the beauty spot for his latest catwalk show. Several models were even propped with smoking a cigarette in tribute to the late British icon.

For the finale models paraded down the runway in veils. Mourners? Brides? While that was unclear, what was clear was that it was truly a great tribute.

*Photo Credit: Style.com

Check out my favorite looks from his collection!

Jean Paul Gaultier Haute Couture Spring 2012 Collection:

Help Support Chicago Fashion, Let's Send GOCA to NYFW!

Calling all Chicago fashionistas & fashion lovers! Need plans for this Friday, January 27^th? Ink in your calendar to be at the NV Penthouse Lounge to help Chicago-fashion design duo, GOCA, go to New York Fashion Week. Gordana Rasic & Omar Villalobos were recently asked to show at the Emerge! Show during New York Fashion Week. Unfortunately, being full-time students and limited with their finances, they need help raising funds. Join the Chicago-fashion design duo along with Benjamin Cottrell, Shari Duffy and Harmonie to help take them to NYC and have a marvelous evening.

Details:

First Harmonie Champagne glass is complimentary!

Tickets are $10 before 7pm and $15 after 7pm

Proceeds from the event will go towards taking GOCA to NYFW!

Amazing raffle gifts include GOCA ready-to-wear pieces to custom Franc Lloyd menswear!

Let's all give a helping hand and have an Awesome Night at the same time!

It's Time to Get Your Game On!

"Sport" was definitely one of the biggest themes at the Spring 2012 New York Fashion Week shows with parachute strap dresses at Altuzarra and sleek track pants from the boys at Rag & Bone.  Alexander Wang's mesh bombers, floral hoodies, and stadium map sweaters may look ready for the playing field, but I guarantee you'll be seeing them on the street-style highlight reel come spring.

Question is, are you going to wait until Spring or are you going to be a sport and get ahead of the trend now?
*Photo Credit: Style.com

Akris

Alexander Wang

Altuzarra

Bottega Veneta

Isabel Marant

Lacoste

Nicole Miller

Ohne Titel

Rag & Bone

Need A Cure for the Winter Blues? Sparkle in Emerald Green!

With reality settling in that it's winter and everywhere you turn you see snow, dirty slush and cold. Help to brigthen up your winter setting with the jewel tone Emerald Green. This magnetic color has been the go-to color for the award ceremonies for the last 2 months as well as being littered all over the catwalk.

Check out these great looks from the red carpet on how this color can be a great alternative for sparkling nude or traditional black or from the catwalk for a dressed down, casually chic look:

Gwenyth Paltrow in Elie Saab 

Zac Posen SP/SU 12

Zoe Saldana in Elie Saab

DSquared2 SP/SU 12

Gucci SP/SU 12

Chloe Moretz in Proenza Schouler

Saab SP/SU 12

2012 People's Choice Awards: Best Dressed!

Dressing for the red carpet is definitely a science.  You have so many different factors to consider such as trends, color, shape, etc and that's just for the gown.  Alot of folks forget that it's not just the killer gown or outfit that get's you on the 'Best Dressed' lists.  It's your entire ensemble and that includes: hair, make-up, jewelry, fashion accessories and shoes. It's the whole package!

The following ladies nailed it and will definitely be top looks on everyone's 'Best Dressed' list.  One in particular stole the show for me, check out my list and find out which starlet is my People's Choice 2012 'Best Dressed' of the night!

*Photo Credit: Red Carpet Fashion Awards 

My Runner-Up Picks:

Jennifer Morrison in Oscar de la Renta Spring 2012

Miley Cyrus in David Koma Spring 2012

Ginnifer Goodwin in Roksanda Ilincic Spring 2012

My 'Best Dressed' of the night goes to: Lea Michele! Lea's dress is on trend with it's 1920's inspiration of a drop waist and fringe.  She is definitely channeling a chic and modern update to the fabulous "flapper-girls" of the 20's.  Lea definitely makes this dress her own, with shiny side swept hair and a bubble gum lip color.

Lea Michele in Marchesa Spring 2012

Can I be Blue Ivy Carter?

Just out of the womb and already Blue Ivy Carter is a platinum recording artist.  "Glory" by Jay-Z featuring his newly born daughter is a definite tear-jerker.

This song is oozing with love, passion and happiness.  We get an inside peek into this usually ultra-private celeb couple's journey to conceive.  If you weren't a Jay-Z or Queen Bey fan before, it's so hard to not love them after hearing this amazing love song.

Get your tissues ready before you listen!

"Glory" by Jay-Z featuring Blue Ivy Carter:

Belt it up!

One of the joys of a Chicago winter is the fantastic opportunity for an overcoat. Undoubtedly the purchase of a new season coat is a joyous moment; the investment into a new shape, fabric or color can immediately refresh a tired wardrobe. However if tight funds do not allow such a luxury, there is a way in which one's overcoat can be instantly updated with a simple addition: a belt.

The first way in which this is done is by altering the silhouette of a coat. Simply synching a belt at the waist gives both shape to the torso and flare to the skirt, perfect for this season's ladylike 1940's trend. For a more dramatic and feminine shape, use a wider belt.

The secondary benefit of a belt is the addition of color and texture. A paint box sash adds pop to a classic trench or a studded one adds an edgy toughness to last seasons’ trench. Use embellishment to take an overcoat from day into evening or pair down a favorite dress coat with a worn tan leather belt remembering to knot instead of buckle for extra panache.

Hong Kong: Who's Real and Who's Fake?

Prior to my first visit to Hong Kong, China last October everyone I spoke to who has had the opportunity to visit this enchanting city all described it as "a giant shopping mall".  This description definitely peaked my interest, but also left me begging the question "What's bigger than shopping in NYC?"

Little did I know! The first thing you notice upon arriving in Hong Kong is the number of shopping centres, shopping districts, and street markets per square footage is insane.  The city is only 427 square miles, but manages to pack 84+ shopping centres, 3 large street markets, etc. 

With all of these various facets and avenues for shopping, one can not help but notice all of the logos that swarm you on a daily basis.  It is literally a sensory overload of designer logos from LouisVuitton, Gucci, Burberry, etc  Seeing so many women carrying handbags that normally retail for thousands, while wearing $10 dollar shoes I couldn't help but wonder: where is everyone getting their fakes and if everyone that I seen carrying a designer handbag was carrying a fake.

After a little bit of poking around and research I discovered that Hong Kong has it's fair share of counterfeit handbags, but there was a unique anomaly of a large number of retail locations dedicated to the re-sale of designer handbags.  Here for my second visit to Hong Kong, I decided I need to visit one of these re-sale shops. Yesterday I went to one in Mong Kok and was amazed at the large selection of Hermes handbags, but was even more floored by the price ticket.  Many were priced at around HK$16,800 (equivalent to approx. $2,100 USD).  The craftsmanship on these bags were impeccable.  The shape and hardware was spot on.  Yet, the key giveaway that made me begin to hestitate was the stitching. Although the thought of snagging a heavily discounted priced Birkin was very enticing, I couldn't seem to shake the nagging feeling of "is this real?". 

In the end I left with nothing.  I remembered what an amazing feeling it is to actually go into a designer boutique and have the pom & royal treatment that you are given when you purchase a designer handbag.  But the most important thing to remember is that you have the great feeling of reassurance and security that you purchased your designer hangbag from a legit source and know that it's real!