[Chicago Fashion Event] #SummerStyle at Mark Shale on July 12!

Just in time for the heat wave that has hit Chicago, myself and fellow Chicago fashion/style blogger Jen Worman will be hosting an evening of shopping & style at Mark Shale.  Need help figuring out the perfect Chicago-proof festival outfit? Can't seem to find the perfect ensemble for that summer wedding in a few weeks? or Have you been wondering how to incorporate summer's key trends?  Don't worry, Jen & I will be on hand to assist you with wardrobe advice and to give you the insider tips of what's currently on trend for Summer and if you are fashion forward enough, what will be in next Spring/Summer 2013!

Don't miss out on my week long series, "A Week with Mark Shale" that starts this Monday, July 2nd.  I will be highlighting all of the stunning and totes amaze Men's (yes I said Men's) and Women's accessories that Mark Shale has to offer.  

Here are the deets & hope to you will join in on the fun.  Let's toast in Summer with fun fashion, a new wardrobe and of course a summery cocktail! xo

When: Thursday, July 12th

Time: 5pm to 7pm

Where: Mark Shale (Michigan Avenue location) 

Resort 2013 Recap: My Fav Looks & Trends!

Check out my round up of the Resort 2013 collections and what are the top looks and trends that you should look forward to emulating next Spring.

Top Resort 2013 Looks & Trends:

3.1 Phillip Lim: Comfy, clean lines are the staple shape.  And yes, there are still hints to the relaxed  Pajama trend.  Now it's urban chic

3.1 Phillip Lim: Workman vibe re-done in a urban chic way with the update to a skinny  boyfriend  fit leg & by using leather as the focal fabrication

Celine: Updating the current sheer trend by layering a sheer jumpsuit over a short ensemble of fun scarf prints

Erdem: Lace isn't going anywhere. Update to incorporate key pops of neon colored lace.

Givenchy: Taking the current print-tastic trend to a whole new level by using prints & geo-shapes to create an optical illusion

Givenchy: Introducing Spring's new silhouette/shape, The Cape

Jonathan Saunders: Prints, prints, and more prints.  Now in a clear symmetric, hazy,  and hippy chic version.

Lanvin: Pleats aren't going away anytime soon.  Add some edge to maxi pleats via a leather belt.

Ostwald Helgason: Sporty meets Print-tastic.  Don't be afraid to mix and blend the two, in fact it's encouraged

Prada: Keeping with the Athleticism theme but giving it a twist with color-blocked fur

Stella McCartney: Florals, florals and more florals.

Thakoon: Cut-outs are still a huge trend and now are more prominently done as a pattern.

The Row: Sporty outerwear featuring chic and clean lines

Valentino: Lace being a tried and true staple being elevated here as texturized  layered appliques

*Photo Credit: The Telegraph

[Personal Style] Spikes & Grey for Summer!

Summer has officially arrived and with that comes hotter temps, street festivals, and outdoor shopping.  Many of us naturally associate summer with bright vibrant colors and fun prints.  While I love my fair share of  vibrant jewel-tone colors and stunning prints, a large portion of my wardrobe is composed of greys, whites and blacks.  Because a neutral color palette comprises a large percentage of my wardrobe I like to infuse these tones in a fun and new way that are still trend right.  


During these warmer months the city of Chicago comes to life with multiple street festivals and outdoor shopping festival happening weekly.  My standard uniform for outdoor events is a comfy dress with chic and edgy accessories, and most importantly statement flats.  Just because color is a huge trend for the summer season, doesn't mean color always has to be the focal point of every summer ensemble.


Check out my comfy, edgy, chic ensemble that features spikes & greys: 

What I'm wearing: Tom Ford (sunnies); Monki shapeless dress; ASOS spiked belt; Sam Edelman Spiked Loafers; Vintage Giorgio Chain Bag.

[Chicago Fashion Event] CakeStyle: Professional Styling Made Easy!

CakeStyle, started a year ago by Cecelia Myers, is a fresh new take on personal styling catering to the fashionably conscious professional woman! Cecelia noticed that many of her fellow co-workers struggled to find the perfect office outfit that was appropriate but also functional in more ways than one. Obviously seeing this lack of personal attention to the professional woman Cakestyle was born, combining 2 of Cecelia’s passions: fashion & business.

From the moment I walked into their adorable showroom located at Ohio and State Street I wanted to sign up with a personal CakeStylist and begin my fun journey of refreshing my Fall wardrobe (never too early to plan). I met with a fabulous CakeStylist named Laurie and she filled me in on everything I needed to know. The whole process is broken down into 3 easy steps.

First, you will get matched with a personal stylist who will then start you with your fit & wardrobe consultation. After the initial meeting they will select about 16 pieces or 4-6 outfits along with accessories and send them to you. The great part of this process is the personal videos that each stylist creates for their client.  The personal videos go over each outfit that was selected for you. The videos highlight how pieces are worn and why they will work for you.  I find that the personal videos not only are helpful but very informative. Think of the videos as Fashion 101. Also, if you want to get more personal and live in the Chicago area, the ladies of CakeStyle will do a personal consultation in their chic showroom. Lastly, you select what you like and the rest you send it back, you only pay for the items you keep. CakeStyle has really made this whole process very customer friendly.

CakeStyle is something that every fashionista should take advantage of. It is really easy to get stuck in a rut and feel uninspired by your current wardrobe but CakeStyle is sure to get you out of that rut and into a hot Trina Turk dress. I can’t wait for my appointment with a CakeStylist.

Unlike the Simon & Garfunkel song ‘Cecelia’…Cecelia is not breaking our hearts but instead making us fall in love with fabulous designer pieces!

Written by Chi-Style Maven Fashion Contributor, Alexandra Maria Evangelou

Hello all you stylish mavens! I’m a little new to this so let’s skip the awkward ice breakers and jump right into it! I was given the special privilege of joining the elite ranks of Chi-Style Maven’s Legion of Fashion Contributors & I look forward to bringing you the inside scoop on some of Chicago's stylish and trendy fashion innovations!

Chic Backpacks!

Photo Credit: Taken by Tommy Ton at Sydney Fashion Week

Backpacks are synonymous with going to school, carrying school books and the dreaded word of any adolescent: homework.  For many, myself included, the backpack I carried in grade school served a very different purpose in comparison to the backpack I carried in college.  This unique and extremely functional bag not only fulfills it's purpose of carrying all of your important "stuff" but it's also amazing for your shoulder because the weight distribution lessens the strain.


So why should we retire this bag just because we aren't in school anymore? Well here's the great news, we don't have too.  There are so many great silhouettes and shapes that are perfect to accommodate the more grown-up you.  Seems that even fashion week attendees appreciate their great functionality.  The above photo was the most memorable for me out of all of the different street style photos I seen from Sydney Fashion Week.  Since first seeing this photo back in May, I've seen so many more street style photos of smartly dressed folks wearing backpacks.

To help you get a  head start with this obvious trend, I've selected the following chic suggestions below:

Pictured above: 1. 3.1 Phillip Lim 2. Marc by Marc Jacobs 3. Ally Capellino 4. Longchamp 5. Vintage Chanel 6. The Row

Oh RAD by Rad Hourani, how I love thee!

The perfect start to my day was receiving my weekly RAD by Rad Hourani email update.  I discovered wonderful news that not only is Rad Hourani designing a special and exclusive collection of 10 unisex pieces that will only be available at Joyce Boutique in Hong Kong but that he will be the first designer to showcase a unisex haute couture collection in the history of  Paris Haute Couture Week this July.

Seriously, where do I even begin.  It's no secret that I have become a huge fan of Rad Hourani since discovering him last year (see post here).  This exclusive collection only to be offered at Joyce, reflect a slick and energetic silhouette that celebrate the 5 years of unisex and design brilliance of Rad Hourani.  Continuing to build on this amazing unisex movement, Rad will be showcasing his exceptional craftsmanship through the fabric three-dimensionally, as an architectural origami canvas.  The unisex reversible and transformable pieces are handcrafted and made with meticulous precision and dedication to Rad's vision: Genderless, Seasonless, and Timeless.  These pieces are destined to be more than garments; a collector's item.

Okay, back to the exclusive collection that will only be available at Joyce Boutique in Hong Kong.

The following are the exclusive 10 unisex pieces that I am ecstatic to check out during my July trip to Hong Kong:

*Photo Credit: Rad Hourani

Summer's Go-To Handbag: Cross-body Satchels!

Can you believe that we are officially in the month of June?  Not only is the year half way done, but we are officially in warm weather season!  During the summer months there are so many great outdoor events happening from vintage flea markets, street festivals to outdoor brunches at your favorite luncheon spot.

My go-to handbag style of choice during these warm weather months is the handy cross-body satchel.  It's perfect to toss on and be on your way.  There are so many on-trend choices to choose from that I've narrowed down the Summer's Top 3 trends and even made your decision making a cinch by showing you an either or choice.

So now the important question is, which of the trends appeal to you the most? Happy shopping! xo



Neon:

Solid: Cambridge Satchel Company  Subtle: Jason Wu

Color-blocking:

Pastel: Proenza Schouler Neutral: Pour La Victoire

Print:

White: Oryany  Print: See by Chloe

CFDA 2012 Awards Red Carpet

The Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) red carpet is most notably known as "the Oscars of the fashion industry".  American fashion designers, fashion innovators, and style trail blazers are honored for their contributions to the American fashion industry.

Like any other notable red carpet the starlets did not disappoint.  Key trends on the red carpet were exciting all-over prints, cut-outs, and brilliant vibrant colors.  There were definite hits and misses, and as per usual one particular starlet stole the red carpet for me.

Check out my Top 5 looks of the night as well and who I awarded my best dressed of the night!

Dakota Fanning in Proenza Schouler

Zoe Saldana in Prabal Gurung (pictured with Designer)

Kate Bosworth in Altuzarra Laal

Hilary Rhoda in Rebecca Minkoff

Solange Knowles stole the night in this J. Crew yellow knit shift dress!  She looked absolutely picturesque in her signature golden color and paired so perfectly with a vintage floral clutch and Missoni sandals.  Wearing her hair natural only aide to exude this brilliant cool vibe that has become her signature red carpet style.  

Solange Knowles in Marni

Want to replicate Solange's picturesque look? Check out my suggestions below:

Pictured above: 1. Fire Lace Shift Dress 2. Missoni Knitted & Perspex Sandals (now 50% off!) 3. Vintage inspired Floral Clutch

Cat Eye Sunglasses: Instant Ensemble Changer!

My number one accessory that I never leave home without on a beautiful warm sunny day are a pair of chic sunnies.  Truth be told I actually always carry at least 2 pairs with me at all times (sadly sometimes I have 3 pairs).  At the moment I'm in love with the cat eye shape not only because they are a great nod to the glamorous 50's and 60's but are also a great way to infuse the current trend of modernizing the shapes and silhouettes of that great fashion era.

Check out my Top 6 Cat Eye Sunnies you can score right now!

Pictured above: 1. Elizabeth and James 2. The Row 3. Mauricio Stein for ASOS 4. Marc Jacobs 5. Dior 6. House of Harlow