S.I.L.K Fall 2013 Collection: The Cosmopolitan Woman!

Yesterday S.I.L.K, designed by Michele Lee, showcased their Fall 2013 collection inspired as the uniform for the 'Cosmopolitan Woman'.  The collection is a compilation of a strong color palette of earthy hues coupled with bold floral prints, leather and embellished accents.

The silk and silk based fabrications used in this collection are true to it's namesake.  Lee's choice to use this luxe and supple fabric to create sleek and ladylike silhouettes that are perfect for work and because of the versatility of the silhouettes can easily transition to night.

Check out my 10 favorite looks from Michele Lee's S.I.L.K Fall 2013 collection:

Belted Perfection!

Drawing major spring inspiration from Zana Bayne Leather's 'Peplum' Belt.  The belt gives you the versatile option to instantly update any ensemble to one of the most popular mini-trends we've seen on the red carpet as of late.

Always one to adhere to the belief that more options are always better, I've found a very similar yet still very unique option in comparison and want you to decide: Which is more inspirational for Spring, Splurge (Zana Bayne Leather) or Steal (ASOS)?

Love Fashion, Style and CSM?

If you answered 'Yes' then I NEED you!  As I mentioned earlier in the month I've been working on some exciting new changes that I'm bursting at the seams to share with you all but I'm waiting for the big reveal next month on CSM's blogiversary.  Before I go off on a tangent about my excitement I better get back to why I need you, my amazing CSM readers and community.

Along with all of this amazing change that is happening for CSM I need help and I'm looking for a Chicago based fashion contributor.  My only criteria is that you must love fashion, style and CSM as much as I do and naturally have a strong affinity for writing.

If you are ready to embark on an exciting journey and become a member of the CSM team please email a writing sample along with why you want to be a fashion contributor for CSM to afonua11@gmail.com.

[Personal Style] Forward thinking about Clear Blue skies...

*Photo Credit: Net-a-porter

Like everyone else in the city of Chicago, the moment the clock stroke 12:01 am on March 20th last week I've been intensely yearning for spring temps (even more so once you stepped foot outside your door and were smacked in the face by the high teen degree temps).

While mother nature is still teasing us today with gloomy, cloudy skies and forecasted flurries on the horizon stay warm and inspired for spring with 2 of this season's biggest trends and join me in day dreaming about Clear Blue skies:

3.1 Phillip Lim

Burberry Prorsum

Cambridge Satchel Co.

Charlotte Olympia

Gianvito Rossi

Givenchy

Jimmy Choo

MM6 Maison Martin Marigela

H&M 'Hollywood Glamour' Conscious Collection, love or hate it?

We got our first glimpse of H&M's Conscious collection inspired by Hollywood Glamour (and constructed of sustainable materials to boot) when Helen Hunt graced the Oscars red carpet in a custom one-of-a-kind look.  Unfortunately (and many are actually cheering) that the look Hunt wore on the biggest red carpet night of the year did not make the cut into the final collection.

The actual collection is definitely full of red carpet mini-trends such as lace, asymmetrical hemlines, peplums and naturally a big tulle filled fantasy gown.  This is actually where the good parts of the collection end for me.  The rest of the collection is too disconnected and lack a cohesion that is signature to the brand (i.e. cohesive color palette, prints, etc).  The collection covers both menswear and womenswear but there are so many different looks from 3-D elements to fringe that individually could have told a much more compelling story but all mishmoshed together are just too distracting.

Photo Credit: H&M

Check out the collection below and chime in and let me know if you agree or disagree with me:

The Circus of Fashion...

Many of the fashion industry's elite and more seasoned patrons have chimed in about the phenomenon that is Street Style fashion.  This once natural and organic sub-evolution of the fashion industry has made a 360 degree turn over the years and now we have it's new transformation: Cyber Reality TV stars or as notable fashion journalist, Tim Blanks refers to them as 'fashion monsters'.


The following STYLE.COM mini documentary called "Take My Picture" by Garage Magazine which features interviews with Tim Blanks (and other fashion industry elites and blogosphere) give an interesting and more importantly insightful perspective on the circus of fashion and where it's headed.

[Chicago Fashion] Randolph Street Market "Spring Fling"!

It's that time of month again folks! Join me this weekend March 23rd & 24th for Randolph Street Market's "Spring Fling".  It might still be freezing, but this weekend's market is going to be all about Spring.  Shoppers who don their finest Easter bonnets will get free admission into the market plus there will be hidden Easter Eggs containing Market Bucks, Season Passes, sweet treats and more.

Here are all the deets:
When- March 23rd & 24th from 10am to 5pm
Where- Beaux Arts Plumber's Hall, 1340 W. Washington Street (plus there's free parking)
Price- Get all ticketing info here

Visit Randolph Street Market for more info!

[Birthstone Baubles] March: Aquamarine!

This March edition of Birthstone Baubles is a bit delayed and I apologize profusely to all of my Pisces and Aries CSM readers.  I've been busily working on a number of exciting transformations that will happening to CSM and can't wait to share all of them with you.  So definitely stay tuned!

Okay, now back to the all important Pisces and Aries!  Your birthstone is the Aquamarine and naturally is the shades of cool water.  The serene color of aquamarine is said to cool the temper, allowing the wearer to remain calm and levelheaded.

Start the year long celebration of your birth now and check out the 11 amazing pieces I've picked out to help you do it in style!

[MFW] Streetstyle Trend at MFW: Stylish Headgear!

*Photo Credt: Phil Oh

Aside from catching up on the different fashion presentations that have been presented at Milan Fashion Week my indulgence is reviewing all of the streetstyle photos of the amazing gear the fashion show attendees wore.  Starting with NYFW and on to LFW and now MFW the key fashion accessory that all of the photos that made me stop and oogle were attendees rockin' some stellar headgear.  Amazing headgear serves the immediate need of warmth but more importantly fulfill that amazing need of mine for fashion to serve a purpose and live up to my style motto of 'Edgy, Comfy, Chic'.

Check out my suggestions of great pieces that will help you step up your headgear while at the same time keep you warm (definitely a plus especially since Chicago has been blanketed with inches of snow):