Gen Art’s “Fresh Faces In Fashion” the Grand Finale of Chicago’s Fashion Focus

On Saturday evening, Gen Art, a leading non-profit organization promoting emerging talent in the arts and entertainment, hosted “Fresh Faces In Fashion.” The annual event celebrated its seventh year with the ‘hottest’ new designers premiering their best and eclectic spring 2010 collections. Fresh Faces has already launched many successful designers like Zac Posen, Vena Cava, Rebecca Taylor and even Lara Miller –who was featured in Thursday night’s Fashion Focus kickoff show, “Macy’s Presents The Designers of Chicago.”

The Fresh Faces In Fashion runway show debuted three accessory designers, five women’s wear designers and one men’s wear designer: Kristin Hassan, Christina Fan of C/Fan, Jenna Lee Fowler and Melanie Manego of JLee Silver, Telo Dunne and Olivia Shanks of Imaginary People, Tatyana Merenyuk of Red Doll, Andrei Savtchenko of Dorsia, Matt and Emma of Emma Caroll Etc., Asia Borycka of Fab Studio and Natasha Kimling Kwan of Kling Handbags.

Upon first entrance guests were greeted by four models wearing Fab Studio’s jewelry of ‘harmony and grace.’ Semi-precious stones, metal necklaces and chains uniquely decorated the model’s black outfits, outrageously outlining their figures; perhaps they should be called ‘body’ laces, as the jewelry can be worn in a variety of ways to contour the figure. Emma Carroll Etc. displayed leather jewelry and other accessories; the jewelry in particular is made with vibrant veg-tanned leathers and can be custom-made by design and dye color.

The runway show began with C/Fan’s women’s wear, which featured loose, flowing dresses in pastoral hues and contrasted with Kristin Hassan’s outfits of bright gold, silver and neon pink hats and dresses. Dorsia’s men’s wear is what I hope to see my new boyfriend in: flirty and fitted knee-length shorts, white bow-ties with slacks, tuxedo jackets, stonewashed jeans and dressy vests over plaid shirts.

JLee’s tailored look caters to the fashion forward working-girl, and thank god. Who isn’t getting tired of Express’s overpriced Editor Pants? While JLee’s line includes jackets and pants, my favorites were the block dress with V-back, the grey A-line dress with a sexy front-zipper and the patterned pencil skirt with long and skinny blue tie.

Imaginary People’s line was inspired by active lifestyles. The clothes, while comfortable, are also functional for elegant evenings: black flowing dresses, snug black and white diamond-patterned pants, short black and white waist-cinched dresses, and my favorite— A-line dress with bright red and yellow flowers.

To view Red Doll’s collection of fun and flirty girlie prints and ruffles, for a look at Kling’s hobo evening clutch and other handbags, or to see more of the above-mentioned designers’ clothing lines, logon to GenArt.org. http://genart.org/fashion

Planning an English Getaway? How To Begin in Classic London...

London is the easiest city I have ever traveled to on this side of the Atlantic Ocean. Recently, I booked a last-minute, cheap ticket for a quick get-away, remembering the lyrics to the song I sang as a little girl: London bridge is falling down, falling down, falling down...Once I arrived, I found the city to be truly amazing and diverse in every sense of the word. And to my surprise, there isn’t anything that is falling down. Instead, this global city is very well-connected allowing millions to move around freely.

London is arguably the only city in the world with an incredible, efficient transportation infrastructure (both land & air), allowing you to visit without relying on a GPS system or rental car. While you may choose to get around in a classic English black cab, their tube or bus system will do the trick. However, we recommend taking the tube as there’s one in every neighbourhood. Additionally, as London is one of the most accessible cities in the world, if won’t surprise you to also find more than 300 languages are spoken. Like me, you’ll probably ask yourself more than once during your visit: Where are they from? Are they speaking English, Español or Italian? Luckily, the primary language spoken and recognized in London is English.

If you’re planning a quick getaway like mine, you’ll need some last-minute getting there and travel information as well:

Getting There: You can fly into London Gatwick, Heathrow or Stansted Airports. But, while low-cost European Airlines, i.e. RyanAir, EasyJet, etc, may fly into Stansted for almost the cost of nothing, note that Stansted is the furthest airport from the city and you’ll spend a hefty fair on a car to transport you to London. Unfortunately, whichever airport you arrive into, you may spend an hour in a bus or cab. We recommend taking the bus or train into the city. Both Gatwick and Heathrow Airport have buses that take you to Victoria Station. Note: Although Stansted is the furthest airport, it takes the same time to get to the center. I paid 28 pounds round-trip for the London Express, which dropped me off at Liverpool Station (on the Circle line) - GREAT deal!

Accommodations: I recommend booking a hotel that is located at any tube station along the CIRCLE or CENTRAL line (see below)

Transportation Passes: Buy a travel card or pass for the amount of days you plan to be there. This will allow you to jump on & off the tube or bus line while saving money. Otherwise, you’re looking at paying £4 pounds each time you hop on or off. Ouch! Remember, you’ll have to purchase cards in “zones,” so check out your map before your purchase and figure out which zones you’ll spend the most time in. And remember, if you need help, the attendants speak English!

The CIRCLE & CENTRAL Lines feature the best of London:

St James' Park - Buckingham Palace (London Palace of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and her lovely nephews Prince William & Henry). Time permitting; enjoy the ‘Changing of the Guard’ takes place daily at 11:30 a.m.

Westminster – Big Ben, Westminster Abbey & Houses of Parliament
This 700-year-old building is in the HEART of London. Everyone from kings, queens, statesmen and soldiers, poets, priests, heroes and villains make up the Abbey. It’s a must-see living pageant of British history. It’s also the same place where Princess Diana’s funeral took place.

Embankment – Walk towards River Thames and enjoy a river cruise or hop on the London Eye for a great view of the city. Or if nothing else, walking along the river is lovely on a sunny day! This tube stop is also close to Covent Garden - a cute shopping area with outside entertainment. From here you can visit Trafalgar Square (if you have time and enjoy the arts you can visit the National Gallery). You can also walk to Piccadilly Circus and Leicester Square (where all major film premieres take place).

Baker Street – Mingle with the Queen, Amy Winehouse, Michael Jackson and Barack Obama while visiting Madame Tussaud's (the wax museum). This is the closest you’ll ever get to royalty.

Notting Hill - You saw the film with Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant, right? This classic residential London neighbourhood includes cute shops, cafes and restaurants where you can enjoy a hearty, delicious English breakfast! Antique lovers will want to walk towards Portobello Road Market, while die-hard shoppers will want to jump on Knightsbridge (one change of train on the tube) to see one of the largest and most famous shops in the UK – Harrod’s (owned by Mohamed Fayed – Dodi Al-Fayed’s dad - the guy Diana was with when she was killed). Plus, Michael Jackson was rumoured to spend a fortune there!

Bond Street - This stop is along Oxford Street, where you can choose to from over 300 shops. Wear comfortable shoes and carry a cash-filled wallet. You’ll need it!

St. Paul’s – Remember Princess Diana and Prince Charles’ “fairytale wedding”? Yes, it happened here July 29th, 1981. This jaw-dropping cathedral will have you in awe because of its size and sophisticated architecture.

The places I highlighted only scratch the surface of what London has to offer, but you’ll find the above itinerary is a great starting point. Once you get the hang of how the tube works, you’ll learn that the entire city is literally at your feet: Tower of London, the British Museum, Chinatown and everything in between. Luckily, you’ll save money when visiting the museums since they’re all FREE! Plus, if you’re trying to travel on a budget without spending a fortune on food – Don’t worry, London has food readily-available at every street corner for any budget.

Side NOTE: If you don’t want to be hit on the road – Don’t forget that the English drive on the other side of the road compared to drivers in the US and most of Europe! So LOOK out and ENJOY this fascinating global city!
Posted by Gal about the Globe at 9:05 AM

Fashion Focus Chicago Features Local Designers and Wet Weather

Perhaps the theme of this year’s Fashion Focus Chicago should have been wet weather. The celebration kicked off Thursday night under a big white tent-turned umbrella in Millennium Park, with Macy’s Presents the Designers of Chicago as the first headlining show. As drops momentarily crept through the ceiling to our seats, models scrambled back stage to dry off clothes, shoes, hair and we were told the runway show would be running a bit late. Would spring 2010’s collection include rain boots and trench coats? We’d have to wait a bit longer to see.

According to our program, last year Macy’s launched 21 world-class women’s apparel and accessory collections, and 14 of those ‘next great American designers’ would be featured this evening. Last year’s collections of apparel, jewelry, handbags, accessories and neck wear are currently located on the 1st and 3rd floor of Macy’s on State Street. I thought about walking a couple of blocks down Madison or Randolph to get a preview, but alas, we were finally told that the show must go on!

Lara Miller’s line featured strap dresses, ruffle wrap dresses in hand-loomed bamboo, as well as mesh sweater and mesh sweater dresses both made with recycled and organic cotton in colors like burnt mauve and midnight blues. Blake Standard’s line began with a fitted Parisian feel of black and white stripes, red vests and continued with berets, brighter colors of red and orange and fitted leggings. J’adore his pocketed pencil skirts. 5P1T featured waist-cinched dresses in vibrant greens and flower patterns, while Tennille White’s fuller-figure wear included an elegant black and gold duster jacket and cream flutter sleeve dress with bud belt.

The evening continued with exciting collections by Lauren Lein, Lee Allison, Jermikko, Anna Hovet, Zamrie, Furio, Nora Del Busto, Cynthia Ryba and Audey. However, the crowd will probably make their first purchases from The Tiebar at Macy’s as that collection showcased half-naked men in small round hats, tie and a briefcase; cause that’s what we all want our men to wear to work or the bedroom for that matter. Women shopping for themselves will love Anna Hovet’s Kylie Minogue-esque inspirations, and I’ll look to Furio, because I look great in something fitted, short and white. As for right now though, my first purchases will be from designer Jermikko because his line included a trench coat, and designer Audey, because her spring petticoat dresses came complete with umbrellas.

Fashion Focus Chicago returns for the fifth year, from Thursday October 22 – Sunday, October 25 and celebrates with the city’s best designers. It includes around town trunk shows, shopping extravaganzas, educational seminars and my favorite: VIP receptions with posh accoutrements, h’or dourves, things like vintage cocktails, meet-and-greets with talented designers and post parties. Reservations are required, but you can still logon to www.chicagofashionresource.com for tickets, events and more information.

The Magnificent Mile: Victoria's Secret Grand Opening

I cannot think of a better time of the year for a Victoria’s Secret Grand Opening than during the week of Chicago’s 2009 Fashion Focus. And, in what better location than downtown’s Magnificent Mile? But you know what would be even better, given the spirit of Halloween? If an angel flew in from up above—wings and all—to celebrate with guests. Wait a minute. That did happen! Well, almost.

While Victoria’s Secret Angel, Supermodel Marisa Miller, wasn’t wearing her wings, but instead, a pair of tight black jeans, platform heels and a pink t-shirt with the words, “Victoria’s Secret Chicago,” it still felt like our prayers—whatever they may be—were answered. Despite the wet weather, both men and women lined-up around Michigan Avenue anxiously awaiting autographs, and decked out with the pink VS striped umbrellas the store provided.

At first, I was taken aback, annoyed even. Not just by the angry crowds, ‘He told us to wait out there, so why do they get to wait in here?’, but by the bodyguards wearing earpieces. ‘Surely Obama is not back for fashion week, and surely Marisa does not think she’s the president, does she?’ I thought. But, the moment Marisa floated out, everyone—myself included—praised the lord (or maybe cursed him).

Her nose was so perfect and tiny, her forearms so skinny and toned; even her dirty-blonde hair looked like a halo rose high above her head (someone must have handed her ten of those umbrellas this morning). The women wished they’d worn heels today and the men wished they’d either worn heels too or done 500 crunches. At least some of us remembered to wear our Body-By-Victoria’s Secret push-up bras (shhhh…it’s a secret).

As Marisa sat down to sign autographs and we all did back flips with each of her hair flips, there was too much Grand Opening action to ignore. Make-up artists not only painted faces but gave cheekbone consultations, sales women handed out gift cards in excess of $100, and orange juice in champagne glasses danced around waitresses’ heads. Hmmm…perhaps they were really mimosas – I never got my hands on one so I can’t be sure.

To continue the spirit of the season, the place was decorated like a scantily-clad Halloween—but better. Golden wings in the sky, flying bras, tassels, fringes, and translucent corsets. I even spotted baggy mom pajamas for the evening’s end; a perfect opposition to transition from hours of suffocating breast-pushing and stomach-squeezing.

But, as with all of Victoria’s Secrets, the experience is never quite complete without the creepy guy. Typically, he’s someone else’s boyfriend sitting in the only chair that happens to be right outside YOUR dressing room. It was my cue to leave when I asked creepy guy, ‘Here with the wife, ha?’ and he naively responded with, ‘Yea. Shopping with my wife and daughter.’ Gross. I’ve never ever gone underwear shopping with my dad. Not even while running errands at Wal-Mart as he’s in the automotive section.

Although the spirit of this holiday was over for me, I long to use my gift card another day, but mostly, for smaller forearms and a nose that does not move left to right while making facial expressions.

Meals On Wheels 2009 Celebrity Chef Ball

If you didn’t make it to the Meals on Wheels 2009 Celebrity Chef Ball Friday night, then too bad so sad. The real celebrities of the evening were the guests; my girlfriends and I felt honored as the best chefs of Chicago’s premier restaurants cooked for a cause while serving us their sexiest dishes and delicious desserts. Celebrity chef hosts included Jimmy Bannos (Heaven on Seven), Stephanie Izard (Drunken Goat) and Tony Priolo (Piccolo Sogno). The annual event, held at Macy’s on State Street, benefits Meals on Wheels “to ensure Chicago’s seniors and disabled population retain a lifestyle of independence and dignity.” DSC00462

While tickets to the Chef’s Table sold out before Friday night, most guests came afterward for four hours of the fabulous Chef Tasting Party. Cocktails, gambling and music ensued on the seventh floor of Macy’s, and I spotted dresses and suits covered in guacamole, pork rib and lobster bisque soup before the night’s end. Favorites dribbling down my dress included the pequeno peppers stuffed with goat cheese from Tizi Melloul, butternut squash ravioli from Socca, sushi from Sunda, and ceviche from Adobo Grill.

Other featured restaurants included Boka, Vermillion, Lockwood at the Palmer House Hilton, Osteria Via Stato, Terragusto and the Gage. If you missed Friday night though, The Local Tourist says you’re in luck: there’s another, smaller ball in Ravenswood tonight, benefiting the Scleroderma Foundation.

What Do You Take Home From Your Travels?

Below: me in Santa Margherita Ligure in a scarf I got in Rome, a hat I got in Chicago, sitting in Villa Durazzo, a 16th-century castle, in a 17th-century park.


The detriment of travel is trying to figure out how to take home the experience with you. Instead of savoring the journey, you often waste time locating the finest wine, coffee, stamps, antiques, perhaps even some cheese—-despite the fact that you may have to learn how to say silly things like “air-tight seal,” or “put a cork in it,” in another language. Over the excruciating years of tearing myself away from a destination, I’ve found my favorite accoutrements to purchase are the ones that will stay with me forever: boots, shoes, a scarf, a jacket, a sweater.

Purchasing clothing goods may seem like an obvious choice for a traveling gal, so I’d like to state—-for the record—-that I do not own name brands, nor do I have a stash of Louis Vuitton and Prada handbags. My purpose for purchasing clothing goods has more to do with being a hopeless romantic and desperately yearning for a specific time and place. Simply smelling the fabric of a wool sweater from a foreign outdoor market recalls quite a few memories and brings about many questions other than the destination: who was I when I bought this? Was I happy Desiree or sad Desiree that day? What happened that year and was that the month that changed my life, or was I just having the time of my life?

Mostly, I find myself defining character moments in these clothes. It is October in Chicago and last night, just before going out, I found a brown sweater jacket with loosely-knit fabric. I threw it on and while warm in its somewhat itchy fur, I thought about December in Torino and the street I’d picked it up from, Via Roma. It was dark, cold and wet, just like last night in Chicago. Although a year later and an ocean over, one very important thing came to mind: last year I began struggling back and forth about a very difficult life decision I had to make. I remember, that despite my umbrella, walking through the cobble-stoned alleyways of Torino left my gray boots and tired feet soaking wet. Yet, while frustrated that I had to continue sloshing through the city for another couple hours before I could return to the hotel and change, I remember being even more frustrated about this decision I could not make.

Almost one year has passed and last month, I finally made that decision. It is difficult. I’m subjected to terrible advice from loving friends and family, like, change is the only constant. Think positively and positive things will happen. When life gives you lemons, make lemonade, blah, blah, blah. Often, this advice is not fitting, and I sometimes respond to them with, “Boo” or “Poo.”

But it is fitting, that in another time, in another destination, the weather is the same, and the old Desiree meets the new Desiree, and all because a sweater coat still fits. I get to think about happier things: that trip was the trip I learned about Bicerin, an 18th-century espresso made with chocolate and milk. And it was one of the first times I thought about Gal about the Globe. I visited the Olympic Alps of Piemonte and learned that to make polenta perfectly, you have to stir it slowly for an hour; I learned that polenta and sausage is awesome while dining at Eataly, an amazing food emporium endorsed by Slow Food. I also learned never to buy disposable cameras from airports, and also, I learned that you can find imitation Ugg boots so that when they get soaking wet you don’t feel guilty about throwing away $100.

I still do not like flying. I still do not like flying.