Check Out My New Fashion Blog, "Fashionation," at the San Antonio Current

Fashionation: Fashion for the Fashionable and The Fashionably Challenged

When I wake up every morning and walk over to my closet, I often think, “What do I want to say about myself today?” and then I begin to craft my story around that thought while rummaging through my wardrobe and favorite accessories. After all, fashion is not just a passion; it is a lifestyle that tells a story about ourselves, from something as ubiquitous as what kind of coffee we drink, to something as controversial as what kind of politics we practice. However, just as clothes need to be taken in for a hem or alteration from time to time, our knowledge about fashion needs the same courtesy and adjustments. After all, we wouldn’t wear a sweater we purchased in the tenth grade, or a cocktail dress we bought for a summer wedding five years ago.

While some may have more resources to work with than us, that doesn’t mean we can’t be just as creative — and that’s where Fashionation comes in. Fashionation, for the fashionable and fashionably challenged, will include a bit of everything: stories on local designers, fashion shows, events, etc., as well as musings on national and international inspirations. Oh, and I will absolutely not pass up the opportunity to write snarky stories about locals who are obviously getting dressed in the dark — i.e. buying groceries in house slippers. So keep an eye out for the “You Look Stupid” articles as well.

So now this is the part about where I tell you how fabulous I am and how knowledgeable I am about fashion so you take my advice and bookmark this blog: Desiree Prieto began her career in international tourism, writing destination descriptions and reports on luxurious Europe, featuring five-star hotels, hidden gems, and world-renowned Michelin restaurants. She spent her twenties living in Rome, London, and Chicago, where she also wrote for various publications, including the Emmy Award-winning NBC Chicago Street Team. Fashion is among her favorite beats to cover as she loves attending high-profile runway shows during fashion week, meeting celebs, and buying the best of Zara and H&M in Europe before they hit the shelves in the United States. Desiree’s favorite colors to wear are red and navy blue. Despite her travels, she is an American through and through.

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.

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.