World Fashion Chicago 2009

Attention all fashionistas. World Fashion Chicago will return to Millennium Park for its fourth turn on the runway on Wednesday, September 30.  Building upon the success of past years with producer Tracey Tarrantino (check out my interview with her below!), World Fashion Chicago will again feature cutting edge fashion by designers with roots in Chicago's 28 Sister Cities. Each year, the show highlights both local and internationally based designers making their mark on Chicago's burgeoning fashion scene.  This is definitely not one to miss!  

Event Details:

Wednesday, September 30
7:30 p.m.
Harris Theater Rooftop Terrace, Millennium Park
Tickets: $100

Space is limited and tickets are expected to sell out. Early reservations are highly recommended.

Sponsorship opportunities are still available

Women with Style: Tracey Tarrantino

Did you ever wonder who is the force behind some of the most exciting fashion shows in Chicago? Tracey Tarrantino is the powerhouse fashion producer who is producing World Fashion Chicago for the fourth year in a row on September 30th, a highlight of the Chicago Sister Cities and our design community.  She has also worked internationally producing shows in Berlin, as well as bi-coastally traveling with Cintas and Levis.  In Chicago she has also produced shows with Chanel, Max Mara, Escada, Luca Luca, Ultimo, Oprah, and various magazines and  charities.  Along with her great sense of knowing what looks best on her size 2 frame, Tracey's best style embraces giving back to the Chicago community that she loves and continues to support.

To learn more about Tracey's style, I sat down recently with my dear friend. And by the way, our friendship dates back to the days when she & her then boyfriend, now husband, gave us disco dancing lessons for our club Faces & she shopped in my boutique, Bottega Glaseia.

Barbara Glass: What is your definition of style?

Tracey Tarrantino: Style is a distinct manner of expression about how things are worn.  I love fashionable elegance. The way a fabric drapes and moves really makes a difference to me. Coco Chanel & Valentino have influenced my personal Style. Their fit and color combinations are timeless.  I am a strong advocate of working with the right proportions that fit and flatter your figure.  Trends can come and go but pure style remains forefront of fashion.

BG: What is the one item that you can't live without in your closet?  

TT: I cannot live with out my wraps. The first one I purchased was from Bottega Glassia in the 80's.  I have been passionate about my capes ever since.

 

BG: Finish this sentence, "A perfect outfit for me is...."

TT: By day: leggings and a skinny draped cashmere sweater belted and an added scarf.  By night a little Black dress trimmed with layers of pearls.  I love to finish my look with a wrap and I love using color as an accent.

BG: Where is your favorite place to shop in Chicago?  

TT: With so many terrific stores and designers I could have a list from A- Armani to Z-Zara with an Escada & Ultimo in between!  Chicago's has a vast amount of fashion talent.  Each season more exciting designers and their collections are unveiled.  Its a great day to get dressed in Chicago.

BG: What trend would you like to see disappear?  

TT: Ripped jeans.  Enough said!

BG: What advice would you give to someone who wanted to follow in your footsteps?  

TT: Work hard and believe in what you are doing. There is no other way around it.  Keep your energy positive. Use your courage to give you the strength to face a challenge.  When something goes right tell yourself there's more where that came from and when it doesn't try again!  Fear is not a fact.

BG: Tell me something about you that would surprise people. 

TT: I love to garden.  I have three small dogs.  They often are styled and given make overs at home too!  Movement is my mantra, and yes, I still love a dance class now after all these years!  Classically trained with Stone and Camryn but had my feet in the soil luckily with Chicago's Gus Giordano and Lou Conte studios.  Today I embrace a good yoga class and am still attending ballet classes at Salt Creek Ballet.  Namaste!

Thanks again Tracey!  

    

Guest Blogger: Sarita Saltanovitz

Lash Enhancers

There is a new innovation in lashes that I've been using that is making my lashes longer, thicker and it's called Latisse.  I've been waiting for this product to finally come out and now it's available to everyone who wants thicker longer lashes!

Latisse is a solution that is a prescription treatment used to grow lashes, making them longer,thicker and darker.  Unfortunately thin short lashes are not yet covered by insurance and Latisse costs $120 for a months supply.  It is painted on the skin at the base of the lashes once a day, like liquid eyeliner.  

The catch about this product is the side effect known as increased iris pigmentation in light-brown and hazel-eyes since they have more pigmented cells in their iris.  Also darkening of the skin along the lash-line, redness of the eyes, or itchy lids.  A lot of people think that the more product the better results but in this case if you put too much you have more chances of getting it in your eye, which puts you at a higher risk of your eye color to darken.

Personally I have had no bad side effect but I have only been using the product for 1 week and I need a few more weeks to really notice a difference.  The brushes that come with Latisse are a little large and many people I know are complaining about the brush and are using their own eyeliner brush instead.  If you are one of those people using your own brush remember to always clean before and after use with a disinfectant.

Most people say that it takes 8 weeks to see a difference but 16 full weeks to notice a dramatic difference but the growth eventually plateaus.  What Latisse is believed to do is affect the growth (anagen) phase of the eyelash hair cycle and in 2 ways: 1st it increases the length of this phase and 2nd, it increases the number of hairs in this growth phase but the exact way it works is unknown.  Only Latisse has been approved by the FDA as a prescription treatment used to grow eyelashes.  After discontinuing use of Latisse I have heard from quite a few people different time periods on which their lashes stayed long and thick which ranged from 2 months to 6 months.

If you aren't ready to try Latisse, there are more over the counter options.  Most claim to work because of peptides, vitamins or conditioners.  Revita Lash conditioner $150, Talika Lipocils $40, Peter Thomas Roth Lashes to Die For $125 and Rapidlash Eyelash Renewal Serum $49.95 just to name a few popular ones.  If you are using one of these over the counter options you are still going to have to keep using them daily to keep up your lashes.

-Sarita Saltanovitz - Hair Stylist & Makeup Artist

A Garden of Handbags

Color is a an easy way to punctuate your wardrobe without spending lots of money. Women are having fun replacing their traditional black handbags with a dose of color. Lucky for us the rules about matching your shoes to your handbags went out of fashion in the past century!  

Fashion's Night Out 2009

Leave it to two fashion mavens like designer Diane von Furstenberg, Chair, Council of the Fashion Designers of America and Anna Wintour, American Vogue Editor to create an event to curb the flood of continual markdowns that began with the Wall Street meltdown and continued as the economy spiraled downward.

 

 On September 10, all 40 Neiman Marcus stores, along with another 700 shops across the U.S., will celebrate "Fashion's Night Out." The event was created in an effort to boost the economy and support the fashion industry, including the NYC garment industry’s 175,000 employees.  Talk about a win/win situation: Shopping for fun and shopping to help people hold onto their jobs. Just think of what the recent rebate/ stimulus plan did for the auto industry and its employees in the month of August.  Neiman's on Michigan Avenue plans to celebrate from 6 to 9 p.m. on Sept. 10 with a celebrity chef, a fashion show, makeovers, entertainment, a Manolo Blahnik Trunk Show, and lots more. In addition, 40 percent of the proceeds of a $30 T-shirt from the evening will benefit the Sept. 11 Memorial and Museum. 

 

Hope all of us fashionistas can come out to shop on Sept. 10 to support the many jobs associated with the fashion industry.

 

All Tied Up!

Whether the temperature hovers around 80°  or drops to freezing, scarves are the accessory at the moment in the Windy City and beyond.  Maybe that cuddly wrap around your neck is a reminder of your favorite teddy bear that hugged you after you poured your heart out to your diary as a teenager. If only I could find that diary I could have my own reality show!

Women with Style: Kathy O'Malley Piccone

They call her the Queen of Rush Street. Before Kathy O’Malley Piccone was elevated to this status, our paths crossed when she worked for me at the local fixture, Faces, the former Gold Coast disco where I was president and co-founder.  Today any visitor, frequent or first timer, cannot walk through the doors of Gibson’s, one of our favorite steakhouses, without encountering Kathy. As managing partner, her presence is everywhere in this landmark restaurant that attracts the city's leading politicians, athletes, and anyone who is on the list of who's who in personalities and regulars.

Kathy's style of dress has always been professional with a major dose of sassiness, but it is her ability to connect with the public,  with her endearing smile, that is her greatest trademark.

I recently sat down with my friend Kathy to unfold some of her thoughts on style…

Barbara Glass: What is your definition of style?

Kathy O'Malley Piccone: Style is always your personal expression.  I try to be Lady like in the way I dress, but always figure flattering.  Vintage pulls at my heart strings from time to time and draping is goddess like, so flattering when strategically placed.

I try to ignore "trends" to a point but also want to stay in the loop of things but not be a cookie cutter.  And then comes along a HOT item..That I have to have.. Usually something from N.Y. or a hard core rocker piece from L.A.  which I'll always soften up..I often find myself in business chic; a feminine, structured look.

Then there are leggings or straight leg pants, and or a mini with the perfect tights, and sweaters or long tops, shoes and all kinds boots - I love love that look!  And then, on a special occasion evening, glamour!

BG: What is the one item in your closet you couldn't live without?

KOP: My "Northbeach" leather pants. Oh Sorry two things............ SHOES!

BG: Finish this sentence, "A perfect outfit for me is..."

KOP: Sexy comfy (worn) jeans with my cowboy boots and a sweet top.  I am a little bit "country!"

BG: Where’s your favorite place to shop in Chicago?

KOP: All local boutiques, local designers, and stores.  Actually I really don't like to shop, I usually do it here out of "necessity" and usually at the last minute, unless I'm on vacation and then I have fun doing it.  But I love shopping for someone else!!!

BG: What trend would you like to see disappear? 

KOP: Low rise pants where people have muffin tops showing...Don't they have friends to tell them how it looks ?  And men with pants hanging off their backside.  

BG: What advice would you give to someone who wants to follow in your business footsteps?

KOP: Always try to stay one step ahead of the game .. Stay focused,smile and be pleasant, especially when you’re under pressure because it’s always a special occasion for your customers and you’re making memories.  And wear comfortable shoes!  Bring at least 2-3 pairs to get you through the shift. (Start with the highest pair of heels or boots and work your way down to the lowest, and at the end of the shift work your way back up. Ha ha! Just have fun!)

BG: Tell me something about you that would surprise people.

KOP: I'm a really a home body girl who loves to cook and iron - it's my therapy! Ha ha!  And believe it or not -I am really shy!  Aleast when I'm not in my work mode!

Thanks again to Kathy for being a great friend and a great person to interview!