BEHIND THE SCENES

of my last menswear photo-shoot with the CEO of Ravinia.

My inspiration...

FASHIONABLE INVITES: June

LONDON CHICAGO
SAMPLE SALES: Bruce Oldfield and The One and Only
EVENT: City of Style book signing and Sebastien Grey summer social

GET THE LOOK: David Beckham

To celebrate David Beckham being on the July cover of British ELLE (and may I add looking GORGEOUS), I’ve decided it’s also time I featured my first men’s GET THE LOOK. "Who doesn’t want to see a picture of one of the world’s most handsome men on the front cover of a magazine? It will be a collector’s issue," stated ELLE UK Editor-in-chief Lorraine Candy. So I can’t think of anyone better to kick off my first Menswear blog than Mr “Golden Balls” himself DB.

The original metrosexual, David, isn’t one to shy away from trying something new. With so many different looks over the last 15 years some of his fashion ‘experiments’ have worked and some haven’t but he’ll be the first to admit that.

For those of you who also love his style I’ll show you how to…GET THE LOOK

TOP TO BOTTOM: ‘Heritage Stinson’ straight leg jeans, $223, by Pepe Jeans available at ASOS. Leather double-keeper ‘Roller ‘belt, $45, by J.Crew. Slim tie, $9.95, ASOS. Cardigan, $118, by Paul Smith Jeans available at YOOX. ‘Ago’ zip boot, $498, by John Varvatos available at Zappos. Classic-fit twill plaid, $145, by Polo Ralph Lauren.

TOP TO BOTTOM: ‘Intelligence Groucho’ leather boots, $124, by Jack & Jones available at ASOS. Slim fit blue jeans, currently on sale $119 (originally $198) by Denim Demon available at ASOS. Button-down cotton oxford shirt, $80, by Brooks Brothers available at Mr Porter. Cable-knit collar cardigan, currently on $150 (originally $300), by Polo Ralph Lauren at Mr Porter.

THE JET SET —with his constant travelling Beckham has perfected a cool travel style

THE SCARVES —he knows how to accessorize carefully selecting every item

TOP TO BOTTOM: Denim shirt, $109, by Macchia J available at YOOX. Blue knit beanie, $13, by River Island. 50s Classic Clubmaster frames, currently on sale $9.99 (originally $17.95) available at Sunglasses22. Ragged striped scarf, $125, by Rag & Bone available at ssense. Stripe tie, $155, by Canali available at Mr Porter. Mirrored aviator sunglasses, $144.95, by Ray-Ban available at sunglasses hut. Wave print cotton pocket square, currently on sale $27.30 (originally $39, The Hill-Side available at Mr Porter. Silk polka-dot pocket square, $60, by Drake’s available at Mr Porter. Patterned shawl collar sweater by Woolrich available at Mr Porter.
Earlier this year at a press conference Beckham described his current signature style: “British gentleman. At my age, now, my style has gone that way; the way I dress, my hair. I just think it’s a great look for a man. For me, the English gentleman look is a nice suit, nice tie, nice shoes - and I think long johns underneath.” He also admitted to the disappointment of many fans: “My naked days are over.”

Victoria Beckham is one lucky girl!

IN THE PRESS: Today's Chicago Woman Magazine

I had the pleasure of contributing a quick quote to Today Chicago Woman magazine, click through to read the full article www.tcwmag.com.

FASHIONABLE DISCOVERIES: National Flip Flop Day

To mark Havaianas 50th anniversary and National Flip Flop day (June 15th) Havaianas is launching a limited edition 50th Flip Flop. Only 50,000 pairs have been produced worldwide, with 100% of net sales going to UNICEF to support further projects in Brazil —a great way for this global brand to give back.

Congratulations Havaianas for being 50 years old and to celebrate this I’m featuring some of your past iconic and humorous Ads…

FASHIONABLE INVITES: June

LONDON sample sales

CHICAGO trunk show

SAMPLE SALE: Hermès, Nicholas Kirkwood, Jenny Packham and Myla
TRUNK SHOW: Rena Lange and Dita & Thom Brown

BEAUTY CONFESSIONS: ALY HAZLEWOOD Hair & Make-up Artist

Aly Hazelwood had an epiphany at the age of 29 and realized that if she carried on in her boring London office job she might lose her mind altogether. She mustered up some pluck, quit her job, retrained as a make-up artist, and has never looked back. Now Aly’s working in the international fashion arena, having her editorial shoots published in Marie Claire, Harper’s Bazaar, Cosmopolitan and Glamour. She also has a large celebrity client base that includes Courtney Love, Dita Von Teese, Eliza Doolittle and the late Amy Winehouse. Once a Beauty Editor for The Hub Magazine,  Aly currently writes a  popular beauty blog, THE TRUTH ABOUT BEAUTY, as well as contributing beauty and travel features to various print publications. Aly loves traveling the world painting faces and is endlessly grateful for the way
things turned out.
Photography by Colin Ross

WHAT’S YOUR BEAUTY ADDICTION?
Skin care. I'm obsessed with creams, serums, facial oils.

WHOSE MAKE-UP WOULD YOU LOVE TO DO?
Kate Moss. I love her face, always have.

WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU WERE DRUNK?
At the weekend, it was my 1 year anniversary with my boyfriend.

WHAT’S THE MOST PRIZED POSSESSION IN YOUR CLOSET?
A black Vanessa Bruno coat with cropped sleeves. It’s a classic.

WHICH DESIGNERS DO YOU WORSHIP?
Even though I work in fashion, I'm not one for blowing lots of cash on clothes. If money was no object, I'd wear a lot of Phillip Lim, Isabel Marant and Alexander Wang.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT LIVING IN LONDON?
I love Hackney, East London is so vibrant, creative and multicultural. It's very inspiring to live in such a creative community. I don't love the noise though!

GIVEAWAY: Summer Essentials

900 North Michigan Shops is thrilled to announce their “Summer Essentials Give-Away”! They’ve partnered with four of Chicago’s fabulous Style Experts to curate a collection of looks that are perfect for the summer days ahead. The exciting part? They’re giving away each of the four ensembles (worth over $1000 EACH) to four lucky winners!

 

MEET THE STYLE EXPERTS:

Graham Kostic of Glossed & Found  

April Francis of The Haute Closet & Dose Market

Emma Arnold of Tres Awesome  

 Jamie NG Rose of PinkMemo

Featuring: Bloomingdales, Miu Miu, All Saints, J Brand, Rebecca Minkoff, Karen Millen, Charles David, Marc Jacobs, Meredith Wendell, Michael Kors, Space519, Lauren Ralph Lauren and L.K. Bennett.

Entering is as easy as submitting your name and email – and, if you share the give-away with your friends (Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Email, etc.), you’ll instantly earn another entry! GOOD LUCK!!

FASHIONABLE INVITES: June

TRUNK SHOW: Meredith Wendell

FASHION CONFESSIONS: PERRY CURTIES Photographer and Editor of 125 Magazine

Perry Curties first picked up a camera at art college where he decided to “temporarily” become an artist to support his musical ambitions of becoming a pop star. After graduating in 1996 and spending 5 years assisting a number of high profile photographers in London and New York, Perry has become a highly regarded fashion photographer. His commercial portfolio includes; Chanel, Saatchi & Saatchi, John Richmond and Universal Pictures. Editorial clients read as; GQ, The New York Times, The Sunday Times Style, Italian Marie Claire and Italian Vanity Fair. Perry’s portrait work takes an equally eclectic range of personalities including Sir Mick Jagger, Simon Pegg, Andy Serkis, David Schwimmer and Sir Michael Caine.

In 2001 he launched 125 Magazine out of his desire to experiment. It’s now a highly successful ‘gallery space in-print’ offering photographers an open and unbiased platform for new and inspiring work. Available in 20 countries around the world, 125 and has grown from something of a cult title into an essential source of inspiration for the wider public, publishing the work of hundreds of established and emerging photographers.

Perry and I have worked together twice for IN LONDON magazine, you can see some of shoots below.

I’M A FASHION JUNKIE, WHAT ARE YOU ADDICTED TO? I’m addicted to ideas. I’m easily bored and find it hard to shoot the same thing twice so it’s important to me (and the people that I choose to work with) that we are always challenging, reinventing - surprising ourselves and others.

WHOSE YOUR STYLE ICON?
Wes Anderson, I like a suit, and wish I had the patience required to build a wardrobe of well fitted tailoring (and the guts to wear it everyday). Alternatively, Boris Johnson: he knows he looks like a twat but he's found his look and he's sticking to it, no matter what anyone says about him.

HOW WOULD YOU DEFINE LONDON’S FASHION STYLE?
Reserved but eclectic, anything goes but its usually a slightly toned down version of the original, you can wear what you like but you must dress like you mean it. If you want to be a teddy boy or a Goth that’s fine but you've but got to believe it, fancy-dress is seen a mile off.

WHO ARE YOUR FAVORITE DESIGNERS TO SHOOT?
My favorite designer depends entirely on the shoot concept and who is best suited to make it work, although anyone with a bit of theatre and drama behind them is always inspiring.

WHO WOULD YOU LOVE TO PHOTOGRAPH?
I'd like to recreate a Francis Bacon, with the current Pope.

WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU GOT DRUNK?
I drank a bottle of gin before attempting this questionnaire.