FASHION CONFESSIONS: TRENT WISEHART Creative Director at Tommy Hilfiger

With Tommy Hilfiger’s mobile pop-up shop in Chitown this weekend I was able to meet the creative force behind the Surf Shack capsule collection, Trent Wisehart. This mid-western native kindly answered a few key questions about this colorful and fun limited-edition collection.

WHAT WAS THE INSPIRATION FOR THIS COLLECTION?
Tommy has always been really inspired by the ease of the west coast lifestyle and the laid back quality of surf. With the preppy heritage we are always looking for a way to twist it, making it totally fresh and modern. The blending the two cultures, east coast prep with the surf lifestyle, was really the inspiration.

WHO'S THE TOMMY SURF SHACK GIRL & BOY?
I think it’s someone who’s free spirited, loves fashion and wants fashion to be fun. They want easy breezy style without it going too far, keeping it cool and trendy but still classic.

WHAT TIPS WOULD YOU GIVE FOR ACHIEVING AN EAST COAST MEETS WEST LOOK?
Take great classic silhouettes and pair it with really bright colors or patterns. You also want to layer your look and try mixing in unexpected accessories. The blending of the contrasting styles creates that perfect mix between prep and the ease of the surf lifestyle. It’s also great look to transition to the fall by adding chunky knitwear.

Trent Wisehart and I at Tommy Surf Shack.

To find out more about the Surf Shack pop event in Chicago read SURF’S UP IN CHITOWN!

TALKING TRENDS: Game Set Match!

With Wimbledon currently underway you too can get ahead in the game, the fashion game, with some tennis-inspired pieces to love.

CLOCKWISE: Striped stretch-cotton dress, $235, by DKNY available at Net-a-Porter. 440 Mini leather shoulder bag, $295, by Diane von Furstenberg available at Net-a-Porter. Green chalcedony small teardrop earrings, currently on sale $90 (originally $135), by Coralia Leets available at Astley Clarke. Metallic-flecked slub-woven dress, $375, by Milly available at Net-a-Porter. ‘Legacy Romy’ top handle in leather, $398, by Coach. 'Lynn' Wedge Sandal, $169.95, by Matiko available at Nordstrom.

GAME SET MATCH!

SURF’S UP IN CHITOWN!

This weekend Tommy Hilfiger is setting up shop (or shack) at North Beach with a limited-edition capsule collection of surf-inspired sportswear. Tommy is blending the brand’s love of East Coast prep with West Coast cool.

Also worth checking out are the limited-edition artist designed surfboards. Lola Schnabel, Richard Phillips, Scott Campbell, Gary Simmons and Raymond Pettibon were all chosen to create a unique surfboard to celebrate the après-surf lifestyle and the world of surfing.

GET THE LOOK...

Shop the collection here.

The Surf Shack began its journey on June 20th in West Hollywood and is slowing making it way across country to the east coast. You have to be quick as it’s only here in Chicago this weekend before it continues eastbound.

GET THE LOOK: Karolina Kurkova

The hot item of the summer is the skort! What’s a skort you might ask? Well it’s a cross between a pair of shorts and a skirt. Will you be wearing one this summer?

GET THE LOOK...

CLOCKWISE: Premium Snake Sweatshirt, $240, by Boutique available at Topshop. ‘Vernis’blue tweed moto jacket, currently on sale $420 (originally $600), by Sandro. 'Clubmaster' 49mm Sunglasses, $145, by Ray-Ban available at Nordstrom. Mini skort, $49.90, by Zara. ‘Zipcode’ leather ankle boot, $208, by Madewell.

TALKING TRENDS: Matchy-Matchy

For the last several years mismatching colors and fabrics have been a big trend, however like all fads the tide will change. In fact they already have with designers, brands and fashionites currently styling or wearing matched looks.

Spring/Summer runway 2013: Tory Burch and Mulberry

Olivia Palermo wearing a MSGM orange check print peplum top and matching trousers.

LEFT TO RIGHT: Dancing leaves printed ‘Ushell’ top, $87, and ‘Pannah’ jeans, $99. Summer bloom print frill ‘Kamea’ top, $122, and ‘Eleano’ jeans, $120, all by Ted Baker.

NEW WORK: Chicago Tribune

Read my interview with Christopher Truffa, Clarins Brand Ambassador, published in the Chicago Tribune.

Christopher’s advice for achieving healthy skin includes using a hydrating mask, a sunscreen with organic cantaloupe and BB creams. Below are selection of my personal favs.

TOP TO BOTTOM: Hydra-Intense Masque, $35 (100ml), by Lancôme. Vitamin E Sink-In Moisture Mask, $16.50 (3.3oz), by The Body Shop. Persimmon & Cantaloupe Day Cream SPF 32, $68 (2oz) by Eminence. 'UV Plus HP' Multi-Protection Day Screen SPF 40, $25 (1oz), by Clarins. ‘A Perfect World™’ BB cream, $35 (1.7oz), by Origins. ‘Age Perfect BB Cream Instant Radiance’, $16.99 (2.5oz), by L’Oréal Paris.

TALKING TRENDS: Palm Prints

Zendaya Coleman in Juicy Couture’s ‘Palmetto’ jacket ($160) and matching shorts ($85) at the Radio Disney Awards earlier this year.

CLOCKWISE: Palm Tree Intarsia Sweater, currently on sale $314.79 (originally $449.71), by Markus Lupfer available at ASOS. Palm-print mid-rise skinny jeans, currently on sale $87.50 (originally $125), by Michael Michael Kors available at Net-a-Porter. Scallop hem shorts, $64, by Topshop. ‘Toyo’ palm leaf fedora hat, $16.50, by MCap available at Amazon. Banana leaf print cosmetic case, $65, by Milly.