FASHIONABLE DISCOVERIES: Now in Chicago

Chicago has been stepping up its fashion and shopping game over the last few years, with international labels like Dolce and Gabbana, Sandro, Maje, Saint Laurent, Hoss Intropia, Carolina Harrara and Zadig & Voltaire. Four major brands have recently opened shops in Chicago, for some it’s their first store in the US.

GOYARD

The French leather luxury brand, Goyard, has opened its first Midwest boutique in Neiman Marcus. This is major news Chicago fans of this iconic brand have been waiting to hear. With no e-commerce site, before this store you could only purchase Goyard in four US cities, Beverly Hills, San Francisco, New York, and Boston. Prices available upon request.

GOYARD, Neiman Marcus, 737 N Michigan Ave, 312.642.5900

RENT THE RUNWAY

Rent The Runway, an online service that allows customers to rent designer fashions for a fraction of the cost, has opened its fourth brick-and-mortar shop in Chicago’s Gold Coast. Customers can now try things on before they rent them thereby eliminating any sizing issues. The store will have rotating inventory from over 300 major designers like Vera Wang, Nha Khanh, Diane von Furstenberg, Cushnie et Ochs, Marchesa Notte. Along with dresses, you’ll also be able to rent accessories such as jewelry and handbags. Stylists will be on hand for one-to-one appointments and to help pull head-to-toe looks for a $25 fee. One of my favorites things, the Selfie Mirror, which allows customers to snap a photo of their reflection to send to their email. Prices for four-day apparel rentals range from $30 to $800, and accessory rentals are $5 to $400.

Rent The Runway, 710 N Wabash Avenue, 312.288.7570

LES NÉRÉIDES PARIS

This Parisian jewelry brand, know for their whimsical hand-painted enamel jewelry or ‘bijoux haute-fantaisie’, have opened their first US store in Chicago. With 40 stores worldwide (London, Paris, Milan, Sydney, Tokyo and Brussels) they plan to open ten more across the states.
Les Néréides' collection consists of quintessential French symbols like ballerinas or the Eiffel Tower as well as other fanciful themes such as fairy tales, nature, and sea creatures. My personal favorite is their ‘Fashion Week’ collection from their diffusion line N2. It features stylishly dressed girls from around the world – like a fashionista’s version of ‘It’s a Small World’. Prices range from $60 to over $300.

Les Néréides Paris, Block 37, 108 n State Street, 312.255.7042

DYLAN’S CANDY BAR

Dylan Lauren, the daughter of the iconic American fashion designer Ralph Lauren, didn’t go into the family business. Instead, she decided to open the world’s largest candy shop in NYC and fill it with more than 7,000 types of candy from all over the world including Spain, Vienna and Asia. Fourteen years and four stores later she has opened her first Midwest location on the Magnificent Mile.

Dylan’s Candy Bar, 445 N Michigan Ave, 312.702.2247

FASHIONABLE DISCOVERIES: Modern Essentials Selected by David Beckham

Do you ever need a reason to look at pictures of David Beckham?

But if you need one Beckham has chosen his favorite menswear pieces from the Modern Essentials collection at H&M, to create Modern Essentials selected by David Beckham. It’s the modern man’s capsule wardrobe, which includes a linen mac, white chalk-washed denim jacket, a sharp linen blazer, mod-like polo shirt and a classic crisp white shirt.

Launched back in March, the collection, is currently in store so get it while it lasts!

ENJOY!

GIVEAWAY: A Very Manly Makeover

BOGA, a Chicago-based luxury menswear line, have an exciting offer to win “A Very Manly Makeover”.

THE GIVEAWAY:
One lucky winner and his best friend will have the chance to meet with one of BOGA's expert stylists to put together and take home two complete, head-to-toe BOGA outfits retailing over $3,500.

TO ENTER:
To participate, guys will need to enter their email addresses on BOGA.com The winner and his best friend will then have the opportunity to visit BOGA's Chicago retail lounge and work directly with BOGA's professional stylists to find their own fashion-forward BOGA outfits that fit their needs and styles.

Not in Chicago? Not to worry. If elsewhere in the US, the winner and his best friend will have the opportunity to work with stylists by phone, after which BOGA will ship both outfits.

DEADLINE:
You have until Monday, June 8 at 11.59 p.m. CST to enter. Good Luck!

FASHIONABLE INVITES: May

Anya Hindmarch Pop Up shop at Neiman Marcus, 737 N Michigan Avenue, 312.642.5900

GIVEAWAY: Westfield Fash Bash

Louise Roe and The Everygirl are hosting an exclusive event with 40 of Chicago’s most influential fashion bloggers at Westfield Old Orchard on May 14. The crew at Westfield Old Orchard is giving one lucky winner and a guest the chance to attend the event along with the following VIP treatment:

Airfare to and from Chicago (non-local only)
A one-night stay at the W Chicago City Center Hotel
Hair and makeup courtesy of Sephora
Car service to and from the event + $1,000 to shop!

THE GIVEAWAY:
Attend the Westfield Old Orchard Fash Bash!

TO ENTER:
Go to Westfield Old Orchard's Facebook page and enter to win.

Good luck!

BEAUTY BITS: L'oréal Professionnel Tecni.ART

I was invited to the Maxine Salon, on Rush Street to test out the new L’Oréal Professionnel line, Tecni.ART. Deciding what kind of hairstyle, at the moment, is tricky as I'm currently growing my hair out. My stylist Amy Abramite, who's actually the creative director, made a great suggestion. Why don't we slick it back or to the sides? It creates the illusion that it's longer than it really is. I was totally up for this as I've wanted to achieve this look for ages but never had any success.

Eva Green Celeb Ambassador for L’Oréal Professionnel Tecni.ART

What I found out from Amy was that I've been doing it all wrong, you’re not suppose to use gel on wet hair. You actually want to use hairspray on dry hair! What?? I know totally mind blowing! To achieve this look she uses hair spray at two different stages for different reasons.

After a shampoo, Amy uses Tecni.ART Graphic Gel before blow-drying my hair section by section with a round brush.

Next Amy uses Tecni.ART Extreme LacQuer hair spray all over my hair for the first time holding the can about two feet away. It's used at this stage as a heat protector and also for frizz control. One of the unique qualities of this particular hair spray is that it also offers a 48-hour anti-frizz fix. And with thick frizzy hair like mine, I sure need it.

Amy then brushes my hair before straightening it with a flat iron.

Now we come to the fun part. She will again use the Tecni.ART Extreme Lacquer hair spray but this time instead of holding it two feet away she holds it two inches!

She sprays my entire head, stopping at the top of my ears, and then combs it out. You want to be quick with this stage as you don't want it drying out before you've had a chance to comb it through. You have about 1-2 mins before the hair spray sets.

Voilà! You have a slicked back hair, a look that’s popular at runway shows and with celebrities like...

Vanessa Hudgens

Kim Kardashian

Hayden Panettiere

Kendall Jenner

You can get L’Oréal Professionnel Tecni.ART, at Maxine Salon, 712 North Rush Street, Chicago, IL 60611, 312.751.1511