COVERGIRL KATE

Kate Middleton has finally made her Vogue debut! Shot by my friend Josh Olins for the June issue, two of the pictures will also be part of the Vogue 100: A Century of Style exhibition at National Portrait Gallery.

Vogue editor Alexandra Shulman and Director of the National Portrait Gallery Nicholas Cullinan

Vogue 100: A Century of Style exhibition, at the National Portrait Gallery

We, and I mean the fashion industry, have all been waiting for this moment. We've seen Princess Diana on the cover many times and even Princess Anne has been featured.

FASHION CONFESSIONS: Prabal Gurung

Prabal Gurung, a New York designer from Nepal, is known for his bold color combinations and elegant silhouettes. For him, a women’s intelligence is equally as important as what they wear often saying he’s designing clothes for a thinking man’s sex symbol. So it’s no surprise to see a range of women wearing his clothes from movie stars like Sarah Jessica Parker and Demi Moore to high-profile and influential women like Michelle Obama and Oprah Winfrey. I sat down with Gurung at Neapolitan Collection in Winnetka to talk about many things including his new spring collection for the Chicago Tribune but I managed to sneak in a few questions for Fashion Junkie.

WHAT’S YOUR FASHION ADDICTION?
Vintage white tee shirts. I have a great collection where ever I travel I’ll go to thrifts stores to find something. So that’s my addiction.

WHO’S YOUR STYLE ICON?
Personally, for me, it would be James Dean but as a muse, it would be a mix of Audrey Hepburn and Catherine Deneuve.

Audrey Hepburn

PRIZED POSSESSION IN YOUR CLOSET?
I have this vintage Romeo gilet sports windbreaker. I don’t think I’ve ever worn it, but I still have it!

LAST SONG YOU DOWNLOAD?
I downloaded whole Rihanna’s album

Rihanna's Anti album

BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED?
Grace under pressure

LAST TIME YOU WERE STARSTRUCK?
I was invited to the opening night of Color Purple by my friend Jennifer Hudson, and I was seated right next to Gloria Steinem.

I’ve been fortunate enough to meet people like the First Lady or the President, but that was a different kind of starstruck.

Steinem, with the history of all the work she has done I’ve always been in awe of and always admired her. Just to be able to meet her I was so nervous I was shaking.

Prabal Gurung's collection is available at Neapolitan Collection in Winnetka.

Neapolitan Collection

CHICAGO TRIBUNE, Gurung's Collection inspired by Nepal

NEW WORK

Photographer: Erika Dufour
Stylist: Jessica Moazami
Hair: Angelica Costa
Make-up: Nika Vaughan
Models: Lina P and Jessica Larusso at Ford Model Management

FASHION CONFESSIONS: Betsey Johnson, Designer

You might know Betsey Johnson for her crazy hair or legendary cartwheels she does after her runway shows. However this 73 has been in the fashion industry for over 50 years and has seen it all and done it all. During her recent visit to Macy’s State Street store, I sat down with briefly Johnson to talk about her extraordinary life.

WHAT’S YOUR FASHION ADDICTION? I don’t shop! I’m addicted to going out by myself, sitting, relaxing, looking around. I realized I love to people watch.

AFTER LIVING IN NY FOR OVER 50 YEARS YOUR NOW IN CALIFORNIA, HOW’S THAT BEEN?
Ten months ago I became bicoastal. Oh, my god, I can’t believe it’s been that long, I feel like it’s been two weeks! Malibu is just beautiful. My daughter, her husband and their two kids were out there and asked me to come. However if they ever said move to LA, I would never go. I know LA well, and I just didn’t want another version of NY. And you can create craziness if you want to when you are there.

Isla two-piece platform sandals, $79.99, by Betsey Johnson available at Macy's

WHO’S YOUR STYLE ICON?
I look to music industry I love everyone from Madonna to Pharrell. Gwen Stefani is looking great and a young Keith Richards.

LAST TIME YOU WERE STARSTRUCK?
I won the lifetime achievement award last year from Council of Fashion Design of America and Pharrell won style icon. I and especially my family were excited to me Pharrell. I love watching The Voice.

Pharrell and Betsey Johnson

WHO HAVE YOU ALWAYS WANTED TO MEET BUT NEVER HAVE?
Daniel Craig. Remember him in Casino Royal when he comes out of the water? I also love his wife, Rachel Weisz.

WHAT’S ON YOUR BUCKET LIST?
Nothing…I’d like to live longer!

WHO’S YOUR CELEB CRUSH GROWING UP?
Elvis

Betsey Johnson's Collection is available at Macy’s.

FASHIONABLE INVITES: May

Who: Style Experts Lucy Sykes and Jo Piazza
WHAT: Meet and greet
WHERE: Ann Taylor, 600 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 312.587.8301
WHEN: May 3, 2016, 4-7pm
WHY: Receive a copy of their best selling book, The Knockoff, with any purchase as a gift.

REAL V DEAL: Prabal Gurung v Topshop

REAL: Knit sweater with cutouts, $2295, Prabal Gurung
DEAL: Cutabout cricket jumper, $85, Topshop

Dressing Downton: Changing Fashion for Changing Times

The British period drama, Downton Abbey, has come to an end but don’t let that be the finale for you.  Currently at The Driehaus Museum on East Erie St. they are showcasing over 35 costumes from the series. As we all know the intricate wardrobe, along with the decorative locations, were integral parts of the show’s charm. Like most British period dramas of this quality, the production went to great pains to make sure the costumes were historically accurate. They recreated looks and also used original early 20^th century fabrics and embellishments.

Robert Crawley, Earl of (Hugh Bonneville) and Cora Crawley, Countess of Grantham

(Elizabeth McGovern) 

The exhibit is a real coup for the Driehaus with Chicago History Museum’s Costume Collection being the obvious location choice. However, the venue is perfect; the items are housed in an elegant Gilded Age mansion. Once the home of banker Samuel M. Nickerson the mansion, at the time of completion in 1883, was reportedly one of the most expensive and elaborate private homes. More importantly, they are placed in context surrounded by European and American decorative and fine arts from the late 19th to early 20th century. With the exhibit spread over three floors, it allows you the space to also view the Driehaus Collection, which itself is impressive.

The exhibition showcases some of the most iconic pieces including Dowager Countess of Grantham’s purple silk dress and Martha Levinson's silk and fox fur coat.

Martha Levinson's silk and fox fur coat

Martha Levinson (Shirley MacLaine)

I was excited to see my favorite dress, worn by Cora Crawley for Lady Rose MacClare’s presentation at court to the King and Queen of England.

Cora Crawley, Countess of Grantham's lilac velvet and diamanté embellished dress

Cora Crawley, Countess of Grantham 

(Elizabeth McGovern) and Lady Rose MacClare (Lily James)

Advanced tickets have sold out, but you still can get them on the day. My recommendation is arrive early. I went on a Friday morning and I haven’t seen an exhibition so packed during the weekday since the Bowie exhibit at the Modern Contemporary Art.

Lady Edith Crawley evening dress (left) and Violet Crawley, Dowager Countess of Grantham evening dress

Violet Crawley (Maggie Smith) and Martha Levinson ( Shirley MacLaine)

Dressing Downton: Changing Fashion for Changing Times
When: now through May 29
Where: Driehaus Museum, 40 E. Erie St.
Tickets: $25; 312-482-8933 or driehausmuseum.org