FASHIONABLE INVITE Glossier

WHO: Glossier, the beauty brand from Into the Gloss
WHAT: Favored by millennials, the cult brand, has opened a temporary retail experience in West Loop
WHERE: 114 N Aberdeen St, Chicago, IL 60607
WHEN: Now till the end of October
WHY: Housed in a former firehouse the space draws inspiration from not only the city’s iconic architectural history but the vibrant art scene. Inside, visitors will be able to test and shop the full Glossier product line and also discover the brand through highly interactive installations.

FASHIONABLE INVITE: Everlane Denim Pop-up

WHO: Everlane
WHAT: The online brand has opened a pop-up store launching its new "Authentic Stretch Denim” collection.
WHERE: 160 N. Morgan St. Chicago, IL
WHEN: September 5–16, 11am–7pm
WHY: Three new styles, a mid-rise skinny, a high-rise skinny, and a cigarette pant with a button fly and a wider ankle, all have been added to the denim range. Also unlike typical denim manufacturers, which are notorious water-waster, Everlane's factory is able to recycle 98% of the water, as well as repurposing byproducts and using alternative energy sources. Now, why wouldn't you want to support that! The brand's ethos has always been focused on being a transparent company regarding its business practices.

FASHIONABLE DISCOVERIES: Bentley Hair and Beauty Salon

All my life I have struggled with frizzy hair, it’s something that has always been difficult to control even after trying countless assortments of anti-frizzing products. So I was excited when the owner of Bentley Hair and Beauty Salon, Jennifer Long Riordan, invited me to try a hair-smoothing treatment called the Brazilian Blowout.

The brilliance behind this blowout is that it is a fully customizable depending on your needs. Whether you wear your hair straight or curly, there are varying degrees of bespoke finishes, but the treatment will smooth, fight the frizz and increase manageability.

First, your hair is washed with a clarifying shampoo making sure it’s completely removed of any excess oil or dirt, and the cuticles are fully opened. Next, the solution is brushed onto the damp hair. Your hair is then blow-dried, and flat ironed before the treatment is rinsed out –which I know sounds counterintuitive. A hair bonding spray is applied before your hair is blow-dried once again. And that is it, you are ready to go.

Depending on the length of your locks the whole process is around two hours and lasts 12 weeks. To maximum the results you'll need to up your product game. Using a sulfate-free and sodium chloride-free shampoo and conditioner will help extend the results of the treatment.

Located in the Gold Coast, Bentley is not your typical salon, for starters, the hand-selected team is made up entirely of senior stylists to ensure each customer the best quality of service. Also, Jennifer and her two lead stylists, Danielle Reilly and Stephen Donovan, are from Europe, which is always head of the US in both style and technique. And lastly, the salon is only one of five in Chicago to carry the exclusive hair care brand, Shu Uemura Art of Hair, a range routinely praised in magazines such as Allure, Vogue, and Elle.

Brazilian Blowout, $350+, Bentley Hair and Beauty Salon, 43 East Oak St, Chicago, IL 60611, 312-624-9315.

FASHIONABLE DISCOVERIES: The Goop x CB2 Collaboration

(left to right) Britt Pattner, Creative Consultant / Diana Ryu, Director of Content Operations (Managing Editor) / Gwyneth Paltrow, Founder + CEO / Jean Godfrey-June, Beauty Director / Megan O’Neill, Senior Beauty Editor

WHO: CB2
WHAT: Launching a limited edition collaboration with GOOP
WHERE: CB2.com and in CB2 stores with limited products available on goop.com.
WHEN: TODAY, August 30th!
WHY: The goop X CB2 collection merges CB2’s modern approach to design with goop’s sophisticated aesthetic, offering elegant, yet laid-back pieces that you’ll want to live with. The collection ($9.95 - $5,796) is a true representation of Gwyneth’s design aesthetic and CB2’s creativity - think a mid-century Curvo pink sofa, intricate parisian-inspired china and comfy meditation pillows.

FASHIONABLE INVITE: Rent the Runway Sample Sale

WHO: Rent the Runway
WHAT: Chicago Sample Sale
WHERE: Water Tower Place 835 N. Michigan Ave, Level 5 Chicago, IL 60611
WHEN: Saturday August 18th - Saturday, August 25th; Monday-Saturday, 10am-9pm Sunday, 11am - 6pm
WHY: 90% off retail prices on designer clothing, handbags, and accessories, including designers like Badgley Mischka, Elizabeth & James, and ML Monique Lhuillier.

FASHION CONFESSIONS: Brian Atwood, shoe designer

Brian Atwood, made his name designing exquisite heels worn by many stars like Kate Hudson, Taylor Swift, and Lady GaGa to name a few. A former fashion model, he began his design career in the 90's working for the legendary Gianni Versace. As the first American designer hired by the Italian fashion house, he quickly rose to the position of Head Designer of Accessories. In 2001 he launched his namesake shoe label specializing in glamourous sky-high heels, which soon became a fixture on the red carpet. I chatted to Atwood at the Chicago History Museum where he was being honored at their spring fundraiser luncheon in support of the Costume Council, the sold-out event raised over $30,000.

WHAT’S YOUR FASHION ADDICTION?
Shoes, of course! I’ve collected around 1500 shoes from every shoe designer you can image.

WHO ARE YOU STYLE ICONS?
Besides my mom, classics like Lauren Hutton

Brian Atwood and his mom Dusty Stemer, event co-chair

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF?
Life of the party

LAST TIME YOU DANCED?
Last week at a karaoke party

LAST TIME YOU WERE LATE?
Today

LAST FILM YOU SAW?
My girl Melissa McCarthy’s new film Life of the Party

LAST BOOK YOU READ?
I’m currently reading The Power of Now

LAST TIME YOU WERE STARSTRUCK?
At the Oscars, everyone was there from Nicole Kidman to Madonna.

BIGGEST FASHION FAUX PAS?
A corduroy flared suit

LAST TIME SOMEONE MADE YOU LAUGH?
Last night on the phone with my brother Zak (Stemer).

Brian Atwood with his brother Zak Stemer

FAVORITE VACATION HOLIDAY DESTINATION?
Anywhere in Greece

BEST SHOE ADVICE?
If you don’t know what shoe to wear with an outfit my advice is select something simple, stay away from anything too trendy. So often I see a woman in a great outfit but with terrible shoes.

WHAT INSPIRED YOUR ICONIC MANIAC SHOES?
Maniacs were inspired by the movie Flash Dance, I remember I was at Kate Hudson’s Halloween party. Brad Goreski was dressed as Jennifer Beals and said: “You should do a red pump called a Maniac.” And I said, “You know, that’s a good idea!”

Maniac Shoe

YOUR CELEBRITY CRUSH GROWING UP?
Tom Cruise

LAST CONCERT YOU WENT TO?
JLo in Dubai

YOUR DRINK OF CHOICE?
Tequila on the rocks with a lime

WHAT’S ON THE LIST DO LIST WHILE YOU ARE HERE IN CHICAGO?
The Wieners Circle with my brother

In-conversation with Susanna Homan, editor and chief of Chicago magazine

Event photos by Mila Samokhina

FASHION CONFESSIONS: Angela Missoni, Missoni Creative Director

This year sees the 20th anniversary of Angela Missoni as creative director of the Italian fashion house, Missoni. Started in the 50s by her parents, Missoni's colorful zigzag knits have become as iconic as Chanel's camellia. Angela has grown the family business into an empire with the expansion of 25 sub-lines, (M by Missoni and Missoni Home) plus several successful collaborations (Converse, Havaianas and of course Target). As she celebrates her anniversary at the helm, I caught up with her at Neiman Marcus - a fitting location as Missoni has been sold at the department store since the early 70s, longer than any other brand! Angela reveals to me her fashion confessions.

WHAT’S THE BEST PART OF YOUR JOB?
I’m a very lucky person; I have an amazing job. It may be more than what you think because I’m not only a designer I own the company. So my job is 360 degrees. And I’m a natural fixer and a problem solver, right, so I love to solve problems.

But on the creative side, it's the moment when the collection comes together when you have defined the look, and put on the show and see it all come together, that’s the most exciting.

CELEBRITY CRUSH GROWING UP?
Robert Redford.

FAVORITE FILM?
I love fantasy, so I have to say the Fellini movies.

LAST TIME YOU DANCED?
Last week I had a party in LA for my 20th Anniversary.

WHAT’S YOUR DRINK OF CHOICE?
Negroni Sbagliato as known as The Wrong Negroni.

FAVORITE HOLIDAY DESTINATION?
I love the seaside, but I love a place that can surprise me. I’m very curious person, so I to see and I need to discover, so I like to go to discover new places.

LAST BOOK YOU READ?
School of Awake by Kidada Jones.

BEST PIECE OF ADVICE ANYONE HAS EVER GIVEN YOU?
In fashion, always wear something you feel comfortable because no matter the dress if you don’t you are always adjusting yourself and that is the most unsexy and unflattering thing to do.

And in life, it’s something no young person would listen, there are so many things which are irrelevant, and it’s not worth the stress. So my advice would be don’t sweat the small stuff.