Dangerous Curves Ahead Review

This past weekend the Zhou B Café and Art Gallery was jam packed with fashionistas dressed to the nines. There were some fierce looking females strutting their stuff ready to watch a much anticipated fashion show produced by Chicago’s very own talented stylist and personal shopper: Tamika Martell.

The show dubbed, “Dangerous Curves Ahead” most definitely lived up to its name. It showcased local Chicago design talent and focused on garments for all body types including the plus size sector. The garments were beautifully styled and given an edge by Tamika Martell herself. Each of the garments she picked to showcase within her show had an outstanding craftsmanship and personality that only added to the beauty of all the models she used.

It was refreshing to see the plus size styles in an industry that is primarily focused on creating thinner body conscious garments. Tamika understands her clientele and knows for a fact that her primary Chicago customer is an average to plus sized gal who is looking to vamp up and create a more put together look.

I’ve said it many times before and I am sure I will say it many more times, but the fashion industry in Chicago is an ever growing and omnipresent presence. The Dangerous Curves Ahead show truly establishes Chicago as a city to be reckoned with in the fashion industry. Tamika Martell made sure to showcase her work in the strongest way possible by bringing the fashion to the people. She has impeccable taste and that was shown in her styling techniques throughout the show.

What I loved most about this show was that it made a fashion event a fun and entertaining time; rather than stuffy and stuck up. The music was off the hook and bouncing all night. DJ Sundance kept the party going on all night and the MC made sure to get the audience in on the fun. Goody bags included beauty supplies, great coupons and free subscriptions to popular magazines!

The expo portion of the show had vendors from all over the Chicagoland area including: Chic Gems, Annika makeup, Fetish Accessories and PZI Jeans. Designers showcased in the show included: Pinupgirl.com, igigi.com, frockstarfashions.com, Shavonne Apparel, Angel Eyes Fashion, Chocolate Sushi Couture, Tiaraverse.com, Coco Mocha and Custom Curves Fashion.

The best part of the show? The fact that a portion of all the proceeds went to the 2nd Chance A NON-PROFIT organization that focuses on getting women and children back on track with financial aid, jobs and clothing .

Fringe Benefits

This installment of the style file will be focusing on the fringe trends seen lately. Pair this look with very simple accessories OR if it is an accessorypair it with a simple frock! Utilize darkand neutral colors for a subdued yet funky look.

On Trend-Fashion and Religion?

It seems that the trends seen in fashion have a direct correlation with the major historical events that are occurring around it. Fashion conscious and even those blindly unaware have a tendency react to major events such as war and government hiatus by changing their clothing drastically or by slightly deviating from the fashion of the times.

As of late, we have been seeing this happen on many different levels on the Spring/Summer and Fall 2009 runway fashion shows. The idea of trends reacting to historical turmoil is an incredibly interesting idea to review and I thought it would be a great piece to bring to your attention!

As we walk through the valley of the unknown during these negative economic times, the fashion runways are reacting in many different ways. The fashions of the past evolved into the fashions that people wear today. These fashions evolved because of both historical events as well as to meet the needs of the ever changing future time. In his book, (The Psychology of Fashion), Michael R. Solomon states that:

“Although fashion is almost synonymous with arbitrary, short-term changes, long-term trends can be discerned which are indications of cultural conditions. One-to-one relationships between cultural traits and fashion attributes are unlikely to be found, but the necessarily loose connection also has its advantages: the indicator may be complex and the cultural pattern has indicated similarly difficult to isolate, but the whole indication may lead to a relatively deep level that cannot be readily expressed. Long-term trends in clothing are not “fashions” in the sense of fads, but expressions of historical trends”

Currently, we have been going through some incredibly bold historical moments from the election of President Obama to the economic recession our nation has been going through and fashion designers have been reacting in many different ways. The most intriguing reactions were seen on the Fall 2009 runways and it was most definitely a religious epiphany for onlookers of the show.

Many of these looks were inspired by nuns and priests and yes, religion. Pilgrimage stylings, nun like frocks and priestly gowns were used with unabashed fervor in the lines of Marc Jacobs, Alexander McQueen and Alaia.

Are these designers saying a prayer and looking for faith in hopes that they survive this economic turmoil? Are they making a statement to those around them about where the public’s worries truly should be? Are they pressing you to look into your own faith by the fashions they create and portray? Each of us have our own ideas, but it is always great to keep in mind those of others! So, please leave a comment or shoot me an e-mail with your ideas!!

The Style File Installment #4

This style file installment features designs from the Spring 09' couture line of Jean Paul Gaultier! This season the brand incorporated spanish influences like lace combined with 40's styled garments. They took hold of the strong hour glass shape and added the strong shoulder trend in to boot! The line encompasses femininity in its rawest and most sensual shape.

The line is reminiscent of the wasp like new shape that introduced itself during the 30's and 40's. The looks are chic and strong. This is definitely a great look that can be toned down for the office. Incorporate great tailoring, strong shouldered jackets and great pencil skirts for a bold, strong and feminine look.

Being Successful has never looked so sexy!

Leaving On A Jet Plane, Don't Know When I'll Be Back Again

Ok, was watching Ratatouille with the little one today and it got me seriously thinking about leaving this joint! It seems like back in the day young people would just pack up and jump the states over to Europe like it was nothing!

I'm seriously wondering how difficult it would be for me and Bella to adjust living on another continent...Maybe if I had some wonderful friend (u know who your are my bid girl) who wanted to find culture, art and pursue their dreams with me, it might not be so hard!

I had this dream months back that was so vivid in my head that I still remember it. It was shortly after me and Vicky started our fashion line..In my dream Vicky and I were standing side by side in front of the Eiffel Tower looking up and smiling at this red balloon floating off into the pristine blue sky..I dunno if it was a sign, but it got me thinking..

So, today I feel like I keep getting more signs and that Paris is calling me... Here they are in random order..Woke up and turned on the tube to food network and my fave cook was on! It was Giada in PARIS! Decided to watch some reruns of Sex and the City on Demand while I was researching some articles and guess which ones were on, the one's where Carrie went to Paris! My favorite old time movie was on (ok anything with Audrey Hepburn is my favorite!) but, it was Sabrina and of course you know she goes to Paris! Then, I was clicking to the Independant Film Channel and Amelie was on! And finally I ended the day with yes, Ratatouille! LOL, I know it's a lot of TV, but hell it's Sunday and I was just veggin with the baby :)!

But, I do think it's a sign..Paris are you beckoning me? I think I may give in. Maybe I can find a much better job and give Bella a cultured life!