Interview with Kim Halzle of Runwayrundown.com

Chicago Fashionistas here is one for your blogroll or bookmark section on your web browser or whatever fabulous tabbing technology you use!RunwayRundown.com gives you fabulous ladies the low down on hot designer fashion and how to get it without breaking the bank! Kim Halzle the fabulous fashionista and co-founder/editor-in-chief of the site brings readers a relentless breakdown of looks and how to get them for less. To die for, yes. The site is incredibly user friendly, informative and the best part: it just doesn't show some skinny chick showing off her look. While, yes, checking out fashion lookbook blogs is a must for inspiration, it's also not always the best inspiration for us real women.

RunwayRundown.com is the real deal. If you love haute designer fashion and want to find creative ways of garnering the look without peddling for cash, it's definitely a site you must check out! This daily fashion blog sources the hottest trends around the world and then, builds the same look for less! It's super user orientated and event allows you to search by season, designer, color, material or trend. When you're ready to rock your new look, Runway Rundown links you directly to the discounts!

It's technology and fashion at its greatest. A girls dream come true. If you like what you see keep on reading to learn more about runwayrundown.com and the fabulous Kim Halzle

1. Can you tell the readers a bit about your website?

Runway Rundown is a fashion blog featuring daily postings of a runway look paired with an affordable alternative. If ever you find an alternate item that you like, you can click through and purchase the item directly. It is a one stop shopping site. We aim to build up Runway Rundown to be the ultimate styling/trend reporting source online.

2. What made you decide to launch your own business and did any jobs you had in the past help you along this path?

One day it hit me that my "American Dream" would be to work for myself. I decided to I needed to get working on that now and started brainstorming what in enjoyed and what I was passionate about. Runway Rundown is the brain child between myself and my partner Jamie Evans. We put together our interests and talents to create this website. I pulled from my experience working in the fashion industry for a popular contemporary label in Los Angeles. My time spent working for the fashion designer helped me to learn the ins and outs of the industry and find my place in what inspired me.

3. Where do you guys find your inspiration (magazines, sites, books?)

The inspiration is all based on my personal preferences. I am forecasting trends as soon as the looks hit the runways, which is the same time editors from magazines like Elle, Cosmopolitan, etc are planning out their future magazine spreads. Its fun for me to see looks I chose from the runways printed in magazines, and I posted them on my website before they even printed them! Style.com is my ultimate source for viewing runway trends. Since I can't physically be at runway shows, they are my go to site for viewing every look. When I have the time, I also love to go on youtube to view the actual runway video footage. I find the production of the music, lighting and stage set up totally bring a collection together. Its very inspiring to watch. I honestly don't get much time to scour magazines anymore. That was a huge factor in why Runway Rundown's content is what it is. I wanted to take my favorite part of editorials and just feature that. When I get a chance to look through magazines my eye goes right to the designer looks and ways I can afford them.

4. Can you walk us through a typical work day for you? (ie. what's the first thing you do in the AM, how does your work flow, do you work set hours and do you have another job aside from the blog?)

Honestly, I am in the process of growing Runway Rundown to eventually dedicate myself to it full time. So currently, I find time to work on the site in the evenings and on the weekends. I am looking forward to having Runway Rundown on the brain full time and consuming myself with growing the brand and myself at the same time.

5. What is the hardest part about being your own boss, writing a blog and what is the best part about it?

The best part is that I work for myself. I make my own hours and I tell myself what to do. The hardest part is making sure I stick to those hours and that I keep myself motivated to tell myself what to do.

6. Who do you feel are 3 up and coming influential designers that deserve some spotlight and why?

I am so loyal to specific designers that I have little time to keep up with all the up and coming designers. Terrible, I know...because at one time Lanvin was a new label and someone paid attention to them and supported them. I am going to make an effort to keep up with new designers and support them along their ride. But some of my favorite labels are: Marchesa, Jenni Kayne, Lanvin, Alberta Ferreti, Isabel Marant, omg this list could go on and on.

7. What are your top 5 favorite blogs to scout?

Since the content of my blog is very diffrent from the traditional fashion blog, I don't do much fashion blog scouting. Most other fashion bloggers solely feature pictures of themselves in their daily outfits. While I love checking in on these blogs to see what girls are wearing all over the world, I dont rely on them for scouting research.
My favorite fashion sites are: Style.com, Shopstyle.com, NYMag.com

8. What are the top 4 trends you see for the up coming season and how can our readers incorporate these looks into their current wardrobe?

Lots of fun trends for FA11:

1. Fur-try to keep it faux. I'm loving Rachel Zoe's faux fur pieces available for sale on qvc.com right now.
2. Gold-The fall season is a great time to stock up on glitzy pieces for the Holiday season. Sorry haters, sequins aren't going anywhere just yet. And you can always rely on a great gold brocade piece to set you apart from everyone else.
3. Floorlength-People associate the word "Maxi" with an outdated trend. Sorry again, floor length everything is amazing right now. Michael Kors has some amazing plain and sequin fitted floor length skirts that are beyond!
4. Wraps-I'm loving huge, oversized, chunky wrap sweaters for Fall. 12th Street by Cynthia Vincent has some amazing sweaters for Fall.

9. How do you feel blogging and social media has affected the fashion industry today?

I think it has turned it upside down and inside out. Through the social media outlet, the industry has opened up and found a way to reach viewers everywhere and bring those viewers together. To me the fashion industry has changed greatly through fashion bloggers because fashionistas have found a way to unite and share their fashion influences with others. Everyone has their own take on designer trends and that has resulted in a gigantic community of fashion goers wanting to share their inspirations.

10. Where can we learn more about runwayrundown.com and can we follow you/find you on facebook & twitter?

Check in on the "In the Press" page on our website
http://www.runwayrundown.com/press/

our find us on Facebook at:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Runway-Rundown/112174579085?ref=ts

or on twitter at "runwayrundown1"

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Macy's & Madonna's Material Girl Line Launch in Chicago

Chicago fashionistas, we are living in a material world and yes we are all material girls! Madonna is doing it again ladies and this time she's enlisted her daughter, Lourdes AKA Lola as a partner. The Material Girl line is launching tomorrow, Tuesday August 3, 2010 at 10 AM at the Macy's off of State. Chicago is getting their first glimpse at the Material Girl line exclusively at Macy's!

Not only are you getting a peek at the hot trends, but you can get goodies too! The first 200 customers will receive a $10 Macy’s gift card and a free Material Girl bandeau top! Double freebies and a party to boot! Who could ask for more? Well, Chicago fashionistas there is more: four lucky customers will win a chic tee-shirt signed by Madonna the Material Girl herself! You can also enter for a chance to meet madonna!

Be sure to stay at the event after the initial hoorah as shoppers are invited to a dance party later in the day. Fashionistas will have the chance to enjoy fashion, music, refreshments and score a great gift with any $50 Material Girl purchase!!

The Material Girl collection is made up of apparel, footwear, handbags and jewelry and the price points range from $12.00 to $40.00. The line is incredibly well priced and easily available to the masses and is sold exclusively at Macy's! The trends that this brand is highlighting for Fall 2010 cater to prints and embellishments.

A mix of hard and soft elements, like a tutu dress and studded combat boots, or an oversized boyfriend sweatshirt with a floral print mini skirt. The looks create an interesting statement and definitely give a girl some schutzpa! It's no surprise that Taylor Momsen, Gossip Girl's very own Jenny was named spokesmodel for the line. She definitely does a great job of connecting soft and hard looks!

Be sure to watch the video above for a teaser view of the line as well as a personal interview with Madonna!

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JLee Silver--Chicago's Rock n Shop Event

The hip fashion line, JLee Silver, will be the host extraordinaire for the inaugural Chicago Rock n Shop retail event. Rock n Shop is a funky concept that is incorporating a retail/live music experience to showcase the fusion of fashion and music. It is definitely bound to be an experiential event for any Chicago fashion diva.

Rock n Shop is a two-day pop-up retail event, celebrating local talent. It allows attendees to shop local designers’ collections. This event will showcase five apparel and accessories designers, and will be open to the public. Each weekend will feature new Chicago designers, as well as local artists, DJ’s and bands.

See below for times and locations!

DATE/TIME/LOCATION

Open to public:

Saturday, Nov. 28^th: 12pm- 8pm

Sunday, Nov. 29^th: 12pm-6pm

Saturday, Dec. 5^th: 12pm-8pm

Sunday, Dec. 6^th: 12pm-6pm

Saturday, Dec. 12^th: 12pm-8pm

Sunday, Dec. 13^th: 12pm-6pm

Saturday, Dec. 19^th: 12pm—8pm

Sunday, Dec. 20^th: 12pm-6pm

Location:

Bice Restaurant

158 E. Ontario (Ontario/Michigan)

Chicago, IL 60611

Jimmy Choo for H and M - I'm Lovin' It

What fashion diva who is an aspiring writer, artist, fashion maven didn't have a slight tinge of green envy for Carrie Bradshaw and her ultimate collection of fabulous designer duds and shoes?In all reality people, us writers, we barely make enough to live let alone purchase designer items worth hundreds to thousands of dollars a pop? I was looking through my december issues of Elle and Vogue and was thrilled to see stellar ads for Jimmy Choo's H&M line!

Well, as a self proclaimed bargain hunter, I am all about finding great deals! I don't necessarily believe in designer knock-offs (why buy a fake? just buy something with the same stylistic ideals??), BUT I do believe in finding garments with the same stylistic flare? What is even better is when the designers take a cue from the economy and decide that they can make their items within my realm of cash flow! It looks like there is a surging trend of designers and labels who are deciding that they no longer want to just be considered "luxury" items or brands and want to expand their targeted reach to people like me! Broke ass freelancers just trying to make a dollar out of 50 cents! ;)

So, my dear readers, designers like Alexander McQueen and yes JIMMY CHOO have decided to launch under stores like Target and H&M to get their brands into our homes. Now, my fellow budding writers, we can liken ourselves to Carrie ideals of fashion without breaking bank!!

Knock out Knock Offs

Well, I had a blast of inspiration this past week after watching MTV's The City! Watching Olivia Palermo search the streets of New York for knockoffs made me want to scour the web and local stores for the same thing. As a frequenter of Forever 21, Wet Seal and Charlotte Russe, I have notice the stores bringing in some pretty impeccable look alikes. This installment of the style file will focus on some recent knock offs I have come across! The showcased pieces are the new Tiffany's Keys and forever 21's "antique" key necklaces :). Check em out for yourselves and let me know your thoughts!

On trend-the man bag

This fall guys, why not take a note from Seinfeld and Joey from Friends and rock a man bag!? Whether for class, work or just for fun you can look ultra chic by carrying a man bag instead of having that crazy bulge in your pants, and NO I don’t mean that kind! I mean that type that your ultra fat wallet leaves in your back pocket.
The man bag ranges in styles from briefcases to messenger bags. They are ultra hip and surprisingly masculine. The man bag can be used to carry your laptop, cell phones, work papers for travel and school work. The signs of a well made bag are as follows: good structure, quality construction, durable material, supple yet sturdy leather, adjustable and thick strap and strong closures.
If you are a white collar worker such as a lawyer, who needs to carry papers around and hopes to keep your papers in good shape a durable and strong briefcase would be your best option. If you are a student or typical guy who wants to carry around a laptop and some additional work, a messenger bag might be your bag of choice.
When it comes to purchasing a bag you need to keep a few things in mind. First, you want to decide what you will use your bag for, second: you need to decide the size you want to use, thirds: you want to decide what kind of interior you need (folder pockets vs. wide space etc. ) and finally you should decide what kind of material you want your bag in (leather vs. fabric).
Once you narrow down what kind of bag you want, you need to decide the color. Man Bags that are masculine will come in bold and strong colors. Do not be afraid to go for a funkier feel because conservative can sometimes be seen as boring and why not take a risk and show your fearlessness?! Bags can often make an impression on potential employers so do keep that in mind when picking your final piece. Designers like Piet Breinholm make some incredibly fashion forward bags. According to the New York times, “Piet Breinholm, a former drummer for the Berlin-based trio 18 Dye, who has transformed the once-ubiquitous leather school bag carried by Danish children into a chic unisex accessory. The Last Bag [was] named for the Last Band.”
Bags like this are carried by men who want to make an impression and who find it helpful to utilize something other than a wallet. Some great trends that you can see in men’s bags are vintage closures, refurbished styles, dyed leathers in colors like hunter green, distressed messenger styles and canvas styles.
The man bag has definitely been a hit in Hollywood! The “Man’s Man” Kiefer Sutherland of Fox’s hit TV show 24 has been seen carrying a man bag! He uses the bag to carry around essential items, scripts and of course the electronics all men need! This season men, don’t be afraid to sport the man bag! You’ll look fresh and funky!
Jennifer M. Lezan is a freelance fashion designer and writer for:
www.Briefcasesdirect.com a website offering luxury briefcases direct from the manufacturer!

Fall Fashion Is Underway

Hello fellow readers!

Sorry it has been a while since I have made a post. It has been quite a busy few months for me in terms of work! I have been interning for a few magazines as well as working full time so I have not had a lot of time to research good stuff for you here on blogger, Although I am still putting up weekly trend reports via my fashion column in the Chicago Examiner! Check them out here!

In honor of the season premier of Mad Men, I have posted some great old school vintage fashion illustrations that showcase and highlight the chic 60's style that the show has become infamous for! You can find more at fashion-era.com! Make sure to check out my recent examiner article for a vintage how to!

As you all can already tell, Summer's end is fast approaching! Soon the chilly fall air will hit Chicago and with that comes Chicago Fashion Focus and NY Fashion Week! Needless to say, Fall is my FAVE season! I just love the chilly weather and the great transition in my wardrobe!! I will be utilizing the blog to showcase top trends over the course of the year as well as pointing you to some of my personal vintage recreations and personal designs.

I will also be steering the blog into more of a professional direction in terms of showcasing my trend researching ability, my styling ability and will use it as a tool to reach out to people who have fashion questions and need direction!

So please start sending questions and requests! I will be more than happy to showcase a question and answer it with great visuals and step by step direction! I also just created my website with my portfolio for your view! check it out here!

Adios!

Jen