Chicago fashion shows-A Line Style Services Presents Dangerous Curves Ahead Charity Fashion Show

It's that time of the year again ladies and gentlemen of Chicago. NY, London and Paris Fashion Week have all passed, but Chicago's very own A-Line Stylist, Tamika Maria Martell, is heading up her second annual Dangerous Curves Ahead Charity Fashion Show and Expo. As much as naysayers may think fashion is a capitalistic, power driven industry, Tamika is making it a point to bring social efforts to the Chicago fashion industry by pushing for a social awareness and community service effort. To learn more about the show, Tamika and A-Line Style Services read on below!



1. Can you please tell us your name, company name and the fashion event details? also what made your pursue fashion?

Tamika Maria Martell, founder of A-line Style Services is planning her company's 2nd annual event, Dangerous Curves Ahead Charity Fashion Show & Woman's Expo. This event is unlike any other kind in Chicago featuring 5 Top Chicagoland Designers, ALL Size models of a variety of looks, and donating a generous portion of event proceeds to benefit The Primo Center, a transitional facility for homeless mothers & their children (www.primocenter.org). For more info on the event, visit www.dangerouscurvesahead2010.com. I pursued fashion after feeling unfulfilled of the same day-in, day-out routine of Corporate America. I found the most excitement of the day came during picking out my outfit in the morning. With such a strong support system in my life, I took the plunge and started A-line Style Services in 2008, offering Wardrobe Styling, Personal Shopping, Fashion Shoot Styling, Fashion PR/Marketing, and Fashion Event Planning Services. A-line Style Services had been featured on the Rachael Ray Show, NBC 5 News, N'Digo Magazine, The Examiner.com, and several other publications & media outlets.

2. What are some designers that you are looking forward to having showcased in your fashion show?

I am absolutely elated to have Project Runway's Ra'mon-Lawrence in this year's event. He is so kind, down to earth, and talented. Also, the plus size line, Chocolate Sushi Couture is a returning designer & crowd favorite from last year featuring flattering, stylish designs for full figured women.

3. What will the focus of the show be (ie. charity, highlighting new talent etc) and why have you chosen this focus?

Honestly there are 3 focuses for the show each year: 1) To highlight A-line Style Services and Chicago's fashion talent 2) To make ALL women feel beautiful, whether you are a size 2 or a size 22 and 3) To raise money for homeless mothers & their children. This year, the Primo Center will receive a generous portion of the event proceeds in addition to revealing an amazing makeover of a Primo Center mother as the event finale.

4. Can you name 3 key color or pattern trends and 3 key outfitting trend that our readers should keep in mind when prepping their wardrobe for Spring Summer 2010?

As an admirer of classic style, I would say every woman needs certain classics in their wardrobe to add versatility and style to their Spring/Summer wardrobe: An everyday, lightweight blazer, a Floral Blouse, a pair of great fitting jeans, and a Sheath Dress. These pieces are functional and add style to any woman's wardrobe, without being "in" for a fleeting moment.

5. Can you give our readers some key tips that you keep in mind when creating your looks for your outfits for day and for night?

A pair of high heels and bold accessories can take most looks from day to night. A dress with flats and a dress with heels gives off a totally different vibe, so throw your heels in your chic bag for the evening hours if you can't make it home. By adding a statement pieces such as bold earrings or multi-strand necklace add an evening flair. Feel free to add a bold color lip to update your day look to night as well.

6. Can you give our readers some key tips they could use when organizing their wardrobes/closets?

For most, the saying "out of sight, out of mind" rings true with your closet. Fold your tops and jeans so that you can see them. Adding racks to your closet vs putting these items in your drawers can instantly add a variety to your look that you otherwise would have not remembered you had.

7. Where do you find inspiration for your work and outfits (websites, magazines, books etc.)?

I am always a fan of a print magazine. I love Marie Claire's fashion spreads as well as In Style, ELLE, and so many others.

8. What are your top 3 Chicago designers and what draws you to them?

If I say anyone else other than the designers in my show I would be crazy! I love Ra'mon-Lawrence, Chocolate Sushi Couture, as well as Horacio Nieto. Nieto is not in this year's show, but I love his classic lines and fun, sexy accents to his designs.

9. Do you have any tips that you could provide our readers who may be interested in pursuing a career in fashion?

Yes - be prepared to work for free for at least one year to learn about the industry and to start your portfolio. Learn all you can from working with industry pros - And everyone is not an industry pro, so watch out for those that are just looking for free labor. Lastly, the Chicago fashion industry is small, so strive to build and maintain a solid reputation.

10. Where can our readers learn more about your work as well as the fashion show?

They can learn more about me by visiting the A-line Style Services website at www.a-linestyleservices.com. To learn more about Dangerous Curves Ahead please visit www.dangerouscurvesahead2010.com.

The blogging trend-blogger spotlight on Andy T.

It's only fitting for a blogger to blog about a blog, now isn't it? :)

With all the recent buzz about the fashion muses blogging and detailing their incredible style and outfits, it's only fitting to follow up on this new blogging trend. Well, it's actually not as new as you'd think, but it is only recently that the industry insiders and big wigs have truly given the blogosphere a second look. Many of you have heard about the young Tavi and her Style Rookie Blogand the buzz she has created with her quirky style and front row appearances at some of the most recent and hottest fashion shows. Yet, there are many fashion hopefuls that blog everyday and are a great inspiration for trends and styling techniques.

One hopeful that has definitely turned success story is Andy T. (Torres) of theStyle Scrapbook blog! She is an incredibly stylish young Mexican woman living in Holland. I was very lucky to get the chance to chat with her via e-mail and get you readers an insiders interview! Her blog is an inspiring tale of her daily adventures photo's detailing her chic outfits each day. Andy and her blog have been showcased and highlighted in multiple glossies (magazines) such as: French Glamour, Nylon Mexico, Razz as well as websites like: Who What Wear and Vogue.com. She's obsessed with moving to Paris and loves Fashion, Chicago fashionistas, please allow me to introduce Andy T! Read on below for some insider tips on styling and accessorizing your looks and organizing your closet. For you fashion hopefuls, she has even included some great tips on having a successful blog!

1. What are some basic clothing items every girl should have in her closet that can be intermixed?

A cropped black leather jacket is a MUST in your closet and a blazer, doesnt matter which color but you can always dress it up or down (I own like 10 in differet colors!)

2. Can you list your top 3 boutiques to visit?

ZARA, Urban Outfitters, TOP SHOP

3. Can you give our readers some great tips on accessorizing?

Never over accessorize and one of my best tips when it comes to accessories is picking an edgy nail polish color and killer sunglasses.

4. Can you give our readers some great tips on keeping their closets organized?

What I do is separate things into garments, like blazers, dresses, jeans, tees, jackets etc. By putting them in groups you not only organize your closet but you find things more easily for choosing the right outfit.

5. What are key ideas to keep in mind when styling an outfit?

Dress for your body type, no matter how trendy a garment is, if it doesn't suit your body, I don't advise you to wear it. Be aware of what suits you and what doesn't, that is the most important and basic thing when it comes to styling yourself.

6. What are your favorite style sites that you visit for inspiration?

I love fashion blogs and my favorites are the scandinavian ones. I love how people dress in countries like Sweden and Denmark, people are so stylish there!

7. Can you give us a little history about yourself, your blog and what made you enter the fashion industry?

I have been interested in fashion all my life, and even tho I grew up in mexico, I always dreamt of coming to Europe and try to make it big in this industry. I started my blog 2 years ago and I think it has been the best idea I have ever had because not only I have met incredible people through it, but I have been able to achieve so much in my career thanks to the exposure that fashion blogs are getting lately.

8. Can you give our readers some great tips that they could use if they are interested in becoming a blogger such as yourself--(ie great ways to promote onself, how to get their blog noticed and how to stay motivated as they continue their dream)?

My best advice to keep the traffic on your blog is to make blogger friends, go check their blogs and invite them to come to yours! that is how I did it :) and last but not least, always follow your heart and your dreams, never let people tell you that you cant, because the only limits you have are the ones that you set for yourself.

Check out Andy's blog here: www. stylescrapbook.com
Andy's Blog in spanish for ELLE SPAIN: www.stylescrapbook.elleblogs.es

You can follow Andy on twitter at: www.twitter.com/stylescrapbook
Find Andy on lookbook here: www.lookbook.nu/andytorres

What are your thoughts, ideas and opinions readers? As always you can find me on Chicago Examiner OR at The Style File (www.jennys-fashion-files.blogspot.com)! Be sure to keep up with me on Twitter for the latest and greatest fashion news: www.twitter.com/chiclezan

** Images from Stylescrapbook.com!**

Gotta love that style!

Holiday Gift Guide-classic fashion trends

This one is for the Classic Fashionistas..

Gentlemen, if your wife has the classic sensibilites of a socially elite New Yorker, Downtown Chicagoan or loves black and white, she is what we dub the classic fashionistas. She loves all things Chanel, all things timeless and seems to always look put together.

The classic pieces showcased here last well into the future and are timelessly chic. They are relevant for years to come and will always be fashion foward because they have staying power. When it comes to the classic looks, you can brighten them up by adding sparkle and glam to them with great accessories. Nuetrals mixed with black and white are always a great combination.

Incorporate a complete look from head to toe, with accessories and a personal scent for a great put together look. This season, layering items such as a black tee, grey cardigan and cream and black chanel style tweed sweater with chic leather tights and "haute" pumpa like the recent additions to the Stella McCartney line!

Check 'em out below!

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

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 .