Members Only Shopping

When we speak of "members only" we are not talking about the 80's zip up jackets that were so popular. Rather, we are speaking of exclusive shopping clubs. As retail struggles, online merchants are looking for niche markets to tap into and one company has stumbled upon a gold mine.

vonrosen.com is the latest and greatest of invite only shopping sites. It plays off the idea that they want to have the power in choosing the people they allow to shop their online racks. Generally speaking, consumers get to pick and chose the brands they shop, but vonrosen has flipped the switch.

It is as simple as economics 101. The less available a product is, the more consumers seem to want it. Vonrosen is considered innovative in terms of exclusivity. They are a club that many a fashionista wants to be invited to. Only can you login upon the day you receive the leather bound envelope with the website and private access code granting you your membership!

Check it out and apply for yourself, maybe you too will be dubbed fashion royalty! shoot an email to: request@vonrosen.com. OR check out www.vonrosen.com. All images courtesy of vonrosen.com.

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!

Statement Making Jewelry (rings)

The best way to complete an outfit is to pull it all together with your accessories. A set of bold bangles, a belt at a cinched waist, beautiful drop earrings with an updo--all these pieces make a woman truly pulled together! This week, I have been on a ring kick! I love making funky pieces with metal bands, interesting beads and hot glue!

I have pulled in some great funky rings that I thought might add some flair to that LBD, simple chic day look or that will glam up a funky outfit. Each of these pieces can be found at forever21.com. Utilize these pieces as sparingly as you want OR pile 'em on. I love the vintage chic, almost grandma looking jewelery, combined with modern pieces.

Have fun with this!

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