Posts Tagged ‘CheekyChicago.com’

Chatting With Designer Rebecca Minkoff

Wednesday, March 31st, 2010

The Rebecca Minkoff name is synonymous with style, design, quality and wearability. The label’s clothing, accessories, and handbags–the latter being the most celebrated venture–are a favorite among celebrities and women around the world. Only 27 years old, Rebecca Minkoff (shown above with her Spring ’10 bags) has built quite the fashion empire in a very short time. In 2001, she started her namesake label as a women’s clothing line and didn’t branch into handbags until her friend, celebrity Jenna Elfman, asked her to design a bag for an upcoming movie. That bag was named the “Morning After,” and it’s still Rebecca’s most popular item. More importantly, it launched the emerging designer into handbag stardom.

I had the pleasure of meeting Rebecca on Thursday night at CheekyChicago.com’s “Cheeky People of Style” in Saks Fifth Avenue. Whenever I meet a nationally recognized designer, there’s always that one looming question: Is he or she a diva? Chatting with her is like chatting with a girlfriend. She’s warm and kind, without an ounce of snobbery (Phew!). In our conversation, we talked about Rebecca’s Spring 2010 handbag collection, which was presented in a trunk show that evening. As her designs have done to me many times before, I was wowed. The buttery leathers, edgy hardware, must-have tie-dye prints (a personal fav), and many shapes and sizes came together in a versatile collection of classic and trendy bags and pouches.

Here’s how our chat went down:

SA: You’re known for your bag’s style, versatility and quality. What else should we know about a Rebecca Minkoff bag?
RM: I think it’s fun and not so serious. I think you know who the designer is without it being flashy and showy. One thing I hear about my bags over and over again no matter where I am is that women wearing my bag get stopped and asked where they got it. So, there’s an interest factor that other women are drawn to it.

SA: What was the inspiration behind the collection? You’ve got lots of amazing detail going on.
RM: There were three distinct groups. One was based on a motorcycle jacket. Then we have a group that has the studding I had been doing the year before, but this one [has] the multicolored studs. It can go with whatever jewelry you are wearing. It doesn’t matter; [your jewelry] will go with your bag! And the third group was more classic, more of the basic shapes. But those are some of my best-selling shapes and styles. So…I’m trying to make my line a one-stop shop for whomever you are.

SA: We love these tie-dyed cross-body bags. What was behind the print choice?
RM: It’s all hand-made in Ethiopia and hand tie-dyed. I just thought it was really beautiful. I thought I could put it on some fun new shapes!

SA: What’s personal to you about this collection?
RM: The overall theme was that the president of my company just lost her best friend, so I named the collection “Best Friends” in honor of her. And then we did a pouch in honor of that. You buy the set and give one away, and we did these cute [best friend] charms. The whole ad campaign is around two girls having a really great time.

SA: I’m noticing lots of small pouches and clutches.
RM: A year prior to this spring, we introduced small leather goods, so we have quite a wide range. We have wallets and card cases, and we also have bracelets and belts too.

SA: You design bags, jewelry and clothing. Where does your heart lie among these three divisions?
RM: It’s hard. I never thought I would be a bag designer. I have so much fun doing it, and the process is very easy for me…and freeing. And for me, clothing is always what I wanted to do, and I would say it’s the most challenging. It’s nice to have a challenge. If nothing was hard, you wouldn’t feel like you accomplished something in the end.

SA: So…are you doing any shopping while you’re here in Chicago?
RM: I’m trying not to, but I’m seeing lots of stuff I want here tonight!

SA: Do you come to Chicago often?
RM: I actually haven’t been in about two years, but my cousin lives here, amd I’m going to come back and visit her.

SA: Well, you’ll have to come back and explore some of Chicago’s amazing boutiques.
RM: I know! I love small boutiques, and Chicago has got some good ones.

Just because I enjoyed my conversation with Rebecca so much, I’m treating myself to that tie-dyed cross-body bag (in yellow!) I had my eye on all night. As if I really needed an excuse…

By Meghan Turner

Cover images courtesy of Rebecca Minkoff

*You can find Rebecca’s designs at various retailers, including Saks Fifth Avenue and shopbop.com

Tags: CheekyChicago.com, Chicago Fashion Events, Handbags, Rebecca Minkoff, Saks Fifth Avenue
Posted in Features | No Comments »

Cheeky Style

Tuesday, March 30th, 2010

CheekyChicago.com’s mission is to entertain us fun-loving Chicagoans. So, it’s no surprise we had a blast at the lifestyle website’s “Cheeky People of Style” last Thursday night. It was a luxurious and intimate evening of fashion, shopping and mingling. What’s not to love?

To start off the night, we headed to the fifth floor of Michigan Ave’s Saks Fifth Avenue, where we were greeted by flutes of champagne, trays of hors d’oeuvres, and racks of lust-worthy designer labels. The evening honored Saks’ “Contemporary Week” and featured a fashion show and appearance by handbag designer Rebecca Minkoff, whom we happily chatted with (our convo to come!) about her versatile, fashion-forward Spring 2010 collection. A definite must see.

We peeled ourselves away from Rebecca and all the spring wears begging to be bought and found ourselves in seats lining a bubblegum pink runway (very Cheeky Chicago) woven through the sales floor. Instead of somber models working the catwalk, six of Chicago’s well-known stylites lit up the runway with individual personality and energy. A very “real” approach. These impromptu models were Julie Darling (Julie Darling PR), Lynne Bredfeldt (Park Hyatt Chicago), Itika Oldwine (Harpo), Arturo Gomez (Rockit Ranch Productions), Marcus Riley (NBC Chicago), and Michael Mason (James Hotel), who presented some of spring’s biggest trends and hottest designers, including Helmut Lang, Elizabeth and James, and Catherine Maladrino. The show was lighthearted and friendly, like so many of our city’s fashion events. Not pompous or intimidating, rather just plain fun with a stylish twist.

After the show, we headed to JBar Lounge for an afterparty with friends, complimentary cocktails and treats. The James Hotel hotspot, clad in brown leathers and flickering candlelight, shifted the evening’s tone to a much sexier vibe. Between sips of our delicious martinis and nibbles on some beautiful desserts by David Burke’s Primehouse Pastry Chef Jove Hubbard, we chatted with the stylish partygoers. Everyone agreed: being cheeky is fabulous.

By Meghan Turner

Image (left) courtesy of CheekyChicago.com

Tags: Arturo Gomez, Catherine Maladrino, CheekyChicago.com, Chicago Fashion Events, Elizabeth and James, Helmut Lang, Itika Oldwine, James Hotel, JBar Lounge, Julie Darling, Lynne Bredfeldt, Marcus Riley, Michael Mason, Rebecca Minkoff, Saks Fifth Avenue
Posted in StyleBlog | No Comments »

Workin’ the New Garden Collection by H&M

Sunday, March 28th, 2010

Nikkari at CheekyChicago.com’s afterparty for The Cheeky People of Style event

Tags: CheekyChicago.com, Chicago Fashion, Chicago Fashion Events
Posted in StyleHunter | No Comments »

Get Cheeky With It

Tuesday, March 23rd, 2010

Chicago’s got some pretty fabulous residents, and CheekyChicago.com is presenting six well-known stylites at “The Cheeky People of Chicago” event this Thursday night. These successful and style-conscious locals will model spring’s hottest trends in a fashion presentation from 6-8pm at Saks Fifth Avenue (700 N Michigan Avenue, 5th floor). In addition to mingling and gawking at the wears on Julie Darling, Lynne Bredfeldt, Itika Oldwine, Arturo Gomez, Marcus Riley, and Michael Mason, you’ll have the opportunity to meet Rebecca Minkoff and preview her Spring 2010 handbag collection. After the show, which includes hors d’oeuvres, beverages, and music by DJ Mister Wolf, head to JBar (610 N Rush Street) for an exclusive afterparty from 8-10pm. For the first hour, you’ll get complimentary cocktails and sweets by David Burke’s Primehouse Pastry Chef Jove Hubbard. Tickets are $20 online and $25 at the door.

For tickets, click here.

By Meghan Turner

Tags: Arturo Gomez, CheekyChicago.com, Chicago Fashion Events, Itika Oldwine, Julie Darling, Lynne Bredfeldt, Marcus Riley, Michael Mason, Rebecca Minkoff, Saks Fifth Avenue
Posted in StyleBlog | No Comments »