Posts Tagged ‘Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent’

Fall Fashion to Welcome

Monday, November 15th, 2010

Welcome to fall in Chicago. The air holds a brisk chill and the trees are aglow with shades of yellow, orange and red. Signaling an adieu to summer and a hesitant hello to yet another winter, this change in season isn’t just a transition in weather. It’s a transition in wardrobe. As fashion’s favorite time of year, local designers and boutiques give shoppers an abundance of breathtaking clothing and accessories for Fall/Winter 2010. With both must-have trends and classic garments that cater to Midwestern style sensibilities, the city’s shopping scene offers rich variety and irresistible flair.

Set in the oasis-like Park at Lakeshore East, surrounded with high-rise condominiums, Millennium Park and Michigan Avenue, we at Style Admirer captured a piece of Chicago’s fall. These five looks, set against an expansive canvas, display the season’s hottest trends and incorporate pieces that can be treasured for seasons to come. With a focus on rich textures, tailored shapes, opulent embellishments and luxe fabrics–all by Chicago designers and boutiques–we pay homage to autumn.

First image: Velvet dress by C/FAN ($380; Cerato Boutique; 3451 N Southport Avenue), Allison Schiller ring ($449; Krista K; 3458 N Southport Avenue), Osanna Visconti double spiral cuff ($320; Sarca; 710 N Wabash Avenue), Hue lace tights ($18; Lori’s Shoes; 824 W Armitage Avenue) and Charles by Charles David “Nightlife” lace booties ($114; Lori’s Shoes). Above image: Agga B dress with gold beaded sleeves ($550), Melinda Maria “Baby Jane” earrings ($575; Sarca) and Hue tights ($18; Lori’s Shoes)

Agga B vintage fur vest ($760) and linen blouse with Swarovski crystals ($160), high-waisted jeans (the stylist’s own)

Smythe blazer ($595; Fix Boutique; 1101 W Fulton Market), Twelfth St by Cynthia Vincent patterned tank ($256; Fix Boutique), Rag & Bone wool mini skirt ($230; Fix Boutique), leg warmers (stylist’s own) and Sam Edelman black lace-up boot ($212; Lori’s Shoes)

Leather coat with fur lining by C/FAN ($1,118; Sofia Vintage; 72 E Oat Street), Allison Schiller stone ring ($398; Krista K), The Branch oversized silver cage ring ($160; Sarca); Maui silver antique heart necklace ($570; Sarca), Helmut Lang stretch leather leggings ($690; Krista K) and Josie satin tank ($128; Krista K)

Creative director and writer: Meghan Turner
Photographer: Ace Ujimori
Stylist: Maia McGinley with Meghan Turner
Model: Shanna Vincent
Hair and makeup: Emily Cumings
Special thanks to Kaitlyn Groth

Tags: Agga B., Allison Schiller, C/FAN, Charles by Charles David, Fix Boutique, Helmut Lang, Hue, Josie, Krista K, Lori's Shoes, Rag & Bone, Sam Edelman, Sarca, Smythe, Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent
Posted in Features | No Comments »

Lolla Style #2: Stand-out Style

Monday, August 2nd, 2010

Oh Lolla, how I love you so. For three blissful days, I get to jam out with my favorite bands alongside other sweaty concert-goers. We party through rain or shine against Chicago’s gleaming skyline, yet the weekend isn’t all glow sticks and draft beers. With last year’s temperatures topping 90 degrees and a city-wide influx of urban hipsters, we prepare ourselves to battle the summer heat and crowds vying for the fashion spotlight. Think boho chic meets urban cool to guide this weekend’s wardrobe selections. I know such fashion pressure can be a bit looming, but never fear. My below day-by-day guide to Lolla style can help equip you for what’s always a weekend to remember.

FRIDAY

Shown above
Friday music picks: Strokes, Chromeo and Hot Chip.
Fashion picks: Channeling my inner flower child by rocking a boho maxi with some awesomely retro accessories.

1. What Goes Around Comes Around “Paloma” maxi dress ($278; ASOS). A maxi reminiscent of decades past.
2. House of Harlow “Carnelian” dome ring in Tiger’s Eye ($70; singer22.com). A festival-worthy bauble.
3. Tom Ford “Nicole” sunglasses ($390; Barneys). Rose tinted shades with a retro-glam feel.
4. Jeffrey Campbell “Snick” wedges in olive ($138; Lori’s Shoes). A clog meets a wedge for a modern interpretation of this throwback trend.

SATURDAY

Saturday music picks: Phoenix, Cut Copy, Empire of the Sun.
Fashion picks: Mixing girlie and grunge with the perfect denim cutoffs, wrap strap booties and a ruffled floral tank.

1. Jeffrey Campbell wrap strap booties ($230; shopbop.com). Rugged boots to protect your feet while treking from stage to stage.
2. Blank Denim patchwork cutoff shorts ($79; Saks Fifth Avenue). Bleached and ripped, just how jean shorts were meant to be.
3. Madewell floral tiered tank ($88; shopbop.com). A flirty, sheer tank to stay cool.
4. Rebecca Minkoff boyfriend crossbody bag ($295; Intermix). A rocker-chic messenger makes it easier to get through the crowds.

SUNDAY

Sunday music picks: Yeasayer, Arcade Fire, Temper Trap.
Fashion picks: Ending the weekend on a high note by standing out in a neon tribal romper.

1. Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent cami romper ($275; revolveclothing.com). A lightweight silk romper with a festive print.
2. Ray-Ban wayfarer ($145; Ray-Ban). Classic shades with an edgy vibe.
3. Dolce Vita sandal ($78; Urban Outfitters). Metal accents with a twist – literally.
4. Alexander Wang “Brenda Camera Bag” ($425; Saks Fifth Avenue). A bag to fit only your most precious essentials.

By Leslie Garry

Images courtesy of shopbop.com, Saks Fifth Avenue, Intermix, ASOS, singer22.com, Barneys, Lori’s Shoes, revolveclothing.com, Ray-Ban and Urban Outfitters

Tags: Accessories, Alexander Wang, ASOS, Barneys, Blank Denim, Chicago Fashion Incubator, Chicago Shopping, Chicago Style, Dolce Vita, House of Harlow, Intermix, Jeffrey Campbell, Lori's Shoes, Madewell, Ray Ban, Rebecca Minkoff, revolveclothing.com, Saks Fifth Avenue, shopbop.com, Singer22.com, Tom Ford, Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent, Urban Outfitters, What Goes Around Comes Around
Posted in StyleBlog | No Comments »

Get Shorty

Wednesday, January 27th, 2010

This season’s trends have gifted us with 80’s inspired neons that electrify our senses and sweats that fuse style and comfort. Both have been wildly adopted by fashion-lovers alike, so we turned our sights on Shorty Clothing, an up-and-coming Chicago label that included both looks—among others—in its fall collection.

Shorty Clothing is for fervent trendsetters with a vivacious wild side. From a “Canary” metallic satin skirt (shown left) to “Worn-in Black” sweatpants with gold embellishments (shown below), the designs are not for the fashionably meek. While having an obvious focus on fearless fashion with lux details, the designers also pride themselves on creating pieces that fit real women with various body types. Their client is one who is effortlessly chic by day and glamorously sexy by night, and—more importantly—one who refuses to look like any other woman on the street. “The Shorty Clothing woman is confident, bold, sexy, glamorous, and can rock anything she’s wearing,” says Catherine Hudon, the label’s CEO. “It’s all about an attitude.”

The fall ‘09 collection, “Rock Meets Rococo,” encapsulates that attitude, with its vibrant display of bright hues, metallic fabrics, short hems and curve-hugging silhouettes. The collection includes stretch satin dresses and jackets, a metallic satin skirt and dress, jacquard coats, a silk cotton tank and blouse, a bamboo knit dress, and French fleece sweatpants and jumper. Having launched in fall 2008 and debuted that year at Gen Art’s Fresh Faces runway show, this is the label’s second collection.

Behind this label is a team of four women, all working to grow the Shorty Clothing brand. In addition to Catherine, who manages the business side, the other three partners include: Janna Boyd, a designer who lends an “urban and sexy” design approach to the label; Sophie Lin, a second designer with a “romantic and classic” aesthetic; and Chalcea Park, an entertainment lawyer in LA and the label’s first investor. When some might think that’s a lot of cooks in the kitchen, the four find balance and inspiration in each other’s creativity and motivation. “This marriage is really special, and we wouldn’t be able to do it without all of us,” says Catherine.

Top image: “The Misfit” blouse in “Green Kelly” ($195), “The Petite Pouf” skirt in “Canary” ($185), Cleobella “Danielle” Ikat and fringe handbag ($207), and Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent “Luella” wedge ($414). Second image: “The Marquise” in “Hot Fuschia” ($245), Carolina Amato leather gloves ($44), and Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent snake print grocery bag ($267); ”The New Wave” sweatpants in “Worn-in Black” ($95), Cynthia Vincent pale pink handbag ($348). All accessories available at Fix Boutique (1101 W Fulton Street).

As this label continues to grow both creatively and as a business, Catherine, Janna and Sophie—who all call Chicago home—remain dedicated to the city’s fashion community. “Our goal is to highlight Chicago fashion as competitive and relevant to the industry,” says Janna. “We want to continue to produce and manufacture locally and support the retail industry in the Midwest.”

“It’s been an amazing first two years here in Chicago,” says Catherine. But I think we’ve just tipped the iceberg.”

To see more of Shorty Clothing’s designs, visit shortyclothing.com

By Meghan Turner

Photographer: Ace Ujimori
Creative Director: Meghan Turner
Model: Katie Liberatore
Makeup: Jennifer Schulze
Special thanks to: Kaitlyn Groth and Fix Boutique

Tags: Carolina Amato, Chicago Designers, Chicago Fashion, Chicago Shopping, Cleobella, Fix Boutique, Shorty Clothing, Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent
Posted in Features | 2 Comments »