Posts Tagged ‘Valentino’

On Point

Tuesday, February 15th, 2011

I never thought I’d support a revival of the pointy-toe shoe, but after years of round shapes and months of clunky boots, this classic style couldn’t be more refreshing. Unlike most footwear trends that rotate out of the closet after a season or two, the right pair of pumps are an investment that will reemerge for decades. Why? They’re timeless, versatile and loved by woman of all ages.

Basically, pointy-toe pumps equip us shoe collectors with all the practical reasons to justify coming home with another box of Manolos. Pointy toes transition from season to season, and more importantly for modern ladies, from day to night. There’re an array of styles–from d’Orsay stilettos to unconventional straps to kitten heels–that suit every occasion and taste. Whether your style is classic, edgy, glam or preppy, and you’re headed to work, date or cocktail reception, you’ll delight in all the pointy styles available for spring.

Practicality aside, though, there’s another reason these shoes are a must have: attitude. Ladylike yet fierce, these heels have a way of saying, “I’m sweet and classy, but get the hell out of my way.” Ranging from conservative ‘50s styles to full-out mod, pointy toes can tone down or amp up a look with their leg-lengthening silhouette, eye-catching embellishments, austere cuts and slew of delicious colors.

Simply choose one (or two, or three…) of the hundreds styles and pair it with cocktail dresses, pencil skirts, tapered trousers, boyfriend jeans, miniskirts, et al. One can’t deny the resurgence of this timeless trend is one chic, fashionably versatile move that allows us to accent just about any outfit with pointy toes. This spring, I think you’ll all join me by saying, “Welcome back, pointy-toe pumps!”

Clockwise from upper left:

1. Schutz lavender suede pump ($214; shopbop.com). The chicest pump for spring. Understated enough for work, pretty enough for tea and fierce enough for drinks.

2. Kate Spade “Licorice” pump ($285; Shirise; 341 Park Avenue, Glencoe, IL). Basic, black and just plain sexy.

3. Valentino studded lace ankle wrap pump ($995; Neiman Marcus). Edgy and fearless. This shoe is not what you would expect from a comfortable and surprisingly versatile shoe.

4. Blue pointed pump ($90; Zara). There’s a reason Elvis wrote a song about blue suede shoes. Colorful, fun and a perfect pick-me-up to cure the winter doldrums.

5. Giuseppe Zanotti red patent leather “V” strap pump ($550; Saks Fifth Avenue). Va-va-voom! Femme fatale at its best.

6. Christian Louboutin “Pigalili 120 mm” ($3,545; Christian Louboutin). The power to stop ‘em dead in their tracks. Literally.

7. Messeca “Jesenia” pump ($110; Pump Shoes and Accessories; 1659 W Division Street). Add some swing to your swagger with these show-stoppers.

8. Topshop “Glitz Bow Point Court Shoe” ($125; Topshop). Conservative for the office, but fashion-forward for the weekend.

By Maia McGinley

Images courtesy of shopbop.com, Kate Spade, Neiman Marcus, Zara, Saks Fifth Avenue, Christian Louboutin, Pump Shoes and Accessories, and Topshop

Tags: Accessories, Chicago Boutiques, Chicago Fashion, Christian Louboutin, Giuseppe Zanotti, Heels, Kate Spade, Messeca, Neiman Marcus, Pump Shoes and Accessories, Saks Fifth Avenue, Schultz, Shoes, shopbop.com, Topshop, Trends, Valentino, Zara
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Spring Forward: A Look at the Hottest Trends for Spring

Sunday, February 7th, 2010

Spring is upon us (thank goodness!), and that means it’s time to reflect on the season’s hottest trends. The Spring/Summer 2010 runways gave us an array of exciting looks—be it reintroduced classics or futuristic newbies—and we pulled together a list of our favorite six to kick off the season. Though it’s hard to get in a warm weather state of mind during a winter weather advisory, the mercury will soon rise and we’ll bask in a new season of fresh fashion. Take a look at these spring trends, and let spring fever set in! 

DIGITAL 
Moving beyond solids and into the world of prints isn’t always an easy feat. We love our black and white, but truth be told, prints are one of the easiest ways to add interest and individuality to your look. Enter: digital prints. Like a shot of fashion adrenaline, these graphic styles offer more edge and energy than any floral ever could. 

Images: Givenchy (left) and Versace (right)

DENIM
Remember your acid wash jacket from grade school? Oh, yes you do. Well, denim is back, and you’ll see light and mid-tone shades on everything: jackets, jeans, dresses, shirts and even overalls. This may be a hard trend to warm up to right away, but we’re sure you’ll come around soon enough. 

Images: Ralph Lauren Collection (left) and Mulberry (right)

WHITE
White is the consummate color of spring, and this season, the way to wear it is from head to toe. Such a style approach is innately chic and sophisticated, and always a stand-out outfit. The runway showed us flirty, girly looks and edgy, sexy ways to wear this color, so you really can wear this trend however you choose.

Images: Oscar de la Renta (left) and Gucci (right)

SHORTS
We saw lots of shorts last spring, and now the trend seems even bigger. Any hem goes this season, from Daisy Dukes to the Bermuda, so load up on several pairs and experiment with the endless ways to wear them. Our styles of choice are: jean shorts and footless tights and chino shorts and a classic button-up shirt.

Images: Pringle of Scotland (left) and Fendi (right) 

KHAKI
A true classic, khaki is probably one of the easiest trends to wear, and the runway demonstrated its infinite possibilities. Take the color from drab basics and into any garment realm you can imagine. From a menswear-inspired suit and military jacket, khaki has your every spring need covered.

Images: Chloé (left) and Chanel (right)

PASTELS
Spring wouldn’t feel quite like spring without pastels. This season, these pretty hues make another graceful appearance, displaying their ladylike, fashion-forward properties for us to relish. Whether you go with one color or mix and match, pastels have a distinct beauty that’s always spring-ready.

Images: Valentino (left) and D&G (right)  

By Meghan Turner

Images courtesy of Givenchy, Versace, Ralph Lauren, Mulberry, Oscar de la Renta, Chanel, Pringle of Scotland, Fendi, Chloé, Chanel, Valentino, and D&G 

Tags: Chanel, Chloé, D&G, Dolce and Gabbana, Fendi, Givenchy, Mulberry, Oscar de la Renta, Pringle of Scotland, Ralph Lauren, Spring 2010 Trends, Spring trends, Valentino, Versace
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Fashion in Chicago: Events and Sales This Weekend

Friday, January 15th, 2010

FRIDAY EVENTS

Valentino Spring Trunk Show
Stop by the Michigan Ave Neiman Marcus from 10am to 4pm to receive wardrobe advice, and from noon to 3pm, enjoy informal modeling of the collection.

Robin Richman Group Show (2108 N Damen Avenue)
From 5pm to 8pm, Robin Richman will host a group show featuring designers and artists from Chicago and NY. Enjoy cocktails and hor d’oeuvres by Lula Cafe.

Kate Boggiano Closed Door Sale (2150 S Canalport Avenue, 3rd Floor)
Kate Boggiano is hosting an exclusive closed door sale and offering up to 55% off current, past, and sample pieces. Admittance by ticket only. Search “closed door sale” at kateboggiano.com.

WEEKEND SALES

SHE Boutique Winter Sale (shopsheboutique.com; 483 Central Avenue in Highland Park)
SHE Boutique is having their winter sale! All ‘09 styles are 50% off until 1/17. Enter online code: final50. Spring 2010 collections are excluded.

Tula’s Warehouse Sale (3738 N Southport Avenue)
Tula is having its 2nd annual Warehouse Sale from until 1/17! Stop by for huge discounts.

Veruca Salt Sale (521 N Kingsbury and 1921 N Damen Avenue)
Veruca Salt is having a huge sale now thru mid-January. Take 40% off the first item, 50% off the second item, and 60% off the third item!

Lori’s Shoes: Five-Day Jewelry Sale (824 W Armitage Avenue)
Thru 1/17, shop the entire jewelry collection and get 50% off!

Tags: Chicago Events, Chicago Fashion, Chicago Shopping, Kate Boggiano, Lori's Shoes, Robin Richman, She Boutique, Tula, Valentino, Veruca Salt
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Button Up

Monday, November 23rd, 2009

William Rast Fall ’09 courtesy of style.com; Yves Saint Laurent Fall ’09 courtesy of
ysl.com; and Donna Karan Fall ’09 courtesy of style.com

You woke up late (again), and you can’t find anything to wear (again). For those mornings when getting dressed is the day’s heftiest task, you need a no-fuss yet polished look ASAP. Thankfully the classic white button-up shirt has the versatility and sophistication to take you from frazzled to chic in mere minutes. From ruffles and rosettes to tuxedo and bib styles, this menswear-inspired staple now comes in more styles than you can count. Here are a few of our favorites that go from dressy to casual effortlessly.

Images courtesy of Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman and Express

Magaschoni’s blouse ($248; Neiman Marcus) has a bow and ruffles that are ladylike and professional when paired with a tailored suit. For a look that goes from work to play, combine a pencil skirt and a white shirt with romantic details, like Valentino’s “Ruffled-Rose Blouse” ($790; Bergdorf Goodman). A fitted style, like Express’s “Essential Stretch” shirt ($30), will be casual and sleek with dark denim skinny jeans and brown riding boots. Just because these shirts have their innate formality, don’t be afraid to experiment to create your own approach.

If only rolling out of bed was this easy…

By Danielle Parker

Tags: Bergdorf Goodman, Express, Magaschoni, Neiman Marcus, Trends, Valentino, Yves Saint Laurent
Posted in StyleBlog | 4 Comments »

Dana Rebecca Gets More Red Carpet Action

Wednesday, November 18th, 2009

Last week, we showed you Nikki Reed wearing diamond bracelets by Chicago designer Dana Rebecca, and Monday night she sported the fine jewelry again at the LA premiere of New Moon. Nikki looked sweet yet hip in her canary blue Burberry dress, accented with Dana Rebecca earrings, ring and bracelets.

Her cast mates, Kristen Stewart, Ashley Greene and Dakota Fanning, also vamped up the evening. Kristen glowed in Oscar de la Renta, Ashley was sexy and classy in Prabal Gurung, and Dakota kicked her little girl image to the curb in an edgy Valentino number.

Images courtesy of Wire Images

Tags: Accessories, Ashley Greene, Burberry, Chicago Designer, Christian Louboutin, Dakota Fanning, Dana Rebecca Designs, New Moon, Nikki Reed, Oscar de la Renta, Prabal Gurung, Valentino
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