Popping Up Shop: Heat Wave Edition

Last week, I had the great opportunity to take part in the Chicago Sidewalk Sale at the Daley Center in Chicago's loop. Developed by the Mayor's Fashion Council, hand selected designers that call Chicago home were invited for 2 days to pop up shop in the heart of the city to talk fashion, introduce our brands to new people, and endure the heat wave in a very unique way.

The Style Cooperative & ABC News

Today on ABC Chicago's midday broadcast, Kiran from the Mayor's Fashion Council here in the windiest of cities talked a little bit about the shops that will be popping up alongside me tomorrow and Wednesday in the middle of the city.

Check out the short clip to hear more about some great designers that call Chicago home. The Co-Op holds it down for menswear nicely!

Video: #WORKROOM

A great clip of what I'll go ahead and say was the best night that hit Chicago in a very long time, hosted by yours truly at The Style Cooperative workroom along side the most excellent Marcus Troy. The hand selected guest list made for a great time.

Shoutout to Broadway, DJ extraordinaire, for producing this video. +1 bajillion cool points (I can still say that, right?). More pics to come!

Building a #WORKROOM

Recently, the internet was buzzing about a somewhat secret, but completely private event with some of Chicago's best-of in contemporary lifestyle. Hosted in our workroom alongside a special guest, we made the setting for a great time. 

This is the pre-(photo)story.

Behind the Scenes: Revamped Chicago

 This past Friday, I had the great pleasure to take part in the sustainable fashion show on behalf of EarthShare. Working with a great team, things got a little crazy juggling looks and models.

Here's a tiny peek into some of the action.

Revamped: The Co-Op, EarthShare & friends

Hey Chicago, The Co-Op is back on the runway! 

Join me this Friday as I show some of the Co-Op's never before seen pieces on the EarthShare runway along with some of my favorite folks in sustainable style. 

Behind the Scenes: Modern Man

Last week, I had a great time taking part on behalf of The Co-Op for the Modern Man show presented by Rockit Ranch. It included some special guest models, and met some of my favorite bloggers, brands, and personalities back stage.

Modern Man Chicago

Join me as I share the first look of the Spring and Summer (not yet released online!) along with some of my favorite Chicago brands and boutiques. I hear there are some guest models you can look forward to as well.

I want to meet some of you great readers, so if you spot me at the event- please do say hello!

Show starts at 11pm. See you underground.

94 Feet Awards @ 6 Points

I recently had the awesome opportunity to  support a friend of mine in his journey to build one of the top sports sites around by attending last weekend's 94 Feet Awards of Chicago.

Click through.

Isaia at Saks

Yesterday, I spent an evening learning about Isaia, now newly available at Saks' Men's Store in Chicago. I got the chance to talk to the buyers about the details that make it special, and hang around quite possibly the best dressed group of suited men I've witnessed in Chicago. No, really.

Warby Parker in Chicago

 

This weekend, I had the great chance to hang out with some stylish folks while trying out some of the latest wares from one of my favorite brands: Warby Parker. They do amazing work, and I've been meaning to try out some of the wares, so taking time to meet with the team while previewing the newest styles available this spring was a great way to kick off a Saturday in the windiest of cities.


Some personal style notes and favorites: Beckett is my favorite shape.They also have a matte black finish in some of the styles that reminds me of a chalk board. It's much cooler than I'm making it sound- I promise.

More after the jump

The Style Cooperative: Wintertime Wrap Up

Our soundtrack for the evening

Bow tying lessons

Brian of Sir & Madame

It seems about the right the time to do some type of deep and meditative reflection of everything that's happened in the past year. It's been a whirlwind... but I won't put you through that. I'm sure you've been paying attention.

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However, I would most certainly like to say a very necessary thanks to you. Yea, you. Readers, buyers, supporters, buds, the whole lot of you. Thanks for taking interest and in your own big or small way helping me to build and be.

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I've pulled out the 2010 goals and gameplan (because I don't do resolutions), and will share it with you guys this week so you can see what I was thinking back then, and whether it played out or not. 

In the mean time, enjoy the images from last week's trunk show at Groom Mens' Lounge. I had a great time chatting it up with creative and stylish folks and did a few rounds of group bow tying lessons. How cool is that? Fun to be had, and great sartorial life skills were learned.

You're Invited: Chicago Holiday Trunk Show

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If you're local to Chicago, you won't want to miss this. And it's just in time for some last minute holiday gifts. Ladies are absolutely welcome too!

I really hope to meet some readers there, so make sure to say hello and let me know you've seen the blog. It'll make my day.

Made in Chicago: The Art of EMJ

Last night, I had a great time checking out the opening of the EMJ design loft here in Chicago.  I sported a bow tie just as I obsessed over earlier.

Eric, chief designer and fantastic host, introduced me to his product line of concept bow ties and a few prototypes that he's working on.

He's a hard working guy who just gets it in terns of shaking up the style scene in Chicago and beyond. He brought the stylish of Chicago out and together for a night- I'm excited to watch the great things that unfold.

(Disclaimer: I shamelessly stole borrowed these images from his site/blog.)

Behind the Scenes: WNBA, Shay Murphy, and other pretty little things

Lately I've been mentioning a project I'm working on with the help of the WNBA team, Chicago Sky.  In order to support women's cancer awareness, I was among a handful of designers to participate in designing evening wear for the athletes.

With the charity of choice being A Silver Lining Foundation, we were charged with designing a silver themed evening gown.

All the athletes were great sports, getting dolled up and for a great cause.

 I was paired with the newest addition to the team, Shay Murphy.  She just arrived in Chicago a couple of weeks ago, by way of her last WNBA team in Indianapolis.

The one of a kind dress I designed for Shay, along with all other silver themed dresses from the event, is being auctioned off by the Chicago Sky to benefit A Silver Lining Foundation. 

If you'd like to get your hands on it- send me a note, and I'll put you in contact with the right people (but move fast!)

I'll hanging out at the next Chicago Sky game again tomorrow meeting fans, so if you're in the area and want to meet the rest of the designers and see the dresses and the final images from the shoot in person, come out and say hi.

The Style Co-Op and Chicago Sky

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CHICAGO, August 4, 2010 – The Chicago Sky announced today that it will host an auction of one-of-a-kind silver-themed dresses, autographed Sky photos and other sports memorabilia at its games on August 7 and August 10 as part of Breast Health Awareness week in the WNBA.

Sky athletes have been paired up with independent fashion designers from around Chicago and the results are amazing. The designers have produced beautiful custom made silver-themed dresses for each player. On Friday, August 6 the Sky will hold a photo shoot that is open to the media and the resulting photos will be autographed and auctioned to benefit Sky Cares Foundation and A Silver Lining Foundation.

Sylvia Fowles and the Sky will take on the Minnesota Lynx on August 7 at 2pm and the Phoenix Mercury on August 10 at 7pm, both at Allstate Arena. The silent auction will take place throughout both games in the East lobby. In addition to the autographed photos and the dresses themselves, memorabilia from other professional Chicago sports teams will be available to bid on. 

You Are Invited!

Outside of working on The Co-Op, Freelance Brigade, and the blog, I find myself working on other projects as opportunities present themselves.  Recently, I was offered the opportunity to be a part of a group of emerging designers in the Chicago area to create looks for a charity fashion event hosted by the WNBA team, Chicago Sky.

Hard at work in preparation for this show, I'm truly excited for what I'll be showing with Chicago Sky players as the models.  The evening gown I've designed will also be up for grabs in an auction to support A Silver Lining Foundation.  

If you're in the Chicago area, do consider supporting the show next week- it's a great cause.  I'll see you on the runway!

Back to the Future: Governor's Island

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Every year in New York on Governor's Island, there exists a great spectacle and time known as the Jazz Age Lawn Party.

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The great part about it is that it's just beautiful, nostalgic fun that brings out the romance of a time past.

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Some people get really into dressing for the day.

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Which makes the whole day seem even more electrifying.

I can't think of a better combination than summertime, live music, great style, and friends.

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Definitive Culture is Here to Stay

It feels like I haven't written in ages! I took a few days off from blogging and other work (much needed) and was working on a really great project that culminated in an event last night.

There is a great new lifestyle site based in Chicago I've been working with, Definitive Culture, that is finally ready to be discussed with all of you lovely folks.  As the featured style contributor, I'll be sharing musings on style, fashion, ideas, and other bits of loveliness.  So do drop by for additional content,events, and more from me and a handful of very talented and passionate folks.

Also, if you missed out on the launch event last night, I had my very first trunk show of sorts.  The best part is, the goods were actually displayed in a trunk that you may recognize. It was so very exciting to FINALLY share some of the actual product with people and allow them to see and feel and enjoy. This was the perfect way to start off the week with a real bang.