Chicago Sun-Times

Vera Bradley branches out with signature pattern baby line

Tue, 29 Jan 2013 20:25:24 -0500

Love them or hate them, Vera Bradley bags are a 30-year-old retail phenomenon that show no signs of slowing down. The distinct floral patterned bags — from “The Weekender in Portobello Road” to the “Tablet Hipster in Va Va Voom” — are available in 65 Vera Bradley stores, 11 outlets and 3,300 other retailers, like the 563 college bookstores that carry the brand, including Northwestern, Illinois State and Loyola University Chicago.

Vickroy: ‘Project Runway’ designer sells bridal gowns at Frankfort boutique

Mon, 25 Feb 2013 06:12:07 -0500

Katelyn Pankoke hates group projects. Having to compromise, having to carry the slackers, having to play that psychological game of getting people to like you so they don’t throw you under the bus. “I’m not used to interacting with my own kind,” said Pankoke, a Lincoln Park fashion designer whose Elaya Vaughn line of bridal gowns is sold at Fiancee Couture, 53 Old Frankfort Way, Frankfort. So imagine Pankoke’s surprise when she learned her opportunity to compete on Season 11 of “Project Runway” came with a big caveat: For the first time in the history of the popular reality TV …

A look back at Michelle Obama’s wardrobe

Mon, 21 Jan 2013 14:02:01 -0500

While fashion sages place bets on Michelle Obama’s fashion pick for tonight’s Inaugural Ball, here are Flotus’ dresses from events past. …

Deerfield native turns love of sports into fashion brand Sportiqe

Sun, 30 Dec 2012 06:02:23 -0500

As a Deerfield teenager, Jason Franklin scored a dream job as a ball boy for the Chicago Bulls. Now he dresses them. Franklin, 33, has turned his love of sports into a multi-million dollar sportswear brand Sportiqe, worn by athletes and celebrities like Derek Rose, Luol Deng and Tim Tebow.

Anna Nicole Smith daughter a Guess model

Tue, 27 Nov 2012 09:34:01 -0500

The 6-year-old daughter of the late Anna Nicole Smith is walking in her mother’s shoes, taking a starring role in the spring ad campaign for Guess Kids. Guess? Inc.’s creative director Paul Marciano says in a statement that Dannielynn Birkhead has the “same playful spirit” that her mother would carry onto a set. The brand hired Smith in 1992, and she appeared in its sexy denim-wear ads through 1993. She was a relative modeling unknown at the time, although earlier in 1992 she was on a Playboy magazine cover. Smith died in 2007. Dannielynn’s campaign also stars Peyton Edmunds, the …

Michelle Obama wears Michael Kors on Election Night

Wed, 07 Nov 2012 15:08:01 -0500

NEW YORK — As Michelle Obama stepped on stage with her husband in Chicago early Wednesday morning, she accepted her role not only as first lady but fashion tastemaker for four more years — this time, wearing a Michael Kors magenta silk chine pin-tucked dress. As Mrs. Obama joined President Barack Obama, she sported a dress pulled in at the waist, and she topped it with a black shrug that showed a peek of a vintage pink brooch from House of Lavande. She was surrounded by her trend-right daughters: Malia wore an electric-blue, A-line skirt with a pink studded belt …

Designers both famous and fresh to spring forward at fashion show

Sun, 18 Nov 2012 06:31:22 -0500

Six emerging designers share the runway with Macy’s Fashion Incubator alumni for annual fashion show Wednesday night. The show is part of the weeklong Fashion Focus in Chicago.

How to ‘Million’

Mon, 17 Sep 2012 13:00:24 -0500

Strawberry Basil Smash 1½ oz North Shore Vodka 1 oz Basil Simple Syrup 1/2 oz Fresh Lemon Juice 2 Strawberries Club Soda Muddle strawberries and basil syrup. Add remaining ingredients except soda, and shake with ice. Strain over fresh ice into a tall glass filled with ice and top with soda. Garnish with additional strawberry or sprig of basil. Summer Caipiroska 1½ oz Sol Chamomile Citrus 1 oz Honey Syrup (3 parts honey to 1 part hot water) 2 Orange Slices 4 Lime Wedges Muddle limes and oranges with honey syrup. Add Sol and shake with ice. Pour shaker contents …

Inspiration came from across the pond at this year’s Glamorama

Sat, 15 Sep 2012 06:14:02 -0500

At Friday night’s Macy’s Passport Presents Glamorama, the vibe was swinging ‘60s but the fall fashion preview was pure ladylike sophistication. Themed “The British Invasion: The Music Then. The Fashion Now!” the 21st annual event paid homage to British pop music of the past with runway presentations planted firmly in the present, featuring richly textured collections from many designers influenced by the Brits — from Tommy Hilfiger’s English countryside-inspired cable knits to Marc Jacobs’ Iron Lady brocades. “There’s been a lot of momentum with Will and Kate and their wedding and the Olympics,” explained Glamorama fashion director Laura Schara. “Fashion …

Photographer scouts Lollapalooza look

Tue, 04 Sep 2012 06:13:02 -0500

It’s true all the world’s a stage. And for a Chicago street-style photographer, it’s a runway as well. Leo Burnett art director by day, Emma Arnold, 35, started documenting Chicagoan’s sartorial style more than two years ago. The photographer posted her finds on her blog tresawesome.com and before long, elle.com sought her out to capture the stylish on Chicago’s music festival scene. Arnold will be at Grant Park this weekend for Lollapalooza, and besides shooting the acts, she will be scouting music fans who have compelling looks. “I look for somebody where it is evident they have thought through their …

Bridal gown designer Vera Wang and husband separate

Thu, 12 Jul 2012 10:08:43 -0500

NEW YORK — Fashion designer Vera Wang, who launched her label with wedding gowns, and her husband, Arthur Becker, are separating. A statement from company President Mario Grauso to Women’s Wear Daily earlier this week said Wang and Becker “mutually and amicably agreed to separate.” The couple married in 1989, when Wang worked for Ralph Lauren. They have two daughters. Wang’s business has grown to include high-end runway collections, household goods and a mass-consumer line at Kohl’s. But she is best known for her bridal gowns. Chelsea Clinton, Alicia Keys and Ivanka Trump have walked down the aisle in Vera …

Target, Neiman Marcus join for holiday collection

Sun, 12 Aug 2012 06:21:07 -0500

They may make an odd couple, but discounter Target and luxury merchant Neiman Marcus are jointly offering a limited collection spanning from fashion to sporting goods for the winter holidays.

Paris Fashion Week gives a taste of what’s to come next year

Tue, 07 Aug 2012 06:27:03 -0500

We’ll always have Paris. Or rather, shoppers have the fall couture shows, which ended Thursday, to study fashion’s trickle down economics — and what could end up in stores, without the astronomical pricetags.

The search for the perfect summer shoe

Mon, 18 Jun 2012 14:28:00 -0500

Somewhere between my favorite workhorse winter boots and the flip-flops I’ll wear on my summer beach vacation is the shoe that would fill in the gaps.

Runway to Win

Wed, 13 Jun 2012 09:07:04 -0500

Anna Wintour hosted a fete fit for a president — and his wardrobe — at Harpo Studios Tuesday night. The Vogue editor-in-chief hit town to host “Runway to Win,” a fundraiser for President Obama’s reelection campaign. Wintour brought a formidable “who’s who” in fashion with her: Fashion designers Thakoon Panichgul, Jason Wu, Rachel Roy, Narcisco Rodriguez and Prabal Garung. Model Chanel Iman also joined the fashionable crew. Jenn Lake, a VIP guest at the event, found Wintour to have grace under constant photo pressure and was a consummate host. In addition to snapping pictures with the fashion cognescenti, guests were …