Being a Chicagoan, I couldn’t wait for Fashion Week to finally start. I thought to myself, “It’s been a long time coming, but Chicago fashion will finally get the recognition it deserves. Wrong, wrong, wrong!!! Near to no one in attendance as far as media is concerned; a runway that looks as if it was used for “make-a-stage” at a school event; and don’t get me started on the European lighting…flick on, flick off. Maybe we could blame this fiasco on the Ikram star-studded (Proenza Schouler and Dita Von Teese made appearances) 5th Anniversary party held the same night, or maybe once again just poor planning. I choose the latter.

Onto the designer collections, techno-house music blares while fellow Papierdoll staff writer, Marquita Harris, and myself enter into what seems to be a banquet hall transformed into a runway for our Chicago Fashion Week (CFW) viewing pleasure. The cathedral windows showcase the Chicago skyline to add that bit of “umpf” atmosphere to the CFW location.

NASAANI
Coming out onto the runway first was sister design team Nasaani collection. Their collection of exotic silks and edgy designs could sort of be seen through out their collection. However, in retrospect, the collection came across as boring with redundant designs, with the exception of two looks (1) cream colored silk dress with a gold belt around the waist and (2) a gray/tan off-the-shoulder dress. Another look entailed a men’s suit transformed into crop pants and a boxy jacket had me wondering when would the bulls come out to challenge the matador. I’m sure Nasaani meant well in the scheme of fashion, but instead it came across as just a complete fashionable mess. “A” for effort though.

BYNUM AND BANG


Tom Bynum receives the award for producing the most “unusual” looks of the three shows. From his sharply tailored suit jackets and structured shirts to his “burlap” looking cargo shorts paired with a white brocade jacket, one could wonder if his inspiration was a mixture of “Survivor” meets and English dandy, with a bit of P.Diddy ‘97 thrown in for kicks. Mr. Bynum if you’re reading this please speak in layman’s terms what you were trying to express, because the confusion is there…..

CUSTO BARCELONA

Bold and bright colors graced the runway during Custo Barcelona’s fashionable exhibit. Traditional in the aesthetic of what Custo Barcelona is known for, boring in the fact that the selection of looks left nothing to excitement. The play of fun graphics on teasing mini dresses will surely give any club kid or “Gold Coast” groupie a selection of what to wear during the upcoming spring/summer months. Favorite comfort: bright multi-color tunic, a must from the beach to the bars. Disappointed in the selection of looks for the men. They all only seem to come out in tight graphic tees and shirts.

On Monday, the lovely Andrea posted our topic for the Carnivale of Couture.
As I mentioned earlier, my laptop is fried, so there was some confusion/lateness
about getting our topic out to fellow bloggers—we have two responses so far,
but expect more to come later in the week. We’ll post responses through the
weekend, so keep them coming!

To recap, our topic is:

“You’ve been given the opportunity to produce a runway show for any designer
of your choosing. Which designer would it be, what location would you hold the show,
who would be on your guest list of front row celebrities, and what music would you play
as the models strutted down the runway? You have unlimited budget and resources, and
complete creative freedom.”

Responses:
The Bag Snob pulls out all the stops in an attempt to keep fashion house Chloe
relevant now that Phoebe Philo has jumped ship, with their own heavily conceptual
fashion show: Cirque du Chloe! The show would be a symbolic statement
(fashion=circus) with contortionists replacing models, and a live performance by Madonna.
Other touches include an A-list celeb front row, the Champs Elysee, Arc de Triomphe and
Cristal. Wow, when we said use unlimited resources, the Bag Snob far exceeded our imaginations.
Bravo!!!

Atlas Shrugs chooses to produce a show for Valentino with a line inspired by writer
Oriana Fallaci. The show takes place in CBGB, where a blend of punk rockers, press
and politicians mingle and do perform random tasks: Ann Coulter appears in a mini skirt,
Madeline Albright works a Danish expresso machine, and the bouncers would be a
seriously threatening duo Rep.Cynthia McKinney and Naomi Campbell. Humorous and
imaginative–let’s make it happen!

Okay, my personal computer is fried, so it’s just sales today (does anyone read the new arrivals/featured items section anyway? let me know if it’s worthwhile by leaving a comment)

Sales and Promotions:

Spring Fever Sale at shopbop

Buy 2 Bras, Get 2 Free at Bare Necessities

New Markdowns from Botkier, Juicy, Ella, Marc & more at eLuxury

5% off at Vintage Amore

Spring sale: up to 50% Off, plus special online offer: 15% off $100, 20% off $175 (code: 40800001) at Ann Taylor

Check out Today’s Pick at ThriftyChick.

Check out ThriftyChick’s shop directory for exclusive deals from Preppy Potato and Weekend Jewelry for the month of April…

So you’ve read about our 1 year anniversary giveaway. The question that now comes up is, what the heck is in the giftbag? For starters:

**Drumroll Please**

Designer Earrings from Tilting Swiftly

If you know anything about Tilting Swiftly you know that they are one of the premier makers of jewelry online. Season after season, Jen creates gorgeous earrings, necklaces and everything in between. It’s no secret why she’s been a ThriftyChick Today’s Pick twice already. She doesn’t create jewelry for the trend or moment. She creates timeless pieces. Jen has also included something special for the bag in addition to the earrings. You’ll have to win to find out what it is. (cheap tease I know)

Two lucky winners will receive a pair of earrings (among other things) in our fashion giftbag. If you haven’t signed up for your chance to win. Do so now.

Stay tuned for more items in our giftbag giveaway throughout the month.