A collection can tell a story, express an art form, start a trend. But the collections presented at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) spoke volumes of what Chicago can produce in terms of fashion design talent. May 5, 2006 10:30 am showing featured the best of the best from students at the SAIC. From the juxtaposition of colors, textures, and silouhettes, the designers executed (some perfectly, some I’m still confused about) collections that spoke where there inspiration came from to showing the time and labor it took to construct each garment. My favorites: Stacey Abrams, Sophie Lennox-King, Iris Bainum-Houle, Sakina Shirazi, Charlotte Hess, and Sarah Isenhart.

All photography courtesy of KIEFFER Photography, www.kiefferphotography.com

Sales and Promotions:

Check out Today’s Pick at ThriftyChick.

I don’t often post on off-the-red-carpet celebrity fashion, because I don’t think directly emulating celebrities is what true style mavens do. Perhaps we borrow this or that from the photos in the tabloids (”Ooh, I love how she pinned her hair up in loose curls, I’m going to try it”), and are undeniably influenced by film, art and other visual media (who hasn’t gone hunting for an item after seeing it worn perfectly in a good flick?), but direct imitation is something best left to celeb rags like Life & Style.

But when I came across this photo of Lindsey Lohan on the Superficial, I couldn’t resist sharing it in the ever-tired-but-always-instructive “celebrity fashion victim” vain. This is an example of someone who is letting the trends wear her, instead of the other way around. Yes, large belts resting on the hips are in. Yes, loosely free flowing extra long tops are in. Yes, neaturals are in. Yes, skimmer flats are in. Leggings? Okay, maybe for some they are in (but ripped? are ripped jeans even in? didn’t think so). But when she combines them all together, in an obvious, boring, every other nineteen year old girl from Long Island is wearing it way, it reveals that she is behind the trends, rather than setting them.

Got this in my e-mail and thought I’d pass it along. Versamae Luxe (online boutique filled with accessories) is having a Graduation Sale on all Gina B. International Laptop Handbags. These bags are the perfect graduation gift for the high school graduate heading off to college or the college graduate heading into the workforce. Gina B. handbags are hip chic accessories made from 100% leather. All Gina B. International Laptop handbags are 20% off until June 1, 2006. (Regularly priced $250…SALE PRICE $200)

Take a look.

Somehow, while packing for the gym this morning, I forgot to put my mascara in my makeup kit. So I have to go through the whole day looking the prairie woman Chloe Sevingy plays in Big Love (which I am addicted to, and she acts the hell out of her shopping addict Mormon second wife role). At least I haven’t braided my hair like that since the third grade.

No matter what other makeup I put on my face, if there is no mascara, I look so very “plain Jane” and washed out. I suppose everyone has something that they feel completely undressed without. Maybe it’s time I ran over to the drug store and picked up Maybelline’s Intense XXL Volume + Length Mascara, as CEW recommends.