Fashion Rocks Chicago

by Rachel Yeomans
It was quite cold during the first weekend of December. Temperatures dropped to the numbers we Chicagoans don’t usually have to deal with until mid-January; however such was not the case this season. Yet we as Chicago residents are used to braving the cold, bundling up in layers, and refusing to be shacked in by the Midwestern weather.

Therefore nothing could stop us from venturing out to the first ever Fashion & Shopping Extravaganza held in the trendy Wicker Park space, The Creative Lounge. Hosted by Fashion Rocks Chicago and See More Shopping, designers spanned the enormous space [...]

New Giveaway! Mountains of the Moon Eco-Fashion

Holiday Countdown Giveaway #3 is from another LDB favorite. We first discovered Mountains of the Moon on twitter in some very fashionable eco-friendly circles. We instantly fell in love with these feminine designs that were created to look oh, so chic…and by the way, they’re produced using the most earth-friendly methods and material. But these are no potato sacks.
When we first interviewed Chicago-based MOTM designer Melissa Baswell, we learned that she had been investigating ways to create earth-friendly pieces even as a little girl. Far before it was fashionable! Now, her experience is paying off in gorgeous I-must-have-that-for-my-next-holiday-party design.
So we [...]

Gen Art Shows off Fresh Faces in Chicago Fashion

by Rachel Yeomans
Photos by: Stefan Klapko and Collin Pierson of Collin Pierson Photography
The bars, clubs and restaurants were shockingly scant of crowds this past Saturday evening. That probably was because all of Chicago was crammed into the fashion tent that was about to showcase the final runway to strut Millennium Park during this year’s Fashion Focus Chicago.
For the seventh year, Gen Art Chicago hosted its annual “Fresh Faces in Fashion” runway show. But before the six designers showcased their collections, an accessory designer reception distracted show-goers attentions. An hour before the models [...]

Met Retro at the Modern Vintage Chicago

by Rachel Yeomans
The local neighborhood boasting of meat markets, loading docks and a smattering of five star restaurants and lounges had something else to boast about last Friday. For the first time in the Chicagoland area, 26,000 square feet of West Loop warehouse space brought forth both contemporary and vintage fashions for the shopper’s perusal and purchase. Modern Vintage Chicago was kicked off with a runway show and preview party on Friday, October 16th, and lasted through the weekend. Proceeds from the pre-party benefited the Chicago Fashion Foundation (CFF), which provides academic scholarships to Chicago-area college students majoring in fashion-related [...]

Gorgeous Glass!!

I have to admit that glass is not a medium I have thought much about before now. My only approach to glass in my house is to remember to NOT give one to the kids at the dinner table. But as a designer myself, I’m always intrigued by the design process of others, so when I was approached by Andy Gersh of Los Angeles about featuring his glass designs,I was excited to meet with him and learn more about this new world of glass.
Andy graduated from CalArts, a prestigious school for the Arts near L.A. with a degree in animation. [...]

Shopping Events This Weekend!

In addition to offering you the the first look at great designers, my vision for this blog is also to provide you with info to the best shopping events all over the country. So…here we go.
I’ve found a few events in major U.S. markets happening this Saturday and Sunday. Check back with us often, because a fresh schedule of events will be updated regularly. In fact, look for our new page of “Shopping Events” coming soon.
As always, I appreciate your feedback and any additions you have to this list. I can’t possibly scour the whole country on my own (as [...]