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Heading into Spring

March 2nd, 2010

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Lauren Nicole Accents Headband with Spring's best Colors

Lauren Nicole Accents Headband with Spring's best Colors

An outfit without accessories is boring – just an opinion.

My go-to for cold weather accessorizing has been fun tights. But when the weather gets warmer, I have to start thinking of another option.
And for this spring, I’m thinking vintage-inspired headbands, ala Lauren Nicole Accents.

Chicago native Lauren Kessler launched the Lauren Nicole Accents line to combine her love of vintage and couture. A fashion over-achiever, she’s currently attending Syracuse University and has already interned at Vera Wang and Oscar de la Renta.

Feminine Colors w/ Jewels

Feminine Colors w/ Jewels

What makes Lauren Nicole Accents headbands special? First, they are handmade. And Lauren creates looks to match what she sees coming up for the season. Check this spring’s jewel-encrusted headbands. Lauren also made sure to incorporate all the best colors of the season. When you have a fashion-insider like Lauren concentrating on one accessory, you can’t help but get great results.


The freedom to pair them with patterns is one of the things I personally love about headbands. Wear them with florals, tribal prints, graphic patterns, whatever. A lot of times with jewelry, it can be difficult to pair great pieces with bold patterns without clashing. Since headbands aren’t right up against the patterns, you have more leeway – and so can have more fun.

But probably the best part is that headbands are an inexpensive way to add your accents. They can change the look with one piece – economically. So you are free to grab a few to go with lots of fun summer looks.
DSCN02662 Looks for Spring

Accessories separate the styled from the dressed. A well-accessorized inexpensive outfit looks better than expensive clothes worn without accents, any day.
You can find all the headbands and more at www.lnaccents.com
By the way, I’m putting down Lauren Kessler as a name to watch for in the fashion world. She’ll be seen next on WGN April 2nd discussing what’s new for spring.

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Cynthia Rowley & my Groupie Moment

February 24th, 2010

Cynthia Rowley & Me

Cynthia Rowley & Me

Yesterday I got the opportunity to meet Chicago’s top fashion export, Cynthia Rowley. I gushed to her, “I’ll try not to go groupie on you, but I’m a big fan.”

If you aren’t from Chicago, you may think Cynthia Rowley is an indie designer gaining serious traction. She’s recently guest judged on Project Runway and made guest appearances on David Letterman, the View, and more. But here in Chicago, she’s the benchmark of success for young designers. She is also rapidly becoming a global brand.

A bit of background – Cynthia Rowley grew up in a Chicago suburb and then attended the School of the Art Institute Chicago before launching her line. Her designs have the 3 Fs to make women feel pretty – fun, flirty, & feminine. She takes simple silhouettes and adds the “wow” factor. (See Cynthia’s Fall 2010 Runway Show pictures).

Beyond the designs, Cynthia Rowley has the boldness needed to go from local girl to global brand. When as a senior at the Art Institute she sold her first collection of 8 pieces to New York department stores, Cynthia grabbed control and ran – to New York. Once there legend has it that Ms Rowley held her first runway show in her apartment and invited all the major NYC fashion editors and Andy Warhol. None showed, but Cynthia was definitely on her way.

Cynthia's Studded Tights

Cynthia's Studded Tights

What was the designer wearing? She had on a fantastic brocade top with an embellished neckline paired with a tutu-style layered skirt and the most amazing studded tights, all her own. The tights are sold out on her website but I’ll be stopping by the Lincoln Park store today to see if they have any left. (Full list of Cynthia Rowley boutiques).

Now it’s been announced that Cynthia Rowley will take on the project of redesigning all the uniforms for United Airlines – pilots, flight attendants, mechanics, everyone. It’s a tremendous job and a huge challenge for someone that is still her own company. But then, like my favorite quote from the Widow (Veuve) Clicquot, “one must act with audacity.”

By the way, she simply could not be any nicer, and yes, she is that adorable in person.

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Great Expectations in Pilsen

February 15th, 2010

Last week I had the opportunity to stop by Anna Brown’s studio in the Pilsen neighborhood of Chicago to meet the designer. I was immediately struck by how down-to-earth she was and how she has more to offer the fashion world than I think even she knows yet.

Anna Brown's Sketch Book

Anna Brown's Sketch Book

Her first small collection that she did for school (Columbia College Chicago) was selected for Fashion Focus Chicago 2009 Dress Code and immediately people starting expecting great things of Anna Brown. Post school she settled into a Pilsen area studio and started working on her own.

Right now Anna is currently working on a 15 piece capsule collection that she will be unveiling late summer / early fall. The collection is inspired by aerodynamics – the way the wind flows over an object and the pattern created after the air is disrupted.

When I first looked at Anna Brown’s pieces, my immediate thought was, “architectural draping.” It seems contradictory, but the draping Anna does has structure. She achieves the structure through the positioning and construction of her seamlines – rather than force it with extra fabric. So her designs end up with structure in a soft silhouette.

Asymmetrical elements also have a strong presence in Anna’s designs. And in a show of confidence, the materials Anna chooses to work with are simpler fabrics such as men’s woolens and shirting fabrics. She also avoids using lining in her designs, preferring to let her garments stand alone.

A work in progress

A work in progress

Dress with Asymmetrical Pocket

Dress with Asymmetrical Pocket


For now Anna is still doing all of her own sewing, and the details in the looks show her commitment to her designs. If you were to turn an Anna Brown piece inside out, you will find the interior seams done with the same details as what you see on the outside. To Anna everything is important – what you see and what you don’t.

Put down Anna Brown as a designer to watch.

Anna-Brown.com
Email contact@anna-brown.com
Special Orders available

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