Eye Spy Oliva Palermo!

That’s right, Olivia Palermo (of MTV’s “The City” fame) and renowned fashion blog Refinery 29, hosted a holiday shopping party at TopShop’s flagship Chicago store. The bigger than life, luxe fashion hub is located on Michigan Avenue downtown Chicago on the historic “Magnificent Mile”. Yours truly was in attendance snapping pics, sipping delish non-alcoholic cocktails and schmoozing with all kinds of impeccably dressed style hounds. Caution: This is a very pic heavy post!

Let me start by saying that this store is three stories of completely FAWESOME glass/mirror and wall-to-wall dreamy clothing, accessories, footwear and makeup nirvana! There was so much to see, so much to look at that I do believe I went into sensory overload! I wanted several of everything…and that’s no exaggeration, lol. The best part about this store was the tall sizes department. Though very small (ha, a small tall department, lol) I was super impressed that they had it at all. Most stores only carry their specialty sizes online. I foresee a TopShop shopping spree in my future.

Now let’s get on to Miss Palermo and her styling session. Though I think her looks are a 50/50 mix of hits and misses, many style hounds love her. The event opened with Olivia bringing out 4 models that she’d styled using some of her favorite TopShop pieces from the latest collection:

Close up on the model wearing the chainmail-esque...thingy that I loved...

Closer...

Slightly better pic...

I loved all the looks the models wore…with the exception of the fugly furry pink clutch the purple velvet bootied/goldenrod ankle trousers adorned model is wearing. Oh, those purple velvet booties and goldenrod ankle trousers? I want! I actually want all the pieces the models are wearing, jewelry included, lol. Olivia herself was wearing a very interesting combo:

They aren’t pieces I’d wear together, but I’d mos def wear them. How do I look standing next to Olivia?

I'm wearing: F21 tribal top, Crossroads Trading Company blazer, Alloy stretch super skinny twill trousers, F21 tribal scarf, thrifted gifted necklace, gifted triple row spike bracelet, F21 single row pyramid bracelet, Crossroads Trading Company keyhole ring, Crossroads Trading Company clutch, thrifted tribal earrings, ASOS open toe booties and black Target socks.

She's tiny compared to me, lol. Here are some of the abfab mannequins:

To entice attendees into a buying frenzy, there were free manis, makeovers by professional makeup artists and even hairstylists. I partook of a makeover by a wonderful soul named Matthew. I swear he reminds me of the YouTube “guru” Wayne Goss (GossMakeupArtist). Matthew took me from this…

To this…

I felt pretty damn glam when he was done. Matthew was a true sweetheart and I’m mos def going to keep in touch with him. here are the two of us together:

He resembles Wayne Goss (GossMakeupArtist from YouTube) right?

My homegirl Liesbeth also had a makeover:

My homegirl Nicold (blogger and up and coming Chi-Town accessories designer) had her nails madeover…

After my makeover, I made my way around the room snapping some shots of some snazzily dressed Chicago style hounds:

Jason (in the fur vest) and Bryan both work for the H&M reginal office. They stopped by TopShop to see the haps.

Brittannie (blue beanie and fab Marc Jacobs sneakers) and Bretagne look like Chi-Town style hound royalty.

Kaira(a contributing fashion editor for Design Bureau) was giving me everything in her almost totally vintage shopped 'fit. She's super duper fly!

Sarah (a fashion editor/stylist/fashion show producer) was werrrrrking! You probably can't see them, but her shoes were killing it! Awesome sauce! Her accessories were awe inspiring too...

 

After eating, drinking and seeing my fill of the first floor, I made my way to the lower level shoe haven. Wait until you see all the goo gobs of shoegasmic shoe porn this place has to offer! Wait for it…wait for it…

Want more?

I thought I’d pass out from the sheer awesomeness of it all! I want E V E R Y T H I N G ! ! !

After I just couldn’t take anymore, I made my way back upstairs to the first floor (I didn’t check out TopMan on the third floor) and snapped some shots of some of the accessories…

The jewelry looks like the fare at F21 (although F21is much much cheaper). The prices were too exorbitant IMO considering it’s costume and it'll eventually turn.

And the hit spinning DJ (she was dope)…

And shortly afterwards it was time to go. I hated to leave without spending a single penny, but I spent mucho dinero on Black Friday (post to come later). After being zipped back to the north side by my wonderful BFF, we decided to hang out at my other homegirl’s house and dish on the haps. And that my dears, is a wrap.

Is there a TopShop in your area? Have you been there or bought from the TopShop website? Let a sistah know!

Happy Monday...here's something new!

This is both a greeting and a declaration ;-)

Greetings my marvelous readers! How was your weekend? Mine was juuuuust fine. Today I'm introducing a new segment called "In the Spotlight" where I feature up and coming designers, crafters, entrepreneurs, etc. Though I won't always do this on Mondays, I will try to showcase someone/something new at least twice per month. Is that cool with you? Cool ;-)

I recently had the chance to get acquainted with up and coming accessories designer, Kristena Witherspoon of Kristena Witherspoon Designs. Kristena is a Little Rock transplant now residing in Chicago (Chi-Town stand up!). Check out our Q & A and some of her work...

Click to purchase the "Sugah" reversible Hobo

OELI: Have you received any formal training in fashion/design?

KWD: Yes, I studied fashion design and business at Syracuse University.

OELI: Ahh, New York, great place to study fashion and business. What made you decide to create your own accessories line?

KWD: I enjoy accessories because they can easily change up an outfit.

OELI: Yes, a good accessory can really spice up an outfit. How long have you been designing/creating?

KWD: Wow…about 12 years now. I began designing and selling handbags in junior high and high school.

Click to purchase similar bag (now on sale!)

OELI: So the fashion bug bit you early. What was the first piece you ever created?

KWD: The first piece that I created was a denim tote out of some yardage that my aunt gave me. That was the style that caught on at school. I’d do the exterior in dark denim and the interior in different fabrics. The different interior is what made each bag one of a kind.

OELI: I love bold interiors on a bag or lining jackets/coats. How long does it usually take you to construct a piece?

KWD: Smaller pieces take 30-60 min and bigger ones take 2-3 hours.

OELI: Not nearly as long as I thought. Do you hand sew or use a machine for your bag line?

KWD: I machine sew.

"I Love Life" earrings currently on sale, click for deets/to purchase

OELI: Machine sewing certainly saves you time...and pricked fingers, lol.  From where/whom do you draw some of your inspiration?

KWD: Most of my inspiration comes from different cultures and subcultures as well as architecture. I’m highly influenced by the Diaspora and street fashion as well. Recently, the Chicago art and music scene has been a big influence.

OELI: The gorgeous Kente prints and Ankara are certainly indicative of your love for the Diaspora. I like the different shapes of the totes and hobo bags as well, they're very architectural. Do you have plans to expand your line, will we see clothing in the future?

KWD: Yes! I hope to add a line of skirts by summer 2012. I love a nice skirt with a nipped waist and full skirt.

OELI: I hope there'll be pencil skirts too, I'm beginning to love them. Do you take custom orders?

KWD: I currently no longer take custom orders.

Click to purchase

OELI: Awww, sad face. What is the best perk in designing your own line?

KWD: I would say that the best thing is being able to create art that is functional.

OELI: What is the most difficult aspect of designing and creating your own
line?

KWD: I would say that the most difficult aspect is balancing an item’s marketability with the artistic aspect.

OELI: Who are some of your favorite designers? 

KWD: 

Duro Olowu - bold prints and great tailoring

Korto Momolu - project runway alum and represents my hometown-Little Rock J

Doo Ri - great draping skills

Alexander McQueen - his tailoring skills were amazing and he constantly thought outside of the box

Squasht by Les - Chicago independent designer

NaKimuli - Brooklyn independent designer

Click to purchase this fabulous reversible Hobo!

OELI: I love Alexander McQueen! He pushed every conceivable boundary and his designs really were wearable art...masterpieces! I hope his protege can keep his house alive and well. I'll have to check out the others you mentioned. How would you define your personal style?

KWD: I’d define my style as urban comfy.

OELI: Urban comfy, that's a new one for me, lol. What are some of your favorite stores/websites/catalogs for shopping?

KWD: Secondhand shops are great...DLR is one of my favorite neighborhood stores…Nordstrom Rack is a great place for nice discounted pieces that are staples. TOPSHOP as well...we finally have one in Chicago now!

OELI: I am becoming a thrift master, lol. You can score some great one of a kind pieces as well as some of the more current pieces (at a huge discount of course) at thrift stores. I love TopShop too but their prices make me ill sometimes, bleh. Name your top 3 fashion magazines.

KWD: Some of my favorite ones are no longer published unfortunately. MissBehave and Honey were hot magazines. I read Vogue and Elle sometimes…just to see who some of the new designers are. I prefer the street fashion blogs and natural hair sites. I love seeing how people develop their own personal style.

Click to purchase "Delight" coin purse (now on sale!)

OELI: Yeah, I love street style and personal style blogs too, lol. Do you have any advice for other designers?

KWD: My advice would be to know what your point of view and market is as a designer.

OELI: Great, thanks Kristena!

KWD: You're welcome, anytime.

To see more of Kristena's wonderful wares, check out her online store. She's got some awesome hoods to "protect ya necks" from the Windy City winds (for the Chi-Towners). You can also like Kristena's Facebook page and follow her on Twitter for updates and special sales/promos. With the holiday shopping season quickly approaching, Kristena Witherspoon Designs can take the guesswork out of your gift giving ;-)

What do you think of the new feature? Are you loving KWD? Let a sistah know! 

My album review of Common's "Be" (Originally posted Wednesday, May 25, 2005)

I copped it yesterday evening and I've been listening to it ever since. First and foremost I just have to say I am tired of Kanye West. He's an aiight producer and he's in demand, but lyrically, he's wack. He has no flow and he's just fucking annoying. Don't get me wrong, he has made some good songs and I respect him for it but anyone can speed up a sample and play it over some drums and shit. Anyway, back to "Be".....isn't it amazing how brothas that hook up with Erykah Badu wig out but after they break up with her they come back hard? Common shines on "Be" with the efervescent "Go" which I'm diggin' like vinyl addicts. "Testify" (and other songs) feature the famous sped up sample by Kanye West (thanks KW, we needed more of those). Testify is both clever, funny (imhoa), well written and nicely produced. "Faithful" puts me in the mind of "I used to love her". Both great songs with double meanings (for me anyway). Bilal lays down some really nice vocals on "Faithful", damn I miss him. "The Corner" and "Chi-City" bring the gritty, pretty but ugly side of the Chi out for a stroll down memory lane. Listening to it made me think back on things I saw and heard growing up on the South and North sides of the city. "Love Is" makes me feel sentimental...I wanna play this during the summer while I'm chillin' by 35th Street beach watchin' people watch me. "The Food" is a live duet (can I describe it that way, lol?) of Common and Kanye featured on the Dave Chapelle Show. On this song Com reminds me of Jay-Z for some reason...I dunno, maybe it's just me. Anyway, it's a good song but Kanye annoys me singing the bridge and doing the hook. "Real People" is lyrical food for thought like only Common can serve up. The track makes the gems he's dropping so easy to digest...if I were a smoker lighting a dutch to this would be a plus....mmmm groovy. John Legend drops some nice vocals on "They Say" another feel good, gem dropping, lyrical feast. I love songs like these...they make me think, make me want to be even more pro-active. Kanye ruins the song with his corny ass lyrics, no-flow having self. I'm not a hater, I just ain't jumping on the Kanye bandwagon. "It's Your World (part 1 & 2)" makes me think of the Art of Story Tellin' 1 & 2 by Outkast and several Goodie Mob songs. Just good fucking songs. They inspire nostalgic melancholy but also impart a sense of hope.

Overall, though this is Common's shortest album to date it is incredibly refreshing and reminicsent of a pre-Erykah Badu Common we ain't seen in a minute. My only hope is that the commercialism of Kanye's Tracks and reputation don't detract from the reemergence of one of Chicago's biggest and brightest Hip-Hop (true Hip Hop not rap) greats. "Be" will be a huge commercial success because of Kanye West.

That's my 10 cents. Rest easy y'all.


P.S. For the most part, production on this album is tight. Especially the tracks featuring Jay Dilla (that Detroit playa).