Sales Check
A roundup of sales, store openings, and shopping news in March 2008
Ad Categories: Style
Sweet Mysteries
The chocolatier Katrina Markoff brings exotic whimsy to all her endeavors
Andrew Gn, Akris, Martin Grant—Superchic!
One trend that seems to be emerging from this Paris season is long and
lean. This is not to be confused with long and blousy (think Nina
Ricci Fall 2008); rather, this silhouette has nipped-in shoulders and
waist, and a straight or slightly flared pant or skirt.
It’s a chic look that can go very easily from office to evening,
which typically is not a common characteristic of
clothes you see on a Paris runway.
One surprise was at Andrew Gn this year, where there were many…
An Italian Newcomer on the Gold Coast
Ciao, Bella
The Italian sportswear brand Dismero (50 E. Oak St.; 312-380-6590, www.dismero.com), opened its United States flagship store in Chicago (the other locations are in Munich, Germany and Verona, Italy) after its owner and designer Andy D’Auria fell in love with the city on a recent trip. The white, refined space creates a neutral backdrop for the luxury line, which is known throughout Europe for a fit that keeps a woman’s curves in mind, particularly in its stretch jeans. The color palette sticks to basics such as navy, taupe, white, and black, with an infusion of…
Lanvin is for Lovers
While I’m very inspired by the forward-thinking clothes at Balenciaga and Yves Saint Laurent, and I understand why Stacey gets swept away by the chic perfection at Giambattista Valli, I’m really a softie who loves satin, bows, and gorgeous dresses—everything Alber Elbaz stands for.
The Lanvin show last night was my last show of this season, and it was a completely satisfying ending…
Nina Ricci and the Home Stretch
Last night I was at a bar in Saint Germain called Le Lup watching YSL
designer Stefano Pilati, actress Chloe Sevigny, and Dior Jewelry
designer Victoire de Castellane take turns deejaying the Self Service/Colette Party. It was such a trip—they had hired these great
dancers to vogue on stage, and editors were letting loose on the dance
floor. I knew I’d be exhausted this morning, the last day of
the shows, but it was worth it…
Chanel and the World’s Trendiest Carousel
The production at this morning’s Chanel show at the Grand Palais was so good that I wondered to myself: what they will do next year—land a helicopter on the stage?
I’m going with the Broadway comparison because there was this pretty, functioning carousel (Carousel is my favorite of all the Rodgers and Hammerstein œuvre), and we even got to see Canadian supermodel Coco Rocha dance a little! It was less Brigadoon and more Grease, though…
Fashion Week Awards (In Which We Don’t Mention Clothes At All)
My friend and I went to a book signing and cocktail party for the Warhol by Galella book at Le Bon Marché department store tonight. We thought we could take advantage of the store’s extended hours and do a little shopping tour. Well, we tried, but our hearts just weren’t in it. Hey, we’ve seen a lot of pretty dresses this week!
Maybe it’s too early to be handing out awards, but it feels like a quick roundup of some Fashion Week favorites (in the non-sartorial categories of invites, music, and special effects), could be just what we need…
Stop Smiling, Anja! (Just Kidding.)
If Stella McCartney ever tells her models to stop smiling on the catwalk, I will be really disappointed. It’s a good reason to drag yourself out of bed on the morning after the heaviest show day of the week, put on your platform boots, and truck on over—because you probably don’t want to miss the top models smiling on the catwalk…
The Truth About Men
Four leading men’s store owners and managers take on the latest styles—and talk about how the outré and the avant-garde might fly in Chicago