Monday, September 22, 2008

A lovely Friday: LV and Saks

Rhetorical question: Do I love fashion and shopping? Unless you've never met me or read this blog before, the answer might take you a few seconds to think about. 

To my joy, I was invited to attend a Friday night fall fashion trend event sponsored by MasterCard at Saks in Chicago with celebrity stylist, "America's Most Smartest Model" judge and Harper's Bazaar Contributing Fashion Editor Mary Alice Stephenson. This event came at the perfect time because I'm in desperate need of new fall clothes so I need someone to show me what I should be looking at this season. And it was the perfect opportunity to take Speedy out for a night on the town.

Thanks to Friday traffic on Michigan Avenue, Sarah, Teresa and I were a little late, but we were able to grab some drinks and appetizers before snagging front row seats for the trend fashion show, where we got to see some gorgeous pieces from Lanvin, Donna Karen, Michael Kors, Escada, Theory and Ellen Tracy. I also got some great ideas of pieces to add to my wardrobe this fall too like romantic blouses, bold necklaces (my favorite!), deep hues, like purple, and tailored dresses. Not sure if the latter works with a curvy, full chested figure, but we can make it work.

 I am loving the purple bag, sweater coat and Prada shoe-booty!

The most exciting part of Friday night, outside of a fun girls night out and the fashion show, was that I was able to interview Mary Alice quickly for my blog :) I didn't get to ask all of my questions, but I did get to ask her key ones to share with everyone.

Pre-interview picture of me and Mary Alice

What are the biggest fall trends for women?
Costume jewelry, cocktail rings and bold necklaces which are an easy way to dress up any outfit and are available at every price point. Forever 21 and H&M are two great examples of affordable places to get costume jewelry that are great for fall.

If I could only buy one thing this fall, what should I invest in?
Tailored dress - the right tailoring and close cut makes you look your best and flatters every figure

What are the top 5 things a woman should have in her closet?
  1. Black pencil skirt
  2. Dark denim trouser jeans (perfect for work and weekend)
  3. LBD - fitted black dress
  4. Top handle bag
  5. Boots - knee-high or shoe-booty
What fashion trend should never come back?
This is tough because I draw inspiration from everything, but if I had to pick one, it would be the sheer blouse with colored bra underneath, it's very 80s Madonna. Sheer can work and can be tasteful but not mixing colors like that.

For petite, curvy girls, what are the best cuts/fits to buy?
Any style can work for curvy and petite girls, you just have to really spend time with the particular style you're interested in and find how that works for your body. Flat-front pants work the best, and if you want to minimize your waist, go for hip-slung pants that sit a little lower. If you want a "hippier" waist, go with a higher-waist pant. If you're conscious about your arms, go for an off-the-shoulder look and play with necklines.

What advice do you have for women who are still struggling to find their  personal style?
Play dress up and play with clothes to help you find what works best for you. Look online for tips and ask for help at stores about fit and cut. Identify your best asset and play it up, embrace it! Work what works best for you. And identify your "problem area" and make sure when looking for fit, you fit that area first and tailor the rest of the outfit around that. If you hate your rump, find pants that fit that the best and tailor the waist or cuff. Clothes and fashion should be fun so have fun with it!

Once my interview was over, we got to go shop around Saks to find some of the outfits they modeled in the show. There was a white wool Michael Kors dress that literally made me almost sacrifice paying rent to buy it and a gold Alice + Olivia peacoat jacket that made me hunt it down (literally) in the store. Here's a picture of me modeling the jacket. I think it looks adorable on me.

Forget rent and food, I love this jacket!

Realizing clothes would not be an option, we went and played in the handbag department, indulging in our love of Bottega, Gucci and a little D&G. At dinner after (with champagne of course) we went through the gift bag we got and I am beyond excited about my new Bobbi Brown Tube Tints, which has four mini lip glosses in awesome colors. So excited!


So it was a fun Friday night and I managed to a) behave myself and b) be professional, I was on full bloggy detail after all. 

How was everyone else's weekend?

43 comments:

The Maiden Metallurgist said...

Fun! I love those kinds of events- even if you do have to be on your best behavior.

Katie said...

wow - what a fun friday night! It's so great that you scored that interview and got front row seats - you asked the perfect questions by the way!

P said...

I'm loving that purple bag too.

And it sounds like you had a great night. I'm jealous!

Heidi Renée said...

Loooove the gold jacket. I wish I had places to wear things like that!

Mandy said...

What a neat way to spend a Friday night!! I am loving fall fashion this year -- deep colors like purple and wine, fun accessories, be still my heart.

Great interview!! And that jacket looks great on you!

Anonymous said...

This looks like so much fun! I'm swooning at the thought of all these designers.

What a great Friday night. Fashion, food, fun and more fashion.

Anonymous said...

That sounds so awesomely glamorous! And that purple bag is gorgeous! That might be my fall color this year...

Unknown said...

Ummm...I actually did a double-take of you modeling the white jacket. Even if you can't get THAT one...get one like it. Its VERY flattering on you!

laurwilk said...

Oooh, so fun. I am jealous! Sounds like a wonderful Friday night. I absolutely love Bobbi Brown lip tints. They are my favorite!!

And...now I want to go buy impractical purple handbags!

Jenny Grace said...

That jacket's ADORABLE.

LJ said...

Wow Cute Jacket, that is cool you got front row! Nice interview, I don't have any of those items in my closet that she suggests yet :( I better get to shopping :)

Anonymous said...

Love Mary Alice....she seems so cool and nice and GORGEOUS!!!!! Really down to earth for a fashion person! Great interview.

thatShortchick said...

sounds like such a fun night!!

purple bag - i. must. get. one.

that A+O jacket - you. must. get. it. (or one exactly like it) it's too cute on you.

Nilsa S. said...

Sounds like a fabulous Friday night. And I love that you took advantage of the moment to do a blog interview. So smart!

Stephanie said...

I love that jacket!

LBluca77 said...

Sounds like you had a blast. Now I want to go shopping for new fall clothes.

Anonymous said...

that jacket is great!

am so obsessed with fall clothes/buying new clothes/purple right now.

Katelin said...

okay that jacket is adorable, i sort of love it on you. as for her top 5 things women should own...yeah i need to step it up...clearly, haha.

L.C.T. said...

Sounds like fun. Any advice for 6'1 girls?! Anything cheap and cute for us??

Megkathleen said...

I have been on a mad search for a tailored black dress and can not find one that works for me - if you find one you have to give me a heads up! I've looked everywhere!

Anonymous said...

How fun! I'm so jealous :-)

Anonymous said...

Ah! I'm jealous! & you're right, that jacket looks adorable on you. Who needs food and shelter, right?

Anonymous said...

I'm psyched that purple is so huge this weekend. I'm jealous that you got to go to such an awesome event. I'm agreeing that you should buy that jacket - you look stellar.

elle michelle said...

Oh. My. God.

Lucky girl!

I went to an Ugg party once and got plastered off Uggtinis while shouting nonsense at the DJ, who we obnoxiously nicknamed "White Shadow."

You, on the other hand, get to schmooze with slightly more sophisticated people, immerse yourself in fashion, buy awesome clothes AND get the inside scoop on trends. You are awesome.

Pretty Unfamous said...

I don't know if I could ever find an outfit that would make me want to sacrifice rent. If I had EXTRA money, sure. Maybe.

I'm glad you had fun. It definitely sounds like a good time, and those were some great questions to ask Mary Alice!

Living Dees Life said...

sounds like you had alot of fun! i am to shy to go somewhere like that... and totally fashion stupid.

but on the good news front we got the 2bed duplex and will be moving the 4th of october! *yay* but i think you already knew about that :-)

SA said...

That purple bag is totally cute. That jacket is totally cute. I so want to buy both items right now.

Good interview!

alexa @clevelandsaplum said...

what an awesome opportunity jessica!!! and i think you should by the jacket anyways i mean it would look great with you speedy.

but hell, what doesn't look good with your speedy : )

Anonymous said...

Wow! This sounds like so much fun! Thanks for keeping us up to date on the fashion trends. I'm so happy that purple is in.

Unknown said...

first of all ...i LOVED America's Most Smartest Model..That RUSSIAN kid killed me!!! SOVIET!

It sounds {and looks} like you had a great time! ...and that jacket is gorgeous!!!!!!

*the bow on the bag is a new design in my etsy shop... I finally added a few items to my store. Yay!

lovemaegan.etsy.com

Maki said...

Wow wow wow!!!! Your weekend sounds like my dream weekend - I'm so jealous;) I would love to visit Chicago someday....

Teal Chic said...

Sounds like a fun time! I wish we had events like that here in Sacramento!!!! That coat looks perfect on you! It's calling your name!!!!! I'm glad you like her merchandise. I need to work on getting her a website!

bianca said...

I totally hear ya on the tailored dresses for curvy, full chested figures. If you figure out how to make it work, fill me in :)

Also, LOVE that jacket!!!

Rachel said...

stop sending me to clothing websites filled with clothes I can't justify!
I look, I drool, I consider clicking, and then my wallet jumps out and kicks me in the head....

Kayleigh said...

Jess- are you serious right now? Best stuff I've read in a while. Unbelievable. You are my fashion guru. I can never find stuff I like on me. Can you help?

I love Speedy. I want!

Anonymous said...

I am so jealous of you! What a fun night. You gave a good interview and I agree that I would get that jacket over food or rent any day!

Anonymous said...

I'm ad that she doesn't want the sheer shirts with colored bras to come back! i'm all for that.

and you adorable in the jacket :-)

Maki said...

Hey! I just tagged you:D Enjoy!

KA said...

That really is one fantastic jacket... and I am BY FAR, not a fashion girl.

The Modern Gal said...

Oh, how fun!

I LOVE that purse, although I may have to take mine in green.

Anonymous said...

I have the five things! Woo!

And you look fierce in that jacket :o)

DomestiGals said...

I know I'm uberlate in commenting... but just to say because I can't resist - I have that purple bag in red! Her name is Val and she is my love :-) Cheers! Jen

Unknown said...

Las Vegas is situated on the arid floor within Clark County. Correspondingly, the surrounding environment is dominated by desert vegetation and some wildlife, and the area can be subject to torrential flash floods. Enabling the rapid population expansion was a major addition to the city's sewage treatment capacity. The sewage treatment expansion resulted from a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency grant funded 208 programs to analyze and forecast growth and environmental impacts through the year 2019.

------------------
hesslei.....

ethical seo