European Exposure

Sorry for the delay in blog posts, everyone! As my time in Chicago comes to a close (I leave Friday morning!) I have come to experience the city to the fullest, enjoying the myriad of things to do here.

Whether it's exploring the various neighborhoods (Lincoln and Wicker are fantastic!), trying each food genre or observing the fashion industry in Chicago, I have truly come to love this city and feel as if it is home. And hopefully it will be!

Walking down Michigan Avenue to work every day has opened my eyes to Chicago's fashion possibilities. As such in a big city, people are willing to try their hand at expressing their own individuality and I suppose by seeing this, it has rubbed off on me.

Looking at storefronts, whether it's Louis Vuitton or H&M, i've summed up my own mantra on fashion:

STYLE is not about the price tag, it's about the feeling. The mentality. I always thought that I needed the "it" bag or trendiest piece. The realization is this, my fellow friends: Style is innately you and as amazing as it would be to have that "it" bag, I have to keep telling myself, "you're still in school and thus, let's snap back to reality."

From this mindset, I scour fashion magazines and find myself drawn to European design aesthetics. Modern, contemporary and cool, the clean lines and edginess that is European fashion interests me as I translate high-end looks to my own wardrobe.

Bringing this all home, working at Urban Style Emporium for the last two months has allowed me to see a variety of designers from different countries, all with different, individuals styles. One line that I first got exposure to a few weeks back is from Ray Harris, a designer right out of London.

Wondering about his own approach to fashion, I asked him a few questions on European design and his own line:

1. First off, how does living in England affect your design philosophy? Are you inspired by places and things around you?
The English sense of the eccentric is who I am.

2. How do you choose the materials in your pieces? Does it come from a utilitarian standpoint?
Fabrics are chosen for their tactile qualities and the way that we can mix modern fabrics with traditional techniques.

3. How do English and American fashion differ and do you design for both in mind?
We design beautiful things which we like regardless of the market, but we find that we often sell different pieces in America and England. The American market tends to like more extreme designs, such as more relaxed and sporty or more glamorous and dressed at the other end of the spectrum.

4. Favourite piece for fall?
The favourite pieces for fall are the Organza Blanket Jacket and the Pleated Fleece Elbow coat. They are both very different, but great pieces to have for fall.
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I am thrilled at the chance to see these amazing, one of a kind pieces that encompass hand-crafted design, fluidity and modernity all in a garment. I encourage you to visit Urban Style Emporium in the next few weeks and months as we feature, along with Harris, another European designer who now lives in New York, Lorain Croft.


Again, keep checking our Facebook and Twitter for more fall photographs from your favorite designers such Elm, Ivan Grundahl, Planet, Cookie Johnson, Studio Rundholz, So Hung and more!

Another Helping

Bonjour, Aloha, Guten Tag, Hola, Gidday!

Hope all of you Urban Stylers had an amazing weekend. So many exciting things happen daily in Chicago , sometimes it's hard to catch everything. Speaking of catching, did you find any great deals at our sidewalk sale this weekend? I've heard from a number of sources everyone was very stylishly pleased! Keep checking in-store through the upcoming weeks and month as fall lines will be placed on the floor! Remember, military greens, leather and fur is in for fall, so don't miss out!


To break up the monotony of wordy posts, I thought I'd mix in a little recipe that I feel, is quintessentially summer. An Italian staple, Bruschetta can be seen as an appetizer, meal, and well hell, even a dessert. In times of chaos and hunger, I tend to opt to whatever is either easy and/or cheap. Bruschetta usually fits the bill.

So, here's a quick recipe to change up summer dining:

Ingredients:

1 ½ cups cubed white nectarines
1 ¼ chopped yellow or orange tomatoes
½ cup coarsely chopped arugula
2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
2 tablespoons Pavone Sonoma Sage Vinegar
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 Serrano chiles, seeded & minced
Mix all ingredients, season with salt & pepper and serve on grilled baguette slices. Or use as a topping for grilled fish or chicken.

Directions:

Preheat a broiler or prepare a fire in a charcoal grill.

In a bowl, combine the tomatoes, basil, olive oil, vinegar (Check out the one we sell in-store at Urban Style! It's from Sonoma and gives it an extra twist!) and salt and toss well.

Check out their Web site to purchase at: http://www.pavonesonoma.com/Home.html

Place the bread on a baking sheet or grill rack and broil or grill, turning once, until lightly toasted on both sides, about 2 minutes total. Remove from the broiler or grill and immediately rub one side of each slice with the garlic cloves.

Arrange the grilled bread, garlic side up, on a serving platter and spoon on the tomatoes, dividing evenly.


Voila! Simple, delicious and doesn't try too hard. We at Urban Style not only like this mentality, we'll have seconds.

Red Hot Savings

It's the time we've all be waiting for! Drum roll, please...


Urban Style Emporium's Annual Sidewalk Sale is happening TOMORROW (Thursday) through Saturday, normal business hours!

Everything in store is 50-80% off, assuring you some amazing one-time deals! We're transitioning from summer to fall, with select pieces from amazing designers such as Ivan Grundahl to Lorrain Croft on sale. Be one of the lucky individuals to own a piece by these favorites at Urban Style!

No matter what your price point, the sidewalk sale offers a little bit of "Urban Style" for everyone! Pieces range from ten dollars to two-hundred, including some amazing jewelry, handbags, accessories and apparel.

Comfortable faded t-shirts from Jenny B. for $25/30 come in several colors such as green, red, blue and black that are perfect for summer nights! Paired with some amazing jeans that are now $40, it's a look you can't beat, without beating your wallet!

For a reminder, the sale is happening Thursday through Saturday.

Thursday Hours: 11-7 p.m.
Friday Hours: 11-7 p.m.
Saturday- 11-6 p.m.

On behalf of the staff at Urban Style Emporium, we look forward to seeing you this weekend!

Styling on a Dime

I hail from a rather small town in Northeast Ohio. With that being said, picturesque suburbia can have its benefits and downfalls. Close knit families line the side streets residing in uniformed houses while children roam the lawns with adolescent splendor.

I've never realized how many things differ and stay the same no matter what area you're in. So, for the summer, like I said, I live in Chicago and intern at Urban Style Emporium . Skyscrapers and busy streets are common here and for a college student like myself, i've run into some big issues with living on a budget.

HOWEVER, what I have come to realize about this Windy City (and I realized it wasn't just called that because it's windy...) is that you live in your means, still have an amazing time and be stylish. It just depends on your attitude and outlook.

While the sales tax may be a little more high (9.75% to be exact) than Ohio's, I have become voracious in my attempt to live on a budget and be styling on a dime.

And, as I live very close to the luxuries of Michigan Avenue with stores like Chanel and Max Mara, I realize that no matter what your price point, in the words of Tim Gunn , "Make it Work."

Speaking of sales, luxury and individuality!

Urban Style Emporium is having their Annual Sidewalk Sale THIS WEEK! I know, I can't hardly wait, too. From Thursday through Saturday, Urban Style will be on sale (50% off!) and this includes jewelry, accessories, clothing, etc. One of the best deals all season, don't forget to check us out during our normal business hours from 11-7 p.m. on Thursday and Friday and 11-6 on Saturday.

If you forget where we're located here's something to refresh your memory:

We are located UNDERGROUND on the northeast corner of Delaware Place and Miles van der Rohe. Walk east on Delaware Place one block past Michigan Ave. to Mies van der Rohe and turn left. Look for the brick stairs leading down. We are located just inside on the right. For handicap accessible, just past the steps you will see a walkway at street level leading into the building. Take the elevator to the lower level. STORE ENTRANCE IS ON MILES VAN DER ROHE DIRECTLY ACROSS FROM CAFE MED BY BICE.



Designers such as Elm, Ivan Grundahl , Planet , Studio Rundholz and the like will be on sale and for fifty percent off, how can you beat that?


From the Urban Style team, can't wait to see you there!

Independently Chic

Hello everyone!

It's almost Fourth of July and you know what that means...another excuse to dress up! And of course, celebrate America's Independence. Thus, the title: Independently Chic.

Ah yes, yes. The Fourth of July usually brings in a slew of red, white, and blue emblazoned shirts, adorned with flags, rhinestones (i've seen it) and even some fur (it's hot outside...I applaud them).

However, I say people can dress for the occasion in a much more, well, tasteful way that's fit to one's budget and would make Lady Liberty proud. At Urban Style, we encourage individuality and the mantra "if you feel good, you'll look good."

So, to make you a hit at any party this weekend, I encourage a few things to try on for size (ha, a little fashion joke).

First off, when going to a July 4th celebration, one does not need to dress like the American flag. Yes, it's beautiful, but on a flag, not a person. Wearing pieces of white, blue and red will make you stand out...in a good way.

Asking around the store, I wanted to know what the Urban Style staff thought would be the best Fourth of July outfits. Ines told me that bits and pieces of color make an outfit, whether it's a bold, red reef necklace like the one we have in-store (so chic!) or a fitted blue jacket to keep you warm when it pushes into the evening hours.

Terri agreed with her sentiments and said that subtlety is key. I personally think nothing looks better on the Fourth than a white v-neck shirt, quintessentially Americana blue jeans paired with a nice, comfortable pair of sandals either in white or in a shade of red. It's hinting that you appreciate all things America, but not smacking your friend in the face with your USA pride.

Also, play up on classics, twisting the pieces to make them uniquely your own. White jeans or linen pants look great as well as classic flats! Coming in all colors, styles and sizes, this is one of the easiest and quickest ways to dress up/or down any outfit.


Here's some pictures that inspired me this Fourth of July:

Courtesy of: Pretty-Lil-Things.blogspot.com

Courtesy of: LadyLicorice.com



Courtesy of: L.L. Bean

Red ballet flats, an L.L. Bean tote and navy dress? What could be better?

Anyway, that's all for now. Hope you all have a safe, fun and patriotic Fourth of July Weekend!

Remember to check out Urban Style's Web site at http://www.urbanstyleemporium.com/ and our Twitter and Facebook!


Go USA!