Back to Basics

Hello Everyone!

Again, I apologize for the hiatus in blog posts. As my last post concluded, my summer in Chicago was a whirlwind. I wouldn't have traded it for anything and I definitely took home a lot of helpful advice that will help facilitate my future.

So, with that said...I'm back in Appalachia. Thus, the title "Back to Basics." In Southern Ohio, times are a bit tough, just like the entire country. However, even with this economic depression, one thing remained the same: girl's just want to have fun.

And while I am addressing the Cyndi Lauper song, I think this mentality translates into fashion. I believe that more and more, people are looking for an escape. Whether it's the hustle and bustle, the always present sound of sirens in the city (a la Chicago) or the quiet, sleepy streets of a college town, at times everyone wants to just, well, get away.

But, like I said, I feel that people are now embracing reality and truly getting back to enjoying life. And even more so, living life.

While there has been a shift in focus for the fashion industry, people will always love style. We at Urban Style Emporium love the change of seasons and the prospect of promise and fresh beginnings.

This fall we are carrying a variety of lines that capture this very life aesthetic. We not only are excited to have these new fall lines from Ivan Grundahl, Elm, Skif and Studio Rundholz, but we are thrilled to share them with you!

Here are a few photographs from designers we are carrying this fall:

From Ivan Grundahl's Fall 2010 Line
(As you can tell, we love Ivan)


Photographs from Studio Rundholz
(Doesn't this last picture just epitomize tranquility?)

Keep looking on our Twitter and Facebook for daily updates and our annual trunk shows! Skif will be featured in the next week, don't miss it!

From all of us at Urban Style Emporium, "Keep Calm and Carry On."

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!

All That Glitters...

So, it's been a bit rainy here in Chicago the past few days, hasn't it?

Well, during my battle to defeat gloom, I checked my daily fashion blogs to see what's in, what's fun and what my favorite bloggers are wearing.

Now, I have a variety of blogs that I love to check daily (Urban Style should be yours!), but one of my favorites is a blog called FashionToast. Starting her blog in 2007, Rumi Neely has many fashion followers like myself who love to see her twist style, breaking the rules of typical style.

With that said, I was surprised to see one post of Neely's focusing on Dannijo, a jewelry brand we sell at Urban Style! Exciting, to say the least. Dannijo is a brand by two sisters headquarted in the Meat Packing District in New York City. The brand specializes in intricately twisted, chained necklaces that add a bit of modernity and freshness to any look.

Celebrities such as Beyonce Knowles, Gayle King, Alecia Keys and Mary Louise Parker all have been spotted in Dannijo pieces ranging from necklaces, rings and cuffs.

In fact, Terri (Urban Style's owner and my lovely boss) allowed me to borrow a Dannijo necklace for an event I was attending with the Chicago Fashion Foundation. Having the theme "Little Black Dress" I was stumped how to add a bit of flavor to my classic black dress. Being the Chicago novice that I am, I asked for directions several times. Each time, the person so generously assisting me commented on the necklace and how fantastic it was. This gave me added confidence and the compliments didn't stop on the street!

When I arrived at the event, the women who served on the board of the Chicago Fashion Foundation said my necklace was great and asked who the designer was and where did I get that piece of glorious jewelry.

Needless to say, I felt amazing and the necklace really transformed and completed my look. Here's my roommate Alyssa Scheid and I posing for a photograph in the Dannijo necklace.





All in all, it was a fantastic evening and I am so happy that I not only had the opportunity to experience Chicago fashion, but wear it as well!


From all of us at Urban Style Emporium, have a great week and stay stylish!

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!

We Can Work It Out

Hello Urban Stylers!

Hope everyone had a great July Fourth weekend. The weather in Chicago has been fantastic, sunny and warm, perfect for barbecues and enjoying fireworks!

An interesting little tidbit was brought to my attention the other day which is rather exciting! So, on June 2nd, 2010 Paul McCartney was honored at the White House for winning the Gershwin Prize for Popular Song, an award given by the Library of Congress. In attendance was everyone from the Jonas Brothers, Jerry Seinfeld and Faith Hill.

So, when it comes to events at the White House, a true fashionista is asking, "what did they wear?" For the event, Michelle Obama was wearing a Byron Lars dress, one that Urban Style Emporium is carrying for the fall! Now you too, can channel your inner First Lady and own a piece from the innovative designer and look like a million bucks.

Urban Style also carries a piece from Lars that has been featured in Essence Magazine. Coming in tan and olive green, this dress has a belt that can cinch in the waist and has a variety of pockets to hold everything your heart's desire. Great for the office or for an evening dinner, this dress has a zipper in the back making it open or closed for your comfort.

If you're asking who Byron Lars is, he is an American designer that has been desigining under his own label since 1991 and as Urban Style likes, twists American classics. He also designed a limited edition line of clothing for Mattel's Barbie and now is directing his attention to the line Byron Lars: Beauty Mark that specializes in knits, sportswear and dresses with affordable prices.


Keep on the lookout for amazing styles from Lars and other designers at Urban Style!

Also, don't forget to keep checking our Web site, Twitter and Facebook!


The ending question for this week is:

"What has been your favorite decade for clothing?"