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!

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?"

Summer Wind

Hello Everyone!

After a few months hiatus, Urban Style Emporium's blog is up and running once again! First off, I should probably introduce myself. I'm Aimee and the intern at Urban Style for the summer. It's my third week and i've already learned so much about the industry--it's nuts!

Some updates on Urban Style Emporium! Like we've stated in previous posts, we have moved to 200 East Delaware in a brand new location! On our Web site (www.urbanstyleemporium.com) we have specific directions that i'll place in the post, too.

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.

Since opening up the store at the new location, owner Terri Vizzone, Ines Manrique and Andrea Slack have been working hard to get the Urban Style name out to the masses! For the summer and into the next few weeks, we have MAJOR sales happening! The majority of items in the store are 25% off and an extra 20% at the register...can't beat that! We also are having our Annual Indoor Side Walk Sale in the next few weeks, so keep looking at our Web site, Twitter (twitter.com/urbanstyleemp) and Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/urbanstyleemporium)!

Sale items include pieces from Elm, Planet, Ivan Grundahl, Lorain Croft and more! We also have a lot of great opportunities for you, the customer to benefit!

On our Facebook Page (http://www.facebook.com/urbanstyleemporium) post a picture of a Urban Style outfit and get the chance to win an $100 gift card in store during the Fall season!

I'd say that's a pretty sweet deal for summer. And speaking of fall's lingering possibilities, keep a look out for trends that will be popular during the autumn months. Leathers and furs are a must to keep warm in the Windy City and if that's not your thing, try the hot-selling line of jeans by Cookie Johnson with a basic t-shirt and bold, statement necklace! Dressing up or down, Cookie Johnson's jeans are a must have for fall!

Just a little preview for the beginning of the week, but every post i'll pose (a little alliteration for you folks) a question at the end!

So, this week's question is...

Who is your favorite designer and what is on your fall MUST HAVE list?