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My New Intern: Future Fashionista and College Couture Week!

10 Apr

My new intern for the summer, Jennifer Ruppert, made a special appearance at the Diva Series on Thursday direct from my alma mater University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. I am proud to report that Jennifer is organizing the first ever College Couture Week down at U of I – looks like I have an up-and-coming fashionista on my hands! And I love it! The week kicks off this Sunday (today) with “Illini’s Next Top Model” and will feature Speaker Seminars, Trunk Shows, Couture Night Out and a Couture Runway Show. Check out their chic site College Couture Week for more details!  She also brought Thomas Mui and John Jeong of Tom and John’s Chocolate Factory. I was impressed with their ambition and creativity as they showed me their designs….my favorite one included a panda!

These fashion forward students also believe in giving back! Their beneficiary is Designers Against Aids (DAA) –  a non-profit organization that directs its focus onto raising awareness of HIV/AIDS among young people worldwide through the public media outlets such as music, art, fashion, art, photography, sports and film, and overall, pop culture. Love seeing young people starting trends and helping others. Talk about being fashion forward!

Here is a picture of Jessica Lindsay (Owner of Double-Edged Couture and Featured Diva), me and Jennifer Ruppert on Thursday! Photo credit Javier Enriquez.

Candace Jordan: No Stranger to the Catwalk!

5 Apr

Featured Diva Candace Jordan really is taking her Fashionista honor to a new level. But wait a minute, I am pretty certain being a Fashionista is simply a lifestyle for Candace Jordan and she wouldn’t know otherwise. If we left Candace in the wilderness without any resources, she would likely put together a couture dress out of leaves and twigs and start a fashion revolution!

So it was no surprise when I heard Candace was spotted strutting her stuff on the runway last Thursday, March 31st at Elda de La Rosa’s Spring/Summer 2011 fashion show at the Allerton Hotel. No stranger to the catwalk and camera, Candace shared the runway with guest models ABC’s Diana Palomar and WCIU’s Jeanne Sparrow. Drawing an A-List crowd, the show had standing room only and guests indulged in a cocktail reception and hors d’oeuvres.  According to Candace, Elda de La Rosa’s fashions were exquisite and the designer received a standing ovation when she appeared on the runway at the end. With the recent catwalk appearance of this fashionista, it is evident Candace feels at home on the runway and has been a style icon for many years in this city.

Here are only a couple of Candace’s fashion/style related finest moments in history:

  • In 1976 she was named Chicago’s Playboy Bunny of the Year and appeared on the first, live televised international pageant on ABC.  In 1979, she became Playboy Magazine’s December centerfold and has made numerous appearances in the past 3 decades as one of the most popular Playmates ever to grace the magazine.
  • Named one of the “ Most Fashionable Women in Chicago” by Chicago Social Magazine
  • Co-Founder of –“Couture and Cocktails: benefiting the Joffrey Ballet
  • Named one of 5 “Bold & Beautiful Women” by Chicago Magazine and Kohler 2010
  • Named one of 5 “Chicago Style Setters” by TCW 2010
  • Named a “Style Icon” by Shore Magazine 2010.
  • Named a “Style Trendsetter” by ME: In Focus Magazine 2010
  • 2010 Inspired Award Honoree—hosted by TCW Magazine, Grace PR and Charles Ifergan Salons
  • Honorary Chair for St. Jude Research Center’s fundraiser, “Dream a Little Dream” fashion show—2011
  • Co-host for Chicago’s first “Red Dress Party” with NBC’s Marcus Riley benefiting the Aids Foundation of Chicago—2011

We are excited to honor Candace at our Fashionista Diva Series this Thursday! I think I just found a new shopping buddy!  Oh Candace – what should I wear on Thursday? I think I need to call you ASAP!

Diva to Diva….Love, Sarah

Fashionista Diva Series April 7th!

30 Mar

Maven, The Aparecio Foundation, Today’s Chicago Woman and Jbar have teamed once again for the DIVA SERIES to honor influential and success women in Business, PR, Media, Fashion, Fitness, Beauty, Lifestyle and much more!

Thursday, April 7, 2011 | 6-9PM

Jbar | 610 North Rush

Join us as we honor the FASHIONISTA Divas! They are often found shopping, wearing the latest trends and fashions and helping us look good!

di·va – [dee-vuh, -vah] noun, distinguished female singer; prima donna. Goddess, fine lady.

DIVAS:

*Candace Jordan – Model/Actress, CandidCandace.com Author

*Tamika Maria Martell – Founder of A-line Style Services http://www.a-linestyleservices.com/ Wardrobe Coach
/ Personal Shopper -As seen on “The Rachael Ray Show”, NBC 5 News, WCIU “The U” & More

*Ashley Zygmunt – Owner and Designer of Zamrie – http://www.zambie.com

*Melissa Maynard De Kerch – http://www.Factio-Magazine.com and http://www.RunwaytoRetail.com

*Carol Calacci – Second City Style Managing Editor – www.secondcitystyle.com

*Nicki Brashear – Proprietor of Fashionista Chicago

*Michelle Elfvin – President of Shop Mag Style

*Kristen Pizzolato – Shop Mag Style

*Corri Mcfadden – Owner of Edrop-Off Express

*Anna Fong – Owner and Fashion Designer – www.anna-fong.com

*Jessica Lindsay – Freelance Fashion Test Stylist for Ford & Factor Models, Owner of Double-Edged Couture accessories www.JessicaLindsay.com

*Julie Blake – Fashion Consultant at Mark Shale and Founder of Julie Blake Enterprises

*Katie Cahnmann – www.nowYOUknowevents.wordpress.com

*Nikia Jefferson – Creator of ChiTownFashionista.com

*Jessi Sheehan – Bridal and Marketing Director at Belle Vie Bridal Couture and Vera Wang Chicago – www.BelleVieBridalCouture.com, www.VeraWangChicago.com

*Maria Noll – Senior mgr/ Sequin brand Ambassador

*Erica Strama | Senior Manager, Marketing for The Shops at North Bridge

*Lissa Shipley – Owner and Buyer for Lissa – http://www.lissachicago.com

*Catherine Dean – CEO/Designer of Catherine Dean Collection and Founder of Alpha Women Empowerment Group

Spring into Style with Stella & Dot. Come shop the newly released Spring Collection that has been featured on the pages of People, InStyle, Oprah and more. This celebrity coveted jewelry line has every day casual pieces as well as standout head turners to help you ring in spring with style! With half the line affordably priced under $50, there is something for everyone on your gift list….especially YOU! (you know you deserve it)! Can’t make the party? You will be missed but you don’t have to miss out on Stella & Dot.! Shop online at http://www.stelladot.com/lauraalexander

Specialty cocktail and Half off food menu!

SPONSOR -Today’s Chicago Woman – http://www.tcwmag.com/

CHARITY PARTNER – The Aparecio Foundation is a registered, non-profit, 501(c)(3)
charity. Every dollar donated goes toward our mission to fund
mentoring, academic assistance, and scholarship programs for
high-potential, low-income women in Chicago Public High Schools.

To learn more or to make a donation, please visit
www.apareciofoundation.org.

Inspire change. Empower women. Believe in a better future.

Please RSVP to sarah@maven-chicago.com