Cynthia Rowley Trunk Show : Bucktown

Nothing brings out the fabulous fashionistas of Chicago better than champagne, Vosges Haut Chocolate and fabulous fashion from Cynthia Rowley. I went away with an amazing black leather crossbody bag and some serious bangles.

Blazers & Bindis 

Model Shiyonna Felder rockin' thigh high boots.

Emily Draznik & Kait Cutler

Blogger Jon Fab HauteWax

Sarah Whitman & Sabrina Wottreng

Killer Louboutins.

Bloggers Annie Schwab & Claire Schultz of StreetStyleLove 

Me and my girl Carleigh Rinefierd and our matching Cynthia Rowley bags.

Hope to see you all at the next event. 

"Enjoy your life, fashion is not that important." - Dries van Noten

Chicago Burger Bar

In Chicago we love our food and we love it artisan. Chicago Burger Bar is the best place for a grass fed burger with a handcrafted beer and of course fun with friends. Juneanne's dinner and drinks style was eclectic and inspiring. I'm loving her Forever 21 scarf wrapped like a skirt over basic black leggings. Topped off with an Express black turtleneck and a knitted scarf from Akira, Juneanne looks perfect for dinner on North Avenue. It's no surprise one of her icons is Kate Moss. 

"Fashion is transient, trends come and go. I believe in style, not fashion." - Ralph Lauren

33 East Congress

Kim, a photography major at Columbia caught my attention with her fabulous nails and Chicago/Parisian style. Dressed in Gilly Hicks denim leggings, an H&M striped sailor tee, Forever 21 blazer and Steve Madden boots she's sophisticated and effortless. But her nails scream individuality. With an American Apparel sea foam green base coat, white vertical stripes and a glitter top coat, Kim's nails are a look all their own. 

Kim enjoys lookbook for new fashion ideas along with chictopia. You can find Kim on blogspot, MilkPearls or Tumblr, Kimchu to see what else she's up to.

"I like to think that I can introduce people to the idea of simplicity and elegance." - Giorgio Armani

Queen Insurance Company

I'm thankful to say that I have some very stylish friends in my life. I see them everyday and it's always a treat to see what they're all wearing. Brianna, walked into my apartment last night ready for a wine night and her outfit was the perfect mix of adorable Lolita and sex kitten.

Breakdown:
Herringbone coat- Merona for Target.
Faux fur collar-
H&M.
Cream lace tank-
Forever 21.
Black denim-
Flying Monkey, from Akira.
Riding boots-
Forever 21.

Freja Beha Erichson is Brianna's fashion icon. The one item she can't live without is lipstick and some faux fur. Her furs have gotten her through this long winter. Brianna is also obsessed with Balmain.

"Most of the provocative things I've done were not done purposefully, but instead came quite naturally." - Jean Paul Gaultier

Congress & Wabash

The past three weeks of Columbia's spring semester has been cold, cold, COLD. In between the crazy wind and the bone chilling cold, Columbia students have been going to class in hopes that maybe it will warm up. In the mean time, we've all been obsessing over thick scarves, warm and cozy boots and crossing our fingers that the classrooms will be warm. Since the blizzard I've seen a lot of students take their style down a few notches, favoring warmth over style. But not everyone is taking this approach to late winter fashion.

Meet Alyssa Marie, a television broadcasting major at Columbia. Her effortless, hopeful spring style was a breath of fresh air amongst the UGGs and puffer jackets taking over campus. I was especially surprised when I found out how chic and affordable Alyssa's outfit is. The white tank is by Noble You, the blazer is Hinge and her jeans are by a leading European denim company Salsa. A newer denim company that just came to the states in late 2010. Between her simple tank, easy blazer and trendy denim, the total was $44 at Wicker Park's thrift store "Crossroads." Jealous, right? Her shoes, my personal favorite of the ensemble, are Steve Madden nude, platform stilettos. Oh, and the matching bag and coat? Alyssa's perfect Chicago winter accessories to block the wind and carry books to class.

Since Alyssa is a t.v. broadcasting major, she gets filmed a lot from the waist up, so the blazer has become her staple. She describes her style as sophisticated business casual, with a modern and trendy twist. She's always seen dressed up unless she's coming from the dance studio. Since the blazer is already her best friend, she's excited for spring to come along so she can get away from the basic winter neutrals of black, brown or beige. She wants to mix up spring with a great pastel or bright colored blazer.

Like all students, Alyssa gets distracted in class like the rest of us. But the one thing that definitely takes her away from her notes? Pro Dance Elite. Alyssa gets distracted by thinking of costuming ideas and choreography for the 11-18 year old girls she teaches. She teaches competitive dance to girls and always has her eye on the next competition. She says, "I absolutely adore every minute of my job... I am very lucky to have this position."

It's no surprise coming from a girl in five inch stilettos, who loves to dance and is always behind the camera, that her fashion icon is Victoria Beckham. I can't wait to see Alyssa around campus, to see what else she has up her sleeve.

Cocktail Hour at Zed 451

Nothing makes me happier than a reason to get dressed up, especially on a Sunday night. The girls I work with wanted to celebrate the time we spent with our old manager who recently got promoted. The best way to celebrate her accomplishments? Wear our best heels and go to Zed 451 on N. Clark Street. Some hors d'oeuvres, a few cocktails and lots of talk on everything from work to fashion to men. This was a perfect opportunity for me to snag a photo of casual cocktail style and it came in the form of a good friend of mine, Carleigh.

Carleigh is a PR Advertising major at DePaul University and a resident of Lincoln Park. She had the perfect balance of casual-dressy by pairing Steve Madden suede over-the-knee boots with black tights and a banded skirt from Express. She's obsessed with Anthropology's antique style jewelry and opted for an ornate mixed metal flower necklace. And staying brand loyal to our employers, Carleigh cemented her effortless look with a champagne ruffled blouse from LOFT. 


She describes her personal style as classic with a touch of the current trends, "I'm excited to wear a bootie with a spring style. I like that you don't expect a leather boot in the warmer weather but designers are making them so they can handle the heat with neutral color, peep toes or other open details." 


Carleigh has her eyes set on a designer future, "The label I've been lusting after for the past year is Marchesa."


Something tells me her future career in PR will allow her buy more than just Marchesa.

Chicago, a Mecca for the stylish in the middle.

Everyone knows New York City is a fashion capital and it's widely accepted in the states that L.A. is second best to NYC. But let's not forget the real second city, Chicago, IL.

Chicago is just as much of a U.S. fashion capital as New York and L.A. without all the hype. Sure, we've been dragging our heels lately but the core of Chicago fashion isn't in the modeling agencies, it isn't the Mag Mile, the real heart and soul of Chicago fashion is seen daily on our streets. From the hip "park"neighborhoods, like Lincoln Park to the gritty South Loop, and everywhere in between Chicagoans brave the wind and show off impeccable personal style. NYC is know for their tough take on style, with leather being a daily essential, even in the summer and L.A. natives can't go a day without the California sun. Chicago is the quirky, eclectic cousin of New York and we know it.

Windy City Style is here to be the source for daily Chicago street fashion and style. Each neighborhood has a distinctive flair and none of us are seen without our own signature style. As Yves Saint Laurent said, "Fashions fade, style is eternal."

And Chicago is here to stay.