It’s October and with it, Breast Cancer awareness month and it’s time we ALL start thinking about miracles! As a partner in Surviving Beautifully, a brand new project to help women with aesthetic issues during treatment, it’s my latest, heartfelt work. I promise more about that later. For now, the ... Read More »]]>

“I believe in manicures. I believe in overdressing. I believe in primping at leisure and wearing lipstick. I believe in pink. I believe happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe that tomorrow is another day, and… I believe in miracles. ” – Audrey Hepburn

It’s October and with it, Breast Cancer awareness month and it’s time we ALL start thinking about miracles! As a partner in Surviving Beautifully, a brand new project to help women with aesthetic issues during treatment, it’s my latest, heartfelt work. I promise more about that later. For now, the jewelry and fashion lover in me wants to Think Pink with style. Move over, my beloved pink ribbon, here are some picks for cool pink jewels and accessories:

Michael Von Krenner 14K Gold & Pink Spinel Ring

Gorgeous and sophisticated beyond belief!

Here are some beautiful, delicate earrings by Cathy Waterman with a decidedly antique flair:

Cathy Waterman Earrings

I’m thinking about them with a tailored Byron Lars dress I just saw….

Now onto the less serious: remember these? Who doesn’t! I guess the classics [??] never get old.

Jelly Bracelets

Sorry, designers, these are so ubiquitous that I didn’t know who to credit them to!

But jewelry can’t have ALL the fun: pink leather goods need some love too. Chanel is known for the subtle color palette, and this tote is no exception. C’mon, dontcha want it even if you don’t love baby pink 1000%?

Pink Chanel Tote

Don’t forget your keys: the King of Color, Jonathan Adler, has just the thing to corral them in cuteness:

Jonathan Adler Pink Poodle Keychain

The edgy German fashion designers Dirk Bikkembergs is known for his darkly quirky style. His pink kicks are quite a departure from his post-industrial chic and are just the thing to walk in this October.

Dirk Bikkembergs Pink Soccer Shoes

Finally, not to be too matchy-matchy, a classic shade from OPI: good color, great cause!

D

OPI Pink of Hearts Nail Lacquer

Be sure to think pink this month and support breast cancer awareness and research. Komen for the Cure is always a great place to start learning how to get involved.

Rising star and stylemaker, Horacio Nieto is the multi-talented designer behind his brands Arlo Menswear, a trend-setting menswear company and, Horacio Nieto, an attention-grabbing women’s fashion company.   The Horacio Nieto collection includes ready-to-wear, eveningwear and bridalwear.  The exquisite dresses have lots of ruffles, winged shoulders, sexy bare or one shoulder styles, and all are stunners.

“I usually choose fabric that is textured or that has something to it, whether it is the color or fabric content,” Horacio said.

Horacio says he knew he wanted to be a fashion designer around the age of 13 or 14, when he would sketch dresses for ... Read More »]]>

Rising star and stylemaker, Horacio Nieto is the multi-talented designer behind his brands Arlo Menswear, a trend-setting menswear company and, Horacio Nieto, an attention-grabbing women’s fashion company.   The Horacio Nieto collection includes ready-to-wear, eveningwear and bridalwear.  The exquisite dresses have lots of ruffles, winged shoulders, sexy bare or one shoulder styles, and all are stunners.

“I usually choose fabric that is textured or that has something to it, whether it is the color or fabric content,” Horacio said.

Horacio says he knew he wanted to be a fashion designer around the age of 13 or 14, when he would sketch dresses for his mother.   He is originally from Texas but in 2000, he moved to Chicago to pursue his love for fashion.  He attended the International Academy of Design & Technology, where he received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Fashion.   Soon, he began designing one-of-a-kind pieces and, the orders starting piling up from the clubs in Boystown.   He knew he was going to be a success then.

I asked Horacio to describe his philosophy about fashion and his mission statement:

My philosophy of designing clothing is a combination of strength, fluidity and sex appeal.  At Horacio Nieto we are here to provide our customer with clothing that has design, integrity and quality. We shall work to our best ability to provide our customer with clothing that will satisfy them and make them continue to be a loyal customer.

In describing his design style and collection, Horacio said:

I would describe my style as a ready-to-wear style but with elements that make them stand out and more fashion forward. everything is wearable and made with quality and design.

In 2008, Horacio won the AOL Latino Fashionista Design Competition.  Some of Horacio’s favorite designers are Karl Lagerfeld, Oscar de la Renta, Carolina Herrera and Valentino.  His favorite celeb to design for would be Selma Hayek.

Tastemaker and world traveler, high-end menswear designer, George Zaharoff, developed his craft in places like New York and Milan. He designs his signature line of men’s clothing using luxe and exotic fabrics like Italian bamboo silks, linen weaves, and cashmere. His elegant American-made mens suits come in pinstripes and other cool patterns that go effortlessly from office to dinner and beyond. George is a designer with a social conscious who strives to leave only a small carbon footprint. He says his motto is: “Everything in moderation.”

George has traveled the world, raking up well over 2 million miles – ... Read More »]]>

Tastemaker and world traveler, high-end menswear designer, George Zaharoff, developed his craft in places like New York and Milan. He designs his signature line of men’s clothing using luxe and exotic fabrics like Italian bamboo silks, linen weaves, and cashmere. His elegant American-made mens suits come in pinstripes and other cool patterns that go effortlessly from office to dinner and beyond. George is a designer with a social conscious who strives to leave only a small carbon footprint. He says his motto is: “Everything in moderation.”

George has traveled the world, raking up well over 2 million miles – 1.5 million on one airline alone, and, of course, he’s bilingual. “There are very few places I’ve never been, Antarctica (no desire), small sliver in Northwest South America and a part of West Africa,” George said. “When I daydream, it’s me either in the Maldives or on an airplane.”

George’s mother was a fashion designer in the late 70s and 80s, and he remembers wanting to be a fashion designer since around the age of 4. He also remembers being told, “Oh no, fashion designers are for little girls, not boys.”

I asked George how he got into the fashion business, and he responded:

It’s a very long story, but I had gone to school to become an aerospace engineer. During my sophomore year, I changed degrees and schools and decided to get a business degree in operations management from DePaul. Ideas and designs always came easy to me, but it was the degree from DePaul that taught me how to combine my talents to construct a beautiful finished product.

While at DePaul, I went for long weekends to Paris and Milan. I dreamed of an international fashion house. In 1995, we were admitted in the Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana (the Italian fashion council) and began actively showing in Milan.

Asked to describe his mission and design philosophy, George said:

To create a first-class brand everyone would be proud to be a part of.

Fashion is very particular – and there is so much that goes into a garment that you see on a sales floor. So many people rely on supporting their families – from the fabric mill and seamstresses to the retail floor. For me, fashion is not just a jacket or a dress; fashion is life.

George’s advice to up-and-coming fashion designers:

You have to know who your customer is and to not deviate. There’s production, finance, sell-ins, sell-throughs, all which can be overwhelming. But the most important thing for a designer to know is that it is all about the brand. The brand is its own entity; there is no room for egos.

Although George gives credits to all of the mentors he has had throughout the years, he says, “Neiman Marcus’ fashion director, Joan Kaner, had a tremendous influence in my life from when I started in Milan, all the way up to when she retired three years ago.” “My second mentor, Mara Urshal, who one might recognize from “Say Yes to the Dress” on Lifetime was an incredible inspiration during my beginning in Milan.”

I asked George to describe his style and collection:

Zaharoff is American style with a touch of European flair. Just a little different to make someone stand out of a crowd. For Zaharoff, it’s all about fabric.

I love the movement of people and goods and the most exciting place for me is an international airport.

How does George create his collection?

In order to keep fresh ideas flowing and to stay inspired, I am non-judgmental and open to anything – new thoughts, new discussions, and new places.

George Zaharoff is kicking off the Spring/Summer 2011 season with a personal appearance and trunk show at the Nordstrom Michigan Avenue store in Chicago, Illinois from noon until 4 p.m. on Thursday, March 31, and the Nordstrom Old Orchard, Skokie, Illinois store from noon until 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 2.

Prices for the collection range betwen $895 and $3,000. You may purchase the Zaharoff collection at select Nordstrom and Mark Shale stores.

George added that he is living his dream right now.

Keep up with George Zaharoff on Facebook and follow him on Twitter. To view more of his collection, visit his website.

This Spring 2011, BROCHU WALKER may be coming to a town near you! Designers Lisa Brochu and Lauren Walker are revealing exclusive, limited-time, concept stores around the country at four of their most supportive specialty stores. The trendsetting duo came up with this unique concept to give their specialty stores a chance to experience the brand in its entirety. “We often hear our buyers say that they love our collection and wish they had the budget to buy more of the line”, says Lauren. Each BROCHU WALKER concept store will feature favorite styles from both the BROCHU WALKER and 247.365 ... Read More »]]>

This Spring 2011, BROCHU WALKER may be coming to a town near you! Designers Lisa Brochu and Lauren Walker are revealing exclusive, limited-time, concept stores around the country at four of their most supportive specialty stores. The trendsetting duo came up with this unique concept to give their specialty stores a chance to experience the brand in its entirety. “We often hear our buyers say that they love our collection and wish they had the budget to buy more of the line”, says Lauren. Each BROCHU WALKER concept store will feature favorite styles from both the BROCHU WALKER and 247.365 Spring 2011 collections in an array of colors.

Customers will experience a total BROCHU WALKER shopping extravaganza complete with BROCHU WALKER imagery, hangers, shopping bags, and a special gift with purchase. Lisa Brochu and Lauren Walker will also be making personal appearances and hosting launch parties at a few of the boutiques.

BROCHU WALKER has identified a void in the market for a collection built on the principal of layering and wrapping. Color palettes are always neutral with a bold accent and luxurious fabrics. Crisp cottons, warm cashmeres, soft knits, and rumpled woven pieces are the cornerstones of BROCHU WALKER.

They recently expanded the BROCHU WALKER brand with 247.365, a line of basics that are designed to be worn 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. 247.365 features popular BROCHU WALKER styles created in softer, more casual bodies- sumptuous draped tees in lightweight slub jersey, updated french terry sweats, and sleek cotton/modal tee shirt dresses. “We had always intended for BROCHU WALKER to be a head-to-toe layering collection and we realized that the tees and other basic pieces are able to stand on their own, creating a mix-and-match collection that fits easily within BROCHU WALKER and with every other piece in a woman’s closet”, says Lisa.

The concept stores will be open at each retailer for a limited-time of two weeks before packing up and moving on to the next location. The concept store dates are:

Abersons | Tulsa, OK | March 10 – 14

Zabayon | Englishtown, NJ | March 31 – April 14

P45 | Chicago, IL | April 7 – 22

Lifestyle | Sag Harbor, NY | April 14 – 28

Spring 2011 from Brochu Walker on Vimeo.

Lisa Brochu and Lauren Walker, both formerly from the East Coast but now residing in Los Angeles, have completely opposite styles and personalities. Lisa Brochu loves tailored, menswear inspired pieces personalized with bold accessories while Lauren Walker is beachy and bohemian, with a downtown edge. Lisa Brochu, former Design Director at Joie, spent years leading design teams for American Eagle Outfitters and Abercrombie & Fitch. Lauren Walker, former National Sales Manager at YaYa Aflalo, was also integral in the growth of Splendid and James Perse. Together, Lisa and Lauren have over 20 years of experience in the fashion industry.  Visit http://www.brochuwalker.com