Mary J Blige at Norstroms Oct. 18th 2010

On Oct. 18th at Nordstrom you had a chance to meet Mary J. Blige if you purchased a pair of the new Melodies sunglasses.  Ms. Blige is famous for her voice, but the nine-time Grammy Award winner has another passion—fashion, more specifically sunglasses. “I have probably 1000 pairs of sunglasses,” Blige said. The singer recently debuted a new line of eyewear called Melodies by MJB, which she is promoting while on tour. “Sunglasses are an extension of me, just like the fragrance I did is an extension of me,” she says. “I only do things that I know, that I’ve done for years.”

Well for me personally it was very exciting to finally meet the one and only Mary J. Blige. I have listened to her music for quite awhile, since the 90′s. I got to Nordstrom right at 10am when the store opened; they were giving away goodie bags to the first 50 people in the red carpet vip line. Inside the goodie bag was a Melodies by MJB scarf, her most recent CD “stronger with each tear” and a black tank top. Nordstrom also accommodated their vip guests with MJB cookies, special treats & bottled water. While I was in line, I met some other Mary J. fans, The energy and atmosphere in Nordstrom was so positive I could feel all the love in the building. As we anticipated and waited for Mary J. there were plenty of photographers on site.  They caught snap shots of the crowd and all the people in the store. Finally the time had arrived, Mary J was ready to enter the building and the crowd got very excited.  Mary J was escorted in by security and staff; and immediately waved to the crowd before doing some brief interviews.

I was only 10 people back in the vip line so I could see everything. Finally it was time for the meet and greet of the vip guests who purchased Melodies.  To really showcase our individual personalities and show off the new Melodies line, Nordstrom asked us to put on the sunglasses we purchase.  Also, Mary J. wanted to see which styles we had picked out. Soon - before I knew it I was the next person to meet Mary J. I got really excited and couldn’t believe it was finally happening.

I was really meeting Mary J. Blige.  She was so sweet and humble.  I immediately gave her a big hug and said thank you so much for all the music through the years, I told her I loved her and then I was at a loss for words.  I just stood there for a moment but had to tell her I was a singer, too. Mary J. wished me lots of good luck and immediately I started to cry.  Then Mary J. hugged me herself again and the camera’s were snapping away. I felt like I was standing on the red carpet with Mary J. Blige at an event!  Oh wait – I really was at a red carpet event with Mary J.!  All of this was real so I gave her one last smile and then walked away down the red carpet.  It was such a treat meeting such a lovely and inspiring woman.

A Fashionable Night Out at Pop Up Event in Wicker Park

Last night I attended a Fashion Event in Wicker Park called Pop Up Creative Lounge Chicago and this event was about showcasing young talented designers from Chicago and from All over the World. Some local designers were Evil Kitty who is designer Lidia Wachowska and international designers were Itziar Ibarguren (Spain), Irina Irimia (Romania, Kaahn (USA, Nakan Pathomporn (Thailand), Marina Prevolsek (Croatia), Martina Sportis (Croatia), & Laura Thapthimkuna (USA) The fashions were exquisite and the space light & airy.  Here's my look for the day which is a great jacket & shorts, paired along with boots and a vintage hat. This whole look is great for a Fashionista attending such fashion events or wearing it to work in a fashion related type of career.


Boots: Bebe $225
Handbag: Louis Vuitton $2195
White Floral Fishnets: Forever 21 $3
Blk Velvet Shorts: L.A.M.B. by Gwen Stefani $198
Blk Dress Coat w/ sewn in vest: L.A.M.B. by Gwen $345
Blue Cami: Marciano by Guess Marciano $24
Jewelry: Chanel $ N/A
Hat: Vintage Tally Ho New York $50

Haute Couture vs. Better & Bridge like Juicy Couture

Haute Couture vs. Better & Bridge like Juicy Couture

Current mood:  sassy
Category: Fashion, Style, Shopping

Haute Couture (French for "high sewing" or "high dressmaking" refers to the creation of exclusive custom-fitted fashions. It originally referred to French fashion and in France, is a "protected name" that can be used only by firms that meet certain well-defined standards. However, the term is also used loosely to comprise all high-fashion custom-fitted clothing, whether it is produced in Paris or in other fashion capitals such as New York, London, and Milan.
Haute couture is made to order for a specific customer, and it is usually made from high-quality, expensive fabric and sewn with extreme attention to detail and finish, often using time-consuming, hand-executed techniques.
The term can refer to:

• the fashion houses or fashion designers that create exclusive and often trend-setting fashions
• the fashions created

Fashion is divided into 5 price markets, w/ a term for each market category...Designer, Bridge, Better, Moderate and Budget. 98% of all people buy Budget/Moderate clothing which ranges from $1-$150 per item. Better consists of clothing from $150-$300 per item...while Bridge are considered secondary lines produced by designer labels to make more money by having a wider range of customers buying their merchandise. Bridge would be from $300-$800 per item.
Designer consists of high fashion/Haute Couture clothing worn by a small percentage and go from $800 - thousands per item. L.A.M.B would be in the "better" for sure.
However, people may argue that their runway shows are considered Couture when they actually aren't. Clothing seen directly on the runway aren't usually sold "as is" to retailers...and then to customers. The clothes are tweeked and scaled down before going on sale and therefore, broken down into the desired price market. Only reason clothing is over the top on the runway is for publicity and designer recognition.
Better-Bridge...bridge at most in terms of the price market. Being in Bridge still qualifies as being designer because Betsey Johnson who is a fashion legend because of her incredible sales in the past...labels herself as designer, but cators to the bridge-better market for more profit.
"Juicy Couture" is considered a Better market as well. Just because they have the word couture in it does not make it couture...they are NOT a designer label, they are  a "brand" name. The difference between designer labels and brands is this...designers create original garments based on inspiration and their own genious...any dress or article of clothing w/ a designer name on it was designed BY the designer.
Brands like Baby Phat & Juicy Couture are basically scaled down copies of "designer" ideas...they scan and anylize shows by bigger names, and scale down the trends and looks into lower priced versions.
Mass produced clothing in Gap & Old Navy  stores w/ Budget clothing...are considered knock-offs...designs that are a copy of a copy.

Fashion is an extrememly complex business and is one of the few businesses very miss understood by the general public.
HAUTE COUTURE, w/ "Haute" in it is basically reffuring to fashion houses and the industry of couture clothing. However, even though Couture originates IN PARIS...it isn't the only fashion capital in the world. There's also New York, Tokyo, Milan, and Toronto to name a few.
I believe to become a Haute Couture Designer, you need a valid liscense that certifies your right. But basically Juicy Couture does ready-to-wear runway presentations which is the most common fashion show out of 2 types. 1 is Couture done by only a few designers a year...and the other is ready to wear done by over 100 designer names in the industry and is the most important events throughout the years because they set the trends, and sell the clothes.
Couture is done exclusively for self recognition and just basically...expressing your true creativity which earns points for publicity. However, Couture shows waste millions of dollars at the end when only 1 or 2 garments are sold...but once ready to wear hits the cat walk, they recieve double the attention.
Galliano is also considered one of the greatest Couture designers. However, his name hasn't been on that level long enough to be included in the list yet, probably because he's inconsistent w/ the couture shows. I dont blame him one bit...cuz he's running 2 labels, Galliano and Christian Dior w/ approx. 6 shows a year. Galliano is an incredible talent.
The ONLY Couture clothing these days...are done by THESE designers:
Christian Dior, Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Valentino, Christian Lacroix, Jean Paul Gaultier, Elie Saab, Givenchy & Armani

I wrote this blog awhile ago but it still stands today as the Definition of how Fashion market's are broken down in the fashion industry all over the World.
Read more: http://www.myspace.com/missmadjestym/blog#ixzz12SffhkN5

Fashion Blog for Oct. 13th 2010

White Pumps: L.A.M.B. by Gwen Stefani $279
Jeans: Bebe $98
Gray Fall Coat: Ligali from store Image LA at the Beverly Center $58
Black Top: Forever 21 $26
Red Cami: Marciano by Guess $24
Black Leather Gloves: Forever 21 $13

So this fashionable look is a little feminine mixed w/ a rocker chick. The coat and top are a bit victorian but if mixed with the right tie dye jeans it gives this look an edge and letting you know that this girl is tough but has a sweet side as well. She's not afraid to be daring but she still wants to distinguish herself as a female as opposed to being a boy or tomboy. It just goes to show how much you can really mix and match items from different stores all over to complete your look for a career in the fashion industry or this look can work well for a night on the town as well. Enjoy!

A Fashionable Shopping Night Out

Out Shopping Oct. 12th 2010
Boots: Nina Ricci $1195
Leggings: Material Girl Collection by Madonna $9
Handbag: Marc by MJ $398
Hot Pink Top: Bebe $38
Blk Cropped Dress Coat: Dept from Amsterdam $98
Belt: Nordstrom $50
Hat: Local Chicago Artist sold at Viktoria's Closet $20

A Purchase at American Apparel which will be revealed in the next Fashion Blog Post

About Me

Hello, I am MissM and Here's a Little About Me:

What’s your style?
I would say my style is a mixed of Classical Parisian style, rocker chic and comfy casual. Lately I have been really getting into color, My favorites are red & purple. I really love adding accessories such as scarves, jewelry, with a fabulous pair of shoes and I cannot be without a fabulous handbag. My style really revolves around what mood I’m in. I have pretty much done everything in Fashion that I can think of.

Who inspires your style?
I am very inspired by Gwen Stefani, Patricia Fields who is a fashion stylist to Sara Jessica Parker and Victoria Beckham (Victoria & I have the same exact birthday). Gwen Stefani is so Amazing when it comes to style she has that Chola, Orange County Cali Girl style but she also has English Chic and Rock Style Edge. Viktoria also has her English Charm but she has that sexy feminine appeal w/ a dark edge as well, Victoria's style is Impeccable. Patricia Fields is innovative & NYC Street Smart, her style has rock hard edge & yet still is feminine as well. I love beautiful confident women who aren't afraid to take risks with style and fashion.


What would you say is your favorite accessory of the moment?
Hats, Scarves & Rocker Gloves
 
What are your favorite places to shop online?
shopbop.com, nordstrom.com and karmaloop.com

Who are your favorite fashion designers?
Louis Vuitton, Marc Jacobs, Diane von Furstenberg, Michael Kors and BCBG Maxazira

Who are your favorite celebrity designers?
Gwen Stefani and Victoria Beckham

Who are your favorite handbag designers?
 I love Louis Vuitton, Marc Jacobs, and Chanel. I own quite a few amazing handbags in my closet.

How do you update a boring look?
Adding a trendy piece helps to update a look, also adding a splash of color helps.
 
Five accessories you can’t live without?
Handbag, hat, belt, gorgeous ring and a fabulous scarf.

What would your dream bag be and why?
Hands down for Hermes Berkin every time I see a celebrity carrying one I just drool all over. Carrying a Hermes bag you would have to say you have arrived. As a friend once told me ” if you can spend $1,000 on a designer handbag and have a $1,000 cash in your wallet you know that you can afford it.”

What shoes do you prefer?
I love high heels & boots.

Who are some of your favorite shoe designers?
Christian Louboutin, L.A.M.B., YSL, Gucci, Manolo Blahnik

What would you say your dream vacation would be?
Well this is one thing I can scratch off my list because my dream vacation was to Paris & I've been there 3 times. I guess now my dream vacation would be either going to Budva Montenegro or Australia

Which of the following best describes your outfit for a night out?
Skinny jeans, a nice pair of high heels, a nice sexy top and super cool jewelry.

What made you decide to become a fashion blogger?
I have always loved fashion from a very young age, when I was 2 or 3 years old my mom dressed me up in a poncho, a really large handbag & a big floppy hat (like the one Jodi Foster wears in Taxi Driver) and then my mother tried to take the items off of me and I said "No I wanna wear it", my mother then knew I was destined to be a Fashionista. I felt that it was necessary to create a fashion blog site where women like myself can find some of the latest must have items of the season or learn how to mix couture with everyday inexpensive stores at the mall.

What advice would you give someone who wants to become a fashion blogger?
First of all, you must have passion for fashion to be able express it to other people. There is a lot of work involved with running a successful blog. Which would include research and creativity. I’m always on the look out for something new and innovative. The last bit of advice I would give you is to always network with others in the fashion blog world.

What would you say about yourself that maybe others just don’t understand about you?
Most people don't understand me, but that's fine with me. The Fashion World & the people who are looking to find a style are really the only ones who need to understand me. I spend a lot of time in my work it’s my passion & it's one of my forms of expression from within. Some people really get you and some just don’t. I think spending your life trying to make people understand you is just such a waste of time.

What would you say about Fashion that maybe other people don't understand about Fashion?
Fashion is ART, Art is to make it Exist. There isn't one right way to create your look, It's all about who you are, what style you want and what you want to tell the world about yourself. There is no right or wrong answer here, "You make the Fashion Fabulous because you are Fabulous", The rest is just tools to help you along the way to make yourself a Walking Work of Art.




EVERYDAY IS A FASHION SHOW & THE WORLD IS YOUR RUNWAY

Above & Beyond pres. Oceanlab - If I Could Fly