Although I’ve never decorated a single post-college apartment of mine, I love reading interior design blogs and magazines and dreaming of all the cool things I could do with my space. One of my favorite sites, Design*Sponge, recently published a book and is embarking on a Fall/Winter 2011 cross-country book tour stopping in 30 cities. The fun part about the tour is that the events will combine crafts and charity. In each city, a local arts [...]
The ladies of August Bloom Haute Floral Design are celebrating their second anniversary with a philanthropic fleuranthropic (how clever!) bash to help repair the historic Garfield Park Conservatory (GPC). GPC was damaged during a hailstorm that rolled through Chicago on June 30th. As a result, half of the display houses are currently closed to the public and all ten of the greenhouses were severely damaged. I visited GPC for the first time and was seriously [...]
Happy Wednesday! Here’s a round-up of some links to charitable fashion stories around the web. – It’s been announced that the late Alexander McQueen left the majority of his $26 million estate to his charity, Sarabande, for the purpose of supporting scholarships at the Central St. Martins College of Art and Design, which he attended. NPR – The ever-so-entertaining Nicki Minaj has been named the new face of M.A.C. Viva Glam. Nicki and Ricky Martin will help promote [...]
My friend, Arionne, is one of those women that you meet and instantly fall in love (and admiration) with. She is a business woman, a supermom, the founder of TWO nonprofits, the editor of Urban Shake Magazine, and a complete sweetheart. In addition to everything else that she has going on, she has organized the inaugural Urban Shake Magazine Awards, “One People, One History, One Future.” The awards will recognize young adults in Chicago who [...]
Tomorrow from 6-9p, La Rabida Children’s Hospital is opening their beautiful grounds to host “Summerfest 2009,” an outdoor concert to help raise funds for their Child Advocacy Center (CAC). The CAC is a safe, child-friendly environment for children who have experienced psychological trauma and for alleged victims of sexual abuse and other violent crimes. All of crucial services are provided for free to the children and their families. THAT is why it’s so important to [...]
We all know that public schools are underfunded, and usually the arts programs are the first to go. Instead of letting that just be the status quo, CJ Johnson decided to do something and she started Fashion Benefiting Youth Artists, a Dallas nonprofit that hosts fashion-themed events in order to support students who dream of studying the arts, either in high school or college. After interviewing CJ, I have to say that my inspiration has [...]
Okay, stylistas…Here’s a great chance for you to shop, mingle with a top designer, AND support a great cause. Cynthia Rowley will be in town on Friday, May 1st signing copies her book “Slim: A Fantasy Memoir,” while offering style advice to attendees! This soiree will take place at the Cynthia Rowley store in Bucktown (1653 N. Damen) from 6-8p. The party will also celebrate ART Chicago, an annual international fair celebrating modern and contemporary [...]
On Wednesday March 4th, the Chicago Fashion Foundation is hosting their 2nd annual Scholarship Benefit, a fashion show featuring the designs of five local design students. These students will have the opportunity to present their designs in a live fashion show to a panel of judges from the Chicago fashion community. The winning designer will receive a $5000 scholarship! Attendees will be enjoy drinks, light appetizers, a DJ, and silent auction. The first 150 guests [...]
Every girl’s best friend, M.A.C., partnered with thirty top fashion designers to bring the world couture designs inspired by Hello Kitty. The designs were unveiled last week at an event attended by fashion’s finest and celebrities. The talented roster of designers include such names as: Catherine Malandrino, Charlotte Ronson, Elie Saab, Emanuel Ungaro, Giles, Hervé Léger by Max Azria, Kai Kühne, Kate Sylvester, Marchesa, Miro, Opening Ceremony, Qiu Hao, Rosa Cha, Ruffian, Shu-Chi Huang, threeasFOUR, [...]
