Sale Alert!

Today's Sale Alert is brought to you by Ivy Hill Boutique.  Ivy Hill is a St. Louis boutique that sells clothing, accessories, and gifts.  This Saturday, they are having their Halloween Sale, from 10:30-7:00.  Select fall and winter merchandise will be 50% to 90% off! This sale is for one day only, so put on your Halloween costume and go shop!

Ivy Hill

304 N. Euclid Ave.

St. Louis, MO 63108

Local Designer to Watch

His name is Michael Shead and he is a native resident of St. Louis.  His collection is called Michael Shead est. 1987 and it is full of fabulous dresses, gowns, tops, and bottoms.  He has shown twice at St. Louis Fashion Week, and he has just launched his new website.  Check it out to read his story, scan through his blog, and see his collections.  You won't be disappointed!

http://msheadest1987.com/fall2009.htm

The Olsen Twins for...JC Penney?

Yes, you read that correctly.  Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen are designing a line for JC Penney.  The new line, for juniors, is called Olsenboye and will feature denim, tops, dresses, skirts, jackets, bottoms, handbags and shoes.  The prices will range from $20 to $50, a huge price difference from their other collections, The Row and Elizabeth and James, which have prices in the high hundreds.

The Olsenboye collection will be available exclusively at JC Penney on November 6th.  Will any of you be shopping this collection? Do you think these clothes will sell? Let me know your thoughts!

New Boutique

Laurie Solet, the fabulous boutique in Clayton, MO has just opened its second location in Town & Country, MO.  The new store is located next to the Whole Foods store at Clayton and Woods Mill Roads.  Labels include Splendid, Free People, CC Skye, Dogeared, and Ella Moss, among many others.  Go check out the new store!

Laurie Solet
1176 Town and Country Crossing Drive
Town and Country, MO 63017

Luxury Comes to H&M

On November 14th, fashionistas all over will be able to own a coveted pair of Jimmy Choo shoes.  The luxury shoe line, which also includes bags and accessories, will be made more affordable for H&M customers.  The items will be available in 200 stores worldwide, and shoes and bags will be made with real leather!  The H&M line will include clothing as well, bringing consumers sexy glamour at a reasonable price.

Look for the Jimmy Choo for H&M line on November 14th, just in time for the holiday season! Shop this collection ASAP to get the best pieces available!

For All of My Fellow Shoe Lovers...

Would you like to join the World's Premier Shoe Society?  ShoeDazzle is a website, created by Kim Kardashian and her stylist friends, that provides you with your own personal shoe stylist.  For just $39 a month, you get personalized shoe recommendations from qualified shoe stylists, one pair of shoes sent to you each month, and free shipping on all shoes!  The shoes range from stylish heels, to adorable flats, to cute booties.

This site is convenient, very helpful, and so fun--you start out by taking a shoe quiz! So, if you love shoes, I suggest you check out this website.

www.shoedazzle.com

Sale Alert!

Mary Jane's Shoes, a boutique in the Central West End in St. Louis, is having a huge boot sale: 25% off all boots until the end of October! They sell boots from Hunter, Ugg, Frye, and more.  It's boot season, so go check out the fabulous selection at Mary Jane's!

To All of My Chicago Friends...

I know, I know, Chicago is not St. Louis.  But it is still part of the midwest and an amazing shopping destination.  So I wanted to share with you a new website that I came across.  Style Admirer Chicago gives you information about all of the local events, sales, fashion news, and shopping districts in the city of Chicago.  Check it out!

www.styleadmirer.com

Barbie's Getting A Shoe Makeover!

Not only can you buy a pair of beautiful Christian Louboutin shoes for yourself, but now you can buy a pair for your Barbie to match!  The fabulous French designer is teaming up with Mattel, the maker of Barbie, to create three customized dolls, as well as dozens of his famous red-soled shoes.

For just $150, you can own one of these customized Louboutin dolls, which comes with four pairs of his signature shoes.  You can also buy additional shoes for the dolls, and every doll comes packaged in a Christian Louboutin shoe box.  Amazing!

So for all of you Barbie fans and collectors out there, start saving for these limited edition dolls.  The first doll will be available this December, followed by a second one in February, and the final one in May.

 

I’m very excited to see the collection.  I mean, if Barbie has to walk on her toes all day, she might as well do it in a pair of gorgeous Christian Louboutin heels.

More Fashion Week News

Four local boutiques showcased their apparel, shoes, and accessories last night at Saint Louis Fashion Week.  Valerie Mills, Ivy Hill, Mary Jane's, and Byrd Style Lounge all presented shows and there has been a lot of positive feedback.  Congratulations to those four stores!

There are two events going on today and one event tonight for Saint Louis Fashion Week.  All day today there is a Fashion Week Market, where you can shop for items from the designers as well as other creative artists from the area.  Going on right no, DIYStyle is presenting Launch, showcasing four up-and-coming designers: Allyce King, Courtney Stiles, Maggie Laskowitz, and Connie Bourgeois.  These for ladies will each show their collection, as well as a "Rejectamenta" gown in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  The final show of the day is Emerge, presented by Bakers.  This show will feature Bolongaro Trevor, TRIM, and Love Brigade.  This show includes a VIP reception beforehand.

If you haven't checked out any of Saint Louis Fashion Week, I encourage you to go to a show and support our local fashion industry.  And, as always, let me know your thoughts on Saint Louis Fashion Week or any of the events.

www.saintlouisfashionweek.com

Top Trend: Long-Sleeved Dresses

It’s definitely feeling like fall outside which means it’s time to break out the fall wardrobe—and buy new pieces, too!  A top trend right now is the long-sleeved dress.  These dresses can be worn during warmer days with heels and colder nights with tights.  You can dress them up for work with a jacket and belt, or dress them down for a night out with some knee-high boots and funky jewelry.

These dresses come in all patterns, materials, and prices.  Whether you buy a low-cut dress or one with shoulder pads, there is a long-sleeved dress that will flatter any body type.  It may be colder outside, but you can still wear a fabulous dress.

Here are some of my favorites below.  French Connection has a great assortment, as does Nordstrom.  For less expensive dresses, try H&M or Forever 21.  And for great local dresses, go to Blush Boutique in Kirkwood, MO.

French Connection Annie Dress $178

French Connection Lust Dress $288

Forever 21 Pleated Waist Knit Dress $19.80

Forever 21 Snap Button Gingham Dress $22.80

Blush: Tart Clothing Joan Tunic $185

Nordstrom Frenchi® V-Neck Dress $39

Bakers Project:Design! Winner

Dragana Jovic, who designs under the label Jelek, was the winner of Bakers Project:Design! competition at last night's opening of Saint Louis Fashion Week.  Dragana recently graduated from Lindenwood University with a masters in Fashion Design.  Her attention to detail and structured silhouettes helped her win the $30,000 prize package.  Congratulations to Dragana and all of the other designers who participated!

Did any of you see her show last night? Is anyone going to the shows today? Let me know your thoughts about Saint Louis Fashion Week!

STL Fashion Week Reminder

Saint Louis Fashion Week kicks off tonight with Bakers Project:Design hosted by Project Runway star Jillian Lewis.  The six collections in the competition are: Evil Kitty by Lidia Wachowska, Jelek by Dragana Jovic, Jennifer Neal Clothing by Jennifer Neal, Katie Kantley by Katie Kantley, Kristian Cortez by Kristin Cunningham and Trashbiscuit by A.J. Thouvenot and Ryan Coyn.  Buy your tickets now and come support these designers and others!

Scientific Marketing: Attacking Your Senses

A new wave of technology is taking over the way that we shop.  Scientific technology and brain scans are being used to entice shoppers to buy products, as well as figure out what consumers want.  Stores that are using sensory imagery to persuade customers include Abercrombie and Fitch and Hollister.  If you’ve ever spent time in either of these stores, you know that there is a specific smell associated with the company, as well as dim lighting and loud music.  The stores have concluded that their customers respond the best to those elements and are persuaded to buy more products when entering the stores.

Scientific marketing helps certain stores stand out from other stores during the economic recession.  If these companies want to make more money, they need to find ways to appeal to their customers, rather than just with the look of their products.

I don’t know how I feel about brain scans and having the store know everything that I want; but I do think that appealing to the senses is important because it makes the consumer want to stay and shop.  If a store doesn’t smell good to you, why would you want to shop there?

Let me know your thoughts about brain scans and sensory technology.  Creepy or fabulous?

Create Your Own Outfit

Here's another great website that lets you explore different outfit options, shop fashion websites, and create your own look online.  It's called Polyvore, and not only is it useful when trying to put an outfit together, but it is also fun!  Members can search through the clothing, shoes, and accessories databases and click on the pieces that they are interested in.  Once you click, the website will tell you how much the item costs, where to buy it, and what pieces to mix it with.  You can also explore different looks including trends of the moment and celebrity-inspired outfits.  The fun part comes in when you create your own outfit.  By clicking and dragging the pieces you like into a box, you can make your own looks and publish them on the site.  Polyvore is a great website that lets you put together your own outfit, and then buy it directly online.  So cool!

Visit the site and become a member at: www.polyvore.com

The Weather Outside is Frightful...

…But these rain boots are so delightful! I’m talking about Target’s adorable and fashionable assortment of rain boots.  It seems like the rain will never stop here in St. Louis, which means that it is the perfect time for a new pair of wellies.  Gone are the days when rain boots were only available in a handful of colors.  Target has the best selection with many different styles and colors to choose from at affordable prices.  These fun boots can be worn in rain or snow.  I have a pair of hot pink Target rain boots and they are my best friends on days like today.  Here are some of my favorites:

Women’s Houndstooth Rain Boots $24.99

Women’s Merona Zandra Flannel Rain Boots $32.99

Women’s Xhilaration Zanthe Duck Shoes $19.99

Women’s Pinky Plaid Rain Boots $24.99

Women’s Mod Dot Rain Boots $24.99

E-Commerce: A New Way of Saving

I want to take some time to talk about online boutiques and online sales.  The specific websites I am referring to are Rue La La, Hautelook, and Gilt Groupe to name a few.  These online boutiques have sales going on every day on everything from jewelry to shoes to appliances and everything in between.  These sales are for limited amounts of time (usually a few days), but the savings are amazing! How amazing? Well, right now Elie Tahari coats are 55% off on Hautelook.  And over on Rue La La, Cole Haan bags and shoes are half off original prices.  Gilt Group sells items up to 70% off and even has a travel site for shoppers who want great travel deals.  Does all of this sound too good to be true? It’s not.

Another great e-commerce site is Shop It To Me.  This site is personalized to your specific needs.  You just fill out a form with all of your measurements and pick your top brands.  The company looks at websites from designers and department stores and e-mails you when your favorite pieces are on sale in your size.  They do the work, you save the time and cash.

So how do you become a member of these exclusive online boutiques? Just go to their websites, listed below, and register with your e-mail address.  Every time a sale is starting or ending, you will receive an e-mail update.  Becoming a member of these sites is a quick and easy way to get great clothes and accessories while saving a lot of money.  And right now, on Rue La La, you can even get $10 credit for referring friends to the site.  And over on Gilt Groupe, you get $25 for referring friends. Now those are pretty good deals!  Check out these online boutiques, and I promise you won’t be disappointed!

Sales coming up on Rue La La include Dolce and Gabanna, Bare Escentuals, and Narciso Rodriguez.  Gilt Groupe has Narciso Rodriquez accessories and Elizabeth and James sales going on right now.  And on the Hautelook site, Paige Premium Denim and Via Spiga have sales during October. 

Happy Shopping!

www.ruelala.com

www.hautelook.com

www.gilt.com or www.giltfuse.com

www.shopittome.com

Sale Alert!

Today’s Sale Alert comes from Laurie Solet.  Right now at this fabulous Clayton boutique, if you buy two coats or jackets, you get the third for $0.1.  A PENNY! Now, that’s a great deal!

Laurie Solet

8228 Forsyth Blvd.

Clayton, MO 63105

St. Louis, Shopping Destination?

Well, not yet.  But hopefully soon.  The most recent fashion and shopping news has not been the best for St. Louis.  Unfortunately, Travel + Leisure Magazine ranked St. Louis last in shopping out of 33 major U.S. cities.  Ouch.  Although, we did rank 3^rd for most affordable city, so there is some good news.

St. Louis may not be a shopping capital of the U.S. (yet) but it is my belief that the city is on its way to making a name for itself in the fashion world.  It is my goal to bring all of you the latest fashion news and the best places to shop.  There are dozens of amazing boutiques and shopping centers throughout the city.

While writing this blog, I will let you know about local store openings, sales, events, trunk shows, etc. so that you can get the best shopping experience.  I will also mention some of my favorite places to shop in the city, whether it be online, at a boutique, or at a shopping mall.  Stay tuned for some fabulous places to shop in St. Louis. We will make our way toward the top of the list.

Tommy Hilfiger for iPhone

To all of you iPhone and iTouch users out there: a new shopping app has been introduced from designer Tommy Hilfiger.  This free app is available now and it lets users browse the Tommy Hilfiger collection and make purchases directly from the online catalog.  There are other apps available that have “shopping functions,” letting users browse websites, etc.  But Tommy Hilfiger, who partnered with Art Technology Group, Inc. (ATG) to produce this app, is one of the few that allows shoppers to put items in a digital shopping cart, either to purchase now or save for later.

Although this isn’t a new concept, there are few apps on the iPhone and iTouch that work this way.  I’m sure that in the very near future, other designers and companies will follow the lead of Tommy Hilfiger and create apps themselves.  Who wouldn’t want shopping to be quicker and easier?

Saint Louis Fashion Week

This October 12^th kicks off the Spring/Summer 2010 fashion week in St. Louis.  From the 12^th to the 18^th, there will be fashion shows, contests, receptions and after parties that will showcase the best of the St. Louis fashion industry.  The first set of fashion shows will be on October 14^th, when Bakers Project:Design, hosted by former Project Runway contestant Jillian Lewis, shows six lucky designers who will compete for $30,000.  All designers are winners, however, because they get to show their line at one of the top fashion weeks in the country. 

On Thursday, Bakers presents Current, which includes shows from four St. Louis boutiques: Byrd, Valerie Mills, Ivy Hill, and Mary Jane’s.  Friday’s shows include a presentation from DIYStyle, which will introduce four new, young designers.  On Saturday, the final day of shows, FGI will host Evolve, which includes designers such as last season’s Project:Design winner Michael Drummond, as well as another finalist Laura Kathleen.  Laura Kathleen produced a beautiful show last spring when she unveiled her Fall/Winter 2009 collection inspired by birds of Missouri.  Her show this fall will not disappoint!

For the full fashion week schedule, check out the fashion week website at www.saintlouisfashionweek.com.  Buy your tickets today and help support the St. Louis fashion industry!

Cute Booties!

So did anyone watch the new promo for The City, on MTV?  I know the show has already premiered, but the promo and press pictures on the MTV website showcase different pairs of shoes that are TO DIE FOR!  It’s no secret that cute little booties are all the rage this fall, and the shoes from The City are no exception.

Boots of all heights are a great choice for fall, but I listed some of my favorite ankle booties below.  Wish in Ladue, a suburb of St. Louis, is a great local boutique with fantastic shoes and boots.  I think my favorite of the booties I chose are the blue Kapetanos boots from Aldo.  They are bright and fun and definitely eye-catching.  Check them out on the website!  Also, check out shoes.com for even more super cute booties for the fall season! And for all the best shoe news, go to Coco’s blog at shoeskinny.blogspot.com!

Hot Kiss Women’s Ryder in Brown $49.99 at Famous Footwear

www.famousfootwear.com

MICHAEL by Michael Kors Berkley Bootie $73.90 at Nordstrom

www.nordstrom.com

Women's Xhilaration® Kamaria Ankle Boots in Black or Tan $29.99 at Target

www.target.com

Sam Edelman “Maddie” suede ankle boot in Chocolate or Black $145 at Wish

www.wishshoes.com

Women’s Kapetanos in Medium Blue $120 at Aldo

www.aldoshoes.com

Nordstrom Rack Coming to STL

St. Louis Fashionistas now have something else to look forward to: not only is our lovely city getting another Nordstrom store in 2011, but this coming fall we will be welcoming a Nordstrom Rack store! What is Nordstrom Rack? It is part of Nordstrom’s off-price retail division that offers the amazing clothes, shoes, and accessories from Nordstrom at a discounted price—up to 60% off! The new store will be located in Brentwood Square, next to REI and Arhaus Furniture.  This store will be a great addition to the area, bringing us fashionable clothes at a very good price.  I can’t wait for next fall!

Welcome to STL Fashionista!

This blog is dedicated to fashion.  I have loved fashion since I can remember and have been studying it the past four years of college.  I have held a job in all divisions of the fashion industry.  I watch all fashion and style-related shows religiously.  I read every fashion magazine that I can get my hands on.  After spending the last two and a half years in Fort Worth, Texas (near one of the country’s biggest fashion centers, Dallas), I am ready to move back to my hometown of St. Louis, Missouri and spread the fashion wealth. In my opinion, St. Louis is a fashion-forward city.  Now, those of you who haven’t spent a lot of time there are probably rolling your eyes at me, but hear me out: the fashion industry is growing in St. Louis.  And it is only getting bigger by the day. Since St. Louis is located smack dab in the middle of the country, it is accessible to designers and fashionistas from all over. Local fashion designers are emerging by the masses and their clothes are original and innovative.  And St. Louis Fashion Week, held twice a year, is one of the top fashion weeks in the country.  The weeklong event is full of fashion shows and industry parties that rival those of other major fashion weeks. 

My goal is to put St. Louis on the map when it comes to the fashion world.  I believe that the local designers are amazing, the citizens of St. Louis are fashionable, and the city itself is just looking for its big break!

Feel free to leave me a comment or send me an e-mail with questions, responses, fashion news, or ideas for blog entries.  I would love to get your feedback!