va.voom.

This year at our Battle of the Boutiques a few of our lucky readers won a $1,000 package to get their photos done at Vavoom Pinups, Chicago’s very own premier pinup and boudoir photography studio.

This past Saturday, our four beautiful “kittens” as Vavoom Pinups owner and photographer Heather Stumpf describes them, went to redeem their prize and from the looks of it they had the time of their life.

I caught up with Sarah Ansari, who attended the shoot who told me that the best part of the day was that they felt totally comfortable throughout the entire experience. It probably helps that the Vavoom pinups staff are an ALL female ensemble of hairstylists, makeup artists, wardrobe stylists and photographers. Hair by: Sara Jean Stevens; Makeup by: Jen Brown

“Heather is really cool and made us not feel at all awkward. Going into it I thought this whole experience would make me feel shy and embarrassed, but it definitely didn’t.”

Vavoom Pinups allows you to express yourself in a cheeky, vintage look and offers a variety of options for shoots. We think it would be perfect if you’re looking for something fun to do with your girlfriends for a birthday or bachelorette party, (or just to surprise your boyfriend!)

Still nervous? Vavoom lets you see your photos right away to make sure you are 100% excited about the way your shoot turned out. “I also really loved being photoshopped,” Ansari adds.

Visit www.vavoompinups.com or give Heather a call at 773-726-1109 if you wanna learn more about “embracing your Vavoom!”

Vavoom Pinups is located at 2239 N. Kimball, Rear Building, Chicago.

Pont Neuf Dress, $78

My lack of athleticism and interest in physical activity has become a running joke in my family. Their favorite line: “I’m in shape. The shape I’ve chosen is a pear.” But according to Shabby Apple’s Fit to Flatter body type identifier, I’m actually an apple. The Utah-based company specializes in dresses for women, with an emphasis on modesty, which are sold exclusively through the store’s website.

Shabby Apple’s owners Athelia CK Woolley and Emily Bell McCormick subscribe to a “more is more” philosophy when it comes to dressing. More fabric, that is. The pair searched high and low for dresses that didn’t require a camisole or cardigan to make the wearer feel covered, but came up empty handed. It seemed that the days where a single piece of clothing, a dress, functioning as an entire outfit were long gone.

As young Mormon women, this discovery was problematic. The faith requires women to wear clothing with sleeves, conservative necklines, and knee-length hems. Although not all Mormons choose to do so, followers must also wear special underwear, known as “garments.” Finding trendy pieces that comfortably accommodate these panties is a pain.

La Tour Eiffel Dress, $96

Woolley and McCormick took matters into their own hands, designing a line of dresses they couldn’t find anywhere else. The styles transcend religion and Shabby Apple gained recognition across the country. Ladies who never felt comfortable in low cut mini-dresses finally have an alternative to layering. With prices hovering around $100 dollars, investing in a Shabby Apple dress won’t break the bank. Plus, signing up for the online mailing list will earn you a 10 percent discount.

That the dresses are designed for the modest woman is more or less imperceptible. The website features eight different women’s lines, a line for preteens, baby, expecting mothers, and plus size women. The pair also designed a line of tankinis and one-pieces perfect for the summer.

Of course, Shabby Apple features an incredible selection of jewelry, handbags, shoes, and accessories. At the company’s core is the idea that the dress is timeless, classic, and if designed properly, needs only some well-chosen accessories to complete the look.

CEO Dress, $96

There is not a closet in the contiguous United States that would not benefit from a Shabby Apple dress. Perfect for work or play, the dresses are very Mad Men. Since having a backside and breasts was all the rage in the 60s, the clothing accommodated these ample assets. Ask any big chested woman these days and she’ll tell you that most lines are built for B-cups and designers assume women want to show a little cleave. The women of Shabby Apple don’t have the misconception that all women want their boobs and butts on display. Woolley and McCormick merge flattering fits and functional designs to create dresses that speak to an era when clothing respected, enhanced, and celebrated the female figure. PoorLittleRichGirls think this idea is not too shabby.

(Lauren Bonenberger)

We love it when Yelp pools their resources to score major deals for their users. June 21-27, Yelp Eats! is back with $25 three-course menus at some of Chicago’s hottest restaurants. Now, we all know PLRGs love a good meal (note to Yelp- a Gym Week is much needed as a follow up to Eats Week), so we put our heads together and created our ultimate Yelp Eats! calendar. We’ve taken all the guesswork out of where to go which night, so all you have to do is make the reservation!

MONDAY, JUNE 21
Green Zebra
After a weekend of hard partying, you may need to detox a bit come Monday. At Green Zebra, you can forego the typical greasy hangover food for something lighter like chilled pea soup with preserved lemon to start and an asparagus tart with caramelized shallots for an entree. For dessert? We’d go with the strawberry shortcake with Greek yogurt.

TUESDAY, JUNE 22
May Street Market
In our opinion, May Street Market by far has the most daring and diverse menu in the Yelp Eats! line-up. This is a great night to dine out with someone you want to impress with your culinary and budgetary prowess (hint- Tuesday is also BYOB night, so double save!) You’ll start things off with odd, but tasty combos of pork belly caramel corn or blue corn calamari. For dinner, grilled tilapia with artichoke puree and olive spread is the quintessential summer dish. And, while we’d like to venture into new territory, the cupcake flight is a must for dessert!

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 23
1492 Tapas
How about something with a little spice to get you through the rest of the week? 1492 Tapas, nominated by Metromix as one of the most romantic restaurants in Chicago (nudge and a wink to all the BFs out there), delivers traditional Spanish fare including every PLRGs favorite- tapas! Your appetizer choices include lobster stuffed mussels, goat cheese croquettes and the 1492 House Platter. The paella is not be missed as the main course, but allow a little extra time for this special dish.

THURSDAY, JUNE 24
La Madia
Grab your girlfriends, then grab a slice at La Madia. With this menu, you’ll get your choice of app- asparagus and ricotta bruschetta or prosciutto with mozzarella and teardrop tomatoes- plus one of two truffle laced pizzas or a frisee salad. We recommend saving room for dessert (leftover pizza will be great for lunch on Friday) where you can indulge in their homemade gelato “of the moment” or blood orange ice with Prosecco.

FRIDAY, JUNE 25
Bin 36
A Friday night out with work pals is a great way to end the week, especially when there is wine involved. At Bin 36 there’s something for every taste, light or decadent, so all your coworkers will leave satisfied. To start, you can be good and get the Bin 36 Market Salad or cheat on your diet and go with the rich and creamy mac & cheese. For the entree we’re salivating over the brown sugar cured, slow roasted pork loin chop and house-made ricotta gnocchi.

SATURDAY, JUNE 26
State & Lake
It’s Saturday night and you want to eat somewhere you can see and be seen. Your BF wants to go somewhere that’s not to “frou frou” with real manly food. Well, State and Lake, located on the ground floor of The Wit hotel, fits the bill for both of you. Your three courses begin with a choice of Valencia salad or Pub Soup. For dinner, he can order the slow roasted pork with tomato jam and polenta (pork always makes guys feel macho) and you can savor the roasted salmon with escarole. Being that the restaurant is in the heart of downtown, once dinner’s over you’ll be ready to party.

SUNDAY, JUNE 27
Spring
By Sunday you may want to unwind and dine someplace with a more tranquil atmosphere and Spring in Bucktown is just what you’ll need. They offer up a menu of New American cuisine with Asian Influences in a wonderfully spa-like setting. As a first course, they’re serving Yellowfin Tuna tartare or a farm egg ravioli, but our fave is the coconut lemongrass soup (it’s heavenly). Choice of entrees include Rosa Bianca eggplant masala with coriander yogurt emulsion, Australian Barramundi with cilantro pesto or Maine diver sea scallops with roasted mushrooms and sweet soy. The portions are usually reasonable here, which is great because you’ll still have room for dessert- a Valrhona white chocolate dome with wild strawberries and rhubarb or the lemongrass and kaffir lime panna cotta with brioche donuts.

For a full listing of details and participating restaurants, both in the city and in the suburbs, click on the image below. Happy dining!

(Lacey Brenly)

We get so many emails and phone calls each day with information on new products, boutique sales, restaurant openings and everything in between, that we thought it would be a good idea to let you in on what the PLRG team is into lately. The Radar is your at-a-glance guide to what is oh-so-hot and so-right-now in the world of a PoorLittleRichGirl:

The lovely ladies of Borrow a Dress Couture are gearing up for their First Annual Fashion Statement Soiree. Friday, May 28, they’ll thank you and all of their customers for their support by hosting a cocktail reception and fashion show at Bon V, complete with goodie bags and a chance to win a month’s worth of dress rentals!

We love getting gift cards and love all the discounts our various reward cards afford us, but our wallets and our sanity are suffering (we have ruined many a high priced wallet by overstuffing it with god knows what). So, we had one of those “why didn’t we think of that” moments we we came across the Card Cache. Just punch holes in all your gift or reward cards, not on the magnetic part, and string them through the slim wire ring. You’ll love all the new real estate in your wallet.

After 17 years serving up French fare in Chicago’s West Loop, Marche will be closing its doors on June 13. Owner Howard Davis and Jerry Kleiner (under their KDK partnership they also own Red Light, Giocco and Opera) cite the end of their lease as one of the many factors that led to the closing.

We’re totally digging Kate Miller Heidke right now. The former opera singer’s sound is reminiscent of all the other female artists you love so much (Lily Allen, Regina Specter, even Cindy Lauper), but still is too unique to pin down. We especially love “Can’t Shake It”, “Caught in the Crowd” and the instant classic “Are You F*cking Kidding Me” - we don’t want to spoil it for you, so just go listen to it now.

Speaking of music, a new website, SongVote.com, launched earlier this month. The site functions as an open election to help you find the perfect music for your upcoming cocktail party, wedding or any event that might call for some crowd-sourced music. We’ve even created a playlist of our own! Use VIP Code: PLRG Summer Playlist and Pin: 374 to add music to our playlist and vote for your favorite songs.

You should be the happiest, best "version" of yourself on your wedding day.

Spring time is officially in full swing, so with that comes the influx of ladies rushing to the altar.

While you are probably counting down the minutes, the days until you say your “I do’s,” there are a couple of “I don’t’s” you must also say on the day of your wedding to look your best. So you might as well make the vow now:

Do not apply make-up with dirty brushes. For the most precise look, your brushes need to be squeaky clean for that flawless photo-ready finish. Dirty brushes wreck havoc on your skin, and honestly it’s just plain gross.
Don’t over apply foundation to cover your bad complexion; it only makes it worse. I recommend paying a visit to a dermatologist months prior to get feedback on the best skin care regimen for your skin type.

Don’t forget your skin changes color as the weather gets warmer-especially if you tan-so please adjust your makeup accordingly. Nothing is worse than having your face be a different color than the rest of your body. As a rule of thumb, always carry your foundation color past your face into your neck and chest.

Don’t use foundation with SPF in the formula. In photos, you will look ashen. For sun protection, apply a SPF moisturizer before your makeup. If your skin is oily, apply an oil-free foundation primer on top of the SPF to matte the skin before your foundation.

Don’t forget to use lip liner the same shade as your lipstick of choice. With all of the smooching you will be doing, you want to make sure your lipstick lasts all day. Both Rimmel London and Wet ‘n’ Wild have an extensive color selection that is easy on the wallet and can be found at your local drugstore.

Please don’t draw on your eyebrows with a dark pencil. Try brow gels and tints for a more natural look that will stay in place all day.

Don’t use back eyeliner unless you have very dark hair, and even then use wisely. Dark liner is harsh and can make your eyes look smaller. You want to look beautiful and bright-eyed, so go for a brownish pencil that is still dark but more natural.

Don’t overload on the shimmer and highlight. Go for a look that is timeless-not trendy. You want to look like yourself with your best features slightly enhances, so matte colors are the best way to go. And just so we are clear, glittery makeup is a definite DON’T on any day, your wedding day in particular.

And of course don’t, don’t don’t forget your water-proof mascara just in case you end up crying like a baby. Being the bride with the raccoon eyes is a horrible way to be remembered on your special day.

Congratulations and good luck! Here’s to you looking your best on your wedding day!

Celebrity make-up looks to inspire you (L-R): Autumn Kelly, Gwen Stefani, Christina Aguilera, Heidi Montag

Lenora E. Houseworth is a Chicago-area writer/editor, freelance makeup artist and self-professed beauty addict. ”I join PLRG as your all around beauty guide, here to solve any of your cosmetic needs. Look at me as your beauty genie: Whatever you want to know about makeup and beauty, feel free to ask me and I will do my best to find out for you. My obsession with all things makeup related goes back as far as I can remember and I believe anyone can and deserves to look beautiful on a budget. I can be found on Twitter @sisterbaby, www.sugarrimmedsweet.blogspot.com and by email at l_houseworth@yahoo.com.

Meet Lauren Hurley & Marcia Callaghan. Together they are the powerhouses behind the fabulous events that make Gen Art Chicago, and now the authority when it comes to fashion at PLRG. From curating to directing, this dynamic duo sleuths for creative talent and inspiration in the city of neighborhoods. At the beginning of each month Lauren & Marcia will take us on a ride as they look back on the (always) eventful month they just had and narrate the highlights - where they went, what they wore and who they met…all with their personal commentary. We suggest you buckle up.

C/FAN

Ever since meeting Christina Fan, we’ve known the woman’s got “it” - that indescribable factor that makes someone stand out from the rest. After graduating from Northwestern and ditching her aspirations for law school to pursue her love for fashion, she launched C/FAN. The spring 2009 collection opened the Gen Art Fresh Faces in Fashion show last October. From the garments to the daring cone hairstyles (that she worked with our stylists to create), Fan’s visionary personality shone. We’ve been “FANs” ever since.

We were super excited to team up with Fan again in February for a Gen Art Preview of her autumn/winter 2010/2011 collection that combines ethereal silks, crisp wools, unique furs and rich velvets. At the event, the live model installations remixed with a runway presentation practically blew the roof off of the West Loop’s Dubhe Carreno Gallery.

The Event: February 11 - C/FAN Fall Fashion Preview.

The Wardrobe:

Marcia's Look: The Pierce Dress

Lauren's Look: The Aoyama Dress

The Interpretations:

Marcia: Lauren and I showed up in our load-in clothes and nothing to wear for the event. Yes - that’s right - nothing (except a pair of heels). We knew that we would love anything that Christina had for us backstage. Once we were set up and close to doors [opening], she pulled out a few options for us. I practically dove for The Pierce dress, a short sleeved dolman dress that functions as either a tunic or dress. Being notorious for short hemlines, I obviously wore it as a mini-dress. The classic C/FAN silhouette (fabricated in an olive sueded silk for the season) made me feel instantly sexy when I slipped it on right before guests arrived.

Lauren: I wanted to go for something a little more delicate and feminine, so I chose the Aoyama dress instead of a tunic. Since Marcia was going for the moss green color, I decided to accent the dress with a rich wine-colored sash. I secured the sash so that side panels of the dress were separated just enough to expose part of my black lace bra underneath, creating a sexy but demure look. A pair of black heels and leggings and voila! Simply chic. But my favorite part of the evening was supporting Christina in her design on her big night!

TRACEY MAYER

When we stumbled across Tracey Mayer 950 silver jewelry, it stopped us dead in our tracks. The designer (who has been making women’s jewelry for ten years - and still does) shifted her focus to men’s collections just four years ago. Mayer’s latest venture, “Have Links, Will Travel”, is a gift program where the beautiful blonde herself visits recipients in their own offices with a variety of her cufflink designs for a consultation and selection of their own gift set. Since we both love daring androgyny, when we spoke with Mayer, we didn’t hesitate to inquire about both men’s and women’s pieces.

Tracey Mayer is truly an artisan jeweler; much thought and handcrafted work goes into each piece. Asian influence inspires much of Mayer’s creative process. She uses 950 silver (which is slightly more pure than sterling) from South Asia and then transports materials to Indonesia for stone-cutting, carving and metalwork by some of the best gemologists in the world. As her website a states, her line is created by artisans using “cutting-edge techniques hand in hand with the noblest traditions.” Mayer doesn’t stop there; she packages each piece with the story of its creation. When our order arrived, it felt like a silver Christmas!

The Event: February 25 - Advanced Screening of The Good Guy.

The Wardrobe:

Marcia’s Look: Breeze bracelet, Soar necklace and Diva ring

Lauren’s Look: Flex necklace and Ruby Rock ring

The Interpretations:

Marcia: It was such a pleasure shopping with Tracey Mayer! She walked me through every step as I chose the perfect designs for Lauren and me. I initially contacted Tracey after seeing her Breeze bracelet. The dramatic 4″ hand-woven cuff with faceted aquamarine is a real show stopper. It drew several “Wonderwoman” comments from the crowd and was perfectly complimented by the men’s Soar necklace: a dimensional eagle head with black sapphire eyes. (I was especially drawn to this piece because Lauren and I regularly use the term “eagle eye” during events.) But wait - there’s more! Tracey recommended I try the Diva ring. Sold! This beauty is encrusted with white topaz and topped off with pink tourmaline. I loved it so much that I wore it the next day to a photo shoot with Paradis. I have worn it many times since, and Lauren has even borrowed it too. It’s perfect.

Lauren: Who doesn’t love a bold piece of jewelry? Especially badass cocktail rings! Whether masculine or feminine, Tracey Mayer’s designs are always powerful. My Starburst ring is definitely an attention-getter and always wins rave reviews from friends and passersby. Being such an animated and enthusiastic talker though, I have to be a little careful when my hand starts flying. I almost knocked someone out in Miami with this sucker! But all the drama this ring creates is well worth a little danger. Pairing the Starburst ring with Mayer’s men’s Flex dog tag necklace was a great choice. I was attracted to the necklace’s texture which is dramatically fused with black spinel. I thought the Flex contrasted nicely against the Starburst ring in shape, but were tied together by their little gems and sparkly brilliance.

We have been anxiously awaiting this day since the first Sex and the City movie came out and now, ladies, it is finally here! The next chapter in the story of our favorite group of girlfriends lands in theaters May 27. Ok, we know, that still seems ages away. So, we pulled out some super sly moves a la Samantha (in the film, she manages to get the gals an all expenses paid trip to Abu Dhabi) and scored one lucky reader, plus three of her best friends, of course, tickets to the hottest SATC 2 pre-screening event in town- Toast on the Terrace!

Your favorite girlfriends are back and better than ever!

The event, co-hosted by the retailers of the Shops at Northbridge and the Conrad Hotel, will be the ultimate night of glamourous fun. You’ll relax on the outdoor terrace of the Conrad Hotel (psst- before it’s official opening) and enjoy complimentary appetizers and cocktails. Oh, and what SATC party would be complete without a fashion show? Retailers from the Shops at Northbridge have created a show full of Sex and the City inspired looks. But, before you try to sneak downstairs to purchase a few items for yourself, remember the piece de resistance- the private, sneak-peak screening of Sex and the City 2!

“Toast on the Terrace” at the Conrad Hotel :: Tuesday, May 25, 2010
5-6pm - Cocktail Reception
6pm - Fashion Show
7:30pm - Private screening of “Sex and the City 2″

This is a private, invite only event and one of the few pre-screenings in Chicago. To get your hands on this set of tickets, email us at Giveaway@PoorLittleRichGirls.com and tell us which of the SATC you and your three friends* resemble most and why. There will only be one winner!

*We mean the three friends you are planning on bringing. We know you have way more friends than that. Or not. Either way.

Originally published May 19, 2010.

We get so many emails and phone calls each day with information on new products, boutique sales, restaurant openings and everything in between, that we thought it would be a good idea to let you in on what the PLRG team is into lately. The Radar is your at-a-glance guide to what is oh-so-hot and so-right-now in the world of a PoorLittleRichGirl:

Check out District Bar’s Zip Car Member Party, this Wednesday, April 14. Members will receive a complimentary cocktail and half-price appetizers and Zip Car will be giving away reduced memberships and free driving credits! Although, we recommend leaving the zip car at home and taking public trans to this +21 event.

Spa Forever in Bucktown is offering some sweet deals on their spa services. Their Swedish Massages, Relaxation Massages and ALL Facials are just $59 on weekdays in April (regularly priced up to $115). You can also get 20% off all waxing services on weekdays!

Your favorite rooftop bar, Market, just finished a remodel and it’s just in time for spring/summer weather. Their rooftop now boasts two additional flat screen tvs (like there weren’t enough already!), seven white-linen draped cabanas and a new walk up bar. The enormous beer garden has also been tweaked with the addition of a retractable roof, so now you can party outdoors all year long. But, that doesn’t mean you have to celebrate summer by drinking your calories- the Lo-Cal Coco is a new feature cocktail which includes Ciroc Coconut Vodka and coconut water, for just 140 calories each!

You loved Battle of the Boutiques, so we know you’d love another fashion face-off. April 22, Style Wars 2010- An Avant Garde Affair, will challenge local STYLISTS to put together their most fashionable and unique ensembles, then duke it out on the runway. The event also coincides with Earth Day, helping to shine a light on sustainable issues through art and fashion. Tickets start at just $35, depending on the package.

Speaking of fashion, keep an eye out for the grand opening of Sofia Vintage’s new location at 72 East Oak Street (formerly on Clark). The Zisook sisters will once again combine their ecclectic fashion forces to bring you the creme of the crop when it comes to consigned and vintage pieces. The doors to the new location will be opening in later this month.

A few months back, on January 20th, over 50 guests enjoyed champagne cocktails, passed hors d’oeuvres and macaroons, while receiving coveted tips from a few Chicago wedding experts at whiteCHICAGO in River North. Sponsored by CS Brides, FIG Catering, Binny’s and Fritz Pastry, whiteCHICAGO owner Ursula Guyer emceed the seminar, which featured panelists answering bride’s questions on how to save money, how to plan a wedding in today’s economy and overall, how to be a resourceful, recessionista bride! For our Wedding Issue, we’d thought we’d share what we learned with our PLRGs who are planning weddings!

Expert Panelists (from l to r): whiteCHICAGO gown expert Kyra Fitzgerald, financial planner Stephanie Schranz, CS Brides editor Elise Hofer, emcee/whiteCHICAGO owner Ursula Guyer, wedding planner Anthony Navarro of Liven It Up events, DIY expert/blogger Danielle Perrino of Sugar & Spice Ink and personal stylist Erin Carpenter.

Our top 6 takeaway tips were:

Smoked Salmon on a Corn-Scallion Waffle with Maple Mascarpone courtesy of FIG catering.

1. Don’t feel like you have to buy a different dress for each “bride” event you go to. Restyle the same dress with different jewelry, hairstyles or shoes for the various showers and brunches. Use these restyling tips when purchasing your wedding gown as well. If you find a steal but don’t love everything about the dress, remember you can add lace, tulle, sleeves, brooches, the possibilities are endless.

2. If you want to save money in the flower department and buy silk flowers, the best way to showcase them is to submerge them in water. It’s free and a lot of times you can use the vases from the reception venue.

3. Although planners are an additional cost, they often times have negotiating power with the various vendors and can get you deals you wouldn’t otherwise have. Plus, a day of coordinator will take off the stress and that is invaluable on the big day!

The crowd enjoys the panelists tips for the Recessionista Bride.

4. If you want to be a “DIY” bride, don’t take on every aspect of the wedding. Pick one or two things that you want to DIY so it isn’t as overwhelming and make sure that you have a good team of workers and helpers behind you.

5. If you choose to use an iPod at your reception, music selection is key. Make sure that you leave room for some slow songs and play for the crowd that you invited.

6. Discuss finances before you start planning away. Find out what is most important to the two of you and then budget around that. Talking about how you are going to manage your money after the big day is also an important step to take earlier rather than later.

The advice that seemed to really float above everything else that was being discussed, especially when it came to figuring out how to stay within your means and still produce that perfect, magical evening, is to relax and enjoy yourself. If you look happy and content, everyone else will enjoy themselves that much more. All in all, remember that the day is really about the two of you becoming a couple and starting the rest of your lives together!

Thursday night, the 7th floor of Macy’s on State Street was transformed into a high-fashion showcase for some of Chicago’s most talented fashion design students. The room was filled with people eager to get a sneak peak of what’s in store for the next generation of Chicago fashion, and PLRG is happy to say that this upcoming class did not disappoint.

The event was the 3rd Annual Chicago Fashion Foundation (CFF) Scholarship Benefit, with a new theme this year - “Chicago’s Sister Cities“. Chicago’s 28 “sisters” span the globe, and according to Mayor Daley, the program will strengthen our city’s economic and cultural ties with each one. From a fashion point of view, the theme was perfect for Chicago design considering how Chicago is really a city of immigrants and has been influenced by cultures from around the world.

Each of the ten student finalists created ensembles based on one of the cities and were judged by a panel that included Stacey Jones, Fashion Director for Chicago Magazine; Steven Rosengard, Project Runway Designer & Assistant Curator at the Museum of Science & Industry; Tracey Tarantino, Producer/Director for ZZAZZ Enterprises, Inc.; Erikka Wang, co-owner of AKIRA; and Andrea Schwarts, Director of Media Relations for Macy’s North & Midwest. At stake this year were three scholarship prizes - $500 for 3rd place, $1,000 for 2nd place and $5,000 for the first-place winner.

PLRG got the chance to talk to three of the finalists and get the inside scoop on the designers’ inspirations.

Michael Schellenbach, Illinois Institute of Art
Sister City: Moscow, Russia
Third Place Winner

Michael Schellenbach was one of two male designers in the competition, but the only designer to create a men’s wear look. Besides the fact that Schellenbach’s model was easy on the eyes, this was one of our favorite looks in the competition. Schellenbach designed and created the shirt (Italian cotton), jumpsuit (bottom weight cotton/poly blend with faux fur cuffs and collar) and belt (metal auto-inspired buckle).

PLRG: Why did you choose Moscow to be your sister city?
MS: When looking through pictures of Moscow, the architecture really just spoke to me.

PLRG: Tell us about the outfit - who might wear this or something like this today?
MS: The look is a combination - a marriage if you will - of Moscow’s heroes. Imagine - Russian cosmonaut meets modern business man. The look is meant to be worn in the fall, and definitely is not something for the average male. I would say a fashion-forward man would be the most likely person to wear this look in today’s world.

PLRG: Well, your model sure does wear it well ☺. Now, we don’t have many male readers on PLRG, but we’d love to know what your number one tip is for men’s fashion on a budget?
MS: It’s all about fit for men. If it fits well, no matter if it’s from H&M or your mom’s attic, you can create a look that’s better than any ill-fitting high-priced item.

Eunyoung Joo, International Academy of Design & Technology
Sister City: Moscow, Russia
First Place Winner

Eunyoung Joo was the winner of the first place $5,000 scholarship and was overjoyed with her victory. Joo also was inspired by Moscow, and created a women’s winter look made of wool and faux fur that she says is a contemporary take on a very traditional Russian look.

PLRG: Congratulations! So, first things first…why did you choose Moscow?
EJ: I chose Moscow because the relationship between Moscow and Chicago has recently been growing and it’s very interesting to me. You see lots of non-stop flights now being advertised heavily by American Airlines, so I think people are intrigued by this city. Also, the weather is similar to ours here in Chicago.

PLRG: Oh yes! We’ve seen those billboards for sure. Who do you imagine would wear your look in today’s world?
EJ: Any woman from her mid-teens to 30s, in winter cities. She would wear this outside, as it is wool and very warm.

PLRG: Warm is good these days for sure. Last question before you go celebrate - any tips for our readers on how you save money on fashion without compromising your style?
EJ: I think that basic designs will always be in style. Also - alterations are a key. It costs less to alter your looks than to buy new pieces. I don’t throw anything away because I always find new ways to alter and wear items by mixing them with other things.

Caitlin Lindell, International Academy of Design & Technology
Sister City: Prague, Czech Republic
Finalist

Although she didn’t place in the competition, Caitlin Lindell was definitely a crowd favorite at the show. Her ensemble made an impact as her model unwrapped the ultra suede beige cape lined with a rust-orange rayon lining, to reveal a chic dress made of antique satin and cotton/poly blend lace that she hand-dyed a dark brown color. The look was ready-to-wear and was surely sophisticated beyond Lindell’s 20 years.

PLRG: Caitlin, amazing job! We really loved your look. Tell us - why did you choose Prague?
CL: I’ve never been to Prague myself, but I was very inspired by many things about this city. In Prague there are many silk scarf vendors that sell scarves in beautiful colors. The scarves inspired the rusty orange color that lined the cape. Also, it’s very foggy and wet in Prague so the cape is for protection and would keep you warm. The dress was inspired by the architecture of the city - the common white buildings with rusty tops, I feel the city has uniformed chaos, lots of asymmetry, and an antique/textural feel.

PLRG: That sounds beautiful just in your description. So who do you picture wearing your look, and to what type of event?
CL: The woman who would wear this look might be going to a fashion event or silent auction…somewhere where the crowd is dressing to impress. I like to mix high-fashion couture with ready-to-wear looks, which this is. This entire outfit would retail for probably between $300-$400.

PLRG: Not bad! As a young student new to Chicago (CL hails from Des Moines, IA), how do you keep up your own fashion while staying on a budget?
CL: Outlet shopping! IADT is across the street from Nordstrom Rack which is nice. Also, patience. I will wait to buy things I love until the end of a season when they are marked down. I am on a tight budget since I’m a student so I make sure to find the best quality garment on the sale racks or after the season, and usually it’s not that hard if you take the time to look and wait for it to be marked down.
If these students are any indication of the future of Chicago fashion, then we are for sure excited. Here’s a look at all of the finalists’ competition looks from the show.

Stay chic, Chicago.

(Noelle Provencial)