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)

Below is the video and a short description (in case you feel like visiting any of these amazing B-Town spots):

Vinnie is back. This time he’s strolling through Bucktown, one of Chicago’s hippest hoods for shopping and eating. For a total throwback, try Margie’s Candies. For 80 years they have created homemade treats: fudge, truffles, and ice cream. Vinnie then takes you to the T-Shirt Deli. It’s not a real deli though. You design your own T-Shirts (or underwear) with a funny saying (”I luv Vinnie”, perhaps?) Then at Personal Privilege you’ll see the cute décor and stylish clothes. This store is great for any budget, and they even serve drinks to keep your pals happy while you try on jeans. Finish the day at Duchamp with some amazing wings and burgers with a French twist, and then jam to some music at the Double Door. Yep, Vinnie knows Chicago!

-Chicago.com

PS- The beginning of the video was filmed in the Chicago.com offices, which are inhabited by all males. Just wondering if you were impressed with how clean it looks on the video as we were ; ) We see an article about “keeping your office tidy” in your near future, Vinnie…

You need a fix. Fast. Where do you turn? Caffeine? Chocolate? Wine? Perhaps. Shopping? Definitely. Easy access is yours with PLRG fave and Battle of the Boutiques 2010 competitor, Dress Up Boutique.

We love knowing that there are always new, cute and affordable pieces, and if you spend $100 or more, shipping is free. Here are a few of our current faves…

(Shown at Battle of the Boutiques) BB Dakota Lola Dress in Black, $78; BB Dakota Shearer Coat in Manila Yellow, $92

Fada Elastic Flower Belt, $24

17" Gold Zipper Leggings in Black, $76 From Lindsay Lohan's new leggings line inspired by and named after Marilyn Monroe.

Dress Up was this year’s only online boutique in the show, and they proved to be fierce competition. The site was launched in 2008 by two sisters with an ambition to create a place where women could find trendy, unique and high quality clothing and accessories without the designer price tag. In addition to the usual online shopping experience, Dress Up offers exclusive shopping services including shopping parties, personal shopping and house calls.

This month’s spotlight falls on an exclusive offer that was included in the programs at Battle of the Boutiques, and now is available to all PLRG readers:

Enter BOTB2010 on Dressup-boutique.com and get 20% off your entire purchase. Cannot be combined with any other offers/promotions, expires June 1, 2010

Now, slowly walk away from the copy machine and nobody will get hurt.


(Noelle Provencial)

First, a big thank you goes out to Showbiz Shelly from B96 and our judges Jessica Sedgwick, Fashion Columnist for The Chicago Sun-Times; Steven Rosengard, former Project Runway Contestant and especially Marcia Callaghan and Lauren Hurley from Gen Art Chicago!

We’d also like to thank our sponsors, Honda on Grand, Hub 51, Ulta, Ultimate Vodka, PAMA Liqueur, Studio-808, Brynn Capella Handbags, Vavoom Pinups, The Chicago Bulls, Moxie, Red Ivy, Korbel and Lumen for all of their help getting this event of the ground.

Last, but not least we’d like to thank all of the boutiques who came out to compete and showed us that the local boutique scene has plenty to offer a PoorLittleRichGirl! And, of course, a special congrats goes out to our winning boutique, which swept the People’s Choice and Judge’s Choice categories, 2 Sisters Boutique (the real sisters behind the boutique are pictured above, collecting their prize). Check out our favorite look from 2 Sisters, along with our fave looks from the other boutiques, below:

WINNER!: 2 Sisters Boutique- Dress, Fumblin' Foe, $184

Hubba Hubba- Leggings, Sugarlips, $34.95; Top, Free People, $98.95

Re.Stock Shop- Dress, JLee Silver, $89; Vest, JLee Silver, $82

Le Dress- Dress, Frock by Tracy Reese, $175

Wolfbait & B-Girls- Hat, Squasht, $54; Tank, Bruiser, $56; Pants, Bruiser, $98

Dress Up Boutique- Dress, Lani, $49; Blazer, Lani, $79

Photos from the event are now posted in our Gallery, so check them for pics of you and all of your besties at the show or to see the all of the looks put out by each boutique.

And, for all of you savvy ladies who saved your programs, don’t forget about the special 20% discount off your purchase at select boutiques. Details are inside the program!

You are filled with a sense of power…a price gun in your hand and an entire store at your feet. You are free to roam, point and click, and voila! Your registry is 100 pages long and filled with numerous utensils, gadgets and gizmos you will never use and clutter your kitchen and home.

Before you knock over the Crate and Barrel sales person in your registry frenzy, here are a few tips to create a successful list and stock up on items you and your hubby-to-be will really use:

1. Come up with a game plan before you race around the store like a marathon runner. The average Target is 174,000 SF and Crate and Barrel can reach 35,000 SF, which equals rows and rows of strategically placed items just to distract you! Talk to your fiancé about what you have individually so you do not end up with 3 garlic crushers. Discuss how you entertain, live in your space and what you enjoy cooking so you can create a realistic and useful list.

2. Consider creating at least two registries; one with more expensive items and the second with more economical gift choices. You want your guests to feel happy to share in your joy, not financially stretched.

3. If you have invited out of town guests make sure to register at one chain, or at least a shop with an easy online purchase option, so that they can shop from the registry.

4.It’s a tradition to register for formal china, and thankfully using it no longer means an entire night of hand washing the dishes after a dinner party. Make sure to inquire if the china you register for is dishwasher safe!

Katie Rogulski is our go-to gal for all things design, from choosing a paint color to installing a light fixture. Send her all of your design questions and comments and she’ll will do her best to help you design a fabulous pad without breaking the bank!Katie@PoorLittleRichGirls.com

It was another rowdy Cubs gameday in Wrigleyville, and the girls knew that it was going to take a lot of moxie for them to face the drunken crowds that day.

Truth be told, like its definition, Moxie is exactly what many girls - ourselves included - need every time a trip to Wrigleyville is made. Amidst a street lined with very fun (and loud) bars, Moxie is like a breath of fresh air, featuring an amazing menu, killer martinis and an atmosphere that could easily rival any lounge in River North. We feel at home here whether we are wearing Cubs gear or a little black dress.

This week’s spotlight falls on Moxie even though it’s not a new addition to our Deals & Discounts list. Instead, Moxie has upped the ante and changed their offer to be what might be the best on the list.

Ready for it?

Groups of 4 of more girls get a complimentary bottle of champagne when you mention PLRG, any night of the week!

Now gather your girls and your moxie and enjoy.  Cheers!

Moxie is located at 3517 N. Clark St.

And, you know what that means- time to get your ass in shape. Whether you’re marching down the aisle or just know you’ll run into your ex at your friend’s reception, you absolutely want to look like the best version of yourself when the big day arrives.* But, you haven’t stepped foot in a gym in ages and you don’t even know where to start. We’re with ya, sister! So, we headed over to Equinox to check out two new classes that promise to jump start any workout routine.

Oh, please tell me he's the class instructor!

First on our list was Whipped!, a low impact approach to cardio fitness, which elicits high anaerobic intensity in quick bursts (30 seconds of performance, followed by 30 second of recovery). What does that mean, in English, you ask? It’s a butt-kicking 45 minute workout that gives you a stamina boost, so you’ll actually be able to keep up and finish the class, reaping maximum benefits.

The class is broken up into five stations, each targeting a specific area of the body. The ropes station was by far the toughest and is how the class got it’s name. Giant, heavy ropes are attached to the wall, while you stand at the end of the ropes and “whip” the ropes into various shape and directions. This apparently works areas of the body that are otherwise not targeted in a normal workout regime, which PLRG can attest to, as the next day we were sore in places of our arms and back that we didn’t know could be sore. Other stations include power lunges and squats, push up and plank variations and energetic jumps.

Overall we were big fans of this class. It really got our hearts pumping, but we were still able to keep up and finish our reps. There is a fun, almost playground feel to the set up, which makes it feel less like “work.” And, if you’re a bit self conscious it’s a great alternative to the traditional classes where everyone is lined up and staring at you/themselves in the mirror. In this class, everyone is working on different stations and moving around with the intervals, so the fear of the person behind you staring at your butt is eliminated.

The group fitness room at the LP Equinox.

The next class we tried out, Tabata, is so new to Equinox, that they haven’t even officially begun classes in Chicago (not to worry, they’ll be starting up Spring 2010). This method of working out has amazing health and fitness benefits. It’s basically interval training of 20 seconds of intense exercise moves combined with 10 seconds of rest and recovery, repeated 8 times for a a total of 4 minutes.

The class uses techniques and equipment you may already be familiar with (kettlebells, steps, stability balls) and works all areas of the body. But, by doing them in the 20 seconds on, 10 seconds off intervals, Tabata is scientifically proven to increase athletic performance and Vo2Max (your body’s ability to consume oxygen) and shed fat- in just weeks.

Tabata is also interesting, because you can use the theory behind it for any of your workouts. So, PLRGs don’t have to spend a fortune to experience its benefits. For example, when you’re on the treadmill run as fast as you can, like you’re running for your life, for 20 seconds. Then, step off to the sides for 10 seconds, then back to running as hard as you can for 20 seconds. Do this eight times and you’ve seriously amped up your cardio routine.

These are just two of the group classes offered at Equinox, but there are plenty of others to suit anyone’s fitness tastes, which is really what matters when it comes to getting into shape. No matter what gym you belong to, or even if you don’t belong to one at all, finding an activity that gets you moving, but is also fun is vital to staying committed to your fitness goals.

Best of luck to all of you soon-to-be buffed brides and sexy singles out there in wedding land!

*PLRG does not endorse crash diets, unhealthy exercise/eating habits or losing drastic amounts of weight before your wedding. It’s not good for you, your dress will need to be dramatically altered and let’s face it- the second you’re on that honeymoon you’ll start eating again and you’ll gain it all back and then some just a few months into your marriage. Trust us, we’ve seen this happen to alot of normally level-headed women. Oh, and if you’re losing drastic amounts of weight for someone else’s wedding, cut it out. What, are you trying to show up the bride!? ; )

(Lacey Brenly)

But, as sad as we are to see them leave their Bucktown outpost, we are always happy to shop a “closeout” sale. Now, through Sunday, March 14 you can score discounts from 40-90% off their selection of designer duds. 90% off? Talk about a dramatic discount, er, I mean exit!

Beta Boutique
2016 W. Concord Place in Bucktown
Thur & Fri: 11am - 5:30pm
Sat: 11am - 5pm
Sun: 12pm - 5pm

(Lacey Brenly)

After this weekend, the Battle of the Boutiques will have come and gone and what will a PoorLittleRichGirl do then to get her fashion fix? How about scope out some of Chicago’s best up and coming designers at The Chicago Fashion Foundation 3rd Annual Scholarship Benefit!

Three lucky (and talented) designers will win scholarships, but they’re not the only lucky ones. Even though you’re not a CFF member, PLRG has hooked you up with the member price for tickets. That’s just $30 when you purchase ahead of time online (non-member tix cost $40+). All you have to do is enter “PLRG” in the Comments section when purchasing your tickets and they’ll take care of the rest!