Chicago Style in the Streets

If your going shopping here, come check out this fashionable shop, Akira

Since the Sartorialist spends most if it's time in NYC, London, Paris, Milan and Florence, I thought I'd showcase some of the style I see everyday here in my hometoen, Chicago. Indie, Retro, Coloful, Unique and polished are some of the looks you'll find in this gorgeous city.

Handcrafted Handpainted Dresses by Ami Melecio

I miss my long hair : /, but what's with all the makeup?! ;p
Much better natural ;p

http://www.etsy.com/organicami

Organic handpainted handmade dresses by Ami Melecio

Model: Me

Also check out my fab handcrafted bag line at etsy: http://www.etsy.com/GardenBelleShop

Also, here's a link to Ami's seperate Business, Jeanette's Patisserie: http://www.etsy.com/shop/jeanettespatisserie

Featured Item of the Month

Every month you’ll get an update on the goings on of Garden Belle, my shop on Etsy.com. For this introductory newsletter, let me first explain what Garden Belle is all about, and I hope you’ll be as excited about it as I do!

Garden Belle started as an idea – as most things are. My mom Ami and I love fashion and we love to design. But it’s not just our love of fashion and design that got us thinking about starting this initiative. There are so many things going on in the world today, so many causes that need our help and as any human being, I want to do our part for the world.

So I came up with the idea to create handbags that are stylish, practical, affordable, environment-friendly and most of all, charitable. What do I mean by charitable? Well, if you purchase our bags, you will also be helping those in need. Half of the proceeds will go to various charity organizations.

From the idea, came the products: Belle Epoque by Garden Belle. A line of handmade handbags, individually sown using environmentally-friendly materials that are stylish, beautiful, affordable and most importantly, they’re created for a good cause. Belle Epoque by Garden Belle handbags are all about looking good and doing good at the same time.

Belle Epoque by Garden Belle’s bag of the month is The Thea Bag, a beautiful shoulder bag handmade from two burlap fabrics – dyed pink and brown, cut in diagonal triangles and sown together on the front and back. There are brown strips in the sides and bottoms, and pink strips sewn over faux leather for the straps. This shoulder bag comes in small medium size, and it will fit comfortably around your shoulder, thus making it the perfect shoulder bag.

If you purchase The Thea Bag, you will also be helping a cause very close to my heart right now, Haiti. As you know, the earthquake that devastated the island have left many people homeless, injured and in dire need of immediate help. Half of the proceeds from The Thea Bag will go to CARE America, a charity organization dedicated to fight global poverty. You can go to their website on http://www.care.org/ for more information on the organization.

To purchase The Thea and other handbags in the line, you can go to the Garden Belle Etsy page at: http://www.etsy.com/shop/gardenbelleshop or click this link to be taken directly to the page.

Thank you for all your support, and I hope you will have fun shopping at Garden Belle, where you can look good and do good at the same time.

Yours Truly, Jen.

Modelling off Dresses

This is just a teaser for now ;p. I will be uploading more pics and show the link of where to find these beautiful handmade dresses.

RIP McQueen

What shocking news for the fashion world. Alexander Mcqueen was pure genius when it came to designing. He was one of my first favorite designers. I never got over him. He was just simply brilliant and one-of-a-kind. His creations were high on drama and theatrics with a punk-rock aesthetic. Everything he did, he did with passion. I will deeply miss the extraordinary detail he put in every design.

My Vintage-Inspired Look

As you know, I LOVE vintage! But rare vintage, not so much the sixties-to-eighties vintage. I like the unconventional stuff. The victorian, edwardian, twenties and thirties vintage. The fifties party dresses and the nineties minimal dresses are the only exceptions. I love the understated femininity, the stuctured, body-sculpting dresses and the uniqueness of each of those eras. I find so many uncommon things and luxe elegant fabrics. I love that you can wear many of these items with modern clothing. I just LOVE and ADORE vintage!

Visit me here at Shopstyle, and don't forget to add three hearts ;p

My Look

I'm pretty big on cardigans, ankle boots, easy dresses and big ass bags! I never leave without my sunglasses and I have a thing about matching things. Almost obsessive-compulsive about color-cordination. I really LOVE scarves, and try to add them to each outfit. I have a thing for sleek leather (especially skirts and jackets), And I tend to keep the jewelry minimal. I describe my look as Refined Ease.

Come visit my page at shopstyle! And don't forget to mark three hearts ;p

...Til My Daddy Took My T-Bird Away...

I love these classic retro cars! I'm not too big on soft pink, but this Thunderbird makes me feel like Natalie Freakin' Wood! I created the look below to go with the car. It's something I'd love to throw on for a drive around ;p

Pre-1920's Coats

Edwardian-Era Coat with velvet collar. Very Doctor Zhivago.
Edwardian Coat with Mink Collar

Early 1900's Coat with Black Bear Collar

Dorothea's Closet Vintage

Pre-1920's Hats

Victorian Hat
Victorian Hat with Feathers

Edwardian Silk Velvet Hat

Early 1900's Straw Topper. (Unusual Find)

Art Deco 1910-1919 Hat

Dorothea's Closet Vintage

Pre-Twenties Vintage

I love this sheer 1900's top! It was likely worn over a solid colored blouse.
This is a beautiful, small, victorian jacket.
Dorothea's Closet Vintage

My Vintage Nineties Look

I styled this together. It's from my shopstyle profile. I decided to use this rather plain nineties floral jumper for a group challenge, and turned it into a more feminine, retro look for a luncheon. I like some of the minimal nineties (specifically the kate moss/calvin klein look), but I'm adverse to most floral patterns. I even like gray, but for some reason this didn't work for me! So I had to girly it up a bit and I like the results ;p

My Top 2010 Spring Trends

Sheer tops, boy shorts/hot pants, futuristic (accessories), and boyfriend blazer. I can't wait for spring, I am going shopping!!

You can find more of my looks at http://www.shopstyle.com/users/jen1987

Vintage Fifties Dresses

Metallic Gold Jaquard Cocktail Dress

Dove Grey (Unusual style for the Fifties)

Fawn Wool with Mink-Trimmed Collar

Dramatic Back

Cocktail Dress

Cocktail Dress with Front Bow

Champagne-hued Tulle and Chiffon

Evening Dress

Blue Velveteen

Black and White Gingham

Party Dress

I LOVE the high-fashion party dresses from this era! Unlike some of the other eras I like, I can actually find these at many vintage shops in my hometown, Chicago. These dresses are instantly flattering and feminine, and some can still have a very modern feel to them that I like. To see more of these dresses go to Dorothea's Closet Vintage. It's a terrific site! One of my absolute favorites.