Très Awesome: February 2011

2/28/11

Chicago Gets It's Very Own Fashion Reality Series

So You Wanna Be a Designer is an online fashion reality series that will be hosted by another leggy, blond former model in the form of Debbie Jagel, who is also the founder of Ootra boutique.

The show will expose six selected contestants to top designers, stylists and photographers as they learn the ins and outs of the fashion business and compete for a grand prize of $20,000 and a Kenmore Elite laundry washer and dryer. The series will run on facebook for 8 consecutive weeks and be filmed at Kenmore Live Studios at 678 N. Wells Street.

It's not too late to get in on the action and compete for a chance to win all the money and have extremely clean clothes. Visit Kenmore's facebook page to apply. The casting call goes until March 4, so you better get a move on.

Accessorizing with a Toothpick

This man exemplifies what I love about street style fashion. His outfit is perfectly fine, but certainly not a standout. It's his comfort, confidence and ease in his clothes and skin that make him look incredibly unique and interesting. That and the fact that he's using a toothpick as an accessory! Also, if you look closely you can see that he is wearing a jean blazer underneath that leather jacket. Which makes a certified jean on jean situation known in some circles as the Canadian Tuxedo.

2/27/11

Radical Vintage Boutique Kokorokoko Turns 2

What do you get when you mix insano vintage party gear, a boot shaped pinata and a two year old's birthday party? The Kokorokoko 2 year anniversary bash. In case you haven't heard Kokorokoko is a vintage boutique located at 1112 N. Ashland Ave in Chicago. The party started at the shop with the culmination of their $2 dollar sale, then people headed over to the Defibrillator Performance Art Gallery for a dance party and some pinata bashing action. DJ Jeans Shorts and co-owner Ross Kelley of the band Brilliant Pebbles kept the jamz coming. Delicious delectables were provided by Curiouser and Curiouser Bakery.

Check out photographer Mathew Stephen's fabulous shots of all the fashion mayhem.

Also see all the snaps Trés Awesome took at the event on facebook

Co-owner Sasha Hodges takes a swing.

Going in for the loot. You're never to old to go gaga over a newly busted open pinata.

2/25/11

Ven in Yellow

2/23/11

Yumi Downtown

Yumi is a fellow art director at Leo Burnett and always looks incredible when I see her walking through the halls. This outfit is obviously no exception. She's wearing Balenciaga Boots, Bottega Venetaa frames, Junya Watanabe shirt and a scarf made by her grandmother. Sweet and chic!

Kira in a White Puff Ball Hat

How cute is this white puff ball hat!? I love how it matches her white socks. The fact that she's wearing them over the leggings with these lace up loafers is unusual and fabulous.

Kate on Milwaukee Avenue

Kate looks like a million bucks in this simple trench and Minnetonka Moccasins

2/22/11

Alan on State Street

Alan is a student at the Art Institute. I caught him hanging around the state street dorms this unusually warm Saturday.

Jena in Wicker Park

Jena looks like she's just left the set of an American Apparel shoot, perhaps this is because she's wearing AA head-to-toe. I love seeing her tattoo peeking out of her stockings.

Editors Note:
Thanks to a helpful reader "who actually knows this babe" I've learned that Jena is a shop girl at American Apparel. Which makes a lot of sense in light of her single brand devotion.

2/21/11

Puffer Coats

It wouldn't be winter in Chicago without the ubiquitous Puffer Jacket. Here are three examples of women who have accesorized to bring some life to this basic winter staple.

Jazmine is a stylist at Akira on North Avenue in Wicker Park. She looks spectacular in this simple ensemble that she's dressed up with a couple choice accessories. See more photos I took of Jazmine on Garmental

Jacklyn is wearing pretty much the same outfit as the woman standing behind her but has broken the mold with her hot pink matching stockings and lipstick and towering purple shoes. Good work bringing some life to those cold Chicago streets.

Enitan is also a Stylist at Akira on North Avenue. The dramatic collar on this puffer jacket and gold zipper takes it out of the ordinary. The collar looks incredibly elegant with her side bun and beret.

Mia LeBlon Video Shoot

Mia LeBlon is a Chicago musician of the singer/songwriter neo-soul varietal. This weekend while filming her new music video for the song "Love Strikes Twice'. She stepped away from the green screen for a moment to pose for this white hot photo in the South Side warehouse where they were shooting.

Singing in the Rain!

It was a cold and rainy Sunday here in Chicago, but that didn't stop people from being out and about with their bright and beautiful umbrellas.

2/19/11

Elle in Bucktown

Elle is a manager at Intermix in Bucktown. She looks stunning in this interesting mix of black and browns set off with her Rag and Bone bright red pants. She's wearing a Givenchy Bag, Ash Shoes and Veda Jacket all from Intermix of course!

Nicholas in Wicker Park

I love his bright purple shirt surrounded by all the neutrals. Trés chic!

2/17/11

Marissa of Helen Yi in Bucktown


Marrisa is the fashion director at the eponymous shop Helen Yi at 1645 N. Damen in Bucktown. She looks absolutely divine in this mix of old and new. She's wearing a vintage Fox chevron fur coat from the 70's, Albertus Swanepoel for Stetson hat, vintage clutch from the 80's and Halston Grey Booties (which are available now at the shop). If you haven't already visited Helen Yi, go immediately! It's a must for any serious Chicago fashionista.

George on Rush Street

2/16/11

The Shop Girls and Boys of Marc Jacobs

I popped into Marc by Marc Jacobs Chicago Bucktown location this weekend and couldn't resist pulling all the lovely looking employees out onto the street for a photo op.

I love Dawn's look. It's unusual and elegant, which is to say, very Marc Jacobs. The stand out pieces are this beautiful Marc Jacobs collection skirt, the lace up Marc by Marc Jacobs booties, and the Red Fox hand-made Michigan Fur hat.


Jason looks outrageously handsome in this ensemble. I love the layered scarves and the metal detailing on the lapels of the jacket. The driving gloves push this look over the edge into Awesome Town (population: him).

Kimberly is looking very Taylor Momsen(circa Gossip Girl season 3) with her mega long blond locks and rocker Sam Edelman Zoe Boots. She is wearing a Marc by Marc Jacobs romper, leather blazer and scarf.

And just in case you haven't head, it's Fashion Week in New York City. The Marc Jacobs Fall collection was shown yesterday to much fanfare. It's beautiful, interesting and heavy on the polka dots. Check out The Sartorialist's photos of the Marc Jacobs Fall 2011 runway show here.

2/14/11

Daniel in Wicker Park

Daniel works at Akira on North Avenue and looks drop dead gorgeous in this striking and weird ensemble.

The Devil's in the Details

Ambush Design "I am not alone ring"

Cynthia Rowley Bow

Anastasia Chatzka Dress

2/13/11

Paul in the Gold Coast

Shop Girl: Lau at Cynthia Rowley

Lau is a shop girl at Cynthia Rowley at the Chicago store on Damen Avenue. This leather dress, polka dot tights and grey heels all look pretty freaking amazing on her and it's all by Cynthia Rowley (duh!). I love that she's wearing this glam look without a lick of makeup.

These are all last seasons looks. But you can take a look at Spring 2011 when Amy Creyer of Chicago Street Style Scene styles the new season at a private event at the Bucktown store on Febuary 24, from 6:30 - 8:30 pm. Matt Kasin of The Gaudy God will also be there doing blingtastic nailz. So bring your am-ex and a positive attitude, cuz it's gonna be a party.