MADEWELL + GIVEAWAY

Remember this? The secret Madewell shop frequented by many celebs and fashionistas in the know? Looks like the marketing team at Madewell, the laid-back collection brought to us from the folks at J. Crew, may have taken my criticism to heart!

Keira Knightley photographed with the Masai in June 2007's Vogue is wearing a Madewell shirt jacket. The parachute skirt was specifically created by Thakoon, upon the request of Vogue creative director, Grace Coddington, who wanted to complement the Madewell shirt jacket!

Established in 1937*, Madewell is hip and modern, while retaining many of the vintage elements of the original brand. The line is a favorite of celebrities such as Chloe Sevigny, Michelle Williams, Winona Ryder, Uma Thurman, and Reese Witherspoon...

...and until now, Madewell’s unique garment-dyed denim had been available in very limited quantities at Scoop and at the secret shop event mentioned above. But have no fear, a Madewell store will be opening in a permanent location in Soho at the corner of Broome and Broadway by early 2008! Visit the temporary location a few blocks away at 532 Broadway, pictured above, to scoop great holiday gifts!

Get a yummy Madewell shirt for free, by submitting a picture of yourself at or inside Madewell, or by one of the bill postings around town! Brooklyn-based DJs Kiss and Tell will be in store on December 8 and DJ Cat is hitting the turntables at Madewell on December 16. Send an e-mail** to stylechil@gmail.com including name and mailing address!

* In 1937 a great high quality workwear company was founded in New Bedford, MA named--you guessed it-- Madewell! J. Crew's CEO Millard "Mickey" Drexler discovered the name back in 2003 (before he joined the retailer) and acquired it.

** Information submitted will only be used in connection with StyleChile's giveaway and will not be distributed to any third parties. Size: medium.

Special thanks to Amie at 360i for providing the info, T-Shirt, and Vogue picture; coordinating interviews (more to come on that later); and zealously representing the brand around the clock. I received an e-mail from her very late this evening!

ERIN FETHERSTON FOR TARGET

I think I might need to create a special category just for the Target collaborations. I can hardly keep up, seems like there's a new synergy every other month! Next up, Erin Fetherston. Super cute pieces ...from corduroy jumpers, to satin headbands, to jacquard jackets, to velvet dresses...the list goes on and on!


Check out the collection here. I love and hate the pic above. It's a bit disturbing (I mean, I like frills and bows as much as the next girl, but coupled with the baby expression and those mary janes...it's more than a little Lolitaish) but cute nonetheless, no? At the very least, it captures the girlish essence of the line. A heart shaped bag? Seriously? But maybe I need to loosen up a bit--that very bag is all sold out---gosh.

Style Tip: Wear the pieces, but not like that! Ground the look with dark tights and a bob (bun or low ponytail for longer hair) and a serious leather handbag. Please don't walk around with that expression on your face and definitely don't stand around like that...unless, of course, you're into that sort of thing!

P.S. I missed the Cavalli for H&M launch (but Claire's got it documented over at the Fashion Bomb), as I was en route to my native Jamaica for the wedding of dear friends (the bride was stunning in Monique Lhuillier and the groom was smashing in a custom made Ralph Lauren) ...but, guess what? Last week, as I was standing around on line at H&M at 59th and Lex, minding my business...steady justifying the many absolutely unneccessary items that I was about to purchase, luck would have it that someone was returning 6 or 7 pieces from the line! She must have been there for a reason, right? That's no mere coincidence! I was supposed to get my hands on them...I bought them all, but I'm not that greedy. I brought some home for my sister-in-law...and offered a few pieces to others, and returned the rest

Click on the link below for vintage Style Collaborations posts! On deck: Libertine for Target.

BRIGHT TIGHTS

Colored tights are another excellent way to spice up this winter's looks. Black tights are so last year! Take a risk or two and wear orange, purple, burgundy or blue.

Arden Wohl on her way to Vogue's 7th on Sale gala at the 69th Regiment Armory...

I really like the selection of color palette tights at Anthropologie. Urban Outfitters has great color options (see their sparkle & fade opaque tights). Check out the models and celebrities in the slide below for inspiration!

Style Tip: wear with colorful shoes; metallics also look great. Black, as always, works well too!

UP IN SMOKE!

Looking for an easy way to enhance your natural beauty? Add drama and glamour to your everyday look while staying on trend with sultry smokey grey eyes! Use Sephora's smokey eye kit and step-by-step instructions, from professional makeup artist Tim Duncan, to create this alluring effect.

Sephora's smokey eye kit, $71.00 value now available on sephora.com for $42.00! Grey smokey eye by Tim Duncan Makeup.

The smokey eye kit will be the perfect stocking stuffer for the beauty obsessed on your list. Great for the fashion obsessed too...use the chic metallic case as a clutch for holiday parties and more! Tim Duncan used Sephora's smokey eye kit to achieve the look above. Check out Tim's website here! Be sure to contact her for all your makeup needs.

Smokey Eyes
Difficulty: Easy!
Time Required: 5 Minutes
Here’s How:

1. Prep the lids. Prime lids with foundation. This serves as a base for the eyeshadow. This can be done when you apply foundation to your face before applying makeup.

2. Apply light base color. The key to a smoky eye is pairing a lighter base with the darker hue*. Sweep a light, shimmery shadow over the lids to your browbone, focusing on the inner points (by your nose).

3. Apply a darker (yet complimenting) color to outer lid, starting from the middle of the lid and sweeping across to the outer lid. Use a brush to lightly blend the lighter color with the darker color where they meet in the middle of the lid.

Duwop "Gray Eyes", available at Sephora, $32.00.

4. Apply eyeliner. Apply liner above the upper lash line, drawing a thicker line in the middle. Don’t forget to apply eyeliner to the bottom lash line for a true smokey look. The key is to smudge it in to give a fuller look and less of straight line. You can also apply more dark shadow (instead of smudging) to get a full smudge look.

5. Apply Mascara to both top and bottom lashes. Apply false eyelashes for added drama!

6. You are ready to hit the town!

* Use browns, blacks, dark greens or grays to suit your taste.

Tim Duncan Tip: For a bolder look, apply more shadow. Whether bold or light, apply mascara liberally! I like the gray hues found in the palette above.

Thanks to Sephora and Coutorture for sending me the smokey eye set! Maybe, just maybe, I'll start using appropriate eye makeup brushes instead of my fingers...

STYLESTAR: BAGS BY CHILLI

Named as one of People Magazine's 50 most beautiful and a founding member of Grammy award-winning-multi-platinum girl group (with over 33 million albums sold worldwide) TLC, Chilli is quite accomplished!

She is adding to her ever expanding list of accolades and accomplishments with the launch of her company, Bags by Chilli! Inspired by her adorable son, Chilli's personalized photographic handbags affords customers the opportunity to showcase their loved ones, hobbies, artwork and their design skills!

These bags are super cute; I've already started collecting my favorite pics of niece and nephews. Keep reading for my interview with Chilli!

StyleChile: What are your fashion influences?
Chilli: I am most impressed with custom made items, like the bags that I make and I also love shoes. One of my favorite shoe designers is Giuseppe Zanotti.

StyleChile: How do you manage to stay so fashionable?
Chilli: By watching Stacey and Clinton on What Not To Wear :)

StyleChile: Tell us how we can buy Bags by Chilli!
Chilli: You can visit www.bagsbychilli.com to select the bags you want, different design options for each bag and directly upload your photo to us. Also, when you create an account you can start a wishlist so that you can give your family and friends ideas about what you would like for gifts. Christmas is right around the corner you know ...

StyleChile: How did you come up with the idea for Bags by Chilli?
Chilli: I was given bags with my son's pictures on them as a gift a few years back. I wanted more bags, with different pictures and in different sizes. Plus, people were ALWAYS asking me where I get my bag from and I got tired of not having an answer to give them. Finally I said, okay not having an answer is not cool--let me do this, let me do my own thing.

StyleChile: What types of bags do you offer?

Chilli: We have everyday bags, lunch boxes, laptop bags, small hand bags for when you are on- the-go and large handbags (when you need to carry your whole life with you) and the list goes on and on.

StyleChile: What is your target market?
Chilli: We don't really target one group. We have a large collection, something for everybody INCLUDING MEN. We have a messenger bag and an awesome toiletry bag for men. A really cute backpack and small purses for young girls/teenagers. We have a beach bag for your cruise goers, a workout bag for your health enthusiasts, a baby bag for new mommies, lunch boxes for kids and so on. We really tried to be inclusive.

StyleChile: What are your plans for Bags By Chilli in the future?
Chilli: We are going to expand our collection to offer a larger selection of shapes, materials, and design options. We are still in the development stage with those, but they are coming!!

StyleChile: Thanks Chilli!

Special thanks to Nirvana and Chilli's little sister, Justice, for making this possible! Thanks to faithful reader, Kelly, for the heads up!

TIE ONE ON!

Tie-front blouses are perfect for the office and transition well to post work fun. Guys aren't the only ones who can wear ties! I love androgyny, but am a very girly girl...take this decidedly male look and flip it with these feminine colors and silky/satiny textures. Check out my picks below.

StyleTip: These shirts look great with high waisted pencil skirts and opaque tights.

Clockwise, outer semi circle: turquoise TopShop frill sleeve blouse £25.00; purple chiffon blouse-and-sweater-vest ensemble, $990.00 at Escada; blue silk Sportmax blouse $550.00, at MaxMara; red stretch charmeuse blouse, $345.00 at Miguelina; white D&G Dolce & Gabbana sheer silk blouse, $285.00 on net-a-porter; polka dotted silk lurex blouse, $308 at Tibi. Inner semi circle: yellow silk chiffon blouse, Walter, $143.00; 201-420-1665 or at Jessie James; pink silk blouse, Walter, $130.00 at Saks; black Forever 21 satin blouse $19.80.

I really like the inexpensive and super cuter tie-front shirts at Speigel -silk charmeuse for $59.00 and Banana Republic -metallic flutter sleeve top in gold and silk lame, $49.00. Click on the label below for vintage Style Trends posts!

MAYBE I WAS ONTO SOMETHING...

Get yours before it's too late! Check out the People magazine article here.

"Blake Lively is proving to be just as much of a fashionista as her on-screen alter-ego, Serena van der Woodsen. Hitting the talk show circuit, the young star impressed the host and audience not just with her charm and poise. . .but with her fancy heels from te casan! Kelly Ripa professed her undying love for the fabulous heels and even got Blake to let her try one on! And she’s not the only one — we were beseiged by readers begging us to track them down. You don’t need to be a Gossip Girl to get your hands on your own pair of Gaetano Perrone “Diana” jeweled pumps, $375, by calling their New York City boutique, 212-584-8000 or check out their website at tecasan.com "-People Magazine

Yum! Gaetano Perrone is allegedly leaving Te Casan to join Dior (can someone please confirm or deny?). These shoes are on sale (in store) at Te Casan, for $189.00. Tell 'em I sent 'ya!

Update: These shoes are no longer on sale! Crazy what a 'lil publicity will do... Update: And like that, they're gone! Sold out.

My new favorite shoe, and Blake Lively's too? Diana jewelled ballerina pumps, designed by Gaetano Perrone for Te Casan.

Thanks for the heads up Veronica! Click on the link below for vintage Style Trends posts.

BIG RED

Because there are 62 shopping days 'till Christmas!

Be naughty and nice! Wrap yourself up in one of these darling numbers. Finally, the perfect way to wear red during Christmas without looking like Mrs. Claus. These dresses are perfect for Valentine's day too; the color, bow and length amp up the flirt factor, but the volume tones it down...

Red silk taffeta dress $275.00 on eDressMe; Christian Lacroix silk strapless mini dress $4,185.00 (yikes!) on net-a-porter; Forever 21's red tube dress is a more reasonable alternative at $22.80 (this looks exactly, ahem, suspiciously like a black H&M dress that I have! But accusing Forever 21 of copying H&M would be like the pot calling the kettle hot)!

My Pick: If a short crimson dress is too daring, check out the trench below* the flouncy ruffles and detachable belt (not pictured) echo the flavor of the dresses above. Hurry up and get yours, the price is unbeatable for a Lacroix!

Christian Lacroix "Falbala" trench for La Redoute (La Redoute, quickly becoming my go-to online shopping destination, was previously mentioned here), $299.99!

*I was too much of a coward to buy the red one, after much deliberation and polling of many of my friends, I opted for the black version. Seriously though, picture me walking up into the firm in a red trench! As much as I might like to, it's not going to happen...

Click on the link below for vintage Style Trends and Holiday Style posts!

NYC SAMPLE SALES!!!

What: Rachel Roy
Why: Up to 75 percent off leather jackets, one-shoulder dresses, wide-leg trousers, and blouses.

When: Oct. 31-Nov. 2. Wed.-Fri., noon-7 p.m.

Where: 25 W. 39th St., b/t Fifth & Sixth Aves., 14th flr.

What: Superdeluxe
Why: Decoupage glassware, letterpress cards, silk-screened gift wrap, scarves, and other items are at least 50 percent off.
When: Oct. 24-27. Wed.-Sat., 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
Where: 187 Chrystie St., b/t Stanton & Rivington Sts. (212-260-8300).

What: Tufi Duek

Why: Sexy dresses were $495-$950, now $95-$200; tops, were $220-$500, now $50-$120; shoes, were $280-$500, now $95-$120.

When: Oct. 23-25. Tues.-Thurs., 9:30 a.m.-7 p.m.

Where: 530 Broadway, at Spring St., 10th flr. (212-925-8277).

What: Multidesigner Sample Sale

Why: Galliano, Costume National, Just Cavalli, GF Ferre, and Malo clothing and accessories for men and women at up to 80 percent off.

When: Oct. 22-28. Mon.-Sat., 11 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sun., 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Where: 17 Battery Pl. S., b/t West Side Hwy. & Washington St., 5th flr. (212-413-4421).

What: Bonpoint
Why: kids need good deals, too. Baby overalls are $52; dresses are $76; boy shirts are $45.
When: Oct. 23-26. Tues.-Thurs., 9 a.m.-6:30 p.m.; Fri., 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Where: 317 W. 33rd St., b/t Eighth & Ninth
Aves. (718-747-1656).

What: Elie Tahari
Why: Men’s and women’s leather jackets, were $798-$1,398, now $349-$399; sweaters, were $248-$548, now $79-$99.
When: Oct. 23-27. Tues.-Fri., 8:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Where: 510 Fifth Ave., at 43rd St., ground flr. (212-398-2622).

What: Chaiken
Why: Luxe winter coats, were $700, now $275; pants, were $250, now $100; sweaters, were $498, now $150.
When: Oct. 23-26. Tues., 10 a.m.-7 p.m.;
Wed., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Thurs., 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Fri., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Where: 261 W. 36th St., b/t Seventh & Eighth Aves., 2nd flr. (212-947-8748).