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!