Saunders Sails Into Target

Today I was inspired to jaunt to my local Target store for a piece of the new Jonathan Saunders collection. I have been excited about the designer’s capsule ever since Target announced the latest GO International designer. For those of you who are not familiar with Target’s collaboration, GO International is a limited-time collection of women’s apparel created by up and coming fashion designers at affordable prices. Past collections have included works of Richard Chai, Alice Temperley and Proenza Schouler.

The Scottish born designer has shown his ready-to-wear collection during London Fashion Week and New York Fashion Week in recent seasons. Saunders’ appreciation for unique design has made him popular with the British fashion crowd and thankfully, he has emulated his love for bold colors and prints in his collaboration with Target. His art-inspired pieces were influenced by artists such as Mark Rothko and Gustav Klimt, as seen in some of the color blocking patterns in the knit dresses and the ombre skirts and the kaleidoscope screen tees.

The featured pictures above are of one of my favorite looks from Saunders' designs. The kaleidoscope tee is a nice length that can be worn with jeans for a casual look. In the second picture, I changed the look with a knit ponte skirt in black which is also from the collection. I am impressed with the great fit and the beautiful details of the tuxedo stripe along the sides and the high-waist with the exposed zipper. Grab these pieces of art while they are still available at a Target store in your area or on Target.com. Have fun shopping!

Fashion Week Cancelled

As it turns out, Milwaukee Fashion Week will not take place as planned. It is a real shame that we weren't able to witness a large-scale fashion event in our city. The new trendy boutiques that have opened up recently in the East Side and the Historic Third Ward are sure signs that Milwaukee is a fashion-forward city. Hopefully, the enthusiasm and the support for the event will influence the decision to postpone the event for a later date. Please view the statement on fashionbythelake.com for information regarding the refunds of the ticket purchases. How many of you were interested or purchased tickets to Milwaukee Fashion Week? Your comments are welcomed at busyfashion.blogspot.com

Calling All Milwaukee Fashionistas

The Spring 2009 Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week kicked off yesterday with exciting shows from designers, such as BCBG Max Azaria and Rag and Bone, at the tents of Bryant Park in New York City. Lucky for us here in the Brew City, Milwaukee will have their own fashion week next month, bringing experts in fashion and beauty to our beautiful town. Milwaukee Fashion Week, which will run from October 3 -6 will give designers the opportunity to showcase local talent at a national level.

The events, which will be held at the Harley-Davidson Museum and the Milwaukee Art Museum, include runway shows of Midwest designers such as Kristin Hassan from organiK Revolution and the jewelry designs of Nick and Susanne Waraksa for Wounded Line. In addition, guests will attend interactive workshops to discuss popular fashion and beauty looks. Special appearances from celebrity talent will include couture designer Gilles Montezin whose designs appeared in the movie, “Sex and the City.” Guests will also enjoy the experience of shopping at the designer boutique for the designs that will be highlighted at the shows.

For more information to purchase tickets and to obtain a schedule of the events, visit fashionbythelake.com

A Fashion Essential

As the summer heat has finally lifted and cute shorts and tank tops have their last outing, I am excited about the luxe prospects for my fall wardrobe. Upon a recent shopping excursion for some new essentials, I visited a fabulous clothing boutique, Ess Elle Style Studio, located at 191 E. Kenilworth Place. Recently named Milwaukee’s Best Women’s Clothing Boutique on WISN.com’s A-List, the shop caters to young professional women who want stylish choices at affordable prices. The local retailer offers a great selection of denim, sweaters, dresses, skirts and accessories from hot labels like Ed Hardy, Tulle, Glam, Ernest Sewn, James Jeans and many other fashionable designers.

The Eastside boutique is a new gem that I discovered right here in my city and one that I plan to become better acquainted with. I loved that the shop looked like a clothing studio with its bright lighting and soft tones on the walls. It was as if I had stepped into someone’s fabulous closet. Sophia, the sales associate who greeted me warmly, assisted me to find various outfits to wear for work or fun. I was invited to relax with a complimentary drink of water or coffee while I shopped at my leisure. I found amazing pieces, like cozy knits in beautiful teal and berry shades to pair with great jeans in boot cut or skinny styles and lovely silks to compliment high-waisted skirts. There were several handbags which caught my eye that would add a splash of color to any of the outfits.

Along with the superior customer service, Ess Elle has a small lounge area, with couches and a plasma television screen to invite their clients to shop and mingle. During my shopping experience at Ess Elle, I got the VIP treatment and I will definitely be returning soon!

Inspiration from the Olympics, Dream Big

It is finally here. The 2008 Olympics at Beijing, China began last week with a spectacular opening ceremony and a huge gathering of the world's best athletes. I have to admit that I have been hooked to the games since the Olympic torch was lit. I have been setting my DVR for the events that I can not miss. I have been impressed with their athleticism and their abilities to overcome obstacles, such as severe injuries, to make their Olympic dreams a reality.

Despite having a wrist injury, Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps won eight gold medals for all of his swimming events at Beijing. With his family cheering him on from the stands, Phelps broke the world record in four of his five individual swims. The games also presented an opportunity for the athletes to surpass their own world record, as Olympic gold medalist Natalie Coughlin proved at Beijing. The six medals she won at Beijing are the most by an American woman in any sport, breaking her record from the 2004 Olympics in Athens.

As I watched in awe, Olympic gold medalist Natsia Liukin, captured the gold medal in the all-around competition at Beijing. The young gymnast sustained ankle injury and had struggled during her training for the preparation of the 2008 Olympics. After she placed third in the Nationals in 2007, she went on to Beijing where she took home a gold medal, two silver medals and a bronze. Her medals from world championship competition has surpassed both of her parents' medals who competed in the Olympics twenty years ago.

It is unfortunate that our society sometimes suffers from ageism, but 41-year-old swimmer Dara Torres is breaking some of the old rules. The oldest Olympic medalist in the history of the Olympics, she won three silver medals at Beijing. Holding her daughter Tessa in her arms, Torres' words, after she completed the 4x100m free relay, sounded like a wonderful inspiration to anyone who has ever dreamt of achieving the impossible. Dreams have no age limit, she said smiling.