October Events

It's hard to believe October is almost here! We have so many amazing events coming up in October that we are so excited for...including the Macy's CFI Fashion show where the KBO Spring 2011 collection will be revealed on the runway!

Check out the list below for all the details and dates about each event.

Pretty in Pilsen

What: The 2nd Friday of every month, shop your favorites including: Kate Boggiano, Objets d’Envy jewelry, ColeHaddon Showroom, Jess Audey and Anna Hovet.
Where: 2150 S. Canalport Ave, 3rd and 4th floors, Chicago, IL 60608
When: Friday, October 8th, 2010, 5:30-8pm

Get a jump start on Holiday shopping for everyone on your list, including you! Shop great dresses, jackets, blouses, jewelry and more from these Chicago studios for all your Holiday events!

Chicago Designer Trunk Show Benefiting BRIGHT PINK | Breast Cancer Month

What: 11 Chicago designers (clothing, jewelry, handbags, accessories) will have Fall merchandise for sale with proceeds benefiting Bright Pink's Educational and Support Programs.
Where: The Affinia Hotel - Chicago, 166 E. Superior, 2nd Floor Superior Room, Chicago, IL
When: Tuesday, October 12th, 2010, 5:30-8:30pm

Please join Chicago designers as they come together for a special Trunk Show during October's Breast Cancer Awareness Month with proceeds benefiting BRIGHT PINK - national Brea st & Ovarian Cancer Charity [bebrightpink.org]

FREE: Entry, Appetizers & your first drink is FREE! Open to the Public!

Participating Designers:
jules. | Marisa Swystun | C/Fan | Kate Boggiano | Love, Lulu Mae | Brynn Capella | Nonnie Threads | Miriam Cecelia | Anna Hovet | Zamrie | Paoo

A very special thanks to our sponsors: The Affinia Hotel & Chicago Collection Magazine!

RSVP: info@shopjules.com

Pilsen open studio

What: An open studio day where you can shop and peruse the artist and designer studios at 2150 S. Canalport Ave.
Where: 2150 S. Canalport Ave, in Pilsen, Chicago IL 60608
When: October 16-17, 2010

Macy's CFI fashion show

What: A runway show featuring Kate Boggiano and other great Chicago designers!
Where: Millennium Park Tent
When: Tuesday, October 19th, 2010, 6pm-9pm

Enjoy cocktails and watch Kate Boggiano's Spring 2011 collection strut down the runway!

AIDS Fashion Show

What: A runway show with Kate Boggiano and other great designers, all to benefit a great cause!
Where: River East Art Center, 435 E. Illinois St., from 7-10pm
When: Thursday, October 21st, 2010

A Night of Fashion, Cocktails and Advocacy Hosted by the AIDS Foundation of Chicago’s Junior Board Encourages Young Adults to Get Tested in Lead-up to National HIV Testing Day

Style Chicago shopping event in the tents

What: A shopping event featuring Kate Boggiano and other great designers!
Where: TBA, check back for details!
When: October 23rd, 2010, 10am-6pm

Fun Fashion Fact of the Day:

Elizabeth I loved hats so much that she made it mandatory for all fem ales over the age of 7 to wear a hat on Sundays and holidays. Anyone who refused to do so was stiffly fined.

Who doesn't love a good hat when the occasion is fitting (ahem the Kentucky Derby *see below*)? Personally, though, I would prefer crowns and tiaras if the absurd tyranny of the hat law was in place today.

Essentials: The White Shirt

A great white shirt is as essential for every woman as a ponytail on a bad hair day. A white shirt is a great way to experiment with new and interesting styles while using a wardrobe favorite as a base.

Here are some different styling options to make Kate Boggiano's white, pleated Anne blouse feel new every time you wear it.

1. The Bohemian: Madewell Feather Print Skirt, shopbop.com; Sequin Scarf, toryburch.com; Martingale Boots, anthropologie.com

2. The Minimalist: Polyester High-Waisted Pleated Pants in stone, americanapparel.com; BC Footwear Anchors Aweigh Oxfords, endless.com; Rebecca Minkoff mini satchel in moss, endless.com

3. The Romantic: 1952 Skirt, anthropologie.com; Silk Droplets Necklace, anthropologie.com; Sweeping Stitch Heels in black, anthropologie.com

4. The Prep: Mini plaid pants, jcrew.com; Jackie Cardigan in olive, jcrew.com; Cole Haan Air Bandon Ballet Flat

Visit kateboggiano.com for the Anne blouse as well as other amazing white shirts and blouses to add to your closet. Just like with shoes, you can never have too many white blouses.

Halloween 2010!

With Halloween a little over a month away, now's a great time to start brainstorming for costume ideas.

Here's 3 great (and easy!) ideas for a DIY 2010 costume:

1. 2010 introduced us to a new type of pop-star, no longer feinging the innocence of teenage Britney Spears. Hello, Kesha. She certainly doesn't play be the rules and doesn't care what anyone thinks. She can't sing. She can't dance. And she loves garbage bags? For a super easy DIY costume try imitating Kesha's trashy chic attire by wearing non other than a garbage bag. Cut it, pin it, belt it, whatever you want in the shape of a tube dress to copy her VMA style. Re-create that messy slept in hair and smudgy eye-makeup look, add sky heels, and your costume is complete.

2. Spring 2011 is heavily influenced by 60s and 70s fashion...mod minis and eyeliner to boot. Stay on trend with a 60s or 70s influenced costume. Pick a simple silhoutted dress from your closet, play with dark black liner, keep your hair straight and parted down the middle, and add cute wedges.

3. Denim and chambray were a key trend this spring and summer, so why not carry that over into a halloween costume? For a cute western girl costume, pair your denim shirt with denim shorts of a different shade. Keep your makeup simple, braid your hair to the side, and try with a chunky belt and cowboy styled boots, for a simple non-gimicky take on the cowgirl costume.

Have fun with your costume! It's not every day we get to dress up in a crazy fun outfit and go to a party with people dressed in likewise fun and crazy outfits and eat candy corn. Soak it all in, candy and all.

Kate's back from Coterie today!

KBO's Look of the Day: Easy Weekend Style

We all feel the occasional desire to be lazy and dress lazily on the weekends. But there is no reason to go out looking like a hot mess just for the sake of comfort.

Here are our tips for staying stylish yet relaxed for easy weekend style:

1. A great pair of black leggings. They're stretchy and so much comfier than jeans.

2. A layering tank top in a bright color. This can really dress up jeans or leggings and a simple blazer or jacket.

3. A simple button down tunic. So easy to wear over leggings and is sure to make your look instantly feel polished.

4. A cozy knit sweater. KBO's ruffle neck Veronica is a great option.

These must-haves will carry you through the hazy, lazy days of fall and winter while keeping you looking and feeling great!

Kate's at Coterie in NYC till Thursday, showing the Spring 2011 line. Hopefully all good things!

KBO During Fashion Week

Dun dun dun...if you've been anywhere near a computer/newspaper/tv...basically not living under a rock, you know that it is New York Fashion Week right now!

It's been so fun to follow the new season trends for Spring 2011. Here's a few we've been noticing: shades of coral and tangerine, chambray and denim, and print mixing.

With the end of Fashion Week approaching, Coterie is nearing. Coterie is the trade show that occurs after fashion week where designers showcase their collection for buyers across the country to see and place orders for.

Kate is off to Coterie on Monday to show the Spring 2011 collection which looks amazing and has hit a few of the key trends of the season without even trying...hmmm.

We hope the buyers love the collection say KBO can be available in more stores across the country!

Fun Fashion Fact of the Day:

High-maintenance hostage: Designer Karl Lagerfeld was almost the victim of a kidnapping that was part of an elaborate group called RAF or Red Army Faction which was a German gang. Throughout the 1970’s and 1980’s they terrorized Germany with kidnappings, bank robberies, and murders. Their plans were to kidnapp Karl Lagerfeld for ransom and use the money to buy cars and weapons.

Yikes! Glad that catastrophe was avoided.

Fashion History...A look back at Breakfast at Tiffany's

In the spirit of Fashion Week and all the wonderful new trends, styles, and fashions that will be showcased in the coming days, we thought we'd pay tribute to a movie that started a fashion revolution.

Breakfast at Tiffany's is one of those iconic movies that has maintained popularity through the years. To this day, women want to emulate Audrey Hepburn's effortless look from that opening scene, coffee and croissant in hand, dressed in a sleeveless black dress, pearls, and big sunglasses gazing in the Tiffany's window.

Here's a look back at the fashion history of Breakfast at Tiffany's:

"Audrey Hepburn's clothes in this film were designed by her great friend, Hubert de Givenchy. Their partnership (she remained his muse throughout his career) redefined both movie wardrobes and standards of beauty, as he said, 'There is not a woman alive who does not dream of looking like Audrey Hepburn.' Not only would Hepburn's pared down wardrobe and her streaked beehive be imitated worldwide, and 'Moon River' become a standard, but pounds and pet stores alike were innundated for requests for orange tabby cats. As the author of Audrey Style asserts, 'Felines aside, the Hepburn Givenchy partnership reached the apogee of rafine elegance as Holly Golightly's hangover chic caused a run on triple strand faux pearl necklaces, sleeveless dresses and oversized dark sunglasses that continues to this day.' It's hard to believe that the costumes were not even nominated for an Oscar, the prize going to West Side Story." (via http://www.moviediva.com/MD_root/reviewpages/MDBreakfastatTiffanys.htm)














The Rosalie dress (above) in black is a perfect option for effortless style. Just add shades and you'll have everyone in awe of your amazing style!

Rosalie just went on sale on kateboggiano.com! 55% off...snatch one up before they disappear!

New trends are great and exciting, but it's also nice to have a beautiful go-to outfit that captures effortless style--something you can just slip on and instantly look and feel great, a la Audrey.

In her own words: "My look is attainable. Women can look like Audrey Hepburn by flipping out their hair, buying the large sunglasses, and the little sleeveless dresses."

Easy advice to follow.

Cupcake Wine!

“Cupcake Vineyards works hard to craft wines that reward the drinker. This wine embodies a grown up treat!”

Look no further than Cupcake wines for the perfect bottle to bring to a dinner party or enjoy with friends at home. It's good and cheap and is named "Cupcake." There is nothing not to like about this wine.

Look for it at Binny's or your local convenience store. A definite crowd pleaser.







Also, don't forget that today is the last day for 10% off fall purchases + a free tank top on kateboggiano.com! Check out the amazing new collection and save by ordering today. Use code FALL2010 at checkout.

KBO's Look of the Day

We're so excited that fall has finally arrived. New season means new clothes and fun new trends. What more could a girl ask for?

Here is our pick for "Look of the Day-Fall Forward."

Since this is still a transitional time, with warm days and cooler nights, we recommend light layers (there will be PLENTY of time for heavy layering and giant coats later...brrr.)

Try the Diana paired with great flats and slim work pants for daytime and your favorite pair of boots for fall evening chic! The vegan leather piping really makes this wrap shirt a stand-out piece.




















Add a tank underneath for more coverage.

Voila, the perfect fall outfit!

Celebrate Fashion's Night Out in Pilsen!

This Friday, September 10th, celebrate Fashion's Night Out with your favorite Chicago designers! The weather is starting to change which means it's time to fall forward with a first look at the new season's trends.

Wrap up in cozy knits, great jackets, beautiful dresses, and all the essentials to revamp your fall wardrobe. Plus, enjoy easy, stress-free shopping with the designers themselves.

Kick off a stylish fall and a fun Fashion's Night Out with Kate Boggiano, Objets d'Envy, Cole Haddon Showroom, Jess Audet, and Anna Hovet.

Join us at: 2150 S. Canalport Ave, 3rd and 4th floors from 5:30-8:30pm this Friday for tons of fashion fun!

Visit the Pretty in Pilsen website at www.prettyinpilsen.com.

Can't wait to see you there!

What to Wear: Date Night

Whether you're just going out with your lovey hubby or on an exciting (and mildly terrifying) date with a new guy, Kate Boggiano has got the perfect knock 'em dead outfit for you (not literally...no date could be that bad...)!

The Isabella dress is a perfect option for a night out. Plus, it's super comfy! Add a great belt and stilettos and your date won't be able to resist.





















Hairstyle how-to: Touchable tousles. An easy step-by-step guide for beautiful hair to match your beautiful Isabella dress.
http://news.instyle.com/photo-gallery/?postgallery=24769#4

Summer Sendoff--SALE!

While the time is coming to bid summer farewell, it's not quite time for the official sendoff of summer fashions.

Because...

Amazing deals are happening now!

So indulge that inner warm weather goddess and shop the season-end markdowns at KateBoggiano.com for all your summer favorites at unbelievable prices.

Have a splurge you've been mulling over all summer? Now's the time to take the plunge before your favorite pieces go into hibernation.

And, if you're in the Chicago area, don't forget to check out Pretty in Pilsen--Friday, September 10th for a relaxing experience shopping end of summer markdowns as well as the new fall collection, without the hustle and bustle of big stores!

Personal sale favorite is the Sophie Silk Ruffle Tank. The bright cobalt color and beautiful ruffle neckline make this so cute to wear under a jacket for cooler days.
















FFF of the Day: An item of clothing is considered vintage if it dates back from 1920 to 1960. Anything after this date is considered retro.

Fun Fall Activity

With fall fast approaching, there's a slew of fun fall activities to enjoy, along with some much needed cooler weather. A visit to an apple orchard is a great day trip. At many orchards, sample homemade goodies like caramel apples, apple cider, apple pie, apple donuts, and anything you can dream up with apples...yummy!

Check out this nifty site http://www.allaboutapples.com/orchard/ to find an orchard near you.

Pack a car full of your girlfriends or take a romantic drive with the boyfriend or hubby for an easy, fun getaway. Pump up some tunes, enjoy the drive, and stuff yourself as full of fresh apples and apple treats as possible.

Bonus: find an orchard with the oh-so-delicious and more difficult to find honeycrisp apples. If you haven't had a honeycrisp, you are missing out on the tastiest apples in existence.

Behind the scenes of Kate Boggiano...Meet Amy!

In fashion, so much of the work occurs behind the scenes, like a movie, where only the finished product receives recognition and notice.. Long hours, late nights, weekends, all working towards the finished product while keeping all aspects of the business running smoothly.

Amy, Assistant Designer/Production and Accounting Associate, is responsible for a lot of the behind the scenes work here at Kate Boggiano (as evident by her multiple titles).

Here's an inside look at Amy's day-to-day responsibilities as well as her KBO favorites!

What's your job like on a daily basis?
Checking in garments from the factory, preparing production, accounting tasks, some customer service, ship customer orders, help Kate with anything, and whatever else comes up. (phew what a mouthful)

Favorite trend for Fall?
Ruffles (of course) :)

Favorite KBO piece right now?
Maggie jacket

Where would you wear the Maggie?

On a Fall outing like an apple orchard or pumpkin patch.


Fun Amy fact: She just got married two weeks ago, amidst shipping crazy fall orders. Congrats Amy!

KBO's September Loves

Ah...September, a month of transition from flowy sundresses and sandals to cozy sweaters and boots.

These are our 4 Loves to carry you through September and onward through fall and winter.

1. A Wear Everywhere Jacket: Throw this on over a summer dress, over shorts, with jeans, to the office, etc. You'll wear this jacket to death, so don't be afraid to splurge.
We love Maggie in tweed or black. Ruffles + vegan leather piping + cropped silhouette = the recipe for the perfect jacket.




















2. An awesome pair of boots: Perfect to wear in September with a simple dress and sweater. Peruse the sale section of endless.com for hours of entertainment and some really great finds.

3. A go-to belt: Perfect for cinching sweaters and knit dresses to show off your shape!
This belt from KBO has a stretchy back for comfort.
















4. Black Leggings: A great pair of black leggings is a wardrobe necessity. Wear them now with cute ballet flats and a great tunic like the Natalie for an instant polished look. Accessorize with an interesting necklace for personal flair.
KBO's designer leggings are one-size, super stretchy, comfy, and won't sag at the knees.


Stay tuned for more tips, fun, fashion, and happenings at Kate Boggiano!