Life & Style News

Milwaukee has a lot of “fashion” shows, but as I’ve written before, only a few showcase Milwaukee-made designs. And leading the pack are Mount Mary’s student designers who annually take to the runway to showcase their collections and separates. The CREO show, this year dubbed “Pulse”, is a consistent delight and last Friday’s shows were no different. Around 1:30, crowds filed into the Harley-Davidson Museum, its open floor filled with chairs surrounding one long U-shaped runway. Friends of Fashion, a group that supports the University’s historic costume collection, filtered in, grabbing their VIP seats. Some wore matching sequined hats. Then…

This story warrants a personal anecdote so bear with me. This morning I sprinted from my apartment to my car, and then raced through construction-heavy traffic to get to work in time for an 8 a.m. photo shoot. I had to forgo coffee (which never happens) and I had even less time for makeup. But later this morning, as I washed my hands in the office bathroom’s sink, I glanced at myself in the mirror, half expecting to cringe. To my surprise, my face looked warm, my cheeks were slightly flushed. Huh, I thought, given the lack of help from…

Molly Rasmussen appeared on my radar via Twitter. She tweeted at me one day probably more than a year ago, so I took a spin around her blog. It didn’t take long for me to love it. Her blog, Heart of a Blonde, showcases her style, which I like to think of as California prep. It’s ladylike with a touch of bohemian, and her clothes game is doing Milwaukee proud. Claire Hanan: When did you start your blog and, when you started it, how did you anticipate it would be received? Molly Rasmussen: I started my blog in November of…

A blue and black printed blouse with snaps. Images courtesy of Accessible Wear. For people with disabilities, clothes shopping can be an especially trying task. One local shop, whose grand opening is Sept. 19, is trying to change that. Accessible Wear (11045 W. National Ave., West Allis) sells clothes specifically for those with special needs. And plenty of the clothes offer one of the most important, yet seemingly simple, facets: An easy way to get the clothes on and off. “We began looking for easy-to-use and fashionable clothing items after seeing the frustration of a family member who struggled to…

If you’re serious about following the trends and changing palettes of contemporary designers, it’s best to, at least, peruse the international shows. And that’s why we’re bringing you live-streaming video of the London shows, which kick off today. A full schedule of shows can be found here. Who am I looking forward to?Erdem (always), Mary Katrantzou and, of course, Tom Ford. Video courtesy of Rightster. Images courtesy of Shutterstock.

Image courtesy of Third Coast Style.  Patrice Procopio’s Water Street store, Third Coast Style (514 N. Water St.), opens Saturday, Sept. 7. At a media preview Thursday evening, I got to take a look at the wares from more than 30 local clothing, accessories and jewelry designers featured in the store, as well as art by one inspiring 17-year-old. I also got a sneak peek at the single chair, in-store salon.  Procopio, an artist herself, opened the store to give local designers and artists a platform to which they might not otherwise have access. And based on the response from…

It’s that time of the year that more and more fashion industry types are coming to dread. Nevertheless, it’s also the time to see the latest from America’s best designers. And now, you can get the full hustle and bustle of the Lincoln Center tents right from the comfort of your Milwaukee desktop. Trust me, it’s probably the most comfortable way to enjoy fashion week. We’ll be streaming the shows from today until Sept. 12, and a full schedule of shows can be found here. Enjoy! Video courtesy of Mercedes Benz Fashion Week and Rightster. Images via Shutterstock.

The latest designer collaboration for Kohl’s is moody and Parisian.