Thursday, December 13, 2012

ROCK THE HOLIDAYS AT THE MARTY CASEY SILVER ELEMENTS COLLECTION’S DECEMBER TRUNK SHOW


By Denise O'Handley

Designers Marty Casey and Marla Zegart of The Marty Casey Silver Elements Collection, will host an exclusive trunk show at its Made in Chicago boutique located in the AIBI building at 44 E. Grand Ave., Chicago, on Saturday, December 22 from 6 pm to 9 pm.

Fusing fashion and music, the complimentary event will offer a backstage pass to the current collections featuring sculptural silver jewelry, artistic scarves and chic leather bags, as well as a special acoustic rock and roll performance by Casey, who also is known as the lead singer for Chicago’s own Lovehammers.  A portion of the proceeds from each sale supports the Marty Casey Elements of Nature Fund that helps plant trees in conjunction with the American Forest “Global Releaf” ecosystem restoration projects (www.americanforests.org).

For more information about the event, contact Made in Chicago at 312-836-1041 or visit www.silverelementscollection.com.

Thursday, December 6, 2012

A FASHION WONDERLAND

FGI-Chicago Hosts its Annual Meeting & Holiday Party at Made in Chicago

By Denise O’Handley

Our friends at AIBI hosted a festive and fashionable celebration on Tuesday, December 4th for FGI-Chicago’s Annual Meeting & Holiday Party at their newly opened Made in Chicago shop featuring 16 boutique collections by talented Chicago designers.   Guests enjoyed exploring each of the boutique rooms, shopping for Holiday gifts –and themselves – and tasting cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, while catching up with old and new friends alike.

If you missed the event, be sure to make Made in Chicago a Holiday shopping destination this season and choose a gift that represents a bit of sweet home Chicago for the fashionista on your list.   A diverse and chic selection of apparel and accessory items are offered for women, men and children.  Some of the items that caught my eye are featured below.

Made in Chicago is located in the AIBI building at 44 E. Grand Avenue.  The store is open Monday thru Friday from 10 am to 7 pm and Sundays 10 am to 6 pm. 

From the Marty Casey Silver Elements Collection, this sexy Flame necklace is Rock and Roll chic and inspired by Marty’s lyrics to “Set Fire.”  The pendant is enhanced with an infinity blade and designed in a two-toned silver on a 19” beaded, double stranded chain.  $150



Circa 1856’s AM’s Locket Necklace is a sure stocking stuffer pleaser.  The necklace is created from three separate vintage pieces including a gold filled locket engraved with the initial “AM” from the 1920’s, a partial mesh late Victorian fob, and a clasp made from a fob dating back to the late 1880’s.  The chain is modern gold-filled box chain.  $155


For the stylish man on your list, visit Anastasia Chatzka’s boutique and pick up a bow tie and suspenders set.  Sold separately, the bow tie shown is $38 and the suspenders are $35.


Elda de la Rosa has designed gifts for the ages with her beautiful handmade silk flower pins that are both great statement pieces and gifts.  Prices range from $25 - $65.



To wrap up that perfect gift, EcoWrap has created a whimsical collection of “Chicago Small Bow Bags” that come in red, green and blue.  Sold for $16.99 each, they are the ideal eco-friendly way to wrap small gifts.