The Summer Solstice party at the Cleveland Museum of Art on June 20, was not only a celebration of the arts – featuring the unveiling of the Museum’s new East Wing, but also a chance for hundreds of people to attend a party.  Cocktails flowed as guests mingled and enjoyed the various entertainment throughout the evening that included a Jazz band and a DJ from New York City who spun Bhangra infused electronica to a revved-up crowd.  In the style department the majority of the attendees disappointed in uber-casual shorts, t’shirts, cropped pants, and breezy daytime sundresses – which is quite appalling actually for an event that took place after-five.  However, the stylish couple here impressed that Clevelanders certainly deserve a spot on the style map.  Casey Burry  and  her significant other Ike Karipides, Cleveland transplants from New York  City, injected a city chic vibe to the event donning summer cocktail attire that was altogether eye catching, enviable, and well-styled.

Casey, President of Tagua, a line of organic handcrafted jewelry and handbags from South America, sashayed through the fete in a champagne toned silk frock by Elia Abuchaibe for Tagua that was embellished with over-sized baubles and coppery disks.  Casey topped the whole look with a shrunken lightly quilted and shortsleeved black vintage jacket and punctuated her whole look with perforated black closed toe t-strap custom-made tango shoes that added a truly unique close to the entire look.  Accessories?  Beautiful antique-like chandelier earrings from Mexico and a vintage handbag.  Casey’s look is a melange of old and new, custom-made and store bought,  so, when she seeks a fabulous new find in Cleveland she can’t help but to dip into Saks Fifth Avenue at Beachwood Place to examine the potential wares.  Those interested in checking out Tagua’s stylish wares should log onto: www.tagualife.com. 

Ike looked fresh for summer in cherry red linen Ralph Lauren trousers topped with a modernized Etro seersucker jacket – that was cut slimmer than the classic counterpoint  creating  Euro-chic appeal. Ike’s white shirt was custom-made in Singapore and his shoes were cognac colored TOD’s driving mocs that kept the whole look in perspective.  Ike’s eclectic wardrobe and style,  has been cultivated as a result of travel abroad, however he has found some agreeable pieces at retailers like Kilgore Trout in Eaton Collection (Chagrin Blvd.) and at Cuffs in downtown Chagrin Falls.  Check these retailers out for some fashionable, yet classic essentials.

So Akron, Cleveland, Canton, WHOEVER, take a few hints from this stylish couple:

1. Don’t “Play it safe” – forgo your favorite denim and wear a pair of pants like Ike in a fun color – keep everything else relatively neutral.

2. Save up a little for a on-of-a-kind custom-made piece like Casey’s fabulous Tango shoes – you’re sure to get compliments

3. Dress up!  Even if you’re just going out to dinner it’s nice to throw on some extra-special – You’ll feel better if you look better and you may even earn a compliment or two.

4. Head to a vintage shop or website (check out my examiner page for a list of good sites) and purchase a unique piece that will help you stand out. 

If any of you out there feel that your style deserves to be featured on my Ohio.com or Examiner.com page please send me a picture and you just might end up another Akron/Cleveland Style Setter!

I am always up for a party… Mostly because I like a good cocktail every now and again (more NOW than again) and of course because I like to get dressed up.  So, when I heard that my very own hometown was having a Fash Bash, called Fashion Rocks Akron, hosted by the new downtown boutique Noto my interested was piqued.  The festa and show take place on Saturday, April 4.  Be at the WE Gallery on North High Street by 7:00p and you’re promised a good time that begins with a performance by the artist “Zach”,  then moves into a high-energy fashion show, and continues into the evening with a chic after-party full of signature “Notinis”, vino, and tunes by the feature band “Travelogue”. 

Why introduce Akron to fashion right now?  Well according to Lauren Ward, owner of Noto and organizer of Fashion Rocks Akron, “There hasn’t been a more perfect time to bring fashion to downtown Akron.”  Ward feels that the previously fledgling Akron fashion “scene” makes locals in the community all that more excited for a new independent boutique. 

Ward whose fashion pedigree includes an Associates Degree in Marketing and Merchandising from The University of Akron and oodles of retail experience is very optimistic about Akronites embracing her new boutique calling Akron, “A very modern and cutting-edge city” who will appreciate the brands that she carries and the reasonable and low price points.

So what about the catwalk?  25 different looks will sashay down the runway on models who Ward says, ” represent the diversity of women living in this city” and who are there to show off the Cali-casual looks that Ward, who describes her personal style “eclectic”  is partial to.   Brands that comprise the boutique stock and that will be rocked out on the runway include: Lush Clothing, Mystree, and Collective Concepts.  Ward is also into vintage and ultra-fem looks, and carries a small sampling of retro/gently worn pieces as well.  Decide once you get to the show that you don’t really like your chosen ensemble? Well,  just buy one of your favorites from the show!  Everything that stalks down the catwalk April 4 is available for immediate purchase… Simply snip the tag, shimmy in, and you’ll be done up Noto-style.

Want more info on the show and party that is sure to bring out Akron’s most sociable in their favorite fashion finery?  Visit www.zelionoto.com or www.fashionrocksakron.com where tickets are available for purchase.  Don’t forget your (stylish… think strappy gladiators) dancing shoes!  Can’t make it to the show?  Head downtown and visit Lauren in her boutique located at 19 Maiden Lane OR visit the website where items are available for purchase.  Rock on!

Besides always wanting the latest and greatest skirt, pants, blouse, tee, shoe, etc.  I also like to keep up with the latest make-up trends, and pride myself on my collection of highly pigmented eye shadows, blush, and lipsticks by my favorite product line MAC Cosmetics.  I was first introduced to MAC in college when I friend told me it was the best product on the market.  So, on a super shopping-extravaganza Saturday, we travelled to Columbus and I was introduced to the myriad of colors and SUPER knowledgeable staff who aren’t just sales people, they are artists – pure and simple.  These make-up gurus understand how to compliment the shape of one’s eye, contour the face, select colors that “POP” and apply them with pristine perfection.  I was hooked right then and there and ever since wear NOTHING else on my face – OK, except for NARS bronzer in Laguna  - (fabulous by the way for all of you out there looking for the best and most natural sun-kissed cheeks.)

Why all this MAC talk?  Well in the past, if I needed extra blusher or whatever I had to load up with gas and head up to Beachwood – which is not normally a problem for me, but in a panicked moment when I find only a single droplet of Studio Fix (foundation) in the bottle and need coverage STAT, a trip up to Cleveland simply isn’t in the cards.  So I was ABSOLUTELY ELATED when I saw a sign at the Summit Mall Macy’s store that MAC was coming!  And, YES folks it has opened and I have already visited – my consultant was very helpful (as they all are) and was able to aptly select colors for me without just SELLING me what I wanted to hear. So, all you MAC lovers out there rejoice in the new Summit Mall counter – It’s wonderful!

Another bit of gossip for all you Summit shoppers… I heard through the grapevine the other day (keep in mind this cannot be confirmed nor denied)that Banana Republic will soon be replaced by a Sephora store.  This news comes to me as bittersweet, as I consider the Banana store to be one of the only top shops available to us locally… Perhaps though the Summit Mall BR will just downsize and reinvent itself into one the Banana Republic boutiques that are croppingup in various malls… Whatever the case may be those of you dear readers who love slipping into Sephora now and again to fill your cosmetics void will most likely revel in a closer location than say South Park or Beachwood! Woo wee!

If any of you have yet to make it to the Cleveland Museum of Art’s wonderful “Artistic Luxury”exhibit featuring glam gems by the master jewelers at Tiffany, Faberge, and Lalique get your keister there fast… The exhibit ends at the end of this weekend! 

 I was fortunate enough to pay a visit last week and thoroughly enjoyed seeing every trinket, gem, and home accessory on display.   I was amazed to learn about the opulent lifestyle of those who lived during the time period when these famous designers were at their prime. I was also intrigued by the accessory styles that women and men deemed fashionable at that time and couldn’t help but compare them to today’s standards of style-conscious jewelry and when it is, or is not appropriate to wear certain things. 

Back in the day, women were expected to be buttoned up.  Cinched waists were de rigour – women became accustomed to essentially being strapped into their clothes and their accessories.  For instance, the “necklace of the moment” was called the “dog collar”.  These days we would probably call it a choker… A necklace worn tightly around the neck typically made of mini-pearls and small diamonds.  Quite frankly after seeing the small circumference of these babies, one could either assume these poor women were literally being choked to death (maybe to help them lose their appetites?) or they simply all had super skinny necks!  This is one trend that I hope doesn’t get resurrected anytime soon, for two reasons.  1. Bottom line?  They look uncomfortable.  2.  Most women don’t have Giselle-like long necks – a tight necklace will only accentuate stumpy and short necks.  Skip it. 

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HOWEVER, these Victorian era gals sure had the right idea layering their jewels.  I learned through the exhibit that women found it fashionable to don their favorite “dog collar” done in pearls and whatever else with opera lengthdrape-y necklaces with multi-color gems.  I am personally partial to layering up my neck-wear as well… I may not don strangle-styles but pairing elegant pearls with rockin’ metal chains is an uber-cool way to change up an old stand-by.  So, channel your inner Victorian and throw on more than one next time… And don’t be afraid to mix colors and texture, it adds more interest.  Another modern trend that was featured was throwing flower/gem  adorned combs in the hair.  Of course the intricately molded fleurs of the “olden” days were a bit different than the over sized headbands that are in-style right now, but both the retro and the new are both whimsical and definitely add spunk to any ensemble.  WORD OF WARNING: just because flowers in the hair are “in” please avoid the ’80’s style combs with synthetic flowers – not a good look.  Instead try a current headband with either a flower or decorative brooch. 

Clearly, fashion and all that goes along with it always come full circle.  Don’t be afraid to visit fashion/apparel exhibits to gain inspiration on how to style your current digs.  Your melded look will turn heads and add put you at the head of the style class.

There aren’t too many events that I have been to locally where I find myself admiring the various ensembles of my fellow co-attendees, however The Akron Art Museum’s fun annual event called “Switch” seemed to bring out the best in most Akronites! Initially I was a little be-fuddled by the vague dress code that was listed on the invite as “Upscale Club Chic”. Did they mean “Club” as in stuffy country club with tartans and buttoned up blazers, or were they referencing a big city “club” with trendy short dresses and chic accessories? My first instinct was to “play it safe” and wear the FPU (Fashion Person’s Uniform) all black, but after much deliberating, and a thorough re-reading of the event’s theme I went with a swingy metallic frock and shiny leather jacket. Perfect. So, why this discussion now? It’s “Switch” time of course with the event taking place this Saturday night November 8th! For any of you out there looking for a good time make sure to put it on your “To-do” list. For more information about the event visit: http://www.akronartmuseum.org/calendar/details.php?unid=831

Ok, so now that I have everyone on the “Switch” band wagon let’s discuss what to wear… This is after all an event that brings out many style conscious community members so make sure to choose wisely and don’t be afraid to go with something that might be a tad outside of your comfort zone. While this event is a bit upscale it’s not extremely formal – meaning nix the long gowns and instead go short and sweet. This season’s lace trend would be perfect for this event. Try a body con short number like the one shown here from French Connection. If a tight dress isn’t exactly up your alley add a little lace to your tootsies and try these fabulous lace booties from Nine West! A steal and a deal these babies would look terrific with a streamlined black tuxedo suit or with a short LBD (Little Black Dress). No time or budget for a new dress or shoes? Spend less and invest in some black lace tights instead. I have mentioned in past postings that Express has some great ones. Just remember to make those your focal point. Everything else that you wear should be simple.

For more “Switch” style ideas for men and women check back for more postings later this week! In the meantime start surveying your closet now.