Men Style File

Men Style File introducing Ernest Baker...
For this time around I choose a close friend of mine who I think represents great style that is always fresh, new, interesting and down right oozing swagger. Between juggling classes, and managing his own online blog, I got a chance to pull this accountant major away from his schedule to ask him a few questions. For starters, I asked the Chicago native the most important question of them all: How does music have an influence on men style in today's fashion scene? & How does it influence him and his style?

My first question reflects what influences the way you dress, the way you express yourself? Events, music, art, or whatever it might happen to be?

I mostly let the way I feel determine the way I dress. If anything, literature is my primary outside influence. I wear Ray-Ban Wayfarers because of Bret Easton Ellis books. I wear a red trapper hat because of Holden Caulfield.
What can you NOT live without when it comes to your attire? We all have that one thing that we just can't go on with out?

My watches are my saviors. Leaving the house without one on can ruin my day.
Who would you consider a style icon of today women? Men? Who would you consider your icon on style? Who influences you to put things together?

Rihanna always kills it. Kanye is consistently on point. Many people have aspects of their style that's admirable, but I don't get too influenced by other people. I recognize and take note, but the sh*t I wear is all me. I don't emulate.
Do you think that music plays a huge role in mens fashion? If so why is it so backwards? Why is fashion not taking the lead instead? Do you agree or disagree?

Music is probably the most important facet of men's fashion. Whenever I get dressed and look at my self in the mirror to assess my selections, I always catch myself rapping something to myself. Music adds that confidence and attitude. But people aren't original and take music's influence on fashion too far. I use music to augment my fashion choices, not decide them.
What is the one trend that you been rocking for the longest that people that surround you that are just now wearing?

I've been wearing slim fit jeans. I've been wearing Wayfarers. There's plenty I could name but it's unnecessary. I've always been ahead of my time. By the time people catch up I've moved on. When you really live this sh*t no amount of swagger jacking can stifle you.
What is the most unattractive clothing that needs to just go away when it comes to fashion?

I think most clothing can look great if the person wearing it approaches the look properly. I don't think there's anything I have a strong disdain for. Colorful ass sneakers maybe? Keffiyeh scarfs are pretty overdone at this point. I guess those, which sucks because they look nice, but main streamers who just got a hold of one 8 minutes ago killed it for everyone else.
It's 2a.m in the morning and your fire alarm just went off. You have fifteen seconds to leave your burning apartment. What are you wearing?

I regularly fall asleep in my Champion sweatpants, a Polo tee, and an American Apparel hoodie. Ultimate lounge wear.
When it comes to style for women, what is the most important element in fashion she must portray?

I love when women show their personality through their clothing. I want a woman with a look that exudes her essence. What she's wearing should allow me to gain a better understanding of her with minimal difficulty.

Who is your favorite designer?
Ralph Lauren will always be my favorite designer. No matter where I go or what I do with fashion, his aesthetic is always my foundation.

What is the cheapest thing that you have bought that looks the most fashionable
out of anything that you wear that is worth twice as much?

I got a $250 Burberry shirt for $80. Does that count?

You can visit Ernest online blog newbornrodeo to learn more about this men style contributor :
http://newbornrodeo.com

Fyi: Few of this Ernest style favorites pictured below:

***Ralph Lauren Polo, Kayne West, Trapper hat , & Wayfarers Glasses

Honey&Chic

Fashion Forecast For Fall Fashion

Fall Trends Forecast 2008 our making their mark on the runways filled with neutral dark colors, complementary with winter blue which is the set "in" color for the winter season of 2008. Designers are directing the attention on the hip with a very narrow waist when gives an A line silhouette in contrast to a balance & even line of the proportion of the body. Pictured above are designers Chanel, and Balenciaga, showing off their latest edition to their fall collections that have hit the runways for this season. The look is definately toned down from what we have seen this past summer. The contrast of grays, dark blues, black, and creams seem to be the new colors for the season.


Continuing on Long View silhouettes are definitely in this season with designers Carlos Miele, Derek Lam and L'Wren Scott debuting their fall looks for the 2008 season with emphasizes not to much on the hip like the Bell curve trend, but instead focuses on the narrow waist line with the help with accessorizing with a simple belt or sash along with a masculine broad shoulder.
(Note the Carlos Miele Box Jacket) Lace stockings and soft ruffles are becoming more popular for this season along with peep toe black boots/closed booties.

I think this fall is filled with classic pieces that will be signature pieces for a while that will last. A lot of pieces you can mix and mingle with , within your wardrobe.

Happy Shopping!

Honey&Chic

Style Files: Women

Fashionista 002.

Introducing Miss Jaystar Woods. When it comes to style I am a strong believer of expressing yourself in each and every way. I love trendsetters and people that take risk. That's why I have chosen the fashion forward Jaystar Woods as this weeks fashionista. With the combination of funky punk attitude, chic fashion sense and electric style;this girl is a sure traffic stopper.

The first looked that I choose was the colorful punk/rock style that is perfect for a night out or an concert event. I love the turquoise strip pencil skirt with the rocker leather jacket. She adds the right amount of color by adding hot pink nylon fishnet stockings & a purple/black scarf along with it. She accessories by adding a pair of lovely Mary Jane's with a black vintage belt around the waist line. Gotta love it.

Secondly, Miss Woods goes sophisticated with an all white cotton jersey dress. With a A line silhouette that emphasizes on the hips. This look is perfect for the event that Miss Woods attended, a all white party. She looks very chic in her white attire setting it off perfectly with gold open toe sandals. She adds on a couple of bracelets along with a necklace to finish off her look. Perfect for the evening in which she attended.

Last, but certainly not least this fashionista polishes off her look by sporting a casual,but very funky combination. She matches together perfectly a black vest with a multicolored blue blouse. Adding to the casual element Miss Woods, added a pair of cherry red fitted straight leg capris that go perfect with the blouse. For the finishing touches she chose a pair of charcoal black pumps w/ straps.

With all due regards, this lady is strictly fierce.

Honey&Chic

Men Style File: Chicago Edition

Well it's time for the Men Style File Edition once again and this time I found a lot of candidates with style that was fresh, electric, and down right attractive. This time around I had the pleasure of picking four young men in the Chicago area who represents great men style in my eyes.
Let's get this show on the road why don't we..


Candidate NO.1:

1.) John Street. This guy coordinated hip hop, 80's and punk into his style. With a white hoodie, neon blue screen t-shirt, fire red scarf around the neck and to finish it off some retro 80's baby sunglasses. What caught my eye you might ask, definitely the red scarf with the colors he coordinated in his outfit. I like the white thrown in with the blue along with the red. It sets it off just right. Great style.

Candidate NO.2:

Moving on to the next gentlemen, I picked Olen
Beal, who style stuck out to me, because of his white Ivy hat along with his muti color scarf with nuetral colors of gray, white and silver. He finishes it off with a nice black button up tailored shirt to complete his look. What is most impressive is this look takes a regular button up shirt to the next level. It takes it from sleek to fresh in a second. Great style!

Candidate NO. 3:



Last, but certainity not least we have Earnest Streeter who caught my eye with his jacket of course!! ( loves it) Mr. Streeter is sporting his jacket with a flared color, a fitted baseball hat, some 80's baby sunglasses and a brown backpack to finish off the look. What makes him stand out would have to be that graphic art on his arm sleeve that sets his attire apart. Great style!







Well that covers men style for today and there will be more so tune in next time.

Honey & Chic

The creativity of design..

Glamhuer. Fashion forward designers Brook Ried & designer Ashley Drapes. These two Chicago based designer know the true game in fashion and have been stopping traffic with their vintage glam electric funky classic line since the duo have gotten together in fashion studies. The two met in school while studying fashion, but after a year the two decided to start their own clothing line. Glamhuer has already been showcased in numerous shows and Chicago based magazine, N'digo and Time Out Chicago magazine. When describing the line, the two put is as simple as possible: simply that their line isn't just an ordinary clothing line. Glamhuer represents an innovative glam look with an electric edge. With various sweetheart necklines, fitted silhouettes, flared pleated skirts and mary janes these two are making a glamouras scene where ever they might venture too.

you can visit Glamhuer at www.myspace.com/glamhuerclothing

Honey&Chic

Designer: CoCo Chanel

"Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only; fashion is something in the air. It's the wind that blows in the new fashion; you feel it coming, you smell it. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, and what is happening now."-CoCo Chanel

Today I decided to dedicated an article to one of my favorite classic designers, Gabrielle Bonhuer Chanel. ( designer CoCo Chanel). One of the many designer that have lefted an everlasting footprint in the fashion industry. Gabrielle was born in Saumur, France in 1883, in a warehouse where her mother worked. She was not very proud of this so she often disguised this by reporting her birthplace was in Aurvegne instead. At the age of six her mother died, leaving her father to care after her. She soon adopted the first name CoCo as a singer in cafe's in France later in years and after marrying a rich military officer, she launched her line during the 1920's. Then she made her mark in becoming the first designer to use jersey in her line. Her garments were the first to give women a men's appeal that became really popular during that time. (largly due to the fact that many women grew tired of the fridgit stiff boundaries of women's fashion in that era.) She launched her perfume line during the 1920's famously known as , Chanel No. 5. She in 1925 she launched her signature pieces, the Chanel "little black dress" and "cardigan jacket" as well. CoCo Chanel continued to work until the age of 88 in 1971 and designer Karl Lagerfeld continues to be the chief designer till this very day.

Classic,Sophistication, and Fabulous.
Gabrielle Bonhuer Chanel

"Fashion fades, only style remains the same"
-CoCo Chanel


Honey&Chic

Rihanna in Ivy and Graphite

Spotted today in NYC was Barbados singer, little Miss Sunshine, Rihanna out and about leaving her hotel with her Chris Breezy baby not to far behind her. Princess fashionista was rocking the new Sine's Circle High Waist Mini in Ivy and Graphite, ( photo to the right) matched with a black rib tank. Along with the new , Esme Satchel in Neon handbag, designed by designer Jenny Yuen. (This girl know she has haute style.) You know she couldn't leave us hanging, so she matched it up with some black pumps to set us straight along with matching her accessories. For the finishing touches she rocked small hoop earrings designed by Vermeil and Kiara Sunglasses in Oro . Seen shopping L.A earlier this week Rihanna went for a more opt comfortable but chic look rocking Gucci Marian sandals, denim skinny jeans and a white tailored tunic with a belt chain to accessories. (Not to mention that pink phone that's tied to her hand.) You can get this look for less below:





For Rihanna L.A. chic look you can opt for a plain white tunic from the Heritage 1981 collections, that retails for $ 19.90. Along with that a pair of skinny jeans, pulls the look together and for finishing touches I added a pair of Steve Madden that retail for $169.65.

later & enjoy,

honey&chic