Are you an emerging artist with great local exposure? An up-and-coming model who’s always out on the town? A musician with a growing fan base? The Adventures of an Urban Socialite has been supporting emerging design since 2005 and the site continues to grow. In the past, I’ve matched several designers with “brand reps” … those in the spotlight and on the cutting edge of their field. In order to continue this mutually beneficial/ cross-market approach, I’ve created a database of the best designers and talent around. The goal? To match talent with talent and get artists and designers to cross promote.

My team works with the best emerging designers and artists.

If you’re a designer looking to get your designs on the back of talented artists, socialites, or musicians, or  you’re an artist, socialite or musician with a taste for the best independent fashion around, fill out the appropriate form  (for designers or for socialites).

Our talented team will match your look with the needs of our clients.  There is no cost to add yourself to the database.

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Still blah… in the meantime, enjoy a designer who is anything but, the ultra-talented Laura Theiss!

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Congratulations to the Urban Socialite “Born to…” contest winner, Jen from Chicago.
She writes:

I was born to… be my mom’s daughter. She is the reason why I am here today (obviously), but even more than that I was meant to carry on her spirit and love for helping others. I was born to be like my mom, which I used to fight but today as a grown-woman I understand that I am blessed with her qualities. I can only aspire to be the mom and wife that she has been to my family.

Her entry really resonated because I feel the same way about my mom :). My mom and I recently went to the Gap to get her a pair of jeans. She is super classic and not a fan of trends so we were both pleasantly surprised when we found her a perfect classic pair of jeans. They look great!

In the spirit of that trip I’m sending both Jen and her mom a certificate for a free pair of jeans. Enjoy ladies!

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(Above: the set up, the view, born to fit (yes, all of my friends are absolutely gorgeous!)…)

I’ve been so busy since I got back from girl’s weekend that I haven’t had a second to post… sorry! Add to that the fact I can’t find my camera charger (I think I may have left it on the shore) and you can understand my absence from my beloved UrbanSocialite. Anyway, I was able to retrieve a few pictures from this past weekend (a few of which are post-worthy, the others you will have to find on facebook) and figured I’ll share now and add more when I find my charger (you would think that plugging the camera into my computer would be enough power to start it up… but alas).

Anyway, 12 of us left Boston Friday afternoon for a little R&R and Kate’s beach house in CT. Needless to say it was absolutely gorgeous and much needed rest for everyone. I was cautiously pleased when Christine from Brand About Town offered to let my amis try Gap’s new Born to Fit line. I say cautiously because I adore my friends, but they can be super picky when it comes to their clothes….

The weekend was perfect. On Saturday we laid in the sun all day, fired up the grill at night, and with the help of Kristen’s set-up skills, I surprised everyone with a cute little spread of jeans and goodies for desert. I have to say everyone loved them…although there was a little tug-of-war for the size 4’s which went the fastest. Personally, I liked the sexy boot, but the super-skinnys seemed to be the biggest hit. I think the general consensus was that they would look scrumptious with all of those great over-the-knee boots this fall. Even Miss Erika found a pair she liked, and if I recall she wore them out that night (a night that ended with about 18 people crammed in a little boat floating around the harbor… but I digress). What I like best about the jeans is the fit… my friends and I all have really different bodies, but the same size fit each of us really well… unlike some other jeans that require a certain body shape to look best, you know what I mean?

Anyway, it just occurred to me as I’m writing this, that it’s pretty rude of me to write about a party that you weren’t even invited to! How will I ever make it up to you? With a free pair of Gap jeans of course!

CONTEST

Gap’s new line is called “Born to Fit,” and I’m wondering, my dear Urban Socialites, what were you born to do? If you can sum it up and inspire me, I’ll send you a gift certificate (it can only be used in-store) for a free pair of Gap 1969 jeans! Yay!

Include the following in your entry:

Name:

Address:

What you were born to do: (you can include pictures, links, etc. to illustrate your point).

Send entries to: I Was Born To…

I’ll run the contest through September 1 (back to school and all)…. I will post the winning entry on the site… and maybe a few others.

Bon chance!

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I hope you are outside enjoying this gorgeous weekend! I have been super busy lately which is really no excuse not to update the site. Next week should be a little bit easier to deal with than last, and I have an inbox brimming full with great new designers to share. Today’s featured line is KayLim Designs from LA. In her own words:

I began designing a collection that unites my fervor for all things fashionable along with my love of art. Having a degree in Fine Art; creativity has been the central theme in my life. My inspirations range from historical art to classic cinema. The resulting line bespeaks old world glamour with a neo-modern twist. Historical influences emanate from a world of rich costume heritage translated into modern day fabric and materials. Some of my finished garments have a vintage look about them, but they’re also fresh and crisp, with special attention to unique stitchwork.
I–firmly–believe that one’s genuine art or creativity can never be mass produced since the artist imparts a different unique statement to each creative effort.

My signature look includes irregular hemline; decolorized or hand-died fabric; and all pieces are constructed from a combination of fabrics and at times with just a hint of Far East tones.

I love her unique look and attention to detail! The best part is, you have the option of requesting a custom item! Enjoy!

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Happy Halloween!
When I was a kid this used to be one of my favorite holidays. My mom always went the extra mile with my costumes… and I definitely “assumed the role” of whatever I dressed up on any given year. It was an awesome transformation. I guess things don’t really change that much when you get older… I mean… doesn’t the thug feel more like a thug when he puts on baggy jeans, a white-t and a hoodie? Doesn’t the socialite feel more like a socialite when she puts on her Louboutins and her DVF? And doesn’t the goth kid feel more deviant when he runs the gel through his hair and paints his fingernails black?
We all have who we are… and then we have who we present to society. Sometimes they’re one and the same… but more often than not, I think, we augment that perception with the way we dress. The simplest choice in outfit can be the difference between “she looks respectful” and “she looks like a…. woman of loose morals” or “he looks approachable” and “I don’t even want to ride on the same subway car as that guy.”

I mean, when you really think about it… more than just about anything, the way you chose to present yourself (a large part of that being how you dress) determines how people are going to perceive, interact, and sadly, in some cases, judge you. In turn, those interactions are going to have an effect on you… like they way you end up seeing yourself and the way you end up feeling about yourself on a given day… or about yourself in general.  It almost begs the question… what came first? Who you are or who you chose to present?

Hmmm… I kind of went off there didn’t I? I have a little Tobin bridge road trip I have to prepare for so I guess I’ll have to finish this thought later.
Before I go, I thought I’d leave you with fashion-favorite Kevan Hall. Always putting his signature look ahead of the trends, this natural-born designer creates gorgeous gowns you are sure to love! About KH:

Detroit-born Kevan Hall’s fashion creativity emerged early. By the age of seven, he knew he wanted to be a fashion designer. After attending Cass Technical High School in Detroit, where he studied fashion design, he won first place as “Designer of Tomorrow” - a scholarship sponsored by the Los Angeles-based Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising. While studying in California, he made a vision-enhancing trip to Europe, where at the houses of Cardin, Dior and most notably, Givenchy his lifelong love of luxury and haute couture was once again sparked. Upon graduation from the Fashion Institute, he received the Peacock Award for “Outstanding Fashion Design”.

In 1982, Hall with his wife and partner, Deborah launched Kevan Hall Couture. His collection melded a more relaxed couture look with sensible pricing that pleased retailers like Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus, I. Magnin and other fine stores nationwide.

Hall was nominated in 1988 by fashion retailers and the press as one of California’s Top Designers. In 1989, he was not only included in the “Soul on Seventh Avenue” show sponsored by Fairchild Publications, but was also chosen by the NAACP to receive their “Great American Designer” award. In 1990, his participation in the national Absolut Vodka campaign featured in Vanity Fair underscored his broad-based appeal. In 1992, he was honored by the Center of Performing Arts in Southern California with a 10-year fashion retrospective. For many, this would be a career capper. For Hall, it was only a stepping stone as he branched out into motion pictures, acting as costume consultant on 1997’s “Gridlock” and “Eve’s Bayou” (the most successful independent film of the year).

Redefining glamour for a new generation is an interpretive art. Redefining the hallowed house of Halston into the next millennium was an even more challenging task. But Kevan Hall–who stepped into the prestigious position of Design and Creative Director from fall 1998 - spring 2000 revived the dormant brand to its former glory. His sleek eveningwear was worn by a distinguished coterie of celebrated artists- including Celine Dion, Sharon Stone, Angela Bassett, Charlize Theron, and Salma Hayek.

In 2002, he launched his own signature, Kevan Hall Collection with a fashion philosophy that emphasizes purity of style, incomparable tailoring and sensuously draped streamlined silhouettes; Hall has a natural design sense of sophisticated elegance and uncluttered modern design. Hall’s designs have been embraced by fashion retailers and the press. In 2001, Absolut Vodka honored Hall by showcasing his spring collection in their “Tribute to African Designers” worldwide tour. His lovely atelier in Los Angeles was featured in the July 2002 issue of Interior Design magazine. It confirmed his keen eye for design and impeccable color sense. Also in 2002, Hall won the 47th Annual Gold Coast Fashion Award in Chicago as “Designer of the Year”. In 2005, Hall was awarded “Stylemaker of the Year” by Life & Style Magazine for his ‘drop-dead glamour’ as seen on the red carpet with Felicity Huffman, Vivica A. Fox, Virginia Madsen, Garcelle Beauvais, Debra Messing and Renee Zellweger.

Hall has made guest appearances on national TV shows such as Inside Edition, The Better Half, SoapTalk, the Jane Pauley Show and Extreme Makeover where he discussed fashion‘s current trends. He has given lectures at the Norman Lear Center of the University of Southern California and for the Costume Council at the Los Angeles Museum of Modern Art on his inspirations and influences when designing his collection.

With his own Signature collection, his philosophy of fashion has remained true to those early days. “I enjoy the process of design from concept to execution,” he states. “But the most gratifying part is seeing a design come to life on a beautiful woman.” Rejecting trends and fads in favor of a lasting signature look, Hall’s hallmark of glamour with a modern sensibility is a priceless gift to the welcoming world.

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I know all about expensive bags… at one point in my life I had a weakness for buttery soft Coach leather… anyway, I’ve come to a point in my life where I think that if a bag is going to cost over $100, it should do more than just hold my stuff… I mean, ideally it would make my life easier…  For example, how many times have I fished through my bag, looking for my iPod or phone only to find it uncharged? Bummer, right?
With today’s designer, Noon Solar, you never (and I mean ever) have to go uncharged again. Not only are these bags gorgeous, sustainably produced, and big enough to carry all of life’s necessities, they have built in solar panels to charge everything from your iPod to your celly. About the brand:

Noon Solar bags incorporate flexible solar panels to keep cell phones and iPods charged. Each bag is designed to be able to sit in a window at work or in the car to collect charges. The solar power is stored in a lithium-ion battery pack, weighing about 4oz, found inside the bag. Because the solar power is stored inside a battery pack, cell phones and iPods can be charged day or night.

Noon Solar bags are made from biodegradable materials so that the bags can skip the landfill and go directly into your backyard without hurting the earth. The bags are safe and non-toxic, and most of the materials will actually nourish the earth if buried. The other materials such as the solar panel and hardware can be removed and recycled or reused.

The founders personally hand dye, with natural substances such as pomegranate and weld, the organic hemp and cotton fabrics that comprise their bags. Noon Solar is one of a very small number of design companies using natural dyes on a production scale in the US.

To create textures and patterns on their bags, Noon uses the ancient Japanese dying method, Shibori, making each bag unique.

Noon bags use German leather that is tanned in similar ways to people tanning leather from hundreds of years ago. The leather is heavy metal free, and tanned and dyed with sustainably harvested materials such as rhubarb and walnuts.

How cool is that? Definitely worth the splurge!

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Happy October 25th!
I can’t believe how fast fall went… I mean… I’m in the process of making plans for the Holidays!! It seems like just yesterday I was laying out on my roof-deck working on my tan. Now all I have left are tan lines… fading reminders of my crazy summer.
Anyway… on today’s must have designer… uluru.

How gorgeous are her designs? I love them!
About the label:

At uluru, there is great intent in each silhouette, seam, and detail. Less is more. The clothes are designed with your identity in mind … they are fluid not fickle and definitely not defined by a label. There is space in the garments for women to interpret, move, accessorize, layer, and wear.

Designer Caroline Priebe ’s inspirations come from history, others and her own.  In addition to developing gorgeous clothes, Caroline also developed a sustainable business model. Her goal? That everyone in the process, from farmer to consumer wins.
I love her Tunic with Wings (above bottom)!

P.S. Over the past few weeks I’ve done my best to give you some economically-centered posts… free inspiration with Ndoema, free (technically, but you really should contribute something) music with Girl Talk and now some free shopping tips from one of my favorite blogs, The Budget Fashionista (Hello Kathryn). Far from being Palinized (click under the right side of the desk for reference), Kathryn created her own 26-piece capagne worthy outfit for less than $2,500. Check it out!

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Pay what you can (you should really contribute something… especially since you’ll have this CD on repeat!), download and enjoy.
Besides, it’s Friday… great cruising music!

I promise you will love these mixes!

Oh yeah, be sure to check GT out on NPR (yes, J… NPR… and yes Mike, I referenced J in yet another post!)

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