Black Market Caviar has ‘Branditude’

by April Lawson

Looking for a mash up of art, fashion, toy’s and unique tee’s? Don’t miss the grand opening of the Black Market Caviar Designer Shoppe this Friday Dec. 4^th from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at 1945 W. Chicago Ave. There will be music by DJ Skyler, The lovely Black Market Caviar Agents (models), door prizes and 60 lucky guests will get the opportunity to screen print their very own exclusive Black Market Caviar t-shirt.

The brainchildren behind Black Market Caviar are brothers Brian Lopez and Marco Hafid Lopez from Humboldt Park. Collectively the duo’s dossier is impressive. They have designed everything from toys, shoes, and apparel while continuing to create fine art as well. Brian has painted murals and designed footwear for Shorty Capone Fashion Corp. based in Mumbai, India. While Marco Hafid, (Lopez)  is currently represented by Linda Warren Gallery in Chicago, and has worked with well-known designers like Ralph Lauren and Diane Von Furstenberg.

Brothers Brian & Marco Lopez

Much like the innovative spirit of Threadless, a Chicago based community-centered online apparel store run by skinnyCorp, Black Market Caviar continues to harness that same mash-up collaborative energy. “Black Market Caviar is a not just a store but a brand attitude that says we can stay stylish and artistic even in these economically trying times. It’s not about monetary wealth, but a wealth of the spirit, mind and body. It’s about choosing to live rich,” says owner, artist Marco Lopez. The shop offers chic clothing by new designers. Some labels carried are Trash and Luxury, Ryu, Idylle, Ends/Wealth, Plastic Party, Breathe On Apparel and Normal Watches.

Simultaneously, The Black Market Caviar Art Show will open at Rotofugi Designer Toy Store and Gallery, (next door to the store) The art show will be from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. and will run through the end of December.  To RSVP please e-mail RSVP@BlackMarketCaviar.com. For more information about the store visit www.BlackMarketCaviar.com

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CASH FOR (FASHION) CLUNKERS

Tom Kolovos, NBC Chicago Street Team

Ok, guys I’ll let you in on one of my best pieces of advice for free, so listen up.

Ralph Lauren makes his classic polo shirt in a cut called “Custom Fit.” It is cut much closer to the body than the sloppy polo shirts of yore, which way too many of you are still wearing, and  which make you look oh so “2000 and late” while all the other guys look oh “so 3008.”

The “custom fit” has a higher armhole, natural shoulder and runs trimmer and shorter throught the body. This means it makes you look leaner, trimmer and completely in the know about how a shirt–any shirt, including a polo–should fit right now.

I don’t care if you’re 5 or 95, everyone looks completely appropriately dressed in a Ralph Lauren polo shirt, whether you  pair it with a nice pair of jeans and loafers or shorts and flipflops. Pick a flattering color and you’re an instant  style icon.

Just make sure you never tuck it your pants and wear a belt with it, grandpa.

If you run into any Ralph Lauren Polo store right now, every color of the custom fit polo is on sale for $37.49, marked down from $75.  It comes in 12-15 colors so you are bound to find several you love. If you happen to go into the Michigan Avenue store, ask for Jennifer on the first floor.

Finally, Saks will be having a consolidation sale in the Chicago Michigan Avenue  store this Thursday August 6th, which means an additional 25% off the last markdown price in both the men’s and women’s departments for a total of 75% off. Most of the merchandise is pretty well picked over but you never know……..(There’s still a great selection of men’s shoes, though!!!!!)

If you happen to live in Los Angeles or are visiting there on Thursday, run, don’t walk to the Beverly Hills store’s Warehouse Sale which will have the best selection of all the Saks stores.

TheBestDressedList.com

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Parties, Celebs, Gossip And More!

LaShonda Matlock, NBC5 Street Team

Socialite and Ralph Lauren fashion ambassador Bunky Cushing is featured in this month’s CHICAGO Magazine!! Congrats!

The “Coca-Cola Refresh Your Flow Tour” will star rapper Lupe Fiasco at a private event Sunday (8/17) at the Park West .

Designer Maria Pinto (Ste 300 2211 N Elston Ave) celebrated the grand opening of her first boutique on Tuesday night. The store features designer originals, fine jewelry and the latest must have items for any true fashionista! And Maria being the wonderful person that she is already giving back! The boutique will donate 15% of all proceeds to the Women’s Board of the Museum of Contemporary Art through August 16th. True fashion with a cause!!  

N.E.R.D will be at the HOB on Sept. 2nd presented by Converse with a special guest…get tickets NOW!

Rapper/Actor Ice Cube will be in town on Monday premiering his new movie “The Longshots“  with star KeKe Palmer at the ICE Chatham Theater on the South-Side.

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You can dress me up but you can’t take me (just) anywhere

Tom Kolovos, NBC5 Street Team

In the past two and a half years, both my parents were diagnosed with terminal cancer and my brother, who has Down Syndrome, suffered from violent psychosis as our mother was dying. I’ve lost so much weight taking care of everyone but myself that I’m basically a shave, a blonde wig and a Balenciaga bag away from being the third Olsen twin.

Saturday night I may have also lost my mind. (If anyone finds it, could you please return it. I’m offering a full tank of gas as a reward!)

If Kathy Griffin thinks it’s difficult to live her “Life On the d List” she should try living “My Life On The (BestDresse)d List. Let me explain.

Saturday night the place to be was Lake Forest Sportscars in Lake Bluff for the “What Does One Wear to a Grand Prix?” benefit for the Prentice Women’s Hospital. Perhaps, however, it wasn’t the place I should have been.

First of all, despite what Polo Ralph Lauren, Escada, Dennis Basso and the Men’s Store at Saks Fifth Avenue thought one should wear to a Grand Prix in their fashion presentation, the real answer was: a little black dress and about $6 million in Graff white diamonds.

Cameron Holtman from Elite Model Management proved that point the minute you walked in the door. Okay, so you would notice Cameron and the other models sporting Graff under any circumstances, but my goodness, the diamonds sure didn’t hurt.

And as it turns out, the hostess of the event, MK Pritzker, knew the real answer as well. She looked stunning in a gorgeous formfitting deep purple dress and yellow diamonds.

So here’s the part where I need to start explaining. Having never met MK before and only having seen her on the cover of the December 2006 issue of Today’s Chicago Woman, I blurted out to her that the pictures did not do her justice. I told her, in earnest, that she should sue the magazine. And come to think of it this morning, she should sue the photographer as well.

MK was so gracious (and probably horrified by my blunt/obtuse remark) that she explained, in earnest, she was happy with the pictures. So, in a not uncommon phenomenon in my life right now, I had to open my mouth, insert my foot and chew vigorously.

(Who knew I was such a fan of self immolation? I guess Hillary Clinton and I currently share that in common. But in my defense, I managed to avoid any references to RFK.)

Oh, but by night’s end, I thought I was being engagingly witty with the publisher of CS magazine, John Carroll, always one of the most dapper men around town. Turns, out he probably didn’t think so. Right, John?

Take it from me (and Kathy Griffin), the problem with being witty is that sometimes you come across as a nitwit.

Enjoy the slideshow from the event. Click on the images to enlarge. I’m going to finish my coffee and my foot-in-mouth omelette. Cheers.

TheBestDressedList.com

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