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Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Fashion Week at Simone's Boutique

"It's that feeling of confidence you get when you know the look is right," says fashion consultant Simone Gensburg of Simone's Boutique pictured (center) with her models Denise McClanahan (left) wearing a navy dress by Angelo Tarlazzi, and Susan Becker (right) wearing a a double tank dress in chiffon and silk viscose with Swarovski Crystal by Jeremy Laing.
Here's another tip: “You bring all of your previous work experiences to what you’re doing now,” said Liene Stevens, editor of The Smart Planner™ blog.  I’ve shared this advice quite a bit lately in talking with entrepreneurs on how to make themselves more marketable. 

My colleague Simone Gensburg, founder of Simone's Boutique in Winnetka, applied her knowledge of modeling, fashion consulting and retailing, to land a successful week in business the first of May. It's amazing how with just a few pointers from someone like Simone who’s been there, can really make all the difference in your boutique’s fashion photography, shows and events, and ultimately the client’s love of the fashion moment. “Fashion is a subject that I participate in fully,” says Simone. “I like being a consultant to my clients because I want them to experience the positive impact of putting your energy into something and feeling good about the results.” 

Simone knows fashion, and her smile and style will tell you just how much she loves the industry. Her clients trust the fashion consulting they receive on ways to inspire creativity in dressing for day, evening, or simply walking around town.  So it’s fitting that Simone’s Boutique is also known for its dressing room shopping concept where Simone has recreated the look and feel of her own dressing room at home. The boutique opened in August 2007, and is a comfortable place to shop and to try on high-end designer collections.

Classic and clean lines for spring and summer 2009 by Malandrino, Brian Reyes and Ruffian inspired the ultimate fashion week at Simone’s Boutique and a wonderful experience for me. I had a taste of the fashion week pace while working behind the scenes with Simone Gensburg at a magazine photo shoot for the boutique; a fashion show for the Winnetka Chamber of Commerce and a two-day trunk show featuring vintage jewelry by Lulu Frost.

Monday, May 4, 2009

Stella Mikhal Mod to Millennial

Spring has officially sprung, and what’s hatched is a vision (think-smoky eye) for beauty from Makeup Artist Stella Mikhal. I had the chance to meet Stella and learn about her spring makeup trends and tips while working on a magazine shoot last week for Simone’s Boutique.



Stella’s mod to millennial trend in eye makeup is inspired by “The Millennials.” It is a newer version with color that updates the mod-looking smoky eye with heavy blacks, grays and browns. Stella uses deep jewel tones such as green, blue, and bronze to update this classic look. “The smoky eye doesn’t have an age. Every woman can wear it to add glamour.” This kind of advice is what keeps her clients coming back for more of what Stella has to say. Email:
ekeka1210@aol.com.

Stella’s specialty is makeup and what she does for a living is “make people more confident about their appearance.“ She is the rotating Makeup Artist for Laura Mercier in Chicago, and is a freelance makeup artist for professional photo shoots, media, weddings and more. Her 23-year career includes working and training with Bobbi Brown, Trish McEvoy, Laura Mercier, and Reggie Wells, Oprah's makeup artist.

Talking about what she does comes naturally for Stella. One great way to get press is to have something new to talk about, and with Stella, it’s all about the smoky eye. It’s big for spring. You can wear the look all year, but mod to millennial is the inspiration for Spring 2009. Here’s how Stella created the look for Lina Samandas who modeled for the shoot.

  • Use a black/navy (or black/gold) eyeliner pencil to instantly smoke the eye by applying to the entire lower lid. 
  • For Lina, Stella used a copper brown eyeliner pencil with a “coffee ground” shade of brown eye shadow for drama on the lid.
  • Blend lightly on the ball of the eye or smudge
  • Line with cake liner at root of lashes to draw attention and add what looks like fullness to the lashes
  • Use a neutral, butter cream-colored or morning dew (pinker tone) highlighter under the brow bone
  • Use a soft-colored shadow at the crease
  • Apply a full set of lashes to add lift to the eye; or use individual lashes at the corners of the eye
  • Wing the eye using an eye pencil
  • Perfect the eye with Q-tip at the lash line
  • Apply Mascara
  • Apply Liquid Eyeliner (no pencil)

Stella Says:

Airbrush makeup is the way to go. It is a mist of beauty for creating a fresh dewy, second layer of skin. High definition media is demanding the look. And, as more photographers and videographers are shooting in hi-def, makeup needs to appear softer while maintaining a vibrant finish. As an alternative, try the Silk Cream Foundation from Laura Mercier. Stella says, it's the next best thing to airbrushing.