Second City Style Fashion Blog - Style, Luxury, Beauty & Shopping

YAZ Contest. Here is Your Chance to Win $10,000

Are you ready for a design challenge? You are invited to redesign the YAZ® pill pack. Submit your design for a chance to win $10,000 and put your talent to the test!

On behalf of Garcia, Step Up Women’s Network, and Bayer HealthCare, one lucky winner will receive a $10,000 prize to invest in his or her career dreams, via enrollment in design classes or for the purchase of special design materials and software.

"The design challenge we're posing is a fashion transformation unlike any other," said Garcia. "We're taking an iconic accessory—the birth control case—and asking aspiring designers to take a shot at redesigning it into a chic, more sophisticated carrying case that they could slip into their purses."

Design submissions will be accepted until June 30, 2008.

The contest winners will be announced around the time of Fashion Week in fall 2008.

"Whether you are an aspiring designer, graphic artist, or simply the office fashionista with a flair for what's chic, now is the chance to put your talent to the test and turn your visions into reality..." - Nina Garcia

For more details visit Pillpackmakover.com

L.A. Event. Bag Snob's Oscar de la Renta Fete

If you happen to live or be in L.A. May 20th, make sure to join our good friends over at Bag Snob for Baubles, Bags and Bubbly!

Who:  The Bag Snobs, Lou Lou de la Falaise, Eliza Bolen
What: Baubles, Bags and Bubbly
Where: Oscar de la Renta Boutique 8446 Melrose Place
When: Tuesday, May 20th. 5:00pm-8:00pm
Why: Because all girls need a lot of Baubles, Bags, and Bubbly!

Chicago Event. Walk the West Loop...Tonight

Sorry for the late notice, but we just received this ourselves. Yes, it's tonight.

We already know the West Loop is becoming quite the shopping mecca. Do you? Stroll down Madison, Lake and Fulton and discover all the unique items the West Loop has in store for you.

Sip on cocktails and enjoy 15% off at your favorite West Loop boutiques like: Tribeca, Ouest, Bess & Loie, Pivot, Koros & Erin Gallagher.

Also participating: Aesthetic Dermatology and Laser Surgery - 1009 W. Fulton Market

California Events. The Montana Avenue, Santa Monica Annual Sidewalk Sale

It's time for The Montana Avenue, Santa Monica annual sidewalk sale. Join throngs of serious shoppers who get up early to beat the crowds for amazing deals of up to 80% off at coveted stores such as Michael Stars, Planet Blue, The Jeans Bar, Jurlique, London Sole, Jill Roberts and many more! Make sure that Montana Avenue your first destination stop where you can get your serious shop on!

Events in Chicago. Columbia College Annual Fashion Show.

On Wednesday, May 14th, the fashion design and fashion retail management students of Columbia College present their 11th annual fashion show. The show takes place at the school's new 1000 S. Wabash Avenue facility, and tickets will cost $35 for the 1pm matinee and $60 for 7pm evening show.

This year, the jury-selected student designers will work to blend fashion and technology—in the form of computer-generated graphics—into their designs, merging the two in completely fresh and innovative ways. The designers were given the challenge of incorporating a specific color into their designs, with this year’s signature hue being purple. Students will also concentrate on using raw muslin stock, to create an eco-friendly and natural look. All designs will be perfectly juxtaposed with the thoroughly technological and manmade graphic designs that will be a part of this year’s buzzed-about staging. The students have spent nine months conceptualizing these artistic collaborations, and for many of them, this unique platform signifies the culmination of their college experience, as many of the pieces are from senior collections.

To purchase tickets call 312.344.6600. And preview the up-and-coming designers below!

Designs by Jen Grygiel

Designs by Sarah Matouchi

Designs by Ying-Ying Yang

Photos: Robert Kusel

Great News! How to Get Your Own Birkin.

Never thought you'd see a Hermes Birkin Bag in your life? It is, unquestionably, the most sought after bag in the world, impossible to find in boutiques, lasts forever, and never goes out of style. Well, you might be able to get your hands on one of the coveted bags through luxury auction site, Portero.com. The site has been holding an auction for three of the rare bags this week to preview a larger sale in September, where 50 of the bags will be up for grabs. You may not be able to dodge the high price tag for the Birkin, but it looks like you can avoid the years-long waiting list to get one!

NYC Beauty Event. The Skin Cancer Foundation’s “Road to Healthy Skin Tour” Presented by Aveeno and Rite Aid

Did you know it's Melanoma Awareness Month?  Friday, May 2nd, The Skin Cancer Foundation’s “Road to Healthy Skin Tour” presented by Aveeno and Rite Aid will kick-off in New York City’s Union Square. The tour will offer free full body skin cancer screenings in a private room inside a 38-foot customized RV by local dermatologists that have donated their time to helping the cause. The RV will visit more than 50 cities at 100 different Rite Aid locations across the country, and is expected to screen more than 10,000 consumers between May and October. 

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States, diagnosed in a million people annually, but it is also the most preventable and curable form of cancer if it is detected early. The goal of the tour is to educate people nationwide about the importance of getting an annual skin check with their doctor, and get the message out that it is crucial for everyone, no matter their skin color, to start wearing a sunblock with at least an SPF of 15 or higher every day, all year long.   

WHERE:  Union Square
16th Street between 5th Avenue and Union Square West

WHEN:   Friday, May 2nd, 12:00 – 3:00

The dermatologists performing the screenings are:

12:30 – 1:00      Dr. Deborah S. Sarnoff (Cosmetique - Dermatology, Laser & Plastic Surgery, LLP.)

1:00 – 2:00        Dr. Francesca Fusco (Wexler Dermatology)

2:00 – 3:00        Dr. Neil S. Sadick (Sadick Dermatology)

Make sure to go for your free screening! To find out when the tour will be in your city visit: Skincancer.org

Chicago Event. Koros' Annual Kentucky Derby Party

DON'T show up in a baseball hat. That's not cool. OK?

Events in Chicago. Brian Reyes at Simone's.

Simone's Boutique in Winnetka will host a Brian Reyes Shopping Event this Friday and Saturday, April 25th and 26th, from 11am to 5pm. The two day trunk show will feature food, champagne, and a meet and greet with the designer himself! You'll be able to try Reyes' pieces, and get personal advice on how to make them work for you. Reyes worked for classic labels like Ralph Lauren, Michael Kors and Oscar de la Renta before launching his own line, and he has developed a chic celebrity fan-base, including Rachel Bilson, Cate Blanchett, Jennifer Garner, Kristen Bell, America Ferrera, and Kate Hudson. Take a look at some of his looks below:

Fall 2008. Electric Blue Moiré Faille Slim Pencil Skirt; Coal Stretch Georgette 3-Pocket Blazer; and Silk Buffalo B&W Plaid Bow Blouse.

Fall 2008.  Coal Japanese Paper Cotton Pleated Strap Dress.

Spring 2008. Scale Digital Reef Print Double Shirt Dress.

Simone Gensburg, owner of the boutique, has this to say about Reyes' designs: "From his inspiration for simple and classic day-wear, such as an oyster cellophane polo shirt with burlap shorts, to a beautiful copper double face dutchess satin t-back dress, there’s something about Brian Reyes that every woman will want to see.” Definitely sounds worth the trek to the North Shore to us. Simone's is located at 1060 Gage Street in the heart of Hubbard Woods Winnetka.

RSVP to Simone's if you plan to attend: 847-446-9966.

Chicago Spring Fling. Save 20% May 1 at Sara Jane