Pitchfork Music Festival - Lexi Goddard

Lexi looks delightful here in this chic little black dress.



Glad I snapped this photo just as Lexi was arriving at  rainy Union Park, because these lil' white lacy numbers lasted about 2.2 seconds before being peeled off and thrown into her bag.

Designer Spotlight - Azeeza Khan

Designer Azeeza Khan is the woman behind the luxury fashion label AZEEZA, which produces amazingly intricate garments with loads of fabulous embellishment entirely by hand. I caught up with her a couple of weeks ago for a little street style action and interview (see below).

Not only is Azeeza a gifted designer, she also happens to be a complete knock out. I love the fit of this bright orange smock dress

GORGEOUS detail. Every single one of these little doo dads was applied by hand. The thought of which makes me very sleepy :)

Where are you from Where are you from Where are you from originally?

A complete city girl - born and raised in Chicago - the historic neighborhood of Old Irving Park to be exact! A few homes just a few doors down from me were actually a part of the Underground Railroad movement.

What brought you to Chicago? Do you see yourself staying here long term?

My dad migrated from India in the early 60’s to attend UIC for a Masters in Chemistry so that established the “home base.” In terms of staying long term, my husband and I asked ourselves your same question last August before we purchased real estate in the West Loop. We pondered over furthering our careers in NYC or even internationally but in the end, we decided that Chicago is everything to us. We love this city – it has a certain peaceful yet invigorating balance.

In regards to AZEEZA, initially I had a vision to lead my efforts in NYC but I’ve steered from that to really evolve and strengthen my infant brand in Chicago. I want to support and contribute to the burgeoning legitimate fashion movement happening here. I had a conversation on this topic in a meeting with George Kotsiopoulos of E! Fashion Police and he said it simply: “It’s cool you are from Chicago and doing this here.”

Who do you design for?

I design to create art in the form of timeless, statement garments that tell a dimensional story of fabrics, embroideries and embellishment. I aim to make those that are AZEEZA clad to feel confident, stand out and unique.

What is your biggest inspiration (artist, designer, musician, etc)?

Inspiration to me comes from all sorts of levels – mainly in my day to day – varying from furniture to international street style. I would attribute my biggest influence in my designs to be my Indian heritage – the opulent embellishments, vibrant colors, the silks, the prints, the batik and more - all have played a role in defining my aesthetic. Colorblock and print-on-print is not a trend to me as Indian fashion has been doing it for centuries, combining fuchsia, cobalt blue, lime green and orange on bold layered prints.

Do you have a style icon? If not what is your favorite era for style?

My moods range too much to hone in one style or person but I do think that the 60’s were really a defining era for fashion. From the boho chic hippies to the Jackie O glamour, the spectrum of style and cuts were timeless, something that I always strive for in my designs.

Salty or sweet?

Spicy, I’m Indian!

Wondering wear to buy this awesome stuff? You can contact her through her website about a bespoke custom order. (FANCY.)

PS I took pictures of Azeeza in about 10,000 outfits, so prepare to see this little lady on the blog ALOT over the next couple of months.n

 

Chicago Street Style - Aikem Johnson

I have no idea why I wouldn't ask this handsome young man his name when I took his photo, but I didn't. So let's just call him Basquiat. I mean he looks VERY similar to the famous (and tragically deceased) artist AND he was painting when I found him. So what if it was face painting at a block party, I'll take my coincidences where I can. If anyone knows this lovers name leave it in the comment section so I can add it to the post.

Pitchfork Music Festival - More Miles of Style

Jason Wagner looks radical here in this Threadless t-shirt. He's in the process of opening RM Champagne Salon A bar that will focus on grower produced bubbly. Also a note to all my styley man friends. I took very few photos of you at Pitchfork this year (sorry!). I needed to really rack up those lady shots for the magazines I was shooting for. I PROMISE to capture more of your incredible manly style at Lollapalooza in a few short weeks!

I'm a HUGE fan of fake food. So I almost died and went to heavan when I spotted this little lady in her hamburger and hot dog print dress and DIY donut pin.

Pitchfork Music Festival - Bright and Beautiful

Music festivals are my favorite place to shoot street style. Everyone is dressed extra kooky, people are in a great mood, and the soundtrack is amazing. Here are some of the fine examples I found of ladies who aren't afraid of a little color...

How cool are Deena Predic's crocheted shorts?! Totally unpredictable! Sorry I couldn't help myself ;)

I was standing in line to shoot in the pit for Ty Seagul when I saw this vision straight-outta-Beverly Hills circa 1988 sauntering across the field. Of course it turns out to be the lovely Whitney Middleton of the very cool personal style blog Whitney Abmition Although you can't see it here she is wearing the most outrageously cool jewelery which I will be posting very soon.

This little lady must have the internal temperature of a Polar Bear because it was HOT HOT HOT HOT at the fest on Saturday. That being said she looks cool as a cucumber here in her black pants and boots.

I'm a real sucker for some jean on jean action and this woman does not dissapoint.

And the rainbo brite award goes to this lovely lady. Definitely the most colorful of the fest.

Pitchfork Music Festival - Rock Star Sunnies

If you think that Claire Van Eijk is gearing up to teach a jazzercize class in these Karen Walker shades, your dead wrong. She's about to go shake a major tail feather as one of Grimes back up dancers.

Both Grimes and God Speed You Black Emperor headlined the festival on Saturday. With Grimes ripping it up on the small stage and God Speed putting everyone to sleep on the big stage.  God Speed are lovely but are no headliner. To make matters worse they didn't turn on one light on their stage. They just played all of their sad music in the dark as everyone from the festival kind of just dispersed. Pitchfork should have pulled a switcheroo and given the big stage to Grimes and made Saturday night what it should have been, a P.A.R.T.Y!

I love Michelle Ishikawa's crazy stained glass sunglasses, add some chopsticks to the mix and you've got one stylish meal.

This woman was having one of those frustrating "WHERE ARE YOU?!" festival conversations with a friend via cell phone, when I approached her for a photo. You can tell she's still lil' peeved, but still looks lovely in these amazing vintage sunglasses.

Love me some wood grain. Roline Im looks great in these frames from Proof.

Fabulous Mel Muoio looks fantastic (per usual) all decked out for the Nellcote Pitchfork Pre-Party. Chris Baio from Vampire Weekend DJ'd. Nuff said.

Also, I'd like to point out the fact that 2 out of 5 of my favorite sunglasses shots from the fest are Karen Walker Just goes to show she truly ROCKS.

Pitchfork Music Festival - Kristen Kaza

The Pitchfork Music Festival this past weekend was a blast, despite the crazy weather. I took tons of great style shots, but there are no two images that more clearly illustrate the extreme weather than these pictures of Kristen Kaza, marketing director for the Chicago Reader, and all around badass.

It alternately poured and was sweltering so what better way to cope that a cool turquoise poncho over a bathing suit and booty shorts. Well done Ms. Kaza. Oh, and she got these sweet sunglasses at a wig shop.

Hot Mamas: My Festival Street Style Faves

So excited to be shooting the festival style of Pitchfork this weekend at Union Park. In anticipation of what is sure to be the most stylish year yet, I thought I would post my favorite music festival street style shots that I've taken over the past couple of years.

Shot for Elle at Lollapalooza 2011

Coachella 2012

Northcoast Music Festival 2011

Lollapalooza 2011

Coachella 2012

Northcoast Music Festival 2011

Pitchfork Music Festival 2011

Lollapalooza 2011

Cutest Pregnant Woman of all time at Lollapalooza 2011

Coachella 2012

Taylor Momsen at Lollapalooza 2011

Pitchfork Music Fest Pre-Party at Nellcote

ZOMG Pitchfork Music Festival is this weekend! Start your Saturday and Sunday off all civilized and shiz at Nellcote with Mimosas, EXCELLENT Bloody Marys and the sweet musical stylings of DJ Samm and DJ Megan Taylor. Plus I'll be there capturing all the fabulous festival style so come dressed to impress (as always!).

I caught up with Ms. Megan who will be spinning at Nellcote on Sunday for a little street style action and musical Q+A.

Who are you most excited to see at Pitchfork this year?
Grimes, Hot Chip, Chromatics, Nicolaas Jar, AraabMuzik, Beach House, Purity Ring

What will you be spinning at Nellcote on Sunday?
A mixture of performers from all of the Pitchfork years plus friends. (Smile) I know this isn't very specific, but I mainly am focusing on the energy and vibe. Walking into Nellcote you already feel better about life, and I just want to add to that with upbeat hip music, that sets everyone off to have a killer day of music.

What is your favorite pitchfork performance or memory of all time?
Cut Copy's performance last year is at the top of my list. They brought such an amazing energy to their performance last year, especially for a Sunday night. I loved the lights that went with their show, and it was the first time I got to hear samplings from their album Zonoscope. Their live performance is so powerful and captivating, and has the unique ability of unifying the entire audience.

Who is your dream headliner lineup for Pitchfork?
Arcade Fire, the XX, Gossip, The 2 Bears

Want to score a free brunch for two at Nellcote this weekend before getting jiggy at Pitchfork? Just tweet "Can't wait to see (your fave band here) at Pitchfork Music Fest @tresawesome @nellcote" I'll be announcing a winner on Thursday at 8pm.

Chicago Street Fashion - Elyse Marie Vieni

I took this photograph of designer Elyse Marie Vieni at The Randolph Street Market last month where she was selling her outrageously cool jewelery. If you think what she's wearing is dope, go check out her site for tons more spectacular pieces.

Jewelery by Elyse Marie Vieni

This Chicago street style fashion was captured in the West Loop.

Stars and Stripes Forever

Happy Fourth of July all! Hopefully you're away from your computer (perhaps reading this post on an iphone like device) and soaking up some rays or eating a hot dog on a roof deck. In any case, I thought this was a great time to bring you the most patriotic shoes of all time (or that I've ever photographed)...

I snapped these Jeffery Campbell Litas at New York Fashion Week on Instagram back in September of 2011. One thing we know for sure is the woman sporting them is no commie.

I couldn't resist posting these Jeremy Scott x Adidas flag shoes again. I mean today is the day for these suckers. Check out the entire post here.

Chicago Street Fashion - Chelsea Lavin

Darling Chelsea Lavin looks outstanding in her Supreme cap and bright red lipstick. This photo is actually an outtake from a special project I'm working on. Can't wait to share it with you soon!

This Chicago Street Style Fashion was captured in Bucktown.