FALL + FASHION + FUN

There is something about the Fall that brings a smile to my face and the occasional tear to my eye, from the cool breeze of course. Chicago summers are fantastic, but Chicago in the FALL cannot be overlooked. Walking around downtown, breathing the fresh crisp air and snuggling up to that special someone.

What is there not to love about the Fall? Not only is the weather great, not too hot and not too cold, but lets not forget the FASHION and the FUN. The store windows change like the color of the leaves when Fall comes around. There is excitement that builds as you walk down the city streets and observe the changing of the trends and styles. Fall is the gateway to winter, you must pass through it to enter the next season. Fall Fashion is the gatekeeper, letting us know what to look for as we make our journey. I could go on and on about the season, fashion, and the fun!I think that Zapwater clients, le Dress and Crimson Lounge, feel the same way about the Fall as I do. Tonight, Crimson Lounge is hosting the Dress and Dash Fall Fashion Show where attendees can view the latest fall fashions from le Dress, Chicago’s dress only destination and haberdash, the city’s men’s shop. This event is for chic guys and ladies ready to rock this season’s hottest trends.

No matter what your interests, there is fun to be had and beauty to be seen all around the city during this time of year! I hope I was able to spread some Fall joy and I look forward to seeing you around town .

Ashley Plaetzer
Intern

PEOPLE ARE TALKING

Chicago's (and Zapwater's) very own jewelry designer on the rise, Kristen Amato is catching the attention of local fashionistas and national style-makers with her line K.Amato. This month alone, PEOPLE magazine featured her Kinzie and Paulina earrings in the November Style Watch and November 12, 2007 issues. The tagline for the stylish accessories company is “every girl should have one,” and by now PEOPLE should.

THE KIDS ARE GROWING UP

It’s always rewarding to be a part of the inception of a concept, watching them grow from day one into a successful business, this past year we’ve had the pleasure of working with two clients that we have seen blossom, TK Men and Empire Liquors.

As TK Men turned one in August we were excited to see how far store owner Lindsay McKay has come, starting out last summer with her first retail concept. McKay, a former celebrity stylist, was looking to step up men’s style to Chicago. With her outside-the-box thinking and risk taking on new lines, TK Men was born. Through the past year McKay has built up a strong clientele and a reputation for her eye on style. Now being thrown back into the styling world, McKay will continue to jet set off to work on projects in NY and LA but will always come back to her safe haven in Chicago at TK. As year two unfolds, McKay plans to bring in some new undiscovered labels and focus more on her niche of guiding clients and helping them expand their wardrobe and fashion-comfort zone. Keep your eyes peeled for an amazing men’s fashion show to come in November!

Empire Liquors, one of three concepts owned by Matt Eisler opened in October 2006. As the edgy sibling of Gold Coast, Elm Street Liquors, Empire brought to Wicker Park a lounge offering with an amazing interior to boot. The vibe at Empire is a little more hipster, although it holds the unpretentious card true to its heart. Bottle service is not a focus, but always is fun to have in the back-secluded gagster booth, which holds front row seating to the dance floor. Since the summer, DJs Emilio Abadia (AKA E6) and Matt Roan have held residencies bringing in the underground music scene and keeping the crowd energized. In July the two kicked off their Dance Party Magic event hosting national talent for a monthly party that has taken off. In August Roan played Lollapolooza and will be hitting up national gigs throughout the next months. While Empire continues to entertain the Wicker Park crowd, Eisler continues to think of new ways to entertain Chicagoans. Look for new concepts from the brainchild in 2008.

Congratulations TK Men & Empire to a great year and cheers to successes to come!

Ali Hazlinger
Senior Publicist

A GRACEFUL GATHERING

Hostess Kristi Ryan dazzled in her doo.ri navy bubble dress and Luciano Padovan platform peep toe disco ball pumps (pictured) while she mingled with her guests at the grace shoe boutique grand opening party Tuesday, September 18th. The fashionable guests admired the beautiful and exclusive fall footwear that was hand picked by Bucktown boutique owner Kristi Ryan herself.

Guests sipped on champagne and dined on a delectable selection of J&L Catering’s hors d’oeuvres like chilled cucumber disks with minted chevre and crushed pistachio and the J&L signature curried chicken salad in miniature rice paper baskets.

Footwear fanatics gushed over the Hunter Wellie Rain Boot, which grace carries in 9 bold colors, there is nothing like being trendy in the rain! Another hot seller was the Dusica Duscia knee high riding boot in a caramel color, definitely a boot that would turn heads. One of my personal favorites in the store is the Gwendolyn Carrie glazed fish skin exotic navy pump with a soft almond toe - you cannot go wrong with this sophisticated and stylish shoe. The most remarkable material used in the Gwendolyn Carrie collection is real fish skin leather, which means the shoes are waterproof! I only dream about owning a shoe this outrageously luxurious!

grace is located at 1917 North Damen Avenue, 773.384.7223.

Elizabeth Kujawa
Publicist