Culture | Sep. 2024
THE BUZZ: SEPTEMBER 2024
By Erin Donaldson
Rutland Men’s Shooting Suit in Green Ash
BONFIRE CHIC
Smith’s Men’s Store is teaming up with Alan Paine Clothing on a trunk show to support Lake Forest Open Lands Association (LFOLA). The show is scheduled for Friday, September 27 and Saturday, September 28 to correspond with LFOLA’s annual Bagpipes and Bonfire event on Sunday, September 29. During the trunk show, customers will have access to the entire line of Alan Paine merchandise, including its Country Collection. The store will donate a portion of proceeds from Alan Paine sales purchased during the trunk show to Open Lands. smithsmensstore.com
HIT THE BOOKS
Actually, just hit one book: Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt. This year’s Lake Forest Reads selection is a beautifully written, life-affirming tale of a world-weary widow and the friendship she forges with a wise, old octopus. After reading this heart-warmer, you’ll be anxious to de brief and will have ample opportunity in October. Join friends and neighbors at one or more of the book-related events hosted by the Lake Forest Library and its community partners next month. lakeforestlibrary.org/lake-forest-reads
FINDERS KEEPERS
Who doesn’t love a good find—especially when its purchase is benefiting charity? On Sunday, September 8 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. the Lake Forest Chapter of Infant Welfare Society hosts its 56th annual fundraiser—the beloved, must-attend event, Antiques & Treasures. Vendors from all over the Midwest will offer treasures including furniture, clothing, glassware, garden accessories, vintage jewelry, and clothing. New offerings include vintage bicycles, stationery, Turkish linens, and upscale vintage Western items. Also new this year will be specialty drinks, coffee, and food vendors with breakfast and lunch options. Proceeds will benefit the Angel Harvey Family Health Center in Chicago, a Logan Square-based facility providing health care services and education to medically underserved and vulnerable families in the Chicago area. lakeforestiws.org
WELL SUITED
Since 1937, Smith’s Men’s Store has been synonymous with timeless style on the North Shore. In 2019, new owners Kip Helverson and Trey Gonzales restored the shop’s charm and are now marking their fifth anniversary of ownership. Together, they have crafted an elevated shopping experience, blending luxurious apparel with expert in-house tailoring. Buoyed by their success in Lake Forest, Helverson and Gonzales proudly announce a second location in Winnetka, scheduled to open in October. Whether in Lake Forest or soon in Winnetka, Smith’s Men’s Store offers a curated selection of men’s sportswear, business attire, casual pieces, and formalwear suitable for every generation. For more information, visit smithsmensstore.com.
A TAPESTRY OF TALES
Chicago-based interior designer Claire Staszak of Centered by Design and French heritage wallpaper brand Isidore Leroy have launched a new wallpaper collaboration titled “Méditerranean Rêverie.” The collection traces back to the idyllic interiors of European homes from Venice to Antibes. For her first-ever product launch, Staszak pairs this timeless inspiration with fanciful charm to design six papers including fully immersive murals that feature garden and trellis motifs, old-world architectural paneling, shell patterns, classic stripes, and Venetian marbling. The collection will roll out on Isidore’s e-commerce site where the Isidore team will work with customers to tailor the murals to their specific rooms, and customers can directly purchase rolls of wallpaper. For more information, visit us.isidoreleroy.com.
GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY
Reward yourself with a Fairmont Gold experience at the recently renovated Fairmont Chicago Millennium Park. A private lounge offering VIP concierge services and complimentary food and drinks throughout the day is exclusively available to Fairmont Gold guests. Eighty-three extensively transformed Fairmont Gold guestrooms and suites provide an extra touch of splendor, and the hotel’s dedicated team strives to deliver the highest level of personalized service to each Fairmont Gold guest. Whether locals are enjoying a staycation in the city, or visitors are getting their first look at the famous Cloud Gate across the street, this “hotel within a hotel” provides all guests with an unforgettable stay. For more information, visit fairmontchicago.com.
ALEXANDER MCQUEEN OUTLET ARRIVES
Fashion Outlets of Chicago, the award-winning outlet shopping center located in Rosemont, has welcomed the Midwest’s first Alexander McQueen outlet location to its roster of more than 130 top designer outlets including lululemon, 7 for All Mankind, Gucci and more. One of the most celebrated fashion houses across the globe, Alexander McQueen was founded in 1992 by iconic designer Lee Alexander McQueen. The brand is distinctive for an expression of individuality, subversive strength, and raw power. With a design studio and atelier based in London, the house is known for uncompromising quality and creative vision. For more information, visit fashionoutletsofchicago.com.
HOW TO WEAR EVERYTHING
Net-a-Porter’s Fashion Director Kay Barron shares the expertise she has gleaned from over two decades in the fashion industry in How to Wear Everything. In this recently released book, Barron reveals the best-kept secret: getting dressed is not that hard. How to Wear Everything is a celebration of clothes, of wearing what works for you (despite what the trends say), and of finding that ever elusive perfect pair of jeans. barnesandnoble.com
ICONIC FASHION MODEL KATE MOSS LAUNCHES COSMOSS
Inspired and created by model Kate Moss, COSMOSS is a luxury wellness brand focused on holistic selfcare and mindful beauty. Modeled after Moss’s own restorative rituals, the vegan fragrance and skincare products promote balance, peace, and rejuvenation. olivela.com
PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARCO BAHLER
NAOMI IN FASHION: NAOMI CAMPBELL
In this remarkable book, trailblazing supermodel Naomi Campbell selects her favorite photographs of herself—by iconic photographers such as Steven Meisel, Peter Lindbergh, Paolo Roversi, Ellen von Unwerth, Arthur Elgort, Karim Sadli, and Mikael Jansson—to showcase her life in fashion from the earliest appearances until today. Featuring a wide-ranging interview with Naomi, this glamorous, engaging, yet accessible book celebrates Naomi as one of the world’s leading role models and inspiration to the creatives of today and the future. © Naomi in Fashon: Naomi Campbell, Victoria and Albert Museum, Rizzoli Electa. rizzoli.com
TIMO & VIOLET
Timo & Violet is a joyful collection of artfully crafted bed linens, toweling, swaddles, blankets, and bibs for babies, children, and families. The brand’s timeless products honor nature, spark wonder, and are inspired by the world around us. The hand-drawn chinoiserie, butterfly, and sea creature illustrations are by London-based artist Aurélie Baudry Palmer, who has been commissioned by HRH The Princess of Wales. Designed by parents, each product is sustainably sourced and ethically made in small batches to ensure its quality and craftsmanship. In addition to using certified organic cotton, they recently received their B Corp certification, the gold standard in sustainability. timoandviolet.com
BACK TO SCHOOL WITH MINI BODEN
Have a picture perfect start to the school year with Mini Boden! Comfy, colorful, and made to hold up to whatever the school day serves up, Mini Boden offers wardrobe staples like graphic t-shirts, jeans, dresses, sweaters, skirts, and jackets that are this season’s must-haves. Their latest collection is bursting with sweet patterns and hand-drawn prints that let your little ones express their personalities in fun (fashionable!) ways. Mini Boden is available online at boden.com and select Nordstrom locations.
