Lori's Favorite Things: Everyday Chic

Lori's Favorite Things: Everyday Chic by Lori's featuring wrap around shoes

Bobi slouchy tee
$46 - lorisshoes.com

BB dakota
$54 - lorisshoes.com

Nicole wrap around shoes
$64 - lorisshoes.com

Beading jewelry
$24 - lorisshoes.com

Glitter eyeliner will let you sparkle without mess! - Lookfantastic...
lookfantastic.com

Shockingly Good: The Voltage Fashion Event in Minneapolis

Hosted at legendary First Avenue in the heart of Minneapolis, “Voltage: Fashion Amplified” is the final event of MNfashion Week. I was one of five stylists helping pull this over-the-top event together. Ten apparel designers and more than a dozen accessories designers dressed five live bands in addition to the runway looks—every one of us a Minnesota native.

I arrived at First Ave. just after 3 p.m. with several bags, boxes and my lovely styling assistant, Jeana, whom I met in college and who has an equal obsession for all things fashion. She also shares my perfectionist tendencies. I knew she was perfect for the job!

Before we knew it, our four hours of prepping and styling had vanished; the doors at First Avenue opened to the public. The noise out front grew quickly. I slipped out of my day clothes and into a monochromatic number with Jeffrey Campbell Litas just before the show started.

The designers I styled, Kathryn and Max, were, respectively, the first and last collections to walk down the runway. Just before the scheduled 8 p.m. start, I followed Kathryn and all twelve models downstairs to wait. It seemed like only moments before all of the models were taking their final turn with Kathryn, accessory designer TimmiLynn and myself following behind. The lights were bright and the crowd was roaring applause. I'm not even sure if I smiled. I just remember thinking don't fall, don't fall, don't fall, don't fall.

Around 8:30 p.m., I sat for the first time in, like, six hours! I may have been a little delirious—and completely beat—by the end of the night, but I had an absolute blast and couldn't have been more thrilled with the night. The show was amazing. Minnesota’s homegrown talent is limitless!

I want to express my genuine gratitude to all my designers, Jahna, Jackie, Jeana and the generosity of Lori's Shoes for their incredible shoe sponsorship!

The adorable shoes used in the show: Nicole Able, Matisse Asher, Libby Edelman Rose, Jeffrey Campbell Heather

—Kitty Cotten of Geisha Pearl

About the Designers

Kathryn V

Kathryn V's collection makes me giddy for spring! I want to slip myself into the layers of adorable floral patterns and cognac espadrilles. The models and myself were obsessing over the Matisse Asher wedges! Learn more about Kathryn V's designs.

TimmiLynn

TimmiLynn jewelry is all gold tones and brightly colored jewels. Her earrings are the perfect combination of girly-girl and badassedness, matching boho-inspired drop earrings to angular chain links. Available in her shop, Temple Drake, on Etsy.

 

Oui oui, Montmartre ...

Maybe, just maybe, spring is going to show its face here in Sweden. In the meantime, what could be better than to put on a pair of the skyrocketing Jeffrey Campbell Foxy and run up and down the streets of Montmartre?

Nothing, according to us.

  
These shoes scream out attitude and we love it. A big plus is that they match almost everything in our wardrobe: party or coffee-hang, it's your call.

We are sure that these shoes will accompany us in the future. After all, these pictures are taken in Paris, but soon we will be occupied with Madrid, London and the rest of the world!

  

What Lori's Women Want

The average Lori's shopper usually wants one of two things ... or should I say one of both things: a shoe that can be dressed up and down, and an easy shoe—low maintenance and easy to accessorize. No bells and whistles, these woman want the "Everyday Shoe." Merging these demands into a single, ideal shoe is no easy feat.

Calvin Klein's Olive in black patent

Of course, the ideal varies.

Women in the office are looking for a sturdy practical heel for daily wear. These women love Calvin Klein’s Olive in either leather or patent or Franco Sarto’s Luxe in Dune, Black or Cognac. Vaneli is a must for women with narrow feet, who often have trouble finding pumps that fit well. Enter Undine, Dizzy, Urseline and Ulan. These styles are low or moderate in height, sturdy and feminine.

Steve Madden's Fantastik in khak

Then you have your brand enthusiasts. These trendy women follow a brand religiously, seeking out styles from a particular designer to build their collection. Jeffrey Campbell is the leader of the brand pack in the store. (Sam Edelman comes in at a respectable second.) I cannot tell you how many women come in looking for the über-fierceness that is Jeffrey Campbell. JC women are looking for shock appeal—they want their shoes to pop. Comfort is not a necessity ... it's more of a plus.

Being a JC connoisseur, this is where I shine. (Hi, Lori’s women! Meet me, Ashley: adamant lover of all chunky, heeled things stacked on platform.) When I look for shoes I am concerned about getting height with minimal pain. Anything in boot/wedge/platform shapes sets my heart a-flutter.

Boots are still and will forever be my ideal heel. If you like the coverage and look of a boot, short boots are a great lead-in to summer. They look super cute when paired with girly patterned dress and skinnies. Vic Matie, Sam Edelman, Progretto and Via Spiga are always crowd pleasers in this category.

To keep it truly simple every day, go with the classic ballerina. It’s easy, it goes with anything from skinnies to dresses. The flat gladiator is a similar favorite as it adds a bit of oomph without causing a stir.

Wedges and chunky heels are no-brainers. They are this season's ideal shoe. Our star wedges have been Vaneli’s Dandy, Steve Madden’s Fantastik and Matisse’s Lovee for their uncanny resemblance to Stuart Weitzman’s rope design. For dressier occasions wedge and chunky heel lovers are always into a shoe with a platform such as the forever popular Irina by Pour la Victoire. The signature double-stack platform is akin to that of a YSL.

—Ashley Lacey, Armitage staff and creator of Stiletto Chic


   

In and Out and Color All Over

We styled this shoot with a fun metro vibe in mind. We liked the idea of taking a flirty, girly outfit and placing it against the graphics-heavy, primary color background of an very urban and very L.A. spot. Mixing the softness of the chiffon blouse and flirty short from Free People with Jeffery Campbell patent wedges, it environment became a color pop with an intense blue sky.

—Valerie & Camila of A Butterfly by Day

  

Crain's Chicago Business Interviews Lori About The Lori's Shoes Website

If your small-business website isn't designed to sell, what good is it doing you?

Lori's Shoes is featured on Fox Chicago's "Spring Fashion" segment by Kevin of Time Out Chicago

70s Big in Spring Fashion Trends: Aeh: MyFoxCHICAGO.com

Sailing Into Spring

This shoot was inspired by the jumpsuit Lori's sent us. We styled this one with a '70s vibe using soft makeup and a high ponytail. We shot it on a boat in the docks of the harbor. We were after a more sophisticated look—polished and pretty against an intense, blue sky.

—Valerie & Camilla of A Butterfly by Day