Wrapping up Fashion Week, Kate is going to be writing a feature focusing on the trends showcased throughout Mercedes Benz Fashion Week, and the amazing Linda Cassady will be illustrating looks on how you can take the runway into your workplace! This feature will also be included in the next issue of TheWorkingWardrobe.Digital.

Now…on to the runways!

Alas, as when redecorating a home, once you have the purse, then you need the new wallet, and the iPhone case, and…now the silk iPad case. I came across these stunning silk iPad cases on sale now through Fab.com. Now how great would it be if I sit down at the office for a meeting, open up my Kate Spade laptop bag, and pull out my iPad in one of these Asha Chaudhuri cases? I would sign up for more meetings just to do that! Well, maybe not.

We also share more reads each day through our Twitter feed and Facebook page, so if you’re hungry for more, you have even more places to check out! Have you read something you want included or do you have a theme you’d like us to feature? Let us know in the comments or email it to rachel@theworkingwardrobe.com. Happy reading!

TheWorkingWardrobe Takes Manhattan (TheWorkingWardrobe): Moving for work is hard. You have to develop a new routine and face some challenges that you may not have thought about when packing – such as, you may have to carry those suitcases up and down four flights of stairs…multiple times. Here is my chronicle of my adjustment to living – and working – in a new city!

Five High-Risk, High-Reward Steps to Starting Your Dream Company (Mashable): Here are five risky steps that will actually help protect the downside of a new company and, counter-intuitively, set you up for success.

Fashion Changes, and So Do the Magazines (New York Times): Readers can expect to see some changes in the big March magazine issues, most notably in Glamour and Harper’s Bazaar.

Career Change Tips (Christian Science Monitor): Seven ideas that people can use as they try to reinvent themselves at work.

Entrepreneurship is Really Risky, Right? (Inc.): A pair of experts on start-up life challenge the conventional notion that other career paths are far safer than starting your own business.

SpeakingOfFashion: JCPenney Changes, Illustrations, TWW.Print Launch & Cover Rants (TheWorkingWardrobe): Hear what we think about the JCPenney changes. Also hear why Tenisha hates magazine cover lines. This is SpeakingOfFashion – listen up!

Five Ways the Digital Camera Changed Us (BBC): How did the bulky contraption unveiled in 1975 help turn everyone into a photographer?

Suit and Tie: Work Attire or Economic Risk? (TheWorkingWardrobe): When Diane MacLeod Shink began to collect vintage aprons in earnest, she’d often find 10 or 15 at a time at places like Village des Valeurs and pay no more than 50 cents apiece.

TheWorkingWardrobe is proud to partner with street style blog TresAwesome for our“What I Wear to Work” series.

Do you want to be a part of our “What I Wear to Work” series? Email a photo, your first name and industry to rachel@theworkingwardrobe.com,  tweet your photo to us here,  or post it on our Facebook fan page! Whatever medium you so choose, we’d love to see what you wear to work!

It’s Tuesday, February 7th and it’s half past the middle of the night. I should be in bed since I work at 9:00 a.m. but instead, I am sitting amongst piles of clothes, shoes, accessories and handbags anxiously awaiting placement in my empty over-sized suitcase, in order to finally write this post. I needed a break from packing for my first-ever trip to New York to  attend my first-ever Fashion Week, which I am covering on behalf of TheWorkingWardrobe.com. Deciding what to wear for Fashion Week is an exhausting task for a girl.

I am a little bit overdue on my post so thought it was high-time I updated TheWorkingWardrobe readers on what has been going on in The Windy City the past couple of weeks.

Thursday, January 26th, I attended the Watch312.com launch party at the James Hotel. Watch312.com is “an unparalleled online resource providing Chicagoans and people throughout the world with the latest news and sports talk, and a behind the scenes look into charity events, parties, movie premieres, restaurants, nightlife and more!”

The party was hosted by Watch312.com contributors, Amanda Puck (dish IT!), EVP of XA, The Experiential Agency; Candace Jordan (Candid Candace), premier Chicago socialite and philanthropist; and D.C. Crenshaw (Chicago Unplugged), CEO at Fete Select TV. The event went from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. I was a little bit worried showing up to the party at 7:30 p.m. especially since there were three other major events going on that same evening.

The following text message conversation sums up the event perfectly:

Ryan at 7:20 p.m: “Is it empty?”

Me: “Packed.”

Party-goers enjoying the event

The event ended up being a complete success! I enjoyed light appetizers, a glass of wine and catch-up conversation with some of my favorite industry friends. It was an honor to be among Chicago’s most sociable, high class, fashionable and well-reputed people. I wish the best success to Watch312.com! I am lucky to live in a city so committed to being proactive and supportive of all things Chicago. Kudos and good luck! For more stellar coverage and photos of the event, please visit Racked Chicago’s website.

Rockit River North's Operations Manager, Scott Horwitch, sipping champagne & strutting down the runway.

The highlight of last weekend was attending the Modern Man Fashion Show at Underground Chicago. The event was designed to honor the city’s most fashionable and trendsetting men.

The debonair runway extroardinaire(s) were as follows:

• Andrew Barber
• Andrew Henderson
• Curtis House
• Doug (Stylz) Bobrowski
• Edward Glassman
• Ernest Wilkins
• Jason Berngard
• Jeremy Scheuch
• Justin Roman
• Kevin Aeh
• Phil Tadros
• Scott Horwitch
• Shannon Sangster
• Tim Toomey
• De’Mar Hamilton
• Ahmed Braimah
• Klay Korver
• Ryan Wells

Looks were provided by Apartment Number 9, Haberdash Men’s Shop, Sir and Madame, and cityblue. The men sure looked dashing and dapper and with Valentine’s Day around the corner (I am currently dateless), I didn’t mind watching handsome, well-dressed men walk the runway.

Time Out Chicago's Kevin Aeh

The most memorable moment was when Ryan Wells kicked off the show by singing a cappella to the crowd. It was sensational! I couldn’t get over how he was able to stay on pitch while singing over a crowded room full of chatty voices. My favorite thing about shows like this is how invested people get when they know someone who is walking. It makes it all the more fun to be a part of and watch. I have yet another successful Friday and event to add to my list.

To view the full gallery from the Modern Man Fashion Show, please click here.

And in the midst of all of this, did I mention that I am planning two TheWorkingWardrobe.Print Magazine Launch Parties? One in New York and one in Chicago. The first one is set for Thursday, February 23rd from 6-8 p.m. at Proof Nightclub (1045 N. Rush Street) in Chicago. Space is filling up quickly, so be sure to RSVP HERE as soon as possible!

RSVP: http://theworkingwardrobeprint.eventbrite.com/

What better way to kick-off fashion week than by featuring Chicago-based designer Elise Bergman who is representing the Windy City in New York for Fashion Week by competing in the Diet Pepsi Style Studio. Bergman was one of four designers hand-picked by Simon Doonan to participate in the competition. Doonan mentored the designers who are each creating three looks he conceptualized: fierce animal prints, avant-garde work wear and metallic finishes inspired by the Diet Pepsi can as seen through the lens of THEIR city.

Bergman launched her eponymous label in July of 2006 with a rack full of handmade, one-of-a-kind pieces. Her collection can be found in a handpicked selection of fine boutiques nationwide. While a Chicagoan through-and-through, Elise spent the past two winters living in the mountains of Montana. The rustic outdoors and fast-paced, sophisticated urban environments are equally inspirational to Elise. When designing, she keeps both city and country girls in mind. She uses luxurious silks and pairs them with organic cottons, hand-dyed or hand-woven natural materials, and rare vintage fabrics. She designs multi-functional pieces that are classic and elegant with a sustainable, feminine, and youthful twist.

Interview:

TWW:  Elise, congratulations on the exciting opportunity to compete in the Diet Pepsi Style Studio Runway Show! Out of all the Chicago designers that could’ve been selected, how does it feel to be chosen to represent the Windy City in New York for fashion week?

Elise: Thank you very much! There is an incredible pool of design talent in Chicago and it is an honor (and a surprise) to have been singled out to participate in the Diet Pepsi Style Studio Runway Show. I am grateful to be part of the Chicago fashion community and hope I represent our city well.

TWW: What have you learned through the experience thus far that you will use in the future to elevate your brand locally and nationally?

EB: Simon Doonan is serving as a mentor throughout the process and has offered some really great advice about how to present our designs on the national stage. We will be meeting him this afternoon for fittings and feedback, and I plan to listen carefully to what he has to say!

TWW: How does competing in events such as this help with the exposure of your brand? Are you currently looking to expand your brand nationally?

EB: Reaching a wider audience is an ongoing goal and challenge for an independent fashion brand. I can only hope that an experience such as this will lead to other valuable opportunities. But right now, I am just enjoying being a part of this and taking in the experience as something wonderful in and of itself.

TWW: What do you think you will contribute as a designer to the competition that will bring a “refreshing perspective?”

EB: I grew up in Chicago and love living here. Chicago is a major city with so many vibrant and thriving cultural elements (spectacular architecture, world class restaurants, amazing arts organizations, great music community, our lakefront, etc). As a city, I believe Chicago also has a laid-back, polite, Midwest mentality. The refreshing perspective that I hope to bring to NYFW is something that reflects the creative community I am a part of and is fashion forward yet accessible.

TWW:The press release talks about the designers in the competition translating high fashion for the everyday woman. TheWorkingWardrobe.com’s content caters to the everyday worker. How do you personally translate high fashion for the everyday woman? What are some tips you would give to women to achieve a high fashion look that is wearable and yet affordable?

EB: Simon Doonan gave us key style trends to serve as the inspiration for our three looks for the runway presentation. The categories include safari/fierce animal prints, avant garde workwear, and metallics inspired by the Diet Pepsi can. I worked with the categories and tried to find ways to subtly and in a sophisticated way incorporate them into my own design aesthetic. I want to recognize the trends and be inspired by them, but also stay true to my personal style and clothing that works in Chicago. I suppose that my advice would be just that: to pay attention to high fashion trends and work them into your wardrobe in small doses, but focus on/invest in simple, classic, and timeless pieces.

TWW: In your opinion, what three elements are currently missing that would help put Chicago on the fashion map?

EB: There are a lot of great minds in Chicago working to develop the fashion industry here. From the Chicago Fashion Incubator to the team of people who put on Fashion Focus Chicago, I think we have the right intentions about helping develop new designers and bringing awareness to Chicago’s fashion brands and we are taking baby steps towards having a bigger star on the fashion map. While we are getting there, the limited access to affordable materials and production make it difficult to do everything locally. However, there is a lot of talent and a lot of effort being put in to nurturing that talent and keeping it local and I think it just takes time. I am excited to see where we are on the map five years from now.

TWW: According to your website, you are ‘committed to using local production and skilled craftsmanship, paying fair wages, and staying involved in every single step of [your] business.’ I am very impressed and find it refreshing, but has it made it difficult to build a business by doing business the right way? Are you ever tempted to change your practices to expand the Elise Bergman brand?

EB: I love how my business is structured and will do whatever I can to keep it this way. “Doing business the right way” sometimes means the turnaround is slower, the yield is smaller, and the cost is higher. But, the artistic process and the little steps that go into making a garment are what drive my business and keep me excited about running a fashion brand. Even if and as business grows, I will do my best to keep production local and maintain some element of the custom, hand-made component.

TWW: Can you give our readers any hint or preview of what they should expect to see from Elise Bergman this week in New York?

EB: Custom designed prints for the safari look. I took the concept of “zebra crossings and spotty predators” and abstracted it a bit. I wanted to take the animal print trend and make it a little more subtle and in line with my other looks. I am excited about the result!

If you happen to be in New York, please join me in supporting Elise and other up-and-coming designers at the Diet Pepsi Style Studio Runway Show on Thursday, February 9th at 8:00 p.m. at The Box.

An alternative to the recent surge of bright neon hues, sorbet shades were also on the runway for Spring 2012. Try this trend by pairing pastel-colored garments with a neutral piece (like the gray blazers or white trousers pictured below). You can bring pretty pastels from catwalk to cubicle even now – and as Fall Fashion Week is kicking off, why not celebrate last season’s fashions! Look at the collection of soft-hued sweaters, cardigans, and jackets at the end of the post to get you started this winter.

Diane von Furstenberg Spring 2012

3.1 Phillip Lim Spring 2012

Tommy Hilfiger Spring 2012

Diane von Furstenberg Spring 2012

Tuesday night was the night that I picked up these bags and dragged them to stay in a corner in my sublet until I officially move there. Plus it allowed me to sign the lease, pick up the keys, and meet the amazing couple from whom I’m subletting. Unfortunately, the suitcases and four shopping bags down four flights of stairs, down a stoop and shimmying everything to a corner to beg for a cab was anything but amazing. Luckily, I found a cab. And luckily, the trip was completely worth it. The apartment dear readers, is lovely. The couple who’s subletting the apartment to me – they are lovely. The entire experience – surreal. I felt like I was floating above myself, looking down and thinking, “This is what you would do in college…how old are you?” – Go away self.

But readers let me tell you, this sublet is amazing. And the neighborhood is just as good. I can not tell you how excited I am to make a temporary home out of Astoria. We as humans usually want routine. Well I’m there! I will find that Astoria cafe, dry cleaner, yoga studio, and a bed. I repeat…a bed (translate = no air mattress).

And now…on to Fashion Week…out of a suitcase. Oh yes, bring it on!