Top-model stylist to train staff in Rockford

Add comment March 15th, 2010

David Glover, who has styled the hair of top models and celebrities including Elle McPherson, Heidi Klum and Tyra Banks, will present a hands-on training session Wednesday for stylists at Beth Ann Weis Salon & Spa, Rockford.

Oscars escort could wear gown designed by former Rockfordian

Add comment February 25th, 2010

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Vote once daily online through 11:59 p.m. Monday at oscars.com for a dress designed by Elda De La Rosa to win the Oscars Design Challenge. The prize: The gown will be worn by an onstage awards escort at the 82nd Annual Academy Awards on March 7.

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Elda De La Rosa (right) with the model wearing the dress she designed for the Oscars Designer Challege. (photo provided)

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De La Rosa of Chicago attended Rockford public schools as well as Boylan Catholic High School. Her parents, Aurelio Sr. and Francisca De La Rosa, live in Rockford, as do siblings.

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De La Rosa learned to sew from Frances Castronovo when she worked summers at Castronovo Bridal Shop in Rockford. She is one of nine designers whose dresses are in the online Oscars Designer Challenge.

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The gown she designed is called Lucero and is platinum in color. Her custom-made gowns typically sell for about $5,000.

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The winning designer will be announced live during the Oscar’s Pre-Show on March 7.

$70 boxers designed by Harlem High grad

Add comment January 11th, 2010

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The way Richard Dayhoff figures, he has no competition marketing his new $70 high-performance men’s underwear to exclusive stores such as Takashimaya New York and I.D. Chicago.

Provided photo by Bahar Partow

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The Chicago-based fashion designer, who graduated in 1977 from Harlem High School in Machesney Park, told me in a telephone conversation last week that those stores don’t sell underwear other than the new line that bears his name because none are as technologically advanced and fashionable.

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Dayhoff’s athletic-cut, contour boxer briefs rapidly transport perspiration to the outer surface, leaving the inner layer dry. This keeps the fabric feeling fresh and lightweight, he said. And the underwear retains its shape because of the memory of the fabric. “This is the top of the line,” said Dayhoff, 50, who has been designing for 20 years, including men’s sportswear and women’s fashions. He’s even dressed Oprah.

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.Richard Dayhoff, provided photo

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Dayhoff plans to design a signature contour brief, fitted tank and T-shirt soon.

Magenta 4-plus-inch heels have Geo out of her comfort zone

2 comments November 9th, 2009

The magenta 4-inch-plus-platform-heeled sandals I’m wearing for a fashion show Friday have me in a tizzy.

 

I’ve never owned pink, or even red, shoes; never worn heels higher than 2.5 inches. But I’m really digging these heels. They make my Puttin’ on the Glitz look for the SwedishAmerican cancer fundraiser at Giovanni’s. The little black dress I’m wearing from That Boutique is simply nice, but the shoes from the same store make the ensemble pop.

 

Guess I’m so stoked about wearing the heels because I’m pushing my comfort zone with the height and color. Reminds me in a small way of Mary E. Larson of Pecatonica, 86, who’ll next week act in her first play since high school. She’ll be featured in GO on Nov. 17.

 

Now, if I can make it safely across the catwalk and can find $69 I don’t think I should be spending elsewhere, I’m going to buy these heels. Even if I don’t wear them again for a few years, I don’t have to worry about my feet growing. I’ve been a 10 since high school.

BRAD BURT | ROCKFORD REGISTER STAR
GO columnist Georgette Braun models magenta Caparros shoes with 4-inch heels ($69 at That Boutique) that she’ll wear Nov. 13 at Puttin’ on the Glitz, a fashion-show fundraiser at Giovanni’s in Rockford for The Regional Cancer Center at SwedishAmerican.

 

 

     

I’m a winner; really, I am

3 comments October 5th, 2009

I modeled clothes from That Boutique Sunday at The Mauh-Nah-Tee-See Club for a breast cancer research fundraiser, and I was the envy of most of the 220 women and a few guys who attended.

They weren’t seeing green because of the biker-chic black jacket with tails and faux-leather-look pants I was showing off to the crowd, though it was a cool outfit and fit my character well. They were coveting the $500 rose pink Dell laptop I won in a raffle there at the end of the event. Of all the dozens of prizes including silent-auction items of dinners, golf, jewelry, beauty items and hotel stays, the laptop was the one thing practically everybody wanted.

Cindy Genrich, owner of Heritage Woods Salon in Rockford, who organized the luncheon event Sunday, said it raised about $5,000 for breast cancer research.

I am really appreciative that my ticket was drawn from the box, and I’m really digging the computer. It’s my first laptop. Now, if could only be so lucky to win the $174,000 Great Home Giveaway house in South Beloit that the Arc is raffling off Oct. 8, I’d be able to use my new laptop to tell you all about my good fortune. (Bet you can’t wait for that, right? Ha.) You can buy $20 tickets until 4:30 p.m. Thursday at 815-965-3455.

Hey, while we’re dreaming on, you could win a $1,500 pair of diamond-encrusted earrings in the shape of the breast-cancer ribbon and other prizes. The earrings donated by Zavius Jewelers are a prize at the Victory Lap Brunch Oct. 17, which follows the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk at 9 a.m. Oct. 17 at Martin Park in Loves Park. Brunch at $20 is presented by the Register Star at Cliffbreakers Riverside Resort in Rockford. For more information: 815-987-1453, bricotta@rrstar.com.

Good luck to you all.

First jewelry line, now clothes for Housewife from Rockford

Add comment September 18th, 2009

Kelly Killoren Bensimon, who grew up in Rockford and stars on “The Real Housewives of New York City,” already has a jewelry line. Now, she’ll be part of a clothing line, according to this story in the LA Times.

First owls, now snakes. Housewives star and Rockford native has new jewelry line

Add comment August 14th, 2009

Around the office, I’m known as the one not to invite to those Lia Sophia home jewelry parties everybody and their sister is hosting. I consider my tastes a bit edgier than what’s available, and the jewelry costs more than I’m willing to pay.

I may have found a new line that suits my fancy, although the jury is still out about the price thing. And it’s got a Rockford connection. It’s designed by model and “The Real Housewives of New York City” star Kelly Killoren Bensimon, who was born and schooled in Rockford.

My faves are these snake rings:  

Each costs $88 and are available here. The new line is called “Kelly,” and the core is Navajo and American Indian inspired.

But a former colleague of Bensimon’s is sticking a pin into the jewelry line.  According to this story in the New York Post,  the former colleague claims Bensimon lifted an idea from her for Kelly’s owl necklaces ($325). A Bensimon representative says in the story that there’s no validity to her claim.

Bensimon is wearing the owl necklace here, and some of her other jewelry is also pictured.