tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56996671502180978172024-02-19T05:59:37.175-06:00Behind the Seams: A Davis Imperial Blogcouture fashion fabricare, luxe weddings, and secrets of a prestige dry cleanerBehind the Seams: A Davis Imperial Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04047209947571531173noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5699667150218097817.post-44558378714032863642011-12-16T08:00:00.002-06:002011-12-16T15:48:54.056-06:00Q&A with Lynda, Rick, and Jordan: is club soda a miracle worker?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.davisimperial.com/art/blog/lynda-rick-jordan-qa-header.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.davisimperial.com/art/blog/lynda-rick-jordan-qa-header.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Happy </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Friday, Readers!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Welcome to the another session of reader questions, answered with care and expertise by Lynda, Rick, and Jordan. Today, our reader wants to know if an age-old tip really works:</span><br />
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<div style="font: 12px Times; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Question: "I am going to a lot of formal parties and events this season, so I am breaking out some of my favorite dresses. I love the holidays, but it seems as though whenever I wear a great piece to a party I spill on it. What's the best way to handle this? I have heard of dabbing club soda on the stain, but is there another solution I should be using?"--Karyn {Chicago, IL}</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12px Times; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="font: 12px Helvetica; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; margin-top: 0px;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsc1NcvQhTp1ZGtaky1OYSJpMYtvbU7j9hw2nEmAlchJYGhTHa_nPyYq7FjkyJTJYWpoJVeYJdFrHH7ZmjI_0HsBU-mWXICUrJ3w1CWI-tjuEHN6jfvUje-MooOMmfFxgj3bEc6ISnu18/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-07-15+at+8.10.18+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsc1NcvQhTp1ZGtaky1OYSJpMYtvbU7j9hw2nEmAlchJYGhTHa_nPyYq7FjkyJTJYWpoJVeYJdFrHH7ZmjI_0HsBU-mWXICUrJ3w1CWI-tjuEHN6jfvUje-MooOMmfFxgj3bEc6ISnu18/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-07-15+at+8.10.18+AM.png" /></a></div><br />
<div style="font: 12px Times; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"></div><div style="font: 12px Times; margin: 0px;"><b><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Answer: </span></span></span></b><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well-meaning friends generally reach for the club soda bottle and a napkin on the way to the aid of wine- or makeup-stained dresses, but <b><i>o</i></b></span></span><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ur overwhelming response is absolutely do not use club soda</span></span></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. In fact, the safest answer to your question is do not put anything at all on the stain.</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12px Times; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 12px Times; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Why? Well, essentially there are two types of stains, those that can be broken down with water (known professionally as water soluble stains) and those that can only be broken down with chemical solutions (known professionally as solvent soluble stains). Lipstick and most make-up stains can only be removed by chemical solutions, so the only result of applying club soda to that type of stain is creating two stains: the original make-up stain and a second problem--the dreaded club soda stain ring.</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12px Times; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12px Times; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I guess you are now thinking that since a wine stain would be classified as water soluble, you can successfully utilize the club soda to remove wine. </span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our answer is NO once again.</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Even though wine stains can be broken down by water, applying club soda on a wine stain would most likely only serve to spread the original wine stain and once again leave the dreaded club soda ring. </span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12px Times; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12px Times; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Applying the club soda can also cause another problem. Typically, the group of good Samaritans surrounding the dress wait with baited breath as the “fabricare doctor” guest begins rubbing the fabric in the affected area with a damp cloth, while continuing to pour the club soda on the stain. Unfortunately the doctor unintentionally has more than likely permanently damaged the finish of the fabric and possibly caused color loss. </span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12px Times; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="font: 12px Times; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What to do? Usually by the time stains occur at the party, you're halfway into the night. Blot (do not rub) your stains with a white cotton napkin, and enjoy every remaining moment of the evening. As soon as you can, take the dress to a trusted professional. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wishing you and your loved ones good health and happiness always…</span></span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.davisimperial.com/art/blog/lynda-rick-jordan-signature.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://www.davisimperial.com/art/blog/lynda-rick-jordan-thumb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.davisimperial.com/art/blog/lynda-rick-jordan-thumb.jpg" /></a><img border="0" src="http://www.davisimperial.com/art/blog/lynda-rick-jordan-signature.gif" /></div><br />
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<div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Special thanks to Lynda, Rick, and Jordan for stopping by and helping out! And don't forget to email, tweet, or Facebook us any questions you may have. We'll pick the best to feature right here. </span></div></div></div>Behind the Seams: A Davis Imperial Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04047209947571531173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5699667150218097817.post-17560525862750613152011-12-06T13:50:00.000-06:002011-12-06T13:50:43.892-06:00Welcome to Our New Readers!We’re so excited to officially announce the launch of our blog, Facebook and Twitter accounts. Many of you have been following along with us for weeks, but for those of you who are new, let’s take a little tour of what Behind the Seams—and the overall Davis Imperial social media collection!—has to offer. <br />
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As a family-owned company, Davis Imperial has always believed in offering unmatched quality fabricare with the type of client service that treats every person as a part of an extended family. Launching a social media component is the perfect progression of these relationships, allowing clients another way to connect with the Davis Imperial team on a fresh and interactive level. <br />
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In this space, we offer an exclusive peek at the events, philanthropy, style, education, and overall specialty operations that go into running one of the top 10 couture fabricare businesses in the nation--a company that is ingrained in the Chicago world of fashion and culture and recognized as by a myriad of media as the “best couture drycleaner".<br />
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As you can see on Behind the Seams, we post once or twice a week, highlighting the latest trends in fashion, offering education on the most commonly asked questions, and covering events and philanthropy from an insider’s perspective. Going forward we plan to showcase some of our favorite designers, boutiques and specialty stores.<br />
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If you’re looking for something, you can either enter it into the “search” window, or you can look through our posts by category (located on the right-hand side). And if you have a question we haven’t answered, we invite you to submit it to davisimperial@gmail.com and we just may feature it in our Q&A column, where Lynda, Rick and Jordan personally deliver their unmatched expertise. You can also subscribe to our blog and receive email notifications each time we post, or follow us by clicking on “join this site.”<br />
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You’ll also see that we have links to our homes around the web. Visit our <a href="http://www.davisimperial.com/">standard website</a> for a full list of services, all things gowns (vintage, eveningwear, gown cleaning preservation and restoration), disaster restoration, pick up and delivery information, education, testimonials, media gallery (video and before and after pics), credentials, recognition, drycleaning resources, fabricarebymail™ press and a wealth of information about the Davis Imperial experience. Click on over to Facebook or Twitter to like or follow us, and you’ll get exclusive updates regarding offers, events, and the world of fashion. And don’t miss our You Tube channel where we house videos featuring before and after stories, celebrities, events, and more. <br />
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We’re thrilled to introduce this new way of interacting with all of you, and we cannot wait to get to know you even better in our pursuit of delivering the absolute best fabricare services out there. Please don’t hesitate to ask questions, offer suggestions, comments or share your story with us. You just might see it featured here!<br />
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Thanks for reading and we’ll see you back here soon.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvryy5AngxwpYhh8EoipRqVNfoQn6VW1ukKEF5LEwH5aire3M3VRbApj87XbE3QlODcLIgRLXINOAiFQ94mmt7faUc6fbKYPLlAepjVDYF5V_kCU3f3xv9AN89-6hNDCVJ8E7zRkSYYZk/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-11-15+at+11.43.43+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvryy5AngxwpYhh8EoipRqVNfoQn6VW1ukKEF5LEwH5aire3M3VRbApj87XbE3QlODcLIgRLXINOAiFQ94mmt7faUc6fbKYPLlAepjVDYF5V_kCU3f3xv9AN89-6hNDCVJ8E7zRkSYYZk/s640/Screen+shot+2011-11-15+at+11.43.43+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>Behind the Seams: A Davis Imperial Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04047209947571531173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5699667150218097817.post-60410610029122754042011-11-11T23:46:00.001-06:002011-12-06T13:46:08.940-06:00Service Club Chicago Celebrates 121st AnniversaryWhile the Service Club of Chicago--a charitable organization for women started in 1890 with the goal of helping the less fortunate of the city--is known for throwing some of the best events in the city, they truly outdid themselves with this year’s annual gala titled “An Evening of Glamour at Club El Morocco”. <br />
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Nodding back to the famous Manhattan Club (frequented in the 1930’s through the 1950’s by celebrities like Marilyn Monroe and Jimmy Stewart and famous for its zebra-themed interior), the event made guests feel as though they were transported back in time. From the complete transformation of the Four Seasons ballroom (courtesy of designer Tom Kehoe) to the absolute classic elegance of the over 430 guests, the evening will last forever in the memory of those present.<br />
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Co-chairs Toni Canada, Dusty Stemer and Laurie Davis helped pull the evening go off without a hitch, complete with a delicious meal. An over-the-top silent auction, a prize-packed live auction conducted by celebrity auctioneer Jim Karas, a heartfelt thank you speech from Service Club president Sherrill Bodine, Masters of Ceremony, Val Warner and Ryan Chiaverini of Windy City Live, and beautiful music from the Ken Arlen Orchestra with a special performance by Shelley MacArthur Farley all contributed to an amazing evening for all. <br />
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Best of all, like always, the event benefited those in need, raising almost $250,000. The Woods of Davis Imperial Cleaners are proud to be a part of such a generous long-standing all-volunteer organization providing grants to local educational, social service, civic, health and cultural organizations. We’d love to share some pictures of the event with you below.<br />
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To learn more about the Service Club, click <a href="http://www.serviceclubofchicago.org/">here</a> or see our last Service Club event recap <a href="http://davisimperialcleaners.blogspot.com/2011/08/event-recap-day-on-terrace-by-service.html">here</a>. Photos courtesy of CandidCandace.com, Steve Starr Photography, Caitlin Saville Collins Photography and Cindy Barrymore Photography.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYgdH6JvTo0XvBFt4SHbBnrc7q9jp6czHGz0kfqCCO2_yinteUNG0zxZaZIBVdWt0hmv40nC3Q9tEvLCNAR4H4cJSdvHXe1hBB8lL7QSp9JTfQ_CvC9H9GF612tq18CiDklviUMmk6NCg/s1600/Co+Chairs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYgdH6JvTo0XvBFt4SHbBnrc7q9jp6czHGz0kfqCCO2_yinteUNG0zxZaZIBVdWt0hmv40nC3Q9tEvLCNAR4H4cJSdvHXe1hBB8lL7QSp9JTfQ_CvC9H9GF612tq18CiDklviUMmk6NCg/s400/Co+Chairs.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Co-chairs Toni Canada, Dusty Stemer and Laurie Davis </td></tr>
</tbody></table> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZSFzUU-qDuOXJUTLLFD6UfDT5yFqRq4NhcyA3-E9EmDRLsZXac4d9bQeH___IkoPe7ioU6T1JUd9y1PgtGRg6JMbkhN7fLNO7f-zvx0H_F_uDIIpyvpidouTaCRdCtYdIJwroZSCNrjQ/s1600/Service+Club+%257E+El+Monaco++11%2560-+04-11++Photos+by+Steve+Starr+347-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZSFzUU-qDuOXJUTLLFD6UfDT5yFqRq4NhcyA3-E9EmDRLsZXac4d9bQeH___IkoPe7ioU6T1JUd9y1PgtGRg6JMbkhN7fLNO7f-zvx0H_F_uDIIpyvpidouTaCRdCtYdIJwroZSCNrjQ/s400/Service+Club+%257E+El+Monaco++11%2560-+04-11++Photos+by+Steve+Starr+347-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXIegbSR6uRRzeARMXSX5nlLjgP8B5wY6uykR-tUjFbIJECJYN-0GM_rx1gXrf_R0CIl8-94QhhZVQOhWQ_djWpDbSVZqmvJhnz9-Gh5xbgNJmmP-Tqda1Xrxu30DVLlDaYcTGQVel5UY/s1600/Rick+and+Lynda+w-gifts-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXIegbSR6uRRzeARMXSX5nlLjgP8B5wY6uykR-tUjFbIJECJYN-0GM_rx1gXrf_R0CIl8-94QhhZVQOhWQ_djWpDbSVZqmvJhnz9-Gh5xbgNJmmP-Tqda1Xrxu30DVLlDaYcTGQVel5UY/s400/Rick+and+Lynda+w-gifts-1.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lynda and Rick Wood of Davis Imperial Cleaners provided gift cards and fabricare tip books for all! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>Behind the Seams: A Davis Imperial Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04047209947571531173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5699667150218097817.post-26154861551023365842011-10-25T21:45:00.015-05:002011-11-15T23:31:19.501-06:00An Exhibit Not to Be Missed--Charles James: DeconstructedWhen a dress is exquisitely made, it can appear as an extension of the woman herself. Charles James, one of the great geniuses of fashion, constructed his pieces with such intricate detail and unique form that some referred to him as an architect as well as a designer. And just like talented architects in history, James’ work stands the test of time, inspiring countless others who came after him.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrU7dejy5rRpS0SJK3YT5DyPl6nx0jigre8v625666Nb-FuakLEmnvSCfFj7GWS-vBKSgsBKd73sKmJBtDqIcc80mXe8x4HE6o4oXM2VK9UlHZvkafQY1lnlidcpBMDciZ9f0q7H8CjWU/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-11-04+at+9.35.31+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrU7dejy5rRpS0SJK3YT5DyPl6nx0jigre8v625666Nb-FuakLEmnvSCfFj7GWS-vBKSgsBKd73sKmJBtDqIcc80mXe8x4HE6o4oXM2VK9UlHZvkafQY1lnlidcpBMDciZ9f0q7H8CjWU/s400/Screen+shot+2011-11-04+at+9.35.31+PM.png" width="400" /></a></div><br />
It is the best of these works—capes, hats and dresses, some structured so much like sculptures they could almost stand on their own—that are drawing flocks of style-obsessed to the Chicago History Museum for the exhibit running through April 16, 2012. October 21st, attendees of the Costume Council Costume Ball--including Lynda, Rick, Jordan and his wife Cyndi--were lucky enough to receive a sneak preview--and want to share it with you!<br />
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Charles James, born in London in 1906, was shipped off to Chicago by his parents at 18 due to his repeated misbehavior in school. It was there that he opened three hat shops and gained a fierce following of fashionable women from Chicago to London, eventually evolving his craft into dress design and splitting his time between Paris, New York, and London. While the 40's and 50's were the peak of his career, including a showing of his collection on the Paris runways (the first of an American after World War II and one that was so well-received that Christian Dior later referenced him as inspiration), James' battled many inner demons that prevented him from realizing the full accolades and success he deserved in his lifetime. The Chicago History Museum exhibit honors the true impact he's had on the industry, as 40 years after his death his work continues to overtly and subtly influence designers far and wide.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqctlQiXxtevm_yuhI0Hq541v2n8twmGP_3xVRRGv31eLUHxLYRT-cG8oUgjzRrnLSpqJdo_bftQxZeuFOSeq6PF3hilFPM-sf3IgrSZxnSlMSpYkosgSI4tkPm0webQ9aKMw1cd0MSlk/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-11-04+at+10.33.45+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqctlQiXxtevm_yuhI0Hq541v2n8twmGP_3xVRRGv31eLUHxLYRT-cG8oUgjzRrnLSpqJdo_bftQxZeuFOSeq6PF3hilFPM-sf3IgrSZxnSlMSpYkosgSI4tkPm0webQ9aKMw1cd0MSlk/s400/Screen+shot+2011-11-04+at+10.33.45+PM.png" width="400" /></a></div><br />
The curator of costumes at the museum--Timothy Long--and his impeccable attention to detail helped display James' works in fresh light. Long and his team created an exhibit that is not to be missed. In addition, the chairs of the Costume Ball Catherine Eberle, Lawrie Weed and Robin Loewenberg Berger, along with Helen Harvey Mills (an Honorary Chair) whose mother was a muse of Charles James, organized the first black-tie themed ball in 10 years, elevating the whole experience to a truly elegant<br />
level.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tim Long with Rick Wood</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju6fU7VWC4WQxhddzsZKzUOZ0GtBVm87ZzZuWQxSfyZbcaIzYADMV7AF-3BhbD3rKNPz628dmcVEdV4sx14FeodLylA548fGK8puHRJs-NQGlCUJJd9MaLS3K65mYAMMlTT5AlxkVxG6M/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-11-12+at+4.03.13+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju6fU7VWC4WQxhddzsZKzUOZ0GtBVm87ZzZuWQxSfyZbcaIzYADMV7AF-3BhbD3rKNPz628dmcVEdV4sx14FeodLylA548fGK8puHRJs-NQGlCUJJd9MaLS3K65mYAMMlTT5AlxkVxG6M/s400/Screen+shot+2011-11-12+at+4.03.13+PM.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 9pt;">What a party.....the gala is back after a 10 year hiatius</span> </td></tr>
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Costume Council President Nena Ivon was also joined by master of ceremonies Bill Zwecker, ABC 7's Kathy Brock, fashion designer Wes Gordon and Award for Design Excellence award recipient Ralph Rucci, along with 400 other revelers for the stylish soiree. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmjr5aaZ6hr77W1oVUujcRXPNlhfB4icp64CuSR82dhxNgzFr4IvR9Lo7jz-aB7-z1V9JkFUQO3-SJ-9uxWqGtffMntbfw8bAFQTyhWBPxXj2ncQ3sLKaf5bhlOOmlLlDXrYeio7t72cc/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-11-10+at+9.23.42+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmjr5aaZ6hr77W1oVUujcRXPNlhfB4icp64CuSR82dhxNgzFr4IvR9Lo7jz-aB7-z1V9JkFUQO3-SJ-9uxWqGtffMntbfw8bAFQTyhWBPxXj2ncQ3sLKaf5bhlOOmlLlDXrYeio7t72cc/s400/Screen+shot+2011-11-10+at+9.23.42+PM.png" width="263" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 9pt;">Bill Zwecker and Costume Council President Nena Ivon</span></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">While the Woods’ love anything to do with truly talented designers and fashion, Lynda, Rick, Jordan and his wife Cyndi have a special tie to the James' showing--they are co-sponsors of one of the pieces. Designed in 1957 and worn by Peg Zwecker, James designed the piece around a form and hung the fabric around it--a combination of polyester plush, polyester organza, and silk satin.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ9cOhECZIQT5HfFPRX8cR7bcvFsKfqeziIRU-3tlzwON63Q3XLl7oWB07vo5SBlEJdfFuL4eYmvsxxzhHrWX4pRihNOd5bj_639guPofvxPKO13_va7ytrwdnxqrY0nsuvVT5YbXE5B0/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-11-12+at+4.12.14+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ9cOhECZIQT5HfFPRX8cR7bcvFsKfqeziIRU-3tlzwON63Q3XLl7oWB07vo5SBlEJdfFuL4eYmvsxxzhHrWX4pRihNOd5bj_639guPofvxPKO13_va7ytrwdnxqrY0nsuvVT5YbXE5B0/s400/Screen+shot+2011-11-12+at+4.12.14+PM.png" width="299" /></a></div><br />
This show is important to the Wood family not just as lovers of couture fashion, but also as owners of Davis Imperial Cleaners, leaders in the restoration and preservation of haute couture and vintage garments. For the Woods’, Charles James: Genius Deconstructed further illustrates the importance of a thorough understanding of the construction and fabrication of a garment to process it to the standard of excellence and respect it deserves.<br />
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Along with the preview of the exhibit, the Costume Council also honored one of today's most acclaimed international couturiers, Ralph Rucci of Chado Ralph Rucci, with their prestigious award for Design Excellence. Like James, his collection was also shown in Paris. By recognizing work like Rucci's, the Costume Council and the Chicago History Museum honor the memory and legacy of James and designers everywhere whose talent far outlasts their careers.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvUFR4YOWxLGAv49qvNZS2Pb8Gno14NwBZnXJ7raBFH8P4vuyKst82Kz5IouR3__5TTs8R9ARuL080gCD3KcPoWMrDvFp8SetmVd-Zkcm8lismkx3EnlcVxtKSwulvpGPox2IdfgBxtUg/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-11-12+at+4.09.42+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvUFR4YOWxLGAv49qvNZS2Pb8Gno14NwBZnXJ7raBFH8P4vuyKst82Kz5IouR3__5TTs8R9ARuL080gCD3KcPoWMrDvFp8SetmVd-Zkcm8lismkx3EnlcVxtKSwulvpGPox2IdfgBxtUg/s400/Screen+shot+2011-11-12+at+4.09.42+PM.png" width="345" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jordan and his wife Cyndi, Rick, and Lynda Wood in front of the cape</td></tr>
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We could show you a complete pictorial recap of the exhibit but to see it in person is the only way to view Charles James: Genius Deconstructed and truly appreciate this amazing designer--it's a true treasure to the fashion world and Chicago alike. For more information, click <a href="http://media.modernluxury.com/chicago-charles-james-exhibition/charles-james-couture-fashion-exhibition.php">here</a>. Thanks for reading!Behind the Seams: A Davis Imperial Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04047209947571531173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5699667150218097817.post-26028092644187242702011-10-19T15:46:00.057-05:002011-11-16T11:55:48.716-06:00CS Brides' Afternoon of Bridal Luxury Event Recap<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ8tGIE6QwqyA6LNMpHUkfKcC4yrOiuhulpGaq-07uVf4hYTRsr95wDqcOFDS5RQddnk7c93_FKBSwMs9CxA-tbHBEmannsF48RzWwvFHGdDJkv-TjeO-0iuAbaUE665UVDggS_fMPM4M/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-11-13+at+2.37.01+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ8tGIE6QwqyA6LNMpHUkfKcC4yrOiuhulpGaq-07uVf4hYTRsr95wDqcOFDS5RQddnk7c93_FKBSwMs9CxA-tbHBEmannsF48RzWwvFHGdDJkv-TjeO-0iuAbaUE665UVDggS_fMPM4M/s400/Screen+shot+2011-11-13+at+2.37.01+PM.png" width="400" /></a></div>It is hard to imagine a better afternoon as a bride-to-be (or a lucky family member or friend!) than CS Brides’ Afternoon of Luxury, which took place on October 16th from 12:00 to 4:00 pm along the prestigious line of shops on Oak Street in downtown Chicago.<br />
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Starting in the private dining rooms of Spiaggia, attendees explored boutiques like Ultimate Bride, Belle Vie, Vera Wang, Palazzo and Dimitras to find the perfect dress for them and their maids, then tasted cakes and appetizers, tried on elegant jewelry, received over 60 luxury samples, and met the best of the best in wedding vendors.<br />
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The Davis Imperial team was proud to represent their wide array of <a href="http://www.davisimperial.com/services/wedding_gowns.html">wedding services</a>, including alterations, cleaning, restoration, hand pressing and delivery, on-site mobile pressing, and museum quality preservation, along with the special details that make a bride’s day one she’ll never forget.<br />
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The entire event wrapped with a champagne toast, and a portion of the proceeds benefited the American Heart Association. We had a wonderful time, as always, and would love to share our favorite pictures with you!<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Images by <a href="http://kevinweinstein.com/">Kevin Weinstein Photography</a></div>Behind the Seams: A Davis Imperial Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04047209947571531173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5699667150218097817.post-43942777772152445142011-10-08T13:34:00.024-05:002011-10-12T08:41:01.672-05:00Davis Imperial Download: The Tuxedo<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi20AGy0Vf2kiq1vAAALMx2KR67-lD9cn_KCxXh0QPm7eMd7mYWn44lwBnmEk4knjmyNjsAILprxdfXc-PGg8QMlbMSsJ10SdTfy-9Fh9tExHTWUXprQbneJP0sl98izAhJ6yQYY9hYizU/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-10-02+at+8.00.22+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi20AGy0Vf2kiq1vAAALMx2KR67-lD9cn_KCxXh0QPm7eMd7mYWn44lwBnmEk4knjmyNjsAILprxdfXc-PGg8QMlbMSsJ10SdTfy-9Fh9tExHTWUXprQbneJP0sl98izAhJ6yQYY9hYizU/s400/Screen+shot+2011-10-02+at+8.00.22+PM.png" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><i>Brad and George show off classic peak and notched collared double-breasted styles<o:p></o:p></i></span></div></td></tr>
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As Brad and George so adequately display, there’s nothing like a man in a tuxedo. And whether you’re in your first wedding or attending your twentieth formal event, there’s a couple of crucial details to keep in mind. So today, the team at Davis Imperial is giving you this handy cheat sheet to print out and bring with when renting or purchasing. <br />
<br />
<b>Fit</b><br />
The first step to determining the right tux is to get professionally measured, ideally more than once if you’re purchasing (just to be certain of the sizing), but definitely each time if you rent. <br />
<br />
<b>Design</b><br />
Any designer’s tux collection will likely include a double-breasted jacket option (meaning the buttons appear in two rows on top of each other), but the classic version of the tux is single-breasted with one line of buttons—ranging from one to four buttons. <br />
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The collar of the jacket is known as the lapel, and typically comes in three fashions:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoFbKOLRj2WqMH7q9bG1BqIldgpzra2CrcXo2GuM4P4UNltaCM0b_DlKzN6FEWMyeXffNkuohdKgjcQDHEO63HBLfsb3dnExa4nvQ3pXg9AZuhChAxtKYwffFKDj7a_HZWW3jLjxqGhvc/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-10-02+at+7.01.22+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoFbKOLRj2WqMH7q9bG1BqIldgpzra2CrcXo2GuM4P4UNltaCM0b_DlKzN6FEWMyeXffNkuohdKgjcQDHEO63HBLfsb3dnExa4nvQ3pXg9AZuhChAxtKYwffFKDj7a_HZWW3jLjxqGhvc/s400/Screen+shot+2011-10-02+at+7.01.22+PM.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1. Peak: points up just above the collar bone</div><div style="text-align: left;">2. Notched: one indentation where the lapel joins the collar</div><div style="text-align: left;">3. Shawl: the collar creates a smooth, curved line</div><br />
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Shirts are also broken down by collar:<br />
1. Wing: a formal stand-up style with downward points<br />
2. Crosswick: crossed in front and held together with a button<br />
3. Mandarin: rounded and often worn without a tie <br />
<br />
<b>Details:</b><br />
And for the guy who feels restricted by too much formality, add some personality through custom cuff links (also a great option for groomsmen gifts!), ties, vests, and cummerbunds. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipnTgCQam271B-pLijVRAtnOXYAvnlhMUbbmGMiBHZXxfBNYyXgP2z54aGRV0ZRIXRmUUe4d4N_wwUDM5DhwgC3kFxslIHsBY1Xx7M-r6xdhzZfVli3zvGOCZEdG3ksY0okvXbrkMSBnw/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-10-02+at+7.57.22+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipnTgCQam271B-pLijVRAtnOXYAvnlhMUbbmGMiBHZXxfBNYyXgP2z54aGRV0ZRIXRmUUe4d4N_wwUDM5DhwgC3kFxslIHsBY1Xx7M-r6xdhzZfVli3zvGOCZEdG3ksY0okvXbrkMSBnw/s400/Screen+shot+2011-10-02+at+7.57.22+PM.png" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><i>Tom Ford in a shawl-collared tux from his eponymous line</i></span></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Trends</span><br />
“These days, younger men are returning to the elegant style of the tuxedo. This is a distinct departure from what used to be worn at many work and social functions,” says John Jones, co-owner of Chicago men’s boutique, George Greene. “In addition to the peaked lapel, there is a nod back to the elegance of the 30’s and 40’s. The double- breasted jacket with a peaked lapel has gained popularity. Grosgrain lapels are also growing in popularity, although the majority are still silk satin.”<br />
<br />
<b>Maintenance </b><br />
The purchase of a designer or couture tuxedo requires a substantial investment. No matter what style you choose, after showing it off and having a great time wearing it, it's absolutely crucial to care for it correctly. <br />
<br />
Only an experienced fabricare specialist like Davis Imperial Cleaners--not an ordinary dry cleaner!--should be given the responsibility to clean and press your tuxedo. By engaging this level of professional care, you can bank on the greatest chance of removing any stains, and know with certainty that your tuxedo will be properly detailed by an operator who is skilled with a hand-iron. <br />
<br />
Selecting a specialty cleaner will help you avoid the possibility of getting your tux back with shiny labels that show multiple seam or pocket impressions, and will also prevent double creases and missing or cracked buttons. You need to make absolutely certain that your tux is cleaned and pressed by a team of experienced professionals. This is not the place to skimp. Remember you get what you pay for--choice in quality does not end after the tux is purchased. <br />
<br />
Thanks for reading! Do you have any questions or tips about tuxedos that we didn’t cover? Leave us a comment here, on our Facebook or Twitter pages, or email us at davisimperial@gmail.com. <br />
<br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Image of Brad and George from </span></i><a href="http://vbuzzblog.freedomblogging.com/2008/08/27/brad-pitt-and-george-clooney-in-venice/1264/"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Buzz Blog</span></i></a><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">, Tux Lapel sketch via </span></i><a href="http://www.groomgroove.com/groomville/tuxedo_jacket.php"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Grooms Groove</span></i></a><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">, Tom Ford Image via </span></i><a href="http://www.peoplestylewatch.com/people/stylewatch/package/gallery/0,,20449766_20349312,00.html"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">People Watch</span></i></a>Behind the Seams: A Davis Imperial Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04047209947571531173noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5699667150218097817.post-83047519603920671622011-09-27T14:56:00.003-05:002011-10-08T13:33:53.273-05:00Flair 2011 Event Combined Fashion and Philanthropy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Last Saturday, Lynda, Rick and Jordan Wood of <a href="http://www.davisimperial.com/about/about_us.html">Davis Imperial</a>, along with Saks Fifth Avenue, the 900 North Michigan Shops, and with the generosity of others were honored to support and attend the <a href="http://chicagolighthouse.org/">Chicago Lighthouse’s</a> first <a href="http://chicagolighthouse.org/FLAIR%20">Flair</a> event. A treasure trove of designer and couture clothing and accessories were showcased in a fashion show (preceded by a delicious breakfast and lovely gift bags) at Saks and available for purchase along with an amazing selection of additional "finds" at a wonderful pop-up store at the 900 North Michigan Shops throughout the weekend. <br />
<br />
A foundation that gives hope to the blind and visually impaired, Chicago Lighthouse has been around for 100 years and offers an array of educational, training and employment opportunities. The Flair event combined fashion with philanthropy, allowing women of Chicago to purchase the designs shown in the Saturday morning fashion show at a greatly discounted price (up to 80% off!) in support of the foundation—in fact, all proceeds went to help those with vision impairments. <br />
<br />
As a company so involved in the fabric of Chicago and its communities, the Davis team loved attending and supporting Flair not only to appreciate the incredible designs and to meet fabulous Chicago women and men, but also to continuously give back to those in need, and to the city that’s given so much to them. Below are some of their favorite pictures from this very special event. To find out more about Chicago Lighthouse, visit their website <a href="http://chicagolighthouse.org/">here</a>, and as always, thanks for reading!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Individuals Who Make This Incredible Charity and Event Possible:</i></b></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpSqI0mzo4fh2772KeSCeHBvvOYYXAoSVI89v9yJEHG6GB5LCzKpE9oeFUYdyRzf_4WBfmRefEYz3oqPugzw2h9o6rszIYq7zh8xoZmdQqJbSQFa8SKPDGDx-x7fEhlfMj5YfPGZs0bcw/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-09-26+at+10.01.27+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpSqI0mzo4fh2772KeSCeHBvvOYYXAoSVI89v9yJEHG6GB5LCzKpE9oeFUYdyRzf_4WBfmRefEYz3oqPugzw2h9o6rszIYq7zh8xoZmdQqJbSQFa8SKPDGDx-x7fEhlfMj5YfPGZs0bcw/s400/Screen+shot+2011-09-26+at+10.01.27+PM.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sandy Forysthe, Board of Directors and Janet Szlyk, Ph.D, President, Executive Director of Chicago Lighthouse</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzSTs95eJU0O0MEGzjz1tD9SkQMszxn4QIRFPBYC5nKNm5Vfaut1HA0MnjGKtWa4vo6YcAFeOlgckH8K2PhKoCWtKN4otCOTJa9QHfRXX0YtgS4BnSUptJ7Z0B-n6JxhV7H4osP6ysaT0/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-09-26+at+10.01.35+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzSTs95eJU0O0MEGzjz1tD9SkQMszxn4QIRFPBYC5nKNm5Vfaut1HA0MnjGKtWa4vo6YcAFeOlgckH8K2PhKoCWtKN4otCOTJa9QHfRXX0YtgS4BnSUptJ7Z0B-n6JxhV7H4osP6ysaT0/s400/Screen+shot+2011-09-26+at+10.01.35+PM.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flair Co-Chairs Lynn Cooper, Ellie Thompson, and Kaye Rahn</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font: 12px "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijZLymuWEnkgmjggGnSuFE7Hg0-8E-OkxlgfPhwKNPxgcQEcuZ5FNPEKEjwJZ3KDdR5pXaBEYPB5vt0-0Vx-llGGTvnEBwzbQzy1Hoxzgr5WU-M4jfwp3-6yUcLY1odLkkTDwoBvKywdY/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-09-26+at+10.00.54+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijZLymuWEnkgmjggGnSuFE7Hg0-8E-OkxlgfPhwKNPxgcQEcuZ5FNPEKEjwJZ3KDdR5pXaBEYPB5vt0-0Vx-llGGTvnEBwzbQzy1Hoxzgr5WU-M4jfwp3-6yUcLY1odLkkTDwoBvKywdY/s400/Screen+shot+2011-09-26+at+10.00.54+PM.png" width="270" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lynda Wood of Davis Imperial Cleaners and<br />
Jeff Byron, Vice President and General Manager, Saks Fifth Avenue Chicago</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiucd33CtIILCEX033IGO2yqWvG4H8PKJasAI68Jc4V4-_kIzoS4ErK9Z-wAYn5C9li48dcFBkjTi4QKCvwnxIDx30HlpCfZfy8f3VEIBTMfiQEVIOw0BVu6YkbtSCHUMp2fqhftAbQPjM/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-09-26+at+10.01.06+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiucd33CtIILCEX033IGO2yqWvG4H8PKJasAI68Jc4V4-_kIzoS4ErK9Z-wAYn5C9li48dcFBkjTi4QKCvwnxIDx30HlpCfZfy8f3VEIBTMfiQEVIOw0BVu6YkbtSCHUMp2fqhftAbQPjM/s400/Screen+shot+2011-09-26+at+10.01.06+PM.png" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Cassandra A. Gaddo, Editor-in-Chief of Today's Chicago Woman; Lynda Wood, Davis Imperial Cleaners;<br />
Sharren Leigh, President and Founder of Today's Chicago Woman</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjcIbOWoKVc0RAbIapLZfIwwlxLtJVvXVE-5pxqjMOSF8TWrvsO2aX5uqbquJFMP1QiR0Ctfi79tZiganA63aISy3ZnGnLP-GtgYMxakTK2HdihiWI1CiUT7vmqFxxiREAqdDfl6WKiQY/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-09-26+at+10.00.01+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjcIbOWoKVc0RAbIapLZfIwwlxLtJVvXVE-5pxqjMOSF8TWrvsO2aX5uqbquJFMP1QiR0Ctfi79tZiganA63aISy3ZnGnLP-GtgYMxakTK2HdihiWI1CiUT7vmqFxxiREAqdDfl6WKiQY/s400/Screen+shot+2011-09-26+at+10.00.01+PM.png" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sarah Harrington, Manager of Special Events/Financial Development</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRd9R5pbz0uoit3sDeT4qO6kGPy16U41mK96yvHmCtB9a0tS-GyLb4R6jUrt_pf8JmO0E3irJc8hu8GF0LqEAmpBvysiNyzdHZlltaiOje5qosP1zBtNQMUk8FbigNHgp89Qwu5lChzQc/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-09-26+at+10.00.44+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRd9R5pbz0uoit3sDeT4qO6kGPy16U41mK96yvHmCtB9a0tS-GyLb4R6jUrt_pf8JmO0E3irJc8hu8GF0LqEAmpBvysiNyzdHZlltaiOje5qosP1zBtNQMUk8FbigNHgp89Qwu5lChzQc/s400/Screen+shot+2011-09-26+at+10.00.44+PM.png" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rick, Lynda and Jordan Wood of Davis Imperial Cleaners</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font: 12px "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></div><div style="font: 12px "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: center;"><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><b><i>Runway Show Pics:</i></b></span></span></div><div style="font: 12px "Times New Roman"; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times; font-size: xx-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 9px;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMqifmIpkw5GhgWSH71Lk3rGrO1zGgP_oBfHmw4YNkHTiYFaX6v4pNjkRcmfJOdOpNiuLqfgylMxfTPcrBqfgJylOLO2K_wuN5JTsmyxsPW6UpscDRtUCFHOyVEfYnV6TTWghk1hIampc/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-09-26+at+10.03.00+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMqifmIpkw5GhgWSH71Lk3rGrO1zGgP_oBfHmw4YNkHTiYFaX6v4pNjkRcmfJOdOpNiuLqfgylMxfTPcrBqfgJylOLO2K_wuN5JTsmyxsPW6UpscDRtUCFHOyVEfYnV6TTWghk1hIampc/s400/Screen+shot+2011-09-26+at+10.03.00+PM.png" width="268" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mary Ann Arbogast and friend</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christina Tran<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Patricia Ward and her dog, Serious</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4f_nQG0qPFjU2i7UUExssgh6HyK4ZSCs9Be3mrjY4tudGqs0pcageAasK081ClsUjuenAR7gWyIGm-8OjJ55hFeYTTvicQtVx3h2cgCBYZD-Pfq0g4pn1JP94bvZN5WnDlMQsviFQbCM/s1600/mikewhitephoto-1181.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4f_nQG0qPFjU2i7UUExssgh6HyK4ZSCs9Be3mrjY4tudGqs0pcageAasK081ClsUjuenAR7gWyIGm-8OjJ55hFeYTTvicQtVx3h2cgCBYZD-Pfq0g4pn1JP94bvZN5WnDlMQsviFQbCM/s400/mikewhitephoto-1181.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Finale</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><i>Shopping!</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><i><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6UCtXLbJj2xNEizo6wylgCqrlklW6_BpHr-DKQS0QrPwW9Dbg9p5LkQmP4kZv01CoeIk5Oif2xvv60AGue5dmL6ASq1gPZXjk1enU-deOBtwTnJavnISfAX1H08x2wybFyhc5356B148/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-09-26+at+11.28.19+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6UCtXLbJj2xNEizo6wylgCqrlklW6_BpHr-DKQS0QrPwW9Dbg9p5LkQmP4kZv01CoeIk5Oif2xvv60AGue5dmL6ASq1gPZXjk1enU-deOBtwTnJavnISfAX1H08x2wybFyhc5356B148/s400/Screen+shot+2011-09-26+at+11.28.19+PM.png" width="400" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><i><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Gb6tHnElu5pJvhdUG81DoUepbbj4JyJ_7A6CrwheTapqqmn3krUS4KbDb1FKkLeMJhBwshYAUbmG0aedh5WO5usDZl5LvWCvmphU4ck9JxUTEJO8zkR5-wrYmpR6APYOs30bgJBoDbk/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-09-27+at+8.05.06+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Gb6tHnElu5pJvhdUG81DoUepbbj4JyJ_7A6CrwheTapqqmn3krUS4KbDb1FKkLeMJhBwshYAUbmG0aedh5WO5usDZl5LvWCvmphU4ck9JxUTEJO8zkR5-wrYmpR6APYOs30bgJBoDbk/s400/Screen+shot+2011-09-27+at+8.05.06+AM.png" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rick Wood was ecstatic about finding a vintage Hermes scarf for Lynda Wood, his wife of 41 years!</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><i>Special thanks to <a href="http://www.edestradaphotography.com/">Ed Estrada </a>and <a href="http://www.mikewhitephoto.com/">Mike White</a> for their fantastic photography! </i></b></span></div>Behind the Seams: A Davis Imperial Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04047209947571531173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5699667150218097817.post-60258688925689545922011-09-21T21:02:00.002-05:002011-10-08T13:33:28.719-05:00Red Dresses the Real Winners at the 2011 Emmy Awards<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8eA5kyC2KtYlm7481d9E-cRyStfD_D__8AlT6jYeKNs94RG3szwBwLZP1-U1aIMq0dOnwSwOazEAmuBDWRHgRXBPN_ungaAX_UFSlm6bff48REwylyV8cfidPxON2XkqZmj35p7yqr58/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-09-19+at+10.14.48+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8eA5kyC2KtYlm7481d9E-cRyStfD_D__8AlT6jYeKNs94RG3szwBwLZP1-U1aIMq0dOnwSwOazEAmuBDWRHgRXBPN_ungaAX_UFSlm6bff48REwylyV8cfidPxON2XkqZmj35p7yqr58/s400/Screen+shot+2011-09-19+at+10.14.48+PM.png" width="301" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kate Winslet in Ellie Saab</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Each year, television’s biggest stars parade down the red carpet of the Emmy Awards draped in Hollywood’s most talented designers’ dresses, and this year did not disappoint. While there were a variety of unique looks—<i>Modern Family</i>’s Julie Bowen and <i>The Good Wife</i>’s Juliana Margulies come to mind—the theme of the night gave a nod to old-Hollywood glamour, and no trend made this more apparent than the influx of red floor-length gowns. <br />
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From winner Kate Winslet’s stunning Ellie Saab number to Lea Michele’s luxe Marchesa piece, the dresses showed the versatility of this almost-universally flattering shade. But you don’t have to be a starlet to shine in scarlet—anyone can feel sophisticated with a dress in this hue. The key is to ensure the dress fits right and is cared for correctly. <br />
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Unlike these stars, you would probably like to get a little more than one night out of this investment. So to make sure you can wear that gorgeous gown again, remember these important tips:<br />
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<ol><li>Do your homework. Ask for a recommendation from the retailer or designer where you purchased your gown.</li>
<li>The brighter the color, the more likely that the dye could be unstable and possibly result in color loss. Make sure your fabricare professional adequately tests multiple areas of the garment before processing, and always opt for hand cleaning when available. </li>
<li>If you spill, don’t panic! Gently blot the stain-- do not rub as it could result in damage to the finish. Bring the garment to your fabricare professional as soon as possible. </li>
<li>Make sure to ask your fabricare specialist if they inspect your gown in full spectrum light. Invisible stains dry clear (white wine, champagne, etc.) and must be located so they can be removed before processing to avoid permanent damage.</li>
<li>Should your gown have embellishments and trims that may require hand cleaning, make sure that service is available and will be performed by experienced technicians.</li>
<li>When it comes to finishing, insist that the garment is pressed completely by hand to avoid unsightly shine and impressions.</li>
<li>In between wearing, make sure your beloved piece is stored in a cool environment with adequate airflow and minimal exposure to light.</li>
</ol>Follow these tips and you too can look like a celeb time and time again.<br />
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Below are some of our favorite crimson looks of the night. What was yours?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcyyRjuAv-JjfRaNp4IFYZ3lOrJ_GZzPB0XTMQv_JJPAm4H93xZtor28XmqAKhxnytS7scsMcAi4rmzbgCyCJPc-v0mCZmvnRQ-zFpKWM5d4dsl190dLTg_DlLTAuuzTD-qoX2t7nzBP8/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-09-19+at+10.17.41+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcyyRjuAv-JjfRaNp4IFYZ3lOrJ_GZzPB0XTMQv_JJPAm4H93xZtor28XmqAKhxnytS7scsMcAi4rmzbgCyCJPc-v0mCZmvnRQ-zFpKWM5d4dsl190dLTg_DlLTAuuzTD-qoX2t7nzBP8/s400/Screen+shot+2011-09-19+at+10.17.41+PM.png" width="247" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Sophia Vergara in Vera Wang</span><o:p></o:p></div></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_iFjm3aurIQY5Gkuup7T9N2ryCMLZsNMZhJMmgtpCPACZ1pvtpEBSD7yVnohKiCzTDLB27x8bOjVsx_rTn2fe6AQUM0CpqRBtq-Y9N94k6KmF9-7ZDoiTwLpDkNF0k4S20xFCrFmQqsQ/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-09-19+at+10.18.51+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_iFjm3aurIQY5Gkuup7T9N2ryCMLZsNMZhJMmgtpCPACZ1pvtpEBSD7yVnohKiCzTDLB27x8bOjVsx_rTn2fe6AQUM0CpqRBtq-Y9N94k6KmF9-7ZDoiTwLpDkNF0k4S20xFCrFmQqsQ/s400/Screen+shot+2011-09-19+at+10.18.51+PM.png" width="248" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Adrianne Palicki in Dolce & Gabbana</span><o:p></o:p></div></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFo5yzsv50ftxxn52x9pvJDM8RtHxaKiNiot2iEaMoy_EmdS2RAPtRebGulnojn7EVLySb8UTS5mTQ9K9q-LEDkV2CZ4DrQJwvh3dg_MZej2sZ1DquEYJIvnkUChOhBB3G8EoXnZ84j-E/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-09-19+at+10.26.09+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFo5yzsv50ftxxn52x9pvJDM8RtHxaKiNiot2iEaMoy_EmdS2RAPtRebGulnojn7EVLySb8UTS5mTQ9K9q-LEDkV2CZ4DrQJwvh3dg_MZej2sZ1DquEYJIvnkUChOhBB3G8EoXnZ84j-E/s400/Screen+shot+2011-09-19+at+10.26.09+PM.png" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Kerry Washington in Zuhair Murad</span></div></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_yp7eCnp0Y94qIDlW_akAug21Ig_K4nR9Ml0VlT0fa8eNF0c5f-OYpd45qht_Uwj6FsOZE_GYc-ugnmmfnq3FRre3zDcZ8Jiws1AXezShlll8L7sPs_8NPosyk-21WU95voC7YQEZj2w/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-09-19+at+10.15.15+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_yp7eCnp0Y94qIDlW_akAug21Ig_K4nR9Ml0VlT0fa8eNF0c5f-OYpd45qht_Uwj6FsOZE_GYc-ugnmmfnq3FRre3zDcZ8Jiws1AXezShlll8L7sPs_8NPosyk-21WU95voC7YQEZj2w/s400/Screen+shot+2011-09-19+at+10.15.15+PM.png" width="290" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Lea Michele in Marchesa</span></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Behind the Seams: A Davis Imperial Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04047209947571531173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5699667150218097817.post-68145752363097475272011-09-13T18:36:00.001-05:002011-10-08T13:32:30.581-05:00Davis Imperial Offers Wedding Dress Confidence at Running of the Brides<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8RSWY7UB64ZR7Hb4IsKzZwIqZ5mw8AZAMWNDG0kvG_vkiU4D5p4dwP65oWY2CP5gFAp_Bm_e2KbY1JzaxOsrPS4gKeLHM7-9wPbwzDwJFAWoOOHyedpK-5xcAKRT3wTHW4C5cSbPnISc/s1600/60751804.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8RSWY7UB64ZR7Hb4IsKzZwIqZ5mw8AZAMWNDG0kvG_vkiU4D5p4dwP65oWY2CP5gFAp_Bm_e2KbY1JzaxOsrPS4gKeLHM7-9wPbwzDwJFAWoOOHyedpK-5xcAKRT3wTHW4C5cSbPnISc/s400/60751804.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
This Friday, hundreds of brides-to-be will descend on Filene’s Basement, accompanied by their mothers, sisters, brothers, and closest friends for <a href="http://www.filenesbasement.com/running-of-the-brides/">Running of the Brides</a>. An annual event held by the retailer, it draws countless hopeful women looking for their dream gown at a price that takes their breath away. And while a sale like this can be exhilarating, it can also be overwhelming due to the sheer chaos and excitement of it all. <br />
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But to help calm those nerves, <a href="http://www.davisimperial.com/">Davis Imperial</a> takes part in this famed event, and offers every bride the absolute best service when it comes to dress fitting and care. When faced with countless gowns at her disposal, even the most certain gal may feel some hesitation as to whether a dress she loves will live up to her expectations—Will a tailor be able to fix the lace detailing and take in the bodice? Can that dark spot be removed?-- so Davis Imperial is on hand to answer all questions and instill the utmost confidence in this huge decision.<br />
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While waiting in line, brides-to-be can receive a free tote bag and gift certificates for gown services (while supplies last), and by visiting the Davis Imperial table, girls can talk first-hand to fabricare experts and receive a complimentary fitting and stain removal consultation. And don’t forget your smart phones, because just for liking or following Davis Imperial on Facebook or Twitter, and by filling out an informational card, the first 200 brides to visit the table can receive a gift card for Davis Imperial and a beautiful gown care tips book, plus be entered to win a number of other prizes for wedding gown services furnished by the most prestigious and experienced team in the city. Prizes include free hand-cleaning and hand-pressing of your wedding gown, free wedding gown alterations, and the grand prize: free hand-cleaning, hand-pressing and museum quality preservation of your dress. <br />
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Are you attending Running of the Brides? The Davis Imperial team cannot wait to support all brides-to-be in their search for the ultimate gown, and is proud to offer the peace of mind that comes with years of unprecedented expertise. Make sure to stop by the booth and say hello!<br />
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Find out more about Running of the Brides <a href="http://www.filenesbasement.com/running-of-the-brides/">here</a> and more about Davis Imperial’s full list of wedding gown services <a href="http://www.davisimperial.com/services/wedding_gowns.html">here </a>. <br />
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Image by Antonio Perez via <a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-110408-running-of-the-brides-filene-pictures,0,5906702.photogallery">Chicago Tribune</a>Behind the Seams: A Davis Imperial Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04047209947571531173noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5699667150218097817.post-2712476997606618522011-08-24T11:00:00.001-05:002011-10-08T13:31:24.330-05:00Men’s Fall Trends Offer Personality with StructureLast week, we dissected the <a href="http://davisimperialcleaners.blogspot.com/2011/08/fall-2011-runways-offer-extremes-for.html">top themes for women’s fashion from the 2011 Fall Runways</a> and today, not to be outdone, the men will get their turn with an eclectic mix of options from lived-in to luxury, and even somewhere in between.<br />
<br />
<strong>Fabrics:</strong><br />
As one would guess as the temps cool down, the makings of Fall clothing dial up the substance, showing tweed as a heavy front runner, with shearling, fur and various forms of suede following close behind. Leather also makes a frequent appearance in everything from jackets, coats, belts, and accents in sweaters, shirts and pants. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpBxZtsQLoLti8Yn2-sXfDuzk-cB0RTL6GRkqWe4kqWumhV0S5rPX6GMnn3gQ6ywC1a0hx8Ijx5QFCgONqWVI3AuX-CRw4M1-qQue8lzNBefg8csrJYW5q-Dh5YjFTCZYaKQ0QDhxzrvk/s1600/zegna-takeaway-aw11-lg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpBxZtsQLoLti8Yn2-sXfDuzk-cB0RTL6GRkqWe4kqWumhV0S5rPX6GMnn3gQ6ywC1a0hx8Ijx5QFCgONqWVI3AuX-CRw4M1-qQue8lzNBefg8csrJYW5q-Dh5YjFTCZYaKQ0QDhxzrvk/s400/zegna-takeaway-aw11-lg.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ermenegildo Zegna 2011/Image by Dan Lecca<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></span></div></td></tr>
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With texture as the main goal, even traditional pieces like trousers should be worn crinkled, and sweaters display dimension in various stitching patterns. <br />
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<strong>Colors and Patterns:</strong><br />
Sticking with Autumnal cues, a rich range of olive greens, steel greys, navies, chocolates and caramels mixes up the season, providing a base for blazers, cords, pea coats and sweaters. For the daring gentleman, color blocking is also an option, but unlike the bold contrast of the ladies’ looks, these pairings compliment each other in shades of varying reds, blues, browns, and greys. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr3v3Pa34V0tM4PlxXOuclPj3eXcJPnXyRMmMH1sSfoyO6ysKg8re3SISAzXZwlmkuTXpOC7kNUqHvvj5fwyr4p3IgJxIa_JfAJU7OI43VwO2e9ue77x57DYTn-8Bba6IgbTf0buuaDWY/s1600/prada-aw11-take-lg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr3v3Pa34V0tM4PlxXOuclPj3eXcJPnXyRMmMH1sSfoyO6ysKg8re3SISAzXZwlmkuTXpOC7kNUqHvvj5fwyr4p3IgJxIa_JfAJU7OI43VwO2e9ue77x57DYTn-8Bba6IgbTf0buuaDWY/s400/prada-aw11-take-lg.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;"><span style="font-size: small;">Prada 2011/Image by Dan Lecca</span></div></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;"><span style="font-size: small;">Michael Kors 2011/Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images</span></div></td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Taking another cue from the women (or vice versa!), Western style also infiltrates the male runways with buffalo plaid appearing on heavy shirts. With rich hues and contrasting shades, be certain to follow the care label directions to the letter and refer to quality fabricare specialists with any questions. <br />
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<strong>Styling the Key Pieces:</strong><br />
Find any of the following investment pieces—a structured blazer, a coat with shearling accents, a cardigan (choose your style—Grandpa, Nordic or shawl), fitted trousers, a sleek pair of cords, or a go-to coat--and mix and match however your mood sees fit. This Fall is all about layering and combining an unexpected collection of pieces to define looks that feel structured but relaxed; luxurious but understated; constructed but comfortable. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNGGGiTVa8K8mzzZ5xnY3f2FrPri36lvMr3iUir27gjlkwG5UeuieqndU2AchOA4cGf_zhd1j-GdUaJW9VPG_LjlNm6hBVZOdWGDokrHJnMmistDXMkwOfsYCdqtFr-xevYVUT3rkpD9g/s1600/esq-giorgio-armani-jacket-012011-lg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNGGGiTVa8K8mzzZ5xnY3f2FrPri36lvMr3iUir27gjlkwG5UeuieqndU2AchOA4cGf_zhd1j-GdUaJW9VPG_LjlNm6hBVZOdWGDokrHJnMmistDXMkwOfsYCdqtFr-xevYVUT3rkpD9g/s400/esq-giorgio-armani-jacket-012011-lg.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;">A model turns up his double-breasted suit and wears it as a wrap jacket</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: small;">Giorgio Armani 2011/Image by Dan Lecca</span></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Layer up for outdoor adventures (selecting shearling, buffalo plaid, and oversized sweaters), or go sleek and top a pair of trousers with a classic cashmere sweater and overcoat and call it a day of sophistication. Whether it is wool ties over plaid shirts, bulky sweaters under leather jackets, rolled-up khakis with shearling coats, or tweed paired with just about anything, this season allows men to pick and choose with just one rule—wear it with confidence. A confidence that comes in part from knowing every detail of your clothing looks impeccably effortless through the proper care and upkeep. Whatever the material of choice, Davis Imperial knows the right way to treat it, a job best left for the professionals. <br />
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What are your favorite themes from the Fall fashion runways? We love the mix of cozy layers and fabrics, and think there are going to be a lot of sleek-looking couples roaming the streets of the city this season! Whatever pairing you choose, the Davis Imperial team prepped long before the temperatures dropped to ensure they’re ready for any clothing question or challenge this season brings. They can’t wait to see all your new looks!<br />
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Thanks for reading, and don’t forget to follow the Davis Imperial team (and get updates on this blog!) on Twitter, Facebook, or YouTube. <br />
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All images via <a href="http://www.esquire.com/blogs/mens-fashion/">Esquire's Style Blog</a>Behind the Seams: A Davis Imperial Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04047209947571531173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5699667150218097817.post-41126482370846925072011-08-17T08:51:00.002-05:002011-10-08T13:30:04.927-05:00Fall 2011 Runways Offer Extremes for Any StyleSummer in Chicago really only officially got started in July, but the fashion-obsessed have had visions of Fall lookbooks in their heads for months. With the recent arrival of the September magazines, let’s take a look at some of the key themes popping up for Fall 2011. <br />
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<b>Colors:</b><br />
If the runways are any indication, the Autumn lines will offer something for everyone, whether it be geometric color-blocking of rich reds, yellows, blues and oranges; over-dyed tones of blacks for jeans, coats, and dresses; or bold white in fur coats. When caring for a piece in which the key statement is color, look for a quality cleaner that will test the stability of the dyes —you want to keep your statements bold and crisp.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="BodyA" style="mso-outline-level: 1;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Burberry Prorsum (photo by WWD staff)<o:p></o:p></span></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table><b><br />
</b><br />
<b>Prints:</b><br />
Checkered tops, coats, and dresses will offer a cozy break from the season’s chill and look as effortless at Sunday brunch as they do at an afternoon business meeting. Ikat and batik prints will be popping up in everything from coats to skirts to house accessories (including plates and throw pillows) while polka dot accents made a decidedly feminine appearance in everything from flowing gowns to sheer overlays on blouses. Especially delicate attention must be paid to sheer pieces like the Stella McCartney number below, and a quality fabricare specialist will ensure every single detail looks as good as the day you bought it by examining the cut, make, and care instructions, then adjusting their process accordingly. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDhv1ON4HLqNDdGvSMk3lXwXPN6ZUgb9GGhmFGToQ8jKt06BIvCjDObrptPi7usFHYVL7nfio98ZsxOP6vMrAd9Tk-nDjuFXlaZTzjUcV1z1JS90hr524PAzX1SC70bSDG4Pu7X-_p-J0/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-08-15+at+2.44.43+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDhv1ON4HLqNDdGvSMk3lXwXPN6ZUgb9GGhmFGToQ8jKt06BIvCjDObrptPi7usFHYVL7nfio98ZsxOP6vMrAd9Tk-nDjuFXlaZTzjUcV1z1JS90hr524PAzX1SC70bSDG4Pu7X-_p-J0/s400/Screen+shot+2011-08-15+at+2.44.43+PM.png" width="275" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="BodyA" style="mso-outline-level: 1;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Stella McCartney (photo by WWD staff)<o:p></o:p></span></div></td></tr>
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<b>Silhouettes:</b><br />
Menswear details continue to dominate the Autumn season, with added feminine touches like volume (in the form of elegant wide-legged pants) and delicate details like flowing tie-neck tops and crisp belted shirtdresses. For an even more womanly take on office-wear, the 60’s heavily influenced the season with demure dresses and suit sets in rich jewel tones. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk-u1XGtfherUSNucKuz7vH53oSc6RytI2keqkDwwL4BGnYh4WCggGJ-2mLCEaFGZyShmCCBaV2cXsdIA5xTZkyqTm9JZHLI9kwLwQjAIex4N_QG1OK8x-KOtqVRdd-h9WnemnBMYuBko/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-08-15+at+2.54.51+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk-u1XGtfherUSNucKuz7vH53oSc6RytI2keqkDwwL4BGnYh4WCggGJ-2mLCEaFGZyShmCCBaV2cXsdIA5xTZkyqTm9JZHLI9kwLwQjAIex4N_QG1OK8x-KOtqVRdd-h9WnemnBMYuBko/s400/Screen+shot+2011-08-15+at+2.54.51+PM.png" width="273" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="BodyA" style="mso-outline-level: 1;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Christian Dior (photo by Giovanni Giannoni via WWD)</span></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table><b>Accents:</b><br />
Feather details abounded, giving skirts, tops, and dresses a life of their own as they bounced down the runways. Snakeskin was a close second as the detail of choice, appearing on shoes, in dresses, and on skirts. Make sure only a fabricare specialist with the proper tools, technical expertise and experience hand processes your specialty items.<br />
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The Davis Imperial team always stays abreast of the latest in fashion news and views in an effort to deliver everything you need to look your best. If you splurge on a one-of-a-kind Fall number, you can be confident that the Davis team will be prepared to properly process your garment while maintaining its gorgeous detail and will answer any question you have regarding the piece. They can’t wait to see the latest fashions come through their door. <br />
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What’s your favorite style from the Fall lines?<br />
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Thanks for reading, and don’t forget to send any questions you have about your favorite clothing to davisimperial@gmail.com. And follow us on Twitter or like us on Facebook for weekly tips and updates!<br />
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<i>All images via <a href="http://www.wwd.com/">Women's Wear Daily</a></i>Behind the Seams: A Davis Imperial Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04047209947571531173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5699667150218097817.post-45745671640642150442011-08-12T07:43:00.002-05:002011-10-08T13:27:57.422-05:00Q&A With Lynda, Rick, and Jordan: A Fabricare Specialist vs. A Dry Cleaner Round Three<span id="goog_1848678057"></span><span id="goog_1848678058"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.davisimperial.com/art/blog/lynda-rick-jordan-qa-header.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.davisimperial.com/art/blog/lynda-rick-jordan-qa-header.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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Happy Friday, readers! For the last two weeks, Lynda, Rick, and Jordan have been helpful enough to break down the difference between a fabricare specialist and a dry cleaner. It all started based on the following question:<br />
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“In the last year, I have purchased some pricier dresses that I really want to last (considering they cost more than a lot of my other items combined!). After a quick google search, I see two kinds of cleaners—the typical dry cleaner, and “fabricare specialists”. What’s the difference, and why does it matter?” {Lauren, Chicago}<br />
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Because this is a question Lynda, Rick, and Jordan receive so often, they’ve broken the answer into three parts. <a href="http://davisimperialcleaners.blogspot.com/2011/07/q-with-lynda-rick-and-jordan-fabricare.html">Two weeks ago</a>, they taught us what to look for in a fabricare specialist when it comes to skills, education, and knowledge of the craft. <a href="http://davisimperialcleaners.blogspot.com/2011/08/q-with-lynda-rick-and-jordan-fabricare.html">Last week</a>, the family outlined key steps followed by the top fabricare specialists so you know what to ask for when choosing where to take your most valued clothing. This week, they’ll show us the extra effort that the best-of-the-best in fabricare specialists put forth. <br />
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Answer: <br />
Our last two weeks have focused on what a quality dry cleaner should be doing--versus what many cleaners do not do. We’ve discussed the process your clothing goes through, the education of the staff, and the details you should be asking about when you choose a cleaner. And while there are many “fine” choices out there, only a select few quality cleaners go the distance in exceeding your expectations every single time. Below, we’ve listed some of the top things you should look for to make the decision process easier. Any fabricare specialist worth your best pieces should…<br />
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1. run quality checks conducted by senior managers on a daily basis that measure the results of their work against their standards of excellence, in an effort to continuously strive for perfection.<br />
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2. staff a full-service, experienced alterations department for all of your tailoring needs. <br />
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3. check every single client’s order to ensure all preferences and special instructions have been met and expectations have been exceeded at all stages of the process. (When you become a client at Davis Imperial, you fill out a full profile detailing your preferences for all of your clothing needs!)<br />
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4. run an environmentally responsible business, and be certified as an Environmental Drycleaner and a Four Leaf Green Cleaner by the Green Cleaners Council. (For more on Davis Imperial being a “green” cleaner, check out our post <a href="http://davisimperialcleaners.blogspot.com/2011/07/q-with-lynda-rick-and-jordan-green.html">here</a>!)<br />
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5. offer to conduct educational seminars for retailers, schools and organizations because they believe in the importance of understanding the difference between an ordinary drycleaner and a fabricare specialist--and how the choice you ultimately make can protect your investment in your wardrobe.<br />
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6. stay abreast of the latest fabric and fashion trends, as well as classic couture in order to be best educated on how to care for all garments. <br />
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7. give back and be involved in philanthropic and community organizations, understanding the importance of supporting the very individuals, organizations and companies that have been so supportive of them. <br />
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8. have unending passion for what they do, never wanting to stop learning and growing in their field of expertise. <br />
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9. offer luxe pick up and delivery service to your residence or office by bonded, uniformed and responsible client service representatives you can trust and who recognize that their first responsibility is the security of their client’s valued garments. <br />
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10. offer FabricareByMail™ for individuals, retailers, museums, hotels and corporations where a fabricare specialist’s level of services is not available in their area.<br />
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Most importantly, a true fabricare specialist will never take your business for granted and will always remember to say thank you for giving them the opportunity to service your fabricare needs. Davis Imperial is so honored that their clients choose them, and we hope this 3-part primer has given you a peek into what you deserve in clothing and garment care—if you’re not getting this type of service, find a quality cleaner who will deliver. <br />
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Wishing you and your loved ones good health and happiness always…<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.davisimperial.com/art/blog/lynda-rick-jordan-signature.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://www.davisimperial.com/art/blog/lynda-rick-jordan-thumb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.davisimperial.com/art/blog/lynda-rick-jordan-thumb.jpg" /></a><img border="0" src="http://www.davisimperial.com/art/blog/lynda-rick-jordan-signature.gif" /></div><br />
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Thanks Lynda, Rick, and Jordan for this week’s installment!<br />
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And readers, don’t forget to submit any questions you have on Facebook or on Twitter @davisimperial, or you can email us at davisimperialblog@gmail.com.<br />
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Thanks for reading, and we’ll see you next week!Behind the Seams: A Davis Imperial Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04047209947571531173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5699667150218097817.post-70062791050659045672011-08-08T14:48:00.005-05:002011-10-08T13:26:35.741-05:00Event Recap: A Day on the Terrace by The Service Club Of Chicago<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit8Jxd_ITOq7UzHJuSmv0qnhNI9jGVWVThyphenhyphenJto4iN27tgM1tULx8h6VqCuiteUGwQBBAzBPcAw5FgAKwn4HoC0i8TQ4O1WAGjAulK91fYHLIt5tj4WKClFIa9TUnMCGxzjz5714gzc4qY/s1600/6761a+%255B1600x1200%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpOqtS7uuNLDNdk1DV-b-cvUcETdfsTMv85dzZ5TzXnhW3kw-oQKm91hbOPCMgCsd6XT3uXn0Gv13G5miV8QEsYyvKd6f6PQQS0CB6bnvhoFIuWM8PbpzKnx3yeUYHw87TJPhCIKLd_1k/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpOqtS7uuNLDNdk1DV-b-cvUcETdfsTMv85dzZ5TzXnhW3kw-oQKm91hbOPCMgCsd6XT3uXn0Gv13G5miV8QEsYyvKd6f6PQQS0CB6bnvhoFIuWM8PbpzKnx3yeUYHw87TJPhCIKLd_1k/s400/1.jpg" width="299" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day On The Terrace 10th Annual Fashion Show...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Last Monday, I had the fantastic pleasure of joining Lynda Wood of Davis Imperial at <a href="http://davisimperialcleaners.blogspot.com/2011/08/day-at-terrace-davis-imperials.html">A Day on the Terrace</a>, the annual fashion show and luncheon thrown by <a href="http://www.serviceclubofchicago.org/">The Service Club of Chicago</a>. Not only did the event mark the tenth anniversary of this particular Service Club function, but it also was the tenth anniversary of the Peninsula Chicago—a special occasion on several levels. As a member of the The Service Club Of Chicago, Lynda attends the various fundraisers and galas throughout the year, not only to enjoy the company of other Chicago women whose influence reaches far and wide, but also to allow Davis Imperial to give back to the community that helped make it the business it is today. After all, at the heart of the company is the Wood family, and while the services they offer are among the best in the business—in Chicago and nationwide!—they treat every client as though they’re a dear friend or family member. Events and organizations like these help them honor that commitment. <br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Interestingly enough, Lynda explained, she also attends these events to get a feel for current fashion trends and potential styling challenges her clients could be facing. While the family tends to steer the conversations away from business during social events, a keen eye is kept on new styles seen within the event, including any noticeable trends that keep popping up (both in the fashion show and in the crowd itself!) as well as possible problems the various garments might present when being cleaned.</div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">For example, at Monday’s event, the styles seen on the guests ran the spectrum, but, as usual, black and white was a frequently seen go-to pairing. What many fashionistas may not realize, however, is that combining dark and light fabrics, embellishments, or trims on the same garment could potentially be problematic as the dark dye might bleed to the lighter color during processing. At Davis Imperial, whenever a piece comes in with similar challenges, they test the material to ensure this will not occur. Likewise, if the fall previews show garments or tailoring that looks more delicate, the Woods will take note of that to determine how to best service those pieces. At events like Day on the Terrace, fashion plays a role in entertainment, but also in continuously raising the standards of excellence by which the Woods run their business. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>And what a fashion show it was. With looks from <a href="http://lucaluca.com/">Luca Luca</a>, <a href="http://www.neimanmarcus.com/store/info/store.jhtml?storeId=19/MA">Neiman Marcus</a>, <a href="http://www.intermixonline.com/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=intermix&utm_campaign=intermix%20geo%20specific%20-%20chicago">Intermix</a>, <a href="http://www.lulusbellekay.com/">Lulu’s at the Belle Kay</a> and more (see the photo recap below!), there was something to please everyone—from gorgeous high-waisted pants and tie front shirts to chunky necklaces; from a vintage couture gown worn in <i>Mad Men</i> (found at Lulu’s at the Belle Kay!) to chicly sophisticated shorts sets; the show proved Chicago is always a top contender in the fashion world. Guests were also treated to a fabulous lunch with a theme of the Far East, and the men got in on the fun also. Three very gracious Chicago firemen flaunted their stuff on the runway to the delight of everyone in the audience. Members of The Service Club modeled in the show, as well as local celebrities and some of the city’s top tastemakers. All of the proceeds from this event will go to The Service Club Of Chicago that will supplement monetary grants established by government or corporate entities for various worthy organizations around town. All in all, a fabulous afternoon was had by everyone to benefit the city of Chicago.<br />
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What is your favorite look from the selections below? Do you have any concerns about caring for the styles or fashions shown here? Davis Imperial prides themselves in being able to address even the most challenging of care problems, so if you have an issue or question, please email us at <a href="mailto:davisimperial@gmail.com">davisimperial@gmail.com</a> or leave it in the comments below! We’d love to hear from you. Thanks for reading, and don’t forget to like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvv6EwbVb3sLO-OQ5Yl9eHZw6yXm7Zn8tQJtNrVGqp3bkOVugaUtiiF9c6puEUnRBSlTsjPBpaWTa9kq9AJgp6cTKqRcbYXj4dQaTXxaccm15nimpAN_ZjYd2O8-c-FbIAd2Y-O_i9lCc/s1600/lynda-montage2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvv6EwbVb3sLO-OQ5Yl9eHZw6yXm7Zn8tQJtNrVGqp3bkOVugaUtiiF9c6puEUnRBSlTsjPBpaWTa9kq9AJgp6cTKqRcbYXj4dQaTXxaccm15nimpAN_ZjYd2O8-c-FbIAd2Y-O_i9lCc/s400/lynda-montage2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lynda Wood with: top left Hazel Barr, top right Candace Jordan,<br />
bottom left, Sherrill Bodine, bottom right, Susanna Negovan</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwYHcpcQkxel4Nibwnxh9_gXN9TwPM1Jie_6fSIdRHRIUSo5gXaNHq1w9vBx-vgLvGYs_EHoPl_mPTYrwANd3ZQ65ov8MCKm0hsLhnu81XBGIuYqS8qeiKxqU0knbQx5SlxRPLLHoVSjA/s1600/untitled.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwYHcpcQkxel4Nibwnxh9_gXN9TwPM1Jie_6fSIdRHRIUSo5gXaNHq1w9vBx-vgLvGYs_EHoPl_mPTYrwANd3ZQ65ov8MCKm0hsLhnu81XBGIuYqS8qeiKxqU0knbQx5SlxRPLLHoVSjA/s400/untitled.bmp" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Founder of Day on the Terrace Hazel Barr, show producer Tracey Di Buonco,<br />
Peninsula's Greg Hyder, and fashion show chair Jean Antouniou<br />
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<tr><td style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCBeeeZyE3C5Eo-U7fqL7xNzZm43YOa0zo9JSjQgfNfDQwuX5NBC-YTDmtr98pU562TmvoHwiSKPt6YTVhW8o9f-iksb0BYTnaltR8pLyqXWtCdN3OWENChwa6u3wAn8nhURB4RGBhGPY/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="291" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCBeeeZyE3C5Eo-U7fqL7xNzZm43YOa0zo9JSjQgfNfDQwuX5NBC-YTDmtr98pU562TmvoHwiSKPt6YTVhW8o9f-iksb0BYTnaltR8pLyqXWtCdN3OWENChwa6u3wAn8nhURB4RGBhGPY/s400/3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chicago's Media Execs</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaQ95d81Q_wWqAsqj2fKj7op4aqyjOGb1TAWgwY_3RuwpvTt5OflU59z7H5MZ8od4XxNAapucxDGpjQoLgn3e7ZwI5ue0F_YxsPLlCKPx6m4jn7nqBrbGKc4InXthPJa6jHf8Ip1Hokw0/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaQ95d81Q_wWqAsqj2fKj7op4aqyjOGb1TAWgwY_3RuwpvTt5OflU59z7H5MZ8od4XxNAapucxDGpjQoLgn3e7ZwI5ue0F_YxsPLlCKPx6m4jn7nqBrbGKc4InXthPJa6jHf8Ip1Hokw0/s400/4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Members and guests of Day on the Terrace anxiously wait for the show to begin</div></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDgSdSN5nG2Se0cabQ-WlQpBIxWoeyikq7ZGPclh44LeYj3oPwZnfeOkfh_J0Qzb2MFfycOTyaEw_LlyBvmgXQRrPShTt1ACh_imM7AO9qArOZDmMLI8VwfvNKwarTcFAcbpL7InJgEAU/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDgSdSN5nG2Se0cabQ-WlQpBIxWoeyikq7ZGPclh44LeYj3oPwZnfeOkfh_J0Qzb2MFfycOTyaEw_LlyBvmgXQRrPShTt1ACh_imM7AO9qArOZDmMLI8VwfvNKwarTcFAcbpL7InJgEAU/s400/5.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fendi 1986 from Lulu's at the Belle Kay </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEXnhrPfx92_EW-DOlv6O52E4zQn5VXzdLDsTyOmBb7udmjzQwSE-dJ7sbaV9aahe7PQzONqyk6le0CUlSpTGWHKiZcumnfBXrJi-eGyppj2OZN_2jmRHM7-lLChtsgrKnvW7x8rI6c8E/s400/6773a+%255B1600x1200%255D.jpg" width="266" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oscar de le Renta 1970 from Lulu's at the Belle Kay</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3hx4C4APoVPv2kRhOvqBMvZyoL7-ygrVE8BVDQ8QrshmU8bBOXZt1-z6x1fhYVVwMFilPv-XnUf0qG2lawRUtR2z3rDvk7gYkfsraRG-TJR7LDkOvUPUc3QMB3aOselgGFdA21I9TdPE/s1600/6786a+%255B1600x1200%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3hx4C4APoVPv2kRhOvqBMvZyoL7-ygrVE8BVDQ8QrshmU8bBOXZt1-z6x1fhYVVwMFilPv-XnUf0qG2lawRUtR2z3rDvk7gYkfsraRG-TJR7LDkOvUPUc3QMB3aOselgGFdA21I9TdPE/s400/6786a+%255B1600x1200%255D.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marie Clecura wearing Balenciaga 1950</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSwX4mJMEs65M-MQnuGg93I9p6VEI4z8Luxaby_2IaAfIBHcKjZ2T7pLx2vWE73eSrmYVxaob_xjYBZEqaAusxKENESIRNbOe6gVT7q1UMRV96GCvHvcxje-ZotwP92wPGMAbLD8MGNsU/s1600/6788a+-+Copy+%255B1600x1200%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSwX4mJMEs65M-MQnuGg93I9p6VEI4z8Luxaby_2IaAfIBHcKjZ2T7pLx2vWE73eSrmYVxaob_xjYBZEqaAusxKENESIRNbOe6gVT7q1UMRV96GCvHvcxje-ZotwP92wPGMAbLD8MGNsU/s400/6788a+-+Copy+%255B1600x1200%255D.jpg" width="285" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Susanna Negovan, Editor-in-Chief of Michigan Avenue Magazine</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMp9FyIY-iTM-VvppUduhSh-Q6GmI6q2v9ClTO12D2WSQM_krFBUrJogEv49i4ACElRGkAh2wbAy3htDl2KsNjY6qfUqPvnmTlfzejWq2Gsm5RcyGBmP1TrQ2PEvuw-YRTrH8mrGDa1ic/s1600/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMp9FyIY-iTM-VvppUduhSh-Q6GmI6q2v9ClTO12D2WSQM_krFBUrJogEv49i4ACElRGkAh2wbAy3htDl2KsNjY6qfUqPvnmTlfzejWq2Gsm5RcyGBmP1TrQ2PEvuw-YRTrH8mrGDa1ic/s400/6.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Susan Gohl</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-9TJSiGGrx6Eee3iCMZzBmCMj-aJkRpSaoRlB6mE-9MmRrimUoEKSX_0O1AqLfNZwzrEwV10FzGTn_zmc56mPOYJiJgHB_wJkWHPHeTvd3S0yielc7L4qQa-vD-D0Naq2RQCwlHRVsKg/s1600/0132a+%255B1600x1200%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-9TJSiGGrx6Eee3iCMZzBmCMj-aJkRpSaoRlB6mE-9MmRrimUoEKSX_0O1AqLfNZwzrEwV10FzGTn_zmc56mPOYJiJgHB_wJkWHPHeTvd3S0yielc7L4qQa-vD-D0Naq2RQCwlHRVsKg/s400/0132a+%255B1600x1200%255D.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vintage Couture (worn on Mad Men!)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBiauQsh3NWri6CgV8XoeicnhSUqpN91BXuS0rrusYnfJlbfZdNwO9bRUiu6NgDiYnJZvHYJEy-oY5cCoLi28mn1MayfQp5-D7sx0G66aQWVO392oIEvrM4uQXmp0voQYDtQ_v77wY_Uk/s1600/9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBiauQsh3NWri6CgV8XoeicnhSUqpN91BXuS0rrusYnfJlbfZdNwO9bRUiu6NgDiYnJZvHYJEy-oY5cCoLi28mn1MayfQp5-D7sx0G66aQWVO392oIEvrM4uQXmp0voQYDtQ_v77wY_Uk/s400/9.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sherrill Bodine, President, The Service Club Of Chicago</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit8Jxd_ITOq7UzHJuSmv0qnhNI9jGVWVThyphenhyphenJto4iN27tgM1tULx8h6VqCuiteUGwQBBAzBPcAw5FgAKwn4HoC0i8TQ4O1WAGjAulK91fYHLIt5tj4WKClFIa9TUnMCGxzjz5714gzc4qY/s1600/6761a+%255B1600x1200%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit8Jxd_ITOq7UzHJuSmv0qnhNI9jGVWVThyphenhyphenJto4iN27tgM1tULx8h6VqCuiteUGwQBBAzBPcAw5FgAKwn4HoC0i8TQ4O1WAGjAulK91fYHLIt5tj4WKClFIa9TUnMCGxzjz5714gzc4qY/s400/6761a+%255B1600x1200%255D.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Valentino 1980 from Lulu's at the Belle Kay<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuQnJTKKCyNG178maA85AHtd0X84ukQkMbAJdmCE2tPGM0GJ5g9M2AkplgydwTpSjctovU9dnEdgDqJ4RVRQ8S6AAkftoH2xyz3u9X9gS7aaPXCVt6boR_M_WPPWRVvTuakrZbZsYPA0c/s1600/7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuQnJTKKCyNG178maA85AHtd0X84ukQkMbAJdmCE2tPGM0GJ5g9M2AkplgydwTpSjctovU9dnEdgDqJ4RVRQ8S6AAkftoH2xyz3u9X9gS7aaPXCVt6boR_M_WPPWRVvTuakrZbZsYPA0c/s400/7.jpg" width="282" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chilli Pepper</td></tr>
</tbody></table></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga3dlDXig74piOCCWaUwh84QJKCT2gIRFsCCGOtTDMt7nRY4yL2K_kjNJneZzT9m-i7Vr6abLItuyLktJqcyi2v6Vhp1qM2gYeEJk1fNNDcJjwPAwSI9z-iq8jEkC2MtbKwwpGR80rRwA/s1600/8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga3dlDXig74piOCCWaUwh84QJKCT2gIRFsCCGOtTDMt7nRY4yL2K_kjNJneZzT9m-i7Vr6abLItuyLktJqcyi2v6Vhp1qM2gYeEJk1fNNDcJjwPAwSI9z-iq8jEkC2MtbKwwpGR80rRwA/s400/8.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Windy City Live's Valerie Warner<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQHbVHUN9B_w8ZXXJrzZH0yLzerpj4p083ACWqYupBrMdBchoVeInKpThzBWgktfHvRXiuY3I3eoSFVERaNya9dp5O5qlLxxObetBhRdn4XWtmif-8Pvfbx2DrTLU__mWMng_b9klHYb0/s1600/11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQHbVHUN9B_w8ZXXJrzZH0yLzerpj4p083ACWqYupBrMdBchoVeInKpThzBWgktfHvRXiuY3I3eoSFVERaNya9dp5O5qlLxxObetBhRdn4XWtmif-8Pvfbx2DrTLU__mWMng_b9klHYb0/s320/11.jpg" width="282" /></a></div>Laurie Davis, owner of Lulu's at the Belle Kay escorted by Fireman friend<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuG2hreT6TbbAOAqJWfYyBQwL91Xo3YDM948m6e431R3gxmsIoASwsLvgZKsC3z4kyDV-3hQuZMgMSubjyV5ZDX58kbETIL2oIpFB0uHGJO8Z_NsO7-VJiu_B4KmPniWkEdETxdmUwUpw/s1600/12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuG2hreT6TbbAOAqJWfYyBQwL91Xo3YDM948m6e431R3gxmsIoASwsLvgZKsC3z4kyDV-3hQuZMgMSubjyV5ZDX58kbETIL2oIpFB0uHGJO8Z_NsO7-VJiu_B4KmPniWkEdETxdmUwUpw/s400/12.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>Jean Antoniou, Fashion Show Chair<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibnYlvc5utkmxybD7duT_TYLi9Itm1CLoi2J8gHyw1DRFTzzYUz_eOU81nootYiWBL7bbMmkVxxd4QvMB-vcb8bwGN8vrXCxOFZnFhwb5A_QpLRCnxosElAs3z8Kk6soljLXTwt0gC6Oo/s1600/13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibnYlvc5utkmxybD7duT_TYLi9Itm1CLoi2J8gHyw1DRFTzzYUz_eOU81nootYiWBL7bbMmkVxxd4QvMB-vcb8bwGN8vrXCxOFZnFhwb5A_QpLRCnxosElAs3z8Kk6soljLXTwt0gC6Oo/s400/13.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>Dusty Stemer<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYuMksD5TH5-JDE6gDFUoXMN4ng1f6ZGfH_PkJMw9GU7__F1Vwf55Ak_EPoLggZ_AaBkGjgU2o22A9G_Kd3Ymld5PGAAONfyNkltFWbaG3J_mtDXklOlcZcdHWFvsEUwzIumVCW_nL4gQ/s1600/14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYuMksD5TH5-JDE6gDFUoXMN4ng1f6ZGfH_PkJMw9GU7__F1Vwf55Ak_EPoLggZ_AaBkGjgU2o22A9G_Kd3Ymld5PGAAONfyNkltFWbaG3J_mtDXklOlcZcdHWFvsEUwzIumVCW_nL4gQ/s400/14.jpg" width="330" /></a></div>Candace Jordan for Neiman Marcus Evening <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCsiHXHy-ivOiSArZiUHpaWf8XUCzN0r5dcYE1HFRrC7qCpR4JYWDiP6MSE0Mf8Ez45ztHFbm_QzkNJAr4y5QHzry9jNC44n2DK3FPcNxbI2WN7WM8WllnZhtoC-8EA_ylWpTBr4hi08Y/s1600/0333+laurie+best+%255B1600x1200%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCsiHXHy-ivOiSArZiUHpaWf8XUCzN0r5dcYE1HFRrC7qCpR4JYWDiP6MSE0Mf8Ez45ztHFbm_QzkNJAr4y5QHzry9jNC44n2DK3FPcNxbI2WN7WM8WllnZhtoC-8EA_ylWpTBr4hi08Y/s400/0333+laurie+best+%255B1600x1200%255D.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>Laurie Davis of Lulu's at the Belle Kay<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbH792xlS6Ixw0AnQxNDbRr6_Xr18yVkTOY7Y_SDkpsRkN6V-AVKHtAnhYeLldsAgF84acmcT-87lwpAjNxfc-9-g9UIkmasniX5d2rCIJhDArZl488W-rcsjBy1WQNWAj81mKXtIHOjk/s1600/15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbH792xlS6Ixw0AnQxNDbRr6_Xr18yVkTOY7Y_SDkpsRkN6V-AVKHtAnhYeLldsAgF84acmcT-87lwpAjNxfc-9-g9UIkmasniX5d2rCIJhDArZl488W-rcsjBy1WQNWAj81mKXtIHOjk/s400/15.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>Mary Ann Childers leads the finale<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggw56IDxVqPvfoSgYTS3DQAIpG3XfKfar0Op87B-YO2gnjl1C8_viZcqsvq_QIxOWic7yUJlgXkPGG94R6wSQ8JW2Z-3X4WkSDZvssSA0CiHh1qw0w_1ALkIey69Z37A2yyZjikrAt9GM/s1600/16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggw56IDxVqPvfoSgYTS3DQAIpG3XfKfar0Op87B-YO2gnjl1C8_viZcqsvq_QIxOWic7yUJlgXkPGG94R6wSQ8JW2Z-3X4WkSDZvssSA0CiHh1qw0w_1ALkIey69Z37A2yyZjikrAt9GM/s400/16.jpg" width="250" /></a></div>Candace Jordan with Chicago's Finest<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_PECGLG5AEg2mkXauP6py1YeDBZNpMZmRwpffOUVDgETBQiObbOvYPwL8D3th1IDHYLIylbHoN4KXatEWx3tHXrpinacxvpVmxw5TMgw-450z0VulX7MD6wBTs8alJH6Fvhr1pCYZusQ/s1600/17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="308" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_PECGLG5AEg2mkXauP6py1YeDBZNpMZmRwpffOUVDgETBQiObbOvYPwL8D3th1IDHYLIylbHoN4KXatEWx3tHXrpinacxvpVmxw5TMgw-450z0VulX7MD6wBTs8alJH6Fvhr1pCYZusQ/s400/17.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Vonita Reescer<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsHcXHB92ztMKt8YQsEXVKUTdqFGomYJsAAUgAjjBDNnfy8PoXWlzsaQvgd26lZBRCrda30iZWnCKBjdSICv23iWzW3TAbHfSArGftLKgIOtvSL_nZFN3nJciRNwmq0gfSIT_Id_A2vNs/s1600/19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsHcXHB92ztMKt8YQsEXVKUTdqFGomYJsAAUgAjjBDNnfy8PoXWlzsaQvgd26lZBRCrda30iZWnCKBjdSICv23iWzW3TAbHfSArGftLKgIOtvSL_nZFN3nJciRNwmq0gfSIT_Id_A2vNs/s320/19.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> Simon Garcia, manager of Luca Luca, Lynda Wood, Davis Imperial Cleaners,<br />
with daughters-in-law Stacy and Cyndi<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAwHh5s4wiqBeF9zvZcW0h6Q_ZSYbaG9hWyVUWmIed-KEr0-7todbGT30HGnc0APvwPZBowVyRlbD3USU-uHxjmVVeDPaa16g4-Tkhh6aC4epx4ueFi0e0QQ1TLzuUtHu-VJP7_qbLFxw/s1600/20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAwHh5s4wiqBeF9zvZcW0h6Q_ZSYbaG9hWyVUWmIed-KEr0-7todbGT30HGnc0APvwPZBowVyRlbD3USU-uHxjmVVeDPaa16g4-Tkhh6aC4epx4ueFi0e0QQ1TLzuUtHu-VJP7_qbLFxw/s320/20.jpg" width="238" /></a></div>Stacy and Cyndi with the guys! <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh77A5W9wT0FWfihm827FWcIHyehxYW9Ld5g3JGFEp3pd18iaVCL6cU_oSlRe6qtCCxP3CwGDLiTH5YukyXfEp1OQoPGFin5QQDvHlyaaV44GjIBwQgAUuGAMD80tgfRTvvavSbQlkZu_M/s1600/SERVICE+CLUB+%257E+August+1%252C+2011+Photos+by+Steve+Starr+209.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh77A5W9wT0FWfihm827FWcIHyehxYW9Ld5g3JGFEp3pd18iaVCL6cU_oSlRe6qtCCxP3CwGDLiTH5YukyXfEp1OQoPGFin5QQDvHlyaaV44GjIBwQgAUuGAMD80tgfRTvvavSbQlkZu_M/s320/SERVICE+CLUB+%257E+August+1%252C+2011+Photos+by+Steve+Starr+209.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> The Wood girls--what a wonderful afternoon at Day on the Terrace</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thanks to Steve Starr, Maureen Schulman and Caitlin Saville Collins for sharing their incredible photographs from the show.</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Behind the Seams: A Davis Imperial Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04047209947571531173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5699667150218097817.post-35433972685252279012011-08-05T08:00:00.008-05:002011-10-08T13:25:45.442-05:00Q&A With Lynda, Rick, and Jordan: A Fabricare Specialist vs. A Dry Cleaner Round Two<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.davisimperial.com/art/blog/lynda-rick-jordan-qa-header.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.davisimperial.com/art/blog/lynda-rick-jordan-qa-header.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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Happy Friday, readers! <a href="http://davisimperialcleaners.blogspot.com/2011/07/q-with-lynda-rick-and-jordan-fabricare.html">Last week</a> we started a series in the Q&A section that helps determine the difference between a fabricare specialist and a dry cleaner. It was submitted by Lauren from Chicago:<br />
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“In the last year, I have purchased some pricier dresses that I really want to last (considering they cost more than a lot of my other items combined!). After a quick google search, I see two kinds of cleaners—the typical dry cleaner, and “fabricare specialists”. What’s the difference, and why does it matter?”<br />
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Because this is a question Lynda, Rick, and Jordan receive so often, they’ve broken the answer into three parts. Last week, they taught us all about what to look for in a fabricare specialist when it comes to the background of the owners—the skills they have, education they’ve been trained in, and their knowledge of the craft. Today, the family will outline key steps followed by the top fabricare specialists so that you know what to ask for when choosing where to take your most valued clothing.<br />
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<b>Answer:</b><br />
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As we established<a href="http://davisimperialcleaners.blogspot.com/2011/07/q-with-lynda-rick-and-jordan-fabricare.html"> last week</a>, instead of focusing on what the typical dry cleaner does not do, we think it is far more productive to discuss what a quality dry cleaner--a true fabricare expert--should be doing. In particular today, we’ll focus on the services that should be offered from the moment they receive your beloved dress, suit, or blouse. Below are some of the key criteria you should look out for. A fabricare specialist…<br />
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1. should have the technical skills to offer hand-cleaning as an option for a fragile garment or textile that (after testing) shows a likelihood of being damaged if utilizing traditional processing methods. Hand-cleaning protects the integrity of the fabric while removing stains and odors.<br />
<br />
2. should have an on-site full-service alterations department staffed with both tailors and dressmakers, experienced and trained to perform the highest levels of their craft. They should also be responsible for the removal and replacement of fragile specialty buttons and trims, and perform necessary repairs.<br />
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3. should also impeccably maintain their equipment and solutions, consistently submitting their solutions for professional testing so that all clothing is rinsed in pristine crystal clear solutions with no odor. (By the way, if you ever pick up dry cleaning from your cleaner and it smells, run--do not walk!--away from that cleaner. Strong odors usually indicate that their equipment was not properly maintained, since this odor generally comes from bacteria.)<br />
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4. should rinse garments in gentle solutions that do not strip fabrics of dyes or damage embellishments and trims.<br />
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5. should employ experienced technicians who understand fashion and the importance of detailing a garment with a hand-iron, properly hand-finishing the garment by following the drape and design intended by the fashion designer.<br />
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6. employs individuals trained in the art of couture inspecting procedures. They examine each garment applying points of excellence established for couture garments. Should standards fail to be met, the process should be repeated until the garment is perfect.<br />
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7. trains packaging experts to assess and determine the packaging requirements for each garment. Recyclable plastic molded hangers that are designed to properly support each garment for short and long-term storage, or alternative packaging when hangers are inappropriate for a garment or textile should be available. Recyclable tissue, oxi-biodegradable poly garment bags for the protection of garments during transport, reusable shopping bags, properly sized shirt, scarf and tie boxes as well as specialty packaging for fine bed, table linens, and comforter bags should minimally make up a fabricare specialists arsenal of luxe and environmentally responsible packaging.<br />
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8. should offer luxe pick up and delivery service to your office or residence by client service representatives--individuals that are bonded, uniformed, intelligent, and responsible. Individuals that you can trust and who recognize that their first responsibility is the security of their client’s valued garments.<br />
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If you’re not sure if your current cleaner follows these steps, don’t be afraid to ask. If they’re<br />
worth taking your most valued pieces to, they will share any information you need to be<br />
confident in their services. Davis Imperial follows all of these best practices and more. Next<br />
week, we’ll share how we go above and beyond to consistently make our services the best in<br />
the businesses.<br />
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Wishing you and your loved ones good health and happiness always…<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.davisimperial.com/art/blog/lynda-rick-jordan-signature.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://www.davisimperial.com/art/blog/lynda-rick-jordan-thumb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.davisimperial.com/art/blog/lynda-rick-jordan-thumb.jpg" /></a><img border="0" src="http://www.davisimperial.com/art/blog/lynda-rick-jordan-signature.gif" /></div><br />
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Thanks Lynda, Rick, and Jordan for this week’s installment!<br />
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And readers, don’t forget to submit any questions you have on Facebook or on Twitter @davisimperial, or you can email us at davisimperialblog@gmail.com.<br />
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Thanks for reading, and we’ll see you next week!Behind the Seams: A Davis Imperial Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04047209947571531173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5699667150218097817.post-86147840083308758032011-08-01T07:57:00.004-05:002011-10-08T13:25:17.635-05:00A Day On the Terrace: Davis Imperial's Philanthropic InvolvementWhen I first became involved with Davis Imperial, my expectations were continuously raised as I learned about their processes, their extraordinary client service, and their continuous pursuit of perfection. But when I began to realize their endless involvement in Chicago’s fashion, wedding, and philanthropy world, the distance between them and any other cleaner became immeasurable. <br />
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As I learn more about the world of fabricare specialists, I love being able to share the stories and events that I find extra exciting, and today’s topic definitely tops that list. As members of the Service Club of Chicago, Lynda and the Davis Imperial team impact some of Chicago’s most respected philanthropic events, and the mix of special women involved includes the city’s cultural elite. Founded in 1890 (making it one of the oldest philanthropic organizations in Chicago) every single dollar the Service Club raises goes to charity, and their events allow women to come together and raise money, enjoy each others’ company, and experience fashion and the arts. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOipEJgCm6IN8F5w8JJ3-kQBscPfDSC3TydMLgFr2FZEMDSpxajaTBCXvZ0wApjygq26AnJK9frKyAF7-gmmyzdJMKpVoUwxKOD9SjTHALuVFCU0fMgdhJMlZACSaucgR9aib1Y4FaCdw/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-07-31+at+10.23.09+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOipEJgCm6IN8F5w8JJ3-kQBscPfDSC3TydMLgFr2FZEMDSpxajaTBCXvZ0wApjygq26AnJK9frKyAF7-gmmyzdJMKpVoUwxKOD9SjTHALuVFCU0fMgdhJMlZACSaucgR9aib1Y4FaCdw/s320/Screen+shot+2011-07-31+at+10.23.09+PM.png" width="268" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Peninsula Chicago</td></tr>
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Today’s event--A Day on the Terrace--is at The Peninsula Chicago, and will feature a luncheon and fashion show of real women and men wearing clothing from Escada, Luca Luca, Lulu’s at the Belle Kay, Saks Fifth Avenue, Intermix, Neiman Marcus, Paul Stewart and more. Behind the Seams will allow you a first-person view into this exclusive event. If you would like to learn more about future Service Club events and this amazing organization check out their <a href="http://www.serviceclubofchicago.org/">website</a>.<br />
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We can’t wait to share the full recap with you next Monday. In the meantime, don’t forget to visit us again on Friday to learn how your favorite dress is being handled at Davis Imperial versus the dry cleaner down the street. Thanks for reading!<br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">image via </span></i><a href="http://www.peninsula.com/Chicago/en/Enticements/default.aspx?gclid=CIicnNyVrqoCFQJrKgodOV3bVg#/Chicago/en/Enticements/US10_For_The_Second_Night/"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">peninsula hotel website</span></i></a>Behind the Seams: A Davis Imperial Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04047209947571531173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5699667150218097817.post-62978413603750940662011-07-29T08:00:00.010-05:002011-10-08T13:24:35.369-05:00Q&A with Lynda, Rick, and Jordan: A Fabricare Specialist vs. A Dry Cleaner<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.davisimperial.com/art/blog/lynda-rick-jordan-qa-header.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.davisimperial.com/art/blog/lynda-rick-jordan-qa-header.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Happy Friday, readers! So excited to have Lynda, Rick, and Jordan back again for another Q&A session—and this one will be a series of posts, as it is a question the Woods get asked repeatedly, and the answer is layered, detailed, and integral to understanding how to care for your quality clothing. To be honest, it’s one I had when I first learned about Davis Imperial. Essentially, I think it’s what any person asks when they starts truly investing in their closet. <br />
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Question: “In the last year, I have purchased some pricier dresses that I really want to last (considering they cost more than a lot of my other items combined!). After a quick google search, I see two kinds of cleaners—the typical dry cleaner, and “fabricare specialists”. What’s the difference, and why does it matter?” {Lauren, Chicago IL}<br />
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<b>Answer: </b><br />
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As you can well imagine, as a family owned and operated certified couture cleaner for over 56 years, many questions are posed to us each day. But the question that makes our top ten list of most frequently asked questions by a first time client is "What makes you different from the ordinary dry cleaner in my neighborhood?” <br />
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Instead of focusing on what the typical dry cleaner does not do, we think it is far more productive to discuss what a quality dry cleaner should be doing. By definition, fabricare specialists are true quality cleaners. Not ordinary dry cleaners. There is a difference. And it's not just one of semantics.<br />
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In a nutshell, we are not comparing apples and apples. It’s far more like comparing attending a cocktail party with appetizers and drinks versus sitting down to a full course dinner including dessert with the wait staff making sure that all your preferences, standards of excellence and expectations are met. Our goal is to clarify for our readers the importance of having a fabricare specialist process your favorite garments with a positive result. You may have both a $3,000 suit or dress and a pair of your favorite 15-year-old khaki pants in your wardrobe that have been perfectly broken in. Although there may have been a substantial price difference when purchased, they’re both invaluable in your eyes. At Davis Imperial Cleaners both garments are processed exactly the same way with particular attention to detail—just like every single piece that comes through the door.<br />
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Today’s answer will focus on knowledge, skills, and evaluation. Under this category, a Fabricare Specialist should:<br />
<br />
<ol><li>Have the fashion and fabric knowledge to recognize the investment you have made in your wardrobe and household items, and accept the responsibility to protect your investment. That can only be successfully accomplished if the cleaner has the technical skills and experience, along with a combination of old world techniques and state of the art equipment and computer technology.</li>
<li>Be vigilant about security. At Davis Imperial, from the time a garment is received or delivered, it is bar-coded with a removable tag so that garment location in our facility can be immediately determined, as well as the stage of care it is at, and when it will be ready—just like tracking a package.</li>
<li>Offer a detailed inspection, including the reading of the care label upon arrival at our facility. It should also include the option to examine a garment under full spectrum light which may reveal a variety of both visible as well as invisible stains and/or fabric damage so that they can be properly addressed.</li>
<li>Properly evaluate and test fine fabrics, embellishments and trims to properly select the correct process to remove a stain (such as utilizing gentle solutions that do not strip the fabric of dyes or damage the details).</li>
</ol><br />
Davis Imperial follows all of these steps to ensure every garment that comes into our space is treated like the most important garment we’ve received--because, in essence, it is. And next week you’ll find out just how delicately and thoroughly we handle each piece through our second-to-none process. We can’t wait to share with you. <br />
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Wishing you and your loved ones good health and happiness always…<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.davisimperial.com/art/blog/lynda-rick-jordan-signature.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://www.davisimperial.com/art/blog/lynda-rick-jordan-thumb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.davisimperial.com/art/blog/lynda-rick-jordan-thumb.jpg" /></a><img border="0" src="http://www.davisimperial.com/art/blog/lynda-rick-jordan-signature.gif" /></div><br />
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Thanks Lynda, Rick, and Jordan for your always informative answers and for stopping by to share with us!<br />
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And readers, don’t forget to submit any questions you have on Facebook or on Twitter @davisimperial, or you can email us at davisimperialblog@gmail.com<br />
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Thanks for reading, and we’ll see you next week!Behind the Seams: A Davis Imperial Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04047209947571531173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5699667150218097817.post-69858046084433485952011-07-25T08:00:00.002-05:002011-10-08T13:24:03.397-05:00your wedding dress—the royal treatment<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5LNltol8wnLc1QBeTyG04MO_dn57LvdOGPO13qFKbqEqxlFYKXq15Shcw4m82Y8zYlhDbnA1IVS05Dpx9raCQOlVoe6LlWscXRj0gxNV1f5NPBmt4qIZ5NvYlRnXEkI30H0qbYmLulwo/s1600/ap_royal_wedding_day_memorabilia_dm_110722_wg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5LNltol8wnLc1QBeTyG04MO_dn57LvdOGPO13qFKbqEqxlFYKXq15Shcw4m82Y8zYlhDbnA1IVS05Dpx9raCQOlVoe6LlWscXRj0gxNV1f5NPBmt4qIZ5NvYlRnXEkI30H0qbYmLulwo/s400/ap_royal_wedding_day_memorabilia_dm_110722_wg.jpg" t$="true" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Unlike the majority of my friends, I never fully embraced royal wedding fever. William was never my cup of tea (get it?), although I thought Harry was cute, if not a little bit volatile at times. The tale of William and Kate played vaguely in the soundtrack of my life, allowing me to identify loose details in conversation (like how she was waiting for a ring), but never the full story. Needless to say, I did not wake up at 3:30 in the morning to watch the nuptials, but like the rest of the world, could not escape the endless recap on every single news and media outlet available. And thank goodness, because once I saw that dress, I got it. Kate Middleton’s style was absolutely classically perfect. Years from now, she will still appear chic and sophisticated, the gorgeous commoner turned royalty in the Alexander McQueen lace dress. </span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And now, lucky Londoners will be able to view the one-of-a-kind gorgeousness up close as the dress goes on display through October at Buckingham Palace. A dress, by the way, that was handmade at the Royal School of Needlework by students, graduates, and staff from around the world who had to wash their hands during the making every half hour to ensure it remained perfect. And to continue that treatment, the preservation staff will go through intricate steps to ensure the piece looks as impeccable as the day it was made, not only during the exhibition, but for the rest of the royal couple’s lives. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And proper preservation is not just for royals—every girl deserves to have her dream gown stay in the perfect condition it was in during her nuptials, no matter what the time in her life. Choosing a fabricare consultant like Davis Imperial, a company that treats every single wedding dress with their patented Museum Care Preservation<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">™</span>, will ensure that happens. Davis Imperial is the only licensed certified cleaning, restoration, and preservation specialist in Chicago. They offer a complete menu of pre- and post-wedding services, including pick-up and delivery within their route areas, a complimentary consultation and condition report, as well as fabricarebymail™ worldwide. Something any bride, crown or not, can appreciate. </span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To learn more about Davis Imperial’s full array of wedding services, click </span><a href="http://davisimperial.com/services/wedding_gowns.html"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">here</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To read more about Kate’s dress and the display at Buckingham Palace, click </span><a href="http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/kate-middleton-wedding-gown-display-public-buckingham/story?id=14130275"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">here</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. Image by Lewis Whyld/AP Photo. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thanks for reading! See you back here on Friday—don’t forget to send your questions to davisimperial@gmail.com for Q&A with Lynda, Rick, and Jordan. </span>Behind the Seams: A Davis Imperial Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04047209947571531173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5699667150218097817.post-15652574988241802472011-07-22T08:00:00.005-05:002011-10-08T13:23:28.314-05:00Q&A with Lynda, Rick, and Jordan: Green Cleaners<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.davisimperial.com/art/blog/lynda-rick-jordan-qa-header.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.davisimperial.com/art/blog/lynda-rick-jordan-qa-header.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Happy Friday, everyone! Thanks for the questions you submitted--we are so excited to hear from you, and we truly hope Lynda, Rick, and Jordan help you understand a little better why it is so valuable to care for your clothes in the right way.<br />
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Today’s reader question is about what it really means when a cleaner claims to be “green”.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCrfOQECjrmcabJeJXeGg6OftK5YhOBJlKOac2uccD-d1CptIsYOadCi5xB6LT3qNVj6e2k6AYQKjOZpEj_4QiGDw7OURcwxSyZ20DSi9rMLF2n1076JTg-PADVt211mOfL0svnGB7K7k/s1600/environmental.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCrfOQECjrmcabJeJXeGg6OftK5YhOBJlKOac2uccD-d1CptIsYOadCi5xB6LT3qNVj6e2k6AYQKjOZpEj_4QiGDw7OURcwxSyZ20DSi9rMLF2n1076JTg-PADVt211mOfL0svnGB7K7k/s1600/environmental.jpg" t$="true" /></a></div><div class="Body" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Question: “Lately, I have really been trying to clean up my act when it comes to the environment, but I am wondering if there is a way to do this with my dry cleaner of choice? I am not really sure what the difference is between a “green” cleaner and a normal one. Am I losing anything by sending my clothing to an environmentally-friendly cleaner? Will my clothes get the same benefits? What am I gaining?” {Sarah, Vernon Hills, IL}</span></div><div class="Body" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="Body" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Answer: </span></b></div><div class="Body" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Unless you’re a zealot for whom no price is too great to pay or sacrifice too much to ask, striking a balance between being a good environmental citizen and maintaining your personal standards for the quality and care in your life requires you to be an educated consumer.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Some choices are easy. You have to go to San Francisco for your BFF’s wedding. The smallest impact you could have on the environment is walking. THAT is zealot territory. The most self-indulgent choice is a private jet. THAT is obscene. For most responsible human beings who care about the world they live in, the reasonable choice is a seat on a non-stop commercial airline flight (an added bonus would be a full plane that achieved economy of scale!). </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">For other choices, like dry cleaning, the pros and cons are not so obvious because the knowledge required to make an intelligent decision is primarily known only by industry insiders. You are to be commended for wanting to know the pluses and minuses attached to your choices, and we’re happy to share our inside, painstakingly researched information with you.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><ol style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1"><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">All cleaners are not created equal. <br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> <ol style="margin-top: 0in;" type="a"><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: list 1.0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">There are green zealot cleaners for whom changes in texture, tensile strength, cleanliness or even size are acceptable sacrifices because their primary, and perhaps exclusive interest, is in being GREEN. These are generally ONE process cleaners. Think of them like a one-size-fits-all garment. They NEVER fit everyone perfectly. Similarly, a single green cleaning process is NEVER the perfect cleaning answer for EVERY garment brought in to them. The result will almost always be a compromise.</span></li>
</ol><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">There are cleaners who have NO environmental conscience. <br />
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<ol style="margin-top: 0in;" type="a"><li class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: list 1.0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">For their own reasons they choose not to invest in any eco-friendly technologies or practices beyond those required by state or local governments. Most of these cleaners are solely dependent on processing 100% of your garments in a solvent the federal EPA has deemed to be a Hazardous Air Pollutant (HAP)</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br />
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</ol><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtLNrvaUQd4htwQxjX5PJsSm3-9nlit0vAMWL2gNzBwVtEB_dO1QtRyd-RM1DyuEwMM5ahi3NKmEIoNLlXApxSOqRNCy-zSZid2eAUe5sYK0QblPbwjN8WfghEzal-rYZ4xQpTy2uWscI/s1600/certified-environmental-drycleaner-logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtLNrvaUQd4htwQxjX5PJsSm3-9nlit0vAMWL2gNzBwVtEB_dO1QtRyd-RM1DyuEwMM5ahi3NKmEIoNLlXApxSOqRNCy-zSZid2eAUe5sYK0QblPbwjN8WfghEzal-rYZ4xQpTy2uWscI/s1600/certified-environmental-drycleaner-logo.jpg" t$="true" /> </a></div><li class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Then there are cleaners, like us, who have spent years researching and training in the latest environmentally sound technologies and principles, as well as staying abreast of the latest fashions, fabrics, construction techniques and trends. <br />
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<ol style="margin-top: 0in;" type="a"><li class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: list 1.0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Cleaners who think beyond the cleaning process to determine what is good for the garment, and even take it many steps further by evaluating and monitoring their entire business for its impact on the world we live in. We work toward achieving total environmental sustainability, and we adopt and invest in those eco-friendly and conservation opportunities accordingly. We are dedicated to striking the balance between optimum environmental performance and superior garment care and superior client service. </span></li>
</ol></span></ol></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: list 1.0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">And when these types of cleaners do it right, they receive certifications like being named a Certified Environmental Dry Cleaner (which we are), or one of our personal points of pride, being the first dry cleaner in Illinois to be named a Certified Green Cleaner.<span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: #111111; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: list 1.0in;"><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: #111111; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Wishing you and your loved ones good health and happiness always…Lynda, Rick and Jordan, Your Fabricare Friends</span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.davisimperial.com/art/blog/lynda-rick-jordan-signature.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://www.davisimperial.com/art/blog/lynda-rick-jordan-thumb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.davisimperial.com/art/blog/lynda-rick-jordan-thumb.jpg" /></a><img border="0" src="http://www.davisimperial.com/art/blog/lynda-rick-jordan-signature.gif" /></div><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Thanks Lynda, Rick, and Jordan for your always informative answers and for stopping by to share with us!</span></span></span></div><div class="Body" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="Body" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">And readers, don’t forget to submit any questions you have on Facebook or on Twitter @davisimperial, or you can email us at </span><a href="mailto:davisimperialblog@gmail.com"><span style="color: #000099;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">davisimperialblog@gmail.com</span></span></a><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">.</span></span></span></div><div class="Body" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="Body" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Thanks for reading, and we’ll see you next week!</span></span></span></div>Behind the Seams: A Davis Imperial Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04047209947571531173noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5699667150218097817.post-85399184730803234852011-07-18T08:00:00.006-05:002011-10-08T13:23:02.417-05:00the most important dress of your life<div style="color: #232323; font: 12.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Writing about weddings has allowed me to live vicariously through the best and worst of brides' and their guests' stories. Every girl deserves a perfect day, but no one can plan for everything--there are always details out of the bride and groom's control. Which is why elements that can be planned and cared for beforehand, like the bride and her party's dresses, are of the utmost importance. </span></span></span></div><div style="color: #232323; font: 12.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="color: #232323; font: 12.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So where does a gal begin to make her checklist of necessary steps? Wedding planners and friends are great resources because they'll be able to share what worked for them, and--most importantly--what didn't. And when it comes to caring for the most beautiful--and chances are, most expensive!--garment of your life, Davis Imperial is one name that tends to pop up repeatedly, since they offer an extensive list of quality services many brides don’t even know are available. Below is a quick snapshot of how they can help make your day as dreamy and stress-free as possible</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #232323; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDR6Lx-ymD1L764iG8RytHcwCCV8PPP_lCuBMfJwFDKGHX8GZDbGOHXJwXK4LZZ0J3NY6RJuCwPuax5AZ7WCIdS-9gIfvIOnk3NQb_VO1Vtyr6tIgYc_MkuJVmNE8oT4zSKTcsqevK6l8/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-07-05+at+9.19.46+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDR6Lx-ymD1L764iG8RytHcwCCV8PPP_lCuBMfJwFDKGHX8GZDbGOHXJwXK4LZZ0J3NY6RJuCwPuax5AZ7WCIdS-9gIfvIOnk3NQb_VO1Vtyr6tIgYc_MkuJVmNE8oT4zSKTcsqevK6l8/s400/Screen+shot+2011-07-05+at+9.19.46+PM.png" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<div style="color: #232323; font: 12.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1. </span><a href="http://www.davisimperial.com/services/wedding_alterations.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fit and Style </span></a></span></span></div><div style="color: #232323; font: 12.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">--Unless you had your dress custom made for you (lucky lady!), it will need some alterations. Davis Imperial's wedding gown coordinator works in collaboration with a seamstress to provide --in meticulous detail-- whatever minor or major alterations are needed. Whether it is a simple hem or a complete restoration and re-styling of a vintage piece, they'll care for your dress as though it were a priceless heirloom--which, with the right care, it will be some day.</span></span></span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh34BNklSKIGD8JvrOXd67N2nw5xQKD1EfmYMQ3K_jXAnJG3O6k8MLqoyqYVTRblNh6vl4Axomzf5derpTEnLC-sqO8TkPv2us2KZ0YrY8bOL2H4rvmGhdK2OO0xXAVX8KV03HGs4qpVTE/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-07-05+at+9.21.17+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh34BNklSKIGD8JvrOXd67N2nw5xQKD1EfmYMQ3K_jXAnJG3O6k8MLqoyqYVTRblNh6vl4Axomzf5derpTEnLC-sqO8TkPv2us2KZ0YrY8bOL2H4rvmGhdK2OO0xXAVX8KV03HGs4qpVTE/s400/Screen+shot+2011-07-05+at+9.21.17+PM.png" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<div style="color: #232323; font: 12.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2. </span><a href="http://www.davisimperial.com/services/wedding_press_your_dress.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Appearance</span></a></span></span></div><div style="color: #232323; font: 12.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">--It's your big day, your girls are gathered around, and suddenly you realize the dresses you picked for them look perfect...except for the fact that they wrinkle easier than tin foil. Davis Imperial not only offers pressing services for the entire party, going so far as to deliver the gowns to the event location, but they also offer <a href="http://www.davisimperial.com/services/wedding_on_location.html">on-location experts</a> that can tend to all the dresses in the party whether it's right before you walk down the aisle, or right before you walk into the reception.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #232323; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB4V4oqgkfC2jeUEpwoMN81MLqWoSOQJTdRv_w6R4zyvU_63N1dAFAaVjkKM1wsveViVp2i0dUxsrtdIit89oWzLtA34F5zqV4hbyhvWoGddvoHSz7CyzbXyzFaNo4al1yc_SsCjqa1_8/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-07-05+at+9.18.54+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB4V4oqgkfC2jeUEpwoMN81MLqWoSOQJTdRv_w6R4zyvU_63N1dAFAaVjkKM1wsveViVp2i0dUxsrtdIit89oWzLtA34F5zqV4hbyhvWoGddvoHSz7CyzbXyzFaNo4al1yc_SsCjqa1_8/s400/Screen+shot+2011-07-05+at+9.18.54+PM.png" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<div style="color: #232323; font: 12.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3. </span><a href="http://www.davisimperial.com/services/wedding_gowns.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Preservation </span></a></span></span></div><div style="color: #232323; font: 12.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is one of the lesser-known (or anticipated) steps for newly-engaged gals, since it happens after the ceremony, but it is one of the most important, and could make or break the chances of a dress surviving the test of time. When it comes to cleaning your dress and ensuring it will look brand new for your daughter or granddaughter someday, Davis Imperial's trademarked MuseumCare™ Preservation is second to none. And they're recommended by the Chicago History Museum--an entire brand whose identity relies on ensuring dated items retain their quality. </span></span></span></div><div style="color: #232323; font: 12.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="color: #232323; font: 12.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Their Clean Room Preservation Laboratory and Museum Inspection Area--located on site--allows their technicians to carefully inspect every inch of a garment, identifying areas soiled by stains detrimental to fabric if ignored. Stains such as white wine and champagne that dry clear and are invisible to the naked eye are located, identified and hand cleaned by Davis technicians that have been with their company over 35 years. This meticulous procedure prevents the dreaded yellow stains that would eventually surface, and gradually darken to black, completely degrading the fabric. </span></span></span></div><div style="color: #232323; font: 12.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="color: #232323; font: 12.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After hand cleaning, the gown is hand-ironed following the designer's line and drape, and then packaged in 100% acid-free (including the wedding chest!) archival quality packaging. White cottons gloves are included with the preservation (in order for the bride to be able to handle her gown without transferring oils and salt from her hands to the gown). </span></span></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; text-decoration: underline;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">No sealed boxes with little windows here!</span></span></b></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Preservations are accomplished the same way that the Museum Conservation Institute of the Smithsonian Institution and The Chicago History Museum preserve textiles. This type of preservation is classified as an open preservation, which allows for natural fibers to breathe, and allows viewing of the gown over time.</span></span></span></div><div style="color: #232323; font: 12.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="color: #232323; font: 12.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To learn more about the full list of Davis Imperial pre- and post-services available to the bride and her wedding party, click </span><a href="http://www.davisimperial.com/services/wedding_gowns.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">here</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. </span></span></span></div><div style="color: #232323; font: 12.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="color: #232323; font: 12.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">…And don't forget to join us back here on Friday, when Lynda, Rick, and Jordan stop by to answer reader questions!</span></span></span></div><div style="color: #232323; font: 12.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></span></div><div style="color: #232323; font: 12.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">P.S. Follow us on Twitter and like us on Facebook for exclusive updates, deals, and events!</span></span></span></div>Behind the Seams: A Davis Imperial Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04047209947571531173noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5699667150218097817.post-84559310050576230842011-07-11T07:59:00.001-05:002011-10-08T13:21:35.480-05:00getting a peek behind the seams<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Hello! My name is Brooke, and for just over a year now, I have written a blog called <a href="http://www.chicagonow.com/alwaysabridesmaid">Always a Bridesmaid</a>, which essentially covers everything weddings. Along the way, I've discovered countless incredible resources for brides, their party, and wedding-goers at large; from bridal boutiques to florists to dessert shops that would make a gal's mouth water. The wedding world in Chicago, like most communities once you infiltrate them, actually becomes quite intimate, and word-of-mouth is paramount. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6e5Y3pbZZo6pbHBagcg7gw9OgCIm2Nw85fa6_vjUrrzJRPJwqpsMwTdphUN4v34t2CD8IZTGGotrmL6G53kJVGQw99uUBm63GawTbMvcw1yfafL7oPXHr0xBC2RcWiOyNi9BOWZYgvhA/s1600/dic-logo-3line-vert-1clr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="94" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6e5Y3pbZZo6pbHBagcg7gw9OgCIm2Nw85fa6_vjUrrzJRPJwqpsMwTdphUN4v34t2CD8IZTGGotrmL6G53kJVGQw99uUBm63GawTbMvcw1yfafL7oPXHr0xBC2RcWiOyNi9BOWZYgvhA/s320/dic-logo-3line-vert-1clr.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div>Over and over, one name seemed to keep popping up among brides and shop-owners: <a href="http://www.davisimperial.com/">Davis Imperial Cleaners</a>. Which, to be honest, didn't make a lot of sense to me--why were women gushing about a dry cleaner? To me, they all seemed similar--neon signs in the front, pleasant employees working behind the desk, usually one seamstress on hand that always seemed to be hiding in the back room, and a wave of heat when you walked through the front door. In Chicago, cleaners are almost as plentiful as Starbucks, and if one doesn't work for you, there's always the competition down the street. </div><div><br />
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So in hopes of bringing the best of the Chicago wedding and fashion world to my readers, I ventured out to Davis Imperial to see first-hand what the fuss was about. Even from its exterior, the space looks nothing like a typical dry cleaner--elegantly crafted signage (no neon here!) displayed names like Chanel, and the windows themselves housed fashion that would fit perfectly within the walls of a high-end boutique. It's no wonder, as I discovered the visual merchandiser behind the displays held long-standing jobs at Neiman's and Armani. If a merchandiser seems out of place within the average idea of a dry cleaner, get used to it; once you experience the Davis Imperial difference first hand, the accolades they've been receiving--making "best of" lists in books such as CS, Chicago Magazine, CS Brides, and Esquire Magazine's: The Big Black Book-The Style Manual for Successful Men--are no surprise.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8C1kEWQU8AmrJrsjRI1q2FI2bCjAsGiy3PqYiYIX8qEomFd3FIKi3Qaq5UTXjM9hPXDGT2_RZBxeuOZoPvAp-T2Ple36wgoakaj7bxO1szEtg5uwZMRCRpeQjnA11QgMrcqftAPiT7fg/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-07-04+at+1.53.40+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8C1kEWQU8AmrJrsjRI1q2FI2bCjAsGiy3PqYiYIX8qEomFd3FIKi3Qaq5UTXjM9hPXDGT2_RZBxeuOZoPvAp-T2Ple36wgoakaj7bxO1szEtg5uwZMRCRpeQjnA11QgMrcqftAPiT7fg/s400/Screen+shot+2011-07-04+at+1.53.40+PM.png" width="267" /></a></div><br />
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The difference is in the detail paid to every single service the Woods deliver. Lynda, Rick, and their son Jordan Wood are the tour de force behind the company, a business founded by Lynda's parents who opened the doors over 55 years ago. Somehow, they manage to strike a delicate balance between a luxury brand (take one look at the packaging the clothing is sent home in and the "welcome kit" clients receive when engaging their services, and you'll see there's no better word fit to describe them) and a family business, providing the style-obsessed of Chicago a trusted resource for all the most important events in their lives. The Woods don't just care about the bottom line, they care about the lives and the experience of their clients, treating them like family and never settling for less than the best.<br />
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Discovering the Davis Imperial name is like learning a vocabulary word you never knew before--once you hear it, suddenly it's everywhere. The influence of the brand and the family infiltrates the city's fashion and bridal world, and the stories aren't just about clothing care, they offer a peek into the life of a family and of Chicagoans everywhere. Which is why I am so honored to launch this blog that allows everyone to learn firsthand the Davis Imperial difference, and bring exclusive fashion and bridal events, tips, and tricks to readers. Not only that, but Lynda, Rick, and Jordan will be stopping by every Friday for a Q&A session, answering everything and anything you want to know about the world of clothing, weddings, style and fabricare.<br />
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Thanks so much for reading! And please, if you have any stories you'd like to share, questions to ask, or topics you'd love to read about, email me at davisimperialblog@gmail.com. To learn more about the Davis Imperial difference, click over to their <a href="http://www.davisimperial.com/">site</a>.<br />
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p.s. Now you can follow Davis Imperial on Twitter and friend them on Facebook for blog, event, and deal updates.</div>Behind the Seams: A Davis Imperial Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04047209947571531173noreply@blogger.com0