An Exhibit Not to Be Missed--Charles James: Deconstructed

When 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.

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!

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.

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
level.

Tim Long with Rick Wood

What a party.....the gala is back after a 10 year hiatius

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.

Bill Zwecker and Costume Council President Nena Ivon

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.

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.

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.

Jordan and his wife Cyndi, Rick, and Lynda Wood in front of the cape

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 here. Thanks for reading!

CS Brides' Afternoon of Bridal Luxury Event Recap

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.

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.

The Davis Imperial team was proud to represent their wide array of wedding services, 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.

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!

Images by Kevin Weinstein Photography

Davis Imperial Download: The Tuxedo

Brad and George show off classic peak and notched collared double-breasted styles

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.

Fit
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.

Design
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.

The collar of the jacket is known as the lapel, and typically comes in three fashions:

1. Peak: points up just above the collar bone

2. Notched: one indentation where the lapel joins the collar

3. Shawl: the collar creates a smooth, curved line

Shirts are also broken down by collar:
1. Wing: a formal stand-up style with downward points
2. Crosswick: crossed in front and held together with a button
3. Mandarin: rounded and often worn without a tie

Details:
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.

Tom Ford in a shawl-collared tux from his eponymous line

Trends
“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.”

Maintenance
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.

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.

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.

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.

Image of Brad and George from Buzz Blog, Tux Lapel sketch via Grooms Groove, Tom Ford Image via People Watch