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

Flair 2011 Event Combined Fashion and Philanthropy

Last Saturday, Lynda, Rick and Jordan Wood of Davis Imperial, along with Saks Fifth Avenue, the 900 North Michigan Shops, and with the generosity of others were honored to support and attend the Chicago Lighthouse’s first Flair 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.

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.

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 here, and as always, thanks for reading!

Individuals Who Make This Incredible Charity and Event Possible:

Sandy Forysthe, Board of Directors and Janet Szlyk, Ph.D, President, Executive Director of Chicago Lighthouse

Flair Co-Chairs Lynn Cooper, Ellie Thompson, and Kaye Rahn

Lynda Wood of Davis Imperial Cleaners and
 Jeff Byron, Vice President and General Manager, Saks Fifth Avenue Chicago

 Cassandra A. Gaddo, Editor-in-Chief of Today's Chicago Woman; Lynda Wood, Davis Imperial Cleaners;
Sharren Leigh, President and Founder of Today's Chicago Woman



Sarah Harrington, Manager of Special Events/Financial Development



Rick, Lynda and Jordan Wood of Davis Imperial Cleaners

Runway Show Pics:



Mary Ann Arbogast and friend



Christina Tran

Patricia Ward and her dog, Serious

The Finale



Shopping!

Rick Wood was ecstatic about finding a vintage Hermes scarf for Lynda Wood, his wife of 41 years!

Special thanks to Ed Estrada and Mike White for their fantastic photography!

Red Dresses the Real Winners at the 2011 Emmy Awards

Kate Winslet in Ellie Saab

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—Modern Family’s Julie Bowen and The Good Wife’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.

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.

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:

1. Do your homework. Ask for a recommendation from the retailer or designer where you purchased your gown.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. When it comes to finishing, insist that the garment is pressed completely by hand to avoid unsightly shine and impressions.
7. In between wearing, make sure your beloved piece is stored in a cool environment with adequate airflow and minimal exposure to light.

Follow these tips and you too can look like a celeb time and time again.

Below are some of our favorite crimson looks of the night. What was yours?

Sophia Vergara in Vera Wang

Adrianne Palicki in Dolce & Gabbana

Kerry Washington in Zuhair Murad

Lea Michele in Marchesa

Davis Imperial Offers Wedding Dress Confidence at Running of the Brides

This Friday, hundreds of brides-to-be will descend on Filene’s Basement, accompanied by their mothers, sisters, brothers, and closest friends for Running of the Brides. 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.

But to help calm those nerves, Davis Imperial 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.

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.

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!

Find out more about Running of the Brides here and more about Davis Imperial’s full list of wedding gown services here .

Image by Antonio Perez via Chicago Tribune