Breakfast at Tiffany's : Sweet Success!

Thank you to our customers, consignors and friends who came out on April 12th to Le Thrift Consignment Boutique's Breakfast at Tiffany's charity shopping event! Customers enjoyed 25% off the entire store, complimentary manicures and champagne, mimosas and sweet treats with a $10 donation.  Congratulations to Angelina for winning the raffle for Tiffany's earrings!

10% of proceeds from this event supported the One Hope United National Blue Ribbon Campaign to prevent Child Abuse.  As of April 18th, we are proud to report that Le Thrift raised $360, a significant increase over last year!

** Give More & Save More **

Enjoy 15% off the entire store with a

$5 donation through April 30th!!!

Last year One Hope United staff, board, and volunteers raised over $162,000 in support of National Child Abuse Prevention Month and our Blue Ribbon Month campaign. This year we’re asking that you join together with us again this April in the battle against child abuse and neglect by helping us meet our overall fundraising goal of $200,000.

Every dollar donated, every event hosted, and every message shared online helps us fulfill our organization’s mission and provide programs and services designed to prevent child abuse and neglect.  For more information on One Hope United and Blue Ribbon Month go to http://onehopeunited.org/go-blue-4-ohu/

*** T H A N K  Y O U ***

Locally-owned businesses provided refreshments & services.

Cupcakes: Vee Rubio Creations
Manicures: Notable Nails Chicago & Mobile Nails by Marlo

Designer & Brand Names!

Chanel, Michael Kors, Manolo Blahnik, Burberry, Furla, Prada, Christian Lacroix, Coach, Salvatore Ferragamo, Marc Jacobs, Dolce and Gabbana

and much more!

Visit us at 1821 West Chicago Ave in West Town or our online store on ebay!

Le Start & Le Team

 

Le Thrift Consignment Boutique founder, Christine Sanderson, found herself, like many others, unemployed during the recession. As a single mother, a budget for a great career wardrobe was challenging during this time.

Christine turned to consignment and thrift stores to fill her closet with stylish options, often receiving compliments for her outfits. It was during this time when Christine decided to follow her dreams of selling gently loved designer items in a high end and luxurious boutique without the hefty price tag.

Le Thrift Consignment Boutique started online in August 2009.  She worked out of her house, slowly networked and sold designer items online to her friends, families and referrals. The business grew at a rapid pace and in May 2011, Christine opened Le Thrift Consignment Boutique in the Wicker Park neighborhood of Chicago. In March 2014, Christine moved her expanding business to a larger storefront located West Town, Chicago. 

Le Thrift Consignment Boutique now consigns designer women's and men's apparel, accessories and home pieces.  Le Thrift Consignment continues to push beyond the boutique boundaries by offering stylist services, wardrobe editing, closet organization, image consultant and personal shopping.  These services make Le Thrift Consignment Boutique the one-stop shop for all of your style needs.

Christine has been slowly building a staff to support her vision and her growing business.  Meet the Le Thrift Consignment Boutique Team!

Christine Sanderson

Owner

Christine has a background in design, fashion and art. She has been painting for 15 years and was a graphic designer for 12 years. She was a mid-west representative for Tom Ford eye wear and gained extensive retail and sales experience in the fashion industry. She also served as a design consultant for fashion magazines, children's clothing and home and restaurant interior design.

Christine established Le Thrift Consignment Boutique to provide a unique shopping experience for men and women of all income levels with exceptional customer service.  She takes a creative role with the store branding, merchandising and marketing. She also places her strong customer and consignor relationships as the priority. 

The part of Le Thrift Consignment Boutique's mission that Christine holds close to her heart is building relationships with charities.  She is grateful for the community who supported her through the years and is honored to provide fundraising options benefitting those in need.

Thomas Vaughan

Retail Operations Manager

Thomas was born in Arkansas and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theater with a Minor in Art at the University of Central Arkansas. Thomas moved to Chicago in 2011 and pursued a career as a fashion stylist and has also become Christine's right hand at Le Thrift Consignment Boutique!

Thomas wears two hats at Le Thrift Consignment Boutique.  As the Retail Operations Manager, Thomas is responsible for creating the window displays, consignment inventory, managing sales associates, coordinating events and handling the boutique supply needs.

As the resident Le Thrift Stylist, Thomas provides services that enhances the Le Thrift experience for the customer.  He provides stylist services, wardrobe editing, closet organization, image consultation and personal shopping.

Thomas' fashion philosophy isn't necessarily about the latest trend or the newest look. Fashion is about making a woman look and feel like the best version of herself. This young, enthusiastic Stylist is ready to take your wardrobe to the next level!

Marlo Irizarry

Customer Relations Consultant

Marlo lives in the Logan Square neighborhood and is completing her Bachelor of Arts degree in Entrepreneurial Studies from DePaul University.  Marlo's previous experience lies in small business and the not for profit sector for the past thirteen years.  Marlo met Christine and Le Thrift Consignment Boutique through networking within the fashion and beauty industries.

As the Customer Relations Consultant for Le Thrift Consignment Boutique, Marlo is responsible for assisting Christine and Thomas in planning, coordination, marketing and customer-oriented tasks. She looks forward to helping Christine grow the business in the new location and building strong relationships with our clients and customers.

Lotta Yanong

Blogger

Lotta was born and raised in Chicago and has a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting. She currently works as a CPA in the tax industry. She has over 20 years of professional business experience within both the public and private sector.

Lotta loves digging for vintage at estate sales and thrift stores and finds joy in researching the history of vintage finds, keeping abreast of fashion trends and designing jewelry. Lotta started a blog named Lotta de Luxe to share inspiration related to style, wellness and travel.

She joined the Le Thrift Consignment Team in the summer of 2013 as a way to stay creative in the industry and to contribute to building Le Thrift Consignment Boutique's presence on the internet.  Her posts on the Le Thriftonista blog range from highlighting Le Thrift Consignment Boutique services, events and inventory pieces to promoting cool Chicago-based designers and industry-related businesses.  Style inspiration from music, movies and trends round out the topics.

She is more than thrilled to support Christine realize her dream and is grateful to be working with such a caring and talented team.

Designer & Brand Names!

Chanel, Michael Kors, Manolo Blahnik, Burberry, Furla, Prada, Christian Lacroix, Coach, Salvatore Ferragamo, Marc Jacobs, Dolce and Gabbana

and much more!

Visit us at 1821 West Chicago Ave in West Town, Chicago or online on ebay!

American Hustle: Vintage Overdose

I watched American Hustle a little while ago.  When I went to the theater, I didn't really know the premise and didn't know what to expect.  Here's the American Hustle official trailer for those not familiar:

Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley Cooper share the screen alongside Amy Adams and Christian Bale in American Hustle.  The film tells the story of a pair of con artists (Bale and Adams) forced to work for a cocky FBI agent (Cooper) bent on bringing down powerbrokers and politicians. 

 
The film opens with the late 1970s Columbia Pictures logo (cute bit of vintage trivia).  An opening title card states, "Some of this actually happened" followed by "April 28, 1978 Plaza Hotel, New York".  Then I REALLY got excited.

I am kind of obsessed with the fashion era of the late 70s to 80s.  Think more "Studio 54" and less cheesy bell-bottoms.  I gain inspiration to no end from my personal collection of vintage Vogue magazines from these decades!
 
I have to say, not only was the film extremely entertaining, American Hustle knocked the costumes out of the park!  Every time there was a costume change, I kept thinking...timeless, sophisticated and just the right amount of sexy...Everything I love about this era!

The film's costume designer, Los Angeles-based Australian Michael Wilkinson had the task of bringing the best of this era to the big screen.  In interpreting the characters, he states that "The characters are wholly unique and wildly imaginative.  In the script, there were a lot of opportunities to explore different social backgrounds, from the vibrant, racially diverse world of blue-collar Jersey to ultra-fashionable Upper East Side Manhattan to the sprawling suburbs of Long Island.  1978 - the year the film takes place -  is a fascinating year, because it marks the beginning of a transition away from a truly flamboyant, exaggerated lines of the 1970s and into a more streamlined, early 80s vibe."



American Hustle Featurette: The Costumes [Sony Pictures]

Wilkinson approached this movie as a research project.  He, along with his costume design team, conducted extensive research in TV, films, high fashion magazines and advertisement of the times to bring the right pop culture inspirations to American Hustle.

For authenticity purposes, Wilkinson had access to the fashion archives of Diane von Furstenberg, Halson and Gucci (to name a few) as well as costume houses across the country.  He dressed the characters in as many authentic 70s pieces as possible but also worked in a few contemporary pieces.

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

Some specific scenes actually called for Wilkinson to design a few costumes himself which were also inspired by the 70s boldness, like a sequined halter-neck evening dress Adams wears to a casino party.  Lawrence's eveningwear includes a white metallic, rhinestone dress created by Wilkinson in "a size too small and very clingy and revealing."

 

  

 

 

 

 

Costumes were beautifully accessorized with authentic pieces as well.  Adams sports several Gucci pieces including a signature python Bamboo Lady Lock handbag, Gucci gold horse bit necklace, earrings and bracelet, and high-heeled platform loafers.  She also rocked the iconic oversized vintage Christian Dior sunglasses and Charles Jourdan disco shoes.

The 1970s/80s was a time of risk and confidence and Wilkinson relates this era in fashion to American Hustle perfectly, "...I think the attitude of the characters in the film is quite inspirational. They’re living large and taking risks and inventing their lives with their costumes."

American Hustle is truly a special treat for vintage lovers.  Sit back, enjoy the film and channel your inner Studio 54!

Photos By Francois Duhamel/Annapurna Productions LLC/Columbia Pictures

Contact Lotta de Luxe at Lotta@LottaDeLuxe.com or Lotta@LeThrift.com.

Acchaa Beauty + Wellness Spa :: Grand Opening

 

I was excited to attend the Acchaa Beauty + Wellness Spa grand opening on November 18th located at 500 N. Wells Street in River North, Chicago.  The spa was filled to capacity with guests enjoying cocktails and Sugar Hills Bakery desserts.

Sujula and Brij Vohra moved with their son, Jay, to Chicago years ago and operated successful threading salons in the surrounding suburbs (Thread Away Brow Salon is located next door). Jay continues to draw inspiration from his parents and honors them with the opening of Acchaa.

"Acchaa" is a Hindi word which literally means that you are feeling good, or that something is good. "Acchaa" also means understanding or agreement. Such positivity is fitting for a salon emphasizing on the wellness of mind, body and spirit!

Acchaa’s mission is to provide mind and body healing techniques based in Ayurvedic principles. Ayurveda is considered the oldest medical science originating from India and is based on healing the body, mind and spirit, holistically.  What makes Acchaa special is that Acchaa staff performs ayurvedic consultations with clients to determine the appropriate healing treatments.

I met with the Spa Manager, Molly Jansen, who gave me a tour of the salon.  I was especially taken by the salon décor. The chic and tranquil salon was adorned with the most exquisite hand-carved wall pieces imported from India.

 

 

 

 

On the main floor, Acchaa provided complementary ayurvedic services throughout the event including henna tattoos, eyebrow threading, NuFace neck and facelifts and Dosha readings.

  

 

 

 

On the main floor center, guests enjoyed makeup touch-ups by MakeUp Artist Sopha.  Acchha showcases the Kevyn Aucoin makeup line.
 

I got to know a little about Sopha while she was doing my touchup.  Sopha has been a professional makeup artist for seven years.  She earned a degree in photography and understands the relationship between makeup and photography.  Before branching out on her own, Ford Models represented her as a makeup artist.  Sopha works with clients, both private and commercial.

 

Sopha feels that makeup empowers women and can help improve our mood or attitude towards ourselves.  She believes makeup should always feel natural no matter how dramatic  you want to go. For more information about the salon's makeup services, contact Acchaa or email Sopha at info@sophamakeupartist.com to set up an appointment with her.

 

 

 

 

 

There are three rooms for massages and spa treatments on the lower level and one on the main level. Acchaa offers facials, massages, makeup, threading, waxing, lashes, tinting, and henna tattoos. Catering and fully customized packages are also available.  Special menu items to note are the Facial Pressure Point Series, Chakra Balancing Massage, Abhyanga Massage, Shirodhara Third Eye Massage, henna tattoos and Dosha readings.

For more information, check out Acchaa's website or Facebook Page. Photography credit:
Mariah Naella 

 

Lotta@LottaDeLuxe.com