Sandra Guy: Kenneth "Casey" Keller, the new president of the U.S. business for Alberto-Culver, intends to find new ways for the Melrose Park company to grow. Keller, 47, left the top marketing job at Motorola six months ago, shortly after the Schaumburg-based cell-phone giant announced it planned to split into two companies. He plans to use his experience at H.J. Heinz Co. and Procter & Gamble, to oversee the continued growth of Tresemme and Nexxus hair-care products and to market the newly acquired Noxzema brand.
The economy isn't the only thing sagging. So are faces, breasts and tummies, as would-be cosmetic-surgery patients increasingly decide against costly nips and tucks -- at least for now -- because of tough financial times.
Noelle Provencial and her friends were commiserating over their expensive tastes and limited funds. They wanted to spend more time and dollars at Club Monaco and other stores, but their budgets just wouldn't allow, she said. They knew other fashion-forward types were in the same predicament: They want pricey pedis and Louboutins and to be seen sporting them in fabulous places. "We all talked about how we didn't have enough money to afford the fashions we wanted," Provencial said. "None of us had the tools to have that life."
Heres an ecoriddle for a concerned shopper: A store has two business suits for sale. One is made of renewable bamboo, the other of recycled polyester. Which is greener?
When he's not painting the faces of celebrities, Lake View resident Alex Sanchez works behind the scenes at runway shows. On the heels of New York Fashion Week, Sanchez is giddy to be back, and backstage, for Fashion Focus Chicago next week. Sanchez put down his blush brush last week to give Chicago women a few tips.
Women -- including me -- have been emotionally involved with their boots for a few years now, but this fall, our shopping selection is bigger than ever. Stores are offering everything from open-toe booties to over-the-knee boots. But with all of our choices this fall, the terms for boots can get confusing. With the help of Gregg Andrews, fashion director at Nordstrom, here is a little boot dictionary to help you find, fit and buy the right boot for you.
For almost an hour at Oak Park's Victoria Salon, the scene is of any beauty parlor on a quiet Saturday afternoon. Locals gossip through the snips of wet hair as others relax quietly, getting lathered up with a coloring brush. No one seems to have paid any mind to the small sign out front that says, "Appearing Today: Elvis."
Paige Wiser: Before the announcement of Sarah Palin as a vice presidential candidate, pundits were discussing gas prices, Iraq and the economy. Afterward, everyone wanted to know what glasses Palin wore. We're not saying it's right. But the introduction of a woman to the race has added a new issue to the national debate: style. Palin's signature look is proving more divisive than her politics. Allow us to break it down for you voters.
Sandra Guy: Sears may be known as a struggling 122-year-old retailer, but it is making sudden splashes in the young person's world of cyberspace. It will announce today a new way of searching for clothes using photos rather than text, and a three-dimensional, personalized model that allows shoppers to mix and match outfits and accessories. The Hoffman Estates-based retailer will introduce on Oct. 22 the latest version of "My Virtual Model" on the Web site Sears.com.
Among Camille Kintzele's friends, the once-familiar sight of clunky, rainbow-hued Crocs is becoming rarer and rarer. In their place is the $5 foam flip-flop, even on chilly days.
Paige Wiser: The season two premiere of "Gossip Girl" last week scored its highest ratings yet among the young audiences it's after. Many tuned in to see how the privileged pals spent their summer in the Hamptons. But surely more tuned in to see what they were wearing. Now that school's back in session, here's a crash course in "Gossip Girl" elegance. And don't forget to watch tonight on the CW.
NEW YORK---- The stars descended on New York Fashion Week on Sunday, with Olympian Dara Torres hitting the catwalk, Justin Timberlake putting on a runway show and the likes of Jennifer Lopez and Uma Thurman lining the front rows.
