The other week, the brilliant Sartorialist photographed women all over Milan and Paris wearing over-sized vests. These vests are particular fashion statements, shrouding the body creating a whimsical, interesting proportion. One of our favorite pieces this season falls right in line with this over-sized theme. The Frei Designs Yak Wrap Vest is a cool, animal-friendly alternative to the fur vests pictured on the Sartorialist. With a rounded neck and a belt, this Yak vest can be layered over a dress, t-shirt or thin jacket. Hey, maybe you’ll finally be spotted by Sart in this number. Maybe?

I professed my love of the boyfriend cardigan for a recent article in the Chicago Tribune’s special style section. We have an absolutely gorgeous one in right now from Organic by John Patrick. Cashmere, long, bucket pockets and in an ever-versatile charcoal - it has everything you need in a staple piece this fall. Looks great belted as in the picture above.

Don’t you just love when you can wear your scarf as a vest and a bolero and a wrap? Wait your scarves don’t do that? Time to pop into Pivot and pick up one of our Covet scarves. It’s hard to call this thing just a scarf, with buttons and button holes on either end of the scarf, the sky’s the limit with the ways you can wear this piece. Wear it as a normal scarf, or start to button and it’s like you’ve bought five different pieces, making it perfect for travel. Standard scarf (but with cute button accents), shawl, or wear it as a vest layered over your favorite t-shirt.

MoSS: Museum of Sustainable Style made its debut October 2 - 5 at Brickermade’s studio space during Chicago’s Fashion Focus week. I developed the concept for MoSS in May, and with the help of amazing partners and collaborators, the first installation came to life.

The exhibit featured 27 Chicago designers of sustainable fashion, accessories and furniture. An animated film running on loop discussed components of sustainable design, and the materials directory website Ecolect created a “petting zoo” of various materials for visitors to explore.

On Saturday, October 4 MoSS held a panel discussion moderated by Jonathan Shaun with panelists Sara Snow, Barry Bursak, Lara Miller and Iris Wang. The discussion centered on the meaning of sustainable design and ways to lead more sustainable lifestyles.

MoSS events will continue in the future. If you are interested in MoSS developments, join Pivot’s email list for now or email connect@mosschicago.org.

Photo Captions (Left to Right)

Row 1

1. The MoSS space. LED lighting provided by RGB Lights.

2. Dress by Abigail Glaum-Lathbury, ottoman by Michele Fitzpatrick, side tables by 2 point perspective.

3. Asterisk stools by Roscoe Jackson, table by el: Environmental Language, Alice Berry designs.

(Photos: Kristina Carter)

Row 2

1. Chairs by Brickermade, dress by Kaelyn Garcia.

2. MoSS, identity design by Alex Fuller.

3. Table by Aaron Pahmier, chair by s2design, dress by Sunia, capelet by Mayu, pants by Mountains of the Moon.

(Photos: Kristina Carter)

Row 3

1. Lara Miller designs.

2. Panel discussion.

3. Panel moderator Jonathan Shaun, panelists Sara Snow, Barry Bursak, Iris Wang, Lara Miller and MoSS curator Jessa Brinkmeyer.

(Photos: Sarah Crump)

Row 4

1. Ecolect materials petting zoo area.

2. Handbags by Noon Solar, stools by Celia Greiner, dress by Elise Bergman.

3. Table by Terry Karpowicz, 999 Fingers and jacket by Frei Designs, dress by organiK Revolution.

(Photos: Kristina Carter)

Luggage can be a snooze and adds little if any personality to your wardrobe. In fact, most are a drain on style. If you are going away for the weekend, you are probably throwing your stuff into a lifeless tote that has seen better days. Want to spice up your weekend? Turk+Taylor’s got you covered with their recycled wool, organic cotton blend weekender. It’s strawberry color with navy accents is fresh and interesting while its structure with zipper closure is durable enough for your 10lb cosmetic case. Come check it out at Pivot and you might just be inspired to go away for the weekend.

As much as we wish summer lasted forever, there is nothing more exciting than Fall clothing. Sweaters and scarves and sweatshirts and tights and boots, and….coats and shawls….

Some pieces we think should be on your Fall Wishlist…

1. Annie Novotny of Frei Designs brought over her Yak Jacket last week. It’s a luxurious wool/hemp blend and such a beautiful and flattering shape.

2. Toggery has a great bamboo Pashmina this season that is great in royal purple. It can be thrown over a tank now to add some dimension to your look and when it chills down pair with jacket and it will still be a stylish, soft piece to carry around.

3. The Larsen Gray Zipper dress is a must have for Fall. The exposed zipper detail is right on for the season and you can make it a versatile piece in your closet by wearing it open with a t-shirt and leggings too.

4. The Elise Bergman sweater vests are a super cool addition to a wardrobe. Can be worn with a t-shirt or dress for a cool, eclectic look. The vests are all one of a kind so you don’t have to look like every other kid on the block.

5. Layering is a must come Fall and the Skin and Threads leggings, made of merino wool, are the perfect thing to throw under skirts and dresses to stay warm and in style. Great because they keep their shape unlike other jersey legging options.

If you have never been to Pivot before, than there’s no better time than now to begin a fresh fall season and start checking some things off that Fall Wishlist…

Friday, September 5

5 to 9 p.m.

Our 1st Birthday Party!

With Frei Designs Fall 2008 Trunk Show and Olsen Haus Vegan-Friendly Footwear

Help us celebrate our first exciting year as Chicago’s eco-fashion boutique! Chicago designer Annie Novotny of Frei Designs will showcase her fall collection, and for our birthday weekend only, we will have styles available for order from chic new vegan-friendly footwear line Olsen Haus.

Stop by Pivot on Thursday, August 21 from 4 to 8 p.m. for a first look at Chicago designer Lara Miller’s Fall 2008 collection! Lara is one of the leading designers in the eco-fashion movement and we’re so thrilled that she’s also a local favorite. (All of her production is done in Chicago.) The trunk show is the perfect time to come by, meet Lara, get personal styling tips, and see the best selection of her collection.

Receive 10% off any new fall styles from Lara and 25% off any transitional sweaters on the 21st.

Kylie Grater of Kansas-based Early Jewelry will be sending us a special collection of her P.M. line pieces for the 21st. Kylie takes vintage jewelry pieces and repurposes them into interesting new necklaces, earrings and rings.

We just received our latest shipment of Ashley Watson handbags and wallets from Canada and we love them! We have the Brant, Thursh, Murre and Junco. In addition to the bags we have a tie wallet, men’s fold over wallets and card holders, which make perfect unique gifts. Ashley creates these one-of-a-kind bags and wallets from old leather jackets.

More Noon Solar bags are in! We love the new Oakley Tote - it’s roomy enough for all the things we drag around and has great outside pockets that are perfect for a water bottles or your rolled up newspaper of choice. The two-tone Cortland bag makes a striking statement - yes, green and gorgeous do in fact go together. And then we’ve got the Logan Satchel in all black.