CHICAGO PLANNER MAGAZINE

Fall Fashion Week is coming up, starting in New York on September 4^th. (Learn more about Fall Fashion Week at http://fashionweekonline.com/)

 

There’s so much planning that goes into Fashion Week so Chicago Planner Magazine reached out to Chicago’s own Fashion Guru – publicist, style savant and media’s man about town, Ryan M. Beshel. Formerly catering his talents towards such positions as Digital Marketing Lead for Purely Fashion, the first in-house publicist for the iconic 900 North Michigan Shops and runway model agent for Agency Galatea – Ryan is frequently sought after to consult and ​support fashion brands and businesses through both traditional and new media channels. Ryan also enjoys showcasing his thoughts on style, trends and celebrity fashion on reputable networks such as FOX, NBC and ABC, as well as contributing quotes, fashion recaps and reports to publications such as Women’s Wear Daily, Racked and Refinery29. In his spare time, he co-hosts ‘Speaking of Fashion’ – a weekly podcast recorded with friends while enjoying copious amounts of coffee. He loves a self-tied bowtie, collecting tattoos and he rarely looks up from his phone while walking down the street.

 

Both LA and NY have fashion weeks. What obstacles does Chicago face that seem to keep us from not also having a world-renown fashion week yet?

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Great question. I think the market just isn’t here to support a more influential fashion week. Essentially,​ fashion week is set up to show buyers what designers are offering (as well as to inspire and put on a great show for PR, of course). Buyers for big name retailers simply aren’t looking here in Chicago for the next big designer – and since no national names are showing, the buyers are not inspired to come to Chicago for their work.

Do you currently have a favorite city where fashion week happens?  If so which city and why?  What do you think Chicago could take from that to improve its status in the Fashion world and push to compete for an internationally recognized fashion week?

I don’t have a favorite – I find them each to be quite inspiring in their very own way. Focusing on showing larger, more national brands​ could be a good start for Chicago. Essentially showcasing our retail offerings (Oak Street, Michigan Ave, etc.) and putting some big names on the runways could lead to more national attention to build the fashion week, here in Chicago.

 

Who are a few of your favorite local designers?

If we’re talking men – my go-to’s for suiting are J. Toor, J. Cheikh, Sebastien Grey,​ and a handful of others. For mens accessories/bowties, I love Keelan Rogue (he’s also a good friend), DIBI Ties, Plank Bowties (they’re wooden!), and anything that Stock Manufacturing is working on. Some other favorites (womanswear) to mention: Lagi Nadeau, Remi Canarie, Shelby Steiner, and a few others I can’t think of at the moment!

 

Which designers will you be looking forward to seeing this season?  

Big names? Tom Ford and Alexander McQueen are always on my list.

 

 

What are some of your favorite upcoming trends?

I personally don’t follow trends very much when I dress. I appreciate a classic look and something that fits me correctly (I have quite a hard time properly fitting clothing to my 6′ 4″ slim frame) – and if a trend can elevate or support such a look, then I’ll go with it. Trends go away – classic stays. ​I always am excited, however, to see the colors that are trending and anything new and exciting that designers dream up. (Though – these days almost everything has been done at least once before!)

It’s difficult to always stay on top of everything when you are busy professional.  What are a few easy tips you’d like to share about being a fashionable while still being professional?  

As I said before – don’t be hyper-focused on trends. Fit is key when dressing for any occasion. Find your “uniform” (for me it’s denim​, a crisp shirt, a blazer and bowtie, if dressing up — and a tank, cardigan, denim for casual days) and then mix and match items that work. I like to add Chuck Taylors to play down a dressy outfit or dressier shoes to play up a casual look. It’s always about finding what is right for your body type and then playing with other options, depending on the events of the day. Also – accessories are key. Working in pocket squares, bowties, neckties, etc. – to match or clash – will keep you looking smart, even if the rest of your outfit is a bit more of a basic look.

 

Want to learn more about the amazing Ryan Beshel and keep up with the latest in fashion? Follow Ryan! If you are a professional looking to work with Ryan, you can reach out to him via his website.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beshelryan

Twitter/Instagram: @ryanbeshel

Website: www.ryanbeshel.com​