Kip Rodrigue, founder and owner of Kip Rodrigue Designs, is a relative newcomer to Chicago. A southerner by birth, Kip was raised in New Orleans, LA., where he was deeply inspired by the city’s rich architecture and culture. This environment fueled his passion for design and motivated him to graduate with a bachelor’s in Art & Architectural History. Kip’s education and background led him to a career in interior design consulting. His style is an eclectic juxtaposition of fine antiques and higher-end modern furnishings- particularly mid-century European.

Kip's work has been featured in a variety of luxury lifestyle titles around the nation. An avid collector of antiques, Old-Master works, and mid-century European furniture, all nestled in his Streeterville home. Kip is involved in a number of charity initiatives around the city as well. Kip can often be spotted around the latest hotspots and old-school favorites alike -- always donning a jacket and pocket-square, of course -- in the eternal search for his Holy Grail: The Perfect Martini. UR Chicago welcomes Kip to the team! —Terrence

Leave the stamps and wrinkles for your passport and other traveling documents, not your face. Denise Spanek, president of Visage Studio, has created the ultimate in air travel beauty.

Denise's Air Repair Kit includes a full line of products encased in a convenient carry-on. For $65, the jet set can bring a traveling spa on the plane, in the limo, or even for a quick refresher between meetings or work and play. Products include the air repair beauty balm, eye cream, soothing facial cleansing milk, complexion quenching facial mist, and the rescue balm (all-purpose skin salve and my personal favorite). Each product is sold separately as well.

“I wanted to develop a carry-on friendly system people could use that would streamline their skincare,” said Denise, president of Visage Studio.

The Air Repair Kit has been featured on the Rachael Ray Show, in Allure magazine, Glamour magazine, and a number of other publications. In developing the kit, Denise aimed for a balance of natural and effective ingredients. Each ingredient combats common skin problems associated with environmental changes and travel. The hyaluronic acid keeps a handle on moisture retention while the cloudberry seed oil is a powerful anti-oxidant. The heat shocking proteins fights off climate change as well. And to top it off, the kit is recyclable. The Air Repair Kit is one of many beauty products offered by Visage Studio.

Visage Studio is a boutique online retailer of exclusive, high-end beauty products and treatments. Brands include Anne Semonin, Earthworks, Wallet Cosmetics, and several other luxury brands. With the addition of Denise’s very own Air Repair Kit line and potential plans to distribute the line in Chicago, perhaps Chicagoans won’t be dipping and dodging lights when exiting the plane.—Terrence

I have to say that it has been a blessing and a joy to meet Mr. Nicholas Hansen, proprietor of Nicholas Joseph Chicago Custom Tailors, who has not only become a firm friend but also my main supplier of fine suits, shirts and gentlemanly accessories. I was lucky enough to go to Halo for Men’s Elm Street Salon and Spa for The Man and met both Bob Patrazi (owner of Halo) and Nick, who were already friends and turned out to be the perfect pair for my styling needs. With our common interests and hard work ethic, a trifecta flourished, and that trifecta was groomed by Halo, draped in Nicholas Joseph and rocked by The Underground.

Chicago’s very own fashion week, Fashion Focus Chicago took place a few weeks ago. Designers, retailers, and students from all across the city got together to put their best fashion foot forward.

CoutURe contributor Lynn McMahan with Brenda Sexton, Kristina McGrath & friend

I recently attended a launch party for Karyn Calabrese’s new holistic line of make-up. If you aren’t familiar with this Chicago icon, you should be. Karyn is the owner of Karyn’s Raw Restaurant and Spa at 1901 North Halsted. She is the founder of the raw food movement in Chicago and has taught thousands of people how to incorporate raw foods into to a daily regime.

Although Christmas is a time of the year when it is better to give than receive, let’s be honest, receiving is so much more fun! So in the holiday spirit, UR Chicago staffers put together a little Christmas wish list to send to Santa this year. A little self-indulgence never hurt anyone! Oh yea, and feel free to mail any of these gifts to us over at the office; it would be much appreciated. - Terrence

Benjamin Newby
Director of Communications of Rockit Ranch
CoutURe Contributor

With more than 10 years of experience in nightclubs, bars and event production in the United Kingdom and Europe, Benjamin Newby moved to the United States to focus on hospitality and mixology, two talents that made him the perfect fit as general manager of The Underground, Chicago’s premiere, upscale, cutting-edge nightclub. Ensuring that Chicago’s brightest and most talented denizens (including a rotating who’s who of celebrities, international DJs and other bold-faced names) received star treatment on a nightly basis, Newby helped propel the nightclub to being recognized as “Best in the U.S.” by Nightclub and Bar Magazine. His passion for customer service, operations and marketing, combined with an ability to connect personally with diverse groups through unique promotional initiatives, opened the door for him to provide his expertise to Rockit Ranch Productions’ other venues, Rockit Bar & Grill (both locations) and Sunda. He now oversees this outreach as Director of Communications, propagating the Rockit Ranch mission statement internally throughout the company and out through the venues to the company’s audiences.

STAY TUNED for Ben's CoutURe contributions in 2010...

Candace Jordan (middle) with Hef, Patti McGuire, Marilou Hamill and Debra Jensen

CoutURe: Partying with Hef at the Mansion
by Candace Jordan

If you were an attendee at Glamourcon 48 recently held in LA, you’d see that the Playboy mystique still thrives and flourishes.

Over 40 Playmates, dozens of calendar pinups, and plenty of cyber models gathered together in the Hilton Ballroom for Glamourcon 48, which is the largest pin-up art and glamour convention in the country. Going strong now for 14 years, Bob Schultz is the mastermind behind this unique concept. The first Glamourcon had only one Playboy Playmate in attendance, Susie Owens (2/88), and boy has it come a long way baby! There were row upon row of gorgeous women signing autographs and taking photos with fans. Many of the Playmates even brought their daughters—future Playmates in training perhaps?! It was so much fun to see all of the girls again. And I must admit some looked better than others, but once a Playmate, always a Playmate.