Chicago Style: Carrie Lannon
PRESIDENT LANNON COMMUNICATIONS

Carrie Lannon is the president of Lannon Communications, a public relations agency that specializes in fashion. Her list of clients includes Tiffany & Co., Louis Vuitton, Yves Saint Laurent, Burberry, Kate Spade, Salvatore Ferragamo, Vogue magazine, H&M and many others. Her company is known for creating cutting edge events for store openings and for getting clients in the news whether it is a television interview or a fashion feature.

Lannon has won many awards for her work as well as her volunteer activities. She was recognized as one of Chicago’s “Top 100 Women Making a Difference” by Today’s Chicago Woman magazine, received the “Ten to Watch” award from Armani Exchange and the “Style Makers and Rule Breakers Award” from Fashion Group International.

Factio Magazine: What are your tips for holiday dressing?
Carrie Lannon: I like shine and glitter for holiday dressing. But some women over do it. I like to wear something in a solid color, usually black, and then add a glitter element. This could be a black pencil skirt with a sequin halter, a black dress with a gigantic rhinestone brooch, or pants with a glittering pinstripe and sexy, soft top.

FM: What key fashion pieces do you have your eye on this season?
CL: I adore white - it is so refreshing in the winter! I already have a fake, furry white coat, but would like to add one in wool. A white coat can be worn during the day and carry me right into the evening.

FM: What’s your biggest fashion vice . . . What do you have to have every season? And, what did you have to have this season?
CL: My biggest fashion vice is boots! I can’t get enough of them. I usually add one new pair every fall season. This season I bought knee-high boots with killer heels and pointy toes.

FM: What’s a fashion no-no, when attending special events, galas and more?
CL: An often overlooked consideration when dress for a special event is proper under garments. So many women will wear a gorgeous gown and then spoil it with peeking bra straps or panty lines. One look in a rear view mirror helps to spot trouble areas.

FM: What’s your signature style?
CL: I aim for tailored, sexy and professional, all at the same time if possible! Looking current is also important because I am constantly at fashion events and we represent so many fashion clients.

FM: Define the style in Chicago. Which ladies from which city worldwide do you think have or had the most impeccable style?
CL: I think that Chicago women are basically quite practical. When I go to New York, women will wear the most impossible high heels around the city. Women just won’t do that in Chicago. They find creative ways to be comfortable and trend appropriate. And that results in some great, original fashion combinations.

I love how the women, especially the young women, dress in Tokyo, Japan. They come up with styles that are truly, truly original. They are not afraid to stand out or stir things up. Their combinations of all-American hip-hop and more structured, architectural clothing were so much fun to see.

FM: How fast can you get ready for an event? Any tips?
CL: I can get ready very, very fast. But I like to be able to take a little time to download between one event and another. Sometimes I need to make three changes in a day, so I try to allow not only dressing time, but also unwinding time. I also take time for “dress up.” About once a month I will take about an hour to just try different combinations in my closet. Then when I am ready to go to an event, I have a new look to wear. It’s fun and very helpful.

FM: What would people be most surprised to know about you?
CL: I love riding my sport motorcycle. I took an 800-mile trip last summer with friends and trained on a racetrack. Heaven!