Maybelline New York announce contest with winner landing on Broadway stage in CHICAGO the musical!

Be Sensational And Win is an amazing contest created by Maybelline New York in partnership with CVS/pharmacy, with the grand prize landing the winner on the Broadway stage, in CHICAGO, the musical. Although it is called a “walk on”, the winner will do much more than walk. Depending on the winner’s ability, you will get to sing, dance and most certainly have lines in this once in a lifetime opportunity.

A Scene from CHICAGO the musical on Broadway at the Ambassador Theatre

Photo Credit: Paul KolnikAuditions will be held at the Ambassador Theatre at 219 W 49th Street in NYC on March 22nd, 2010 from 9am-11am and Noon – 1pm.  Auditions will be guaranteed to the first 100 people. Contestants must bring a recent photo of themselves. Specific auditioning instructions can be found at BeSensationalAndWin.com.

Auditions can also be uploaded on the BeSensationalAndWin.com web site until April 15th, 2010.

For those who want to look like a star, Maybelline New York and CVS invite you to visit CVS/pharmacy at 150 E 42nd Street on March 22nd, 2010, from 11am-7pm for mini-makeovers, product coupons, and discount tickets to CHICAGO, the musical.

Specific auditioning instructions, and razzle dazzle auditioning tips from Michelle Williams, Broadway’s newest Roxie, can be found at BeSensationalAndWin.com.

I’m excited to share with you my interview with Sofia Vintage Co-Owner Ashley Zisook!

Gossip Girl star, Leighton Meester, has recently spotted shopping at Chicago’s premier shopping destination, Sofia Vintage at 1165 North Clark Street. Leighton was in town for her performance at The Underground and was dressed head to toe in Sofia Vintage’s finest fashions for the red carpet including a sexy long sleeve open back, black lace top with trendy olive colored trousers.

L to R: Sofia Vintage co-owner, Ashley Zisook and Leighton Meester
photo credit Rob Grabowski

Launched in the spring of ’09, Sofia Vintage features a variety of men and women’s vintage clothing, emerging designers, and accessories, at all price points. Co-owners, Ashley Zisook and Allison Zisook Goldstein, Chicago natives and sisters with two drastically different fashion styles and backgrounds, join forces to bring Chicagoans unique vintage pieces with a goal to revive class, grace and beauty from decades past intertwined with today’s trends.

In this interview Ashley Zisook talks to Marta Walsh about her love for fashion and the creation of Sofia Vintage. Her meeting with Leighton Meester. How she makes her partnership with sister Allison work. Personal style and philosophy about life. 

Marta Walsh: When did you first become interested in fashion?
Ashley Zisook: I have always been into fashion… however, I never really thought it would be my career. I was in the music industry in Los Angeles and I felt I needed more creativity in my life so I enrolled in FIDM and started “The Piece” with 2 of my college friends from Boulder. The Piece was a once a month vintage sale for ladies we would do in our backyard–each month it would keep getting bigger! When I was moving back to Chicago I knew I wanted to continue doing something like The Piece, but on a much bigger scale—I wanted to offer Chicago a different type of shopping experience that hadn’t ever been done before.

MW: How was the concept for the Sofia Vintage boutique born?
AZ: We took many elements from The Piece and then added menswear and new lines from up and coming, emerging designers. The concept of Sofia is to mix the new with the old, bring back the beauty and grace of fashion and individual style. I want people to come to Sofia and have an experience…its like walking into your best friend’s closet and, you get the bonus of personal styling if you choose.

MW: Who do you see shopping in Sofia Vintage?
AZ: Sofia Vintage really has something for everyone! From the most conservative dressers to the biggest fashion risk takers, everyone can wear the pieces at Sofia. Also, we have a price point for everyone so anyone can shop here!

MW: How do you go about buying for the store, where do you get your inspiration?
AZ: We go to estate sales, auctions, consignment, and take buying road trips across the country. I get inspiration from everywhere and everything…I love to travel and see how people in each city and different countries dress…I love watching all the runway shows from all of the major fashion weeks. When I go shopping for the store I envision a specific person for what I’m buying. Everything in the store is there for a reason…it is all handpicked by either my sister or me.

MW: How do you make the business partnership with sister Allison work?
AZ: Both Allison and I are both very laid back–we know what each of us brings to Sofia. She’s better on the business side of things while I’m better at styling and pulling outfits together. She’s very organized and I’m more creative. We certainly balance each other out and she is absolutely my best friend.

MW: We hear actress Leighton Meester stopped by Sofia Vintage recently. What was it like meeting Leighton and also finding the best outfit for her?
AZ: Leighton was super sweet…she tried on a bunch of different outfits. Specifically, we were looking for 2 outfits for that evening- one for press and one for her live performance at The Underground (a nightclub in Chicago). We went through all the looks we pulled, narrowed it down to our favorites and finally came up with the winning look…a black long sleeve, open back lace top with olive trousers. Leighton is such a fashion forward individual and a style icon of today’s generation, so I was truly honored to have her in Sofia!

Leighton Meester in Sofia Vintage on the red carpet for The Underground.
Photo credit Rob Grabowski

MW: Which other celebrities do you see wearing the styles in your boutique?
AZ: I see celebrities like Nicole Ritchie, Ashley and Mary-Kate Olsen, Chloe Sevigny, Kate Hudson…Rachel Zoe would DIE in here (in her own words J) all wearing Sofia Vintage. I’ve styled a many musicians and I think rock stars would just love it!

MW: How would you describe Chicago when it comes to style?
AZ: I think Chicago is growing in terms of style…people are becoming more creative and wanting to be more original. I want to help people step out of what they are used to or what they think they are supposed to be wearing and help them find their individual style…every time someone puts on an outfit they should feel amazing and confident like they will rock wherever they are going…whether it be a job interview, first date or Sunday afternoon.

MW: How would you describe your own personal style?
AZ: I like to mix pieces from different eras together…the old classic styles with modern looks…laid back…boho-california comfortable….I accessorize A LOT!!! I also always carry at least 2 pairs of sunglasses with me. I always like to take risks and have fun with my style…you only live once!

MW: What is next for you and for Sofia Vintage?
AZ: I don’t like to plan…I always like to see where life takes me….life is a journey…that’s why I always say “live lovely”….cause really, if you want to enjoy your life, that’s all you can do.

Thank you Ashley Zisook for brilliant interview! xo Marta

Sofia Vintage is located in the Gold Coast at 1165 N. Clark St. in Suite 400, Chicago, IL 60610. They accepts Cash, Visa, Mastercard, and Discover. Store hours are Tuesday through Saturday from noon to 7 p.m. and open for hosted monthly parties. Please contact Ashley and/or Allison at 312.640.0878 or visit www.sofiavintage.com  for additional information. Parking available: metered street parking, Treasure Island parking garage, and Clark/Division red line accessible.

Gossip Girl star, Leighton Meester, shopped at Chicago’s premier shopping destination, Sofia Vintage at 1165 North Clark Street, Suite 400 on Friday, January 1st. Leighton was in town for her performance at The Underground and was dressed head to toe in Sofia Vintage’s finest fashions for the red carpet including a sexy long sleeve open back, black lace top with trendy olive colored trousers.

Leighton in Sofia Vintage from the red carpet at The Underground (photo credit Rob Grabowski)

Leighton Meester with Sofia Vintage co-owner, Ashley Zisook

About Sofia Vintage: Launched in the spring of ’09, Sofia Vintage features a variety of men and women’s vintage clothing, emerging designers, and accessories, at all price points. Sofia Vintage offers a cast selection of vintage women’s pieces that can be easily mixed into any wardrobe. Some of the featured items include: Victorian lace blouses, ‘60s and ‘70s Yves Saint Laurent, Oscar De La Renta, Valentino, hippie jersey dresses, one-piece jumpsuits, ‘80s cocktail numbers, belts, jewelry, purses and hats. Sofia Vintage hasn’t forgotten about the men either—from sport coats and dinner jackets to lively western shirts, butter t-shirt, retro ties and cufflinks—Sofia Vintage has something that fits every style.

Located in the Gold Coast at 1165 N. Clark St. in Suite 400, Chicago, IL 60610. Accepts Cash, Visa, Mastercard, and Discover. Store hours are Tuesday through Saturday from noon to 7 p.m. and open for hosted monthly parties. Visit www.sofiavintage.com  for additional information. Parking available: metered street parking, Treasure Island parking garage, and Clark/Division red line accessible.

Maybelline New York to hold sensational event July 30 at Grand Central Terminal Rite Aid and outside Grand Central Terminal. Professional Makeup Artists to offer on-the-spot mini sensational Lipcolor Makeovers inside Rite Aid and under Grand Central Taxi Stand at 43rd Street and Vanderbilt Avenue. Live musical performances by the cast of Broadway’s CHICAGO the Musical under the Grand Central Taxi Stand

Maybelline New York will be center stage Thursday, July 30, with the cast of Broadway’s CHICAGO the Musical to launch Maybelline New York’s new Color Sensational Lipcolor. The fun starts with free on-the-spot mini sensational lipcolor makeovers at the Rite Aid in Grand Central Terminal and outside under the Grand Central Taxi Stand at 43rd Street and Vanderbilt Avenue. Highlighting the event will be live musical performances by the cast of Broadway’s CHICAGO the Musical under the Grand Central Taxi Stand at 3:30 and 4:30 p.m.

Professional makeup artists will provide lip-scriptions and help women identify their perfect lip shades and offer first come, first served mini sensational lipcolor makeovers at Rite Aid, 26 Grand Central Terminal, July 30, 8-10 a.m., 12-2 p.m. and 3-7 p.m. Makeup artists also will be outside under the Taxi Stand at Grand Central Terminal 3-7 p.m.

Visitors can enter to win free tickets to Broadway’s CHICAGO the Musical, with Maybelline New York giving away a free pair of tickets every hour between 3 and 7 p.m. Coupons for Maybelline New York’s Color Sensational Lipcolor, gift bags filled with sample size products and 50 percent off discounts for CHICAGO the Musical will be available on a first come, first served basis.

“We’re thrilled to support the national debut of Maybelline New York’s Color Sensational Lipcolor with the lipcolor makeovers at our Grand Central Station Rite Aid store,” said Judy Wray, Rite Aid Category Manager, Cosmetics/ Fragrances. “From the CHICAGO Dance Mob street team dressed in costume promoting the event inside and outside Grand Central Station to the street performances of the cast of Broadway’s CHICAGO the Musical, this is a tremendously creative promotion that is sure to get some attention.”

The promotion also gives Rite Aid customers a sensational deal on tickets to the hottest show on Broadway, CHICAGO the Musical. Tickets are available for as low as $64 now through Oct. 6 and can be obtained by visiting BroadwayOffers.com or calling 212-947-8844 and using the code CHMBRO625.

With any purchase of Maybelline New York Color Sensational lipcolor, New York customers also can enter to win a CHICAGO prize package with a grand prize of two free show tickets, a post-show backstage tour and a CHICAGO gift basket including a CD/DVD package, stockings, t-shirts and souvenir books. Ten runners-up prizes include two free show tickets. Details are available in Rite Aid stores.