Rebekah Iliff , Jen Schefft and Billy Dec

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Chicago Style: Rebekah Iliff

It girl and woman about town – Rebekah Illiff knows a thing or two about fashion (although she swears she knows nothing)! Doing marketing for Rockit Ranch takes her to some of Chicago’s swankiest events. We’ve caught up with her to talk fashion and style, travel and more…you’ve guessed it, fashion.

FACTIO MAGAZINE: What's your signature style? 
Rebekah Iliff: Innovative poverty elite, which basically means I buy vintage/thrift store/sale, rack clothes, then take scissors to them or add accessories to make my style appear haute couture. It doesn’t always work, but I go through phases. For instance, right now I do the marketing for Rockit Bar & Grill, so I’ve basically created an entire line of clothing with the Rockit logo on it…it’s fun.

FM: Define the style in Chicago?
RI: I would say conservative with an occasional twist, but for the most part you see jeans and black shirts. I get freaked out when I walk down the street and every other girl is wearing tan Uggs, tight jeans and a jacket with a fitted waist with a fur hood…I don’t get it?  

FM: What ladies (from which city worldwide) have great style and why?
RI: European style, namely Paris is for sure one of my inspirations. They mix and match and it’s all about the accessories. They get that, you don’t have to spend $200 on a shirt…you buy a cheap shirt and throw on a killer necklace, a colorful scarf, a fab handbag and voila! It’s about originality!!

FM: And, where is your favorite place to travel? 
RI: I love the south of France, but New York sure runs a close second, but I guess it depends on what I’m trying to get out of my travel experience. Sometimes I want to learn; sometimes I want to shop, other times I just want to veg! I’m actually planning a 5-day getaway to a dude ranch this spring if that tells you anything. I’m all over the place

FM: Which woman (past or present) has impeccable style and why?
RI: Britney Spears –she’s just so classy and eclectic. Kidding! I definitely respect any woman who can pull off looking hot without showing her cleavage or crack. I love Gwenyth Paltrow, Angelina Jolie and Nicole Kidman. They all have a different style, but are equally tasteful and sophisticated most of the time.

FM: What key fashion pieces do you always have in your wardrobe?  
RI: A long black dress, baggy punk royal pants, that one slimming jacket that I can wear with anything and pink shoes or boots…just something pink for my feet!

FM: What items are you looking to buy for spring '05?
RI: Is it 2005 already? Umm, cowboy boots. I think cowboys are making a comeback. Those aren’t really spring though? Maybe some cute flats that resemble ballet slippers – they were in last year, but I never had a chance to hop on the bandwagon.

FM: What is your biggest fashion vice? 
RI: Earrings…and inevitably I lose them after wearing them once!

FM: What's a fashion no-no when attending special events, galas and more? 
RI: Trying to look so glamorous that you feel uncomfortable or not yourself and worrying about what everyone else is going to wear or think for that matter! As far as a definite no-no, I would say steer clear of draping sleeves; they always get caught on something or in something. Sometimes they even catch on fire as I can attest to from personal experience.

FM: How fast can you get ready for an event?
RI: I can get ready in ½ hour if need be and I’m always running around from place to place to place, so usually I end up not having that long. For tips, find a great hat or headband; hair is always a culprit when it comes to whether or not you get out the door on time.  

FM: What would people be most surprised to know about you?
RI: I really don’t know anything about fashion.

Find out more about Rockit Ranch by visiting, http://www.rockitranch.com/