Archive for August, 2012
I randomly spotted the lovely Isabel Antic of the blog Stitch by Stitch walking down Damen Avenue in Wicker Park on Saturday afternoon. The fantastic PanAm blue of her bag reminds me of when flight attendants were still called stewardesses and the deep lime green of her shift dress just screams 60s, as do her saddle shoes. I photographed her in front of the old brick school to make the photo look like it could have been from the 60s, which is why you don’t see any vehicles that could date the image. Thanks for being patient Isabel!
Isabel is quite talented at designing, sewing, and reworking vintage pieces and fabric into her own unique creations. As a teenager I always wanted to be someone like Isabel, who takes the initiative and creativity to make one-of-a-kind fashion designs that fit her 60s-schoolgirl-meets-Twin-Peaks aesthetic. Instead I’ll just write about how cool she is. The end.
Marcus is another one of my favorite Chicago kids I know from the streets. He’s got such a great personality and fantastic sense of style. Every time I see him he’s rocking a different look. The first time I spotted him he looked very Hamptons meets Michigan Ave.The second time he was wearing an incredible blazer, which I found out was vintage Yves Saint Laurent. The third time around Marcus’ look is still riffing on classic men’s fashion, but he’s infused more of a hip-hop sensibility. His flat brimmed cap (that says Paris, of course), red braided hair, and loads of tough masculine jewelry bring a street aesthetic to an outfit with preppy elements (tasseled loafers, cuffed slacks), illustrating the power of accessories to define a look.
Fashion allows us to completely reinvent ourselves every morning. Marcus is a reminder to all of us never to get stuck in a sartorial rut, and to constantly evolve how we dress. Find inspiration in how he takes two different aesthetics – preppy & hip-hop – and blends them together to create a style that’s entirely unique and completely his own.
Growing up as a teenager in Arkansas, many of my high school classmates had Quinceañera parties. I was always very jealous because there was no cultural equivalent for me with my German ancestry. I want to dress up in a ball gown and be the center of attention and ride around in a limo! When I spotted this beautiful young woman in Millennium Park taking photos on her Quinceañera, it reminded me of what a cool tradition it is. Talk about a fantastic dress!
