MODASpring 2012

02 MODA Spring 2012

MODA

LETTER FROM THE EDITORSIn our spring issue of 2012, we’ve included some new

features to bring you the latest in fashion news. Our shoots showcase the looks we’re most excited about for the season, incorporating our creative team’s individual styles with upcoming trends. Off the spring runways, we were inspired by the whimsical and 1920’s-influenced dresses and accessories. In another shoot, our love for Rihanna and her We Found Love music video brought us back to the 90’s in In Bloom. While we both love Rihanna, we also have very distinct styles. Check out our personal recommendations in our new section “Our Favorites.” While it may still be cold in Chicago for a while, enjoy our spring issue and the semi-warmer weather!

- Caroline and Rachel

Spring 2012 Contributors:

Photographers:Aaron Goh, Terence Lee, Nabila Abdel Nabi, Rachel Reid,

Tovia Siegel, Charlotte Smith, Zoe Steinberg

Stylists: Fatima Ibrahim, Ann Li, Rachel Reid, Davida Schwabsky,

Tovia Siegel, Caroline Wang

Models: Erica Fagin, Bethany Fixsen, Alexis Fowler, Nora Kelly, Ann Li, Naomi Mine, Davida Schwabsky, Charlotte Smith, Lena

Sparks, Kevin Steffes

Makeup Artists:Alexis Fowler, Victoria Huang, Isabelle Langrock, Zoe

Steinberg

Writers: Hannah Amundsen, Maura Connors, Lily Dasso, Mallika Dubey, Yiwen Feng, Jacqueline Friduss, Fatima Ibrahim,

Dustin Ly, Amanya Maloba, Megan Matte, Alexandra McIn-nis, Meaghan Murphy

Layout Staff: Leigh Alon, Jenna Bekeny, Maura Connors, Lily Dasso, Sonia

Dhawan, Amy Fleming, Kerry Gibbons, Elisa Li

Front cover: Davida Schwabsky photographed by Rachel Reid

Back cover: Alexis Fowler photographed by Anita To

Rachel Reid & Caroline WangCo-Editors-in-Chief

Charlotte SmithPhotography Editor

Fatima Ibrahim Writing Editor

Cathay ZhaoStyle Editor

Special Thanks:The Chicago Maroon

MODA Board

MODA’s Spring 2012 Issue was printed by The Mail House, Inc.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

DESIGN REALITY: Tamara Nicole tells us about designing on reality tv

MODA Contents

MODA Spring 2012 03

0806

1012

WORKING GIRL: Corri McFadden talks about eDrop-Off and her new show on Vh1

BEST BUYS: U of C students reflect on their greatest fashion finds

LUXE PAGE TURNERS: Coffee table books by the biggest names in fashion

COAST TO COAST STYLE: MODA takes a look at hometown-influenced style 14

16 FAIR TRADE FASHION: A discussion of ethics in the fashion industry

GATSBY GETS THE GIRL: A dreamy re-imagination of the literary classic

3018 26

34

FASHION FOR THE 99%: We explore some of Chicago’s best boutiques

DECO IN THE CITY: Explore downtown Chicago with your best metallics

A MODA TRIBUTE TO THE GREATS: Our take on some classic fashion photographers’ styles

MODA Speaks

MODA Features

IN BLOOM: Don’t throw away your denim jackets yet—90’s grunge is back!20

MODA Shoots

38 WITH THE BAND: Accessories with edge—studs, chains and feathers

14

30

04 MODA Spring 2012

Our Favorites

LULA Leith Clark (personal stylist to Keira Knightley) has crafted Lula Magazine into the perfect combination of nostalgic magic and high fashion.

MARC JACOBS “Daisy” smells just as good as running through fields of daises with impossibly large bottles of designer perfume would feel; I promise you.

RESCUE BEAUTY LOUNGE This long-lasting, one-coat nail polish is well worth the price. If the name of the color, “Starfish-Patrick” isn’t enough to moti-vate you to splurge, its sophisticated blend of blush and peach tones should be.

Rachel’s Picks

REVENGE Emily Vancamp sabotages the lives of the Hamptons’ backstabbing elite in ABC’s new hit series.

POMPLAMOOSEThis California-based duo gives “Youtube-famous” new meaning with their collection of quirky covers and original folk-pop songs.

MODA Spring 2012 05

PINTEREST Started in my hometown of Palo Alto, Pinterest allows you to post things you like onto themed pin boards.

JNBY Based in Hangzhou, China, but sold in department stores around the world, JNBY makes the most lightweight, yet warm coats for the Chicago cold.

PAMELA LOVE A line of statement jewelry filled with spikes, skulls and tribal patterns

ESSIE The bold-ness and coolness of Beach Bum Blu makes this shade my staple nail color this spring.

THE FASHION FUND My new favorite show on Hulu follows the 2011 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund finalists through the competition process.

Caroline’s Picks

A Chicago fashion entrepreneur with a new show on Vh1

WORKING GIRLtext by fatima ibrahim photography by terence lee

S omewhere between being a college student and loving high fashion, I learned about eDrop-Off and its successful founder, Corri McFadden. eDrop-Off is a premier

eBay store specializing in reselling high-end and luxury items. This March, McFadden’s new show, House of Consignment, will air on Vh1. The show will feature eDrop-Off and follow McFadden’s involvement in the Chicago fashion scene. I chatted with the young entrepreneur during the press preview for eDrop-Off’s charity warehouse sale. The sale sold out in just over an hour and raised more than $13,000 for the Primo Center for Women and Children in Chicago.

Fatima Ibrahim: Tell me about how you started eDrop-Off. Corri McFadden: As I was getting ready to graduate in fashion design, I had a friend who wanted to start a company and invest in me. I did the leg work and he took care of the company financially. Together, we ran the company for a year and built it from ground up. However, it wasn’t fit for a partnership, so I ended up buying the company. I decided that I wanted to redefine consignment since it’s a business model that has always been successful. But I wanted to bring it into the newer generation, which is online. I decided that eBay was a successful platform and I started selling designer items.

FI: How did you find your clients when you started?

CM: My first client came to me with a Chanel clutch and I sold it for her. She came back the next week with a suitcase full of items. At that point, I knew that there were more of her. I had discovered a successful niche and this first client of mine referred her friends to me. Before I knew it, I had my own client base.

FI: What is one important thing you learned about getting your idea off the ground?

CM: It is very important to stick with it. Do what you love, because if you don’t love it, there is no way you can dedicate the time to it. And if you don’t dedicate the time to it, there is no way you can be successful.

FI: Why did you choose resale?

CM: Consigned goods are an endless inventory. People are always going to be buying. People are always going to be getting rid of things. When you find a service like this, you end up getting rid of more things than you could ever imagine because now you have an outlet to make money that becomes a second source of income.

FI: What kind of experiences have you had as the owner of eDrop-Off? Tell me about the good and the bad.

06 MODA Spring 2012

MODA Spring 2012 07

CM: I’ve had a little bit of everything: waking up in the morning with your plumbing exploded to a four a.m. call from the store. Great things have happened including the reality show with Vh1. It’s all about working through the difficult times. Everything kind of comes together which is where I feel like I am today.

FI: Where do you see yourself in the years to come?

CM: I am very Midwest and I want to stay loyal to Chicago. I love the city and am dedicated to my life here. I’m just going to go down the path that I am on. I have plans to grow eDrop-Off into a world-wide brand as it is a service that is needed everywhere.

FI: Do you have a favorite designer? How would you describe your personal style?

CM: I wear a lot of Alexander Wang, but a mix of everything really. I love Alexander McQueen and of course Chanel, which is so cliché, but that’s what I wear. My personal style is all over the board. Like right now, I have G-star, Jimmy Choo, Tory Burch and Topshop on. I buy what I love and put on whatever I feel like in the morning.

FI: What is one great item that has walked into eDrop-Off?

CM: Everything. We sold a 53-karat art deco Cartier necklace a few years ago that was remarkable. We sold an oversized Hermès Birkin bag that was really awesome. A few weeks ago, we cleaned out the closet of a 103 year-old woman and she had these amazing furs. We sell over 2,000 items a week and every day you literally do not know what is coming in through the doors.

GIVING BACKMcFadden and the eDrop-Off charity warehouse sale raised

more than $13,000.

MODA Speaks

ular jersey dresses, Nicole continued to gain experience as a student at Columbia College. However, she made her national debut in Season 2 of The Fashion Show Ultimate Col-lection on Bravo TV. The show challenged its contestants to work in two groups or “fashion houses”, with each house competing against each other to produce a cohesive collection showcased in weekly fashion shows.

Despite working in proximity to fashion icons Iman and Isaac Mizrahi, Nicole felt that the show didn’t affect her designs that much. “It was only a couple of months out of my life and I’ve been designing for many years,” she says. That is not to say, however, that the ex-perience was not rewarding. During the tap-ing of the show, she became close with fellow contestant Calvin Tran, and now manages his store during the day. His store is located in downtown Chicago.

Nicole sketches pieces for her line some-times while working at Tran’s store and often continues designing well into the late hours of night. She says that this overtime work is necessary for her to accomplish her goal of having her line sold in specialty retail stores and boutiques throughout the country in the next five years.

She has already proven her talent and is well on her way to dressing exclusive clientele in her trademark wool coats. In the mean-time, we can expect the next collection from 4 Tamara Nicole in Summer 2012.

DESIGN REALITYTamara Nicole, reality show veteran and designer, describes how being a woman of color inspires her collections

text by amanya maloba

08 MODA Spring 2012

D esigner Tamara Nicole, owner of the line “4 Tamara Nicole” first came to my attention dur-ing Fashion Focus Week 2011 in New York. Situated among

scores of designers, her table garnered atten-tion mainly for the exquisite and incredibly intricate “Deep Pocket Ruffle Coat”. It’s easy to understand where the Chicago native gets her bold concepts.

When speaking about the visual aesthet-ics of her line, Nicole names Mary J. Blige as her main source of inspiration, citing Blige’s personal style as well as her personality. “I’m not as inspired by summer and fall allows me to showcase my signature coats,” Nicole says. She alludes to the many luxury wool coats available for sale online at 4tamaranicole.com, from her Fall/Winter 2011 collection.

In an industry painfully lacking in women of color, Nicole is part of a small but growing demographic of designers. She discusses how being a woman of color affects her designs. “My upbringing inspires me and a lot of my upbringing is tied to my race,” Nicole says.

While her race inspires her designs, it is not the main drive behind her ambitions. “My drive to succeed within the fashion in-dustry is personal not based on my race,” she says. “I want to be the best designer period.”

After selling her first garment of clothing ten years ago, a commission piece to transform a basketball jersey into one of the then- pop-

MODA Speaks

MODADiscover more and visit our blog at www.modachicago.com

at The University of Chicago

BESTBUYSWe asked several University of Chicago students about their favorite fashion finds

text by lily dasso & jacqueline fridussphotography by nabila abdel nabi

F rom chunky platform heels to classy midi skirts, University of Chicago students have no shortage of interesting clothing and acces-sories in their closets. But everyone

always has a favorite, go-to item. Whether it was found at a department store, found at a consignment store or simply in the closet of a family member, these pieces carry a story behind them, making them much more valu-able than just a clothing item or accessory.

Xander Wikstrom, black pointy boots“While in Wicker Park I went thrifting and found these great pointy boots; they were in really good shape and only $13. They can look kind of silly, but with the right clothes they look pretty cool. They’re black so they go well with a lot of things...especially if you wear kind of darker colors. I’m pretty sure that I bought these at Crossroads, but there

are tons of awesome thrift stores in Wicker Park, especially on Milwaukee Ave.”

Robbie Newell, John Varvatos blazer“I found this blazer in New York when I was shopping at the John Varvatos store. As I was buying it, Wyatt Cenac, a comedian and writer on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, was shopping in the store too. I was trying to come up with something to say to him, but he left before I found the chance. He did buy a really similar jacket though! Mine is black corduroy with little elbow patches. It has a little bit of a hip-professor kind of vibe when I wear it with jeans.”

Emily Ho, midi skirt“I got this at a Housing Works Buy the Bag warehouse sale in New York, where a room in a warehouse was filled to the brim with surplus thrift store apparel. It was a frantic treasure

10 MODA Spring 2012

MODA Spring 2012 11

hunt, and there was nowhere to walk because the ground was covered in piles of clothes. Everyone was given a paper bag, which we were able to fill with as many things as possible for just $25. I would wear either a boyfriend blazer or an oversized cardigan with this skirt.”

Lina Dayem, Jeffrey Campbell Litas “I saw these awesome black Jeffrey Campbell Lita platform heels at Urban Outfitters the last time I was there. But instead, I bought them on nastygal.com. I will probably wear these with long pants, but I think they would look really cute with flowy dresses too!”

Paloma Cruz, Invicta watch“I love this white and gold watch because it complements every outfit. The neutral colors of the wristband and gold decorations around the face make it the perfect addition to any outfit’s color palette. This useful accessory was

a gift from a friend, and I love that I can wear it at any time.”

Sara Shawki, vintage dress“I love this cobalt-blue shift dress. I add shape with either a hot pink or a bright yellow belt, and then I usually pair it with opaque, black tights and Nine West ankle boots. I bought it at Ragstock, a vintage shop in Wicker Park, and I actually hemmed it myself! I really love the design; it’s like a bunch of small holes and then this cool, swirly pattern.”

Vickie Fine, Marc Jacobs booties“I got these gold booties on super sale! I usually just wear these booties with skinny jeans or simple, neutral clothes so that they really stand out and take center stage. I try to save them for special occasions because they’re so bright, and that way they’re more memorable.”

SHOES GALORE Third year Lina Dayem owns the coveted Jeffrey Campbell Lita platform boots.

MODA Features

12 MODA Spring 2012

C offee table books are the ultimate bookstore indulgence; expensive, yes, but each is always a beautiful addition to a personal library. One can spend hours

flipping through the pages of fashion tomes dedicated to favorite designers and fashion photographers.

One of the most anticipated fashion books of 2011 was Dior Couture by Patrick Demarchelier and Ingrid Sischy. Dior Couture showcases a history of exquisite designs through the lens of legendary photographer Patrick Demarchelier. Photos taken in 1948 of Christian Dior’s original “new look” are intermixed with John Galliano’s contemporary designs, illustrating both the evolution of the brand as well as its continued loyalty to Dior’s original aesthetic.

Dior Couture presents an array of Dior’s creations during couture’s Golden Age, a visionary renaissance from 1947 to 1957 that set the high fashion standard for years to

come. Yet, equal homage is paid to Galliano’s avant-garde and often flamboyant style that references the house’s legacy of opulence, richness and drama. The arresting images produced by Patrick Demarchelier perfectly embody the essence of Dior. Demarchelier’s photos of Galliano’s oriental-inspired Spring-Summer 2007 collection are particularly arresting, featuring richly embroidered dresses with sharp origami folds, complemented by the angular poses of elaborately made-up models. Dior Couture is a must-have for those interested in the progression of high fashion, with its dual nature of innovation and borrowing from the past.

Marisa Berenson: A Life in Pictures by Marisa Berenson and Steven Meisel is a book devoted to a single influential face in fashion. Every decade in fashion has at least one model who effectively becomes the face of the era; Twiggy embodied the wide-eyed appeal of the 60s, whereas Kate Moss epitomized the 90s grunge aesthetic. As the grand-daughter

MODA recommends the best fashion tomes of 2011

LUXE PAGE TURNERS

text by alexandra mcinnisillustration by naomi mine

growth as a modern publication. In the past decade, Bazaar has adapted a younger, more playful essence instead of attempting to match Vogue’s age-old sophistication. Many of the images featured in Greatest Hits are quirky and upbeat, such as photos of Karl Lagerfeld outfitted in a rapper’s garb, Ralph Lauren in Moscow, and Marc Jacobs covered in pink paint. The book also shows Bazaar’s penchant for fresh faces such as Emma Watson and Kristen Stewart, while equally incorporating the well-established likes of Iman, Gwenyth Paltrow and Kate Moss.

With writing pieces by everyone from Patti Smith to Liz Taylor and a page linking each year of Bazaar to the corresponding year in society, we see how Bazaar has become a culturally relevant publication. Harper’s Bazaar: Greatest Hits is an essential book for anyone with an interest in contemporary magazines, as it shows how one publication has been able to thrive in an increasingly difficult industry.

MODA Spring 2012 13

of Elsa Schiaperelli, Coco Chanel’s famous rival, Berenson grew up in the spotlight as the woman who embodied the 1970s. With her long-lashed blue-green eyes and tan complexion, she represented the exotic look of the 70s, and the book features some of her most memorable magazine covers for publications such as Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Newsweek and Time.

Marisa Berenson: A Life in Pictures also shows Berenson’s versatility as a model, which contributed to her success; she effortlessly portrays the doe-eyed ingenue, the 1800s courtesan, or the wholesome flower child in her spreads and covers. In addition to her print work, Marisa Berenson: A Life in Pictures chronicles Berenson’s life as a socialite photographed with Andy Warhol, Liza Minelli and other famous faces of her time.

Harper’s Bazaar: Greatest Hits by Glenda Bailey is a compilation of some of the magazine’s covers, photo shoots and articles from 2001 to 2011 that represent Bazaar’s

FASHION READS(from left to right) reviews of Dior Couture, Marisa Berenson: A Life in Pictures and Harper’s Bazaar : Greatest Hits

MODA Features

text by alexandra mcinnisillustration by naomi mine

COAST TO COAST STYLEStyle transcends geographical and cultural boundaries, creating a unique look that these students call their own

text by maura connors & meaghan murphyphotography by nabila abdel nabi

O n a campus as diverse as The University of Chicago, it is easy to classify style by region. From the east to the west coast, certain general

style attributes are associated with specific areas of the country. Monograms are splayed over the classic button-downs of Floridians (and the LL Bean boat and tote Bags of the east coasters), while Californians are often distinguished by their perpetual dress of shorts and flip-flops, in spite of the Chicago cold. It is true, each geographical region has a distinct style reputation. Yet some UChicago students choose to define their region’s style, rather than letting it define them.

“People at Chicago think I dress like a hipster,” first-year James Warner explains, “but there’s a part of Minnesota where plaid shirts and scrappy facial hair stretch as far as the eye can see. The inhabitants are hypocritical as hell and if you don’t make your own clothes, you’re proclaimed ‘commercial.’”

While others might see the typical UChicago, Midwestern-hipster, James of Edina, Minnesota describes his style as “messy clean.” He likes to combine the “necessities of country-club fashion” with just a hint of grunge, a style in line with the Twin Cities thrift and consignment stores he frequents. His Midwestern sensibility is exemplified by

the collection of flannel shirts he acquired from his grandfather, a television repairman from rural Minnesota. “I think that there’s something wonderful about the rugged feel of flannel with a jacket on over it or a sweater to keep you warm,” James says.

Borrowing from family members is a common theme in Tara Anantharam and Giselle Quezada’s region-based wardrobes as well. Despite their geographic distance, both declare that their best finds are from their respective mothers’ closets. This unique point of inspiration adds a twist to their styles that their regional peers cannot match.

Giselle from southern California describes her style as “simple and clean”, making classic pieces with a twist the focal point of her wardrobe. Giselle’s practice of juxtaposing distinctive textures, furs and cashmeres with unexpected draped styles takes into account the eclectic mix of “indie” city style that she has integrated into her wardrobe since coming to Chicago. Putting a spin on the typical boots-leggings-sweater look, Giselle mixes it up by adding headpieces, belts and dramatic eye-makeup. For the nighttime she wears more structured pieces, mixing blazers with fitted dresses in earthy tones. On the surface, her Cali-style radiates from her clothes, but newfound city influences create Giselle’s self-proclaimed style of flower child meets “your

14 MODA Spring 2012

cool mom going to work.” Tara, a second-year from New York City,

considers herself deeply influenced and inspired by her NYC hometown, especially in terms of clothing. “Every district has it’s own unique vibe,” she says. Tribeca, the Lower East Side, Soho, the Upper West Side and even the Financial District all have a pretty strong role to play in composing my style.” She likes to take elements from these strong niches and mix them together, pairing combat boots from the Lower East Side with a pearl necklace from the Financial District. Combining her varied Manhattan influences masterfully, Tara succeeds in flirting the line between classically feminine and edgy utilitarian.

Regional stereotypes of clothing do not have to define one’s style. Acting as microcosms of their respective regions, James, Giselle, and Tara represent their hometowns while still taking inspiration from unexpected sources.

MODA Features

MODA Spring 2012 15

UNIQUE STYLES Students Tara Anantharam (above) and James Warner (below) describe their styles in relation to the places they are from.

16 MODA Spring 2012

FAIR-TRADE FASHIONEthical fashion: Here to stay

text by mallika dubeyillustration by charlotte smith

T he fashion industry has not always been known for its ethical choices. However, the selection of Suno as one of the 2011 finalists for The Council of Fashion

Designers of America and Vogue magazine Fashion Fund marks an achievement for ethical fashion designers. Max Osterweis and Erin Beatty have found success in creating a high-end brand while employing local production in Kenya, India and Peru, and using vintage Kenyan textiles.

“Sometimes it’s easier to define ethical fashion by what it isn’t,” says Safia Minney, founder of People Tree, a fair-trade fashion label. She says unethical fashion refers to exploitation of producers, unfair wages, synthetic dyes and other practices harmful to human beings, animals and the environment. Minney writes, “unethical fashion means little transparency, accountability and knowledge of the supply chain.”

While there has not yet been a large-scale effort to address issues surrounding unethical fashion, celebrity activism has helped garner more support. People Tree spokesperson Emma Watson described her recent visit to Indian and Bengali slums as a reason why ethical production is so compelling to her. “I saw what the conditions were like of people who worked in the factories,” she says. “It’s the most horrible thing I’ve ever seen.” Emma’s account appeals to the growing population of younger consumers. Her choice to share the experience of seeing the terrible working conditions in sweatshop factories has revealed what so many organizations, campaigns and groups have been trying to share for years. Furthermore, according to the Ethical Fashion Forum, in a country like Bangladesh, a Least Developed Country, 70% of its Growth Domestic Property is derived from the fashion industry. This means the fashion industry’s unethical practices are affecting a

printing, and I think the traditional processes we use make our products special,” she says.

Jo Wood, founder of Jo Wood Organic believes that the success of ethical clothing depends on the consumer. “Over 90 million items of clothing are thrown away each year in this country alone,” she writes. “[It is] a habitual pleasure to throw something away and go straight back to the shops for more.” She believes that part of this problem has to do with “major distributors battling to provide the cheapest possible price for their consumers.”

Wood is concerned about pollution due to supply chains. “[Non-ethical fashion is] detrimental due to the chemicals used and the vast distances items have to travel to get to future buyers,” Wood says.

Concerned designers are finding new ways to achieve their ethical production goals of fair wages, supply transparency and quality workmanship.

MODA Spring 2012 17

significant portion of the working class.“I wanted to know where the products I

was sourcing from India were actually coming from,” says Maureen Dunn, co-founder of Chicago-based fair-trade fashion label Mata Traders. “I didn’t want to buy something from an export house and not have transparency as to who was making the items, how much money they were making, their hours and their working conditions.”

Dunn believes that material costs are relatively fixed. “So if something is super cheap then it most likely is because the wages associated with it are low,” she says.

Dunn is an advocate of the cooperative model, where associations unite through a jointly-owned and democratically-controlled enterprise. She supports the model because it uses small-scale producing. These products ultimately reflect various elements of artisan workmanship. “I like celebrating traditional artisan skills like embroidery and block

MODA Features

“I didn’t want to buy something from an export house and not have transparency as to who was making the items, how much money they were making, their hours and their working conditions.”

— MAUREEN DUNN, co-founder of fair trade fashion label Mata Traders

FASHION FOR THE 99%text by hannah amundsen, yiwen feng, dustin ly & megan mattephotography by aaron goh

18 MODA Spring 2012

T he very word “boutique” strikes fear in the hearts of those unable to afford more than Ramen noodles for dinner, let alone afford the exorbitant prices expected from small clothing shops. Never fear—we occupied Wicker Park to find you the best local, independent and affordable boutiques that sell everything from your must-have wardrobe basics to up-and-coming spring trends.

WICKER PARK FINDS (clockwise from top left) T-Shirt Deli, Clothes Minded, Una Mae’s and T-Shirt Deli print options

T-SHIRT DELI1739 N. Damen Ave. and 1482 Berwyn

Sells: Custom shirts for men, women, babies and dogs as well as wristbands, wallets, etc.Price Point: $15-40 for most t-shirts and clothing, <$10 for lettersBest Find: T-Shirt Deli offers the chance to host shirt-making parties either at the store or another location, while maintaining the market price. What Sets Them Apart: Much like a real deli, T-Shirt Deli is defined by a welcoming environment and efficient fulfillment of orders. Here, friendly employees work with the finest ingredients, American Apparel clothing and customers’ imaginations, to cook up shirts, bibs, wallets and more, each seasoned with inside jokes and custom images. Amazingly, the whole process takes about 5 minutes, from designing the item to paying the check. It is no surprise that this fun store has garnered many regular customers.

UNA MAE’S1528 N. Milwaukee Ave.

Sells: Men & women’s clothing, accessories, household items and gifts Price Point: Dresses priced from $42 Best Find: Comune denim for men in indigo and tan for $58What Sets Them Apart: Owner Nancy Becker takes pride in the boutique’s shopping atmosphere, and rightfully so. With the ever-present scent of incense in the air, it is easy to get carried away by the store’s eclectic mix of contemporary and vintage pieces. The store spans two floors, with a twisted staircase that leads to the loft. For spring 2012, Becker looks forward to carrying a fresh new men’s line, Chapter, as well as Lucca Couture dresses for women.

MODA Spring 2012 19

CLOTHES MINDED 1735 N. Damen Ave.

Sells: Women’s fashion and accessories, plus a selection of quirky coffee-table and gift booksPrice Point: Dresses $29–$88Best Find: We could hardly resist a black, velvet, sleeveless dress on sale for $19.What Sets Them Apart: Boasting a selection of “every-day wear for the urban girl,” this boutique offers a plethora of minimalist basics from brands like Michael Stars and Free People, as well as trendy accent pieces from other small labels. Their selections for spring featured casual dresses and belted shorts in earth-tones and understated floral prints—but their affordable prices for high-quality merchandise is really what makes Clothes Minded worth a visit. “You can have great fashion and not have to pay a fortune for it,” says owner Sandy Horwitz. Amen to that.

MILDBLEND1543 N. Milwaukee Ave.

Sells: Men and women’s fashion and some accessoriesPrice Point: Tops for men and women were mostly under $40Best Find: A well-tailored beige dress on sale for $39 What Sets Them Apart: While some of Mildblend’s edgier pieces are steeply priced, the store carries other wearable separates that are better suited for a college student’s budget. Mildblend’s emphasis is on pieces that are made to last, like jeans by Nudie and Naked & Famous. Why buy a $15 pair of jeans that will look good for a month when you can buy a high-quality pair that will last for many years?

MODA Features

36 MODA Spring 2011

Photography

IN BLOOM

photography by rachel reidstyled by davida schwabsky and tovia siegelmodeled by davida schwabskymakeup by zoe steinberg

MODA Trends

photography by rachel reidstyled by davida schwabsky and tovia siegelmodeled by davida schwabskymakeup by zoe steinberg

(this page) jacket, Goodwill; leotard, American Apparel ; shorts, Urban Outfitters (next page) shirt, LF

MODA Spring 2012 21

38 MODA Spring 201122 MODA Spring 2012

MODA Spring 2012 23

24 MODA Spring 2012

(previous page) shoes, Doc Martens (this page) hooded vest, Buffalo Exchange; boots, Aldo MODA Spring 2012 25

26 MODA Spring 2012

GATSBY GETS THE GIRL

photography by CHARLOTTE SMITH styled by FATIMA IBRAHIM

modeled by NORA KELLY & KEVIN STEFFES makeup by ZOE STEINBERG

MODA Spring 2012 27

ON KEVIN (this page)button up shirt, J Crew; tie, Express; cardigan, Urban OutfittersON KEVIN (opposite page and next page) sweater, Topshop; pants, H&M; shoes, Sperry Topsider for J Crew

28 MODA Spring 2012

ON NORA dress, Aqua; pumps, Nine West; necklace, Charlotte Russe

MODA Spring 2012 29

DECOIN THE CITYphotographed by aaron gohmodeled by naomi mine & lena sparksstyled by caroline wanghair/makeup by alexis fowler & victoria huang

Continue the legacy of art deco accessories with the pairing of gold and metallic shoes, belts and clutches with spring pastels

3232 MODA Spring 2012

33MODA Spring 2012

(first page) dress, 3.1 Phillip Lim (previous page) top, The Grocery Store, Burlingame, CA.; skirt, Zara; shoes, Barbara Bui; belt, vintage (this page) top and skirt, Zara; belt, vintage from Knee Deep

photography by ZOE STEINBERGmodeled by LYDA HARRIS, ANN LI & CHARLOTTE SMITHstyled by RACHEL REIDmakeup by ZOE STEINBERG

A MODA TRIBUTE TO THE GREATS

Zoe Steinberg interprets some of fashion’s most recognizable photographers’ trademark styles

MODA Spring 2011 37

on Charlotte (opposite page): top H&M; leggings Black Milk

on Ann (this page): hat, vintage; shirt, T by Alexander Wang;

jeans, Cheap Monday(opposite page): inspired by

TERRY RICHARDSON(this page): inspired by HEDI

SLIMANE

Zoe Steinberg interprets some of fashion’s most recognizable photographers’ trademark stylesMODA Spring 2012 35

36 MODA Spring 2012

MODA Spring 2012 37

Makeup products used: MAC cosmetics, Topshop, Urban Decay, Sugarpill CosmeticsInspired by JILL GREENBERG

38 MODA Spring 2012

WITHTHEBANDphotography by tovia siegelmodeled by alexis fowlerstyled by ann limakeup by isabelle langrock

MODA Spring 2012 39

40 MODA Spring 2012

MODA Spring 2012 41

(first page) dress, American Apparel; necklace, bracelet, ring, Forever 21;

earring, Charlotte Russe(previous page) earring, Charlotte Russe

(this page) vest, Twisted Mind; top, Mango; necklaces, Forever 21, only, Charlotte

Russe; bracelet and ring, Forever 21 (next page) all jewelry, Forever 21

42 MODA Spring 2012

MODA Spring 2012 43

Next Season in MODA