chicago chicago

i've been thinking a lot about new york, london, paris-- the Places You Have To Be In to do fashion. But what about a little home grown inspiration? In so many ways I feel like i've outgrown a lot of immature and/or ignorant conceptions I used to have about my place in fashion (i once wanted to work at nylon and design for twiggy), but this issue of location and inspiration is definitely another hurdle i have to jump to reach a designerhood that is truly me. So I'm really thankful for this month I have in chicago, where Big 10 bros run free along lincoln avenue and I have to dig a little deeper into myself and stretch a little farther to grab something that inspires me.
Here are some chicago designers not be ignored just because they take the "El" train  instead of the "L"train.
Creatures of the Wind, created by Shane Gabier ( my former SAIC teacher) and Chris Peter is a newer project. Shane's old self-titled line is still one of my favorites, and Creatures of the Wind is a fresh, girlie-but-complex design that has really been exciting me.

from the latest issue of Lula

Nick Cave, head of the fashion dept at SAIC, is also at the front on the fashion/art avant garde with his Soundsuits project. I have to write on this more later because there is so much to say.

 

Although this is all complicated once more by the question of inspiration inside books vs. outside in the world because i spend my days in the mecca of fashion research at the School of the Art Institute.