A twopart series featuring
“suits.”
Written by: Caitlin Doyle
maya angelou beyonce knowle rosa parks
es Over the past couple of years, many
significant statements have been made in the name of feminism. We’ve seen the Me Too movement come to light, the demand for equal pay, a
Model: Irene Ryu, Marzena Mysza Makeup: Alex Paramo, Kauryn Karmazinas Stylist: Esme Chang, Colleen McCann Photographer: Paul Timothy
female candidate run for president, and many marches to hear their voices. We have seen how fashion has decided to take their stand politically. Anna Wintour, Vogue’s editor-in-chief, noted during this year’s spring Paris Fashion Week that creative and powerful designers are pushing gender
Model: Irene Ryu Makeup: Alex Paramo Stylist: Esme Chang Photographer: Sidney Madden
Model: Irene Ryu Makeup: Alex Paramo Stylist: Esme Chang Photographer: Sidney Madden
boundaries between menswear and womenswear with clothing that can be worn by both sexes. Wintour commented that she hopes department stores follows runway designers lead and adopt the androgynous clothing trend.
Model: Alessandra Lanier Makeup: Alex Paramo Stylist: Erin Nadel Photographer: Taylor Santucci
Model: Miranda Mottlowitz Makeup: Kauryn Karmazinas Stylist: Kaitlyn McCann Photographer: Paul Timothy
Maria Grazia Chiuri, the first female artistic director of Dior, also presented a female-empowered collection in Paris. Her models wore t-shirts that said “Sisterhood Is Powerful”, “Sisterhood Is Global” and “Sisterhood Is Forever.” Feminism is taking the lead in the fashion world. Despite numbers being down in the past, female designers and creatives are starting to change how things are done.
Model: Alessandra Lanier Makeup: Alex Paramo Stylist: Erin Nadel Photographer: Sidney Madden
Model: Erin Nadel Makeup: Alex Paramo Stylist: Erin Nadel Photographer: Paul Timothy
the future is female.
An uplose interview with Joanna Duda, owner and creator of Pirillo.
oyle
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Design
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Model: Liz Karlovics Makeup: Liz Karlovics Clothing: Pirillo Swim Photographer: Erin Kim
did you get started & what
was you inspiration? I had
always had a hard time buying swimwear, I felt like everything was either $10 and crap, or $200 for a “luxury Australian label brand,” which no college girl wanted to pay. So I started looking into (spent most of my spring break just digging, honestly) where these. “Australian label brands” were getting/making their swimsuits, and then I just used the same suppliers and now sell them for $150 less. I don’t think you should have to break the bank to look and feel good.
your brand unique? At Pirillo we believe
that every girl can be a badass - you can see from our pictures that our girls come in all shapes and sizes. We don’t limit our models to a size 0 with perfect blonde hair. Our models are real girls with real ambitions, wearing swimwear that shows their true beauty. There’s no push-up bras, no “slimming waists,” none of that crap. We are always voicing that you should be proud of your body, not matter what.
Model: Amari Maisonet Makeup: Amari Maisonet Clothing: Pirillo Swim Photographer: Caitlin Doyle (left), Erin Kim (right)
to describe your brand.
REAL. Probably my biggest compliment to the brand to date is “wow you actually use real girls to model your swimwear!” The models are in no way photoshopped or retouched. We take girls based on their attitudes rather than their looks. FUN. I hate to brag but our photoshoots are actually so fun (sorry not sorry). I won’t give it all away but when all the girls are asking to please book them for another one… SLAYING. Look good AND feel good. My main goal is that every single girl that wears a Pirillo remembers the girl boss she is and gets out there like Beyonce going on stage.
Model: Liz Karlovics Makeup: Liz Karlovics Clothing: Pirillo Swim Photographer: Caitlin Doyle
did it all start? May 16th, 2018
was the day it officially opened online. I started using Shopify which was a huge help, because they have website templates, handle setting up your shipping, taxes, returns, etc. Then August of 2018 we started selling our products in Generation Bliss boutique in Lemont. Where
do you see your company in 5 years? I would love to see it as
a team of full time people! Whether it’s just two to three or up to twenty, I think that would be awesome. Model: Amari Maisonet Makeup: Amari Maisonet Clothing: Pirillo Swim Photographer: Caitlin Doyle
Model: Liz Karlovics Makeup: Liz Karlovics Clothing: Pirillo Swim Photographer: Caitlin Doyle (left), Taylor Santucci (center), Erin Kim (right)
is your biggest inspiration?
Alison Victoria for color coordination & beautiful designs, and Chris D’elia to remember to never take yourself too seriously. What’s
something that makes your company stand out? Instead of coming out with ‘new arrivals,’ to the store, we come out with ‘collections’ that have a central theme, color scheme, mood, or story behind them.
I would love to rent out an empty store downtown Chicago for a weekend and have a pop-up shop. I know it doesn’t seem huge, but it’s the tiny steps that make big things happen. It would also be cool to have a permanent space - the front half would be a tiny storefront, and the back half would be for photoshoots.
Model: Kate Bruce Makeup: Amari Maisonet Clothing: Pirillo Swim Photographer: Caitlin Doyle
piece of advice would you give to college graduates who also want to become independent business owners? 1. If you’re
thinking about it - just go for it. It’s much easier than it looks actually, and you’ll learn so much. I’ve learned more in one year about negotiating, people, business, taxes, etc., than my four years of school. 2. Do your research; the more of a concrete plan that you make, the better off you’ll be. Figure out all the little problems - how are you going to deal with returns? What if the post office loses your package? What if someone isn’t happy with their purchase? Get ready for these things sooner than later. Model: Amari Maisonet Makeup: Amari Maisonet Clothing: Pirillo Swim Photographer: Caitlin Doyle
3. Although my most important tip is to take a day off - which sounds ironic, but it will help you from burning out. Most businesses fail because people hit the ground sprinting and keep going until they just don’t want to do this anymore. Overcome this by making time for yourself and taking a break from always being a business owner. Everyone needs a day off. Pick a day or two in the week where you don’t look/ think/act/do anything about your business. I promise it will help you in the long run.
Model: Danielle Carniv (left), Liz Karlovics (right) Makeup: Amari Maisonet, Liz Karlovics Clothing: Pirillo Swim Photographer: (left) Erin Kim, (right) Caitlin Doyle
We loved working with Joanna! She creates amazing pieces. At the end of our shoot all of our models bought the swimsuit they were wearing because they loved it so much. Model: Amari Maisonet, Liz Karlovics, Julia Gainski, Danielle Carniv, Kate Bruce Makeup: Amari Maisonet, Liz Karlovics Clothing: Pirillo Swim Photographer: Sidney Madden