CITY LIFE

ISA GIALLORENZO

Street View Out of the box

Defying boundaries, two entrepreneurs mix business, community, and prints.

BY ISA GIALLORENZO

When spotted at Garfield Park Conservatory, Maria LyVonne, 35, and Ashley Bassett-Parkins, 33, looked like they belonged in a fashion editorial—and they did! They were being photographed for the “lifestyle brand” they introduced last April, named LYV-ON (pronounced “live on” or “love on”). “We are on a mission to change the role the fashion industry plays in climate change, make sustainable fashion inclusive, and bring a more relatable and transparent approach to the industry,” says LyVonne. Before they launch their first capsule collection next spring, LyVonne and Bassett-Parkins are focused on building a community “where real women with real experiences can come together, get inspiration, feel empowered to have a voice, and love and care for themselves.”

While busy producing their very own garb, the business partners and longtime friends were sporting garments that represented their “mix-and-match” aesthetic: “I love emotional pieces, which is why I gravitate towards the mixture of prints and fabrics. I love pieces that tell a story and are inspirational,” says LyVonne, who described the look she rented from Rent the Runway as “eclectic fall garden party.” Bassett-Parkins, dressed in a “whimsical garden” theme, likes to mix leopard and floral prints year-round and favors a blend of femininity and masculinity with an edge. “Not one style defines me,” she says. “I don’t like to be put into a box, since I feel that everyone’s style is constantly evolving and I like to push my limits.” v

For more about LYV-ON, check out lyv-on.com and @lyvonlife on Instagram.