MARCH 2012 CLICK TO READ
Contents 17 FEATURE
“Best Man” by Hanna Howard 21 FEATURE
“Web 2.0” by Emerly Soong 27 COVER
“Watch the Throne” by Corinne White. Photographed by Luke Vogelzang 35 SHOOT
“All the Right Moves” by Ben Breuner 41 SHOOT
“What the Water Gave Me ” by Nick Arcos
7 LOOKS
Dispatches from Paris, illustrated by Eileen Hinckle.
9 PLEASURES
Items for your pleasure, curated by our staff.
11 SPOTTED
Northwestern street style, captured by our STREET TEAM.
13 PROFILE
Kalindi Shah interviews jeweler and NU student Melis Gencturk.
49 2DO
55
Music, hotels, restaurants, and ...scarves? The experts tell all. LAST WORD
Imani Mixon reflects back on millenium style.
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: OUTTAKES FROM ALL THE RIGHT MOVES AND WHAT THE WATER GAVE ME, ON SET AT WATCH THE THRONE. FOR MORE BEHIND THE SCENES COVERAGE, VISIT WWW.STITCHFASHION.COM.
“Like
Johnny Cash before us, STITCH continues to walk the line. In our case, like other fashion magazines, it’s striking a fine balance between orienting ourselves toward our main reader, the NU female undergraduate, and appealing to our male audience. One reader is not better than the other, yet too often, we forget the men. Encouraged by our male staffers, we’ve made efforts to be more man-friendly, highlighting men’s style (Best Man, 17) and continually using talented male models (All the Right Moves, 35). The power balance is shifting, but we still refuse to forget our ladies, as indicated by this issue’s cover (Watch the Throne, 27). No matter who you are, one cannot help but admire the wits, talents, and, yes, power of our seven cover stars.
yours,
NADINA GERLACH 5| stitch
STITCH Editor-in-Chief NADINA GERLACH Senior Editors JAYA SAH, CORINNE WHITE Director of Photo-Shoots ERIN CAMPBELL Multimedia Editor DIANE TSAI Online Design Editors ROSALIND MOWITT, NICOLE HERMAN Online Assistant Editor SARA CHERNUS Design and Multimedia ALEXANDRA SIFFERLIN, REBECCA LAI, MEG BAGLIEN, SOPHIE JENKINS, EILEEN HINCKLE, MICHELLE CHANG, JESSICA KANE, EDEN SCHOOFS, KATIE BRENNAN, RACHEL JONES Photo-Shoots CARLY SHAPIRO Staff Photographers NICK ARCOS, LUKE VOGELZANG, HILLARY THORNTON, CHRISTINA JAMESON, JUSTIN SCHUMAN, MAGGIE GORMAN, CHRISTINA WELCH, KATE VILLA,TRACY LIN, IVONNE CALA, BEN BREUNER Staff Writers KENDRA VACULIN, MATT GROSINGER, SAMANTHA BRODY, ALEXA WONG, ALIA WILHELM, ARABELLA WATTERS, BETH GLASER, BRIANNA KEEFE, CATHALEEN QIAO CHEN, DELIA PRIVITERA, EMERLY SOONG, ERIN KU, HANNA HOWARD, IMANI MIXON, JAZMYN TUBERVILLE, KALINDI SHAH, RACHEL NUSSBAUM, SAMEERAA PAHWA, VICTORIA CASTRO, XANDER SHEPHERD, IAN HENDRICKSON, JAZMYN TUBERVILLE, RACHEL NUSSBAUM Copy Editing GABRIELLE HURWITZ, CATHERINE CLARK, SAMANTHA KAISER Editor-At-Large KATHRYN CANNADY BUSINESS Director of Public Relations Director of Funraising LOGAN DAUM ALEXANDRA SHANAHAN Director of Advertising ALEXIS GUI
Treasurer CATHERINE NING
Public Relations DANIELLE PIEERE, ANDY GARDEN, TIM HUGHES, REBECCA RODRIQUEZ, ANDREAS FAUTSCH Fundraising NEELIMA AGRAWAL, DIANA TSENG, AMY BEADLE Advertising ALYSSA CLOUGH, LAUREN SCHIAPPA, REBECCA LIRON, SONALI DASGUPTA, JACQUELINE ANDRIAKOS, CLARKE HUMPHREY, KATLIN BOLE
STITCH FASHION .COM
UPDATED DAILY
LOOKS
TEXT: KATHRYN CANNADY. ILLUSTRATIONS: EILEEN HINCKLE.
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3.1 Phillip Lim
Phillip Lim’s typical tailoring and small details were again seen in his pre-fall show, especially in this monochromatic ensemble. Simple refinement was seen across the show, with a few standout pieces and color accents. What this look lacks in color, it compensates for with incredible details. The double collar with jeweled necklace twisted into it provides a hard contrast to the chiffon ruffle shirt. Simple black trousers and workready loafers add a grown up and professional edge to this look, which is again paired with simple hair and makeup. Wearability and practicality ruled this collection, reminding women that fashion can still be convenient and pretty.
Proenza Schouler
For pre-fall, Proenza Schouler’s dynamic duo presented rich jewel tones in iridescent fabrics. This bustier and a-line wrap skirt give an edge to the more ladylike looks of the season. The boldness of the garments is juxtaposed with the simplicity of hair, makeup, and shoes, reminding wearers that bold looks like these are best left to make a statement on their own.
Chanel
Karl Lagerfeld’s Paris – Bombay 2011/12 Métiers d’Art show for Chanel was a visual feast of jewels, patterns, and fabrics. Pieces visibly inspired by the culture of India included looks like this pant and tunic set. While many designers aimed for minimalism, Lagerfeld opted for decadent clothes accented with headpieces, earrings, necklaces and bracelets that only add to the opulence of the show. Soft fabrics and hair are contrasted with kohl eyes and chunky jewelry, striking a balance that makes this show one of the most memorable of the season.
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FRINGE AUDREY HALTER, $132, ELITEFASHIONSWIMWEAR.COM
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SPOTTED
kathryn 11| stitch
prescott BY IVONNE CALA
DRESS: H&M COAT: MACY’S HAT & NECKLACE: FOREVER 21 RINGS: THRIFT STORES BAG: WORLD MARKET/ COST PLUS SHOES: DSW
STI
TC
CHECK OUT MORE STREET TEAM PHOTOS AT STITCHFASHION.COM
H
PROFILE
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QUE BELLE, MAI JOLIE!
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t’s an international affair. The house of handmade statement jewelry Mai Jolie caters to clientele from California, Israel, the Netherlands and beyond. The artistic powerhouse behind this small but thriving business is Northwestern’s very own MELIS GENCTURK, a Weinberg junior majoring in Mathematics and Economics. How does one girl go about creating a business that exclusively graces the shelves of GiGi Bottega and is featured in Chicago Social Magazine? I had the great pleasure of sitting down with Melis in an attempt to better understand how she made it happen. Seeing the passion and pizzazz with which Melis approaches her work, it’s clear that the pieces of Mai Jolie are truly special. --Kalindi Shah
STITCH: WHAT INSPIRES YOUR DESIGNS FOR MAI JOLIE? I am from Turkey, and I get very nostalgic for it. Whenever I put on my rings, I am reminded of the colors of my country and the time I spend during the summer there. In a way, it is a gift to my family to thank them for all that they have done for me. Also, I have never really found jewelry that fits my style, so I like to make statement pieces that are different. In the end, I can’t really pinpoint exactly where my inspiration comes from because it has been very different inspirations from a lot of different places that have come together to create this. STITCH: HOW DID YOU BEGIN DESIGNING AND MAKING YOUR JEWELRY? At first, I just began designing jewelry after spending years walking through the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul with my mom. I think the sellers at Grand Bazaar only create what they think will sell, but I wanted to create designs in a different way. Then, I began to go into workshops, where they put together the pieces, and it was amazing. I have been going for two years just observing and trying to learn the craft of jewelry designing, which really paid off. I began to make pieces on my own, and I’ve probably drawn 4,000 designs over the years. For the ones sold at GiGi Bottega, I have made sixty percent of them, and the rest I have designed and had shipped here from Turkey. It takes up to a day, at least eight hours, to create one piece, especially when you are working with gold. It’s a very long process, but very rewarding.
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STITCH: THE SEMI-PRECIOUS STONES INYOUR COLLECTION ARE GORGEOUS.WHERE DO YOU GETYOUR MATERIALS FROM? With many thanks to my family, I have had the great opportunity to travel. When I was little, I had stone collections from all the places I went. We went to South Africa and there was a river from which you could collect stones. I had two bucketfuls of stones, which now is all gone because I have made jewelry from them. I’ve also collected other stones from Cuba and my walks around the bazaar. One of the men I have worked with hooked me up with some Indian jewelers who have really high quality jewels, and we began shipping them to Turkey. My aunt also traveled to Vietnam and she used to send me handfuls of stones from there. STITCH: WHENEVERYOU CREATEYOUR PIECES DOYOU EVER HAVE AN IDEAL WOMAN (OR MAN) IN MIND? Well, maybe my biggest dream is Gossip Girl I always try to send my pieces to the jewelry designer on Gossip Girl. I don’t know, I’m crossing my fingers! I imagine this hip, New York girl who wants to make a statement and carries the jewelry well; that would be my ideal clientele. But I imagine that is a few years down the line! STITCH: I DEFINITELY THINK YOU WILL MAKE THAT HAPPEN! ON ANOTHER NOTE, HOW DO YOU BALANCE NORTHWESTERN AND RUNNING A BUSINESS? Over the summer, I was working at an internship, and that was hard since I would work late into the night and over the weekends trying to create my pieces. During the school year, it is mostly balancing inventory and really getting an idea of what Gina (owner of GiGi Bottega) wants and coloring my pieces to the season’s collection. In fact, not many of my friends even know I design and create jewelry. At the end it is really just something I love. I don’t try to make a profit off of my pieces, I just enjoy what I do and like to do it well. CHECK OUT MORE OF MAI JOLIE’S DESIGNS ON THE WEBSITE (MAIJOLIE.COM), ETSY, OR GIGI BOTTEGA, 612 DAVIS STREET, EVANSTON, IL. (847) 425-5158 15| stitch
PHOTO CREDIT: NICK ARCOS
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LUXURY FASHION IN
A NEW ERA OF MARKETING BY: EMERLY SOONG In eight years, Facebook has amassed 845 million global users. Recent news of its $100 billion IPO valuation reflects the market’s confidence for projected growth and Facebook’s strategy to continue sustainable user expansion and remain a digital staple in our lives. As social media usage accelerates and continues to affect every pocket of how we communicate and find information, luxury fashion houses are waking up to a brute realization: there needs to be a shift from traditional marketing strategy, once rooted in exclusivity, to a strategy that captures the very essence of social media, accessibility. Community brand building is the “new black” for marketing professionals in luxury fashion; web marketing strategies need to produce a marketing mix that resonates with the next generation of budding consumers known as Generation Y, with Web 2.0 as the main 17| stitch
integrated communicative portal forging two-way conversations. AN INTERSECTION BETWEEN ACCESSIBILITY AND EXCLUSIVITY Web 2.0 is the new Internet era that provides users different platforms to create and exchange content in real-time. Generation Y – current college students and young workers – has grown up with social media, chronicling a substantial part of their life’s experiences on Facebook Timeline, YouTube, and Twitter. According to Neilsen Norman Group, a research consultancy agency of consumer insights, 18-24 year olds are the highest demographic of Internet users spending time on social networks and blogs. Justifiably so, social networks and blogs allow us to connect and interact with others in ways that were impossible a decade ago. Everyone and everything is more accessible, and ironically
the online world has opened the doors to a more immersive experience than ever before. However, where Web 2.0 amplifies users’ ability to connect across and within various communities, it also reduces marketers’ power to control brand image and user generated content. For the luxury fashion industry, Web 2.0 poses a challenging threat to remain exclusive in an age of digital accessibility. Luxury fashion houses like Burberry, Louis Vuitton, and Chanel have reacted by hiring digital marketing professionals to create accessible, yet commanding and high-quality media content that still captures the intangible dream factor of the luxury industry. Slowly but surely, luxury houses are stamping their brands into the digital
stratosphere with engaging content that evoke elegance and poise. Burberry’s digital marketing strategy focuses on democratizing fashion and leverages social media to reach new and younger target consumers. Aligning its mission to “invest in under-penetrated markets,” Burberry Group has penetrated a wide-ranging portfolio of digital marketing channels, including Facebook, @Burberry Twitter, a branded YouTube channel, live streaming fashion shows, iPad retail technology, and Art of the Trench – Burberry’s own digital community that’s a “living document of the trench coat and the people who wear it,” allowing users to upload and share photos of themselves wearing the iconic coat. Suddenly, in creating this online community, the Group has fundamentally shifted its marketing power to its
SARTORIALIST SCOTT SCHUMAN AT WORK
PHOTO CREDIT: FLICKR CREATIVE COMMONS
CUPCAKES AND CASHMERE BLOGGER EMILY SCHUMAN
BURBERRY’S ART OF THE TRENCH
most loyal customers. The tables are turning where marketing success for luxury fashion lies in the hands of valuable customers, whose immense passion for the brand incites them to promote it through virtual word of mouth. On the Louis Vuitton Facebook Page, a recent video features behind the scenes footage of the Spring/Summer 2012 advertising campaign. Click the video’s play button and viewers are immediately transported into the exclusive lair of LV, “Marc Jacobs here, very happy to be on the shoot once again – we’re photographing the S/S 2012 collection which is reflected beautifully in this new ad campaign.” Navigate to @ LouisVuitton Twitter page and you’ll find a tweet that directs users to the same YouTube video. Luxury fashion houses like Louis Vuitton have integrated their social media channels in every Web 2.0 touch point. The focus is on a carefully curated and catered one-to-one 19| stitch
experience. Content that is different, yet integrated on the company website and blog, Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube allows users to explore and experience their own unique journey with the brand. In a comment to Bloomberg Businessweek, Chanel’s Global CEO Maureen Chiquet says, “Let’s not be thinking about how big we can make this [company], but about how exclusive and special you can keep it.” Importantly, though, Chanel knows that to keep its status as the paragon of luxury fashion, means to remain socially in-tune with Web 2.0. The company has consequently transferred its timeless brand identity onto the digital landscape. Immaculately coded in its black and white online design makeup, Chanel media is still luxurious, in a digital sense. Navigation is intuitive and the website experience is crisp and simple, allowing the user to funnel attention to Chanel’s beautiful campaign photos and consume
the robust content on Chanel News, the company blog. So when luxury fashion houses thought that social media would compromise their high-status brand identity, companies like Chanel provide a leading example that high-quality media content can still preserve the dream factor of luxury fashion and further amplify its brand identity into the cultural stratosphere. A REFINED LUXURY One of the main reasons that Generation Y embraces Web 2.0 is because it provides a hub for inspiration exchange. Popular style blogs like The Sartorialist and Cupcakes and Cashmere have gained a cult following because
they provide style inspiration for viewers. Moreover, successful style bloggers emphasize the meticulous attention to detail in which outfits are put together and presented in final form. These two elements – inspiration and high-quality – resonate in the digital world. It’s no surprise, then, that aspirationality and high-quality have re-emerged as the foci of luxury fashion. continued on page 54
BEST As the ginger-bearded men of ZZ Top once said, “Every girl’s crazy ‘bout a sharp dressed man.” And that is certainly true. But if you happen to be looking for such a man, most young women would not suggest starting your search on a college campus. But something’s been changing on campuses. The grossest of gray sweatpants are giving way to slim fitting
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MAN by Hanna Howard
dark jeans and ill-fitting t-shirts are ceding ground to crisp button-downs. More and more, college men are seemingly putting more effort into their wardrobes (though, let’s be real, it’s a slow process). So what’s behind this sartorial shift? We asked a Chicagobased menswear blogger and some well-dressed undergrads to figure out this man mystery.
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Seth Putnam, editor-in-chief of the smash hit blog The Midwestyle (themidwestyle.com), credits the internet for bringing men’s style to the forefront. “It brings so many more sources and examples,” Putnam said, “and a lot of that has to do with The Sartorialist and A Continuous Lean and menswear bloggers.” While the term “fashion blogger” might bring to mind a Jane Aldridge type, men have proved that they’re just as prolific in the style blogging world (and just as stylish). Menswear bloggers like Michael Collins (of the previously mentioned A Continuous Lean) and Lawrence Schlossman of Sartorially Inclined, How to Talk to Girls at Parties and myriad others, have introduced the world to well-turnedout men, American-made workwear 23| stitch
and Pitti Uomo. With an emphasis on quality over quantity, menswear bloggers have become the new style setters, many taking their own cues from mid-20th century aesthetics (see: every blog post about Steve McQueen/James Dean/Paul Newman – there are a lot of them). Though the blogging world can seem a little materialistic, Putnam insists that at least for the guys at The Midwestyle (he runs the yearold blog with two friends), it’s not really about the clothes. “Menswear shouldn’t just be about clothing; it shouldn’t be about having the coolest shit that everybody’s going to go nuts for on Twitter,” says Putnam. “It should be… about caring how you present yourself, and what kind of man you become.” The influence isn’t just spreading on the internet. For School of Communication senior Jackson Sinder (pictured), his main style inspirations are his girlfriend and 19-year-old brother. “I think I’m influenced by the people who are close to me,” says Sinder. “I try to take a little bit from both of them.” The film and creative writing major describes his style as “J.Crew mixed with urban wear,” which he achieves by shopping at places like Supreme, Uniqlo and J. Lindberg. For Sinder, spotted recently at Norbucks in a black and red check button-down and black cashmere sweater from Uniqlo, brown denim jeans from J. Lindberg and desert boots, the impetus to move past the typical college guy wardrobe of athletic gear was a desire to look more mature. “I pride myself on looking presentable” he says, noting that he doesn’t think the sweatpants to class look is totally acceptable. In contrast, Weinberg sopho-
point?” For many undergraduate men, the time and money that looking good takes might not seem worth it. But there are benefits to putting your best wingtip-clad foot forward. “Dressing well helps people take you seriously and I don’t think you can underestimate the confidence it gives you,” says Putnam. “When you look smart, you act smart.” And don’t forget: the ladies love it. There is indeed nothing in the world like a sharp-dressed man.
PHOTO CREDIT: NADINA GERLACH
more Luis Ferdinand Mann doesn’t think men need to put in that much effort. Though the Germany native’s casual look is more put together than most undergrads (he favors H&M and the Hugo Boss outlet in his hometown for shopping), he appreciates what he calls the “Midwestern attitude.” In contrast to European men, who he describes as more concerned with appearance and more fashion-aware, Mann says, “I think it’s nice that people here aren’t all worried about their looks and how they dress. They’re genuine in how they are and don’t try to dress like someone they’ve seen in an ad.” For Mann, who describes his look as “conservative, classic and a little bit preppy,” style seems to be just as much about how you’re wearing your clothing as much as what clothing you’re wearing. “You can have style in [sweatpants] just as much as you can in a suit,” Mann says. But let’s be honest, it’s a bit harder to look stylish in sweatpants when you’re wearing them to 9 a.m. discussion section. So what are some stylish go-tos for college men looking to up their style game? Sinder recommends staples like a peacoat, desert boots or Wallabees and solidcolored ties. He also suggests investing in a nice pair of dark jeans. “It’s worth it to splurge on jeans you can wear every day,” he says. Specifically, he recommends a pair of raw denim jeans from A.P.C. Likewise, Putnam suggests looking into a great blazer in navy or tweed, a good pair of shoes (like brown wingtips) and a wear-with-anything chambray oxford button-down. But even more important than certain items, says Putnam, is tailoring. “First thing is fit and that goes a hell of a long way. If you’re wearing a nice French cuff shirt and it doesn’t fit, what’s the
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March
2012
Watch the Throne
by Corinne White, Luke Vogelzang
All the Right Moves by Ben Breuner
What the Water Gave Me by Nick Arcos
WATCH TH
IF YOU’RE SMART,YOU’LL WATCH THESE WOMEN, WHO COULD VERY SOON A LIST OF SEVEN POWER WOMEN ON NORTHWESTERN’S CAMPUS—FR LEADERSHIP POSITIONS, HAVE SHOWN US THE
HE THRONE
N BE GIVING KANYE AND JAY A RUN FOR THEIR MONEY. WE’VE ASSEMBLED ROM ATHLETES TO EDITORS TO ACTRESSES—WHO, IN THEIR IMPRESSIVE E REAL MEANING OF SWAG. --CORINNE WHITE
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Maria: I’ve worked for the Daily since freshman year. I didn’t envision myself as editor-in-chief. It was really a gradual process. It’s been incredible because I’ve been able to make the changes I’ve always wanted to make since the beginning. Maura: The reason why I love DM is that it shows NU students and college students the amount of change they’re 29| stitch
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capable of achieving. It’s a year long event of raising money and awareness. Its amazing to look around the tent and see people changing other people’s lives. Gabi: I wasn’t interested in the Greek world when I first got here actually. I have met incredible women through Kappa. Kappa has been such an amazing support system that I wanted to give back to them. It’s been fantastic so far. We’re working towards making
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the Greek community the best it can be, and I’m so fortunate to work with such fantastic women. Stephanie: It’s been a great experience. Having the experience to play in the Big 10, one of the best conferences in the nation, is truly a once in
is that the ten theatre boards make up the organization. I elected to be the head of my theatre board Sit and Spin last year. I’ve been on Sit and Spin since freshman year and have many positions since then. Sit and Spin has been a huge part of my life at college.
a lifetime experience. Every day that you step on the court you’re playing against opponents who are going to push you. Tracey: The way that STUCO works
It’s been really cool to be on the administrative side of the theatre world on this campus. It’s been a great learning experience and fun as well. continued on page 33
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continued from page 30 Theatre has been such a big part of my experience here, and I’m so glad that I got the opportunity to kind of guide the group as a whole. I think the best part is getting to interact with the other heads of the boards. Everyone is so passionate. The main thing about student theatre, when you’re putting on over 50 shows a year, you’re giving amazing opportunities to so many kids they wouldn’t otherwise have. Erin: I’ve been a theatre major since I was a freshman and I care so much PLACE TO TRAVEL TO RIGHT NOW: FLORENCE, ITALY. FAVORITE MUSICAL/PLAY ANGELS IN AMERICA FAVORITE COLOR PURPLE. GO CATS! FAVORITE DESERT CHOCOLATE CHIP ICE CREAM 33| stitch
about our community. I’ve learned about how much work it takes to run this theatre department! I don’t think I realized it all til now—how much work goes on that’s unseen. Ala: My energy is pretty much equally between three organizations: Students for Justice in Palestine, Muslim Cultural Student Association, and the Model Arab League. The first is a political activist organization that aims to educate and shed light of the Palestinian conflict. I’m Palestinian, but most of the kids in the organization are not, which really speaks to the importance of the issue. For the second, I’m the ASG Senator. I really care about the quality of Muslim life on campus, which is becoming more and more prominent. And for Model Arab League, I am the conference chair. We recently won Most Outstanding
Delegation at a competition in Michigan, and we’re going to Georgetown to compete at Nationals spring quarter. STITCH: IN A PERFECT WORLD, WHERE WOULD YOU BE IN TEN YEARS? Maria: I’m not sure job-wise, but I would say I’d be living in either Boston, New York or D.C. Hopefully with my siblings will be close by and I’ll be working for some publication. I’d love to be making a living writing in some capacity. Maura: I’m a journalism editor. I would love to be an editor of a major magazine in New York. I’ll hopefully have a book written by then. I hope I’m surrounded by people that make me happy and push me to do bigger and better things. Ala: I’d like to be a practicing lawyer in international law. In my heart, I would be in Palestine. Gabi: Hopefully I’ll be working and have a successful job! Maybe I’ll be married, we’ll see! I’ll probably go back to Boston, or somewhere on the East Coast. Maybe I’ll go to South Africa! Or Paris. I could decide to be a struggling artist and eat macarons all day. FAVORITE DM SNACK? FRUIT GUSHERS [...] THE ONLY TIME I CONSUME THEM IS DM, SO THEY’RE VERY SPECIAL! SONG TO DANCE TO? RIGHT NOW: CALL YOUR GIRLFRIEND BY ROBYN.
FAVORITE PUBLICATION NEW YORK TIMES. CHILDHOOD MOVIE? FATHER OF THE BRIDE BEST EVANSTON MEAL? ANYTHING FROM BAT-17 FAVORITE MOVIE THE NOTEBOOK SPIRIT ANIMAL? GIRAFFE FAVORITE FOOD HUMMUS
Stephanie: I want to stay in the Chicagoland area. I’m really close with my family, so I want to stay somewhere in Illinois. My hope is to play on the Olympic team, but in ten years I’ll be 29, so that’s pushing it! If I make the Olympic team, I’m guessing I won’t be on it until I’m 29. Of course I’d like to, and there are players who play professionally for that long, but I don’t know if my body could handle it. Erin: I’m kind of at a crossroads right now because I don’t know exactly what I wanted to. I’d like to be working for a production company in Los Angeles. Tracey: I would be working as an actor in Los Angeles. I would love to be on a sitcom. HISTORICAL FIGURE? MARIE ANTOINETTE. MY 18TH BIRTHDAY PARTY WAS A MARIE ANTOINETTE PARTY. AESTHETICALLY, THAT’S MY JAM. FAVORITE BLOG(S)
GALADARLING.COM, LUXIRARE.
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FOOTWEAR GETS FIERCE WHEN YOU KNOW
ALL THE
RIGHT MOVES
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PHOTOGRAPHED BY: BEN BREUNER MODELS: JOLO AGUILAR (MEAS 14), MEG MORRISEY(SOC 12). STYLING: ERIN CAMPBELL HAIR/BEAUTY: BRIANNA KEEFE CLOTHING AND SHOES: GOLD TUNIC, $38; GAP SHORTS, $64.50; BODY SUIT, $38.50; SMALL BEIGE DRESS $42.50. ALL REST, MODEL AND STYLIST’S OWN www.stitchfashion.com | 40
what the water gave me
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THIS PAGE: BLUE RING, $60. MULTISTONE RING, $65. TURQUOISE/GOLD THREE STRAND NECKLACE, $20. BRACELETS, MODEL’S OWN. OPPOSITE: BEADED NECKLACE $18. UNLESS SPECIFIED, ALL JEWELRY FROM: GIGI BOTTEGA, 612 DAVIS ST., EVANSTON, IL. , 847-425-5158
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by: Nick Arcos Models: Manuela Garces (WCAS 14), Valentina Garces (SOC 14). Styling: Erin Campbell Hair/Beauty: Brianna Keefe Clothing and Accessories: Model and Stylist’s Own
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TO LISTEN
MUSIC TO LOOK OUT FOR
BY MATT GROSINGER
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LOVE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA, 3/6 THE MAGNETIC FIELDS Stephin Merritt is an artisan with an inimitable talent for songcrafting. Love at the Bottom of The Sea will mark his 10th album with the rest of the Magnetic Fields and stands as a testament to his preternatural creative output. A virtuoso to be sure, Merritt is a raconteur whose lyrics provide some of the most peculiar and least self conscious details for the sake of coloring a story --“Andrew in Drag,” for example, is about confronting feelings for a cross-dressing acquaintance. But whether you call Bottom of the Sea a concept album or a collection of off-brand anecdotes, the Magnetic Fields are always about the precision of poetics. BLACK RADIO, Out Now THE ROBERT GLASPER EXPERIMENT Robert Glasper fucking hates contemporary pop. “The collective dumbing down of our music is the greatest tragedy we can impose on generations to follow“ ...see? Dissatisfied with the what he perceives as a formulaic and staid approach to Hip-Hop, R&B, and Jazz, Glasper has gone the way of the Roots and integrated fragments
4. The Magnetic Fields “Andrew in Drag” 5. Flatbush Zombies “Thug Waffle” 6. AlunaGeorge “You Know You Like It” 7. Odd Future “Rella”
8. Andrew Bird “Desperation Breeds” 9. Julia Holter “In the Same Room” 10. New Order “Age of Consent”
TOP 10
1. Metronomy “The Look” 2. The Robert Glasper Experience “Black Radio” 3. Kendrick Lamar “Cartoon & Cereal”
from each genre to produce what he thinks contemporary music should sound like. Its the kind of music that makes avid music fans scramble for the right word, even though one does not likely exist. How could it for an album that cohesively compiles spoken word performance with a vocodered cover of “Smells Like Teen Spirit?” BREAK IT YOURSELF, 3/6 ANDREW BIRD Something a little strange always comes over me if I put on an Andrew Bird LP, and I can’t help feeling like I am back at sleep away camp around “mellowtime” (10:00 PM) when the appropriate way to show appreciation for a performance is by snapping or rubbing both palms together --apparently clapping wasn’t mellow enough. So if you catch me listening to Break it Yourself you might be alarmed to see a grown man in a transfixed fit of snapping. His knack for looping mesmerizing violin arpeggios and whistling in vibrato has become a trademark at this point in Bird’s career, but its never a recipe with stale results. Its so easy to get lost in his instrumentation --see above-- despite how inaccessible his playing style might sound in any synopsis. I like to think that for how classically hued Bird’s compositions are, they are always as approachable as campfire songs.
TO STAY
THE JAMES BY JESSICA KANE
To be totally honest, I would be a bit more than slightly irritated if two 21-year-old girls arrived bubbly and chatty for checkin on a Friday night at 2 am. But The James Hotel in downtown Chicago remained patient and efficient while ensuring an enjoyable one-night stay.Though the exterior seemed to be unimpressive, the quick trip through the interior was simple, modern and clean and instantly starts your experience on the right track.
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The rooms were a bit cramped but crisp and welcoming, with large, plush white bedding that basically invites you to sleep in it. Collaborating with the Asha salon has its perks; the amenities were high quality and the bathrooms were spacious and spa-inspired. The iPod speakers and magazine selection kept me entertained without the flat screen TV they provided. Though I didn’t have a chance to dine in one of the restaurants, the reviews remain outstanding and are reasons themselves to travel to Ontario and Rush. Located a block off Michigan Avenue, shopping and restaurants were easily accessible and the room pays for itself if only for the location. Whether for parents visiting from out of town or an impromptu decision to get off campus for a night, The James comes highly recommended for its service, accommodating attitude and flexibility. This evening was not one I’m going to forget and I will be dreaming about The James until I have another reason to stay there. PHOTO CREDIT: FLICKR CREATIVE COMMONS
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TO EAT
THE HUNGRY SHOPPER BY CORINNE WHITE
Sometimes I want to call the Magnificent Mile the Monotonous Mile: chain after chain after chain. The hungry Michigan Avenue shopper looking for a reasonably priced meal is faced with standard restaurants you can find anywhere. If you’re looking for a more unique dining experience (with a similar price point to those chains you’d usually go to), you don’t have to travel far. IF YOU’RE SHOPPING AT:
NORDSTROM, FOREVER 21 Avoid: Nordstrom Café, Buca di Beppo Go:
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PURPLE PIG Directly next to Nordstrom, this “cheese, wine, and swine” spot serves just that in an intimate, communal table environment. Named a “Top 10 Best New Restaurant in America” by Bon Appetit magazine. HANNAH’S BRETZEL They’ve injected freshness into the sandwich scene by adding a signature organic pretzel bun.
IF YOU’RE SHOPPING AT:
URBAN OUTFITTERS, PATAGONIA Avoid: Corner Bakery, Chipotle, Big Bowl Go:
FEAST When this Bucktown restaurant opened a second location near Michigan Avenue, shoppers (and Gold Coast twenty-somethings) flocked to it with zeal.Where are you going to find better oatmeal pancakes? I still haven’t found anywhere. LUXBAR The hostesses may look like models, but their menu is nothing but snooty. With an emphasis on quality home cooking, Luxbar has something for everyone: salads, sliders, steaks, fish, and your standard bar food that’s anything but standard. Stay for a happening happy hour. 51| stitch
IF YOU’RE SHOPPING AT:
THE APPLE STORE, THE GAP Avoid: Potbelly, Panera, Subway Go:
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VIAND You’ll appreciate little touches like whole-wheat buns, handcut fries, and homemade chocolate éclairs. Viand has a classic New York feel, with crimson booths and drapery. FOX AND OBEL CAFÉ This Streeterville favorite is almost too good to be true.Always busy (but the line moves fast) order the “bocconcini with wild mushrooms, tossed with extra-virgin olive oil, oven roasted tomatoes, and spinach and parmigiano reggiano”…for ten dollars.
IF YOU’RE SHOPPING AT:
WATER TOWER, TOPSHOP
L’APPETITO Right next to the Cheescake Factory, this underdog deli serves fresh-made sandwiches and gelato, with a mini-grocery store stocked with items you can usually only find in Italy. BAR TOMA This newly-opened Tony Mantuano (of President Obama favorite Spiaggia) eatery churns out Italian-style pizzas so good you know they had to come out of a Mantuano-made kitchen. Save room for the fresh mozzarella bar and house-made gelato.
PHOTO CREDIT: FLICKR CREATIVE COMMONS
Avoid: Foodlife, Cheesecake Factory, Wow Bao Go:
www.stitchfashion.com | 52
6 WAYS TO TIE 1
HEAD SCARF: Begin by folding the scarf diagonally into a triangle and rolling from the long side until it resembles a tube. Place the center of the scarf on the back of your head with one end in each hand and bring the ends to your forehead. Twist the ends around so that it winds up on the opposite side, and pull them to the back, securing the ends in a knot.
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3 TUBE TOP: Worn with a skirt or pants, this style allows you to create your own shirt. Fold the scarf diagonally, making a triangle. Tie the long ends together behind your back, leaving the edge of the triangle hanging below your stomach. Fold the end in or leave it exposed.
5 SIMPLE NECK WRAP: This look is paired best with blazers and plain t-shits and adds a bit of pizzazz to your ensemble. Take opposite corners and tie them behind your neck, slightly resembling a bandana. 53| stitch
2 HALTER TOP: Take two ends next to each other and tie them behind your neck, leaving some space to avoid immobility. Tie the last two ends together at the base of your back. Looks best tucked into a skirt or pants.
4 HEADBAND: Begin with the same process as the head scarf, by folding it diagonally into a triangle and rolling it up to be a long tube. Then place the center at the crown of your head and tie the ends under your hair and voila, a headband!
6 FALSE KNOT: Fold opposite ends diagonally into a triangle and place the edge behind your neck, holding the two ends. Secure them with a rubber band or by tying them together.
TEXT: JESSICA KANE, ILLUSTRATIONS: SOPHIE JENKINS
A SCARF
GET INVOLVED! STITCH IS CURRENTLY LOOKING FOR FILMMAKERS AND GRAPHIC DESIGNERS. APPLY TODAY AT STITCHFASHION. COM UNDER ABOUT US.
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Artist Ji Kim from Luxirare, a clothing and gastronomy blog, reinterprets luxury as a meticulously curated presentation that renews the past through modern-day technology and incorporation of best materials, producing something that is truly rare. A bit of a counterculture personality, Kim emphasizes the beauty of Web 2.0 in challenging traditional interpreters of luxury. Luxury is no longer about high price tags or rarity in terms of limited collection capsules, Kim explains on her blog, because they convey little value in the digital world. Luxury is about an unwavering commitment to creativity, highest quality, and
amount of time needed to produce something extraordinarily refreshing. Photos of her branded Luxirare clothing and edible creations are artfully captured and expose every thoughtful detail of production, reflecting the immense time invested into every project. As a result, viewers are able to identify her products as luxury items and are able to take inspiration from them. “It is an intellectual capacity for continual renewal, the ability to break new ground in ‘aspirationality’ which generates the prime opportunity for a brand to be a true interpreter or luxury,” say Erica Corbellini and Stefania Saviolo in Managing Fashion and Luxury Companies, co-authors and Professors of Managing Fashion and Luxury Companies and Professors of Master in Fashion, Experience & Design Management at Bocconi University in Milan. Maintaining the dream factor in luxury fashion means to remain relevant wherever culture is, which rests in online media now. Luxury companies engage us with high-quality content so that we continue to be moved and inspired by their brand. Ironically, as luxury fashion houses open their doors to the notion of accessibility in social media, they remain exclusive as ever before. A lot has changed in terms of marketing strategy, but little has changed in terms of the true essence of luxury. www.stitchfashion.com | 54
LAST WORD
our fashion footprint BY IMANI MIXON
It’s 3012 and a troop of archeologists goes on a dig. Not for historical records or data, but rather for the remnants of fashion’s past. The fifties had penny loafers and poodle skirts, the sixties had leather fringe vests, the seventies had bell-bottoms, the eighties had neon spandex and the nineties had Kurt Cobain grunge and Calvin Klein minimalism. But recently, I found myself asking, “how will future generations define the 00’s?” Whereas past decades are easily definable, the 00’s seem to be a smorgasbord of fleeting fancies. Can we define the past decade, and if so, how? Enter the fictional archaeology hunt for ‘00s fashion.
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his group of archaeologists will explore New York, Los Angeles, Milan, and Paris. After a few days of digging, they unearth obnoxiously tall heels with red soles, slim-fitting denim pants, a hat with a large bill that apparently snaps in the back to adjust the size, and a never-ending circle of gauzy fabric that was probably worn on the necks of their ancestors to brave the cold. Would these finds be cohesive enough to merit a signature ‘00s look? Our generation revels in the idea of successfully recreating vintage looks while claiming an unmatched ability to spark new trends. We have borrowed Audrey Hepburn’s signature drainpipe jeans and called them skinny jeans, renamed the grungy look of the 90s by referring to it as hipster, and some girls have even snatched the leather slippers typically worn by ballerinas and incorporated them into ev55| stitch
eryday wear. Fashion is an inherently duplicative field that borrows from and enhances other art forms. With these cyclic tendencies, it’s hard to discern if this generation has offered anything that is authentically and rightfully our own. Perhaps our generation will be applauded for its ability to mesh varying strands of fashion into a common thread that result in cohesive looks that we proudly call originals. When future generations dig through the style archives, they will see that we were a swaggedout generation—or at least I like to think so. Thanks to our slightly vain tendency of regularly uploading images of our outfits, they will be provided with a veritable style encyclopedia. Perhaps the speed of the digital revolution explains why we have such rapid turnover with different trends. If nothing else, this generation has thoroughly documented our experience with fashion and forged a personalized, yet widely diffused, relationship with style.