the Gamma Player arrives

Me, Kristina, and Yoko Uozumi.

My sweater is Odeur, a swedish designer, courtesy of Gamma Player.

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It was just recently I was invited to our dear friend's shop, Gamma Player, for a spring collection viewing. Gamma Player is an avante-garde clothing store in Wicker Park that was started by Yoko Uozumi and her renowned DJ husband Jeff Mills. The store specialized in carrying brands exclusively in the U.S. out of Europe and Japan, like Henrik Vibskov and Hussein Chalayan. Gamma Player is the best in Chicago for specialty avante-garde garments. The interior itself is a chic, minimal, dark space, brought to life by the beautiful clothing and soothing house tracks by Mills. Jeff and Yoko are both so sweet and share incredible style and class. They generously asked me to write a newsletter for them linking their merchandise to the current Spring trends. That fun project is on the way.

The special viewing showed beautiful men's and women's collections that could no doubt be worn by either sex. Every piece was unique and out of the ordinary for this Spring. Organic fibers, digital prints, and minimalism were beautiful trends I could spot out of this progressive space. I met some really fabulous people and the viewing was very lovely, Congratulation to Jeff and Yoko!

Visit Gammaplayer.com to learn more about Gamma Player, or visit their exquisite store at 2034 West Division Street.

You're in for something amazing.

clouds. chains. and leather.

Just as we get excited about Spring, bright colors and warmth, It's time to look to the future, as is usual in fashion. The Fall 2010 season was packed full of beautiful collections, to no doubt be seen on the beautiful fashion crowd as well as on the city streets. These five were my favorite of the season.

1) Rodarte

Kate and Laura's Rodarte collection was ghastly and magical, girls glided out in Mexican adornment like ghosts through the Sierra. Editors left the show silent, mesmerized. Bringing glassy attendees to tears.

2) Celine

Phoebe Philo, designer for Celine, has an aesthetic that seems to be everywhere. Minimalist, beautiful, clean clothing has never seemed so fresh and utterly cool.

3) Rick Owens

'Cult of nuns' said Rick Owens about his new collection. Mixing the severity of Christian robes, tribal aspects, and his neo-gothic beauty made for a stunning result. Never have nuns looked so fierce.

4) Mary Katrantzou

Mary Katrantzou, a progressive London designer, has hit it out with her technological prints season after season. This time around, her futuristic signature was brought back to the victorian era with applique lace and ruffly layers. Her witty mix seemed so odd it came off new and completely beautiful. Lovely.

5) Givenchy

Riccardo Tisci is one of the most religious of designers, translating his Catholic beliefs into his beautiful yet dark design aesthetic. Tisci's collection for Fall 2010 was a mark of territory, strong and severe, with asymmetrical silhouettes and blood colors. His tense clothing makes women feel powerful, giving Givenchy top ranks on the runway and in retail stores every season. I couldn't help but add an extra picture. Bravo.

Now for my three least favorite.

1) Blumarine

Italian label Blumarine is so unbelievably horrifying I can't even believe I'm mentioning it on my blog. The company's image, from their badly styled ad campaigns to endangered lizard boots are beyond tacky. Their Fall show was no exception.

2) Balmain

Balmain is a fashion label that relies solely on It's young wealthy clientele to support their offensive + $20,000 price points. The rocker 80's vibe was cool four seasons ago, but today, when the words are 'clean' and 'minimal', tacky party dresses just don't do it. I mean really? purple and gold? no thanks.

3) Emanuel Ungaro

Ungaro was just ugly.

Recycle me

. ::: '''......"~~~"....''' ::: .

Recently, I was generously invited to The Re-make 2010 Chicago fashion show to take notes and pictures for this here blog. The Re- Make show held the collections of ten Chicago-based designers who all constructed their looks out of recycled materials. The clothing was very nice, but the group of the people I encountered were less then friendly. Taking the chance at this 'fashion show' to seem more important than others, and not grasp the fun aspect of this unique concept. The so-called afterparty gave off snobby attitude as well. I, however, ignored them and focused on what I was there for. The designers I think overall did a good job on constructing looks out of these given materials, although some were a little lackluster. Most of the garments were oddly fitted and plainly styled, leaving the overall look more dry then inspiring. I think when working with such a great theme, and array of materials, It's important to bring drama to your look in some way. Especially when working 'green', the environment is such an active theme all around our cities that these clothes should inspire. My favorite looks and designers did somehow incorporate dramatic elements inspired by recycled materials into their looks. Some of the best included.

1) Yungchen Palden,

a nine year older fashion designer who modeled her own look constructed out of second hand dresses, ponchos and sweaters. I met her at the after- party and she was a delight.

2) Team, Amalia Buisson and Sarah Marguier.

whom both came to Chicago from Europe. One studying at SAIC and the other designing costumes and puppets at Redmoon Theatre. There collection was my favorite and the most dramatic. Their looks were inspired by the shapes and colors found in everyday waste, the garments were made out interesting elements like organic waste, branches, tea bags, and plastic. Their overall effect was very avante-garde which is an aesthetic I respond to very well.

3) Ally Greaves,

a talented costume designer, designed a collection from thrift store finds . Her looks were very nice, wearable while still seeming innovative. My favorite looks included lacey doily dresses and skirt constucted out of vintage ties. All of her models strutted out with mellow head pieces and teetering shoes, her collection gave me a bit of vintage McQueen which I liked allot. Good Job.

Other great pieces included a poufy skirt embroidered with paisly pattern, quite beautiful. A mellow white evening number, styled with chains and white fur, totally Gucci. As well as a brown jumper embroidered with thrifted doilies, which was very whimsicle. Overall the show was fun and witty, the concept I loved, and the clothes were nice, beauty and music making up for lack of styling and fit from some designers. But sour attitudes made the show stuffy and the after party even more so, snobby bartender refused drink orders and most people involved with the show appeared when I left an hour later. The evening was overall a fun celebration of fashion, and the nice people and clothes I did see made up for the rest. Although I do still wish I took pictures from the "After Party". I hope they continue this tradition in the future, because I will always gladly support anything that remains eco- friendly and fabulous at the same time.

Adorable Yungchen Palden

Moi in the background.

... on the setting sun ...

A film by Rodarte in collaboration with artist Todd Cole. Enjoy