Thursday was packed with so much fun and fabulousness that, although details are to be published in the near future, I can’t help but to share with you guys now an exclusive sneak peek from the shooting of our first ever video segment! I spent the entire day interviewing top Chicago designers and creators of brands such as SWABY, Archer Townsend, and Atelier Azza for a new video series brought to you all by Chicagoings.com and ChiTownFashionista.com. If you’re unfamiliar with the latter, do yourself a favor and check it out! Its founder, Nikia Jefferson, is determined to provide local designers with a platform from which to shine. That’s a cause I can definitely get behind as a lover of local businesses!
SWABY creator Shernett Swaby was kind enough to let me, Consultant and Social Media Expert Gabriel Charles Tyler, and our film crew crash her showroom and workshop where she makes every single, individual, piece of her collection by hand. WHO DOES THAT ANYMORE!? This is haute couture. By meticulously selecting the fabrics and personally creating each item, SWABY is one of the few standing couture brands as more designers are cheating the technique in favor of cheaper overseas manufacturing. Her perfectionist standards take nothing away from her down-to-earth demeanor. What an amazingly fortunate way to start the day!
Next, we stopped by the space of Archer Townsend, located in Chicago’s West Loop. Creators Brandi Archer and James Townsend have the chemistry of an old married couple. Their creations flow as effortlessly as their communication style. Think Rihanna’s edgy casual panache in luxurious silks and model fibers. Wearing Archer Townsend feels like wearing nothing at all – while looking like a million bucks. You don’t need a million bucks to love the brand, however. Price points are in the low to mid-range making this name a favorite for all! If we weren’t dying of hunger by this point in the day, we would’ve worn out our welcome chatting with James and Brandi and playing in their closet.
Lunch Break at Little Goat. Gotta love those ‘Wing Syle’Burgers!
Don’t you hate when guests arrive early to your party? Nothing’s set up, you’re still running around half dressed cooking and cleaning, first impressions are out the door, and panic sets in. Well, that’s exactly what we did to Azeeza Khan. Oops! Although, being this the big night of her store’s grand opening at The Shops at North Bridge (520 N Michigan Ave), she was surprisingly collected and indeed completely (and stunningly) dressed in her own creation. Premiering her 2012 collection at Mercedes- Benz Fashion Week in New York and now having her own store on Chicago’s famous Magnificient Mile, Atelier Azza is a brand living in the fast lane. For the confidently glamorous, show stopping details make each gown, jacket, collar, or clutch distinctively unique. No other name looks like Atelier Azza, and no one will look like you do while wearing this name. On one of the biggest nights of her career, Azeeza was kind enough take a break, sit with me, and discuss everything from Cub vs. Sox to pasta with potato chips (fareals!). Her grand opening party was pure perfection with every single detail adding to the fun of the festivities. Champagne and truffles from Chicago’s Vosges, anyone?
Stay tuned for the official video!
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All photos from @chicagoings and @gabrielcharlestyler on Instagram.