Street Style, Chicago: 2011

As you may have noticed I didn't post anything on Monday or Tuesday.  Lately I have felt like this blog formate is limiting my creativity.  To balance this feeling I decided to post a little less, so I have time to create and see where this project takes me.  

Street Style, Chicago: 2011

This heat is amazing, I don't think I have ever felt this hot!  It's too hot to even think of drawing more clothes on my cartoon self, so here is a street look I saw in Millennium Park.  Its a halter dress with the back exposed.  The real woman I saw wearing it also had this viney tattoo on her back, so I thought I would draw that as well.  Here's too keeping cool this weekend!   

Heat Wave lyrics (irving berlin)

We're having a heat wave,

A tropical heat wave,

The temperature's rising,

It isn't surprising,

She certainly can can-can.

She started a heat wave

By letting her seat wave

In such a way that

The customers say that

She certainly can can-can.

Gee, her anatomy

Makes the mercury

Jump to ninety-three.

We're having a heat wave,

A tropical heat wave,

The way that she moves

That thermometer proves

That she certainly can can-can.

Street Style, Chicago: 2011

Went to a Burger fest this past weekend, no one really stood out except for this little lady.  I love that for her a butterfly collar is the perfect thing to wear when eating a burger.  Very Janeane Garofalo from Reality Bites.  

Street Style, Washington D.C. Spring 2011

Not only did I go to Maine, but I also found myself in D.C. last week attending, presenting, and selling comics at AATA national conference.  It was my first time presenting at the national conference and my first time ever selling comics, both experiences caused me to be excited and nervous at the same time.  Below are some shots of my wares.  I made a "kit and kaboodle" kit, which included 5 art therapy themed comics.  I was so happy when I sold out of these.  I think the best part of the experience was seeing people read the comic and hearing how they relate to them.  It reaffirmed for me that what I thought were personal feelings, thoughts, and questions are really universal and relatable to most.  I am inspired to make more!   If you can't wait to get your hands on my goods, check out my etsy store.

I kept reminding myself to not focus on sales, but to be proud of the fact that I made it to this point.  Two years ago when I started this series, I never knew where it would take me...I still don't, but I am enjoying the journey.

Another first in D.C. was seeing some killer style.  I always associated D.C. with suits and was surprised to see some girls walking around with a sense of style worthy of this blog (I kid, I kid more like worthy of Sartorialist).  Friends and I went for a marathon walk around the Mall and other monuments.  I saw the above number while visiting the Lincoln Memorial.  The wearer was speaking french and apparently has a thing for stripes and bows.  

out of focus...sorry.  I was so excited when I had my first sale that I took a picture of me and my amazing first customer (recent SAIC grad)

Street Style, Chicago Spring 2011

Back in Chicago, I feel like I have been gone for months. I'm not sure why this look makes me think of Henri Rousseau's paintings, but it does...so enjoy as I get back into the swing of things and create more looks and drawings.  Thanks to all in D.C. for the support if anything that conference reminded me how universal thoughts can be and how even simple drawings can make connections.

Street Style, Chicago Spring 2011

tucked in tank top, puffed out boxers, black socks with sandals...all color coordinated, you can't make this stuff up.  This look is a great example of how the combination of items and how they are worn makes up one's style.  How by choosing to tilt, sag, and tuck changes standard items of clothing into a style choice.  

Street Style, Chicago Spring 2011

This was an adorable site at the lake a couple of weeks ago.  This little girl was jumping in the frigid water of Michigan Lake and brought along what I assume is her favorite stuffed animal.  The tiger was all soaking wet and she looked like she was having a blast.  Great style and attitude must be documented.  

Street Style, Chicago Spring 2011

I am officially on vacation.  Wahoo!  I did so much art prep, so I didn't have to worry about my blog and so I was ready to sell comics at a conference that I don't know if I have the energy to make art on my vacation, which is what I have been dreaming about for weeks.  

And if you are wondering, yes I really saw a woman with this many (plus some) blow up pool toys walking around by the lake trying to sell them.  I can't even imagine having non-breathable plastic touching my skin for hours.  It was an amazing site.  If only she was a hipster, it could of been a performance piece. 

And for your ever expanding art mind....

These images come from installations done by Jason Hackenwerth who's medium of choice is balloons.  I wonder if he is for hirer for a kid's party, he would make amazing party hats.  Gives you a Dale Chihuly feel, right?  Also makes me think if you buy one of his pieces and a balloon pops does he come by and replace it?  Jason please leave a comment we are all dying to know....maybe I can introduce you to the balloon-selling lady by the lake and you can design a way for her to carry her wears.

Street Style, Chicago spring 2011

It seemed like a great idea when I saw that Iron and Wine was playing FREE at Millenium park, well apparently the rest of Chicago thought it was a great idea.  I have never seen the park that crowded! It was  intense and to make matters worse I forgot my phone at home, so I couldn't find my friends that I was meeting there.  Whats a girl to do?  At one point I was giving up hope of finding them, so I decided to just take some pictures of street style that I could use for this blog.  Here is one of those shots.  kudos to the little lady for balancing out a string bikini top with long shorts and sneakers, which made it less "I'm trying to be a sex kitten" and more "you got a problem with this top, go *##* yourself".

Now grab your tissue box....this blog is going to be not as consistent these next couple of weeks because I am going on vacation and right after that going to a conference, so be patient fellow readers I will do the best I can, but my determination to have a post everyday may kill me...to stay sane I have to break my golden rule and post less, so I can focus on other things at the moment. sorry

Street Style, Chicago spring 2011

 

This past weekend I was fortunate enough to attend and co-plan a roof top party, which requested guests to wear hats.  I am still riding on the fumes of the royal wedding, so this opportunity was a dream come true.  At the party we set up a photo backdrop where guests could be documented wearing their hat, its the type of thing photo dorks do when they throw a party.

Anyway this gentleman was a guest at the party, who didn't wear an outlandish hat like Princess Beatrice, but did have many elements (arm tattoos, hat, puffy fox tail), which when combined made me take notice.  This whole idea of "the elements in one look" is interesting to me because take away the fox tail or the hat and you have just a plain shirt and jeans. Now add back the hat and fox tail and you can get a sense of the individual.  I have found that is what interests me the most in documenting street style the coming together of elements, the choices an individual makes, and how that combination can begin to express a personality. 

So bravo fox tail man, I salute you.

Street Style, Chicago spring 2011

It was so exciting to have stumbled upon this coat on the streets of Chicago.  There is this terrible imbalance to seeing interesting unexpected things in real life vs. the runway.  Not many people (me included) step outside the cultural comfort zone when it comes to dressing, its great to see someone who has the courage to break up the mundane.  This coat had so much floral pattern detail and a fur trim color to boot! It really reminded me of some old tapestry you would find hanging in a den full of books, with that "full of old books" smell.  The lady probably had been wearing the coat for years and didn't even know that finding inspiration from interiors, especially busy prints is all over the runway this season  ....that is according to the wall street journal

"What's interesting is that the fashion world is giving wallpaper something of a second wind. "Wallpaper has been saturated in terms of interiors," said set designer Stefan Beckman. "But I think now fashion designers are looking at those kinds of prints in different ways to reinterpret them." Wall Street Journal, Meenal Mistry

Street Style, Chicago Spring 2011

I saw this look a while back while walking down Damen in Wicker Park.  I was window shopping as I went and saw this woman standing by the counter, she was summer on top with her hat and sundress and spring on the bottom with her hunter boots.  

Street Style, Chicago Spring 2011

I stalked this Dick Blick worker, so I could study his look, which is hard to do without looking obvious.  Stalk is probably a strong word...I only spent a few minutes doing it, not like I stalked him for days or anything. I was just really mesmerized by his bangs, that covered his eyes and I don't know how he saw anything.  Plus he had on patchwork denim pants...I don't see many of those these days.  

All this talk about stalking makes me think of Sophie Calle.  One of my favorite photographers.  I guess you could sum up her work as looking at identity, documenting, and intimacy.  In her early work she would follow strangers around Paris and photograph them.  She was interested in thinking about and trying to figure out her subjects identities based on the information and choices they made.  

                                          

I think there is a similar dream like thinking that I do when I spot some street style that I feel compelled to drawing.  I find myself looking for clues in their style choices for glimpses of their identity.  If you had to dream up an identity for a 20 something who's eyes are covered by bangs and who likes wearing patchwork denim pants what would it be?????  If anything I think he would be in a band.

Street Style, Chicago Spring 2011

This is another street shot, of a little girl I saw in Wicker Park, who had a great balance of mixed patterns.  I have been thinking that if I was 8 years old making these drawings I would have a lot more followers at this point.  I could be the new Tavi.  Is it to late to lie about my age not by 5, but by 20 years?  Who would ever know. I could hire a kid actor to act like me during interviews.  Hmmmmm...evil plotting.....

Street Style, Chicago Spring 2011

I have never seen someone rock an eye patch like this 4/5 year old girl, who I saw downtown.  Not really an eye patch, more of an eye cover.  She also had glasses.  There is something about little kids wearing glasses that make my heart go pitter patter.  This girl really was a styling tot with her skinny jeans, moccasins, and zebra sweater!

Street Style, Chicago Spring 2011

Seen at SAIC's spring art sale.  The tights and oversized scarf sold the look for me.  While I am ready for summer, I will miss the fact that it will be too hot to wear fun tights.  They make biking in a skirt or dress possible.  

Street Style, Chicago Spring 2011

This past weekend was a busy weekend for artsy people in Chicago.  Not only was it SAIC's MFA opening, but it also was Art Chicago, an art fair where you can look and buy art from around the world.  It is insanely overwhelming and can only get more insane by being a mad women and not only trying to soak up the art, but also make sure to document and take note of any unusual style.  I saw this guy a couple of times and finally thought it was divine intervention who wanted me to take notice.  He really confused me because he wore a motorcycle helmet the whole time.  Is it possible that he, like me is growing out his hair and is embarrassed by the in between stage?  Also why did he only have on one red sock?  Strange thing, but some how he fit right in at Art Chicago, there is truly a place for everyone in this world, which reminds me of a classic song from "Pete's Dragon".

Street Style, Chicago SS 2011

This past weekend was the opening for SAIC's MFA show.  Peter went for the art, I went to spot some style.  Whats great about such events, is they are so crowded nobody notices if you take pictures and if they do everyone thinks you are just photographing the art.  Here is one look that caught my eye because of the fur bag.  It almost looked homemade, like the woman had scraps of fur or faux fur and sewed them together to make a oversized bag.  I like how her colorful key chain hung outside of the bag, clashing perfectly with the fur.  

Street Style, Chicago: 2011

Far from yesterday couture post, here is some 90's grunge style which is all over the place these days.  I believe it will become the art school uniform for the season.  Why its easy, comfy, cheap, and requires a hat to hid one's greasy hair.  This is another street style post and a first look at style from behind.  If her tights weren't ripped my cartoon self probably wouldn't be wearing her look.  It just gives the look an extra push in some imaginary style/inspiration direction.  Not that I am ripping all my tights, in fact I still get really upset when they tear, which happens often because I am tall and sometimes try to squeeze into too short of tights, damn legs.

Street Style, Chicago spring 2011

So to follow up with my ever broadening search and interest in seeing identity through style I have decided to expand my series and begin looking at not just runway, but street style.  Again I am not so interested in documenting the fashion forward people as I am in documenting any individual, male or female, child or adult who's style shares a story and expresses something.  So to start things off....


                                                         

I saw this girl walking in wicker park.  The best part about her was that her lime green hair matched her lime green head phones. From a far I couldn't tell what was going on with her legs, but as she got closer I noticed she had on funky tights.