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Studio-808 Designers
Kissing corporate America goodbye to chase a dream, Julie Schwanbeck launched jules in 2007. The eponymous jewelry line immediately caught the eye of high-end boutiques, department stores and was featured at Chicago Fashion Week. jules has been featured in Women’s Wear Daily, People Magazine, OK Magazine, Chicago Social and Every Day with Rachael Ray.
A native Chicagoan, jules discovered her love of baubles and jewels from her maternal grandmother, Eleanor. As a young girl, jules relentlessly raided grandma’s magical jewelry boxes and overflowing closet, draping herself in the beautiful gems, pearls, chains, heels and handbags from her world travels.
With a unique and personal approach to design, jules is celebrated for her distinctive fabrication and metalsmithing techniques, ensuring no two pieces are alike. jules is inspired by organic imperfections in nature and her chosen media; from deep color variations of gemstones to rich textures of raw minerals to the blemishes on hand-hammered metals.
From her studio in Wicker Park, jules designs and creates every piece of jewelry lovingly, by hand. jules wraps, weaves, solders and hammers precious metals, gemstones and minerals. She hand selects all stones such as black diamonds, sapphires, amethyst, rubies, kyanite, tourmaline and druzies to create unique artisan jewelry.
Jules prides herself on a design aesthetic with multiple personalities. “Some days we live in color, others in black and white. Whether I wish to express myself or create a vibe, my jewelry is incredibly diverse and serves the many moods of women.” jules mindfully designs jewelry that may be paired with comfy sweats, jeans and a tee, a business suit or that perfect little black dress. As a result, jules designs are timeless and meant to be worn anytime, everywhere.
Sophia Reyes, a Parsons School of Design and Loyola University Chicago alumni, launched her name-sake contemporary women’s line for Spring/Summer 2008. Her modus operandi to dress the ‘chic rebel’ is realized by her distinctive contemporary art-inspired edge on classic lines. The desirable versatility of her styles has quickly won industry accolades and a loyal following.
Sophia Reyes came to appreciate fashion design when she traded in her Legos and Matchbox cars (she was the not the Barbie type) for an abandoned sewing machine in her parents’ attic. While growing up in Chicago, Sophia was surrounded by a family of creative and successful entrepreneurs. Her family bestowed in her a discerning eye for quality, innovative design, and comfort- which is the basis for her collections.
While at Parsons, she contributed to the design teams at Kenneth Cole, Cynthia Rowley, Twinkle by Wenlan, and the marketing team at Adidas. Upon graduation, Sophia took a position with designer Mimi Turner and later freelanced for Laundry by Design and Liz Claiborne’s men’s division.
A graduate from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, designer Lara Miller began her career in fashion while still in school. After interning with the local designers Laurenceleste and Cynthia Ashby, Lara began showcasing her garments at Wicker Park’s clothing boutique, p.45.
Lara Miller’s quest is to keep fashion fun by creating sophisticated clothing that allows women to feel comfortable at work or at play. Lara designed the trademark FLIP® Line that allows you to enjoy wearing a garment in a variety of ways and project your own style to the world. You may “flip” a breezy halter dress into a stylish skirt or wrapped knits into fluent body accessories.
A native Chicagoan her whole life and graduate of Art Institute of Chicago's fashion department, her artistry forged by the city she embraces, Melissa is inspired by the beauty that blesses Chicagoans locally and artists internationally. Its magnificent local architecture as well as the inherent distinctions of the city such as quality and craftsmanship are emblematic within each piece.
These influences have further been augmented and affirmed by Melissa's studying abroad in Italy and her personal travels there as well to further define and refine these inherent and elementary parts of her vision.
Every piece of her line is draped by the designer personally to perfect proportions, while using luxurious fabrics to create the integrity and honesty of a exquisite, yet elegantly finished and highly crafted item.
From dainty to daring… subtle to sophisticated, Susan Elizabeth’s show stopping designs are at the top of every girl’s wish list..
Susan Elizabeth is a Chicago-based metalsmith designer whose style is emerging on the jewelry scene. Her jewelry is distinct, individually hand made and one-of-a-kind. Susan Elizabeth has something for every taste and every outfit!
From custom pieces to show pieces, Susan Elizabeth has found a way to make any design wearable. Even the most intricate pieces are light in weight, but heavy in value. Her designs are not only unique, they fit every finger, wrist, neck and ear in a custom-made way.
The public has already taken notice to Susan Elizabeth’s designs. In her first year of business, Susan Elizabeth has been featured in the Spring and Fall GenArt ShopCHICago, Annual Bizarre Bazaar, Gold Coast Fine Art Fair, One of a Kind Show in Chicago, fashion runway shows for Jainn, and many store trunk shows including Mark Shale.
Susan Elizabeth’s eye catching pieces command attention. And while Susan Elizabeth’s clientele are already lining up for her next piece, what’s most important to her is that her jewelry is treasured.
Born and raised in Texas and now living in Chicago, Horacio Nieto has set out to make his mark in the fashion industry. While just beginning of his career he has already obtained valuable knowledge and experience from various endeavors. His design philosophy of designing clothing is a combination of strength, fluidity and sex appeal.
In 2000, Horacio moved Chicago, where he enrolled at a private school to major in fashion design. There he received the education he needed to specialize in pattern making, draping, leather construction and corsetry. While in school he received many awards and participated in fashion shows allowing him to show his work.
Horacio was also chosen as one of the participants in this years AOL Latino Fashionista Design Competition in 2008. He made it to the top three traveling to New York to compete for title of fashionista. Horacio was chosen the winner and has received national press for his achievement. The dress he created was worn by Patricia Velasquez, from "The Mummy", for a photoshoot, for her organization Wayúu Tayá. Nieto recently dressed Candela Ferro for a People En Espanol event, in which he created a one-of-a-kind design.
Horacio has been featured in many magazines such as Lucky Magazine, Latino Future, People En Espanol and Cosmopolitan En Espanol. He continues to work on both of his lines, including his menswear line called Arlo.
At only 24-years-old, Kristin Hassan is already a successful designer and businesswoman. She graduated from the Illinois Institute of Art - Chicago with a BFA in fashion design in 2006, in only three years. In 2008, Kristin was named a designer to watch when she was hand picked to be one of six designers in Mayor Daly’s first ever, Chicago Fashion Incubator @ Macy’s on State Street. As a designer in residence, Kristin began her first label, organiK Revolution, where she specializes in creating eco-friendly apparel for contemporary women. After her term in 2009, Kristin competed as a contestant on Bravo TV’s hit reality series The Fashion Show. And, as if being a fashion designer weren’t enough, Kristin is also the witty writer behind the blog, The Not-So Desperate Housewife.com.
Born and raised in Chicago, Kristin draws her inspiration from both the city and her rock-star family. Her husband and two brothers are in local Chicago bands and she likes to describe her style as feminine and fun with a rock-n-roll edge. Often considered "headstrong" by her friends and family, Kristin says she knows who she is and what she is capable of. She may be young, but that will not stop this rising star.
Brynn Capella has loved handbags since she was a little girl. To her, the handbag is a classic accessory that has inspired fashion for generations. Originally from California, Brynn combines her West Coast style with her urban Chicago living to create accessories that are laid back yet sophisticated. Her philosophy of less is more is evident in the clean lines and subtle accents of her designs.
Brynn simply doesn't believe in mass-production, especially overseas. Her collection is produced in limited quantities by fine craftsmen in Chicago to ensure that each piece is personal AND unique, just like you.
Inspired by the masterful shapes of Christian Dior, Powell followed his dreams and moved to Chicago to start his design career in 1997. Over the following decade, and the consistent urge of his friends, he pursued his vision with an infectious entrepreneurial talent and creativity that has built him a devoted following of fans. His trademark silhouettes have the comforting familiarity of his early authentic family memories mixed with a chic nod to high-end city life.
In addition to family and the masters in fashion, Powell’s fashion inspirations also come from travel and a devotion to study. His collections include exciting approaches to big ideas ranging from philosophy to cinema. And his meticulous study of fashion has not been devoted to trends, but to the lasting discovery and emotion of finding inner beauty. His designs have the power to make women walk a little taller and with a confident grace in their stride. From Milan and Paris to Amsterdam and Shanghai, he’s absorbed a sense of global ideas of what looks best on the female body. It’s those ideals he tailors into everything he creates. Luxury never sounded so simple or looked so good.
The 5-pocket jean (5p) and the t-shirt (1t). Two basic garments found in practically every home across the globe. Originally designed as “laborer” wear, today they can be found everywhere from the dining room to the boardroom. All it took was someone thinking outside the lines to make the transition.
The jean and t-shirt inspire us because that’s what we think fashion is all about – thinking beyond the obvious or expected. Respecting the rules, but also honoring individuality and creativity.
We design seasonal collections that yield classic silhouettes integrated with contemporary fabrics, prints and detailing that keep you in the moment. Every 5p1t garment is designed to become that “go-to-item” in your closet. The item that you always reach for because it offers a detail or feature that distinguishes you from everyone else.
We interpret each garment into how it can be worn throughout your day and evening - at the office, a casual lunch, weekend brunch or a special event/occasion. Whether it’s mixing prints and textures or pairing with classic basics like a pair of jeans or t-shirt, assembling the perfect outfit begins and ends with 5p1t.
