Dec 13, 2007
Steven Out; Cynthia Rowley In
It's a gray day around here, so I'm blogging something perky: style.
First off, au revoir to Steven, the Museum of Science and Industry textile designer who was auf'd on Project Runway last night. What do you think? Was it his time to go? I'll refrain from comment, since I haven't been keeping up with the show. But there he was, sipping a drink a few weeks ago at a gay sports bar in Uptown. A bunch of his friends had gathered to watch the premiere; poor Steven cried out halfway through the evening that—oh my—he was wearing the same pink shirt at his party that he was sporting on the episode!
Second, Cynthia Rowley's new location opens tomorrow at 1653 North Damen Avenue. Here are some photos from my walkthrough last night. It's worth noting is that Chicago is the first U.S. city with two Rowley stores; even New York only has one (in the West Village). Word is, the Barrington native really digs the feel of Bucktown and thought it felt like the Village. I suspect that the sudden arrival in Bucktown of a slew of New York imports—Nanette Lepore just opened a few doors down; BCBG is open across the street; Marc Jacobs is on the way—might have something to do with it.
On a random note, check the bike in window of Rowley's Bucktown store: It's one of the cruisers that she designed for her spring 2008 runway show in New York. (The collection was very French sportif, so she had the models ride bikes down the runway for the finale.) This is why I like her: her stuff is priced within the realm of possibility (as in, it's a splurge, but defendable once or twice in a year). And, she's the type of designer who doesn't take high fashion too seriously.
Yes, I asked. Yes, the bike is for sale. It's $650. Limited edition.
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Photography: Cassie Walker
Posted at 01:51 PM in Coda | Permalink
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Coda is a blog by arts and culture editor Cassie Walker, who, love it or hate it, always has an opinion. During the course of her weekly culture hunting, she reviews high art and pop culture events so you'll know what you need to check out and what you can miss.
Comments to this blog are moderated. We review them in an effort to remove foul language, commercial messages, and irrelevancies.
Reader Comments:
that most people who write in this town still don't know where Wicker Park ends and Bucktown begins is comical. 10 years ago, ok - but seriously, you've had enough time to figure this out.
We use the Chicago Neighborhood Map, on which the dividing north-south line between the two neighborhoods is North Avenue. But thanks for your note.
--Cassie
Dear Steven, You were my favorite designer but that last dress was a big OOPS. I will miss your face. If I still lived in Chicago, I'd buy your lunch if you'd wear that pink shirt. Chin up !!!!!
Cynthia Rowley is less than 2 blocks north from Wicker Park, the actual Chicago City Park for which the neighborhood is named. North is one block away from the park, yet it's the end of the neighborhood you say??
Wicker Park ends at Bloomingdale, always has - looks like Chicago Neighborhood Map is a creation of a real estate group and, as such, very very simplified... I'd find a real map, but then, I care a little about details.
Wicker Park, Bucktown, who cares? Given the landspace - Starbucks on every block, New York retailers setting up shop and McMansion row homes being built every day - you might as well call it West Lincoln Park. Dear poster: focus on the style (love Cynthia!) not the geography.