Style Is...Brad Bennett

Tue May 8 21:19:32 2012

 Style Is... A quarterly feature that highlights 4 Chicagoans through pictures and words- capturing their take on Chicago style, personal style, inspiration and more. Next up, Brad Bennett of Well Spent. 

 

 


Photography by Devin Mays
Sport coat, Tie & Jeans Brad’s Own, Shoes by Red Wing, Bag by Sir & Madame
 

Who are you? 

Brad Bennett, Founder / Editor of well-spent.com 

What is your personal style? 

Tailored, lived-in, age appropriate. 

How do you define Chicago Style? How is it reflected in your personal style, if at all? 

Function often trumps form here - mainly for weather reasons. It's also a very casual city. Combine the two, and, well, the results aren't always pretty. On the upside, Chicago doesn't take itself too seriously, which is refreshing. What Inspires your style? I try to ask myself before every purchase, "will the grandpa me like this, or will he look back and cringe?" I try not to buy the cringe pieces.
 

Favorite Chicago shopping destinations (not limited to clothing)?

Sir & Madame, Penelope's, Army Navy Surplus USA, Merz Apothecary, Post 27, Brimfield, Roost. 

Favorite websites?

Google Analytics.


What are you currently reading and/or listening to? 

Not reading anything at the moment. Listening: SBTRKT, Kurt Vile, Atlas Sound, M83 and an embarrassing amount of 90s grunge. 

Favorite Chicago restaurant, bar or lounge?

Restaurants: La Libela, Birchwood, Flying Saucer, Irazu, Nhu Lan Bakery Bars / Lounges: Maude's Liquor Bar, Longman & Eagle, The Charleston
 

What were you wearing 10 years ago? 

Thrift store t-shirt, probably black with some kind of animal on it (wolf, tiger, eagle, etc). Vintage Levis (orange tab, Ramones-fit). Low-top Chuck Taylors. Aviator sunglasses.
 

In 3 words or less, Chicago Style Is? 

What it is. 

 

October 27th come out and support Well Spent and Sir & Madame at NorthernGRADE Chicago. 


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STYLE IS...SUGHEY RAMIREZ


 


 

Who are you?

I am a very curious, passionate, public health loving, social justice pushin’, dramatic funny girl/closet actress/idea person who really loves good food (and lots of it), A LOT of Latin American poets, studying languages, discovering new music, installation art, ethnographies, trying to understand economics-and getting dressed.

What is your personal style?

In college, a friend said, “Sughey is 5 feet tall but she walks around like she’s 10 feet tall.” I thought that was the coolest compliment ever. I am committed to “wearing” clothes. I don’t think I have one specific style, but I won’t wear anything that doesn’t compliment my shape (after all, I’m not REALLY a supermodel). I love traditionally feminine pieces, so I’d say my style is “classic with an edge”. A really big edge (if I don’t add this, my friends will call me a liar).

How do you define Chicago Style? How is it reflected in your personal style, if at all?

Chicago Style fascinates me. Maybe it’s my Sociology/Anthropology background but I am drawn to the culture around fashion in Chicago at the moment. I have to disagree with the people that say that Chicago fashion is not daring or creative. Young Chicago is so fly right now! I moved back to Chicago two years ago and I feel that Chicago fashion right now is embracing musicians, writers, visual artists-all creatives and the result is beautiful! I do not believe there are authorities in fashion. I saw a beautiful painting at a local coffee shop the other day and I said, “I wish that was a fabric pattern!” And I know I’m not the only one thinking that way. There is a wonderful creative community in Chicago; artists from different fields are working together and the effort is very visible and alive. 

What Inspires your style?

My style is inspired by just about everything around me! From the shreds of bark coming off the trees on my block that look like chiffon ruffles to a tabloid cover at the checkout line. I am inspired by confident women. I am inspired by art in all of its forms. I am inspired by my relentless curiosity. I am inspired by my experiences. Poverty was my first muse. 

Favorite Chicago shopping destinations (not limited to clothing)

My favorite kind of shopping is grocery shopping and for that-Stanley’s is the spot! But, when I’m looking for something special to wear-I thrift first and then I hit Macy’s. Yes, Macy’s. I don’t know why, (shout out to their buyers?), but more often than not, I find what I’m looking for there. I don’t wear much jewelry, but if I need something, I borrow something from my aunt, or thrift, or hit Francesca’s (but only the one in Evanston…I don’t know what it is about that one). Lori’s shoes and the shoe department at the Macy’s on State St. are my favorite shoe places.

Favorite websites (not limited to fashion)

My homepage is www.bbcbrasil.com because it lets me keep up with current events and exercise my Portuguese at the same time. I love www.bigbigbigthings.com because I love Rebecca’s blog posts and her shop. I just got into www.pinterest.com and I am obsessed with my “Caprichos” board! Caprichos is Spanish for something like “fixation” and I pin my current “fixations” on that board, not limited to fashion (but you can find my favorite shopping sites on there). You can check it out if you want at pinterest/sughey/caprichos. I also love Twitter!

What are you currently reading and/or listening to?

I am currently re-reading Pedagogy of the Oppressed by Paulo Freire for my Chicago Healthcare Justice group/book club (holla if you wanna join!). I love www.Soundcloud.com and I’ve been listening to Chicago’s own Sidewalk Chalk on there a lot. Their music gives me goose bumps! Also, I am very fortunate to have friends who are talented artists so I always have a good mix to play! Big, loving shout out to the best music collectives in Chicago: Boogie Munsters, Cutz on Cuts and Push Beats.

Favorite Chicago restaurant, bar or lounge

I love Rodan for music, Between for ceviche, and San Soo Gab San for some killer Korean bbq!

What were you wearing 10 years ago?

10 years ago I was 16…the coolest thing I owned back then was a huge olive green scarf with mitten ends that my friend gave me as a gift after we saw it at a shop on Clark St. Sadly, nothing else stands out.

In 3 words or less, Chicago Style Is?

Alive and well! 



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STYLE IS...AHMED BRAIMAH

 


Photography by Devin Mays
Top and Sweatshirt by Sir & Madame, Jacket by Cheap Monday, Boots by Red Wing, Pants Ahmed’s own.

Who are you?
A Ghanian, the Partystarter...also a gentleman

What is your personal style?
Eclectic and impulsive. Tailored and trendy. My closet hosts first edition Jordans to custom made suits.

How do you define Chicago Style?How is it reflected in your personal style, if at all?
Reserved. It's not, because I'm more of a risk taker.

What inspires your style?
Virgil Abloh, Cary Grant, well-traveled friends, New York

Favorite Chicago shopping destinations (not limited to clothing)
Sir & Madame, Ralph Lauren, Barney's, Nordstrom, G Star, Haberdash, Brainstorm, Best Buy, Neiman Marcus

Favorite websites (not limited to fashion)

What are you currently reading and/or listening to?
Catching up on The Incredible Hulk and a few other comic books. My Mac Book Pro just played Blue Six on shuffle, but otherwise I mostly listen to Cam'Ron and Dipset!

Favorite Chicago restaurant, bar or lounge

What were you wearing 10 years ago?
A camel colored cashmere sportscoat with a maroon button down fitted shirt, diesel denim and gucci glasses. Killing them... softly! Fitted polos, Armani Exchange and Diesel. (I know, I know, so sad.)

In 3 words or less, Chicago Style Is?
Crisp & well-tailored




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STYLE IS...DESTINY LOVE JONES

 




Destiny Love Jones

Photography by Devin Mays of Picture My Vision
Top and Blouse by Sir & Madame, Handbag by Yana, Skirt and Ring, Destiny’s own…

Who are you?
I am a multimedia creative consultant and a fashion stylist, www.destinylovejones.com

What is your personal style?
My style... umm I don’t know really how to explain it other a style maven. I am so random and just wear whatever I feel and love.

How do you define Chicago Style? How is it reflected in your personal style, if at all?
Chicago style is pretty an extreme mix between boring and flamboyant. I can say that I love the flamboyant side. I guess it is just Chicago... I just take Chicago for what it is and dress accordingly to me and how I live and love. I have been told that I don’t dress like I am from Chicago so I don’t know if that counts… lol

What inspires your style?
Music, my life experiences and experiments, movies, walking outside blogs and reading, new fun clothes,

Favorite Chicago shopping destinations (not limited to clothing)
Ummmm , small boutiques in Chicago, thrift stores, markets such as Dose and Maxwell Street and online shopping. On my lunch breaks you will most likely find me trying to find unique things at Forever21.

Favorite websites (not limited to fashion)

What are you currently reading and/or listening to?
I am reading Boundaries by Henry Cloud and Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger , I just put the music on shuffle. I am a total random.

Favorite Chicago restaurant, bar or lounge
I love Simone’s, which is right in Pilsen, Violet Hour and Nightwood.

What were you wearing 10 years ago?
10 years ago I was in Rocawear and some Air Max’s
In 3 words or less, Chicago Style Is?

Chicago Style is... “Stylish yet Timid”.




 



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