Though most of my time is spent creating handbags, I do occasionally need an escape; that’s when I pick up my trusty paintbrushes or a pencil and start sketching. Each new handbag design starts the same way but sometimes I miss the soul of the human form. Often as I am developing a new bag an idea of the person who will carry it comes to mind first and I will begin to assemble a fashion character as inspiration. I think about where she might live, where she might go and what she might wear. Sometimes I’m inspired by people I see and other times they are a complete fantasy of random ideas. I don’t know that I have a favorite medium in which to create, as there is something special and unique about each one.

Graphite lends itself to small details captured in fine lines and soft blended strokes and nothing can replace the feeling of a paintbrush in hand with layers of blended color. Or sometimes the faint and watery look of watercolor and Prismacolor markers. And of course the fun of creating a vector illustration line by line and shape by shape until it’s a perfectly rendered image made completely of tiny pixels.

Vector Illustration

Pen and Ink/ Background in Photoshop

Pen and Ink/ Background in Photoshop

Graphite/ Background in Photoshop

Pen and Ink

Graphite Illustration

Graphite Illustration

Graphite Illustration

Acrylic on Canvas

Acrylic on Panel

Acrylic on Panel

Acrylic on Canvas

Graphite Illustration

Vector Illustration

I’ve been lucky enough to work with some fantastic clients over the years, creating custom fashion illustrations for a variety of projects. Many of them are small start-up’s with enourmous passion and really inivative ideas. One of my favorites were the husband and wife team of Brandon and Cali Sorenson the creators of HipSlimmer.

It’s so exciting to play a small part in making someone else’s dream a reality and watching each piece come together. I still enjoy taking on new illustration projects and though my first love will always be handbags, there’s still plenty of room in my heart for a blank piece of white paper and a plain old #2 pencil!

Every year the Chicago Merchandise Mart hosts the One of a Kind Show a fabulous collection of fine art, gifts, apparel, jewelry and accessories. It’s a wonderful place to kick start your holiday shopping, get a inside look at the local fashion scene and meet the artists and designers all under one roof. It’s nothing short of retail heaven, complete with trend shows, artist talks and demonstrations and food vendors when you need a break to take it all in.

I spent some time before the show compiling a list of must see vendors and visiting their respective websites just to make sure I didn’t miss anything. The show is divided into districts which does make it a bit easier to navigate and of course  I spent nearly my entire trip in the fashion district.

The Trend Show featured layered looks with exposed seams and beautiful textures. Ruffled scarves, embellished velvet gloves, oversized leather handbags and gorgous coats and hats. The color palate was rich with jewel tones and chocolates, all a perfect compliment to the long dark days of the Chicago winter.

One of a Kind Trend Show

One of a Kind Trend Show

One of a Kind Trend Show

One of a Kind Trend Show

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BocUe Bags

Amid the beautiful apparel and art were some fantastic handbags by local Chicago designers. One of my favorites were BocUe Bags by Theresa Buffo. Each Bocue bag is carefully handmade in limited quantities and  the simple shapes and beautiful color combinations  offer a refined and almost rustic accent to any wardrobe. I love the Cello-African Bag from her modern collection, season after season this bag can easily transition from spring to fall and carry all your daily necessities.

Cello-African Bag by Bocue

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Zola Jones

Another local favorite proudly represented were the fabulous Zola Jones Bags by designer Jason Loper. His shapes are clean and modern and the stunning textiles and seat belt accents he incorporates into many of his designs give each bag a very distinctive “oh-so zola” look. You can stop by and visit the Zola Jones studio at 1944 W. Montrose Ave. in Chicago which also features other lovely handcrafted gifts by local designers… and if you don’t live in the windy city Zola Jones handbags are also available on Etsy. The Bumby Ride Back Pack is the perfect accessory for all the fashinable unbanites who want an truely charming look with industrial street strength.

Bumpy Ride Back Pack by Zola Jones

Jason also keeps a blog that I love reading when I have a case of the “designer blues” it awalys puts a smile on my face and you get a first hand peek on his latest projects like this fur-licious messanger bag I fell in love with!

Black Leatherette Square Peg Bag by Zola Jones

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Despite the current economic conditions, I was pleased to see the throngs of consumers that turned out for this one of a kind opportunity to shop the best local and national talent. Even on the last day of this three day event only hours before the show closed the building was a buzz of activity. The One of a Kind Show offers a very unique opportunity for both consumers, artists and designers alike…a chance to meet face to face. A personal moment to shake the hand of the person who dreamed up and created that perfect item that you are now holding in your shopping bag and know that you as a customer are supporting their vision and hard work.

Tagged: accessories, bocue bags, chicago, Chicago Fashion, chicago handbag designers, fine art, gifts, handmade apparel, merchandise mart, one of a kind show chicago, one of a kind trend show, trend show, zola jones designs ]]> http://fashionjenn.com/2008/12/10/one-of-a-kind-show-chicago/feed/ 0 fashionjenn One of a Kind Trend Show One of a Kind Trend Show One of a Kind Trend Show One of a Kind Trend Show Cello-African Bag by Bocue Bumpy Ride Back Pack by Zola Jones