Maybe Sunday - Local Love

Maybe Sunday - Local Love

As Kickstarter Alums, all of us at Halfstack know what it takes to have a dream and chase after it! Which is why we are always so excited to share local people and brands doing big things and following their dreams. Our mission, after all, is to share the love and get these up and comers to attention they deserve! So, without further ado - meet Maybe Sunday. Maybe Sunday is a recently launched, Chicago based brand brought to us by two Alumni from SAIC - Jason Guo and McKenzie Thompson.

Maybe Sunday makes fully printed apparel for the active lifestyle. Their first collection includes hats, scarves and shirts with creative, bright and on point printed photo imagery. They are taking "street style" to the next level with their fun and spunky product range which highlights everyday, mundane and pop culture items like gumballs and gummy bears in an interesting manner on shirts, hats and scarves. They use Italian inks on Korean fabrics which showcases vibrant colors and clear imagery. They are a brand that is as devoted to making clothing that not only looks good, but feels good too. As serious as their product development techniques are, the line is as fun as can be!

All photos courtesy of Maybe Sunday, Shot by: Aric Crafford

During the past six months the duo has worked tirelessly to finesse the brand’s identity and goals, and to design and produce apparel that is both unique and accessible to many.They also just recently opened up a concept store in Chicago's burgeoning art district in Pilsen. The team is working hard at crafting the brand in real-time and making plans to expand their line and grow.



It is always amazing to see students fresh out of school following a dream. It is even more refreshing to see them staying right here in Chicago to do it and putting in the due diligence to make sure they can see some success. So, make sure you help support your local dreamers and check out their kickstarter page! Remember, any donation amount helps bring this Chicago brand closer to its goals. If you have some time, make sure you check out their pop up shop in Pilsen at: 1711 S Halsted Street, Chicago IL, 60608

You can also check them out on social media here

Twitter: https://twitter.com/maybesunday312

Instagram: http://instagram.com/maybesunday312

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maybesunday312

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Jen Lezan
Editor in chief
Halfstack Magazine

Hugh Arnold's Agua Nacida: Serendipity Under the Sea

Hugh Arnold's Agua Nacida: Serendipity Under the Sea

Three years ago, one of the most coveted fashion and beauty photographers, Hugh Arnold, decided to accept no commercial work. Even with his thirty year career working for some of the biggest names, he realized he was not fulfilled inside and decided to change his life. What resulted was “Agua Nacida”, fine art photographs of underwater nudes that explore the journey of woman from womb to womanhood. The book and exhibit at the Hilton Asmus Contemporary that go hand in hand not only capture the unique poignancy and lessons women learn growing up, but encapsulate the themes from Arnold’s personal journey.

Water features heavily in Arnold’s work. “The minute you immerse in water, you have to become yourself,” Arnold explains. “You shed everything. It washes away all the superficial things.” It teaches you to go with the flow. If you jump in the air, gravity brings you down. “In water you can go upside down, suspend there,” he continues, “You can’t force anything. Everything has its own rhythm.”

Arnold learned to scuba dive for the project. His models, Nika Lauraitis, a Chicago native, and Polina Barbasova were trained swimmers. Nika dreamed of a project that combined modeling with swimming. They would discuss what he wanted above water and dive in. The models would come up for air, but Arnold would stay below, creating his own world beneath the waves. As much as they planned, they were able to allow for happy accidents. The girls misunderstood his requests and fought at one point. It has inspired his next few projects. “The person can’t see you. You can see them, but you’re a blur,” said Arnold. “There’s no way to interact.” It was a benefit he felt because he got to photograph the inner person. That inner person shines in the pages of “Agua Nacida”. Meaning “water born,” as you flip the pages you’re left with your gut reaction to the images shot in Fiji and Gozo. They’re stunning and inspire self- reflection. We follow the girls as curious children. You feel and remember the turbulence of adolescence looking at all the bubbles, the girls crashing into the water, feel the impact. It’s littered with quotes about life and water just as you collect quotes growing up, little literary beacons lighting the way, returning you to center. There’s a definite tone shift when she becomes a woman. Everything is quieter. She is sure in herself and her environment. The water is calm and world is larger around her.

The book has a different feel than the debut exhibit at the Hilton Asmus. Step into the gallery and you step into the ocean. It’s warm and encompassing. The energy sails around the room like a riptide. The purity captured in the images relaxes you. You feel refreshed, aware you are a drop in a greater ocean. Agua Nacida runs September 19th through October 26th, with an opening reception with Hugh Arnold September 19th from 5:30-9:00 pm. Books are available through his website, Amazon, and Merrell Publishers.

Light

Light

There is something so addictive, and indulgent about the perfect light. 

That moment before the sun dips away and evening settles in, or the freshness of the early morning glow...  the end of one day, or the beginning of another. 

Warm showers, pouring tea into your favourite teacup, that first bite of a strawberry in Spring, watching rain hit the pavement while you curl up on the couch, my favourite plaid...

Indulgent, perhaps, grateful, definitely.

xx Nell

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