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

Gia Ventola: Whispered Beauty- NYFW Highlight

Gia Ventola: Whispered Beauty- NYFW Highlight

Halfstack's NYC based writers: Meaghan Elder & Cindy Arroyo

 bring to you a highlight from New York Fashion Week.

Up and coming designer Gia Ventola showcased her first collection for SS15 this New York Fashion Week. With a flawless mix between hand-crafted jewelry and the luxurious clothing collection, Gia makes a statement. Gia Ventola got her start after attending Parson’s The New School of Design in the late 90’s. Although worldwide success was not immediate for Gia, for years she worked alongside many celebrities such as Britney Spears, Oprah, Cher, and Destiny’s Child. After appearing in magazines, news articles, fashion websites and radio and television shows Gia decided it was time to give it another go. So ,18 months and a lot of hard work later it was time to debut the collection.

When you first walk into the showroom on Spring Street, you’re greeted by the utter elegance of the collection. Gia Ventola, former Olympic trained field hockey athlete, introduces the collection with pride and honor. With a pleasant balance between night and day looks, natural fibers, and black and white shades, the collection has many interchangeable features. Whether it be the unique jewelry, detachable silk collars, or even the garment being reversible, the diversity does not go unnoticed.
“It’s all about individuality,” Gia mentions while admiring her accomplishments that fill the room.

All Images Courtesy of Gia Ventola

Her signature (an O with a slash through it) has been made a statement throughout the collection. Not only in the jewelry but within the clothing as well. Each zipper pull has its own small O dangling from the slider. Even the closures on her blouses and dresses incorporate the O designs. With inspiration from her athletic background, Gia also designed unique, shoelace-like accents on each garment.

Not only does each piece have its own personality, but the versatility is endless. Most garments, as previously mentioned, are reversible (yes reversible!) and can even be worn, so-called, backwards. . Tops can be worn with or without the collar, inside out or even backwards. With a color story of blacks and whites, many of her pieces can be instant classics. What modern day woman doesn’t want a closet full of items that can so easily be mixed up and changed around?

Whether you have a formal cocktail party or are just headed into the office for work, this collection holds everything you need for a day-to-day basis. With mixes of silks, chiffons, satins and charmeuse fabrics, this collection radiates elegance. Double-sided, hand pleated silk accenting garments, and hand fraying amongst the collection really accentuates that the beauty is in the details. Gia, having 20 years of experience in the industry, knew exactly what she wanted from this collection; timelessness. As she explained how she wanted each garment to be something her customer would keep in her closet forever, never going out of date or style, you could look around and fully understand and relate.

Having worked with Destiny’s Child, Britney Spears, Nicole Kidman, Pink, and many others, her years of experience have paid off.  Gia gave us some insight on what it took to bring this collection to life, explaining that all the prints were hand drawn by her and the jewelry pieces were hand made. Little things such as that is really what makes you appreciate fashion and why we are crazy enough to pay the prices we do. We are paying for quality, such as the finest fabrics that Gia used, we are paying for one of a kind pieces and we are paying for appreciation.

For this collection, Gia really wanted to do something that was perfect for her. Something she truly understood and appreciated herself.

Customers in the past have repeatedly told her they were only interested in her designs, so she really strives for something that is 100% her own. Finally being able to show her collection for fashion week, was a dream come true for Gia. And one much earned. Whispered Beauty explains who I AM. Each customer, each consumer, each lover of fashion can experience who they are through her outstanding designs.  “I AM who I am meant to be.” Gia Ventola has climbed to the top. Without hesitation, she has made her mark. Watch out, because we have a fierce, and empowering new designer on the market.

About Meghan:

About Cindy: 

New Industry Rising Stars: Chicago Playground "The Varsity Collection"

New Industry Rising Stars: Chicago Playground "The Varsity Collection"

Many fashion designers come from Chicago, but not many incorporate Chicago into their brand. With Rodnell Harris, it is different story. His designs are all about Chicago and even the name, Chicago Playground; the Varsity Collection, incorporates the heart of Chicago into it. So, who this designer that loves Chicago so much that the city is the main source of creativity behind his designs?

Rodnell Harris was born on the West side of Chicago and was a graduate from Farragut High school in 2004. A true Chicagoan from the start he decided to launch the Chicago Playground clothing line in 2008. Many of his inspirations came from when he played basketball in college (in Jacksonville Florida, but hey the line isn’t called Florida Playground). This is where his interest in the designer of the Letterman and varsity jackets grew. Considering himself a visual artist, Rodnell hopes to instill a sense of pride and unity in local communities here in Chicago through fashion.

During Atlanta’s fashion week in 2008, with only a few samples from a previous brand Rodnell created, he realized that becoming a designer was what he wanted to do. After the event, he knew that he could be an asset to the fashion industry by introducing a brand with a positive message and mission behind its designs. Thus, Chicago Playground was created. Rodnell wanted a name that came with significance and a sense of tradition. Chicago is considered a playground in of itself, with all of its attractions and talent in the city. Also, playgrounds bring children together and he wanted a brand to represent unity among the city’s youth and beyond.

Chicago Playground clothing is a brand for all ages and genders. Childrens clothing can be obtained though custom orders. The brand is also looking to collaborate with student athletes and local high schools for an ambassador program in the near future in which students get involved with the brand and Chicago Playground educates them on the fashion industry and the mission behind Chicago Playground; so keep an eye out students!!

Currently, Chicago Playground only offers custom made orders to give clients the opportunity to customize their garments to meet their individual needs. They also present capsule collections of collegiate garments including hooded sweat shirts, signature t-shirts, and baseball calls (all offered in limited quantities). The brand is still in the early stages of creating an e-commerce site and is scheduled to be available in September 2014. Fall seasonal garments are available for order and purchase! Also email rharris@cpg1963.com for a digital catalog! 

At the moment Chicago Playground is focusing on its upcoming student ambassador program and e-commerce launch for the fall. The brand is currently working with local show producers to be featured in upcoming fall runway shows this Fall 2014 season in addition to internal brand representations. So keep an eye out on http://www.cpg1963.com that has many great things happening for a brand that holds Chicago so dear to its heart.

Written by Stella Quimby - Fashion & Lifestyle Editor

Jin: Taking Hip-Hop and Technology by Storm with New Maturi App Project

Jin: Taking Hip-Hop and Technology by Storm with New Maturi App Project

Written by: Dana Rettig as featured in Halfstack's Fall Issue. Read the entire issue today HERE.

Japanese native, Jin, is not your average producer and musician. He is a game changer who believes in the essence of evolution that is sure help others become more advanced in their everyday life.  After taking the music world by storm, Jin decided to establish something that will change the world of technology forever: create his own app device for the aspiring artists to help display their talent.

Jin’s latest device, MaTuRi, allows the world to come together and enjoy their favorite artists among other things.  Although Jin is interested in producing and writing lyrics, Jin is more interested in taking Maturi to another level by promoting the app worldwide.  “We are producing many artists such as my own band, High Speed Boyz, but right now, I am more interested in taking the technology world to a higher level and to use MaTuRi to demonstrate a better and more exciting app.”
 
Less than a month after the app launch, Jin has received excellent response from some the hottest artists in the industry.  In the interview, Jin stated his elation towards his newest project. “I am very happy to hear that many websites picked up Maturi and that lots of artists are interested in creating their own MaTuri apps,” Jin said. “The unprecedented nature of this app system, we believe, will attract many more.”

With Jin’s newest project on display in Japan, he is optimistic that his work of art will take technology to another level of today’s world of ever-changing technology trends. “I am hoping that MaTuRi will be one of the answers and that many artists understand its capability,” he explained. “It’s a demo stage in Japan. The Japanese version should be available in the beginning of 2015.”

Now that everything is in order, what is next move to getting people to take notice of his newest project? “My hope is for every artist to create their own free app through MaTuRi and that those apps would become the bridge between artists and music listeners. The ultimate goal, of course, is to fuse the power of humans and technology, always with a thought of the future in mind. With that in mind, MaTuRi has more than 10 patent technologies,” he explained. He added: “Not to mention, I am very interested in how to improve the connected speed of iCloud,” Jin concluded.

For more information about Jin’s newest app and latest musical project, you can reach Jin on Twitter at Jin_X. Or go to www.maturisystem.com