STAR TRIBUNE DEC 8TH
1
E10 • VARIETY • S TA R T R IBUNE • THU R S DAY , DECEMBE R 8 , 2011 ( S W ) [CMYK] E10 Thursday, December 8, 2011 ---- NEWSSPEED03 Dec 7 2011 st yl e+fas hi o n By SARA GLASSMAN [email protected] A nyone who has lived in Minnesota knows about the challenge of stay- ing warm while look- ing cool. Semera Faroog understands. Her company, Made By, based in Peru, uses eco-friendly alpaca fiber to cre- ate fashion-forward fair-trade sweat- ers, scarves, gloves and hats in a vari- ety of earth tones. The 32-year-old designer is origi- nally from Turkey and split her time between Istanbul and Charleston, S.C., as a child. She lived in St. Paul briefly when she was 17, before mov- ing to New York to attend the Fash- ion Institute of Technology. Fashion is in her blood — her mother was an artisan in Turkey, where she would hand-embroider silks destined for Parisian couture. “I grew up picking up beads and sequins off the floor,” Faroog said. In New York, she interned with big names such as Cynthia Rowley and Marc Jacobs and ended up work- ing as a sweater designer at Jill Stu- art, BCBG and Free People. In 2008, Faroog returned to St. Paul with a plan to start her own business. Her intuition took her to Arequipa, Peru, which is home to most of the alpaca companies. “I read a book on Peru with pho- tos from the 1930s, I saw these amaz- ing people on the mountains and I loved the way they dressed,” she said. When she arrived, she found that “nothing had changed — they have the same ponchos that their great-grandparents knit.” As a raw material, alpaca had al- ways been a part of Faroog’s busi- ness. “It’s eco-friendly compared to cashmere goats,” she said. When goats feed, they eat grass from the roots, but the alpaca eat only from the surface. Their fibers have a unique thermal quality. “When it’s hot, alpaca keeps you cool, and when it’s cold, the fiber locks in your body temperature,” she said. She takes advantage of the 323 natural colors. “You don’t even have to dye them,” she said of the ivories, grays and browns. The brand’s name is especially meaningful. When Faroog was pro- ducing her first collection two years ago, she gave each knitter tags to add their names in case adjustments needed to be done. “They did such a nice job that I was touched, and I wanted the cus- tomers to feel the way I feel,” she said. Giving credit seemed like the logical thing to do, so Faroog added photos, names and astrological sym- bols of knitters to every tag under the “Made by” designation. “Now you can put a face on what you’re buying,” she said. “It’s really sad because many don’t have heat or running water, but somehow the women just man- age to survive and keep a smile on their face,” she said. For the fall and winter collection, Faroog was inspired by “silence.” “We went to salt lakes in Arequi- pa where it’s super white,” she said. “When you go into the middle of no- where, the sound of the wind be- comes so loud, it’s like there’s noth- ing really there.” Faroog hopes eventually to buy her fibers directly from farmers and have her own yarns spun. She also would like to move back to St. Paul with her concert pianist hus- band and their 18-month-old daugh- ter. She’d consider opening a lifestyle shop to bring back more of Peru. “They have so much good stuff in the local market, like embroidered canvases and wallpaper,” she said. And Made By sweaters, too. Ki ehl ’s Creme de Corps Fans of Kiehl’s have a reason to celebrate: The old-school apothecary line recently opened its first Twin Cities boutique. Although known for its no-frills skin and hair-care products, its limited-edition collaboration with artist Jeff Koons dresses up bottles of the popular Creme de Corps lotion. For $50, you can get a miniaturized version of Balloon Flower (Yellow). Proceeds will be donated to the Koons Family Institute on International Law and Policy, which combats child exploitation and abduction. If you’re interested only in moisturizing, you can try Creme de Corps for $10. $29 to $72, Kiehl’s, Mall of America, www.kiehls.com. THUR S DAY Russell Bourrienne sample sale: 20 percent off samples by the mens- wear designer. 4 to 8 p.m. 711 W. Lake St., Mpls. FRIDAY Art of Optiks trunk shows: The eyewear boutique is celebrating its 10th year with trunk shows from Alain Mikli (Thu.) and Chrome Hearts (Sat.). 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., 747 E. Lake St., Wayzata, 952-404-2020, www.artofoptiks.com. Joynoelle holiday shopping party: Local designer Joynoelle will host Penny Larsen Jewelry and wreaths by Black River Tree Farm. There will be an emphasis on gift items such as purses and earrings for less than $100. 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Fri., 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sat., 312 W. 42nd St., Mpls., 612-209-7822. Holiday pop-up: The shopping party features Karma Boutique, 3Way Beau- ty, Irely and Smashbox Cosmetics. 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., 526 Selby Av., St. Paul, 651- 222-3839. S ATURDAY Sheila Moar trunk show: The St. Paul-based designer will offer jewelry from around the world. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Neiman Marcus, 505 Nicollet Mall, Mpls., 612-339-2600. Minnetonka Moccasins event: Buy one pair of full- price Minnetonka Moccasins and get another pair at half-price. 1 to 4 p.m., Love From Minnesota, Mall of America. Drama’s Jewelry Bazaar: Shop the collections of Rox by Robyne Robinson, m.bridget designs, CAMBA by Kristin Krull, Engels by Design and Feather Mamas. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., 4946 France Av. S., Edina. CO Exhibitions World (Craft) Fair: Shop homemade goods from more than two dozen local crafters, includ- ing Carly Schoen, Lela Horst Bau- mann, Mermapillar, Sew Smiley, Florence Oliver and Quinine Design. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., CO Exhibitions, 1101 Stinson NE. Blvd., No. 2, Mpls., www.coexhibitions.com. S UNDAY St. Paul Beauty Lounge sale: 20 percent off of all merchandise. Noon to 5 p.m. Sun. and Dec. 18, 474 S. Hamline Av., St. Paul, www.stpbeautylounge.com. Sara Glassman • 612-673-7177 [email protected] Follow Glassman on Twitter: @sararglassman st yl epoints sara glassman Semera Faroog with her daughter, Sophie Ayse Valdiva. Photos provided by Semera Faroog Semera Faroog’s Made By sweaters use eco-friendly alpaca fiber from Peru. ALL WARM AND FUZZY pi ck of t he week sal es+e v ents Faroog’s Made By line includes sweaters and accessories. MADE BY What: Alpaca sweaters, hats, socks, gloves and bags. Where to buy: Allee Metro Chic, 493 Selby Av., St. Paul, 651-414-0274. Web: www.mymadeby.com. KYNDRA J AMES Store manager at American Apparel, 24 Seen at: The Vita.mn 5th Anni- versary party. What are you wearing? Gray skinny jeans, black Steve Mad- den pumps, sweater from American Apparel, vintage fur jacket. Describe your style: Androgy- nous, relaxed rock ’n’ roll. How do you dress for a rock show while still looking fash- ionable? Keep it simple. Pair- ing some great shoes, accesso- ries and jacket with jeans and a T-shirt can look casual and comfortable without looking like you just rolled out of bed. If your style were a band, what band would it be? A mix be- tween Oh Land and Nine Inch Nails. ELLEN DAHL LAWSON st yl e star Monique Lhuillier 3928 west 50th street . edina . 612.929.0747 Outerwear Event 20%-40% off Galleria • Edina 952-746-4440 www.DressUpGoOut.com Clearance Rack Now 50%-70% off
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Transcript of STAR TRIBUNE DEC 8TH
E10 • VARIETY • S T A R T R I B U N E • T H U R S D A Y , D E C E M B E R 8 , 2 0 1 1 ( S W )
[CMYK] E10 Thursday, December 8, 2011ZSW
[CMYK] E10 Thursday, December 8, 2011 ---- NEWSSPEED03 Dec 7 2011 ZSW
style+fashion
Anyone who has lived inMinnesota knows aboutthe challenge of stay-ing warm while look-ing cool.
Semera Faroog understands. Hercompany, Made By, based in Peru,uses eco-friendly alpaca fiber to cre-ate fashion-forward fair-trade sweat-ers, scarves, gloves andhats in a vari-ety of earth tones.
The 32-year-old designer is origi-nally fromTurkey and split her timebetween Istanbul and Charleston,S.C., as a child. She lived in St. Paulbriefly when shewas 17, beforemov-ing to New York to attend the Fash-ion Institute of Technology.
Fashion is in her blood — hermother was an artisan in Turkey,where she would hand-embroidersilks destined for Parisian couture.
“I grew up picking up beads andsequins off the floor,” Faroog said.
In New York, she interned withbig names such as Cynthia RowleyandMarc Jacobs andendedupwork-ing as a sweater designer at Jill Stu-art, BCBG and Free People.
In 2008, Faroog returned to St.Paul with a plan to start her ownbusiness. Her intuition took her toArequipa, Peru, which is home tomost of the alpaca companies.
“I read a book on Peru with pho-tos from the 1930s, I saw these amaz-ing people on the mountains and Iloved the way they dressed,” shesaid. When she arrived, she found
that “nothing had changed — theyhave the same ponchos that theirgreat-grandparents knit.”
As a raw material, alpaca had al-ways been a part of Faroog’s busi-ness.
“It’s eco-friendly compared tocashmere goats,” she said.
When goats feed, they eat grass
from the roots, but the alpaca eatonly from the surface. Their fibershave a unique thermal quality.
“When it’s hot, alpaca keeps youcool, and when it’s cold, the fiberlocks in your body temperature,” shesaid. She takes advantage of the 323natural colors. “You don’t even haveto dye them,” she said of the ivories,grays and browns.
The brand’s name is especiallymeaningful. When Faroog was pro-ducing her first collection two yearsago, she gave each knitter tags toadd their names in case adjustmentsneeded to be done.
“They did such a nice job that Iwas touched, and I wanted the cus-tomers to feel the way I feel,” shesaid. Giving credit seemed like thelogical thing to do, so Faroog addedphotos, names and astrological sym-bols of knitters to every tag underthe “Made by” designation. “Nowyou can put a face on what you’rebuying,” she said.
“It’s really sad because manydon’t have heat or running water,but somehow the women just man-age to survive and keep a smile ontheir face,” she said.
For the fall and winter collection,Faroog was inspired by “silence.”
“We went to salt lakes in Arequi-pa where it’s super white,” she said.
“When you go into themiddle of no-where, the sound of the wind be-comes so loud, it’s like there’s noth-ing really there.”
Faroog hopes eventually to buyher fibers directly from farmersand have her own yarns spun. Shealso would like to move back to St.Paul with her concert pianist hus-band and their 18-month-old daugh-ter. She’d consideropeninga lifestyleshop to bring back more of Peru.
“They have somuch good stuff inthe local market, like embroideredcanvases and wallpaper,” she said.
AndMade By sweaters, too.
Kiehl’s Creme de CorpsFans of Kiehl’s have a reason
to celebrate: The old-schoolapothecary line recentlyopened its first Twin Citiesboutique. Although known forits no-frills skinand hair-careproducts, itslimited-editioncollaborationwith artist JeffKoons dressesup bottles ofthe popularCreme deCorps lotion.For $50, youcan get aminiaturizedversionof BalloonFlower (Yellow).Proceeds will be donated tothe Koons Family Instituteon International Law andPolicy, which combats childexploitation and abduction.If you’re interested only inmoisturizing, you can tryCreme de Corps for $10.$29 to $72, Kiehl’s, Mall of America,www.kiehls.com.
T H U R S D A Y
Russell Bourrienne sample sale:20 percent off samples by themens-wear designer.4 to 8 p.m. 711 W. Lake St., Mpls.
F R I D A Y
Art of Optiks trunk shows:The eyewear boutique is celebratingits 10th year with trunk shows fromAlainMikli (Thu.) and ChromeHearts(Sat.).9 a.m. to 5 p.m., 747 E. Lake St., Wayzata,952-404-2020, www.artofoptiks.com.
Joynoelle holiday shopping party:Local designer Joynoelle will hostPenny Larsen Jewelry andwreaths by
Black River Tree Farm.Therewill be anemphasis on gift items such as pursesand earrings for less than $100.5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Fri., 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sat., 312W. 42nd St., Mpls.,612-209-7822.
Holiday pop-up: The shopping partyfeatures Karma Boutique, 3Way Beau-ty, Irely and Smashbox Cosmetics.6:30 to 9:30 p.m., 526 Selby Av., St. Paul, 651-222-3839.
S A T U R D A Y
Sheila Moar trunk show:The St. Paul-based designer will offerjewelry from around theworld.10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Neiman Marcus, 505 NicolletMall, Mpls., 612-339-2600.
MinnetonkaMoccasins event:Buy one pair of full-priceMinnetonkaMoccasins and getanother pair athalf-price.1 to 4 p.m.,Love FromMinnesota,Mall of America.
Drama’sJewelryBazaar:Shop the collections of Rox by RobyneRobinson,m.bridget designs, CAMBAby Kristin Krull, Engels by Design andFeatherMamas.11 a.m. to 4 p.m., 4946 France Av. S., Edina.
CO ExhibitionsWorld (Craft) Fair:Shop homemade goods frommorethan two dozen local crafters, includ-ing Carly Schoen, Lela Horst Bau-mann,Mermapillar, Sew Smiley,Florence Oliver and Quinine Design.10 a.m. to 6 p.m., CO Exhibitions, 1101 StinsonNE. Blvd., No. 2, Mpls., www.coexhibitions.com.
S U N D A Y
St. Paul Beauty Lounge sale:20 percent off of all merchandise.Noon to 5 p.m. Sun. and Dec. 18, 474 S. HamlineAv., St. Paul, www.stpbeautylounge.com.
Sara Glassman • [email protected] Glassman on Twitter: @sararglassman
stylepoints sara glassman
Semera Faroogwith her daughter,Sophie Ayse Valdiva.
Photos provided by Semera FaroogSemera Faroog’sMade By sweaters use eco-friendly alpaca fiber from Peru.
ALLWARMANDFUZZY
pick of
the week
sales+events
Faroog’sMade By line includes sweaters and accessories.
M A D E B Y
What:Alpaca sweaters, hats, socks, gloves and bags.Where to buy:AlleeMetro Chic, 493 Selby Av., St. Paul, 651-414-0274.Web:www.mymadeby.com.
KYNDRA JAMESStore manager at AmericanApparel, 24
Seen at:The Vita.mn 5th Anni-versary party.What are youwearing?Grayskinny jeans, black SteveMad-den pumps, sweater fromAmerican Apparel, vintage furjacket.Describe your style:Androgy-nous, relaxed rock ’n’ roll.Howdo you dress for a rockshowwhile still looking fash-ionable?Keep it simple. Pair-ing some great shoes, accesso-ries and jacket with jeans anda T-shirt can look casual andcomfortable without lookinglike you just rolled out of bed.If your stylewere a band,whatbandwould it be?Amix be-tween Oh Land and Nine InchNails.
ELLENDAHL LAWSON
style star
Monique Lhuillier3928 west 50th street . edina . 612.929.0747
OuterwearEvent
20%-40% off
Galleria • Edina952-746-4440
www.DressUpGoOut.com
Clearance RackNow 50%-70% off
