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

By SARAGLASSMANsglassman@startribune.com

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 • 612-673-7177sglassman@startribune.comFollow 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

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Galleria • Edina952-746-4440

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Clearance RackNow 50%-70% off