Michigan Avenue - Niche Media - Michigan Avenue magazine is a luxury lifestyle magazine centered around Chicago’s finest people, events, fashion, health & beauty, fine dining & more!
Issue link: http://digital.greengale.com/i/85092
BEST DRESSED MICHAEL MORARITY AND TIM TIERNEY Before cofounding Vagrant Nobility in 2010, Tierney traded in the Eurodollar options pit at the Chicago Board of Trade. When Morarity and a friend approached him about a clothing line, Tierney focused on the business end before taking a crash course in sewing and pattern making. Vagrant Nobility's inaugural collection debuted in 2011, and Tierney and Morarity con- tinue to oversee the production of each creative, sustainable garment that brings their vision to life. What inspires you? Tierney: "Our last collection pulled from Rin Tanaka books. He's a Japanese photographer obsessed with American work wear, and he photographs historic gar- ments from people's collections." I'd love to dress: Morarity: "Jeff Tweedy of Wilco. He's my favorite musician and has such cool style." JON COTAY In 2002, Cotay opened Akira's first women's storefront in Wicker Park/Bucktown, but that wasn't his only challenge: Cotay knew little about brand distribution and shopped mainly Walmart and Kmart. Ten years and 17 men's and women's boutiques later, Cotay is a man with a fashion empire. Proudest career moment: "Akira isn't just a clothing store—we have a sense of purpose. We're involved with a lot of local char- ities, like Imerman Angels, Cancer Treatment Centers of America, and PAWS Chicago." More to love: "I'm not a skinny guy. Bigger guys can dress up without sacrificing the Chicago mind- set—which is, we love to eat." The look for men in 2013: "Swimwear will double as casual shorts, and designers are using a lot of prints and mixed fabrics." at HORACIO NIETO Nieto first began designing in middle school, when he sketched a dress for his mother with a midriff cutout. Needless to say, his aesthetic has evolved since, and today his design philosophy combines strength, fluidity, and sex appeal. He moved to Chicago in 2000 to study fashion design and clothing construction, and in 2008 he won the AOL Latino Fashionista Competition. Biggest challenge: "You're not just trying to get your name out there—you're also fighting the Midwest stereotype: 'What do you guys know about fashion? You have cornfields all around you.'" Role model: "[Chicago designer] Elda De La Rosa is like my big sister." I'd love to dress: "Salma Hayek. Spanish awards shows can be pretty gaudy—I can say that because I'm Mexican-American—and Salma is and classic." so stylish 110 MICHIGANAVEMAG.COM