By Jae-Ha Kim
Chicago Sun-Times
December 24, 2000
Linda Akins, freelance writer:
“When my friend died, she left me in charge of her estate. She was quite a pack rat. I preserved her letters, momentos and keepsakes_even her dance card from her high school prom. Although I gave all her valuables and jewelry to her family, I kept a knitted captain’s hat that reminds me of the jaunty, fashionable woman that she was. It’s red, white and blue. She was a writer for Home Fashions Daily for Fairchild Publications. I imagine her in one of her navy hand-knitted suits with this stylish hat interviewing people for her stories. It makes me smile every time I put it on.”
Elaine Kwan, art dealer:
“My mother came over to the United States from China in 1947. She brought a big steamer trunk full of dresses. But when she went to college in Minnesota, she didn’t have any use for them and just kind of forgot about them. I never really had the opportunity to get real, tailored Chinese dresses made, so when I came across this trunk, I couldn’t believe my luck. I fit perfectly into them. I’m the exact same size as my mother. It’s amazing ’cause the dresses are back in style now so I wear them to business appointments. And when my stepdaughter gets married, I’m going to wear one to the wedding. My brother just adopted a little Chinese girl, so now I’ll have someone to pass the dresses on to, too.”
Cat Chow, fashion designer:
“I have a lot of things that I love, but my all-time favorite is my black messenger bag. I’ve carried these all my life. I really like the utilitarian aspect of it. My main form of transportation is riding my bike around the city, so it’s really great to have one of these bags that you can pack a lot into. The bag I had for six years got stolen last year and I wanted to replace it with another one that was equally functional, sturdy and affordable. My boyfriend tracked down this guy who makes Zo Bags in San Francisco through the internet and I ended up ordering this black bag with a bright red lining. I’ve got funky shoes and a great funky leather jacket that I picked up in Italy, but this messenger bag kind of represents a little bit of who I am.”
Jessica Darrow, co-owner of p.45:
“Seven years ago, I inherited this beautiful 1940’s South American bangle from my grandmother. It almost looks like it’s Mayan. It’s sterling silver and about two inches thick. Everytime I wore it, which used to be always, I felt very glamorous. I was only 22 when I got it and I didn’t really have a lot of expensive jewelry, so I wouldn’t even take it off to show people. After my grandfather died, the piece grew even more important to me because it symbolized family.”
Tiffani Kim, fashion designer and owner of the Tiffani Kim Institute:
“My motto about fashion is that you have to constantly change with the times. I have a habit of saving everything, but my favorite pieces are always something new, like these Ferragamo pumps, scarf and handbag. Back in 1985, I started buying some Ferragamo pieces and it’s a habit that I couldn’t break. I found that by getting a few really nice things, you could update your wardrobe for not a lot of money. For instance, I’ve got on a 3-year-old suit [of her own design], but these pieces update it so that I look modern. I really love this purse_the rectangular shape is new and modern but it’s also really functional_a lot fits into it.”
Patricia Dodson, retired:
“I love this turquoise, coral and silver necklace because it makes a statement that I am not a pearl and choker kind of woman. I wear it all the time because it goes with everything_prints, colors, high necks, low necks. I look for unique pieces that everyone doesn’t have. I got this in Khatmandu 10 years ago on my way home from Bhutan. There was a little shop on the sidestreet and I knew that bargaining was part of the shopping experience. But I wanted it and was willing to pay the marked price, because for me it was worth what he was asking for. I didn’t even play it cool. And it’s one of the best purchases that I ever made.”
