Chicago Fashion Designer Maria Pinto Brings High Fashion to Chicago
When one thinks of high fashion, places like New York, Paris, Milan, can come to mind; anything but Chicago. That is until Chi-town native Maria Pinto re-launched her designs for women four years ago, helping her city become a fashion hub for the future.
Chicago fashion designer Maria Pinto has recently opened the doors to her very own boutique in the West Loop. Located on 135 N. Jefferson, the boutique named after the Italian-American designer caters to the elegant fashionista who likes unique fashion, fine arts, and has a palate for different textures. Pinto has gained national and international recognition for draping her garments over prominent women, including Oprah Winfrey and Michelle Obama.
After her brand re-launch four years ago, Pinto and her team never intended to go the retail route; but as her retail clientele base grew, and as word spread about her designs, the designer moved to a more spacious location so that her boutique and warehouse could be in the same place and accommodate her customers.
There are definite upsides to the big move that occurred this summer. Now with more room, clients who desire last-minute looks can get them the same day instead of having to wait for weeks at the previous location. The store also carries the entire ready to wear (RTW) collections that no other store will carry in Illinois. Currently, some of Maria Pinto’s designed dresses and gowns are found in select stores nationwide, and her accessories can be seen in Saks Fifth Avenue and Barney’s. Another exclusive at this boutique is the collection of men’s ties and cummerbunds, including a leather/cashmere tie, to accompany the ladies garments. The Maria Pinto boutique also carries jewelry and cashmere sweaters by other designers to help customers bring looks together all in one place.
A graduate of the Art Institute of Chicago, Pinto expresses her love for fine arts and fashion in each of her collections. Always adding a touch of couture, Pinto’s designs have been described as impactful, seductive-yet-classy, and possessing an understated elegance. Her design process is unique as well. Pinto begins with a fabric manipulation called draping, and then creates a sketch; after patterns are tested, they are put into production, mostly done in the warehouse floors above the shop. Pinto’s Fall 2008 collection on the racks of her boutique feature dramatic cuts and fun uses of textures like silk, leather, and taffeta from all over the world. Inspirations for her collections vary by season; this season was inspired by Ethiopian traditional costumes. Regardless of the season, Pinto’s best sellers are her sleek dresses, wraps and accessories.
Maria Pinto is described as an ambitious designer. She showcases her creative drive through her pieces and with help from her team from production to marketing and sales. Her drive has her Spring 2009 collection displaying in New York showrooms for buyers and the press to get a look at her creativity. Now with a boutique open, what’s next for Pinto? She is currently in Paris researching for her Fall 2009 line. Pinto’s belief, “put positive energy out into the world and it will come back to you”, is a testament to her success so far as a designer (and, more importantly, one from the Windy City).
