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    Now reading: meet chicago’s cool kids, straight up!

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    meet chicago’s cool kids, straight up!

    Birthplace to some of the world's most influential music movements and artists, photographer Lillie Eeiger hits Chicago to capture its street style and find out what's inspiring the young, bright things that make Chi-Town so exciting.

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    Bryant Giles
    What do you do? Artist, designer.
    What are you wearing, head to toe? Jesus shirt, trousers, dress shoes.
    Describe Chicago to someone who has never been before: See for yourself.
    Where’s your favorite place to hang out? Home.
    Where do you look to find inspiration? In everyday shit.
    What song are you playing on repeat right now? Jon Bap, “Let it Happen.”
    What was the best party you’ve ever been to and why was it so good? Fuck ’em all.
    What’s the best thing about being young in 2016? Bigger platform to present to.

    Savannah Quinn and Frances Rich
    What do you do? SQ: I am a creator. FR: I am a stylist, a student, and a creator. 
    What are you wearing, head to toe? SQ: My favorite thrifted head wrap, XL hoops, royal blue thrifted slip, and my BFF’s heels. FR: A completely thrited outfit. 
    Describe Chicago to someone who has never been before: SQ: Chicago is a city where anyone can feel at home. FR: It’s a place everyone can easily call home. Everyone in Chicago is a hustler. 
    Where’s your favorite place to hang out? SQ: This rooftop of a parking lot, at sunset with my BFF. FR: Anywhere as long as I’m with the people I love.
    Where do you look to find inspiration? SQ: I don’t look for it, it simply comes for me. FR: Lately I have been re-watching a lot of Outkast music videos as they have this completely authentic personal style that I can’t get enough of.
    What song are you playing on repeat right now? 
    SQ
    : Son Little, “Lay Down.” Also Rihanna, “Yeah I Said It” is currently on repeat. FR: Gwen Mcrae, “I Can Only Think of You.”
    What was the best party you’ve ever been to and why was it so good? SQ: Any party is good when there is lovely people, music, and good vibes. FR: If I’m dancing any party is the best party.
    What’s the best thing about being young in 2016? SQ: Being able to connect, create, and be inspired by other people around the world. FR: Everyone I’m surrounded by is creative and actively pursuing what they love.

    Alexis Kingery, 22
    What do you do? Styling, model.
    What are you wearing, head to toe? Vintage 60s dress, rhinestone belt, white hoops, Victorian velvet choker. 
    Describe Chicago to someone who has never been before: In the club scene, a community of people from all walks of life, getting their gigs and growing together.
    Where’s your favorite place to hang out? Berlin nightclub in Boystown.
    Where do you look to find inspiration? Friends.
    What song are you playing on repeat right now? Cher, “Believe.”
    What was the best party you’ve ever been to and why was it so good? Rubicon; the music was incredible, the people were as well. 
    What’s the best thing about being young in 2016? There’s so much opportunity and so much on the horizon.

    Ric Wilson, 21
    What do you do? Music, Soul bounce dancing.
    What are you wearing, head to toe? I’m wearing Bucketfeet and thrift store joggers.
    Describe Chicago to someone who has never been before: Segregated.
    Where’s your favorite place to hang out? Wicker Park, Blue Island suburb.
    Where do you look to find inspiration? Home, anywhere that reminds me of home.
    What song are you playing on repeat right now? Izzy Bizu, “White Tiger.”
    What was the best party you’ve ever been to and why was it so good? The notorious 2012 Chicago Party x Party.
    What’s the best thing about being young in 2016? Well, grandpa, social media.

    Hannah Sigfried, 24. Hannah Black, 24.
    What do you do? HS: Photographer. HB: Stylist, Creative director of IN Mag.
    What are you wearing, head to toe? HS: Unif dress, Fenty Pumas, vintage T-shirt. HB: Vintage.
    Describe Chicago to someone who has never been before: HS: It’s really beautiful and is most fun to see driving around. HB: Sprawling, beautiful, diverse, amazing food!
    Where’s your favorite place to hang out? 
    HS
    : The beach. HB: The lake! Or my back porch.
    Where do you look to find inspiration? HS: Everywhere. HB: Tumblr 101.
    What song are you playing on repeat right now? HS: Noname, “Reality Check.” HB: Carly Rae Jepsen, “Store.”
    What was the best party you’ve ever been to and why was it so good? HS: A random house party after a show last summer. HB: Any random house party that let me start a game of dice.
    What’s the best thing about being young in 2016? HS: Being alive in the age of Rihanna. HB: Being able to share our work with the world.

    Sal Yvat, 21
    What do you do? I am an art director specializing in styling, set design, and web design, and the digital editor of Off-Kilter Magazine.
    What are you wearing, head to toe? My favorite wool hat, green suede dress shirt from Urban Outfitters, and Doc Martens chelsea boots.
    Describe Chicago to someone who has never been before: As far as art goes, it’s a functioning high school — and I mean that in the best way. It’s cold — but theres a sense of love in the communities and scenes here.
    Where’s your favorite place to hang out? My house is awesome. One of my roommates is an instillation artist so I live in an art gallery. We all get along and I love living on the South Side.
    Where do you look to find inspiration? I am a big fan of Solange, 70s rock music, Shirley Kurata, and Area Nyc. I also love southern culture because I am from the south.
    What song are you playing on repeat right now? I’m going through a rock moment, so Nirvana, “Come as You Are,” and Mac Miller, “God Is Fair, Sexy, Nasty.”
    What was the best party you’ve ever been too and why was it so good? My roommate’s art party this last weekend was amazing. I’m all about vibes and being comfortable. Everyone was having a great time and the energy was beautiful.

    Naomi Stumman, 21
    What do you do? I do a lot of stuff; I’m a host and a DJ, but l’ve slowed down a little currently. I’m an advertising student, and I love to make zines and take photos.
    What are you wearing, head to toe? Everything I’m wearing is thrifted. My friend painted my shoes.
    Describe Chicago to someone who has never been before: Chicago is a lot.
    Where’s your favorite place to hang out? My bedroom, mostly.
    Where do you look to find inspiration? The internet; going out to different events and seeing the looks of my fellow queer people is always inspiring. I’m also always finding inspiration from my friends.
    What song are you playing on repeat right now? The Julie Ruin, “Girls Like Us.”
    What was the best party you’ve ever been to and why was it so good? I DJ’d this warehouse rave in Atlanta for the fourth of July and it was one of my favorite events. Everyone was so sweet and positive, and I was so comfortable being there and doing whatever we wanted.
    What’s the best thing about being young in 2016? The internet. We are so much more connected and informed than we have ever been and that is so important.

    Shani Crowe, 27
    What do you do? I’m an interdisciplinary artist, and hair braider extraordinaire.
    What are you wearing, head to toe? A hand made mud cloth tank, vintage Lee jeans, also hand distressed sandals.
    Describe Chicago to someone who has never been before: Chicago is a beautiful city with unfurling skyline views, pockets of delightful crustiness, corrupt politics, covert racism, and landlocked talent.
    Where’s your favorite place to hang out? On the lake front, at a friend’s house, at yo mama’s house.
    Where do you look to find inspiration? The world around me, nature, the light inside me.
    What song are you playing on repeat right now? This summer was all about Kamaiyah. But I have “Herbman Hustling” on repeat by Sugar Minott.
    What was the best party you’ve ever been to and why was it so good? My friend Chloe’s baby shower, not a typical choice of fun parties but this one was great! Lush plant life everywhere. Beautiful ambience, we played two games then the DJ dropped; there was an open bar. A whole lot of love.
    What’s the best thing about being young in 2016? Access and forward thinking, everyone is daring to be free and that’s the best thing ever!

    Darius Airo, 21
    What do you do? Painting, curation, digital media, bookmaking.
    What are you wearing, head to toe? Vintage Bulls Championship T, Uniqlo jeans, Puma x Aufe sneakers.
    Describe Chicago to someone who has never been before: A comfortable temperature one week a year.
    Where’s your favorite place to hang out? The lakefront is so nice when it’s nice. I don’t leave my studio enough.
    Where do you look to find inspiration? Art history, Philip Guston, Stuart Davis, Yves Tanguys, cartoon, pop, local commercial imagery and a vast demographic of contemporary artists, Eddie Martinez, Aaron Urry.
    What song are you playing on repeat right now? Haven’t turned off Blonde since it dropped.
    What was the best party you’ve ever been to and why was it so good? We found a civil war era gun at a house party some private school kids threw, that was tight.
    What’s the best thing about being young in 2016? Everything is accessible!!! I can look at shows that opened last week in Chelsea from my studio and it’s mad easy to check people’s nonsensical claims with a pocket computer.

    Abigail Grohman, 22
    What do you do? Model, actor, photographer.
    What are you wearing, head to toe? American Apparel shorts and crop top, Chelsea boots from H&M, choker from a sex shop, customized denim jacket.
    Describe Chicago to someone who has never been before: Really fucking cold and really fucking hot.
    Where’s your favorite place to hang out? My apartment in Lakeview and somewhere quiet by the lakefront.
    Where do you look to find inspiration? My friends, music, and taking very long walks as odd hours of the night.
    What song are you playing on repeat right now? Frank Ocean’s Endless.
    What was the best party you’ve ever been to and why was it so good? Subchroma was this massive art party showcasing work by a painter called Lefty. I live modeled his work and it was incredible.
    What’s the best thing about being young in 2016? Embracing your individuality and not caring about what other people think of it.

    Emily McGill, 21
    What do you do? Illustrator, graphic artist, musician.
    What are you wearing, head to toe? One-piece bathing suit, Adidas track jumper, Steve Madden platform sandals, men’s Lee jeans.
    Describe Chicago to someone who has never been before: An amazing city that’s cold as shit nine months of the year but has music, parks, good people, and the lake. Best summers ever.
    Where’s your favorite place to hang out? The beach! And the parks around it. And my room.
    Where do you look to find inspiration? Watching people in coffee shops — drawing them and taking notes on them.
    What song are you playing on repeat right now? P.E.L.F., “Hardfloor.”
    What was the best party you’ve ever been to and why was it so good? Melbourne house party — best music and people. Rad DJs and party favors, went through the next day.
    What’s the best thing about being young in 2016? Traveling and getting to keep in touch with people all over the world.

    Yazmin Fragoso, 22
    What do you do? Whatever makes me happy!
    What are you wearing, head to toe? Off the shoulder tight black shirt from AA, grey trousers, my hoops, and Air Forces.
    Describe Chicago to someone who has never been before: Fun, great food, you get all types of weather! It’s home.
    Where’s your favorite place to hang out? Around my friends at Fultan Market.
    Where do you look to find inspiration? Everywhere on the Cta, streets, books, music.
    What song are you playing on repeat right now? Ariana Grande, “Dangerous Women.”
    What was the best party you’ve ever been to and why was it so good? Fletcher Project X! Everyone was there! The owner got too lit! Never got shut down.
    What’s the best thing about being young in 2016? Snapchat filters, being able to listen to whatever tune you want anytime. Being doubted. Not taken serious but that makes you work for it even harder.

    Credits


    Photography Lillie Eeiger

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