Jennifer Berg

As high-school students, Kelly Whitesell and Elizabeth Del Castillo bonded over thimbles and thread. Before long, the two were sewing side-by-side at New York's prestigious FIT, then sashaying into mega-fashionable jobs: After graduation, Kelly became a design assistant for the ever-so-chic label Mayle while Elizabeth worked in fabrics and production at Spiegel.

In spring of 2005, the girls returned to Chicago to open Eskell (953 West Webster); the Lincoln Park boutique quickly became famous for one-of-a-kind fashions.

When the store first opened, Kelly and Elizabeth displayed some of their own pieces among hard-to-find fripperies from Judi Rosen and In God We Trust. Eskell's maiden collection was handcrafted with fanatical attention to detail and graced with quaint touches of vintage fabric. Lincoln Park shoppers couldn't get enough of the feminine duds, and the whole collection was snapped up within a month.

Last January, Kelly and Elizabeth greased the sewing machines of their in-shop studio and begin dreaming up ideas for a second collection. Inspired by the flower-power chic of clothing from the sixties, the girls built an inspiration wall plastered with photos of longhaired waifs, printed frocks and the infamous Manson girls.

The resulting collection showcases Eskell's devotion to craftsmanship: there are multi-functional details (think straps that can be adjusted to recreate a jumper or pants that can be buttoned up into shorts); intricate seaming and clean, structural lines make the pieces utterly wearable. Items cost anywhere from $50 for a silk-screened tank top to $325 for the jade, bubble-skirted Sunday Dress. Irresistible items include a pin-tucked blouse printed with Kelly's hand-drawn design and the ultra-flattering, Art-Deco-inspired Manson Dress. The Cruiser Jacket, embossed with a whimsical anchor pattern, boasts a collar that can be worn up or tucked down; the Fishing Shorts, short indeed, are perfectly in tune with this season's trends.

This spring, girls on a wardrobe-building mission should head to Eskell with haste; nothing beats having actual designers on hand to help mix and match, especially when the designers in question know a thing or two about making fashion fun. Despite high-fashion pedigrees, Kelly and Elizabeth have a refreshingly lighthearted approach to getting dolled up: relax, trust your instinct and go with whatever looks groovy.

(2006-04-18)

Also by Jennifer Berg

Open for Business
Big-time Big-Apple based Scoop was created in 1996 by Stefani Greenfield and Uzi Ben Abraham. The first boutique, opened in (where else?) Soho, was meant to simulate the "Ultimate Closet," stocked with what Greenfield deems "the best of the best in fashion, all under one roof"
(2006-04-04)

Open for Business
Expect a healing buffet that includes something to soothe any ailment
(2006-03-28)

Studded Studs
Feeling antisocial? Don't wear anything designed by Tracey Mayer, local jewelry guru
(2006-03-14)

Open for Business
A stylish home works much like a chic outfit: adding the right accoutrements heightens the fashion flavor and shows off exquisite taste
(2006-01-17)

Open for Business
(2005-11-21)

Open for Business
(2005-11-08)

about Newcitychicago | about Newcity magazine | advertising | privacy policy | FAQ | employment