NEW! Madison Mannequin: Artistic Expression

Guest blogger Alexandra Graves is an intern here at Madison Magazine and my eye on the streets for all things chic, eccentric or otherwise inspirational. So check back weekly for the latest “Madison Mannequin,” posted every Tuesday from now on. Lex will be conducting all interviews and providing commentary for this special weekly segment.

UW–Madison art and graphic design student Vivian Cruickshank, twenty, was her own canvas at last Saturday’s boiling hot Farmers’ Market. Her medium of choice? Bright, breezy pieces like this pink sun hat and print sundress from Appleton’s Forever 21, where Cruikshank works during the summer.

“Clothing is an art,” Cruikshank says, adding that she looks for interesting patterns and colors to round out her signature style, which she describes as “really fun, yet classic.”

Flourishes to her cool canvas included splashy earrings (also a Forever 21 find) and a white patent tote from baghaus.com. Take a page out of Cruickshank’s sketchbook and start your own closet gallery this fall—Forever 21 is coming to Madison!

News

Lady Moxie is offering alterations every Tuesday from 4–8 p.m. Get your jeans hemmed in thirty minutes while you shop, and other alterations are next-day. It’s kind of a two birds, one stone type of thing.

Lady Moxie, 6706 Odana Rd. 826-4268.

My mother and I have the sparkle addiction; that is, we have a fondness for sequins and shiny things. She’s been known to wear a tiara for no good reason other than just to wear one; I have two bead/sequin-encrusted gowns that I’ve worn to galas in the last few years—among other sparkly items I own.
We might like the Swarovski store that’s opening up at West Towne (who am I kidding?! Of COURSE we’d like it)—it will carry jewelry, watches and fashion and home accessories, according to a press release. I might stop short of purchasing the Swarovski-encrusted lampshade if they sold one, but maybe not …

Swarovski, near JC Penney in West Towne Mall, 833-0542.

Speaking of West Towne Mall, a Forever 21 is opening this fall! Exciting stuff! For those of you who have been to Forever 21’s expansive stores they can be quite overwhelming but you can find virtually anything you’d want there—kooky sunglasses, purple tights (I bought those the last time I was there), ruffly dresses, faux-leather bomber jackets and more.
Forever 21, H&M and Zara all operate on the extreme end of the trendy spectrum—receiving new merchandise constantly and turning it over quickly to keep up with the trends. In other words you might go there to pick up those harem pants (uhhhh … or not … ) or jumpsuit or neon T-shirt. Many of their pieces are items that you may not wear season to season—although Zara is a bit tamer, carrying more classic looks.

Shopwesttowne-mall.com

Middleton’s La Bella Vita Gallery is moving to 6666 University Ave. Their previous location was at 7466 Hubbard Ave.
According to a press release, the new space will feature “an expanded jewelry collection of more than 40 artists, with double the display space.” Owner Yvette Kindschi will also have an outdoor sculpture garden filled with garden art and a display of Kindschi’s landscaping services.
The Hubbard Avenue store will close June 21 and the University Avenue location will open June 24. A grand opening celebration will be July 6–11.

La Bella Vita, 6666 University Ave. 831-3303. Lbvgallery.com