6B - Thursday, November 16, 2006

{the b-side} The Michigan Daily - michigandaily.com

I
6

Local fashion: Anastasia Chatzka designs Detroit

CHATZKA
From page 4B
Chatzka is currently based in Chi-
cago but makes trips back to Detroit
on a regular basis. As far as she's
concerned, both cities are on near-
ly equal footing in the Midwestern
fashion market. Both fall victim to
the five-year lag time in traveling
trends, but they're also big cities
with populations that could poten-
tially support an industry. A Fash-
ion Incubator has been founded in
Detroit, which could be a valuable
asset to both cities' industries.
According to its website, the
Detroit Fashion Incubator's mis-
sion is "to inspire, promote, and
sustain a viable fashion community
in Metro Detroit... our organization
will help develop fashion entrepre-
neurs and our retail showroom will
provide the opportunity for emerg-
ing fashion talent to interact with
the marketplace."
Chatzka thinks part of the prob-
lem is transfer of information and a
lack of knowledge. Most people sim-
ply don't know where their clothes
are coming from or who is actually
producing the garments when they
buy from certain suppliers.
"Every person wears clothes,"
Chatzka said, "it's a matter of who
they're going to buy it from. Wal-
Mart? Or the local designers who
are producing it?"
In the future Chatzka hopes
to gain experience abroad in the
European fashion industry, but
ultimately wants to open up shop
for herself. In addition to her own
facilities and design firm, Chatzka
also puts a high priority on domes-
tic manufacturing, rather than
shipping her garments overseas.
She would like to see the American

fashion market evolve in the direc-
tion of Europe, where the general
public tends tobe far more fashion-
conscious and puts a higher premi-
um on personal style.
"European fashion is very loud,
very bold, very outgoing," Chatzka
said. "They're not afraid to wear
what we would call crazy things."
But Europe's sense of style isn't
the only thing missing in the Unit-
ed States. Garment construction
Better taste. Bet-
ter materials.
Better clothes.
and well-made fabrics are integral
in creating high-end fashion, but
as Chatzka sees it, quality has been
lost over the years at the expense
of turninga profit. Chatzka aims to
move away from highly commer-
cialized fashion and produce more
innovative, quality garments.
So what's her advice to aspiring
fashion designers?
"Learn how to sew!" Chatzka
said. "Sewing is very crucial in
knowing how to design. There
are too many kids who have never
touched a sewing machine before,
and it puts them at such a disad-
vantage."
At the end of the day, Chatz-
ka believes it comes down to
how clothes make you feel when
you're wearing them. You can feel
"empowered" and "sexier," and
create "a whole different ambi-
ance" for yourself.
"When you put on something
that gives you a really good feeling
about yourself, you can enjoy your
day better - even enjoy your life
better."

I

DAILY ARTS.
WE KNOW WHY WE'RE IN
SUCH A GOOD MOOD.
HOW ABOUT YOU?
Designs by Anastasia Chatzka, Detroit's rising fashion star.

urtesy of Anastasia Chatzka

S

( 34-214-7772 Ann Arbor, MI48104
1220 S. University Suite 215
(Comer of S. University and Forest next to Bubble Island)

pyonle min ~ lumi ea 1110taninlg Tor 7.77 Levei ij, recive nextmomm~luly
unlimited package for
1/2 off!!
Purchase lotion of $51.00 or more, receive two free tanning sessions in
Level 4 ($40.00 value)
Purchase lotion of $30 to $50, receive one free
tanning session in Level 4 ($20.00 value)
One Coupon per person expires 11-19-2

*lntroductory rate ofl0% for 6 months from date of account opening on purchases, balance transfers and cash advanc
for purchases will be applied toall remaining balance transfer amounts; the standard APR for cash advances will b
August 8,.2006, the standard variable APR for purchases: 17.99%; the standard variable cash advance APR: 23.24%
you have withus,swe may automatically increase the rate on all balances (including any promotional balances) to a var
is $0.50. Foreign purchase transactiontfee is 3% of purchase amount after its conversion into U.S. dollars. The trans
cash adance, $5 minimum. Tire Iransactrion tee tot balance translers is 3'% of tire amnount o each balanoeliranser
balance transfer transaction fees on balances you transfer in response to this offer. Newcardmembers only. Subject t
To unsubscribe at any time text the word OUT (688)/to CREDIT(273348). Standard text message rates apply. See you
"The 10% off promotion is for a products excepud hei h mentioned in the disclaimer: Giftlards, e-GiftCards, gift wrap, t
to partner businesses, custo clothing, personalized gifts, Bose electronics or Amazon.comproductpurchases includ
s vahd until 1231/06.
Citi and Cii with Arc Design are regisered service marks of Citigoup Inc

es. After the promotional period ends, yournstandard APR
e applied to all remaining cash advance amounts. (As of
.) However, if you default underany Card Agreement that
iable default rate of 32.24%. The minimum finance charge
action feefor cash advances is 3% ofttheamount of each
$5 minimum, $75 maximum. However, we will waive the
o creditsapproval. Additional termsand conditions apply.
o carrier and plan for details.
ax, or shipping and handlgcharges.and doesrnotappiy
ircn books, music and moviesDlVd's.The promotion code

FOUR LEVELS OF TANNING