Allie Adams of Doris Ruth: Vintage Glamour for Modern Girls
“Please be kind, wear with heels,” is the motto of Doris Ruth, one of Chicago’s most deliciously feminine labels. The vintage-inspired designs do look best paired with a fabulous pair of high heels (doesn’t everything?), but it’s her gorgeous dresses and separates that are the real stars.
Allie Adams is the designer behind the line, which is named after her very fashionable maternal grandmother, and her collections are inspired by “all the female icons that have influenced her life and enriched her sense of style.”
A Vogue subscriber before the tender age of six, Allie grew up in Minnesota, where she was a competitive figure skater for many years.
Eventually, she began to design her own costumes, prompting the comment, “did you actually love the sport or did you just want to be covered in sequins?" and her love of all that glitters and of interesting texture combinations is still evident in her work today.
Allie’s roots in costume design combined with an interest in trendy pop culture resulted in a lifelong love affair with the fashion industry.
Like many Midwesterners, Allie moved to Chicago after graduating from college (she studied textile design at the University of Minnesota). She got her big break when Kelly O’Brien of Gen Art noticed Allie wearing one of her self-produced ensembles, and was so impressed that she asked Allie to make something for her. Allie's work earned rave reviews from the Gen Art crowd, so she decided to take advantage of the positive momentum and start her own line.
Doris Ruth is all about the kind of glamorous, high-impact clothes that every woman needs in her wardrobe.
Her spring collection was full of saturated bright pinks, greens, blues, and purples, but she’s also been doing more neutrals lately. “You’re more likely to wear that black silk blouse with a hundred different things than (for example), a chartreuse camisole,” she says. While this is no doubt true, the Doris Ruth woman is definitely not a wallflower.
She is, however, a savvy shopper with a distinctive personal style. “She’s the kind of girl that knows if she’s going to spend money on a piece, she wants it to be a piece that stands out.”
Generally under age thirty-five, and put together in an “elegant kind of way that’s not too impeccable,” the Doris Ruth woman shares the designer’s love of vintage and classic clothing worn in interesting, modern ways.
Besides vintage and historical fashion, Allie is inspired by the work of Art Nouveau artist Alphonse Mucha – his very romantic, incredibly detailed paintings provide plenty of ideas for her feminine designs. She also admires the design team of Badgley Mischka, for their beautiful, ornate creations that hark back to the days of Old Hollywood.
For the next season, Allie’s been searching for the perfect floral/paisley print for a look that’s just a bit country, “I feel that that this look has been so out for so long that it’s going to make a comeback soon.” In her capable hands, who could stop it.
Chicagoans can find her line at the Redhead Boutique on Southport, at Fuschia in Glen Ellyn, and Sweet William in Hinsdale. Also, you can pick up Doris Ruth pieces from previous seasons at the Beta Boutique.
www.dorisruth.com
Photos courtesy of Doris Ruth.
SeeMore Shopping Contributing Writer – J. Zenn.
Editorial content is independent of paid advertisers. SeeMoreShopping incurs all expenses associated with reviews. Publ. 04/07.
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