Sexy new line from Chicago’s Kahindo Mateene
By Jessica Sedgwick, jsedgwick@suntimes.com
PRINTS CHARMING: For the Flotus dress ($306), Mateen says, “I wanted to make it really funky and that a lot of different women, body types, could wear.” Also, the name “Flotus” is an acronym for First Lady of the United States.
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For this spring, Chicago up-and-comer Kahindo Mateene has fused her African heritage with an urban sensibility.
The result? A bold and sexy collection that shines with bright colors and fun geometric prints. Here’s a cheat sheet on Mateene and what she has to offer us this season with her label, Modahnik:
Age: 33 Neighborhood: Edgewater
Her inspiration: “When I started the line, I really wanted to incorporate my African heritage, but living in the States for 16 years, I also wanted it to be modern and cosmopolitan and sophisticated. So using bright colors and bright prints that I see back home in day-to-day life in the market, that’s what I pull from.”
Who she’s compared to: “Some of my pieces are compared to Alexander McQueen — the matching and really bold colors and prints and blues. A lot of the prints I’m seeing for spring are more understated, but mine are more bold and in your face.”
On one of her prized possessions: “My dream celebrity person to dress is Michelle Obama. I did send her one dress from my spring/summer 2011 [line]. I don’t know if she’s worn it, but I did receive a thank-you note from the White House. I carry it with me everywhere.”
Sizes for spring collection: 2 to 16
Prices: Between $242 and $350
How to buy: Online store launches at the end of March. Until then, have a dress custom ordered: E-mail Modahnik@gmail.com.