Sabrina Baranda was doing some last-minute grocery shopping for a party she was hosting later.
What do you think about your own style? I don’t think about my own style much. I usually just grab a few things from the pile and see if it works together. Most everything I own is used, black, reminiscent of a librarian, or some combination of that.
What’s your main goal when you’re getting dressed? First, make sure everything is mostly clean, or at least you can’t tell it’s dirty. Second, is it functional? Can I bike in it? Can I layer it? If I am going to dance class or rehearsal, will this be easy to change in and out of or, ideally, just thrown over my dance clothes?
What’s your favorite piece of clothing? That would be one of my many high-waisted, long pleated skirts. They are so easy to wear any time of day and in any season. I’m kind of obsessed with pleated dresses and skirts that fall mid-calf.
Why did you decide to dip-dye your hair in green? I want to look like a toxic mermaid that was dragged through the gutters.
Who and what inspires you? This could get really long, complicated and extremely personal, so I’ll stick to fashion inspirations. Cliche as it may be, I really love Audrey Hepburn, particularly in “Roman Holiday,” “Sabrina,” and “Funny Face.” However, I put a more modern/ feminist/ grunge-punk twist to it. Imagine a world where Vivienne Westwood was friends with Audrey Hepburn. I like to clash images of delicate and gritty, a kind of functionally feminine. You caught me on an off day when I was without my bike, but I typically only wear things that I can also bike in: the shoes have to be sturdy and the dresses and skirts have to be able to get rigged so that they won’t get stuck in my tires.
Journalist Isa Giallorenzo was born in São Paulo, Brazil and has elected Chicago as her beloved home since 2009. She runs the street-style blog Chicago Looks and wants to see this town become one of the fashion capitals of the world.
Sabrina Baranda was doing some last-minute grocery shopping for a party she was hosting later.
