Fashion Flash’s memorable moments from 2010 Fashion Articles

Fashion Flash’s memorable moments from 2010

Posted by Jorja Rowlandson on January 7, 2011 Leave a comment (0) Go to comments

One of the best jobs at The Plain Dealer is being queen of the Fashion Flash pages. Why? The people who walk into our studios on Superior Avenue, ready to give the world, or at least Greater Cleveland, a glimpse into their closets — and often into their lives — are some of the most diverting you’ll ever meet.

Their sartorial adventures are sometimes hysterical and, more often then you’d imagine, poignant.

What they share is a drive to express themselves through the clothes on their backs, the shoes on their feet and the seemingly endless, fabulous accessories wrapped around their wrists or dangling from their earlobes.

Here are some of our most memorable visitors from 2010.

The bond between Jamila Murray and her daughter, Kamilah (who turned 4 in May), stayed in our minds long after the shoot. “I told her if she did a good job, she could have some candy,” Mom confided. The two are inseparable; they shop together and often wear matching shoes, a practice that elicits oohs and aahs from fellow shoppers. “I take her with me all the time, so she can pick out her own stuff. She’s my best friend.”

Last year, we photographed a series of couples, including Beth and Jim Alunni, married on Sept. 19, 2009. Their relaxed style — Jim in his Chuck Taylors and Beth outfitted by a little boutique called Tar-get– mirrored their loving, easygoing relationship. Better yet, they were charming and funny, too. “He has a size-13 finger. It’s huge. That’s why I couldn’t get his ring in platinum,” Beth said. “It’s like a monocle. If I hold it up, it’s bigger than my eye.” “She did that at the wedding,” Jim added. “She took the ring from the priest. I’m like, ‘That’s nice.’ ”

Yes, yes, we know we just featured Laura DiCesare Marotta in our December Fashion Flash, but she had so many great looks, we couldn’t fit them all onto a single page. One of her favorite finds was this coat she scored at Brigade three years ago. “I wore it and my friend said, ‘You look like you’re from the movie “Star Wars” ‘ — it’s very Darth Vader meets old Prada.” We couldn’t agree — or love it — more.

Stephanie Giammarco’s funky, edgy style and stage presence reminded us a little of Lady Gaga, sans the dress made of raw meat. Giammarco — with a degree in costume design from Kent State University under her skinny patent-leather belt — appeared in our pages in a fanciful neo-Victorian outfit of her own creation, complete with a birdcage hat atop her head. But we also loved her everyday look, particularly her “Zombie Stomper” kicks, a pair of vegan pumps from Iron Fist.

Local rockers Martin O’Connor, left, and brother Cullen stopped by The Plain Dealer studios before appearing onstage with the group Riot 101 at the Winchester Tavern & Music Hall in February. Their tastes run classic — AC/DC, the Beatles, the Rolling Stones and Queen — and they credit their mom with helping them shop for their stage duds: ties, hats and studded wristbands. Needless to say, the brothers have quite a following, including middle school groupies. Get in line, ladies.

Bonnie McKinney Uher, a FedEx driver and grandmother of three, reminded us of a fit and fabulous Jane Fonda. Clearly, style runs in the family, as evidenced by her two daughters, Gina and Heather, who accompanied her to the shoot, and her granddaughter, 3-year-old Vivian. “Vivian is a total fashionista — since she’s been 18 months old!” McKinney Uher said, adding that the little girl will only wear dresses. Her best fashion advice? “I think women are too hard on themselves, and they should dress the way they look best and not say, ‘I’m gonna lose 20 pounds and then get a new outfit.’ Do it now! Just celebrate who you are, you know?”

When we can lure fashionable guys into the studio, it’s a day of celebration here at Flash headquarters. And Matt Bonitati — looking positively smashing in this Wrath Arcane tweed jacket — was one of our favorites. We positively swooned when he lamented the death of style in everyday wardrobes. “I think people just got too casual. My big pet peeve is you can’t go out anywhere in Cleveland for dinner where people actually dress up . . .” We hear you, Matt. Here’s to starting 2011 with a resolution to don some spiffy duds when dining out.

In February, we were floored by the ease with which Imani Tibbs, then a junior at Hathaway Brown School, put together fetching ensembles, like a mini Coco Chanel. Her gifts? Colliding high-fashion labels from the likes of Bloomingdale’s with affordable and chic looks from Forever 21, her favorite store “ever created,” and an unfailing eye for color.

Kelli Ruttle, a student at the Case Western Reserve University/Cleveland Play House graduate acting program, walked into The Plain Dealer oozing old Hollywood class, from the elegant watch that belonged to her grandmother to the pearls handed down to her from her Aunt Mary. We also hear from our theater critic, Tony Brown, that she’s an actress with astonishing range. Talented and stylish is exactly the way one should go through life, no?