Charming. That's the first thing that pops into your head when you see a timeless piece from L.A.-based designer Kristin Dickson's emerging line, Rowena Sartin.

Named after her maternal grandmother, Dickson's line (a favorite of indie starlet Zooey Deschanel) is a playful combination of modern girl sensibilities with a more innocent, ladylike aesthetic; every collection of dresses is influenced by family memorabilia, which guarantees each piece is imbued with a palpable nostalgia. "I enjoy the decor and the embellishment of old things," she has explained. "I try to think of each collection as a composition...this is how I re-make a memory with my designs."

Her Spring collection, aptly entitled "Shape Up," does exactly that—playfully tackling the classic female silhouette and offering looks that are once retro and slightly architectural. A simple black sheath is sexy and modern thanks to an oversized diamond cutout. An abbreviated hemline toughens up a swingy A-line dress. A pleated babydoll top in black is fresh and edgy when paired with a sleek pencil skirt in cream.

Frankly, old school hasn't looked this effortlessly cool in a long time.

Rowena Sartin is available at Roslyn, 2035 N. Damen Street, (773) 489-1311.

- Caroline Stanley

Similar Topics:Emerging Designer, fashion, shopping

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