After an amazing two years, I closed Pivot’s Chicago storefront on October 31, 2009. I opened Pivot in September 2007 to create a place in Chicago where people could realize you don’t need to sacrifice style in order to have a more conscious and responsible wardrobe. I wanted to showcase eco-fashion in Chicago and bring people together to explore all aspects of sustainable lifestyles. To create a turning point for the community. For two years I, with the help of many wonderful people and supporters, did just that.

It was a difficult decision to close, but one that I felt was best for Pivot and myself. And it’s just the beginning of a new phase. I will be maintaining an online presence and you can look for the first Pivot event “post-storefront” to come this winter! Meanwhile, I’ll be starting a new series of posts on the blog to stay in touch with you online.

But first, I’d like to share some of the highlights of Pivot’s two years in Chicago’s West Loop. Maybe just for my own “scrapbooking” purposes. There will be plenty more new Pivot milestones and events to share in the years to come!

Most unique product: I was the first U.S. buyer of Singgih Kartono’s magno wooden radio. Kartono’s products have recieved several design awards and are now sold across the U.S. and Europe.

Biggest event: In October 2008, I created a four-day exhibit titled MoSS: Museum of Sustainable Style during Fashion Focus Chicago. I featured fashion and furniture designers in a museum-like setting, held a panel discussion and helped create a short animated film discussing sustainable style.

Awesome honors: In April 2009, I was chosen as one of six Chicagoland inviduals to receive a Green Award from Chicago magazine. In September 2009, Pivot was chosen as Fashion Group International Chicago’s rising star in retail. And in 2007, I won Daily Candy’s Sweetest Things award.

Exciting moment: I was invited to speak at a press conference with Mayor Daley and Pete Wentz to announce Fashion Focus Chicago events in June 2008.

Maybe my favorite press mention: NYLON magazine covered Pivot’s store opening in the January 2008 issue. NYLON was one of my favorite magazines for a long time, so it was really amazing to see Pivot in the issue.

Most fun memory of shop: I have a ton of fun memories of the shop from events to hanging out with friends and designers. But if I had to pick one time, it would probably be when Bill Murray came to shop!

John Patrick Organic cashmere cardigan, Toggery organic cotton gray tank, Toggery white bamboo pashmina, Battalion bamboo legging jeans, Kate organic cotton trench coat

Via goop.com

I’ve always admired Gwyneth Paltrow’s easy, classic and chic style. So when I was browsing around on her lifestyle website GOOP I was pleased to find her newsletter on ‘uniform’ dressing. (Yes, it’s from October, so I’m sorry if you’ve already read it.) In her intro Gwyneth advises to find some fuss-free basics that work on your body and then transition them from outfit to outfit as your lifestyle requires. So I’ve snapped some items you can find at Pivot right now that match up with her recommendations.

Legging jeans – on sale, $89

Trench coat – on sale, $109

Cardigan – $262

Tank – $38

Pashmina – $44

You met Kaelyn a couple posts ago, she’s been working at Pivot since November, now meet Bridget – our amazing summer intern.

Bridget is going to be a junior this fall at Miami University in Ohio and she’s excited to be living in a city for the first time. She is majoring in journalism and has created a course of study that focuses on sustainable fashion. (How fantastic, right?!) Bridget hopes we can all become more conscious consumers and feels that fashion is an easy and fun first step.

She’s embraced Chicago as a city of bikers and is currently obsessed with her “new” 1970s Schwinn Suburban. Bridget loves DIY projects, new music and accessories – she knows that a scarf can solve any outfit dilemma.

Bridget’s New Year’s Resolution was to stop buying bottled water and she hasn’t spent a dime on it since.

When you don’t find me at Pivot, you’ll find one of my wonderful staff members to help you. I’m lucky to have found such great people who are passionate about eco-fashion and living more sustainable lives. Today, meet Kaelyn…

Kaelyn is a senior at Columbia College Chicago majoring in Fashion Design with a minor in Art History. She loves knitwear, making vintage hats, going to flea markets and traveling to new places. Kaelyn enjoys working at Pivot because of the exposure to designers who are creating for a more sustainable world through the design process of fashion. She hopes to one day be able to have her own line that uses all sustainable and organic materials as well!

One green thing Kaelyn does every day? She turns the water off while brushing her teeth.

Last night the 4th Annual Guerrilla Truck Show took over the corner of Fulton Market & Aberdeen. Organized by Fulton Market veteran Morlen Sinoway, the event featured independent furniture designers and artisans in a unique setting. Artists bring moving trucks, back them up to the loading docks around our corner, and then create mini gallery spaces inside. Our friends Roscoe Jackson had one of several truck spaces and Joshua Height at Brickermade opened up his studio. There was even a marching band (of sorts). For real.

We love our neighborhood…