By Carlos Ferreira
Society Reporter

Vic Sanchez, 22, of Kalamazoo, Michigan is an aspiring model studying architecture at the University of Notre Dame. He does modeling on the side to supplement his income and hopes to come to Chicago one day to participate in various events.

"I want to be a face people remember," Vic mentioned. "I study hard, I work hard, and I also play hard."

Check out some of Vic's photos exclusively on Le Prestige.

By Carlos Ferreira
Society Reporter

Blake, 21, is an aspiring model from Ann Arbor, Michigan. He is a current student at Roosevelt University and hopes to be a doctor one day.

He loves being in front of the camera and enjoys the attention.

"What can I say? The camera loves me and I it."

By Carlos Ferreira
Fashion Reporter

We spotted a young women in Chicago's Millennium Park sporting a faux Fendi handbag and "nerd sunglasses", as Somsiri, a college student visiting from Bangkok, dubbed. She was with her boyfriend and they both laughed in good humor that Somsiri, or "Gift" as her friends call her, was soon to become a Le Prestige ChiStyle icon.

Name: Somsiri
Age: 21
Occupation: Full-time Student.
Currently Wearing: Top and bottom by Thai designer, sunglasses from Bang Rak market in Bangkok, and handbag from Chinatown.
Something interesting about Thailand: Food is good, people are very kind.
What you love about Chicago: American boys: I like blonde and Latin guys.
Favorite things: Flowers, make-up, my boyfriend, and sashimi.
Career Goals: I want to have a fashion boutique selling my designs.

By Carlos Ferreira
Fashion Contributor

Chantal, of Avondale, sat on a bench near Wicker Park with her neice, Teesha. Both were looking adorable in outfits and prints typical of summer. Chantal, a current student at Harold Washington College, wore a checkered-print beach dress she purchased in Venezuela. Teesha, a bit shy but quite the doll, was adorned with a horizontal-striped pull over dress displaying hearts.

Name: Chantal
Age: 20
Occupation: Full-time Student
Fashion Inspiration: My older sister, Maria. She buys all of her clothes at thrift stores and in Chinatown.
Plans for the Summer: Summer school and going to the beach every day.
Career Goals: I want to be a businesswoman.
Favorite Food: I love anything with rice, so I'm naturally a lover of Asian and South American cuisine.

By Jorge G. Zavala
Creative Director
Domínica Rodríguez
Mexico City Fashion Correspondent

For those who haven't heard of 49 Studio, surely one will want to visit the flagship boutique in the trendy Masaryk neighborhood of Mexico City. It isn't simply a shop, rather a boutique displaying Mexican designers, such as Roberto Sanchez. It serves as a meeting point for fashionistas and those with
debonair.

That's how clients, designers, and press, including Le Prestige du Monde, came together for the opening of an art show at 49 Studio in Polanco, Mexico City. Without a doubt, it was an experience to showcase artistic talent and mingle with a diverse array of people from both business and creative circles.

By Carlos Ferreira
Fashion Contributor

We spotted Keri, of Lincoln Square, walking to meet friends for lunch in Logan Square. A friendly young woman, she was willing to be our first featured gal for our ChiStyle portraits, which showcase Chicago style and fashion.

Name: Keri
Age: 22
Occupation: Student, part-time barista at a cafe
Fashion Inspiration: My mom: she wears the most interest things from Bolivia.
Career Goals: I want to own my own coffee shop one day.
Favorite Music: Mexican rancheras, reggae, nu jazz, gospel, Incubus

By Jorge G. Zavala
Creative Director
Sofia Menchaca de la Cruz
Guest Photographer

The Mexican fashion industry is a platform for designers and models based in Mexico and Latin America to showcase their talent. There many young designers with an international vision in Mexico. Their inspiration comes from the sites, sounds, and aura of Mexico's people and natural landscape. 

There are often a lot of real leathers and furs, which are highly valued in the region. Designers like Valencia and Ricardo Seco focus on neutral and dark color palettes, plentiful draping, biker jackets, moody shades and nature-inspired prints with a strong inspiration on minerals and rustic effects. There are also some heavy knits designed by Elena Gomez Toussaint, which are uncommon to see in tropical weather collections.

There are endless opportunities for Mexican designers and the models that port their designs. Many are born and raised in Mexico, while a few are a part of the Mexican diaspora with histories and backgrounds in the United States, Europe, the Middle East, and East Asia. They all have talent and a unique vision, incorporating traditional pieces, such as the huapilli (infamously dubbed the "peasant blouse"), with a pair of skinny jeans and hand-knit leather huaraches (Mexican sandals).

Le Prestige was able to meet a few of the up-and-coming Mexican models in one of Latin America's (and the world's) cultural, financial, and political hot spots: Mexico City. The models, reflecting Mexico's rich history, hail from different states in the country and have experience in Mexico Fashion Week, Miami Fashion Week, and Manila Fashion Week, among others.

They are young, confident, and full of flavor, interested in sharing their homegrown talent with the world.

As part of a larger segment introducing Mexico's talent to the world, this is the first in many fresh and stimulating pieces.

¡Bienvenidos!

By Jorge G. Zavala
Creative Director

CHICAGO - Lilian is wearing an upcycled outfit she found in her closet. A Chicago-native, she grew up traveling the world and visiting the most remote locations. "My parents believed in development work," Lilian mentions with a smile. "I had the opportunity to travel with them during my childhood and a bit in high school so it was a great opportunity to learn about the world."

Lilian Gomez-Blanche, known to her friends as "Lily", was in town visiting some family in suburban Naperville and took the opportunity to speak with Le Prestige about her experiences as a fashionista, social-responsible woman, and Chicagoan abroad.

Lily, who is currently living in Chiapas, Mexico, is a firm believer in positive energy and creativity. "My mom always instilled me with a spirit to do good while looking good," she stated. "My dad was more on the business-end of development work, often helping women learn a variety of skills to help them become self-sustainable. Whether we lived in Cameroon, Bolivia, or Laos, they always looked good and did good for others: I want to follow in their footsteps."

Lilian spoke confidently and with flare. Before the interview was over, she mentioned the craving she had for "bad Chinese food" that wasn't easily available in Chiapas. "I miss having really oily, really bad Chinese food from Chinatown in Chicago," she stated excitedly. "It's so bad for you but it's so delicious!"

Lilian Gomez-Blanche grew up up in the Bucktown neighborhood of Chicago. She attended the American School of Doha while her mother worked in the region. After graduating from the National University of Singapore, she returned to Chicago for a year where she felt "clustered, lacking creativity". In 2010, she moved to Mexico City to work with a cousin's fashion boutique in the trendy Mazarik district. Upon a year of work in the fashion industry, she parted for Chiapas in the summer of 2011 to work with indigenous communities and "inspire hope, passion, and fun". She has no plans of permanently moving back to Chicago in the near future.