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Fresh off her stint at the Chicago Fashion Incubator, this

local girl knows a thing or two about high fashion. After working under fashion gods Zac Posen and Peter

Som, designer Ashley Zygmunt has incorporated her sense of comfort and ease into ZAMRIE. Designing a

collection of blouses where practicality and high style directly coexist, Ashley aims to satisfy the diverse

needs of every woman. “I love using lightweight fabrics that grace the body; a classic shape infused with

understated details transitions seamlessly from day to night.” A statement piece in itself, but effortlessly

personalize the look with your own accessories. Versatility is key when looking for comfort and high style-

this can all be found in a ZAMRIE blouse.

Left: 2009 Chicago Fashion Incubator designers Top: Mayor Richard M. Daley and Macy’s announces Tommy Hilfiger as the Master Designer for the Chi-cago Fashion Incubator at Macy’s on State.

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• CFI Pop Up Shop, 900 North Shops, BESTSELLER

• Feautred in Chicago FASHION FO-CUS, October 2009-2012

• 1 of 6 chosen designers for the 2009 CFI Class

Above: Ashley being interviewed for the Fashion Focus Chicago Fashion Show

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WHAT SUCCESSFUL PEOPLE READ

upscale

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Olivia Cork Python Print by Jess Rizzuti$596 | jessrizzuti.comTrend: Reptile Print

Brandy Skinny Pant by Amber Patton

$189 | amberpatton.comTrend: Black and White

W hile it’s sad to see summer come to an end, the change in seasons often encourages

a much-needed change in our wardrobe. As we gladly swap the dog days of sum-mer for the blustery days of fall, designers seem to be channeling our grandmother’s closet with a retro mix of classic tones, exotic pairings and relaxed loose layers. While a complete closet overhaul might not be in the budget, shopping this season’s hottest trends might give you just the visual impact you need, making the light at the end of the tunnel pretty tempting. —Lee Stevenson

Fall Out

TRENDS

SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2012 upscalemagazine.com32

GivE yOuR STylE a PiCk-ME-uP By ShOPPinG ThE SEaSOn’S hOTTEST TREndS.

HOT ITEMS & COOL TRENDS

Wai Ming Claudia Dress$478 | threadongrandview.com Trend: Leather

Le Capri by Dareen Hakim

$285 | dareenhakim.comTrend: Burgundy

Faux Fur Vest by Zamrie$264 | zamrie.comTrend: Fur

Sweater by Belle N. Matisse$350 | bellenmatisse.com Trend: Warm and Cozy Sweaters

Bloom by Miz Mooz$199 | miz-mooz.comTrend: Military Inspired

Qupid Puffin Lace-Up Booties

$51 | lulus.comTrend: Bold Brocade

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UPSCALE Magazine September/October 2012

Z A M R I Ewww.purduealumnus.org purdue alumnus 57

Alumni Profile

When it comes to top fashion cities, New York City consistently ranks in the top four, along with London, Paris, and Milan.

Chicago is a quieter contender. On Global Language Monitor’s ranking of top fashion cities, Chicago appeared for the first time in 2010, where it ranked #37, rising to #36 in 2011. (By contrast with other US cities, New York was #2, Los Angeles #5, and Las Vegas #16.)

But Purdue graduate and fashion designer Ashley Zygmunt, (HHS’08), feels Chicago’s “up and coming” status makes it just the right place for her.

Zygmunt gained extensive experience during two New York internships with fashion greats Zac Posen and Peter Som. She worked for a short time in corporate fashion, but learned quickly that it wasn’t the place for her.

“It was just too stuffy,” she says. “I was miserable.” On the phone one night, Zygmunt’s mother suggested she look closer to Chicago for opportunities. That night, Zygmunt got online and found the Chicago Fashion Incubator, which provides six designers with resources and work space for a year, enabling them to make community connections and start their businesses.

MAKING THE MOVEZygmunt was accepted for 2009. Through CFI, she started her own label, ZAMRIE, which offers versatile women’s clothes that can be worn for anything from office to evening occasions. She introduced her first collection in 2010.

Chicago’s less developed fashion industry poses several unique challenges. Chicago doesn’t have New York’s selection of fabric, buttons, and zippers ready in stores. Instead, she orders from sales reps. “It takes a lot more planning,” she says. “In New York, you get your fabric that day, but in Chicago, you order fabric and wait a week, or up to six.”

“There are also not as many factories as in New York,” she says. “I’m still learning which factories are good at what.”

But, she says, it’s a lot easier for small designers to succeed in Chicago. “In New York, there are so many small labels,” she explains. Chicago’s less developed market means more oppor-tunity. “There aren’t as many designers, so sales reps here need your business.” And for locals, there’s a certain “coolness factor”

about buying local designs. As for the city’s industry status, she says, “I think Chicago can continue to grow. We don’t have New York’s reputation but we’re starting to move up again.”

INS AND OUTS OF BUSINESSZygmunt has also dealt with all new designers’ general business challenges: finding startup funding, doing finan-cials, and understanding the retail price points to make collections viable for the market.

“My Purdue education really prepared me for that,” she says. “It’s amazing how many designers from art schools have no idea how to do busi-ness — they only know design. At the end of the day, this is a business. Purdue made me take business courses along with design. I didn’t appreciate the importance of that at the time, but I do now.”

Zygmunt is not afraid of hard work. “The hours are long,” she says. “But some of my favorite nights are working late. If you don’t love it, you won’t succeed. But if you work hard, and you love what you do, it doesn’t feel like work,” she adds. “And you can do anything you want to do.”

Melanie A. Hahn

ASHLEY ZYGMUNTCut from a different cloth

» ZAMRIE.COM

ZAMRIE Retailers

ZAMRIE collections can be found at the following stores:

ChicagoZAMRIEPerchance

Elmhurst, ILredE Boutique

Hinsdale, ILHollis

Oak Park, ILAnana’s Boutique

Naperville, ILDean’s Clothing

“Some of my favorite nighs are working late. If you don’t love it you won’t succeed. But if you work hard, and love what you do, it doesn’t feel like work.”

-Ashley Zygmunt

Purdue University Alumnus Magazine Profile

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Chicago Sun-TimesSeptember 2011

CS Magazine June 2011

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CS Magazine April 2011

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May 2, 2011

Crain’s Chicago BusinessMay 2, 2011

Today’s Chicago Woman April 2011

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Front Desk Magazine April 2011

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Time Out ChicagoApril 16, 2010

Women’s Wear DailyApril 20, 2010

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TURN Magazine September 2010

Chicago Sun Times February 17, 2009

“I’d like to see Chicago become an established fashion mecca, and for my-self, I’d like to have this be the start of building a fashion empire. ”

-Ashley ZygmuntChicago Sun Times Article

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ME: In Focus September 2010

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“I call it the easy-wear collection. You’re walking around in the morning think-ing ‘What should I wear?’ and you throw on a blouse with your closet staples. You don’t need accessories to make it look good.

”-Ashley Zygmunt

CS Magazine April 2010

CS Magazine article

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Chicago Magazine December Issue 2010

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CS Magazine March 2010

CS Magazine May 2010

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Chicago Reader March 2010

Chicago Reader September 2010

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Destination Wedding:

Stick with a Little Black Dress, the Zamrie Wesley dress would be

perfect! Pair it with some long necklaces, bracelets or rings, and a

pair of colored pumps — this allows you to accessorize according

to the destination. Caribbean based wedding? Add dashes of hot

pink, turquoise and yellow! Manhattan based wedding? Add dashes

of mint, lavender or red!

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05.02.2012Zamrie designer Ashley Zygmunt is inspired by her grandparents

for Fall 2012

Exuding a sophisticated modernity, Chicago brand Zamrie draws inspiration from different generations of style and all types of women, ranging from the elegant grandmother to the bold, confident best friend. The

stylish yet comfortable and versatile pieces are the brainchild of designer Ashley Zygmunt.

The creative personality began her career working for some of New York City’s greats including Zac Posen and Peter Som, but has also catered to mainstream, everyday women with three collaborated collections for the retail giant, Walmart. Yet, passionate as she was about the New York fashion scene, Zygmunt wasn’t

satisfied. Determined to move back to her hometown of Chicago, she took her mother’s advice and did an internet search for “Chicago fashion.”

“Through the search I found the application for the 2009 class of the Chicago Fashion Incubator (CFI) and it was on the first web page I clicked on. It was the Sunday before the Friday it was due. I frantically started

creating a company that today I am proud to call Zamrie. That Friday, the application was successfully handed in and I waited/sweated/held my breath to see if I would get an interview,” Zygmunt explained.

“Two weeks later I was on my way home for Thanksgiving and got the call while on the plane. The interview was rough. I talked for almost the entire thing and was told it wouldn't be until January whether or not I would

be accepted.”

A month later, she was selected as one of the 6 Designers in Residence for the Chicago Fashion Incubator. Zygmunt began her year at CFI in March of 2009 and Zamrie was born.

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To find her inspiration, the Chicago designer thinks outside of the box and doesn’t always look to department stores and the runway for ideas.

“I am always, everyday, inspired by real women on the street, and by what is not in depart-ment stores. I like being different, in the way where I can wear the same piece different ways and outsiders think I have a completely different outfit on. I try to have all my Zamrie pieces to

have that ability,” she described.

Confirming the collection isn’t specifically created for any age group, Zygmunt looked to her grandparents in her vision for the Fall 2012 collection. She evoked their staple ensembles and

the little details that enhance each piece.

“I always remember my grandpa wearing sweaters and blazers that were piped, plaid, or warm and cozy. My grandmother always had a housecoat on because she was cold, but

underneath I remember her wearing beautiful silhouettes which could be worn by themselves and be a classic staple,” she reminisced. “I wanted to make a line for winter where you can't

wait to wear sweaters, classic dresses that can be layered, and tops with prints and class which are more exciting than a boring button up. I wanted to mix classy sophistication with a bit of elegant yet mysterious edge. Like my grandma always said, just show a little to keep it

interesting.”

The new Fall styles portray warmth with easy-to-wear dresses, stylish mini-skirts, modern button-up dresses, classy blouses and peplum blazers in comforting shades of red, blue, orange and

neutrals. Pieces can easily be combined for layering or styled with opaque tights.

In the three years since Zamrie’s launch, the brand has received a lot of buzz and has helped evolve street style in the Chicago fashion scene. For the upcoming seasons, Zygmunt plans to

simply give the customer what she wants.

“We are looking into using new and more convenient fabrications. A lot of my competitors use silk, which I have noticed my customer doesn't respond to as well. I have realized the Zam-rie woman likes the easiness of washable textiles. Taking items to the dry cleaners isn't what people today want to do. People like convenience. I am sure at some point in your life you have done something or not done something because of convenience. I am trying to give that to Zamrie women everywhere, while still feeling like a million bucks while wearing the

label,” Zygmunt explained.

Like my grandma al-ways said, “Just show

a little to keep it interesting.”

http://www.ladylux.com/style/site/article/zamrie-designer-ashley-zygmunt-is-inspired-

by-her-grandparents-for-fall-201/

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Ashley Zygmunt designer of ZAMRIE is giving us a sneak peek at her Fall/Winter 2012 collection and I like what I see as well as I’m looking forward to the full collection.

About ZAMRIE: Chicago native Ashley Zygmunt started her career working under high fashion powerhouses Zac Posen and Peter Som in New York City. Upon returning to the Windy City, Zygmunt was chosen as one of six designers for the Chicago Fashion Incubator 2009. Sponsored by the City of Chicago and Macy’s, this promising

program helped her launch her own label ZAMRIE. A collection of stylish, wearable pieces that are made for mix-ing matching, the ZAMRIE collection oozes sophistication and intrigue. Bold prints in classic silhouettes and femi-

nine detailing are a staple of the Zygmunt’s collection. Versatile blouses, tanks, tunics, skirts, jackets and more are available each season in a variety of prints, solids and styles.

http://majordilemma.wordpress.com/2012/04/05/zamrie-fallwinter-collection-sneak-peek/

ZAMRIE Fall/Winter Collection Sneak Peek

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Major Dilemma

April 5, 2012

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CONGRATULATIONS TO ANNIE BELL FOR WINNING THE ZAMRIE TUNIC!

Dear Fashionistas,

Chicago native and fashion-forward designer Ashley Zygmunt started her career working under high fashion powerhouses Zac Posen and Peter Som in New York City.Returning to the Windy City, Zygmunt was chosen as one of six designers for the Chicago Fashion Incubator 2009. Sponsored by the City of Chicagoand Macy’s, this promising program helped her launch her own label ZAMRIE.She sets her self apart with a collection of stylish, wearable pieces that are made for mixing and matching. The ZAMRIE collection oozes sophistication and intrigue. Bold prints in classic silhouettes and feminine detailing are a staple of the Zygmunt’s collection.What we love about the collection most, are the variety of prints, solids and styles. A Fashionista Chicago staple!So we wanted to give you a chance to add a bit of ZAMRIE to your style. This wonderful whimsical print tunic is perfect for city lights in the Windy City or anywhere you feel like adding a little pizzazz! A $295 Value! All you need to do to win this fab tunic is simply:

Like ZAMRIE Facebook PageLike Fashionista Chicago Facebook PageComment here on where you would where this City Lights TunicWinner will be announced on Sunday Evening! 4/15/12. Stay Tuned!

Good Luck!

Nicki

ZAMRIE by Ashley Zygmunt Fall-Winter 2012 CollectionFashion Article Posted April 26, 2012

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Secnd CityJuly 4, 2011

Explore ChicagoJuly 2011

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Refinery29July 10, 2011

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ABC Chicago: Feature on ZAMRIE Summer Blow-Out SaleJuly, 2011

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Chciago Magazine : Sales CheckDecember 10, 2010

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NBC ChicagoSeptember 2010

“I’d rather have a closet where I can mix and match things. Whether it be short or long, you can add tights or

boots or wear it with heels. It is all about being diferent when you go to that

holiday party, and you can even wear the same shirt twice and style it different

ways.”

Sound CloudSpeaking of FashionGuest Spotlight: ZAMRIEApril 2011

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Glossed & Found-SpotlightApril 2011

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The Feast ArticleFeb 7, 2011

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TimeOutApril 8, 2011

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Joonbug ArticleMarch 21, 2011

JEALOUS InterviewApril 28, 2011

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The Style Tribe April 11, 2011

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The Epoch TimesApril 3, 2011

May 15th, 2011

Catching Up With The Bowtie…

The Bowtie MemoirsMay 15, 2011

Refinery29 ArticleApril 6, 2011

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Article in FRAYApril 13, 2011

“Ashley Zygmunt’s Lineof Tops is Turning Heads.”

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Garmental.comLook of the Day 08/13/10

Garmental.comLook of the Day 05/28/10

Garmental.comLook of the Day 08/26/10

Garmental.comLook of the Day 08/23/10

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Examiner.com Chicago July 29, 2010

“Fashion is like your favorite pair of jeans, and should make you feel comfortable, sexy and confident.

-Ashley Zygmunt”

Examiner.com article

Style ChicagoAugust 2010

Style Chicago

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Lucky Magazine July 15, 2010

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Style Admirer ChicagoMay 24, 2010

Style Admirer Chicago April 19, 2010

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Factio MagazineMarch 27, 2010

BoutiquevilleMarch 25, 2010

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http://fox8.com/2012/05/01/may-1-2012-2/

New Day ClevelandMay 1, 2012

WCIU TV ChicagoMarch 23, 2011

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Good Day Chicago on Fox News

Cece & Melinda of Raymi Productions wearing ZAMRIE on FOX!

Designer Ashley Zygmunt on abc Channel 7

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Good Day DuPaul Interview

Fashion Focus Chicago Fashion show for the six Fashion Incubator designers

Make a Wish: Jeans for Wishes Fashion Show

Modern Vintage Chicago Show

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