Scenic City Style Icons: Chatter judges and readers pick the women they think fit the bill

Fashion icon: a person or thing that is very well known as being highly fashionable.

But how do you define fashionable?

Chatter called on the public and a professional style panel to help answer that question. We solicited nominations of well-dressed women, no matter how they define style. We narrowed down the pool to eight local females who prove that fashion comes in all kinds of aesthetics — professional, vintage, funky, everyday, and more — striving to illustrate some of the many ways in which women are using clothing to express their personality. Hundreds of votes later, these three women, pictured in personal outfits they say best reflect their stlye, emerged as our Scenic City Style Icons, thus ending the "fashionable" debate — for now. Men will get their own chance in June.

 

LIZ LINDSTROM — Judges' Choice (tie)

"Style to me is a way to have fun in the everyday things of life.

"I would define my style as tailored shapes with a vintage twist.

"My style icon is a combination of Katharine Hepburn and Iris Apfel.

"My go-to/favorite piece is a classic black blazer by Boden because it adds an element of crispness to any outfit.

"My style advice is to think of one outfit you feel good in every time you wear it and expand your wardrobe around it."

 

LAUREN DUNHAM — Judges' Choice (tie)

"Style is an expression of yourself and your emotions.

"My personal style has evolved into being more vintage. I love patterns with an older-era vibe, and light, flowing dresses with collars and buttons.

"My style icon is Audrey Hepburn.

"My go-to/favorite piece is my floor-length fitted black dress because it is timeless, elegant and classy.

"My style advice is to mix it up. Be bold in your looks and step outside your comfort zone. Making efforts to dress up in ways you hadn't thought of before helps bring out a new sense of confidence."

 

AMANDA FREEMAN — People's Choice

"To me, style is being comfortable in your own skin. Style is an outward expression of yourself. Most people are judged based on first impressions, so why not let them judge me on how I feel best?

"I would define my style as classy, modest, yet sexy. You don't have to bare it all to be trendy.

"My style icon is Audrey Hepburn. One look at her and you know what type of person she is: classy, kind and confident. I admire that.

"My go-to piece is a bow because a bow can make the most simple outfits look classy.

"My style advice is to be your own person. Don't let the stress of being 'popular' or 'in-style' change the way you dress. Be confident in who you are."

 

 

MEET THE PANELISTS

Arlyn DeFoor Haycock

Co-owner, Antibes

Through my family's travels, I was inspired by the eclectic clothing I saw both here and abroad. My hope is to emulate that style here in Chattanooga.

Antibes is a place where customers can find not only current fashion, but also unique, timeless looks. Being a part of downtown provides everyone the opportunity to come and experience offerings that are unparalleled in the city.

 

 

Nicole Lampru Glover

Marketing director/buyer, Fischer Evans Jewelers

Having lived in the States for the past 11 years, Nicole has found a home in Chattanooga after leaving Miami two years ago. She is a Venezuelan native.

Nicole's background is in fine jewelry and watches, working previously in the wholesale and marketing segments for European designers. She is a third-generation jeweler, who along with Clarke Glover (MBA, Graduate Gemologist) has become an integral part of the new Fischer Evans Jewelers merchandising concept. Together, they are directing the downtown Chattanooga jewelry store to be among the most competitive and approachable privately owned businesses in the Scenic City, especially in the loose diamonds and fashion fine-jewelry industries.

 

 

Hayden Sasse

Manager/buyer, Abby Lane Boutique

I graduated from Auburn University with a Fashion Merchandising degree. I have over 10 years of retail experience. After graduating, I interned and worked for Anthropologie in Atlanta. I moved back home to Chattanooga and started working at Merch Northshore, which has rebranded as Abby Lane Boutique.

I just love dressing people and making them feel beautiful in the clothes they are wearing. There is nothing better than helping a customer find that perfect outfit!

 

 

Trish Foy

Owner, Anna Ball White

When my mother, Anna Ball White, opened her boutique in 1955, brides-to-be and fashionable socialites would travel to her Cleveland, Tennessee, store to comb through the racks of sophisticated, classic designs.

After leaving a successful interior design career at Rich's Department Store in Atlanta, I took Anna Ball White's boutique in a different direction, moving the store to its current location near Hamilton Place mall and offering not only cocktail-hour dresses, but stylish pieces of everyday wear from brands such as Lafayette 148, Planet and Joseph Ribkoff.