Chicago - September 14, 2007

L.A. Story

Crispin & Basilio

Rapunzel, Rapunzel let down her hair brilliantly. And Red Riding Hood kicked some Big Bad ass.

It’s hard to forget a good fairy tale.

So hard that Donny Barrios named his clothing line, Crispin & Basilio, after the Filipino folklore he read as a child.

After graduating from New York’s FIT, Barrios earned his stripes designing men’s ready-to-wear for Naqada, then went on to launch his own women’s collection.

C & B for fall is precisely constructed with subtle shapes and layered fabrics. Heavy felt wools and raw silk knits play against Lurex and chiffon, resulting in a relaxed, West Coast vibe with a chic edge.

The gray hooded blazer goes from casual to formal in a snap (peel off jeans, pull on dress). The navy wool tuxedo tunic dress with a bow tie is a throwback to Barrios’s menswear days.

That’s the story of Crispin & Basilio.

We hope it’s just the beginning.

Available at Language, 1537 North Milwaukee Avenue, between Honore Street and Damen Avenue (773-772-5744 or shoplanguage.com).