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Vertu for Salon Blonde
*Photo courtesy of Joel Huffman of Vertu |
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Vertu for Elite Chicago, Salon Blonde and more
You may not have heard of Vertu, but as a Chicagoan, we’re willing to bet that you’ve encountered their design. The Chicago-based architecture and design firm is changing the city one stylish project at a time. Most recently, they were responsible for the eye-catching design of the newly minted Threadless brick-and-mortar store in Lakeview. Before this, Vertu was turning heads with the new design for Salon Blonde, as well as working with Elite Model Management to revamp their offices. And if Chicago wasn’t keeping their team busy enough, they also put the chic Parisian salon Sylvain Melloul on the map.
The affable and modest Principal, Joel Huffman, credits his unique and versatile clients with helping to push his own creativity to the next level. “In a lot of ways inspiration comes from the client. Most of our clients are looking for something fashion innovative, so that’s a big step and something that helps drive inspiration.”
In addition to working with high profile, fashion-forward and strongly branded clients, Vertu also handles industrial design projects and installations. It houses a small atelier where all stages of design can flourish, from the architectural structure down to the details and accessories that inhabit the space. Huffman explains, “We have a balance with design and architecture, which is one thing that allows us to be more unique. Especially when we get into furniture display design, we have a lot of knowledge and resources in that area, and we can really take a project to the next level.” As a prime example, the firm recently helped Elite Model Management rework their offices and then designed desks and other furniture items that functioned in conjunction with the Elite space and with industry specific needs.
Joel Huffman is not only a Principal at Vertu, he’s also a founding board member of M5 Artist Collective. The not-for-profit comments on
contemporary issues through multi-disciplinary installation based events. M5 has produced two stellar full-scale fashion shows, Chaos in Union Station (2001) and Seamless (2004).
With Hoffman’s refined eye, Vertu continues to transform Chicago’s spaces in a perfect combination of utilitarianism and beauty.
www.vertuinc.com
-Kari Skaflen
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