Corridor40

A Heartland native and fellow fan of pantslessness, Rachel Lynch is the brunette beauty behind Velvet Cigarette. Each time I visit her blog, I get to escape to a fantasy fashion world of cowboys and Indians, mermaids and bikers—which is why I’ve become one of her many fans, and visit as often as possible.

C40. What made you want to start a personal style blog?

RL. I wanted a place where I could put my pictures together with my writing; I love writing, and I wanted to be able to share it with other people.

C40. How would you describe your personal style?

RL. My personal style consists of bodysuits and motorcycle jackets, most of the time. I adore anything that has to do with cowboys, Indians or mermaids. Sometimes it’s just a big game of dress-up for me.

C40. Where are your favorite places to shop?

RL. I’m currently loving Hollywood Mirror in Belmont because they have fantastic cowboy hats and Indian-inspired jewelry. I am also a firm believer in the idea that you can never have too many bodysuits, and I can’t wait to start shopping for swimsuit season!

C40. Where are your must-stop places in Chicago?

RL. Wicker Park and Belmont are two of the best areas in Chicago. The Earwax Cafe in Wicker Park is my favorite place to eat, and it’s right next to a Free People store and a few great thrift stores. Belmont has a great store for leather jackets and Doc Martens called The Alley; it’s a huge adventure just going in there.

C40. What’s your favorite magazine?

RL. My favorite magazine is Baby, Baby, Baby; the photography and styling in that publication are hard to match.

C40. What up-and-coming designer are you loving right now?

RL. I actually met this girl the other day at a party at the Five of Hearts Loft named Mary Grisey. She hand-makes these fantastic dream catcher-inspired earrings, and I can’t wait to get my hands on a pair or two for a photo shoot.

C40. What do you do when you’re not blogging?

RL. I’m currently working on a music video that should be released in two weeks, and lots of projects and photo shoots for different photographers—on top of going to school.

C40. What has been your favorite modeling gig so far?

RL. I am really into the character I’m playing for this music video, but—other than that—it would have to be the warrior princess shoot I did last week. I got to wear face paint on my arms, layer dream catcher necklaces with my navy bathing suit, and roll around like a mad woman.

C40. What are you going to school for?

RL. I am currently going to school for fine art at Columbia College, and am hoping to go to the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute in Los Angeles this summer.

C40. Why aren’t you a fan of pants?

RL. I just find them horribly restricting. I’ll throw them on from time to time—sure, why not? But I like to feel free, and have the ability to run wildly at all times; I simply can’t do that in a pair of skinny jeans.

Images via velvetcigarette.com