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Yolanda,
only eighteen at the time, reluctantly left her
life and friends behind, not knowing what her
future in America would bring her. At an early
age Yolanda fended for herself and her family
by working two jobs at once to make sure there
was food on the table and a roof over their heads.
This strong work ethic and her life long love
of art and fashion led to an idea.
Yolanda
enrolled in textile classes at the Art Institute
of Chicago and shortly after began to turn her
idea into a reality. From the basement of her
home on the northwest side of Chicago she painted
her first fabrics, cut the materials, and sewed
together the pieces of her American dream. Her
clothes, to her surprise and elation, became an
immediate success. Soon after, the business grew
from the basement to the rest of her home, and
when that wasn't enough space an addition was
built onto the house (a true cottage industry).
After two years of working out of her own home,
the space could no longer support the growing
production and in 1984 Yolanda Lorente Limited
moved to its current home, a 25,000 square foot
factory in the heart of Chicago's Roscoe Village.
In 1987
Yolanda hit prime time when Joan Collins a.k.a.
Alexis Carrington walked into Blake Carrington's
office on "Dynasty" with her usual furious
flair in a Yolanda Lorente ensemble. Since then
many celebrities have donned Yolanda's designs.
Because of Yolanda's one of a kind look, numerous
costumers since then have chosen Yolanda's original
pieces to grace the T.V. and movie screen.
5 years
ago Yolanda opened her first exclusive boutique
on Chicago's magnificent mile, at 900 North Michigan
Avenue. It is here that she showcases not only
her regular collection, but also one of a kind
pieces that sell nowhere else in the country.
It is at the "Yolanda Lorente Boutique"
that the Yolanda customer can receive the ultimate
experience of having a personal consultation and
fittings with Yolanda herself. Yolanda shares
this personal touch with her customers "so
she can keep her finger on the pulse of what her
ladies want and need."
Yolanda's
inspiration comes from the world around her and
each hand-painted piece beautifully parallels
her vision of this world. From soft romantic floral
compositions to bold graphics in stunning colors,
her truly feminine designs compliment a woman's
figure, making the wearer as unique as the design.
After
20 years of being in the business, Yolanda has
seen fashion trends come and go, but one thing
remains constant, and that is her eye for making
a woman look and feel beautiful!
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