2008 marks the 25th anniversary for Yolanda
Lorente Limited. In 1983, out of the basement
of her home in Chicago, Yolanda Lorente
started to sew together the pieces of her
American dream.
Yolanda was born in Gdansk, Poland. At an
early age she developed a love for art and
fashion. She focused on both as best she could
in a communist Poland that shunned individuality
and artistic freedom. At the age of eighteen
Yolanda’s mother left Poland with her three
daughters in search of a better life in America.
Life wasn’t easy as Yolanda, at such a young
age, stopped her schooling and worked two
jobs to help support her family. 3 years after
moving to America, Yolanda married Stefan
Szefer, a European soccer star, and had her
son Arthur (who now runs the company with
her). After her husband retired from the soccer
field and her son was in school, Yolanda,
at 36, proclaimed that it was time to follow
her dreams.Yolanda took her love of sewing
and art and an idea was born. She enrolled
in the Art Institute of Chicago and took textile
design classes. Painting on silk was a natural
progression as she had been exposed to it
in Poland, where they specialized in it. Creating
her own fabrics, Yolanda did not have to be
confined to the lack of choices presented
by the textile manufacturers that everyone
else used. Soon she was painting and sewing
her first collection from the atelier she
created in her home. With a little luck, God
given talent, and a lot of perseverance, Yolanda
Landed her first account, Saks Fifth Avenue!
After working out of her home for two years,
Yolanda’s production soared and had to move
to a larger space. Yolanda Lorente Limited
then moved to a 24,000 square foot factory
in Chicago’s Roscoe Village neighborhood.
Soon after that her designs would pop up on
television shows (the first of which was Dynasty),
and the movie screen. Her designs have been
spotted at many an award show and received
numerous accolades. Her fabulous garments
can now be bought at better boutiques throughout
the country.
In 1997, Yolanda opened her first boutique
on Michigan Avenue, in the heart of Chicago’s
Magnificent Mile. It is at her store that
Yolanda showcases her collections as well
as custom designs that can be seen nowhere
else. Only at the Yolanda Lorente Boutique
can a customer make an appointment for a one
on one consultation with the designer herself.
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 25 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! |
