Talented, super-cool Chicago designer Christina Fan of C/FAN only began designing a few years ago, but her ethereal, beautifully draped, original pieces (check out three of her Spring looks below) have already attracted a huge local following. The 27-year-old Northwestern grad grew up in Lake Zurich and gave up law school after spending some time traveling around Asia, an inspirational place that helped her realize that fashion was her future. A Gen Art show and a stint with the Chicago Fashion Incubator soon followed, and Chicagoans began clamoring for Fan's sophisticated, wearable designs. "I feel like it's been an organic growth," says Fan, who works out of a Logan Square studio and recently took her designs to her first New York trade show. "It was inspiring to meet a lot of the designers that were there, and I was thankful to be included," she says. "Fall 2011 was well received so hopefully we'll keep growing." Fan let us in on some of her favorite Chicago things — and even introduced me to awesome new Chicago band Black Light Saints, who will be playing a show at After Dark at the Art Institute this Friday. I told ya she was cool.

    Christina's Favorite Things:

  • Clothing store: Sofia Vintage (72 E. Oak St., 312-640-0878; shown below): "Vintage and indie designers all rolled into one amazing package."
  • Accessories shop: Randolph Street Market: "I found the most amazing pre-Congo ivory earrings and bracelet last Summer."
  • Spa: Spa La La (2300 W. Armitage Ave., 773-772-5252)
  • Restaurants: Avec (615 W. Randolph St., 312-377-2002) for chorizo-stuffed medjool dates, Maude's Liquor Bar (840 W. Randolph St., 312-243-9712) for roasted bone marrow with red onion jam, and Lula Cafe (2537 N. Kedzie Blvd., 773-489-9554) for brunch
  • Cocktail: Lady Grey at The Violet Hour (1520 N. Damen Ave., 773-252-1500)
  • Chicago spot: Logan Square Farmers Market, Lily Pond in Lincoln Park
  • Concert venue: Schubas (3159 N. Southport Ave., 773-525-2508)

Source: C/FAN and Sofia Vintage