Allison Kramer of Chihuly Studios, Style Icon
By Kate Calamusa February 9, 2017
This article originally appeared in the February 2017 issue of Seattle magazine.
Tall Tale: Allison Kramer of Chihuly Studio is a fixture on the local arts scene, spending her days in galleries and her nights at fundraisers and events—where she often turns heads in perfectly cut clothes that complement her statuesque 6-foot-frame. “I always joke I’m built like a birch tree, tall and straight,” she says. “So I’m very careful about cut, and go for classic lines and pieces made with great materials.” Her favorite pices are those that stand the test of time (and fashion fads): ultrasoft cashemere sweaters, silk, slim-fit blouses and an array of day-to-night dresses in graphic or monochromatic prints, like those from design company Marimekko.
Drawing the Line: A year and a half ago, when Kramer down-sized from a two-bedroom home to a 182-square-foot micro apartment on Lower Queen Anne, she cut her wardrobe by about 80 percent, keeping a small base of versatile mix and match separates. “There were definitely some ‘shrinking pairs’ at first,” she says with a laugh. “But really, it taught me to be more selective and to get rid of things that, though I like, didn’t neccesarily suit my style.”
Well Accessorized: When she downsized, Kramer told herself she could surround herself with two luxuries without guilt: fresh flowers and jewelry. A fan of the eclectic, artsy accessories found at Ballard boutique Curtis Steiner, Kramer also has an affinity for back-seamed stockings, classic pearls and even quirky hats, which she often dons to add a graphic pop to her look.
What She’s Wearing
Opera Glasses: Vintage mother-of-pearl opera glasses by Chevalier Paris, from Pastiche Antiques on Bainbridge Island (Facebook: “Pastiche antiques”)
Cuff: Walnut cuff by artist Justin Kercher, owner of Do The Extraordinary boutique in downtown Seattle (dotheextraordinary.com)
Clutch: Walnut clutch by Cero Designs (formerly of Seattle, now in Brooklyn), acquired at the late Urchin on First Avenue
Dress: Marimekko polka-dot dress from Pirkko boutique in Pike Place Market (pirkko.com)
Shoes: Suede heels by Tory Burch via Nordstrom
Follow Us
Holiday Hunt in Pioneer Square
A daily ornament drop turns December into a neighborhood-wide scavenger hunt.
The holidays tend to bring out the kid in all of us. And if opening presents and eating too many treats weren’t enough, there’s also a scavenger hunt in Seattle’s oldest neighborhood. Pioneer Square’s Holiday Ornament Scavenger Hunt has returned for its third year. Twenty-five handblown glass ornaments—all made at Glasshouse Studio—are hidden across 25…
Chit-Chat Kids
Phone a friend.
Twenty years ago, before everyone walked around with a device in their pocket, kids used to call each other on a landline—often tethered to the kitchen in their home. It was a simpler time, when parents didn’t have to worry (nearly as much) about a potential predator contacting their child. Nowadays, things are different, which…
A Plate for Pickleball
The design celebrates the state’s official sport. Additional plates are on the way.
Washington served up a new license plate last week, honoring the state sport of pickleball. In the works for three years, it’s the second of seven specialty plates to hit the market since getting approved by lawmakers earlier this year. “We’re thrilled to see our efforts become reality,” says Kate Van Gent, vice president of…
Seattle-Based Agency Brings Real Voices to NBC’s New Campaign
DNA&STONE built the project around candid conversations to understand what audiences want from reporting.
“I turned off news altogether. I want to be able to form my own opinions. Just tell the truth.” These lines open NBC News’ new national campaign, a 60-second ad that drifts over forests, farms, neighborhoods, and cityscapes while Americans talk about how worn out they feel by the news. The landscape carries the conversation…