Local Love — Flash Back With Modahnik’s Fall Winter ’12 Collection

Whether it's a chef, musician, artist, or designer, we never get sick or asking the question, "What inspires you?" For local designer Kahindo Mateene, she found inspiration in her stylish mom, whom wasn't afraid to sport a "rocking afro, wild makeup, and platforms."

A native of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mateene would spend countless hours behind her Singer sewing machine and experiment with ways to creatively drape Africana fabrics. The now Chicago resident launched her line, Modahnik, back in 2009 during Fashion Focus (coming up again October 18, y'all!), and since then, she has steadily gained her footing in the Chicago fashion scene. In fact, in just a few short weeks, she'll be launching her fall/winter '12 collection.

The collection pays homage to her mom, who Mateene says "had the coolest style in the '70s and '80s during the Congolese' fashion heyday." The vintage-inspired pieces are a blend of masculine elements (think: structured collars) and feminine details, such as pleating and tasteful cutouts that leave enough to the imagination. We've rounded up five amazing looks from the collection, all of which will be available for purchase on the Modahnik online store launching at the end of the month.