When I was living in Williamsburg, Brooklyn many, many years ago, I used to go to a shop called Mini Mart on Bedford Avenue. At the time I wore colorful barrettes in my hair, platform shoes and baby-tees. I basically looked like a Bratz Doll. Mini Mart sold a lot of what my aunt would call “funky” things, which is probably how she referred to the blue streak in my hair at the time. On one particular day I decided to shop for a pair of classic, form fitting, black pants. I WAS GROWING UP. That’s officially when my love for Built By Wendy started. I wore those pants until they were ripping at the seams. Then I bought another pair, and another pair. And today, it’s one of the only brands that has stayed with me throughout all my wardrobe phases. Built by Wendy has been around for 20 years now. It’s a great DIY story. I was later lucky enough to know Wendy Mullin, its founder, personally. She is one of the most stylish and nicest people I know. That’s probably why so many great musicians love and wear the brand—It’s classic, but with an edge. Don’t you kind of agree?

clockwise, l-r: PAINT SPOTS & STRIPES LONG DRESS, $360.00, Built By Wendy; BOUCLE OVERCOAT, $415.00, Built By Wendy; SOLID GOLD DOT KNIT DRESS, $275.00, Built By Wendy; CAVALRY TWILL ZIP TROUSER, $165.oo, Built By Wendy.