Fashion designer and Winnetka native ELENA VICTORIA is making a name for herself on the North Shore. Since 2015, she has enriched the lives of North Shore children, fostering self-confidence and joy, through her boutique sewing classes taught by fashion designers. When she isn’t teaching, she is designing and sewing custom dresses for women of all ages. She recently launched a second location in the Detroit suburbs—and she is just getting started. This clever couturier took a break between gowns to share her city and shore favorites with Sheridan Road.

For more information, visit elenavictoria.co.

What’s on the horizon? We are very excited to bring more talented teachers to Elena Victoria Mantra? Everything happens for a reason Best grooming tip? Always cleanse your face right after a workout. Toner pads work in a pinch Guilty pleasure? Eating peanut butter out of the jar Favorite foods? Watermelon or banana bread, I am sweet not savory Music you love? Klingande and Kygo, Tropical House music Best advice ever given to you? You’ll never know until you try Best advice you’ve given? Don’t take “no” for an answer. Keep trying Earliest memory? Sharing a bedroom with my older sister and staying up all night laughing When you wake up, you? Coffee ASAP Before bed, you? Turn all screens off and read silly paperback novels What’s on your bookshelf? Silly paperback novels … love Jodi Picoult You can’t live without? My sewing machine Love to escape to? The lake Advice you would give to your younger self? Don’t confuse anxiety with intuition

ON THE SHORE

Your style is? Classy and clean, love simple classic looks—mostly whites, blacks, and nude Can’t leave the house without? My AirPods Transportation? VW Tiguan. I commute from Detroit to Chicago for my business, so I drive a lot Driving music? Calvin Harris Place to eat? I love Guildhall in Glencoe and subs from Lakeside Food in Winnetka Shop? Valentina in Winnetka Best thing about the Shore? The community and the people. I have met so many fantastic clients who have become great friends Worst thing about the Shore? New Trier High School traffic The perfect day is? A round of golf with my husband followed by a cold glass of Chardonnay on our patio

IN THE CITY

Your style is? Layering is key when I go downtown (it is the windy city), any outfit I choose is paired with a great handbag and fashionable sunglasses Can’t leave the house without? My ID Transportation? Metra Driving music? We try to avoid driving downtown Place to eat? Au Cheval, worth the wait Shop? Zara Best thing about the City? The liveliness and the people Worst thing about the City? Finding your Uber The perfect day is? We love browsing the windows downtown, especially on Jewelers Row, followed by dinner and drinks