Making it to the BIG TIME

Second city? Not for long. Chicago has a reputation for always coming second to New York or Los Angeles in fashion, music and art industries, but Chicago has bred many talented artists that are dominating today's pop culture. With acts like Kanye West, Calvin Tran, Lupe Fiasco and Ryan Shultz, Chicago is leaving its mark on the industry.

The Kanyes of the world don't just happen – they are bred with talent and perseverance. They are dreamers that turn their fantasies into realities. They are the difference between thinking about something and actually doing it. People like them are natural-born stars. No matter what happens, they always shine.

There are stars among us, and right now they are just regular people like you and me. Some go to school; some don't. They all eat food and drink water. Most of them wear clothing and some even make-up.

They sometimes laugh and sometimes cry. They never run out of stories. They have families and friends. And they are DePaul students.

Caitlin Marino

FASHION BLOGGER

Caitlin Marino models for Chicago fashion and lifestyle blog The Stinky Feet. (Photo by Nika Blake)

TheStinkyFeet.tumblr.com | @TheStinkyFeet

You can see Caitlin Marino's red lipstick from a mile away. She is a DePaul alum, who graduated in December of 2011 with a double-major in journalism and performance art. The 5'7" porcelain-skinned redhead was once a ballet dancer, evidenced by her small frame. She has recently moved into more commercialized work focusing on fashion, blogging and modeling.

While in school, Marino became a contributing writer and model for Project Captured, an up-and-coming local fashion and lifestyle blog started in 2010 by Christopher Free, another DePaul graduate. The blog has since grown rapidly and gained a local following.

"Chris is great to work for because I get to do all the things I love and I'm doing it in a creative environment," Marino said.

"I met so many creative, entrepreneurial people in Chicago through DePaul that I think I will always have some ties to this city and community," Marino said.

Being involved in many avenues of the fashion world has also prompted Marino to start her own independent projects. Right now she is working on a shoe fashion blog, The Stinky Feet. The blog focuses on Marino's appreciation and love for shoes and the lifestyle of a fashionista. Her writing is witty with intertwining metaphors, anecdotes and personality, allowing readers to relate to her and to the "stinky feet fetish."

"I love all things make-up, fashion, shoes and hair. If I could write about all of it, I would," Marino said.

Her style, prose and professional experience make her unique, and mixed with her signature curly red hair and lip stick, Marino is truly one of a kind.

Cody Kazarian

BAND MANAGER

Cody Kazarian with local band Kids These Days. (KidsTheseDaysBand.com)

www.KidsTheseDaysband.com | Facebook | @KidsTheseDays