A City Truly Like None Other: Third Coast and an Artist’s Exploration of Chicago
By Gavin Lipinski
Third Coast Chicago is truly a love letter to the City. Adam, creator of the titular brand, has always had a deep connection to bodies of water - but none come close to the deep-blue tides of Lake Michigan. It wasn’t until he moved to Chicago and began to explore the city that he truly fell in love. It was a love so strong that he began to design a brand highlighting everything Chicago.
“I'm a water sign,” he laughs. As a child Adam grew up in New York, but his family always vacationed in the Jersey Shores.
“I'm not really religious, but I always say, the ocean is my altar. So, when I moved to Chicago and felt privileged to be able to live right on Lake Michigan- just looking at the water every single day helped me feel connected to God. [The water] just gave me a lot of inspiration and positive energy,” he said. “ I don't think there's any other place that I've lived where I've ever really had that kind of a feeling.”
Adam, a businessman until the creation of his brand, he says he wished he would have started designing sooner.
“I've always been an artist; it’s in my blood” he said. “A lot of people in my family are artists in one way, shape or form, and at the core of who I am, is an artist.”
The Third-Coast logo, the aerial symbol of Buckingham Fountain, was one of the foundational pieces of inspiration to his brand, an iconic piece of Chicago he felt wasn’t on display.
“It really is about the spirit of Chicago, and it really is encapsulating what I see and feel, the vibrance of the city, the culture of the city.”
Adam says he didn’t always have the best perception of the city, but that all changed when he moved to Chicago, and really began to immerse himself in the city’s culture.
“I think that's the case for a lot of people who have never experienced the city,” he said. But despite this, Adam says Chicago is consistently rated as one of the best cities to travel to and always receives glowing reviews from travel and food critics - thus prompting him to showcase what he believes is truly the heart of Chicago.
“Fashion is one of the greatest forms of creative expression, but it can also be a way to, in a very tangible, physical form convey your environment,” he said. “That was what led me to create a fashion line. It was the only thing that I felt I could do to convey the message of this city to someone who wasn't familiar with it in a way that is beautiful and distinct.”
Third Coast is made up of three primary categories, streetwear apparel, jewelry, and leather goods. But Adam says that those three categories can evolve as he adds to his collections. His upcoming collection takes inspiration from the repeated lion motifs that he has seen around the city— with the Art Institute being one example.
“That's the great thing about Chicago. There are so many pockets of inspiration, whether it's towns, different communities; there is such a vast array of treasures,” he said.
A labor of love to the fullest extent, Third Coast mixes a fusion of the often-overlooked coastal energy of Chicago with the modernity of street style.
“Everything that I do is some form of interpretation of what I love about this city and what it means to me, and why I think it is the greatest city in the country, if not the world. This is the city. I wasn't born here, but I know I'll die here, because this is the city that I’ve found my home.”
Here are some of our favorite Letty picks from Third Coast’s selection!
Inspired by Chicago’s many neighbors, the cleverly named Neighborhoodies each highlight a different Chicago neighborhood. We have selected the Pilsen zip up for its infinite layer-ability. No matter the weather, and we all know Chicago can never make up its mind, a well-made zip-up is exactly what is needed! With the quintessential Third Coast logo and embellishment, this is the perfect first pick up for any new fan!
Made from Italian Calf leather, this monogrammed masterpiece puts Buckingham Fountain on display. Crafted from the said aerial view of the fountain, this gorgeous bag is perfect for any look. Its timeless simplicity juxtaposed by the detailed stitching complemented by the ever perfect color pairings of black and gold completes this show stopping bag.
The signature Third Coast ingenuity is on full display with this piece- the aerial view of Buckingham Fountain cast in gold. Akin to the Tiffany logo or the interlocked G’s of Gucci, the Third Coast logo truly is an “aha” moment for any Chicagoian, or soon to be lover of the city. Perfect to add to your pre-existing jewelry stack, this pendant is truly divine!
You can come check out Third Coast in person at The Water Tower Place on the 3rd floor. Discover what’s there to love about Chicago and more!
