Q&A: Ella Chrenka

August 17, 2012 at 9:45PM
Ella Chrenka
Ella Chrenka (Margaret Andrews/The Minnesota Star Tribune)
  • Age: "Old enough to know better"
    • Lives in: Uptown
      • Claims to fame: Organizer of the monthly supper club Clandesdine; shopgirl at Lula Vintage Wear; waitress at Brasa.

        Q: How did Clandesdine first come together?

        A: My partner in crime, Eli, and I decided we wanted to generate an event that allowed the public to see the effort and passion that goes into creating a dining experience. By bringing in new chefs, artists and diners into a home for one night a month, we hope to foster an environment where passionate young initiators can act on their own ideas on their own terms -- without any paycheck involved. It's been a powerful experience to see how social currency can be just as rewarding as monetary profit.

        Q: Working at Lula, you must have quite the vintage collection of your own. What are your most treasured pieces?

        A: A '50s drop-waist cotton sundress that has a hand silk-screened image of Mount Rushmore along the hem. In the same Americana vein, I own a pair of Wrangler denim shorts with the presidential seal printed all over them.

        Q: What's the weirdest thing in your closet?

        A: I have four vintage wedding dresses, just in case.

        Q: What are five things your weekends typically consist of?

        A: "The Real Housewives," Subway 6-inches, Pilates, texting and vodka sodas.

        about the writer

        about the writer

        Jahna Peloquin

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