COUNTRY VS. TOWN
JANIS MVK
is a firstgeneration, Filipino-American with a rich Filipino heritage. Her father was the son of a police officer, her mother was the daughter of the mayor, and her ancestor, Jose Rizal, is the national hero of the Philippines. Janis was born in Chicago and grew up in the Western Suburbs. She spent five days a week in Hinsdale training in professional dance at Hinsdale Dance Academy, under Yvonne Brown Collodi (not affiliated with the current HDA). Through the studio’s Chestnut Street Dancers, Janis and other company members traveled to London and Paris to train and perform. Her childhood summers were spent at a family a cabin in the country where Janis and her sister swam, attended corn festivals, and roasted marshmallows around campfires. Janis modeled professionally from her early teenage years through her mid-20s—but can still be spotted on the runway occasionally. Today, Janis is a professional journalist and the founder of a content creation and marketing agency. She has carved out an illustrious career that spans across different channels, from producing a healthfocused radio talk show to spearheading marketing and sales initiatives for a prestigious international luxury Italian fashion house. Janis works with area businesses including Sweet William, where she leads marketing efforts and manages social media. She says, “Through Sweet William’s involvement, I support Scoreboard Charities where I have the privilege to assist in producing fashion shows for a good cause—most recently, Scoreboard’s Uncorked event. I also assisted in producing Sweet William’s 35th-anniversary celebration where we shut down a street to turn it into a runway!” When she’s not writing, she’s Supermom juggling the joys and challenges of raising her two little ones, Ophelia and Matilda. “It’s just my daughters and I living a very girly life. We try to frequent local restaurants and shops regularly. My daughter, Matilda, is with Premier Martial Arts in Gateway Square where we have built an amazing group of local friends; and my other daughter Ophelia makes jewelry and has had the opportunity to sell it at Kelsey Resale. We regularly visit Oak Brook Park District’s splash pad and pool.”
Janis wears a dress by Ulla Johnson, Dorothee Schumacher jacket, and Rodo shoes and bag, all from Sweet William.
EDITED BY MICHELLE CROWE PHOTOGRAPHY BY IAN MCLEOD STYLING BY THERESA DEMARIA HAIR AND MAKEUP BY LEANNA ERNEST
H I N S D A L E L I V I N G 42
HL_1024_Main_SoftProof.indd 42
9/18/24 11:26 AM