SPOTLIGHT: ALPANA SINGH
Welcome to M2057’s Spotlight Series: In Her Own Words, which features dynamic, stylish and powerful women who inspire us. This month, we chatted with Master Sommelier Alpana Singh.
While Alpana Singh is best known as the host of “Check, Please!” that’s only a small part of her multi-faceted life. She’s also a Master Sommelier, restaurateur (Evanston’s Terra and Vine), Choose Chicago treasurer, member of the Illinois Restaurant Association’s advisory council, and active in a number of charities and non-profits. In her spare time—yes, she makes sure she actually has some—Alpana loves to cook and bake, documenting her results on her charming Instagram account (@alpanasingh). Doing it all with grace, grit and a sense of humor (her laugh is nothing if not contagious) is something Alpana knows well: At 23, she moved to Chicago to run the wine program at Everest and passed the Master Sommelier exam at the age of 26, becoming the youngest woman and the only south Asian woman ever to do so.
IN HER WORDS...
YOUR PERSONAL STYLE Comfortable, classic and chic. I’m always on the go so I tend to favor easy-to-wear pieces that look stylish, but I can also move around in.
CLOTHES-BUYING CRITERIA I’ve become more focused on the impact the fashion industry has on the environment. I downsized my closet this past year and 80% of what was left was from M2057. Maria’s designs are timeless, which is important because you know something you purchase today is going to be relevant a decade from now.
FAVORITE M2057 FEATURES M2057 is the uniform and armor for wonder women who are out there fighting the good fight. These clothes move at the speed of my life. I don’t have to worry about ironing, dry cleaning, they pack easily and I know I’m always going to look fashionable and chic. It’s a brand that respects me and represents everything I stand for. M2057 is an inclusive brand that has changed the way I feel about my personal style.
TOP M2057 PIECES I practically live in the Gia. I have several of the Zena tunics in my closet and I’m always asking Maria to make new colors. I’m on a mission to collect every single one of the Reefer jackets because they add a great deal of versatility to my wardrobe. I’m also obsessed with the Durga dress, an A-line shift with a dramatic neckline. It’s like wearing a piece of art.
CREATING WORK-LIFE BALANCE I know I need my mornings and consider them sacred. Maria once gave me a great piece of advice when it comes to overbooking yourself: “Ask would you do this to a friend?” You have to learn to say no.
WHAT BRINGS YOU JOY Spending time with my friends and the people I care for and who care for me. Working on my A List Newsletter, a curated list of all things delicious, be it a good book, product recommendation, wine review, recipe or life hack, and sharing these with my readers brings me a great deal of joy.
WISDOM YOU’D TELL YOUR YOUNGER SELF Play the long game and don’t let boys be mean to you. When it’s all over, nobody will care how many wines you tasted, how much money you made or the toys you collected. It’s about the hearts you touched and the joy you brought to others.
From top: Alpana is wearing Petra in Guntar, Kumari tunic in Hematite and Hazel in Azurite.