FASHION FOCUS CHICAGO
Runway shows, trunk sales and chic shopping events across the city during this week-long celebration of local fashion and designers, October 15-21, 2012.
Returning for its 8th year, the week-long celebration of Chicago's thriving fashion industry puts the spotlight on its top local designers, October 15-21, 2012.
The calendar is jam packed with style. A kick-off event showcasing fashion school students and three headlining Millennium Park runway shows from accomplished Chicago designers combine with over 30 free and affordable store events, trunk sales and meet-and-greets citywide.
DRESS CODE RUNWAY SHOW
It's all about pushing the envelope and discovering breakout designers. Fashion Focus Chicago highlights the city's fashion design schools with an opening night runway show at the historic Chicago Cultural Center beginning at 7:00pm. The show is free and a reservation is required for tickets.
- Monday, October 15
At Dress Code, catch the debut works from the rising fashion talents of Columbia College Chicago, the Illinois Institute of Art-Chicago, International Academy of Design and Technology-Chicago and The School of the Art Institute of Chicago.
MILLENNIUM PARK HEADLINING RUNWAY SHOWS
Fashion's brightest all under one tent. Stylish crowds flock to beautiful Millennium Park, where the stunning venue is host to three glamorous fashion shows showcasing the newest collections from top local designers. These highly anticipated events begin each evening at 7:30pm and have a general admission price of $35 and $95 for VIP admission, which includes a pre-party at 6:00pm and preferred seating.
- Wednesday, October 17
The Designers of the Chicago Fashion Incubator Presented by Macy's sets a stylish start to the headlining shows. The Chicago Fashion Incubator at Macy's on State Street is an innovative not-for-profit organization that supports emerging Chicago-based designers via professional development workshops that guide them through the business of fashion. The six current designers-in-residence bring out their spring 2013 collections and will be joined by a select group of CFI alumni to highlight the depth of Chicago's fashion community.
- Thursday, October 18
"Fashion Takes Flight" Presented by Mario Tricoci Hair Salons & Day Spas and vitaminwater® will feature collections from local designers including Imaginary People, J. Cheikh, Shelby Steiner and Azza, and serve as the conclusion to the 5th annual Mario, Make Me a Model competition. Providing area model hopefuls with the training and platform they need to start their career, Mario, Make Me a Model will reveal their winner at the end of the show after the five finalists have completed their last challenge walking the runway among professional models.
- Friday, October 19
The Art of Fashion 2012 Presented by StyleChicago.com previews contemporary to couture Spring 2013 collections from celebrated Chicago names and fashion lines, including Barbara Bates, Borris Powell, Eva Pazola, Michael Alan Stein, Michelle Tan, Nade Baer, Ruchika Singh, Shalini Sharma, Shernett Swaby and Lara Miller.
SHOPPING EVENTS, TRUNK SALES & FASHION SHOWS
Boutiques will be buzzing all week long. Glam out for happenings all across town at swank hotels, fashionable shops and more. Between the many sale events, trunk shows and stylish soirees, here is just a small sampling:
- Night at the Museum, a festive affair at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
- Fashion Follows Interiors - A Mad Men Inspired Event at the historic Blackstone Hotel
- Next Fashion Chicago 2012, a theatrical runway presentation and party
- Champagne Chic Accessorizes, a free accessories showcase at Le Bar at Sofitel Chicago Water Tower
- Black Ice - All Male Fashion Show features Chicago menswear designers at the DuSable Museum of African American History
- Randolph Street Market's Modern Vintage Chicago, a shopping bazaar of iconic fashion lines and indie designers
- Queen of Hearts, a cocktail reception and runway show for Chicago fashion designer Anna Fong at the Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel
- Cityblue Apparel & Denim, a sneak peek store event with complimentary beverages and raffle giveaways
- Cotton Candy Couture Trunk Show previewing Spring/Summer collections at theWit Hotel alongside a pretty-in-pink candy buffet
- Squasht Boutique, where 20% off the unique garments and accessories storewide gets even better with "skinny" beverages and nibbles
- Fashion and The Field Museum Collection: Maria Pinto showcasing clothing masterworks selected by esteemed Chicago fashion designer Maria Pinto, presented in tandem with contemporary pieces she was inspired to create
For the complete schedule of all events during Fashion Focus Chicago 2012 and for details on how to pick up the fall's hottest fashion tickets, visit fashionfocuschicago.org and get updates on Twitter @FashionFocus.
Between the neighborhood finds, bargain deals and luxury splurges – if you love fashion, Chicago is where to shop. In a city brimming with creative energy, support the fashion design community living and working in Chicago at the many events during Fashion Focus Chicago, and year round. Chicago is home to more than 400 local designers and 300 independent boutiques. Get the inside scoop on where to shop and who the trendsetters are from our Chicago Like a Local shopping blog.
