Chicago Runway Shows: 312 Fashion Series
Last Thursday, Friday and Saturday, I kicked off my nights at the 312 Fashion Series. The events were a roundup of notable Chicago designers who presented their fall collections at Lofts on Lake. Admirers of Lara Miller, Horacio Nieto, Jess Audey, Kate Boggiano, Borris Powell, and Anna Hovet arrived at the industrial space eager to watch as the designers’ vision materialized on the runway. In the wide-open space framed in four brick walls and a vaulted wood ceiling—an organic backdrop for the show—a DJ played tunes representative of each designer’s aesthetic while bartenders supplied the cocktails. At showtime, we took our seats and looked on as Chicago fashion strolled down the catwalk.
On the first night, the show was divided into vignettes by Jess Audey, Kate Boggiano, Borris Powell, and Anna Hovet. This mix of very different design approaches created an interesting glimpse at the range of aesthetics our local talent can provide. During each designer’s presentation, models took the runway at once, creating a runway show turned fashion installation.
Horacio Nieto’s Fall ’10 womenswear and menswear. Top image: Lara Miller’s Fall ’10 collection
On Friday, Lara Miller proved once again that she is the princess of eco-design. The light-as-air fabrics—hand-loomed recycled cotton and bamboo, organic jersey, vegan silk—were spun into soft, feminine shapes that, above all, were incredibly wearable. Earth-toned wrap dresses, a jumpsuit (that I am dying to own), cardigans, leggings, suits, et al, fell completely in line with what Lara does best: taking eco-fashion to the next level of craftsmanship and wearability. The latter became a focal point in the show, as models rounded the u-shaped runway, halted at center stage, and stripped off their garments to display how one piece can be altered into something completely new. This two-in-one design approach not only added an incredible dynamic to the show, it displayed how Lara considers consumers’ expectations of versatility and style.
Saturday night belonged to Horacio Nieto. Unlike the bulk of his local counterparts, Horacio designs both womenswear and menswear. Menswear was the first presentation, and my favorite. The military-inspired jackets, vests, and trousers had sharp cuts, clean lines, and body con shapes. Seemingly made for the confident, fashionably in-the-know male, several of Horacio’s designs had me silently wishing he would repurpose them for a woman’s wardrobe. What he made for the ladies, though, was much more simplistic in nature. However, particular details embodied an exciting futuristic element. Pointed shoulders (as seen on an amazing one-sleeve champagne cocktail dress) and deep cuts on some of the gowns, dresses and jackets created sexy focal points, while other designs were much more classic and refined. This range, I believe, showed his understanding of his clientele, who won’t settle for merely one given style.
By Meghan Turner
Photography by Paul Saini (Lara Miller) and Kayoua Xiong (Horacio Nieto)
Tags: 312 Fashion Series, Anna Hovet, Borris Powell, Chicago Designers, Chicago Fashion Events, Chicago Runway Shows, Horacio Nieto, Jess Audey, Kate Boggiano, Lara Miller
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April 16, 2010 | No Comments
