Posts Tagged ‘CFI’
In a Whole New Class
Wednesday, March 2nd, 2011
The Chicago Fashion Incubator’s pop-up shop in The 900 Shops
Each year, the Chicago Fashion Incubator (CFI) welcomes six emerging fashion designers who are lucky enough to reap its benefits. The fourth class of this “Designers in Residence” program was officially announced, and they will all get expert, hands-on training for all that encompasses a successful career in fashion. This includes production space in Macy’s on State Street and rack space in CFI’s pop-up shop in The 900 Shops, which opens this month.
Taking the place of last year’s chosen few, including Christina Fan, Miriam Cecilia Carlson and Stephanie Kuhr–these talented, young designers are:
Concetta Cipriano: Cettina, a collection of ready-to-wear garments embodies the designer’s clientele, a balance of femininity, strength, and beauty, with intricacy, structure, and simplicity.
Shavonne Dorsey: The Shavonne Dorsey Apparel line specializes in fashion and fit for the plus size market featuring simple sheath dresses and powerfully feminine separates.
Eric Kipp: Eric Kipp Custom Clothiers is a custom clothing company that focuses on sharply tailored suits and separates for men that easily transition from office to evening.
Kahindo Mateene: Modahnik is a socially conscious womenswear line of modern and feminine pieces that fuse the designer’s vibrant African heritage with western design sensibilities.
Taneasha Prunty: Gidi is a womenswear line of evening dresses and gowns that exude subtle allure and blend vintage sophistication with modern flair.
Crystal Simms: Crystal B. Designs is an avant garde label that is filled with architectural garments that enhance the features of the female figure.
The new class will be formally announced at LAUNCH/CFI, a reception and fundraiser, on Tuesday, March 15 at 6pm It will be held at the pop-up shop on the 5th floor of The 900 Shops (900 N Michigan Avenue), and tickets are $25. Purchase tickets by clicking here.
By Meghan Turner
Image courtesy of CFI
Tags: Cettina, CFI, Chicago Fashion, Chicago Fashion Events, Chicago Fashion Incubator, Christina Fan, Concetta Cipriano, Crystal B. Designs, Crystal Simms, Eric Kipp Custom Clothiers, Gidi, Kahindo Mateene, Macy's on State Street, Miriam Cecilia Carlson, Shavonne Dorsey Apparel, Stephanie Kuhr, Taneasha Prunty, The 900 Shops
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Fashion Advisory Council Head Resigns
Wednesday, May 26th, 2010
Gen Art Fresh Faces runway show during Fashion Focus Chicago 2009, an initative led by Melissa Gamble
Chicago Fashion Week can’t catch a break. Gen Art’s recent closure meant the end of the not-to-be-missed Fresh Faces runway show, and now Melissa Gamble, the head of Mayor Richard M. Daley’s Fashion Advisory Council, has resigned. Maybe better known as Chicago’s “fashion czar,” she has been with the organization since its inception in 2006 and has spearheaded the Chicago Fashion Incubator and the city’s fashion week, Fashion Focus Chicago. According to Crain’s Chicago Business, the organization will continue despite this upset. The Chicago Office of Tourism, the leading entity behind the FAC, released the following statement about Melissa’s departure and new role as a fashion business professor at Columbia College Chicago:
“Melissa Gamble has had an impressive impact on Chicago’s fashion industry and will be a great asset to Columbia College. Her five years of devotion to increasing the visibility and resources for local fashion talent has been instrumental in Mayor Richard M. Daley’s mission to elevate and educate emerging designers and independent retailers in Chicago. We’ve learned a lot over the past five years and we are currently looking at the next steps to address the growth of the fashion industry.”
The uncertainty of Melissa’s absence isn’t particularly good news for the Chicago fashion industry, but we hope the organization finds a new head who will command this post with fervor, innovation, and the utmost of dedication. We need someone who will lead our fair city’s industry in creative, dynamic ways that demonstrate our already proven fashion potential. Maybe a new face will give our fashion industry a fresh face.
By Meghan Turner
Photography by Billy Rood Photography
Tags: CFI, Chicago Fashion Incubator, Chicago Fashion News, Chicago Fashion Week, Chicago Office of Tourism, Chicago Runway Shows, Crain's Chicago Business, Fashion Advisory Council, Fashion Focus Chicago, Gen Art, Gen Art Fresh Faces, Mayor Richard M. Daley’s Fashion Advisory Council, Melissa Gamble
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Chicago Fashion Entertainment This Weekend
Friday, April 9th, 2010
A glimpse at Winter Kate’s spring/summer ’10 collection
312 Fashion Runway Series at Loft on Lake (1366 W Lake Street)
On Friday beginning at 7pm, the Lara Miller Collection will be the first independent designer show of the 312 Fashion Runway Series. On Saturday, Horacio Nieto presents his Fall/Winter 2010 womenswear and Arlo menswear collections to close out the 312 Fashion Runway Series. Tickets are still available, so get yours now!
Yana Collection Trunk Show at The 900 Shops (900 N Michigan Avenue)
On Friday from 12-6pm, CFI alum Yana German launches and displays her Fall 2010 collection.
Allison Schiller Trunk Show at Krista K Boutique (3458 N Southport Avenue)
On Friday from 10am-7pm and Saturday from 10am-6pm, shop the entire collection and meet local designer Allison Schiller. Enjoy 20% off any two or more Allison Schiller jewelry pieces.
Nicole Richie Personal Appearance at Nordstrom (55 E Grand Avenue)
On Saturday from 1-3pm, meet Nicole Richie as she presents the her just-launched collection, Winter Kate. Bohemian chic at its best.
Evil Kitty Trunk Show at The 900 Shops (900 N Michigan Avenue)
On Saturday from 11am-4pm, Evil Kitty hosts their Spring 2010 Collection. Enjoy complimentary sips and nibbles and a mini makeover by Sugar and Spice. RSVP to lidia@evilkitty.net.
2010 Creative Chicago Expo at the Chicago Cultural Center (78 E Washington Street)
All day Saturday, artists in all disciplines, including fashion, are invited to an annual gathering of resources, services & expertise specifically for people in the arts. Discover more than 120 vendors and services, 25 workshops and discussions.
Spring Blossoms at Alice Berry Studio (1820 W Cortland Street)
On Saturday and Sunday from 10am-5pm, some of your favorite Chicago designers will display their spring collections and have a sample sale.
Images courtesy of Winter Kate
Tags: 2010 Creative Chicago Expo, 312 Fashion Runway Series, Alice Berry Studio, Allison Schiller, CFI, Chicago Boutiques, Chicago Cultural Center, Chicago Designer, Chicago Events, Chicago Fashion, Chicago Fashion Events, Chicago Fashion Incubator, Chicago Shopping, Evil Kitty, Horacio Nieto, Lara Miller, Michigan Avenue, Michigan Avenue Shopping, Nicole Richie, Nicole Richie Winter Kate, The 900 Shops, Winter Kate, Yana Collection, Yana German
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Local Exposure: The Chicago Fashion Incubator Pop-up Shop
Monday, March 22nd, 2010
This weekend officially kicked off the Chicago Fashion Incubator’s (CFI) highly anticipated pop-up shop in The 900 Shops on Michigan Avenue. Located on the fifth floor of this designer label paradise, a dedicated retail spot houses a breadth of wares by local fashion designers, whose work will occupy the space until April 18. These designers have all benefited from the CFI fashion education program that provides him or her with the resources, including workspace, curriculum and mentoring, to launch a career in fashion. Each year, the institution selects a new class of six designers and sends its graduates into the fashion world to build their labels.
A selection of designs by the Chicago Fashion Incubator’s 2010 class. Top image: Jonnie Retelle, Leah Fagan, Stephanie Kuhr, Lara Miller (Executive Director of CFI), Donaldo Smith, Miriam Cecilia Carlson, and Christina Fan (images by Billy Rood)
This pop-up brings together the class of 2010 and the alumni to celebrate their success and their futures. And celebrate we did at the Launch event last Tuesday night. To preview the new class’ latest collections in a fashion presentation and to get first dibs on Spring ’10 collections by all the designers, an impressive guest list piled into the store and adjacent event space. Those in attendance were able to meet the new class—including the young and aspiring Christina Fan, Donaldo Smith, Jonnie Rettele, Leah Fagan, Miriam Cecilia Carlson, and Stephanie Kuhr—while also sipping cocktails, munching on finger foods, and mingling with fellow fashion admirers.
Two presented looks by Leah Fagan (left) and Stephanie Kuhr (right)
Each 2010 designer presented his or her work in a series of three-model installations. That is, three models were strategically propped on their own platform and were then cycled out to present three new looks. Guests circled the platforms like tigers circling their prey for an up-close and personal view of each look–looks that proved CFI has a nack for selecting talented designers. In addition to placing a lot of local fashion at shoppers’ manicured fingertips, this event marked the beginning of CFI’s many other events and trunk shows to be had during the shop’s month-long tenure (for a complete list, click here). As the pop-up shop introduces more locals and travelers to Chicago fashion, we look forward to watching CFI’s new class grow as visionaries, craftsmen and entrepreneurs who proudly hold the title “Chicago Designer.”
By Meghan Turner
Tags: CFI, Chicago Designers, Chicago Fashion Events, Chicago Fashion Incubator, Christina Fan, Donaldo Smith, Jonnie Retelle, Lara Miller, Leah Fagan, Miriam Cecilia Carlson, Stephanie Kuhr, The 900 Shops
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Weekend Events and Sales in Chicago
Friday, March 19th, 2010
EVENTS
re:MAKE Fashion Show at Loyola University’s Mundelein Center Auditorium (1020 W Sheridan Road)
On Friday at 7pm, the re:MAKE Fashion Show will feature collections by local designers showing off their first-hand fashions created with second-hand materials.
Swap-O-Rama-Rama at Chicago Waldorf School (1300 W Loyola Avenue)
On Saturday (9am-5pm) and Sunday (1-5pm), bring a bag of unwanted clothing and a small donation to Swap-O-Rama-Rama, and you’ll be able to exchange your threads for items in the “swap pile.”
Laura Tanner Jewelry Trunk Show at Dame Couture (1927 Central Street in Evanston)
On Saturday from noon to 5pm, enjoy champagne and cookies at Dame Couture while perusing Laura Tanner’s bridal collections. Laura will also be on hand to help you with your selections.
Cynthia Ryba Trunk Show at The 900 Shops (900 N Michigan Avenue)
On Saturday from 12-6pm, Chicago designer Cynthia Ryba shows off her collection as a part of the Chicago Fashion Incubator’s month-long pop-up shop at The 900 Shops.
CFI’s 2010 New Designer Trunk Show at The 900 Shops (900 N Michigan Avenue)
Meet and shop the Chicago Fashion Incubator’s new class, including C/FAN, Donaldo Smith, Jonnie Rettele, Leah Fegan, Miriam Cecilia Carlson, and Stephanie Kuhr, this Saturday from 12-8pm.
Afternoon Tea and Dresses by Jess Audey at The 900 Shops (900 N Michigan Avenue)
View and shop Jess Audey’s Fall 2010 collection of dresses this Saturday from 12-2pm at CFI’s pop-up shop.
Veruca Salt Scarf Folding Class (1921 N Damen Avenue)
Want to learn more ways to wear your scarves? Head to Veruca Salt’s Bucktown location on Saturday from 1-2pm, and they’ll show you how.
SALES
Chicago Fashion Incubator Pop-up Store at The 900 Shops (900 N Michigan Avenue)
Starting this Saturday, CFI’s current designers and alumni will be selling their collections at this pop-up store on the fifth floor of The 900 Shops.
Maria Pinto Liquidation Sale (133 N Jefferson Street)
Maria Pinto’s five-day Liquidation Sale ends this Saturday, March 20. It’s your last chance to snag some of her incredible designs at 50-70% off. Plus, for these final two days of the sale, get an addition 25% off the sale price!
Fix’s Wheel of Fashion (1101 W Fulton Market)
Until March 30, swing by Fix for the opportunity to spin the wheel of fashion, which offers variety of discounts, including 15-20% off, free goodies, and gift cards.
GAVIN in Wonderland (1939 Central Street in Evanston)
Stop by GAVIN boutique this weekend and pick from a deck of cards for the chance to receive 10-20% off your purchase. One lucky girl will win a $250 gift certificate!
More upcoming Chicago fashion events and sales
Images courtesy of Laura Tanner
Tags: C/FAN, CFI, Chicago Boutiques, Chicago Fashion Events, Chicago Fashion Incubator, Chicago Sales, Cynthia Ryba, Donaldo Smith, Fix Boutique, GAVIN, Jess Audey, Jonnie Rettele, Laura Tanner, Leah Fegan, Maria Pinto, Miriam Cecilia Carlson, Stephanie Kuhr, The 900 Shops
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Tomorrow: Chicago Fashion Incubator Launch Event
Monday, March 15th, 2010
As you know, we’re devoted to our fair city’s fashion community—to its growth, its talent and its profitability. That said, we adore those who share this mission, and the Chicago Fashion Incubator (CFI) is one of those institutions. Every year, CFI chooses six local designers, or “Designers in Residence,” who learn the economics, marketing and merchandising of fashion from industry experts. During a reception and fundraiser tomorrow evening at the 900 Shops on Michigan Avenue, CFI will formally announce the 2010 crew, which includes Christina Fan, Donaldo Smith, Jonnie Rettele, Leah Fagan, Miriam Cecilia Carlson, and Stephanie Kuhr. Then, from Thursday, March 18 to Saturday, April 18, the 900 Shops will host a pop-up store devoted to CFI’s three-years of designer education. The 2010 designers, as well as CFI alum, will be participating and offering their goods to shoppers though a series of events and trunk shows. Here’s the month’s schedule:
MARCH
Tuesday, the 16th, 6 to 8pm: “Launch” Event Reception and Fundraiser. Tickets are $25.
Thursday, the 18th, 6 to 10pm: Furio Fall/Winter 2010 Collection Launch
Saturday, the 20th, 12 to 6pm: Cynthia Ryba Trunk Show
Saturday, the 20th, 12 to 8pm: 2010 New Designer Trunk Show
Sunday, the 21st, 12 to 2 pm: Afternoon Tea and Dresses Showcasing Jess Audey’s Fall 2010 Collection
Friday, the 26th, 8 to 11pm: Anna Hovet Fall 2010 Fashion Show
Saturday, the 27th, 10am to 7pm: Zamrie Spring 2010 Trunk Show
Every Friday: get fitted for a custom Kate Boggiano shirt
APRIL
Saturday, the 3rd, 12 to 6pm: Nora del Busto Trunk Show and Champagne Reception
Thursday, the 8th, 7 to 10pm: Kristin Hassan Summer 2010 Show and Event
Friday, the 9th, 12 to 6pm: Yana Collection Fall 2010 Trunk Show
Saturday, the 10th, 11am to 4pm: Evil Kitty Trunk Show
Thursday, the 15th, 12 to 8:30pm: Agga B Trunk Show
Saturday, the 17th, 10am to 7pm: Anna Hovet Trunk Show
Every Friday: get fitted for a custom Kate Boggiano shirt
*Store hours: The retail store will be open 10am to 7pm Thursday through Saturday and 12 to 6pm on Sundays.
By Meghan Turner
Tags: 900 Shops, Agga B., Anna Hovet, CFI, Chicago Designers, Chicago Fashion Events, Chicago Fashion Incubator, Christina Fan, Cynthia Ryba, Donaldo Smith, Evil Kitty, Jess Audey, Jonnie Rettele, Kate Boggiano, Kristin Hassan, Leah Fagan, Miriam Cecilia Carlson, Nora del Busto, Stephanie Kuhr, Yana Collection
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