Posts Tagged ‘Chicago Fashion Foundation’
Chicago Fashion Foundation Event
Monday, February 28th, 2011
The time has once again come for the Chicago Fashion Foundation’s Annual Scholarship Benefit. This Thursday, March 3, “Project Runway” contestant and Chicago native Peach Carr will host the organization’s fashion show and contest. Each of the eight designers will design an ensemble inspired by Chicago’s music scene, and three finalists will win a scholarship, with the winner receiving $5,000 to put toward a career in fashion.
This is CFF’s fourth benefit, and this one promises to be bigger than the last. Held at the Chicago History Museum from 6-8pm, guests will sip cocktails by Absolute, mingle with Chicago’s stylistas and view a fashion show of the contestants. Ticket prices range, starting at $25 for students, $35 for members and $45 for non-members. However, you’ll save $5 if you purchase online rather than at the door. To buy tickets, click here.
By Meghan Turner
Tags: CFF, Chicago Fashion Designer, Chicago Fashion Foundation, Chicago Fashion Show, Peach Carr, Project Runway
Posted in StyleBlog | 1 Comment »
CFF Membership Event
Monday, September 13th, 2010
This Thursday night, the Chicago Fashion Foundation hosts its annual (and fabulous!) Membership Event. Set in The Drake Hotel from 6-8pm, the evening promises fashion, entertainment and great company. Mingle with other members and guests while sipping a free alcoholic beverage followed by discounted champagne, wine and beer. Blogger and Chicago style-setter Barbara Glass is the evening’s keynote speaker, who will give a presentation about fusing the creativity of fashion with sound business practices. Additionally, a DJ will keep the party going as a photographer captures snapshots of the fashion insiders, designers and everyday fashionistas who attend this popular event. Since no such party would be complete without swag, CFF is giving the first 100 guests a goodie bag.
Tickets: members are free; non-members are $15. Get your tickets at the door or here.
By Meghan Turner
Tags: Barbara Glass, CFF, Chicago Fashion Events, Chicago Fashion Foundation
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Little Black Dress Party
Monday, July 5th, 2010
A little black dress is the quintessential wardrobe staple. Every woman has one. Every woman needs one. There’s plenty of reasons to pull your LBD out of the closet, from a first date to a cocktail party. Regardless of the form—including chiffon, satin, cotton and more—the function is the same: look fabulous for any occasion. Well, here’s another occasion to wear your favorite LBD. This Thursday night, the Chicago Fashion Foundation is having a Little Black Dress party. From 7-10pm at Casey Moran’s (3660 N Clark Street), the party calls Chicago’s fashion-loving ladies to done their LBDs for a night of fashion and fun. The evening will entail a best-dressed contest that will award little black dress-ers with a bottle of LBD wine, complimentary party packages at Casey Moran’s, gift baskets and more. Also, the first 75 people to arrive will receive goodie bags, and CFF will have specialty cocktails, martinis and sangrias for all the guests. Tickets are $25 for non-CFF members and $20 for members and LBD wearers. Get tickets here.
By Meghan Turner
Tags: CFF, Chicago Fashion Events, Chicago Fashion Foundation, Little Black Dress
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Style Before Design
Monday, May 10th, 2010
On Earth Day this year, the Chicago’s fashionable swarmed Crimson Lounge for a runway show with a twist. Instead of showcasing individual designers, it focused on the stylists. Hosted by Vyne, a Chicago-based events organization and publication, and the Chicago Fashion Foundation, Style Wars was no predictable walk down the runway but rather a showcase of avant-garde fashion through the minds of Chicago’s top stylists. Each stylist was responsible for creating five high fashion looks. The first personally represented the stylist. The second piece was only black and white. The third communicated a global issue (the winning look from this category will be featured in Vyne’s May issue). The fourth was inspired by Stephen Meisel’s editorial “Make Love Not War” in Italian Vogue, and the final concept was derived from the color crimson in honor of the event sponsor.
As the show began, I was in awe of the stylists’ originality and creativity. Models with big hair and black lips presented what was more like walking art than functional fashion. Two of my favorite looks were from the winner, Christina Demos. Her on-trend mix of black and white, including an American Apparel piano scarf, piano tights, Chanel wedge boots, and twirling striped umbrella, was circus-like and mesmerizing. The other favorite was her global issue composition. She dressed her model in a tutu of Red Eye newspapers, a Wet Seal “will work for shoes” t-shirt, Balmain booties, a Marlboro cigarette necklace, and soup can bangles. In case you didn’t get the homeless reference, a mini shopping cart dangled ridiculously from her hand. Ruben Lopez and CT Hedden were both named a runner-up. Ruben’s formal approach included feather laden wedding gowns, ballroom gloves and opulent millinery. CT’s outfits, like the Alexander McQueen dress and Chanel clogs, were simple but wearable.
Although the event was under organized and unpolished (no appetizers as promised and ill-informed presenters) the stylist’s creations stole the show. Too often Chicago gets overlooked as a worthy player in the fashion industry because it’s play-it-safe, conservative rep. The stylists’ creations proved Midwesterners can go well beyond the stereotypical spoon-fed fashion.
Images courtesy of Vyne
Tags: Alexander McQueen, American Apparel, Chanel, Chicago Fashion Events, Chicago Fashion Foundation, Chicago Runway Shows, Chicago Stylists, Christina Demos, Crimson Lounge, CT Hedden, Ruben Lopez, STYLE WARS, Vyne magazine, Wet Seal
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War of the Stylists
Sunday, April 18th, 2010
We’ve seen lots of runway competitions in the past months, and this Thursday brings a show of slightly different sorts: STYLE WARS. The annual stylist competition is hosted by VYNE, an organization that strives to fuse the luxury and sustainability industries. Appropriately, the event coincides with Earth Day at the Hotel Sax (333 N Dearborn Street) at 7pm. There, eight local stylists will use their individual aptitude to concoct several looks with garments by local designers. One stylist will be named the winner by a panel of industry insiders and will win a contract with the Timothy Priano Agency. The runway show is expected to gather a stylish audience of 500 men and women dedicated to the longevity and sustainability of Chicago’s avant-garde fashion scene. Ticket sales, which range from $35 to $60, will be donated to the Chicago Fashion Foundation. Get your ticket here.
By Meghan Turner
Images courtesy of VYNE
Tags: Chicago Fashion Events, Chicago Fashion Foundation, Chicago Runway Show, Hotel Sax, STYLE WARS, Timothy Priano Agency, VYNE
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Add Interest to Neutrals With a Fur Accent Piece
Sunday, April 4th, 2010
Sora at the Chicago Fashion Foundation’s 3rd Annual Scholarship Benefit
Tags: CFF Annual Scholarship Benefit, Chicago Fashion Events, Chicago Fashion Foundation
Posted in StyleHunter | No Comments »
CFF’s 3rd Annual Scholarship Benefit
Tuesday, March 9th, 2010
As Chicago’s fashion community grows, it’s critical that we support and cultivate the young talent in our city. This is a mutually beneficial pursuit, as it recognizes the designers’ work and promotes our budding fashion industry as a market in which they can lend their sartorial vision. The Chicago Fashion Foundation (CFF) has made this their mission, and on Thursday night, the non-profit held its 3rd Annual Scholarship Benefit to honor local fashion students.
Held in the Narcissus Room in the Macy’s on State Street, the event attracted quite the crowd of industry insiders and admirers, who were treated to an open bar, silent auction and runway competition. With a fresh cocktail in hand and bids on the line for designer jeans, yoga packages, and more, guests took their seats and watched as the nine finalists–chosen from 30 design entries–presented their skill and creativity. The challenge: design an ensemble inspired by one of Chicago’s 28 sister cities around the world.
Eunyoung Joo’s winning look (left) and Michael Schellenbach’s third place look (right). Above: Randy Rusnadi’s second place look
As the models strolled down the u-shaped catwalk, each designer’s skill was obvious. Though the looks weren’t all particularly wearable, the abroad influence was there, captured in a unique and interesting way. The creations made for a tough call among the judges, who included Chicago magazine’s fashion director, Stacey Jones; “Project Runway’s” Steven Rosengard; Akira owner Erikka Wang; ZZAZZ Enterprises, Inc.’s Producer/Director, Tracey Tarantino; and Macy’s North and Northwest Director of Media Relations, Andrea Schwartz.
Unfortunately, only three designers could take home one of the three scholarships: $5,000, $1,000 and $500. Eunyoung Joo (International Academy of Design and Technology) won the competition for her Moscow-inspired dress with a fur collar and bishop sleeves. Randy Rusnadi’s (Harper College) Athens-inspired navy military jacket, gold silk top, and navy silk skirt took second, while Michael Schellenbach (Illinois Institute of Art) brought home the $500 scholarship for his red menswear jumpsuit with fur trim and Chrysler emblem belt, also inspired by Moscow.
One of our favorite looks: Anna Gaukel’s Paris-influenced design
Overall, the event was a success, bringing in about $5,500. Those funds will go back to the Chicago fashion industry through CFF’s many runway shows, scholarships and networking events that have generously supported the community for years. We look forward to seeing what next year’s finalist bring to CFF’s runway, and we can’t wait to see what this year’s finalists do in the future.
By Meghan Turner
Images courtesy of the Chicago Fashion Foundation
Tags: Akira, Anna Gaukel, Chicago Designers, Chicago Fashion, Chicago Fashion Events, Chicago Fashion Foundation, Chicago magazine, Columbia College, Erikka Wang, Eunyoung Joo, Harper College, Illinois Institute of Art, International Academy of Design and Technology, Michael Schellenbach, Project Runway, Randy Rusnadi, Stacey Jones, Steven Rosengard
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CFF’s 3rd Annual Scholarship Benefit
Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010
This Thursday, the Chicago Fashion Foundation (CFF) is doing its part once again to advance our city’s budding and talented fashion designers. The 3rd Annual Scholarship Benefit will be held at the Macy’s on State Street and hosted by Catie Keogh of NBC’s 24/7 Chicago. After the finalists present their wears to a panel of judges, three of the emerging designers will take home the coveted scholarship money. The evening begins at 6pm and ends at 8pm. Tickets for members are $30 online and $35 at the door, and non-member tickets cost $40 online and $45 at the door. The online pricing ends today, so be sure to snag your tickets, which go toward CFF’s future events and scholarships that nurture Chicago’s fashion community.
Get tickets HERE.
By Meghan Turner
Tags: CFF, CFF 3rd Annual Scholarship Benefit, Chicago Designers, Chicago Fashion, Chicago Fashion Foundation, Runway Show
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