Randolph Street Market Festival (entrances on 1340 W Washington and 1350 W Randolph Streets)
On Saturday (10am to 5pm) and Sunday (10am to 4pm), the Randolph Street Market Festival will feature 200 dealers of furnishings, housewares, antiques, vintage clothing, jewelry and much more.

Indie Designer Market at Plumber’s Hall (1350 W Washington Street)
On Saturday from 10am to 5pm and Sunday from 10am to 4pm, the Indie Designer Market will feature vintage dealers from around the country, who sell clothing, accessories, jewelry, handbags and more.

JLee Silver Trunk Show at RE.STOCK (901 W Madison Street)
On Saturday from 12pm to 5pm, shoppers can meet the designer and check out the new Spring 2010 Collection, which will be marked down for the event.

Lipstick Dinosaur at The Inconvenience (3036 N Lincoln Avenue)
On Friday from 9am to 2pm, Jacob Holland and Maggie Dibardno present the launch of their new fashion collective at Lipstick Dinosaur. Guests will enjoy an exclusive look at the debut collection and the opportunity to buy clothes directly off of the models.

Image courtesy of the Randolph Street Market

You know that feeling when you walk into a boutique, and you’re offered a cocktail? That “Oh, I’m really going to like this store” feeling. I mean, who doesn’t love a little liquid spending courage when considering a purchase? Well, tomorrow at FashionChicago 2010, an intimate event that joins local designers under one roof, you’ll be able to party hardy and spend some hard-earned cash. From 5-9pm at an 8,000-square-foot gallery space (233 W Huron Street), you’ll find an impressive collection of Chicago fashion and jewelry designers, such as Blake Standard, K. Amato, Lara Miller, JLee Silver, Kate Boggiano, Vaute Couture, Heidi Hess, Objets d’ Envy, Yana Collection, Jess Audey, Borris Powell, Zamrie, Nora del Busto, Horacio Nieto, Elise Bergman, Brynn Capella, Shernett Swaby, and more. For your drinking pleasure, beverages will be provided by HobNob Wines and X-Rated Fusion Liqueur, while hors d’oeuvres will be brought in from Nacional 27 and RA Sushi.

Tickets are only $25 for VIP Tickets (including a goodie bag) and $15 for general admission. Reserve tickets here.

By Meghan Turner

Image courtesy of StyleChicago.com

Last Friday night, six local boutiques took to the runway for the second annual Battle of the Boutiques hosted by Chicago’s own PoorLittleRichGirls.com. The lifestyle website attracted some 300 guests for an evening of fashion, fun and friendly competition. Amidst the flow of hors d’oeuvres, sushi rolls and lots of cocktails (all for a minute $25 cover), the stylish spectators filled the seats at Lumen and watched on as 2 Sisters Boutique, Wolfbait & B-Girls, Dress Up, Hubba Hubba, RE.STOCK Shop, and le Dress presented five looks that were both fashion-forward and affordable. At the end of the show, a panel of judges, including Chicago Sun-Times Fashion Editor Jessica Sedgwick, ABC 7 News anchor Karen Jordan, and “Project Runway” contestant Steven Rosengard declared the fashion champion.

As a whole, the evening reflected Chicago’s practical, accessible style mentality, as each outfit remained under the $200 mark and was totally wearable—not overly styled or overly serious. This made for a light-hearted show that was just plain fun for the attendees and the participating boutiques. “We had a great time,” says Julie LaBarge, owner of RE.STOCK. “Everybody did a great job on their outfits, and I really loved the outfits by 2 Sisters Boutique.”

From left to right: Looks by 2 Sisters Boutique, Hubba Hubba, and Wolfbait & B-Girls. Top Image from left to right: Looks by le Dress, Dress Up, and RE.STOCK Shop.

In fact, 2 Sisters Boutique won the runway competition after showing such looks as a ethereal teal frock and layered organza dress. RE.STOCK, which is Chicago’s only traveling designer boutique, pulled from its ever-changing inventory and showed pieces like a hooded sweater by local designer JLee Silver. Wolfbait & B-Girls displayed a range of hippy-chic-meets-urban-cool threads, and Hubba Hubba wavered between rocker glam and classic shapes that work for a variety of personal styles. Last year’s winner, le Dress, showed us five flirty dresses that had attendees longing for the warmer days to come. “It was fun to [compete] again,” says Eva Anderson, co-owner of le Dress. “Last year, we didn’t know what to expect, so this year we went in it to have a good time and show great clothes.”

Indeed, we did see some great clothes, but there was a more important message to be had: Chicago’s boutiques offer relevant and interesting garments that don’t have to cost a month’s rent. In fact, shopping at local boutiques is more critical now than ever, as our fashion community has drastically downsized in the past year. “This was a great event to have,” says Eva. “Especially nowadays when so many local boutiques have closed. People could come see what boutiques have to offer.” And Battle of the Boutiques showed us exactly that.

By Meghan Turner
Photography by Ace Ujimori
Special thanks to Kaitlyn Groth

Looking for a new way to shop designer clothing? RE.STOCK, Chicago’s only traveling designer boutique, may be it. The surprisingly large selection of women’s and men’s clothing and accessories are up to 80% off retail and include labels like AG, True Religion, Andrew Marc, 7 For All Mankind, and Chicago’s own Jlee Silver. The store’s owner, Julie LaBarge, works with big-name and local designers to replenish her selection each time the pop-up shop moves to a new location. Since it launched in June of 2009, RE.STOCK has opened its doors an average of two weekends a month in neighborhoods like Lincoln Park, West Loop and River North. Next, the store will land again in Lincoln Park (1022 W Armitage Avenue), and if you want first dibs on the new merchandise, swing by the Preview Sale on Thursday, February 11 from 4-7pm. The doors officially open that Friday through Sunday from noon to 6pm. RE.STOCK will be at this location the following weekend as well (February 18-21 from noon to 6pm).

Consider this your opportunity to restock your designer threads at non-designer prices!

By Meghan Turner

There’s no doubt the economic crisis downsized the festivities at Fashion Focus Chicago, but the designers of Gen Art’s Fresh Faces runway show braved the downturn masterfully. As if acknowledging shoppers’ shallow pockets, the emerging designers’ wearable, versatile pieces were the driving force behind each collection.

C/FAN

C/FAN’s über comfy basics made their way down the runway to start the show, and start it off right. The collection’s superb craftsmanship was evident in the lightweight, fluid movement of the silky tanks, tees and dresses—all must-haves for spring/summer. The short shorts, leggings and cropped pant kept with the collection’s simplistic yet chic aesthetic. Not a print in sight, the solid grays, blacks and gorgeous pale pinks will work seamlessly with any wardrobe.

KRISTIN HASSAN

The Kristin Hassan collection paid homage to the eccentric ‘80s trend. Neon pinks and radiant metallics, mixed with the some natural hues, flooded the runway, dazzling viewers with their eye-popping colors and expert quality. Massive flower headwear was a playful addition to the already loads-of-fun spring collection that included vintage-inspired blazers, tie-waist skirts, tuxedo-front tops and dresses, and sparkling gold leggings, to name a few. Clearly, Kristin has an affection for Marc Jacobs, and we love that about her.

DORSIA

Made definitively for the urban male, Dorsia gave Chicago’s men something to look forward to this spring. Though the collection included items we’ve seen many times before, the leather jackets and tailored blazers and vests—boasting fantastic lines—were layered atop plaid button-down shirts in a variety of blues, purples and greens. Jeans completed most of the looks, but, thankfully, a few pairs of shorts with interesting plaid cuffs gave us an unexpected detail. Dorsia’s mix of edgy sophistication and preppy hipster was somewhat an odd styling combo, but the collection did seem to have something for every city guy.

JLEE SILVER

If the ladies couldn’t see themselves in one of C/FAN’s or Kristin Hassan’s creations, JLee Silver’s spring line has them covered. The slightly more conservative collection included an earthy palette and ladylike pieces that will transition from work to play with ease. Lovely tie-dyed dresses (topped with a floppy hat) offset solid mauve, tan, brown and black dresses and halters in a variety of materials, from rustic linen to touchable satin. The slinky black maxi, with its clinched waist and bodice drapery, exuded understated sex appeal and will take you from spring to fall effortlessly.

IMAGINARY PEOPLE

Imaginary People is known for their fashion-forward attitude, and spring ’10 is no exception. Not for the fashionably shy, the collection’s dramatic cuts, plunging necklines, and asymmetrical hems are made to stand out. Crowd favorites were the two black and white leggings with bold, graphic prints, but the billowy tops, backless vests, harem pant, and micro-mini dresses were just as attention grabbing. Though the collection predominately featured a palette of B&W, Imaginary People knows how to work color. A bright, hibiscus-print dress and matching leggings as well as two electrically hued halter dresses had us dreaming of jet-setting to the tropics.

RED DOLL BY TATYANA

Red Doll by Tatyana made for a glamorous ending to the show. The collection started with a nod to 80’s prom: an exquisite dress with a flower print bodice in silver lamé and a voluminous cream tulle skirt. As the collection of dresses progressed, so did the maturity level, but the intricate attention to fit and detail never faltered. From a sweet, white trapeze frock to tiny LBDs, the designs showed Tatyana’s understanding of girls and women with very different styles. Some dresses were over-the-top, elaborate creations, such as the aqua dress of scrunched fabric, but the red gown with shoulder detail was positively breathtaking in its simplicity. Though it reminded us of Bottega Veneta’s Fall/Winter ’09 white gown with knotted shoulder straps, Red Doll’s was a youthful, sexy version that stayed on our minds even after we left the show.

By Meghan Turner

Photography by Billy Rood Photography