Posts Tagged ‘Leah Fagan’

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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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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