Fashion Focus: Chicago’s Fashion Week Returns

The Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) announces the premier events for Fashion Focus: Chicago’s Fashion Week, October 15-20, a citywide celebration of Chicago’s fashion industry. Highlights during the week include a variety of runway shows in Millennium Park showcasing the latest trends in menswear, emerging and established designers, shopping events and much more.

“This year, Fashion Focus will highlight fashion within the creative industries, emerging designers and menswear while still spotlighting the industry’s top talent,” said DCASE Commissioner Michelle T. Boone. “The City has a vibrant fashion community that we want to share with the rest of world and perhaps further enhance its status within the industry.”

Fashion Focus: Chicago’s Fashion Week is programmed with the assistance of the Mayor’s Fashion Council and sponsored in part by: Michigan Avenue Magazine, Mario Tricoci Hair Salon and Day Spas, Factor Model Management and Chosen Model Management.

Premier Fashion Events

Fashion Focus: Chicago’s Fashion Week kicks-off on Tuesday, October 15 with Inspiration: Designer and Muse.  Hosted by the City of Chicago and Michigan Avenue Magazine, the opening event will partner local celebrities in the creative industries (music, culinary, film, theater and dance) with a designer who will create a look for his or her “muse” to be showcased throughout the evening. Pairings will include: Maria Pinto and Jeanne Gang (architecture), Azeeza Kahn and Alpana Singh (culinary), Shernett Swaby and Mindy Segal (culinary), Diego Rocha and Naomi Beckwith (visual arts) among others. The event is invitation-only for guests of Michigan Avenue Magazine; however there will be an opportunity for the general public to obtain a limited number of tickets via Fashion Focus Chicago social media (Facebook and Twitter: @FashionFocus) beginning Tuesday, October 1.

New for 2013, designer Julius LaCour will feature his designs for women and men at Maison De LaCour Fashion Presentation on Wednesday, October 16 at noon. Luxury Management will produce this fashion presentation in the Chase Promenade North tent at Millennium Park. FREE general admission tickets will be available Tuesday, October 1 at 10 a.m. at fashionfocuschicago.org. The event is presented by Michael Anthony Salon.

Fashion Focus: Taking it to the Streets on Wednesday, October 16 can best be described by a quote from fashion icon Coco Chanel, when she famously said, “Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening.” This FREE runway show begins at 7:30 p.m. in the Chase Promenade North tent at Millennium Park.

Fashion Focus: Taking it to the Streets will welcome international designers Sarah Stevenson from the Toronto Fashion Incubator and Christine Phung from the Atelier de Paris, an incubator program in Paris. Chicago designers include: Lagi Nadeau, Shelby Steiner Agnes Hamerlik, Randall Hill, Laura Takataka, Nicole Puszynski, J. Toor and Chicago Playground. FREE general admission tickets will be available on a first-come, first-served basis on Tuesday, October 1 at 10 a.m. at fashionfocuschicago.org.

On Thursday, October 17, the Urban Shapeshifters will debut in Chicago, focusing on menswear. The runway show will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Chase Promenade North tent at Millennium Park. This FREE menswear event will feature local, national and international menswear designers including J. Cheikh, Michelle Tan and Jack Cave from Chicago, Brandon Scott, Los Angeles and Rana Rojo, Miami. In partnership with Chicago’s Gallery Aesthete, international designers participating are: Boris Bidjan Saberi, Barcelona; Ann Demeulemeester, Antwerp and Comme de Garcons, Tokyo and Paris. FREE general admission tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis on Tuesday, October 1 at 10 a.m. at fashionfocuschicago.org.

Back for its sixth season on Friday, October 18 is The Art of Fashion Runway Show presented by StyleChicago.com. This popular show will feature 10 spring 2014 looks from 10 Chicago-based designers. The VIP event begins at 6 p.m. and the runway starts at 7:30 p.m. Designers include: Maria Pinto, Calvin Tran, Eva Pazola, Boris Powell, Lily & Migs, Michelle Tan, Mark Roscoe, Hector-Javier MonArrez, Shalini Sharma and Shernett Swaby. Tickets are currently on sale at stylechicago.com and range from $35-$115.

On Saturday, October 19, designers, industry professionals and fashion entrepreneurs are invited to network and share ideas during Industry Day at the Chicago Cultural Center, 78 East Washington St. Industry Day will feature keynote speakers, panel discussions and workshops that advise attendees about the newest business strategies and trends in the fashion industry. The event is FREE from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Northern Grade, a new pop-up market in Millennium Park, brings menswear to the Chase Promenade South tent on Saturday, October 19 and Sunday, October 20 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Northern Grade is a mobile menswear market featuring vendors of products manufactured in the United States. Items for sale include clothing, footwear, gear, games, paper goods, grooming supplies and much more.

Fashion Focus 2013 will also present FashionChicago®, the StyleChicago.com designer shopping event in Millennium Park on Saturday, October 19 and Sunday, October 20. This shopping extravaganza will feature more than 30 of Chicago’s best apparel, jewelry and accessory designers. The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the Chase Promenade North tent at Millennium Park on both Saturday and Sunday. Dressing rooms will be provided. Designers include: AndreaGems, Anna Hovet, Archer Townsend, Atir Design, Barbara Keisman, Bourdage Pearls, Buckle Up Babe, Brynn Capella, Calvin Tran, House of Gemmes, Jennifer Reeves Designs, Jules, K. Amato, Lil & Migs, Michelle Tan, Nade Baer, Nomadic Ant, Jewelry, Nora del Busto, Sevigne Atelier, She Beads, Shruti Kirti, Squasht by Les, Susan Elizabeth Designs, Tongue Tied, 4 Tamara Nicole and others.

Fashion Focus: Chicago’s Fashion Week is presented in part by the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events. Home to over 400 local designers and 300 independent boutiques, Chicago boasts one of the most creative fashion communities in the country. The City of Chicago’s Fashion Initiative, started in 2006, partners with the industry on resources and high-profile events for local designers and independent boutiques to gain visibility, learn about the business of fashion and elevate the industry. For more information on the City of Chicago’s Fashion Initiative and Fashion Focus: Chicago’s Fashion Week, visit fashionfocuschicago.org or join the conversation on Facebook (Fashion Focus Chicago) or on Twitter @FashionFocus.

Note to Media: For media credential instructions visit the fashionfocuschicago.org “Press Room” or email mmay@cityofchicago.org.

Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events

The Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) is dedicated to enriching Chicago’s artistic vitality and cultural vibrancy. This includes fostering the development of Chicago’s non-profit arts sector, independent working artists and for-profit arts businesses; providing a framework to guide the City’s future cultural and economic growth, via the 2012 Chicago Cultural Plan; marketing the City’s cultural assets to a worldwide audience; and presenting high-quality, free and affordable cultural programs for residents and visitors.

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