Every year I look forward to attending Chicago’s Fashion Week that is known for highlighting emerging designers. The Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) announces the premier events for Fashion Focus: Chicago’s Fashion Week, October 15-20.
Throughout the week a variety of runway shows will be hosted in Millennium Park showcasing the latest trends in menswear, Chicago’s emerging and established designers, shopping events and much more.
Premier Fashion Event Schedule
Tuesday, October 15th
- 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.
Wednesday, October 16th
- Maison De LaCour Fashion Presentation: New for 2013, designer Julius LaCour will feature his designs for women and men at the Chase Promenade North tent at Millennium Park at 12 Noon. 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.
- Taking it to the Streets: Featuring 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.
Thursday, October 17th
- Urban Shapeshifters: Debuting 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.
Friday, October 18th
- The Art of Fashion Runway Show Back for its sixth season, 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.
Saturday, October 19th & Sunday, October 20th
- 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 beginning at 11 a.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.
- 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.
Other events taking place during Chicago Fashion Week visit fashionfocuschicago.org
