Fashion Files Magazine: FashionFiles Chicago

Highlights from Fashion Focus Chicago 2011

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Published on Sunday, 23 October 2011 19:37

Written by FFMag Chicago

The 7th annual Fashion Focus Chicago closed curtains today after a week of amazing runway shows, decadent fetes, sexy after parties and celebrations of all things fashion in the Windy City. We hopped around town to bring you all the highlights of the fashions displayed. 

Macy's Chicago Fashion Incubator

Each year, here at FFMag we are most excited about the runway of the designers of Macy's Chicago Fashion Incubator, and this year certainly did not disappoint. CFI kicked things off Oct. 18 with a show highlighting Spring/Summer 2012 looks from past and present designers in residence and celebrated the fifth year of the program. Noteworthy collections included Eric Kipp, who presented a chic and modern menswear catwalk; Concetta  Cipriano, who showed a light and feminine pieces, and closed off with a killer orange gown; Kahindo Mateene, whose African graphics captured the audience; and Shavonne Dorsey, the first full-figured designer to present at CFI.  Live music from DJ Megan Taylor, violinist Katarina Visnevska and the Gold Coast All Stars accompanied the packed show at Millennium Park. See the sideshow above for all the fashions and festivities.

Mario Make Me a Model

 Photo courtesy Onasis Odelmo Photography

The next stop was Mario Make Me a Model, the second of four headlining shows at Millennium Park. The runway featured looks from five local designers and named the winners of the Mario Make me a Model competition. This year, to much of our delight, Mario Tricoci picked two winning models - Juni and Mercedes - pictured above. The young women received a Michigan Avenue photoshoot and a trip to Cancun. Congratulations.
 

Vert Couture Eco-Fashion Show

What would Fashion Focus be without a display of some of Chicago's most coveted eco-designers. Conscious Planet Media presented the 3rd Annual Vert Couture eco-fashion show Oct. 20. The Spring/Summer 2012 presentation showed plenty of sustainable, renewable fabrics from the likes of award-winning Richard Dayhoff, who showed luxury men’s underwear made from recycled polyester fibers; Dollparts by Michelle Dimitris, with looks from reclaimed vintage garments; Heart, a collaboration between designers Jenny Greco, Christina Noel and Lisa Selby, where the body serves as canvas for photographic images of nature imprinted on luxurious organic cotton, silk and bamboo; Lauren Lein, a seasoned custom couture designer debuting her first eco-collection of avant-garde suits and dresses made from repurposed high-end fabrics; and Tracy Mayer, an  exquisite fair trade jewelry designer who creates one-of-a-kind handmade pieces from recycled 950 silver, ethically sourced gemstones and ancient coins.

The Art of Fashion

StyleChicago.com's annual runway The Art of Fashion previewed the Spring 2012 collections of some amazing Chicago designers, Oct. 22, including Lara Miller, Nade Baer, Nora del Busto, Borris Powell, Eva Pazola, RÜCH, Squasht by Les, Shernett Swaby, Sylwia Wilczynska, and Zamrie. This year each designer showed a wearable concept garment that you'll be able to bid on during an auction. All highlights from the show are here.