2008 CHICAGO LATINO FASHION DESIGNER COMPETITION

The organizers of Chicago Latino Fashion Week are proud to announce the launch of its 2008 Chicago Latino Fashion Designer Competition. This competition is open to local Latino fashion designers, recent graduates and students. Submissions will be selected based on creativity, professionalism, design innovation, garment detail, fabrication, runway suitability and quality.

Interested applicants can register online at chicagolatinofashion.com.

Winners will showcase their latest collection on the runway to buyers, media and fashion lovers on Sunday, November 2, 2008 closing show of Chicago Latino Fashion Week.

Contest Calendar
Online registration begins May 26, 2008 – visit chicagolatinofashion.com
Application deadline July 20, 2008
Selection of finalists – August 1, 2008
Finalist collection presentation to jury – August 17, 2008
Winner revealed September 1, 2008

THE BUSINESS OF FASHION 2008

Please join the Apparel Industry Board, Inc. (AIBI) for their seminars this summer.

They will be bringing you in-depth discussions on how to produce and market a successful line from A → Z.
Seminars will be held on Wednesday and Thursday evenings from 6 pm – 8 pm

1. Nuts and Bolts starting a business the right way
July 30th
Understanding accounting and credit

July 31st
Banking and other legal issues
AIBI/Richard Driehaus Purchase Order Loan Program

2. Making it Happen getting your collection together
August 6th
Buying and using fabric
Working with your contractor

August 7th
Pattern making and fitting your garment

3. Let’s Sell it preparing for the sale
August 13th
How to design profitably
Presenting your line to a retailer

August 14th
Avenues of selling: sales reps, fashion shows, tradeshows, advertising, public relations and the internet

4. Lessons Learned
August 20th
Discussion with designers and champagne reception
-Bridal
-Career Wear
-Children’s wear
-Contemporary Dresses
-Handbags
-Jewelry

The entire series cost is $250.00 for members of the AIBI and $300.00 for non members.
Grouping 1,2 and 3 are each $75.00 for members and $100.00 for non members.
Lessons Learned is $50.00 for members and $65.00 for non members.

For additional information please call (312) 836-1041.

GEN ART’S FRESH FACES IN FASHION FEATURING A SPECIAL PRESENTATION BY CLANDESTINE INDUSTRIES HOSTED BY PETE WENTZ

Who’ll be the next? Having launched fashion’s finest including Hollywould, Shoshanna and Zac Posen, this annual showcase presents Chicago’s brightest rising design stars in womenswear and menswear. Toast these talents at an exclusive cocktail reception before an awe-inspiring runway show and chic after party. Clandestine Industries, a full-fledged lifestyle brand championed by hometown hero Pete Wentz, is honored to partner with Gen Art Chicago for this year’s event. (WC)

CHICAGO SISTER CITIES PRESENTS WORLD FASHION CHICAGO

Representing Chicago’s 27 sister cities, high-end international designers based in Chicago and abroad rock the runway with their latest fashions. Join the fashion savvy for this third annual runway event. (F) (WC)

(reservations required, limited space)/ 312.744.2400 (information)

CHICAGO DESIGN SCHOOL STUDENT SHOW

Be there when the next designer headed for stardom debuts on the runway at this show highlighting top students from Chicago’s fashion design schools: Columbia College Chicago; Illinois Institute of Art Chicago; International Academy of Design & Technology Chicago; and the School of the Art Institute Chicago. Creativity abounds from these up-and-coming designers. (F) (WC)

ChicagoFashionResource.com (reservations required, limited space)/

GEN ART'S SHOP CHICAGO

Shop for the best accessories and clothing with emerging designers and boutiques from across the country. Spa treatments and a fabulous gift bag create a truly luxurious shopping experience. Presented by Gen Art in its continuing mission to support and showcase emerging talent. (WC) (RSVP required for General Admission)

A FASHION PERFORMANCE

Designer-artist Alice Berry explores the tension between personal artistic expression and the business of fashion with this unique presentation featuring live models, projection, poetry and three of her collections: the Color Work; Green; and Fall 2008–9. (F) (WC)

THE ALLURE OF COUTURE

Celebrate Chicago’s most fashion-forward designers at this runway show featuring couture, avant-garde and contemporary looks. It’s certain to delight the senses! (F) (WC)

ChicagoFashionResource.com (reservations required, limited space)

MACY'S PRESENTS THE DESIGNERS OF CHICAGO

Watch this amazing collection of Spring 2009 fashions grace the runway. Macy’s showcases designs by some of Chicago’s best designers. (F) (WC)

ChicagoFashionResource.com (reservations required, limited space)

MAYOR’S FASHION COUNCIL SEMINARS

Want to succeed in the fashion business? This full day of seminars with industry experts is a must. Hear the latest on best practices, tips and real world experiences for designers and retailers at all stages of their development. Presented by the Mayor’s Fashion Council. (F) (WC)

ONLINE BUSINESS SEMINAR

Discover how to drive business to your website, keep it working for you, and even increase and enhance your current business with the site. Join this fascinating seminar with three experts discussing one of the industry’s hottest topics. Presented by the Chicago Fashion Foundation. (F) (WC)

CHIC CHICAGO: COUTURE TREASURES FROM THE CHICAGO HISTORY MUSEUM

Here’s a rare opportunity. View 50-plus top couture pieces from the museum’s acclaimed costume collection. Celebrating the world’s innovative fashion designers and Chicago’s great women of style, the exhibit offers a close-up look at breathtaking fashions, created 1878–1996, by such designers as Gianni Versace, Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel, Jeanne Lanvin, Charles Frederick Worth, Comme des Garçons and Charles James.

CHICAGO-BASED DESIGNER COLLECTIONS AT MACY'S ON STATE STREET

Shop an impressive selection of apparel, jewelry and handbags designed by some of Chicago’s best designers. (WC)

MACY'S DISTINCTION IN DESIGN COMPETITION

If you’re a designer hopeful, present your sketches and samples for feedback and direction from Macy’s buyers and trend managers. The Best of Show-winning designer receives a cash prize. No reservations required. Anticipate a line. (F) (WC)

EARTH-FRIENDLY FASHIONS AND ETHNIC FASHIONS

Come and admire a contemporary variety of designs created by International Academy of Design and Technology students, and inspired by their Special Topics courses in Organic Textiles and Ethnic Fashions. (F) (WC)

SALUTE TO THE DESIGNERS OF CHICAGO IS…RED HOT!!!

Mingle with other fashionistas and meet the designers of the highly anticipated fashion show, CHICAGO IS…RED HOT!!! 2008. Join this reception in the Apparel Center’s new lobby and also view an exhibit of the designers’ fashions for the show. (F) (WC)

SAME SUIT, DIFFERENT STORY

Check out the new and unexpected in this exhibit highlighting Columbia College Chicago students’ coursework in Fashion Design: Concepts. By deconstructing a man’s suit and shirt, they’ve created an original garment concept. (F) (WC)

SHAPING INTIMATE SPACE

View unexpected forms, created by hand-manipulation and hand-dyeing techniques on cotton fabric. School of the Art Institute students used the volume, shape, repetition and layering of modern architecture and design to shape these new forms for the human body. (F) (WC)

FASHION ILLUSTRATION DEMONSTRATION

Sketch a professional runway model wearing student designs while Columbia College Chicago fashion-design faculty assists with the drawings and answer questions. Materials provided. (F) (WC)

ChicagoFashionResource.com (reservations required, limited space)

STRIKE A POSE

Take home a skillful sketch starring you by instructors and students from the International Academy of Design and Technology’s Fashion Design Department. (F) (WC)

T-SHIRT FRENZY

Screen print a T-shirt using stencils of your choice with guidance from International Academy of Design and Technology students. (F) (WC)

MOSS: MUSEUM OF SUSTAINABLE STYLE

This exhibit demonstrates how to support the sustainable lifestyle and “green” your wardrobe without sacrificing style, personality or comfort. Local designers’ fashions of organic or sustainable fabrics and processes, and sustainable materials being developed, are showcased. And, a panel discussion on Sustainable Style will be held on Saturday, October 4. Curated by Pivot. (F) (WC)

FASHION FOCUS CHICAGO 2008

Fashion Focus Chicago, a weeklong celebration of Chicago’s thriving fashion industry, returns for a fourth year in 2008.

Running from Wednesday, October 1 through Wednesday, October 8 Fashion Focus Chicago showcases some of the city’s top designers, and features five runway shows in Millennium Park, fashion installations, shopping events, student designer events, and industry seminars.

More information will be added as it becomes available regarding tickets, reservations and additional event details!