CFF's LBD Event

What: CFF's Little Black Dress event at Casey Moran's Rooftop Deck.
When: Party starts at 7pm on Thursday, July 8th
Where: 3660 N. Clark Street.
Details: Tickets are $25 at the door but only $20 if you wear a little black dress...Tickets can ALSO be purchased online at chicagofashionfoundation.org. The first 75 people to arrive will receive gift bags!! Also- prizes will be given away to those with the HOTTEST LBD!

Chicago’s Good Glam Gala

Kate McLenaghan, Kristen Goede and Kate Coxworth of Kate Boggiano

The Good Glam Gala is part fashion show, part shopping event which benefited the Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago hosted on Friday, August 7^th. With an artistic Pilsen warehouse as the backdrop, this years’ Gala included different events – a glam fashion show, the chance to shop the newest garments and jewelry (including Swarovski) and mingle with the show’s designers and other glam gals. Of course, there’s no party without stylish apps and for this event, Hearty Boys created the cuisine. As if all of this weren't enough, there were some amazing pieces that the stylish guests could win when they entered the raffle. A few examples of the impressive prizes: shirts by Kate Boggiano, Objets d’Envy jewelry, Hearty Boys cookbooks, Glamour Girl Boot Camp Party for 15 people, wine tastings, styling sessions, a James Purcell dress and much more. Enjoying the finer things in fashion, while supporting a local charity makes this the perfect event – Get Glam. Do Good. - Chloé van der Wel

Photos by Alicia Nieto

Recycle Denim Maniacs 2009

Recycle Denim Maniac Winners from '08

Calling all Chicago fashion designers!

What: Nudie Jeans has announced their 2009 Recycle Denim Maniacs competition only for the designers of Chicago! Sketches must be submitted by July 27 to the Department of Cultural Affairs. For questions, please contact Jenny Tuite at 312-744-5905 or jennifer.tuite@cityofchicago.org
Why: Winner is flown to South Beach Miami or cash equivalent
Details: Your Theme - Rockabilly Blues and Nudie provides the denim to create your design Judges Include: Donnie Madia, Drew Harris of Barney's, Stacy Wallace-Albert, Stefani Bay, Maria Erixon the founder and designer of Nudie, and Julie Darling

A Video Story: Behind the Scenes with Diego Rocha

Ever wonder about the process of creating luxury handbags? Check out one of our favorite handbag designers in Chicago, Diego Rocha. This designer (originally from Brazil) creates some of the most beautiful handbags that we've ever seen. Go inside his studio and take a look.

Shopping Deals! Save 20% at Eclectica!

Dresses, Dresses and More Dresses at Pivot

Lara Miller Tiered Dee Dress, $200, Pivot Boutique

Chicagoland acclaimed Eco-Smart Fashion Boutique, Pivot, has brought in spring with dresses, dresses, and more dresses. Dresses Week has arrived with 50 new styles from established and emerging designers, only to be accompanied by its best friends: shoes, accessories, and jewelry.

Mohop Shoes try-on and ordering specials will be featured, along with jewelry from local designers Julia Failey and Leaves of Glass. These special collections will be in-store until April 9, 2009. Get set with the perfect dress for all your upcoming summer weddings, graduations, and garden parties galore.

The event kicked-off with the Dress Week Launch Party April 2, 2009 from 5:30- 8:30p.m, where guests were invited to partake in organic wine tastings, that featured wine from Green Grocer and sweet treats from Bleeding Heart Bakery. Along with fabulous treats, guests were given the pleasure of trying on top eco lines.

Eco-friendly, designer duds and generous pricing, what more could you ask for? Pivot is located at 1101 W. Fulton Market in Chicago and online at www.pivotboutique.com.

-Jackie Medler and Katie Davidson

Dismero Celebrates Talk of the Town With Author Sherrill Bodine

Sherrill Bodine

Dismero Boutique did V-Day best with an unbeatable compilation of shopping, sex, chocolate, and champagne. February 10^th celebrated Sherrill Bodine's book release and coming out of her pen-name party. Talk of the Town by Sherrill Bodine marks the first time the local author and socialite has published a novel under her own name. Her previous 15 award-winning novels were all signed under the pen names Leslie Lynn and Lynn Leslie. “Talk of the Town celebrates the beauty, grace and style of the Chicago woman,” said Dismero designer Andy D’Auria, “This event was a fun way for me to toast to my friend Sherrill’s successes, as well as bring together some of my favorite customers for a night of fashion and romance.” Along with the release of “the red hot read” dubbed by Cosmopolitan, the night featured red hot sex secrets from Dr. Debby Herbenick. The evening sizzled down as Sherrill signed copies of her book for Dismero shoppers.
-Jackie Medler

Cookie Cohen, Sherrill Bodine, Peggy Fox Gester

CFF Does Fashion in The White City

Just click the image to enlarge to see all of the details!

A local fashion student from Chicago will be the lucky recipient of a $5,000 scholarship from the Chicago Fashion Foundation!

The 2009 CFF Scholarship Event is on March 4, 2009 from 6-8pm at Macy's on State St.

Click here to view invite.

Click here to purchase tickets.

Congratulations to the 2009 Finalists:

Tara Reich- Columbia
Anna Gaukel- Columbia
Randy Rusnadi- Harper College
Arushi Kumar- SAIC
Sandra X. Hanley- IADT

For more details, visit www.chicagofashionfoundation.com

Cure Your Recession Depression at Shecky's Girls Night Out!

sponsored event:

Shecky's Girls Night Out!

UPCOMING EVENT ALERT

Cure Your Recession Depression at Shecky's Girls Night Out!

Economy got you down? Grab your BFF's and de-stress at Shecky's Girls Night Out – the only event where you can sip complimentary cocktails all night long, grab chic fashions at amazing prices, sample new products and score up to $100 in free swag inside Shecky's Famous Goodie Bag – all under one roof!

Date: Wed.-Fri., Mar. 18th-20th, 2009
Time: 5pm-10pm
Place: The Great Hall at Chicago Union Station 210 S. Canal St. (entrance on Jackson Blvd.)

General Admission Tickets: Free for Shecky's Insiders
(Insiders are subscribers to Shecky's)
Famous Goodie Bag Tickets: $25 in advance

For more info, click here!

Local Boutique Owner Collaborates with "What Not to Wear" Host

Local fashion boutique owner, Janice Moskoff, is collaborating with "What Not to Wear" host Stacy London on the "Find the Look, Keep the Look" program that is striving to educate consumers on the proper ways of cleaning your clothes to help them keep looking like new.

Sponsored by Woolite, the Find the Look, Keep the Look Program will be making its' debut in New York on March 10, 2009. Moskoff and London will be there to help kick off the launch of this Program. During this economic roller coaster we are going through, this program is aiming to help that fashionista stay up to date by not burning a hole in her pocket. One of the easiest and most cost efficient way in achieving this is to properly clean your clothes to keep them in mint condition. Too many people aren't taking the time to carefully read the care label on garments. "Find the Look, Keep the Look" is going to help consumers keep their styles looking fresh and in good condition in order to save a penny or two.

RUNWAY TO RETAIL: Tell us about "Find the Look, Keep the Look"!
JANICE MOSKOFF: It is an innovative program designed to help the savviest of shoppers stretch their fashion dollar further. It assists the fashion-conscious find the right styles with its comprehensive online look book which features 10 fashion boutique owners from around the country. And within the look book it provides invaluable fabric-care tips that help today's budget-pressed shoppers preserve and gently launder their most-beloved pieces from high-end designer denim to paper-thin cotton tissue-tees. Women spend a lot of time finding the look; Woolite helps them keep it. For more information about the program, visit: www.findthelookkeepthelook.com.

RTR: What was it like being chosen as the only Chicago boutique?
JM: It was an honor. I join an elite team of 10 boutique owners around the country that have been designated Woolite's Style Stars. It is an opportunity of a lifetime - especially as the Woolite and Beta Boutique message of stretching a shopper's fashion dollar further is so perfectly aligned. Beta Boutique shoppers love a good deal. They especially love high-fashion at an affordable price. And although many of my shoppers are already die-hard Woolite fans, by participating in this campaign I will be able to remind the rest of them that there is a high-quality alternative in caring for their most prized fashion finds.

RTR: What is the biggest tip you can give to women while dressing in a recession? JM: The three c's - 1) clean your closet, 2) chuck the items you don't wear and 3) carefully shop for well-priced investment pieces such as coats, dresses, cashmere sweaters that indulge the shopping bug while standing the test of time.
-Katie Davidson

Bejeweled Headbands

If you're looking for something to send your style up a notch, bejeweled headbands are the way to go! Rock this trend to the fullest with designer K.Amato's newest accessories! This fashionista with a degree in chemistry created her own unique niche in the fashion world with her coveted jewelry collections under the name K.Amato with fans like Eva Longoria-Parker and Rachel Ray. The tag line for the stylish accessories company is “Every Girl Should Have One,” and the woman behind the reasonably priced line of earrings, bracelets and necklaces has found a new accessory to expand her jewelry empire. K.Amato's line of headbands are similar to her other jewelry pieces and yes, we are as excited as you are! Look at it as a stylish interpretation of the tiara. Take a closer look and shop at www.k-amato.com.
-Chloé van der Wel

Ashton- Thin gold headband in black topped off with a filigree in gold or silver, $38, Buy it
Altgeld - Thin headband in black with a filigree to top it off! Filigree can come in gold or silver, $38, Buy it

Bexton-Thin headband in black topped off with a filigree in gold or silver, $38, Buy it

Win it!
We're giving away a gorgeous pair of pants (worth $279)!
Sign up here

Quickie Facebook Interview with Koros! Big Time Sale...

Koros, our go-to shop for everything chic, is having a major sale - get 40/50/and even 60% off now through January on amazing finds like Sportmax, Transit, Anik Batik, J4 Denim, Hoss, Gary Graham and more!

We caught up with store owner Kristen Fredricksen-Skordilis via Facebook this morning to hear more about their steal deals!

Factio Magazine at 9:31am January 7

Hey Koros! What are some of the biggest sales you have going on this week?

Kristen Fredricksen-Skordilis at 9:32am January 7

Our Sportmax Coat, Grey Metallic with a fur collar! You actually used it in the photo shoot with Jack Perno for your fall issue! It was originally $1,992. It's now 50% off. The cream gilet from Antik Batik, which you also used in the shoot was originally $628, it's 50% off. I have cashmere sweater dresses that were $782 and they are 50% off too.

Cream gilet from Antik Batik, Was $628, Now 50% Off at Koros!

Sportmax Coat, Grey Metallic Coat, Was $1,992, Now 50% Off at Koros!

Factio Magazine at 9:33am January 7

What should every woman have in her wardrobe?

Kristen Fredricksen-Skordilis at 9:34am January 7

A pair of Camilla Skovgaard shoes. Wherever I go I'm stopped in my tracks over her heels. She is amazing and a designer to watch!

Factio Magazine at 9:35am January 7

What are your biggest fashion tips?

Kristen Fredricksen-Skordilis at 9:36am January 7

Hire a stylist for an afternoon! They will maximize your wardrobe. That's the biggest secret at Koros. My initial consult is $225 and it includes a closet lift!

Click Here to sign up for Factio Magazine's Facebook group!

Koros
1039 W Lake St.
Chicago
312.738.0155
www.korosartandstyle.com

The Designers of Macy's Show

Not even the pouring rain kept Chicago's fashionistas from attending the Fashion Focus Designers of Chicago Fashion Show on Tuesday, October 7. The grand finale for Chicago's week of fashion did not disappoint and included designers such as Horacio Nieto, Lara Miller, Tennille White, Yana, Kate Boggiano, Agga B., Evil Kitty, and many more.

The local Chicago designers debuted their Spring 2009 collections to a full house. Many of the designs displayed on the runway were very wearable and showed what we can look forward to seeing added to Macy's inventory.

Some of the highlights you can purchase at Macy's were rose twill jackets with a funky edge, bright silk dresses, ruffled tops, ethnic embroidery,'50s-inspired bikinis, embellished long-sleeved blouses, leather and cotton dresses, fun club attire, and mustard mini dresses and ball gown skirts.

Designers were not shying away from accessorizing their outfits. There was everything from draping necklaces and glittering brooches to bracelets, chandelier earrings, and even bedazzled sandals.

It was a perfect (and wet!) end to Chicago's Fashion Focus Week, leaving the crowd wanting more and looking forward to next year's shows.
-Katherine Mingey

photos by Alyssa Blanchard

...Red Hot!!!

Photos by Robert F. Carl

Fashion sizzled beneath the Chicago skyline at the Chicago Is…Red Hot!!! fashion show. The evening of September 26, 2008 promised sparkly cocktails and enchanting fashions under a big tent encased by the Chicago night sky on Northerly Island. The celebration was held in honor of “Chicago Is…Red Hot!!! Day,”pronounced by Mayor Daley in honor of the Apparel Industry Board and all its efforts to make Chicago a most fashionable city.

The night began with cocktails, appetizers, and even more appetizing case displays of amazing designer jewelry, knit accessories by Ping Wu, elegant wraps by Kat Szymanski for Twist, and lovely custom designed hats by Chapeau Creations. The celebration was also dedicated to Dorothy Fuller, the woman whose lifetime has been credited in having put the “chic in Chicago”. Dorothy happily opened the show as “Chicago’s Fashion Visionary” and moved the audience to a standing ovation before one high heel even hit the runway.

The runway showcased the latest fashions from twenty-seven hot local designers and student designers from five of Chicago’s fashion schools. The latest designers and labels to shop in Chicago include Kreatia, Caroline Rose, 5p1t, Doe Work-Wear, Doodlebug, The Wooley Caterpillar, Sunia, Evil Kitty, Yana Collection, Debra Davis Designs, Jermikko, Katelyn Christopher (Dominican University), Nora Del Busto (International Academy of Design and Technology), Alice Schoenau (School of the Art Institute of Chicago), Sarah Matouchi (Columbia College Chicago), Nicole Gray (The Illinois Institute of Art), 600 West by Henry-Lee & Co., Tennille White, Yolanda Lorente, Lauren Lein, Phizza’z Designs, Bobby Chi, Jorge Del Busto, Mark Heister Design, Alyce Designs, Caroline DeVillo Couture Bridal, Elda De La Rosa Couture, and Mira Couture. Each label had its own unique way of fashioning up-and-coming women’s and children’s fashions. Chicago’s latest trends were unleashed and ready for report.

For more information about AiBi and their events, visit www.aibi.com.
-Jackie Medler

The Fresh Faces

Gen Art did it again by delivering a beautiful runway show and an intimate after party that featured the newest young designers Chicago has to offer. The show was held in Millennium Park in the Promenade Tent that was packed with attendees. Before the runway show, three accessory designers showcased their newest collections. Among them were Kate Mitchell of “Twig designs” with her nature and urban environment pieces, Sara Czosnyka of “Samsara Design” with her accessories that were classic and sleek and Tonia Kim of “Toki Collection” with her travel and fairy-tale influenced jewelry line. The runway show started off with spring lines featuring Sophia Reyes, Frei Designs, Shorty Clothing, Elise Bergman, Eskell, and Phillip Sparks. The show ended but the buzz continued on at the after party at En-Vent, a raw space in the West Loop that was transformed into a haven where guests chatted up the show they had just seen.
-Katie Davidson

Checking in

Pete Wentz

Backstage

Lancome's Alex Sanchez Backstage

Shorty
Frei
Sophia Reyes

Philip Sparks

Eskell

Elise Bergman

Tonia Kim Toki

Tian Shuai and Patrick Clark

Sara Tomich and Anjelie Anzuree