Runway to Retail: Chicago is...Red Hot

Saturday, October 4, 2008

...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

Monday, June 30, 2008

CS Magazine Fetes AIBI's Chicago is...Red Hot!

Last Wednesday, CS Magazine rolled out the red carpet at Chaise Lounge to celebrate "The Chicago is...Red Hot! Party" with the Chicago Apparel Industry Board and many of the city's fashionistas. The fête brought about much anticipation for AIBI's fashion show that will take place this September before Fashion Focus. Whitney Lasky (President of the Board) thanked guests and told the crowd that "AIBI's mission is nurturing and supporting designers based in Greater Chicago and is constantly developing new programs to better serve and promote the industry as a whole". She also explained that "they (AIBI) are the only official organization in Illinois specifically dedicated to the needs of the sewn industry." Right after her speech, guests could participate in the live auction with proceeds helping the philanthropic sector of the board. The VIP guests enjoyed beats by DJ Whiteshadow, nibbling on small bites of crab cakes, gourmet cherry tomatoes, and foie gras, while sipping on complimentary cocktails.